Page 17 of Kissing the Kelpie

“The horse responds to ‘Finn.’ Em said he heard you call him that. Anyhow, When Em figured out what he was, he made a magic bridle with a silver bit and a cross decorating the vines holding it all together. He’s tame for the moment and can’t hurt anyone. Em’s just upset that Finn won’t speak to him. He won’t tell Em how he found the forest or why he’s here. And then there’s the necklace.”

“What necklace?”

“Kelpies wear a silver chain, and whoever has it controls the kelpie. But this kelpie had no chain. He had to have one, but Em can’t find it, which is making him angry.”

I shrug, doing my best not to care. I don’t. To prove that, I’ll hand over the chain he gave me. I couldn’t take it off fast enough when I saw what Finn turned into. It’s on the floor somewhere near my bed. Probably close to the basin I threw up in.

I don’t have the strength to deal with that now. I’ll give it to her later. For now, I just want to close my eyes. I don’t speak to Erin again. I’m not sure when she leaves, but sometime before sunset, I drift off to sleep. Into the land of cursed dreams.

Mike takes me to an outdoor concert at night. The violin player wears a tux, and we have front row seats. The crowd roars after the first song. The second song, the man playing the beautiful music looks me in the eye. His blue eyes hold me paralyzed. He plays until I stand and dance, happy and smiling. The music doesn’t stop playing. Not even as Finn sets down the violin, takes my hand, and holds me close as we dance until the moon gives way to the sun.

I shoot up, sitting upright on the couch. I moved too fast, and now the room is spinning. My stomach clenches and spasms. My heart beats like I’m running for my life. I need to see Finn. I crawl on my hands and knees, hoping to get to the basin before the bile comes spewing out again.

Chapter 12

“Mama!” Ana runs into my arms. I close my eyes and smooth my daughter’s hair as I hug her tight. I kiss her head over and over until I feel her tense up and push her tiny hands against my shoulders.

“Mama, let go.”

What kind of mother am I wallowing in my shame and humiliation? Ana’s all I need in this world. I don’t even know how many nights she’s been away from me. Three? Four?

“I missed you so much, baby!” I kiss her on the cheek.

“I missed you too!” She pulls out of my embrace completely, and I think I’m going to crack in half. “I’ve been having so much fun. We made loofahs and played games all day. The fireflies made a movie for us last night. At least, that’s what Aunt Erin called it. She said she misses movies and thinks you’ll like it when we get them to do it for you, too.”

“I’m sure I will.”

My eyes find Erin. Part of me is thankful that she’s taking such good care of Ana. My daughter doesn’t seem to mind this separation at all. The other part of me is furious that she’s allowed this to happen and didn’t stand up to the thing she calls her husband. Especially now that he has Finn trapped.

It’s hard for me to see Em as anything but a monster now. He may play make-believe and put on a human skin, but he bleeds blue instead of the crimson that runs through our veins. He’ll only ever be an imposter.

“I’m glad you came.” Erin gives me a sympathetic look. “I take it you’re feeling better?” She sounds hopeful.

I shake my head. “I threw up twice on the way here. I barely made it.”

“Come, sit.” Erin takes my hand and leads me to the rock slab they use as a table. “I have extra brimberry for you. I was going to bring it, but since you're here. . .”

“No. I can’t eat. Just thinking about food makes me sick.”

“If it’s a virus, the brimberry will help you feel better.”

“It’s no virus. It’s the fact that I let that thing . . .” I look to see my daughter’s reaction. Nothing. She’s none the wiser that I’m not feeling well. There’s no need for her to know either. I’ll be fine in another day or two, when the shock wears off. Ana’s happy being here and playing fetch with Fang, and that’s the way I want to keep it. “Never mind.”

After a few more attempts to get me to eat, I take a small sip of water infused with brimberry to appease her. I worry if I say no, she’ll force my mouth open and squirt a brimberry directly in it. As much as I hate to admit it, that little bit of water goes a long way to make my insides feel less like a shriveling plant.

With a trifle of energy rushing through my veins, I’m ready to face my demons. Literally.

*

The sharp crack of a whip sounds, followed by a loud shriek of pain. I look to my side and find Safra’s wide eyes staring back at me.

“Hurry, girl.”

We rush toward the fray. Each time I stumble, Safra stops and waits for me to steady myself. I don’t know what’s happening, but I know it’s bad, and I have to stop it.

Closer to the river than Em likes for me to be, but far enough that I still don’t see the water, is a small clearing. Finn stands in the center with thick layers of vines wrapped around each of his legs from top to bottom, crisscrossing above and below him, then stretching around four different trees.

Finn’s head hangs to the ground. His legs shake and look like they’re so strained he’s having difficulty balancing. Even though he can’t speak or move, I know he’s weak and pained. I feel it.

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