Last Wish (Highland Magic #4)(51)

‘How the hell did Fomori demons get the border down and get through here?’ Taylor asked.

‘They’re not demons,’ I said tersely. ‘Morna!’

‘Eh?’

‘That one who tripped and knocked himself unconscious called me a bitch.’ Where the hell was Morna?

‘Some of them must speak English though?’

‘Not with Aberdonian accents, they don’t.’

Taylor grabbed my arm. ‘There.’

I looked at where he was pointing and saw Tipsania materialise. She let out a cry and fell to her knees. Something flickered in my peripheral vision; the main castle inhabitants had apparently realised something was wrong. I dimly registered Angus leading the charge towards us. The MacQuarries weren’t my focus though; it was the crumpled figure at Tipsania’s feet, almost completely camouflaged by the long grass, which made me forget to breathe.

Time seemed to slow down. It was probably only seconds before I reached Tipsania and collapsed beside her but it felt much longer. When I saw what state Morna was in, things got even worse. She was on her back, her white hands clutching at the hilt of the knife that protruded from her belly. Blood bubbled up from her lips as she tried to breathe. Oh God, oh God, oh God.

‘I don’t know what to do,’ Tipsania yelled, grabbing my sleeve. ‘What do we do?’

My jaw worked as I tried to speak. Morna’s eyelashes fluttered as she turned her face to me. She opened her mouth to say something but no words came out.

‘Integrity!’ Tipsania screamed. ‘What the fuck do we do?’

I didn’t know. I reached down for the knife. Maybe I should pull it out or do something to stem the blood that was seeping out from the edges of the ragged wound. My heart thumped against my ribcage with fear. None of the Gifts I had would work, not a single one. Think, Integrity. Bloody think.

Taylor joined us, taking in the situation in one glance. Deftly he examined the wound. I didn’t need to read his expression to know how grave the situation was. I grabbed hold of Morna’s hands. ‘Let go,’ I told her, hoping my voice didn’t betray my panic. ‘I need you to let go.’

For a moment I wasn’t sure she’d heard me then one hand moved away from the lethal blade and flailed upwards. ‘Integrity,’ Morna whispered.

‘Don’t talk,’ I said. ‘Conserve your strength.’

‘Integrity,’ Taylor said, his voice strained. ‘The blade is too deep. There’s nothing you can do.’

I paid him no attention. His skills lay in first aid, not mortal wounds; he didn’t know everything. I yanked off my jacket then pulled my T-shirt over my head, before bending over to dab at the wound and clear some of the blood so I could get a better look. Maybe the blade wasn’t that long. It was possible that none of Morna’s vital organs had been hit.

She moaned in response. ‘Stop,’ she gasped.

I ignored her. ‘Blood loss,’ I muttered. ‘We need to stop her from losing more blood.’

Taylor tried again. ‘Integrity…’

I growled at him and pressed down, trying to staunch the flow. Tipsania reached round me to help. A heartbeat later Angus was with us. ‘What the hell happened?’

‘We need to get her to a hospital.’

He nodded. ‘There’s already an ambulance on the way.’

‘Is there anyone here with the Gift of Healing?’ I asked, even though I already knew the answer.

‘No.’ His was face was pale. ‘Why would Fomori demons come here? Why would they do this?’

‘Integrity,’ Morna whispered again. ‘Take it.’

I stared at her face. ‘What?’

‘Take it,’ she repeated. Her pupils were unfocused. A tear rolled from the corner of eye, trickling down her lined cheek.

‘I told you to be quiet,’ I choked.

‘It doesn’t hurt any more.’

‘Morna…’

‘Take it.’

‘No.’

Angus shook his head. ‘I don’t understand. What is she talking about?’

Morna’s lips moved again. Tipsania’s face was bloodless as she looked at me. ‘She says it’s her time.’

Morna blinked. ‘Do it.’

I couldn’t begin to imagine where she got the strength to speak. I clenched my teeth. ‘Don’t you dare give up, Morna Carnegie. It is not your time. The ambulance is on its way and this time tomorrow you’re going to be scolding us all from a comfy hospital bed.’

She smiled sadly. ‘No, I’m not. Take it, Integrity. You’ll need it.’

I heaved in a ragged breath. ‘You’re too weak. It will kill you.’

‘I’m…’ Her chest rattled as she struggled to speak. ‘Already dead.’ She clutched at me. ‘Take it now.’

I glanced at Taylor. Sorrowfully, he gave me the tiniest shake of his head and rocked back on his haunches. Tears flowed freely from Tipsania’s eyes and Angus had to glance away. Only Morna was calm. She fixed me with a serene gaze. ‘Do it.’

My tongue darted out, wetting my dry lips. I rubbed furiously at my own eyes and then focused. I could see the swirl of magic within her. She was right – it was already leaking away, dissipating into the ether. She had only seconds left. My body was racked with uncontrollable shivers while Morna’s skin seemed to grow paler by the second.