Hannah stared at the clock for what felt like the fiftieth time. With each click of the slow clock, the time for her break came closer. Working in an office with boring walls and cubicles was so tedious sometimes that she just wanted scream. She tapped her pencil against the desk rapidly in an irritated manner.

"That isn't going to speed up the clock," Christina stated as she stared at the computer screen.

"I think it helps," Hannah shrugged. Continuing her pencil tapping, she went back to staring at the clock. Two minutes had ticked away with five more to go.

"Oh come on Hannah! It's just a library!"

"No it isn't Christina," she said without peeling her eyes away from the very object that kept her from the one place she wanted to be, "It holds so much magic. Plus, a new book came out today, but they only have one copy! My hold will end soon, so I am trying to get there first to make sure I get it."

"Wow," Christina whispered as she turned her chair back around to the computer, "I was going to ask if you wanted to go and get drinks with me."

Hannah didn't respond. She was too busy putting her coat on over her work clothes. Grabbing the scarf that hung over her chair, she wrapped it around her neck to ensure that the cold Pennsylvania wind wouldn't touch her neck.

"I'll be back in thirty minutes!" Hannah said as she rushed out the door in the direction of her sanctuary: the library. Hurrying down the stairs, she rushed out of the large doors into the cold wind. Pulling her coat and scarf closer to her body, Hannah hurried over to the crosswalk. She pressed the button over and over.

"You know that isn't going to help sweetheart," a small elderly voice stated

Hannah turned to look at the woman, "I know, I just really want to get to the library."

The woman chuckled, "Okay. Good luck in your walk then dearie."

The sign finally turned-after what seemed like an eternity-signaled it was clear to cross. Quickly, she crossed the street and sped walked to the building. Opening the large doors, Hannah wasted no time in going up to the front desk.

"Excuse me? I have a book on hold for Hannah McCracken."

The man smiled and typed away on the computer. He frowned and then clicked on something. Readjusting his glasses, he looked up at Hannah, "I'm sorry Miss McCracken, there is no reservation or hold for you."

"Can you please just look again?" she asked. She knew she had made the reservation for the book.

"I'm sorry. It's not here."

Hannah closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "Is the book Queen of Lies here, then?"

Once again, the man tapped the keys on the keyboard searching for what Hannah wanted, "I'm sorry. It was checked out thirty minutes ago."

Hannah groaned. This was not her day. She had woken up late and missed getting her cup of coffee before entering the building that held all things boring. She searched her purse touching something papery. Slowly, she pulled it out. Instead of staring at a receipt, it was the form for the hold on the book. Hannah groaned mentally hitting herself. She had forgotten to turn it in. Taking the paper, she shoved it back into her purse and gave the clerk a small smile.

"I am sorry for taking up your time sir," she smiled weakly.

The man at the desk gave her a small, apologetic smile. Hannah slowly walked away from the desk holding her purse close to her body. She could have sworn that she had turned it in. Hannah walked up and down the rows of books taking in the many different colors and titles. She paused towards the back of one of the furthest rows. The window allowed some light to enter, giving the books on the shelves a soft, endearing glow. A large brown-bound book with gold edging caught Hannah's eye. Hesitantly, she walked over to the book. There was no title on it, only the gold embellishments. Pulling the book out pulled some of the dust from the shelf with it.

Hannah blew off the rest of the dust. Two letters appeared on the front cover, swirling and wrapping around each other. Gently, Hannah traced the letters with her fingers. Placing the book in the crook of her arm, she headed up to the front of the desk.

"Excuse me? I was wondering if you could check this book out for me."

The man who had been there before was still there. Giving Hannah the small smile he had given her before, he took the book that she had placed on the desk. Studying for a few moments, he pushed it back to her.

"I am sorry, but I don't recognize this book. I know all the books we have on record and this is not one of them."

"But this was in the back in the section over there," she said confused pointing to one of the furthest shelves.

"I'm sorry, but this book isn't on record."

"So what does that mean?"

"You can take it. Take the book and keep it. There will be no charge on your account. Enjoy."

Hannah was speechless. Staring at the book on the desk, she wasn't sure if she should take it or just leave it. The man looked up over his glasses and then at the book. Taking the hint, Hannah grabbed the book and went through the doors into the cold, winter chill. With one more glance at the book, she slid it into her book bag and headed back to work. When she reached her desk, Christina was sitting in her chair waiting for her.

"How was the library?"

"Fine," she shrugged as she stepped out of her outerwear, "I forgot to put in my hold and so I won't be able to get my book for awhile."

"I'm sorry, but on the positive side that means you can come with me out for drinks," she smiled wiggling her eyebrows.

"Actually I can't. I'm busy."

Christina frowned as she stood up from the chair, "What do you mean you're busy? Your book wasn't in the library; therefore, you should be free to go have drink with me and maybe even get lucky tonight!"

Hannah cringed at Christina's sexual innuendo, "I'm okay. Thanks though. I got to get back to work, so if you'll excuse me."

Christina gave her a death glare as she stormed off back to her cubicle, "I hate you right now Hannah McCracken!"

Smiling, Hannah shook her head as she went back to work. Time ticked by in a fashion that shocked Hannah. She hadn't looked at the clock once since she got back to work. The only way she knew it was time to go was by the sounds of people shifting in their seats as they put on their coats and scarves. Peeking around her cubicle, she could see Christina walking towards the door with a male coworker laughing about something. Her heart ached a bit. It had been awhile since she had been with someone. Sighing, Hannah packed away all her belongings and put her outerwear on.

"You sure you don't want to come with me and Charles? It will be fun."

Hannah jumped, "No. I am quite capable of being content in spending the night by myself."

Christina shrugged her shoulders. "Suit yourself!" Grabbing Charles by the arm, the two of them went out the door towards the bar across the street. Hannah shook her head while smiling. Those two were destined to be together whether they knew it or not. They had been going on and off, but never actually stuck it out which was a surprise.

Slowly, Hannah left the office stopping and turning around to grab something she forgot. Once she finally she reached the door, she was stopped by the janitor.

"Hey Hannah! How was work today?"

"Oh hey Ray! It was great! How is work going for you?"

"Great! Well, I should probably go mop the floor! Have a nice night Hannah!"

"Thanks Ray," she waved as she went out the door. The book in her bag was weighing her down but she didn't mind. The weight of books always brought her a weird comfort. The wind blew up around her urging her home to the warmth of her apartment and comfort of her dog. The city lights glowed all around her and the many people swarmed around her as they headed in different directions. Sometimes she wondered where everyone was going about in his or her routine. Keeping her head down, she continued on the path to her house.

Once she reached her house, the wind died down and it seemed to warm up a few degrees. Hannah opened the door only to be greeted by Daisy.

"Hey there Daisy! Are you hungry?" Hannah slid her things off her shoulders, and grabbed some food for the dog. Hitting play on the phone machine, she listened to her mother telling her about how there was a party and that she should attend hopefully with a date.

Cringing, Hannah deleted the message as fast as she could.

"She can be very persistent can't she Daisy?"

Giving Daisy one last pat, she padded to her room and laid down on the bed. Slowly, she drifted to sleep. As Hannah dreamed in her room, her book bag began to glow. The gold embellishments began to swirl around entangling with one another. It grew brighter and brighter until it completely disappeared all together. Hannah didn't notice it, and continued to dream deeply, unaware of what was going to happen to her.

---

Scotland-1574
"My Laird, the rest of the warriors want to know when we will be moving out to scout the lands."

Camden McConnell sat at the large oak table with his sword by his side staring at crude maps that had been drawn up. He continued to stare at the maps completely ignoring his second in command, Balfour. Slowly, he traced the outline of the map.

"Balfour," he growled, "when can the warriors be ready?"

"As soon as you give the signal My Laird. They are all waiting for you to lead the path."

Camden stood up from the table radiating power and strength, "I am ready to lead the path." He strode out of the Great Hall and down to the front of the castle where the warriors stood practicing fighting with one another.

"Today," he bellowed drawing all the attention of his warriors to him, a feeling he relished, "we go and conquer land. The land that is rightfully ours. It belongs to the McConnell clan!"

The warriors raised their weapons and shouted their hearty agreement. He raised his hand to settle them down. "We will set off when the sun hits its peak! Until then, be merry!" The warriors cheered one more time before going back to what they had been originally doing. Camden headed into the middle of the warriors to talk and socialize before they headed out. His father had taught him that being one of the warriors was part of being a Laird, but it was also being a leader to them. Without strength, they would fall apart and tear down the clan. Together, they were strong and separate they were weak.

Slowly, the sun rose even further. The sun finally hit its peak telling everyone it was time to go. The warriors moved around as they packed their things onto horses.

"Oh My Laird," a soft feminine voice called.

Camden groaned inwardly, "What do you want Caillic? I am leaving. Make it brief."

The woman sauntered over, making sure that her hips were swinging in a way that made all the men drool, but Camden kept a stolid expression. She touched his bare chest gently and ran it down right above his kilt.

"Are you going to want some company after you come back from your conquest?"

Camden removed her hand from his chest roughly and looked at her in the eyes, "No. Now leave me be or I will have you banished."

She was visibly shocked, but took it in stride. Bowing, she scampered away towards the village. Camden blew out a frustrated breath.

"The wee lass is in trouble," Balfour sadly stated. He stood there with his arms across his chest emphasizing the massive muscles that built up over time.

"Of course she is in trouble. She is the village whore, " Camden shrugged as he passed the other man.

"My Laird. Isn't there some shred of respect for the wee lass?"

"No," he said sternly. "It is time to mount and ride." Camden swung up into the saddle giving the signal for the other warriors to follow. He tapped his heels into the side of his horse, and trotted forward towards the area where they were going to scout. The sun beat down upon them as they padded down the hills towards the valley. The only sound that Camden could hear was the steady sound of hoof beats and horses breathing.

"My Laird," Balfour said trotting up next to Camden, "the warriors are looking at the sky. It is turning red, a bad omen."

Camden looked up at the sky. The color grew darker and darker by the minute. His eyes scouted the sky for anything. That's when he saw it, a streak going across the sky and crashing on the hill in the distance. All of his warriors saw it too. They started murmuring under their breath. Camden raised his hand to stop them from continuing.

"I'll go alone," he whispered to Balfour. He spurred his horse into a gallop in the direction of the light and the hill. As he drew closer, he slowed his pace into a trot. Stopping, he slid off the saddle and onto his feet. He grabbed his sword from his saddle and carefully made his way around to where the light hit. Smoke clouded the sky, but it wasn't dense enough to hide the surroundings.

Stepping around the shattered earth pieces, he stepped into the light with his sword held high. There was a shape in the middle of all the darkened grass: a womanly shape. Still holding his sword high, he stepped around so he could see her face. It looked peaceful and relaxed. She was wearing some weird garment that covered everything important. Camden kneeled down to the ground sheathing the sword. Gently he shook her shoulder, but there was no response. Taking her in his arms, Camden put her over his saddle on his horse to take her back to the warriors.

The trek took longer than Camden thought, but didn't mind. This woman, whomever she was, was different than anyone he had ever met. She gave off strength and power, things he liked within a woman. Camden reached the camp where his warriors were meandering around and discussing with one another. Balfour turned his head in Camden's direction. He could see the concern in his friend's eyes.

"We will camp here tonight! Set everything up!" he bellowed to his warriors. They didn't question it, but he could tell that they wanted to.

"My Laird! What did you find?" Balfour asked approaching Camden.

"I found a lass in the middle where the light struck."

"Is she an angel that fell from the Gods?"

"I don't know Balfour. Let's set up my tent and lay her down. I will stand guard so no one comes near."

Balfour nodded. Together they quickly built the tent and filled it with furs to soften the floor. Camden grabbed the woman and laid her on the furs. Grabbing another fur, he put it over the top of her. She mumbled something, but he couldn't understand it.

Stepping outside the tent, he sat down on the grass and looked at the sky. Maybe the Gods had sent him an angel to make up for taking his sweet lass Ailsa. In a way he hoped it was true. Closing his eyes, he pictured the angel's face and smiled. It was going to be a grand conquest.

A/N I Know I have been writing lots of new books but I wanted to really write this one especially after reading Highlands by @bloodxlove! IT IS DEDICATED TO HER BECAUSE THAT BOOK IS FABULOUS!

Also to @lumierutski who made the beautiful cover for the book! Comment and Fan and vote!