Chapter Five
Duncan used the elements to his advantage maneuvering to a small tree where low branches now whipped around by the wind. He lured her within range and at the right moment, he brought his sword down on the branch cutting it cleanly.
Picked up by the wind, the branch flew at Deeva and as she hit it away, Duncan sprung forward and cut her across the chest.
The sword fell from her hand as she screamed and clutched at the wound. Deeva dropped to her knees knowing she was beaten. Blood poured from the wound in a pulsing rhythm.
The rain ran down her body in torrents as she looked up at Duncan glaring at him while he debated on whether to kill her or spare her life. He was afraid what this quickening would do to Beth.
She said quickly, "Connor and I are lovers so kill me and then when you see him you must tell him."
Duncan wavered long enough judging her words. In that moment, she jumped up to strike at his groin with her fist and then snatched up her sword to bring it across his neck.
Duncan bent over but recovered from her blow and blocked her attack, he then struck back and they continued to fight.
Deeva began to tire first from his barrage. Duncan kept coming at her driving her back. The ground was muddy and she finally slipped going down.
Without hesitating this time Duncan followed her down with his sword slicing at her neck.
Picking up the dark sword, he walked a few steps away from her body.
His thoughts went to her and as the lightning struck him suddenly cried in a loud voice, "Elizabeth!"
From the car, Deahna could see lightening and she assumed it was just the storm. She could not see Duncan or the watchers who were coming up behind the car.
The window shattered with a gunshot and the bullet struck Deahna and killed her. A minute later two men opened the car door and pulled her out.
Half carrying and half dragging her they pushed her body into the trunk of their midsized car. Getting in and quickly gunning the engine, they were getting away. However, they stopped long enough to pick up a watcher who was on the lookout for the winner of the combat nearby.
Their goal was to kidnap Deahna McFadden and Deeva was just a decoy or victor. They did not care. Now it was a race to get the wife of the Grand Immortal out of the country undiscovered.
Actual lightening from the storm and the quickening were both hitting Duncan and the intensity was too much. He collapsed in pain as the heat seared his body.
Driving the swords into the ground, he tried to lessen the force. The bolts of electricity came at him again taking his mind to a higher place and he heard Beth's voice calling to him.
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"Duncan! NO!" she screamed her anguish but knowing it was too late. The energy quickly went through her.
Connor went past the courtyard and found the two immortals nearby just in time to see Beth scream and fall to her knees. Her sword was point down in the ground as she tried to hold herself up.
The fire inside her was fiercer than she remembered. It went right to her belly, to the baby. She felt it growing as it fed upon the bond it shared with Duncan.
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The quickening began to subside and the lightening passed over him one more time. It made him feel lighter and euphoric at the same time. The rain seemed to wash the discomfort away.
Overcoming the weakness, Duncan struggled to stand. Slowly going over to Deeva's body something caught his eye.
There on her finger was a gold ring. Leaning down to pull it off, he saw the initials CM. He swore to himself, "Damn it! Maybe she was telling the truth."
Putting the ring in his pocket, he placed the dark sword across her body. He wished he had the time to bury her properly. However, pulling her body to a small ravine, he covered it with rocks and branches. Retrieving her head, he tucked it under as much brush as possible. He said a quick prayer that her body will not be discovered for many weeks.
He could not guess what the watchers might do. Would they report on him for murder?
Soaked through with rain and blood, Duncan picked up the empty fuel container and went back to the car to change clothes and tell Deahna what happened.
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The spell on Korbin was broken when he glanced at Connor. As one accord, they went for Beth's sword.
Both men reached it at the same time and there was a struggle with Beth in the middle. Her screams now turned to sobs. She had no will to fight them as the men wrestled over her sword.
On her knees, she began crawling away from the struggling men. The rain was coming down harder, but it could not stop the fire. Her heart pounded in her ears until she could bear it no longer.
Then Beth felt the quickening end and hot tears on her face. It was at that moment she heard the hum of the gathering call. She collapsed and lay still, scarcely breathing.
Connor pulled the sword from Korbin's hands and was ready to use it. "You shall die for what you have done to her." He said in a rasping tone.
Holding his hand out in defense, Korbin demanded, "You'll have to challenge me to a fair fight."
"Elizabeth has already won and you deserve to die," said Connor as he swung the sword towards Korbin.
"Stop!" was a command from someone behind the trees. In all the commotion neither one felt the other immortal nearby.
He came towards them and held out his hand to Connor. He ordered him, "Give me her sword." With some hesitation, Connor handed the sword over to the stranger.
He then told Connor, "Please take care of Elizabeth and get her inside. I will deal with Korbin."
Connor looked over and saw her distress. His anger at Korbin forgotten and he went over to Beth shocked by what he saw.
Picking her up, she was moaning as he carried her towards the Inn. She felt almost ethereal and he could not understand the change that came over her.
Frank stared at Korbin and gave him this advice, "Korbin Hunter you should be dead by now. Instead you must leave here and I don't care where but Duncan MacLeod will be looking for you."
Korbin's sneer turned to a look of surprise at hearing the name of Duncan MacLeod. He asked, "Why will he be looking for me?"
Frank smiled wickedly and replied, "I could tell you that she is his woman and you tried to kill her but it does not matter why because he's on his way here." Swinging the sword around, pointing the tip at Korbin, he gave this warning, "So if you don't want to die today I suggest you leave."
Taking the counsel given him, Korbin took time enough to collect his things and went to his car to put as much distance between himself and the Highlander.
McFadden walked away holding up Beth's sword. He looked at it and said, "That was too close. I would not have been in time if it were not for Duncan's quickening."
Going inside the Inn and up the stairs, he located Connor's room. Frank was relieved to see her sleeping and Connor standing guard. One look at this highlander told him that he would have many questions.
Smiling at him McFadden said, "Thank you for being there to save her from Korbin."
Feeling suddenly reserved Connor wondered whom this man was that had such a commanding presence. He asked respectfully, "Who are you?"
Frank shook hands then winked at him answering, "I am Franklin Maurice McFadden also known as the Grand Immortal. All else will be answered in due time. Duncan will be here soon and together we can answer your questions."
Connor glanced at the sleeping girl and said, "Something happened to her that I've never seen before. Can you explain it?"
"Yes," Frank did admit to him, "She is going through a change and that much I can tell you."
As they sat down and waited for Beth to awaken, Connor tried without success to pull more information from his new friend.
Once back at the car Duncan saw the shattered window and the footprints in the mud and tire tracks leading back the other way.
The rain had slacked off with the coming of dawn so he changed his wet clothes right there beside the deserted road.
Inspecting the area did not reveal many clues. All he could guess was that two men took Deahna. He felt tricked and maybe Egan wanted Deahna all along. There was nothing he could do except walk on to the next town for the petrol.
His head still felt a continuous buzz that made him dizzy while his thoughts went to Beth and he hoped she would forgive him.
Looking at Connor's ring one more time he clenched his fist and quietly asked forgiveness. Then he began following the road that would lead him to back to her.
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