Stone of Destiny(34)

The door closed with a thud behind me and I heard Ethan’s steps coming down. The root cellar was a cool, musty stone chamber that reminded me of a burial crypt. Canning jars filled the shelves lining two of the walls.

Niamh put her hand on the far wall and a warm glow worked its way up her arm and filled the room. My eyelids fluttered shut against the intensity of the light. I forgot myself in that moment until I felt a hand at my waist gently pushing me forward.

I held my arms up to shield my eyes and took a few tentative steps toward the light. When the brightness faded, I opened my eyes. Everything seemed to slow down. Voices bounced and echoed in my head.





When my eyes focused, I saw I was in the familiar dining room in Niamh’s house in Tír na n’Óg. An enormous wooden table took up most of the room. White walls arched up around us, framed by thick roots growing to the floor.

I stumbled to the first chair and collapsed onto it. Ethan did the same beside me. I squeezed my eyes shut to wait out the vertigo assaulting my senses.

Once the feeling had ebbed, I glanced around the room. Ethan turned his head toward me. His eyes were wide and he shook his head.

“That was pretty intense,” he said as his fingers found mine.

I laughed under my breath. “You could say that.”

“How are you feeling?” Liam asked, leaning on the table beside me.

I swallowed. “I feel better than last time.” Maybe knowing what to expect made it a little easier to accept the loss of equilibrium.

“That’s good. How about you Ethan?”

“Honestly, I feel like I have a pretty good buzz,” Ethan said.

“That’s completely normal,” Niamh said from across the table.

“Just give us a minute and we can go talk to Saoirse,” I said, rubbing a hand across my eyes.

“Of course,” Niamh said. “I have a few things to take care of. Would you like to lie down for a while?”

I looked at Ethan who shook his head. “No, that’s not necessary. I could use some water, though.”

Leaving Ethan and Liam at the table, Niamh led me down a hall and up a winding staircase. We passed the weapons room I’d stopped in with Aodhan on my last trip to Tír na n’Óg.

When I thought his name, Niamh’s shoulders stiffened. She turned toward an arch and stopped, then stared at me for a moment like she was making a decision.

I haven’t said this to anyone else. But Aodhan’s absence from this journey has me worried.

She walked into the archway without waiting for me to respond. It led down a long, narrow stone passage. I heard the gurgling sound of water as we walked around a wide corner. At the end, the passageway opened into a cavern. I sucked in a breath. On one side, an underground stream bubbled past. From somewhere above, natural light poured in, casting the water a sparkling turquoise. Rocks formed a smooth ridge above the river that looked like the perfect place to sit and dip your feet in. And I was so entranced by it, I almost did.

Niamh stopped, gesturing for me to wait. I shook my head to clear it. The beauty of this place had put me under a spell.

This is where we bathe. The falls are up the river. Grab a pitcher and we’ll get some fresh water for everyone to drink.

What do you think is going on with Aodhan?

She took a deep breath and met my eyes.

I don’t know. But he was committed to making things right for you and your mother. Something is keeping him, but I haven’t any idea what it is.

I was sure Aodhan had gained several enemies over the years. His entire life was spent protecting humans from Danaans. My mind went to Aengus. When we were in Thunder Bay, Aodhan had put him into submission and ordered Niamh’s guards to “take care of him.” I assumed that meant kill him, but I never asked.

Could Aengus be alive and had he tracked Aodhan down to Liam’s house?

Aengus is dead.

Niamh answered so confidently, I knew she was certain.

But what about the others? Beside Aengus and Ciarán, weren’t there more of Aoife’s guards in Thunder Bay?

Yes, two others. I wish we saw Aodhan before we left. Something feels wrong about him not being here with you.

She led me up a narrow, snaking lip between the stream and the cavern wall. Dappled light came from high above in what appeared to be naturally formed skylights. The echoing roar of a waterfall became louder each step we took.

I think he’s done more than enough for me. More than I ever hoped for. I wouldn’t blame him if he just wanted a little break.

As we rounded the next bend, the entire cavern opened to the sky about thirty feet up. The water poured from the top of one of the moss-covered walls into a clear pool.

Niamh held out her hand and I gave her the pitcher I carried in. It floated just above her hands and she stared at it as it flew across the pool and filled with water from the falls. With a tiny flick of her wrist the pitcher returned to hover in front of me.