Page 12 of After Midnight (Skye Druids #7)

Chapter Ten

The wind coming off the water and the drizzling rain made the morning wet and chilly.

Kurt was nursing his second cup of coffee, the caffeine doing nothing to help his nerves—or his stomach.

Everyone believed the plan was a good one and had a high chance of success.

Except he knew his brother. And Parker was nothing if not unpredictable.

The only thing they had going for them was that Parker had no idea how many people were luring him and his Druids into a trap.

Kurt brought the paper cup to his lips and sipped through the plastic lid. He had always imagined his first time on the isle would be full of taking in all the sights he’d learned about from the other Knights . He even had a list of what he wanted to visit and experience.

Instead , he was standing under the awning of a building while trying to find a place where the wind didn’t reach him.

It was a futile effort. There was nowhere to go on the isle to get out of the wind but inside, and he couldn’t do that yet.

His toes felt icy, and the only reason he still had feeling in his fingers was because they were wrapped around a hot beverage.

At least his other hand was toasty warm in his coat pocket.

Early May in London was vastly different than it was in Scotland , which was different than on Skye . He didn’t usually mind the cold. Maybe it wasn’t the weather but the fact that he was about to face off against his brother that turned his body to ice.

Kurt withdrew his mobile to check the time.

One minute to go. He stared at the screen, pondering the sheer plethora of mistakes he had made—not just with Sabryn and the Knights but also with his family.

Hell , life in general. He’d left nothing but destruction and chaos in his wake, and no amount of apologies could fix that.

The time changed on his mobile. Kurt put the device back into his pocket and turned the corner of the building as he headed for the Tea Talker .

He scanned the area around him, looking for Parker’s crew.

He had scoured CCTV camera footage until he had likenesses for all eight and then sent them to the group.

Scott , Willa , Filip , and Jasper had confirmed they were, indeed, Edinburgh Druids .

Yet more proof that George’s group was working with the London Druids .

Parker and his Druids were watching, waiting for Kurt to appear.

That would draw out Parker . The problems arose in what could happen after.

While the Skye Druids and Knights outnumbered Parker and his crew, Kurt didn’t underestimate his brother.

They had been raised by the same mother, and Diana was cunning.

Parker emulated her in every way, which is why Kurt was attempting to imagine what Diana would do in this scenario.

A gust of wind came off the water and slammed into him, snatching his breath.

Kurt turned his head to the side until it passed.

When he could look straight again, he spotted Sabryn coming toward him.

She held her head high, unfazed by the wind ruffling her short, black hair.

Her long, trim legs were encased in black denim, and her thigh-length, vintage brown leather coat was both timeless and modern chic—just as she was.

She had it zipped, the fur-lined collar protecting her neck.

The leather was well-worn, proving it was one of her favorites.

The thick soles of her boots didn’t make a sound as she continued toward him, looking serene and beautiful. To any who watched, it looked as if she hadn’t noticed him, but he’d bet one of his Swiss bank accounts she knew exactly how many steps separated them.

He had to stop himself from hurrying toward her.

There had always been a pull and magnetism between them.

Something he had been powerless to ignore.

Even now, he was drawn to her. His mind cautioned that it was nothing but a trap for his brother, but Kurt’s heart didn’t care.

He just wanted to be near her. She might even look at him.

And if he was really lucky, she’d talk to him.

Sabryn stiffened slightly. It was barely noticeable, just a quick movement no one else would likely see.

But he knew everything about Sabryn . Her reaction, however, reminded him that he was supposed to be scanning the area.

Kurt dragged his gaze away from her and scrutinized the faces he saw.

That’s when he spotted Parker just outside the co-op, leaning against a vehicle parked near the sidewalk.

He and Parker had the same coloring, but that’s where their similarities ended and the differences began.

Parker kept his hair combed without a strand out of place.

He was also clean-shaven and impeccably dressed.

He didn’t understand jeans, nor did he own a pair.

The sight of Parker had warning bells sounding in Kurt’s head.

His steps slowed as he studied his brother.

Something was wrong. There was no way Parker should be here already.

And where was his crew? Kurt tried to catch Sabryn’s gaze to call off the plan, but she wouldn’t look at him.

And he wouldn’t leave her to his brother.

Kurt lengthened his strides, his gaze moving between Sabryn and Parker .

His stomach knotted painfully, and every instinct screamed at him not to proceed with the plan.

Sabryn reached Parker two steps before Kurt , and her deep blue eyes met his before she turned her head to his brother. “ Well , this is a surprise. And not a good one.”

Parker smiled before sipping something from a paper cup. “ Isn’t it just? Is this when both of you try to pretend you haven’t been in contact for years?” He paused, his brows raised as he waited. “ Except we all know Sabryn had no idea it was you. Don’t we, big brother?”

Kurt looked around him nervously. His instincts had never been wrong, and ignoring them now didn’t sit right.

“ What do you want?” Sabryn asked.

Parker chuckled as he switched which ankle crossed over the other. “ Right down to business. You never did like the niceties, did you, Sabryn ? So American of you.”

“ You aren’t supposed to be here,” Kurt told Parker .

His brother chuckled and took another sip of his coffee, blue eyes meeting blue. “ Ditto .”

“ I’m not with London anymore.”

Parker pinched his lips and lowered the cup. “ That is a conundrum. However , Diana has a plan.”

“ I’m not going home,” Kurt stated. “ Not now. Not ever.”

“ Diana won’t be pleased.”

Kurt slid his gaze to Sabryn to find her eyes on him.

She was aware that something was off. They might not get a chance like this again.

And while he wanted to get far away from Parker , Kurt decided to use the opportunity they had and prayed for the best. “ You’ve been chasing me for days.

It’s time to tell Diana I’m done with the family. ”

Parker’s gaze was directed at the co-op doors. “ It’s hard to believe our ancestors came from such a backward place.”

“ Backward ?” Sabryn repeated, her brows snapping together.

Parker continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “ The Druids of Skye claim to be the most powerful, but that will soon change.”

“ Leave ,” Kurt demanded. “ Now .”

Parker lifted his left arm and tugged back his coat sleeve to look at his watch.

Within seconds, Kurt heard police sirens in the distance.

His brother lowered his arm and looked at him, a smile curving his lips.

It wasn’t long before a vehicle peeled out of the Tea Talker car park and sped out of town.

“ Oh , dear,” Parker said in mock distress. “ That sounds urgent.”

Kurt took a step closer. “ What did you do?”

“ Me ?” Parker asked innocently. Then he started laughing, the sound growing louder and louder.

Out of the corner of his eye, Kurt saw someone on the street. He did a double take and stilled when he caught sight of Edie , Elias and Elodie’s sister that was supposed to be dead. He jerked his gaze back to his brother and saw Parker’s smug smile directed at him.

“ You aren’t the only one who came prepared,” Parker stated.

The minute his words were out, magic shot from Edie’s hands and struck the co-op’s doors. Glass exploded inward as screams erupted around them. Kurt waited for Rhona and Balladyn to show themselves or get Sabryn away, but they did neither. Those inside the co-op didn’t come out either.

Sabryn was suddenly thrown to the ground. Kurt lunged to help her, even as she effortlessly rolled to her feet. He never saw her attacker as Parker rammed into his side.

“ This has been a long time coming,” Parker said in Kurt’s ear.

Then his brother was gone. Kurt tried to turn to go after him but got distracted by something warm and wet rushing down his body.

Waves of pain immediately followed. He pressed his hand to his left side, and it came away bloody.

The moment his brain registered that he had been stabbed, his legs gave out, and he crumpled to the ground.

Kurt pressed his hand to the wound but couldn’t seem to stanch the blood flow.

He turned his head to call out to Sabryn but found her attention locked on the Edinburgh Druid she fought.

His lips parted, but his voice wouldn’t work.

He couldn’t catch his breath, and his vision was blurring.

He reached out his right arm to Sabryn .

They hadn’t set a trap. They had walked into one.

She needed to get to the manor before it was too late. All of their group did.

Someone leaned over him then. Was it Parker ? Had he returned to finish him off? Kurt fought with what little strength he had left.

“ I’m a doctor,” the female said.

Sabryn went out of focus. He managed to whisper her name. Another person knelt beside him, blocking his view of Sabryn . His arm fell to the ground as he grew too weak to even keep his eyes open.

“ Stay with me!” someone yelled.