Hell Transporter (Between) Read Online Free PDF

into view. Aiden’s eyes misted over as he stared at the screen, mesmerized. He reached toward the display like he was trying to touch a ghost but pulled his hand away before making contact.
    “It says the castle was destroyed in 1719 and sat as a ruin for about two hundred years. It was restored by Lieutenant Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap in 1932.”
    “MacRae?” Aiden’s voice broke on the word. His hands were shaking.
    I squeezed his knee in encouragement. “Look, here’s a site dedicated to the Clan MacRae!” I clicked on it, excited to be connected to this extraordinary history now that I was a MacRae as well.
    “The destruction of the castle occurred during one of several Jacobite uprisings,” I read with enthusiasm, remembering the passion of the men gathered in the castle’s great room, fired up about taking on the English, “which culminated in the bloody slaughter of the rebels at Culloden Moor in 1746.” The excitement drained out of me as I skimmed the rest of the page.
    Over fifteen hundred Scottish Jacobites died that day, while only about fifty of the Royal Crown’s army perished in the battle. The Duke of Cumberland gave orders that no mercy was to be extended to the rebels, earning him the nickname “The Butcher.” The moor was searched following the battle and all of the wounded were executed on the spot. In addition, the English scoured the Highlands, hunting for rebel sympathizers, and raping and killing indiscriminately. Soldiers stole the livestock from families and split the profits amongst themselves. Several hundred Scots were jailed, put to death or transported to the colonies.
    “Oh my…” The words dried up on my lips as my eyes absorbed the rest of the story.
    Kilts were outlawed and the Scots were prohibited from bearing arms in an effort to repress the clans. Over the 18 th and 19 th centuries, many were cast out of their homes to starve or freeze as part of the Highland Clearances or “improvements.” The English set houses on fire and stole the land, forcing many to emigrate to Canada and America. As a result, there are more descendants of Highlanders in North America than in Scotland today, the website said.
    “Turn it off. Turn it off, please. No more.” Aiden’s face was gripped with pain as he fought for control over his emotions. He jumped to his feet, scraping the chair against the hardwood floor.
    “Aiden…” I tried to reach out to him, but he shook his head, his features locked down tight.
    “No. I need to be alone for a spell. I’m sorry.” He strode out of the cabin, leaving me staring helplessly after him.
    He didn’t come back, though I waited for him until the fire was no more than glowing embers. Shivering, I got up and turned on the porch light, then went upstairs to bed alone. It seemed so cold and empty without him and I curled into a ball to try and get warm. I fell asleep with tears staining my cheeks, my heart aching for Aiden and the fate dealt to his people.
    Somewhere deep in the night, I felt Aiden’s warm body crawl in next to mine. I pressed myself against him. He smelled of the woods, of pine trees, earth and sweat, and I breathed deeply, thankful to have him home with me. He stroked my hair and spoke softly to me in Gaelic, which I didn’t understand, but didn’t need to.
    I turned my face to him and he kissed me, an unspoken need on his lips. I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him on top of me, and we made silent love in the dark, our bodies healing the hurts that were too much for our hearts to bear. We lay in each other’s arms afterward, fitted together like two pieces of a puzzle, and drifted off to sleep.

     
    Chapter 5
     
    The next morning, I headed downstairs to make breakfast and heard the muffled buzzing of my cell phone in my purse, telling me I’d missed a call.
    “What is that blasted noise?” Aiden said behind me, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. “I heard it last night when I came in.” I pulled out the