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skin when she turned it over to face the little heart out to fit it back into the opening where it apparently belonged.
    The instant the stone fell into place, a loud buzzing filled Annie’s ears and she ducked, one arm over her head, convinced an entire hive of bees must be after her. At the same time, the breeze picked up, swaying the branches over her head.
    “What the heck?” she murmured, unable to spot the source of the odd green light glowing around the heart-shaped stone. It was as if the light came from inside the stone bench.
    Around her, the wind continued to pick up speed, whipping her loose hair until it stung against her face and neck. The green light emanating from the bench grew until it filled the entire arbor like some massive spotlight. Tiny shards of colored lights shot past her head. It must be strange insects whose noise beat against her eardrums. Impossible to be sure. Since they moved so quickly, she could only distinguish them as bright points of rainbow-colored sparkles.
    With a glance over her head to try to spot where the angrily buzzing insects massed before they attacked, she cautiously rose to her feet. Whatever was going on in this arbor, she wanted no part of it. She snagged her shoes and clutched them to her chest as she started forward but, before she could manage two steps toward the exit, the ground began to pitch under her feet, tossing her backward.
    She tensed her muscles, waiting for the impact of the hard stone bench against her body, but she felt only a glancing blow to her cheek, which did nothing to slow her fall. Around her, the green light intensified, multiplied by an array of angrily buzzing, colored streaks, blinding her as she continued to fall. Her descent picked up speed, pitching her forward, faster and faster, as if she were falling into a deep and endless pit.
    Her mind struggled to comprehend how such a thing could be possible and then, without warning, her body jerked to a sudden, bone-jarring stop. Suspended in midair, surrounded by a million shards of light and cocooned in a blanket of emerald green, her mind gave up any attempt at rational thought. Her eyes fluttered shut and the bizarre world around her faded away into oblivion.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 3

     
    Highlands of Scotland
    1295
     
    “Uh-oh. Best you look to a hasty escape, my friend.” Finn MacCormack’s elbow to Alex’s ribs accompanied his words, as did a throaty growl from the wolfhound lying at Finn’s feet. “And quickly, at that.”
    Alex turned his gaze from the trencher in front of him to the direction his friend indicated to find his sister headed toward him, her eyes fixed upon him with a determination he recognized all too well.
    “Too late,” Finn added, dipping his head to concentrate on the food in front of him as if he thought to make himself invisible.
    For one wild instant, Alex allowed himself the luxury of envisioning an escape from his sister. He wasn’t sure he could stand another bizarre round of conversation where Alissaundre MacKillican regaled him with stories of Faeries cavorting about, making mischief in their woods.
    “I need you to come with me,” she said as she approached, one hand on her hip, already signaling her defiance. “And be quick about it, brother. I fear we’ve no time to waste.”
    “Calm yerself, Lissa,” Alex began, but stopped as he really looked at his sister.
    Though they were twins, Lissa was the opposite of him in almost every way. Where he was quiet and contemplative, she was outgoing and talkative. Where he took his time and rationally thought a thing through, she jumped in with both feet, guided always by her emotions.
    But with all their differences, never had he seen her present herself in the great hall in such a disheveled state. Her copper curls escaped from her braid in every direction and mud coated the front of her gown and streaked her face.
    “What in the name of all that’s holy have you been up to?” he