Page 6 of Once Forbidden (MacKendimen Clan #2)

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T he seer was on her way back to her cottage when the call came. It chilled her even more than the biting winter winds that swirled around her. She quickened her step; the pull on her strengthened and tugged her homeward.

Entering her home, she went without delay to the hearth and knelt in front of it. The flames grew and became tongues of many colors. She closed her eyes and cleared her mind of distractions, waiting for the wisdom that the Fates had called her to receive. She opened her eyes and gazed at the wild flames.

Scenes appeared before her—two women screaming in childbirth, one dark, one fiery. A man screaming in death— his life’s blood pouring from many wounds. Another sinking peacefully into death’s grip. Fear. Terror. Pain ripped through her body, in her belly, between her legs, blood everywhere. An old woman in her stead. A babe, twa, no, four babes? A bairn’s peaceful sigh, sucking at his mother’s breast. Quiet.

Finally, the vision faded in her mind. The pain and fear disappeared and understanding took root. She sat back and pondered what she had seen and her role in it.

She had plans to make before the things she’d seen were upon her. The Fates were calling her once again into the fray of the clan and she had no choice but to obey. She offered up a prayer that all would end well, but she knew that some would live and some die.

’Twas always the way of it.