I dressed in a kilt. There was a bowl of shark teeth Kaitlyn kept near our bed. I sifted through it in search of the largest and added it tae my sporran.

I collapsed back on the bed and tried tae get my breathin’ right.

This bed I shared with Kaitlyn. This room. This house. I attempted tae slow my breaths with a deep intake. Then with as much composure as I could gather I left the bed and then the room.

I ate breakfast by myself. I told Zach I dinna want company and that he and Quentin should begin tae pack. Quentin was on his phone arrangin’ for a truck and Zach and Emma were movin’ around upstairs getting ready for a busy day. I ate my breakfast starin’ at a fixed point in front of my eyes, chewin’ slowly. I wanted tae relish this meal, but I couldna taste it. Twas stuffin’ under my constricted chest.

Emma came down when I was finishin’ the last bite. “Magnus, I rarely, if ever, question you but I don’t understand. Why do you have to go?”

“Tis enough that Kaitlyn understands.”

“I mean, yeah, but still — Zach and I will be the ones trying to help her through this, at least give me a reason so I can understand.”

I pushed my plate away. “Madame Emma, I have done everythin’ in my power tae keep Kaitlyn safe but I haena been enough. In every calculation I have been mistaken. Tis because I am trying tae win. I wanted to beat Lord Delapointe, so I allowed Kaitlyn to risk her life. I have been at odds with Lady Mairead and she has threatened Kaitlyn’s life over and over. I am goin’ tae stop tryin’ tae win.”

“So you aren’t trying to win? You’re just losing?”

“I am nae tryin’ tae win. I am tryin’ tae keep Kaitlyn alive.”

“But you love her and she just lost the baby and…”

“I canna leave her, Madame Emma. Yet I have tae go. I made a vow, my life for her’s. I can only leave an empty house. Tis the only way I can go.”

Emma watched me and then nodded. “I’m going to go to the hospital. It’s been really great working for you. I mean that. I hope you come home.”

I concentrated on that spot again, the one just above my plate, while she grabbed her bag and keys and left.

Zach came downstairs. “Quentin has a truck on the way, plus two more movers.” He paused just about where Emma was standin’ moments before. “I’m not good at goodbyes…”

“I am nae good at them either, Chef Zach. I hope twill suffice tae say, I will miss your cookin’ verra much.”

“That suffices, thanks Magnus.” He crossed tae the cabinets, opened a box of protein bars, and poured them out on the table. “I think this will fit in your bag? Take them so you don’t starve, at least not in the first two days.”

I picked up a handful and added them tae my sporran.

Zach said, “I’m going to go upstairs to finish packing.” He returned tae his rooms.

I went tae the office and opened the safe tae retrieve the vessel. I sat in the chair and considered leavin’ Kaitlyn a note — but how tae put words tae the moment? I couldna pick up the writing instrument tae begin because there wasna a beginning.

I was only faced with the end and it seemed too brutal tae say.

I returned downstairs and through the sliding door tae the deck.

Quentin turned as I approached. “Boss, I wanted to say goodbye, I — you know, thanks for taking a chance on me. It meant a lot. I just wanted you to know that.”

“Master Quentin ye never proved me wrong. Thank ye for keepin’ her safe. You have done a better job than I most days.”

“You sure you don’t need me to go with you? I’ve gotten pretty good with a sword, I could…?”

His voice trailed off when I shook my head. “I have tae do this alone. I canna worry over keepin’ ye alive, whether ye are good with a blade or nae.”

“But I am good with the sword, right?”

“Aye, ye are good. But I need ye tae stay here and take care of Kaitlyn.”

“All right then. Cool. Next time you’ll take me.”

I stared out at the horizon.

“Okay Magnus, see ya soon.” He turned and walked back to the house.

I took another deep breath, twisted the ends of the vessel, aligned the markings, and as it glowed tae life I began tae count. “One, naught, three, twenty…”

And the brutal assault on my body began.