“2468,” he answered.
“2468? How is that possible?”
“How is talking to trees possible? My mother lived here in Milltown before I was born. If we look in the newspaper archives in the library I bet I can find an article about her.”
“Is she a witch?”
Fehin shook his head. “She’s psychic and she used to do readings at the Crystal Guide here in town.”
“Let’s look her up,” Airy said, pulling him by the hand. “And later maybe we can go to the Crystal Guide. I bet they have a book on herbal lore. There aren’t any classes and it’s what I’m most interested in.”
“You mean like healing herbs or teas?”
“Both, but mostly I make tinctures and potions. But I have a lot more to learn.” She pulled open the door of the library and led the way inside.
It took an hour to find the Milltown Gazette article dated June 13, 2011. It said:
Gertrude Besnick’s disappearance and presumed death at sea in the fall of 2010 has sparked the re-release of her last book, published after she vanished. The Tower has since become an international best seller and been at the top of the list for months.
Airy stared at Fehin. “The Tower is on the reading list for my Modern Lit class!”
Fehin looked surprised. “Wow. I haven’t even read it. She wrote another one earlier. It’s called The Hanged Man. Are you familiar with the Tarot?”
“Not really.”
At Airy’s puzzled expression, he continued. “I was born in the future but I was kidnapped by a sorceress when I was a year old. My mother searched for me and then gave up because she thought I was dead. That’s when she came back here. But in reality I was living with Loki.”
Airy’s confusion deepened. “Loki is…?”
“The Norse God of fire. He’s also known as the trickster god. He raised me until I was six.”
Airy watched Fehin’s eyes darken with the past. “You didn’t see your mother for five years?”
“Someone got a message into the past that gave her the idea that I might be alive. Mothers and their cubs.” He threw his hands into the air and then laughed.
“It’s not funny, Fehin. It sounds terrible for you and for her. How old were you when she came back?”
“I was six when she worked out a deal with Loki.”
“And when you conjured the island?”
“Seven. I’ve lived there ever since.”
“Only seven years old? Wow. I wasn’t supposed to come into my powers until this year.”
“But you told me you’ve been able to do these things your entire life.”
“I didn’t know they were special. I just had my sixteenth birthday so maybe I’ll discover other things I can do.”
“I did too.”
Airy heard Fehin say something but when she looked at him his mouth was closed. “Telepathic communication?” she asked, surprised.
Fehin smiled and looked down. “Just thought I’d try it out. And I thought you should know that my mother spent time in the Otherworld. It’s where she met my father and where I was conceived.”
Airy heard a noise behind them and looked toward the door. Someone had just entered the darkened room where they’d been perusing the microfiche archives. A second later something smashed into the back of her head. She heard Fehin’s scream just before she blacked out.
13
It was dark as pitch now that the machine had been hurled to the ground. Fehin was trying to locate Airy when he caught sight of the person who hit her. Unbelievably it was Wolf. “How in hell did you get here?” he asked his brother.
Wolf smiled, showing teeth that had a distinctively canine look to them. “Hell, indeed,” he said. “It was easy—I followed you.”
“But I was with Gunnar on the boat.”
“I guess you could say I stowed away.”
Fehin moved to Airy and picked up her limp hand. “Why in Loki’s name did you hit her?”
“She was getting on my nerves and I wanted to talk to you.”
Fehin put his fingers on Airy’s wrist feeling for a pulse. It was steady. “So what is it?” he asked, lifting Airy into a seated position.
“I need your help to get my powers back. My mother had good luck here in Milltown so I thought that I…”
“I can’t help you,” Fehin said, pulling Airy closer.
“Oh, I think you can. I’ve seen your handiwork.” Wolf stared at him, his eyes narrowing. “And if you don’t I’ll really hurt this girl you seem so fond of—maybe not today, but soon. You know I’m telling the truth.”
Fehin tried not to let the creeping revulsion overtake him. Yes, he did believe him but he wasn’t about to admit it. “Get out of here,” he said, focusing on Airy. He knew his brother was gone when the putrid air in the room cleared. And a moment later Airy opened her eyes. “What happened?” she asked, rubbing the back of her head.
Fehin helped her up and the two of them headed out of the library and then slowly made their way across campus toward the dorms. On the way he explained about his brother, trying to ignore the look of horror than came across her face as he talked about their common father and the past. He tried to make it as succinct as possible but who wouldn’t react badly to hearing about the man who orchestrated a war in the Otherworld? Airy’s mother knew Brandubh as well as anyone and if the woman had any idea that Fehin was involved with her daughter she’d be horrified as well.
By the time they reached the stairwell, Airy’s face was as white as the walls. “What are you going to do?” she asked in a small voice.
“I don’t know. All I know is I have to keep you safe.”
The plan they came up with was risky and required Storm’s cooperation. “How will you get her to agree?” he asked after they’d gone over all their options.
“I’ll think of something. You know if you get caught in my room you’ll be expelled.”
Her wide-open eyes looked huge in her small face, making him long to hold her, but now was not the right time. “Being expelled is the least of my problems. You and I are supposed to be on some sort of mission that neither of us can figure out, and now my vile brother has come on the scene. If you get hurt because of me I’ll never forgive myself.”
“It wouldn’t be your fault,” she said, laying a hand on his cheek.
“Yes, it would.” He kissed her gently on the lips and then pointed up the stairs. “Go talk it over with the pirate and let me know what she says.”
“The pirate?” Airy laughed. “That’s good, Fehin. I won’t tell you what she calls you.”
Back in his dorm room Fehin stared at the floor. Brent was out for the moment, probably in a bar downtown drinking with his buddies. He’d invited Fehin along a couple of times but the idea of spending a minute longer than he had to with the guy did not appeal. Fehin was tired of listening to his ear-splitting music and watching him masturbate to pictures of naked women on the Internet. Yes, he knew all about masturbation now, had even tried it a few times. But he didn’t do it in front of Brent or anyone else. The guy was a disgusting beast.
But Wolf was worse than that and dangerous as well. He would kill Airy without any remorse whatsoever. Thank the gods Wolf didn’t have powers. He had to figure out how to get rid of him. But after an hour of coming up with nothing he decided it was time to call on Gunnar.
***
Fehin was in the woods where he’d taken Airy, trying, unsuccessfully, to call on the druid. The forest stood silent around him, an aura of waiting permeating the atmosphere. He’d been at it for twenty minutes before he felt a change in pressure, signaling the druid’s arrival. “What took you so long?” he demanded.
“I’m not at your beck and call, Fehin. And I sincerely hope this is something important.”
“Is Wolf being here in Milltown important enough for you?”
Gunnar narrowed his eyes. “I suppose that comes under the category of compelling. So when did this happen?”
“He told me he stowed away, so he’s been here as long as I have—doing what, I have no idea.”
“Scoping things out, probably. What did he say he wanted?”
Fehin scoffed. “What do you think? He wants his powers back. But the worst of it is he’s threatened Airy.”
Gunnar raised his eyebrows. “Ah, so you’ve met.”
Fehin pressed his lips together. “If you know anything about whatever this is we’re supposed to be doing you’d better tell me. I’m really pissed that you didn’t say anything before.”
“Pissed? That’s a new word for you, isn’t it? I guess you’re learning the modern lingo.”
“Don’t change the subject. I mean it, Gunnar. If Wolf hurts her, I’ll…”
“You have powers and he doesn’t. How is he going to hurt her?”
“Have you seen him lately? He’s a fucking brute.”
“More language. You seem to be picking up all sorts of new words while you’re here.”
Fehin watched him without speaking and then probed his mind, getting a glimpse of something he hadn’t seen before. Gunnar knew Wolf was on that boat. But a second later the druid shut him out.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he yelled.
Gunnar grew serious. “He’s part of it, Fehin. Wolf is part of it.”
“And what is
it,
exactly?”
“I don’t know. If I did I’d tell you.”
“So I’m supposed to put up with Wolf and at the same time complete some destiny I don’t understand?”
“You can manage it. I’ve seen what you can do.”
“What about Airy? She’s at risk as long as my brother’s around.”
Gunnar sighed. “She’s not some sniveling weak-willed girl. She’s the daughter and great granddaughter of two very powerful women and coming into her own. Who knows what she can do?”
“She’s scared and so am I.”
“That’s the proper response to danger, Fehin. You two make a good team.”
“So basically you’re not going to help me.”
“There’s nothing I can do.” The druid stared at him for a long moment and then softened. “Have faith in yourself and the girl, Fehin. I do.”
And with that statement the druid disappeared.
14
“It would only be for a short time, Storm. Did you hear what I said about Wolf?”
Airy’s roommate appeared very put out, her frown drilling into Airy from where Storm paced. Outside the sun was shining and Airy longed to be out in it. The small room felt claustrophobic and stuffy. Why didn’t any of these rooms have windows that opened?
“How do I know this isn’t some ploy for the two of you to have sex?” her roommate demanded. Storm pressed her lips together. “I can’t understand why you’re attracted to the little geek.”
Airy ignored the geek comment, focusing on the sex part, which she found embarrassing and uncalled for. “There’s no way we’re going to have sex here or anywhere else!”
“Really? I saw you two kissing.”
Airy frowned. This could be one of two things: either she was a lesbian or she didn’t have a boyfriend and was jealous that Airy did. She was betting on the latter but it wouldn’t surprise her if her roommate were gay. She knew all about this after listening in on several conversations in the lunchroom. It seemed to be a popular topic of conversation. It was the same where she came from but mostly what others chose to do or not do was ignored unless it turned into some kind of a problem. And then the druids would be called to settle differences. “We like each other. And yes, I admit I’m attracted to him. But sex? If it ever happens it will be somewhere private, believe me.”
Storm let out a long sigh. “You do know that if you’re caught both of you could be expelled.”
“We know. But I’m telling you, that brother of his is a monster.”
Storm raised her eyebrows and then smiled wickedly. “Do you think I’d like him? I could take him off your hands if he’s as burly as you say. Is he cute?”
Airy shook her head in frustration. “I couldn’t see him since he was behind me when he knocked me out. But please, don’t let me stop you from dating a psychopath.”
“According to Fehin. Maybe that description is just a bunch of bullshit.”
“Fehin wouldn’t lie about this. I trust him. Now what is your answer?”
“Just at night?”
Airy nodded. “He’ll have to come in and out before the hall monitor comes by.”
“Okay, but if I don’t like the arrangement I want it to stop immediately.”
“Thanks, Storm.” Airy threw her arms around the other girl, nearly knocking her down.
“Good god, girl. Take it easy!” Storm yelled, pulling away. “I’m not a hugger as you might have guessed had you been paying attention.”
“Sorry. I’m just so grateful.”
“You won’t be if I decide to kick him out. Remember your promise.”
Airy gave her a quick wave before hurrying out the door and down the stairwell to where Fehin was waiting. “She said yes!”
Fehin grinned and then took her hand. “Let’s take a walk in the park now that your tempests are gone.”
“They weren’t my storms, Fehin. I…”
“Calm down, Airy. I’m just teasing, although I do think you were responsible for most of it. The same thing happened on the island before we figured out what was going on.”
“I have a class.”
“So do I,” Fehin answered, gazing at her. “But we also have important things to discuss.”
“You mean like how not to get caught and thrown out?”
A sheepish grin moved across Fehin’s face. “That and a few other things that occurred to me while I was waiting.”
“If I flunk out I’m blaming you.”
By now they were walking by the windows of the classroom Airy was supposed to be in. “They can see me!” she whispered, hunching down.
Fehin glanced at the window. “No one’s looking. They’re watching the professor. Now come on.” He tugged her hand and began to jog.
***
“With all the excitement I forgot to invite you to my grandparents’ house for Thanksgiving. Do you have plans?”
They had taken shelter under a massive pine tree and were huddled on a bed of pine needles that were still somewhat damp from the recent rain. The pungent smell of resin permeated the cold air and the drip of rain droplets that never reached them made it seem like they were enclosed inside a cathedral of trees. Airy breathed deeply, mentally sending out thanks to these ancient beings. Way better than sitting in a stuffy classroom.
Fehin fiddled with a twig he’d picked up and a moment later there was a tiny figure walking across the needles. Before Airy could comment the figure disappeared, leaving behind a puff of smoke. He looked up, his eyes meeting hers. “I don’t have any plans except maybe catching up on all the homework I’ve neglected since I met you. But I’m still worried about Wolf.”