Shoulder the Skye Read online

  Shoulder the Skye

  Skye Druids

  Book 2

  Donna Grant®

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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  SHOULDER THE SKYE

  © 2023 by DL Grant, LLC

  Cover Design © 2023 by Charity Hendry

  Formatting © 2023 by Charity Hendry

  ISBN 13: 978-1-958353-05-9

  Available in ebook, print, and audio.

  All rights reserved.

  * * *

  Peek at HEART OF GLASS

  © 2023 by DL Grant, LLC

  Cover Design © 2023 by Charity Hendry

  * * *

  Glimpse of DRAGON ARISEN

  © 2023 by DL Grant, LLC

  Cover Design © 2023 by Charity Hendry

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  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce or transmit this book, or a portion thereof, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from the author. This book may not be resold or uploaded for distribution to others. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  * * *

  www.DonnaGrant.com

  www.MotherofDragonsBooks.com

  Contents

  Dear Reader

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Epilogue

  Excerpt of the next Skye Druid Book

  Glimpse at the next Dark Universe Book

  You are not alone.

  About the Author

  Don’t miss these other novels

  Dear Reader

  If you ever feel in need of help, remember there are resources available all day, every day.

  * * *

  The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

  The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

  Telephone: 1-800-273-8255

  Text or call: 988

  For Deaf & Hard of Hearing: 1-800-799-4889

  Online chat: suicidepreventionlifeline.org

  You are not alone.

  * * *

  Trigger Warning: This book contains references to suicide.

  Chapter One

  Isle of Skye

  * * *

  It was a joke.

  Or a nightmare.

  That was the only conclusion Elias could come up with as he stared at the two couples before him. His sister’s light blue eyes held a note of misery. Beside Elodie was Scott, the man who had helped her when he hadn’t been there. Scott’s face was as impassive as his assessment was cool, his arms crossed over his chest as he met Elias’s gaze.

  Next to Scott was Rhona, the leader of the Skye Druids. Concern lined her face, but her green eyes held a fierceness that only someone of her position could have. On Rhona’s other side was the imposing figure of Balladyn. He wasn’t just Rhona’s lover and Warden of the isle, he had also once been a legendary Light Fae turned Dark before becoming King of the Dark. Now, he was a Reaper.

  “Tell me it isn’t true,” Elodie begged Elias. “Tell me George is wrong about you being a murderer.”

  Georgina Miller, also known as George. Just hearing the name made Elias want to punch something. Hard. He fisted his hands in an effort to control the surge of anger that bubbled up within him. Balladyn’s red eyes lowered to Elias’s hands before the Reaper quirked a black brow.

  The fury that clogged Elias’s throat was so thick that it took him two tries before he could answer. “Of course, George is wrong. How could you even think that I was the one killing Druids?”

  “George said—” Scott began.

  “I doona give a flying fuck what she says!” Elias shouted. He closed his eyes and sucked in a breath, hating that he’d lost control. The outburst brought back memories of his youth and the father he wished he could forget. Elias didn’t open his eyes until he had his anger tightly leashed once more. Then he looked at each of the four before him. “George is wrong.”

  Elodie smiled, though it looked forced. “I knew it wasn’t you.”

  “I’m no’ saying George is never wrong, but she’s a seer,” Scott said.

  Rhona held up a hand to quiet everyone. “I’ve yet to talk to George myself. I’ll listen to what she has to say, but I’ll also do my own investigating. Seers are a rarity in the Druid community, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t infallible or see the entire picture.”

  While it wasn’t an acquittal, it was all Elias would get for the moment. He felt Balladyn’s penetrating gaze and looked into his red eyes. The Reaper could use glamour to hide the eye and hair coloring that signaled him as a Dark Fae, but he didn’t. And Elias respected him for that. He’d had few run-ins with the Light and even fewer with the Dark. He tended to steer clear of the Fae as a whole, which was harder than it sounded since they could blend in and walk among humans so easily.

  “It’s going to be okay.”

  Elias looked down at his sister, who had moved closer to him. She squeezed his arm as their gazes met. He’d returned to Skye for her, but in the end, she hadn’t needed him. Their family was so fucked up that he didn’t like to think about it, but it seemed that things were finally beginning to turn around for them.

  Elodie had her magic once more, and she knew the truth of how she had saved their mother, sister, and both of them from their father. Her actions—and the resulting panic attack— however, had ended in their mum erasing Elodie’s memories and binding her magic while also taking the blame for Edward MacLean’s death. Elias had left Skye soon after so he wouldn’t inadvertently say something that reversed his mother’s magic and brought all the heartache back to Elodie.

  But that meant leaving his sisters and his home behind for fifteen years—long years he had spent trying to outrun the past.

  Now, Elias was back on Skye, Elodie’s memories had returned, and their mother, Emily, was set to be released from prison soon. The only one blessedly ignorant of everything was Edie. She was the only MacLean who had a normal life, and he was grateful for that. She had remained on Skye, gotten married, and now had two beautiful children. If anything proved that he and his mum had done the right thing the day his father died, it was seeing Edie and her family flourish.

  Scott came up behind Elodie and nodded at Elias. “You’re right. George hasna given us any proof of you being a killer. I shouldna have accused you. I’m sorry.”

  “Doona worry about it. You trust her. I would’ve done the same in your shoes.” It was a lie. Elias had learned long ago not to accept someone’s word—no matter how much he trusted them. He always verified things for himself.

  “Then I guess we’ll see you at home later?” Elodie asked, her gaze searching his.

  Elias glanced at Rhona and Balladyn. The couple had more to say to him, which was fine since he wanted to get it out of the way. He nodded at his sister, and she shot him a wide smile before she and Scott filed out of Rhona’s cottage.

  When the door shut behind them, Elias turned his head to Rhona. For as long as anyone could remember, Corann had led the Skye Druids. There were no pictures of him, but if you asked the eldest of the community, they would say that he’d looked ancient, even when they were young. But his actual age was anyone’s guess.

  Corann had died defeating the Others—a group of Light and Dark Fae and mie and drough Druids from this realm and another—and had chosen Rhona as his replacement. Even in his time away, Elias had kept tabs on the happenings on Skye. He knew the respect Rhona had earned before stepping into Corann’s role. But her actions with the Reapers and her connection to the magic through Balladyn set her apart from anyone on Skye—or on the planet.

  Rhona might still be finding her way, but she had the wisdom of someone much older than her young years. Obviously, Corann had seen that, as well. She was a good choice as leader—especially in such turbulent times.

  Because not only Druids were being murdered. There was a malevolent force on Skye. Someone was controlling the mist that had attacked Elias, though whether it was the same person killing the Druids had yet to be revealed. Then there were the Druid Others, based on the original group who had tried to take over their world.

  Elias blinked and found Balladyn standing before him. The Reaper quirked a black brow again and held something out to him. Elias looked down to find a tumbler filled with amber liquid.

&n
bsp; “Thought you could use this,” the Reaper said in his Irish accent.

  “Thanks.” Elias lifted the glass and inhaled the scent of whisky. He brought it to his lips and savored the flavor as it touched his tongue and slid smoothly down his throat. Dreagan whisky, made by the Dragon Kings, an immortal group of ancient beings who could shapeshift into humans. He’d met one recently, and it had been as awe-inspiring as he’d thought it would be.

  Rhona turned and walked to the sofa. Sitting, she motioned Elias to the chair. “Have a seat.”

  Elias knew it wasn’t exactly an order. He could leave. He hadn’t lived on Skye in years but he was from the isle. That meant he would always be considered a Skye Druid. He made his way to the chair and lowered himself into it. Balladyn moved to the opposite side of the room, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning a shoulder against the wall, the Reaper’s red gaze never leaving him. Elias listened to the rain pinging against the windows as he anticipated the inevitable questions. He didn’t have to wait long.

  “Why would George accuse you of the murders?” Rhona asked as she tucked a strand of red hair behind her ear.

  Elias shrugged and finished the whisky. “I doona have a clue.”

  “Have you ever met her?” Balladyn queried.

  Elias shook his head, suddenly feeling weary to his bones. “Never. But I know of her.”

  That got Rhona’s attention. “How?”

  “You can discover a lot by asking the right people.”

  There was a hint of a smile on Balladyn’s lips. “And that’s what you did?”

  “Aye. It isna some great gift. It’s just taking the time to study an area and the people within it. It doesna take long before you begin finding those who like to talk.” Elias turned the empty tumbler around in his fingers. “There are always those who say more than they should.”

  Rhona nodded. “True. What did you find out about George?”

  Elias thought about that for a moment. He didn’t know Rhona or Balladyn. He didn’t know George either. Most people in his position would attempt to make George out to be corrupt or guilty in an effort to get others on their side. It might work for a short while, but it rarely lasted in the long run.

  Despite his anger at George for her accusation, Elias decided to be candid. “She works hard to find Druids in Edinburgh and bring them into her organization. She’s well-liked.”

  “Not by you, though,” Rhona pointed out.

  Balladyn grunted. “And given the anger in your voice, it goes much further than her recent accusation.”

  Elias ran a hand down his face. He sat the tumbler on the table beside him and leaned forward to rest his forearms on his thighs. “Nay, I doona like her.”

  “Why?” Rhona pressed.

  Elias looked at the floor for a heartbeat before meeting Rhona’s gaze. “Call it a hunch.”

  “I’m going to need more than that.”

  “I’ve traveled all over the world, met a lot of people, and I’ve seen many just like her.” Elias paused, trying to put his thoughts into words. “I doona have specifics, exactly.”

  Balladyn pushed away from the wall and dropped his arms to his sides. “Something’s bothering you. What is it?”

  “She’s never wrong. In everything she’s seen through her visions, she’s never wrong.”

  Rhona’s brows drew together in a frown. “That’s not normal. I don’t care how powerful a seer is, no one gets everything right.”

  “Precisely. She’s wrong about me,” Elias stated. This time, he let his fury come through. “I willna say I’ve no’ killed, but it was always in self-defense.”

  Balladyn stalked closer with his eyes narrowed. “Oh?”

  Fuck. Elias had said too much. He shouldn’t have let his anger get the best of him. But to be called a murderer? To be blamed for the killings he was actively trying to solve? It was too much.

  “Elias,” Rhona pressed.

  He looked from her to Balladyn. There was no way he would get out of here without telling them something. Besides, they’d find out soon enough anyway. Probably from him. “I’ve been tracking the murders.”

  “What? How?” Rhona asked as she scooted to the edge of the couch cushion, curiosity and interest propelling her. “There are murders everywhere, every day. How do you know someone is a Druid?”

  Elias slowly sat back. “It’s the type of killings.”

  “The mist that attacked here,” Balladyn said. “Is that happening in other places?”

  Elias shook his head. “No’ exactly. But there are things like that. Things out of place. Unexplained murders and such. No’ to mention the notes that say bàs ort, death to you.”

  “Where?” Rhona asked in a soft voice.

  Elias released a breath. “Everywhere we look.”

  “We?” Balladyn asked.

  Elias shrugged, hoping to deflect. “A slip of the tongue.”

  “I doubt that.” Rhona’s green gaze held his, daring him to lie. “An operation this big would take others.”

  Well, fuck. Elias wished he could take back the words, but he couldn’t. He flattened his lips and nodded.

  “How many of you are there?” Rhona pressed.

  Elias shoved to his feet. “I’ve said more than I should’ve already.”

  “It looks suspicious when a group wants to remain a secret,” Balladyn stated.

  Elias slid his gaze to him. “The Reapers remained secret for how long?”

  “That isn’t the same.”

  “Is it no’?” Elias argued.

  Rhona rose and stepped between them, her eyes on Elias. “You’ve made your point. We may not know each other well, but my goal is to protect the Druids on Skye.”

  “And mine is to protect all Druids. I respect your position, and I ask that you give me the same courtesy,” Elias replied.

  Tension radiated from Balladyn. “She’s not been accused of murder.”

  “Stop,” Rhona told Balladyn. Her long, red hair swung behind her as she turned back to Elias. “One way or another, we’re getting to the bottom of this. Work with me. And just so you know, I’m going to ask the same of George.”

  Elias wasn’t surprised. It was the same move Corann would’ve made. No doubt the old Druid would’ve been proud of Rhona. It was a smart decision. Unfortunately, it wasn’t one he agreed with. “I can no’ work with George.”

  “Rhona’s not asking that of you. She is asking you to work with her,” Balladyn corrected.

  Elias studied the Druid leader for a long minute. “In the short time I’ve been back home, I’ve seen the lengths you’ll go to in order to protect the Druid community. Corann made a good choice with you.”

  “Wait, Elias,” Rhona called.

  But he ignored her as he strode from the house. Elias half-expected Balladyn to teleport him back inside, but no one stopped him as he walked through the rain and got into the rental car. He waited until he was a few miles from the cottage before pulling over and putting the vehicle in park.

  “Fucking hell!” he yelled as he slammed his hands against the steering wheel.

  Elias gripped the leather so tightly that his knuckles turned white. There was a reason George had pointed the finger at him. And he was going to find out what that was.

  Chapter Two

  Bronwyn hated when she had to make a trip into town. She parked and shut off the old SUV’s engine but didn’t get out, she just watched the rain pelting the windshield until it completely distorted the outside world.