by Laura Howard
“If that is in fact what she’s doing. But either way I’d like to be one step ahead of her.”
My whole life had led me to this point. Years of studying and working to save up so I could get into a decent graduate program and eventually earn a living to support my mother.
Niamh couldn’t understand that. She didn’t have to work and if she wanted something, she could just glamour a post-it note to look like a fifty dollar bill. If only I could do that.
“With enough practice, maybe you could,” she said, and I shot her an annoyed look.
“Why do you think I should go, anyway?”
She crossed her legs and placed her hands on the table. “You’re as much a part of this now as any of us. After what Samantha told us, I feel it’s important for us to stay together.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond. Calm, collected Niamh felt we should stay together?
You know, humans aren’t the only ones affected when we spend time around each other.
What’s that mean?
“Think about it. I’ve been spending so much time here, it’s bound to change me on some level.”
I hadn’t really thought about it that way. I knew Liam and Aodhan had become more like the Danaan from being in Tír na n’Óg, so I guessed it made sense for it to work both ways.
“You won’t become like Aengus, will you?” I asked, shuddering at the memory of Aoife’s guard in Thunder Bay. Aengus had attacked Liam and I while we were trying to find Aodhan over the summer. Which reminded me, why wasn’t Samantha’s friend Ciarán like him? He was one of Aoife’s people, shouldn’t he be in the same emaciated state?
“No,” Niamh said. “The only reason he was like that was from drawing magic from human blood. The iron in the blood goes directly into their bodies, poisoning them. As for your other question, Ciarán doesn’t believe in what the others are doing. In fact, he’s firmly against draining humans.”
“That’s a surprise. Why is he staying with them if he doesn’t like what they’re doing?”
“They told me he only stayed because Breanh had sealed the portal while Aoife was trapped in the fey globe. Then he met Samantha and I suppose he didn’t want to stay away from her.”
“Would she become delusional like my mother if he left?”
Niamh shook her head. “I’m not sure. I’ve never known any half-breeds in my lifetime.”
“Anyway, even if it weren’t for school…I can’t miss Nicole’s engagement party, she’d never forgive me.”
“She’ll never have to know. The sooner we figure out where Aoife is the sooner we can break the geis. I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t important. And I know Liam wouldn’t dream of asking you.”
“Why?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.
She shrugged. “He’s in a very precarious position. He doesn’t want to risk alienating you.”
“I need some time to think about it,” I said.
“Time is something we don’t have. I’ll give you until tomorrow,” she said, her pale blue eyes burning into mine as she rose from her seat.
I nodded. “I understand. I just have a lot to figure out.”
I blinked and she was gone, the door clicking shut the only sign of her departure.
“Come on Beth, we need to board,” a girl with springy copper ringlets says, her voice pleading.
“One more minute, he might still show,” a blonde says, turning as she looks around the crowded airport.
The redhead sighs, glancing among the swarming faces. “He would have been to see you by now. You’re acting crazy.”
The blonde is my mother. Her face is drawn, dark circles standing out under her green eyes. She bites her lip as the other girl tugs on her arm. Tears begin to fall as her shoulders slump.
“Come on, Bethy. You’re too good for him anyway.” The girl’s eyes are darting toward the departure gate where a flight attendant is taking down the sign for Flight 407.
My mother’s eyes drop to the floor and she allows the girl to tug her forward. As the redhead speaks to the flight attendant, my mother glances over her shoulder one last time before they run down the boarding ramp.
Sunlight peeked through my blinds and I rolled over to bury my head into my pillow. My head was pounding and my mouth was dry and cottony. I’d spent most of the night wide awake, only the moonbeams keeping me company. The last time I’d checked the clock, it was quarter to five. It was now almost eight and I had a class at ten.
I’d gone back and forth all night on what I would tell Niamh today. I looked at the corkboard hanging over my desk. A few awards and medals I’d won in high school hung around pictures of me and Nicole at different ages. One was us after a dance recital at six and seven years old, dressed in colorful costumes, our hair in tight curls. Another of us jumping off the diving board of her pool together at eleven and twelve.
Nicole’s engagement party itself wasn’t what was important to me. It was being there for her that mattered. She’d probably never know it wasn’t me if a decoy took my place. Not only would whoever Niamh sent be glamoured to look like me, but the entire party would be compelled to believe it was me, no matter how I behaved. It was what came after — the guilt. I’d never forget I wasn’t there and I hated the thought living with that feeling.
The memory of my mother’s face from my dream flashed in my mind. Her heartbreak and pain at feeling abandoned in every glance.
The difference between my mother’s situation and Nicole’s were astronomical. Maybe the truth was that I was afraid of going back there, to Tír na n’Óg. Back to the place where everything felt wrong and perfect at the same time. In Tír na n’Óg the sun always shone, the air was clean and none of Earth’s rules applied. It was all beautiful women and breathtaking men, dancing and feasting and, of course, plenty of seduction. Even the way the clothing felt on my skin was alluring.
If Nicole knew the truth, she would tell me to go after Aoife. I knew that much for sure. The university would possibly grant me a leave of absence, especially if one of Niamh’s people was asking for it in my place.
I climbed out of bed and sat down at my desk to turn on the computer. I typed up an email to my professor, telling him I had a family emergency and I’d be out class for at least today. My finger twitched over my mouse as I debated whether to click send or not.
I pressed send and closed my eyes. There was an application for a leave of absence on the university’s website. Shaking my head, I filled it out. There was a chance I could get thrown out of the graduate program for this. But I didn’t want a decoy taking my classes for me, it didn’t sit well. I drew up the image of my mother in Tír na n’Óg when she’d been completely normal. Her smile when she spoke to me and Liam was all the incentive I needed to send it off and shut down my computer.
I changed into some jeans and a T-shirt before heading downstairs. I felt lighter than I had in weeks. We were finally going to take steps toward making things as they should be between my parents. We would find Aoife, and this time I would destroy the amulet she wore and break the geis that kept my parents apart.
Everyone was doing their normal Monday morning thing in the kitchen. Gram was at the stove fussing over scrambled eggs. Pop sat at the table reading the newspaper. My mother sat beside him slowly spreading butter on a piece of toast.
“Something smells amazing,” I said as I kissed the top of my mother’s head.
I looked at the two empty chairs. The same chairs Ethan and I had sat in just last night. I could be honest with him and tell him what we were up to this time. I knew he’d understand why I had to miss the party. Grabbing my phone off the sideboard, I sent him a quick text letting him know I needed to talk.
“There’s plenty here, just grab a plate sweetheart,” Gram said without turning around.
“First things first,” I said as I went over to the coffee pot.
After I added my cream and sugar I went to the stove and kissed her on the cheek. “Love you Gram.”
She l
ooked up from the stove and smiled at me. “Well, I love you too, Allie-girl.”
“How about one of those smooches for the old man?” Pop said, looking at me from over his reading glasses.
“Of course,” I said as I pulled a plate down for myself. I walked over and planted a loud one right on his balding head. “You’re the best, Pop.”
My mother just watched me as she nibbled her toast. I gave her a tiny smile. Big gestures tended to set her off.
My phone beeped.
I’m ten minutes away. Be right over.
“Feeling sentimental today, are you?” Pop asked, his face buried in the newspaper again.
I shrugged. “Not really, just thinking you guys are pretty darn awesome. But I think that every day.”
“Uh-huh, we are pretty awesome,” Gram said, eyes twinkling as she carried the pan of eggs to the table. “Well, whatever it is, I’ll take it.”
I attempted to push down what-if thoughts as I ate my breakfast. What if I could never come back? What if something happened with my mother while I was gone? What if I failed completely and Liam became bound to Aoife forever? If I kept that line of thinking, I’d never leave.
Just then there was a knock at the back door. I looked over into the living room and saw Liam and Niamh standing outside.
“Oh, come on in you two,” Gram hollered.
They walked in and my eyes widened as I took in Niamh’s outfit. They were both in track pants and T-shirts.
“Good morning, everyone,” Liam said. “Sorry to interrupt breakfast, but we were going for a run and wondered if Allison would like to join us?”
I heard your decision, Allison.
So you thought that meant we should go for a run?
The sooner we leave, the better.
I looked at the faces seated around the kitchen table, a knot forming in my throat. They’d be fine. Ethan would make sure everything was okay while I was gone.
Liam cleared his throat and I jerked up. “Yeah, a run sounds good.” Normally I liked to get my run in before I had breakfast, so I crossed my fingers that my grandparents didn’t notice.
I stood and brought my half-eaten plate of eggs to the sink. Gram stood and grabbed the plate out of my hands. “Go on, I’ll take care of these.”
I swallowed. “Thanks Gram. I’ll see you soon, okay?”
I said goodbye to my family and followed Liam and Niamh out the back door, unsure when I’d see them all again.
Once we were off the back porch I turned to Niamh.
So, this is it?
We just need to go to Liam’s house to take care of one thing and we’ll head to Wheelwright.
I followed them next door. From the bottom of the driveway, I saw Samantha and Ciarán sitting on Liam’s front stoop, staring at each other. Samantha’s chin jutted out and I could tell they were having a silent conversation.
“Are they coming?” I asked Niamh under my breath.
She answered me in my head. Liam and I both came to get you so they could have a chance to talk. Ciarán doesn’t think Samantha should go to Tír na n’Óg.
“I take it she doesn’t like that idea?” I whispered as Samantha threw her arms up and stalked a few yards away from him.
I thought about whether Samantha going with us would be a good idea. What do you two think?
We both think she should come, as long as she removes all the steel from her body.
Confused, I turned to look at Niamh. Then I realized what she meant. Samantha had dozens of piercings on her ears and face. And if they were steel, they were made from iron.
“Good morning,” I said to Samantha, glancing over to where Ciarán sat scowling off into the distance.
“Hey,” she said, wiggling her fingers at me. On her hands were black fingerless gloves. She was wearing a crocheted black sweater over a black tank top and tight jeans. I glanced down at my faded jeans and T-shirt. She was so different from me. It was hard to believe we were related.
Samantha’s eyes darted behind me to Niamh. She shook her head and looked at Ciarán. In a flash he was beside us. I didn’t even see him move.
He looked at me, his eyes wide. “I don’t think Sam should go with you. She’s got a life here, a job. I agreed when I thought she was just coming to warn you and Liam. But not this, I don’t want her getting mixed up in this.”
Samantha pushed him hard enough that he stepped back. “I’m already mixed up in this,” she said. “Besides, what kind of life do I have? My parents think I’m crazy. They barely talk to me if they can help it. Maybe I can help somehow.”
She met my eyes, and hers were so blue, so like Aoife’s, but with one major difference. They were full of emotion.
“Allison?” I swung around to find Ethan walking up the driveway. “Your grandmother said you went for a run with Liam and I heard voices up here. What’s up?” He glanced at the group gathered on Liam’s front lawn.
A lump formed in my throat. “Hey,” I said, rubbing my hands together. “We were just… making plans.”
I turned to Liam. “I’m really thirsty. Is it okay if I grab some water inside?”
Liam gestured toward the house. “Of course.”
“Come with me?” I said to Ethan. I wanted to tell him what was going on in private.
I led him into the foyer and shut the door behind him. He followed me to the dining room and when I sat, he took the seat beside me. He caught my eyes and raised his brows expectantly.
“Niamh asked me to go to Tír na n’Óg with her and Liam.”
“What, you mean go right now?” Ethan asked.
I nodded. “She doesn’t want to wait until Aoife makes a move. In a way I agree with her.”
“Did you tell me you needed to talk so you could just tell me you were leaving?”
I glanced up at him. “Yes, I hoped you’d understand.”
“No Allison. I don’t understand,” he said, jumping up so fast the chair nearly fell over.
I hesitated. “Niamh came by after you left last night. I know there’s a lot going on here, but I’ve thought about it all night. The sooner we take care of the threat Aoife poses on all of us, the better.”
Ethan stared at me, his face hard. “I understand that part. But I told you whatever happens, I’m coming with you.”
“What?” I said, shaking my head. “You can’t.”
“Like hell I can’t.” He crossed his arms, eyes narrowed. “You’re not leaving me behind this time.”
He was angry, but the glint in his eyes shone with fear.
“If there was something dangerous you needed to do, would you do it without me?”
“Not if you asked me not to.”
“There’s no way for me to know how long we’ll be gone. It could be a few hours, or weeks. I can’t ask that of you.”
“You don’t have to ask. Wherever you go, I go.”
With a sigh I relented, selfishly glad to not be leaving him behind.
“Okay,” I said. “Niamh is going to send a decoy to cover for me, hopefully she can do the same for you.”
When we went back outside, the air was still thick with tension. I looked at Niamh who stood beside Liam watching the internal ping-pong match between Samantha and Ciarán.
Ethan wants to come with us.
She nodded as if she knew, and she probably did.
I’m beginning to think we should just go on without these two.
Liam turned to me and Ethan. “You haven’t heard anything from Aodhan right?”
“Not since Friday.”
“All right,” he said frowning. “I suppose I should leave him a note.”
“Should I take my truck to wherever we’re going?” Ethan asked.
Liam’s brows rose. “You’re coming?”
I sighed. “Yep, he doesn’t want to be left behind.”
“No, I think that’s good,” Liam said and I did a double-take.
“You do?”
“If Aodhan isn’t coming this time, t
he more of us keeping an eye on you the better.”
I scoffed. “You make me sound so precious.”
Ethan nudged my side. “That’s because you are,” he said softly.
I shot him a look. “I didn’t mean that in a good way. More like pathetic.”
“Anyway, yes,” Liam said. “You might as well take your truck. Leaving it on the street wouldn’t be good.”
“I don’t know the way,” I said. “At least not by regular roads.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ethan said.
I rolled my eyes at how absurd it would sound. “They don’t use cars. They don’t need to.”
“What she means is we travel faster on foot. We can get to Wheelwright in a few minutes if we run,” Niamh said.
Ethan whistled low. “I know how to get to Wheelwright. Can you give me an address?”
Liam and Niamh explained how Ethan would have to go to get to the old house where the portal was hidden. It was tucked away on a wildlife sanctuary, far away from the iron and pollution of the cities and suburbs. It would be a miracle if Ethan’s four wheel drive would make it up the overgrown cart road leading in, but Ethan was confident the truck could handle it.
With the rest of them going on foot, Ethan and I climbed into the truck alone. Ciarán would need to carry Samantha. Apparently that didn’t bother her as much as it had bothered me. My stomach twisted at the memory of flying through the air in Liam’s arms. He ran so fast I couldn’t even open my eyes from the pressure. After that, I’d asked them to knock me out when we had to travel like that.
We didn’t really talk for the first twenty minutes of the ride. Ethan called his father to tell him he wasn’t feeling well and needed to take the rest of the day off. I stared out the window, trying to quiet the annoying voice that gnawed at me about the people and things I was leaving behind. It didn’t matter that I thought I’d come to peace with my decision, the voice was not going anywhere.
“So tell me what it’s like in this place we’re going. Teer Nah Nog. My memory is pretty fuzzy,” Ethan said, glancing over at me.
I took a deep breath. “It’s incredibly beautiful there. Overwhelmingly beautiful. It takes a while to adjust to how different everything is. I can’t really describe it, but maybe it could be compared to being on drugs. Like in movies when someone’s on an acid trip, everything feels louder and brighter and just ... more.”
