Chapter 15
Elodie wanted to take back the words, but she couldn’t. Scott would’ve found out anyway. Still, that didn’t make the truth any easier to swallow.
“Stay here,” he told her and walked out.
Elodie almost called him back. Was he leaving to tell all of Skye her dirty secret? Perhaps it was for the best. She was tired of carrying the burden. Tired of pretending to be something she wasn’t.
What stung the worst was that she had been foolish enough to think Scott and Filip might actually help her.
Elodie should’ve known that good things didn’t happen to her.
She looked down at her right hand, thinking again of the heat that had moved through her at Scott’s touch.
She had to fight to keep from staring at him.
From running her fingers through his thick, dark hair.
From thinking things she had no right to fantasize about.
But it had been so long since she had felt those stirrings deep inside her. The temptation to see if there was more and if Scott could make her feel something was too enticing to resist.
Elodie bit her lip as she thought about how quiet the cottage would be when he and Filip left.
She’d thought she wanted solitude. Then Scott’s smile and seductive voice had her sharing things about her past that she had never told anyone.
Things that would no doubt make the rounds on Skye soon—secrets never lasted long on the island.
Scott suddenly returned to her room, startling her. He didn’t spare her a glance as he went to the window and held up his hands as he chanted a warding spell. It hurt her heart to see him doing magic that she had taken for granted. She couldn’t take her eyes from him.
When he finished, he lowered his arms and looked at her. “Filip and I have made sure the house is protected.”
“Thank you.” It had taken everything she had to stay in the cottage. Now, she didn’t want to leave.
Scott drew in a long breath and released it. “Do you want to talk about it?”
She didn’t have to ask him what he was referring to. “Not really, but the truth will come out eventually. I can’t hide it anymore. I’ve been careful about what I’ve said around Edie. We haven’t really discussed magic, so I haven’t had to say anything to her. Yet.”
“Your sister doesna know?” Scott asked with a frown.
Elodie met his gaze and looked away. “It’s not exactly easy to talk about.”
“But you had magic before?”
“I did. I didn’t heed the warnings not to use it frivolously. Instead, I used it for everything. Small things. Big things. Stupid things. Needless things.”
Scott leaned back against the chest of drawers. “How long has it been gone?”
“For so long that it’s a distant memory.” Finally, she looked at him.
“Bloody hell,” he murmured.
She twisted her lips. “Exactly.”
“Did it go all at once?”
“No. It was gradual. I didn’t notice it at first. Spells that had once been easy took more concentration. Then, sometimes, they wouldn’t work at all. Until one day, it was gone for good.”
Scott’s lips pinched together as worry clouded his face.
Elodie wanted to believe he was troubled about her, but they barely knew each other. This was something else entirely. She wanted to ask about his thoughts, but he likely wouldn’t tell her. Not now. She would discover what it was, though.
“Have you tried using magic since you returned to Skye?” he asked.
“There are only so many times a person can attempt something before it becomes too painful to even consider.”
“But…this is Skye. Your home. The isle of the most powerful Druids in the world,” he argued.
Elodie shrugged one shoulder. “I think I’m better off without it, honestly. I did some careless, selfish things with my magic. This is my penance.”
“I doona believe that.”
“You weren’t here. The anger you saw at the pub? They have every right to their feelings.”
He snorted and shook his head. “Maybe if it had just happened, but that was over fifteen years ago. It’s time everyone moved on. Including you.”
“I’ve been trying.”
“No’ while on Skye.”
She cocked her head to the side. “What is your fascination with the island?”
“You grew up here, so you can no’ possibly know how other Druids dream of it.”
Elodie let her knees fall apart to sit cross-legged. “All Druids are welcome. Skye was always meant as a refuge for those with magic.”
“I’m no’ sure other Druids know that.”
“Then let them know.”
He eyes grew intense. “You should try magic again. One more time while you’re here.”
“I can’t. If I’m unable to do it… I’m at the end of my rope. It would likely end me.”
Scott’s lips softened. “You wouldna have to do it alone. I’d be there. So would Filip. I know your sister would, too.”
The offer was appealing. More than it should be.
She had thought about her magic a lot in the long hours of the night when she hadn’t been able to sleep.
She’d almost tried the first spell she had ever learned so many times, but she’d chickened out at the last minute every time.
She hadn’t lied to Scott. If she couldn’t do it, if the magic didn’t return, she would have nothing.
“Filip spoke about how Corann and his deputies took each of you to a place where the magic filled you. Where’s yours?”
Elodie debated whether to tell him. She knew what he would want next, and she wasn’t sure she could give it to him. And yet, she told him anyway. “The beach.”
“You’ve no’ gone, have you?”
“No,” she answered in a whisper.
Footsteps sounded down the hall. A moment later, Filip’s voice reached them right before he peered around the doorway to her room. “Um…guys? I think we should contact Rhona about the limb.”
“I agree,” Scott said.
Elodie wanted to argue, but if it was drough magic, Rhona needed to know. Skye had a few droughs but they kept to themselves and didn’t bother anyone. It was why Corann—and now Rhona—allowed them to stay.
“Both of you really think someone sent that limb here?” she asked.
Filip quirked a brow. “It’s obvious.”
“Aye,” Scott said.
She glanced at the window. “There are other houses around. Maybe the magic missed its mark, especially with the storm.”
“A magical storm,” Fillip added.
Scott caught her gaze. “Rhona needs to know whether it was meant for you or someone else. The magic used on that limb is serious.”
The more Elodie thought about it, the more she knew that Scott and Filip were right. However, it would mean telling Rhona about her magic. She really didn’t want to do that. She would’ve preferred that no one knew—too late for that now.
Elodie pulled out her phone and dialed the number she had gotten from her sister. It rang only once before Rhona answered. “It’s Elodie,” she said. “I think you might need to come to the cottage.”
“Are you hurt?” Rhona asked.
“No.”
“We’ll be right there.”
Filip jumped when someone cleared their throat behind him. Filip swallowed heavily and looked at Elodie as he stepped to the side. “Rhona and Balladyn are here.”
Elodie’s gaze slid to Scott. He shot her a smile that was probably meant to comfort her, but nothing could make this any better.
The three of them went to the kitchen where the couple waited in the pale light of two candles.
That quickly changed when Balladyn snapped his fingers, and a ball of light suddenly appeared over them, so bright it was like the electricity had returned.
Rhona searched her face. “You warded the cottage heavily. Tell me what happened.”
Elodie didn’t want to take credit for the wards, but there was no point in stating that now. It would come out eventually.
“It might be better if we show you,” Scott said.
Balladyn’s gaze locked on him. “And you are?”
“Scott Ryan,” he told them. “I’m from Edinburgh.”
“He was good friends with Kevin. Scott came with me to help with…things,” Filip added.
Rhona watched Scott for a few moments. “Is this your first time on Skye?”
“It is,” he admitted. “It’s a beautiful place.”
The tension in the room became a little awkward. Rhona seemed to accept Scott, but Balladyn didn’t appear as willing. Elodie’s heart thudded in her chest. The friction she felt was likely due to what was coming. She felt like a young girl about to be reprimanded by her parents.
As if sensing her discomfort, Rhona’s gaze slid to her. “Why don’t you show us now?”
Elodie glanced at her parents’ door. This couldn’t be the first time she walked into the room. Not with so many eyes on her.
“Follow me,” Scott said and started down the hall.
Elodie shot him a grateful smile as Rhona and then Balladyn moved past her.
Filip paused beside her a moment. He winked before following the group.
Elodie didn’t budge from her spot. She heard Scott showing them the limb and then Rhona’s outrage at the drough magic.
While neither Scott nor Filip had been able to remove the thick limb, Rhona did it easily. Balladyn then repaired the damage.
All too soon, they were back in the kitchen with Elodie.
“I’m glad you called,” Rhona said. “I have to agree with Scott and Filip. That limb was meant for the cottage.”
Elodie crossed her arms over her chest, feeling cold and hollow. “A place that has been empty for years. Until I returned.”
“I admit, it’s been long enough for people to forget and move on. Sadly, some of them like their grudges.” Rhona’s lips flattened. “The fact that this is drough magic makes it easier to track down who might have sent it.”
Scott stood beside Elodie. “If they live here, you mean. What about someone visiting?”
“What are you not saying?” Balladyn demanded in a calm voice that didn’t match the fierceness of his gaze.
Filip glanced at the floor. “Kevin was murdered in Edinburgh. He isna the first Druid to be killed.”
“And he willna be the last,” Scott added.
Rhona looked between the two men before focusing on Filip. “Why do you think Kevin was murdered?”
“The message left with him. Bàs ort.”
“Death to you,” Rhona said with a frown.
Scott nodded. “It’s the message that’s been left with all the slain Druids.”
The worried look that passed between Balladyn and Rhona concerned Elodie. “Surely, no one would dare come to Skye and try such a thing.”
“A lot has changed,” Rhona said with a hint of anger.
Scott jerked his chin outside. “This storm isna natural.”
“We’re aware,” Balladyn replied.
Rhona’s lips compressed. “And we’re working on it.”
“There’s a chance Elodie has been targeted,” Scott continued. “Whether it’s about her past or what we’ve been dealing with in the city, I’m no’ certain.”
Rhona tucked her long, red hair behind an ear as she swung her gaze to Filip. “Were you going to tell me about your brother? About what’s happening in Edinburgh?”
“Aye,” Filip replied.
Balladyn’s brows drew together. “How many Druids were killed in Edinburgh?”
“Six in the last five weeks,” Filip answered.
Rhona shook her head. “Why that city?”
“It isna just Edinburgh,” Scott said.
Rhona pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed, then looked at Elodie. “Perhaps it might be best if you stayed with Edie.”
“If someone is after me, I’m not endangering my niece and nephew,” she said.
Rhona didn’t look pleased with that announcement, but she accepted it. “Balladyn and I can add wards to the cottage.”
“Thanks. I did want to talk to you ab—” Elodie started. It was time to get the truth out.
But Scott spoke over her. “She would appreciate that.”
Elodie parted her lips to argue, but he quickly shook his head.
Since Elodie didn’t want to share her secret, she took the opportunity and remained silent.
But she knew she would have to tell Rhona sooner or later.
It would never be easy to tell anyone that her magic was gone.
Yet by remaining silent, she only made it more difficult on herself.
“No more Druids are dying on my watch,” Rhona mumbled.
Elodie forgot all about her secret as she witnessed firsthand how Rhona and Balladyn shared their magic.