Page 65 of The Scald Crow

The elevator doors opened with a sudden whoosh. My ears popped, and I swallowed hard. Blue carpet led in both directions down the spacious hallway.

Colm’s blue-eyed gaze filled with ready kindness.

When was the last time kindness looked my way? Genuine kindness aimed toward me alone? Even now, my past haunted me, and I spent every day waiting for the sky to fall. But going backward was not an option. I had to press on. The truth lay in the moments ahead. Orlaith, Ériu’s friend, held the keys to the future and the past.

“Are you all right?” He planted his hand on my lower back, each fingertip radiating heat.

“I’m good. Great, actually.” I clamped my lips together, convincing myself.

“Does she know why you’re here?” He looked one way and then the other and headed down the hall to the right, his sense of direction spot on.

“No. Not really. Saoirse arranged the visit. Said it would be easier that way.” My stomach fluttered. Needles pricked the surface of my skin. Two questions danced on my tongue.Who am I? What am I?

“Hmm. Why is Orlaith in Dublin?” He looked at me, questioning.

“Looking after her sister’s cat.” Uncertainty occupied my thoughts. The idea of asking those questions terrified me. Sharing my visions with Colm was one thing, but that would make them real.

The door on the left opened before we knocked. Orlaith wore a mint green frock adorned with delicate white daisies that swished when she moved.

I gazed at the braided carpet flowing down the hallway and the sleek black cat weaving between her legs.

“Come in. Come in. I’ve been expecting you.” She brushed her palms over her flowered dress while voices blared from a television inside the apartment. She guided us into a sun-filled reception room, where she picked up a remote and muted the television noise. “Have a seat, both of you. The tae is wet.” She gestured toward a yellow-striped sofa and a china tea service on a glass tabletop.

Etched into the sides of the ivory pot was a whimsical scene featuring flying dragons in soft, muted blue, pink, and orange hues. The tea set appeared very old.

Colm cleared his throat, jolting me out of my trance.

“Orlaith, thank you for meeting with me.” I took a deep breath, released the tension from my shoulders, and lowered myself onto the plush sofa.

Colm remained standing until Orlaith settled, then sat beside me. The cat purred at his feet and jumped onto his lap.

“He’s a wee hallion, always acting the maggot. Ye don’t mind, do ye?” She looked between us, pouring tea into white china cups adorned with a landscape scene of high mountain peaks. Steam curled from each teacup.

“Not at all. I love cats. What’s his name?” He placed his big hand on the cat’s shoulders.

“Collins. He’s been with my sister for years.” She clucked her tongue.

The cat twitched its ears at the sound of his name.

“He’s fine. No worries.” Colm caressed the cat.

“I knew this day would come.” Orlaith broke the silence, her gaze darting from Collins to me.

“I have questions, Orlaith, about Ériu.” I balanced the saucer on my lap. “You were Ériu’s friend.”

“Aye. We were. How did you learn Ériu’s name, luv? Was it Dermot? Was it in his papers?” Her blue eyes deepened in color.

“No. Um, there’s a photo of Ériu over the fireplace, and her wedding dress…is in the cottage.” I pinned my lower lip beneath my teeth and held it there, forgetting to breathe.

“I don’t understand.” Her face paled.

“I see things, Orlaith, things others can’t see.” I didn’t know where to start. Her vision? Seamus? How about the mist coming to take me away?

“Aye?” she encouraged me to continue.

“The day you fainted. I saw you with Ériu, preparing for her wedding. I’m sorry.” I admitted my intrusion into her mind. I considered sharing what I’d learned since but decided against it.

“I see.” Her hand trembled, clinking the teacup against the saucer.

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