Page 36 of Rise of the Melody
“There are worse things than death,” Aunt Lorna said, making me shiver.
We dashed across the yard and driveway, crouching down as if walking upright was somehow less conspicuous. But when we got to the edge and looked around, he was gone.
“I swear,” I said. “He was standing right there.” I pointed. We peered all around before Aunt Lorna shook her head.
“Well, he’s gone now. Let’s lock up. I’ll place a spell.”
“I’ll help you,” Mo said. “And then I’ll leave you girls to it. But call me if you need anything.”
The three of us went back inside. I watched, enthralled, as Aunt Lorna and Mo sprinkled salt and several herbs across the doorway. Mo stood back as Aunt Lorna closed her eyes, speaking in Scots Gaelic. When she was finished, I had chills. “What did you say?”
“It’s a spell of protection. A ward against magical break-ins. Though the harbinger certainly didn’t seem bothered, so it may have been a human.” She petted CooShee on the head.
“Do you do these kinds of spells too?” I asked Mo.
She shook her head. “I mostly dabble in the spiritual realm.”
“Like ghosts?” I asked.
She tilted her head side-to-side. “Yes, partly.”
“Do we have ghosts here?” I asked, and immediately wanted to take back the question when her lips pursed.
Aunt Lorna gave a dry laugh. “I wouldn’t ask questions you don’t want the answer to.”
“Yeah, never mind,” I quickly amended, making them both chuckle.
“The whole island has a lot of spirit activity,” Mo said. “Too much unsettling history.”
Goosebumps rose up on my flesh, making me shiver as I scanned the area again.
We said our good-byes to Motifa and watched her safely off, then rushed inside and locked up tight. Aunt Lorna patted my cheek. “Try and rest.”
“Wait,” I said. “Did you know CooShee can do magic with his mind? He unlocked the door and opened it on his own.”
Her eyes widened. “I did know they were powerful. I’ve heard things, but that’s very good to know.” She smiled at the wolf creature with respect. “What else don’t we know about you, boy?”
He huffed through his nose, making me wonder if he was laughing at us.
I hugged my aunt good night and went up the wide steps. Back in my room I turned off all the lights and cuddled back into my nook, closing the window and locking it this time. The bird was gone. I’d forgotten all about it. I stared down at the rocks glistening with moonlight, trying to remember the shape of the guy. Was he wearing a beanie with hair coming out of the edges? Or was I making that up? My eyes glided all around the visible property, but the only movement was the water. I stared until my eyes hurt and I finally fell into a fitful doze through the night.
Chapter10
No Mercy
The next morning, I was surprised to find a used beach cruiser bike on our porch with thick tires, perfect for the gravel. Ron had dropped it off early before his shift. It was navy blue with a slightly busted up basket and small amount of rust on the spokes, but otherwise it was decent. The seat was wide and comfy and the tires were strong. I’d ridden a bike to middle school every day because it was farther than I wanted to walk. Seeing the bike now, I realized I’d missed riding.
“Do you need my help this morning?” I asked Aunt Lorna, who watched me on the porch with a cup of tea.
She waved a hand. “You go on. I’ll be fine here. Wait.” When I turned back to her, she had a resigned expression. “Please, Letty. Be careful. I know Teague MacCray seems like a nice boy, and I’m sure he is, but you don’t want to stoke the ire of Bryant MacCray. He holds your fate at the moment, like it or not.”
“I know,” I promised her. “I’ll be careful.”
She sighed and raised a hand to say good-bye, sipping her tea.
I grinned and jumped on the bike, CooShee by my side. I put his harness on him and his leash in the basket. Mornings and nights were super chilly here, but when the sun came out it was gorgeous, and this was one of those times. My worries faded as I rode briskly into town, passing short walls of stacked rocks covered in moss and vines. In town, I waved to random people who waved to me first. Strangers! Waving at me in all my scary teenagerness! But I didn’t mind. Those small kindnesses were cute.
I was beginning to like the word cute, ugh.
