The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook*

by Shannon Barczak

  “I know the only reason he agreed to become a vampire was so he would have his revenge on us. I had hoped that when he was reborn, all those emotions would dissipate. At the last minute though, he clung to his pitiful soul, and it changed him into this. A damned Guardian of Solas."

  “When I realized that he would be of no use to me, Darias and I dumped his body in a cave on our way out of town."

  Benedict walked over towards Mathias. “After all these years, you have finally found us. Now look at you. Captured like a little mouse. I should have never feared you. I should have known that in the end, you would be just the same, a wimp, a little Mama’s boy who would never even hurt a fly."

  Mathias just stood there with his eyes glittering with anger. I sensed his emotions coursing through his body with our link. Mathias was ready to explode, but I couldn’t let him yet because Leona wasn’t ready.

  So I did what I do best. I shot off my mouth.

  “So let me get this straight. You’re a gold digging scumbag who married your wife for her money. When her father realized what a pig you really are, he turned his back on you and focused his attention on his grandson because he was perfectly aware of what an absolute failure you would be as a father."

  “Then when he died,” I continued. “You came back, stole some money, took off like a thief in the night and proceeded to blow a fortune on your gambling habit. Later when your wife died, instead of returning home to comfort your children, you returned with your tail between your legs, because you already had run through the money you had stolen."

  “Correct me if I get any of this wrong?" I paused, addressing Benedict sarcastically.

  “So you decided to take whatever you might be able to pry from Mathias, who was grieving from his Mother’s death. Oh and that’s right, money and your other son who sounds like he’s a chip off the old block, that block being called ‘Douchebag Road’. You both left to go blow some more money and in general continue to be a waste of space that you both are. Then you get in trouble with the Rau, who, of course, saw what a perfect specimen of soullessness that they had in you and your son."

  "But no, that's not enough for you. A lifetime of immoral immortality and you still had to have even more power, and more money. So you devise a plan to turn Mathias, your cash cow son, into an evil, bloodsucking vampire."

  I let out a short laugh. “Not before though, you kill his baby sister and rip out her throat, and you were what? Surprised at the turn of the events? That's your brilliant plan? You don't have a clue who your son is at all if you honestly thought for one second he would ever willingly turn into someone like you."

  “Do you realize if you all went on Dr. Phil., you would like, keep him on the air for the next twenty years with all your dysfunctional family drama, you sick fuck."

  Benedict face was twisted in fury as he flew back over to stand in front of me. I lifted my chin up in defiance. Fuck him, let him do his worse.

  “You have quite the mouth on you,” he sneered

  “You should hear what’s in my head.” I answered back

  Benedict stood back and peered at me. “But, again, I ask what are you? What gifts were passed to you from your parents Princess Willa?"

  “Their good looks and charming personality,” I retorted

  "You're not afraid." he observed rather than asked.

  “Of you? No." I replied. “You’re not going to kill me. I’m far too valuable."

  He smiled. “Yes you are. You’re probably the most valuable commodity ever to cross my path. I’m just not sure who I should offer you to first. Any wealthy Rau would pay a fortune for you, yes, but the Fae; however have much deeper pockets."

  “A Fae Lord you mean?" I asked hoping like hell he would give up a name.

  “Ah, so you are aware of him?"

  “I might have heard something around the water cooler,” I replied

  “I think perhaps I might keep you to myself for the time being, myself and Darias of course. When we get through with you, you’ll be begging for mercy."

  “As much as I would love to be a part of your father/son tag team I’m going to have to decline."

  “You have no choice Princess,” he smiled condescendingly.

  “Yeah, I do." I said in a bored voice. “I have the choice to tell you to fuck off."

  “I admire a woman with spunk, so I’m going to ignore your impertinence. Tell me who do you choose to die first?" he asked softly

  “Umm, how about you, Father of the year?" I returned

  Benedict’s laughter echoed through the silent room. Only Darias responded by smiling broadly.

  “Drop your masking spell my dear and let us inhale your divine scent. You're obviously hiding it. It’s only a matter of time before I taste you."

  My palms itched. The time had come to stop this little cat and mouse game, but before I summoned my fire Mathias’s voice resounded in my head.

  No. He’s mine Willa. Count to five and then run to the portal. We will meet you there.

  I lifted my eyebrow up while Mathias’s father and I stared at each other. Five, four, three, two, one...

  Right on cue, all hell broke loose. Mathias, obviously faking being held captured, broke free with ease from his captors grasp. He snapped two of the Rau’s head off and plunged his hands into their chests, ripping out their bloody hearts before anyone even responded.

  Frank was also grappling with the ones that held him. This time he was not alone. Leona had sprinted into the fray, and the two of them worked efficiently to dispose of their enemy’s heads and hearts.

  The room exploded in a mass of limbs flying and blood spraying around the area. Benedict had joined his son and was lending his hand in assaulting Mathias.

  But they were no match for Mathias. I realized why they had feared him. Mathias was incredible. I watched him, in a blur, toy with them. He fainted left and right, ripping small pieces off their bodies, sometimes even smiling at their attempts to hit him. He didn’t break stride with his attack; in fact, he looked rather bored at some points.

  Until I cried out, I was so involved with watching the bloody scene unfold in front of me I didn’t see the last remaining Rau that broke free from Frank and Leona sneak up behind me. He grabbed my neck and left arm in a death grip, and I couldn’t do anything for a second but cry out in pain as I clawed his arm with my right hand.

  Frank and Leona immediately came over and were watching my assailant with alertness. They looked for any opening, any way to get me away from him safely before they could finish him off and kill him.

  Willa. Mathias’s voice breathed. I looked to his face that was bathed in horror. All it would take was one quick snap of my neck that the Rau held on to tightly, and I would be dead.

  “Oh, hold on, what is this?" Benedict’s scornful voice said. “Why Mathias look at your face. You haven’t perchance fallen for this girl, have you? I don’t even think you looked like this when Elizabeth lay dying on the floor."

  Darias laughed. “That’s ridiculous. Mathias has no heart."

  “Oh, but he does my son.” Benedict said. “His heart though is not his own anymore. Imagine the head of the Guardians of Solas and the Fae-Gypsy Princess. Talk about tragic."

  I’m sorry. I said softly to him

  Don’t move. I will not let anything happen to you, he replied wordlessly. Just be still.

  Sorry, Wolfie. I realize you don't want me to reveal my abilities but this guy is toast. I said

  I heard Mathias soft sigh of resignation before he slowly backed up against the wall behind him and crossed his arms. His face relaxed into one of almost amusement.

  Be careful not to fry Frank and Leona he ordered. Benedict and Darias looked from Mathias to me in confusion. Their brows furrowed at this turn of events.

  Just make sure to rip Daddy Dearest heart out real painful for me. I asked

  The instant I dropped my scent and called my fire, Benedict and Darias’s nostrils flared, and they started towards me.
The Rau who held me growled and jerked my neck towards his fangs.

  I shot my fire towards him and felt a perverse satisfaction at his howling in agony. Mathias had taken the advantage of my distraction and pounced on his brother. He ripped his head and heart out as Benedict screamed in frustration and shouted “Noooooo."

  But before Mathias turned his attention to his father, Benedict raced towards me.

  Mathias yelled No; he’s mine! In my head but I ignored him. I had shot my deadly flames towards Benedict right before he reached for me, and we went down to the floor in a flaming tumble.

  The fire enveloped us, and I called upon the air to shield me. A whirlwind went up around me forming a protective bubble as I continued my assault on Mathias’s father. Images of a beautiful dark haired woman with a kind smile flashed before my eyes and then it was replaced by a tall, stern looking older man with thoughtful eyes.

  When I saw his image morph into a young girl with chestnut curls and whiskey brown eyes, my heart clenched. Her infectious smile made me want to cry.

  When everything cleared there were only the sounds of ash smoldering next to me. I sat up and was breathing so heavily I thought I was going to pass out. Strong arms that I knew so well, lifted me up and held me close while I was sprinted off towards the room with the portal.

  I saw Frank and Leona jump up and then we followed them a mere second later. I could sense Mathias’s relief, but I didn't feel that at all. My parents came right up to me, but I pushed them away. My attention was on the still figure lying on the floor.

  I walked over slowly to where she was laid out. My whole body was numb inside. All of my adrenaline was washed away at the sight of Serena.

  I knelt down next to her, noticing someone had covered her body with a blanket and put a scarf around where her neck should have been attached. She looked like she could have been sleeping, but I knew better. I had seen her die. I had seen her life taken away in a split second because all she had wanted to do was protect me, and I had failed her.

  I replayed the scene in my head again. If I hadn’t been so shell-shocked, I could’ve blasted him with my freaky fire. I could've saved her life, but I didn’t. Instead of acting swiftly, I had been weak.

  I don’t know how long I sat there next to her. Visions of our time together played like a movie clip in my head. Serena greeted me in Yuma, her warm smile putting me at ease. Her face lined with worry, when I had taken a break from reality and stayed in bed, Serena sneaking me chocolate and potato chips while I sat watching movies.

  Serena breaking into the bakery for me, so I see the building, helping me move into my new house and laughing hysterically while Riah and I flirted outlandishly. Finally, I saw her face that latched on to mine in her final seconds on this earth.

  “Willa, honey, you should go clean up and change your clothes,” my mother’s voice gently broke through my comatose trip down memory lane.

  But still I sat by my friend. I prayed she had known how much she meant to me, how much I would miss her and how I would never again fail to react.

  Willa. Mathias said. Kathleen wants to have Serena moved. She wants to get her cleaned up and moved to the funeral home.

  I nodded after a moment before taking her hand and placing a small kiss on it. “Goodbye my friend. Thank you so much,” I whispered before rising up from the ground. I looked around and noticed for the first time that everyone was staring at me. My mother, Julia, Gussie and Kathleen all had tears streaming down their faces. Even my grandmother looked teary eyed.

  My own tears bubbled up and realized I had to get out of there before they exploded out of me. I just wanted to go somewhere safe. Somewhere I could cry in private. Somewhere no one would look at me in pity.

  My body started whipping around, and before I even realized it, I had teleported to my bathroom at home. I sank to the floor and started weeping and shaking uncontrollably.

  Moments later I felt my parents join me. My dad must have followed my trail and instead of being mad at their invasion I was horribly grateful.

  They both sat next to me on the floor and held me close. I wept not just because of Serena’s death but also because of the nightmare that followed. My body was exhausted from all the magic I had used, and my brain just wanted to shut down. The images that danced behind my eyes were just too much for me to digest.

  Blood, severed heads, horrific family stories, Mathias feeding off of me. All of it replayed over and over until finally I screamed into my father’s shirt.

  Finally, after what seemed like hours I untangled myself from their arms and looked up to see Mathias standing at the door. His presence caught me by surprise. I had no idea how long he had been there, but I couldn’t even acknowledge him right now.

  I saw my parents exchange a look, and my father went over to Mathias and gestured for him to leave. My father closed the door, leaving my mother and me in private. Gently she peeled off my blood stained clothes as well as her own and together we stood under the beating sprays of water in the shower.

  When I felt like my skin would never get unwrinkled we finally stepped out. I stood, still numb, while she dried me off and dressed me in my comfy black pajama bottoms and white strappy sleep top.

  She guided me out into my bedroom, and my father rushed to my side. They both put me to bed, and I looked up at both them and said in a hoarse voice. “Thank you. I love you both so much."

  They climbed in next me and whispered words of comfort. Eventually, my body relaxed, and I told them both to go home and get some rest. I appreciated everything that they had done for me, more than they would ever realize, but I needed to be alone.

  After a little discussion and a lot of persuading, they finally left. When they opened up the hatch, I heard the pattering of paws come down the metal stairs. Cupcake and Oscar came through the door and jumped right on the bed next to me. They both gave me a tiny lick on the cheek before settling their massive bodies around me like a shield.

  When I turned my head, I noticed that Matthias was in the chair by the corner of the room. I didn’t even see him nor did I think that he had stayed after I went into the shower. I couldn’t form any words at this point though.

  Instead, we stared at each other until finally my eyes got heavy, and I drifted off into sleep.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  I slept on and off over the next thirty-six hours. I tossed and turned in my sleep and kept waking up every two hours. Every time I woke up, Mathias was there sitting right beside me. He held my hand in comfort and made me drink water until I would fall back asleep.

  We still never said a word to each other. We didn’t even communicate in our heads. We simply stared at one another. The only thing I wanted to hear was silence and lucky for me Mathias was the master at it.

  On the second morning, I woke up a little more refreshed. I stared up at the ceiling, waiting for the anguish to come over me but was relieved when it didn’t. I still grieved, but it wasn’t as devastating like the last few days. I could now reflect on everything that happened without wanting to screaming.

  I turned my head and was surprised to see that Mathias wasn’t there. In his place sat my grandmother.

  “Hi,” I said. “Are you on babysitting duty now?"

  “I took over a few hours ago,” she answered. “Mathias, of course, did not want to leave but I finally persuaded him to go home and change out of his clothes."

  I hadn’t even been aware that he had been wearing his blood soaked clothes. That little detail didn’t even factor into my reality at the time.

  “Are you hungry?" Winifred asked

  “I am.” I answered. Mathias had tried a few times to get me to eat, but I had pushed it away in disgust.

  “You mentioned something to the effect that I would never be the type of grandmother who would make you cookies. Is that right?"

  I squirmed uncomfortably. “That sounds like something I would say."

  “Well, you are wrong. Not only do I make cooki
es, I make amazing double chocolate chip cookies,” she said as she took the plate off the table from beside my bed and pulled off the towel covering about a dozen chocolate chip cookies.

  I smiled and took one. When I bite into it, I made an approving groan. They were fantastic.

  We both had munched on the cookies for a few moments before I grabbed a glass of milk beside my bed that she brought with her and took a long drink. I leaned back against the headboard and let out a sigh of contentment.

  “Willa?" she asked tentatively

  Oh, no, please don’t ruin this moment. I don’t want to go there.