Nate Bjorn

Chapter 28

The Constable had been invited to the Campbell keep. Bryant, Arlan, and Baird had decided to meet with the Constable as well as Nate. That was fine with Zihana she didn't want to spend time talking to the Constable. He was a nice man, but Zihana didn't like all the talking that was to be done. Talking, but nothing else.

Zihana wondered how the meeting was going as she jogged along just along the edge of MacAulay land. She had been out jogging for the better part of an hour when she slowed down to take a breather. Zihana placed her hands on her head and laced her fingers together as she walked. Her plan was to walk for several feet before she went back to jogging.

A sound caused Zihana to turn around. She didn't see anything behind her. Zihana turned back around and worked on getting her breath. She had just lowered her arms and was ready to start jogging again when she was grabbed roughly from behind.

"Ye shouldn't have gone for your daily jog witch," a rough voice growled in her ear.

Fear slammed into Zihana as she heard that voice. It was Kenzie's voice. Zihana struggled to get away from him. He let her go with a laugh and shoved her so that she stumbled and fell. Zihana's knees stung as she scrambled to her feet. Zihana spun around and her stomach dropped. Standing behind Kenzie was the rest of his brothers. They all glared at her maliciously.

Zihana held up her hands as she slowly backed away. "Ye are trespassing."

Laughter echoed through the group. Tathan spoke and Zihana flinched as he flung the words at her. "This is MacAulay land. We are free to come and go as we please."

Wren eyed Zihana and that was the only warning Zihana had. She jumped away as Wren lunged at her. Zihana turned and fled fear giving her wings so that she flew over the ground. Whoops and hollers echoed from behind her as Nate's brothers gave chase. Zihana managed to stay ahead of them until she topped a rise and tumbled down the small embankment landing on her face.

Hands caught at Zihana and yanked her up to her feet. Zihana was surrounded by the MacAulay brothers. Fear lodged in her throat as the brothers began shoving her back and forth between them. They always pulled her back up when she fell. Zihana managed to break out of their circle when she kneed Logan in the balls. Cruel laughter followed as Zihana made a break for it.

"Ye can't run forever," Uisdean shouted after her as they chased her across MacAulay land.

Zihana knew that she needed to get somewhere safe. She knew what type of men Nate's brothers were. They would have their fun with her and then dump her somewhere where no one would find her.

A hand grabbed her roughly by the arm and spun her around. Zihana was knocked to the ground by Uisdean. Zihana cried out as pain exploded across her cheekbone. She curled into a ball as Dewitt landed a blow to her ribs. Fear pulsated through Zihana as she sought to protect herself from their blows.

An angry shout broke through the chaos surrounding Zihana. The sound of a brawl broke out around Zihana. She uncurled enough to peak out from between her arms to see Flynn, Tierney, and Isolde running the MacAulay brothers away from her. Zihana flinched when hands touched her. She relaxed when she saw that it was her cousin Toren.

"I'm so glad to see you Toren," Zihana sobbed as Toren helped her sit up.

"Shh," Toren said as he wrapped Zihana into a hug. "You're safe now." Toren ran a comforting hand over Zihana's hair and rubbed her back.

Tears burned Zihana's eyes as she buried her face in her cousin's shoulder. She cried quietly as he held her and soothed her. "How'd ye find me?"

Toren rubbed her back soothingly as he spoke. "We heard a rumor that the MacAulay brothers had been seen in this area. So we thought we'd investigate. We heard yer cries and hurried over here as fast as we could."

"Zihana."

Zihana pulled away from Toren and looked to see her brothers and sister standing over her. With a sob Zihana stumbled to her feet and threw herself at her siblings. They caught her and hugged her close."

"Yer okay," Tierney said as he hugged her close.

"I know," Zihana said as Flynn hugged her hard. "I was just so scared. Ye know what those boys are like. They were intent on hurting me like they did last time."

"We would never let that happen," Isolde said as she wiped tears off of Zihana's face. "And if they did, they would regret it."

"Where are they?" Zihana asked in fear looking around.

Flynn jerked a thumb over his shoulder. "They are currently run away like scared rabbits."

An unexpected bubble of laughter escaped Zihana. Zihana leaned wearily against Isolde. Toren stepped forward and effortlessly picked Zihana up. Zihana didn't like being carried, but right now she was so sore and exhausted that she was okay with being carried.

Toren carried Zihana over to where their horses were and helped her climb up onto his horse. Toren swung up behind her and turned his horses head away from the sea and the cliffs that stretched out behind them. Zihana relaxed back into Toren and let her mind wander as they galloped home.

"By the Gods! What happened?" Birkita exclaimed as Toren carried her into the keep.

"What happened?" Etain whispered her face white as she gazed at her daughter.

"Bring her in here," Birkita said as she ushered Toren into the study which was the closest room to them.

"The MacAulay brothers," Flynn growled. "They were attacking her when we came upon them. I hate to think what would have happened if we hadn't got curious as to why the MacAulay's were doing here."

Etain let out a gasp as her hands fluttered about her daughter. She turned and gave her nephew, sons, and daughter a hug. "Thank ye so much for saving Zihana."

Tierney hugged his mother close and kissed her on the cheek. "Ye welcome."

Zihana closed her eyes as Birkita and her mother fluttered about her. They would take care of her. She could already hear Flynn on the phone with Nate telling him about what had happened. Zihana opened her eyes and watched the activity around her. Her eyes were on Flynn as he spoke to Nate on the phone. He felt her gaze and turned to give her a smile. Zihana closed her eyes and wished that Nate was here. She'd feel better once he was here.

"Zihana."

Zihana opened her eyes to find Flynn kneeling down next to her. Flynn's eyes were worried when she opened her eyes. "Nate is going to be here as soon as he can. He is bringing Bryant and the Constable with him."

Zihana nodded. "Can I sleep till he gets here?"

A tender smile spread across Flynn's face. "Of course. We'll wake ye up when they get here."

"Kay," Zihana said on a sigh as she closed her eyes. Sleep came quickly and easily to Zihana. She didn't even stir as her Mother and Nate's Grandmother took pictures of her injuries and then gently tended to them.