Highlander's Beloved 02 - A Highlander's Passion Read Free Page B

than…than…Hell, just how was a witch supposed to look? Like her aunt Una with her straggly gray hair and snaggletooth? Kenzie smiled and rubbed her arms in a self-hugging caress. Evidently all witches didna have the same clichéd appearance. She hoped she didna resemble a witch other than possessing eyes that didna match.
    Sudden movement caught her attention, and she looked out of the windows again. A large spotted cat with a short, dark-tipped tail formed in front of the thicket behind the house. Heavens, the tan-and-silver-speckled animal had practically materialized in front of her as if from thin air. Kenzie swallowed a nervous lump in her throat and struggled to control the internal trembling that was causing her organs to bandy about.
    The lynx stared at her with piercing, haunting blue eyes. Elusive, sometimes invisible, and always mysterious—or so Scottish lore proclaimed—the vanishing cats were believed keepers of deep secrets and hidden knowledge. Legends of the animal, whispered to children at bedtime, were vague and murky depending on who told the story. Yet here she was looking at a lynx this verra minute.
    Its heavily tufted ears tipped in Kenzie’s direction.
Look deep within yourself, young witch, to see what is hidden. There is much kindness in your heart. Infinite power.
    Kenzie wheezed air into lungs paralyzed with astonishment and weakened from last night’s curing of Paden’s asthma.
    “I just heard you gasp, Sparrow. Is Paws out there? He seems to appear this time of day.”
    Her gaze was locked on the creature who’d just spoken to her. Spoken, as if he had the power of speech, just like a human. “Did…did ye say ‘Paws’?”
    Effie cleared her throat. “The lynx. I call him Paws for lack of a better name. His feet are terribly big compared to Mittens’—that’s the gray and white kitten who likes to hide upstairs in my bedroom.” China clattered when she set her cup and saucer on the table and stood. “Welcome the being’s presence, my young Wiccan sister. Accept him.”
    The smell of baby powder grew stronger as Effie stood next to her. “The lynx can help nurture your Wiccan abilities and center your psychic senses. For our coven, these unusual cats can also be guardians. I have one back in Virginia, who hides in the woods on my little farm. She protects me on my long walks. I call her Bluebell because of her striking eyes.” The pink-haired woman linked her skinny arm with Kenzie’s. “The shifters have their white owls. We have the lynx.”
    Lynxes. Witches. Psychic abilities. God help me. Have I lost me senses?
    How was she to handle all the peculiar changes in her life? Fer one, a new job with an American who was a witch. Kenzie had barely gotten used to the fact she herself was Wiccan. While she’d been raised by Una, weaver of the Matheson plaid and a sorceress, she’d never imagined she possessed powers too. Not until the day after she miscarried, when she’d learned her abusive husband, whom she’d cursed with a chant, had died a violent death.
    A shudder racked her body.
I killed me husband.
    “You did not cause Duncan’s passing, Sparrow. His choice of associates did. I was with him when he was shot. We were both held captive by evil, money-hungry men. They wanted to silence him for what he knew about their drug organization. You must stop blaming yourself.”
    Great, an American witch who can read minds.
    “I can’t read your mind. Not really. Only in regards to your powers, which you feel you used in an irresponsible way to harm Duncan. It’s a guilt you carry. An unnecessary guilt. Part of my job as a Wiccan is to rid you of it. By the way, you’ll be pleased to know little Paden went home from the hospital around noontime. He had a healthy glow to his skin and his breathing was completely normal.” Effie chuckled. “The doctors are still trying to figure out how his diseased lungs healed overnight. You did well, Sparrow. You protected his health,