Ch 4 - Alba an Aigh

Aurora had felt her heart opening up when she and Sionn professed their love for each other. When he punched things on his iPad, she frowned at him but said nothing. She wasn't sure she liked the charity, but as it seemed to make Sionn happy, she didn't say anything. When he pulled her to him for a kiss again, she couldn't stop the smile that formed right before he pressed his lips to hers as she returned his kiss. She followed him downstairs, holding his hand and whens he heard that the dwarf was going with them she grinned at him, "I am glad that you are going with us, Sam and no apologies are necessary. I am beginning to understand about the history between all of you and the druids."

The next thing she knew, she was sitting next to Sionn on a private jet and was trying to decide whether or not she should be excited, afraid or both. She'd never flown before and while she was trying to take in everything, she wasn't too pleased about her feet leaving the ground, although the hawk guardian living within her was ecstatic to be flying. Beau had to be sedated, deciding that flying was not for him, no matter how much he loved his mistress yet Eryn was quietly preening herself sitting on a perch in the back of the plane.

Aurora was gripping Sionn's hand tightly as they took off, watching as the ground became further and further away then she saw the clouds and gasped, "It's beautiful", she whispered to Sionn. Turning to him, she planted a quick kiss on his lips smiling big before turning back to the window. But, all too soon, the events of the past 2 days along with the recent attack took their toll on her and she found herself curled up next to Sionn, falling asleep.

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“Lass?”

Aurora stirred, “Lass we’ve arrived.”

Aurora blinked and looked around, Sam was looking down at her with his broad smile, “We’ve landed in Tiree.”

Sionn came over and looked down at Aurora with a smile, “Good morning sleepy head.” He smiled warmly at her and extended his hand, her pack was already slung over his shoulder, “Come lass, we still need to catch the Ferry and then drive to Inverie.” Sionn helped her to her feet and looked at her, “You did well for your first flight.”

With a smile he helped her off the jet and immediately the cool, salty air filled their nostrils. Sionn inhaled deeply and let out his breath in happiness, “It’s good to be home!”

Torri gave a smile and shook her head. She was the one that didn’t want to leave in the first place so to see Sionn acting this way gave her a chuckle and Sionn winked at her, “Pipe it sis.”

Torri threw her hands up and spoke, “I didn’a say anything!”

Sionn looked at her and pointed, “You said all with your face T.”

It was obvious that the tensions of the trip were already washing away with the Scottish rain, and the family seemed to be in higher spirits than Aurora had yet seen them. The group walked the short distance to the pier and boarded a Ferry that was waiting and once everything was squared away settled in for the 4 hour ride up the coast. Sionn sat down next to Aurora who was looking out the window as the raindrops streaked from the wind brushing against the moving boat. He looked out the window and spoke, “So that island we just left is called Tiree, and up there, well, when the mist allows you to see it is Coll. We’ll pass through the straight and follow the coastline along the Western side of Scotland until we get to Mallaig. We’ll hope off there and take a car up and around the outer edge of the Sound of Sleat and then we’ll be in Inverie. Our ancestral estate is there, it’s a warm castle, I think you’ll like it.”

She looked at him curiously, “Castle?” Sionn laughed and nodded, “Aye, my mother is the Chief of the Stormborn, the castle was built almost a thousand years ago and passed down from generation to generation, but it is constantly being updated to have all the modern conveniences. You’ll love it aye.”

He looked out the window and continued to point out little details about the coastline, landmarks and places of legend.

Aurora couldn't explain it.....she felt.....she felt as if she'd come home. She watched the family as their worries seemed to wash away with the rain, holding Sionn's hand as he led her to the ferry. She was as wide eyed as a curious pup, trying to take in everything at once. When Sionn mentioned a castle, she gave him a quizzical look then nodded in understanding when he explained just who his mother was.

On the ferry, she listened intently as Sionn pointed out various landmarks of his homeland and she found herself leaning up against him, her back to his chest in the seats as she looked out the window. She was still confused about what was happening but she also sensed that with putting her foot upon the Scottish soil something within her had awoken. She turned to look into Sionn's green eyes, "Sionn....something is happening. I mean...something....", she grew frustrated trying to figure out how to tell him what she wanted to say. He smiled at her, telling her to take her time and calming her with his loving gaze. "When I stepped off the plane....I felt suddenly different." She took another deep breath before continuing, "Now, the closer we get to your home I know what it is I feel. I feel as if I've come home. I mean, the mountains were always my home and I love my momma dearly, but this is stronger." She looked out the window, "Do you understand what it is I'm trying to say? A part of me has always felt out of place....but now, here in your land, I've come home." A tear slid down her cheek, her emotions overwhelming as she turned back to him, her dark eyes shining with her love for him as well as other emotions. "I feel as my heart will burst with the love I've found with you and now this. As well as the changes happening to me....here is where I will learn what I am.....what I can do and how to use the bow."

Torri was beginning to relax more and more with each minute the boat moved along the water. She took the position at the stern so the wind and rain could wash over her as though it was washing all the bad away. If she minded the cool air and the wet from the rain, it didn’t seem to matter to her right now. And it didn’t take long before Rhain joined her. She glanced over at the young man and gave h im a full smile which she received on in return. It was obvious both of them were glad to back on native soil.

After a long, winding ride in the car, they had reached the castle and Torri instantly bolted from the vehicle and ran through the pasture towards the craggy cliffs that marked the end of the pasture. There seemed to be a wild abandon about her and while Sionn, Erich and Annette chuckled at her antics, Rhain, it seemed, was worried something was wrong and after a few seconds, seeing her destination, tore off after her.

When she reached the edge of the cliff, she seemed to top as suddenly as she took off causing the young man to come to a screeching halt behind her, nearly knocking into her. Hearing his approach, she was able to turn at the last minute and extend her arms in a way to help slow him down and steady him at the same time. When he settled and quickly disengaged himself from her, she gave him that smile again.

”Can ye smell it, Rhain? Home. THAT’S what home is supposed t’smell like. Not that shite we inhaled back in the states.”

Turning her face towards the sea that crashed on the cliffs below, she closed her eyes, tilted her head towards the raining sky and inhaled deeply extending her arms again.

”I n’er wanna leave here again.”

Sionn looked down at Aurora as she spoke and he smiled, rubbing her arm softly with his hand as he responded, “It’s a grand thing when you find your place in the world love. I mean, T and I have always been lucky to have been born and raised in the ways of our people, but not all are as fortunate. Whatever reasons your Mum had for keeping things from you are most likely legitimate, at least from her point of view.”

As the ship made its way along the coastline he looked out and continued speaking to her, “It’s no secret that the world is intertwined like a complex fabric. I have never believed in reincarnation or the passing of memories from one generation to the next. I have always been taught that we make our own memories and forge our own destinies. However, I feel that deep within everyone there is that longing for home, and you know it when you find it. It doesn’t mean you have roots, just that… everything finally feels right, aye?”

She looked up at him and smiled as he smiled in return. The Captain called out that they were arriving and he helped her to her feet as he watched Torri through the window. She practically sprinted off the vessel and was into one of the cars before he had a chance to say anything to her. He felt a slight pang in his heart, as if perhaps a rift had formed between them. She hadn’t been the same the last couple days since the incidents at the cemetery in New Orleans and he decided that it would be best to get her alone and ask her when the time was right.

He turned and helped Aurora into one of the other waiting cars and after a long ride the group was back home in Inverie. As Torri and Rhain dashed off to the cliff sides on the Western side of the estate Sionn smiled softly and turned to look at Aurora, “Ma’ family owns everything you can see that way, “He pointed to the north. She would be able to see it went quite a way before dropping off sharply to where the ocean wrapped itself around the island, “And 10 kilometers that way,” he pointed to the south. Over there is the town of Inverie, and of course the cliffsides there to the west are the other end of the property. We are known through these parts as ranchers and cattlers of beasts, but of course, you know what we are really on about.”

He smiled and took her bag, effortlessly slinging it over his strong shoulders and walked towards the castle with her. It wasn’t a castle as she might have imagined, it was large for a Scottish home without a doubt, and it was also obvious that it was very old, however it was no grand visage of a kingly type, and it looked very cozy and comfortable despite being around 6,000 square feet in size. As the two walked in Annette smiled and walked over to Aurora, “We have a nice room for you all prepared and ready to go, if there is anything we don’t have that you will require don’t hesitate to ask.”

Aurora couldn't stop the laugh as she watched Torri run towards the cars, clearly ecstatic to be home. Her brown eyes were shining as Sionn helped her into the car and she was taking in everything as they drove to his home. Once there, she looked longingly at Torri and Rhain as they ran over the land. She remembered doing just that in her mountains and wondered if she'd be permitted to do so here as well.

Staying close to Sionn, she gazed at his family's home, "It's beautiful, Sionn.....wonderful", she whispered to him as Annette came up to her, telling her that they'd already prepared her a room. She smiled at Annette, "Thank you so much, Mrs. McGhee. I just want to take in everything that I can", she said with a huge smile on her face. Looking up at Sionn, her dark brown eyes sparkling she looked like a wood sprite with her long dark hair, golden skin and exotic eyes. "I'm not sure what to do? I don't want to embarrass you or your family." She looked back at the beautiful manor then across the land as far as she could see. "This is all so beautiful....breathtaking." She followed Annette into the manor, looking at the tapestries and pictures adorning the walls. Following her up to the room they'd prepared for her, she could hear Sionn behind her carrying her bag and was glad that he was there. Her stomach was doing little flip flops, the enormity of the situation beginning to sink in. She was no longer in her own country....she was as far away from her land as she could be and even though she felt as if she'd come home....she still had another home where she'd grown up and where her mother was. Entering the room, she saw the four post bed adorned with beautiful Celtic knotwork in the dark wood. There were matching dresser and chest of drawers along with nightstands and a plush arm chair. The drapes had been opened and a fresh breeze came in through the screened window. Beau came trotting in behind her, still a little groggy from the sedatives to keep him calm on the plane and then on the boat and promptly lay down on the large rug before the fireplace.

"I've never seen anything like this", she turned to Sionn then to Annette. "This is beautiful. Thank you....so much for making me feel a part of all of this. Of you", she said as she took her bag from Sionn and walked over to the dresser. "I'll unpack.....I'm sure you need to get yourselves unpacked as well," she said to the two of them. She suddenly unsure what to do. This wasn't her home and she didn't want to be rude or imposing. But, before they'd even left her room, she was done unpacking what few things she had. She looked up at Sionn and Annette and smiled, "Well....I'm done.....is there anything I can do around here? Anything to help out?"

Aurora was downstairs, Annette and Sionn having told her to make herself at home. She was in awe at the house....the beauty of it and the warmth. She'd had warmth in her own home...sort of. Her mother loved her, she knew that...but she'd been alone most of her life, with only her mother as her companion. Now, she was in love....in Scotland and learning more about herself than she'd ever thought possible.

It was still raining outside, but she didn't care. Opening the front door, she looked outside and smiled. To the west, was open land and to the east was what looked like stables, barns and corrals. That was where she headed, the rain soaking her before she got there. She shivered some, but was too excited to worry about it. The barn was nothing like she'd ever seen before, the majority of it made of stone, which she figured was due to the large amounts of rain that fell here. The large door creaked as she opened it and she breathed in the smell of fresh straw, hay and farm animals. Looking around, she saw the clean stalls and looked up to see that even the Scots had haylofts.

The barn was large and spacious and she took her time exploring, patting the horses as she passed their stalls. She stopped at one particular gelding. He was gorgeous....a beautiful shiny black coat, long wavy mane and tail and majestic head. She stood in front of the stall door just looking at him before she held out her hand to him, whispering to him in her native tongue. He tossed his head, nickering at her before coming towards her. She waited quietly, all the while whispering to him before she smiled as he pressed his velvety nose into her hand. "Oh.....you are handsome. To ride you would be the thrill of a lifetime...next to kissing Sionn of course", she said with a blush. That was where she stayed...for how long she didn't know. She just found herself stepping into the horse's stall, closing the door behind her and talking to him as she stroked his neck. It wasn't long before she was curled up in the fresh straw at his feet, sleeping....the gelding standing watch over her.

There was a soft whiny and then the sound of a familiar voice. As Aurora turned to look up at Sionn he knelt and smiled lovingly and knelt down on one knee, brushing the dark hair off her forehead, “I see you have become acquainted with Faileas, he is one of our finest beasties, but he is not the friendliest to strangers. The fact he let you sleep in his stale is quite a testament to your nature my love.”

He helped Aurora to her feet and chuckled softly as he began to pick pieces of hay and straw from her hair, “Come lass, there is much to do this day.”

As he opened the stale and they walked out Faileas stepped up to the door and huffed sharply at Sionn. He turned and looked at the gorgeous horse with a laugh, “Aye Faileas, I have no forgot ya.”

He slung a large grain bag over the door and rubbed him behind the ear as Faileas flipped his head up and nuzzled Sionn’s cheek with his soft, velvety muzzle before dipping his head into the canvas bag and eating his breakfast. Turning to look at Aurora he smiled and spoke, “If you are a seasoned rider we can take he and one of the mare’s out for a wee stretch later this afternoon.”

He escorted her out of the barn and into the wet morning. The rain had stopped but the overcast clouds were low and looming with the look of rain to them. He turned to Aurora and spoke with a chuckle, “You’ll be happy to know there’s only three kinds of weather around here, raining, just finished raining, and about to rain.” With a wink he tugged on her out coat that he had given her the night before, “These are waterproof however, so you should be fine.”

He took her hand and walked with her a short ways to a large cliff and spoke, “This is the place where the Druid appeared to T and I, he came off the water like a ghost, attacked us and the battle waged to over there,” he pointed up the coast and about a hundred meters away Aurora could see the long scar in the landscape where the Druid had split the ground open, “Then when we were trapped within he went into the house and stole the pages.”

He watched as she took it all in and after a moment he continued, “I am only showing you so you have a picture of the area… we are still trying to figure all this out, so having all the reference points might help when the topic comes up. We do need to go in, mum has breakfast ready, but before we go in…”

He grabbed her gently around the small of her back and drew her in as the drizzle started once again, sticking to his red hair and dampening it. He pressed himself into her, his lips warm and soft as he breathed her in. After a moment he pulled back and smiled softly, “If we don’t get in soon mum and da’ will come looking.”

With a smile he took her hand and they walked in the drizzle to the house.

Aurora smiled up at Sionn as he helped her to her feet in the stall. She blushed as he picked the straw from her hair then looked to Faileas, patting his muscular neck. But when Sionn mentioned riding that afternoon her whole face lit up. "I would love that, Sionn!! I love to ride...to be one with such a magnificent creature."

She followed him outside and listened to him, laughing at his comment on Scotland's weather then she grew serious as he explained about the attack, her gaze growing worried as she looked at him. As she looked back to the scar in the land, she could swear that she could feel the Earth weeping for the wound, but that wasn't possible....was it? She shook her head, she had so much more to learn, but she was eager and ready.

At the mention of breakfast, her stomach rumbled but that was quickly forgotten when Sionn pulled her to him and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, letting herself feel....just feel when he pulled back, leaving her somewhat flustered from the kiss. Her dark eyes were deeper with growing desire as she looked at him, her lips swollen from his kiss. She smiled back at him as he took her hand and led her back to the house, but just as they reached the door she stopped him.

Aurora turned to where the scar in the Earth was and her eyes grew dark. She left Sionn, walking the distance to where he and Tori had been trapped. She walked as if she were in a trance, then knelt at the edge of the fissure placing her hand just inches inside to touch the dirt wall. She shivered, "The Earth felt evil....true evil. Erebus is not truly evil...not like this. This feels of pure darkness.....the Earth shudders before it. They must be stopped....before the balance is corrupted.....to never be right again." She turned stricken, dark eyes up to Sionn a tear falling down her cheek. "Mother Earth felt this wound to her very core. I have a feeling that if I were to touch the water where he came from I would feel something similar." She stood, wrapping her arms around herself, feeling the cold to her bones, like she did in New Orleans when the evil touched her. "Erebus' niece is a part of this....of that much I am sure of."

Leaning into Sionn, she laid her head on his chest as she fought to get warm again, "Let's go back to the house...I am so cold." She was also feeling a need to speak to Sionn's father.....about what she'd felt.....about how she'd felt it. Eryn could be heard crying out as she flew overhead while Beau came bounding towards them, both having felt Aurora's distress. He turned amber eyes to Sionn, ~Her abilities will develop quicker now that she is in the land of her father's ancestors. She is already becoming more in tune to Mother Earth. But the evil will also know she is near as she grows stronger. You must be vigilant, Sionn.....she cannot be taken by them....she is not strong enough yet to withstand them.~ Beau nudged Sionn's hand, trusting him to protect her before he moved to Aurora's side and nudged her.

Aurora smiled up at Sionn....."What exactly do you eat here for breakfast?" She knew that their styles of cooking were very different and even though she was still cold from sensing the evil and the pain of the Earth, she was trying to change the subject and lighten the mood.

Rhain felt Torri's relief to be home. Perhaps he was just wasn't a city boy, or perhaps he was just a Scotsman through and through, but in his mind, they couldn't have left the states fast enough. As she described, already he felt the fresh country air clearing out his lungs, as though poisons were literally seeping out of him. There was something off about her, though. He'd trained his senses to understand the unspoken, perhaps better than what was actually said or even purposefully shown to him. Either way, he didn't believe the smile. Every instinct within him disagreed with it and he couldn't help but have the strange feeling it had to do with the sudden bond between her twin brother and other woman who also bonded to nature as he did.

"Can I ask ya somethin'?" he said finally, unsure of how else to bring it up. Torri looked expectantly at him and he felt himself pausing again, the words getting lost in the feelings for which there was no human language to describe, at least not that he knew. After a moment of her starting to look impatient, the Elar-uma hybrid decided to go with "are ya alright? I mean, for real?" He could tell from the look in her eyes that she knew exactly what he meant. In a way, that in and of itself answered his question, but he was curious to see how she would respond, already deciding that if she chose to lie, he would back off and let her have her space. Still, he would keep an eye on her anyway, even if no one else noticed.

Torri knew the young man was more perceptive than just about any other person she had known. In the short time they had been in company with each other, she knew he was a quiet observer who didn’t get involved with much of anything unless it involved him directly. This, though, was not his normal stance on things. He was asking about her directly and while she knew she could skirt the issue, he could see beneath the surface and knew if she wasn’t honest and up front with him.

Aas the rain began to lesson and become the familiar, heavy mist she was so accustomed to, she sighed heavily then looked past Rhain to see her brother and Aurora canoodling with each other as they made their way into the castle. The look on her face spoke volumes and even if she said nothing, he would know he was spot on with what he felt to be the issue with her. Finally her green eyes came back to his own gaze and she shook her head almost so slight it would have been missed by a normal person.

”Not really….but then again, ya knew that already.”

She turned her back to the castle and looked out over the sea that crashed against the craggy coastline beneath them before she sighed again and sat down. Glancing up at him she furrowed her brows slightly.

”Ya gonna sit or stand all ominous like over me?”

With a moment’s hesitation, Torri gave the slightest of smiles when Rhain finally sat down next to her. She let her gaze settle on his for a moment before she looked out over the mist shrouded sea beyond.

”Sionn and I….we have a unique bond. Mum and Da said it was unlike anything they had ever seen a’fore. I guess it’s cuz we grew up with each other knowing exactly what and who we were that made it easier for us to grow closer. I dunno. But now, as we both grow into adulthood…..things be changin. I knew the day would come eventually when we’d be making lives o’our own to live but to see it come to fruition…..”

She shrugged her shoulders and pushed her sodden hair from her brow, tucking it behind her pointed ears.

”I canna shake the feelin that things won’t be the same ‘tween Sionn and me after this is all over with. IF it ever be over.”

As they stepped into the castle Sionn helped Aurora removed her outers and he hung them in the mud room to dry. He took her hand as he walked with her towards the kitchen, “Only the finest foods lass, blood pudding, bacon crisp off the fire, orange juice, fresh eggs on toast with tomato and cheese, maybe some white muffins with butter and jam… breakfast is always a grand affair!”

She would see it in his eyes, this was without a doubt his favorite meal, and sure enough as they circled around the kitchen and into the large dining space Annette had already seen that the food was laid out for them. She looked up with a smile and spoke, “To it lad!” Sionn could only smile at his mother’s ribbing. As Aurora looked at him curiously he spoke, “To it, is a mothers way of getting an unruly or otherwise unwanten child to get to doin’ what she’s wanting of him… but the truth is tha’ I have never bee needin to be told to eat ma’ breakfast.”

Annette’s light hearted laughter echoed as she nodded, “Aye lass, there’s nothing but truth in that statement, our wee un here has always had a fondness for food.”

Sionn flushed slightly at his mother’s words and pulled Aurora’s chair out for her, helping her sit. When she was situated he went to his own chair, “Where’s yer sister?”

Sionn looked up at his mum and spoke, “She’s out with Rhainn, we saw them up on the craig’s just as we were makin’ out way in.”

Annette furrowed her brow slightly and spoke, “And you didn’t see to it that she knew to come in?”

Sionn looked at her and spoke, “I didn’a know it was my place to…,” “Sionn McGhee, it has always been the elders place to see that the family is rounded for meals.”

Sionn looked sideways at Aurora and nodded, “Aye mum.”

He stood and went to the back of the castle, grabbed his coat and flipped it over his body, walking into the wet.

Annette turned to look at Aurora and spoke, “Lass, there are duties we all perform, understand that Sionn, though he is older, still has to see that all functions of the household are done.”


Sionn walked up the hillside towards the Craig’s. As he came to the top he could see the silhouettes of his sister and Rhainn, sat on a stump and starring out to sea. He didn’t wish to yell and startle them so he walked up, being sure to make enough noise that they could hear him coming and spoke, “T, mum has breakfast all set…”

Rhainn turned to look at him, and then Torri. He could see that she was upset, possibly even crying. His face suddenly went soft with concern and he knelt in the mud beside her. Taking her hand in his he spoke, “Sis, T…. what is it? What’s wrong?”

Tears were foreign to Torri. Even though she felt as though things had changed between her and Sionn and it affected her, she refused to shed them. Thankfully, the heavy mist that hung in the air did it for her. As she and Rhain sat in the silence of each other’s company, she found his quiet presence to be a soothing balm for her. He didn’t judge. He didn’t talk much and he didn’t offer up an opinion that wasn’t sought after. He was just….there.

When she heard Sionn approaching, she turned her head to glance over her shoulder at him. He was happy. She could see that in his eyes. And if Aurora had done that for him, then she was glad for her brother. She only hoped he wasn’t giving his heart away prematurely considering how things had gone already with the dark haired beauty from the States. After all, he still had the rest of his life to live. And to see her free spirited brother so suddenly smitten the way he was with this single woman….Torri couldn’t help but be suspicious. Had he fallen under some sort of enchanting spell?

Furrowing her brows at the notion and the fact it even crossed her mind, it was that look that greeted Sionn when he knelt down in the mud beside her. Her brows dipped even further when he took her hand in his. She glanced towards Rhain and saw he was watching her intently before she drew her gaze back to her brothers green eyes.

”What makes ya think anythin’ is wrong? I’m just sittin’ here wi’Rhain looking out at the water.”

She slipped her hand out of his and stood up, brushing her wet hair out of her face again as she attempted to dust off her wet clothes.

”I’m sure ya dinna come all the way out here just to check on my well being. I suppose mum sent ya to inform me breakfast be ready.”

She glanced over at Rhain who had now stood up but was still watching.

”C’mon. We best get back n’change. Annette McGhee would have kittens if we showed up dripping wet to her breakfast table.”

She looked back at Sionn.

”We shunna keep ya from the house too long. Dunna want anyone else to come out here lookin’ for us. Thank ya for lettin’ us know.”

There was nothing in her words that was anything but the truth yet there was something different about her delivery. What exactly was still difficult to tell but one thing was for certain, Torri was definitely pulling away from something.

Or someone.

Or both.

Moving past Sionn, she walked towards the castle knowing if she used the front door looking like she was now her mother would have plenty to say to her so instead, she headed for the side door that would let her take the stairs that would lead up to her bedroom.

Sionn looked at Torri as she responded. He could hear the flatness in her voice, it was unlike her to talk to him this way, even if she was telling the truth, or at least half of it, she was too much his sister and they were too closely bonded for her to keep herself from him. He nodded as she spoke and he responded, "Aye, mum has breakfast on the table, best to it."

He watched as she and Rhain made their way and he turned, looking into the drizzle. The sea was relatively calm despite the clouds and the moisture. He inhaled deeply and let the salty air fill his lungs as he let his thoughts take him. Being home always seemed to make things easier, but this time it didn't seem to be the case. He opened his eyes and took a half a step back as a large raven was now perched on the log where Torri and Rhain had just been sitting. It looked up at him, preened it's inky black feathers and tapped it's stone hard beak on the log before looking back at him, almost smiling. He blinked and instinctually felt for his hammers, which were inconveniently in the castle.



In a black swirl Arawela stood before him, he looked her over but didn't make a move. She looked at him with longing in her eyes, "It's a terrible shame that one so handsome is also so squeaky clean." He looked at her and responded softly, "You forget w'ho we are Arawela, the Stormborn are no aligned to anything but balance."

She walked around him and traced her finger up across his chest, across his shoulder, around his neck and down his back, "Ahhh, yes, and what would the world be without balance."

"Chaos."

She laughed into hysterics and caught her breath quickly, "Yes Sionn, yes it would... wonderful, beautiful, delicious chaos."

He turned now that she was behind him and spoke again, "Nothing would come of chaos, once you had killed the humans you would only turn on yourselves. Madness and destruction are like forest fires, they blaze in the moment but eventually burn themselves out by the consequences of their own destruction."

She cooed softly as she stepped up to him, "But what a joyous ride in the meantime."

He furrowed his brow, "What do you want, why 'ave you come to our lands?"

She pouted playfully and spoke, "Oh Sionn, always right to business. I come unarmed, what makes you think I have hostile intent."

"All ye are is hostile intent, it's what you do and I call shite on y'er being unarmed, the very earth herself is your weapon, we both know it."

She laughed softly and spoke, "I suppose that's true Sionn."

"So what do you want."

"You know what I want."

Sionn shook his head, "No lass, I don't."

Arawela's eyes narrowed and she smiled viciously, "I want the girl."

"Well, she is under the protection of the Stormborn now, you can't 'ave her."

Arawela half shrugged and spoke softly, "Not yet..."

Sionn felt a slight prick of pain and he went numb. Looking down Arawela was with drawing a very small dagger which had pierced Sionn only a quarter inch or so leaving the tiniest of wounds just under his ribs, "Hexlock Ghost, you've heard of it?"

Sionn's face twisted, "You litt'l bitch."

Arawela smiled sweetly and spoke, "Madness and destruction sweetheart, madness and destruction."

The more Torri thought of it, the more her emotions mixed her up. What the hell was wrong with her? Sionn was grown and it was his right to do what he wanted to with his life. Right? Not really. Not until they got over this rather large seed bump in life. THEN he could canoodle all he wanted with whoever he wanted.

She passed by a window and glanced out like she always does towards the craigs. She took a few steps beyond then stopped dead in her tracks. Rushing back to the window, she saw someone with long dark hair circling Sionn closely like a large, predatory feline. Squinting to get a closer look, she immediately recognized the figure and the blood rushed from her head.

”oh no….”

Running as fast as she could, she ran towards the stairs as she screamed at the top of her lungs as she took the steps three at at time making her way even higher.

”MA! DA! SHE’S HERE! AND SHE’S NEAR SIONN!!!”

When she reached the top floor of the castle, she grabbed a bow and quiver she kept near the roof entrance then threw open the door and quickly knocked a bolt as she whispered ancient words of magic while she pulled back on the string making it as taut as she could.

Raising the weapon, she drew a bead on the dark head of Arawela. Releasing the bolt, she didn’t wait to see if it was on target knowing the spell she cast would do that for her. Running back down the steps as fast as her feet and legs would carry her, she saw her parents already running out of the castle and towards the craigs. The little bitch was still standing so that meant she had evaded the first bolt, but Torri was determined to make sure that didn’t happen again.

Pulling another bolt out of her quiver, she drew another bead on the druid and was just about to let it go when she noticed the look on Sionn’s face and the fact he hadn’t moved. An icy chill ran the length of her spine as she realized something was wrong.

Very.

Wrong.

Ever so slowly she lowered the bow and took a few steps forward before she quickly turned it into a full fledged run. Her lungs burned by the time she reached the two and as she drew herself up quickly to come to a stop, she also drew her bow up and held a bolt trained right at the space in Arawela’s forehead between her eyes. She could see the smug smirk on the woman’s face and knew something terrible was about to go down. And Sionn was stuck in the middle.

Or worse.

Her arms trembled slightly with the need to let her bolt go but something held her back. Talking to the druid with a clenched jaw, she let Arawela know she was in no mood to play games. Her eyes darted to Sionn and she could see something was definitely wrong. Torri felt a sinking feeling growing in the pit of her stomach as she saw her brother and the hold on her bow slackened slightly. Realizing Arawela had already done….something, Torri pulled back even more on her bow string as she practically growled her words at Arawela ready to kill the druid once and for all.

”What have you done you crazy bitch?”

Something was wrong here.

Very.

Wrong.

Sionn? Talk t’me, brutha.”

Arawela looked down at the siblings as Torri cradled Sionn, "Oh I'm sorry Torri I am afraid the cat may have Sionn's tongue, or should I say, the Hexlock Ghost has it."

Torri's face went pale as she looked up at Arawela, "It's so cute the way you call me 'bitch' by the way, with the accent and all it's so..."

Torri's hand connected with Arawela's jaw and sent her backwards into the mud, flat on her back. She rolled with laughter as Torri came a'top her and cocked her fist to hit her again. As she spit blood onto her pale cheeks she spoke, "Oh little Torri, before you go making a mess of us both you might want to remember that your brother's mind is slowly twisting away with madness."

Torri knew exactly what Arawela meant, Hexlock Ghost was a strange poison, it's effects were slow and deliberate, taking the mind of the victim over the course of weeks. The initial reaction was shock and lack of body control, which would come back in an hour or so. After that, it would take it's time wrapping itself around the brain tissue and seeping into the crevices of the brain, ultimately causing the victim to go completely insane. It was such a vile substance that only druids of the highest talent dared even attempt brew it, and therefore were the only ones who knew enough to have a cure.

As Torri climbed off her Arawela got to her feet. The whole of the family was in the rain now and Annette was cradling Sionn.

"What do you want for it?"

Arawela looked at Annette and smiled softly, "Oh mistress of the Storms, I think you know exactly what I want, the little pretty, and her bow."

Awawela looked up at Aurora and smiled softly, "I will give you 24 hours to think about it, shall we say, same time, same place, tomorrow?"

Her smile lavished in the pain they were all clearly in and she stepped backwards towards the rocky craigs, watching each of them carefully.

Aurora heard Torri yell and knew immediately who she was talking about. Arawela. Damn her!! She didn't think, only acted as she shoved the chair back hard enough to make it fall over and raced to the room where the bow and arrows were, grabbing the sacred bow and quiver of arrows. She could feel the ancient spirits gathering within her as her eyesight became better and her legs swifter. Beau was on her heels as they ran out of the manor while Eryn was flying overhead. She saw Torri stop and then heard her other words and then saw her punch Arawela.

Aurora was scared now, seeing Annette cradling Sionn in her arms, knowing that something was wrong. She approached Torri and Arawela in time to hear the druidess' words as she lowered the sacred bow, relieving the tension in the string and relaxing the arrow. She turned to look behind her at Sionn then back to Arawela before walking back to Sionn and Annette.

"What is Hexlock Ghost, Mrs. McGhee?" She paled when Annette explained it to her, her love for Sionn filling her dark eyes as she lovingly stroked his cheek. "I am so sorry, Sionn", she whispered. "This has got to stop." She rose to her feet and walked over to stand next to Torri.

"If I go with you, you have to give Torri the cure to the Hexlock Ghost and before I even agree to leave with you I want to see Erebus....here.....now." Beau gave a growl to Aurora as he sat next to Sionn and Annette, his amber eyes staring at Aurora's back. ~You can't, Rory!! You cannot go with her no matter what!!!~ ~I will not have Sionn suffer like this because of me, Beau. I love him, my friend and I will do whatever I have to do to keep him safe.~

Hexlock Ghost.

It rang on Torri’s ears like the mournful bong of a loan bell announcing death. Her anger was held at bay only by the fear she now had for Sionn’s life. She looked to her brother and while he was struck numb and couldn’t move, she could see the look in his eyes. Already he was feeling the effects of the poison as it moved through his veins and began moving into his brain. Her heart shattered in a million pieces just trying to think of what he may be going through right now. Completely aware of everything yet totally unable to do anything about it. The ONLY good thing was that because his movements were hindered, the poison was not moving as fast as it could if he were mobile.

She could see the emotions play across her parents faces and knew they were unable to help their son as much as she was unable to help her brother. This poison was used only by the most sinister of druids. Those she usually faced off against when trying to maintain the balance that was so precarious to maintain.

When Aurora agreed to go with Arawela, the red head turned her head slowly to look at the dark haired Native American as though she had grown a second head.

”Are ye really tha' fucking stupid?”

Erich snapped his head at his daughter and sternly admonished her.

”Torri! Language!”

Torri glanced at her father and did something she never did before. Disobeyed him.

”Why? If Sionn hadn’t fallen for her dim witted self, he wuld na be in this fucking situation!”

She pointed an accusing finger at Aurora before going on.

”Something happened t' her when she spent time with those fucking nut jobs. If I were to place money on it, I would say they enchanted her some how to make Sionn fall in love with her to drop his guard. Ya know as well as I do, Sionn be a one night Romeo, Da. Not some forever man. Especially to someone as stupid and naïve and gullible as…as…well…THAT.”

The sound of a sharp crack filled the air as Annette’s hand made contact with Torri’s cheek. Torri’s head snapped to the right at the impact and ever so slowly her head righted itself. The red mark of her mother’s hand and fingers already starting to show on her skin. The look in Torri’s eyes suddenly became unreadable but the fact she stood clenching her jaw was clear indication she would say no more. For now.

Annette turned a hard look to Arawela then.

”You dare come to my home and attack us. You have made a fatal mistake, Arawela. Maybe not today, but know that one day I will catch up with you when you least expect it and make sure you will never be able to do this again.”

Erich stepped forward then

”Prove to me you have the cure, druid. And bring Erebus here as the Aurora demanded. Until those two things are done, there will be no discussion and we will seek the cure from others.”

Torri glared at Arawela then turned her hateful glare on Aurora and whispered harshly to the woman.

”You're way out o' your league here, ya silly woman. Ye donna make deals with th' devil. Ever.”

She looked to Rhain then who was standing off to the side watching all of this go down. She knew the young man was ready to spring at a moment’s notice and all she had to do was give him the signal. As soon as she got it from her father, she would let him unleash his abilities.

Aurora didn't say a word as Torri cut loose on her. In fact, her heart sank at the words of Sionn being a 'one night Romeo' and her being naive and gullible. And when Torri accused her of placing Sionn under some kind of spell she wondered if she were right. What did she truly know about her abilities? Her mother had left so much out in her training. She turned and looked back at Sionn, saw his green eyes looking at her and walked over to him. She knelt down next to him, kissing his cheek before whispering into his ear as a tear trailed down her cheek and dropped onto his face.

"I know that I love you, Sionn....with all of my heart, I love you. Please forgive me....Torri is right." She lifted her head, smiling softly at him, her dark eyes filled with her love for him and with a sorrow that would break anyone's heart. Kissing his lips softly, another tear landed on him as she lifted her head. "I love you, Sionn McGhee and I will do whatever I have to....anything to make you well again before this herb hurts you anymore."

She stood and walked back to where Arawela, Annette, Erich and Torri were standing. She turned a hardened, dark gaze upon Sionn's younger sister, "I am naive...and probably gullible....but I love your brother with everything I have in me and I will do whatever I have to do to keep him safe and make him well again. And....I am.....NOT....a THAT!!!"

Arawela began to pace ever so gently as she watched the family reel in the turmoil over their champion, lying in a heap at their feet. Torri exploding into a fit of emotional turmoil only added to the inner joy she was experiencing. What a delightful unfolding from one simple little act. Aurora conceded, then the family stepped up and put on a brave face through their patriarch. Arawela however did not respond in the manner they probably would have expected. Her voice was sweet but laced with posion, “Oh Mr. McGhee, I don’t think that you,” she pointed at him, “Or you,” she pointed to Annette, “Or you,” she pointed to Aurora, “Or especially you little pretty,” she pointed to Torri, “Are in any position to debate or make demands of me?”

She looked at the group, as Annette made her threat Arawela simply laughed from the belly and responded, “Mrs. Chieftain, I assure you that I anticipate and anxiously await the day of reckoning for my actions, do you think me blind enough to attack one of the most beloved warriors of the Stormborn and not expect mama bear to show me her claws for it?”

Annette scowled at her and as Erich made his statement she smiled sweetly and spoke, “Almost as handsome as his offspring is the dear Mr. McGhee. I hold the cure, of that you can be certain, do you think I am stupid enough to walk around with a live vile of Hexlock Ghost and not simultaneously carry a cure? Am I so devil-may-care that I would put my own life at such jeopardy? I want you all to consider something before any more demands are laid on this false table of debate, for there is no debate, nor is there room for negotiations, I hold the cards, and the cure! My Uncle is thousands of miles away in the United States, going about his business while I am here, soaking in the cheerful weather of Scotland and enjoying the hospitality of its country folk, going about mine. Every moment we stand battered by the winds and rain with you make your futile demands, pretending to have any sliver or manner of power in this situation your son slips into the dark pit of eternal madness. What everyone of you fail to understand is that time is on MY side, not yours… I simply refuse to meet the ‘demands’ you have all placed upon me, I will not even recognize them as legitimate or valid, for I can go to town, have a few pints, find a man to bed and sleep well this evening as I wait for your wills and his mind to break. You on the other hand I am sure will spend countless sleepless nights watching your eldests mind corrode into raspberry jam while you stubbornly put up the good fight to bring me to your level. There is no quarrel between sheep and lions, my demands stand, as is, I want the Raven haired one, and her bow, you may keep her filthy pets, I have no need of them. When I leave, you will have the cure, I understand the old code, our word between one another must be maintained for there to be the remain no chance of war. THAT is the reality of our situation, so make your choice, I am leaving now, with her or without her, the choice is yours. The manner of my leaving will determine whether or not you have a cure in your hand or not upon my departure.”

She turned and took a step towards the open ocean, her words were ringing to the truth of the situation, Hexlock Ghost was one of the most feared and vile poisons on the planet, so dangerous that many died just trying to brew it. The fact that she had it automatically suggested she also carried the cure, and that she was either extremely clever to have brewed it herself, or simply clever enough to have acquired it somehow. She turned and looked back at them, she was holding something in her hand, it was small, thin and cylindrical, she gently tumbled it between her fingers and thumb as she watched them and awaited their final response.

))) RESPONSE AFTER AURORA’s SECOND POST (((

As Aurora approached Arawela looked at her with slick eyes, like those of a serpent, cunning and smooth, “You have made the right choice little poppet, I assure you he would have never been the same.”

She grabbed Aurora gently by the arm and tossed the small silver vile into the air, it tumbled and spun as it went up and then she hissed words of ancient druidic magic, the vile exploded into an array of color and showered down over her and Aurora. In a flash they were gone, and simultaneously in Sionns hands a glass vile appeared, within it was a thick, clear blue liquid which had a soft glow to it, almost like a lightening bug glow.

Torri screamed in frustration as she lunged for the spot Arawela stood. If it hadn’t been for Rhain’s quick reflexes she would have gone sailing over the edge of the crags but just at the last minute, the young man’s hand reached out and snatched a hold of her own. For a moment she dangled precariously over the edge as Rhain struggled to pull her back up onto solid ground and if it hadn’t been for Erich grabbing a hold of Rhain and pulling the young man, and Torri, back, Torri and Rhain would have plunged to their deaths.

Annette quickly knelt down by Sionn’s side and snatched the vile from his hand. Turning him so she cradled his head in her lap, she tilted it back and opened the vile then poured the contents into his mouth. He sputtered and coughed but she kept giving it to him until the vile was drained.

Erich gave a hard look to his daughter as Annette tended to Sionn.

”Your words and actions were out of line, young lady.”

Torri wiped the wet hair from her face and turned to her father.

”Have ye not looked around, Da and see what the world is becomin’? That woman hasna a clue what is really happenin’ here. An’ she thinks she has the answer to everythin’. Hell, she hadna ever been away from home until she met up with Sionn and I. An now….that crazy bitch has a hold o’her and there is nothin’ we can do about it. Ye saw how easily she gave herself up. Like a sheep sent to slaughter, she is oblivious to what she’s done. And the whole fucking world is gonna pay for her lack of understandin’.”

Erich’s temper was quickly rising at his daughter.

”And what were we supposed to do, Torri? Let Sionn slip further and further away from us? Arawela had us over a barrel. She was right. She held all the cards in her hand. She would have let you beat her to death before she would have given the cure.”

Torri huffed.

”She’d not be able t’do this t’anyone else if I had.”

Erich clenched his jaw.

”And Sionn would never come back.”

Torri grew quiet then and looked down at her brother as their mother cradled him in her arms. The cure was slowly starting to counteract the poison that had been introduced to his system.

”There’s other ways of dealing with the Poe’s, Torri. You have to trust your mother and I that we know what we’re doin’. Have we ever sent you to do somethin’ we knew you couldn’t handle?”

Torri let all of this sink in as she glanced from Erich to Annette and Sionn then to Rhain who had, in essence, saved her life.

”Bad things happen, T. Sometimes to us. But it’s how we let it affect us that shape who we are. And right now, you’ve let things affect you far too much.”

Torri looked around at her parents and her brother. Was her father right? Finally she glanced at Rhain and saw how he was watching everything but mostly her. As the unsettling silence began to grow uncomfortable, thankfully Sionn began to stir. As the attention was now drawn to him, Torri was able to focus on anything but herself….

Sionn felt the clarity coming back to his mind, he looked up and saw his mother staring down at him, his head cradled in her lap, the rain licking his face. He reached weakly up towards Torri. Despite the whole family being around him, he reached to her, and she gently placed her hand in his. With more strength than she thought he would have after this ordeal he pulled her to him, wrapping his arms weakly around her and began to sob into her ear. He could hear her breathing change to heavy inhalations and he whispered in her ear, “I love ya T… I love ya.”

He refused to let go for a long time, holding her and crying into her neck. Finally he let her go and looked up at his mother and father as the strength increasingly was coming back to his body. Weakly he spoke, “I’m …. I’m thirsty…”

Erich tapped his wife and spoke, “I’ve got it.”

He ran to the house and retrieved a bottle of water and came back up to the Craigs. By the time he had returned Sionn was sitting up and the color was coming back to his face, the effects of the poison retreating quickly. The rain had stopped again and Sionn drank the whole bottle of water before finally looking at all of them standing and kneeling around him, “Well, that was an’experience I hope none of you e’vr ‘ave to go through.”

He looked over at Torri and and he reached to her, smiling softly as he squeezed her hand again. She would feel the strength returning rapidly. Inhaling deeply he looked up at his parents, “So she left aye?”

Annette looked at Erich and then to Sionn, “Aye son, she went with her.”

Sionn nodded softly and turned to see Beau was sitting just behind him. The wolf had a sullen look on his face, it was obvious that this creature was more than just a canine. As Beau whimpered softly and nosed at Sionn’s face Sionn laughed softly and whispered, “Alright ya wee beastie… I’m fine.”

He reached up to Erich and with his father’s aid he made it to his feet and stretched his back gently before looking to his sister again, “Clearly T, all my decisions have been wrong… what do you think we should do now?”

It was a bold step, he superseded asking his parents permission or blessing, clearly this was now a personal war as much as one between factions, or even houses. This had become personal. Torri and Sionn had been attacked on their own land twice now, and it was obvious by the look on Sionn’s face that he had had enough. Unprecidented however was his giving control of the situation to Torri, it was always assumed that he was the leader of their duo, he called the shots, he made the decisions, but now, all of a sudden, she was in control of their next move and she could tell on his face he would do whatever she asked of him.

Aurora had only enough time to give Sionn a look of pure love before the druidess took her away from him. Little did Arawela know, though, was that the quiver of arrows Aurora carried was not the actual quiver. The arrows were real enough, but the quiver was a replica that she'd asked Sam to make in secret. It looked identical but was not. And to add to that, in order for the bow to come into it's full power, she herself must do the sacred ceremony and it had to be done with the true bow, true arrows, true quiver and the ceremonial dress. If only one of these things were not present then the bow would not come into it's full power and in fact if the ceremony were done as it stood now the bow would become nothing more than a normal bow until the next barer was of age. Torri thought Aurora was naive and gullible and to a point she was, but she was not stupid.

*********************************

Back on the craigs, Beau licked Sionn's face thankful that he would recover fully. Eryn flew around above, crying out in sorrow for the loss of her mistress when Beau gave a bark to the McGhee's and spoke to Sionn through their connection. ~She loves you and that's why she went with the bitch. But, she is not stupid. The bow and arrows are the real thing, but the quiver is not. Sam is good at what he does and he made a replica of it. The bow is useless without the actual quiver. All parts must be authentic in order for the bow to be in it's full power. And the ceremony hasn't been performed yet and can't be without the dress.~ He gave Sionn a wolfish grin, then turned to Torri and shocked her by speaking to her in her mind, ~You do not realize the depth of love she feels for your brother. She will do whatever she has to in order to keep him safe, even sacrifice her own life for him. But, Rory is anything but stupid. Sionn will explain.~ He then turned to Erich and walked over to him nudging his hand as Eryn came and landed on Beau's back, looking at the lorekeeper of the Stormborn. It was her who spoke to him, ~Aurora thought ahead after the attack in her room at Sam's inn. The bow is useless for now and will be until all factions are in place. The actual quiver is hidden within her room and in plain sight. If you look close enough when you enter her room, you will see what looks like a large, doeskin bag for carrying her clothing. And that's what it is, and more. Her and Sam worked together to wrap the clothing bag around the quiver hence hiding it in plain sight.~ Turning golden eyes onto Torri, she chortled at her, ~You love your brother and you take your responsibilities very seriously, but you don't see past the nose on your face. But you will....you will.~

Beau and Eryn both looked to all of the people standing before them, even Rhainn, waiting and hoping that they were going to go get Aurora and bring her back.

]
Even as children, Sionn and Torri didn’t cry. They had their moments of pouting and bawling, but crying was just something they never did. There was never a reason for hurtful tears when injury was not involved. Even then they were few and far between. But as Sionn grabbed a hold of his sister and drew her into him, she felt the release of his tears, heard the sobbing and like her brother, she too released her tears and clung to him.

It was a release for both of him but more importantly, it was cleansing. A cleansing of the soul. Erich McGhee was right, his daughter had let things affect her far too much in the recent past and while Torri knew she couldn’t change that, she could channel her angst at the world into something more productive than name calling and venting frustration.

Wiping her eyes with the back of her hands, she let her brother get to his feet with her father’s help. When Sionn turned to her and asked what they should do next, she blinked and looked from ne face to the other. She had always been the follower. Not the leader. Could she do this?

Yes.

With their help.

”They haven’t been wrong, Sionn. Just not aggressive ‘nuff.”

She looked at the faces again seeing how they looked expectantly back at her.

”Th’ best offense is a good defense sometimes. Or at least according t’th’ Yank NFL players.”

Again she saw the way they looked at her clearly not following along.

”Arawela came here an’ did some bold moves. Even for a Poe. There was always the unspoken agreement that the Houses homes were off limits. They are considered sacred ground. Her comin’ here and attacking us, and the deranged druid ‘fore her, isn’t Poe style. They be a sneaky lot, I’ll give ya that much, but to have the brass balls to do THAT…”

Erich was about to say something when Torri held her hand up to quiet his words before they were spoken.

”Is true, Da, and you know it as well as th’ rest o’us. I’ll mind me tongue when I have ta, but in th’ comp’ny of my own family…..It’s not disrespectful. It’s just who I am, Da.”

Erich closed his mouth and let his daughter continue.

”We have been under the impression that crazy bitch be working with her uncle. What if that isna the case? What if she is working with another faction? Another House? Wonna be the first time something crazy like that has happened.”

She looked at her father and mother both this time.

”Right?”

Erich and Annette exchanged looks and then Erich shook his head.

”No. It wouldn’t.”

She looked over at Sionn and saw the confusion in his eyes.

”Seems that House that everyone thought was dead and has mysteriously popped up again joined forces with another House quite a few hundred years ago. Think it be a coincidence a House Taizu member gave Tae cousin an ass whoopin in New York when we happen t’be in Th’ Big Easy? And ‘fore ya answer that, ‘member what Sam always says…..”

Sionn’s voice joined in with her own to finish the sentence.

”Ain’t no such thing as a coincidence.”

Just then Torri heard a voice in her head and she startled slightly then looked around. As the voices spoke to her she looked at the wolf and raptor then looked over at Sionn.

”Great….now the beasties be speakin’. Just when I thought we could have some peace and quiet.”

Finally her eyes drifted over to Rhain and she walked up to the young man. Her eyes locked with his for a moment before she reached out and hugged him tightly around the neck and whispered in his ear before releasing him quickly.

”Thank ye, Rhain. I’d be a bloody mess on the rocks below if not for your quick thinking and even quicker actions. I owe ya.”

Rhain's eyes went wide when Torri hugged him, but he quickly registered what had happened and smiled, patting her back affectionately. When she broke away, however, he glanced in the direction in which the woman had vanished and frowned slightly. There was a vibe off of her that he didn't like, as though there was something seriously wrong that would make them need to think differently about it all.

"Do ya think maybe she's just working for herself?" he suggested by way of a somewhat delayed response to their considerations about her working with another house. The others looked at him quizzically and he realized he had little to back it up with other than his often correct premonitions and feelings. "I don' know how to explain it," he said, "but somethin' just doesn't feel right about that girl. Do ya remember in the graveyard? That other man . . . I just . . . don' see 'im trustin' her all this way. He yelled at her and hit her. Does that seem like someone you'd trust for somethin' like this alone?" He paused, realizing he was doing little to back up his suggestion, but he just couldn't shake the feeling. "I just can't help but think either that man is somewhere around or she's not what we think."