by Sonya Bria
I retched again feeling sick, but relieved.
I felt a gentle hand on my back. “Thank the gods that you made the right choice,” Deirdre reverently said.
I couldn’t agree and I slowly stood, shaking off her touch. “Nothing is right about my choice…if I ever had a choice.”
“Child, you always have a choice, but look what you’ve accomplished,” Deirdre said directing my vision to the others. “What do you see?”
I was dumbfounded. Connacher stood surrounded by light, smiling, and offered me a tentative bow, “Thank you milady.” “I don’t understand…” I said in confusion and anger, “How does he get the golden ticket? The free pass, the pass go and collect two hundred? I didn’t choose his freedom over Ian’s.”
Deirdre looked thoughtfully at Connacher. “I suppose that the guardians saw something in him that was long forgotten…you’re choice set his soul free.”
I still couldn’t believe it, he had been so revolting. “What will happen now?” I asked still seething at the injustice of it all.
“Time will only tell, but this bodes well,” Deirdre said in finality. “I am being summoned. Thank you Sophie…” she hedged, “I know what this cost you.” With that, Deirdre, the guardians, and Connacher disappeared. I was left alone with my grief over the loss of the one person that made me whole—Ian.
GRADUATION DAY
The week before graduation was one big blur. So many emotions were going through my head. I didn’t think it would be possible to feel anything anymore after Ian left. Several times I’d gone to his cabin in the hopes that he’d be there waiting for me. I was sadly disappointed—each time my heart broke all over again. I started punishing myself and second guessing my decision. Did I make the right choice? All I knew was that I missed Ian terribly, and I didn’t know how to fill the void or what my life was going to be like without him.
Connacher was gone, but there were still so many unanswered questions remaining. I knew there was still danger lingering in the shadows. Chills ran up my spine thinking about Cathbad and the other ravens. I was also still one hundred percent, unequivocally angry with the guardians over their part in well, my life; something that would take a long time for me to get over—did I mention that I could be stubborn? I had my suspicions that this was only the beginning, but I put those thoughts from my mind for another day. Grams tried to comfort me as best as she could; I didn’t think she clearly understood what had transpired, but she did know that Ian was gone and with him my heart. If anything, I felt even closer to Grams as we talked about my newfound abilities and connection with nature. I really sugar coated it for her though—I wasn’t prepared for her to know the full extent of what I was or more importantly what I could do. I really needed her to love me for well, just me.
My friends were another story. Totally my fault for not sharing anything with them previous to Ian’s departure, so it was kind of awkward to spring it all on them right now. It was simpler— albeit cowardly— to tell them Ian had gone back to Ireland for work, and a long distance relationship wasn’t going to work. I’d made choices, and one of them was keeping Em and Max oblivious to my new life. Besides, more than once Max had made it a point to tell me how much better life would be without Ian. Max never took to him, and Emily tended to follow Max’s lead. I really couldn’t blame them. I felt a rift in our friendship; I didn’t really belong anywhere. Is this what it feels like being in between high school and the rest of your life? It was something to ponder. My life now was a fantastical, mysterious one. The only person that truly understood who I was both body and soul—the one I could share it all with—was gone.
I put on my gown and cap for the ceremony. I couldn’t use enough bobby pins to hold it in place. I had hoped to share this final high school ritual with Ian. No matter, I thought with regret, it seemed silly now. I’d have to get used to being on my own again.
“Sophia!” Grams called up the stairs. “We need to go now or we’ll be late.”
“I’m coming,” I yelled back. I took one last look at my bedroom, turned off the lights, and slowly walked downstairs. It was hard not to feel the excitement in the air despite all the craziness of my life. Despite my gloomy mood, I was happy that I’d made it to this day. I know Grams had been a bit worried; I had my own share of doubts recently, but I’d managed to pull my Calculus grade up! Thank you, Ian, I thought, searching for him. I couldn’t have done this without you. I smiled to myself thinking about all the fun we’d had during our tutoring sessions.
“You seem to be happier today,” Grams said as we got into her car. “What made you smile?”
I hesitated briefly, “Oh nothing in particular, just thinking about Ian.” I couldn’t lie to Grams. “Well, that’s a pleasant surprise,” Grams simply stated, nodding her head.
“Yes. Yes, it is,” I affirmed.
Ian and I had shared so much that I really couldn’t look upon it with regret. I didn’t regret one minute of the time I had spent with him. My life had changed. I knew what I wanted to do, and I felt more powerful because of it. My confidence soared. It was the gift Ian had left me. I would love him forever no matter what.
“Let’s get this graduation thing done!” I said cheerfully. Our laughter joined the harmonious whisperings of the wind. I saw Ian’s face flash before my eyes, and I couldn’t help but smile as I acknowledged and accepted my new path.
EPILOGUE
Ian darted in and out of the trees; helpless to control himself any longer. He was so worked up from the taste of Sophie’s blood that he was more obsessive than ever. He peered at her from the shadows. Ian cringed. He longed for her—wanted to hold her and stroke her golden hair. What he really wanted was to hear her laugh again, but he knew that wasn’t possible anymore. Ian had become what he didn’t want to accept inside of him. The demon was growing in strength—the dark, passionate side he’d fought for so long. He would have to leave soon.
Ian moaned, running his fingers through his hair. Sophie looked so peaceful sitting in the meadow. Their meadow. The very same that had decided his fate so many years ago. She tenderly caressed the grass and teased the fallen leaves by the mere flick of her hand. Although she had manipulated the air a hundred times for him, there was something different about her; Ian couldn’t quite place it. Was she at peace? He could feel her love for him; it floated all around him, intertwining with his own dark melody. He still couldn’t fathom why she chose to love him despite what he’d tried to do. Ian had nearly destroyed her with the demon’s bloodlust.
He could still feel her energy as she connected with nature around her; her energy challenged and calmed him. That’s interesting and perplexing, he thought. Ian would forever be connected to Sophie this way, but sadly it wasn’t nearly enough anymore. It was time for him to go before he did something more that he’d regret. He hesitated leaving her, but he knew it was the right thing to do given that he couldn’t control his actions. Maybe someday they could find their way back. Wishful thinking, the demon whispered, clouding his thoughts.
***
“Ian?” I could have sworn he was near. I scanned the grove for any movement. It was probably my heart wishing, no longing, for one more embrace. I sighed as tears filled my eyes.
“I promise I won’t come back anymore,” I said into the air. I felt him near. “It’s too haunting. I just wanted to feel you one more time and say…” I trailed off. I couldn’t say the words.
I slowly walked back to my car when something caught my eye. On the hood of my car was a book. I picked it up with trembling hands. I scanned the area, searching for something.
“Ian…” I whispered as tears streamed down my cheeks.
I flipped through the pages, and a picture slipped out and floated to the ground. I bent down, my heart racing, and picked up the photo. It was Ian! He looked so happy, and his face showed the promise of a great future. How different life had turned out I thought with a tinge of regret. Yet, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for Ian’s t
ransformation—it had brought us together.
I slowly turned the worn, yellowing picture over. On the back was inscribed:
Ian Moore
Galway 1868
Holding it close to my heart, I smiled and whispered, “I love you too.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sonya graduated from Purdue University in 1998 with a degree in Sociology and minor in English. More recently, she graduated in 2011 with a masters in Secondary Education with an emphasis on English from University of Phoenix.
You can find out more about Sonya and learn about upcoming books at her website: http://www.sonyabria.com/
Table of Contents
PROLOGUE. 3
DREAMS 8
CONVERSATIONS 12
THE PAST - GUARDIANS 19
TO SEE OR NOT TO SEE (SIGHT) 23
CONFESSIONS 32
REVELATIONS 48
RAVENS 66
THE HUNT 70
FALLEN ANGEL 75
GRAMS 91
DESTINY. 99
LEGENDS. 110
DISCOVERY. 116
FORESHADOW... 125
CONNACHER. 133
CLIFFS OF MOHER, COUNTY CLARE. 141
HARMONY. 149
THE DANCE. 158
THE CHASE. 166
NIGHTMARE REVISITED.. 179
CHOICES. 191
FATE. 200
FINAL ENCOUNTER. 208
GRADUATION DAY. 222
EPILOGUE. 226
Table of Contents
PROLOGUE. 3
DREAMS 8
CONVERSATIONS 12
THE PAST - GUARDIANS 19
TO SEE OR NOT TO SEE (SIGHT) 23
CONFESSIONS 32
REVELATIONS 48
RAVENS 66
THE HUNT 70
FALLEN ANGEL 75
GRAMS 91
DESTINY. 99
LEGENDS. 110
DISCOVERY. 116
FORESHADOW... 125
CONNACHER. 133
CLIFFS OF MOHER, COUNTY CLARE. 141
HARMONY. 149
THE DANCE. 158
THE CHASE. 166
NIGHTMARE REVISITED.. 179
CHOICES. 191
FATE. 200
FINAL ENCOUNTER. 208
GRADUATION DAY. 222
EPILOGUE. 226