The Circle

by Cindy Cipriano

“Ah, the brownie I met at Fairy Stone Park,” said Uilleam.

  “Yes,” said Calum. “Brownshire figured out Finley had given his token to Laurel. And then he killed Finley.” Aine was now looking quite pale.

  “We shouldn’t have gone. I’m sorry,” said Calum.

  “How do you know he killed him?” asked Uilleam.

  “He said, ‘fero tuti latum.’ Then there was a loud sound like thunder, and Finley disappeared in yellow smoke.”

  “Repeat that please, Calum,” said Connor. “Repeat exactly what Brownshire said.”

  “Fero tuti latum.”

  “Calum,” said Uilleam. “I do not think Finley is dead.”

  “I saw him,” said Calum. “And Brownshire said he was gone.”

  “Think, child,” said Uilleam. “Would Aine and Connor be here if Finley were dead? Would Tullia? Would Hagen?”

  Calum looked puzzled.

  “None of them would be here,” said Uilleam. “Because none of them could be here.”

  If Finley were dead, all of his clan would be called back to Tusatha for the Grand Call.

  “Finley’s alive.” Calum’s voice trembled with relief. He noticed this didn’t seem to comfort Aine. And Calum couldn’t shake a renewed sense of urgency in finding Finley. Something was terribly wrong. “Then what happened to him?”

  “I’m not sure,” said Uilleam. “Fero tuti latum is a dark verse. It means to carry. But I don’t know what it means when spoken by a brownie.”

  “Dara and Liam must be told about Finley,” said Aine.

  Calum felt nauseous. Dara. What’s going to happen to her when she hears about this? Will she ever be able to forgive me? This is the second time Finley has disappeared. And I’m to blame again.

  Calum’s grandmother sat beside him. “No, you’re not,” Salena said, taking his hand.

  Kenzie took his teacup, refilled it with warm tea, and handed it back to him.

  “When we were at the polder, I saw bittersweet berries on the ground,” said Calum, taking the cup. “Were you watching us?”

  “Yes. I watched until you reached their circle. I lost you after you crossed into their mound,” said Uilleam.

  “Then how did you know to get us out of there?” asked Calum.

  “What the mind knows and sees is eclipsed by what the heart loves and needs,” said Uilleam, smiling at his grandson.

  “We must get back to Tusatha,” Aine said quietly.

  “We’ll go with you,” said Uilleam. He and Salena kissed Calum and Kenzie goodbye and hugged Gus. They followed Aine and Connor back to the threshold in the kitchen.

  “I hope it’s okay if we stay here until Donnelly gets back,” said Tullia.

  “I’d have it no other way,” said Kenzie.

  “Don’t take this wrong,” Daniel said haltingly, “but I really want to go home.” Tears rolled down his cheeks and Laurel took his hand.

  “Of course you do,” said Kenzie in a kind voice, moving to rest her hand on his shoulder. “But I don’t think we should move about in the open until Donnelly returns. Can you hold out just a little longer?”

  Daniel nodded.

  “Good. For now, I think we could all use a little rest,” said Kenzie. “Take them upstairs, son.”

  Calum led Hagen, Laurel, and Daniel through the family room. There was a tinkling sound when Daniel bumped into the shelf where the Particulars were kept. He nearly knocked the vase over as he tried to set it right.

  “Don’t worry about those,” said Kenzie.

  “Mrs. Ranson, would it be all right if Daniel and I stay in the same room?” asked Laurel.

  “I think that’d be fine,” said Kenzie. “Go ahead and take Daniel up. I’ll put Brytes in with Tullia.”

  Calum, Hagen, and Kenzie continued to Calum’s room where the boys plopped down on the beds. “I’m so proud of both of you,” she said. She took the dressing off Calum’s leg and looked through the torn blue jeans. “You’re completely healed. He knew better than to really hurt you,” she said with a glint in her eye.

  “But I lost Finley. It’s my fault again,” said Calum amid fresh tears. “I should have brought him home.”

  “You didn’t lose Finley,” said Kenzie. “You weren’t responsible all those years ago and you’re not responsible tonight. Torin must have put something into your eye that day. You were in terrible pain when Hagen brought you into the house. Today was no more your fault. You had no control over what Brownshire did. Your dad and I were pretty upset when we figured out where you went today, but now we’re just so thankful you’re home safe. And if you hadn’t gone, we may never have known what happened to Finley.” She gently caressed his cheek. “Rest, child.” She repeated this gesture with Hagen and both boys immediately fell into a deep sleep.

  Calum and Hagen were the last to rise when they made their way downstairs the next morning.

  “Good afternoon,” Gus teased. He sat at the table with Kenzie and Tullia.

  “Yes, good afternoon, son,” said Donnelly. He leaned against the kitchen counter with a mug of coffee in his hand.

  Hagen rushed to Donnelly and wrapped his arms around his father. “I was so worried about you.”

  “No need,” said Donnelly. “I know all of their tricks.”

  Calum watched his uncle hold Hagen tightly to his chest. Donnelly is a good man. How could I have doubted him?

  “What happened?” asked Hagen.

  “I wish I knew,” said Donnelly, joining the adults at the kitchen table. “I heard the call when we were at Iris’ house. I went to the Hobayeth Mound to check it out.” Hagen gave his father a worried look. “Don’t worry, I wasn’t recognized.”

  “Being a shape shifter has its benefits,” Gus winked.

  “Torin had been there, trying to get support to reverse the Additions Law when it comes up again,” Donnelly said disgustedly.

  “Did you see any of your family?” asked Kenzie.

  “My mother and sisters were not at the mound.”

  “Well, at least we know where Torin is, or where he was,” said Tullia.

  “Yes, and he’ll wish we didn’t when I find him,” said Donnelly. “It’s a shame I didn’t know about Finley before I went to the Hobayeth Mound.”

  “There’ll be another time,” said Gus.

  “I’m glad you feel that way,” said Donnelly. Gus looked puzzled at this remark.

  “Emerald Lake is changing. You’ve been a part of our world long enough to know our magic. Our ways. It’s high time you accepted our Gifts.”

  “I don’t know,” said Gus. “I like things this way. You know, you being able to kick my butt with magic, but me being able to kick yours without it.”

  Calum snickered at the thought of his father and uncle fighting like two kids.

  “Well, that last part remains to be seen,” said Donnelly. “But if you like, we can find out later. I’d hate to embarrass you in front of your son.”

  Gus laughed. “Dream on, Donnelly,” he said.

  “Seriously, we need you. I don’t think you appreciate who I am, who my father is,” said Donnelly. “They’re going to look for me. We can call Uilleam here tonight and he can perform the Ceremony of the Three Clans with me and Tullia.”

  The Ceremony of the Three Clans. Calum realized his father would receive Gifts from the Aessea, Tusatha, and Hobayeth clans. The Hobayeth. What’s going to happen to Gus when he gets their blood? Why can’t Kenzie do it instead of Donnelly?

  “Spouses can’t give the Gifts,” said Donnelly quietly, without judgment.

  Calum felt ashamed. He looked at all of the adult Sidhe in the room and hoped no one else had heard his thoughts. Everyone was caught up in the possibility of Gus receiving the Gifts and hadn’t seemed to notice Calum’s interaction with his uncle.

  “I’ll think about it,” said Gus.

  “Don’t wait too long,” said Donnelly.

  Gus looked at his watch. “We’re supposed to have Laurel back in an hour,” he sa
id. “How are we going to explain Daniel?”

  “We can adjust their memories,” said Donnelly. “I can make it so they’ll believe they never met any of us.”

  “No,” Calum begged. “Donnelly, please don’t.” He couldn’t bear another loss, not so soon after losing Finley again.

  Kenzie patted Calum’s shoulder. “I think you spent too much time with the Hobayeth yesterday, Donnelly,” she said. “But even if you adjusted their memories, what could we do about Daniel? He lived in that clan for almost seven years. What memory would replace that time? There really is no other explanation but the truth.”

  “Okay,” said Donnelly. “We tell them the truth about Daniel’s disappearance and where he’s been. However, we leave out the rest, our Sidhe background, and the fact that Calum and Laurel retrieved him.”

  “Of course,” said Kenzie. “We live among them, but we are not of them. So how do we get Daniel home and still keep our secret?”

  “Not how. Who.” Donnelly grinned. “I think it’s about time Mr. Girvan earned his salary.”

  “Like I said, being a shape shifter has its benefits,” said Gus.

  Wi

  Calum carried Laurel’s bag to the truck and put it on the back seat. “Are you up to this, Laurel?”

  “I’ve never been good at acting,” she said. “But they’re going to be so happy about having Daniel home, they won’t notice.”

  “Donnelly just got back,” said Kenzie, climbing into the truck. “It’s all set. Let’s go.”

  They drove the short distance to Laurel’s house. “Thanks again, for everything,” said Laurel. “We would never have gotten Daniel back without your help.”

  “It’s the least we could do,” said Kenzie.

  “And don’t worry,” said Laurel. “I won’t tell anyone about you guys.”

  “We know you won’t,” said Gus.

  Calum stared out of the window in silence.

  “Finley’s next, Calum.” Laurel squeezed his hand. “I know he is.”

  They arrived at Laurel’s house, unloaded the truck, and approached the door.

  “Laurel!” called Andrea, running down the steps to greet them. “It’s Daniel. Mr. Girvan just brought him home.”

  Laurel rushed into her mother’s arms. They climbed the steps together and entered the house. Calum and his parents left Laurel’s things inside the door and slipped away unnoticed.

  Wi

  The next evening, the Dunbars and Werners gathered for a “welcome home” cookout at the Ranson house. Daniel told everyone the details of his kidnapping and described the years he spent with the Hobayeth. Calum tried to look like this was news to him.

  “I know it sounds crazy,” said Andrea. “But Daniel swears he was taken by fairies and has been living with them all these years.” She nervously studied Kenzie’s face for a reaction.

  “Come on,” said Kenzie. “You’re from Virginia. You mean to tell me you’ve never heard about the Fairy Stone clan?”

  “Well, sure.” Rob shrugged. “But I thought that was just a local superstition. A story someone made up to boost tourism.”

  “Then how do you explain the fairy stones?” asked Gus. “They’re all over the park.”

  “I don’t know,” said Rob.

  “I keep telling myself it can’t be true, but when Daniel talks about it, I believe him,” said Andrea.

  “The important thing is, Daniel’s home,” said Donnelly. He looked first into Andrea’s eyes and then into Rob’s.

  The Werners’ eyes glazed over. “Yes,” said Rob, “the important thing is Daniel’s home.”

  “That’s right,” said Andrea, staring trance-like at Donnelly. “The important thing is Daniel’s home.”

  Donnelly looked away, and the Werners snapped out of their stupor. They looked dazed, but perked up when Donnelly said, “There’s a bottle of champagne waiting for us in the fridge. Let’s celebrate.”

  The adults went inside, and Calum, Hagen, and Laurel filled Daniel in on life in Emerald Lake. “Basically, it’s a small town, where everyone knows everyone else,” said Calum.

  “And they mean everyone,” Laurel added.

  “Except that girl I saw at Devil’s Peak circle,” said Hagen.

  “You weren’t supposed to follow us to their circle,” said Calum.

  “You aren’t really surprised that I did. Are you?” Hagen asked with a sly grin. Calum shook his head. “Anyway, she saw me and ran for it. I chased that girl all over the reserve. We ended up back at the circle. And then she disappeared.”

  “Is that when she took Laurel’s glove?” asked Calum.

  “She never got it.” Hagen dropped Laurel’s glove on the table. He glanced at Daniel. “Is there something you want?”

  “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to stare. It’s just that you look so much like Finley,” said Daniel.

  “So I’ve heard,” said Hagen, smiling at Laurel. “I wish I could have seen him. I really do.”

  “I’m sorry you didn’t get the chance,” said Daniel.

  “You have nothing to be sorry about,” said Hagen. “It was Brownshire’s doing, and believe me, he’ll pay for it.” In that second, Calum thought Hagen looked just like his father.

  “Still, I wonder,” said Laurel. “How did we get to the polder?”

  “We got there when Uilleam called us to him,” said Calum.

  “Okay, but since when can Uilleam call a duine daonna?”

  “I don’t know. There are a lot of things I don’t understand about my grandfather,” said Calum. “But I do know his magic is very strong.”

  “I’m just glad I’m home with LaurelAnn,” said Daniel. “I mean, Laurel.”

  “It’s okay,” said Laurel. “I like it when you call me LaurelAnn.”

  “Daniel, you must have heard tons of verses in that clan,” said Hagen. “Maybe you can teach us some before school starts.”

  “I learned all kinds of verse, good and bad,” said Daniel. “Finley…” He fell silent for a moment, then continued in a stronger voice. “Finley taught me. I memorized all of their verses, but I could never get the hang of it. Strange, toward the end it seemed the verses were working. Then again, maybe Finley was doing the magic and I only thought it was me.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  School’s Out

  The last day of school finally arrived. Lockers were cleaned out, books had been returned, and farewells said to friends and teachers. Calum, Hagan, Laurel, and Daniel sat together in the main gym for the sixth-grade awards ceremony. Their parents watched from the bleachers, with the exception of Rob, who was on the stage with the sixth-grade teachers. Red-and-white balloons decorated the stage, and bushy green plants sat at both ends of long tables. Medals, pins, and stacks of certificates waited for distribution.

  Calum leaned over to Laurel. “Riley isn’t here.”

  “Yeah, I heard her talking to Brenna. She said her mom was going to take her to the beach because we weren’t going to do anything important in school today. The truth is Riley got a D in PE so she isn’t on the Honor Roll.”

  “How in the world do you get a D in PE?” asked Hagen.

  “Well, Riley never dressed out,” Laurel replied. “She said the PE uniform was tacky and there was no way she would wear one.”

  “Good grief,” said Daniel. “She sure is high maintenance.”

  The local Boy Scout troop served as the Color Guard. All conversation came to an end as they carried the US and North Carolina flags into the gym. Everyone stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Next, Rob approached the podium and thanked all the parents for coming and for their support during his first year at Longwood Middle School.

  Students were called to the stage one at a time and recognized for their achievements. Calum and Hagen received perfect attendance certificates. Calum and Laurel received medals for being on the A Honor Roll for the entire year, and Hagen received a pin for being on the A/B Honor Roll. Calum won the highest academic average in
math, and Laurel was surprised when she received the highest academic average in science.

  After the ceremony, Andrea took several pictures of the four friends with their teachers. Calum’s mom hugged him, and his dad shook his hand before pulling him into a bear hug. Both parents were beaming with pride, and Calum obliged them one picture.

  It took a long time for the gym to empty, and when it finally did, students ran outside for their end of the year picnic. A local caterer was on campus, and the air was fragrant with the smell of hamburgers sizzling on their large portable grill. Calum, Hagen, Laurel, and Daniel filled their plates and found seats at the same table as Barry, Kirby, and Susie. After they finished their meal, they played water balloon relay, freeze tag, and bucket brigade, a game in which students used buckets of water to put out small controlled fires. Students were hot and tired when they were told to return to the sixth-grade hall one last time.

  Ms. Itig hugged them, and told them goodbye as they entered her classroom. “There won’t be time for goodbyes later,” she said.

  “That was weird,” said Hagen.

  “Not for her,” Calum said with an appreciation for his favorite teacher’s quirky behaviors.

  For their final assignment, Ms. Itig commissioned her students to create bookmarks for her next batch of sixth graders. These were two-sided creations. One side welcomed the new student, and the other side offered tips on surviving their first year in middle school.

  As they worked, Susie Turnbill’s hand shot up in the air.

  “Yes, Susie.” said Ms. Itig.

  “I heard you used to teach seventh grade.”

  “That’s true.”

  “Well, I was wondering if you would move up to seventh grade and teach us next year,” said Susie.

  “Absolutely not,” said Ms. Itig.

  Ignoring all rules about blurting out, students asked, “Why?” and pleaded, “Come on, Ms. Itig.”

  “I don’t like seventh graders,” she replied.

  Several students cried out, “Why not?”

  “Because they are horrible, horrible children,” said Ms. Itig.

  “But don’t you think you’ll like us?” asked Kirby.

  “I barely like you now. What makes you think I’ll like you then, for heaven’s sake?”