Page 42 of Treachery in the Highlands
I murmur into Rachel's ear, "Antaidhean?"
"The term refers to my great-aunts."
"Oh.I get it."
The three older women exchange worried glances.Morna, the middle aunt, steps forward."Abeithir, ye say?Are ye certain?"
"Hell yeah, I'm sure," I confirm."The thing was as big as a bear and had purple fur.Glowing green eyes too.Damn thing nearly had us for lunch."
"Watch your language, young man," Lachina, the youngest great-aunt, chides gently.But her expression is serious as she turns to her sisters."This is ill news indeed.Abeithirshouldn't be anywhere near here."
"Aye," Efrica nods gravely."And more troubling still is how it vanished.Abeithirdoesnae simply disappear."
Rachel steps closer to her great-aunts."There's more.Joey and I, we felt something strange just before we saw the creature.A sort of...tingling in the air."
I hadn't noticed that at the time, too caught up in our heated moment in the woods.But thinking back, Rachel's right.There had been an odd electricity crackling around us, and not just from our mutual attraction.
Lachina's gaze turns stark, and her voice grows hushed."Ye felt the magic stirring, then.'Tis as I feared."
"What do you mean?"I ask, feeling increasingly out of my depth."I don't understand any of this."
The three great-aunts exchange another meaningful look before Morna speaks."The veil between worlds is thinning.And with it, creatures and magics long dormant might awaken as well."
I thrust a hand through my hair, trying to process this information.It all sounds crazy."Okay, so...magical creatures are popping up.But why now?And what does it have to do with me?"
Efrica fixes me with a piercing stare."Ye're not from this time, Joseph Finnegan.Yer very presence here has caused ripples in the fabric of reality.'Tis a fact we only fathomed recently.That's why we didnae tell you about it.We hoped to find answers first, but that plan never came to fruition."
Everything inside me freezes."Are you saying this is my fault?"
Rachel steps closer to me, her hand finding mine again."Nay, Joey.'Tis not your fault.But yer arrival may have...hastened things."
Perfect.I might be the catalyst for evil magics that could destroy these people I've come to think of as friends---or more, in Rachel's case.But I might destroy their futures.
That's just my luck.
Chapter Sixteen
Rachel
Ever since thebeithirincident a few days ago, we have been searching for more information, scouring old books we have ne'er read before, poring over texts and studying drawings.Thus far, we have not found anything that might explain the appearance of thebeithir.It had revealed itself at the precise moment when Joey and I were in the throes.But that cannae be what triggered the creature's appearance.
Yesterday, all of us gathered in the solar to discuss the problem, though none of us wished to talk about the dire consequences Joey might suffer if either his former associates or shadowy dark forces attempt to infiltrate the castle.We have all been going about our business as usual---if the term "usual" even applies.We have all experienced magics at one time or another.Mayhap it's time for Joey to explain about his past.But that is not my decision to make.
While my parents engage in a hushed conversation, sitting side by side in a most romantic manner, the great-aunts are busy preparing spiced wine for us.Joey and I take two chairs near the windows and await whatever news they wish to impart to us.
My father smiles at Great-Aunt Efrica, his eyes glimmering with mischief."What have you brought us this eve,gràidh?A keg of whisky, perhaps?"
My mother elbows him in the side."Behave, Kieran."
Efrica carefully carries a mug toward the laird, as if she worries she might spill the contents.When she hands the mug to my father, he accepts it---and sniffs the liquid.His brows rise."Spiced wine?I havenae drunk this in years."He takes a sip and smiles."Iontach, Efrica.You lasses are gifted at more than magics.You also excel at blending spirits and, of course, baking."
Once Mother and the aunts have taken their seats---and their cups---Joey and I finally indulge in our spiced wine treat.
"This is damn good," he declares."Mind if I ask what's in it?"
Lachina smiles."Not at all, dearie.We included ginger, pepper, cloves, galangal, and black peppercorn.Do ye like it?"
"I love it.But what doesiontachmean?I feel like I need a Gaelic dictionary so I won't need to ask you guys for translations all the time."
