Free Sea Wolf Magick (Highlander Magick Series Book 2) by Patty Taylor Page B

thumped at the door.
    A low growl rumbled from both their chests. The magic of the moment was broken.
    Quinn raised his head and glanced over his shoulder, shouting, “I warn ye. This better be bloody damn important.”
    Beth’s fingers shook, hurrying to clutch the discarded shirt and cover herself.
    Quinn snarled, his eyes flashing amber. He bent, grabbing his kilt, and wrapped it around his waist. Cursing beneath his breath, he headed to the locked door and flung it wide open.
    A red-faced McGregor stood in the doorway. A wide grin spread across his face when he spotted Beth. “Sorry to bother ye, Captin’. I’m afraid we have another wee problem.”
    “We discussed this earlier, McGregor. ’Tis not another storm headin’ this way for days.” Quinn raked his fingers through his hair. His muscles flexed on his back. “Do ye mind tellin’ me what’s so bloody dire important that it couldna wait ’til morn?”
    “Aye, Sir.” McGregor gripped his crutch, his fingers drumming against the center wooden dowels. “I’m not quite sure how to begin. I’ve never ran across one before, Captin’, and don’t how to explain this.”
    “Go on McGregor. After interruptin’ us, I suggest you try . . . hard.” Quinn raised his voice, growing impatient. Beth swore she saw the hairs bristle on his back.
    “Well, Captin’ we have an unexpected guest on board.”
    “If Finley dares . . .” Quinn grabbed a small dagger from inside his leather leggings.
    “’Tis not the lad Finley, Captin’.” A raised bushy eyebrow caused wrinkled lines to form on McGregor’s forehead.
    “Out with it, man. My patience grows short.” Quinn’s nostrils flared as his voice grew curt. “No man can survive out in this ocean unless he’s part-wolf, sea creature, or can fly.”
    “Aye, Captin’.” McGregor leaned to the side and nodded toward Beth. “She’s come to see the healer and granddaughter of the late Griselda.”
    Caught off guard by hearing her grandmother’s name, Beth hurried to grip the shirt before it fell to the floor. McGregor turned his face while she jostled it over her head and tied it in front of her. She headed to the open door.
    “Wait, lass.” Quinn grabbed her arm. “We dinna know anything about this woman. Ye stay here ’til I question her meself.”
    “I’m afraid she’s no ordinary woman, Captin’. She’s part-Undine.” McGregor glanced back at the open door before leaning forward and lowering his voice. “Ye should have seen ’em. They were jumpin’ out of the white crests of sea foam like a school of playful dolphins. Next thing we know, this one hurdled through the air and landed on board.”
    “I dinna like any of this.” Quinn’s eyes widened with concern. He slid a chair across the floor and motioned for her to sit down. “Best ye stay here, woman.”
    Beth straightened and gripped Quinn’s wrist. “Griselda’s my grandmother, and the person responsible for sending me to the future in the first place. She did it to protect me until it was safe enough for me to return to my own people. Don’t you see? I must talk to this Undine. Maybe she knows something that can help me.”
    McGregor cleared his throat. “Beggin’ yer pardon, sir, I think ye both need to come on top and see for yerselves. I don’t think she’s come to hurt the lass.”
    Quinn let out a long sigh and shook his head. “’Tis against me better judgment, but ye may be right. Under the circumstances, I guess we dinna have a choice. But I warn ye, woman, the first sign of trouble, and I want ye to head back here as fast as ye can.”
    “Yes, Captain.” Beth jumped and hugged Quinn. “I promise. I can’t believe I’m actually getting a chance to speak to someone that knew my grandmother.”
    Quinn grasped Beth’s hand and headed for the stairs. “Your grandmother must have been a powerful sorceress.”
    “From what I’ve been told, Griselda was an exceptional witch in her youth. The woman endured a