The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook* (5 page)

I looked around my parent’s room, bathed in candlelight, and realized I did want a partner to stroll through life with me. I never thought I was the kind of girl that needed to have a man in my life to complete me, but I did want the companionship of a man. I wanted someone to build a life with, have a few kids with, sit in rockers on our front porch and watch our grandchildren play. Those few things never entered my mind until this moment and the more I thought about it, the more I wanted it.

I felt a bit more resolved and less like a loser as I headed back into the living room to put some music on. I set the stereo on an easy listening station and surveyed my work one last time with a smile on my face. I went back into the kitchen, straight to the back door, and had just touched the knob when I heard a squeal of tires. I looked through to the dining room and glanced out the window where I saw headlights coming up the driveway fast.

“Oh boy,” I muttered to myself. “Time to get the hell out of dodge before this becomes uncomfortable."

Just as I was about to slip through the back door, I heard my mother’s voice shouting my name.

“Willa! Willa, darling, wake up! Where are you?” she shouted her voice laced with fear

“Mom?" I shouted back as I ran to the front door and yanked it opened. “Mom, oh my God, I’m here. Are you all right?"

“Oh Willa, oh my God, you're all right. You're safe thank goodness,” Cecily cried. Her face was streaming with tears and her voice filling with relief as she grabbed me in a bone crushing hug. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry honey…"

“Yeah, I’m okay, aside from the shoulder you just dislocated. What’s going on?” I asked my father as he came through the door and closed it.

“They found us honey,” Cecily said almost incoherently. “They found us. I’m so sorry. I thought we would have more time, maybe five years or so and then we could break it to you gently, but they found us. Now we have no more time.”

“All right, you are seriously freaking me out, Mom. Just take a deep breath and tell me what’s going on because you are making no sense whatsoever."

“Cormac…" my mom’s voice trailed off for a second. “I just...I don’t know if I can...I.”

“Wait, Cormac?" I asked, “Why did you just call dad Cormac?”

“Because that’s my name honey,” my father answered with a sad look on his handsome face.

“Uh, since when? Because last I knew, you know last meaning the last twenty five years; your name has always been Mac."

“Willa, we don’t have time for that right now…” my father started

“Yeah well, you better make the time because you both are seriously freaking me the fuck out right now." I demanded. “What the hell is going on? Why is mom so scared? What is she talking about? They found us? Who are they?"

My mother sank into the couch and looked up at me. For the first time in my life, she looked all her fifty years.

“The Rau,” she whispered wringing her hands.

“The Rau?" I asked. “What or who is the Rau?"

“The Rau, the Evil," my father said in a clear, firm voice.

I stood frozen in place not sure what was coming next. “And what exactly is the Rau?" I asked

“Vampires,” my parents both said at the same time

Chapter Three

“What?" I stuttered and started to laugh, “Vampires, huh? So is this payback for last year’s anniversary 'gift' when I made reservations for you guys at the new strip club but told you it was a restaurant? I understand wanting to get me back, but the dramatics are a little over the top, don't you think?”

“Willa, we are not making this up. We are not paying you back for your prank last year,” said Mac in a serious tone. “We have a lot to discuss with you. The sooner you can accept what we are saying the better. We do not have the luxury of time right now. Your safety and that of your mothers are of the utmost concern for me right now."

“Yours as well darling,” My mother said as she clasped my father's hand.

“So you want me to sit down and calmly discuss the existence of vampires, who are supposedly after me, with you and what? Try to keep a straight face?” I asked, “Because I don't understand where you're going with this."

“I want you to respect your Mother and I and listen to our story,” Mac said

“Cormac, we have much to discuss with Willa, but we also have to figure out what to do,” Cecily said. “I think we have to get in touch with my mother. I believe that's the best way to acclimate Willa."

"I agree but first I need to figure out how to get a hold of her..." Mac started

“Woo, hold up, your mother? Do you mean my Grandmother?" I interrupted, “The grandmother that supposedly died in a car accident years ago?"

“Yes, my mother, Winifred." replied Cecily. “I think the Isle is for the best"

“I agree, my darling,” said Mac. “Willa, I need you to come and sit with your mother. There is much to tell you and prepare you for what is to come.”

“OK, I get the fact that the strip club may not have been the best idea. Seriously can I go to bed now because I’m beat and have lost all patience with this little game?”

"WILLA,” Cormac yelled. “You will sit down with your mother right now and you will show her and me the respect we deserve. I realize that this information is going to come as a shock to you. I also realize we have lied and kept things from you. Now is not the time for your flippancy. We fully take responsibility for our actions and will deal with them as a family in due time. Right now it’s vital that you sit and listen to her. I have to figure out how to get out of this mess and get us all to safety.”

I stood a little shell-shocked. My father only yelled at me a few times in my life and this time he was deadly serious. What put me in a state of stupor though was the blue light that pulsated around him like a halo. I could not have moved my feet to save my life, and my tongue felt heavy in my mouth making it hard for me to form any words.

“Ok, I'll sit down with Mom,” I stammered

“Thank you,” my father said. “Willa I'm sorry for yelling, it's just that...”

“I get it. Ok, well not really, but I see you’re serious, and I will try to listen as best as I can. You both have pretty much thrown me for a loop. I'm not sure whether to be scared that this is real or scared you have taken a one-way trip on the crazy bus, but I'll listen.”

"That's all I’m asking for right now,” my father said softly as he walked over and gave me a hug

“It’s going to be all right Willy Dilly, I swear to you. Go easy on her.” At that, he left the room and disappeared into his study.

I walked over to the couch and sat next to my mother. She stared down into her hands lost in thought. I realized that this was the first time I had ever been uncomfortable around my mother. I didn't know what to say or where even to look. Luckily my Mom took the reins and clutched my hands before she started speaking.

“Once upon a time Willa there was magic everywhere. Magical beings were not feared but revered. Their uniqueness and magical abilities had been looked upon with great respect and all walks of life coexisted in peace and harmony. But where there is good, evil always lurks, poised to smother the light with its darkness. So eventually those unique individuals with power and magic in their veins were forced to hide. Either amongst humans or they created their own worlds on different dimensions from ours.

“The story of our clan, The Clan of Skye, is the same story my Mother told me. Gypsies are thought to be mostly Romanian or Eastern European but according to my Great-Grandmother her clan originated in India in the 12th century. Now, there had been many clans or travelers as we also have been called, but the Clan of Skye is known to be the most powerful. Full off healers and sightseers' they were the most respected in the land."

“One night as the group was celebrating the Samhain or Halloween.  It is the night when the veil between the living and dead is its thinnest. They paid homage to those that had left the earth, dancing and raising their glasses to the Gods. They lit the fires with just breathe and thought. Those with the sight stared into the crystals searching for answers. The night which had been filled with joy and hope quickly turned to one of terror and legend"

“They say the beast that burst through the trees that night, interrupting the most sacred of all nights, was a massive animal. He stood at over six feet tall on four legs. His body, sleek and sinewy, rippled with muscles. His eyes glowed red as rubies and teeth as sharp as daggers. It stood watching the rest of the group as it sank its lethal teeth into a young girl's neck lapping her blood like mother's milk."

“After the first moments of shock and horror that gripped the Clan they started running in all directions. All but one, Saria the Queen of Clan Skye, had been foretold of the prophecy of the beast. As she pushed down her fear, she began to chant a terrible curse. Unfortunately since her powers had been given to her as a gift from the Gods she could not use her goodness for evil. The curse she tried to give the beast backfired. The beast slowly changed before her eyes into a tall, wickedly handsome, human man. His eyes while still red blinked several times as he took in his new form. Where there had been four great paws, there were now two arms and two legs. His body, although still muscular, glowed pale as the moon and his dagger shaped canines transformed into sharp but blindingly white human teeth."

“Saria had sought to transform the creature into a harmless man but instead she turned the beast into a human killing machine. Dejected and distraught she turned to her husband and told him to run with their young daughter far and wide. Escape this beast for he will not rest until our clan is destroyed she told him. While her husband protested, Saria used the rest of her magic and transferred her power into her daughter Elsbeth and turned to face her fate. The beast having finished with the young girl came at Saria with speed like the wind and took her into his new arms for his devils kiss."

“Saria’s husband traveled day and night with the clan until reaching the sea. From there the Clan, fearing for the attention their large group would attract, decided to split up when they reached the shores of England. While one clan firmly entrenched themselves into English society and their ways, the other part of the group traveled even further and eventually landed in the Bavarian mountains of Germany."

“For many years the Clan of Skye existed peacefully. While they always kept one eye out for the beast they also went on with their lives. They sold their wares to neighboring villages, set up colorful caravans, farmed the land, and finally lulled themselves into complacency. All except one, while Elsbeth grew into a beautiful young woman, she watched as her Clan seemingly forgot about the horrors of that night but she could not. She would never forget her Mother's sacrifice or her terrible curse and knew it would be only a matter of time before he tracked them down and murdered them. Elsbeth devoted herself to her craft, reading all the spell books she could get her hands on, practicing day and night, preparing for the inevitable."

“The Spring after her Father's death Elsbeth was walking home from the local village. She had always been careful to get back to the caravans of her clan before nightfall. Suddenly she tripped over a log on the path. Hurt and tired Elsbeth jumped when she heard a voice ask her if she was all right. She turned around, and her heart leaped into her throat. For it was not the dark monster she so feared but a tall, beautiful, golden haired angel of a man. His name was Hans, and he was an impoverished prince of the local village. Elsbeth grabbed Hans offered hand and from that moment on the two were inseparable. While Elspeth’s clan may have been initially skeptical of the attractive outsider, only one was not, and that was Marga the Clan's seer. She had foreseen the mating of Elsbeth and Hans. She told the clan of her vision as well as a prophecy. For what comes from these young lovers will finally provide peace and harmony for many clans to come."

“Happy for her Clan's approval the young Queen and handsome prince were hand fasted or married seven days later on the first day of the summer equinox. As the Clan celebrated the marriage of their Queen with food and drink, loud rumblings came from the nearby forest. Terrified but resolved Elsbeth gathered her powers to face her foe. She was stunned when a group of humans broke through the trees. It was the other half of the clan! While everyone hugged and yelled pleasantries, Elsbeth had eyes only for Jardin, the English Clan's leader."

"I bring news my Queen; he started, and everyone quieted down to listen to him. Elsbeth led him over to the throne on the stage constructed of logs and stone and told him softly to please tell us your tale Jardin. Jardin told them of their first few years in England and how the English had readily accepted them and vaulted them to the higher realm of Society. They had mistaken them for royalty, and so every door was now open for them. They were flooded with invitations to Balls, Soirees, and exclusive clubs. They all should have realized that their new positions in society would be subject to gossip and attention. The lure though of the power and prestige had been hard for them to resist.”

“Soon members of the Clan started being murdered. After the first man had been killed, they should have been aware of the danger. More and more members were hunted by the beast and his offspring. Not only did fear follow them but the society that had opened its arms at first started to turn on them as well. For everywhere they went murder, and violence followed them."

“Embarrassed and fearful of their lives the Clan gathered up their belongings and began traveling across England. They managed to stay one step ahead of their pursuers and as they passed into the Bavarian mountains a sense of peace and calm settled over them. They could sense they were not far from their brothers and sisters."

"Not only is our clan whole again my Queen, he said, I also bring news of the Beast. Although the information is horrible, we have now learned more about him and his kind. The Queen and her people were shocked. Is there now more than one? They asked in disbelief. What are we to do, for we cannot outrun an army of monsters?”

“My Queen, my brothers and sisters, I have terrible news. The beast now knows how to create more like him. He takes those who are lured by immortality and creates them by draining them of their blood. He then makes them drink the cursed blood that flows through his dead veins. They are called Vampire as for they prey on the innocent and steal their essence.”

"Our Romanian cousins simply call them the Rau, meaning evil. They sleep during the day gathering strength and avoiding the sun as the sun, is the only thing we are aware of that can kill them. The light causes them to burst into flame and turn to ash. They eat no food and only exist on blood. While they may drain a human of their blood from time to time when they are desperate, it's the blood of the Gypsy that they crave. That makes them stronger. We have also learned though while they crave our blood more than any other, they also crave the magical rich blood of the fabled Tuatha De Danann or the Fae."

“The Queen couldn't believe her ears. All this information was horrifying, but she was in shock over the talk of the Fae. For no one had seen or heard from the Fae in years. It had been thought that their race had died out. The thought that the Fae is still out there was hopeful to the Queen. They could help the Gypsies get rid of the monster or Rau as it is now known."

“Where, she asked Jardin, where are the Fae? From the few pieces of information, we have collected we have surmised that the Fae are found on a different dimension called Fairlia. It is in the country known as Ireland Jardin answered. The Queen sat quietly for a moment while discussions broke out around her. As she stared at her new husband, he seemed to read her thoughts, and gave her a little nod. The young Queen stood up and told her Clan to gather their things and pack their caravans. At first light, they would start the journey to Ireland, to the land of the fabled Fae."