by John Conroe
“Have you got a couple of minutes, Declan?” he asked, looking over my shoulder curiously.
“They’re all witches. All four sisters,” I explained as I led him toward an empty two-person table near the wall.
“Really? Will you introduce me? We’re always looking for possible recruits,” he said.
“Sure, but what’s up?”
“We’ve been doing our homework, checking into the college/academy thing that Director Stewart mentioned. During part of it, I checked your school record and discovered that by the end of this semester, you’ll have met all your graduation requirements. You can graduate high school early and we can start the program this spring. What do you think?”
“What? Really? But what about Caeco?” I asked.
“Caeco doesn’t have any form of a high school record. We’re creating one based on her training and education. Based on where she tests out, she would have likely graduated high school last year. So we’ll just mock up a transcript and she’ll be ready, as well. I already spoke to her and her mom this morning. Her answer was that she’ll go if you go,” he said, grinning at the last part.
My head was reeling. First I find the Sisters Erie in my dining room and now I had the chance to blast out of high school early and start college.
“Mr. West, a fine good morning to you. What brings you here today, sir?” my aunt asked. I turned and found her approaching our little table.
“I had some rather exciting news for Declan, which I’ll let him explain. I’ll just introduce myself to the young ladies over there,” he said, holding his chair for my aunt.
He fished a business card case out of his suit pocket and approached the Sisters Erie while I explained his news.
My aunt looked a little stricken, like it was bad news or something.
“What’s the matter, Aunt Ash? I’m sorry I messed everything up with the Sisters, but I honestly thought they were just an Irish band and then I thought that guy was going to assault Ryanne. I’m sorry, Aunt Ash, but I can’t ever sit by and watch that sort of thing without interfering. I don’t think I ever will.”
“Oh, it’s not that, lad. I know why ye did what ye did, and I wouldn’t want ye to change a thing. But this news, well, I know it makes you happy, but it’s so fast… so unexpected.”
“Ha. You’re not ready for me to move out? You don’t want me to go far away to college, do you?” I guessed.
She shook her head, eyes glimmering with unshed tears, and my heart caved. “Aunt Ash, they gave Caeco and me the choice of where to go, you know that, right? Well Caeco doesn’t care, so I’m the one who gets to choose. I’m choosing UVM, right in Burlington. It meets all their criteria, and they’ll just set up an additional training and living facility nearby. So I’ll be all of about twenty-five miles away.”
Her eyes widened at that and she lunged across the table to hug me, which greatly amused the two tables of guests eating nearby. I could feel my fair skin burning bright red, but I sucked it up and hugged her back. Truth be told, I wasn’t all that excited to completely leave my aunt… aunts, and Levi far behind. Burlington would be just fine.
Mike West came back over about five minutes later. Aunt Ash and I were talking about finances when he arrived at our table, so I turned to him for clarification.
“Mike, there’s a scholarship thing, right?”
“Yes, Declan. It covers tuition and books at the University. Room and Board is at our facility, so that is covered by our operating budget. Basically a free ride for you and Caeco, as well as some others,” he said, glancing quickly over his shoulder before looking back at my aunt and me.
“See, Aunt Ash? It’s covered,” I said.
“So it seems to be, but what I was saying, lad, was don’t think you’re stuck with this program. If it doesn’t work out or if you’re not liking it in other ways, we can afford alternatives,” she said.
“How? I’d need a scholarship from somewhere,” I said.
“Ye got one, and its name is Demidova. The money that girl put in our account is more than enough to cover yer schooling,” she said.
“Oh, so two weeks ago, it looked like I’d have to go to community college and now I’ve got choices coming out the wazoo,” I said.
“Timing is everything, Declan, remember that. Anyway, no rush on your answer. Just let me know when you decide,” Mike commented.
I glanced at my aunt, who nodded. “That’s okay, Mike. I’ve already decided. Graduating early sounds awesome. Let’s do it.”
His face lit up in a relieved smile. “Oh thank God. I was really hoping you’d say that. Okay, lots to do. I’ll be in touch and you have my cell number, right?”
We both nodded, and he turned and headed out. An older couple who come every Sunday stopped to speak to my aunt, and I used the interruption to sneak away. I made it halfway across the dining room when a pretty face appeared before me. Ryanne, looking cute and uncertain in faded jeans and a light gray sweater.
“Declan, did that West man tell you? I’m going to University with ye,” she said in an excited voice. “At least if me application goes through.”
“Er… what?” was all I could come up with.
“Well, Mr. West explained his organization, Oracle, and said he could tell we were witches and the like. Part of his gift, ye see. He said they had a special program like, and that you and some others were in the program. Then he asked if I was interested like. I never got to University, what with touring with me sisters, but I could go in the winter when we’re not busy, then catch up with the others for the summer. I could start in January, like you, right?”
“Wow, Ryanne, eh, that’s great,” I said. She sort of shook my hand, a little awkwardly, and bounced back to her sisters, leaving me standing there, trying to understand what had just happened.
“Hey, D. We got a problem,” I heard and turned to find Emilee behind me. “Peter, who was supposed to wash dishes today, called in sick. The plates are stacking up and your aunt said to grab you before you could slip away,” she said, tossing a white apron at me. She vanished in a swirl of coffee fumes, filling mugs around the room.
The Sisters Erie were filing past me on their way into the gift shop/witch shop. Gael tugged my dishwasher’s apron with a wink and a grin and Ryanne was smiling at me as she followed her sisters.
I pulled the white cloth over my head and headed toward my true domain: the land of towering white porcelain and glasswear, of steaming hot sterilizers and rubber racks, thinking that January wasn’t that far off at all. First would come Samhain, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas and finally, boom…January. And along the way there might be some work for Chris and Tanya… work that promised to be, at the very least, exciting. That Caeco and I would get to see each other at this new school and it sounded like Ryanne might even be there, along with what promised to be a whole group of supernatural teenagers. Hmm, what could possibly go wrong with that?
Chapter 58 – Krista
“Hey Gill? Sorry I missed you. But you’ll be happy when you get this message. Listen, I’ve spoken with the Sisters. The bait has wormed her way into a unique situation with our catch. Shouldn’t be too hard to snatch him away from his other choice. He’s got far more in common with our little Galway girl than a soldier. I’ll give you more details at our next Circle.”
The End
Author’s Thoughts:
Executable was a risk. But I wanted to find out more about Declan and Caeco. They’ve been lurking in my head since our family visited Ireland two years ago. I also wanted Chris and Tanya’s fans to get a look at them from another’s point of view.
As usual, Susan Gottfried has had her hands full trying to keep my words presentable. Any editing errors still existing are my own.
Once again Ryan Bibby has produced a great little bit of cover art. My thanks.
Zach and Steve from Kelevra Krav Maga opened my eyes to this deadly Isreali system. The Sisters Erie were born as characters during an Irish Festiv
al while watching the thoroughly entertaining Screaming Orphans, who I am certain are not witches, although very magical.
Thanks to my fans for staying with the series. And thanks most of all to my wife and daughters for all their support and love.
Now on to Forced Ascent.
