Page 10 of A Highland Gargoyle's Lucky Star
Once my lungs start working properly again, I sit up carefully from where I’d been slumped against the window and gulp down the last of my bottle of water.
What the hell was that?
Could our plane have been hit by actual lightning and some of it managed to get me too?
I glance out my tiny window but the sky is actually sunny and bright.
Surely this isn’t what jet lag is like, right?
The intensity of whatever happened has faded to a dull hum under my skin. I wouldn’t precisely call it pleasant, but it’s not uncomfortable or terrifying anymore.
I covertly pinch myself to make sure I’m, in fact, awake.
Yep. That was real and I’m conscious.
I take deep, steadying breaths as the plane taxis toward the terminal gates.
We’ve landed at London Heathrow, and I’m scheduled this evening to take the Caledonian Sleeper train all the way up to Inverness. From there, I’m going to wander and explore the Highlands to my heart’s content.
I turn on my phone and realize it’s barely 9:00 a.m. here, which gives me plenty of time to do a little sightseeing in London before I head to bonnie Scotland.
Getting off the plane is glorious. I haven’t flown a lot but spending a solid ten hours in coach isn’t my—or probably anyone’s—idea of fun. Following the crowd, I make my way to customs and then follow the signs for transportation into the city.
A bit of research in advance told me that taking a taxi or an Uber would be stupidly expensive. However, I managed to figure out the train system in Chicago, so surely I can learn the one here. Right?
Like the clueless tourist I am, I wander toward the train area, trying to make sense of the signs and figure out which direction to go. While I’m gawking like an idiot, I bump into a little old brownie lady and nearly knock us both over.
It’s my first time meeting a brownie, but I learned about them in school. One of the Otherkind species, they’re more commonly found in the UK—and Scotland, in particular.
She drops her purse when we collide, but I’m able to keep both of us upright. Once I’m sure we’re safe from falling over, I bend down to pick up her bag, making sure she hasn’t lost anything.
“I’m so sorry,” I tell her anxiously. “My fault. I was looking at the signs and trying to figure them out instead of paying attention to what’s in front of me.”
She waves one of her tiny hands. “Dinnae fret, luv.”
I gasp when I hear her accent, all other thoughts vanishing. “You’re from Scotland, aren’t you?”
She chuckles with amusement, her warm brown eyes shining. “Aye, that I am. I’m just here in London visiting my daughter, who recently had a baby.”
“Congratulations!”
“Ta, luv.” Her wizened, tan face studies me carefully. “You’re an American, aren’t you?”
I nod. “Yep. Chicago born and raised. This is my first trip abroad.” I can’t stop myself from grinning widely.
She pats my arm again, and I shiver at the current of energy that zings through me. Okay, that feeling is seriously weird and I don’t know what’s causing it.
She narrows her eyes, her voice coming out in a soft whisper. “How remarkable. Who would’ve imagined a Conduit would show up here after so many years?”
I blink in confusion. “What?”
She shakes her head and smiles. “Nothing, dearie. I’m Eleanor Hughes. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise. I’m Noah Price.”
She surveys me and my large backpack. “Where are you going to be traveling while you’re here?”
I sigh dreamily, my body thrumming with excitement. “I’m actually going to Scotland. It’s been a lifelong dream of mine and I’m so thrilled to finally make it happen.”
