Lydia Dare - It Happened One Bite

Black Dragon Inn, south of Edinburgh

March 1797

Alpina Lindsay breathed a sigh of relief. It hadnt been easy locating a vampyre none of them had ever met, but finally, after nights of searching for the man, there he was! He certainly matched the description of the man Fiona Macleod had seen in her vision.

Leaning against the stone faade of the old inn, Lord Kettering drew deeply on his cheroot as he gazed up at the crescent moon, seemingly without a care in the world.

Alpina narrowed her eyes at the gentleman who was, indeed, handsome, dashing, and more powerful than anything or anyone she had ever faced. The bairn in her womb kicked and Alpina protectively smoothed a hand over her belly while Fiona Macleods warning echoed once again in her mind.

Are ye certain ye want ta do this? Bonnie Ferguson whispered in her left ear.

Alpina caught Rosewyth Campbells eye and nodded, as there really was no choice in the matter. The man before them had to be dealt with. Otherwise, her daughters life and future would be in danger. That couldnt be allowed.

From her right, Moira Sinclairs dainty hand slid inside Alpinas, reminding her she wasnt alone. Together they could thwart the evil that Fiona had seen in her vision. Together they would ensure her daughters future.

A twig snapped beneath one of the witches feet, and Kettering stood at attention. Hello? His crisp English accent sliced through the night air.

It was now or never, and Alpina couldnt take the risk that Kettering would escape. She stepped from the mist that had until now shrouded the coven from his view, pulling Moira alongside her. Good evenin, my lord. Somehow she managed to keep the fear from her voice.

A charming smile settled on the mans face, and his white teeth sparkled in the moonlight. It is now. He tossed what was left of his cheroot to the ground and stepped toward the pair. A seducer if ever there was one. What a delightful treat. Not one beautiful lass, but two.

Actually, there are five of us, Fionas waspish voice came from somewhere within the mist.

Five? Kettering echoed.

And in the blink of an eye, Moiras misty shield evaporated and Kettering found himself in the middle of their circle. The five witches clasped hands together, trapping him inside the ring.

The Englishman looked from one to the other, confusion lighting his too-handsome face. Why? he asked.

Because of what ye are, Alpina answered. We canna allow ye ta harm anyone.

He shook his head. Ive never harmed anyone, he professed.

Fiona Macleod snorted at that. Ive seen what ye are and what ye will be with my own eyes, my lord. Pray doona deny it.

And what are you ? he asked.

Justice, Fiona sneered. For all yer victimspast, present, and future.

Cadail, uilebheist. Caidil gu brth ! Alpinas voice rang loud and clear.

Cadail gu brth, cadail gu brth , the others chanted.

Power surged through Alpinas hands where she held onto Moira and Bonnie within the circle. Shed never felt such intense energy. Sparks erupted from their clasped hands, arcing across the circle and creating a perfect, five-pointed star. Thunder cracked above them, and Kettering let out a pained cry. He crumpled to the ground and everything was silent.

The five witches slowly released their hold on one another, stepping closer to the man at their feet. If Alpina hadnt known better, she would have thought he was dead.

His maker will search for him, Fiona predicted. The knight will go through Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen.

But no the Highlands? Alpina asked, the answer mattering more than her next breath.

Fiona smiled. Nay. No one will find him at Briarcraig, but we must hurry.

Alpina nodded. Then she knelt beside Kettering, wishing they could have done more than place him in a dormant sleep; but it would have to do.

As he is imprisoned, so shall remain his soul, Fiona said as she lifted his hand to stare at the ring that adorned it. She tugged it from his finger and tossed it to Alpina, who caught it in mid-air. The ring glowed, warm and vibrant in the palm of her hand.

But vampyres have no soul, Alpina said with a shake of her head. No life.

As a descendent of Blodswell, he could. Fiona pointed her finger at the lifeless man at their feet.

Everyone knew the story of Blodswell. The tale was passed from witch to witch, from cradle to grave. It was a story of true heroism. It was the reason why the rings had been gifted to the knight, as a harbinger of hope, a promise for the future. But the prophecy could only be fulfilled if the wearer of the ring remained pure. For only love could heal the blighted soul.

The ring contains what he holds most dear, Fiona continued. Its the essence of him. And his link ta his maker. Take it and go. If ye doona leave with it, hell seek its power and wake soon.

For the first time today, Alpina doubted this deed. But Fiona had foreseen it. If they didnt take immediate action, the vampyre would wreak havoc upon their lives and upon her daughter in particular.

Alpina stood back and watched as her four coven sisters made quick work of depositing the vampyres body in the awaiting Macleod coach. They exchanged quick hugs before the four women crowded inside as well.

It didnt feel right to leave her sisters exposed to such danger. If he wakes, ye might have need of me, Alpina called out, as the coach lurched forward.

Fiona answered from inside the conveyance, Ye hold his heart in yer hand. Without it, he is but a shell of a man.

A shell of a man. Somehow Alpina doubted that. However, the further the coach moved down the meandering lane, the more the ring lost its shimmer and warmth. With a shrug of her shoulders, Alpina threaded the ring onto a cord she wore around her neck. No one could ever take the relic from her, and her daughters future would be preserved.