I moved into a kneeling position and reached over to take gentle hold of its leg. The dog yelped and tossed his head, snapping instinctively.
“It’s alright!” I put a gentle hand on the animal’s throat, trying to calm it. The rain was soaking through my clothes and my skin was icy cold from my impromptu mud bath. It would be easier to take care of the injury with decent light…
Shifting my attention to the stake, I carefully clipped the wire back until it was able to move. I got up quickly and tugged off my jacket. It was damp but the inside had a thick fleece lining which would at least make the poor creature more comfortable. It was quite a large dog and it took me a while to pick it up. A soft whimper was the only sign it gave of the pain I knew it must be feeling.
“I’ll get you somewhere safe, I promise. I’m going to make this better.”
The pair of us made our way slowly across the farm. I had to risk the main gate; there was no way I’d fit it through the hole in the bush. My hair stuck to my face and my fingers had begun to turn numb, weakly gripping at the bundle of cloth and fur in my arms. As we walked, the dog let out the occasional whine and I did my best to comfort it. I wasn’t sure if it understood my words or even the tone I was using, but it seemed to relax a little when I spoke and, honestly, it helped me a bit too.
FAOLAN
The girl lit a fire which I settled in front of while she disappeared into another room. My leg hurt, every slight movement causing the jagged wire to cut deeper into my flesh. My fur was caked with blood and mud, transforming it into rigid spikes as they dried and hardened.
She returned carrying a tray and a towel tucked under one arm. The girl set the tray down nearby and knelt in front of me. I cocked my head to the side, examining the contents of the tray briefly before returning my attention to her. Now that we were in the light of her home, I could examine my rescuer in greater detail. The flickering firelight cast deep shadows across her face which coupled with the serious look on her face to make her seem far older than I assumed she was. Her clothes were heavy with moisture, her hair was slick with the rain and tangled from the wind but she ignored the cold, focusing on me instead.
First she took gentle hold of my leg, using a pair of tweezers and wire cutters to remove the snarled barbs. I tried to keep my whimpers to a minimum but it was difficult, the delicate balance the two parts of my brain lived in disturbed by the stabbing pain. Every time a sound escaped me, she would pause and speak softly, her voice a sweet melody to my ears that relaxed me somewhat.
Once the wire was removed, she gently cleaned the wound and bandaged me before washing off the silt with a damp cloth. Only when she had dried me off with the towel did she start to attend to her own needs. She began to shrug off her damp clothes, discarding them in a heap nearby. Even with the heat of the fire she had begun to shiver, goose bumps rising along her ivory flesh. As she pulled off her final layer, exposing her flat stomach and the beginning of her undergarments I stiffened and ducked my head, covering my eyes with my paw.
“Such a gentleman,” she laughed softly. I kept my head down, listening as she moved around. “Okay I’m decent, you can look.”
I peeked out and confirmed she was once again clothed, now wearing an oversized t-shirt that hung down to mid-thigh. The baggy clothes made her seem smaller and more vulnerable, her limbs thin and delicate like willow branches. She gazed silently in the fire, warming her hands. Her red hair hung in a loose curtain, obscuring her face. A single strand was tucked behind her ear, revealing a thin silver scar curled down her neck, disappearing under the collar of her shirt.
I inched closer, coming to gently rest my head against her knee. For a moment I forgot about my limitations. It had been centuries since I was this close to someone. The fire was warm on my fur, her touch was comforting. She smelt pleasant, like apples and ginger, a familiar scent that made me think of home and safety. I had thought that after so long, the presence of another being would feel strange but it just seemed right. I had the most peculiar sense of recognition, like this was an experience I knew and had already gone through.
“You’ll be okay pup, I promise,” she murmured, stroking my head. “How did you end up out there in the first place I wonder?”
Thinking about how I had come to be caught in the snare, I felt somewhat ashamed. I had been unnecessarily reckless and if it were not for the girl I would have suffered a great deal more than an injured leg. Ordinarily I focused my energy on hunting rabbits, pheasants and any other small animals that were slow enough for me to catch. It had taken me a long time to teach myself how to hunt as an animal, months in the shelter of the old cottage catching the rats as the building rotted around me.
Unfortunately my usual prey had grown a little scarce and I had taken to raiding the nearby farms when I grew desperate. I would target the weakest and most vulnerable farm animals, the ones that were likely to produce little for the farmers. If that failed I would resort to rifling through their bins and eating whatever scraps I could find.
I had been on such a foraging mission, fetching myself a chicken from the farm hen house, when I had found myself in the snare. As soon as the farmer saw the torn mesh of the coop, he would have hunted me down and no doubt executed me on the spot. The girl had no doubt saved my life.
“I’m Blair,” she said softly. “I’ll have to come up with a name for you…”
Her voice trailed off and she suppressed a yawn, her body shifting until she was lying beside me. Her breathing was slow and regular but her eyes were still open. I could see the fire dancing in her eyes, the irises like liquid silver. Blair yawned again and closed her eyes, resting her head on her arms. I watched over her as she slipped deeper into sleep, burrowing her face against my fur unconsciously, sending a warm rush of affection through me.
I heard a creak from nearby and my eyes darted to the doorway. In the darkness of the hallway I could make out the shape of a young man descending the stairs. He glanced in our direction but didn’t seem to fully register our presence, instead moving away from the stairs and on to what I assumed was the kitchen. I could hear him clattering around and my curiosity rose. I managed to get to my feet and limped over to the door that adjoined the two rooms, peeking in. I kept my body low, not wanting to be seen until I had established if this stranger posed a threat.
He was young, with thick dark hair and a light layer of stubble on his chin. I assumed he must be related to Blair but I could not discern any resemblance between the two of them. He looked to be a good few years older than the teenage Blair so I assumed he was not her lover but he was not old enough to be her father.
After watching him for a moment, I decided it was probably safe and made my way back to the sleeping girl. One wall of the living room was made up of glass doors allowing me a view across the garden. In the darkness I could see lights moving, tiny scampering dots of brilliant silver that made my guts twist and stirred feelings of guilt in the pit of my stomach.
Across the grass I made out the shape of an animal, a solitary goat stood in the centre of the garden. It had fur of deepest obsidian and a great pair of curving onyx horns rose from its head. As I watched, the animal seemed to stiffen as though sensing my eyes on it. Its head lifted and turned, spearing me with eyes of luminescent gold.
I stumbled back whimpering and retreated to Blair’s side, huddling next to her in fear. The goat took a few steps towards the glasses doors, eyes fixed on me unblinking. I covered my head with my paws, feeling the lingering gaze burning into me.
When the urge to look became too much, I lifted my head to be met with nothing. I shivered, curling up tighter, trying to put the strange occurrence out of my mind.
I watched the shadows scamper across the walls, cavorting playfully, and let my own body relax beside Blair. I yawned and rested my head on my paws, closing my eyes. The crackle of the fire, the dim light, the sound of steady breathing. I could almost imagine I was back in the cottage before everything had happened.
In my mind, I saw our home as it had been lit by uneven candles, stuck to their shelving by pools of melted and hardened wax. It had only been a single room, dark wood floors swept clean. It should have felt cramped but instead it had a warm homely feeling, everything fitted neatly together. The furniture formed a loose semicircle around a fireplace, a pot hung over it. A delicate vase with sprigs of wildflowers neatly arranged inside was set on a table, carved wooden bowls stacked nearby. In one corner was a bed made up with delicate decorative sheets, a wooden crib resting at one end with intricate carvings of leaves trailing along the sides.
I saw the shape of a young woman. She was distorted, surrounded in a haze that left her only the faintest of silhouettes, but I knew every detail of her. Her face was etched in my memory and had been since the day I first met her. Petite doll like features, eyes like two serene pools, perfect cherubic lips and graceful lithe limbs. Her hair was spun moonlight, ears daintily pointed. It was the face that haunted my dreams, the voice that called my name in the darkest of nights.
Faolan, my sweet…
Her voice was soft and I could feel the kiss of her breath on my cheek. Her hand gently caressed my arm, the sensation of her touch sending shivers through me.
Liadan, I have missed you so much.
You do not need to miss me. I am right here.
Her face became clearer, her touch more substantial. I could smell the smoke from the fire, lilacs and apples, fresh baked bread. All the scents I associated with home, with her. I reached out, seeing not a paw but a human hand, the fingers of which I ran through her hair.
Is this real? I thought…
What did you think?
Never mind. I am just happy to be here with you.
I pulled her close to me, feeling the warmth from her body that told me this was real, that everything that had tormented me had just been a painful dream.
A soft cry reached my ears and I turned to look at the crib where a baby lay, gurgling happily. Liadan smiled and broke away, going over to pick up our child. It always amazed me how beautiful she made every movement, each action almost dancelike.
It is a shame this cannot last. If only things were not this way.
We will make this work. The three of us will be a family.
What about…?
I told you, I feel nothing for her. I never did. You are the one I love.
She set the baby down once more and returned to my side. I tenderly stroked her cheek and leaned in for kiss, our lips meeting briefly. Her hand met mine and she looked deep into my eyes. I wanted to hold onto her and never let go. I wanted the moment to last forever.
Her face became sorrowful and her eyes became downcast, letting her hair shroud her face.
Then why did you do this to me?
Her words were cold and emotionless and I pulled back. Before my eyes, her skin grew pale and waxy. Her eyes turned into dark voids and a jagged slit appeared across her throat. One hand came up to touch the wound, liquid pooling between her fingers.
Liadan!
I grasped for her, feeling her fragile body break and crumble beneath my fingers. She fell to the ground, eyes staring out and face contorted in an expression of permanent fear. Her dress was a bedraggled mess, stained with her life blood. It looked strangely silvery in the faint light, reflecting the trembling flames from the nearby candles.
I whirled around, casting my gaze wildly. The room was in disarray, the table overturned and the vase smashed on the ground. The fire was out and a chill wind swirled around me. My eyes finding the crib. It lay empty, knocked onto its side, the wood a splintered mess. A trail of bloody paw prints led from Liadan’s limp form and I could hear the sound of whimpering. I could make out the shape of a bundle, tucked just behind the overturned crib.
I hesitated, approaching slowly, reluctant to see what I knew was waiting for me. The whimpering grew fainter and then a terrible howl reverberated around the cottage, a ravenous beast celebrating a kill. Then there was only silence.
BLAIR
I was woken by the raised voices of Elian and Grayson and a chill running along my legs. Blinking sleepily, I sat up, taking a minute to re-establish where I was and what was going on. It all came back quickly and the sight of the dog curled up beside me confirmed it hadn’t been a dream.
“Blair… what the hell is that thing?”
I looked at them and at the sleeping dog, then glanced down at myself as I remembered that I’d shoved on a t-shirt from the laundry. It had ridden up my legs while I slept, leaving my lower half exposed.
“Cover your eyes!” I snapped, grasping for the hem of my top. Elian complied immediately but Grayson just made a face.
“C’mon B, we used to have to bath you.”
“Yeah ten years ago when I was six! I’ve changed quite a bit!” I managed to tug the t-shirt down to a reasonable length. “Now, why are you yelling at…?” I glanced at the clock. “Five am? Why are you even UP at five am?”
“That’s not the issue. Where did the dog come from?” Grayson said, scowling. I got the feeling that he was angrier than he normally would have been because of the early hour.
The dog in question had stirred, disturbed by the loud voices. He struggled to his feet, whimpering as he put weight on his injured leg.
“Please stop yelling Gray. I found him, he was hurt so I brought him home to take care of him. It’s not a big deal,” I told him firmly, going over to the dog’s side. I knelt down and stroked him gently, trying to calm him before he could hurt himself further.
“You can’t just bring stray animals home Blair. It could be dangerous,” Elian said, his voice calm and steady. “I will admit that Grayson could have handled it better… but still… you need to think these things through.”
“He can barely stand Elian. He’s not dangerous.” As if to illustrate my point, the dog gave my cheek an affectionate lick before shooting an annoyed look in the direction of the twins. Grayson was scowling, pinching the bridge of his nose. I knew that look but I couldn’t quite understand why he was so angry.
Elian came over and sat next to me. He offered a hand to the dog to sniff before trying to pet him. The animal jerked his head backwards, nuzzling closer to me.
“I’m not asking to keep him forever, I’m just asking to look after him until he gets better.” My voice wavered slightly as I spoke. The thought of leaving the animal alone and defenceless… I couldn’t let it happen. I wouldn’t. “Please Elian… let him stay? Just for a bit?”
My brother looked at me, biting his lip. He indicated to Grayson and the pair of them went through to the kitchen. I knew they were only trying to look out for me, the way they always had, but sometimes I wondered if they remembered that I wasn’t a child anymore.
I strained my ears, catching snippets of their conversation.
“This might be for the best…”
“…it’s just going to hurt her…”
“…might distract her from everything…”
“….not seen her happy in a while…”
“…can’t imagine… Michael won’t…”
“…just for a little while…”
They fell silent and I heard the creak of the floorboards as they came back through. They leant against either side of the doorframe, both adopting the same expression and posture. I always wondered if they did that on purpose or if it was unintentional mimicry.
“You can keep the dog for now. But only until it’s leg is healed. And do not let Michael or Helen find out because you know how they will react,” Elian told me.
“And if you need anything for him, you need to pay for it yourself,” Grayson added.
“Fine.”
“Good. Now go to bed. It’s not good for you to sleep down here; you’ll catch a cold,” Elian told me. “We’ve got some… work to do. We’ll be back later.”
The pair of them headed out of the house and after a minute I heard the sound of the car starting. I went to the window and glanced out in tim
e to see Elian guiding Nan into the vehicle. I knew that Nan was an early bird but she usually spent her time pottering around the garden. That coupled with the rarity of seeing my brothers up early… something was going on.
The dog whined and nudged my hand with his nose, having hobbled over while I was distracted. I gave him a friendly smile.
“Hey you… you shouldn’t be up on that leg.” He lifted his injured paw, balancing on the other three, and cocked his head to one side. “Oh…kay… that was… weird. Alright smart guy, think you can get up the stairs by yourself?”
He regarded the stairs for moment, placing one paw tentatively on the bottom step before performing an awkward scrambling action to get his back legs up. I quickly scooped him up, balancing his weight as best I could. I didn’t want him hurting himself.
I carried him slowly up to my attic bedroom, theorising that it would be easier to hide him from Uncle Michael if he was up there. When I set him down on the floor at the bottom of my bed, the dog gave me a look that almost seemed smug. I pulled a face at him, sticking my tongue out, and sat beside him. He rested his head on my leg, wagging his tail.
“I guess if I get to keep you I should give you a name… and some food. But a name first.” I ran my eyes over him, trying to determine what suited him best. He was large, far bigger than our sheep dogs, around the size and build of a St Bernard. I could understand why my brothers assumed he was dangerous. He could probably knock a person down easily just being playful, never mind the damage he could have done if he wanted to. I wondered if he was some kind of mixed breed as he had pointed ears and an elongated muzzle that almost seemed wolf like, with thick russet fur and a ruff of pale brown around his neck. It was his eyes that were the most remarkable, a beautiful amber colour that sparkled with intelligence. I needed a name that matched his look.
The Cuckoo's Eye Page 4
