Unknown Magic Page 2

  He shook his head to clear his mind, wondering what the hell he was thinking. Why now, after all this time, have our paths crossed again? Does she remember how she got out of the warehouse that night? Does she know all that happened from the time their kidnappers brought her and her mother in?

  The endless stream of questions flung him back in time. He lay in the cold, cramped cage, overwhelmed with dizziness and pain. It had been over a month, so he was almost immune to the smell. He needed to dispel the drugs from his system to do something about it.

  At least he figured out how they gave the narcotics to him. Hunger gnawed at his stomach, but the weakness of hunger was less draining than the drugs in his body they hid in the food.

  A tinge of his magic returned. Just a couple more days and he would be strong enough to get out of here. He cringed as the little girl three cages down wailed once again for her mum. Poor little thing, how could these bastards torture a child; did they have no consciences?

  Suddenly his skin tingled and urgency coursed through him. He jumped to his feet, throwing himself against the door. On the second try, it burst open and he toppled to the ground. Strength he knew could not be his alone had him barreling from one cage to another yanking each door off its hinges.

  Then he was in front of the little girl’s cage. Her eyes grew as big as saucers as he pulled her cage door open. At first, she cowered from him, but then visibly relaxed. “I want my mommy.”

  When she climbed out of the cage, he grabbed her shirtsleeve with his teeth and tugged her toward the door. Once there he threw all his weight against it until it groaned and sprang open. He dragged her into the woods and nudged her under a bush; staring into her eyes, silently ordering her to be still and quiet.

  He ran back toward the warehouse. Even from this distance, he could see the chaos as both animals and people clambered to get through the door. Before he reached it, the ground shook with such force it knocked him off his feet. A giant fireball erupted from the building. He lay there horrified as the smell of burnt flesh and fur wafted toward him in the smoke. “NOOOO, MOMMY. NOOOO!” The young girl’s painful cry brought him out of his stunned stupor and he charged back to the sobbing child.

  It took days to get her home. As weak as she had become, he was not sure she would survive. He returned to check on her weeks later, once he gained enough power and strength to turn back into human form, only to find her family had left the area.

  Those horrible events from his past faded, bringing no answers, just more questions.

  Now, by luck or fate, she rented a cabin across the lake. The man with her was not one of them, unless he had the ability to mask his power well.

  Wanting to distance himself from the questions, he decided a run in the woods would help clear his head. As he took off toward the trees, an enormous black wolf, with yellow-green eyes, replaced the raven-haired man.

  Chapter Two

  Megan woke to voices in the next room. She listened as she snuggled beneath the down comforter.

  “She was screaming, ‘No! No! Mommy…No!’ when I woke her,” Megan heard her father say. “She said she was saved by a wolf and that it tried to go back to help Bernadette. The place exploded before the wolf could get there. That’s all she remembers.”

  Another voice blurted out. “Bloody hell. How could she have been there during that time? Maybe that is why Bern did not turn and rip them apart. They must have used Megan to control her. But there is no way she could have traveled thirty miles in two days. She was just a wee bit of a thing.”

  Megan strained to hear and place the other person’s voice.

  “Just witnessing what went on in that warehouse could explain her memory loss. It still doesn’t explain the coma. The doctors never figured out the cause for that.”

  “Well, it does give me something more to go on. The Garda never released much information about the warehouse, other than the fact that they found the remains of ten bodies and a dozen animals.

  Unable to make out everything they were saying, she climbed out of bed. Grabbing her robe, she jammed her arms into the sleeves and went to the door.

  “Dammit Jim, she will be turning twenty-five in less than three weeks. She needs to know what to expect.”

  She eased the door open just a crack so she could make out their words better, but the conversation stopped. Puzzled, Megan ventured down the hall and into the great room. She found her father and her uncle, both holding cups of coffee looking out the window. She could see the tension in both of their stances.

  “Uncle Donovan!”

  Megan went flying across the room and into her uncle’s arms, barely giving him enough time to put his cup on the windowsill. He swung her around as though she were weightless, as he had since she was a child. Then he set her on her feet, an arm’s length away, to look at her. His eyes misted.

  “Now tell me, how is my Little Bit?”

  Megan always loved the way her uncle said her nickname with his thick Irish brogue. She could sit for hours and listen to him talk. Uncle Donovan always said her mother’s voice sounded almost the same as his, except ‘her voice was as soft as a dewy petal and as sweet as fresh honey’.

  “I’m great.”

  “You would not be telling your old uncle a wee fib, now would you?”

  “No, I feel so happy here. It’s as if I belong in the open space instead of in the city. And don’t call yourself old. As far as I can tell, you never age.”

  Laughter filled Donovan’s eyes. “Ah, now that would be me strong Irish blood. But enough about me, what is this your Da was telling me about a nightmare you had last night?”

  Megan explained what she recalled from her dream. How she sensed if she could just remember that missing time, she would finally feel complete. As she spoke, tears trickled down her cheeks. Until her uncle put his arms around her, before sitting down and pulling her into his lap, she had not realized she was crying.

  “Now, now Little Bit, I think things are starting to come to you. Give it time and do not push it. Surely, it will all come back soon. Maybe it is being here in this place that has started your memories returning. I know how much you loved your Mum when you were little. A great bit of your difficulty lies in not being able to even remember her. However, I can tell you she loved coming here, which may have a hand in why you feel closer to her here and why your memories are starting to emerge.”

  Megan felt drained, but at the same time, excited. Maybe her Uncle Donovan was right. Maybe by immersing herself in one of her mother’s favorite places, she could finally find her lost memories. Her stomach let out a noisy grumble. She placed her hand over her stomach and gazed at the floor. Her hair fell over her face like a curtain and through it she glanced between her father and uncle. “Have you eaten yet?”

  They both shook their heads.

  “I’ll go make us some breakfast.”

  “Meg, sweetheart, I’ll go make some bacon, eggs…and pancakes? You take your shower and get dressed. Then you and Donovan can go for a walk, while I go into town for some supplies.”

  “That sounds great.” She jumped up, gave her dad a hug and kiss, and then trotted off down the hall to her room to get her clothes and take a shower.

  During their walk after breakfast, Megan immersed herself in the beauty of the area. The trees towered tall and lush. Framed by the mountains behind and cradling the valley below, the trees looked as if they were stirring the clouds. A mixture of peace, tranquility, and comfort washed over her. She let it consume her, as she listened to the sounds of the forest. “Why do I feel like I belong here? I’ve lived in the city all my life. Yet, this seems much more like home to me.”

  “Now, Little Bit, that is where you are wrong. You did not live in the city all your life. In fact, the first eight years of your life you lived in a cottage in the woods in northern Illinois. It was a very beautiful area with a stream, and many paths winding through much of it. You and your mum would take walks all the time.”


  Megan felt puzzled. “Why’d we move? Where was that? Dad never said anything to me about living in the woods.”

  “After your Mum died, your Da moved into the city to be close to you in the hospital. Once you were better, he just never wanted to go back. I told him he should take you back there, but he could never bring himself to return after all that happened.”

  “I know he misses her a lot. He gets the saddest look anytime I ask him to talk about Mom or what happened to her. It breaks my heart to see it, but I have to figure this out. I feel so lost, and I know if I could just remember that day, the rest would fall into place. I would feel whole again.”

  “Now, I believe you will be remembering more and more over the next few weeks. If you have any questions, you just come to me and I will answer everything I can. I know it tortures your Da to relive the memories when talking to you about any of it. He wishes you would just forget it and move on with your life.” Lifting his hand to ward off her objection, he continued, “And, I know you cannot do that.” Her uncle squeezed her shoulders.

  “I will be staying here now until your birthday, so, please do not hesitate to come to me any time you like. You know, when you were young, we used to talk all the time, even when I was not with you in person.”

  Megan halted, as though she slammed into a wall. Everything within her pointed to the fact she was on the verge of some recollection. Then, as abruptly as the moment came, it passed. She shook her head trying to clear it.

  “What is it, Little Bit?”

  “I’m not sure, it’s like I remembered laughing at something you said. But you weren’t even there and...oh, never mind, it doesn’t make any sense.”

  “Now, Little Bit, just because something does not seem to make sense to you at the moment, do not be writing it off. Our mind is a wondrous thing and can do more than you could ever imagine.”

  They continued walking in silence until they reached the lake. Megan scanned the beauty of the area.

  “Little Bit, I am going to the cabin. I have a few things to do. Will you be coming back with me?”

  “No. I think I’ll stay a while, enjoy the sun’s warmth, and relax.”

  “Aye, then I will leave you to it.” He leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek. “I will tell Jim where you are so he will not worry.” Turning, he retraced his way back down the path.

  She watched for a moment then climbed up on the ledge she had discovered and gazed out over the lake. Every time she sat here, a comfort, she had no explanation for, enveloped her.

  From across the lake, Seamus watched as the red-haired man kissed the young woman on the cheek, then turned and headed back toward their cabin. A surge of uncontrolled anger roared through him, as his mouth snarled the word, “Mine!”

  Where had that come from? He did not even know her. Yet, he felt a deep-rooted sense of ownership as if somehow she belonged to him. He rescued many people that night. Why was his tie to her so strong?

  As he watched, the woman stretched out on the ledge like a kitten enjoying the warmth of the sun. She fascinated him. She seemed lost in herself without a care in the world. He must have remained frozen in position watching her for thirty minutes, but he just could not take his eyes off her. Suddenly she jumped up as if something bit her, something he could not see, but he reacted as she went toppling over the ledge.

  Megan lay with her eyes closed enjoying the peacefulness surrounding her. She felt almost weightless, as if she were floating in the clouds. The breeze picked up, playing with the hair framing her face, and she began to feel like she was flying. She imagined she was an eagle soaring above the lake. She opened her eyes and for a split second, she thought she actually was looking down from above. It startled her so much that she jumped up too swiftly, slipped, and tumbled from the ledge.

  Before she reached the ground, what felt like two bands of solid steel caught her. She looked up into the most stunning pair of jade-green eyes she had ever encountered. She could see the rolling hills of Ireland in them and his face was that of a god.

  “Are you all right? Did something bite you? Did you hurt yourself?”

  “Ah, no, I was daydreaming and something I thought I saw startled me. I jumped up and lost my balance. I’m sure I would have hurt myself if you hadn’t caught me. Thanks.” Then her eyebrows drew together in puzzlement. “Where’d you come from? How’d you get up the side of the ledge so fast?”

  Her rescuer hesitated before he answered. “I was taking a walk and saw the ledge. It looked like a great place to relax for a while. I started to climb up just as you were tumbling down. I did not see you up there, or I would have made some noise to alert you of my presence.”

  Megan studied him once again, from close proximity as he still had her in his arms. He looked as dangerous as he looked gorgeous. His hair was obsidian, long, and pulled back from his face much like the style all of her uncles wore. This man’s face was all lines and angles, and those eyes…ah…she could lose herself in them.

  He lifted her back onto the ledge and took a seat beside her. He stretched his hand out and introduced himself. “Seamus O’Kelly. Glad to be of service.”

  Megan extended her hand. The moment their fingers touched what felt like a jolt of electricity coursed up her arm. She snatched her hand back and rubbed it on her jeans, not caring if she looked strange. What was that all about? Composing herself, she said, “My name is Megan Tully, and thank you again for saving me from breaking my neck.”

  “It was my pleasure, believe me.”

  It amazed her that this gorgeous man, who had just saved her from a real hurt, spoke with the same accent as all of her uncles. He had to be from Ireland as well. How unusual that he would be here in the Rockies at the same time she and her family were. She looked into those gorgeous green eyes and asked, “Where are you from?”

  “I was born in Ireland, but have lived here in the States for many years. I am on holidays, and I so enjoy this area. I used to come here often, but have not had much of a chance to in the last few years. How about yourself, are you here on holidays as well?”

  “Yes, I’m here with my dad. I was here a lot as a kid, but this is the first time we’ve been back since my mom died.”

  A painful look crossed his face as she mentioned her mother’s death. Strange. “We came out to celebrate my birthday. My one uncle always enjoys making a big production out of it.”

  “So what age will this make you then?”

  “Twenty-five.”

  “A great day then, you must be excited.”

  Megan shrugged. “It’s just another day, nothing special.”

  She watched him draw back and suck in his breath.

  “Lass, what do you mean nothing special? It is your twenty-fifth birthday. That is very special for a Tuatha.”

  “A what? What are you talking about?”

  Seamus stared at her, a strange look shadowing across his face. “Who is your guardian, and why has he not prepared you for your empowerment? What has happened to you since the kidnapping?”

  Megan froze. How did this man know about that? It hit her that she was by herself, too far from the cabin for anyone to hear her if she screamed. Now she feared he might be one of the people who kidnapped her.

  When she first saw this man, she thought he looked dangerous but at the time it only added to his gorgeous features. Now, she wondered if she should have jumped out of his arms and run for the cabin without looking back. Okay, Megan, just play dumb and watch for a chance to get away from him. “What are you talking about?”

  He gave her another strange look, and then turned his back and stared out over the lake. She wondered what he was thinking about doing to her. She had to get out of here as fast as she could. Before she got a chance to move a muscle, he turned around again and disbelief etched in his face. “You really do not know, do you?”

  Becoming agitated with the stupid questions he was asking, she all but yelled, “Know what…what are you talking about?”
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br />   For a few more minutes, Seamus stared at her before he got up and began to pace.

  Megan watched him in apprehension. His behavior unnerved her, yet some of the things he said began to spark something just out of reach. His movements mesmerized her. He reminded her of a great jungle cat. His muscles rippled as he moved with grace and elegance. Yet, he looked ready to pounce on her in a single move.

  Settling himself beside her again, he said, “Okay, let me try this. This is as short as I can make it. The Tuatha Dé Danann are a very powerful and magical people. We have been around since the dawn of time. Our children come into their power at the age of twenty-five and thirty depending on their sex. Up until that point they develop minimal powers such as telepathy and telekinesis.”

  Megan held her hand up to stop him. “Wait! You're telling me I’m a Tu…whatever? I have no powers. I can’t talk to anyone by using my mind and I certainly can’t move objects without picking them up by hand. I think you’re mistaking me for somebody else.” That must be it. He had mixed her up with someone else. Yet, something kept nagging in the back of her mind. Something that was right there. She just couldn’t quite grasp it. Still—how did he know about her kidnapping?

  “No, Megan I can feel your power. I know it was you...” He stopped speaking; his head went up, and he looked past her. Megan turned to look in the same direction as her father came into sight.

  She turned back and asked, “How’d you know—” but he was gone. She stood and looked around, but to no avail. Where could he have gone so fast and why?

  Jim came barreling up to the ledge Megan was standing on. Megan could tell by the scowl on her father’s face he was not happy with her. She hoped he hadn’t seen her talking to Seamus. He would go ballistic. He had always been so protective of her that it sometimes became overbearing. She knew he was afraid of losing her again, but there were times when she needed to be alone. Now was one of those times.