Read Highland Defiance (The MacLomain Series- Early Years) for Free Online

she said, “Get me home. I don’t want to be here anymore.”
    Before she had a chance to pull free from his grasp, he cupped her cheek and his anguished eyes met hers. “I’d do anything to keep you here, Mildred, anything to keep you here with me.”
    Would he? Why?
    About to respond, to be strong, she talked. Spoke.
    But it didn’t matter.
    She was already gone.

Chapter Three
     
    “I don’t want to be here anymore,” she repeated, groggy.
    “Well, neither do I,” someone said, his voice strong.
    She struggled for recognition. It wasn’t Adlin. She blinked several times. Jim? Instead of a small stone chamber the steel mill rose behind him. Panicked, Mildred tried to move.
    “It’s okay.” Jim had his hands on her shoulders. “You passed out for a moment is all. Take a minute. Breathe.”
    As her vision cleared she realized that Iosbail and Adlin were gone. In their place, her sister and brother, David and Jim. How was this possible? Air came fast and furious. She started to breathe too fast. Her hands and feet went numb.
    Frustrated, Jim lifted her to a sitting position. His intent eyes came close and he asked, “You able to pull yourself through?”
    She wanted to respond, she really did.
    “Fine.” A light slap to her cheek.
    “How dare you!”
    “That’s right,” Jim said.
    “You’ve got balls,” she rasped.
    “Focus, Mildred. You with us or not? I’ll smack you again unless you respond. Harder next time.”
    Focusing was hard. But she knew that voice. It wasn’t Adlin. It was Jim. “Off,” she whispered, trying to focus. She put her hand over her mouth, shook her head and leaned back against whatever held her up.
    “Enough!”
    That was Irene’s voice and she was mad… and concerned.
    “Everyone get to work. I’ve got her.”
    Knowing her sister was nearby felt soothing. Exhausted and weak, she leaned against Irene. How was she here? How were they all here? But she was so tired it didn’t matter.
    “I’ll have someone clock you in as sick,” Irene whispered. “It’ll cost a day’s wage but you’re not fit.”
    Even as she was shoved back into their car, Mildred felt guilt. To lose a day’s wage was too much right now. As she flopped across the back seat she tried to deny it but her limbs were done for, never mind her mouth.
    The car lurched forward.
    And Mildred passed out.
    “Mildred.”
    “Tell me the truth, Adlin.”
    “Mildred.”
    “I’m scared. Tell me the truth.”
    “Mildred, it’s me, Jonathan.”
    With a sharp woosh, she released pent up air from her lungs and opened her eyes. Not to a highland chamber nearly a thousand years old but to the attic of her bedroom.
    “Adlin!” she cried and sat upright.
    “It’s me, Jonathan, your brother.”
    She tried to focus. Where was Adlin? He’d been right there. But he was gone. Overwhelmed, she slowly leaned back.
    “Mildred, can you hear me?”
    That was Irene’s voice. Of course she could hear her.
    I need to lift my hand. I need to be coherent. But the thought didn’t seem to connect with the brain. How could she be there then here?
    Because you can be, lass.
    “Adlin?” she cried and shot up.
    “No,” her siblings said and pushed her down.
    Though Mildred moved her lips, nothing came from her mouth. Everything seemed blank and desolate. Everything seemed without purpose. The blinds were drawn. Candles were lit.
    “Keep her down.”
    Keep me down? Mildred struggled. She knew that voice. Mama?
    “Now,” the voice whispered.
    Then there was nothing.
    “Keep her down!”
    Mildred screamed and flailed, unable to do anything else. Anger burned and bubbled. She wanted death for all…needed it. Faces became unfamiliar. Her inner voice became unfamiliar.
    “Shhh.”
    Her mother’s whisper was nearby. Soft and reassuring, her Mama had never left her. Though it felt a million pounds rested on her arms, she lifted her hand.
    A strong hand grasped hers. Startled, Mildred tried to pull back.
    “It’s me sis.