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

by Shannon Barczak

  I tried to absorb her words but before I could take everything she said in, she continued. “I’ll be seeing you sooner than you think. Listen to your heart. It will guide you even in your darkest days. Be well my darling girl.”

  I blinked back tears as she turned and walked away. Kelvin simply put his hands around my face and kissed my forehead before leaving. Robert guided Winifred and me out of the room. We followed him to the end of the hall. He placed his hand behind the tapestry on the wall and revealed a hidden panel.

  He slid the panel open, and my grandmother and I entered the dark stairway. We descended deep into the earth beneath the castle until finally we stopped outside a large steel door. It opened suddenly and out walked Milton. My shoulders sagged in relief as I spied Polly and the dogs over his shoulders.

  “Milton, thank you.” I said before impulsively giving him a hug. “Be safe my friend.”

  “I will.” he said thoughtfully before disappearing up the stairs and out of sight. My parent’s immediately reached out towards me, but Cupcake and Oscar had other ideas. They both pounced on me and started whining frantically. After several minutes, I finally calmed both of them down and turned to my grandmother.

  She reached for my hand and together with my mother we began to chant the spell that had protected our island for so long. I was relieved that the elements had stayed with me since I had first journeyed outside. I used their power to calm my racing heart.

  We call upon the watchtowers of the North, South, East and West

  We call upon Earth, Air, Water and Fire

  Protect this island and all who reside here

  We seek to keep out those who wish us harm

  We beg for your glory to shelter us from evil

  The invisible wall is vast and we offer to you this humble sacrifice

  Winifred, my mother and I all took turns slicing a small cut on our fingers. As always, I watched in amazement as the tiny drops of blood on the ground swirled up and disappeared into the air.

  We continued to do the chant for another hour before finally my grandmother sank to the ground and cried out. I too felt the change in the air around us.

  The barriers were down. The Isle of Skye was now unprotected.

  I had no idea how Sabine could’ve done this. The amount of magic that she had to perform must be incredible. I realized that she had years, centuries even to plan this but still it was mind boggling. The sound of telephone ringing broke startled me. I knew without a doubt it was Mathias informing us of the breech.

  “I will tell them.” Riah said a few seconds later. He hung up and faced us. “The barriers are down.”

  “How many are there?” Robert asked

  “Between five and six hundred.” he answered grimly

  Everyone in the room gasped and Robert swore under his breath. I started rubbing my pounding forehead when a knock at the door made us all jump. Robert glanced at the small peephole before yanking it open violently. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw Katya. I had wondered where she was and how that would affect Robert. I assumed the two older people that followed her and Kathleen were her parents and I was glad for Katya that they were with her.

  When Robert secured the door, Riah came over to where my grandmother and I stood. “My Queen, Mathias and the other guardians are awaiting your instructions.”

  “Are they all gathered at headquarters?” she asked

  “Yes, everyone is there. Mathias also believes that most residents are safe. We are still waiting to hear word on some of the fisherman but everyone else is accounted for and is ensconced in their respective safe rooms.”

  Winifred let out a big sigh. “That is good news.”

  Riah stood almost awkwardly. I could tell he was waiting for an answer but didn’t want to press my grandmother. When she finally held her head up and squared her shoulders, I knew what she was going to say.

  “Tell Mathias to prepare the Guardians for a counterattack. If its war they seek, then it’s a war we will gladly give them.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Everyone froze at my grandmother's words. I know that as queen sometimes you had to make these kinds of decisions but still to hear someone give a command calling for war was not something you wanted to witness.

  I sat down by Polly on the other side of the room. Cupcake and Oscar had been glued to my side, and I was thankful for their presence. I couldn’t shake the feeling though that this was my fault. After all, they only wanted me, didn’t they? There were no guarantees with that line of thinking though. Even if I did hand myself over I was pretty confident that she would let the Rau loose on the clan.

  “There’s nothing you can do Willa.” Polly said

  “I’m not so sure of that.” I answered. She tried to engage me in more conversation, but I didn’t respond.

  I remembered what Sidra had said to me before she left. She thought I was the most powerful being on earth, but why? I wondered. What did she know about me that made her say that? She told me to believe in myself but what more could I do?

  I stared down at my hands, and that’s when the craziest plan I had ever had begun to form in my head. I almost dismissed it at once. It was insane. There was no way I could pull it off. As I looked around the room though I realized that almost everyone, I cared about was in here. I was surrounded by my family, and it was at that moment I knew I had to at least try and protect them.

  I was also well aware that I couldn’t do it alone. There was no way I would be able to take on five or six hundred Rau and a powerful witch by myself. I raised my head and stared at my grandmother. I gently pushed some of my magic at her. When she looked up, our eyes met, and I tried to convey my plan.

  I saw her stand up and walk over to me casually. “Polly,” said Winifred. “Do you mind if I talk to Willa for a minute in private? I was hoping we could brainstorm about a few defensive spells.”

  Polly stood up and went to stand with Julia. I grabbed my grandmother’s hand and whispered. “Can you take on Sabine?”

  Winifred snorted. “Please, do not insult me.”

  “Then hold on Granny.” I said before teleporting us out of the room. I could hear the yells and cries but ignored them. We landed in the kitchen of the bakery, and we both glanced around to see if it was occupied. When we saw that we were alone, we started to cast enchantments against any visitors. I had no wish for any prying eyes and ears.

  “What’s your plan?” she asked

  I started to tell her but was distracted by Mathias’s voice screaming in my head.

  WILLA, GET YOURSELF AND YOUR GRANDMOTHER BACK TO THE SAFE ROOM NOW. This is not a request!

  Mathias you need to trust me

  Get back there NOW!

  I need you to do something for me. Make sure all the Guardians stay underground. Under no circumstance will you or anyone else go outside

  GET BACK NOW

  Please, please trust me. I think I can take them on but not if you are here

  Willa do not, I repeat, do not engage in any battle. There are too many of them

  Not for a human nuclear freaky fire bomb

  There was a long pause before he spoke, what are you talking about?

  I pressed my hands to my eyes. My grandmother was looking at me with concern.

  I don’t know if I can kill them all but if I can take out at least half it will give you guys a chance

  Willa, please, don’t do this

  I have too

  I…

  I know Mathias. Right back at you

  “Willa?” my grandmother asked

  “I’m fine. I just needed to gather my thoughts.” I said. “Ok, so here’s what we need to do. You need to distract Sabine. She’s a vampire, so she’s stronger and faster, but I think she will want to prove herself as a witch to you. I’m not sure what Fae powers she still has. So we have to assume she’s able to teleport. You need to keep moving. Don’t stay in the same place for too long.”

  “What are you going
to do?” she asked

  “I’m going to fuck up some Rau.”

  “How?” she asked. “Your fire is powerful but there are too many of them.”

  “Just keep Sabine and her powers busy.” I said. “Don’t worry about me.”

  Winifred nodded, and we held hands as we walked outside. I could feel the red eyes of the Rau on us, but no one made a move to attack. Sabine appeared from behind the town’s statue, and her tinkling laugh rang through the unnatural night.

  “Well, look who has come out to play.” she said as she sauntered towards us. I wanted to dust her right then and there, but I blocked out my hatred. I focused on the several hundred Rau that began to surround us. I had to keep them away from my grandmother. My thoughts raced as I quickly went through my options.

  “I’m curious though, why did you bring your grandmother?” she asked. “All we want is you. There was no reason to drag the Queen into this. All you have to do is surrender to me, and I will call off the Rau.”

  “Really?” I asked, feigning wide eyed innocence. “Wow, this must be my lucky day. Earlier someone sold me a bridge in Brooklyn.”

  Sabine’s eyes narrowed and before I could even react I was thrown off my feet. I landed hard into the wall of the bookstore. She started to chuckle, but her laugh was cut off by a gurgling sound. Sabine grabbed her throat and struggled to stand. I looked over at my grandmother who seemed to be standing there nonchalantly.

  I stood up to watch Sabine. When she finally broke free, she gave us the most hateful glare. I couldn’t help but smile. My grandmother was awesome. We stood staring at each other for a minute. We were all pondering our next move. When Sabine glanced at me, I began to feel anxious. I had enough of this Mexican standoff crap. So I did the only thing I could think of at that moment.

  I winked at her and then in a flash it was on like Donkey Kong

  Sabine and my grandmother started firing curses at each other furiously. I watched for a second before I unmasked my scent and teleported off into the field by the castle. I had taken a deep breath before I saw hundreds of Rau vampires flying towards me but when the first hundred or so touched the ground and began to advance, I teleported around each one of them as quickly as I could setting them on fire with my freaky flames.

  I vaguely was aware of their screams, but I had bigger to fish to fry. One by one they landed in the field and stood in a circle around me. The glow of several hundred red eyes almost made me faint, but I swallowed my fear. I had to do this. There was no turning back now.

  I heard them whisper to each other. It sounded like a log hissing in a fire. I could just make out the words, ‘Rush her,’ before I finally set my plan into action. I teleported to the sky as soon as I saw a few break towards me. I called upon the air to keep me steady and up high. A rush of wind began to fly around me at once.

  This was not a gentle stir of the air. Beneath my feet was a roaring tornado. I knew I should be afraid and somewhat fearful but instead I felt almost happy. The air had come to me easily in my time of need. I didn’t need to try to control it, and it didn’t want me too.

  I could see the stunned faces of the Rau but eventually the scent of my blood overcame their shock. They tried to fly up towards me, but the air pushed them back to the ground like they were little ants. I stared at my hands and concentrated on my fire. I willed it to grow bigger and bigger until soon I was completely engulfed in flames.

  The power was intoxicating. I felt invincible. As the flames tore through me, I was aware of what could happen if I didn’t control it. I knew it would eventual suck me into its deadly blanket, but I didn’t care because I needed every ounce of fire that I could produce.

  My arms and legs were glowing purple. Even my hair started to curl around my face and shoulders in heat. My toes curled with warmth and suddenly I was tingly from the top of my head to the heels of my feet.

  It was time.

  I unleashed my fire, and I could see it shoot out of my body towards the ground. There were no screams this time because the minute the fire hit them; the Rau burst into flames and turned to ash. I slowly turned on the tornado that was beneath my feet and kept shooting flames towards them.

  I pictured different places in my mind and expertly flung my purple flames of death wherever I wanted it to go. It never once fought me. In fact, it seemed to be waiting for me. I could feel the happiness that came through my fire and into my body.

  The power swirled around me, and when I finally opened my eyes, I saw that there was nothing left on the ground but gray ashes. I slowly tried to get control of my flames. I knew it didn’t want to leave me, but I coaxed my fire slowly to burn out of my body. When there was only a small amount still dancing in my hands, I smiled and gave it my most heartfelt gratitude.

  I felt almost sad when it died out. It was as a part of my soul had been snuffed out. I laughed in delight a few seconds later when I could still feel a tiny amount lingering. That’s when I knew it would always be there. I would never be able to release it, and that was fine with me.

  I willed the air to die down as well. I slowly descended to the ground and almost laid out drunk with the electric currents that were flowing through my body. There was something nagging at me in the back of my mind, but I tried to shut it out. All I wanted to do was to lay here and bask in the power that still surrounded me.

  Then I remembered my grandmother.

  I shot up and teleported quickly back to where I had left her. I let out a sigh of relief when I saw that she was still holding her own against Sabine. Suddenly though, Sabine let out a torrent of curses and my grandmother fell to the ground. I yelled out and tried to reach her as soon as I could, but Sabine had gotten to her first and held her neck in her hands.

  “Move back Willa.” Sabine ordered. “I will kill her.”

  “What do you want Sabine?” I asked. “Your army is dead.”

  “I want you,” she said. “If you don’t agree to come with me then I will snap her neck.”

  “Look I don’t know what you’ve heard but I don’t play for the girl's team.” I said. “I’m flattered, really, and I’m totally down with equal rights for all but…”

  Sabine clutched my grandmother’s neck tighter. “You think you’re so amusing. All I have heard since I came back to this God forsaken island is how Willa is so clever and funny.”

  “I was voted class clown my senior year of high school.” I said. “I have the yearbook back at my house if you want proof.”

  “I cannot wait to see the shell of a person you become when we strip you of your powers.” Sabine sneered. “We’ll see how many humorous you are then.”

  “I’ll have you know I was pretty entertaining before I even knew I had any powers.” I replied. “Now release my grandmother before I burn your skinny ass and fake weave to smithereens you fucking douchebag.”

  Sabine’s eyes went wide at my insult. “Someone ought to wash your mouth out with soap.”

  “My mother did do that one time with Lava soap and guess what?” I asked. “It only made it worse.”

  Sabine shifted slightly and pulled on Winifred’s neck even tighter. I knew that mouthing off to her wasn’t the smartest idea, but the longer I stood there the angrier I became. I could see my grandmother was weak from the magical battle she had engaged with Sabine. I also saw that the pallor of her face was getting whiter and whiter.

  My eyes followed her every move. I knew she was going to snap her neck no matter what I did. I tried to think of the way to get my grandmother out of harm’s way, but I couldn’t. Even if I could catch Sabine off guard, she was still fast enough to kill Winifred, and there was no way of knowing what my freaky fire would do to my grandmother.

  “Let her go Sabine.” Mathias said

  I turned around in surprise. How dare he? I told him to stay put.

  “Mathias, you can’t save either one.” Sabine said. “I have all the cards in my hand.”

  “I’ve never been much of a card player.” Mat
hias replied. “Let her go.”

  Sabine giggled. I was sickened by her display. I felt myself grow even more infuriated when she continued to laugh. I could feel a massive amount of anger and contempt well up inside of me. Instead of flinging my fire at her, I flung my hatred. I saw her stumble and release my grandmother. Mathias sprinted past me and grabbed a very weak Winifred. When he stopped we both had the same bewildered expression.

  “Get her out of here now, Mathias.” I said through my teeth but still he looked indecisive

  “No. Save Willa, Mathias,” my grandmother croaked

  Sabine rolled her eyes. “Good Lord, what a bunch of saps.”

  I was getting angry by Mathias’s reluctance to leave. Didn’t he see I could take care of myself? I thought

  That was until Sabine flew at me and grabbed my neck. When she tried to turn it, I saw stars dancing before my eyes. Suddenly she was being ripped off of me. Mathias reached into her chest and tore her heart out. He grabbed her head and pulled it off before throwing it to the side.

  When our eyes met, I gave him a tearful smile. The battle was over, maybe not the whole war but I’m sure by killing Sabine we had made a chink in the Fae Lords armor. When I heard my grandmother gasp, I rushed over to her side.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked. “What hurts?”

  She shook her head and stared at Mathias in horror. At first I was confused but then I noticed why she was in such shock. Mathias’s eyes were glowing red. He had let down his guard and shown Winifred what he was.

  “Gran, it’s not what you think.” I started to say

  “Mathias?” she asked. “Your eyes are red.”

  Mathias shut his offending eyes, and I could visibly see he shoulders sag. I knew he was ashamed. He had tried for so long to keep his true nature under wraps but tonight he had failed.

  “It’s not what you think.” I repeated, but she wasn’t listening to me. She rose to her feet shakily and walked over to him. “Please, let him explain.”

  “Look at me.” she ordered Mathias. When he finally opened his eyes they were a rich, whiskey color that I loved so much. My relief was short lived though. Winifred wasn’t going to let this go.