Page 33 of Rise of the Melody
“How does it open?” I asked.
She nodded and blew hair out of her eyes as she ground turmeric root. “It takes three druids, and it can only be on a solstice when the barriers between realms is thinnest. There’s a chant that must be done, but only the Synod know it.”
“And it was a solstice that night?” I asked.
“It was.”
Hm.
After that, we worked quietly until Aunt Lorna went inside for the almond oil. As I potted some rosemary, I felt the distinct sensation of someone watching me. My head bolted upward and I stared into the forest, scanning quickly as my heart raced. Was someone, or something, out there?
My mind went to the guy with light eyes, causing my heart to thump even harder. But he wouldn’t be here. That was a random meeting. Logically, I knew that, but?—
“I’m back.”
I jumped and let out a high-pitched holler, making Aunt Lorna laugh.
“You okay? I didn’t expect to give you a jump scare in broad daylight.”
I pressed my soiled hand to my chest. “Gods. I thought I felt something out in the woods.”
“Ah.” Her face fell as she looked out. “I’m sure this kelpie business has you on your toes.”
Yeah…the kelpie. That’s what I should have been worried about, not some hot stranger who I should never want to see again. But speaking of the kelpie, I asked my aunt, “When can I start, like, training or whatever?”
“Today,” she said. “As soon as we’re finished with this mess.”
We worked a couple of hours until everything was done. Aunt Lorna set up the wax stations, adding drops of various oils, and I swept the floor.
“Now what?” I asked.
She stood taller and let out a big breath. “Now we remove your cuff.”
My heart gave a hard kick and I swallowed. “Okay.” I’d worn it almost my whole life and felt nervous about removing my safety net.
“What if…my voice?” I asked.
“You won’t hurt me,” she promised. “Your mom never wore a cuff.”
She led me to the front yard, and we sat on the porch steps. The sea breeze and sound of the ocean calmed my nerves. Aunt Lorna held my cuff in both hands, stared hard at it, and whispered the same words Mayor MacCray had.
Thoir an glas dheth.
A gap formed and she gently pried it open. She slipped it off and stepped back, just as a heady rush came over me. We both gasped at the same time, and she dropped the cuff, grasping her arms.
“Letty,” she whispered, looking surprised. We locked eyes as I hugged myself.
Everything around me became more vivid. The sound of the birds and bugs and waves. The blue of the sky. And my skin…I was buzzing as if I’d been the one to drink that shot in the dark. Like my whole body was brimming with caffeine and energy. I could run all the way to town right now without resting. I stared at the small drop off where our land met the sea and had the urge to stand there and sing in a vibrant operatic voice to keep everyone far away from us. The deep sensation gave me chills.
“This feels weird,” I admitted.
“You’re very, very strong,” she said slowly.
“Is that bad?”
“No,” she chuckled. “It’s just that I’ve been around some powerful mystics in my life, and nobody has given off that kind of burn. Your dad was the closest to this.”
I frowned. “I feel like that’s bad.”
