Free Mark of the Highlander (The MacLomain Series: Next Generation, Book 1) by Sky Purington Page A

argued.
    And just like that, the two of them were at it again. So she took matters into her own hands and tried to pull it off. No luck. The elegantly carved ring didn’t budge an inch. Instead of panicking she asked logically, “What do we know about Claddagh rings?”
    Sheila and Leslie shook their heads and said simultaneously, “Nothing.”
    It took everything she had not to look at the men. They were her best friends! Any normal person would call 911 but not her or her cousins apparently. Why was that? She laid her head in her hands on the table. She knew why. Ferchar wouldn’t hurt them. The Claddagh ring Seth put on her finger proved magic was real. Ferchar had simply sealed the deal when he punished Seth and Trevor.
    But what did all of this mean exactly?
    “Magic,” Sheila said. “Unbelievable.”
    “And I believe it still is,” Leslie replied.
    “How, after all of this, could you think that?” Sheila asked.
    “Everything has a practical explanation. Somehow, we’ll make sense of this.”
    “You’re unbelievable, Leslie,” Sheila said. “But at least you’re still predictable.”
    “And you, as always, take everything at face value. Had you listened to my advice when trying to save your forest last year you might’ve…I don’t know…saved a forest!”
    Sheila frowned. “You don’t understand my endeavors.”
    “Nobody understands your endeavors. Not even you.”
    “Shh. Wait. He’s moving,” Sheila said.
    McKayla lifted her head. It was Trevor. His eyes were alert and his arms were moving. She might be frustrated but he was her friend. Scooping up his cell phone she stood.
    Sheila grabbed her arm. “You sure you want to do that?”
    No, but she would mainly because she’d expect the same from him if their positions were reversed. So she brought the phone over. Fingers moving fast, he texted, “I’m so sorry.”
    “You should be,” she said.
    “I will show you me,” he texted. “Soon.”
    Eying him, McKayla breathed deeply and sat back on her haunches. What was a shape-shifter exactly? What if Trevor wasn’t Trevor at all? Which he obviously wasn’t. She nodded and turned to check on Seth. He remained completely motionless.
    “Oh sweetie.” She cupped his cheek. “You’ll be back. Make me a promise? When you come back don’t kill Trevor, all right? I’ll owe you one…maybe a thousand. But you know how much I care about him.”
    Seth stared aimlessly. Please, God, let him hear me.
    Thump.
    Trevor fell forward onto his hands, gasping for air. “Bloody hell, lad’s got some kick-arse magic,” he croaked.
    Putting her arm around his shoulder she helped support him as he stood.
    “McKayla,” he gasped and pulled her close. “Forgive me.”
    Before she could respond he set her aside and stumbled from the room. She was about to go after him when Seth gasped.
    She once more crouched and cupped his cheeks. “Seth, are you okay? Talk to me.”
    His hand shot up and clasped her arm the moment his eyes shot open. “So sorry, hon.”
    Before she could respond he started coughing. Eventually, he fell back, his body moving more and more. He whispered, “Never met a vamp, werewolf or reaper with more power than Ferchar. Scary shit this.” After another deep breath he asked, “Are we sure he’s not a demon?”
    She tried not to think about the creatures he implied existed. “Logan got involved. He’s always been an overprotective Dad.”
    Seth wiped a hand across his mouth and winced. “Was I drooling?”
    “Yes,” Leslie said.
    “No,” McKayla assured. “Stop stressing.”
    “Or maybe he shouldn’t stop stressing quite yet,” Sheila said in awe.
    Huh? Looking up, McKayla nearly toppled over backward.
    As though she were right back in her dream, Colin MacLomain, tall and kilted, held out his hand to help her up. She cocked her head as though looking at someone who wasn’t there. Broad shouldered with muscles rippling down his arms, Colin wore a dark tunic with a