Page 30 of Time of the Warlord (Stones of Scotland #5)

I t was late by the time they reached their destination. Sadie took the last few miles slowly, nervous at driving these winding roads in the dark. Thankfully, they met with no mishap, and managed to park in the small muddy space near the stone circle.

Even better, Bethany was already waiting for them beside the stones, and smiled with relief when she saw them.

“I spotted those security men in my mirror!” she told them. “I was worried you might not make it.”

“It was close,” Sadie admitted. “But here we are.”

“Then it’s time to leave,” Bethany said. “Are you ready?”

“More than ready,” Ciaran said firmly. “Let’s go.”

He turned and stretched out his hand to Sadie. But she could not take it. She stood there, rooted to the spot, and stared at him.

“Come on,” he said impatiently. “Sadie, we have to go.”

“I can’t” she whispered. “This is my home, Ciaran. I belong here.”

“It’s not safe,” he insisted. “Sadie, take my hand and come with me. Your sister’s already there.”

“I need to stay here,” Sadie said, shaking her head. She could almost feel her heart breaking, but everything she said was true. This was her time, for all its faults.

“Sadie, no,” Ciaran said. “You have to come with me. I need you to come with me.”

I love you , she almost said, but what good would that do now? She’d helped him to get away safely. But now that the excitement of the chase was over, Sadie saw the truth. She and Ciaran did not belong together. And in a few weeks, he would probably forget her and move on with his life. There must be ladies lining up to marry such a strong, handsome warlord. So she turned around and walked back towards the car.

Ciaran screamed her name, but he did not come after her. A brief pulse of light told Sadie they were gone, and she kept her gaze fixed firmly ahead. She did not need to see the empty stone circle.

She left the car parked in a side street in the nearest town. By some miracle, she still had her money and ID tucked in the hidden pocket of her dress, so she was able to book a room to stay in a local bed and breakfast. The woman there eyed her a little oddly, but made no objection. Sadie supposed she must look rather odd, in a medieval gown and with no luggage. She was too tired to care.

Being back in a modern bed was a delight. Sadie slept deeply, undisturbed by dreams or strange noises. She did wake early, though, and lay there listening to the rain on the roof. Had Ciaran and Bethany made it home safely? Would they send Norah back to the twenty-first century?

Sadie still struggled to believe that she’d let Ciaran go. All through the chaos of their escape, and the crazy drive, she hadn’t even paused to think. It just seemed natural that she would return with him. As if they belonged together. But at the last second, she couldn’t do it. How could she give up her life for a man who’d never even said he cared for her? Sadie squeezed her eyes tightly shut as a single tear leaked out. No, she’d made the right decision. And no doubt Norah would be home soon.

After a quick breakfast, Sadie ordered a taxi to get her to the train station, then bought a ticket for the next train back to Glasgow. It was tempting to take the fancy car, but it was far too noticeable. It wouldn’t do to be caught with stolen property - even if the owner was a kidnapper.

The train journey gave her plenty of time to think. How long had she been gone? She checked the date on her train ticked and gasped. Two days? How was that possible? Time must have passed very differently while she was in the past. Still, that was long enough. Her colleagues would have noticed her missing in a matter of hours. She bit her lip guiltily. Her parents must be beside themselves. They’d already lost one daughter.

Sure enough, the two of them almost collapsed onto her when she appeared at their front door. Sadie found herself crying and hugging them back.

“Where have you been?” her mother asked. “No word, no call. We’ve been frantic.”

“I’m so sorry,” Sadie sobbed. “I had to - I couldn’t-”

She paused and took a deep breath.

“I found Norah,” she said. “But you’re not going to believe my story.”

“Tell us anyway,” her mother insisted. “We need to know.”

So Sadie sat them down at the kitchen table and told them everywhere she’d been and everything she’d done. Well, not quite everything. She didn’t mention any of her interludes with Ciaran, although she suspected she blushed a little every time she said his name.

“And you expect Norah to come home soon?” her mother pressed.

Sadie bit her lip.

“Well, to be honest, I’m not exactly sure,” she said. “She seemed happy there, in a way. Like it suited her.”

Her mother sighed heavily.

“Well, then we will just have to wait. Norah always did do whatever she wanted.”