Rise of a Legend (Guardian of Scotland Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

the floor, his throat cut, his eyes stunned. Blood oozed over the flagstone, spreading rapidly. The metallic stench of blood mixed with dirt. Eva crouched on her toes, clenching her fists so tightly, her fingernails dug into her palms.
    Holy shit. Wake up, Eva.
    The cloth lifted and the enormous man from the door peered at her. Christ, his dark eyes bore through her with the intensity of a devil. “We killit all the Inglisch, lad—least thoos who didna touk tal an’ flee.”
    Eva couldn’t move. What the hell did he say? She pointed a shaking finger at the dead man. “Y-y-you murdered him,” she whispered.
    “Aye, afore the bastart cuid run ye thro.”
    Eva pushed her back against the stone wall and stared. Something clicked in her head.
    He’s speaking in Auld Scots .
    Then her gaze dropped to the corpse. The only time she’d ever seen a dead man was at the morgue when she’d identified Steve’s body.
    God, stop freaking me out .
    She couldn’t take it.
    Only seconds ago, the man was alive—trying to kill her. She clapped a hand over her mouth before she coughed up her miserable scone and coffee breakfast.
    The behemoth held out his hand. “Come afore Inglisch spies se us. Ye dunna want to be found here.”
    I can wake any time now .
    “Haste ye,” A man in a black habit called from the doorway. “We nede ta be heding avay.”
    The big man shook his extended palm at her with a deranged intensity in his glare. “Now, laddie.”
    She wanted to flee, but her legs wouldn’t move, completely frozen in a crouch. Eva clenched her teeth against her stomach’s involuntary heave. All color had drained from the dead man’s face. Her foot slid forward. The tip of her boot met with dark red blood.
    Red .
    This dream grew freakier by the second.
    Steeling her grit, she placed her hand in the man’s outstretched palm. Warm and calloused fingers closed tightly around hers. “Good lad.” His speech became clearer. “We must make haste. Once I ken we’ve not been followed, I’ll see ye home.”
    He pulled her out.
    The fighting had stopped.
    Light streaked above from a wheel window shaped like the one at the ruin.
    Numb, she let the big man lead her outside at a run. Lord, he was more than a head taller.
    Rays of sunlight peeked through brilliant green leaves. She blinked at the pain of sudden brightness.
    This dream is way too vivid .
    They stopped beside an enormous horse, the saddle high in the front and back, skirted by blue felt, looked like nothing Eva had seen before—not that she’d ever ridden a horse.
    The man pulled a scabbard from beneath his saddle blanket and sheathed his sword, then strapped it to his back. “Ye’ll have to ride with me, laddie.”
    Me?
    She turned full circle, half expecting to see the Fiat.
    Now I know I’m dreaming .
    “Ye’re not one for words, are ye?” He gave her a quizzical look and gestured to the steed. “Up with ye.”
    She shrugged. May as well go with it .
    Eva slipped her foot into the stirrup and launched herself into the saddle. She gave the man a nod, finally able to take a deep breath. His face turned up to the sky, his eyes practically pierced through her—the color of blue crystal, they made her heart flutter clear up to her throat. He wore a full beard just like the others. And though he had shoulder-length brown hair curling from beneath his helm, his beard was uniquely auburn.
    His eyebrows drew together at an angle. “G’on, scoot behind. There’s nary enough room for us both in my wee saddle.”
    Licking her lips she blinked and studied it. With a cringe, she leaned forward, and inched her behind up and over the back and landed askew. The horse jolted aside. Eva tightened her grip and gasped. Sitting this massive beast was almost as terrifying as being attacked by the reenactment madman.
    Reins in his fist, the big man climbed up like he was ascending to his easy chair. “Bloody oath, ye act as if ye’ve never been on a horse afore.”
    Eva’s