He waved. “I’ve come to work on yer stones. I’m not disturbing ya ladies, am I?”
I smiled and waved back, “Not at all.”
I watched as he worked in the summer heat. He took his shirt off shortly after starting. His tan muscles gleamed with sweat as he replaced stone and mortar. I was having trouble concentrating on my book when Joy snapped me out of my reverie. “So what are you doing here anyway? I mean I know Gran has said that you’ve stayed with her before, but not for this long. What’s the deal?”
I shrugged feeling a bit more relaxed as I watched Ultan continue his work. I hadn’t explained my reasoning for being here to anyone yet. I had brushed off the situation as Gran just needing help with the big place. I wasn’t sure I was ready to, Nick and that whole part of my life had seemed to disappear over the past few weeks. But now seeing a guy who looked like him here in Salem, I was feeling a bit unsure of myself. I took a sip from my lemonade and decided I was going to tell her.
“If you really want to know, I was seeing this guy.”
Joy put down her magazine and turned her full attention on me. “Whoa, this is going be good. I can tell.” If she only knew the story I was about to tell her, she wouldn’t have said that.
I sighed and continued, “His name was Nick. And he was the most beautiful person in the entire world. The story is pretty simple, one night he just disappeared. It was really awful for me, I didn’t get out of bed for days, I refused to eat and then I quit school for a little while. That’s why I stopped painting. The last painting I did was of him. I was pretty talented then, but I couldn’t continue without him. We were meant for each other and with him gone things just didn’t feel the same. I lost my internship and I had to move back in with my parents, I’ve been living there ever since. Gran has been getting hurt and we decided that she couldn’t live on her own anymore, so I came to stay with her and here I am.” I put my hands out to display myself in a very Vanna White sort of way, but Joy just sat still, looking at me completely dumbfounded. We sat there for a few moments while she was speechless, staring at me as if there was more to the story, like I would say that I was joking or something. But we both knew that I wasn’t.
Finally she took a deep breath and sat up taking my hand in hers. Her tanned skin looked odd against my porcelain tones. “Wow. I’m so sorry Paige. If I had known all that I never would’ve asked, I swear. You really loved him, didn’t you?”
I looked over her shoulder for a moment, unsure of how to answer, but I decided that honesty was what was going to get me through this.
“I thought we’re going to get married. I guess I was wrong.” I sighed. It burned me to think about the dresses I had circled in catalogues.
Joy nodded as she patted my hand, “I don’t mean to pry but… did they ever find him?”
“No,” I said looking back at her. I shrugged, “I guess I just need to get used to it. This is my new life now and for the first time in the past ten months I’m really starting to be okay with that.”
Joy smiled as she continued to pat my hand. “I’m glad you’re here.”
I smiled back at her, “Me, too.”
As she settled back against the chaise lounge once more I found myself looking back at Ultan. He hadn’t even noticed Joy and my heart to heart, completely drawn into his work. I remembered that feeling, and somehow I thought I was getting back to it.
I watched as he walked towards us. “Little hot today, isn’t it?”
I nodded. “It is. Can I get you a glass of lemonade?”
He smiled. “That would be nice.” He offered me a hand and I took it standing up. He walked in front of me towards the back of the house and I looked over my shoulder at Joy.
“Now’s a good time as any to move on.” She winked at me.
I rolled my eyes at her.
We walked around the back of the house when suddenly Ultan pushed me against the rough exterior of the house. He was so close to me I could feel the heat emanating from his body.
“Ultan… I…” I breathed out.
“Shh… don’t talk.” He looked around him like someone might be listening. “Ya need to know something.”
“What? I don’t understand.”
“Yer in danger lass.”
“What?”
“Danger. There are people that are out there. People who want to hurt ya.”
“I don’t understand.” I pushed him back. “You should go.”
He didn’t move. “I need you to be safe. I care about ya.”
“You don’t even know me. Now this isn’t funny, leave.” I pushed again and this time he moved away.
“You can’t say I didn’t warn ya.”
“You’re right. I can’t. Now leave.”
He turned on his heel and left. I walked around the side of the house and Joy looked at me confused. I waved her off and went into the house. I needed a break from all things Salem.
+++
A few days later, I was working by myself in the gallery. Joy had said she was going to visit family and needed me to watch the gallery for a couple days. I didn't mind and it was encouraging to think that she was going home, wherever home was.
I was cataloguing the new pieces in the back when I heard the door chime tinkle. I popped my head around the corner but didn't see anyone, so I continued to work for a few minutes. Then I heard footsteps on the hardwood floor and decided to investigate. Business had been slow all day and we needed a sale. It was time to turn on my charm.
Ultan was standing there staring openly at the picture of Swish, my painting of a goldfish. He was standing with his back to me, dressed in tight jeans and an aged brown leather coat. He looked like he had money, like his jacket was purposefully ripped in certain places. It was the first time I had seen him like this. When I realized I had been staring at him long enough, I figured I should say something. But what to say? Last time I saw him he warned me I was in danger. What more was there to say?
“Can I help you?” I asked meekly. I kept my hands in my pockets for fear of over gesturing due to my nervousness.
“Paige, I was hoping to find ya here. Holdin’ up okay since the incident?”
I didn’t respond. He moved towards me. “I’m sorry about what I told ya. It was too much, too soon.”
“It’s fine. I’m okay. You were just worried about me.”
“Ya have no idea.”
I brushed him off. “Do you like the painting?”
He looked back at the gigantic goldfish, “I do. It’s got whimsy. Well, and the fact that ya painted it doesn’t hurt its value to me.”
I stopped walking towards him, “How did you know it was mine?”
He turned back to look at me and laughed. “Isn’t that Swish? Julie’s little friend?”
I felt paralyzed, how did Ultan know so much about my painting? About me? I didn’t know how to react so I just stood there, dumbfounded by this odd turn in my Sunday afternoon.
I thought for a second and then reacted as I had ever since Nick’s disappearance, with anger, my best defense. “You didn’t answer my question.”
He stared at me for a second and then said, “Well, I thought when Nick told me about this one that it was kind of weird. But now, seeing it in person, I get why he liked it.”
I doubled over, feeling like I had just been punched. He ran to my side to help me to a stool near the front desk. “Ya alright lass? I’ve never seen someone react like that. I like the painting, really. I didn’t mean to offend.”
I lifted my head so that my eyes could reach his concerned gaze. “You knew Nick?”
His brow furrowed as he examined my face, “Well, yes, I did. Didn’t yer Gran tell ya?” When I didn’t respond he threw his hands up in the air, “No wonder yer looking at me like I’m a fecking header!”
I couldn’t understand what he was playing at, besides a sick joke.
I stood up from the stool feeling as though my legs could support me again. “Look, I think you should ju
st leave. I don’t know who you think you are, but Nick has been gone a long time. No one has heard from him and he never mentioned you. You need to go. This isn’t funny.”
He walked toward me slowly, hands outstretched, almost as if to say he surrendered. “Darlin’ please, I didn’t mean to frighten ya. Clearly there’s been a misunderstanding. I just didn’t think ya should be alone with a murderer running around town.” He paused and I considered the situation for a moment. He had come to check on me right after it happened. But this was our fourth meeting in only a few weeks. Why hadn’t he mentioned Nick before?
“I’m sorry lass, I thought yer Gran would have told ya I knew him.”
“Well, she didn’t. And I can take care of myself thank you. It’s time for you to go.” I stood firmly in my spot.
He shook his head, looking back to me, “Oh bloody hell, I’m leaving.”
He stomped to the door, but as it chimed he turned back to me. “You know what, Paige? Ask yer Gran about the book and tell her I was here.”
Once he left I considered calling Gran and questioning her about her relationship with this guy. Before, he had seemed attractive and pleasant, but now he was dark and angry. I didn’t think I could handle any more baggage than my own. As I grabbed my cell to dial her number I noticed something strange out of the corner of my eye.
I squinted at my painting of Swish and I could swear something was different about it. I stood there for a long time, trying to decide if it was just the light, but then I realized it wasn’t the light, it was the fish. Swish had moved about an inch further into the painting. You could now see more of his tail and less of his fishy lips. This was not the original image.
“That is not possible,” I said aloud. I knew it wasn’t, I mean I had painted that thing myself. But sure enough, the painting was clearly different than I had made it. I stared at the door once more, willing myself to see Ultan in my head. What had he said to ask Gran? Something about a book.
But what did Swish, Ultan, Nick and a book have to do with each other? Nothing. Or was there something? Whatever it was, I had to find out.
I turned the lights out right before I locked up and studied the image one last time. It was definitely altered and that frightened me.
3
I had decided that Ultan’s behavior was unruly and he had probably just been drunk. I wasn't going to give his crazy accusations the time of day and I hadn't mentioned any of it to Gran, or Joy when she returned. Joy seemed to be in a better mood when she came back and we decided to go shopping in downtown Salem. I was specifically looking for a new book, but Joy was always on the lookout for a new fragrance or the newest clothing line.
“So how was your visit with your family?” I asked inquisitively. Joy hadn’t mentioned much about them and I was interested to see who she felt was finally worth her time.
Joy was distracted and answered absentmindedly, “Oh, you know, fine.”
I squinted at her. “See anyone in particular?”
She stopped for a moment and looked into a store window. “Just my aunt. She lives in Virginia.” She shrugged, turning back to face me. “I don’t know, she just… doesn’t get it. You know how non-artsy people are. They think our livelihood is a hobby. I find it exhausting.”
“Is that why you don’t go to visit often? She doesn’t believe in your work?”
“Yeah. But whatever, right? I refuse to let her ruin my great shopping mood today. Let’s go in here.” She motioned to a small apothecary shop on the corner.
“In there? Why?” Joy had never taken me into one of the Wiccan shops before. I didn’t really want to go. They smelled like incense and I didn’t want to smell that on me the rest of the day.
“Oh, come on,” she said, taking my hand.
I followed her dutifully into the shop and looked around. The place was chalk full of clutter from floor to ceiling. All I could see was pentagrams and books, bottles and candles. It was hard to breathe and even harder to move. From behind the counter emerged an elderly woman I had seen visit Gran on occasion. For the life of me I couldn’t remember her name.
“Joy, dear,” said the wrinkled woman from beneath at least three shawls. She was short and stout, with white hair piled in a bun on the top of her head. It made her appear slightly taller than she really was. She took Joy’s hand in her own and cupped her frail fingers around it. She closed her eyes for a moment and turned her face as if she were listening, though neither of us were talking. I looked at Joy but she seemed relaxed. “We need to brew you up some mint chamomile tea dear. I’m guessing you went to see your Aunt Myra again?”
The hunched over woman shuffled away as Joy answered, “Yes. I know you don’t like her, but she’s family.”
“Poppycock!” The woman threw her small hands in the air. She turned to glare at Joy, “Family doesn’t abandon their own. Especially in a time of need. Myra knows that.” She began muttering to herself while collecting vials and pouches. “Nasty woman. Think she knows everything.”
The old woman continued to bustle around her counter, clinking small bottles and pouring things into a carafe. Suddenly she stopped and turned her head once again as if she was listening, until she turned to Joy and said, “Joy! You didn't tell me we had a visitor.”
“I was waiting for you to ask,” Joy said smiling. “This is Paige. Paige this is Beatrice.”
“Not Aine's grandchild is it?” She shuffled back around the counter and slowly approached me.
Joy continued to smile as if she was proud of me for some unknown reason. “Yes, the very one. I know you wanted to meet her for some time. I thought since we were in the neighborhood it would be as good a day as any.”
“Yes, yes. I’ve been to house several times, but I always just miss you.” Beatrice came right up next to me and stole my hand. She cupped it in her cold, bony fingers, just as she had with Joy’s, but I didn't feel the sense of relaxation I had suspected that Joy had been feeling, instead I felt warm. Warmth emanating from her small hands, filling my body from my fingertips all the way into my heart. “What is she...”
“Shhh child, I'm working.”
“Working? Working on what?”
Joy smiled from above the older woman. “Beatrice she doesn’t know what your gift is. You’re scaring her.”
“Yes, well,” she released my hands began to walk away. “Joy come over here for your tea and then you two should be on your way.”
Joy approached the counter and laid her hands in front of the older woman. “But aren’t you going to tell her?”
“Not for me to tell, child. The only thing I can say is that she has a strong protection on her. Someone is watching over her.”
“Me? Someone is watching over me?” The feeling that I'd always had that I was lucky for no reason at all, or that I had a Guardian Angel, the old woman was verifying that for me. It felt strange but at the same time like a weight was being lifted off my shoulders, someone upstairs really did care about me.
“Yes, child, someone watches you. Many do. They have waited a long time for your arrival.”
“What does that mean? Who’s waiting for me?” I couldn’t figure out what she meant, unless she was losing her marbles in her old age. Or did she actually know something that I didn't?
“Like I said before, family takes care of their own, especially in a time of need. You will be needing them soon. Don't turn your back on what you don't understand. Now, Joy, take your tea and go. I have other matters to attend to.”
She left the carafe on the counter and entered a dark hall behind her through some beads into the back room. I was about to go around the counter and follow her but Joy shot out her arm to stop me. “Don't. She must just be upset about something. She reads emotions, it's her gift. But she also wears her own emotions on her sleeve. She's probably just upset that I went to see my aunt. If you couldn't tell, she doesn’t like her very much.”
Joy grabbed the bottle and began to walk out of the store. I stood for a m
oment more, watching the beads in the dark doorframe sway back and forth, deciding whether or not I should have to come back to see Beatrice. I would and hopefully she would have the answers I was looking for.
As soon as we reached daylight, I turned on Joy. “What the hell was that in there? Why did you drag me in there anyway? You knew she wanted to meet me?”
Joy chewed on her lower lip, showing how uncomfortable she was in the situation. “Beatrice just wants to know what’s going on in town. She’s a bit of a gossiper, I’m sure she didn’t mean anything by her attitude. Besides, she’s an excellent reader, if you feel like someone's watching over you, that's what you'll push out, so she'll see that. But people in this town do care about you Paige. Ultan certainly does.”
“What you know about Ultan and me?”
“Only that the more you turn him down the more he'll come crawling back for more. He's totally smitten with you!”
“With me? Why? We've only just met, besides every time he’s with me, he’s so damn weird.”
“Sometimes our emotions come about in strange and mysterious ways,” she winked at me and turned to walk away.
I stood there frustrated, not quite understanding what Beatrice had meant and now understanding the small revelation that Ultan was clearly interested in me. Since moving to Salem, everything had become so confusing and difficult, even though was this was my escape. I wasn't sure how I would continue taking these little discoveries about my new life. But I guess when you have big changes like I've had that discoveries come pretty quickly thereafter.
We turned onto Main Street as I continued to mull over a relationship between Ultan and myself. I noticed Joy had gotten ahead of me, probably to dodge anymore uncomfortable questions, when an attractive looking couple caught my eye. They were both wearing extremely dark clothes for the weather and the guy had his arm draped over the girl’s shoulders. They looked charming yet serious, they weren’t a new couple. I was walking behind them and focused on the fluidity of their movements. It was almost like they were floating. Guess that’s how you look when you’re in love.
The Salem Shifters: Complete Series Books 1-3 Page 6