Dark Sword 05: Shadow Highlander Read Online Free PDF

it was,” Mairi murmured. “Reaghan? What do you sense?”
    Reaghan turned her head to the elders. “They speak the truth, Mairi.”
    Mairi and the other two drew closer, their heads bowed together as they whispered. With Galen’s advanced hearing he could hear them discussing whether to allow them in. They didn’t trust him or Logan, so they would be careful. Yet, somehow, it was Reaghan’s statement that helped them.
    The women broke apart and Mairi stepped forward. “Though it goes against our determination to keep the village secret, we will allow you inside because we want Deirdre gone. Reaghan has seen into your eyes and observed the truth.”
    “You will be allowed inside,” Odara said, her wrinkled face pinched with anger, “through tomorrow. After that, you must leave.”
    Galen nodded in agreement. One night wouldn’t be enough time, but it was better than nothing. “Thank you.”
    As much as Galen wanted to celebrate the small victory, in truth, he hadn’t won anything. The Druids still didn’t trust him or Logan, nor had they admitted to knowing of the artifact.
    “How much can we learn in so short a time?” Logan asked as they followed the three elders.
    Reaghan suddenly appeared beside Galen. “Not much, I’m afraid. You must earn their trust to learn anything or to stay longer.”
    “How?” Galen asked.
    “That I cannot tell you.”
    Logan shook his head as his lips compressed into a tight line.
    Galen shortened his strides so he put distance between the elders and himself. “What did Mairi mean when she said you looked into our eyes and saw the truth?”
    “It’s something I do,” Reaghan said with a slight shrug. “If I look into a person’s eyes when they are speaking, I can tell if they are lying or not.”
    “That’s convenient,” Logan said.
    Galen agreed. “When was the last time your elders allowed anyone into the village?”
    “Not once that I can remember, but that has just been ten years,” Reaghan answered.
    “Just ten years?” Logan repeated with a frown. “What happened ten years ago?”
    Reaghan lifted a slim shoulder in a shrug. A small frown appeared on her brow and her body stiffened. “I contracted a fever that killed many Druids. Mairi stayed by my side the entire time until I was healed.”
    “And your family?” Galen asked. “Are they here?”
    “I don’t remember my family. In fact, I recall nothing of my life before I awoke from the fever. Mairi said it’s better that I don’t remember.” Reaghan’s lips were pinched as she cut off her words.
    “Maybe she believes the past is better left buried,” Galen said.
    Her eyes met his for a moment before she turned her face away. “These people are my family. I will not see them harmed. You’ve been allowed inside. If you want more information, as I said, you will need to earn their trust.”
    Galen kept scanning the forest with his gaze. It wouldn’t surprise him if the Druids had someone watching. “We appreciate your elders’ allowing us inside your village. It is most fortunate we found you.”
    Reaghan stared at him, her silver gaze intense, as if she were searching his soul for the truth. For the briefest of moments Galen wanted to reach out and touch her, to pull her against him and hold her.
    But he couldn’t—and wouldn’t. He had no desire to see her thoughts, and touching her would ensure that he did. While other Warriors fought to learn to use their powers when not in their Warrior form, Galen fought to keep his power from intruding on his life.
    He’d failed so far.
    The simplest, smallest touch would give Galen a glance into anyone’s mind. And he didn’t want that kind of knowledge. People’s minds were meant to be private.
    The longing, the heartache, the anger, the grief he saw could be so relentless, so intense it brought him to his knees. To not be able to touch someone, to hold someone, to feel the comfort of a hand or the passion of a kiss without his power