“She won’t last the night with or without your barbaric ritual. I won’t let you do it. Gwen would never forgive herself.”

“You don’t understand, Robert.” His uncle’s voice thickened with anger.

“Oh, I understand perfectly. Get out, Aaron.”

There was a thud, and the wooden crucifix on the wall over the bed trembled. “She’s my sister. You can’t stop me from saving her.”

“Take your hands off me. You’re crazy. I should report you to the police.” Dad’s voice was thin and strained.

Nathan’s heart zoomed. He tightened his grip on his mother’s limp hand, then eased off, afraid he’d hurt her.

“Don’t make threats like that, Robert. Your God may ask you to sit back and accept what he’s dished out. But mine—and your wife’s—they call for action. That’s Celtic blood that runs through Gwen’s veins. It demands to be heard.”

Dad didn’t respond, and Uncle Aaron’s voice dropped.

“You’ll pay for your decision to let my sister die. Her death is on your head. I will not forget it, Robert.”

Thunder rumbled in the distance. Nathan killed the headlights and drove into the parking area behind the old inn. He parked next to the detached garage. Mandy’s car wasn’t in the lot. A blanket of unease settled on his shoulders.

Getting out of the vehicle, he scanned the rear of the house. All the windows were dark and quiet, as they should be an hour before dawn. He stole across the backyard and rounded the corner. Mandy’s window was on the side of the house. Standing on his toes, he peered in. The blinds weren’t drawn. The bed was directly across from the window, the white sheets and comforter undisturbed. No dark head rested upon the pillow.

Mandy wasn’t there. Where could she be?

Who could she be with?

Anger hazed his vision red. He raised his hand, ready to smash the window in search of his May Queen. Wait. Think. He clenched a trembling fist.

What should he do?

He raised his fingers to his temples, where the constant ache in his head blurred his thoughts. He needed a new plan.

He’d come here to collect his queen, to prepare her for their new life together. He had to have her. No one else would do.

So he needed another way to get her.

His gaze shifted to the next window. Was that Mandy’s beloved brother’s room?

Enthusiasm for his new idea propelled him to the back porch. He stopped. His gifts. They were missing. He suppressed his rage and stalked back across the lawn to the garage. On the side of the little building, he lifted the lids to the garbage cans. Not there. At least she didn’t throw them away.