"You can't," I say. And I wrap both arms around Zane, and we transport.
I'm not even sure it worked until we both appear in the backyard of his house. "Are you okay?" I gasp. "All parts accounted for? I wasn't sure that would work."
He's shocked, leaning over, trying to breathe normally. "Damn, girl! Don't ever do that again."
"I can't believe it worked."
"What if it hadn't? You woulda just left me there?"
"I would have come back for you, of course. Don't be silly. I wonder if the leprechauns can do that— take other people along. How exciting!" I feel a little like I did after prom, super-energized and a little crazy.
Zane looks sick. "I didn't know you could— teleport yourself."
"Yeah. Neat, right? Who needs a car?"
"Except when there are people around to see you vanish or appear. You got to be more careful!"
"I know. Especially with those investigators or whatever they are, poking around," I say. "Not sure what that's all about."
"It's about you breaking Fae magic rules. That's what it sounds like."
"Rules? Whose rules? I just got out of a house full of rules, and I'm not putting up with any more."
"Okay, rebel, slow down. Give 'em a chance; they didn't seem too bad."
"Maybe." My energy is waning now. I'm suddenly very, very tired. "Can I take another nap?"
"I think you'd better do it at your apartment. I'm gonna have enough explaining to do to my parents about why I was gone all night and why I'm skipping school today."
"Oh, they're going to think we were together, aren't they? That we did things— Good luck with that."
"Thanks. And you get that fine behind back to your apartment where I know you'll be safe."
A kiss and a jump later, I'm in the apartment. Arden is out— getting groceries, according to the note on the table. She's also made a list of chores for me to do.
The chores, debriefing Arden, wondering if the Far Darrig is really gone— it will all have to wait. Right now, what I need is a deep, dreamless sleep.
◆◆◆
I arrive at Zane's house early in the morning on the day after graduation. The beach is three and a half hours away, and they like to get a head start on the day.
I appear behind a tree, a little way down the street, and then walk the rest of the way, around the house to the back parking area. Zane's dad, Aaron, is squishing beach chairs and umbrellas and tote bags into the back of the SUV.
"Hey, I'll take that for you," he says, gesturing to my backpack. I hand it over, feeling awkward because I've never actually talked to his dad one-on-one. Plus I'm not sure what Zane said to them about his absence a few nights ago. Whatever it was, I hope they still like me.
"I hope it's okay that I'm coming along," I say.
"Hey, we're happy to have you," he says, and in his warm smile I see a hint of Zane's grin. "My boy treatin' you respectfully?"
"Yes, sir, he is."
"Good, good. He's a good kid."
I don't know what to say to that— I see Zane as much more than a "good kid." I'm not sure his dad knows just how special his son really is. Or maybe we just see different sides of him.
"He's amazing," I say quietly.
His dad grunts and puts my backpack in the trunk, but I can tell by the gleam in his eye and his half smile that I've said the right thing.
Just then Zane bounds out of the back door. "Graduation trip!" he yells.
"Hush, son, the neighbors are probably still asleep!" his mom cautions. "Aaron, did you forget to leave room for the cooler?"
While Zane's parents figure out how to squeeze in the cooler, he comes over to me. "Morning, beautiful."
My heart does a little dance. "Hey, handsome."
His eyes take on a smoldering look that makes my insides melt, and he leans closer. But before he can kiss me, Kali bounces outside, a small pillow under one arm and tablet under the other.
"Okay, break it up! You aren't smooching all the way to the beach, okay? I need somebody to talk to when I get bored with this." She waves the tablet around. "Aislinn, you can sit in the middle. Is that cool? Come on, let's get going!"
Zane and I follow her into the back seat of the SUV and settle in, while she jabbers away.
"I'm so glad you're coming with us. Now that Ada's got the baby and everything she's not as much fun, but you're fun!" She lowers her voice. "Does Zane call you 'Bae'? I really wish somebody would call me 'Bae.'"
"Nobody says 'bae' anymore, Kali," says Zane, shaking his head.
"Whatever." She throws her pillow at him.
"Everybody ready?" calls Zane's dad, climbing in. "Seatbelts?"
"I'm ready," says Latesha. "Long as you promise not to pour sea water on my hair this time."
Zane and Kali both groan, and Aaron laughs. "Never again," he says.
For a second I think my heart is going to burst with happiness. This is what I've always wanted— the family thing. The sibling banter and road tripping thing. Right now I don't have to think about the investigators, or the Korrigan, or the Far Darrig, or any of it. I can just be me. Me, in the sunshine, going to the beach with my boyfriend and his family.
As we buckle up, Zane leans in and whispers, "You ready for this?"
"I'm ready for anything." In this moment, it really feels true.
"Good," he says. "Because baby, you haven't really lived until you've seen the sun shining on the ocean."
If you enjoyed Korrigan, or even if you didn't, please consider writing a review on Amazon. You can do it right now, or anytime that's convenient for you. Reviews help other people find Korrigan, and they encourage me to keep writing!
The Next Installment...
If you enjoyed Korrigan, look for the other books in the series:
Druid (Secrets of the Fae - Book 2)
Samhain (Secrets of the Fae - Book 3)
Acknowledgements
I couldn't have written this book without daily inspiration from my amazing, handsome, blue-eyed, 6-foot-4 husband, who's got a hefty dose of Irish in his blood, as I do in mine. And I have two wonderful kids who shared Mom with the computer so this book could get done.
To all the people who read the first draft and gave me feedback, you are angels from heaven. With your help, Korrigan became the best book it could be.
Korrigan (Secrets of the Fae Book 1) Page 24
