Page 5

Chapter Five

F og swirled around her ankles, rising inch by inch until fully encircling her. A low gravelly voice she couldn’t quite place repeated the same words over and over. “Come to me. Come to me.”

There was a parting of sorts, the fog moving away as she walked forward, her footfalls silenced by the mossy undergrowth. Vines seemed to reach out to her, wrapping around her arms gently, as if caressing her skin.

The urge to escape, to get away, became stronger as the voice became louder, closer. Tears streaked down her cheeks. She had to get away, had to run, but her legs were so heavy, her movements labored until she was frozen in place. Looking down, she realized the vines had wrapped tightly around her legs, waist, and shoulders, holding her in place.

With a woosh, the mist evaporated and a man in robes appeared in the distance, long straight gray hair down his back, black malevolent eyes and mouth twisted into a gleeful smile. “You are mine.”

Erin fought against the vines, screaming in terror.

Mouth dry, breathing harsh, Erin bolted upright to sit, relief pouring over her at realizing she was in her bed, in her bedroom. She was safe.

The old man in the dream was familiar. Erin knew his name and where he lived. Meliot, the wizard, the evil man who’d trapped Padriag. Unless she did something, he was going to come for her, there was no doubt in her mind. There was no choice in the matter, it was time.

Reaching for her phone, she found the number and pressed call.

“Hi John. Can we talk?”

The next day she went to Stewart’s Books & Magic and spent hours talking with John. According to John, his partner Liam, a handsome blond knight, was the only one of the four men who’d been rescued that could continue to travel between the realms. And he could ferry messages between the worlds.

Despite Erin’s disbelief she’d be useful in Padriag’s rescue, John insisted that she’d been chosen by fate. If nothing else, she had to do it to save herself.

* * *

Dunimarle castle was beautiful, but not ostentatious, a subtle beauty of gray stone, surrounded by expansive lands. She drove down a cobbled one lane road that curved at the front arched doorway. Several cars were parked to the left side of the castle under modern built covered stalls. A golf cart had been driven to the front and left, probably by someone working around the lands.

Erin drove to the parking stalls and pulled into an empty one, then sat in the car for a few moments collecting her thoughts.

Once she reached the front door of the castle, it was opened by Tammie, her eyes sparkling as they met Erin’s. “I am so happy to see you, friend.” The American opened her arms inviting a hug. Erin had to smile as she leaned forward allowing the closeness.

“There is much to do,” Tammie said, motioning for her to enter. “We are all in the library,” Tammie continued as she led Erin toward a doorway.

Her breath caught as she walked into the room. Inside were Tammie’s sisters, Gwen and Sabrina, as well as three astonishingly handsome men, Tristan McRainey, laird of the castle, Gavin Campbell and Niall MacTavish, who’d been trapped in the other realm until recently. The trio, along with Liam, were all rescued by their current loves.

Was she to be relegated to being Padriag’s lover if she rescued him? Was that part of the bargain? Not that it would be a horrible fate, given the man was drop-dead gorgeous, but love had to be involved before she would ever commit to any man, and although attracted, she was doubtful it would happen.

Also, she doubted the current strange situation would lead to it.

“Hello Erin, we are so glad you are here,” Gwen, the eldest sister said, giving her a warm smile. She slid a look to the trio of men and then back to her. “I hope they don’t intimidate you. I insisted they be here to answer any questions you may have about the alter-world.”

Hearing footsteps behind, she turned to see John hurry in, his glasses slightly askew, a pile of books in his arms. Despite being disheveled, the man remained curiously attractive. “So sorry, I lost track of time.” He walked past her to drop the books on a large round table. “Have you started?”

“Not yet,” Tammie chimed. “Erin just arrived.” She motioned toward the various chairs surrounding the table. “Sit down, everyone.”

“Wine?” Gwen asked, already pouring a glass of red.

“Yes, please,” Erin replied, needing something to help her get through whatever came next. The glass was pushed into her hand, and she drank the bittersweet liquid as she settled into one of the chairs at the table.

Tristan met her gaze for a moment. “As you are aware, each of us have required someone in this realm to assist in our release from the entrapment. Meliot, the wizard you encountered, has been quite adept at making our escapes difficult.”

“Although his power seemed to be diminishing as of late, we cannot underestimate his capabilities,” Gavin interjected. “He is furious at our escape and is making it almost impossible for Padriag.”

Erin’s chest tightened. Padriag hadn’t said anything about what occurred in the other realm when he’d appeared at her flat. “Is Padriag in danger?”

“He will have to relocate,” Gwen informed her. “Liam informed us that Sterling, who reigns over a different realm called Esland, has offered Padriag asylum. We have not heard from either in a few days, hopefully it is because they have gone to Esland.”

They waited, every pair of eyes on her for the information to percolate. A myriad of questions whirled in her head. “Will he be able to travel here from there?”

“I am not sure.” It was Gavin who spoke again. “We believe so, but will wait to hear from Liam, who should be returning in a day or two at the most.”

John’s stricken expression revealed that he’d not been aware of what had been transpiring. “Why was I not told about this?” The tension in his voice brought everyone to exchange looks.

“I’m so sorry John,” Tammie said. “I thought Liam had told you.”

“I wasn’t aware of this Sterling’s invitation.” His emphasis on the prince’s name made Erin think that perhaps there was jealousy behind it.

“Sterling was not forthcoming with information about timing. We are speculating it has happened, we are not sure,” Tristan explained, his tone flat. It was obvious the man was used to leadership and not prone to sentimentalism.

Erin slid a look to Gwen who gave Tristan a pointed look before speaking. “I assure you John, Liam is not being deceitful. He honestly didn’t know when it would happen.”

Considering John’s tight lips, he wasn’t happy. He pushed books out to the three sisters and Erin. “I brought some of the books that pulled at me. For the last few days I’ve been evoking help from the goddesses to help us.”

“Do you have any questions for us?” Niall asked, his dark eyes meeting hers. “There is naught we won’t do to free Padriag.”

“What were the strategies needed to free each of you?” Erin pulled a pen pouch and notebook from her tote and proceeded to carefully choose a pen. Opening the notebook, she held the pen at the ready.

Tristan counted off with his fingers, starting with his thumb. “A spell, contact with our intended rescuer, the deciphering of our curse ...” he stopped and looked to Gwen.

“Each specific curse seems to require actions to be taken by the rescuer. It is hard to explain,” Gwen added. “It was different for each of us. Not just figuring out how to break the curse but also maneuvering around Meliot and other factors.”

Erin was aware that Niall had not only been imprisoned by Meliot in the alter-world, but also a demon called Devina had kept him ensnared in a separate trap, holding him hostage when he slept.

“Are any of you aware if there are other holds on Padriag?”

Gavin nodded. “I think something, perhaps Meliot, is interfering with his ability to move between the realms. He told us it was becoming difficult for him to do so.”

Why had Padriag not said any of this to her? Erin scribbled down the information, holding the pen tightly.

“Does something bother you?” Gwen asked.

Erin let out a long breath. “Padriag came to my flat, a couple days ago. He was confused that I was there.” Tension filled the room as she continued.

“It turns out that I just moved into his ancestral home.” Speaking the words out loud brought the realization of what a huge “coincidence” it was that she’d been compelled to move into that particular home.

“How long was he there?” Niall asked leaning forward, his expression strained.

“Not very long, just minutes.”

This time Gavin spoke, his deep voice as enthralling as his face. “What did he say? Did he ask for anything?”

Erin closed her eyes for a moment. “He didn’t actually say much. Seemed resigned to remain behind. He told me not to feel obligated to help him, that he was last for a reason, although I got the impression he doesn’t understand why.”

Everyone sat in silence, contemplating.

“This is part of his curse,” Tammie said, breaking the silence and giving a pointed look to her notebook.

Three lives rescued

Three moons high

Two hearts restored

One must die

“That’s kind of ominous,” Erin stared at the words on her paper.

Tammie shook her head. “The strange thing is that this all happened already. When the three moons were out, Niall and I got together, he along with you and I were rescued and Davina died.”

“We think there is another part to the curse and have to find out what it is. Padriag may not remember it, or perhaps it is hidden.” Gwen’s words were tinged with frustration.

“That could be why it has been too hard to rescue Padriag,” John said. “Without knowing what binds him, it is almost impossible to come up with a spell.”

What they said made sense. Erin felt useless, the least qualified to help in the matter. She let out a long sigh. “I’ve been having strange dreams since ... I returned from the alter-world.”

As she told them about the mists and the creepy plants that caught her, everyone listened intently. John scribbled notes furiously, peppering her with questions about each single detail. Things she’d not thought about became clearer.

“There were moons in the sky, but I don’t remember how many. The mists moved up and down. The vines were a strange color, not green, but more a deep purple.” Erin was shocked at how many details she remembered.

Was it possible that the hints to breaking the spell had been with her all along? The dreams, although scary, always ended exactly before anything could hurt her.

“Next time you dream, be sure to write down any details you notice right away,” Gwen told her. “I know it’s hard to want to relive a nightmare, but it could be the only way to help him. You are dreaming for a reason.”

“We need to get started,” Sabrina stated, giving her husband, Gavin, a pointed look. As the trio of men stood, each gave Erin looks of expectation. It was terrible that they hung their hopes on her. She wasn’t ready for such a great responsibility. Every one of her senses screamed for her to explain it was all a colossal mistake and run from the room, get in her car and drive until she was out of Scotland.

Sabrina pushed back from the table walked to the doorway and closed the door. Gwen lit candles around the room that Erin had not noticed until then. Tammie turned off the lights while John cleared the table of the books he’d brought. Obviously the four had worked together before as each tended to a task without speaking.

Finally, they all sat at the table, and Erin looked from one to the other waiting for whatever came next.

John squeezed her right hand. “We will seek help from the spirit world. Your job is to be the vessel. What I need you to do is to close your eyes and keep them closed the entire time.” Erin did as he instructed. “Let out a breath and inhale. Let it out, inhale.”

At the soft sound of his urgings, Erin felt fear and stress melt away.

“Now I want you to picture a huge box, large enough for you to fit in. Do you see it?”

Erin nodded, picturing a large white box with a side entrance.

“Get inside and make yourself comfortable,” John continued. “Now I need you to hear this and believe it.” He hesitated, giving her time to settle and take a few more breaths.

“Nothing can enter this box to harm you. If anything enters, it is to help, give comfort and reassurance. Only good things can come into the box. Understand?”

Again Erin nodded.

“Empty your mind,” Gwen said in a soft tone. “Concentrate on the warmth inside the box, let our words flow around you. You do not have to understand or hear them. Your work is to receive whatever comes to you from other sources.”

Erin sensed warmth and was comfortable inside the imaginary box. Strangely the box gave her a safe place to be, and she didn’t mind being there.

The four others began reciting.

“Everlasting Beings of power,

Spirits of Light

Come forth to this place

Give us the Sight.”

The chants lulled Erin into a sleepy state, soon the words of their continuous chanting blurred into something akin to a melody.

Lights flickered and Erin considered they were the product of her eyes being closed. It was normal to see specks of light. But these were different, they were like fairies flying in circular patterns. First a couple, then joined by another pair. Whatever they were, they were fast as she couldn’t make out their shapes.

A brighter light appeared in the center of her sight, it was a blueish hue, seeming to move closer. Erin tensed, but when John squeezed her hand, she remembered that only good things could enter the safety of the box.

The light floated, beautiful blue lights swirling around and through it. Whatever it was glowed brighter and then dimmer until forming a humanlike form.

She couldn’t make out the being’s features, but whatever it was wore long, white, flowing robes with golden edging.

Words appeared in her mind, swirling in space, as if floating. She could both see and hear them.

Until moon’s pale light and dawn’s last breath,

I send thee to the brink of death.

Chains of darkness, will not unbind ? —

Never to be released, your soul, or your mind.

“Open your eyes,” John’s voice shook her back to reality, and she happily obeyed. Despite the dimness of the room, she had to blink several times before able to see clearly.

“I know what the curse is,” she said in a hoarse whisper. “It’s pretty bad.”