Page 10 of Wind and Water (Reign of the Witch Queen #2)

Chapter Five

Wren

O n the train, I read the book about the old gods. “Could it be Dagda’s harp behind the Watcher’s Gate?”

Momma shrugs. “How does a harp help if we have no one to play the right strains?”

“Good point.” I study the text where it says that he played the strain of sleep and never raised a hand in battle against his enemy. It sounds like a bunch of hooey, but I didn’t believe in elves or magic until I met Liam. I need to keep an open mind.

“I’d rather have the spear or the sword if some treasure is behind the gate.” Liam’s gaze is forward, but it’s obvious he’s watching out for someone to attack us.

“You know about the four treasures of the Tuatha De Dannan?”

He nods. “It’s taught in school. The old gods with sword, spear, stone, and cauldron.

The tales of Dagda and his harp. We’re all taught these stories from a young age.

I don’t see how any of it helps. Venora is flesh and mortal.

How will any weapon get us past her magic?

If it were simple, the oracle would have found a way.

They’ve had thirty years to look for a defense against the dark.

Yet, year by year, the witch queen gets stronger and kills more of us.

She turns good people into shadow demons and turns others into slaves.

She bespells warriors to her army. We’ve slowed her, but most of the time, I think the oracle is at a loss for how to save the light. ”

I close the book. “You don’t think you can win.” A knot forms in the center of my chest and expands. “Why bring me to your world if you don’t think Venora can be beaten?”

The deepest sorrow darkens his gaze. “I have seen the blackest magic come from the witch queen. She is more powerful than anyone would have expected. She uses terrible means to grow stronger. Every soul she turns into a shadow demon leaves the magic of its former elf attached to her. She’ll continue to become more while we are dwindling.

No female elves means that in perhaps fifty more years, there will be none to bear children.

Time is running out for my kind, and I’m helpless to stop time.

“I bring you because you represent hope, and I’ve lost mine.” He returns to watching the people on the train and the terrain outside the window as it speeds by.

If I could reassure him that everything is going to be okay, I would. The problem is that I don’t think bringing an artist and her mother to another world will make much of a difference.

Momma says, “Maybe one of the other human women is a musician. Maybe the weapon behind the gate is something else altogether. Don’t lose faith, Liam. Your people found the prophecy; that should mean something.”

He offers a half smile. “It should, Birdie. The fact that we’ve already seen some of Wren’s human magic is a good sign, too. Forgive me for sounding bleak.”

“How do my dreams help?” I push aside thoughts of Morrigan and Nuada. My mind is swimming with Irish mythology. None of it is very helpful for stopping an evil elf or her armies.

“You have other magic.”

“How can you know that? I had a dream. It might mean nothing.” The notion that I can conjure wind that could lift a person is ridiculous.

His hair is pulled back, but one section always makes its way free, and it’s damned sexy. He stares at me for a long moment. “You’ve already shown you can reach through time.”

“I did what?”

He’s making things up.

“In the doctor’s waiting room. You pulled Birdie out of time so that she could leave with you. That should not have been possible. Only the oracle and dragons can meddle with time.” His voice is low and intense, like he’s imparting something sage.

“Interesting.” Momma points to him. “You said you can’t alter time and worry that you’re running out of time. If time is a foe and Wren’s magic is somehow twisted up with time…” She gets a faraway look and stares out the window.

“What does it mean, Momma?”

Drawing a long breath, she sighs. “I don’t know, but there’s something there. We just need more pieces to the puzzle before we can put it all together.”

Eyes wide, Liam looks to me for an explanation.

I shrug and open my book in search of any clue. Still, my mind wanders to the magic Liam says I possess.

It’s after six by the time we take the bus over the Skye Bridge. There’s still plenty of sunlight, and the beauty of the place can hardly be described. It’s like a fairyland, and considering where we’re going, it’s kind of ironic.

“This place…” As soon as we’re off the bus, I turn and take in the views. We’re in a busy parking area and surrounded by stunning vistas. Craggy peaks, rolling hills, and the ocean. I can’t take in enough of this beauty.

A man gets out of his car. Tall, with a large belly and kind eyes, he grins at me. “You should see the fairy pools. I just came from there, and it’s magical.”

Liam says, “We need to find a place called the Star.”

The man whips out a tour book from his back pocket and flips to a page, pointing. “The Old Man of Storr.”

Nodding, Liam takes the guidebook. “That’s it. How do we get there?”

Happy to have our full attention, the man puffs up. “I’m driving up there tomorrow. You can ride with me.” He points to his little electric cart. “I rented it. Hate to be hemmed in by tour timetables.”

Liam nods as if he has any idea what the man’s talking about. “I’m Liam Riordan.” He holds out his hand.

The man grins. “Wally Snow. It’s been my dream to come to Scotland, but my wife hates to fly. She left me at Christmas, so I booked this trip as soon as the ink was dry on the divorce papers. Traveling on my own isn’t ideal, but I’ve met so many interesting people.”

Momma grins. “You sound like you’re from our side of the pond. I’m Birdie Martin. Sorry for your troubles, but we sure appreciate the offer of a ride.”

Shaking hands vigorously, Wally laughs. “That’s a Texas accent if I’ve ever heard one. I’m from Oklahoma. I’ve lived there all my life, and now I sell insurance to all the people I went to school with. This trip is a whole new world.”

A short laugh escapes me as the irony hits.

“My daughter, Wren.”

I shake Wally’s hand.

“Wren and Birdie Martin. Are all the women in your family avian?” He smiles proudly.

Momma goes into a long story about how it’s a family tradition, and Wally listens, happy for the company.

“Excuse me, Birdie.” Liam pulls Wally aside.

My skin prickles as if a cool breeze blew through from Liam's direction.

In low tones, Liam speaks to Wally for several moments.

Wally blinks. “I can take you now.”

Before I know what’s happening, we’re all four in the cart, motoring down a very winding road. Most of the traffic is coming the other way since it’s getting near dinnertime. Momma makes them stop at a lodge on the way, and she runs in to get us some sandwiches.

I tuck two into my pack and watch as Momma puts several more into hers. She gives one to poor Wally, who seems focused on getting us to the Old Man of Storr.

When we arrive at the gorgeous outcropping of stones, I marvel at the view of the sea and the hills.

It’s rough country but more beautiful for its wildness.

The grass is the greenest I’ve ever seen, and these mythical stones of gray and white jut straight up as if they were pushed up by the hands of the old gods I spent the journey reading about.

People are taking photos and rushing to get back to wherever they’re spending the night. Soon, the parking area is closed, and the buses have all left.

Liam says something to Wally, who gets in his car and drives away without saying goodbye.

“What did you do to that man?” I demand.

“We needed to get here, and it’s only a little spell that will wear off before he’s a minute down the road. He won’t remember having met us and will eat his sandwich and marvel at how he came upon the extra money I put in his pocket.” Liam walks toward the Storr.

“That’s not nice. You shouldn’t manipulate people like that.” Even to my own ear, my voice is grating.

Momma laughs. “It did get us here, and Wally was paid for his services. Just promise you’ll never use such tactics on either of us.”

“You have my word.” He doesn’t turn back until he senses I’m not following.

“I have not and will not ever manipulate you with magic, Wren. I promise. We needed to be here at night, so no one sees us portal away, and Wally was alone and convenient. I don’t like to use a person in that way, but he has been compensated. ”

“I suppose the fairy pools will have to wait for some other time. I have to go save a world.” I use my sarcasm to hide my fear. This is madness.

When the last island police car comes, likely to check that the area is clear, Liam waves a hand, and I feel the prickle on my skin just as I did in the parking lot with Wally. The officer never looks in our direction before he drives away.

I rub my arm. “It’s a strange feeling when you do that. Not terrible, but different.”

“I don’t feel anything.” Momma watches the last of the sunlight dip beneath the horizon. “This place is wonderful.”

Looking at me for a long moment, he raises one eyebrow. “Magic gives off a kind of energy that most people don’t notice. It’s interesting that you sense it.” He climbs the rest of the way to the tallest stone. “I’m sorry you won’t get to see all of this island, Birdie. Perhaps when you return.”

I take hold of Momma’s hand and squeeze. “Are you ready?”

“I have no idea,” she says with a grin that stretches from ear to ear.

Liam takes my other hand. He waves his arm in a circle and speaks in a language I’ve never heard. A glowing portal swirls into existence between the largest stone and the one next to it. Wind whips around us and sends dust flying. “This will hurt a bit.”

Bracing, we walk through together. I scream as my flesh is ripped from my bones. At least that’s how it feels, though Liam assured me this wouldn’t kill me. I’m having serious doubts about whether that was true.