Page 8 of The Last Knight

Her throat went dry at noting his eyes flickered down her body before meeting hers. “It is possible that you possess something that can help me return to this world.”

“What are you talking about? I don’t have anything.” She couldn’t help remembering the voice in her dream asking for a key.

Gunther studied her for a moment. “Does your family own any old tomes, something that speaks to other realms? Your cousin, how did she come into possession of the dagger?”

Aubrey’s blood went cold. No matter how he presented himself at the moment, the man before her was from the Dark Realm, an assassin and utterly dangerous.

“Is it you that keeps giving me nightmares?” Aubrey asked and searched his eyes trying to sense if he would be truthful when he answered.

Brows lowering, he seemed puzzled. “Bad dreams? I do not believe I can affect your dreams.” He seemed to be actually concerned. “What happens in these dreams?”

Aubrey was convinced he already knew, but she explained anyway. “They are nightmares. There is always a dark mist and voices asking for a key.”

This time he looked away, fists clenching. Aubrey took a step backward watching his wide back as he seemed to struggle to keep calm. When he turned and looked at her there seemed to be fear in his eyes, while at the same time fury brewed just under the surface. “Can you see anyone in the dreams? Any person? Creature?” His voice sounded deeper.

Frightened, Aubrey shook her head side to side, backing up until pressing against the wardrobe beside the window. “I only see mists, feel a hand on my shoulder or my arm, from behind.”

Gunther dropped his head, his wide shoulders lifted and lowered. Seeming to note that she’d moved away and stared at him wide-eyed. He moved closer and held out his hand.

“I am sorry.”

Aubrey stared at the outstretched hand, then placed hers into it. The large, calloused palm closed over hers and he led her to the bed. “I will go and allow you to rest. Please consider my request.”

He assisted her back onto the bed, and she slipped between the sheets, needing to cover herself from his perusal. When she looked back up at him, he was holding a picture on her nightstand. It was of her, her brother Stuart, and their parents during a holiday on the Spanish coast.

“Your family?”

“Yes,” Aubrey replied. “My father Andrew, my mother, Afryea, and my brother Stuart. We went to Spain on holiday last year.”

It was odd to see how gently he placed the frame back down. “You are fortunate.” He met her gaze for a moment and held up a hand. Then he was gone.

She ran both hands down her face. First the dreams and then a visitor. Whether Gunther knew about the nightmares or not, he was tied to them, of that she was sure.

Despite understanding that he didn’t mean any harm toward her, the fact he’d seemed to fight to keep control of his temper told otherwise. Gunther was turning into a very dangerous man.

She had to make a decision to either help him or condemn him to a life of darkness he’d never be able to turn away from.

Astonishingly, Aubrey slept soundly after Gunther’s visit. When her alarm went off at seven in the morning, she stretched, a smile curving her lips, then she abruptly frowned. She’d dreamed of Gunther, that they were on a picnic in a forest clearing. In the dream they’d conversed, with her being attentive and asking about his past while fixing her plate of fruit, cheese and bread with care.

“Ugh.” Aubrey pulled a pillow over her face. She considered herself much too sensible for romanticism, especially with some king of the underworld type. Of course, she couldn’t control a dream that had been influenced by the late-night visit.

Sitting up, she scanned the room. In all probability, Gunther had not been there at all, only another dream. It made little sense that he would come to her for help again, especially now that, according to Padriag, he had become one of the most powerful beings in the other realm. Probably powerful enough to break free if he wished.

When she flipped the blankets off, something fell on the floor. It sounded heavy, almost like a cell phone. But a glance at the night table confirmed hers was charging. At first she didn’t find anything on the rug, then a round object caught her attention. Slipping from the bed, she studied it.

A round rock, the likes of which she’d never seen, lay on the floor. Picking it up, the smooth stone fit nicely in her palm. The coloring was amazing, shades of purple blending from the darkest, almost midnight color on the edges, gradually lightening to the faintest lavender. Its beauty took her breath.

Gunther had left a gift, something to ensure she knew he really was there. And that he’d asked for her help.

“I’m dropping Padriag at the castle,” Erin announced over the brim of her cup of coffee when Aubrey entered the kitchen after having showered and dressed in her yoga clothes. “Then I have to go to Edinburgh to work.”

“Aunt Lauren has done an amazing job running things. She may be reluctant to give up her new responsibilities,” Aubrey teased. “The last time I was there, she was discussing redecorating the Zen room with a woman she’d invited to class.”

“I was afraid of that. She’s been hinting she wants to do more than teach a class three times a week.” Erin smiled. “Can you come to the studio so we can discuss things? I talked with Padriag last night about the commute from here and, later, from the castle to Edinburgh. We may want to open two additional studios, the one you want to have here in Linlithgow and one in Culross, which I can work at. Mother can run the Edinburgh studio if she wishes.”

Aubrey nodded. “After morning yoga, I plan to go to the council meeting and hopefully finally get the permits approved so that I can finalize transactions for the studio here. I can be in Edinburgh about noon.”

Erin gave her a bright smile. “Perfect.” Her eyes shifted to the doorway, and instantly her face brightened. Aubrey didn’t have to look to know Padriag had entered.