Free Knights-of-Stone-Bryce by Lisa Carlisle Page A

tips. Even small sachets that contained flammable components.
    Duncan raised his eyebrows at Bryce and his brothers. “You remember how this works, I’m sure.”
    The brothers exchanged sheepish glances at the memory.
    “Aye,” Bryce replied. The others echoed the sentiment.
    One side of Duncan’s mouth curled into a half-smile. “Almost burned the damn forest down,” he muttered.
    Bryce hadn’t seen these types of sachets since he was a young gargoyle. He and his brothers would “borrow” some from the stash of weapons on the Isle of Stone and take turns blowing things up on the rocky beaches. They experimented with different types of tree bark, noting how the flames and the scent of each differed. They’d learned how to make the magical fires grow higher by projecting a small burst of energy. Only they were reckless and took it too far, soon having bonfires raging out of control. Duncan and some others had to put out the fire. The sachets had been locked away so the five of them would no longer have access.
    Now that they were grown and part of their own clan, Duncan and his enforcers trusted them with the same weapons. A monumental step—they could be destructive in the hands of someone who didn’t know what they were doing. Or who had malevolent intentions.
    While they waited for Duncan’s enforcers to return, Bryce and his brothers shared a meal with his parents.
    “What you’ve gone through, luv,” his mum said, voice edged with concern. “I’m so sorry. For all of it.”
    His younger brothers must have filled his parents in while he and Lachlan had spoken to Duncan. “Aye. Me, too,” Da said. His usual bark softened a shade to a gruff tone.
    Mairi managed a smile in return that tugged at his heart. So young and beautiful. She’d experienced so much heartache. More than anyone ever should bear. And yet, she persevered.
    “I owe much to all of you for your hospitality,” she said. “Especially Bryce.”
    The grateful glance she gave him almost leveled him. He almost choked on a fig.
    Over the next couple of days with the Calder clan, they brainstormed the best options for battle if they found the demons. When he had downtime, he often spent it with Mairi. They often shared stories as they walked the moors. At night, they flew with his brothers.
    When the sentries returned two nights later, Malcolm summarized the findings. “No signs of anything near the cave, but we saw the damage inflicted where her clan lived. We heard reports of bizarre murders in nearby villages, which corroborate Mairi’s description of how they killed—tearing the victims limb from limb.”
    “You conducted a thorough search in those locations?” Duncan inquired.
    “Aye,” Malcolm replied. “We found no signs of where they’re hiding.”
    Duncan stroked his chin. “We need to lure them out, somehow.”
    “How?”
    “Give them something they would want,” Duncan replied.
    After several moments, Mairi spoke. “Me.”
     

CHAPTER SEVEN
     
    Bryce blinked with horror. Mairi couldn’t have said that, volunteering for such a suicidal task. “What are you doing?”
    “They know I escaped. If they’re not already hunting for me to finish what they’d planned, they would pursue if they saw me.”
    All he managed to say was, “Mairi, no!”
    She tilted her head and studied him after he barked out those words.
    “You’re setting yourself as bait,” he added in a less demanding tone.
    She raised her chin. “I can’t think of a better option.”
    “No!” His volume increased with the mounting fear. “I won’t let you do it.”
    The withering look she gave him told him he’d gone too far. His muscles tightened as he waited for the tirade to come.
    You don’t own me. You can’t tell me what to do. And all sorts of statements of the like women shouted when a man attempted to control them.
    The fury melted from her eyes. What she actually said surprised him. In a calm, steady voice, she asked, “Bryce, can