Stone of Destiny (The Danaan Trilogy)

by Laura Howard

  He was playing it off, but I knew I’d seen the effect this conversation was having on him. He might act like everything was a big joke, but underneath, I was willing to bet he would finally do something about the trouble Aoife had started.

  Ethan touched my arm. “If everything’s cool here,” he said in a hushed voice. “I really need to get back to work.”

  Ethan’s job was waiting for him, my school work needed to get done. The real world kept spinning no matter what supernatural crises popped up, didn’t it?

  “Um,” I said, looking around the room. “Is Ethan good to go?”

  Niamh nodded, but her eyes were locked on Aodhan. Deaghlan made a gesture toward the side door, his eyes meeting mine. “By all means, but if the boy causes any problems, he’ll be dealt with. No second chances.”

  “I’ll walk you out,” I said.

  Ethan’s truck was parked on the road at the end of Liam’s driveway. We walked down without saying a word.

  When the silence became too much, I glanced up at him. He was already looking at me but I couldn’t get a good grip on his expression. He squared his shoulders and if anything, I’d say he looked determined.

  “I’m sorry,” I said, voice wavering. “I tried to keep you out of this, I really did.”

  Ethan shrugged. “Nothing to be sorry about. I just need some time to process it all. But, Al?”

  “Yeah?”

  He opened the driver door of his pickup truck. “Whatever you’re planning to do to help your parents, I want to be there.”

  I gaped at him. “That’s not a —” He cut me off by climbing in and shutting the door.

  “Good idea or not, I need you to trust me. I want to be there,” he said through the open window.

  Before I could respond, he started the truck and gave me a salute before driving off.

  I heard the screen door open and slam shut downstairs the next morning. Sticking my head out of my bedroom door, I listened for who it was.

  I didn’t go back to Liam’s house after the showdown figuring I’d hear more from them soon enough. Instead I opted for a shower and some overdue laundry. I was actually surprised I hadn’t been summoned back yet.

  I heard Nicole’s laughter coming from downstairs. I grabbed my cell off my bureau before I headed down.

  “Hey Nic,” I said when I walked into the kitchen. Nicole sat at the kitchen table with my grandmother pointing out wedding cakes in a bridal magazine. I looked across to where my mother sat in the living room watching a cooking show.

  “Hey, whatcha doing?” Nicole asked without tearing her attention from the magazine.

  “Not much, just finished a week’s worth of laundry,” I said as I sat beside her.

  She turned and wrinkled her nose at me. “You’re off today, right?”

  “Yup, two days of good old R and R.”

  “Hmm, well. Want to grab a late lunch? I found some of the cutest ideas I want to show you.”

  I willed my face blank. I had no reason not to. I had no plans other than saving the world from blood-draining fairies. But even that seemed on hold for now.

  “Yeah, lunch sounds good.”

  Nicole’s face lit up. “Great. Let’s go to The Bean Counter. I’m dying for a mocha.”

  We took my SUV and parked it on the street in front of Stoneville’s coffee house. The place was pretty crowded, but the food was always awesome and it smelled like coffee heaven. As we entered, I gave the place a quick scan from the corner of my eye. As far as I could tell everything seemed pretty normal, no signs of glamour.

  We seated ourselves and opened our menus. The sound of a couple arguing a few tables over caught my attention. A girl with spiky black hair sat with her back to us. Across from her, a tall guy with caramel-colored hair around our age sat fiddling with a straw wrapper, but his demeanor was agitated.

  I went back to my menu and decided to order a turkey club and a mocha Frappuccino. Once the waitress took our orders, Nicole pulled a stack of magazines out of her messenger bag.

  I bit back any comments, because this was Nicole’s big dream and I wasn’t about to ruin it for her. She had little post-it notes marking up dozens of pages and we pored over them until our food arrived.

  While we ate, I absently noted the arguing couple getting up to leave. I glanced over and when I got a look at the girl’s face, I gasped.

  She looked just like Aoife.

  But it wasn’t her. Her chin length black hair framed her face in perfectly arranged spikes. Aoife’s hair was long waves down her back. This girl had piercings covering both ears and in her eyebrow and lip. I would have remembered if Aoife had multiple piercings.

  When the guy she was with caught her looking at me, he grabbed her elbow and pushed her toward the door. She went without arguing, but not before taking one more curious glance at me. I watched them out of the corner of my eye as they made their way out the front door.

  I tried to focus on what Nicole was saying about linen chair covers, but I couldn’t get the girl’s face out of my mind. It had been almost an exact match. Maybe her cheeks were a little fuller, but still, so close.

  My mind was going over the idea that maybe it was Aoife and she was glamoured to look human. But that didn’t make sense. I’d looked for glamour and there was none.

  I made a few affirmative noises to Nicole, not really surprised she didn’t notice my distraction. She was in her element with all the planning involved in a wedding.

  When our food arrived, the couple was still standing outside the plate glass window at the front The Bean Counter. The girl gestured widely with her hands while the guy stood with his arms crossed. He glanced over and saw me watching. I averted my eyes for a second, but when I looked back, they were gone. They disappeared into thin air.

  I unwrapped my straw and plunged it into my Frappuccino. My mind was reeling with the possibilities. I couldn’t wait to get out of there, but I wasn’t sure who I should talk to. Liam? If my suspicions were true and this girl was Samantha, he might not be the best one. I still hadn’t told him he might have another daughter, one whose mother happened to be Aoife. Niamh seemed a better bet. Although I didn’t know if she’d brush this aside because of everything else going on.

  “Allison.”

  I started at the sound of my name. “Hmm?” I said between sips.

  “I said I need to get a dress for the engagement party next weekend. Will you come?”

  “Yeah, I will. But can we do it tomorrow? I have a ton of homework this weekend.”

  Nicole sighed, but nodded. “How is school? You don’t say much about it.”

  “It’s good, but there’s a lot of work.”I took a bite of my sandwich so I didn’t have to elaborate. The topic of homework made Nicole’s eyes glaze over. She’d gone to beauty school right after high school and had been working full-time for years.

  “Okay, so I’m glad you like the invitations. Mom wasn’t sure if they were elegant enough, but I want everything to be stylish and fun, not some stuffy, traditional wedding.”

  “No, they were great,” I said, plastering on my brightest smile.

  The waitress came with the bill and Nicole snatched it up from me. “You’ve endured all this wedding talk, let it be my treat.”

  Guilt ate at me. I’d only heard a quarter of what she said, but I couldn’t stand to take away her happiness. I nodded and, once again, pulled out my cousin-of-the-year smile.

  I tried paying attention while Nicole was trying on dress after dress at the mall the next day, but my mind was on the black-haired girl at The Bean Counter. Thankfully Nic talked herself out of each one with only a few nods needed from me.

  She inspected herself in the mirror, spinning for full effect. While she looked at her back, frown lines popped up between her eyebrows. “You know, I think you should try this on. It’s too long for me, but I bet the color would really bring out your eyes.”

  “Me?” I said, startled. “All right, I’ll try it.” I had to get
something for the engagement party anyway, I might as well go with one pre-approved by the bride-to-be.

  I went into the dressing room next to hers, the ice blue dress in hand. The neckline was a little more daring than I was used to, but Nic was right, the color did bring out my eyes.

  I stepped out to show her and as I scanned the dressing area I caught the faintest silver shimmer in the doorway. I blinked and the shape of a girl melted into view.

  My eyes snapped open, shocked to see the girl from yesterday standing less than ten feet away. My surprise must have registered on my face because when I looked at her, her eyes widened in panic and she bolted from the dressing area.

  “Wait,” I called out, but she was gone before I could make it to the doorway. I cursed under my breath at my bare feet and unpaid dress. I couldn’t chase after her like this.

  “What in the world are you doing?” Nic said from behind me. I spun around, heat creeping up my neck.

  “Oh, I just thought I saw a girl from school,” I said, looking down at my bare toes.

  “I was right, that dress is perfect for you,” she said, changing the subject.

  “Thanks,” I said, tilting my head at the shell pink chiffon dress she had on. “Wasn’t that the first dress you tried on?”

  “Yes,” she said, scrunching up her face at her reflection. “And I don’t know. I think I like this one best after all.”

  I couldn’t help grinning. “It’s perfect, you look amazing.”

  After I changed, Nicole decided to try on one more dress, just to be sure. I pulled my phone out and stared at it. Should I call Niamh and tell her about the girl?

  I decided to send her a text. That would give me an idea of her reaction without having to talk in code.

  I have something to tell you.

  She replied before I could even put my phone back in my pocket.

  Are you still at the mall?

  I told her I was and to watch for me in about half an hour.

  As Nicole and I paid for our dresses, I wondered if I’d made the right decision. Maybe I shouldn’t tell Niamh yet. I just wasn’t sure.

  When we got back home Nicole grabbed her bag from my trunk and said goodbye before she darted next door. On Sunday’s there was always a big dinner at the Magliaro residence. Since Nicole thought Ethan and I still weren’t speaking, she didn’t even beg me to come with her.

  I climbed the steps onto my front porch feeling a little paranoid. What if Samantha was somewhere out there watching me right now?

  The hall clock just inside the front door said it was just after two. I’d hang up my dress and go for a walk next door to talk to Niamh and still have plenty of time to finish up my homework.

  “I’m home,” I called down the hall, not sure who was around. I could hear the sound of studio audience laughter from the television and just made out my mother’s feet tucked under her on the couch in the living room at the end of the hallway.

  “Allison, we’re back here. You have company,” Gram said, and I heard plates being moved around and footsteps on the kitchen tiles.

  I tossed my bag on the stairs and went down the hall to see who it could be. When I got to the kitchen, surprise flitted through me. Niamh sat at the kitchen table drinking tea with Gram. I glanced over at my mother who just stared at the television, like she was completely oblivious to the Danaan in our house. I knew she wasn’t, she’d told me once in Tír na n’Óg that she was still aware of everything around her, she just couldn’t show it.

  “Hey,” I said, raising an eyebrow at Niamh.

  I introduced myself as Liam’s sister. Go along with it.

  “Did you find something pretty at the mall, sweetheart?” Gram asked before raising her tea cup to her lips.

  “I did. Well, Nicole picked it out, actually.”

  Gram laughed. “So, Niamh tells me you two have a couple of classes together?”

  Say yes.

  “Yes, we do.” I cleared my throat and looked at Niamh. “Isn’t that such a coincidence?”

  “It really is,” Gram said. “Such a small world.”

  “Absolutely.” Niamh turned to me. “I was hoping you had those notes from Friday for me to look at.”

  “Oh, yeah sure. They’re just upstairs, come on.”

  I hurried up the stairs, Niamh trailing behind me. Once the door was closed I sat on my bed

  Niamh looked at me expectantly and I bit my lip.

  I thought about the girl I’d seen, imagined her face and dark hair in my mind for Niamh to see.

  You’ve seen Samantha too, I take it?

  Surprised she put it together so quick, I just blinked at her.

  Yes, I knew about Samantha.

  I shook my head. But Aoife acted like it was a big secret.

  She doesn’t realize I know about her child. There are many things Aoife doesn’t know.

  Does Liam know?

  Niamh walked over and sat in my desk chair. No.

  Why haven’t you told him?

  Remember, there’s a significant time difference between my world and yours, Allison.

  To me, it’s only been just over a year since Aoife gave birth to Samantha. And in between that time, many things happened that kept me from telling Liam. By then, he had discovered he had you. It just hasn’t been the right time.

  I shot her a sidelong look as something else occurred to me. You said ‘I saw Samantha too.’ Does that mean you’ve seen her?

  I sensed them before I saw them. I can tell when my people are nearby, and Ciarán, the Danaan she’s with, knows this. I think he’s humoring Samantha by letting her think she’s sneaking around on us. She’s not sure how to approach you or Liam yet. But I do know from her thoughts that she doesn’t mean you any harm.

  Good. I breathed a sigh of relief. Images of Samantha killing me in my sleep had been dancing in my head since lunch yesterday.

  Samantha has a significant amount of Danaan blood. She’s a telepath like me. As you might guess, it’s given her a great deal of trouble in this world

  I imagined what it must be like to hear people’s thoughts. Even the dreams I had made me think I was crazy. She must have had it much worse.

  So she’s my half-sister?

  Niamh smiled, wrapping a strand of hair around her finger. Yes, that’s right.

  I wasn’t sure how to feel about that. I had a sister. She looked right around my age, too. But something felt off. Like Niamh was holding back. I wished I hadn’t thought that when her eyes lifted to mine.

  I’ve scanned her thoughts, which is more difficult than just hearing thoughts. I know Aoife has been to see her, but I haven’t been able to figure out what Aoife is up to. Which is why I’ve kept quiet about it. Diarmuid, my adviser, thought it best to wait until we had a better understanding of the situation before telling Liam.

  Okay, so Samantha met Aoife and she told her about all of us. I guess I could understand she was curious about meeting her father. Not only that, but Niamh was her aunt and I was her sister. What I couldn’t put my finger on was why Aoife had gone to meet her after keeping her a secret for twenty-odd years, or just over a year in her own world. Why now?

  Those are the same things I’d like to know.

  How do we get her to talk to us?

  My father has the ability to call Ciarán out. Nobody, Danaan or human, can resist his compulsion.

  A shudder rolled through my body. How ironic that the thing that made Deaghlan so repulsive was exactly what we needed.

  He plans to go back to Tír na n’Óg today to take stock of the damage done from the iron, but we may be able to have him help us before he leaves.

  Are you going back too?

  I haven’t decided. I should go. I need to talk to my mother about so many things. And I’m weak from reversing my father’s work on Ethan’s mind. But I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to leave now.

  Before I could stop myself I wondered if that was because of Samantha or because Aodhan was here a
nd she didn’t want risk losing track of him.

  Niamh looked sort of amused. Both.

  How do you think Liam is going to take the news?

  Good question. Shall we go find out?

  I felt terrible adding another lie to the dozens I’d told my grandparents lately. But letting them think Niamh was Liam’s sister seemed a much better choice than the truth. Would I ever be able to have that conversation with them?

  Gram and Pop, Liam is actually my dad. You know, the one who knocked Mom up back in Ireland? I know he looks my age, that’s just because he’s spent so long in a magical fairy world, cursed so he couldn’t come be with Mom. Oh, and Niamh isn’t his sister, she’s really a fairy princess from the other world. Her crazy sister Aoife is an evil fairy who steals human blood to make her more powerful. It’s her fault Mom lost her mind, so don’t blame Liam, okay?

  No, lying was the way to go.

  With a sigh I told Gram I’d see her in a couple hours and that Niamh and I were going to watch a movie next door.

  We found Liam stretched out on a lawn chair in his backyard with his eyes closed. I hesitated when I imagined how our news would turn his life upside down. Again.

  Niamh turned to look at me and squeezed my shoulder. It was such a human gesture, I almost laughed. Maybe there was hope for their race after all.

  “Hey old man,” I said, nudging his chair with my foot.

  Liam opened one eye and looked over at me. “How right you are,” he said. He sat up and rubbed a hand over his face.

  “Liam, we have some news,” Niamh said as she pulled two more lawn chairs over.

  I sat on the chair she offered me. Liam looked between us as I pulled my legs up and wrapped my arms around them.

  “Before we captured Aoife in Tír na n’Óg, do you remember a time when she was gone for longer than usual?”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Gone? Well, a few times that she left for what seemed longer than others. Why do you ask?”

  “From what I can gather, it was right around the time you met Elizabeth. She came to this realm, alone. She stayed here for nearly a year without returning home to you. Of course it would have felt like little more than a week to you.”