Dyna called out after her. “Lia?”
Lia froze, turned around and looked at the group, the smiling, pleasant wee lass they all knew oddly absent.
“Lia, what is it?” Dyna chased after her, Ailith now behind her.
Edan had no idea what was happening. He’d just begun to change his beliefs, finally accepting that there were faeries. Just as his sire had warned him. His father’s words held new meaning.Never go back to Islay. They’ll take you, Edan.
There was no denying their existence any longer. He’d seen them with his own eyes. A bogle, a faery, a growing faery hill, grass that died, flowers that wilted. All these years and his sire had been warning him.
He should have listened. Stayed away. Lived on Jura. Not brought his sister back. His denial wilted faster than the flowers at Dunyvaig. He fought to slow his breathing.
Lia tilted her head, listening to something none of them could hear.“We’ll get your daughter back. And we’ll get your son back, Catrina. But fair warning, there’s much more going on than you could ever guess. I have someone I need to see.”
A mist covered Lia and she disappeared.
Chapter Twenty-One
Ailith
The Grantham group returned to Magni’s cottage, sullen and exhausted. They surrounded the table in the gathering room, while those who had remained behind looked on, utterly confused by their demeanor. Ailith, Sylvi, and Tora retired to their chamber abovestairs, though Ailith intended to listen to everything that was said in the main room from the balcony.
Dyna pulled her hair out of its plait and redid it, securing it high on her head. “Edan said he’d be here in two hours. He wants to talk with his siblings, then promised to come plan with us. Alasdair, much as you wish to ignore him, he is a major part of this.”
“I’ll not argue with you, Dyna. We are trying to rescue his daughter. I just don’t like the way he approachesmydaughter.”
Dyna smirked. “You might not like the man, but Ailith does, and I say let the lass make up her own mind.”
Alasdair snarled at her. “I’ll see if I can catch a few more fish.”
Ailith wished she could call out from the balcony, telling her father to stop controlling her, but she decided to leave it alone. Perhaps he would listen to Dyna.
Connor chuckled, watching Alasdair, then paced briefly before holding his arms out. “Here’s my suggestion. When Ailith, Sylvi, and Tora return from their chamber, I want you to take the four of you to the water, into the forest, wherever you think it best to help you tap into your seer abilities and figure this out. I was told by many that Islay is verra conducive to faery movement. It’s a thin veil between their world and ours, which they take advantage of. We need to know more about what’s taking place on this isle, and I suggest you do it before Edan returns.
“Magni will be back shortly, and the other two will return within an hour or so. Emmalin, Maeve, and I will see to the stew Maeve started earlier. Maitland and Derric, take the lads out to the loch with you. Some can help Alasdair catch fish, while others can search for berries or gather more firewood. Let them swim. Then we’ll eat within an hour or two.”
Dyna ran over and stood on her tiptoes to kiss her father on the cheek. “I know I brought you along for a reason, Da. Oh, and when Edan gets here, keep Daran away from him.”
“Why?” Connor asked.
Dyna lowered her voice. “Because Lia said to.”
Maitland barked, “Grant, John, Daran, Sandor, move along. We have things to do outdoors. We’ll check with Alasdair first, then go look for wood and cut what we can.” The boys nearly knocked each other over at the door, fighting to get out first.
Derric shook his head. “I think we better split them up.”
“Uncle Connor!” Daran whirled around after the others left. “They pushed me out of the way. I’m always last.”
Maitland drawled, “The king is always last, lad. Go see what your sire has caught.”
“Uncle Maitland said I’m the king. That’s why I’m last!” He raced out the door, letting it bang behind him.
Ailith came down the staircase, laughing at the boys and thinking how fortunate they were to have them close by instead of sleeping inside a faery hill.
Dyna whistled as she made her way to the door. “Lads are on the loch, lasses will go toward the forest.”
“Take your bow, lass. In case you see a deer. I’ve seen signs of them everywhere.”
“Aye, Da. I’ll get you some meat by the morrow.” She grabbed her bow and quiver and followed the three lasses out the door. To her surprise, Lia sat on a boulder not far away.
