“SONOFABITCH,” CHRISTINA MUTTERED as she flew through the house, determined to find Jessie. “I leave for ten damn minutes and she up and vanishes!”

“Her car’s still where you parked it down by the ranch,” Jim announced as he reentered a short time later. 

“I could’ve told you that because it was sitting there when Graham and I walked that way.” She planted her fists on her hips and eyed the untouched tea on the coffee table then Jessie’s faithful chair by the fire. “She must’ve gone for a walk and all the power to her for doing it considering she barely moves from that thing.”

Rona and Blair were already out looking, but Graham had stayed by her side, claiming no Broun lass should be left alone. She glanced his way as she pulled on a heavy hoodie and running sneakers. “I’m going out looking for her.” Her eyes went to Jim. “Stay here in case she returns.”

He nodded and tossed Christina her cell phone. “Keep in touch and be careful. Bad weather’s coming in pretty soon.”

“You got it.” She glanced at Graham as she did some warm up stretches. “You should stay here too. I move fast.”

Already at the door, he shook his head. “Not a chance.”

She eyed his heavy boots and fur cloak. “You’re not dressed for running, darlin’. You’ll only slow me down.”

Not daunted in the least it seemed, Graham tossed aside his fur and held open the door for her. “After ye, lass.”

“All right then.” She nodded thanks as she strode past then started jogging before she picked up the pace and let her instincts take over. Her brand of magic.

Jessie had a unique essence about her. One that seemed to magnify everything around her. Scents. Texture. Even the way light worked. That’s what Christina focused on now as she sprinted through the darkening woods.

Though she never detected anything that would lead her in that direction her feet carried her to Mystery Hill. It was almost as if she was stuck on autopilot when she ended up in the same exact spot she had run into Graham earlier.

“’Tis far tighter than it seemed when we met here before,” Graham commented as he ducked in and crouched rather than remain slumped over.

“I don’t understand,” she whispered as she moved her cell’s flashlight around. “Why did she lead me here?”

“Who?” He frowned as he watched her. “Jessie?”

“Yeah.” When she realized what she said, she shook her head. “I mean no.”

It was enough to realize she was almost out of the ‘witchy’ closet never mind flat out admitting it.

“I thought we agreed to be honest with each other, lass,” he said softly.

The way he said it made the fine hairs on her arms and neck stand on end. Almost as if there was a unique electrical charge between them. One that made her a little too aware of him. Funny how she could keep Graham and all his hotness in perspective anywhere but here. It had been somewhat easy until now.

Until they were in this spot.

“It’s a decoy,” she whispered, not sure why she said it or even felt it.

“What do you mean?” he replied, his voice suddenly very serious.

Christina didn’t comment on the fact he said ‘you’ instead of ‘ye’ but met his eyes through the darkness as she crouched as well. “I don’t know.” She shook her head. “This just all seems too planned out somehow, don’t you think?”

“Planned out?” He frowned. “How do you mean?”

“I’m not sure yet,” she murmured. “What I do know is that Jessie isn’t here.” She swallowed hard and ignored the worry and sadness that spiked through her. “And I get the strangest feeling she hasn’t been for a while...not really.”

Thankfully, Graham didn’t question her but nodded his head toward the exit. “Let’s go back then, and let the others know.”

He had no idea how grateful she was that he didn’t question her more right now because there were a lot of confusing emotions ripping through her. Namely, how this place seemed to magnify everything so much more than it did earlier. Even more so than when she came across Lindsay then ran through Graham as they crossed time barriers in broad daylight. Well, as light as it could get in here.

“Are ye okay, Christina?” he said, stopping her as they exited the small stone dwelling.

Overly sensitive from so recently using what her granny called her lightn’, she stepped away from him. He was too close. Too him. Tracking Jessie and her unique signature was one thing. Graham, however, was a whole lot of something else she needed to be awful careful of. He was all hot male flesh and had a spicy scent that made her want to run her tongue over his hard skin.

He smelled like dessert.

“If everything I’ve heard is true then Jessie could be in real trouble,” she said, putting a little pep in her step as they headed back through the woods. “Because she’s not anywhere near here, Graham.”

“Aye then.” That’s all he managed to get out before she bolted, in need of a flat out sprint. She might be racing toward nothing but she needed to get her stress out and the energy affiliated with it.

What she didn’t expect was Graham keeping up. She probably shouldn’t be all that shocked though based on the cut body she sensed beneath his clothing. Barely winded, his eyes met hers with appreciation when they reached the front door. It seemed he was impressed by her running skills and speed. 

“Jessie’s not out there,” Christina announced as they entered. “She’s not anywhere here.”

Rona, Blair, and Jim were standing in the kitchen.

“What makes ye say that?” Blair frowned as she looked from Graham to Christina. “Did something happen?”

“No.” Christina shook her head, yanked off her hoodie and deflected with a bit more bite than she intended. “Seeing how you’re all just standing there doing nothing, I’d say you already figured that out though. Because you sure as shit haven’t found my friend, have you?”

Sorry for swearing Granny, she thought to herself and sighed.

In truth, she was just feeling cranky and needed to backtrack from her statement. One that hinted at her special gifts. Though in all honesty, she should probably be sharing them by now.

She shook out her hair, and scowled heavily before she turned toward the fire and muttered, “What I wouldn’t do for some moonshine the way Granny used to make it.”

“You made some, remember?” Jim handed her a small flask. “At your place in Maine.”

“That’s right.” She nodded thanks, took a small swig then turned an eye to the fire as she absently handed the flask to Graham. “We should keep that going.”

“Is it really so important right now?” Rona asked as Christina put a few more pieces of wood on the low flames.

“Storm’s coming which means we’ll probably lose power soon,” she provided. “So yeah, it’s important.”

It felt like a connection to Jessie. A way to keep her here though she somehow knew it was too late for that.

“We found something.” Jim came alongside, eying her with that look he got. The one that said he knew she was way off her game right now. “A note beneath her tea cup.”

“A note?” She frowned and took the tiny scrap of paper he handed her.

“Well, a picture actually.”

Christina kept frowning as she eyed it. “It looks like a dragon on fire...”

“Aye,” Graham murmured, studying it with the same frown before he looked at her. “Ye dinnae know what this means, do ye, lass?”

“You know I don’t,” she whispered. Ensnared by his eyes, strange words just kept falling out of her mouth. “You know me better than anyone.”

“What are you guys talking about?” Jim said, his words cutting through their odd conversation. One Graham seemed just as confused by as he frowned and tore his eyes away.

“Death comes to those who fly,” Rona whispered, her words barely audible from the kitchen. “Death comes to Scotland.”

Blair looked from them to Rona, her hand on the hilt of the dagger at her waist. “Nay, it doesnae. We need to get back to the past.” Her eyes met Jim’s. “And ye need to stay here and keep an eye out for Jessie lest she returns.”

“Not on your life.” His eyes went to Christina’s. “If you go back, I go back.”

Done with the endless cat and mouse games he and Blair played together, she shook her head. “Now’s not the time, you two.”

She stared at the fire, drawn by it more than usual.

They needed to find Jessie.

She was alive somewhere, and it had to do with this fire.

“What makes ye say that?” Graham asked.

“Say what?” she managed, tearing her eyes from the flames to look at him. “About Blair and Jim?”

His eyes held hers for a moment before he nodded. “Aye, about Blair and Jim.”

Why did she get the feeling he wasn’t talking about them at all but what she had just thought in regards to Jessie?

“Either way, Grant got us all here,” Blair said. “So I think we’re stuck here until he comes for us.” Her eyes went to Christina’s ring. “Unless mayhap that can shift us through time.” Her brows whipped together. “I never noticed a ring on Jessie’s finger. Did ye?”

“No,” Christina murmured, her gaze returning to the fire. “But that doesn’t mean she didn’t have one.”

“I’m sort of surprised, all things considered, that none of us noticed or better yet asked her about a ring from the start.” Jim frowned and shook his head as he glanced from Blair to Christina. “Doesn’t that strike you as odd?”

“Aye,” Blair murmured as Christina only nodded in response.

The more she thought about the last few days, not mentioning such an important ring seemed the least bizarre of it all. How often did Jessie really leave that chair? Christina swore she had used the bathroom but maybe not. And had she ever changed once? Showered? Her frown deepened as she thought about the endless beef stew she had been cooking because Jessie had requested it. While she assumed Jessie had only picked at her food, now she wondered.

Had she ever eaten anything at all?

“Something’s wrong,” she whispered and shook her head as her eyes went to Graham.

“Aye, lass, but we’ll figure it out.”

She took unexpected comfort in his eyes as his hand slipped into hers. In how confident he seemed.

“Jessie will be all right,” he assured.

As their eyes held, something seemed to shift. At first, she thought it was just the lighting then realized it was far more when Graham suddenly yanked her against him.

“This is our chance to make a good first impression, lass,” he whispered in her ear before it felt like the floor dropped out from under them. Her ears popped and colors swirled around her. Yet rather than feeling afraid she was caught by the sensation of being against him. The strength of his body. The pure power she hadn’t felt until this moment.

What was that?

She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes, not fazed or frightened in the least that she was very likely traveling back in time. Instead, she felt calm in a way she hadn’t in a long time. Soothed in a way that was somehow exciting. Not thinking clearly, or maybe thinking clearer than she had in a while, she wrapped her hands in his hair and pulled his lips down to hers.

What she discovered when she did was more than she bargained for.

He tasted even better than he looked and smelled, and that said a whole lot. Both groaned as they didn’t take it slow but rushed right into it, their tongues tangling. Sweet Heaven above, the man knew how to use his mouth. Not to mention his hands as he caressed her ass with one hand and used the other to trail his fingers up her spine until he cupped the back of her neck. Gone, caught in a blistering storm of sensations, Christina had no awareness outside of him. Outside of his heat and the material of his shirt as she twisted her fingers in it.

“It seems to be a common thing, aye?” came a distant, amused brogue. “Your friends kissing my cousins when traveling through time?”

“Like I said,” Graham whispered between kisses. “This is our chance to make a good first impression. Show them we’re together.”

“You got it,” she whispered back and kept on kissing him. Why not? He was great at it, and she wasn’t quite ready to face a scary new reality.

Yet when a woman cleared her throat, something about it made Christina finally pull away. Well, not away but at least no longer kissing as her eyes landed on an attractive older woman with short red hair. Her brows were raised as she assessed Christina. Not in an amused or curious way but more of a who-the-hell-are-you way.

Fondness lit the woman's eyes as they went to Graham and she nodded hello. “Son.” Then her less-than-impressed gaze returned to Christina, all warmth gone. “And you are?”

While tempted to say she likely already knew the answer, Granny had raised her with better manners than that. So she pulled away, closed the distance and held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Christina.” She glanced sideways at Milly and whispered out of the corner of her mouth, “So glad to see you, sweetie!” before her eyes shot back to Graham’s mother. “It’s very nice to meet you, ma’am.”

The woman frowned, her eyes going from Graham to Christina before they went to Milly and Adlin. “Seriously? This is my son’s one true love?”

“Och, Ma,” Graham grumbled before an older but just as handsome man stepped forward and took Christina’s hand. “Hello, Christina. Welcome to MacLomain Castle. I’m Niall MacLomain.” He pulled Graham’s mother against his side, the affection obvious in his gaze as he looked at her. “And this is my wife, Nicole.”

Christina plastered a warm smile on her face and greeted them both. What was Nicole’s deal? Why so hostile? But then she knew there had been a divide in the family for a while. Since Graham’s cousin, Fraser had died. Rona had pretty much abandoned her parents to spend all her time at Hamilton Castle with Conall. And Graham? Well, she was beginning to suspect Fraser’s death had affected all of his cousins one way or another because Graham clearly wasn’t around enough either.

Nicole nodded but offered no real greeting before her eyes floated to Rona who seemed to be the only one to have traveled back in time with them. What happened to Blair and Jim?

“It’s been a long time, Daughter.” Pain flickered in Nicole’s eyes. “We’ve missed you.”

“Aye, Ma.” Rona nodded as she closed the distance and wrapped her arms around Nicole. “And for that I’m sorry.”

Clearly stunned, Nicole’s arms remained limp until she finally returned the hug. Meanwhile, his eyes moist, Niall wrapped his arms around both his wife and daughter. It seemed Christina had arrived in the midst of a family reunion.

“So what do ye think, lass?” Graham whispered in Christina’s ear. “Are ye not impressed by the castle?”

“Impressed by what?” she began before she suddenly snapped out of the bubble Graham had somehow sucked her into and finally took in her surroundings. The mind-blowing enormity of everything.

“Well, I’ll be,” she whispered, staring at the gorgeous castle not two hundred yards out and the loch beyond. Then she just kept looking and looking. From the moats to the drawbridges and portcullises to the people. Oh, but the people.

“Just look at ‘em,” she whispered, wide-eyed as she took in their medieval attire. “I knew...I was told...you and your cousins were dressed like this...but to see everyone like this just...”

When she trailed off, Milly grinned. “Pretty amazing, huh?”

“Mil,” she managed, incredibly happy to see her friend again even though she couldn’t tear her eyes away from everything around her. “I’m so glad you’re okay, honey.”

“Back at ya,” Milly murmured before she gave her a big hug. Christina finally managed to screw her head on straight and hugged her back. “Hey there.”

After they pulled apart, Milly introduced her to Adlin.

“Always a pleasure to meet another Broun lass.” His eyes twinkled as he smiled at her. “Welcome to medieval Scotland.”

“Thanks,” she replied. “Nice to meet you as well, Adlin.”

“How are you, sweetie?” Milly searched Christina’s eyes. “This is an awful lot. Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” she managed, somehow able to play her part regardless of how wowed she was. “Despite my new guy’s mom hating me on sight.”

“Your new...” Milly's eyes widened as it clicked. “Oh...you mean...Graham?”

“Who else would I mean?” She frowned. “Did you not just see that kiss?”

“I did,” Milly replied slowly, her eyes going from Graham who was speaking with his family back to Christina. “And while yes, it was pretty hot, that doesn’t necessarily mean anything.”

“Right.” She nodded, knowing exactly where Milly was going with this. “You’re talking about Linds and Conall kissing their way through time and...” She frowned. “Wait a sec, they ended up together so what do you mean?”

“I don’t know,” Milly began before she clamped her mouth shut, eyed Christina with uncertainty then shook her head. “No, I do know. This is weird, hon.” She gestured at Graham. “You and him.” She pursed her lips then cocked her head. “Or maybe not considering you guys ran into each other already in another dimension. What have I missed since then? Did much time go by in the future?”

“No.” Christina shook her head, seeing the perfect explanation hidden right in Milly’s very own words. “Like you said, we ran into each other.” She made a flustered motion with her hand and released a breathy sigh. “That’s all it took. We had this instant unavoidable connection. From there, things just took off.” She eyed him up and down with appreciation. “I mean, just look at him, Mil. Damn fine, am I wrong?”

He really was, wasn’t he? Something about seeing him here in his element only seemed to amplify his already drool-worthy good looks. Her mind went back to the feel of that long, hard body against hers. More so, the steely and more than ample bulge between his legs.

“Of course Graham’s handsome,” Milly said, cutting into her thoughts. “All the MacLomain men are.”

“I’m sure,” Christina murmured, pretending to still admire him though, in truth, she couldn’t tear her eyes away.

“There’s another single guy around with MacLomain blood too,” Milly commented. “In case you’re interested.”

“Why would I be?” she said absently, her eyes still on Graham.

“Because he might be meant for you.”

“Meant for me?” She held up her ring finger, her eyes still on Graham as she shook her head. She was about say something about her gem glowing a certain color. Instead, the words caught in her throat as a strong hand locked around her wrist and a deep voice said, “Aye, meant for you, lass.”

The next thing she knew she was whipped against yet another hard body and another set of lips altogether came down on hers.