Page 16 of Blood Skye (Skye Druids #6)

Chapter Sixteen

Carlyle had spotted the shape of a rifle moving out of the shadows, followed by a man. The intruder was thirty yards away when Carlyle intercepted Devon . The sentry must have heard them because he spun around.

Leaves crunched behind Carlyle . He slowly turned his head and spotted another patrol coming up. Carlyle returned his attention to Devon just as she lifted her hand. He grasped her wrist and pulled her arm down before she could release any magic. Then he used his other hand to gently turn her chin so she could see the other guard. She released a sigh. The sound was soft and filled with the same irritation he felt.

He and Devon had covered a lot of ground between the bunker and their current location without any sign of soldiers. Carlyle had anticipated the patrols being more compact the closer they got to the lodge, and he had been right. They were closer than expected. They needed to get to the SUV without drawing attention to themselves. He didn’t want to get into a battle. Not here. Not now.

It would bring too much attention their way from the rest of the team. The only advantage they had was that the men had no idea where he and Devon were. If there was a scuffle now, that lead wouldn’t last long. They needed to use the advantage for as long as they could because it would eventually turn into a battle, and Carlyle didn’t want to even think about what that might look like without the Knights . He would have to, sooner or later. For now, though, he focused on getting to the Range Rover .

Carlyle gauged the distance between their location and the lodge. It was too far to make a run for it. He might get there, but Devon likely wouldn’t. She was valiantly trying to keep up with him, but her injury had taken a lot out of her. The sky was already lightening. Dawn would arrive soon. He grinned as he realized there was something near that he could use. The obstacle course. The guards were moving around it without even realizing it, but they never got too close. He would have to change that.

He brought his lips to Devon’s ear and whispered, “ I have an idea. Stay here.”

She nodded to let him know she understood. Carlyle waited until the guard behind him had walked on, then slowly moved away from Devon , careful not to make any noise. He crept to the next tree and looked back. Devon gave him a thumbs-up. He didn’t see any other guards behind them.

Carlyle moved from tree to tree, halting whenever the guard nearest him glanced behind him. There was an eerie silence to the gray light that descended on them. Nocturnal animals were heading to bed, and the rest were beginning to wake. The darkness was receding quickly. Beams of light broke over the horizon. The foliage helped to conceal him, along with the few shadows that remained.

He kept out of sight and continued forward until he was near the course’s entrance. There , he squatted and searched the area for something heavy to throw. His fingers met nothing but leaves and damp earth. Then they brushed a rock. He dug it from the clutches of the dirt and felt the weight of it in his palm. It needed to go inside the course.

He shifted around the tree for a better angle. After he’d assessed where the two sentries were, Carlyle tossed the stone. It flew right into the course, just where he wanted it. The guard’s head whipped around at the sound. Carlyle waited as the man warily crept forward. He mentally shoved the sentry into the course, but the man didn’t move any quicker.

Carlyle held his breath, waiting as the armed man finally reached the entrance. The effects of the spell hiding the course were making the guard rethink entering. A blur caught his attention out of the corner of his eye. Carlyle spotted Devon as she silently ran toward the sentry and shoved him from behind. The guard stumbled into the course and triggered the first obstacles. His shouts filled the quiet woods. Within moments, other guards rushed to him.

Devon slid to a halt beside Carlyle and shot him a grin. He returned it. Their attention swung to the men, who ran to where they could see and hear their fellow team member engaging with someone. They didn’t resist the spell long before rushing into the course to defend their comrade.

“ Time to go,” Carlyle whispered.

He started running. The men were too involved with fighting the obstacles to notice them. Devon kept pace with him as they neared the lodge. Carlyle slowed and came up behind a tree when he saw another guard at the side of the house, listening to the screams and shouts of his team.

“ What is that?” another man asked as he came around from the front.

The guard shook his head. “ They must have found them.”

“ Sounds like those two aren’t alone anymore. We should help.”

“ We should stay. We’re guarding the house.”

“ They’re not here, you fool. They’re out there,” the man said and rushed off toward the others.

The lone sentry remained behind, indecision contorting his face. He finally muttered a curse and raced after his team member. Carlyle waited until they were out of sight before dashing to the house. He flattened against the stone and slowly peered around the side. The Range Rover sat just where he had left it. He didn’t see anyone around it either, but he wasn’t taking any chances.

“ What are you waiting for?” Devon whispered.

He held up a hand as the seconds ticked by. The lodge’s door opened, and two other guards came outside. They whispered something before splitting up to check the perimeter. Carlyle inwardly cursed. Devon started to move around him, but he put his arm out to stop her, pressing her against the stone.

Sunlight broke through the tree beside them and hit him square in the face. Carlyle blinked against the blinding light. Devon shoved his hand away. The next thing he knew, a guard was face down on the grass.

“ He isn’t dead,” she muttered as she grabbed his feet. “ Care to help?”

Carlyle hurriedly grabbed the man’s hands, and they moved him into a flower bed behind some roses.

“ Keys ?” Devon asked.

He waved her toward the SUV . Once there, he removed the locking spell and opened the door. Devon quickly slid into the passenger seat as he pressed the ignition button.

“ The keys were in here all along,” she said with a shake of her head.

Carlyle threw the vehicle into reverse and backed up. “ Buckle up.”

As he drove away, he looked in the side mirror and saw the fourth sentry round the side of the lodge and try to run after them.

“ They’ll be detained for a bit,” Devon said.

He looked over at her to see her twisted in her seat, looking out the back window. “ Let’s hope.”

They reached the Nottingham canal without incident, though Carlyle kept looking behind them to see if anyone followed. Once parked, he got out of the vehicle and scanned the area. Nothing seemed out of place, but he also knew London’s reach was long.

“ This way,” Devon urged him.

Carlyle followed her down some steps to the canal, where numerous houseboats sat moored. She passed several before stopping beside one painted blue on the bottom. The top had a coat of fresh white paint.

“ Anyone home?” Devon called.

A few seconds later, the bulkhead door opened, and a weathered face popped out. The man’s steely blue eyes found Carlyle first and regarded him solemnly as the breeze ruffled his salt-and-pepper curls. The man’s gaze shifted to Devon , and his visage instantly changed as his lips curved into a bright smile.

“ Did I miss a message? I wasn’t expecting you,” he said as he climbed onto the short deck and motioned them to come aboard. The man held out his hand for Devon . “ I just made tea.”

Devon allowed him to help her onto the boat. “ That sounds lovely. Alfie , this is Carlyle . Carlyle , Alfie .”

He dipped his chin to Alfie , who took his measure. Devon was the first to enter the cabin with Alfie behind her. Carlyle brought up the rear, taking the opportunity to have one more look around before going below.

“ We’re in a bit of a hurry,” Devon said.

Alfie poured two more cups of tea and replaced the kettle. He took his mug and held it as he leaned against the counter in the small galley. “ I always keep her ready for you, just as we agreed.”

“ Has anyone been snooping?” she asked.

He sipped his tea, his blue eyes lighting on Carlyle for a heartbeat. “ Nothing unusual.”

“ There might be once we depart,” Carlyle said.

Alfie shrugged. “ I’ll handle it.”

“ They’re dangerous,” Devon warned him. “ It might be better if you move on after we do.”

But Alfie wasn’t swayed. “ If they’re the type I think they are, it won’t matter where I go. They’ll find me regardless. Better if I stay put and get it over with.”

“ I’ll wire extra funds,” Devon told him.

Alfie shook his head. “ No need. We had an agreement. You’ve kept your end. I’m keeping mine.”

Carlyle looked out one of the narrrowboat’s windows to see someone’s feet passing on the sidewalk, then slid his gaze to Alfie . “ Devon’s right. You should move on from here. These people won’t stop at hurting you to get information.”

“ Good thing I’m good at keeping my mouth shut then,” Alfie replied coolly, his eyes locking with Carlyle’s .

Devon set down her cup and said, “ Alfie was part of a crime syndicate for a while. He went to prison for his boss instead of turning on him. Alfie was paid handsomely for his silence. He won’t say anything.”

“ The longer you two stay here, the more time they’ll have to find you.” Alfie jerked his chin to the steps leading to the deck. “ I enjoy the company, but the sooner you’re out on the water, the better.”

Devon scooted out of the booth and got to her feet. She stopped before Alfie and held out her hand. The two shook before Devon walked out. Carlyle watched the exchange before he stood.

“ Don’t make me come after you,” Alfie stated.

Carlyle glanced toward the opening. “ She can take care of herself.”

“ Even so. I will find you if something happens to her.”

“ Understood ,” Carlyle said.

Alfie held out his hand. His grip was tight when Carlyle took it. When he got on deck, Devon was already walking down the sidewalk toward another narrowboat.

Carlyle hesitated and ducked his head back inside to Alfie . “ These people are worse than anything you’ve come across. Give them whatever they ask for. Tell them whatever they want. We just need a head start.”

“ Appreciate the warning, but don’t worry about me. I know what to do. She acts tough, but don’t let that fool you. She’s got a good heart.”

Carlyle wondered what side of herself Devon had shown the old man for him to say such a thing. She was a survivor for sure, a fighter. She struck first and asked questions later. She didn’t just act tough. She was tough.

But perhaps she was that way because she had to be. Not because she wanted to be.

He found Devon getting on a two-toned gray narrowboat named Serene Star . It was painted soft gray with dark gray accents. The canal boats were traditionally long and narrow to get around the many shallow waterways using a tiller to steer. This one came in at sixty feet long and just under seven feet wide.

The back of the boat was about six feet in length, with a narrow bench for whoever was steering to sit. There were boards on the floor that could be removed to get to the engine. Carlyle passed through the bulkhead doors and headed into the cabin. It had a wooden floor, slatted walls, and a ceiling painted off-white, which made the interior look bigger.

Wooden floating shelves had been stained a couple of shades darker than the flooring, and there was other wood throughout. The joinings were stained and had small hearts cut out of the wood. The kitchen had wood countertops with free-form edging. The cabinet doors were also made of wood, with the same heart cutouts in the middle that were used to open the doors and drawers.

He paused in the kitchen to take in the white farmhouse sink, and a stove with an oven. Across from that was a wooden table with two black chairs. Next to that was a black, log-burning stove for heating. Beyond was a living area with a sisal rug and two large, sisal floor pillows. The seating was L -shaped and covered in a dark lavender fabric with a number of lavender, white, and gray throw pillows.

Past that was a short, narrow hall that led to the bath with smooth, white walls, a white clawfoot tub, and a square sink with a large window over it. A two-part wooden door with black hardware led from the bathroom into the bedroom, where a king-sized bed sat covered in white sheets and a gray cashmere blanket with matching throw pillows.

It wasn’t at all what he’d expected of Devon . He felt the boat move and retraced his steps to find her at the helm, tiller in hand. She hadn’t wasted any time in getting moving.