Page 1 of Monster's Delight

CHAPTER1

A gustof wind blew crunchy brown leaves past my ankles as I stepped off the train in Newry. I thanked the porter who had helped me and took a deep breath. The ocean was still far away, but there was a brine in the air that tickled my nose. I smiled as I tucked the loose ends of my scarf more firmly into my coat.

I’m almost there!

My grandfather’s manor in Newcastle was the last phase before heading to school, back to Blackthorn Academy for my second year.

I couldn’t wait.

The thick heels of my knee-high boots thumped nicely across the train station floor, a counterpoint to the beating of my heart.

As expected, the car my grandfather had sent to collect me was waiting just outside the main entrance.

“Miss Doyle,” the chauffeur said, bowing as he opened the rear door of the big car.

“Thank you, Kristopher,” I replied, ducking into the warm interior.

The sun had set during the last half hour of my travels, sending spectacular reds and purples streaking across the rolling green hills. Unfortunately, the loss of light had brought the cooler winds with it, and I was trying not to shiver.

I had definitely not dressed warmly enough, but I hadn’t wanted to deal with a bulkier coat on the train.

“You have your luggage?” Kristopher asked before closing the door.

I patted my purse. “Don’t worry,” I said with a smile. “One of the first spells I learned at Mama’s knee was how to change the size of an object. I’ve got everything right here.”

“Very good, Miss Doyle,” Kristopher said, closing the door and shutting out the autumn wind, but not before a red leaf swirled into the car at my feet.

I reached down and picked it up, twirling it between my fingers. I didn’t need to look it up to identify what tree it had come from; it was a Blackthorn leaf.

Auspicious, I thought happily, tucking it into my purse as Kristopher pulled away from the station.

We weren’t silent for the entire drive, discussing my summer and the goings-on at Doyle Manor, but the closer we got to the coast, the more velvety-black the sky became, and soon conversation stopped as I craned my neck for my first glimpse of the sea.

“Enniskillen isn’t that far from the water, is it, Miss?”

“A lough isn’t the same as the ocean,” I replied, a sigh escaping my lips as the car turned right, revealing the vast Irish Sea out the side window. I scooted over to see it better, ignoring the mountains on my right for the rolling waves that I could barely make out through the darkness.

“You’ll be on it soon enough, Miss.”

“True enough.” I sighed again. The ferry would be dreadfully early tomorrow morning, and I still wanted to spend some time with my grandfather before turning in for the night.

Once more, I regretted not being able to catch the earlier train, or arrive earlier than the day before the term started. But my job at the golf course had been for the full season, and that had ended yesterday.

The manor, its outside lights ablaze, came into view, and I admired it as we approached. It was perched on the edge of the cliffside, overlooking the water like a gargoyle surveying its lands. Something inside me unclenched. Coming to Doyle Manor always felt like coming home.

Grandfather was waiting for me at the door and I practically flew into his arms, reveling in the tight hug he gave me.

“Every time I see you, you’ve grown up more, my darling Siobhan,” Grandfather said, pulling back to cup my chin in one of his big hands.

“The passage of time is not one I have yet attempted to conquer,” I teased.

“I hope you never try. Some things are best left alone,” he replied seriously. “Come. Let’s get a snack. How were your travels?”

As he led me to the spacious kitchen in the back of the house, I told him about the passengers I had met and the animals I had seen on my trip. Then, while eating through a massive charcuterie board of meats, cheese, and veggies, I told stories from my summer.

He listened intently to everything I said, asking questions about my friends and family at appropriate intervals. I think, despite the manor being full of servants, Grandfather was lonely.

“Why don’t you move closer to us?” I blurted out during a lull in the conversation.

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