The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook* (26 page)

Out of all the rooms in the castle, the family room was my favorite, it was large but deceptively cozy from the groupings of furniture scattered around the room. Six floor to ceiling windows that looked out over the courtyard and the town beyond were bathed in gorgeous ivory drapes that complimented the dark floor and the ivory and green throw rugs that lay upon them.

“I have something for you,” Cormac said suddenly

“We said no gifts this year.” I reminded him. “Besides you already broke that rule last night with my housewarming gift." I fingered the large diamond hoop earrings in my ear that he and my mom presented me with last night.

“I didn’t spend any money on this present,” he said as he pressed something cold in my hand.

I glanced down and saw an old metal arrowhead. I smiled as I looked up at my dad. “Where did you find this?"

“When I was unpacking I found it in a small box. I remembered that Christmas after we had all stuffed ourselves from your mother’s fantastic brunch. We took a walk on the river, and you found that near some rocks. I think you were twelve or thirteen?" he reminisced

“Twelve.” I answered. “I was twelve. It was just before I became too cool for school and got excited about stuff like that."

“Ahh, the good old days, you should have it. After all, you found it. "

“Thanks Dad." I said

“I hope I’m not interrupting,” Winifred said as she joined us.

“Yes, you are, but I’ll let you do it regardless,” my father said grinning

“Cormac, why don’t you go fix yourself a drink? That is if you can stomach it after last night’s whiskey consumption that you men indulged in until the wee hours."

“You got drunk and didn’t invite me?" I asked feigning hurt.

“I was not drunk. I was pleasantly warm and only slightly fuzzy,” he answered

“Hmm, really?" Winifred asked. “Then that means you were of sound mind when you crashed one of the castle’s golf carts into the bushes and tipped it over."

“The steering was going in that already I believe,” he mused

“I will have to make sure the Guardians are aware of that and check the others." Winifred replied tightly

“Splendid idea, wouldn’t want any more accidents to occur, now would we?" Cormac said. “That reminds me; I never asked if I was in the lead before the unfortunate demise of the golf cart. If you will excuse me, I must confer with Jeremiah."

I chuckled as he walked up to Jeremiah, and they started laughing. Turning, I faced Winifred. Unsure of what to say, I quietly waited for her to start a conversation.

“Willa,” she started. “I want to apologize to you. I realize that my initial meeting with you was not entirely pleasant. I wanted you to be aware that I am trying to make amends for that."

“Thank you. I suppose we both could use a do-over.” I said surprised at this turn of events

“I’m still not entirely comfortable with you. I think we need to explore your gifts more thoroughly, the power you have already shown, quite frankly, scares me a little.” she admitted

“It scares you? You should try shooting freaky fire out of your hands." I replied

“Yes, well I’m sure that is a little frightening and confusing. There’s also the small matter of your inappropriate relationship with a particular vampire that we need to discuss."

Oh crap, I thought of Mathias.

“I adore Riah and realize he’s quite handsome and charming. You must understand though any indiscretion between a vampire and clan member is strictly frowned upon.” she said sternly

“Riah? Riah and I are just friends.” I replied perplexed

“You were seen having dinner with him in town. I’m also aware that you were spending a lot of time together over the last week. On top of his expensive gift last night, I’m concerned about the direction of your friendship,” she said

“Riah and I are friends. He was kind enough to invite me to dinner, which I enjoyed tremendously." I chuckled. “I spent time with both Serena and Riah all last week and Riah did not give me an expensive gift on his own, they both did. The three of us have become good friends, and I don’t know what I would have done without them.”

Winifred looked slightly more mollified. “I’m glad to hear that and I apologize again to you."

"No problem. So can I call you Granny or do you prefer Nana?"

“Grandmother will be fine,” she replied stiffly

“I don’t know. You look more like a Granny to me, Granny Winnie."

She did not look amused but just as she rolled her eyes and turned to walk away, I caught a smile.

Soon after, dinner was served in the adjacent dining room, and we all settled in our chairs for a feast. The main course consisted of roasted turkey, leg of lamb, and succulent lobster tails all accompanied by several delicious sides. My mother had made for dessert a luscious gingerbread trifle and her famous five layer chocolate cake.

A few hours later I was just getting ready to leave and to say my goodbyes when Uncle Cuddy came over to me.

“Willa, I just remembered, I forgot to give you the photo album,” he said

“What photo album?” I asked

“As well as all those cookbooks I also have a photo album of pictures taken of the bakery over the years. Maybe we could frame a few and hang them up in your new shop. Ties along with that vintage feel we talked about doing."

“Yes, that sounds great, I would love that.” I replied excited

“Come on up to the apartment and I’ll dig it out before I forget.” he said

“Sure, just let me roundup Cupcake and I’ll follow you there.”

I finished saying my goodbyes and herded Cupcake out the door. He looked tired and sluggish from all the treats and table scraps he had been given. When we reached the stairs to the third floor, he refused to budge from the bottom step.

“Oh for goodness sakes, fine stay there, I’ll be right back.” I admonished him.

I followed Cuddy up the stairs to his apartment and was surprised by the neat, feminine space. The main living room walls were painted light lavender, and the white couches had pale pink flowered pillows. Watercolors done in pastels were artfully arranged on the walls, and small little trinkets dotted the tables and fireplace mantel.

“It’s either in my study or my storage room,” he said scratching his chin

“Take your time. Do you mind if I use your powder room?" I asked

“Yes, of course, it’s down that hall." he said distracted, pointing to the corridor to the right of the living room. Then he was disappearing down another hall to the left of the fireplace.

I walked down the hall and chuckled to myself at the thought of my eccentric uncle. I opened the first door on my right, flicked on the light switch, and stopped dead.

The room I walked into had a faint, musty smell, like it hadn’t been used in a while. It was decorated in a grown up version for a Disney princess. Pale pink walls, pink silk curtains, a large cherry four poster bed, swathed in pink silk and lace bed covers. Even a brilliant chandelier hung in the center of the ceiling dripped with rose colored crystals.

I do not belong in here was my first thought but something made me trespass deeper in the room. I stopped at the dresser against the wall by the door and saw the name Julia written in cursive on top of a pink jewelry box.

This was my cousin’s room, the cousin who was captured while trying to save her mother from the Rau, the cousin who I would never meet. Even though, by the decor of the room made me think we didn’t have the same taste in design, I still felt a pang of sadness that I would never know her.

I picked up a picture frame and found myself looking at a family photo of Cuddy, Jeremiah, and who I assumed was Gussie and Julia. Aunt Augusta looked a lot like my mother, except with blonde hair and a taller body. Julia had the same blonde hair, only it fell slightly longer past her shoulders. Her blue eyes, which she got from Cuddy, twinkled brightly.

I set down the picture and sighed. I turned to leave when something caught my attention out of the corner of my eye. Just underneath the dresser the corner of a book stuck out. I reached down and pulled it out to look at it curiously.

The pale pink cover was blank, and I guessed that it was some journal. I felt like a nosy trespasser and set it down on the dresser but stopped. I picked the book up again and noticed why it looked wrong to me. The book pages were all stuck together, and I rubbed the cover thoughtfully. Then I sensed it.

Magic, this book was bound together by a spell. I ran my hands up and down the cover and racked my brain to think of a spell to open and unstuck the pages. I gathered the elements and simply whispered, “Open.”

I heard the book almost let out a sigh and the pages, which were once stuck together, fluttered apart. I held it for a minute before plucking up the courage to open it. My heart raced, and my hands were sweaty. I knew I should put it back where I found it. It's wrong to read someone's private thoughts but for some reason I couldn’t let it go.

I opened up the book and flipped through the first few blank pages. I almost dropped it when I saw my name.

Dear Willa,

“Willa?" Cuddy voice shouted. “Did you fall in the toilet?"

“I’m coming.” I yelled back. I shoved the book into the waist of the back of my skirt and hoped liked hell that my sweater would cover any lumps.

I walked quickly out into the living room with my heart beating out of my chest. I plastered on a smile and tried to look reasonable normal.

“I think I have it down at the shop." Cuddy said thoughtfully. “Do you want to run over there now or wait until tomorrow?"

“Tomorrow’s good, in fact, much better. I’m feeling a little beat, you know too much holiday indulging, so I think I’m going to...go home and...Go to bed." I stammered

“Are you ok?" he asked

“Never better,” I shrilled, “Merry Christmas to you Uncle Cuddy."

“You too." he returned.

I casually walked to the door and gave him one last wave before I left. I sprinted down the stairs and woke Cupcake up from his dead sleep. I almost had to drag him the rest of the way. Climbing into my golf cart, I took off out of the courtyard and sped as fast as I could home.

When we finally made it inside the house, I pulled out the book and sank down on my couch.

With trembling hands, I opened it up and started reading.

Chapter Eighteen

Dear Willa,

I’m afraid I don’t even know how to start. I imagine you are freaking out right now. I have seen you coming for quite some time, so I feel as though I already know you.

Let me introduce myself, my name is Julia Cecelia. I’m your cousin, and yes we share the same middle name, cool huh? By now you have heard of me and that of my fate as well as my mother’s. I’m sure you are also aware that I am a sightseer. I'm rather accurate at predicting the future, except for one time.

That one time will haunt me for the rest of my life. When we heard my mother had been taken I was shocked, how could I miss this? How could I have not seen this? I know, better than anyone that one small decision can alter the future but even I was blindsided by the kidnapping of my mother.

For the first few weeks, I searched for answers but none came. I was devastated and racked with guilt. The first time a vision of you came to me, I immediately wanted to run to our grandmother with the news that Aunt Cecily and Uncle Cormac were alive and well, and they had a daughter but something held me back.

I saw you being told of the news, your plight here to the island, you destroying the Rau with your most peculiar fire. It was wonderful and perplexing at the same time. I had prayed for visions to help me with my mother so why was I being shown you?

A few nights later I had my answer. You are the only one who can help me. I have foreseen what is to come, and you are an integral part. I've gathered quite a bit of information and wrote everything down in this book. I know the address where my mother is being held, I know what her room looks like and I know what my room will look like there.

The one constant in all my visions is you. I realize you just arrived here, and you are as unsure about your gifts as our grandmother is, but I believe in you Willa. This is not just about rescuing my mother, Leona and me; it’s also about a very real threat which will come about if we stay here any longer.

I am aware that some would say, ‘Well why did she go if she knew she was going to be captured? Why didn’t she tell us all of this and we could have acted promptly?’ The reason is, every vision, every dream, has me there. I would sacrifice my life in a heartbeat for that of my mother and the people on the island.

Soon after Christmas, they will be bringing someone in, she's a Caster and highly dangerous. She will be able to place a spell on us that will make us reveal things that would be detrimental to the island and that of its security.

We will hold on and stay strong under the torment that they, the Rau, will inflict on us. We will not, I'm afraid to report, be able to hold out from the black magic that this woman will cast.

Now, on to a few details, you must come through a portal with Frank and Mathias. My mother’s room has mirrors on her ceiling. I’m sure I do not need to go into any more detail on that. I do want to reassure my father that the rape of her body and, mine as well, will not happen if we get out in time.

Leona, Frank’s wife, is going to be tortured and starved. When I told her what I had seen and what my plan was, she agreed without hesitation. Frank can save her. I’m not exactly sure where she is being held though. I think it’s located one floor below us. Only two guards will be outside her cell the night you come.

Willa, you and Mathias, need to lift my mother out and into the portal first. Uncle Cormac will stay on the other side holding the connection. After that, Mathias will come to my room and fetch me. I will go through the portal after my mother while you both wait for Frank and Leona.

I can’t wait to meet you. I've had a few spotty visions, but I can tell you that we are going to be as close as sisters. Don’t let the pink bedroom fool you, I have many hidden depths.

Most sincerely,

Julia

P.S.

Mathias is awaiting your arrival at his house….he just is not aware of it yet.

I sat there in total shock and disbelief. My mind was racing in so many directions that I forced myself to calm down and take several cleansing breaths. I had reread the letter once more before I skimmed through the rest of the book. There were maps, drawings, and even a few names of people that were in residence of the Rau compound.

There were also short notes written to everyone in the family as well as to Serena, Frank and Mathias. I skipped over most of them. Those were private. I couldn’t resist though reading her note to Mathias.

Mathias,

I realize right now you are terribly angry with me for involving Willa and putting her in a dangerous situation. I must tell you if you do not include her in this mission; you, Frank and Leona will not survive.

I also debated whether to tell you this, but I must.

They are here Mathias.

Sincerely,

Julia

I had no idea who ‘they’ were, but I was aware of one thing. Julia must have seen what happened with Mathias and me. The idea of her seeing visions of me totally freaked me out. The fact that my fate had already been decided months or even years ago made me extremely uncomfortable.

I stood up and looked at Cupcake. “Come on fur ball, we need to go to Mathias’s house and you better be good."

Cupcake got up off the couch and gave a loud
woof.
I grabbed my black fleece jacket and off the two of us went. My mind was so overwhelmed with what I had read and what I needed to do. It didn’t even occur to me until I rounded a bend on Mathias’s driveway that this was the first time I had seen his house.

I pondered walking over a few times, but I just couldn’t bring myself to go that far down Stalker Lane. I was not entirely surprised to see that it was somewhat similar to mine in design, very modern and with lots of windows. While my house was a horizontally long one story structure with high ceilings, Mathias’s house was narrower and much taller vertically. It was also set high up on a rocky hill with the ocean spread out before him.

Right before I started to climb, I doubled over and all of a sudden my mind was flooded with images, images that terrified me. I ran up the stairs with Cupcake on my heels. I got about halfway up before I willed myself to slow down the pace. Not only because I was afraid my heart was going to leap out of my chest, but because my legs were about to give out from the exertion.

I appreciated the design, but not the million stairs it took to get up to the front door. Poor Cupcake looked like he was going to pass out right on the stairs. By the time, we reached the deck; I was breathing so hard I could barely talk.

Which is how Mathias found me and my poor dog, panting and looking pissed off.

“This is why you don’t have any friends,” I gasped, holding my side and trying to catch my breath. “Nobody wants to climb those damn stairs."

“Why didn’t you just teleport up the stairs?" he smirked

“Fuck,” I said now extremely irritated with myself and apparent lack of brain cells.

“What can I do for you Willa?" he asked

“That’s a loaded question,” I replied while Cupcake and I edged past him into his stark living room. Cupcake had given me a grunt before he sprawled out in front of the fire, and I sat down on the black leather couch.

"All right, long story short because honestly I’m not sure how much oxygen is in my lungs. I stole a book from Julia’s room, which was magically bound, got it open, saw my name, ran home, and read a letter she had personally written to me months ago. She needs us to rescue her, Aunt Gussie, and Leona. I also just had, I don’t know, a vision I guess, that pretty much scared the piss out of me."

“Here,” I said handing the book to him when he came to stand in front of me. “There’s the address, maps, some details, and notes to everyone, including you."

“You wouldn’t happen to own a pair of slippers? These boots are killing me." I continued while I unzipped my boots and took them off, letting out a sigh when my feet were free.

I finally looked up at him and noticed his expression. I took a small measure of pride in the fact that I think I am the only one who could put that befuddled look on his handsome face.

“Don’t stare at me like that. Just read the book." I ordered

Mathias gave me one last confused glance before he opened the book and started reading while he paced the floor. I finally took a good look around the room. The open concept living room, kitchen, dining room was decorated with all very modern pieces of furniture. The living room had two black leather couches that were very square and slightly uncomfortable. A large glass top coffee table held a few art books and a red, glass blown, funky vase.

Black granite was placed all around the fireplace from the top of the three story ceiling all the way to bottom hearth. A small but elegant dark walnut dining table was just to the left of me and behind me was a surprisingly large open kitchen. White sandstone counters, stainless steel appliances, and sleek black cabinets gave the room a stark, almost, clinical feel.

The real drama in the room was the windows. All four sides of the house had tall windows. What little wall space there was in the room had impressive, modern paintings that had splashes of reds, orange, and lime greens colors.

The house was beautiful but devoid of any real personality or so I thought until I spied a collection of old, rusted farm tractor toys that were placed on a small table to my right. The few small toys made me curious. Did they use to be his? Did they use to be (gulp) his son’s? Or did he just really think they were cool and decided to buy them?

Mathias swore under his breath breaking through my silent perusal of his home.

“Is she insane?” he hissed. “She must have lost her mind."

“Mathias,” I started

“Absolutely not,” he said. “I am not endangering your life or anyone else’s on a vision from Julia. A vision that she had months ago.”

“Mathias, there's no other choice." I said forcefully

“Yes there is, we have a very clear choice. We are not going to go on this foolish rescue mission.”

“Did you see her note to you?" I asked

Mathias tore through pages of the book until he found the one written to him. I watched his face as he looked and noticed how he went still went he got to the end.

“Who are ‘they’ Mathias?"

“None of your concern and not anyone you will ever meet,” he finally said after a moment

“I realized coming here I was going to have to fight you on this,” I held up my hand when he started to protest. “No, wait. On my way here, I had a vision. This woman Julia mentions? I saw her. She’s not just some witch hired to do a certain job; that’s only the tip of the iceberg, she’s really working for a Fae Lord."

“What are you talking about?" he asked carefully

“I couldn’t see their faces, for some reason it was shrouded but I heard her talking to him. They're using the Rau. They couldn't care less if they wipe out every single person on the island. They only want me and my power. I think he wants to overthrow my grandmother, Queen Sidra, but I’m not sure what her motivation is in all of this."

“They want you?" he asked. “You heard this?"

“Apparently, this Fae Lord offered to split up my power with hers, when they capture me. Their plan is to get out what they can from Aunt Gussie, Julia and Leona. Then when all the Fae come here in the spring they will break down the barriers, let the Rau in to capture or murder the clan and then kidnap me."

“Don’t you see?” I continued, “We have to get them out of there. Not just because we want to save them and bring them home safe and sound, but Julia was on the right track. This woman is evil, to be honest with you, I’m more afraid of her than the Rau.”