The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook* (111 page)

“I’m going to go in the woods,” I explained quietly. “Can you open another portal and get Granny Winnie? I know the portal from the island to Fairlia was closed, but I was hoping we could still open one from here in the human realm.”

“Yes, absolutely,” she answered. Just as I was about to turn away, the door to her study burst opened and in walked my grandfather Kelvin.

“Willa?” he practically shouted. Sidra and I shushed him, and he looked around confused. “What the devil is going on here?”

“No time to explain Grandpa,” I said. “I just need my two grandmas’ for a few minutes. She’ll be right back, and Mathias is here so no need to worry.”

“Humph,” he said as he glanced at Mathias. I think Kelvin knew about Mathias, and I being involved. I had a feeling he wasn’t that keen on our relationship yet.

“Mathias,” he said finally. Mathias had nodded back respectfully before Kelvin spoke again. “I’m not very happy about you and Willa mating but I will concede that if it had to be anyone I’m glad it was you.”

“Thank you Prince Kelvin,” Mathias said in surprise. “I’m…”

“If you hurt her in any way, shape or form I will hunt you down and kill you,” Kelvin continued

“I would expect no less,” Mathias replied. Kelvin stared at him for a moment before turning to me.

“Are you alright?” he asked gently

“I’m better,” I said. “I don’t feel like I want to rip my skin off, so that’s an improvement.”

“Do you know…?” he started to ask but I cut him off right away.

“Do I know about my dad?” I finished. “Yeah and I haven’t dealt with that yet so let me figure a few other things out first before trying to have a conversation with me about my father.”

“I understand,” he said sadly

“She’ll be safe, I promise,” I said

“If she is with you than I am not worried,” he said

“Also, keep this quiet,” I said. “I know you trust your royal guard but I just have this feeling that there is a leak somewhere. I don’t know where or on which end, but we need to keep things close to the chest for now.”

Kelvin nodded and turned to Sidra. “Be safe my love.”

“Bye Gramps,” I said before teleporting off into the woods. Mathias and I had agreed to have Sidra come first so that she could open a portal for Winnie while I stayed away for a few minutes. I had just settled on the floor of the forest when I heard the sound of something come crashing through the forest.

I stood up abruptly and prepared myself for whatever this threat may be. What I did not prepare myself for was the sight of my dogs racing towards me in an excited run as they came into the small clearing and joined me. I was so shocked that when Cupcake jumped on me I fell to the ground in sheer joy.

Tears were pouring down my face as I held on to his fur and hugged him. I didn’t realize how much I missed my dumb furball of a St. Bernard. I finally sat up and was amazed when Mathias’s dog or should I say our dog Oscar, put his paw on my face and leaned in to give my cheek a lick. It was the first time this dignified Weimaraner had ever let his guard down and been affectionate with me.

After several minutes of petting and more kisses I finally stood up and laughed when Cupcake went to a tree and lifted his leg to pee.

“You always have to mark your territory right away huh Cupcake?” I grinned. Both dogs fell in step on either side of me, and we walked out of the woods and into the meadow together. I stopped and gripped their collars when I first spotted both my grandmothers standing there by the cabin. They were looking at me hesitantly. I knew they were trying to keep their emotions and magic under control.

I reached out with the elements and was surprised when all I felt was a gentle hum in the air. I could feel my body respond, but it wasn’t as intense as I thought it would be. I started walking slowly, but the closer I got to them the more excited I became. The elements were responding to my happiness, and I ran the last few hundred feet and caught my Granny Winnie by surprise when I flung my arms around her neck.

I think she was so shocked that she didn’t know how to respond but soon enough I felt her hug me back just as tightly, and we stood there holding each other. Even though, I was slightly angry at her for putting a plan into place without consulting me, I still loved her, and I had missed her. I gave her a smile and turned to Sidra, who was watching us almost with sadness. I hugged her just as tight, and I felt tears prick my eyes as we held each other.

“Thank you both for coming on such short notice,” I said

“Oh please Willa,” Winifred said. “Did you gain manners when you lost your mind?”

“Winifred,” Sidra said shocked. Even Mathias looked slightly surprised

“Nope, sorry you old witch, I may have lost my mind but not my fucking lovable personality,” I said

“Thank goodness,” she said. “I was worried there for a second.”

We both smiled at each other and laughed while Sidra shook her head. I did love Sidra my fairy Grandmother, but Granny Winnie and I had been through a lot together and we were also quite a bit alike. I knew that was her way of breaking the ice, and I loved her for it with all my heart.

“We need to talk about a plan,” I said a few minutes later as we sat on the back deck. The dogs both sat right by my side and chewed contently on large bones. I had no idea where they got those, but I was pretty sure Mathias had planned this for a few days. He was so getting his own treat tonight.

“What plan?” Winifred asked. “The enchantments are in place to keep the Fae and the Rau off the island. We are safe.”

“The enchantments are not foolproof as we learned with Sabine,” I reminded her. “Fonn also has a witch and warlock working with him. It’s not over. We need first and foremost to think about everyone on the island and how to keep them safe.”

“We evacuate them,” Mathias said as we all looked at him in surprise. “A few months ago I made a visit to the North American Fae Reserve in Vermont and talked to Marilei.”

“What?” I practically shouted. “Marilei is Lord Braonan’s niece. We don’t know if we can trust her. We don’t even know if Bran is on our side yet or not.”

“Marilei is first and foremost a loyal subject to her queen,” Mathias said. “She was appalled to hear of certain things and graciously offered her help.”

“I bet she did,” I muttered thinking of how the beautiful brunette flirted with Mathias when we went there to open a portal so I could get on the Isle of Skye initially.

“Marilei and her husband Grayston offered sanctuary to the clan on the reserve,” Mathias explained. “It may be a tight fit and people will have to double up in some of the cabins but at least they’ll be safe.”

“Who do we send with them?” Winifred asked

“Veronica and Kathleen can oversee the logistics,” Mathias said. “I also think Milton should go and set up security and equipment there.”

Kathleen was my former Guardian’s mother. A Rau vampire had killed her while she protected me, and I had a healthy amount of guilt and respect for Kathleen. She was older, but she was very smart, and if anyone could handle this massive undertaking it would be her. Milton was the head of the Guardian geek squad on the island, and I adored him. He had been a tremendous help in researching and locating items regarding the Fae Sanctity’s when we had initially heard of them.

“We need more people though,” Winifred said. “If something were to go wrong, three Guardians who are not the most experienced will not be enough to fight off any threat.”

“Lucian,” I said suddenly. “How many people are in his den or family?”

“I believe he has around twenty or so,” Mathias answered

“Who is Lucian?” Winifred asked and Mathias quickly explained who he was and how he could help.

“Lucian is alive and a Fae vampire?” Sidra asked astonished. “I must admit all this information that has come to light recently is rather overwhelming.”

“Do you trust him?” Winifred

“Yes,” I said quickly, answering for Mathias. “He’s supposed to go to Mathias’s island today and see if he can help…my dad.”

“I will call and speak to him,” Mathias said as he got up and went into the house. Winifred, Sidra and I sat there in an uncomfortable silence. I knew they were going to mention my dad, but I didn’t want to talk about him yet. I wanted to get everything else squared away first before I could face the thought of him being a vampire.

“Willa, I’m sorry for hastily making a decision that obviously hurt you a great deal,” Winifred said

“I understand what you did and why you pulled the trigger,” I replied. “I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that my dad is a vampire though so if we could just…” I stopped as a sob tore through me. I didn’t want to cry. I didn’t want to feel yet. Sidra reached over and grabbed my hand in comfort as I wiped away my tears and sat up straighter in my chair.

“Sorry, I…” I couldn’t even finish my sentence. Luckily Mathias came back outside. He looked at me in question, and I just shook my head and silently pleaded with him to get back to business.

“Lucian is more than happy to offer his assistance with guarding the clan at the Fae Reserve. He and Beatrice would like to stay with us on the Isle of Skye for the battle though,” Mathias said. “We will have to make arrangements to transport a good amount of supplies from the blood bank for the rest of the vampires in his family.”

“I’m sure we can figure something out as far as how to store and move a large quantity of blood.” Winifred said. “When do you want to do this?”

“The sooner, the better,” I answered quickly. “I’m going back tomorrow. Do you think we can have everyone ready to leave in three days’ time?”

“It will be tight but I’m sure the residents will pull together and be ready,” Winifred replied

“How are you going to evacuate them though?” Sidra asked. “The portal will have to be pretty large for that many people to go through it to the Fae Reserve.”

“I can open one,” I said. Winifred and Sidra both looked shocked.

“That’s a long time to keep a portal that size open Willa,” Sidra gently reminded me

I shrugged my shoulders. “I’ll figure it out. Once we get everyone off the island, I will let down the barriers so that the Fae can be allowed back on the island. I need you to come, as well as Machall. I have to start training and figuring out these powers. I need your help.”

“Of course,” Sidra said

“I also want you to talk to Marilei personally,” I said. “I want this request to come from you. She may be lovely and kind but at the end of the day I want her to realize that this is an order that is coming from her queen. She needs to be aware of the consequences if she screws us in any way.”

Mathias rolled his eyes, but I ignored him. I wasn’t messing around here. I liked Marilei, but I would have no problem tearing her from limb to limb if she betrayed us in some way.

“Marilei will shut down the portal at once,” Mathias said. “The only way anyone can get in and out of there is through the protective barrier in this realm.”

“I can shut that off as well as soon as the clan has gathered,” Sidra said thoughtfully

“Thanks,” I said. “I’ll be in touch with you as when I get on the island Grandmamma,”

We all stood up, and I caught Granny Winnie’s eye and tried to convey to her that I wanted her to stay behind with us. Luckily, she took the hint.

“Is there a restroom here?” she asked. “I need to freshen up before I go home.”

Mathias showed her where the bathroom was, and she and Sidra had exchanged quick good-byes before Winnie disappeared in the house. Sidra opened a portal and gave me a tight hug before leaving. I watched her slip through and stayed until the portal disappeared.

“I assume there is a reason you want me stay?” Winifred said behind me. “I also forgot to ask how Sidra was able to open a portal to the island. I thought the enchantments forbade that action.”

“Only if we do it from Fairlia,” I answered. “The spell doesn’t work from this realm.”

Winifred swore under her breath. “I didn’t think about that in all the confusion. How did you know?”

“I didn’t,” I confessed. “I only figured it out when Sidra opened the one to you here. She wasn’t able to go through though was she?”

“No,” Winifred said. “She didn’t try though.”

“How’s mom?” I asked anxiously. Winifred had sighed before she answered.

“She’s not well Willa. She’s worried about you and misses you terribly. Your father’s recovery is like a yo-yo. He’s up one minute and down the next. We are all worried about her.”

“How did it happen?” I finally asked. I had to know everything about his conversion. I didn’t want too, but I knew it was time to hear about it from Winifred.

“The family was all there when Rhoswen and Cormac turned. Rhoswen’s transformation went a bit smoother after Summer stepped in and transferred her light into Rhoswen. Your father’s experience was different. We could all tell that he went too willingly. Patcoena, God bless him, tried to give whatever he could of himself to your father and for a few minutes we thought everything was fine.”

Winifred walked to the railing on the back deck and looked out over the mountains. “His body started to smoke and that’s when we realized the island was rejecting his presence. Robert came in the room, and he, and Riah gathered your father up and took off to Mathias’s island. I was aware of his home there, but I should have suspected he had facilities underground there to hold suspects.”