“Where’s his bed, his bowls, and his high dollar food, y’know, his stuff?"
“He’s a dog."
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t worry Oscar." I said to him as he came over to sit by Mathias’s feet when his name was spoken. “I’ll hook you up tomorrow."
“Don’t go turning him into some lapdog,” he sighed
“If he’s anything like his owner that will be impossible to do, you can’t change a tiger’s stripes."
"Well, considering you did a pretty excellent job of taming an animal in a few short days, don’t blame me for worrying,” he said as we looked over and saw Cupcake lying on his back on the couch, paws flapping by his sides, and a low snore coming from his mouth.
“Please, that fur ball doesn’t have a mean bone in his body. The only thing I did was free his gentle soul. Into that." I said after he whimpered and snored in his sleep.
“You soul has to be willing for you to set it free,” he said thoughtfully
“Terrific." I replied. “Would this be the beginning of our double-entendre conversation?"
He knelt down and gazed into Oscar’s eyes, who was looking back at him equally serious.
“Take good care of Willa, Oscar, protect her and keep an eye on the big guy over there." he gestured to Cupcake. Oscar looked pensive but then he let a low whimper.
Mathias smiled at him and patted his head. “Good boy."
“Um, I’m sorry I don’t speak Dogenese, what did he say?"
“He said he’ll be good and that he’ll wait for me,” Mathias replied staring intently in my eyes.
I sucked in my breath and let it out slowly before answering flippantly. “Well, you never know he may have a new master by the time you come home."
“I feel sorry for him,” he grimly
“Oscar or his new master?" I asked breathlessly
“His new master,” he answered. “I would hate to have to kill him."
I shook my head. “Be safe."
"Be good,” he said before giving us one last look until finally he walked to the door. He had hesitated a second before he disappeared into the night, leaving behind his dog and my aching heart.
I turned to my iPod docking station after a few minutes and proceeded to play Mumford and Son’s “I will wait for you" several times before shaking my head.
“OK Willa. You are way too old to be in High School." I said aloud before dragging my watchdogs off to bed where I lay awake staring at the ceiling until finally I fell asleep.
The next morning I awoke still tired and empty, until that is; I took in the surrounding scene. Cupcake was lying next to me, curled up contently, and Oscar was snuggled on the end of my bed.
“I never thought I would be the kind of girl that sleeps with two guys at the same time." I cracked. Oscar gave me a disapproving look that reminded me of Mathias.
“Was that too much?" I asked. Chuckling I climbed out of bed and got ready for the day.
Taking care of two dogs was a little more challenging, especially when your ill-mannered dog, wanted to eat both his and his houseguests breakfast. Finally, I got them settled back in after a romp outside and was relaxing with a cup of tea when my doorbell rang.
I opened the door and was surprised and pleased to see Riah standing there looking devilishly handsome as always.
“Lord Hawkins, always a pleasure. What brings you here today?" I asked
“That’s Guardian Hawkins to you,” he answered. “I am here to report for my first day of duty my Lady."
“Excuse me?"
“You didn't hear the good news?" he asked. When I continued to stare at him blankly he continued. “I am now your official Guardian."
“Shut the front door." I said emphatically. “There is no way, no way in Hell, that Mathias and my grandmother would make you my Guardian."
“I had to go through a rigorous interview and evaluation process, but I passed with flying colors and here I am,” he replied. “I’m ready to serve and protect my fair Princess with a helping hand."
“Wow, they must have threatened you. Usually, you offer me another part of your body,” I smiled
“Don’t underestimate the use of a good, strong hand." he winked
“Well, come on in, I guess, we’ll go over your duties,” I gestured through the door for him to enter. He followed me into the kitchen where I stood sipping my tea.
“So what’s on the agenda for today? A long, hot, bubble bath maybe?" he asked
“Sorry, you’re about an hour too late." I replied. “No, on the agenda is an exciting day of training with my grandmother and research in the library."
“The library?" he asked. “What are we researching?"
“The Four Fae Sanctities,” I replied dryly
“Myth and Legend." he said. “Fantastic."
“Have you ever heard of them?" I asked curiously. Riah wasn’t that old but I had a feeling he knew things that others didn’t. For all his pomp and circumstance, Riah was the type that could fit in effortlessly with the underbelly of society after he had tea with the Queen.
“Of course, but you're chasing a fairy tale. Even if, and that’s a big if, you were to find them, you would still have to figure out how to use them."
"What do you mean?" I asked perplexed.
“Willa." he started. “Do you have any idea how difficult it is to catch a Fae? Not only can they teleport but they can also create a protective barrier around them with their elements. Plus you would need to figure out how to use whatever weapon you find"
“So it’s impossible?" I asked deflated
“Nothing is impossible. Look at you. This is dangerous though. The Fae don’t play by our rules. The Court there is different and intricate,” he answered
“That’s what Mathias said,” I murmured as my cell phone rang.
“Hello?” I answered it distractedly.
“Hi sweetheart,” Cecily said
“Hey Mom, what’s up?" I asked my mind still on the mythical weapons. When she didn’t answer I said her name again, "Mom?"
“Is Riah there with you?" she asked
“Yes, he just got here. What’s wrong?" I asked worried
“Nothing,” she replied. “But you do need to come to the castle as soon as you can."
“OK,” I answered “Why? What’s going on? What’s the 411?"
“411?" She asked confused.
“Oh God Mom, if I have to explain it…"
“Please get here soon all right?" she said. “And wear something presentable."
“Presentable for whom?" I asked curiously
There was a short pause before she replied, "Queen Sidra and Prince Kelvin have arrived for a secret visit."
“My fairy grandparents are here?" I asked “Brilliant. Does she carry a wand?"
“Oh Willa, just get here soon ok?" Cecily sighed
“Will do,” I replied before I hung up the phone and faced Riah. “Did you hear?"
Riah nodded. “Are you ready for this?"
His question stopped me short. Was I ready for this? Well let’s see, so far I had been yanked from my seemingly normal life as a bakery owner and plunged into a paranormal world where vampires, witches, and fairies were real. Told I was a Gypsy-Fae Princess with abnormal but extraordinary powers and went from having no family to a whole brood of delightful fun loving relatives. I had gone from having a hostile relationship with my grandmother to a more accepting one. Found out my wacky best friend was a wood nymph, lost my new friend and Guardian, who was killed right before my eyes. I had become a killer of the Rau with my freaky fire. Found out a witch, and Fae Lord want to kidnap me and steal my powers. Secured my own house, and gone about starting another new business all in a little over a month.
Oh yeah, and I was fully embroiled in a complicated relationship with a stubborn and enigmatic vampire whose very presence set my soul on fire but was fighting me tooth and nail because he couldn’t seem to accept the huge, flashing signs of fate that were being flung our
way.
Did I want more craziness in my life? No
But could I handle it?
I smiled at Riah. “Easy peasy, lemon squeezy."
Isle of Night
By Shannon Barczak
Book Two of the Skye Trilogy
All Rights Reserved
Copyright@ 2014 Shannon Barczak
No part of this book may be reproduced,
distributed or transmitted in any form or
by any means or stored into a database retrieval
system without the prior written permission of the author.
You must not circulate this book in any format.
Thank you for respecting the rights of the author.
The author acknowledges the trademarked status
and trademark owner of various products referenced
in this work of fiction, which has been used
without permission. The publication use of trademarks
is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the
trademark owners. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance
of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely
coincidental.
www.shannonbarczakbooks.com
Cover Design by Shannon Barczak
Acknowledgements
I want to thank all my readers and new fans. You have
all been amazing.
A big shout out to Jen R. I could not have done this
Without your unwavering support and encouragement.
To Ethan, Wyatt, and Lilah. I’m horribly lucky to have
such wonderful children.
Sorry E & Wy , I didn’t incorporate a flame thrower or
bucket in the story
To Mary Margaret, you are truly my sister at heart
Last but not least, to David, you are my dark night. There would be no
Mathias without you to inspire and frustrate me.
Dedication
This book is dedicated to my parents Murrey and Roberta. You both
are amazing and I am proud to call you mine.
I’m sorry about the whole lighting your car on fire when
I was younger. Thanks for sticking it out with me and not
dropping me off on the steps of some orphanage.
Sleep from my soul began retreating,
And here you once again appear
Before me like a vision fleeting,
A beauty’s angel pure and clear.
In ecstasy the heart is beating,
Old joys for it anew revive;
Inspired and God-filled, it is a greeting
The fire, and tears, and love alive.
-Wondrous Moment
By Alexander Pushkin
Prologue
Streaks of pink and orange slashed across the darkening sky. Twilight had come to my island. I was momentarily distracted by the beauty of Mother Nature. Even the waves that had been churning all day seemed quietly to bask in the magnificent splendor.
I sat gathering my thoughts before I continued writing in my journal. Watching the spectacular setting sun, I’m reminded of a time when I didn’t fear the night. It’s amazing how there once was a time when my heart didn’t race at the sight of the first stars shining brightly.
A time when I didn’t know about what slithers and stalks in the night.
The first part of my story seems almost tame compared to what happens next. Events that changed the course of my life seemed to explode in the coming months after I first came to the island. I was so naïve. I thought the fact my mom was a Gypsy clan princess with Caster powers and my dad a Fae prince was the start and end of my journey.
How wrong I was.
I’m apparently an extreme version of both. I was a full on Gypsy-Fae hybrid, who had inherited a full blast of powers from both sides. My parents ran away together one hundred and fifty years ago because they knew that they would never be allowed to be together. Gypsies and Fae are not supposed to be able to conceive children with one another so usually any serious romance between the two kinds are frowned upon by both sides.
I am the only being that has ever been conceived by a Fae and a Gypsy. I was born and raised in Yuma, Arizona, and my parents gave me the best life possible, but inevitably the truth finally came out. After years of hiding, my parents had to reveal to me that not only were they part of this fairytale supernatural world but the evil that preys on them were real as well.
The Rau were evil vampires that hunt and crave our blood. I didn’t want to believe it at first. I wanted to sweep it under the carpet and forget I had ever heard about any of their fantastic tales. When my parents showed me, not only their powers, but unmasked the spell to release mine I had no choice, but to accept what was in front of me.
Not only did I have to embrace who I was, but I also had to reconcile the fact that there were good vampires in this world. The Guardians of Solas were protectors for the clan of Skye. Three of them came to Yuma to escort us through a portal to the island. The moment I set eyes on Mathias my heart started racing. I had never put much stock into the theory of love at first sight, but I was a goner when his hooded whiskey smoked eyes seared into mine.
I tried to adjust to life on the island but after discovering my Cousin Julia’s journal my life again erupted in chaos. Mathias and I, along with Frank, another Guardian travelled to London to rescue my sightseer cousin and her mother, my Aunt Gussie from the Rau. Frank came along because his mate Leona had also been captured with Julia.
We not only found them held captive in an abandoned warehouse, but we had also encountered Mathias’s hateful father and brother. I had been so overwhelmed with everything that had happened from that night. My Guardian and friend Serena had jumped through the portal that we had created to try and save me. Unfortunately, she was killed, and I was left to deal with the guilt.
Julia and I also had visions of a Fae Lord and a witch that was planning to invade our island with the Rau. They wanted to kill the clan but keep me alive so they could strip my powers from my body and take them for themselves. Mathias left shortly after we returned to find clues as to their identities but also recruit any Guardians he could to come back to the island for added protection.
He left me with a broken heart and our two dogs.
Mathias and I were what they call ‘True Mates.' We could speak to each other with just our minds and Mathias could also fall asleep with me which was a big deal for a vampire. Usually they had to be locked in an impenetrable structure before they could feel comfortable enough to fall into their deep coma like sleep.
When he left, I felt like he took a piece of me with him. I had so much to deal with on my own. To have him gone while I was still trying to acclimate and figure out how to stop a war from breaking out had been hell. I missed his candor and our witty repertoire. I even missed him trying to boss me around and making fun of me. Most of all I just missed him.
I stopped writing for a moment and took a sip from my tea. I thought about the second part of my story and how I could put it all into words. It reminded me of Charles Dickens and a ‘Tale of Two Cities.'
‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.'
Chapter One
The late morning sun was just starting to peak through the clouds as I drove into town on the morning of my birthday. I parked my kick ass golf cart in a spot down from my bakery and waved to my friend Mary, who owned ‘The Kitchen Magician.' She gave me a full smile from her storefront before heading back to work on a spring display in the window.
I walked up the brick sidewalk and turned around in a half circle to survey the bustling activity in the square. I loved this little town. In the few short months that I had been here on the Isle of Skye I already regarded it as my own.
So much had happened since the time I arrived. I left my comfortable, ordinary life in Yuma, Arizona after being told I was a royal Gypsy-Fae princess. My mom, a Gypsy princess and my dad a Fae prince, had dropped th
e bombshell after being discovered by our enemy. The evil vampires that were known as the Rau craved and hunted our rich blood.
After a cross country journey with Mathias, a Guardian of the Solas or Vampire of light, I opened a portal at the North American Fae Reserve in Vermont with the help of an Earth Fae named Marilei. While I adjusted to my new life, I had to prove to my grandmother, Queen Winifred that I was not going to bring death and destruction to the island residents. I led a mission to rescue my cousin Julia and Aunt Gussie, who was kidnapped by the Rau. I had to watch my new friend and Guardian Serena die right in front of me all because she was trying to protect me.
I also had to deal with my newfound intense feelings for Mathias. Even though, the signs that we were true mates were almost painfully obvious, Mathias was fighting it with an effort worthy of a championship boxer. Apparently being able to fall asleep with me and speak to each other through our minds wasn’t enough evidence for him. He was also the only vampire who could drink my blood that was like poison to all others.
The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook* Page 34