Rising Moon (The Rune Stone Trilogy) (15 page)

             
But then she began noticing unusual things happening around her. She had been startled to see a few faeries in this small town. They sensed her too and would give her a nod or a smile. None of them approached her, but they knew what she was. It had unsettled her enough to send a message to Aylin and El. She didn’t know if she should be on full alert or not. Ever since she left Willoughby Island, she could feel the physical distance that lay between them, and it left her feeling vacant.

             
She took a deep breath and heard quiet thrumming. It was like dozens of hummingbird wings. She opened her eyes and gasped. Her backyard was completely lit by small lights, twinkling red and blue. She stood up and ran down her steps to the yard. When she stood in the grass the lights circled her, dancing all around her. She giggled and put her hands out. A few of them landed in her palms and she could feel their heat.
"
They got my message!
"
she squealed.

             
Then the lights stopped moving, frozen in midair, and then they soared into the forest so fast that they blurred into streaks.
"
Wait!
"
she called after them, but she heard the car door in her driveway.

             
"
Terra?
"
Blake called to her.
"
What are you doing out there in the dark?
"

             
She felt like pouting, but instead she only sighed and turned to him.
"
Nothing. Just thought I saw something is all.
"

 

             
Aylin and El flew into the Minneapolis airport and rented a SUV to drive over four hours north to Lancaster Bay. El refused to let Aylin drive because the ride from Minneapolis to Duluth wasn’t terribly interesting to her. They stayed on the main highway and it was lined with woods. There were truck stops and gas stations sprinkled around the exits every once in awhile. Her interest sparked when they crested a hill that overlooked Duluth.
"
Look at that,
"
El whistled in the driver’s seat.

             
Duluth is nestled into the hills that meet Lake Superior. The highway skirted around an industrial harbor.
"
Is that what I think it is?
"
Aylin pointed to a mountain of black shiny dirt.

             
"
Sure looks like iron ore to me.
"
El nodded.

             
"
I think Terra forgot to mention that when she told us about her hometown,
"
Aylin frowned.

             
The lake disappeared from their sight when they got closer to downtown. They passed through tunnels and the traffic was heavy making Aylin feel claustrophobic after being on the near deserted highway. El exited off onto the scenic highway that narrowed down to a single lane, following the shoreline of the lake.  The houses seemed to be built close together, hugging the shoreline.
"
How far is it from here?
"
Aylin asked El.

             
"
Another two hours north of here, about.
"
Soon they were out of sight of Duluth. The shoreline was filled with lodges and cabins advertising rentals available, obviously a busy tourist area. Majestic cliffs rose and fell away from the massive lake, not unlike the bays at home.

             
When they finally came upon Lancaster Bay the sun was low in the sky, disappearing behind the Sawtooth Mountains. They were cresting a hill when the town and vast lake spread out endlessly before them. Lancaster Bay made Duluth look like a booming metropolis. The only road into town was Highway 61. El turned off on Shore Road, which headed out onto Big Bay Point. Circling the point was a marina filled with sailboats and hungry seagulls. Older brick and weathered wood buildings held the few stores on the point.

             
Homes were scattered on the rising hill, just barely visible through the trees, on the other side of the main highway at the base of the Sawtooth Mountains. There were many people walking through town, lingering in front of storefront windows, holding small paper shopping bags and steaming Styrofoam cups.
"
Reminds me of home,
"
El muttered.

             
"
I half expect to see my floral shop around the corner,
"
Aylin nodded. She rolled down the window, surprised by the blast of cool air.

             
"
Wow, is that from the lake?
"
El frowned at the draft. The sun was warm through the window giving them the impression it was one of the last warm days of summer, but the cool air had Aylin reaching for her hooded zip up shirt.

             
"
I think so,
"
Aylin nodded.
"
The bookstore should be down here somewhere.
"
She pointed across the highway, away from the lake. They stayed on Shore Road, which curved around the point, meeting Highway 61 again, and once across it, they drove slowly, looking down each street for the bookstore sign. They only passed two blocks when El slammed on the brakes.

             
"
There it is!
"
El pointed out her window. The store was an old building with gray siding and white trim. The front windows were lined with flower boxes and large pottery pots were posted on either side of the door. A painted wooden sign hung above the door, with Bronson Books written in large white letters.
"
Go ahead, I’ll find a parking spot,
"
El said when she looked into the rear view mirror and saw two cars waiting patiently behind them.

 

             
Aylin walked into the bookstore and watched Terra helping an older woman with some books. The store was packed with books. Four round tables were squeezed into the front area, displaying art books and new releases, and the back half of the store was lined with tall bookcases. The register area was on the left against the wall. When they were finished the older woman turned and walked out, Terra never looked up at her. She was writing things down in a notebook.
"
Hello Terra,
"
Aylin said.

             
It gave Aylin a warm feeling in her heart when first Terra’s hands froze, and her eyes slowly rose to meet Aylin’s. Her jaw slacked slightly, then formed into a smile.
"
Aylin!
"
Terra jumped off her stool and ran around the counter.
"
You’re here!
"
She threw her arms around Aylin’s neck.

             
Aylin breathed in Terra’s scent, which was earthy and a little spice.
"
I have missed you, even though we didn’t have much time together before.
"
She pulled away to look down to her.

             
"
I know. I feel the same.
"
Terra smiled up at her, her golden eyes eager.
"
Is El with you too?
"

             
"
Yes, she is in the car.
"
She pointed out the door.

             
"
Thank goodness. There have been strange things happening,
"
she said quietly.

             
"
You can fill us in tonight.
"
Aylin nodded.

             
"
Yes, I will. I am going to close up and you can come home with me. You will be staying with me?
"
She raised an eyebrow.

             
"
If that suits you. Otherwise we can go to the hotel.
"

             
"
No, you can stay with me. I mean, how long are you staying?
"

             
Aylin smiled, already knowing the answer, but she didn’t know how to tell Terra. It had been a feeling that she had since they left Willoughby. It was seeded deep in her heart, heavy and a little morbid.
"
I don’t know.
"
She shrugged.

             
Terra looked at her a moment too long, she knew Aylin lied to her. But she brushed it off.
"
Let me lock up and I’ll meet you outside.
"

 

 

 

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

 

             
They followed Terra’s jeep out of downtown, climbing the steep hill rising away from the lake. They hadn’t gone far when the road made a gentle curve, and a few cabins were barely visible through the trees. She pulled into a driveway lined with a log wall that protected it from the steep incline of the lawn. A long wooden stairway led from the driveway up to the front door. Built as a sprawling rambler, the house had dark wood siding and a bright red front door. An addition at some point gave the house an ample living space.

             
Terra led them into a tiny entryway that opened to the living room. The furniture arranged around a large stone fireplace had a hand crafted look. The couch had overstuffed cushions and the two chairs on either side of the fireplace had worn leather seats and backs. A leaf quilt and fuzzy yarn throws softened all the wood in the room.

             
Terra walked them around to the right, into the dining room. It was a long narrow room that held a table large enough to be a picnic table. A swinging door off the dining room led to the kitchen and to an outside door that opened onto a deck.
"
Terra, this is a nice home.
"
Unlike the house Terra had on the island, this home was full of personality. Frames cluttered the bookshelves, books were neatly stacked everywhere they would fit, and bits and pieces of Terra’s life was evident everywhere. Aylin approved.
"
It looks like it belongs in the middle of the woods.
"

             
"
Before my family moved here my grandfather used this as a cabin. My dad and uncle lived here after college. Once dad got married he built a new house, using this for guests that came from out of town. When he died he had left it to me.
"
Terra shrugged.
"
It made Blake pretty mad, until he bought his own home. My dad and grandpa made all the furniture.
"

             
She led them back through the living room toward the hallway, and pointed out the two guest bedrooms. The first one’s door practically opened into the living room, and the second was on the other side of the bathroom. Terra’s room was at the very end of the hall. Aylin let El have the one with the larger closet. Her bedroom was large enough for a queen-sized bed, dresser with a mirror, and a chair in the corner. There was a small nightstand beside the bed and a closet in the opposite corner of the chair. The bed had a colorful quilt spread out and a down blanket folded on the end.
"
It can get pretty chilly at night here,
"
Terra said when Aylin ran her hand over the blanket.

             
"
So, we’re going to have to share a bathroom?
"
El called from the hallway.

             
Terra raised an eyebrow at Aylin.
"
Sorry, it’s not very big.
"

             
"
Don’t listen to her. I think it’s perfect Terra. I just love the handmade furniture.
"
She gestured to the four-post bed, each post was a small glossy log.

             
"
Is there food in that kitchen?
"
El asked from the doorway.

             
"
A little.
"
Terra flushed.

             
"
I’ll see what I can do for supper,
"
El said.
"
I’m no miracle worker, but I’m sure I can make something edible.
"
She winked at Terra, who glared at her.

             
"
Good, then Terra can tell us everything that has been going on.
"
Aylin stepped between them before Terra could protest.
"
For now, I’ll teach you how to protect your home.
"
She led Terra outside.
"
I’m sorry, I should have shown you this before you left, but I had no idea they’d come out so quickly.
"
Aylin touched Terra’s shoulder.

             
"
That’s okay.
"
Terra shrugged.
"
You’re here now.
"

             
"
Right. Well, let’s take a short walk into the woods.
"
She led her out to the backyard and into the woods. As Terra watched, Aylin directed her focus at the ground. After a few minutes she stopped and bent down.
"
Here we are.
"
She picked up two twigs.
"
Just need…
"
Her head whirled around until she spotted another twig a few paces to her left. She snatched it up and pulled out a small strand of bright red ribbon from the pocket of her jeans.

             
"
There are certain types of trees that we favor. Three of them are in your backyard: oak, ash, and elder. Take a twig from each, from the ground, never break it off the tree, bundle it together with red ribbon and bury these bundles around the perimeter of your property. Anyone that is unwelcome to you won’t be able to cross this line.
"
She reached in her pocket and handed Terra several short strands of the ribbon.
"
The more bundles you have the better.
"

             
"
So no witch could come here?
"
Terra asked.

             
"
Well, not necessarily. We’ve been fighting against only one coven of witches. There are other covens in the world that are good, and they are harmless to us. So it’s not a protection to all witches, no. It works against humans too, you know. Anyone that you don’t feel is welcome, and now that El and I are here it would be if we thought they weren’t welcome either. The protection will feed off of our combined emotions. It can sense if we feel we are in danger.
"

             
Terra’s yard was rather large, so they buried five bundles on each side of the property. Once done Terra could immediately feel the cloak of protectiveness stretching over them like a large invisible dome. She felt safe.

             
"
That’s perfect. Plus, in a week or two some thorn bushes will appear around the property also. It’s a sign that this house is of the fae, and only the welcome may cross onto it.
"
Aylin surveyed the yard.

             
"
Like at your home? I noticed it the first time walked through your entrance. It felt like it was finding out if I were a threat or not,
"
Terra said, the memory very clear of her breath quickly leaving her.

             
"
Yes.
"

             
"
Aylin, I’ve lived her for a few years now. Why haven’t they grown yet?
"
Terra frowned, looking around the perimeter.

             
"
It all comes down to acceptance. For the first few years that you were a faerie, and didn’t know it, it meant that you were confused and unfocused. Now that you are more aware and gaining power things will fall into place.
"
Aylin said.

             
Terra chewed on her lip for a few moments.
"
I still have a lot to learn.
"

             
"
In time Terra.
"
Aylin put a hand on top of Terra’s.
"
I promise to teach you every little trick and spell I know.
"

 

             
El couldn’t find anything worth making into a meal, so Terra was sent to the Blue Sister’s Diner to pick up dinner. She returned with salads, broiled chicken, and potatoes. Once they were all fed and leaning back against their chairs, they began questioning Terra.

             
There had been quite a bit of unusual happenings in town. There were hikers that would come into town and ask the locals about strange rock formations that could be seen from some of the trails that went deep into the woods that hadn’t been there before. Another hiker reported she saw a few women around campfires lighting incense and arranging the rocks. The hikers didn’t disturb the women, only thought they were a bunch of aged hippies starting a new cult.

             
Several residents reported a man in town asking a lot of questions about religious formations or something else that couldn’t be explained. He came into the bookstore one day on Terra’s day off and sat down with her mother, and for an hour he pestered her about the history of the town and if there were any formations in the woods that couldn’t be explained. He was looking for families that have ancestors from the area, and any kind of ancient local histories.

             
A few days later Terra was in the bookstore, repairing books in the stock room, when she heard her mother becoming very upset. She went to see what had been going on, and the man had returned to ask Mary, her mother, more questions. The man seemed terribly confused as to why she seemed so upset.
"
I told you already, I’m not answering any of your damn questions!
"
Mary stormed around the counter, shaking her fist.

             
"
But you sat down with me the other day, and said I could come back anytime.
"
The man frowned.

             
Terra was peaking through the crack in the door, and Mary didn’t see her when she snuck a glance at the doorway.
"
You’re making things up. I don’t have time for this.
"
She pushed the man out the door, and less than an hour later she left claiming a pounding headache. Terra couldn’t explain why, but it was sending alarms off in her radar.

 

             
Rising early the next morning, Aylin wandered out onto Sable’s Point near the Trading Post. The thin peninsula consisted of irregular sharp boulders. The end of the point slipped in and out of the water with the crashing waves. The chiseled look of the rocks made perfect seats or steps with their natural formations. Some areas of the rock held small pools of glassy water. The point offered no protection from the cold wind that blew off the lake, but it gave a boater’s perspective of the town.

             
It was cold, and she had goose bumps under her sweater, but she stayed where she was. The waves crashed into the rocks, making her feel at home near the water’s edge. She laid her palms on the cold stone on either side of her and let the earth speak to her. The rocks here were old, years of taking the beating of the water, polishing the surface into smooth worn stone. She allowed her energy to pass through her into the rocks, and she was given the same in return. The motion of the water sent waves up her arms, filling her heart with its happiness and it’s sorrows. The rock had been lonely as of late, no other being had connected with it for a long time, and its energy was overwhelming to her. She had to push down the feeling of excitement that traveled through her along with years and years of memories of shifting and movement, of erosion and it’s most treasured of being warmed by the sun, she was used to the slow laziness of the trees around her cottage.

             
She tried to move through the rock, to the water. The lake was calm, and soothing, as opposed to the stone around her. The water was deep and cold, with layers and layers of creatures moving around in it. Aylin’s eyes flew open as her current had reached a distant shore. She couldn’t visibly see it, the distant shore was hidden by the curve of the earth, but she had felt something. Something that she hadn’t expected, another faerie. By the motion of the shield around her, she was a water faerie, possibly a lake faerie. 

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