Rourke’s eyes darted to where Leah’s door stood open. He continued to sign. The music was the only sound in the room. What you learn here today must not be shared with anyone. Do you understand?
I nodded.
I am of the Tuatha Dé Danann, a race of people descendant from the goddess Danu. Saoirse banished me here to the world of men with little hope of return, and limited my use of the magic. My people are talented and industrious. They use magic to uplift and renew. Under Saoirse’s reign, Conor’s life will be forfeit, and my people will fall to pride and ruin. Rourke rocked as he hugged his legs to his chest.
When will the seven years be up? I asked.
The silent moon in November marks seven hundred years since the time I came to this world. I will return when the moon covers her face, less than a month from now.
The new moon. Then something Rourke said jumped to the front of my thoughts. Did you say seven hundred years?
Rourke nodded, his face solemn. The evil queen displaced me here, using the same magic that shifted Conor to the bottom of the sea. Though I reside here, my body is bound to Tír na nÓg, the land of youth. Time is faster here, and though it has been only seven years since I left my home, I have endured centuries in your world.
Rourke’s eyes darted again to where Leah bustled around in her kitchen.
I stood to leave. Rourke didn’t make a move. His gaze held me there. There was something else that bothered me.
If the banshee is here to prevent you from leaving, why did she go after Zoey? Emotions gripped my throat, and I was grateful for the advantage of communicating to Rourke with my hands and not my voice.
Cliona is a dangerous creature. Her agenda reaches wider than we know. Rourke stroked the lizard’s head. I have a theory, but until I learn more, know that Zoey is being watched over.
I’m not going to just sit around while a banshee is attacking my sister. There must be something that we can do.
Rourke stood. He raised one finger near my face. I have spent centuries hunting this apparition. The best course of action is for you to try to attract as little attention as possible. I nodded. You should go. Rourke dismissed me with his hand.
I walked to the door, then turned back to face Rourke. And the lizard?
Rourke smiled. His name is Ansul.
Living at the Dawsons’ home was just what I needed to ease back into life after the fire. Even though Christa was with Derek most of the time, we still stayed up late talking. I could almost believe that I was just sleeping over, not living there until my family could find a new place.
Three long days had passed since the fire, and I couldn’t believe how generous people were with clothing, housing, or offers to help rebuild. Fundraisers were already in place to help us recover all that we had lost.
Mom and Dad thought it would be best if I went back to school and continued on as normally as possible. I sat through classes, trying to concentrate, but images of banshees and shape-shifting sea creatures filled my thoughts. By the end of the third day, I was beside myself. I couldn’t wait around fearing that the banshee would attack again.
I sat at the Dawson’s table, picking apart a sandwich that I’d thought I was hungry for.
Josh walked in, home from wrestling practice. I must have looked pretty pathetic, because he stopped on his way to the fridge and sat next to me.
“Hey.” Josh’s face was red from practice. He wore sweatpants over his wrestling singlet, and I tried not to stare at the way his muscles moved as he leaned his forearms on the table. “Is that the hair comb you found at the springs?”
I nodded, pulling the comb from my hair.
A thought flashed into my mind. Zoey had been wearing the comb when Mrs. Saddlebury found her. Was it possible that the banshee was using the comb as a way to track me? The thought was upsetting. No one, not even a banshee, was going to threaten my sister’s life and get away with it.
“I’m going to go talk to her.” I gripped the comb.
“Who?”
“The woman who burned my house down.”
Josh leaned forward. “Do you think that’s a good idea? If she set fire to your house for no reason, she could be crazy, not to mention dangerous.”
I thought of Rourke’s far-out story. The image of him standing on my front porch, holding a soot-covered Zoey while the fire blazed behind him, strengthened my resolve. I couldn’t go on with life as usual while the banshee was out there. I wanted to confront her and throw the comb back in her face.
Josh was watching me, his brow wrinkled low over his eyes in worry.
“McKayla. Promise me you won’t go looking for this wacko.”
He was right of course, but I couldn’t promise.
Josh looked from the comb to what must have been resolve reflected in my expression. “Tell you what. I’ll go with you. But don’t do anything stupid.”
“I don’t think she will be there.” Josh gripped the steering wheel with both hands. I peeled my eyes from the view of the canyon in the Narrows to face him. I’d only been through this end of the valley a few times, and even though the leaves had long since dropped from the trees, the contrast of wet, red willow branches against the gray sky distracted me.
“Maybe not. But I can’t sit around waiting for her to come and find me again.”
“What does this lady have against you?”
“I honestly don’t know. Aunt Avril is investigating that right now.” I put my hand over my satchel, satisfied to feel the weight of the steel dagger next to the comb.
Josh’s right hand was still wrapped in gauze, and he awkwardly shifted gears.
“How is your hand?” I asked.
“It’s still sore, but it will be fine. Have you heard how Zoey is doing?”
“She’s good. The doctors treated her arm for a burn, but other than being filthy dirty, she came out of it ok. She doesn’t know much about what’s going on now, and I’m glad. I don’t want her to be scared.”
“Are you?”
“Am I what?”
“Scared? Does it make you nervous to know that the lady is still out there?”
The thought of the banshees that bound Rourke in a geis flashed into my mind and I shivered. “Yeah, it makes me nervous.”
Josh reached behind his seat and handed me his coat.
“Thanks.” I pulled it tight around me for warmth. It smelled outdoorsy, like grass after it rains.
“How is your family coping with everything?” Josh asked.
“They’re dealing. It was quite a shock, and I still don’t think we fully comprehend the reality of it all.”
“What about you? Are you okay?” His eyes looked straight into mine. My heart stuttered.
I didn’t know how to answer his question. I felt like I was viewing my life through a kaleidoscope that constantly twisted my view of the world.
“It’s hard to say.”
“If you ever want to talk about it, I’ll be around.” His voice was soft and full of concern.
“Thanks.” I stared at my hands, clasped in my lap. “I really appreciate it.” It made a difference, knowing that even though Josh didn’t understand all of what was going on, he wanted to make sure I was ok.
“Do the police know why this lady started the fire?”
“They questioned Mrs. Saddlebury, but she denied doing it. And Zoey’s word isn’t enough. Even Mom and Dad are having a hard time believing her.”
We pulled onto the long driveway to the Saddlebury’s mansion. The castle loomed above us on a hill. Its rock walls were streaked with rain. I could almost believe that we were in a faraway land, approaching a medieval estate. That must have been what the Saddlebury’s had envisioned when they built the home. It upset me to think that they were no longer around to enjoy it.
I still had a hard time reconciling the woman who claimed to be Mrs. Saddlebury with the banshee that Rourke had shown me in his memory. Even though I had watched the entire scene inside my head, it was hard to
believe in the light of day.
We parked behind some trees at a bend in the road and walked through the sprinkling rain up to the front door. My fingers curled around the comb inside the satchel.
Josh rang the doorbell and stepped back to stand next to me. A gonging bell sounded through the house. The only sound after that was the pattering of rain on the sidewalk. My heart pounded so hard I could feel it in my fingers. I peeked in through the long window next to the door. The house looked empty and dark, with no sign of life. The koi that swam on either side of the door splashed and muddied their water, looking for food.
“Look.” Josh pointed to a stack of daily newspapers near the door, with a flyer on top that read, ‘Garbage day is Wednesday. Please have your garbage to the curb the night before, as we collect by 7am.’ The garbage can stood in front of the spacious six-car garage. Josh jogged over to the can and looked inside. “Empty,” he reported.
I pulled my fingers through my hair. Even if Mrs. Saddlebury were not a banshee, her behavior was suspicious.
“Well, it was worth a try,” I said as Josh walked back to me.
“Should we go?”
I nodded and started down the steps after Josh.
I pulled the comb from my satchel. The teeth dug into my hand, but it wasn’t as painful as the flash of despair that came stronger this time as I touched it. Running back up the steps, I placed the comb on the ledge in front of the door. When Mrs. Saddlebury returned, she would know that I had not been afraid to come. I wouldn’t stand back and let her threaten my family.
Josh drove the car to the porch and I climbed in, shaking the rain from my hair. We started down the long driveway. “Do you want to go get some hot chocolate?”
“Mmm, that sounds so good right now.”
“I know just the place.” Josh headed toward Afton.
From the window of the Elkhorn Restaurant, we could see the famous elk horn arch stretching across the street. When I first moved to Star Valley, I thought that weaving elk horns into an arch over the street was a bit hokey, but the structure had grown on me, and now I was as proud of it as the locals. On top of the arch, two elk statues interlocked their horns in a battle over territory, or love.
The café was warm and bright after being out in the cold air. We chose a booth with a window that looked right out onto Main Street. The clouds hid any sunset that might have lit the evening, and the streetlights flickered on in the darkness. Only a few other customers had come in out of the cold. I wrapped my hands around my mug and sipped the steaming liquid.
“I’m starving,” Josh said. “They have the best apple pie here. Do you want some?”
I agreed, suddenly ravenous. Josh waved down the waitress. “Two pieces of apple pie, with a slice of Swiss on each.” She nodded, unruffled by his unusual request.
“Swiss cheese? On apple pie?” I asked when the waitress disappeared behind a swinging door.
“My mom always says, ‘Apple pie without Swiss cheese is like a kiss without a squeeze.’” Josh winked.
I laughed, and it felt so good to release the tension I’d been holding in all day.
“I’ve been practicing the duet.” Josh took a drink of his cocoa. I studied the lines of his face as he swallowed. The depth of emotion in his emerald eyes softened the hard lines of his jaw. “Rourke is going to be surprised when I can do the entire dance.”
“I better get practicing then. I haven’t practiced since—well, since last week.” I didn’t want to bring up the fire again. I wanted to bask in the warmth that was filling me as I sat, comfy and safe, in the café.
The waitress weaved in between tables with a plate in each hand. “Two slices of apple pie, with Swiss.” The pie was hot, with a generous slice of cheese melting over the edges.
Josh dug into his apple pie with vigor, his jaw muscle flexing as he chewed. “It’s delicious. Try it.”
I picked up my fork and pierced the flaky crust. The tart apple filling and sharp cheese collided in a surprisingly delicious way. I murmured in appreciation.
“Pretty good, huh?”
“Delicious. I never would have thought to put cheese on top of a pie.”
“You never know when you’ll like something until you give it a chance.” Josh held my eyes with his.
“Is that something your mom says too?” I stammered.
Josh laughed. “No, but it sounds like something she would say.”
I thought of Josh’s house, warm and inviting, and how it felt just like home to me.
“Thanks for coming with me,” I said. “Your family has been so great—everyone has.”
Josh cleared his throat. “I’m helping a friend set up the haunted house in the Old Rock Church on Halloween. Do you want to come and go through it with me when it’s done?”
Was Josh asking me out? The rush of eagerness I suddenly felt surprised me. I studied my pie before answering. “Yes, that sounds like fun.”
A smile lit up Josh’s face as he polished off the rest of his pie.
Josh insisted on paying for our food, so I stood by the door while he took our ticket to the cashier.
The door chimed, and a couple came in out of the rain, laughing and talking with coats over their heads for cover. I gasped.
Lucas took Taminy’s coat and led her by the elbow toward an empty table. I looked down, shading my eyes with one hand.
“Hey, there’s McKayla.” Lucas walked over to where I stood, pulling a reluctant Taminy behind him. Her eyes flashed when she saw me, and she laced an arm through Lucas’s.
My cheeks burned, and I knew the telltale rash would soon be creeping up my neck. This was the first time Lucas had spoken to me since our disaster of a date.
“Oh, hi,” I stammered, rubbing my arms. “What are you guys doing here?”
“From the looks of it, we’re here for the same reason you are.” Lucas looked over at Josh. “Dinner.”
Taminy leaned against Lucas, warning me away from him with her eyes. “I heard about your house burning down. Is everything ok?”
“Not really.” My voice buckled as I spoke. The emotions were still too raw.
“But you didn’t, like, lose everything did you?” I was surprised to hear real concern in Taminy’s voice.
“Did the whole house burn down?” Lucas asked.
I swallowed.
“Yes, it did.” Josh appeared at my side, placing himself between Lucas and me. “Now if you want to revisit any more painful memories, I might have a few more to bring up.”
Lucas backed up a pace, but held Josh’s stare. “I wasn’t talking to you.”
“It’s ok, Josh.” I pulled on his arm. Josh had just come back to school after being suspended for starting a fight with Lucas. I still didn’t know what caused the fight, but I didn’t want to cause a scene in the restaurant.
Taminy stepped between the two, flipping her hair as she turned to Josh. “So Josh, I heard you started Irish dancing.”
Josh’s ears burned red, but he spoke up. “That’s right.” His gaze never left Lucas.
A grin slowly spread on Lucas’s face. I knew most guys didn’t consider dancing masculine, but I had never thought about the social cost that Josh might pay for starting up dance.
“Do you like it?” Taminy pressed.
“I like to dance with the right person.” Josh’s face was expressionless.
“First wrestling and now dancing.” Lucas put his hands on Taminy’s shoulders. “Are you going to sing in chorale next, Josh?” I narrowed my eyes at Lucas. This was a side of him I hadn’t seen. He was being downright mean.
A muscle in Josh’s jaw tightened for a split-second before he smiled at Lucas. “Actually, I play the banjo now.”
“Banjo!” Lucas said it like a joke, but when he looked around none of us were laughing.
“I don’t play well. But I’m sure I’ll pick it up soon enough.” Josh didn’t seem to care that Lucas was trying to egg him on.
Taminy looked annoyed. She
whirled around to Lucas, putting her back to us. “You might try some culture sometime, Lucas. You won’t be the quarterback forever.”
“Might want to listen to your girlfriend, she knows what’s up,” Josh laughed.
“That means a lot, coming from a dancing banjo player,” Lucas stepped closer to Josh.
The strained tension heating up between Josh and Lucas was more than I could take. Emotions ricocheted around inside of me like pinballs. I couldn’t sort through them to tell which sensations were my own. I folded my hands over my stomach, hoping that we could find a way to end the conversation and escape. “Let’s call it a night, ok?” I pulled Josh toward the door.
“Lucas, find us a seat and let this cute couple get on their way.” Taminy took Lucas’s hand and leaned in to him. Her eyes widened. “McKayla has been through more than enough already. We don’t need to add to what people are saying about her.”
Josh stiffened next to me. I stared at Taminy, trying to comprehend her meaning. What were people saying about me?
“I didn’t mean anything by it.” Lucas took a step toward me. “Honest, I didn’t.”
“You just keep your distance from McKayla.” Josh lowered his voice.
“Josh!” I was grateful that he would try to protect my feelings, but I wished that he and Lucas would chill out.
Taminy kept pulling Lucas toward a booth, but he didn’t seem to be following her lead.
“We’ll pick this conversation up another time.” As he sat next to Taminy, Lucas winked at me and his smile widened, deepening his scar into a dimple.
Josh tried to steer me toward the door, but I stood rooted in one spot as an unfamiliar emotion swept over me like a chill. Indifference seeped into my mind, mingling with my own range of emotions. Lucas was flirting with me, but he wasn’t doing it to get my attention, he was using me to try and hurt Josh. Lucas didn’t care about me—he never had.
I waited for the heartbreak to come, but I felt only a mixture of surprise and relief. Any attraction that I had felt for Lucas fled when I caught a glimpse into what was really inside of him. It hit me then. I never really was in love with Lucas—how could I have been? The person I imagined him to be didn’t exist. I stepped back and bumped into Josh. He put a hand on my back and we walked to the door.
Awakening (Book One of The Geis) Page 18