Highland Shadows (Beautiful Darkness Series Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

that ravaged his once strong frame. Alex knew his father had never stopped mourning the loss of his beloved Anna. Every day, every moment lived without her by his side had taken its toll, so too had the burden of their dwindling clan. Callum strained to lift his heavy lids. “Alex,” he whispered. “I leave ye nothin’ but heartache.”
    “Wheest, Da.” Alex wiped his father’s burning brow with a damp cloth.
    Someone rapped on the door. Alex willed Murdock to enter, but it was Jamie who slipped into the room. He motioned to the window. “The garrison spied Murdock riding this way.”
    Alex crossed to the thick tapestry hanging in front of the high window and flung the heavy fabric back. He peered down just as a rider with long, black hair and massive shoulders thundered into the courtyard . Shaking his head, he marveled at Murdock’s timing. Somehow he always seemed to show up when Alex needed him most.
    Jamie crossed to his side. “The prodigal son returns.”
     
    ~ * ~
     
    The frozen earth refused to give way to Callum MacKenzie’s body. Instead, his soul would be carried to heaven in smoke that billowed and undulated in the wind. Alex stood on shore as was their custom while flames engulfed his father’s body
    “I cannot bear this.” He stormed away from the gloomy water. Murdock followed close behind. “Ye knew his time was nigh,” Murdock said, his voice low and raspy.
    Alex stopped and turned to face his brother. Like Alex, Murdock favored their mother in appearance with his black hair, which he wore very long past his shoulders. But Murdock did not have their mother’s mismatched eyes. His eyes had been a dark blue when he was young, but as he grew they lightened. Now, they were so light a blue they reminded Alex of crystals they used to hunt for when they were lads. Much to Alex’s regret, Murdock’s eyes were also just as cold and hard as those beautiful stones.
    Once fun-loving and mischievous, the fire had changed him. He had retreated inwardly, becoming hard and aloof. But Alex believed everyone dealt with grief in their own way. He never called Murdock to task or lorded duty over his head. Still, Murdock grew darker and more troubled with each passing year. The most Alex could do was pray his brother found peace.
    Alex cast his gaze to the ground. The last thing he wanted was to burden Murdock’s already tortured mind with more ill news. Still, he felt it was his right to know about Kendrick.
    Alex took a deep breath. “Kendrick is gone.”
    Murdock looked at him blankly, betraying no hint of emotion. Clearly, his brother had not understood his full meaning. “He’s missing. Jamie led the search but…” He could not bring himself to finish.
    Still, Murdock’s face revealed none of the shock or anguish Alex had felt when he had first learned of their friend’s fate. Murdock had only shifted his gaze. Now, he stared impassively out to sea.
    “The wolves have taken Kendrick.” Alex’s voice rose in frustration. “We don’t know whether he’s dead or alive.”
    Raking his fingers repeatedly through his hair, he waited for his brother to react. Somehow Murdock kept silent. “God’s Blood,” Alex swore before tearing off down the rock strewn beach toward Midnight. He rested his forehead against the horse’s side. Damn Murdock and his unfeeling ways. It was no wonder Alex preferred the company of animals.

CHAPTER 3
     
    Jamie inspected Alex’s freshly polished sword. “I ken where ye’re going?”
    Alex paused but then he went right back to packing his saddlebags. None of the meager beasts in the small stables could hold a candle to the MacKenzie mounts of old, including Midnight, but those days were finished. And he was done mourning. What he wanted now was revenge. Revenge for his mother’s death. Revenge for his people’s livelihoods and those fine animals he had loved so well. Revenge for his father’s miserable end and for Aggie’s broken heart. The day of reckoning