Page 22 of Wind and Water
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.
Momma’s screams are piercing, and I hold on tight to her hand.
My sight blurs, but I swear, a dragon flies past us, and there’s an ocean bathed in purple light sparkling in the distance. It’s impossible to tell if the dragon is flying closer to us or if we’re barreling toward it. Either way, its red eyes and black scales are getting larger.
The sharp tingle of magic heats my flesh like a sauna turned up much too high. My blood may boil, and it makes me nauseous. I push against it. Freeing my hands, I pray for some way to rid us of the dragon.
“Trocar!” Liam’s panicked voice sounds above the din of so much happening at once.
Momma’s screams are far away.
I push harder, and the wind whips all around us.
Trocar tumbles through the air unnaturally. His legs and wings flail as he rights himself and roars out something that throws me backward.
Arms wrap around me as I pray harder to force the dragon back.
The ground pounds against my body, taking my breath. Grass and rocks crush between me and the hard earth. I gasp and grunt with every bruise.
Liam grunts, holding me tighter, shielding me from the worst of the landing.
The wind dies, and there is no sound but ocean waves and our breathing.
Jumping to his feet, Liam draws his sword, ready to face the dragon. “Are you injured?”
