Page 68 of Dark Embrace

It took Aidan a moment to realize that his father was right. He was stunned. But he met Brianna’s frightened gaze. I willna let anything happen to ye, he told her silently. Ye need to wake up now.

Brianna just looked at him, and he knew she hadn’t heard him.

“She can’t hear your thoughts. I’ve made sure of it,” Moray laughed.

“Wake up,” Aidan cried to her. “Get out of this dream!”

“I’m trying,” she cried back. “The sleep is too deep. It’s too heavy!”

His alarm escalated as he turned to look at his father. “What have you done to her?”

Ignoring the question, Moray said, “You healed her today. I am so disappointed, Aidan.” His smile was mocking.

His father knew everything, Aidan thought, and rage began. But he felt a terrible moment of helpless despair. “Tell me what I must do now in order fer ye to leave her alone—in order fer her to awaken.”

Moray snarled, “You still protect her, an Innocent. When this day is done, I will own your soul.”

“Fine,” Aidan cried, meaning it.

“Aidan, whatever he wants, no!” Brianna cried, trembling.

Aidan met her gaze. He was beginning to feel that they were both awake but trapped in the dream world anyway. But she had to be dreaming still, didn’t she?

He had to awaken her; he had to get her out of this dream. Moray had come with some terrible, evil intention, and Aidan almost suspected that he had engineered the dream for them.

He was half in and half out of the dream. He started to step completely out of the realm, so he could awaken her, but he was blocked by a great and invisible energy.

Moray laughed.

He met Moray’s wide, cruel smile. “I have the power now,” his father murmured.

Frantic, Aidan tried to step out of the dream world again. He smashed into another invisible wall.

Brianna cried out, clearly aware that they were both trapped now.

Moray snarled, “I have spent over a hundred years on your fall, and now you embrace a white witch with your heart—and your soul!” He shook with rage. “I own your soul. It belongs to me!”

“Ye took my son. I murdered innocent men, women and children. When will ye be pleased?” Aidan cried. “What more can I give ye?”

Moray whirled and seized Brianna. Then, to his surprise, he shoved her into Aidan’s arms. Brianna clung, looking up at him, shivering in fear.

“Is this real?” she whispered.

“Nay,” he said, uncertain if he lied. He put his arm around her and faced his father. “It’s me ye want. Let her awaken and go.”

Moray smiled—and Aidan saw Ian.

He went still. This was not reality. “Ian?”

His son looked the same—small and dark of hair, with vivid blue eyes. The boy smiled in relief. “Papa.”

If Ian was a ghost, he would vanish as he always did. But his son simply stood there.

This was cruel treachery. Aidan reached out and saw his hand trembling.

Moray stepped back, taking Ian with him, out of his reach. “Give me your soul—and I will give you your son.”

Aidan felt Brianna choke on despair.