The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook* (27 page)

Mathias was quiet as he began to pace the room. I started to talk again, but he just held up his finger and shook his head. Finally, he came to a halt near me and stared into my eyes.

“Get your boots on,” he ordered as he pulled out his cell phone from his pocket. He almost immediately starting talking

“Christopher, I need you to get in touch with all the royal guards and tell them to go to the meeting room at once. I will be briefing them on a situation that has just been brought to my attention as soon as I speak to the royal family. Please ask Frank to meet me in the living room of the castle. The family may still be there but if they're not round them up and have them gather there."

“Yes,” he replied glancing at me. “Princess Willa is here with me, so Serena doesn’t need to worry about getting in touch with her. We will be there shortly.” he ended the call and put his phone back in his pants.

"Why do I have a feeling that this is whole thing is the start of something big?” I scratched my head. “Everything is about to change and I’m scared. It’s funny, coming here, dealing with all this, I was never scared or afraid but now I am.” I continued

“You have no reason to be scared. I will never let anything happen to you or your family,” he said solemnly

“But I don’t think you can protect me from her Mathias. It’s ironic that the only person I think they fear is the one person who is afraid of me. That’s my grandmother. Winifred is the only one that can protect me, and the only way she can do that is by teaching me how to protect myself."

“Then you ought to stop being such a wise ass all the time and start listening to people that is trying to help you.”

“Yeah, and maybe I’ll shave my head and have people start calling me Tilda. This is who I am, and I think I've been rather accommodating to everyone while trying to deal with all this bullshit."

“Like moving out of the secure castle to a remote house of your own?"

“That has nothing to do...” I scoffed

“That has everything to do with it,” he interrupted. “But, again, let’s all make poor Willa happy. Let’s go along with her moving out. Let’s be supportive of her opening a business when she should be focusing on figuring out her powers. Yes, let’s all kiss her ass. God forbid we don’t want to get her upset again because then she’ll crawl into bed and stay there for months instead of a few days."

“Wow,” I said as I sat stunned. “Is that how you see me? Like I’m some bratty little girl?" I said as tears pool into my eyes, and I turned away.

“No, I see you as a brave but stubborn woman who needs to realize there are people around her that know more than her and are genuinely concerned for her wellbeing. Your actions have consequences. Maybe not out there in ‘the real world’ but here on the island they do. You are the future, and I’m pretty damn sure Queen Sidra thinks so too."

“You’re talking about me taking over one day as Queen?" I asked

“Yes,” he answered. “So please, starting right now, listen, observe and think before you leap. You're right, I sense it as well. This is the start of something. So now is the time to be serious. I’m not saying you have to bite your tongue all the time, but you need to start thinking not like Willa the Bakery owner, but Willa, the future Queen."

“No pressure,” I said under my breath.

“Get on my back,” he said

“I thought I already was your monkey?" I asked

“Willa...,” he said shaking his head

“What about Cupcake? I can’t just leave him here. It’s a strange place, What if he gets scared?"

We both looked over at Cupcake, who lay sprawled out in front of the fireplace. Only now he had accumulated a nice puddle of drool near his mouth. Oscar, Mathias’s regal looking dog, was lying near him, looking at him with a resigned expression.

“Hmm, they remind me of you and me.”

“See, he’s going to be fine. Can we can now? Don’t forget the book,” he reminded me.

I grabbed the book and blew Cupcake a kiss before climbing onto Mathias’s back. When we got outside, I expected him to start doing his supersonic sprint towards the castle but he jumped in the air and took off across the night sky as my heart leaped in my throat.

“A little warning Superman,” I shrieked. “Holy Moley, what if I fall? What if I slip off and go tumbling….. Ahhhhhhhyyy!"

Mathias moved slightly and all of a sudden I was falling through the air towards the ground. Before I could even start screaming again, I was swept back into his arms, and he cradled me tight against his chest.

“If you fall, I will catch you,” he grinned

I just pursed my lips and looked away. A few minutes later we landed on the second story balcony off the dining room. Mathias set me down gently and looked at me with a raised eyebrow. He was waiting for a reaction from me.

He didn’t have long to wait, I shoved against his chest with all my might and tried unsuccessfully to push him into a brick wall behind him.

“You, mother...F-er. If you ever do that again I will use my freaky fire on you Mathias, I swear to God; I will.” I yelled

"Mother F-er, that’s it? That's all you got?” he smirked as he opened the balcony door.

I didn’t even think twice. I called upon the elements and summoned my fire. A short burst of purple fire slammed into the bricks, beside his head, shooting mortar in the air.

"What the hell are you two doing?” Winifred asked, appearing in the doorway and looking at us disbelief.

“He started it!" I yelled

“Oh, for Christ’s sake, Willa,” Winifred said. “Get in here both of you. What the hell is going on with you two?"

“One moment Winifred, is everyone gathered?" Mathias asked calmly

“Yes, we were all just about ready to retire for the night. Is something wrong?"

“We’ll be in right after you.” Mathias said and gestured for Winifred to go back inside the castle. She gave us both a quick look as she left but not before rolling her eyes and shaking her head.

Mathias turned his menacing glare at me, which I returned in kind. No way was he getting out of this.

“Don’t. You. Ever. Use. Your. Fire. On. Me. Again.” he enunciated slowly

“Don’t. Ever. Drop. Me. When. We. Are. Flying. Through. The. Fucking. Air. Again,” I returned

“You were never in any danger, unlike me, who was almost eviscerated with your uncontrolled fire.”

“I was in perfect control, thank you very much. If I hadn’t, you would be dead."

“Didn’t we just have a discussion about you trying to act more seriously?” he reminded

“That was before you dropped me in midair Wolfie.”

“Are we done?” he asked, “Because there are a million more important things that we have to discuss right now."

“I was all focused and ready to do that before you scared the crap out of me."

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize that you might have been a little fearful,” he said

“Oh, whatever, you're right, we have more important things to do right now." I agreed suddenly feeling foolish. My cousin, my aunt, and Frank’s wife were counting on us. I wasn’t going to let them down by acting like a child, even if I did want to give Mathias a giant wedgie.

See if a vampire is immune to that I smirked to myself. I pictured grabbing Mathias’s underwear and yanking it up his nicely rounded bum as I walked past him through the door and into the castle.

"By the way Princess, I don't wear underwear,” he said smugly as he walked briskly past me

“Neither do I, especially, when I’m wearing a dress.” I said as I swayed my hips, fluttering my skirt around me. I mentally chalked up a point for me when he stopped dead and looked at me with his hooded eyes.

My smile fell though, when I reached the living room and saw all my family gathered there.

The sight of them quickly brought me back down to earth, and I took a deep breath and started to tell them my tale.

Chapter Nineteen

I stood in front of my family and tried calmly to explain what I found. It was surprisingly difficult. I wanted to give them hope, but I also had to give them the news that the Rau was not our only enemy anymore. I felt guilty because, in a way, this was my fault.

Me and my freaky hybrid power’s fault that is.

I kept my head down mostly; I didn’t want to see my Uncle Cuddy’s reaction to the fact I stole something from his house. Nor did I want to see the tears that I instinctively knew were pouring down my mother’s and Rhoswen faces. When I finished talking, I finally looked up to see everyone staring at me, but instead of censure, it was looks of gratitude.

“Well, thank goodness you’re not opposed to a little thievery; otherwise we might never have discovered the book. Good job Willa.” Oliver said cheerfully trying to lighten the mood.

“Now it all makes sense,” Rhoswen said. “None of us could ever figure out why she would run off and do something so foolish."

“So what do we do?" asked Oliver. “What’s the plan?"

“Let’s calm down and try to let this all sink in before we go rushing about with a plan." Winifred said

“Dad?”
I asked as I took in his rigid stance by the windows with his arms crossed.

“I’m sorry," he began. “I’m sorry but I cannot do this. I cannot allow my daughter to be put in this situation. Especially one that is from a vision that someone had several months ago."

Geez, are you two related?
I asked Mathias pushing my question into his mind

I told you to stay out of my head
was his only reply

You also told me to stay out of Riah’s bed.
I replied.
Wow, just kidding, Wolfie

“Dad, I understand you have concerns but we have to do this.” I said earnestly

“May I see the book?" Uncle Cuddy asked quietly

“Of course,” I said, holding it out to him. When he took it, I saw tears in his big blue eyes.

“Willa, I want you to tell us more about this vision you had,” my mother asked

“Yes. I am most curious about that myself." Winifred agreed

“I saw a woman. Her face was shrouded, as well as the Fae Lord she was talking too,” I started

“Why do you think he was a Fae Lord?" my father asked

“Because she mentioned coming into the Fae realm and addressed him as my Lord." I answered

“Go on sweetheart,” Cecily prompted

“She said that everything was going according to plan. The Rau had contacted her about putting their most recent captives under a spell. They wanted to learn about whatever they could so they can break down the barriers. She cautioned them that even though they had a member of the royal guard and two royal family members in their possession, they may not be aware of what spells and enchantments are in place around the island."

“She told them that what she can do is to find out what some of the protocols were, where the Guardians were most likely to be, shifts, routines, that kind of stuff. The Rau seemed satisfied with that. She also conveyed to them that in the spring when she and the Lord are here she was confident she could break the magical barriers and let them on the island."

“Is that all?" Oliver asked

“No, he also asked her to find out if they were aware of me. He said it was imperative that they never know that there is a Fae-Gypsy child alive. She told him that as far as she was aware they did not know,” I paused for a second. “Then she made him promise her again that when ‘war’ broke out on the island and I was captured and brought back to his realm, that he would transfer some of my power to her. He agreed, and she left."

“And you never saw their faces?" Rhoswen asked

“No, their voices sounded funny too, muffled almost." I replied perplexed

“Hmmm, sounds to me like they are trying to conceal their identities. A simple spell will do the trick, even in a sightseer's vision." Winifred said

“Well, we should inform Queen Sidra at once. There might be a traitor in her midst, and she needs to be aware of this immediately.” Rhoswen said

“I agree." my father said

“I don’t." I interjected.

“Sweetheart, we must tell...” my father started

“No,” I interrupted. “We can’t say anything right now. If the Queen and her guards start poking around and asking questions, it will get back to them. Then they’ll know we are on to them and their plan. They may even warn the Rau, which could put Julia, Gussie and Leona in more danger. The best thing to do is to carry out the rescue mission as planned by Julia. We have to do this as soon as possible, and the fewer people that know, the better."

“The Rau will have no use for this witch if we succeed and they may not see her value,” Mathias said

“That still doesn’t stop them from coming to the island. When they arrive here, they might continue with their plan and contact the Rau.” Jeremiah finally spoke.

“Yes, but without knowing certain security measures that are in place, the Rau may be less inclined.” Mathias countered

“So you agree Mathias? You agree with this plan?" Cecily asked

Mathias looked somewhat exasperated. “No, I don’t but the fact is there's something bigger here than just the Rau. Both Julia and Willa have had visions of this witch and Fae Lord. As much as I would like to discount it, I can’t. It’s my job to check into every credible threat."

“How do they even know about Willa already?" my father asked frustrated

“It could be the Fae; it could be the Guardians, and it could be just about anyone.” I answered

“Guardians? Surely you don’t believe any of the Guardians on the island would betray us." Winifred admonished

“No, but we can’t be too careful. We need to get them back. I think that only a few people should be aware of this right now." I said

“Impossible. We are going to need all the help we can get." Mathias said

“Fine, then just the royal guard," I said before another thought came to mind. “Can’t we administer a truth spell on them just to be on the safe side?”

“Willa,” Cecily said shaking her head in disbelief

“If they're on our side and are loyal to us, they won't have a problem with it. Those that do are suspect, and we erase their memory of our questioning and lock them in a cell until we get back." I asserted

Now you are acting like a Queen,
Mathias said almost proudly in my head

“Mathias round up the guard, you, my mom and Granny Winnie start questioning them. Jeremiah, I need you to dig up what you can on that address. Google Earth it, dig into the real estate records, and see if you find any old pictures or blueprints of the building. The address is in London, so I’m sure there has got to be some record of the building and its current owners. As soon as the guard gets the all clear they will help you." I ordered

“Dad, Rhoswen, I want you to start writing down everything you know about the Fae Lords and any witches that you may have heard about in Fairlia. Oliver, you, Uncle Cuddy, and I are going to go over what we need to take for supplies. If Frank’s wife is being starved, she’s going to need blood right away. We’re also going to need cell phones and a rental car delivered nearby just in case."

“This isn’t just about Aunt Gussie and Julia, this about the future and safety of the clan.” I said reflectively. I didn’t notice right away that everyone had fallen silent and was looking at me with slacked jaws.

“What are you all looking it? I’m more than just a wiseass, pretty face,” I said

“All right, you heard Willa, let’s get to work.” Mathias had said before he left the room with my mother and Winifred in tow.

Uncle Cuddy approached me, and my heart dropped at his sad face. If there was anyone in the world I never wanted to see the look like that it was my loud, obnoxious, uncle.

“We’re going to bring my girls home?" he asked tearfully

"You bet your ass we are." I said determinedly

He gave me a small smile and went over to talk to Jeremiah and Oliver.

I just hope we all make it back alive, I thought to myself.

No more than forty minutes had passed and Frank, Serena, Riah and Kathleen came to the living room where we had set up our little base of operations. My dad and Rhoswen were in one corner, conferring quietly with one another. Jeremiah already had two laptops, a printer, and several sheets of paper strewn around him on a small table that he had commandeered from the neighboring study.

Oliver, Cuddy and I were making lists of supplies and had just started talking about contingency plans when our new arrivals showed up with their offers of help.

“Willa,” Frank said, interrupting a little argument that Cuddy and I were having on packing gummy bears for Aunt Gussie.

“Hi Frank." I said solemnly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t even know that you were married, much less, that your wife was the Guardian, who went with Julia."

“Thank you." he replied thoughtfully before his face broke out in a wry smile. “It’s exactly something my wife would do. Going on a mission where she knew she would be captured, sacrificing her own wellbeing on a vision that a twenty four year old girl had. Don’t get me wrong, I adore our Julia, but when you are dealing with sightseers, things can change in a heartbeat."

“Julia is one of the best though,” Serena said. “I’m so mad at her. Why didn’t she ask me to go? I would have rather been locked up in some cell these past few months, then being stuck here, racked with guilt."

“Why Serena, I’m hurt. Does that mean our time together has meant nothing to you?" I asked in mock indignation.

"Oh Willa, no,” Serena said. “That’s not what I meant...” her voice broke off uneasily

"I’m just teasing you.” I reassured her. “Serena, she didn’t ask you to go for the simple reason that you weren’t in her vision to be there. I don’t claim to understand about this whole seeing the future thing, but I assume that if you go around changing too much there’s bound to be consequences."

“She’s right." Riah agreed. “Just imagine what would have happened if Julia had told me of her visions of Willa. Then I would have gone charging to the States to retrieve her, and we might be lying in bed right now instead of standing here."

“Oh, if only that were my fate,” I said wistfully

“We can make the whole lying in bed thing happen very quickly.” Riah said

"Tempting but we have bigger fish to fry." I answered

“Bigger than me? I think not." he said confidently

Serena rolled her eyes. “So what can we do?"

“Well, first you and Frank should go look at the book. There are a few little notes written from Julia to both of you. You may want to read them." I suggested gently

They both silently walked over to where Jeremiah was working. They hesitated slightly before, taking the offered book from his hands.

“Word is you were the one behind the enhanced interrogation techniques." Riah said casually

“Surprised Lord Hawkins?" I said flirtatiously

"Not really, although it sounds more like Mathias’s style, the whole not trusting anyone. There is much more to you than meets the eye isn’t there?"