Page 28 of Sigils & Spells

“Shall we get out of this miserable fog?” Val asks. “I don’t know about you, sweetie, but I could use a nice, warm drink.”

Shaking off my apprehension, I let her lead me to the door. As she rings the bell to announce our arrival, a breath skates across the back of my neck. My shoulders tense.

“You’re here now, Cait. You’re mine.”

Startled, I spin around. There’s nobody behind me. Of course there isn’t. It’s just my mind playing tricks. The only other person around here is Angus, who’s busy getting our luggage from the trunk of the car.

“Is something wrong?” Concern clouds Val’s piercing blue eyes.

“No, I…..” My brow furrows as I spot something, just off to the left of the house, a great mound rising from the earth. It’s hard to make out how big it is in this fog. “What is that?”

“Dunshee Hill. Remember, I told you the house was built close to a faerie mound.”

Yes, she did say that. We’re supposed to use the hill as inspiration for our stories on this writing weekend she’s brought us all on. Val says the area has loads of interesting legends attached to it, that there’s plenty to get our creative juices flowing.

“I thought it would be farther away. Doesn’t it overshadow the house?”

Before Val can offer an opinion, the door swings open. A tall, dark-haired woman stands there. Perhaps in her late thirties, she has the most delicate features. Like Val there’s something otherworldly about her. The more I look at her, the more she starts to resemble Val. It’s quite uncanny.

“Valenna!” The woman smiles broadly. “It’s good to have you home.”

Valenna? I always assumed her name was Valerie. It’s not the way the other woman addresses my professor that makes me frown, though. It’s that she welcomed her home. I turn to Val, confused.

“I didn’t realize you were from here.”

“Oh, yes.” Val grabs my hand and pulls me into the house with her. “I was born close by. Didn’t I say?”

“No, you didn’t”

In fact, I’m sure she said she’d never been north of Edinburgh before. She said it would be an adventure to visit the Highlands for the first time with her favorite students. At least, that’s what I think she said. I scrub a hand over my face. It’s been a long day. I might be getting things muddled.

“Oh, well, it’s of no matter. Allow me to introduce you to Rowan.” She gestures to the other woman in case there’s any doubt who she’s talking about. “Rowan, this is our dear Cait.”

It’s an odd way to introduce me, but at this stage I’m getting used to Val’s quirks.

“Cait.” There’s almost a reverence in the way she says my name. Her gray eyes glisten as she clasps my hand. “I am so pleased you’re finally here.”

Oh, shit. Has she been waiting for us to arrive? I guess we are pretty late, what with the fog slowing us down. A strange, uncomfortable silence settles. The two women stare at me as though waiting for me so say something.

“I’m…eh…I’m pleased to be here.”

“Good.” Rowan smiles brightly. “Now, can I get you something to drink?”

I shake my head.

“I’d just like to get to bed.”

Val rubs my arm affectionately.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” I step away from her. “I’m exhausted.”

“In that case,” Rowan says, “let me show you to your room. You remember where the kitchen is, Valenna?”

“I do.” Val pulls me into a tight hug. “Sleep well, mo bhanrigh.”

I have no idea what she called me, but I recognize it as Scottish Gaelic. Something about it resonates with me. A snippet of something flashes into my mind, an image of a pretty, silver crown sitting on a blue silk cushion. The picture is so vivid, I could reach out and touch the beautifully crafted metal with its intricate rose detailing.

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