41 - Fraser's Clan

Ailsa

The three male stare at me in rapt concentration as I begin my long explanation. I give them every important detail from the past few weeks as I've grown to love and care for Fraser, as he was stuck in the debts of of the ground beneath my clans.

I leave out most of the romance bits, but divulge the horrifying details of what transpired while their leader was kept and tortured, all that he endured and how brave he was for sticking through it, and how I wanted him free no matter what.

Once I was finished, I looked back and forth between the three of them, Fraser's clan, or a great fraction of it.

These were his most trusted ally's, and now I had no choice but to put my trust in them in order to save them.

I've come to learn that Alec is Fraser's brother, or remember anyway from our early conversation as we bonded. It's startling to see Fraser's sibling standing so brazenly before me, and it's not a surprise either. The similarities are obvious enough, the dark hair, the broad shoulders, the sense of power.

Although, Alec appears much healthier. I wonder if Fraser will look more and more like his younger brother after he's released and deee. Will he fill out? Will his skin shine with health? I can imagine it now, and it only makes my anxiety to enact my plan more potent.

The other two comrades, however, couldn't be more different. One of the men towers over the others, his build not quite as broad, but slimmer than the rest of the vampires. His muscles are taut over his limbs, his attitude cool and collected, but confident as if he could take anyone in a fight. He seems the quiet type, almost too thoughtful. He hasn't spoken a word since they appeared before me in all their glory.

The last of them, a male of fine featured beauty and arrogance wrapped into one. He seemed more at ease and relaxed than any of us, comfortable in the forest as he leans to one side, arms folded.

Alec pressed me for more details now and then as I relayed my story.

I gladly gave them all the details I had to offer, hoping beyond hope that this somehow would work out, that these men that had appeared just in the nick of time would offer a solution to our horror, to Fraser's horror.

"So. My final question for you, lass.. why the hell didn't you break him out as soon as you found him?"

Alec strolls closer to me, slow but deliberate. Each step menacing as the threat in his voice is made more and more obvious.

I gulp as I scamper back. I know the power that vampires hold, what they're capable of. I saw it just days ago in Fraser as he easily snapped a guard's life away with one twist as if it was a skinny twig rather than a grown man's neck.

My trust in Fraser told me not to fear that strength, but that faith did not transfer to his brother.

"My father keeps the key well hidden."

The arrogant male put a hand on Alex's shoulder, pulling him back a smidge.

"Our fight is not with her, surely you know this."

Alec narrows his eyes on me, but didn't respond. The arrogant one smirks before continuing.

"Well. I'd we can't find the key, we'll have to rip the door from its hinges if that's what it takes."

"How is that possible? Fraser wasn't strong enough to do that, and I'm sure he would've if he could." I say; and he nods.

"Yes, well, our kind requires moonlight for full power." He contemplates this for a moment, then nods. "That means tonight would be ideal for springing our Laird."

His words slowly dawn on me, and I wonder if my humanity keeps me from catching up quick enough. Always one step behind. Do I seem dull to them? Stupid? Did my lack of supernatural strength and knowledge bother Fraser?

I shake the selfish fear away before addressing it.

"What?"

Alec rolls his eyes.

"Gavin is kindly pointing out that tonight will be a full moon, and that will ensure that Fraser will heal as quickly as he's able." His green eyes roll over me "Provided he has blood as well."

I shiver and turn my attention to the cocky fellow who is still smirking as if he owns these lands himself.

A new name to go with a new face. Gavin. It suits him, curly brown hair and razor sharp eyes and spirir. Yes, Gavin fits him quite well.

The newly revealed information only makes me desperate to know the big one's name.

"Well, that's perfect. We can exact my plan tonight then." I insist, and Alec's eyes widen.

"You have a plan?"

My face heats and I nod.

"What is it?" He presses.

"I didn't plan the whole thing out, it's a loose outline at best." I admit, clutching my wrist and looking at Gavin. I feel safer gazing at him rather than Fraser's brother. "It started with me finding Alec. After that I thought you could take the key from my father somehow, but not that it's not needed, well the plan becomes much simpler."

"Yes, well I can and in the planning. I am Fraser's general after all." Gavin says smoothly, motioning to me.

"This lass-"

"Ailsa." I provide.

He smiles, revealing an almost feline like look.

"Ailsa, can help us enter the keep, and lead us to Fraser. Kill a few guards, we grab him and escape in the moonlight. Maybe taste a few snacks on the way out. Seems simple enough." He describes it in high spirits, and I cringe at the Last implication.

They're all nodding they're agreements, but I have to clear my throat to gain some attention back to myself.

"I'd like to escape with you." I say, burying any meekness in favor of determination.

Alec barks a laugh.

"You're not serious?" He's still laughing, clutching his stomach. I glare at him. "A laird's precious daughter wanting to run off with vampires? What am I to make of this?"

I stomp my foot, sending up flecks of mud and earth, it only further amuses him.

"Fraser wants me to come with when he leaves. It's as much of an escape for me as it is for him."

Alec's humor dies as he hisses between his teeth.

"And what makes you think you deserve our Laird? Why would a human girl matter to him?" He eyes me up and down. "Weak enough without your defected lungs. You think he'll want to keep you as a pet? He'll tire of you quickly."

My insecurities flail to life as Alec points out every flaw I've tried to forget about myself. My fear that I'm not enough for the man I love is sweltering inside me, but I try not to let it show outwardly.

"He loves me."

Alec didn't seem convinced, but he dropped the subject.

"Where shall we meet you tonight, lass?" He asks after a long, drawn out silence.

My mouth squirms to the side as I deliberate.

"Around the back of the keep where to walls face the woodline. That's where the kitchen is, it's the closest entrance to the dungeons."

They all nod and not much else is said before I return swiftly to the keep, in much higher spirits than I left it.

Gentry is sitting at the bottom of the wet foothills when I exit the forest. I slow when I see her. Her expression becomes clearer the closer I get.

When we're close, she springs up and hugs me gently, wrapping her arms around me in a tight embrace. I hold her back.

"You're leaving, aren't you?" To anyone it would sound like a question, but I know she's simply letting me know what I've always known.

Gentry is far too clever for her own good.

Hehehe