The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook* (13 page)

“Serena, Mathias here,” he said. “We are out of Yuma heading to Phoenix. I need you to do a few things for me. One, tell Winifred to get in touch with Queen Sidra, I’m taking Willa to the Vermont Fae Reserve. I need them to prepare for our arrival, as well as ready to assist in the opening of the portal."

He listened for a moment before continuing. “I understand we discussed keeping Willa under wraps for the time being but we have no choice now. Second call Robert in Denver. Tell him I’m calling in my favor. Get him to use a decoy and head the southern route to Kissimmee. He does not have to make contact with the Fae when he gets there. Arrive and disappear for a few weeks. I’ll be in touch soon.”

Before I could even make any protest he handed the phone back to me. “It’s your mother."

“Mom?" I asked into the phone

“Oh sweetheart, thank the Gods. What in the world happened? We’re so scared." Cecily said anxiously.

I quickly filled her in on the details, to which she exclaimed, “Teleported? How in bloody hell did you do that? Did your father already give you pointers? He was supposed to wait until we got here. I don't understand why he would even attempt to explain the ins and outs of teleporting when there are much more important things…" she broke off, and I could hear her starting to shout at my father in the background.

“Mom,” I yelled. “Dad didn’t tell me anything, it just happened. To be honest, I don’t know what I even did. Give him a break all right?"

“Sorry, I just assumed he might have told you a few things, instead of talking about the basics like the elements and the opening of the portal." her voice rising again.

“Really Mom, Dad didn't say anything,” I said as I choked back my laughter

“Hmmm, we’ll talk more about this later. Willa I need you to look in the bag. The large pocket area has a book I sewed into the liner. You’re going to have to find the stitching and tear it away."

“What’s the book about" I asked

“It’s a little book of spells I need you to study. You must find the spell to mask your scent. It should be on the first page. It’s a simple spell that you should have no trouble doing. The second one you need to look for is the invisibility spell. It’s a lot more complicated so study it and wait for the morning to stop somewhere isolated. It will make it easier for Mathias. He won’t have to worry about the authorities for driving too fast. Make sure you leave one of the doors open though, that way you can get back in the car." she finished

“Ok, scent masker and invisibility, got it."

“Most importantly Willa I need you to listen to Mathias. Do what he says. He’s there to make sure you are safe. He will give his life for you in an instant. That’s something that demands great respect. So keep the wise ass comments to a minimum."

“I will try my best I swear."

Cecily was quiet for a minute. “I love you darling and if you need your father or me, this phone will be on at all times. Even if you just need to say a quick hello we will be here."

“Well let’s hope the battery life on these phones is pretty advanced because Mathias just plugged in our coordinates in the GPS and it telling us forty five hours."

“Both phones have upgrades, so they have a long battery life and are also untraceable."

“The Caster special, excellent, what store do they offer that data plan?"

“I love you. Your father wants to talk to you now. Be safe sweetheart." Cecily sniffed

“Love you too Mom and no worries, I’ll be fine, I promise."

“Willa, Luv, did you teleport? How far did you go?" Cormac asked enthusiastically.

I smiled. “I went a few miles the first time to Gateway Park. Then we went to the storage place which was about five miles. So all in all, seven miles total. Are there any frequent teleporting miles I can cash in somewhere?"

"Unbelievable!" he practically shouted. “You are a chip off the old block my dear girl."

"Speaking of a chip, which in my case is more like a slight chip on the shoulder, I cannot believe our getaway car is a Mercedes, I mean, really Dad? What if we didn’t need it? The thought of it sitting there wasting away kills me."

“It was your Christmas/ early birthday present. I just needed a place to store it for a few weeks. So how does she run?"

“Pretty sweet. It’s a good entry-level car with all the bells and whistles. I don’t think Mathias is going to let me drive it though."

“Probably not," Cormac said. “Listen, Willa, your mother is right, you need to study the book, there's great defensive spells in there as well as the basics."

“Aren’t I a little old for homework?" I chuckled

“No one is too old to learn something new. Be safe, listen to Mathias, and when you get here, I will have a steaming cup of your mother’s hot cocoa waiting for you."

“With a shot of Irish Crème?" I asked hopefully

“Is there any other way?" he asked

“Thanks for the car. I’ll try to enjoy it for the next forty or so hours. Dad, I love you. I love you both so much. Take care of mom for me. Don’t let her go off the deep end, ok?"

“Well, to be honest honey that ship sailed a while ago, like about an hour to be precise. She’ll be better once you’re here. I love you too kiddo."

I disconnected the call and placed the phone in the cup holder next to me. I reached down for the open bag and felt around on the inside liner until I felt some small threads. I pulled hard on the strands until it ripped apart, and I pulled out a small, faded black leather bound book.

“A little book of shadows,” I murmured as I started flipping through the tiny book with interest.

“You need to find the spell that masks your scent,” Mathias ordered, “The sooner, the better."

“Are you implying that I reek?" I asked in mock horror. “That is so ungentlemanly."

“Unless you want me to rip your throat out I would suggest you find it now,” he scowled

“That’s so hot,” I smiled. “Do I make you uncomfortable Mathias?"

“Find the fucking spell."

“Better?” I asked after I found it on the first page and immediately chanted the short incantation

“Much." he said as he shifted in his seat.

“My mom also wants me to do an invisibility spell? I guess she thought it would help if you weren’t worried about flashing blue lights or even getting spotted by any random Rau."

“Human policeman do not concern me,” he replied dismissively

“Yeah, but it would be pretty cool though, much cooler than Harry’s puny cloak."

“Who?" he asked

“Harry Potter. Boy Wizard." I answered incredulously.

“Never read the books,” he replied

“That’s almost sacrilegious." I shook my head, “Movies?"

“No." he almost smiled

“Unbelievable." I said shocked. I sat there for a few minutes and contemplated a world without Harry Potter. When I realized Mathias was looking at me, I shook my head again as if to clear it, and said, “So now what?"

“Now we drive to Vermont."

“OK." I said. “Want to play a car game?"

“A what?" he asked

“A car game,” I explained. “So it’s easy, we’ll do the city alphabet song first. I’ll start." I clapped my hands once and sang. “A is for Albuquerque…"

When he remained silent, I decided that a man who doesn’t know modern fiction may not be up- to-date on the car game. “B is for...” I prompted

“Bloody fucking Hell,” he answered

“Is that in the continental United States?"

He just sighed, and I gave a short laugh. “All right so maybe that’s not the best game. It’s a lot more fun with shots of alcohol."

"I am here to get you from point A to B," he said. “Not play childish games.”

“Well, not be technical, but you kind of failed. Point A was my house, Point B the Island. Now we are off to Point C."

Mathias gave me a dirty look and turned his attention back to the road.

“So I’m going to assume that ‘I Spy’ is out of the question?" I said. When he didn’t answer, I stared out the window and realized I was out of Yuma and on the way across the country. I wanted to share my enthusiasm for this impromptu road trip, but something told me that this would not be an emotion that Mathias would share.

I glanced over at Mathias whose chiseled face was outlined by the lights on the highway. His eyes were staring straight ahead, and he looked lost in thought. With a sigh, I realized my traveling companion wasn’t up for any more conversation, so I turned on the small penlight that I found and started reading.

Chapter Nine

Thump, thump. Thump, thump. The rhythmic sounds of the highway woke me from a dreamless, uncomfortable sleep. My neck and shoulders were aching from my rather awkward position against the passenger door. Sharp needle pricks were reverberating up and down my right leg from hip to thigh.

I stretched out as much as I could and looked outside the window. “Where are we?" I had asked Mathias before I broke out into a jaw popping yawn.

“Amarillo, Texas,” he answered curtly

“‘All my exes live in Texas’...” I started to sing but broke off when he gave me an exasperated look. I grinned and decided to finish the chorus. “‘That’s why I lay my hat in Tennessee.' What you don’t like country music?"

The sound of the phone ringing gave me a start. “Saved by the bell,” I said, giving Mathias a grin.

Not even acknowledging me Mathias picked up the phone and barked, “Yes, what?"

“What? From whom?" he asked. “And nobody knows who this mystery caller is?" He shifted in his seat agitated. “Tell Kelvin to get his men on it. I want you and Milton to find out who this person is. I want to know how the hell she knew about Willa."

My ears perked up at this. Who knows about me? I wondered.

“It makes no difference now but we will get to the bottom of this when I get back. Did Sidra get in touch with the Fae Reserve? Good and Robert, what’s his status? Excellent, I will be in touch." Mathias hung up the phone before I could even get a word out.

“Uh, hello? I wanted to talk to my parents but thanks for not asking,” I fumed

“Your parents are both resting."

“And you know this how?" I asked

“Winifred conveyed that information to me before she told me about Robert."

“That’s funny because I am pretty sure that my parents would never be sleeping at the same time right now. I can guarantee they have shifts going so one of them can be available for updates or just to talk to me if I call."

"I’m only relaying what Winifred said." Mathias said

“Is there a reason she has a problem with me?" I asked frustrated

“I’m not aware of any issues that Winifred may have with you. If you are so curious, you can ask her, when we arrive at the island."

“Well, that’s a politically correct bullshit answer if I ever heard one. You know what’s going on, just tell me."

“Willa,” he sighed, “It’s complicated."

“What is? Me or the situation?"

“Both."

“But…" I started.

“Enough. I’m done speaking about this.” Mathias said shortly

“Fine, at least tell me who Robert is and what’s this about a mystery caller?"

“Robert is an old friend of mine and former Guardian. He left the island about thirty years ago because he was burnt-out and settled in Colorado. He owes me a favor, so I had Serena ask him to take himself and a decoy on a short trip to Florida. I’m hoping he may have gotten them off our trail."

“But isn’t that dangerous? What if they catch up to him and this decoy? The thought of putting two innocent people who I've never even met in danger makes me sick." I said rubbing my eyes.

“Robert is a cunning Guardian. I have no doubts that he and his companion will be fine."

“OK, so, the mystery caller?" I prompted

“When Winifred got in touch with Sidra she had already been apprised of the situation,” he answered. “Apparently a woman called and told her that Cormac and Cecily were living in Yuma and that they had a daughter. She then went on to say she believed that you were all in danger and to send help.”

I sat there stunned, “Who?" I wondered aloud. “Who could have known about us?"

“I have no idea. She has to be Fae or something similar, like a Sprite or Nymph; I can’t believe that Cecily or Cormac wouldn’t have picked up on that though.”

“What the hell are Sprites and Nymphs?"

“I’m sure your father can explain the differences much better than I,” Mathias said

"Mathias...” I began

“Let it go Willa,” he said softly.

“I can’t! I just don’t get why my grandmother doesn’t seem to want to acknowledge that I exist, I mean she doesn’t even know me. Usually I can accept someone not liking me after they have a conversation with me. At least try though before you write me off."

Mathias went quiet. I could tell by the way he was clenching his jaw he was getting aggravated with me. “Willa, you are an unknown entity. Your existence was a shock to say the least. What are you? A Fae, a Gypsy or an extreme combination of both? How powerful you are remains to be seen but already you have performed magic that takes years to hone and craft. You could be a valuable asset or a scary liability."

“Liability? How am I a liability? I barely even understand any of this."

“Exactly,” he said. “Which way will you be swayed? There are many questions and too few answers at the moment. I cannot speak for Winifred, but we just don’t know enough about you or what you are yet."

“My name is Willa McCormack. I’m from Yuma, Arizona, and I own or owned a bakery. I like earth tones, greasy Chinese, BBQ’s in the summer, and watching awful it’s so good reality TV shows. I sometimes will break out into song or quote famous movie lines in any given situation for no apparent reason other than it makes sense in my head."

“I don’t want to be some evil or scary person that will reign destruction like Anakin Skywalker, a.k.a Darth Vader. All I want is a normal, happy life. I didn’t ask for this and to be honest I don’t want it. So if you or my grandmother wants to find who I am, well, I’m just a girl. A girl who has been thrust into a pretty fucked up situation. All I ask for is maybe a little understanding, acceptance and guidance."

Mathias concentrated on negotiated the early morning traffic expertly for a few minutes. “A girl who knows about Star Wars is not just an average girl. She’s pretty fucking remarkable."

“I can quote the Godfather, parts one and two, verbatim as well."

Mathias gave me a small smile before returning his attention to the road, but that grin was all I needed in the world right then.

Ten and a half hours later as we arrived in St. Louis I wanted to punch Mathias in the face. After almost twenty three hours on the road, I was tired. My body ached, and my mouth felt like it would never get the foul taste out no matter how many gallons of mouth washed I used. The inside of my stomach was also revolting from the invasion of gas station snacks and drive thru meals.

The biggest thing though was my traveling companion who had started to annoy me. You get to know a lot about a person when you travel with them but so far Mathias remained elusive. I, on the other hand, had pretty much told him my life story as we left Texas and started going north.

So far I haven't been able to pry much out of him. He was the king of short answers.

“How old are you?"

"Three hundred."

“How old were you when you became a vampire?"

“Thirty-Two."

“Where were you born?"

“Wales."

“Married?
Children? Significant other?"

“No."

“How long have you been on the island?"

"Two hundred and ninety nine years."

“What’s your sign?"

“Stop."

I turned my attention back to the window. I rubbed my tired eyes and realized I was hitting a wall. A great big, I can’t go any further wall.

“Mathias,” I whined tiredly. “We need to stop. I’m beat."

“Then go to sleep."

“I can’t try to sleep in this car any longer. My body hurts; my stomach is bloated, and I desperately need a shower. Can’t we just get a room for a few hours?" Like at least twelve I thought hopefully.

“We only have sixteen hours left until we get to Vermont."

“Woo Hoo,” I said sarcastically. “There is no freaking way I am going to last another sixteen hours in this fucking car."

“Figure it out because I’m not stopping unless it’s for petrol."

“Aren’t you tired? Don’t you need sleep?"

“I’m fine, and no, I don’t need to sleep."

“Ever?" I groaned

“I only to need to sleep every four or five days," he said

“Well, good for you. I’m not a vampire. I need to sleep, or I’m going to be heading around the crazy bend soon."

“It’s not much further. You can rest when we get to the island. Hell you can sleep for a week if you want. I don’t care, but we are not stopping."

“Fine,” I said. “Don’t stop but I can’t promise I won’t start babbling incoherently for the next sixteen hours and singing at the top of my lungs. So tell me how do you like hits from the eighties? Duran Duran? Reo Speedwagon? I got it! How would you like to hear some Wham?"

“Babbling for the next sixteen hours? Isn’t that what you have been doing for the last ten and a half?"

“Wake me up before you go, go, don’t leave me hanging on like a yo-yo...” I started singing.

Mathias gave me a thoroughly nasty look before snatched the phone from the console and dialed. “Frank, the Princess needs her beauty sleep, book us a suite somewhere decent in St. Louis and do it quick." he barked.

“Will you stop calling me princess? It’s annoying me."

He pulled the phone from his ear. “Oh, I am sorry to call you princess, Princess. Tell me what you would like me to call you, because I have plenty of other names in mind."

“How does your future executioner sound?” I asked, “Because I’m digging that title right now."

“By all means little girl, I would love to see you try. In fact, I might enjoy the effort." he smirked before returning his attention to the phone, “Four Seasons? What’s the address? Thanks. What’s that? Just keep focusing on identifying the caller."

He hung up and threw the phone down and started typing in an address on the GPS.

“Happy now Princess?” he asked

“Stop calling me that, I told you, call me Willa or better yet, call me Ms. McCormack."

“Why would I call you Ms. McCormack? It’s not your last name."

“Um, yeah, it is."

"Um, no it isn’t,” he mimicked my voice. “Your father does not have a last name."

“What the hell are you talking about?"

“Your father is known as Cormac, Royal Prince of Fairlia, son of Prince Kelvin and Queen Sidra. Your Mother is Cecily, Princess of the Clan of Skye, daughter of Queen Winifred. Although I do believe the royal members adopt Skye as a surname if needed."

“So my name is Willa Skye?”

“If you choose,” he shrugged. “It’s not a big deal."

“Yes it is.” I said emphatically. “I’m pretty sure if you polled a million people right now, 99% would agree that it’s a pretty big fucking deal."