Far Away (Gypsy Fairy Tale Book Two)

by Burnett, Dana Michelle

  As we turned to leave, I caught sight of four men across the street staring at me from the sidewalk. They were strangers in town, which was odd enough, but there was something else...

  “Bhí a ... An leannán de na Tuatha Dé Danann ...”

  My heart fell to some nowhere place in the pit of my stomach. That was Irish that they were speaking! I knew that accent even if I did not know the word. That could only mean one thing... Mileans.

  “Alec,” I whispered as I grabbed the arm of his coat and peeked around at the group. “Do you see those men?”

  He looked over his shoulder following my stare. I felt him stiffen even though he tried to hide it.

  “Yeah,” he said in a forced casual tone.

  I squeezed his arm harder, “They are Irish.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I just know,” I whispered, a little annoyed that he wasn’t as panicked as me. “I think they’re Mileans.”

  Alec started walking with me, keeping himself between me and them. “Maybe.”

  Why was he trying to pretend like this wasn’t odd? What was he hiding?

  “But if they’re here, that means they must know something about what happened.” I mumbled. “What if –“

  Alec glanced back over his shoulder, “Just ignore them.”

  I tried to do what he said and just pretend they weren’t there, but I noticed he looked back twice more as we walked the short distance between the feed store and my front door.

  Again, Alec stood there blocking the wind as I unlocked the door. I stepped inside, sort of wishing that he’d come inside too, but he was already back out on the sidewalk.

  “See you tomorrow,” he called back.

  I waved to him and closed the door on him and the four mysterious men, locking it with a loud click.

  Chapter 11

  There I was, still wet from my shower, naked but for the towel wrapped around me, staring into my closet. Why didn’t I pay more attention to my clothes?

  I didn’t know what to do; everything I owned was either faded blue jeans or really old hoodies. What was I supposed to wear?

  Well, it’s not an actual date...Thank God...

  I tore a pair of jeans and a hoodie from the hangers, too frustrated to keep staring at my pathetic excuse for wardrobe. I reminded myself again that it didn’t matter.

  This is not a real date...This is not a real date...

  Back in the bathroom, I combed through my wet hair to the same mantra. It doesn’t matter...It doesn’t matter...It’s not a real date...It’s not a real date...

  I took one final look in the mirror after I was dressed and ready. Without hesitation, I opened the vanity drawer and took out the only but lip gloss that I owned. I smoothed it over my lips carefully and put it back in the drawer.

  It doesn’t matter...This is not a date... This is not a date...

  I went downstairs and peeked out the front window, trying to stay hidden behind the curtains as I looked as far as I could up both ends of the street.

  Once I was sure there was no sign of the four strangers I saw yesterday, I grabbed my coat and stepped outside. Even though it was a short walk next door to the feed store, I kept looking over my shoulder just to be certain that the men weren’t there following me. I wasn’t sure what I would do if I did see them, but thankfully the sidewalk behind me remained empty.

  I half expected Alec to be there waiting, poking fun at me for being fashionably late in my sloppy clothes, but he wasn’t. I checked my watch; I was a little early and really wished then that I brought my keys so I could have gone inside the feed store. At least then I would have a warm place to wait.

  Leaning against the building, I checked my watch again as it began to snow. I was certain of the time, so where was he?

  Thirty cold and shivering minutes passed without any sign of Alec. I had the sinking feeling that I was getting stood up.

  I can’t get stood up when it wasn’t a real date to start with... It doesn’t matter... It doesn’t matter...

  After another thirty minutes, I decided it did matter and it mattered very much. Who did Alec think he was? Did he think he was so special that he could keep me out in the cold waiting for him?

  I stormed off between the buildings toward the house that Alec shared with his grandpa. I stomped across the snow-covered grass, following Alec’s path from the day before, cursing him along the way.

  Leave me waiting out in the cold...You son of a bitch...Let’s see what you have to say for yourself...

  I reached the house within seconds. I took the stairs up to the porch two at a time and pounded on the door so hard that it rattled on its hinges.

  Inside, I could hear shuffling movement and hushed voices. I beat on the door even harder.

  I swear... If he doesn’t answer the store I’m going to kick it in...

  I didn’t stop to think about what I was doing. Why was I so angry? It was just a movie, it shouldn’t matter this much.

  It does matter...It does matter...

  Suddenly the door opened just as I was about to knock again. It was so quick that I had to grab the door frame to keep from falling inside.

  I struggled to gain my balance and when I straightened, I saw Alec and the four Irish men sitting at table. In front of them were stacks of books and faded yellow maps.

  Alec looked at me and paled, “Harmony, I –“

  “You unbelievable bastard!”

  I turned and ran. I didn’t even think about where I was going, but I had to get away from him and his lies.

  How could he do this to me? I gave him another chance, trusted him even, and all along he was one of them!

  I could hear him running behind me, each step sounded closer than the last. Even with his bad leg, he was gaining on me quickly.

  “Harmony wait!” He cried, “Just let me explain!”

  “Leave me alone,” I wailed and tried to run faster. I didn’t want to hear anything he had to say.

  My breath came in painful gasps as the cold air burned my lungs. I couldn’t keep running, my legs already felt like rubber and I had only made it as far as the old Capitol building. I could feel myself slowing. No matter how hard I tried, I could hear Alec getting closer.

  Something hit me then and pushed me against the trunk of the nearest tree. Whatever breath I had left in my body, left me and the world went black.

  Chapter 12

  I was falling, spiraling through the darkness. I kept waiting for the moment of impact, but it never came. One second I was plummeting to my death and the next I was standing on my own feet.

  Looking around, I could see nothing but blackness. I listened, but heard nothing.

  Where am I?

  Out of the darkness came a sinister whisper. It came from everywhere and nowhere all at the same time.

  “Bás an fhealltóir ... Bás an fhealltóir ...”

  “Who’s there?” I asked, turning in a slow circle. I was terrified of who or what might answer.

  Suddenly, there was the noise of movement. It was the crunching sound of footsteps coming closer and closer. I turned in a circle again, trying to see through the darkness.

  “S-S-Show yourself!” I demanded, my voice shaking with fear.

  The footsteps were closer, all around me, and echoing in my head.

  No...No...Go away...Leave me alone...

  It was then that I heard him.

  "Harmony... Harmony... Can you hear me?"

  I heard the voice coming down to me through the darkness. At first it was far away, muffled and low. I struggled up towards it like I was swimming against the current of the murky river that was trying to pull me down.

  I can hear you... But where are you... Don’t go... Say something else...

  The voice spoke again, closer this time and no longer muddled.

  "Come on Harmony... Open your eyes... Come on Harmony... Look at me..."

  I knew that voice. The sound of it stirred my blood, bringing me closer to t
he surface of consciousness.

  You... You...

  "Harmony... Look at me Harmony... Open your eyes and look at me..."

  I tried to do his voice commanded and open my eyes, but my lids were so very heavy. This should be easier, right?

  "Harmony... Harmony..."

  I felt something, and odd sensation that came and went. I would’ve ignored it, but it was more than a little annoying.

  What is that...? Why won’t it stop...?

  The closer I came to the surface, more real the sensation became. I recognized it then, slight sting of gentle slaps to my cheeks.

  “Open your eyes... Look at me...”

  Fine...I’ll look at you... Just stop smacking me...

  I struggled to open my eyes. The world was white and filled with a bright light. Above me, blurred shapes moved in and out.

  What is this? Where am I?

  I blinked again and strained to see what was before me. At first, I could make out nothing more than the bare branches of the trees stretching up toward the sky, but then slowly I could make out the face that leaned above me.

  Alec...

  My blood stirred again, this time with rage. I couldn’t stand being so close to him. I worked my fingers back and forth in the wet snow until I could make a solid fist.

  Without hesitation, I drew back and punched him with every bit of strength that I could muster. My fist made contact with his skin in a loud smack.

  Alec fell backwards, clutching his nose.

  “Dammit Harmony.”

  Still weak, I tried to stand, but I fell back down onto my hands and knees. I crawled away as fast as I could, but Alec grabbed my ankle and pulled me back across the snow.

  Why did it have to be winter? Where was everybody? If it was spring or summer, people would be out visiting the old Capitol or at least walking by on the sidewalks. There would be someone around stop this attack.

  As it was, everyone was tucked away in warm houses as Alec pulled me back to him.

  I slapped at him again and again, but now his guard was up and he avoided my blows easily.

  Alec weaved from side to side, “Harmony stop it!”

  “How could you!” I hissed, still trying to land another hit to his face. “You know what they did!”

  He easily penned my arms to my sides, holding me there on the cold ground.

  “Harmony, please.”

  “Let me go,” I demanded as I continued to squirm. “Let me go!”

  Alec shook his head and held me tighter, “Not until you listen to me.”

  I twisted my hands until I broke free, scrambling to my feet and backing away until my back collided with the trunk of the tree again.

  “What could you possibly say?” I asked. “These are the same people that tried to kill Kieran and me!”

  “I know that.”

  “And they hate the Tuatha De Danann and everyone associated with them.”

  He nodded, “I know.”

  I stared at him dumbly. Why was he being so calm? Why didn’t he argue and at least try to defend himself? “And they chased them from one of the world to the other.”

  “I know that too.”

  “Then what could you possibly have to say?” I asked as I spread my hands wide. “What else is there?”

  Alec stood and took a few cautious steps forward until we were only inches away from each other. He looked down into my eyes and sighed as if he had all the burdens of the world laid at his feet.

  “What if they’re right?”

  Chapter 13

  “Will you at least hear me out?” Alec asked as he dusted the snow off the front of his pants.

  I just stared at him. How could he think those people, the same people that thought nothing of shooting me, were right? Did that mean that he thought they were right to want me dead?

  He cautiously reached over and wiped some of the snow from my coat, “Let’s go get some coffee and talk about this.”

  I let him take my hand and lead me across the lawn to the diner. It seemed ironic that the diner was so close, near enough to walk to, but not a single person came out stop our fight.

  No one even looked up when we entered the diner. I glared at each of them as Alec pulled me along. They all went right on eating as we slipped into the booth closest to the door.

  It wasn’t until we were seated that I took my coat off that I realized how very cold I was. I shivered and my teeth chattered as I hated him from across the table.

  Alec ordered two cups of coffee, keeping a watchful eye on me. I was shivering too much to try to run, but obviously he hadn’t noticed.

  He waited until the waitress filled our white cups, smiling politely when she talked about watching him play ball back in high school.

  How could he stand that? How could he just smile when people reminded him about what is life could have been? And then I remembered that I hated him.

  I hope it kills you to hear about how great you were...I hope it eats at you with every limping step...It would serve you right...

  When she left us alone, Alec leaned forward. “Are you willing to hear what I have to say?”

  I said nothing. I didn’t even nod. I just wrapped my red and frozen hands around the hot cup.

  Alex sighed, “You were right, the men you saw yesterday are Mileans.”

  “Obviously.”

  “The group you saw are member of the O’Leary family, some of the most respected Mileans there are.”

  “So why are they here?” I asked.

  Giving me a pleading look and he went on, “It took a while, but when my uncle didn’t show up back in Ireland, the Mileans got suspicious. They suspected that he came to an untimely end.”

  I nervously looked up, terrified of what he would say next. Would the next person through the diner door be a cop coming to arrest me?

  “Don’t worry,” Alec said as he glanced around. “They don’t know any more than they need to.”

  I tried not to show how relieved I was, but a sigh I managed to escape my lips. “Thanks.”

  “I wouldn’t betray you like that.”

  I glared across the table at him, “Then what are you doing with them?”

  Alec spooned some sugar into his coffee, careful to avoid meeting my eyes. “They want me to represent my family and join them.”

  “What?” I asked, confused. Why him? Why did his family need to be represented? None of it was making any sense. “I don’t understand all of this just because your uncle was part of their little group?”

  “Do you know when your family came to America?”

  “No.”

  “Well, I do,” Alex said with a sip of his coffee. “My family came during the potato famine like a lot of other Irish immigrants, but back in Ireland, the men in my family represented one of the bloodlines of the sons of Mil. There has always been a select group, made up of each of the bloodlines, sworn to protect all of us from...”

  “The Tuatha De Danann,” I said since he faltered.

  Alec nodded, “Right.”

  “But the Mileans tried to kill me,” I argued. “And the Tuatha De Danann never hurt anyone.”

  He looked at me and shook his head, “Really?”

  “Yes, really,” I snapped. “All they want is to be left alone.”

  He smirked, “Do you really believe that?”

  “Of course.”

  Alec sat back in the booth and crossed his arms, “That's what they want you to think. They tempt mortals with the disguise of innocence and the promise of immortality, but it's all a lie.”

  “A lie?” I asked innocently, not wanting to reveal the secrets Kieran shared about their long lives and lack of aging.

  See... You don’t know everything Mr. Big Stuff...

  He motioned for a refill, “We know that the Tuatha De Danann are damn near immortal, so you can lose that smug look, that’s what they promise the humans that they take. You see, humans aren’t meant to live forever. The ones that do try to live wit
h them eventually go mad and –“

  “Kill themselves,” I blurted out, remembering Kieran’s story about his mother.

  “Yes,” Alec said as he stared at me with eyes that burned with determination. “And I won’t stand by and let that happen to you.”

  My heart sank, “So you joined and then?”

  He leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “No, but I’ll do what I have to do in order to protect you.”

  “I don’t need your protection,” I snapped and slid out of the booth. I blinked back the angry tears that wanted to fall. “And you don’t know it yet, but you chose the wrong side...And now I’ll hate you forever...”

  I left him there before he could say anything else and ran home, crying the entire way.

  Chapter 14

  CLOSED DUE TO FLU.

  That is what the sign said that I hung in store window. I taped it to the glass in the wee hours of the morning so not be seen. I didn’t even use a flashlight for fear someone would see the beam.

  The words on the sign weren’t exactly a lie. After that day at the diner, I came home and took to my bed, only coming out to affix the sign and collect the mail in the predawn hours.

  How could I have been so stupid as to trust Alec again? He already betrayed me once and then I go and let him do it again. What was I thinking?

  Fool me once...

  Alec called my phone at least a dozen times, but I always let it go to voicemail. I tried to listen to the first few, but I ended up deleting them all. I didn’t wants to hear what he had to say.

  “Harmony,” he said on one of the message. “You have to believe me...”

  Oh do I really? We’ll see about that...

  I spent New Years Eve alone watching television. When the clock struck midnight, I was all by myself with no one to kiss.

  Is this how it’s going to be? Is this what my life is going to be like?

  I twirled my necklace between my fingers as I watched the celebrations, it was my only reminder that anyone in the world cared about me.

  Kieran where are you? Why did I let you leave me?

  Days passed that way with me not doing much more than watching the shadows on the wall. I was lost and not sure of where I even belonged.