Realms Gate Read online

  “It’s what family do. The only person who should apologise to me is your father for his untimely passing.”

  “I’ll second that.” Erin forced a smile. He had let them both down.

  That afternoon Birdie drove her over to their closest neighbour, so she could meet Sasha, the laird’s sister, who was about the same age. At least she wasn’t the only near eighteen year old in the district.

  McBride Castle made her home look like a small townhouse, it was massive. Sasha McBride came rushing out as soon as the LandRover pulled up. She had the most amazing red hair, which hung like a mane around her. She was dressed in a light purple sweatshirt, three-quarter length jeans and pumps.

  “Welcome, neighbour,” she smiled warmly. “It’s good to finally have another girl my age in the area.”

  “Yeah. I understand my arrival has dropped the mean age by about twenty years,” Erin joked.

  Birdie rolled her eyes. “The young are never happy.” She headed into the house to see Bettina, Sasha’s mother.

  Sasha linked her arm through Erin’s. “Come on through to the kitchen. We actually have a proper coffee machine. One that makes cappuccinos!”

  “That I would kill for,” Erin grinned. She had a good feeling about Sasha. Although she dressed much more femininely, their tastes did not seem too far apart.

  “Birdie tells me you’re into dirt bikes and swords?”

  “I love off-roading,” Erin admitted guiltily. “I think I took to it because it used to really piss off my mother, especially when I came back covered head to foot in mud.”

  Sasha laughed. “I can see the appeal in that. And the swords?”

  “Fencing to be precise. Actually that is quite a lady-like activity. Mother did approve of that one, I think.”

  “Well, you’ll find everyone here is more than happy to play around with swords. All the big houses are full of them. It must be a throwback to our heritage.”

  “So what do you do for fun around here?” Please don’t say cow tipping, Erin prayed.

  “I like to ride most days. If I’m really bored, I’ll drive into Inverness for some retail therapy. To be honest, though, there’s not a whole lot going on here.”

  “Muirhead village looked pretty.” Erin sipped on her coffee.

  “The trouble is it’s a small village. Everyone knows everyone else’s business. In fact, we’ll have to parade you through the High Street soon. Your arrival’s been the talk of the place for a while. James McLomard’s daughter returning to claim her inheritance.”

  Erin giggled. “I love being notorious. Are there many other big houses like ours, or are we it?”

  “There are several scattered around. The holidays are the best time to visit as the children that have been packed off to boarding school are back.” Sasha glanced under the table at Erin’s foot. “I forgot to ask how your ankle is? Birdie told me about your accident.”

  “It was more clumsiness than anything else.” Erin pulled a face. “But it’s almost recovered.”

  “Unusually for Scotland, we have a sunny day. Did you want to head over to the Loch?”

  “Sure,” Erin responded, not quite sure how far she was agreeing to walk to. The two girls headed out the house and off towards the lake in the distance. “I understand from Birdie you’ve got into Edinburgh Uni?”

  “Yeah, I’m thrilled. I didn’t want to go too far or mum will worry. Since dad’s death, she feels she has to focus her attention on Angus and me.”

  “I feel for you. It’s never easy losing your father.”

  “I think it hit Angus hardest. Although I adored Dad and miss him terribly, we never shared any common interests. Angus, on the other hand, he not only lost his mentor but suddenly was landed with the added responsibility of running the entire estate.”

  “Ouch, that must be tough.” Erin was glad she had Birdie to look after her estate.

  Sasha gave a sad smile. “He’s as pig-headed as dad was, but every now and then, you can see he’s suffering. Stubbornness is a McBride trait, and he has it in bucket loads.”

  Erin bent down and picked up a small stone, tossing it idly into the still waters. “I’m still pissed at mine for getting himself killed. I mean, leaving behind an eight year old daughter was just not on.”

  “You’re not close to your mother?”

  “She has all the warmth of an iceberg,” Erin snorted loudly. “In fact it’s amazing we’re even related. I don’t think she ever possessed one maternal feeling for me. It all came from dad.”

  “Families are wonderful things.”

  “So what are you planning on studying?”

  “Fine art.”

  “Cool. Is there any particular area that interests you the most?”

  “I want to specialise in paintings.” She nodded towards the house. “As you might have gathered, I have some experience already.”

  “Yes. You have some pretty good examples.”

  “How about you? Aren’t you studying ancient history?”

  “I’m pro Roman,” Erin looked up to see this huge animal bounding along the edge of the loch. “Bloody hell, is that a wolf?”

  Sasha burst into giggles. “Of sorts. That’s Heracles, our Irish wolfhound.”

  Erin edged closer to Sasha, she preferred mountain dogs to wolfhounds.

  “He’s quite harmless.” Sasha could sense Erin’s unease. She knelt down as the massive dog came to a grinding halt in front of her. “Aren’t you, Heracles. You’re quite ridiculously soft.” She rubbed his ears.

  “Does he often wander the estate on his own?” Erin was wondering what other animals were going to come flying out the woods.

  “No, he’ll have been with Angus. Isn’t that right, boy?” She wobbled his jowls.

  Right on cue, the girls heard the soft growl of an engine and saw two quad bikes emerge from the trees.

  “I think we might get a lift back to the house,” Sasha beamed.

  The two bikes stopped next to them, one of the riders’ took off his helmet. Erin was surprised that he was actually quite cute, with short dark hair, brown eyes and a very cheeky smile.

  “Hey, Robert,” Sasha smiled bashfully. “This is Erin, our new neighbour.”

  Erin saw a sudden change in Sasha’s mannerisms, she had turned shy and awkward. Then it dawned on her, she liked Robert. Well not surprisingly, he was probably the only good looking guy in her age group within a fifty mile radius.

  “Hi,” Robert grinned. “Welcome to the bustling metropolis of Muirhead.”

  Sasha pointed to the other rider. “The creature that just grunts is my brother, Angus.”

  Erin was shocked that he barely acknowledged her presence, just a quick nod of the head, not bothering even to remove his helmet.

  Sasha twisted one leg around the other, almost as though she needed to pee. “We might have walked a bit far for Erin, her ankle is still bothering her. Can we get a lift back to the house?”

  Erin was about to protest, her ankle wasn’t that bad, when she realised what Sasha was up to.

  “Sure, hop on.” Robert put his helmet back on as Sasha leapt on the back of his quad bike.

  “Are you OK riding with Angus?” Sasha looked at Erin.

  If I have to, Erin thought sulkily. The guy was just plain rude. She sat on the back of his bike, making sure she did not hold on to him. Luckily it did not take long to reach the house. Erin was only too pleased to get away from Sasha’s ignorant brother.

  Once back in the house, Erin quizzed Sasha. “Robert, you like him don’t you?”

  “Was it so obvious?” Sasha sighed.

  “Only because you suddenly came over all doe-eyed,” Erin giggled. “But he is cute.”

  “I’m sorry about Angus, I’m not sure what was up with him. He’s not usually rude like that.”

  “Forget it, I have.” Erin gave her a reassuring smile. As if, the guy was a knob.

  Birdie tracked down the girls. “Are you ready to head back home, Erin?”
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  It sounded strange calling the McLomard Estate home, Erin thought, but that was what it was now. And as of 31st August, there was no need for her ever to return to Surrey. “Sure.”

  “If you’re not doing anything tomorrow, how about I ride over and I can show you some great bridle paths?” Sasha offered.

  “Sounds good. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Erin was happy, her new life looked like it could work out quite well.

  Heinrekh hurried to his study, his informer from the First Realm was here, no doubt with information regarding the child. He was excited at the prospect of their paths eventually meeting, he had long awaited her arrival. Heinrekh’s steely eyes rested on his visitor. “What news do you bring me?”

  “Erin McLomard is back in Muirhead.”

  “I’m already aware of that,” he growled. “What of her?”

  “She is oblivious to the path that lies before her.”

  “They have kept her in the dark?” That might play to his advantage. “And her powers?”

  “Nothing yet. But she is still six weeks off turning eighteen.”

  If she was going to be as powerful as he thought, then her powers would start appearing soon. And how he would like to train her to use them.

  “What of her security?”

  “Just Selvig.”

  Heinrekh fell silent for a moment. Selvig was good, he had a distinct advantage with his telepathic link. It meant he was never far from the girl’s side. But Selvig wasn’t invincible, he had a weakness.

  “I would like the girl brought here. I will send some Vasmaarians to collect her.”

  “Is that wise with Olav’s troops on your borders?”

  Heinrekh gave an icy smile. “That was Prince Wilhelm’s doing. The troops have since been redeployed. I will need you to make sure the girl is on her own so I can take her with the greatest of ease.”

  “Consider it done.”

  Heinrekh watched his informer leave. He disliked him and certainly didn’t trust him. But having someone in the First Realm was extremely beneficial. He had waited almost a decade for Erin and now she was just about in reach. The Council had done well in hiding her, he had tried many times to uncover her location these long years, but no-one appeared to know. Now he would persuade her to unite with him and together they would be invincible in both Realms.

  He studied her picture; she had blossomed into a pretty young woman, just like her mother. He picked up the photo and headed out his study. He knew someone would be interested to see how Erin had turned out.

  Later that day Sasha found her brother sprawled at the kitchen table. She slapped him on the back of the head as she walked past.

  “Ouch. What the hell was that for?” he glared at her.

  “For acting like a complete dick in front of Erin,” Sasha responded.

  “I didn’t do anything?” he growled.

  “Precisely. Nothing. Not even a hello or nod in her direction. You behaved as though her presence wasn’t even worth acknowledging.”

  “At least I didn’t’ fawn all over her.” His brown eyes challenged her.

  “Robert knows how to behave properly. You just gave Erin the impression that you’re nothing more than a twat.”

  “Sasha!” he reprimanded his sister.

  She glared back at him in response.

  “I’m sorry,” Angus sighed. “I was preoccupied.”

  “You’re always preoccupied with something,” Sasha snapped. “What was it this time? The roof on the right wing? The cows not giving enough milk? The lack of salmon in the stream?”

  “Give it a rest, Sash,” Angus barked back at his sister.

  “When you start behaving like a civilised being.”

  Angus stood up and stalked over to the door. “You want to know why I couldn’t talk to Erin?” He glanced back at his sister. “She had me knocked for six. When those green eyes looked at me, I was lost for words. Does that satisfy you?” He slunk out the room.

  Sasha stared after her brother. Bloody hell, she wasn’t expecting that!

  CHAPTER 4

  Wilhelm had the mother of all hangovers. His head was thumping, his mouth felt like it was full of fur and his left eye was swollen. A good night.

  He hauled himself out of bed then stopped, staring curiously around the room. It wasn’t his bed. His heart sank. Who the hell had he gone home with? He prayed she didn’t look like a troll. Or had a husband. He jumped when the bedroom door swung open.

  “It’s about time you got your arse up,” Ajax grunted.

  “Why am I here, Ajax?” Wilhelm rubbed his temples.

  “Your two moronic side-kicks used their combined brain cell and decided it was wiser to drag you here than back to the palace, for fear of the King seeing you in such a state.”

  Wilhelm winced. “Was I that bad?”

  Ajax nodded. “You could barely stand. Luckily you were quite incoherent, as I suspect you were bad-mouthing your father.”

  “It seems I owe you my thanks,” Wilhelm mumbled. Ajax had been his tutor for many years and he still regarded him as the wisest man he knew. “I should get back to the palace.”

  “I’ll walk with you. It seems we have a few issues to discuss.”

  “We do?”

  “Yes. And if you don’t listen to me, I’ll make sure the other eye swells.”

  A ghost of a smile crossed Wilhelm’s lips. Ajax was probably the only person who could threaten him and get away with it. “I’m all ears,” Wilhelm conceded.

  Ajax opened the door and the two stepped out into bright sunlight. Wilhelm immediately shielded his eyes. The cool morning air made him feel quite dizzy.

  “Why do you continually push against your father?” Ajax asked.

  “Because he is becoming old and inactive. There was once a time when he would have chased Heinrekh to the ends of the realm. Now he’s happy to have him breathing down our necks.” Wilhelm’s temper was starting to flare. It had his head thump even harder.

  “Your father is thinking of the kingdom rather than his own desire. Why waste men unnecessarily when we are not at war?”

  “Because Heinrekh could strike at any moment.”

  “Has it not crossed that ale-addled mind of yours that your father perhaps has spies in Heinrekh’s camp?”

  “He does?” Wilhelm was surprised.

  “Yes, and if you for once stopped acting like a headstrong fool, your father might even confide in you.”

  “My father hates me.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  “Then why would he demote me to mere guard of the Realms’ Gate?” Wilhelm scowled sulkily.

  “Ah, now I see the reason for last night’s excess,” Ajax nodded thoughtfully. “Your father no doubt believes that you have much to learn and by giving you this task, hopes that you will learn to see its true value.”

  “Very few visitors pass through the Gate and those that do are well known to the guards.”

  “What do you actually know about the Gate?”

  “It separates the two Realms. Only members of the High Council on either side are allowed to pass through it.”

  “And what of the prophecy?”

  “That the child of the High Priestess will return from the First Realm on her eighteenth birthday to take her mother’s place.”

  “At least you’ve remembered some of what I taught you,” Ajax rubbed his temples. “But we need to make a detour via the Archives.”

  Wilhelm fixed him with a cold stare. “My head throbs and I smell worse than a pig farmer. I am hardly in the mood for a history lesson.”

  “Perhaps a conversation with your father is in order?” Ajax threatened.

  “You fight dirty,” Wilhelm scowled and followed Ajax into the Archives. The musty, dark library was not exactly top of his list right now, but he needed to humour Ajax.

  Ajax unlocked the heavy oak door to an antechamber, where only the most sacred of scrolls were kept. “The child will not only inherit her mother’
s powers but her father’s as well, as he was a High Priest in the First Realm. She is the sole reason Heinrekh has remained in Vasmaar. He is wanting to see how powerful she actually is and whether he can get her to join his side. If she does, then Lokranor and all its territories will be lost. She will be formidable.”

  Wilhelm stared blankly at Ajax, not following where he was going with this bedtime story.