Page 111 of Dark Embrace

“Maybe Tabby can help,” Sam said softly, pulling into the underground garage.

“Damn it,” Brie gasped, because the car began to tilt and then spin. Filled with dread, Brie seized the dashboard, aware of a vision coming on. For the first time in her life, she wanted to fight her gift. But she gave herself over, slumping in the seat, head back, the car spinning…. and then it went still.

Malcolm held Claire, and he was crying.

Aidan twirled from the hangman’s noose, head down, lifeless.

It was a gray day, the ground covered with snow.

Vaguely Brie knew she had already seen this and she was confused, until the vision changed.

He hung from a crenellated stone wall, beyond which was a deserted inner ward. Inside the castle, a small, dark chamber was lit by a solitary candle. There was a bed, a small table and nothing else at all.

Brie tensed. The image sharpened. A man lay on the bed, hands folded, eyes open, but he was as still as a corpse. It was Aidan’s demonic father, Moray.

Brie gasped and sat up, sweat pouring down her face. Had she just seen Moray dead?

And in that moment, she somehow knew he hadn’t been dead, not at all. He had been in repose, awaiting the return of his black power.

“Sleeping evil,” the ripest time to reap protection, or some such thing. Now Brie understood that phrase of the Wisdom. He would be at Aidan’s hanging, masquerading as someone else, perhaps Frasier. And Tabby had a spell to prevent his evil from returning to his body. She had to go back now so they could find and finish him.

“Are you okay?” Sam asked.

“I had a vision. If I can get back, I think I’ll be able to find Moray, and Tabby has a spell that might end his demonic reign once and for all.”

“I’m going back with you,” Sam said quietly.

A moment later they were in the elevator and going up to Brie’s loft. Tabby had the door open and was waiting for them, both anxious and smiling. Behind her, the loft was filled with the scent of her fantastic cooking.

Sam said in a low voice, “I take it I’m not supposed to mention her Fate is a big, dark medieval brute who looks about as kind and sensitive as a really angry attack dog?”

“I don’t think we’re allowed to reveal what we know—not unless it’s dire,” Brie said tersely.

“Are you okay?” Tabby cried, embracing her and dragging her inside so they could safely shut the door and lock it.

“I’m not okay,” Brie returned. “I’m so upset my head is going to explode.”

Tabby seized her hands. “Sam told me what happened while you were being debriefed. Brie, I’m so sorry.”

“Tabby, please find a spell to send me back to him, exactly where I left off.”

Tabby’s eyes widened.

“I need it immediately.” Although she also needed a shower and her own clothes—she’d been given contacts and sweats at the agency—she ran to her computer and powered on.

Tabby and Sam followed her. “You know I never find a spell immediately,” Tabby replied. “It could take me days or even weeks.”

Brie went to her research files and the last text she’d been reading. She glanced up at Tabby. “Please.” Then she opened the page she’d bookmarked.

She desperately wanted the text to have changed. If her love had healed Aidan at all, he would not allow anyone to hang him.

“Brie, when Allie vanished last year, Sam asked me for a time-traveling spell. I couldn’t find one,” Tabby said worriedly.

“Every day is different,” Brie reminded her. “If you can’t find a spell, I’ll find another way.” She hit Enter and text filled her screen.

In December 1436, Aidan the Wolf of Awe, a Highlander with no clan, sacked the stronghold of the Earl of Moray at Elgin, leaving no man, woman or child alive.

She breathed hard and read the rest of the page.