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"She's a shifter. A beithir."
Oh, I've not met one of those before. Do they taste good?
Macey immediately shifted her position, making herself big and threatening. The ceasg was getting nowhere near her new friend.
Stop it, that was a joke! Seems you've heard the same rumours as everybody else has. She scratched her chin. I'm sure it's the selkies who've been spreading that nonsense.
"Yes, I suppose they may have," Macey said weakly, a bit embarrassed that she'd reacted the same way to the ceasg as everybody else reacted to kelpies.
We're not bad people. We're actually quite useful, if one asks us nicely.
"Why, what can you do?"
You've not heard of the maidens of the water granting wishes to all who capture us? Now, I'd like you not to imprison me, please, but I am able to grant you one wish.
"Ehm, that's nice of you," Macey spluttered. This woman was weird. "We never really planned to be here... Can you bring us back to Earth?"
Earth is a big place, my dear. Where exactly would you like to be?
Macey thought back to a vision the Voice gave her long ago. Maybe it was time to turn it into reality.
It was time to visit Aunt Nessie.
5
A kelpie, a mouse and a beithir walked into a bar. There was almost nobody in the pub, only a tired looking landlord leaning against a large cask of ale, and a few older customers playing chess in a corner. They ignored the three young women, probably mistaking them for tourists.
Macey headed straight to the pub owner. She'd seen him once before, but that was ages ago and she doubted he'd remember her.
"I'm looking for Nessie, have you seen her?"
He stared at her before breaking into roaring laughter. "Dearie, aren't ye a bit too old to believe in Nessie?"
Macey crossed her arms in front of her chest. "She's my aunt." She lowered her voice. "And I know she's a kelpie and comes here several times a week. So, tell me, do you know if she'll be here today?"
The man looked at her for a moment, then nodded.
"There's a pub quiz tonight that she usually comes to. It's still a few hours to go until then, though. Want some scran?"
"Scran?"
Macey could hear the disgust in Luch's voice but ignored it. It was almost unfortunate that she was in human form, that way people could actually hear her. Then again, she was certain the pub landlord wasn't human. There was no other way he'd have been so unconcerned with her mention of kelpies.
As always, Macey's mind started racing a mile a minute trying to work out what he was.
"Ignore her. Three of whatever's on offer," she said with a smile. "But I'm vegetarian."
"Just like your Aunt."
Macey smiled at him a little uneasily. Maybe this wasn't quite the best of ideas. But the ceasg hadn't been able to transport her to her men. Apparently, people were harder to find than places, and without even a general idea, there'd been nowhere to send the three women.
"Yes," she said weakly.
"I'll serve you in the backroom. There's someone in there who'll want to see you."
Dread filled her. Those weren't the kind of words she ever wanted to hear from anyone. Especially when they were effectively on the run from their captor.
"Don't look so worried, Malan sent them to you."
