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“I am done. Done with you. Done with Dugald. I know you’re both old as dirt and whatever, but let me explain this as simply as possible. I do not need, want, nor will I put up with either of you being ‘mysterious.’ I am done with your mansplaining to me. I do not want or need any more of your cryptic nonsense. I. Am. Done.”
The weight on my shoulders eases as I unload on him. The reaction on his face is priceless. His eyes widen, his mouth opens and closes, and then snaps shut as I deliver my ultimatum. The fire that I thought was burned out is back, burning in my soul. I’m not angry; I’m certain, and it feels good.
“Integrity,” he says at last, “is observing what you observe to be true.”
I slowly shake my head negative, swallowing the bile rising in my throat, and realizing I’m no longer angry. I’m just empty again. Anger has run the course, burning through my veins, out the ends of my limbs, and left nothing but charred ground in its wake.
I inhale. The air is clean, laden with salt, but refreshing. I hold it. My expanded lungs processing the clean, rich air until I can’t hold it any longer, and it bursts out in a rush. The Druid watches with his wrinkled eyes. Curiosity deepens the lines on his face.
“Send me home.” My voice is soft, barely a whisper. He leans in closer, frowning. “Home.” Louder now, something close to normal. “Send. Me. Home.”
His mouth moves as he smacks his lips. I expect him to argue, to debate, or to give me some flack. Instead, he steps back, and as he does we’re back in the alley. I turn away from him without a word and walk towards the main street.
“Quinn.” Something in his voice stops me so I turn around. “Remember the lesson.”
Now he turns, shuffling down the alley. The cat emerges from a pile of trash and weaves its way between my legs, purring loudly. Watching the Druid leave, I crouch and scratch behind its ears. Standing up I leave the alley, the Druid, and even the cat behind.
ChapterFifteen
I wake up and,for the first time since I got home from Scotland, it doesn’t feel like a semitruck is parked on my chest. I lie in bed a moment and breathe. In and out, smooth, and natural. I’m tired, still, but that’s fine. It’s Thursday so one more day and I can sleep in on Saturday to try to make up for all the lost sleep.
I dress, grab coffee, and go to my first class. As I walk across the campus my step feels light, as if there are springs in my heels and I’m barely able to keep myself from bounding weightless all the way to class. I wave at my fellow students, sharing smiles and cheerful greetings.
“You look better,” Savannah says, catching me as I cross the quad.
“You know, I feel better.”
“Great. Thanks again for your help the other day, but—” She lets the question hang without answering.
“You still need help?”
“Could you?”
“Of course.” I smile. “I’ll figure it out.”
“Hey, how’s your dad?”
“He has good and bad days,” I say. “My mom is taking care of him.”
“Your mom?” She frowns and a cloud passes over her face. A cold chill passes over my heart like icy fingers brushed it.
“Yeah, my mom,” I say. “Why?”
She shakes her head and her face clears. “Nothing, of course she is. So tomorrow night? I’ll bring beer and pizza and my eternal gratitude.”
“It’s a date.”
“You are a lifesaver.”
She cuts off towards her next class and I enter the building to make mine. As I walk down the hall my sneakers squeak on the shiny, over polished tile floor. I enter my class and the professor looks surprised to see me here, and on time to boot. I smile and nod, feeling good.
Taking my seat in the middle of the class I get my books out, set them on the table, then dig out some pencils and realize I’ve still got five minutes to kill. I close my eyes, lean back in the seat, and breathe.
They wanted a decision, I’ve made one. Family first. What’s the point of time travel if it doesn’t give you time? I don’t know why I didn’t see it before but now that I do it make so much sense. I’ve got all the time in the world, obviously.
I’ll help my mom with my dad. Heck, I might even get my degree finished, then I’ll go back in time and help the MacGregors. The Fae will be there, waiting at the edges, like they apparently always have been. They can keep on waiting. Right now, this is what’s important. My friends, my degree, and most of all, my family.
The professor’s chair scrapes as he pushes away from his desk. I sit up and open my eyes. He walks to the podium set at the front of the room, carrying a stack of papers with him.
