The Choice

by Cindy Cipriano

  Laurel smiled and squeezed back.

  Calum led her through the polder and they returned uneventfully into Emerald Lake. It wasn’t a welcoming committee that met them, but it was a committee of sorts.

  “I cannot believe you took my daughter to the Otherworld,” said a red-faced Rob Werner. He rushed toward them and snatched Laurel’s hand from Calum’s. He turned her to face him. “I told you to stay away from these two. You and your brother will be lucky to see the light of day for the next three weeks.”

  “It’s not Calum’s fault,” said Laurel, jerking away from her father. “He didn’t even know I was with him until we got to the other side.”

  “You have to stop doing these things, Laurel,” said Rob. “Don’t you know how dangerous this is? Remember what happened to Daniel? What if they…” He gestured wildly at Calum and Hagen without finishing his sentence.

  “Easy there, Rob,” Gus said from where he sat on a fallen oak’s trunk. Donnelly and Hagen stood behind him. “You know full well they would never hurt Laurel, or anyone.” Gus walked toward Rob, stopping directly between him and Calum.

  “You mean aside from what they’ve already done, of course,” Rob accused. “Making her one of you, right?”

  “Calum and Hagen said they would help me,” said Laurel. She began to cry softly. “I don’t know what to do with my talents. I can’t control them and I’m afraid I’m going to hurt someone by accident.”

  Rob looked at her as if seeing things for the first time. He put his arm around her shoulders and tucked her close. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. Try to understand. Your mom…it was so hard on her with Daniel. And me. We can’t go through it again. We can’t lose any of you. Come on, let’s get you back home.” He turned and led Laurel out of the polder and through the woods.

  “That went well,” said Donnelly.

  “I really thought you were smarter than that, son,” said Gus, placing his hand on Calum’s shoulder.

  “You heard her, Gus. It wasn’t my fault,” Calum protested. A rush of words tumbled out as he explained how Laurel had tricked her way into Kischef Mound.

  “And you two figured since she was already there, you should just go ahead and enjoy the afternoon?” asked Donnelly.

  “It seemed like a good idea at the time,” said Hagen.

  “Sounds reasonable to me,” said Donnelly, grinning. His grin quickly faded when he saw the way Gus was glaring at him. “Aw, cut the kid some slack.”

  “You know what?” asked Gus. “You’re right. We can’t control Rob’s kids, no more than he can control ours.”

  “Now you’re talking,” said Donnelly.

  “Still, we’re going to have to tell Kenzie,” said Gus.

  Calum knew he was right, but worry crossed his face as he thought about Kenzie’s reaction.

  “I’ll tell her,” said Gus. “I don’t see how the whole thing could have been avoided. It’s not your fault Laurel followed you guys.”

  Calum’s relief was bittersweet. He was happy to not be in trouble, but he worried about what Rob would do. Would he move the whole family back to Virginia in an effort to keep Laurel away from him? Calum walked beside Hagen as they followed their fathers out of the woods. The moon was low on the horizon and seemed to be three times its normal size. Patches of moonlight shone on the ground before him. Calum’s hand found the vial around his neck and he wondered how one goes about gathering a Brown Mountain light. He chuckled to himself, thinking Kira may have pulled one over on him.

  They arrived back at Siopa Leabhar just as Kenzie was closing for the day. She handed Wrecks’ leash to Calum. He took it, avoiding her eyes. Kenzie looked at Gus quizzically.

  “Later,” said Gus, kissing her forehead.

  Calum reached into his pocket and wrapped his fingers around the agate necklace. He fished it out and placed on the checkout desk, unsure if it would ever find its way to Andrea Werner. He didn’t have to wait long to find out.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The Rejoining

  The sunlight that streamed through Calum’s window the next morning looked different. It seemed brighter than usual and cast shadows in the wrong places in his room. Calum grabbed his cell from his nightstand. Ten o’clock. He’d promised to help Kenzie at Siopa Leabhar before leaving for winter session at Tusatha. He’d overslept.

  Calum hopped out of bed, disturbing Buster who was curled into a tight ball at his feet. The cat’s emerald eyes opened to small slits. He gave a loud groan then returned to his snooze.

  “Sorry, Buster,” Calum said as he frantically pulled on a pair of jeans. He grabbed a hoodie from his closet and slipped it over his head as his feet found his tennis shoes. He darted into the bathroom and brushed his teeth while combing his hair. He ran down the stairs, zipping his pants as he walked into the kitchen where giggling stopped him short.

  Laurel.

  Calum blinked, sure he was dreaming. When he opened his eyes, she was still sitting at the kitchen table with Daniel and Hagen.

  “What? How?” he asked, flustered.

  “Daniel and I stayed up all night talking to Mom and Dad after my trip to Kischef yesterday,” said Laurel. “Not yelling or arguing, but talking. We told them we understood why they were worried, but we were just as afraid. I explained I’d been having trouble controlling my talents. Like things flying through the air if I even thought I needed them.”

  “One time, I nearly got stabbed by a pair of scissors when they screamed through the living room on their way upstairs to Laurel,” said Daniel.

  “I think Mom and Dad finally realized I needed help,” said Laurel.

  “And I told them I needed to learn how to fight, because I am never going back to Devil’s Peak,” said Daniel.

  “We started getting through to them about three in the morning,” said Laurel. She yawned loudly, covering her mouth. “I was so tired all I could think of was going to sleep. The next thing we heard was my bed dragging across the floor, trying to come down the steps to me.”

  Daniel laughed. “You should have seen Mom’s face.”

  “It was scary,” said Laurel.

  “Scary funny,” said Daniel. “That bed looked possessed. It got stuck halfway down the stairs. Took me and Dad about twenty minutes to get it back into Laurel’s room.”

  “Anyway, that’s when they caved,” said Laurel. “We got here about an hour ago. They’re in the other room with your parents, trying to sort it all out.”

  “Is your dad still mad at me?” asked Calum.

  “I think he always will be, a little,” said Laurel. “He blames you for making me this way.”

  Calum looked down, feeling guilty about giving Laurel and Daniel the talents in the first place and putting them all in this position.

  “But I don’t,” said Laurel. “It’s what I wanted. And now I know things are going to get better. I mean, we’re here now.”

  “That’s a start,” said Calum.

  “Well, look who found his way out of bed,” said Gus, joining them in the kitchen. He was followed by Kenzie and the rest of the adults. Rob Werner came in last, cradling a sleeping Mary in his arms.

  “We’ve just got time for breakfast before you have to leave for school. I’ll get the bacon started,” said Kenzie.

  “Let me give you a hand,” said Tullia. She made a quick motion with her right hand and a dozen eggs flew from the refrigerator and began cracking themselves on the side of a large orange bowl.

  Andrea flinched when a frying pan soared from a top cabinet, landing gracefully on an already hot burner on the stove top. Seconds later, slices peeled away from a slab of bacon and drifted into the pan.

  “Sorry about that,” said Kenzie. “We’re just in a hurry this morning.”

  “It’s okay,” said Andrea. “I can see how talents come in handy; I think I’m a little envious even.”

  “But please do me a favor,” said Rob. “Give me a heads up if you suddenly feel like a nap.” He smiled at Laurel then
added, “Calum, I can’t say I would have done anything different if I had to do it all over again. These are my children we’re talking about. But I hope we can put the past behind us.”

  Calum thought that was about as close to an apology as he would get, and he was okay with that. He smiled in return, unsure of what to say.

  “It’s more than that,” said Andrea. She sat at the table beside Calum. “Laurel and Daniel told us about how all of you have been watching out for us. And for that we will always be grateful.”

  Calum blushed a deep red.

  Andrea leaned in closer. “I hope we can continue to count on you as Laurel and Daniel learn more about what they’ve become. More about being a Sidhe.”

  “Anything, Andrea,” Calum stammered. “I mean, Mrs. Werner.”

  Andrea laughed. “If I have to get used to my own kids calling me Andrea, I think it’s okay if you do the same.”

  “Can I tell him?” Laurel asked excitedly. “Has it been worked out?”

  “Go ahead,” said Rob.

  “I’m going with you to Sidhe School this summer.” Laurel bounced in her seat, emphasizing each word.

  “She’s going to stay at my parents’, with Brytes,” said Tullia.

  “I get to stay with the queen,” squealed Laurel. “How cool is that?”

  “Pretty cool,” said Calum, amused by her enthusiasm.

  “And they’re going to bring Mary,” said Laurel.

  “For the indico,” said Kenzie.

  Calum looked at her, puzzled.

  “The indico ointment. So she can see fae who are invisible,” said Tullia.

  “Oh,” said Calum. He didn’t remember ever having indico.

  “You did,” said Kenzie. “When you were a baby. That’s when it’s usually applied.”

  “Does it always work? I mean when Rebeccah disappears, she’s gone,” said Calum.

  “It doesn’t work on every Sidhe, no. Especially someone like Rebeccah who’s an expert in invisibility,” said Kenzie. “But it does help, and it helps some Sidhe more than others.”

  “I’m getting it this summer,” said Laurel.

  “What about you, Daniel?” asked Calum. “Are you coming too?”

  There was a hush in the room as the adults stopped breakfast preparation.

  “No,” said Daniel. “I’m not ready to be back inside a mound. And I already had the indico.” A flash of rage crossed his face. “Brownshire did it.”

  Calum felt bad for even asking. Of course he wouldn’t want to go back. Not for a long while, if ever. Not after everything he’d seen in the dark clan. “Then we’ll teach you Sidhe School here.”

  “Perfect,” said Hagen. “Two schools for me and then I get to teach one. What more could a guy want?”

  Calum could tell by Hagen’s expression that he really didn’t mind. And Calum thought it a small price to pay to have Laurel back in his life. He remembered what Uilleam had said about Laurel being the key to bringing Finley home. It had been a long time since Calum had felt so hopeful. He joined in with the others as they loaded their plates with eggs, hash browns, and crispy bacon. Calum ate heartily, not realizing how hungry he was.

  Laurel walked Calum and Hagen to the polder after breakfast. Her parents permitted her to do this only after she promised about thirty times not to leave Emerald Lake. “I can’t wait until the summer when I can go with you,” she said. “It’s going to be so much fun.”

  “It’s still school,” said Hagen. “It’s really not that exciting.”

  “So what?” asked Laurel. “I’ll get to be in the Otherworld. Once we’re there, you guys can take me to loads of other mounds, right?”

  Geez, she’s gonna drive us crazy, thought Hagen.

  Calum laughed. “Let’s take it one step at a time.”

  “We’ll see you later,” said Hagen. He gave Laurel a half-hearted wave and walked through the threshold.

  “Hey, watch this,” said Calum. He stretched his hand out and his fingertips disappeared as they grazed the edge of the threshold.

  “No, don’t,” said Laurel, pulling his arm away. “I don’t like it when you guys do that.”

  Calum shrugged. “Okay then. Guess I’ll see you in a week.” He gave her a smile and walked into the threshold. He could barely make out Laurel’s voice as she called after him.

  “See you in a week.”

  Calum loved being in Tusatha at Christmas time. There looked to be about a foot of snow on the ground, which made Tusatha look like a white frosted cake. He headed to the center of the mound. Both sides of the path were lined with beautiful Christmas trees decorated with cream-colored ornaments and golden garland. The trees gradually increased in size and he could see a pair at least twenty feet high guarding the entrance to the mound. He spotted Hagen a dozen yards down the path, talking with someone. Calum grinned. He scooped up a handful of snow and patted it until it formed a nice tight ball.

  Calum crept slowly down the path, and when he was close enough he let the snowball fly. Hagen must have sensed something, for at the last possible second he ducked. Calum watched in horror as the snowball sped through the air, smacking Kira straight in the face.

  “Oh my gosh,” yelled Calum. He vowed never to throw another snowball again as he ran down the path, stopping a few steps away from her. “Kira, are you all right?”

  Kira laughed. “It’s just snow.” She shook her head, freeing the bits of snowball stuck in her curly brown hair.

  “Sorry about that,” said Calum, as he punched Hagen. “Why’d you duck like that?”

  Hagen snickered in response.

  “It’s okay, really,” said Kira.

  “I’d watch your back if I were you, cuz,” Hagen said with a grin.

  “What are you doing here?” asked Calum.

  “I wanted to catch you before school,” said Kira.

  “We’re late, walk with us?” Calum started down the path. He turned back when he realized Kira hadn’t moved. “What is it?”

  “I think it’s best if I don’t go all the way into the mound. I’m not welcome in some of the Sidhe clans,” said Kira.

  “Why not?” asked Calum.

  “Because she’s a trader,” said Hagen.

  “A what?” asked Calum.

  “She trades with the dark clans,” Hagen said patiently as if he were speaking to a small child.

  Calum looked at Kira in disbelief.

  “It’s true,” said Kira. She stood taller as if bracing herself for a fight. “It’s what my family does. It’s what we’ve always done. Do you have a problem with that?”

  “No,” Calum said quietly. “Is it safe?”

  “It’s safer,” said Kira. “With the new Additions Law we can’t stay more than an hour, so it’s a lot safer than it used to be.”

  “I was asking Kira about our friend. The dark-haired girl from that day at Devil’s Peak and the Natali,” said Hagen. “I wondered if she’d had run into her before.”

  “And like I was saying, I don’t know her but I’ll keep a look out,” said Kira. “Look, Calum, my family trades with the dark clans. We don’t belong to one. We don’t belong to any Sidhe clan,” she said frostily. “If this is too much for you, I’ll head out.”

  “No,” said Calum, returning to his senses. Kira’s cool. She’s friends with Rebeccah. Her whole family is. If Rebeccah thinks they’re all right, that’s good enough for me. “I’m glad you came.” He smiled at her, hoping she’d believe him.

  Kira’s posture relaxed. “Good. Because I really wanted to see you.”

  Hagen shifted his feet, knocking the snow from the bottom of his shoes. “So, I guess I’ll go on ahead,” he said. “I’ll tell Mr. Stotle you’re running late.”

  Calum smiled in thanks and Hagen trotted down the path. “What’s up?” asked Calum.

  “I didn’t want to say anything before back at Kischef. No offense, but I can’t get a reading on Laurel. I’m not sure I can trust her,” said Kira.

&nbs
p; Calum grinned, remembering Laurel felt exactly the same way about Kira.

  “Anyway, I came here because I need to tell you about the Brown Mountain light I gave you.”

  Calum’s fingers found the vial hanging around his neck. It suddenly felt foreign and he wondered if he should take it off. “Do you want it back?”

  “We don’t break our trades,” Kira said, almost scolding.

  Calum looked at her, shamefaced.

  “It’s okay.” Kira sighed loudly. “I just need you to promise you won’t do anything with it unless I’m there.”

  “What would I do with it?” asked Calum.

  “You’ll know what to do when the time is right,” said Kira. “But I really need for you to wait until I’m there with you.”

  Calum stared at her skeptically.

  Better get here, Mr. Stotle’s on a tear. He got wind of Kira.

  Calum knew the warning had come from Hagen.

  “I think I need to get going before anyone finds me here,” said Kira, looking around nervously. “Just promise you won’t do anything with the light without me.”

  Still having no idea what one does with a Brown Mountain light, Calum stared back blankly.

  “I need you to promise me,” she said firmly.

  “Okay, okay. I promise,” he said.

  Kira tilted her head to the side as if deciding whether he was being truthful. She stepped closer and lifted the leather strap around Calum’s neck, raising the vial to his lips.

  Instinctively, Calum bent and gently kissed the bottle. He knew she hadn’t really needed his promise. She’d needed this simple gesture. It was the same thing she had done when she gave him the light. Calum didn’t know why, but it was clear. Kira needed them both sealed to this tiny vial.

  Get here now. Hagen’s voice boomed in his head. In the next second, Calum found himself standing outside Mr. Stotle’s class. He spun around, looking for Kira, but she was gone.

  Hagen flung the door open.

  “Why did you do that? Why did you call me like that?” Calum asked angrily.

  “Stotle’s gone looking for you. More like looking for Kira,” said Hagen. “You’re welcome.” He grabbed Calum by his jacket and pulled him into the room. Both boys quickly found their seats and tried to look innocent when their teacher returned.