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and insignia on the horse that he was indeed from Greystone and
could provide the information needed to retrieve his nephew.
    Gavin thought back four days prior when he’d learned
of his nephew’s kidnapping. Assailed by a wave of foreboding he could not
explain, he and his elite warriors waited an hour past Gabriel’s expected
arrival time before they departed Doran Castle.
    They rode with haste in search of the traveling party,
and shortly thereafter found the bloody remains of his nephew’s slaughtered
escort. By sheer luck one had lived long enough to say, ‘Montgomery’s men took
Gabriel to Greystone. Ransom’.
    Gavin sent men to inform Gabriel’s clan of the
abduction and he and his men were in route to England. He also gave special
instructions to notify the King of Scotland of the kidnapping since it broke
the peace agreement between the two countries. Gavin concluded with a warning
not to follow since more than likely it was a trap to lure Scotland’s most
powerful lairds into England.
    Due to the weather, Gavin and his men were unable to
catch the men that kidnapped Gabriel before they secured the lad behind the
walls of Greystone. The Highlanders were enraged by this setback, but devised
another plan upon arriving a few hours ago. They surveyed the land and sought
out those who worked within the confines of the castle for the sole purpose of
gaining information.
    Gavin’s hand fisted the reins as he focused on the boy
that caused them to waste precious time this eve. The whelp would pay dearly
for his folly, he thought, and then kicked his heels into the flanks of his
horse.
    Reining Apollo to a halt, Ella listened intently as
she glanced around, praying the men had given up their chase. Unexpectedly, a
horse and rider burst through the shadows, viciously yanking her from her
saddle. She hit the ground hard and rolled to her stomach to ease the pain in
her back. While fighting to breath, she heard heavy boots stomping towards her,
and was quick to find her dagger.
    Gavin was unable to abate his unleashed wrath as he
stalked the English varlet lying on the ground. Yet, when he moved to grab the
foolish twit, he was mildly surprised that the lad jumped to his feet and
sliced the air with a puny dagger. Beyond annoyed, the Highlander halted the
dagger the miscreant wielded with one hand, grabbed the front of the lad’s
tunic with his other, and then slammed him into the nearest tree. As expected,
the dagger fell harmlessly to the ground.
    Hearing the thunderous beat of hooves coming his way,
Gavin turned his head, shocked by the sight of the boy’s horse charging him.
The animal gave an ear-piercing scream, then reared up on his hind legs a few
paces away.
    “Call yer beast off or I will kill him,” Gavin warned
in a low, ominous tone.
    When no response came forth, he slammed the boy into
the tree again, and then kept him suspended off the ground.
    The lad whimpered in pain, then spat, “Go to hell!”
    “If ye dinna value yer horse, so be it,” Gavin growled
as he threw the boy to the ground, and then pulled out his claymore. He knew
the reaction he would receive, and was not disappointed.
    “Nae, do not hurt him,” Ella said as she flung herself
in front of Apollo.
    Gavin stared in disbelief when the beast instantly
calmed. Obviously, the youth had a gift with horses, a trait he always
respected. Yet, when his men approached, the horse became agitated again,
moving closer to his young master.
    “Tavish, take the boy’s horse. Water him, and then
return to camp,” Gavin ordered knowing his youngest brother would be able to
soothe the horse while he dealt with the English twit.
    “Please be at ease,” Tavish said to skittish lad and
irate horse. “Ne’er would I hurt such a magnificent animal, but for now I must
take him.”
    Ella watched as the young Scot, who looked to be a
year or two younger than she, walked away with Apollo. She gave no protest,
fearing if she did they would harm her