by Kate Gellar
“I’m listening. And this had better be good, because cult is the only explanation I’ve got for this rouse.”
“You could say we’re kind of a cult.” Sam waited for the shocked look from Abby, and she delivered. “But it’s not what you think. Brendan, Liam, Murphy, and I are guardians of this castle and this land.”
“Brendan said you were trustees.”
“That much is also true. But our real purpose here is to guard a hidden seal, which is the only thing preventing malevolent forces from entering this world.”
Abby stared at him for a moment. Then she laughed and looked around her. “This is a joke, right? You’re recording me for a...a TV show?” She stood up. Sam mirrored her movement and grabbed her wrist.
Big mistake. The power inside her sent a shudder up his arm. Liam was right. She had a wild energy. But was she a witch or a queen? Sue and Mary, the local coven witches, warned the power could feel the same at the start.
Abby must have felt it too because she snatched her wrist back and sat back down again.
“Did Liam tell you what happened?” Sam nodded to which Abby responded with a sigh. “I can’t explain what happened between us, only that I felt the same thing when you touched me just now.” She looked at him. “I’m listening, because I have no idea what else it could be but EMF.”
“How about I tell you what I can, and you can ask questions when I’m done.”
“Okay.”
Sam took a deep breath and sat on the grass next to her. “We four are guardians of the seal. There are other castles in Ireland built upon similar protector seals that stop demonic souls from entering this world. The souls feed off energy—human, witch, guardian, they’re not fussy. The seal must never open long enough for too many to escape.” He checked Abby to make sure she wasn’t about to run. But to his surprise she leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees, as though the story fascinated her.
Sam continued. “Guardians alone are too weak to close the seal permanently, so we made a deal with the local white witches for their help to bolster our powers to keep it closed in exchange for our protection. The symbols on your doors are pretty things infused with witch magic to protect this castle and its occupants. But if we are to seal the rift between the two worlds for good, the guardians need a queen. Each castle with a similar seal has guardians. Liam, Murphy, Brendan, and I brought you ten here because you come from bloodlines that were around at the time the original seals were forged back in the fourteen hundreds. Our power combined with a queen’s power forms an unbreakable bond.”
He didn’t want to say how that bond was formed. Sam waited for Abby to absorb the information.
She closed her eyes briefly and shook her head. “Okay, say I believe you, how does the queen form that bond with the protectors?”
Shit, he couldn’t tell her. To say would make this whole set up way creepier than it already sounded. She had to feel her own power, to make the decision to bond alone. None of the guardians could force her into it. “Queens have powers that are most compatible with guardians.”
“Like the witch power.”
“No, the witches’ power is like poison to us. There are dark and white witches. They all want our power but they can’t give us theirs. The dark witches will steal our power to weaken us. The white witches understand that a truce and protection is more valuable to them. The demonic souls aren’t fussy about dark and white witch power. It all tastes the same to them.”
“But you just said the witches help you to protect this place.”
“Through magic and spells, not by giving us their direct power.”
Abby shook her head again. “So who is in that castle right now? Witches or queens?”
“Most likely mortals. But after that witches are the most common. Queens are rare. We may never find one in our lifetime.”
Abby laughed. At least she wasn’t storming off. “You’re only, what, twenty-four, twenty-five? You and the others have your whole lives ahead of you.”
Sam wished that were true. “We were selected for this role. When we become guardians, our mortality is stripped from us. Time moves slower for us while we’re immortal. But it catches up if we lose immortality.”
Abby didn’t look convinced. “And you think I’m a witch, queen, or mortal?”
Sam couldn’t have summed it up better. “One of the above.”
“But you hope I’m a queen.”
“Yeah.”
“But it’s more likely I’m a witch or a mortal.”
“Yeah.”
“Hate to disappoint, but there are no queens or witches in my family. You’re stuck with a regular old human.”
“If either existed in your family, you wouldn’t have known about it. Your parents would have hidden it from you. Anonymity is paramount in this business.” Sam had checked Abby’s Facebook profile prior to selecting her for this program and found pictures of her parents. Her mother had the raven black hair of the witches. It was unclear what her red-haired father was by looking at him. He could have been a mortal. It was actually Abby’s cousin Paul who’d confirmed Ivy’s bloodline went back to the old Quinns of Galway in 1586.
“But you’ve already told me a bunch of stuff to break that anonymity.”
“Because I don’t believe you’re a mortal.”
“This was a mistake coming here.” Abby stood up, much to Sam’s disappointment. “I’d like to leave. I’ll arrange to stay somewhere else.”
He jumped to his feet and grabbed Abby, turning her to face him. He tried not to focus on her parted lips or her dilated pupils. She found him as attractive as he did her; her skin literally hummed where he touched her. He pressed down his feelings for this beautiful girl that crossed the line of physical attraction. She had the potential to complete him. But as strong as he felt her power, his common sense fought against it.
He released her arm. “Please stay until the end of the week. If you feel nothing, or if you’re not convinced, I’ll arrange for you to stay a month free anywhere you’d like. The Alderdyces have connections across Ireland.”
Abby bit her lip. “I don’t know...”
“Please.”
Abby flashed him an unsure look. “A week.”
“That’s all.”
“Does anyone else know about this?”
“We prefer not to reveal our true purpose until we’re sure of who’s in the castle. Mortals and dark witches are the most dangerous to us. Mortals outnumber us and rule this land, and with the right word in the authorities’ ear, the castle could be taken from us. It’s important you keep this secret. The seal is a living entity. We have hidden it, but the forces below the seal are powerful and their echoes can’t always be contained.”
Abby walked away, calling over her shoulder. “Okay, Sam. You have until Sunday to convince me why I should stay.”
Sam watched her until she was almost back at the castle. A week was more than enough. He expected to have whittled the group down before the weekend.
18
Abby
Sam’s words refused to leave Abby’s mind. Witches? Guardians? Mortals? It all sounded ridiculous.
But Sam had seemed genuine about it. And she’d felt strange with both Liam and Brendan, then with Sam when he touched her. Her curiosity was the only thing keeping her there. Plus, she wasn’t ready to return home.
She threw herself into gardening tasks that afternoon. Liam kept his distance from her for the rest of the day. Probably a good idea, all things considered. But a part of her missed his touch—missed him.
That’s stupid, Abby. You know nothing about him.
Why did it feel like she’d been waiting for Liam all her life? Same with Sam and Brendan. Murphy she still couldn’t figure out.
After dinner, Abby took a long hot shower to wash away the aches and pains of her day. Back in her room, she dropped onto her bed to check her phone.
A WhatsApp message from Wendy was waiting for her. She opened it.
Hey babe. Just letting you know Paul and I sorted it out. He’s not going to bring any more skanky hoes over to sleep in Ivy’s bed. He was mortified when I pointed that out!
Abby smiled. Thanks, Wendy. You know what to say to cheer me up.
A few minutes passed before Wendy replied. Everything okay over there? How was the rest of your day?
Lots of gardening. Not much else.
Sounds boring. *sad face*
Nah, it’s going well, she lied. You really okay about Paul bringing a date to the house?
Abby waited for a reply. Ten minutes later it came in. Already forgotten about. She seemed nice. Paul could do worse.
Who was this girl and what had she done with Wendy, her friend, who’d been obsessed with Paul for ten years?
Glad to hear everything’s worked out between you two.
A new message pinged almost straight away. Are you fucking kidding me, Abby? Spent the evening googling voodoo dolls. She fell down the stairs last night. My wish came true after all.
Abby typed a reply. Shit, is she okay?
Yeah. *sigh* Just the last couple of steps. Stubbed her toe. Paul was like, “Oh honey, are you okay?” *insert barf noise*
You and Paul, you’re never going to happen. Enjoy the summer and forget about him.
I plan to. I’m still considering crashing your castle pad late summer.
Abby had no clue how long she planned to stay, of if she wanted her best mortal friend around this crazy situation.
Single room. Sorry.
Never mind. I’ve got my summer job in Manhattan to keep me occupied.
Great, Wendy. And please, don’t give Paul another thought. Douche.
Wendy replied, Liar. You love Paul.
I do. But you’re my friend. I have to side with you on occasion.
Love you, babe *kiss*
Love you too.
Abby smiled as she put her phone away.
She couldn’t understand why Paul and Wendy had never been a thing. Paul hadn’t shown her much interest when they were younger, but over the last few years Abby had caught him watching Wendy when she wasn’t looking. They were literally perfect for each other, finishing each other’s sentences, liking the same movies, and laughing at stupid jokes that Abby didn’t find funny. Paul always had a smile on his face when Wendy was around. But in the last year around the time his mom got sick again that smile had faded, and Abby noticed the deliberate wedge he’d put between them.
Tough, Paul. You and Wendy are stuck with each other for the summer.
Her small room felt claustrophobic. Her pounding headache from earlier had gone but it remained a dull presence in the background. Abby felt like exploring the castle. Maybe she’d uncover truths that would support or split apart Sam’s theories.
She started with the Celtic symbol on her door. She opened the door and touched it. The metal felt cold, like how it was supposed to feel.
Abby left her room and locked her door. She walked along her corridor with four other rooms, all with similar symbols on the doors. Her fingers grazed the metal of each; some felt warmer to the touch. She stopped at the door with the warmest symbol and knocked.
The door flung open and Abby was greeted by an agitated Sylvie.
“Your symbol is warm,” said Abby. If anyone heard her, they’d think she was losing it.
“Come in.” Sylvie pulled her inside her room and shut the door behind her. “That’s what I said to you. This whole place. Can you feel it, the energy?”
Abby admitted to nothing. She had no idea what this place was or who she could trust. “You think it’s faulty wiring?”
Sylvie made a rude noise. “Hardly. These castles are usually haunted. Plus—” Sylvie flexed her fingers, “—I feel the energy inside me.”
Abby remembered what Sam had said about witches and queens. Maybe Sylvie was one or the other. Jealousy hit her when she imagined her new friend getting close to either Sam or Liam.
She stared at the floor. What was wrong with her? She barely knew these guys. But a power beyond the physical bound them. She could feel it.
“Do you think this place is magical?” She kept her eyes on the floor.
“As in witches and warlocks?”
Abby nodded and looked up, expecting Sylvie to laugh at her. She needed another to tell her it was all in her imagination. To her surprise, Sylvie nodded. “My grandmother was into the occult. She believed in forces beyond what we could see. She believed that man was good or evil depending on which spirit he hosted.”
“Really? I don’t believe in any of that.”
Sylvie gave her a look that said she thought Abby was crazy. Then she slid in close to Abby until their toes met and grabbed the sides of Abby’s head.
A shocked Abby waited as Sylvie closed her eyes.
After a moment, Sylvie opened her eyes and let go, then stepped out of her space. “There’s an undulating energy inside of you. Is the symbol on your door warm?”
“No.”
“That’s because you were outside for a while. The spell covering the grounds was protecting you.”
Abby shook her head and laughed. “I heard all the stories, that this country was steeped in myths, but that’s all it is, right? I mean this is just a castle, and those boys... Sam called them guardians, but I don’t know.”
Sylvie’s eyes widened. “What did you say?”
Abby could kick herself. She’d promised Sam anonymity and here she was blabbing the first chance she got.
“About what?”
About what you just said,” said Sylvie. “Don’t pretend you didn’t say it. My grandmother said guardians and witches were lifelong enemies and it was dangerous for them to be around each other. Is that what they’re calling themselves?”
Abby shook her head. “You can’t repeat that, Sylvie. I wasn’t even supposed to mention it.”
Sylvie crossed her heart with a giant X. She grabbed Abby’s hand and pulled her toward the door. “I think it’s time we explore this castle, don’t you?”
Abby allowed Sylvie to pull her downstairs to the main foyer. The presentation room, dubbed “The Great Hall”, was to the left of the stairs and the huge oak front door. Without Brendan or a strange feeling in the room to distract her, she took in the beauty of the medieval castle listing back to the 1400s.
“This place is magnifique,” said Sylvie. “My grandmother would love it ‘ere.”
“Want a proper tour?”
Abby turned to see Sam stood by the door, his arms folded.
“Would you?” Abby couldn’t contain her excitement. “I have no idea what any of these rooms are for.”
Sam smiled at Abby, but she saw his smile waver when he looked at Sylvie. Abby glanced at her friend to see the look was mutual.
Sam walked inside the room and gestured at the high ceiling and tall fireplace. Without any chairs in the room, the space felt huge.
“In the old days the occupants used the Great Hall for sleeping and eating. It was the only room with a fireplace, and the warmest. But later, when they added a section to the castle for bedrooms, the Great Hall became the epicenter for entertainment.”
“And now?” said Sylvie.
“Now, we preserve what we can,” said Sam. “This is a listed building. We get grants, including the money for hosting this program, to pay for the upkeep.”
Abby ran her hand over the wall made out of bare gray stone. “These castles were built to last.”
“That’s our only saving grace. There’s little maintenance structurally and the castle was rebuilt using volcanic rock. The rock keeps in the heat in the winter. It saves on heating bills.”
Sam walked to the back of the room and opened a partially hidden door set into the wood facade. He stepped through and Abby followed with Sylvie a short distance behind. She sensed her new friend’s hesitation.
They entered what looked to be a library. Books adorned the bookshelves on either wall. With a height similar to the G
reat Hall, the room was a quarter of its size.
“I like to disappear in here for some peace and quiet.”
She heard no sound in the room. The wall to wall books appeared to act as a natural insulator. Abby perused the books that looked too old to touch. “Do you have anything modern?”
Sam grinned. “Not in here. These are the castle’s private collection. Passed down from centuries. If you want to read a John Grisham novel, I have those books in my office.”
Sam walked through the space and exited through another door that led them into the dining hall. Abby would very much like to return to the library, with Sam’s permission.
“You already know this room.” He walked past the table and chairs into the kitchen, and kept walking to a door beyond the wood-burning oven and sink. He opened it. “Pantry.”
Abby squeezed her head next to Sam’s. A heat emanated from Sam’s skin. He jerked back the closer she got.
Sylvie stayed back. “I don’t need to see it.”
Sam shrugged and led them to the main foyer. Then to rooms on the right of the stairs—the living room and a second room next to it.
“My office.”
Sam entered first, followed by Abby and Sylvie. Abby looked around the room that was a third of the size of the Great Hall, with a computer and printer. “Books are over there,” said Sam, pointing at a bookshelf.
Sylvie looked around, but Abby noticed she kept close to the door.
“Let’s keep going.” Sam exited through another secret door inside the room that led back to the living room. There were many ways to sneak up on a person in this castle.
The living room with three full-sized sofas was two thirds the space of the Great Hall. Abby spotted the outline of a door to the left of the fireplace that looked to be part of the wood paneling.
“What’s through there?” Abby pointed at the door.
“Not for visitors, I’m afraid,” said Sam.
That only fueled her curiosity more. If these rooms all interconnected, there could be another way inside.
“There are a few extra rooms on the ground floor, but we sealed them off because we don’t use them. This place is expensive enough to clean and maintain without adding them to the mix.”