The Highlander’s Witch Read Online Free Page B

free from her chest, she tilted her head, not happy that she had to, to look at the man who captured her.
    She came to her full height and stared at him, trying to hide how his stature and strength intimidated her.
    In the light of day, she couldn’t help but notice his eyes. They were the purest blue she’d ever seen, ringed in a deeper blue, almost black.
    Damn, he was big.
    He stood there with his arms crossed and it angered her that he could so effortlessly frighten her. A shirt of some kind under his thick cloak barely concealed just how well built he was. Inwardly, she realized she was staring at him and it probably wasn’t a good thing, but she couldn’t help it.
    Then it hit her; he had spoken in Gaelic earlier! What had he said? She couldn’t remember.
    She stood there shivering, refusing to look away or look as pitiful as she felt.
    He returned her gaze, except he took in her appearance with a look of disgust.
    “Ye be the filthiest lad I have ever deemed to look at.” His lip curled. “An ye stink.”
    Skye glared, not knowing if she was more furious at being called a boy or filthy when it was his fault she was caked in dried mud, and it wasn’t her fault she wasn’t large chested.
    Crossing her arms as well, she sneered. “Have you smelt yourself lately?”
    That got a surprised look, but before he could respond, a yelp from the litter drew his attention, a worried look flashed over his features before disappearing as he turned back to warn her.
    “Runnin be useless. Twilna do anythin but cause me to punish ye harshly.”
    She watched him walk away until a soft whimper brought her attention to the injured hound and she could not help but frown in sympathy.
    That dog had saved her life. It may have been unintentional, but it remained a fact.
    When the men settled to eat without offering her anything, Skye eased her way to the wounded dog.
    Knowing the two men watched, she knelt before it, whispering soft words of assurance even as it growled weakly at her.
    Blood matted so much of the fur, she couldn’t tell where the wounds were.
    “I know, baby.” She cooed as she felt the warmth in her hands when her powers gathered strength.
    Cold and weakened from the day’s events, as well as the recent use of her powers to get her blood circulation going, Skye still knew she had to do something for this poor animal that had saved her life. She wouldn’t do anything noticeable just enough to make sure it would survive.
    Placing the back of her hand in front of its nose, she allowed it to sniff her, hoping its animal senses would pick up her abilities and understand she was here to help, not harm.
    The growling stopped and Skye sighed in relief knowing the hard part was about to begin.
    With her hands tightly bound, she could just barely close one hand in a loose fist so she could place the fingertips of her other hand on the dog’s skin.
    Concentrating, she focused her energy inwards.
    “What be the lad doin, Aiden?
    “I doona ken.” Scratching the irritating beard, he glowered. “But he harms me wee Seelie an he won’t be seein the end of this day.”
    “Mayhap he be prayin the way his head be bowed over her?”
    “Damn Christians.” Aiden replied in a distracted voice, his eyes never leaving the boy who showed him no fear.
    They watched the stranger for a moment, absently biting the salted dried meat.
    “I canna put me finger on it Collin, but there be somethin about the lad . . .” Aiden sighed in frustration. “I doona ken it.”
    “Twould be wise to keep an eye on him, to be sure.” Collin placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Ye ken Seelie won’t last the journey home?”
    When there was no reply, Collin nodded and left the man to his thoughts.
    Skye removed her shaking hand.
    “I don’t know how you survived this long, little girl. There was more damage than I thought.” She shook her head in amazement as she spoke quietly. “But I got the worst of it.”
    She was cold and