Of the Woods

by J A S Bennet

  She wanted to sob and let the pain out. She felt her body begin to shake and a single tear escaped down her cheek. It wasn’t enough.

  “Please let me be, Deaglan. If you care about me at all, just let me be.” She had put her wall back up to keep herself from falling apart in front of him. She, again, was looking right through him.

  A deep breath was his only defense against the tears he was about to let fall down his own cheeks. He was going to lose her and he had no idea how to stop it. Looking down at her beautiful face, he slowly rose and realized the Darkness was getting to her. Her sensitive soul was being disturbed by the negativity in the air. This was an even bigger issue, because he had no clue what to do about it.

  She heard the door click closed and she cried. Just cried and cried. She wasn’t leaving for herself. This was now her home. She was leaving because everything she touched here became a target to this Darkness stalking her. The fawn, the trees, the water sprites, and Jenny was the last straw. She would not let anyone else get hurt because of her. Deaglan would be next or Ava or Grog. She would leave and they would be safer and happier because of it.

  She was still shaking and suddenly so cold. Sheridan rose and walked to the fireplace to try to fill herself with its warmth. The mantel was carved gray stone that matched the walls. Instead of gargoyles as she had seen on a mantel before, this one was flanked by dragons matching the meeting table.

  She reached up to touch the carving and closed her eyes when it filled her with a warmth that didn’t come from the fire. The heat came from that dragon. The two columns, one on each side of the enormous fireplace, began to move. She stepped back and watched as two staircases emerged. They both descended into darkness. Choosing which one to take felt like a test.

  Again, she rested her hand on the stone dragon, closed her eyes, and felt that now familiar pull to go. She knew in her being that the staircase on the left would take her where she needed to go. Maybe the right would too, but it wasn’t speaking to her at the moment like the left was. The pull inside was different in that she knew nothing was hurting or in danger. This pull was to be with something. It was as if a part of her was calling to another part of her.

  She entered the staircase and the wall behind her closed. Flames of orange and red erupted one by one as she watched them illuminate her path. The staircase was at least ten feet wide. The columns of stone were as wide as the ancient oaks in the forest.

  She began to take each step faster and faster until she was almost at a full run. Her wings expanded and she was dressed in her nymph form as she reached the bottom of the steps. Before her was a room as large as the library above it. A stone dragon mosaic was laid into the floor and the room was lit by huge fire-blazing lanterns.

  Straight ahead was a cave opening. It was dark as a night with no moon, but she heard something within it and smiled. Sheridan had no fear. Joy filled her heart and she didn’t even know why. Stepping forward slowly, she called out, “Hello.”

  The first thing she saw was a pair of large, shining green eyes. The same shade as her own and Deaglan’s. These eyes, however, glowed and had vertical slits as a dragon would.

  The dragon strode forward with grace, not aggression, and then stood within the mosaic in the center of the floor. They just stared at one another. Sheridan’s heart began racing with the reality she was meeting a dragon. A real, live actual dragon was in her presence. On instinct and out of awe, she placed her hand on her chest and bowed to it and then it bowed to her.

  “You know who I am, don’t you?” She felt its answer. It did. Stepping forward, it dipped its enormous head to her. She reached out, touched her hand upon its nose, and closed her eyes, listening like she had with the falcon.

  “I am Hymn, the last of the mother dragons. It is my duty to protect this land, and I need you here to do so.”

  Sheridan stepped back and closed her eyes. Her emotions and thoughts swirled in a confusing mass. Just minutes ago, she knew she needed to leave this place because everyone would be better off if she left. She was convinced she would be no good to anyone—never had been.

  Now stood before her a great beast who seemed to need her. Deaglan thought he needed her. Jenny and Ava believed they needed her as their third. When in all reality, she was the one who needed them.

  She had never needed anything more than this place, these people, and surprisingly this magnificent being before her. The fear of failing them gripped her heart in such a vice that she forgot to breathe.

  Moments flashed through her mind, healing her as they went. Deaglan catching her the first time they met, Ava being Ava with her wise cracks and then falling on her face in the woods, Jenny throwing shamrocks to the water sprites and then putting her hand on her shoulder to comfort her when the fawn was found. She remembered Deaglan drinking wine with her and holding her tight all night long. She remembered him with sad eyes just moments ago. These people were her family.

  Her gaze returned to the green-eyed dragon, who hadn’t looked away from her. It had been waiting patiently for Sheridan to have the fight within herself that would help determine both of their fates.

  Sheridan remembered what Shawn had said about how the three were needed to protect what this castle held. She realized that if she walked away, there would no longer be three and this beautiful creature would suffer. Setting aside her fears and fighting for what she knew to be right became her only option. This dragon was an extraordinary creature who deserved what she could give it. No matter the cost. If Jenny, Ava, and Deaglan were going to fight, they would have her beside them.

  As soon as she thought these thoughts, the beautiful female voice of the dragon came into her head.

  “That’s much better, isn’t it? You three are the three whom I empower so you can protect me. You three are my three and I am completely yours.”

  Sheridan heard those words as if her own mother had spoken them and instantly decided with her entire heart that she would pledge herself to this place and this dragon. It was a part of her. She felt it like it had always been in her soul.

  “I promise you that we three will protect you.” She paused a moment and said the other thought in her heart, “Ava is going to shit.” She giggled and the dragon’s eyes smiled in response.

  Her duty was to this place, this being, and her friends. She wasn’t going to leave them without giving this fight all she had. Her parents raised her to be true to herself. Right now, to be wholly herself, she had to fight with them and for them. This place, this dragon, Jenny, Ava, and Deaglan, they were all a part of her now.

  Each step Sheridan took closer to the second quarter gave her more strength, and with it a surety that she was right about her role here. She needed to be here, and people needed her to be here.

  When she arrived on the scene, it was chaos. Her wings tucked away; she wouldn’t need them for this. There were so many injured people and the bark on the trees was scraped away where the chains were holding the young guardians in place. Her heart hurt at the same time it was being filled with purpose. She knew what to do and she got to it.

  First, she healed Jenny, whose audible sigh at the relief from pain gave Sheridan chills. The wound had been deep, to the bone, and a lot of blood had been lost. Her touch had healed that in moments and brought color back to her cheeks. Sheridan stopped herself from imagining how badly things could have gone for Jenny if she had decided to stay in the castle instead.

  The scratches on Ava’s face were so minor that she tried to deny Sheridan’s help. But the stronger Jenny and Ava felt, the stronger Sheridan was. It was a selfish act, but for a reason—to help her finish the job that needed to be done. Then, she turned her attention on the others. Deaglan and Cian declined her help initially, directing her toward the other guardians who had helped in the battle.

  It took her a few moments of looking at Liam’s fallen form before she realized there was nothing she could do for him. She blinked away tears and the feeling creeping up her spine that if s
he had been here, he might not have fallen. Deaglan approached her and whispered, “He will be highly honored for his sacrifice. It’s a guardian’s duty to put himself in danger to defend Castle and Clan McGrew.”

  A tear escaped. As it rolled down her cheeks, she took a deep breath, bolstered by her purpose here tonight. “Who can I help next?” She refused to lose anyone else.

  Deaglan nodded and turned to the rookies, who were still chained to the trees. “When they get loose, they attack us. Not sure how to help them. We have one more locked up in the guard house.”

  She stooped down, putting her healing hands on the closest one, who wasted no time in calling her names and attempting to hit Sheridan with her head. After all the physical injuries were taken care of, she could feel something stopping her power from sinking in. It was like a wall or blockage had been put in place. Mac came alongside her and laid hands on her as well. Mac’s lips twisted to the side. “You feel that, too?”

  “Yes.” Sheridan didn’t know what to do.

  “Why don’t you throw water on her?” Jenny suggested as a joke in attempt to lighten the sullen mood. Somehow, people were giving credibility to this suggestion. She shrugged. “I mean, it worked for me earlier, right?”

  “I’ll run to get some.” Deaglan was gone before anybody agreed. The truth was, he needed some space from what was happening. He had lost hope when Sheridan yelled at him and he left the library, and now something must have changed her mind, but he couldn’t imagine what it was. It was too soon for him to think this was a permanent change, but her whole heart appeared to be in helping clean up the wounds from this fight. Stepping away from the situation seemed to be the best way to gather his own thoughts before they ran away, too.

  “Maybe we should just gang up on it?” Mac took Sheridan’s hand and they focused their healing energy on the poor rookie tied to the tree while she spit venomous insults at them, which they ignored. The block started to wiggle, but it didn’t break, it wouldn’t. Sheridan groaned in frustration.

  Tadhg cleared his throat. “I think Ava and Jenny should help, too. The power of three together, remember?”

  Sheridan felt her strength grow with every inch closer they stepped toward her. When they each placed a hand on Sheridan’s shoulders, she focused her healing once again, but she could feel the force flow through her this time. The block disintegrated. It completely smashed and the rookie blinked in confusion, her horrible verbal assault ending instantly.

  Deaglan returned with the needless water in time to see it happen. She would have to stay now that she knew, right? His smile lit up the night sky. “The three indeed.”

  28

  Together

  The girls followed the group of guardians back to the guard house. They needed to heal the rookie locked up there. Liam’s body was being carried respectfully to the morgue in the basement. Respects would need to be paid in the coming days. It was a time of mourning, but more importantly, a time for remembering Liam’s contribution to Castle McGrew over the decades of his service. The people who guarded these lands had a rich history and a strong tradition of celebrating life’s ups, downs, beginnings, and its end.

  “Who’s up for a pint in Liam’s memory?” Brecon’s voice was stoic.

  The three women looked to each other and nodded. A visit to the pub after all they’d been through sounded like a good idea, even though they barely knew Liam. It was still awful witnessing his death and knowing they were meant to be the protectors of these lands and the beings who lived on them.

  The rookie’s block removed, he joined them on the walking journey to the pub. Most of the walk was in silence. Everyone was listening to the shuffle of their feet along the path and the coos of evening birds settling into their homes. An owl hooted a greeting to them as they passed by. Frogs sang a call and response from one side of the stream to another. The stars above lit their way.

  It was too much reflection time for Deaglan. He needed something to focus on other than what was going on with Sheridan, who seemed back to her usual self. An explanation would be coming, he could feel it. Meanwhile, turning to the rookie, he asked, “What happened to you?”

  The young man reached up and rubbed at a knot on the back of his head. “I don’t remember much after the storm.”

  Sheridan grabbed his arm and watched the wince of pain on his face disappear as she healed his concussion. What she thought was a set of pouty lips deflated a bit as well. His hand flew to his mouth in relief.

  “Thank you. I didn’t deserve that.” The youngster was sincere.

  “Of course, you did.” Sheridan had just witnessed the result of Liam’s ultimate sacrifice. She knew it was the dragon they were here to protect and she would never be able to do it on her own. She needed Ava, Jenny, and every guardian who was willing to help her. Including this guy, who still had a lot to learn. “Everyone who is dedicated to preserving these lands and all who dwell here deserve far more than bumps and bruises healed. They deserve glory and honor. Thank you truly for your service.”

  The rookie placed his hand on his chest and bowed. “I just want to know how this happened. The last thing I remember is hearing the call to report for clean-up duties. I was out the door in an instant and then I was waking up in the guard house with all of you.”

  Cian thought it was fairly obvious, but the kid deserved to know if he couldn’t figure it out on his own. “The Darkness found you, then must have punched you in the mouth, and hit you on the back of your head. Dark magic turned you into a warrior for their side. They chained you to a tree next to several other young guardians who had experienced similar circumstances, drawing us to the area. We battled, forcing the Darkness to retreat, and here we are.”

  A shiver chased chills through the rookie. “I don’t remember any of that. Casualties?”

  Cian nodded, eyes downcast. “We lost Liam.” Hearing Cian say his name reminded Ava of the time he referred to Liam as trash because he was dancing with her on the dance floor. But the way Cian just said his name was in reverence, like Liam was a hero.

  “He was a hero,” she said sadly, to herself, swallowing a knot in her throat. Her mind was a movie reel montaging the image of him full of life, smiling and dancing, which transformed into the confusing situation over what his name actually was, and then to the sight of his last battle, ending with his lifeless body being laid out in the guard house. If that’s what having feelings felt like, Ava wasn’t a fan. Good thing the pub was in view and they could start to put the events of this day behind them. The last thing she needed to do was become too soft to do any good in the next battle that would surely come.

  “First round is on me,” Ava blurted out, forgetting that this wasn’t Hollywood after a film wrapped.

  “Every round is on you, princess.” Cian smirked a disarming smile at her. He knew just how to push her buttons.

  “In that case, let’s start with a tall glass of milk for you, kitten.”

  “Why is that? You heard it does a body good? I don’t need the help.” He flexed his arms at her and her heart jumped.

  “No, I just want to see what you look like with a milk mustache since you evidently aren’t man enough to grow a real one on your own.” She pulled open the door to the pub and made a beeline to the bar.

  Deaglan was beside Sheridan, but an arm’s width away as they walked. He didn’t want to push her, or force her to speak, it wouldn’t work anyway. She was stubborn, there was no denying it even if she wanted to try. Her eyes were focused and her lips moved slightly as if she was rehearsing a speech. He just hoped it wasn’t a farewell she was practicing.

  The walk to the pub was like a romantic stroll for Jenny and Tadhg. Before exiting the guard house, Jenny stopped to use the facilities. Tadhg had waited for her, telling the others they would catch up. He was in no hurry though. Their harmless flirtation and frequent bumps of shoulders as they walked close together were driving him mad. He knew exactly the kind of damage to his heart she would be able
to inflict. But he didn’t care, their connection felt undeniably strong. Fighting it would be futile.

  When everyone was in the pub, Deaglan poured pints of Guinness for everyone. He offered a tribute toast to Liam. “Brother. You fought well and hard, that can truly be said. Your guardian family placed you in your resting place before the Darkness even knew you were dead.” After a moment of silence, he raised his glass and announced, “To Liam.”

  They all raised their glasses in response and called out, “To Liam.”

  After she finished one swallow of the awful dark beer, Sheridan cleared her throat in a way to harness everyone’s attention. It was unlike Sheridan to want all eyes on her, so Ava and Jenny looked at her with curiosity.

  “The last couple of days have been hard. So difficult, in fact, they made me question my decision to stay here. But I received confirmation that I belong here earlier this evening and I promise to never let the Darkness win again. I’m sorry I let you down, but you have my word it will never happen again. I will always be here. I’m all in, now and forever.”

  Deaglan’s heart was threatening to beat out of his chest. He knew she was staying now, and his soul ached to be with her. At the very moment he acknowledged that truth, she looked up, meeting his eyes, and repeated one word, “Always.”

  “To Clan McGrew!” He raised his glass again.

  “To Clan McGrew,” they repeated.

  After the toast, Tadhg placed his empty glass on the bar and walked to the stage to pick up his guitar. His first song choice was the Irish Blessing and it was the perfect transition from mourning to celebrating.

  Sheridan pulled the girls aside while the music played. “Have either of you ever felt a pull toward the basement of the castle?”

  “When I found my secret stairway to the cliff, I felt something.”

  “I’ve felt it, too.”

  Sheridan nodded and smiled like she had a secret, because she did.