The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook* (8 page)

“I wanted too unfortunately all these people came rushing over before I could even try to throw a mist,” Cecily said disgruntled

“What is a mist?" I asked

“A mist is something we can create to surround us, like fog I guess so that we can hide our gifts or simply vanish from humans. It doesn’t last very long but it works in a pinch,” Cecily said

“You’ve told me about Dad’s gifts,” I said shaking my head. “But you didn't fully explain yours to me. I mean, you can perform healing magic, are you a witch?"

Laughing my mom said, “Well I guess you can call me a witch but we Gypsies prefer the term Casters."

"Ok, Casters, then,” I said. “I guess I’m curious about what other stuff you've done. What spells and magic you had to perform or chant or whatever it is you do"

My mother sat smiling for a minute before she answered, “Besides healing that you just witnessed, I've done spells to mask our scents, especially yours which is a little richer and deeper. I've cast protective barriers around our house and property every night. As well as our cars, the bakery, your schools growing up, and your friend's houses. I have had to try to cast out your magical energy so it wouldn’t rear its head at an inopportune moment. That was very difficult during the hormone fueled teenage years let me tell you. Every once in a while I also try to do a spell looking for any threats. I let that one lax though, otherwise we would not have been so unprepared tonight. It was utterly stupid and irresponsible of me.”

“Wow,” I said. “I feel like the biggest idiot in the world or the most narcissistic one. How on earth did I not notice this?”

“You didn’t notice because we did everything in our power for you not to be aware of these things. Honestly, I’m almost happy. I guess we did our job. We did what we set out to do, and that was to make everything normal and happy for you."

“Yeah, I guess you did but...” I started, "Wait, you said they found us, what happened tonight? Was it the Rau? What do we do?”

“Yes, they found us, or they caught our scent,” Cecily answered, “Your Father and I decided to take a quick stroll after dinner. I guess I was caught up in the romance of the night. The wine, the stars, and well you get the point. We were just turning a corner, and both saw them at the same time and sure enough there they were, two of them, about to head into a bar. Their heads quickly snapped up but before they could move your father teleported us all over town. Finally, we got back to the car and drove here as fast as we could."

“All right so what do we do? Stay in for a few nights? Lie low?" I asked

“No honey, there's no lying low, they will find us," my mom answered

“But you said you do spells to mask our scents, how did they catch it?"

“I don’t know. I usually do them every morning. It must have worn off a bit. Suffice it to say they caught it, and they will not rest until they find us,” my mom let out a snort. “I feel stupid, I can’t believe I didn’t think before we went out, I’m usually very vigilant and cautious. This lapse is unacceptable."

“You’re not Superwoman or Supercaster Mom.” I said reassuringly. “Everyone makes mistakes and from the sounds of it you've been pretty vigilant for the past several years.”

“You don’t understand Willa. They will not give up. They will find us. We are a Skye Gypsy Princess and a Faerie Prince. It’s like every holiday rolled up into one for them. But the real prize would be you. You’re a Fae-Gypsy child of both royal families, and a child that is one of a kind. I can’t even imagine what they would do if they found out about you."

“So we’ll head out of town for a few weeks, Polly can handle the shop…."

“Oh sweetie, if only that was the solution.” Cecily said, “We need to leave, Willa, permanently.”

“What? No, we can’t, I can’t. I have a life, business, and friends. I can't just leave.”

“Willa,” Cecily said. “This is life and death, the bakery, your friends, none of that is more important than your life. Do you hear me Willa? There is nothing on this earth more precious to me or your father than your life.”

“I second that," my father said as he walked back into the living room. “Over the years we have encountered a few, random stranglers but these two were different, older, more powerful. They probably already called in some human servants to help them find us. They will seek our scents, vague but there, at the restaurant. They will discover our names and from then on they will find where we live. We have perhaps, twenty four, to thirty six hours.”

I sat there rubbing my forehead with both hands. “But you would ask me to leave everything I know. The bakery Mom, how can you ask this of me? Or tell me to pack up and leave my business? Our business?”

“I realize what we are asking. I know this is gut wrenching to you, but you must try to understand…"

“Understand. No, I don’t understand. I don’t understand any of this,” I said dejectedly. “I’m sitting here listening and even seeing this all unfold. It's like I’m watching from across the room. Like this is some out of body experience and before you say listen or I’m sorry or try to understand again, try to understand where I’m coming from. My whole world feels ripped apart. The proverbial rug pulled out from under me. I get it, ok? I totally get you want to protect me, but I think leaving town like a thief in the night is a little too much for me to comprehend at the moment. Furthermore stop treating me like a petulant child. I’m a grown woman not a toddler. While all this is a little confusing, I am fully capable of compartmentalizing all of this.”

“Willa you're right,” said my dad. “You’re a fully capable adult and I think the best thing right now is just to have you sit and let this all sink in for a while.”

“I didn’t mean to treat you like a child Willa. That’s not my intention, and I apologize for that.” Cecily had said before she looked up at Cormac, “Were you able to obtain the number?”

"Yes,” said Cormac, “Winifred is a smart, crafty old witch. I found the numbers hidden on the website pertaining to the elimination of gypsy moths.”

“Oh, she always knows what she is doing my Mother.” Cecily said chuckling

“She hides her phone number on obscure websites?" I asked

“Yes, well, she likes to make sure the information is out there for emergencies. Long lost clan members that are seeking sanctuary, clan members who may have left, but need a way back, even Fae that seek refuge. When I was younger, of course, times were vastly different. Those trying to get in touch with her or to find their way to the Isle had a much harder time.  Since the technology revolution, she’s had a much easier time getting it out there. You just need to know where to look." my mom said

“I’m sure an island in the middle of the English Channel isn’t hard to spot.” I added

“The island not only has a protective barrier, it also has an enchanted mist around it. Anyone who may come across it will think it’s just a rocky piece of unusable land,” my mother replied

"She doesn’t make it easy but then again she isn’t really known to make anything easy,” my father laughed

"You’re very amusing Cormac,” Cecily admonished. “Wish me luck. This conversation is not going to go smoothly."

"You’ll be fine,” Cormac said as he offered his hand to help her off the couch.

"Yeah, tell her I said hey,” I said somewhat sarcastic

As my mom walked out of the room and went into my dad’s study, I heard the door close and my father sank onto the couch next to me. For a few minutes, we didn’t say anything and I appreciated the silence. There were so many thoughts and questions that were crowding my mind, but I didn’t know where to start. Even though, I had just proclaimed my adult status to my parents I slowly turned over on my side, put my knees up, and curled up under my dad’s arm.

No matter how old you, sometimes a girl just needs her daddy.

My father started speaking with a sigh, “When we found out that your mom was pregnant I was filled with so many emotions. I felt profound happiness, disbelief, but most of all fear. I wanted to gather your mom up and head to the Island or Fairlia as quick as possible. She was adamant that she wanted to stay here in America. For months we went over every aspect of us staying here, everything we had to do, everything we couldn’t do. Then you were born, and life changed. My perspective shifted the first time we took you for a walk in the park. I remember looking around at the children and young families, and I thought we can do this, we can have this simple life, and so we did.”

“I’ll never forget the day soon after you graduated college,” he continued. “You came to the front door and knocked; all dressed up in a business suit, and asked me for a meeting. I sat there and listened to you with your business outline for the bakery. Spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentation, you had done all the research. I was so proud of you, but I was also sad. How could I back this venture when I could see that in a few short years we would have to ask you to leave it? The clock was slowly becoming a ticking time bomb but instead of saying no I said yes. One day, when you have children, you’ll understand that if it’s in your power you will move heaven and earth for them. Your mother came home that day, after you showed her the building, completely devastated. She was so happy and proud of you, but she knew, better than anyone, what this would do to you. What would happen when this day came? We had hoped to break it to you gently. We wanted to give you six months or so slowly to accept and acclimate to this news. To give you time to tie up loose ends and say goodbye. Again though time is not on our side and for that we are truly sorry.”

“You know it’s funny, I truly do get everything you both have said but I feel like I’m in a dream. That none of this is happening. That I will wake up, have a good laugh and go on about my day. You both keep talking about wanting to protect me but what you seem to forget is that I am just as protective. I would never to do anything to put you and mom in harm’s way. I will do everything in my power to make sure we are all safe. You aren’t alone in this. You need to trust me though. Let me in because we need to do this together, as a family, that’s the only way we’re going to get through this,” I finished getting out of my dad’s arms and looked up at his face intently.

“You always slay me princess,” my father said. “Whenever I think I’m in control, you come waltzing in and crumble everything inside of me. You turn me into a mush ball.”

“Mush ball huh?” I asked. “So would now be a good time to ask for the gorgeous, large diamond hoop earrings I saw at the jewelry store today?"

My dad let out a big sigh and laughed. “You never fail to make me laugh but yes now probably would be a good time to beg for those.”

We smiled at each other, and both looked up as my mom came into the room. Although her face was lined with worry a small smile lit up her face. I could tell that her finding us laughing made her happy.

“I spoke to my mother,” she began. “She is sending the guard immediately. They should be here by tomorrow afternoon. I also called Polly and told her to open in the morning.”

“What exactly did you say to Polly?" I asked

“I told her that there had been a death in your father's family.”

“I’m sure she was a little surprised,” I said. “Especially considering we have always told everyone that we had no family.”

“She was a bit speechless but then she started peppering me to death with questions,” my mom explained

“So who was the unlucky victim?"

“Your uncle,” Cecily sighed

“Wow,” I said, “Poor bastard.”

“Willa,” my mother said wearily

“All right so what's next?" I asked as I rubbed my hands together.

"I guess we should start packing now,” my mom said. “We can't take everything but we should be able to take all of our clothes and any personal items, knick knacks and such."

“I’m pretty sure the airlines have weight limits Mom,” I said. “Our shoe and boot collection alone would probably bring the 757 down. Hell, it probably wouldn’t even take off in the air."