Page 48 of The Secret of Drulea Cottage

“You don’ know what a clock is?”

“Oh, nay, o’ course I do! I meant to askwherethe clock is.”

“On the wall? In the kitchen?”

“Ah, that’s right.” He chuckled in self-deprecation, but something felt off about his tone.

“Aye. Well, I better get going. Thank you so much fer the lovely time, Niall,” she said as she rose from her chair.

Niall also stood, his face tinged with sadness. “I only wish it could have been longer.”

He flashed another smile, which she reflected all too effortlessly. Energy crackled between them, and she was surprised by her sudden reluctance to leave. She pushed the feeling aside and stepped back from her chair.

“Thank you again. Good night, Niall.”

“Good night.”

Briony walked backward a few feet until she tripped over a pebble on the path. “Oh, silly me!”

She inclined her head to Niall before scurrying away as quickly as she could without looking like a complete idiot.

She had almost reached Drulea Cottage before her cheeks lost their rosy hue. Once she let go of the embarrassment, though, her mind went back to something Niall had said.

Or rather did na say. What did he mean by—

A rustle caught her attention. It seemed to be coming from the woods beyond the cottage. She glanced over and gasped in fright.

Two glowing eyes were looming between the trees, looking directly at her!

Briony jumped back before her wits kicked in and she realized it was probably just a woodland animal. Still, those eyes were fairly high up, and they reflected the fading sunlight that hadn’t yet retreated into the Simmer Dim of summer.Maybe ’tis a deer. Could it be a bear?

The eyes, unblinking, began to slide closer. They were staring at her strangely, almost as if they recognized her. She froze.What do I do? Should I run?

But then, just as abruptly as they’d appeared, the eyes shifted to the right and vanished behind a tree.

Briony let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.What was that thing? Most animals run away as soon as they see me, but why na this one?

A shiver coursed through her, and she hurried the rest of the way home. Once she arrived, Briony bolted the door and shut all the windows. Terror overwhelmed her at the possibility that the animal was still nearby.

In moments like these, I hate living alone. If Mum were here, I could easily chalk all this fear up to foolishness, but without her, I have nothing to anchor me back to reality.

Briony placed a tremulous palm on her chest and found that her heart was racing.

Get a grip, Briony. ’Twas just an animal out in the woods. No need to get emotional.She rubbed her hands against her dress, trying to be braver than she felt.

Even so, it would be hours before sleep finally found her.

A Day of Mourning and Magic

When Briony woke, the glowing eyes were still on her mind. They had haunted her dreams all night long, leaving her jittery and tired. She quickly dressed and made herself a cup of tea.

Mum always said tea was one o’ life’s greatest blessings, and right now, I believe she was right.After a few sips, she was already starting to feel her nerves uncoil.

Something seems different about today, but I can’ quite pinpoint—

She let out a short, pained gasp, oblivious of the tea slipping from her mouth onto the table.

’Tis today. One year since she passed.The thought bubbled in Briony’s mind like boiling lava, spreading through her being and leaving devastation in its wake.