Highland Resurrection (Blades of Honor Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

He patted the lad on his behind. “Make haste.”
    Sheena glared up at the man though a blurry haze, an unsavory mix of fear and hatred churning in her belly. But she’d spent what little strength she could muster on her initial attempt to defend herself. “Do with me what you will . . . I canna fight you,” she sputtered, “but please dinna let the lad see what you have in mind.” She squeezed her eyes shut, expecting the worst. “Bar the door if you must, but spare him the anguish.” She steeled herself against what was to come, and flinched when the stranger lightly stroked her arm.
    “I know you’re afraid, and with good reason. But I’m only here to help, not harm.”
    “I dinna believe you,” she said, peering up at him. She didn’t trust him or any man, and never would.
    “I understand your caution, but seeing to your injuries is my only purpose for coming to find you,” the man whispered. He rocked back on his heels, bowed his head, and said a quick prayer.
    His voice sounded familiar, but she could not recall where she’d seen him before. Right now, she was lucky to remember her name. Every joint and muscle of her body hurt. Her head pounded with the force and intensity of a hammer set to anvil, and an insidious fog clouded her mind, hampering her ability to think clearly. “How did you know I was ill?”
    “I’m Brother Lazarus. We met yesterday in Berwick.” He hung his head and glanced away. “I happened upon you when two men were assaulting you and did what I could to intervene.”
    She squinted, his face coming into focus. Judging by his attire, he was a cleric of some sort, a monk or priest. “I remember you.” Her memory of the attack slowly returned. But while he did come to her aid, he then left her in the hands of a stranger who was passing by. How she got home after that was a mystery. She sucked in a shallow breath, suddenly feeling like a huge rock rested upon her chest.
    “Are you in a lot of pain?” he asked.
    “Why is it men feel the need to beat a woman into submission when she declines their unwelcomed advances?”
    “Do you remember what happened?” Lazarus gently swept a lock of hair from her brow.
    “Two drunken scoundrels chased me down, then tried to violate me. When I refused to surrender, they beat me until I could no longer fight them. After that, I dinna remember much about what happened. But they made it clear what they intended to do.”
    “Aye, but you can rest assured, I stopped them from completing the act and ran them off,” the monk replied.
    Sheena nodded. “You helped me,” she said through clenched teeth. “Then deserted me.”
    “I know it might have appeared like that, but I left you in the hands of a man who promised to see you home safely. And you’re here, so obviously he did as I requested.”
    “Did you know that for certain at the time?” she challenged. He was not getting off that easily. Especially given he was a man of God, sworn to help those in need.
    Lazarus shook his head. “Nay, and you’re right, I shouldna have left without making sure you’d be safe, and for that I apologize. I regret my decision to leave when I did, even though I had good reason at the time.”
    Fearing she’d lose consciousness, she closed her eyes and rolled her head to the side. “It matters not. I’m home and you owe me nothing.”
    “That is where you’re wrong, lass. And I’m here to atone for my sins.”
    “I refilled the bucket.” Quinn scrambled into the hut, water sloshing over the rim of the container. “Where do you want it?”
    “By the hearth will be fine. Now, go find me some wood and kindling so I can start a fire.”
    Quinn shrugged. “I will, but the hearth doesna draw well and gives off little or no heat.”
    “I’ll see to it once I have finished helping your sister. Now go and do as I request, lad, and dinna dally.”
    The monk’s words faded in and out as Sheena struggled to remain awake. Despite his claim of good