Breenan Series Box Set Page 5

  “I think I’ll head back to the castle. I’m sure I can manage on my own—but I’d love the company if you’re not busy.” She stuck her hands in her pockets and lifted her shoulders up, waiting for his answer.

  “Of course. Lovely night for a stroll.” He walked over to a garbage can nearby and tossed in the grease-soaked newspaper he’d been holding. “Shall we?” He spread his left arm in the direction of the castle.

  They fell into place together, a comfortable silence settling around them. Gwen peeked at Aidan, and he smiled back. To cover, she asked, “Was it fish and chips tonight, then?”

  “Yeah,” he said cheerfully. “Just the ticket for Saturday night.”

  “Were you out with friends, since it’s your night off?” she asked, curious to know more about him.

  He shrugged and put his hands in his pockets.

  “I usually keep to myself. It’s easier that way.” His face was sad for a moment. He covered it with a grin. “Besides, a bartender can’t afford to have too many friends, or else he wouldn’t sell any beer.”

  Gwen chuckled, but wondered about his answer. She said without thinking, “But you’re so…” She trailed off awkwardly.

  He broke into a wide smile.

  “So what? Say it. I could give you some excellent suggestions,” he said, his head turned to look at her.

  “Friendly,” she said with a hint of defiance. “I was going to say friendly.”

  They walked for a bit in silence. The castle gates appeared around a bend in the road.

  Aidan said, “I hope you have a good time at your fancy dress ball next week.” He kept his gaze forward.

  Gwen turned to him in surprise.

  “Did I tell you about that?”

  “Oh, I have my ways.” He whistled a lively tune then turned and winked at her as they drew up beside the castle drive. He made a flamboyant show of taking her hand and bending down to kiss it. Keeping hold of her hand, he looked up at her. “Your castle awaits, my lady.”

  His fingers were warm and dry, and Gwen could still feel the mark of his lips on the back of her hand. She tried to match Aidan’s playfulness, but her heart beat faster than usual. She surreptitiously took a deep breath to calm herself and stay in control, just in case.

  “Thank you, my lord.” She gave a little half-curtsey. “You are too kind.”

  He slowly released her hand. They looked at each other for a moment, then Gwen glanced down. “Thanks so much for walking me back.”

  “Hold out your hand,” Aidan said. He put his palm down on hers, and when he lifted it up there was a glowing ball of bluish light balanced on her hand. Gwen gasped.

  “So you don’t get lost in the dark on your way to the door,” Aidan said. “Don’t examine it too closely—you might discover my secret. And a magician should never reveal his secrets.”

  Gwen held up her hand, and light streamed out in front of her.

  “Wow, cool,” she said, marveling. “I want to learn magic tricks.”

  Aidan stood back, crossing his arms.

  “You’d better get moving. The light won’t last forever.” He looked cautious, or unsure of himself. It was an odd look on one who always seemed so confident. He stood watching her as she walked up the drive, the light falling on her path. She looked back when she reached the doors, but he had disappeared.

  Chapter 5

  Gwen lay on her stomach on the bed, idly flipping through her literature textbook with a notepad and pen beside her. Ellie rummaged through the wardrobe, the late afternoon sun catching motes of dust in the air and landing on the warm mahogany of the open wardrobe door. Gwen picked up the pen and started chewing on the end absentmindedly.

  “So, in Lanval, is the forest symbolic of the wild, or of Sir Lanval’s inner turmoil?” She flipped the page again. “This stupid essay is due next week, and I still don’t know what Marie de France was going on about.”

  “It’s the Thursday before our long weekend! Leave the twelfth century literature alone. We’ve got four days without classes, and we’re going to make the most of them. I have a full schedule of sight-seeing planned for us. And don’t you remember it’s the ball tonight?” Ellie held a faux diamond necklace against her neck and peered into the carved mirror above their chest of drawers.

  “I guess we should get ready.” Gwen snapped her book shut and rolled onto her back. She thought about her dress without enthusiasm then felt guilty. She heaved herself off the bed. “There’d better be other people dressed up tonight,” she warned.

  Ellie clucked her tongue.

  “Don’t fuss. Tamara and Braden and Jessica all have costumes.” She discarded the necklace and picked up another, this one with peacock feathers and beads. She stopped and whirled around to face Gwen.

  “Gwen. Do you have that sketch of your mother with you?”

  “What?” Gwen was taken aback. “Why?”

  “Please, can I just see it?” Ellie said. “I want to check something.”

  Confused, Gwen opened her drawer and dug around her underwear and bras. At the bottom her fingers touched raspy paper and she gently tugged the sketch out. She carefully opened it and handed it to Ellie. Ellie took the picture gingerly, Gwen was pleased to note, and peered at it.

  “Wow.” She exhaled sharply. “That is so weird.”

  “What?” Gwen was more than curious. Had Ellie seen someone? Someone who could be her mother? Her guts clenched involuntarily.

  Ellie shook her head in amazement, handing the sketch back to Gwen.

  “Corann always wears this locket around his neck. Well, last time we went out, I asked him what was inside. He gave it to me to look at.” Gwen stared at her, impatient. “I opened it, and there was a little portrait inside. It was a perfectly painted miniature of a woman’s head. She looked so familiar at the time, but I couldn’t place her. Then,” she said triumphantly, “I remembered. It was a dead ringer for your mother.” Ellie winced. “Sorry. Maybe a poor choice of words?”

  Gwen stared at Ellie, at a loss for words. Finally she blurted out, “How—why did he have the picture?” Her mind was chaos. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

  “I’m sorry. I guess I just forgot.” Ellie looked contrite. When Gwen didn’t respond, she continued. “I asked him who she was, and he said she was the ruler of his realm.”

  “What the hell does that mean?” Gwen felt cheated and a little panicky. The mystery of her mother, long since relegated to the unsolvable category in her mind, suddenly loomed large. She tried to control her breathing, closing her eyes to calm herself. She couldn’t let go now, not with Ellie in the room.

  She opened her eyes. Ellie looked at her with wariness and sympathy, and said, “I know, right? I mean, the only ruler here is Queen Elizabeth, who’s at least three hundred years old.” She paused, and said, “But look, I’ll ask Corann for more details, okay? I promise.” She took Gwen’s hands in hers and shook them for emphasis. “I promise we’ll find out what’s going on.”

  “Thanks,” Gwen whispered.

  Ellie gave her a big hug, and said, “Come on, let’s get ready. It’ll be time before you know it, and we haven’t even done our hair yet!”

  As Gwen applied makeup in the carved mirror, she tried to make sense of what she’d heard. She couldn’t reconcile the fact that her mother, the ethereal and perfect mother living in her imagination, could be embroiled somehow with creepy Corann. Gwen’s mouth twisted in disgust. Something wasn’t right with him. Her gut told her that the way Ellie acted around him was more than puppy love. The personality change, the vacant eyes—it wasn’t right, and it wasn’t Ellie. And why hadn’t Ellie told her right away about the picture in the locket? Something was not right at all. Gwen had never let herself consider that her mother would be less than perfect, and that only the gravest circumstances could have made her leave her baby. But now that Corann might know her, and know her well—Gwen’s mind floated in a sea of unpleasant new possibilities.

  “Hey, we’
re in luck.” Ellie turned her back so Gwen could lace up her dress. “Corann’s coming tonight, so I can ask him about your mother then.” Gwen’s fingers paused at the laces. Her first reaction was to question Ellie again on the wisdom of encouraging Corann. That urge was quickly drowned out by an overwhelming desire to find out about her mother. She swallowed her reservations and continued lacing.

  ***

  The great hall dazzled with lights. Sconces on the walls flickered, bringing tapestries to life, and a central chandelier illuminated the swaying dancers below. A band was set up on a dais above the dance floor. Although dressed in costume, the performers were belting out contemporary covers. Ellie looked disappointed.

  “I thought they’d have period music,” she said, sticking out her bottom lip.

  “Yeah, but nobody knows how to dance Shakespeare-style,” Gwen said, laughing. “Oh, except you.”

  Ellie sniffed then pointed at a small crowd against one wall.

  “Let’s see what’s happening over there.” She pulled Gwen forward by her arm.

  Gwen might as well have been naked as they crossed the room. Her embarrassment was almost as large as her billowing dress, which trailed long green sleeves lined with fawn-brown velvet. She knew she was being silly. She and Ellie were not the only ones dressed up in historical costumes. Ellie glanced at her face and must have guessed her thoughts, because she leaned close and whispered, “You look beautiful—honest.” She stepped back and said louder, “And who is your seamstress? She did an excellent job.” They giggled together and Gwen relaxed a little, despite the disquiet in the pit of her stomach that had been her companion ever since Ellie mentioned the locket. Her mind kept fretting over questions like a dog worrying a bone.

  There were gasps from the crowd in front of them, and then applause. Curious, Gwen and Ellie nudged forward to see. In the center of the circle stood Aidan, dressed in a short black cape with silver stars woven at intervals across the fabric. He wore a solemn, mysterious expression which didn’t entirely hide the spark in his eyes. A blue flame flickered in the center of his palm, similar to the flame he had given Gwen on her walk up the castle drive. He raised his hand and the flame trickled down his arm like water, without setting his sleeve alight. He let it run behind his head, bending his neck and moving his shoulders to let the flame travel to his other arm, where it ran down to his outstretched palm. He held out his arms and Gwen clapped along with the others, marveling.

  He put his hand out as if to stop their applause then threw the flame high into the air. Gwen was still trying to figure out the physics of that when Aidan threw his head back, opened his lips, and caught the flame directly in his mouth. He gave an exaggerated swallow then stuck out his tongue for inspection. More applause and Aidan bowed, smiling. Then he frowned, clutching his stomach. Gwen and Ellie looked at each other, alarmed. Aidan’s body heaved once, twice. The third time he opened his mouth.

  Flames spurted out high above the crowd. Girls screamed and there were shouts of astonishment. Then, as Aidan raised his arms in presentation and grinned at them all, the crowd cheered wildly. Gwen released Ellie’s hand from a death grip and cheered with the rest. Aidan bowed his way out of the circle, and Gwen turned to Ellie.

  “That was incredible. How on earth do you think he did it?”

  Ellie’s excited face started to answer, but then her eyes caught something behind Gwen. Gwen watched in alarm as Ellie’s expression drained away, replaced by a vague blankness. Gwen turned, unsurprised to see Corann directly behind her with eyes only for Ellie.

  “I’ll catch you up later, hey?” Ellie said as she moved past Gwen toward Corann.

  “Ellie.” Gwen grabbed her arm. “Don’t forget to ask him about—you know.” The possibility of finding her mother burned in Gwen bright and hot.

  “Sure sure.” Ellie’s eyes weren’t looking at her, but at Corann. “See you later.”

  Gwen was hardly appeased by this half-hearted reply but let Ellie go. She watched as the two made a beeline for the dance floor. Suddenly she fervently wished she hadn’t worn the stupid costume.

  “Gwen?” said a tentative voice behind her. She turned around to see Aidan in his star-strewn cape. He looked taken aback and a little vulnerable as he looked at her. Maybe the dress wasn’t so bad after all. “You look—amazing.” He collected himself and cleared his throat. “So. Surprised to see me?”

  She laughed.

  “Yeah. They mentioned we’d have entertainment, but I had no idea it’d be you. And those tricks—that was incredible.” The blue flame flowed down Aidan’s black sleeve in her mind’s eye, filling her with a strange longing. “I’d love to be able to do that. Where did you learn?”

  Aidan shifted his feet.

  “Oh, here and there,” he said evasively. He looked around the hall. “I’d better go do some magical mingling. I’m on the clock for another hour or so. But will you stick around until I’m done? I’d love to have a drink with you.”

  “I’ll be here,” she said, gratified, and he grinned and left. She looked at Ellie again, sighed, and went to find some of her classmates.

  ***

  Across the room, Gwen could see Ellie with her new flame. Or, more correctly, Gwen could see Ellie’s hair and the laces of her costume back, with Corann’s hands roving up and down. Gwen gave a sigh.

  “Oh, lighten up,” Aidan said with a grin as he joined her with two glasses. “So she’s having a bit of fun.”

  “I guess. Thanks.” Gwen took the offered drink, still looking toward the opposite corner. The cold condensation on the glass brought her back to attention. “What’s the drink?”

  “Relax, it’s just juice. Although it wouldn’t kill you to have one beer, you know. You’re not a recovering alcoholic or something, are you?” He glanced at her sideways, eyebrow raised.

  She gave a short burst of surprised laughter.

  “No, nothing like that.” She sipped her drink to cover the awkward pause. “So, are you all done with the gig?”

  “Yeah. They only paid me for the first two hours. Now everyone’s too pissed to fully appreciate my talents.” He flashed Gwen a smile. “Except you, of course.” He reached into the drapes of her costume’s sleeves and pulled out a slice of lime, which he carefully balanced on the rim of her drink.

  Gwen laughed and bumped his shoulder with hers playfully.

  “Nice one. Do you have a whole pantry hidden in your cape or what?” She took a sip from her glass. “So, are you waiting to be discovered? Why aren’t you in the big time? You’re awfully good.”

  Aidan laughed.

  “You think I should be the next David Copperfield? Poor man, I couldn’t do that to him. I’d hog his audiences, I’d steal all his groupies—no, I’d better leave Davy in peace.”

  Gwen giggled then glanced back at the pillar hiding Ellie and Corann. Ellie dangled a flask in her right hand, her left supporting herself on Corann’s shoulder. She looked confused, and gazed straight through the pulsing crowd as if the hall were empty. Corann bent down to whisper in her ear. She nodded, eyes glazed, and took Corann’s proffered hand. Corann led her past a suit of amour and out into the night. Gwen grabbed Aidan’s forearm.

  “Did you see Ellie? She didn’t look well.”

  Aidan’s forehead creased. “I agree. I wonder…” He left the sentence dangling.

  “You don’t think—he drugged her?” Horror swept through Gwen’s gut. Terrible images flashed through her mind—Ellie unconscious, beaten, Corann on her... “I’m following them.”

  “I’m sure she’s just a little tipsy.” Aidan gazed toward the door. “But maybe checking on her is a good idea.”

  Gwen barely heard the end of Aidan’s sentence as she trotted to the open door. Peering out into the blackness, she opened her eyes wide, willing herself to adjust to the dark. Through the dim she spotted Ellie’s sky blue gown shimmering between trees, a dark shadow accompanying her.

  “Well, come on, then,” Aidan said beside h
er. She turned in surprise.

  “You don’t have to come.”

  “I’m not going to let you go out there on your own with some potential weirdo on the loose. That sort of thing looks bad in the tourist pamphlets.” He grinned. “Come on.”

  They ran down the steps and across the lawn to the forest. Already the dew was thick, and Gwen could feel it soaking into her cheap cloth shoes. She had just lost sight of Ellie when a pale light flickered to life ahead of them. Gwen and Aidan stopped immediately.

  “What’s that?” Aidan said quietly. The light flickered like a fire, but glowed with a pale white-yellow gleam. At the sight Gwen recalled the sickly light of a chemical fire in her chemistry class, a sort of unearthly, unwelcoming light. She wondered if that was what marsh gas looked like, lit up.

  “I guess Corann has lit our trail for us. How thoughtful of him.” Aidan moved forward toward the pale flicker. “Come on, or we’ll lose them.”

  They moved forward into the woods more carefully now. There was no path in this area of the forest, and they had to pick their way over fallen logs and rustle through dead leaf litter. Gwen cursed inwardly at her floor-length gown as it caught on yet another sharp branch. An uneasy sensation began tingling in her chest. She attributed it to worry for Ellie.

  “The light’s stopped,” Aidan said suddenly, drawing up short.

  Gwen wavered for a moment.

  “Maybe we should stay quiet and have a quick look. Maybe she’s fine.”

  “Yeah, I doubt she’d thank you for interrupting if she’s actually here of her own accord.” Aidan glanced at Gwen and smiled wickedly, and she found herself blushing and glad for the darkness.

  “C’mon. I’ll be as quiet as I can in this infernal dress.”

  They crept forward again until a clump of hawthorn blocked their view of the light. Gwen got on her knees and shimmied forward until she had a view of Ellie and Corann. She tried to ignore the tingling now in her arms and torso. Aidan hesitated a moment then bent down and followed suit.