The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook* (37 page)

“See your freaky powers are useful for something other than murder.” Jeremiah said

“We’re not done with our discussion about you opening my mail.” I answered

“I second that.” Riah agreed. “I think from now on I’m the only one that is authorized for Willa’s parcel pickup. I believe I will need to witness a demonstration for any items ordered by you. That way we know they work properly.”

“I’m so getting you back for this.” I said to Jeremiah

“I will try to keep any references to Bob at a minimum,” he replied with a grin

“Bob?” I asked

“Battery Operated Boyfriend.”

“I’ll try to keep any references about V to a minimum as well.” I said sweetly

Jeremiah’s face fell. OK, so teasing about the love of his life, who just happens to be a Guardian, was a little harsh. Veronica initially returned his feelings, but unfortunately Serena, my former Guardian, who was killed, made her feel guilty. Any intimate relationships between a Guardian and Clan member was frowned upon, but a royal prince and Guardian? Taboo to the ninth degree

Jeremiah had initially thought that was Serena’s issue, but it wasn’t. She had been in love with Veronica as well.

“Sorry.” I said genuinely remorseful

“Stay off my Facebook.” Jeremiah replied after a few seconds

“Stay out of my mail.”

“Done,” he said

We both smiled at each other before I grabbed the book and headed out of the Archive’s room.

“I’m heading over to Geek Central. Are you coming Riah?” I asked

“Of course, where you go, I go.” he answered

“Tell me if anything new comes up.” Jeremiah said

“I will.” I answered.  With a newfound hope, I almost skipped out of the library. After all these months, we had found something. It might not lead to anything, but I was feeling much better.

“This could be nothing you know.” Riah said as we climbed into my golf cart. For once I let him drive.

“I know but it seems like it is something. It seems important. I just know it.”

“Speaking of something important, let’s get back to Bob...” Riah said

“I can pretty much tell you that we are never discussing Bob.” I smiled. “Like, ever.”

“It’s an image that will haunt my dreams at night,” he sighed

As we pulled into the courtyard of the castle, I was struck by the beauty the late afternoon sun had cast over the magnificent structure. While it was large and somewhat imposing, the gray stones that covered the outside walls shone brightly this time of time of day. The Georgian design softened the overall look and feel, making it not quite as intimidating as one would think when they imagined a castle.

I jumped out of the golf cart and called out a greeting to Christopher. He was acting as the Head of security for the Guardians while Mathias was away.

“Hey Christopher,” I said brightly

“Good afternoon Willa and Guardian Hawkins,” he replied politely. Tall and lean, Christopher’s jet black hair was cut short and his hazel eyes looked upon me with friendliness.

“Have there been any new developments?” I asked curiously.

“Actually yes,” he answered, surprising me. Every time I saw him I would always ask and up until today he would shake his head and say no. Today though, his solemn eyes almost seemed to light up when I questioned him.

“What’s going on?” Riah asked, equally surprised

“I just spoke to Guardian Worthing and he believes he may have found something concerning the items you have been researching,” he answered

“What? What is it” I asked stunned. The odds that we both found something on the same day were way too much of a coincidence.

“I’m not sure exactly; he didn’t say, but he seems to think it might be something of importance.”

“When is he coming home?” I asked impatiently. “We also might have found something. We need to pool our information together.”

“Guardian Worthing didn’t say when he would be arriving.” Christopher answered. “He said he had to take care of a few more things but wanted me to assure the Queen that he would be back to perform his duties before the Fae arrive.”

“That’s great news. Thank you Guardian Aldridge.” Riah said smoothly

“Yes, thank you Christopher.” I said quietly. I walked away to the back of the garages to enter the Guardian subterranean offices that were located underneath. As I went down the three flights of stairs, my mind was racing.

Mathias had found something but apparently he didn’t think I was important enough to relay this news too. Considering all he would’ve had to do was speak directly in my mind, I felt stung by his silent rejection of me. Since he left I had tried unsuccessfully to get him to communicate with me, but he never did. He completely cut himself off from me the second he stepped out of my door to leave.

When I pushed open the door to the main reception area, I was momentarily sidetracked by the sight of Milton, head of the Guardian Geek squad. Milton was short, stocky, and had nondescript features.  He was the last person on earth I would even suspect was a vampire.

“At last!” he exclaimed when he caught sight of me

“What’s up Milty?” I asked smiling. Milton may have been a total geek, but I adored him and his analytical mind.

“I did it!” he practically yelled. “I hacked into Fairlia’s main frame.”

“That’s great, Milty, but is there a reason you’re so excited by this act of crime you’ve committed?” I asked

“There’s so much information. I feel like I have hit the motherload. We need to have a meeting.” he said

“Wow, calm yourself Milton.” Riah said smiling. “We need to talk to you first about some information we’ve discovered.”

“Information?” Milton asked. “You found something?”

“Maybe,” I answered. “Let’s go to your cubicle and chat.”

Milton raced down the hallway to where his, and several others’ work area was located. The epicenter of the Guardians command center was a large room that looked like something out NASA. Several desks were scattered around, and they were all outfitted with the latest electronic gadgets that were available. There were also five huge projection size computer screens all around the room that flashed with information from any of the Guardians that chose to share what they were working on at the moment.

Riah and I followed Milton over to round desk and sat down. Milton had added three chairs to his area for Riah, Jeremiah and me over the last few months.  Jeremiah even had a small desk set up in the corner since we started visited almost daily.

“So what did you find?” he asked once we got settled.

I quickly explained Julia’s vision this morning and started to tell him about our recent discovery of the book in the library.

“It just fell open to a particular page?” he asked

“I was kind of hitting the wall and it fell open.”

“You see? When you start feeling discouraged things have a way of working out,” he smiled

“No, I literally hit the wall and it fell from the top of the bookcase.”

“You punched a wall?” he asked in disbelief

“I was getting a little pissed.”

“It was a pretty nice right hook.” Riah added

“Thanks.” I said appreciatively

“So it opened up to a page about Patcoena the famous painter?” Milton asked

“Have you heard of him?”

“Of course, he not only painted the mural in the great hall of Fairlia’s castle but several pieces of his work is hung throughout the building as well.” Milton answered.

“The book made a slight reference to the fact that he disappeared soon after the King died.” I continued. “It also suggested that Queen Sidra had commissioned him to paint a few pieces, but those have never been seen.”

“I will look into it while I do my own research.” Milton said

“So what did you find out?” I asked. “I’m assuming it has something to do with your recent hacking mission?”

“I’ve thought about this for a while,” he started. “We have always assumed that this witch was some black magic criminal, right? Here’s the thing, if she is, then there is no way she wouldn’t be on Fairlia’s Secret Service radar.”

“So you hacked into their system to find out if there have been any witches with records?” Riah asked

“No, I hacked in so I could find out about the healers that are seemingly in good standing,” he answered. “Healers are a rare breed. All Fae have some healing abilities, right?”

“Yes, to a certain extent.” I answered

“There are a few though that are born with extraordinary healing powers, and they are needed only in the most extreme cases. This witch has to be on the up and up. There is no way she would be traveling within the realm of the Fae as well as here without causing suspicion unless she was a bona fide registered healer.”

“But why do Fae healers have any reason to come here?” I asked

“There are some things, herbs and such that do not grow in Fairlia. It’s perfectly acceptable and permitted quite often without question for healers to visit here almost undetected.”

“There’s a registry of healers?” Riah asked

“Yes.” Milton replied excitedly. “As of right now, there are five healers listed.”

“Five? That’s it?” I observed

“Like I said Willa, those born with healer abilities are quite rare. They are observed and diagnosed almost from birth.”

“So you have whittled it down to five potential witches?”

“Yes,” he replied with a huge smile

“Milton this is incredible.” I said. “This morning we had nothing and now not only to we have a possible clue about the Fae Sanctities but we also have narrowed the field on finding out
who this witch is.”

“I’m going to check into the travel records and see who has been going to a certain realm more than usual or even has come here on multiple occasions.”

“Fantastic.” I said. For the first time in a long time, things were finally coming together.

We had chatted for another hour before I rose to leave. After saying goodbye to Milton, Riah and I walked back to the main area where we were greeted by Veronica. She was Mathias’s secretary and Jeremiah’s true love.

Petite with short dark hair and big brown eyes, Veronica looked more like a pixie than a vampire. I had been slightly jealous when I first met her, not only did she work with Mathias, but she also seemed to enjoy her job. The only reason sparks didn’t shoot off of my fingers was because I knew she returned Jeremiah’s feelings.

If only I could figure out a way to get those two together.

“Hey V, are you coming over for my birthday Hugh Grant movie night with all of us girls?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she said before she was interrupted by the beeping of her phone. “Excuse me for one second.”

I waited patiently while she turned her attention to the phone call. When she started talking though, my attention immediately focused on her voice, and I shamelessly eavesdropped.

“Yes sir,” she said. “I will be sure to tell her. Would you like to talk to her? She’s standing right here.”

I froze when I heard Veronica say this. Mathias was on the phone. He was a few feet away from me and not only that, he had obviously mentioned me. I was just about to walk over and grab the phone out of her hand, but Veronica’s reply stopped me dead.

“I will tell her. Have a nice day sir,” she said before she disconnected the phone.

“That was Mathias. He said to tell you Happy Birthday,” she said brightly

“That’s it?” I asked, my heart pounding

“He also wanted me to tell you,” she started

“Tell me what?”

“To behave?” she said almost like a question

“Really?”
I replied my fists clenching by my sides. I had the urge to punch something again. “He said happy birthday and to behave?”

“Yes, I think he’s worried about you,” she said while she busied herself straightening papers on the reception desk.

“Sounds like it.” I snorted. “Of course, if he was truly concerned, all he had to do was talk to me, especially considering I was a few feet away.”

“He sounded a bit preoccupied.” Veronica said noncommittally

Preoccupied, too preoccupied than to get on the phone with me for a few minutes and wish me a happy birthday.  He was way too busy even to try to get in touch with me once to ask about the wellbeing of his dog Oscar.

I made my mind up right then and there to be too preoccupied to give him the time of day when he returned.

Feeling resolved and trying desperately to ignore my aching heart, I looked at Veronica, “Ready for an evening of girly fun? Personally I can’t wait to stuff myself with junk food and sugar.”

“Sounds good to me!” she said

Later that night as I looked around my living room I realized how quick life can change. A year ago I was dancing in my bakery with Jon, Eric and Polly getting drunk off of champagne and tequila shots. This year I was hanging out with assorted female family members and new friends, eating, drinking, laughing and watching movies while lounging in my pajamas.