Maitland got up and took his son, kissing his head before finding the plaid to wrap him to the front of his chest.
Emmalin said, “He hasn’t been happy since John was taken, has he?”
Maeve tugged on her hair, “He slept terribly and so did we.”
Maitland paced with the lad; sometimes he would smile and then he would cry. “He’s always been such a happy lad. Do you think he’s teething or something, Aunt Brenna?”
“He’s a bit young, but possibly. I showed Maeve how to feel his gums.”
Maeve just shook her head.
Logan said, “Back to our problem. Does anyone have a suggestion on how we can find where the hidden holding is? Do we need to get Sloan and Lennox to help us?”
Artan said, “They are not going to know where something is if it was built into the ground near Drimnin. It’s pretty isolated and there is lots of land—forests, hills, no inhabitants. It’s lush with overgrowth and animals. It could be anywhere. Without landmarks, we’ll never find them. Our only chance is to get themen at Mingary, if they are still there, and have them lead us to it.”
“What about Glenna?”
Simone snorted. “Anyone ever met a wise Buchan? Because I surely did not. What a lying fool.”
Logan snorted again.
No one answered.
Simone drawled, “And you never will see a wise Buchan. Glenna only knows her name and her enemies. Believe me, I tried my best tricks to get her to reveal all she knows, but she revealed naught. And I believe she knows naught.”
Connor began to pace. “Did you see anything else, Dyna? Was there anything in your visions? Anything we could use to find this holding?”
Dyna stared at Avelina who shook her head so subtly that she hoped no one saw it. Fortunately, Tora interrupted everyone’s thoughts, their gazes all following her path back to her grandfather. She tugged on his plaid and said, “Up, Gwandda.”
Her father picked up her daughter, Dyna nearly in tears watching the two together. “Gwandda, Gwant knows.” Then she slid down to the floor again and ran.
Maeve screamed, “Nay!”
They all stared at her.
“Nay, Grant is a wee bairn. He does not know where John and Kyla and Alasdair are. Lia will save them all. They do not need him.” She teared up as she tugged on some loose strands of hair, wrapping them around her finger. “Nay, just nay,” she whispered.
Broc strode over to Maitland and said, “Walk that way.”
Maitland walked away from the door and Grant cried. The farther away he moved, the louder he cried. Maitland glanced back at Broc, who said, “Now, walk toward the door.”
Grant stopped crying and kicked his legs, giggling. He pointed to the door.
“Nay!” Maeve moaned, her tears now flowing down her cheeks. “Maitland, please.”
Broc went over to the door and said, “We have to test this out, Maitland.”
Maeve yelled, “Do not leave here with our child, Maitland Menzie.”
“Maeve, I promise we won’t leave the gates, but I have to know. We’ll be right back.” Maitland adjusted his son before going outside, grabbing another plaid to cover him with. “Broc, open the door.”
Dyna came up behind Maeve, hugged her, and took her by the hand. They followed Maitland and Broc along with Avelina, her father, and Uncle Finlay.
If Maitland moved toward the gate, Grant squealed and kicked his legs, swinging his fists with joy. “Wia.”
If Maitland turned back toward the keep, Grant screamed and cried and kicked furiously until his father turned back around. Maitland gave Maeve a look that said he was sorry. “I wish it weren’t so, Maeve, but it is. I don’t understand what their connection is, but it’s there. You can’t deny it.”
They neared the closed gate just as a green light approached the castle. Everyone stopped as the gates opened, and Lia strode through. The fear coursed through Dyna as much as Maeve, if she were to guess.
