Page 110 of Positively, Penelope

A slight twinge of regret settled in Matt’s chest, but he ignored it. “I’ll find my compassion later, Grandfather. Right now, I want to set things right and beat a little sense into my brother’s head in the process.”

Matt’s phone buzzed and he pulled it from his pocket. Alec’s name showed on the screen.

He met Grandfather’s gaze and brought the phone to his ear. “Where are you?”

“Penelope is on Skree,” came the simple sentence.

“Skree? What?”

“You’ll need to collect her.” His tone sounded almost cryptic.

“From Skree?” Comprehension began a slow thaw. “Alec, what have you done?” Matt met Grandfather’s gaze. “There’s no internet connection on Skree. No one can reach her. Is that why you took her there? Alec, what is happening?”

“I’m sorry, Matt.” His voice shook. “I didn’t know it would go this far. Once I was in, he—” Alec released a huff. “Tell Gwynn I’m sorry. Grandfather too.”

Something in Alec’s voice paused Matt’s accusations. “Alec, if you need help, we are your family. We will help you.”

“Not now. It’s all done now. I can’t go back.”

“Alec.” Matt held his grandfather’s gaze. “We’ll work it out. Together. Whatever it is.”

“She’s not hurt,” Alec continued as if not listening. “I just needed her out of the way and without phone access. Niles didn’t want her contacting the touring—”

“Niles?” The heat left Matt’s body. “What is he doing with the touring company? Alec?”

“I’m sorry, Matt. If I could change things now, I would. I’d change it all.” He groaned. “Blast, you wouldn’t understand.”

“Why don’t you give me a chance to try.”

Silence followed his comment and then Alec cleared his throat.

“Penelope won’t make the Skree boat.”

And the call ended.

TheSkreeboat?Matt’s eyes fluttered closed. No.

“What is it?” Grandfather stood from his chair.

“I need to get to Penelope, Grandfather.” He rushed to the doorway. “I’ll call you on the way to tell you what’s happening, but we need to locate Alec.”

“I’ll keep trying.” Grandfather nodded, putting his phone into his palm. “Go.”

Chapter21

Nothing had prepared Penelope for the rugged beauty of the Kirk of Skree. The pamphlet called the island by its old name, Eileen Colbh, which meant Island Pillar, and once she stepped onto the rocky soil of the ancient shore, she realized why. Sharp, pillar-shaped rocks, jutting upward like towers of teeth, rose into the cloudy sky in all directions, framing the back—or oceanside—edge of the islet. The ground rose toward the rock towers, so she took the well-worn trail, and once she topped the initial hill, she peered down into a lush, green world hidden behind the “teeth” in what appeared to be some sort of crater. For some reason it reminded her of Jurassic Park. A vision of the Kronimara came to mind and she quickly shook away the thought. Nope.

Had those pillars helped create part of the legend of the Kronimara? The jaws leading to the island? She sent a smile to the pillars. Not so frightening after all.

Matt was nowhere in sight along the shore, so she continued forward on the walking trail. The largest tower of rock soared from the center of the “crater,” and as she neared it she recognized shapes of windows and doors etched out of the rock. Evidence of walled gardens and other buildings lay scattered around the area in broken stone and faded pathways. A waterfall spilled from one of the rock outcroppings into a creek encircling the main edifice. Elerk the Younger had built his kirk inside the caves of the rocks. Skree stones, in their beautiful array of colors, decorated different parts of the outside of the tower, highlighting the entrances and windows. Worn stairs and passageways led through the caves up to two overlooks: one toward the open sea and another facing Port Quinnick.

Once inside the tower, with its high ceilings made of stone, she frightened a group of locals nearby that she hadn’t noticed when she burst out in a boisterous rendition of “Climb Every Mountain.” After she made a sheepish apology, the locals seemed to realize her American status and quickly began a conversation before heading on their way.

Penelope took so many photos that her phone blinked a warning of reduced storage space. Every little turn introduced a new view or discovery: intricate wall paintings, faded with time. A few earthen vessels left for display. Carved-out watering places, which looked like ancient bathtubs or sinks. Hidden flowers within the caves, lit by a skylight hundreds of feet above. A tiny waterfall between the crevice of the rocks that dripped into a man-made basin inside the tower. An overgrown graveyard littered with stone crosses in various degrees of artistry and decay.

The design was remarkable. Unfortunately, there was no internet access, so sending copious amounts of photos to Izzy and Luke was out of the question until later. Oh, but what photos!

When the rain began a gentle shower around her, Penelope looked down at her phone for the time. An hour and a half? She’d already been there for an hour and a half?

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