“It’s been nice having someone really listen to me, well besides Tegan. This was different somehow, more like talking to a grandfather that actually wanted me around.”
George’s eyes widened as a chuckle escaped him. “Another grandkid, great.” He chuckled some more before turning back to Easton. “What do you do for a living?” he asked as he dried the last of the dishes and put them away.
“I’m a bartender. I worked at an upscale pub in a college town out West. I thought I would be making good tips, you know, like the movies show you. However, that didn’t turn out to be the case.” He shrugged his shoulders. “So I lived in a shitty one bedroom apartment near work and picked up as many shifts as I could. I’m good at my job. I can make any mixed drink you can name and some you’ve probably never heard of. But that didn’t matter when you work in a bar that doesn’t get a lot of clientele.”
“Did you always want to be a bartender? I thought it was something college kids did to earn extra money.”
“No, but I’m good at it and my boss gave me the hours I wanted. I didn’t have the money to go to college, but I’ve been taking courses online in my free time. I had planned one day to open my own business.”
“That’s great. You keep that dream alive, young man.” George glanced at his wrist. “Look at the time. I should let you get going.” He hefted himself up. “I’m going to get ready for bed. Thanks again for fixing dinner.”
“Thanks again for everything. Maybe I’ll see you around sometime.” He shook George’s hand and walked down the steps to his Jeep. “Take care of yourself.” Climbing inside, he stopped with his hand on the key. “Hey George.”
“Yeah?”
“You should ask Connie out. I think it would be good for both of you.”
George laughed. “I don’t know.”
“Take if from a bartender, she likes you, don’t throw that away.” He turned the ignition, put the Jeep in gear, and backed out of the drive.
Glancing to the porch, he waved back at George before taking off toward the interstate. He hoped Tegan was still up when he got home.
Chapter Six
The wind blew through Easton’s hair as Tegan’s image popped into his mind. He was feeling better now, and he knew they had a lot to talk about. He felt like he owed it to himself to see where this was going. He just prayed she didn’t turn up pregnant. That would be a complication they didn’t need. Not at least until they had this whole relationship figured out.
As he pulled up in front of the mansion, Easton felt excited about seeing her again. It felt like it had been forever since he’d said goodbye to her. He pulled the Jeep to a stop, jumped down, ran up the steps, and unlocked the door. “Tegan! Where are you? I’m back.” He ran to the kitchen to find it empty. Running back to the foyer, he took the steps two at a time, flew down the hallway to her room, and knocked on the door.
She opened the door, her eyes meeting his. “You did come back.”
He took her hand and gave her a gentle tug. “I missed you.” He pulled her into his arms, savoring the feel of her warm body in his arms. Pulling back, he started back down the hallway, leading her downstairs to the living room. Plopping down onto the couch, he pulled her down with him. “Come here, sit with me. I owe you an apology for leaving like I did.”
“You said you needed to think. I understand. I did a lot of thinking while you were gone too. I kind of think it was something we both needed. And I have decided I am a little worried about how fast everything is moving with us.”
“Me too. I never wanted to be in a relationship. But meeting you, it has made me question that.”
“It has?” She smiled and reached for his hand.
Easton looked at Tegan and pulled her against his chest. He heard her take a deep breath and knew she was breathing in the scent of his cologne. “I think we owe it to each other to be honest and to talk things through.”
She glanced up and placed a kiss on his chin. “I know so little about you, though.”
Easton looked her in the eyes. “What would you like to know?”
She sighed and folded her hands in her lap. “I want to know everything about you so I can try to understand what has made you who you are.”
“I think I can do that, if you can.” He hugged her tighter. “I want to make this work with you. The thought of not being with you is overwhelming.” Easton sat back and tucked her against his side.
Rubbing his hand up and down her arm, he began his story. An hour later, he stopped talking and placed his chin on the top of her head. “So that’s the story of my life. It sucked.”
“Not all of it sucked. When you talk about your mom, you sound happy.” Placing her hand on his knee, she gave it a gentle squeeze.
“Mostly it was until things went downhill. The one thing I don’t get is how she could leave me like she did. She had to know how that man would treat me.”
“I don’t know how she could leave her child, but we do not know what she was enduring with him.”
He sighed. “You want to get something to drink? I’m rather thirsty.”
“I can fix us something. I am hungry as well.”
“Why don’t you let me fix us something? You haven’t let me do that yet.” He moved his arm from around her, stood, and helped pull her to her feet.
“All right. Can you get started while I excuse myself for a few moments?”
“Of course. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”
Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed his mouth softly. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
Easton watched her head to the foyer before he walked to the kitchen to fix dinner. He felt relieved at how easily Tegan had accepted his story, never interrupting him or questioning any of his memories. He was deep in thought making the meal when he heard footsteps in the hallway. He turned just in time to see her walk into the room with a frown on her beautiful mouth and her forehead furrowed.
“What’s wrong?”
“I have to show you something that I do not think can wait. There is someone that you will need to meet. I meant for you to meet her later, but apparently, circumstances have changed and waiting much longer may not be an option.”
“Can it wait until after we’ve eaten?”
“Unfortunately, no. She’s insistent on me showing you as soon as humanly possible.”
Easton looked around the kitchen, at all the food he’d just started. Sighing loudly, he started cleaning up, already regretting not getting to eat the meal he was preparing. Not that he should be hungry after the meal he had with George.
Tegan grabbed his arm, stopping his progress. “We need to go now. I need you to see and read something now. It will help you understand what she will be telling you a little more easily. I will clean up after a bit.”
Easton looked at her, feeling more than a bit perplexed. What in the world is going on?
Chapter Seven
Tegan took his hand and led him back to the library. She pulled a thick leather-bound book off the shelf in what Easton thought of his uncle’s paranormal section.
“I need you to look through this, please.” She handed it to him before she made her way to the sofa and sat watching him intently.
“What is this?” he asked, placing the book on the desk as he pulled out the chair. Sitting down, he opened the book to see his uncle’s name and a written inscription to him.
This book is a detailed volume of research I have compiled about druids, their magic, and their beliefs. It is the history of the worlds that we cannot see. A belief in what we call the “Otherworld.” He looked up at Tegan to see her watching him with wide eyes as she motioned for him to continue reading. There is much in here that will be hard for you to believe, but Tegan will help guide you. Trust what you hear and see as you go on this journey. I hope it will help you heal. I loved you with my entire heart and soul, and I am sorry I had to leave you with Thomas as long as I did. But I had secrets I had to protect you from until the time was right.
Easton ran his hand through his hair, stood, and started pacing around. “So my uncle thought these druids existed?”
“He spent years researching and studying the history of druids as well as witches.”
“Did he read so much about them that they became real?” He closed the book and turned to her. “Who is coming over?” He walked around the desk and leaned against it. “Tegan please. Help me understand what’s going on here. I feel like I’m in the dark with all the urgency about this unknown person. And then, having me read fairytale books in preparation. And how come I haven’t seen this message from my uncle before?”
“Your uncle did a lot of research about druids and witches because he believed in them. It is why he collected all the books and kept such detailed journals on them. As I said, the person who you are going to meet can help you to understand your uncle’s research and your place in all of this. She will be here shortly, and as confusing as this is now, it will be even worse if you do not at least look over what he studied.”
“I guess I’m missing something here. So my uncle believed in witchcraft. And why is this something I need to know? What possible place could I have in any of this?”
“Can you please look over some of these books? I can show you the ones your uncle was most interested in.” She stood and walked to the wall of books, pulling down a couple of volumes. She handed them to him, still looking perplexed by the whole situation. “I am sorry Easton. I meant to slowly ease you into all of this, but everything got pushed up quite a bit.”
“Are they supposed to be ‘history’ books?” Easton’s mind was swirling in so many different directions; he didn’t even know where to start. For the moment, the easiest route seemed to be going with what Tegan recommended.
He glanced over at Tegan and saw her searching through a large book she had pulled off the shelf. She appeared to be deep in thought as her eyes skimmed over the pages quickly.
Easton chuckled. “Do you honestly take in everything you’re reading when you read that fast?”
“I do. I learned a long time ago that I could do it and practiced until I got very quick at it. Reading like this is not hard for me at all.” She shrugged her shoulders and smiled.
“Lucky you. Maybe you could share your secret with me one day. It would make it much easier for me to read.”
Glancing over at him, she raised a brow. “I think you will be surprised with how easy it is. You like to read?”
“I do. Usually at night before I go to bed.”
Smiling, she went back to reading and stopped. “Here. Read this part.”
Moving beside her, he leaned down to see she was pointing to something about druids and witches. Glancing up, he opened his mouth to say something just as she placed a finger over his lips.
Tegan nodded. “Keep reading.”
Easton read the paragraph. “This says druids were educated professionals in Gaul, Britain, and Ireland.” He continued down the page. “Okay and it also says there has been nothing found to prove they even existed.” Straightening up, he cocked his head and narrowed his eyes at her. “You’re trying to prove to me that druids and witches exist, but you’re showing me a book saying there is no proof they ever did.”
“Now look at this.” She placed another book in front of him. “Here is information that the ancient megaliths and stone circles are associated with them.”
“So my uncle read all these.” He waved his hand at the many shelves of books. “And decided that they existed. I still don’t know what any of this has to do with me. My head is spinning from all this information.”
Tegan glanced up at the clock sitting on the fireplace mantle. “I am tired too. I can make us some of my special herbal tea if you wish.”
Easton tilted his head from left to right, stood, and stretched. “That sounds good.” He shut the book and left it on the desk. Taking her hand, he placed a chaste kiss on her cheek. They walked down the hall in silence as Easton thought about all the hints she was dropping, wondering what she wasn’t telling him.
Sliding her hand from his, she grabbed the teakettle, filled it, placed it on the stove, and lit the flame. “Will you get the cups down from the cabinet for me?”
“Sure.” Grabbing two cups, he placed them on the counter by the stove and watched her open two different boxes and measure out the herbs before placing them in a metal ball with small holes. She closed the ball by snapping it then took a teapot from the cabinet over the stove. He watched as she placed the ball inside the pot, draped the chain over the outside of the pot, and carefully poured the boiling water inside.
“It will be ready in a few minutes.” She turned and laid her head on his chest as he drew her against him. “I know this is hard for you to take in, and I think you are having trouble believing me, but we promised to always be truthful with each other.”
He tightened her hold on him. “I want to believe you. Can you understand why it’s a bit hard for me to just accept what you’re saying? I honestly do not believe that such things existed or exist.”
“I do, but it’s important that you try all the same. You’ll see why before long.”
Chapter Eight
“It seems the person you will meet is taking longer than I thought to decide when we need to see her. Go freshen up while I reheat some of our dinner you made earlier. You can read more, and I will call you when it is ready.” Tegan winked at Easton before turning to the fridge to figure out what she’d be making. “I’m sorry we are eating so late.”
“I’ve eaten later. Nine isn’t too bad.” Giving her a kiss on the cheek, he went to his bedroom, picked up his book, and continued reading. Reading had always helped him escape from his past, but now it was overwhelming him with information that Tegan seemed to believe but he wanted to laugh at. How could his uncle believe this crap and still be seen as respectable?
A memory from his childhood flashed in his mind, bits and pieces of his mother holding him and singing to him. A song he couldn’t quite remember, a haunting melody flowed through him. Warmth and love flowed with it. Why couldn’t he remember the words? And more importantly, why was it coming back to him now?
He closed the book, sat on the side of the bed, and dragged his hand down his face. Maybe it was a lullaby. He walked quickly down the steps and down the hallway to the kitchen. The smell of dinner assaulted his senses, making his stomach grumble loudly.
“I didn’t realize how hungry I was, that smells amazing.”
“Thank you. I hope you like it.” She fixed two plates, placing one in front of him. “Witches and druids worship life and all things in it. They are usually drawn together in their simplicity of loving all living things, respecting the energy of every living thing.”
He leaned forward in his seat as he scrutinized her face, seeing that she believed everything she was saying. Shaking his head, he decided to take the approach of believing what she said, even if it did sound like the talk of someone who should have been institutionalized. “Did my uncle believe he was one of these ‘druids’?” Easton couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of his voice when he asked.
Tegan frowned slightly, apparently not amused by his tone or question before answering, “He was a man who loved things that were different, who loved learning and believing in many things.”
That sounded like his uncle did believe he was one. Next, she’ll be telling me I can fly off the roof with an umbrella. “Can I ask you something totally off subject?”
“Sure.”
“When I was upstairs reading, a memory came to me from when I was very young. My mother was holding me and she was singing to me. I couldn’t make out the words, but it was the most hauntingly beautiful melody. I’m just curious if it sounds familiar to you. It’ll drive me crazy if I can’t figure out what it is. It’s been on the tip of my tongue since it came to me.”
She smiled in a bemused sort of way, clearly thinking he was trying to change the subject. Maybe he was, because thinking about
all of this witch and druid crap was starting to give him a headache.
“Let me hear it.” She folded her hands on her lap and cocked her head, waiting for him to go on.
He cleared his throat and tried to hum the melody from memory. As he hummed, the notes came back to him with a strange clarity, surprising even him.
The color drained from her face as her eyes widened. “I do know it. Are you sure that is the tune for what she sang to you?”
He nodded.
“Do you remember the words?”
“No. If I did, I’m sure I’d be able to figure out what the song was a little easier. I could’ve googled it.”
She stared at him with a slight frown. Tegan took his hand in hers, entwining her fingers with his. “The tune you hum is a protection spell. It hides your true self from others who would wish to harm you. It is a very powerful spell, one that is used to protect someone you love with all your heart.” Standing, she made her way around the table and kneeled down in front of him so she could look into his eyes. “Your mother was protecting you even then from the person still searching for you today, and I promise to continue that protection to the best of my ability.”
Easton felt icy fingers slither down his spine. This feeling, more than anything he’d heard or read that night, convinced him that maybe, just maybe, there was something more to life than he’d believed. Suddenly, Tegan didn’t seem so crazy. Hell, his uncle didn’t even seem too far off base now. Something told him, deep down in the hidden recesses of his mind that he needed to listen to Tegan, to trust that she wasn’t crazy and was actually more than he believed her to be.
Maybe there was a whole other world he was unaware of. It might even explain all those moments of feeling watched and different while I was growing up. Easton sat a little straighter, thinking of the desolate childhood he’d led and how he’d always blamed it on Thomas. He suddenly saw it for much more than that. A light clicked on in his brain and fear trickled through him once again.
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