“That’s better. The stone curse is gone. Now Princess Cora can play with me.”

The sound of Jewel’s voice wasn’t comforting as Cora fell to her hands and knees on the marble floor of the MacGregor home. Tears threatened to fall as she scrambled back to press against the front door. She closed her eyes tight, willing it all to go away. None of this could be real. Any moment, she would wake up, and this would all be a vivid nightmare created by years of reading and maybe a fever.

“Shall we be pirates?” Jewel asked in a whisper, her breath tickling Cora’s cheek.

Cora gasped at the close contact and opened her eyes. She blinked in confusion as she realized no one was where she had seen them a second ago. The room was empty. Had she willed them all away? A chill settled over her body like a cold blast. Her hands shook. She didn’t feel like herself. Her nerves burned with a strange current as it stung her fingertips and toes.

Raibeart loomed over her with a wide grin. He wagged his brows, and his tone was low as if trying to be seductive. “How ya doin’, lassie? Is that a new power charge you’re carrying or ya just an inthrall to my magick?”

A small squeak came out of her mouth. Cora had no idea what that meant, but she could guess the gist of it.

Jewel sat down next to her by the front door. Cora jumped a little, startled, and leaned away from the powerful child. She didn’t want to be back under the girl’s control. She wanted to be home, in Oklahoma.

Jewel didn’t seem to notice any apprehension as she hugged Cora’s arm. The child laid her head against her. Small fingers worked against Cora’s skin as if seeking comfort.

“Daddy’s mad we ran away,” Jewel whispered. “He’s coming.”

That didn’t sound good at all. Maybe if Cora didn’t move, she’d melt through the door, and no one would notice as she ran away.

“Oh, wee thing, I’ll not let anyone harm ya,” Raibeart soothed.

“Who…” Cora took a deep breath, wondering if this was a new game. If they were princesses than Daddy was most likely a king.

Please let him be one of the good fairy tale kings. Not the kind who locked their daughters in towers, or pissed off witches, or…dammit, I need to read more fairy tales.

“Who’s Daddy?” Cora finally managed to get the words past her trembling lips.

Jewel pointed toward the dining room and then buried her face between the back of Cora’s arm and the door.

The man who appeared in the doorway hardly looked like a king. In fact, he looked very much like a dad, the kind that went to PTO meetings and coached soccer games. He hardly appeared to be a threat. Though, neither had Jewel.

“Kenneth?” Raibeart eyed the man for a moment as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. His hand trembled as he lifted it. Then, as excitement burst out of him in a loud shout, he rushed forward to hug the man. “Kenneth, you’re home!”

Kenneth stiffened and did not look pleased about the embrace. His hands balled into fists. He pulled back, and Raibeart let him go.

“Laddies,” Raibeart yelled toward the stairs. “Laddies, come look!”

Only Rory appeared at the shout, rubbing his eyes as if he’d gone to bed early. He wore pajama pants and an oversized t-shirt. His bare feet hit the steps with stilted purpose—two steps, pause, three steps, stop, one step, yawn.

“What is all the yelling about?” Rory demanded. Raibeart pointed a finger. Rory’s gaze followed it to Kenneth. “Who are ya—holy shit.”

“Rory.” Kenneth nodded once in acknowledgment even as he walked toward his daughter. “Jewel, come on. We have to go.”

“Go?” Raibeart demanded. “Ya just got here. We need to call your parents. They have been consumed with worry over ya.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t have time to explain,” Kenneth answered. He knelt beside Jewel and stroked her hair. “Time to go sweetheart. Ya know why.”

Cora felt the child’s fingers digging into her arm. “She doesn’t seem to want to go with you. Maybe we should contact the authorities and make sure—”

“Authorities?” Rory laughed. “What authorities would that be, love?”

“Police?” Cora thought that answer should have been obvious.

“And tell them what? Ya were forced to drive across the country by a magickal child?” Kenneth asked. His tone was not as pleasant as that of the others. She guessed he made for a very stern father. “Ya will be confessing to kidnapping.”

“Well, no, I mean…” Cora didn’t want to move, still of the hope that if she kept still everything might return to normal. “I didn’t kidnap her.”

“I know that, and I am sorry ya have been affected by my daughter’s play. Thank ya for taking care of her and keeping her safe.” Kenneth’s expressions softened briefly. “I can see she’s done something to ya. I would advise ya to stay here after we leave. My family will help ya.”

Cora reached her arm across Jewel to hold the child next to her. She wasn’t sure why, but the gesture came on instinct. “What will you do to punish her for running off?”

“I won’t harm her,” Kenneth said.

“Then why is she so afraid of you?” Cora demanded. “Why did she run away?”

Euann rushed into the front hall, breathing hard. “Watch him. Kenneth has new magick. He can slow time. Don’t let him get away.”

A bruise had formed on his chin, and he appeared as if he’d been in a fight. Cora met his gaze and held it. She wasn’t sure why, but she found comfort in his nearness. The churning inside of her calmed.

“I don’t have new magick. That was part of Jewel’s game. She wanted to confuse me so I couldn’t catch her,” Kenneth said. “She can’t control me directly, but she learned she can alter the time around me. Now that I caught her, the game is over, and I’m taking her home.”

“Ya can’t go,” Euann insisted.

“Everyone relax,” Raibeart commanded. “Kenneth, you’re home where ya belong. Ya will stay with the lassie here. That is an order from your elder.”

“Thank ya for the offer but—” Kenneth began.

“Did that sound like an offer? I’ll petrify ya if I have to,” Raibeart warned, “but ya will not leave this place until ya have seen your poor ma and put her at ease. Ya broke her heart when ya went missing.”

That seemed to dent the hard shell Kenneth obviously carried around his emotions. His expression changed into one of regret, or was it sorrow? Cora couldn’t be sure which.

“Are the protection spells enforced?” Kenneth asked.

“Yes. I’ve seen to them. With the power emanating from this land, they are stronger than ever,” Euann said. “You’re safe here.”

Kenneth didn’t look so sure. His eyes darted around the room as if assessing danger. His attention lingered on the door and windows. He finally nodded. “Maybe for one night.”

“We have a room set aside for ya,” Rory said.

“Ya do?” Kenneth frowned. “Why?”

“Because your ma never gave up hope of your return,” Raibeart said.

“None of us has,” Euann added. “Where have ya been, Kenneth? What happened? Please, ya have to tell us something.”

Kenneth didn’t answer.

“Jewel found me in Oklahoma,” Cora supplied. “If that helps?”

“Oklahoma?” Euann repeated. “Was it a portal? What happened? We lost your trail in West Virginia. We only made it that far because I tracked your credit cards.”

Kenneth still didn’t answer.

“It wasn’t anything magickal, was it? Ya just left us.” Euann’s eyes widened in realization. “All this time, ya never tried to contact us. Ya just left without word. That is why ya won’t answer the question.”

The feeling that settled over the front hall was impossible to describe. Silence filled the home, and even the air seemed thick and motionless. The only tangible thing pulsating over the room was the feeling of heartache.

Cora watched the members of the MacGregor family. When no one spoke, she asked, “May I ask something?”

All eyes turned to her.

“Why is everyone acting like this is okay and normal? I’ve been freaking out since the moment I met Jewel. Before then the most magic I’ve seen is from illusionists on a Vegas stage.”

“You’re thinking about magic tricks,” Rory said. “We possess something much older, real magick. All that ya think is impossible just became possible.”

“But don’t be scared,” Euann tried to reassure her. “We’re just like ya. We’re not bad people.”

“Only a few centuries older,” Raibeart put forth.

“Centuries?” The word came out an uneven whisper. “You’re nothing like me.”

“Ya think we would be better at explaining this to humans,” Euann mumbled.

“Jewel, let’s play the sleeping game,” Kenneth whispered. “I’ll give ya a head start.”

“One, two, three,” Kenneth and Jewel counted in unison, only to have Kenneth finish on his own. “Four.”

Jewel sighed, fast asleep.

Kenneth lifted the child off the floor, away from Cora. He looked Cora over, longer than she would have deemed appropriate. “I am sorry.”

“It’s fine,” Cora said, even though in a lot of ways nothing about this adventure was fine. “I’m sure she meant no harm.”

“Raibeart?” Kenneth nodded once at Cora.

“Aye, I see it,” Raibeart answered. “We’ll look after her.”

“What am I missing?” Rory asked.

“She needs to stay here, too,” Kenneth stated, not looking at Cora again. He adjusted his daughter in his arms. “Where can I put Jewel?”

“Rory.” Raibeart pointed up the stairs by way of a command.

“Ya can put her in Malina’s room. Follow me.” Rory led Kenneth up the stairs.

Cora pushed to her feet but stayed close to the door. She felt dizzy. “Why are you looking at me like that? What do you see?”

“Ya have a mark of sorts,” Raibeart said.

“Don’t scare her,” Euann stated.

Raibeart didn’t stop explaining. “Ya were in the presence of the phoenix for too long. But don’t worry. We can help ya.”

“It’s not just that,” Euann added. “She gave ya magick during one of her games. When ya were sleeping, she had me…”

“He laid one on ya,” Raibeart supplied, pursing his lips to give an air kiss. “Muah!”

Euann held his arms to the side and added, “I gave ya a quick peck on the mouth to break a sleeping curse. I promise, no advantage was taken on my behalf.”

Cora touched her lips. He’d kissed her, and she’d missed it? The tingling in her body hadn’t lessened. She felt different. “What kind of magick? What’s wrong with me?”

“Don’t be afraid. The effects might not last.” Euann held a hand out for her to take. “Please, stay and rest. You’re safe here, I promise. In the morning, we will try to discover the answers to your questions. My brother has a lot of explaining to do.”

Cora trusted him. The sting of her new magick lessened when he was near. She hesitated before taking Euann’s hand. “I’m frightened.”

“Don’t be. For as long as ya need it, my home is your home.” Euann walked her away from the front door toward the stairs. His eyes were kind, and she didn’t feel threatened. “May I get ya anything? Are ya hungry?”

Anything but cookies.

“I think I need a drink,” she said, partly joking.

“That’s my girl!” Raibeart clapped his hands and disappeared into the dining room.

Cora stood alone with Euann in the front hall. She didn’t release his hand. His touch eased the current in her nerves and helped her to think clearly. “I keep expecting to be woken up at any moment by my alarm clock telling me I need to go to work.”

“Where do you work?”

“I have a job as a library manager overseeing special collections, or at least I did. I’m not sure I still have my job after disappearing for days without checking in. The director is a stickler for rules and won’t be happy with my being a no-show.” She gazed at his hand on hers, compelled to speak. “I also work with an English bulldog rescue sanctuary. Though really, we help all dog breeds. It just started with English bulldogs. My apartment doesn’t allow pets, and I can’t afford to move, so it’s a way I can play with several dogs instead. I was on my way home from a transport run when Jewel found me at a gas station.” She gave a small laugh and pulled her hand away. “And I don’t know why I’m running on at the mouth. You probably didn’t need that big of an explanation to answer your question.”

Cora realized she sounded nervous like they were on a first date. She glanced around the marble and oak foyer. Correction, like she was on a first date with a freaking Rockefeller.

“My uncle has an English bulldog. We call him Traitor,” Euann said with a playful grin. “Fergus loves that dog, dresses him in the family tartans.

Cora chuckled. “I’d like to see that.”

“Here we are! I have single malt scotch, American whiskey, Canadian whiskey, and, ah,” Raibeart adjusted an armful of bottles, causing them to clank loudly, “and…sherry? Sorry, that one’s a mistake.”

“I think she probably meant water,” Euann pointed out.

Raibeart looked confused.

“No, I meant a drink,” Cora corrected. She pointed at Raibeart’s arms. “Vodka?”

“Um…?” Raibeart glanced over his shoulder.

“Whiskey’s fine,” Cora said. “Tall glass.”

“Whole bottle—well, half bottle work?” Raibeart sat the bottles on the floor before grabbing one that was half-full with a caramel-colored liquor. He handed it to her without waiting for her to answer. The label indicated it was a rye whiskey.

“That works.” Cora nodded. Anything to take the edge off. With Euann’s touch gone, the stinging came back. “Thanks.”

Raibeart grabbed his own bottle, leaving the others on the floor.

“Whiskey drinker. That’s my girl. She’s more Scots than ya, Euann,” Raibeart teased, only to add, “Want me to pour ya a glass of sherry?”

Euann frowned at him. “I’m good. Thanks.”

“So, Cora, can I ask ya a question?” Raibeart grinned.

“No,” Euann answered for her. “Cora, if ya would like, I can show ya and your bottle to a guest room.”

“Let the lassie speak for herself,” Raibeart protested.

Euann touched her elbow, and she again felt the effects of his nearness. He led her up the stairs. Under her breath, she asked, “What was he going to ask me?”

“Ya have to ignore Uncle Raibeart. That attic light dimmed long ago.” Euann gave a small smile to show he was joking.

Cora opened the rye and took a small drink. The liquor burned, and she coughed. Maybe asking for hard liquor wasn’t the best idea. Then again, couldn’t hurt. She took another swig.