Chills erupt as the temperature in the shop drops and Anya slowly stands up moving toward her friend. “What was that, Kathleen?” she asks looking around the shop. The doors are shut and locked. There should not be any air moving.
“It has become a regular occurrence,” she tells her moving closer. Katie fingers the cross necklace her grandmother gave her and looks at her friend. “Sometimes, I feel like someone is watching me, it’s really starting to freak me out.”
“I will stay with you until you open, Katie. I will have my Da come over and check your locks and HVAC system.” The air returns to normal and Anya looks at her friend.
“You are the best. That would make me feel better.” Katie is thankful to have her friend. Since losing her grandmother, she has no family left. They are sisters of the heart and she is reminded once again of the legends of Ireland her Granny used to tell them as little girls.
“Has there been anything else, Katie? Any unusual visitors? Any hot guys?” Anya asks with a wiggle of her brows.
“No, you know I have no time for that. I can’t remember the last time I went out.” Katie begins cleaning up and mixing a batch of mini banana bread loaves.
“Well then, tonight we are getting steamed! I will pick you up and no arguing!” she says pointing at her with red fingernails.
Katie looks at her own hands covered in dough and frowns. Yeah, definitely time for some fun. “What time?” she asks.
“Yes!” Anya says doing a fist pump. “I have missed going out with ya.” The girls laugh and plan until eight o’clock when Katie flips the open sign on and unlocks the doors.
“I will close at six tonight and meet you at The Arden House,” Katie says over her shoulder. It is a pub, locally owned and not a tourist attraction. They have an eclectic mix of music and food.
“Perfect we will start there and then move on to the new club in downtown. Lasair Mill is the hot spot! Wear something sexy!” Anya says laughing as she leaves.
Katie smiles and gets started on her day.
Chapter 2
Colin is hungry. He wants the Shadow Kings body. He is powerful and his magic will be useful in destroying the Vale. He has waited in the shadows lurking in the body of the rodent, seeking out those with any magical abilities. If properly trained the Fae have the ability to absorb magic and build the power; storing it until needed.
As magical beings, they can sense, smell, see, touch and taste magic at all times, but as Dark Fae forced to leave the Vale, they lose that ability. Colin was desperate and it was only by chance that he found the first Fae. Lurking in the shadows, he was eating from the dumpster when the fight broke out.
The rat watched distracted by the scent of blood. They were fighting over a woman, of all things. How ridiculous! He watched as the two men beat the smaller man senseless. Drunk and overpowered he tried to fight but he had no chance. Colin waited to move until they returned to the bar. When his nose catches a familiar scent, he scurries over to investigate. The fallen man is Fae!
As a rat, he absorbs magic from graveyards, churches, forests; anywhere he could find traces of power. He stored it, holding on to it for a moment just like this! Colin drops the form of the rat like an old coat and leaves the body twitching on the ground below. His spirit seizes the fallen body of the Fae and with a magical push, he shoves the spirit out, forcing it from the wounded body.
Finally, in Fae form once again, Colin stands, slowly, and feels. Pain washes over him as he stumbles against the onslaught of sensation. One eye is swollen shut, and his nose is broken and bloody. The left arm feels fractured and when he tries to breathe, he discovers broken ribs. He uses his leftover magic and forces the alcohol from his system while healing the wounds. He stumbles bracing himself against the alley wall. He feels the magic strengthening his body and he smiles. “Time to find some humans to recharge this body,” he thinks as he turns to enter the bar with a wicked gleam in his eyes.
Chapter 3
“Katie!” Anya says breaking away from the grip of a hot man. Temple Bar is a favorite hot spot. She has to yell over the noise of the music and people. Stomach fluttering with excitement, Katie smiles, and pushes through the throng of people waiting to get inside.
“Okay, I’m here Anya. What’s the plan, then?”
Anya grins at her friend. “We are going on the lash tonight! My treat. We will start here and work our way to the North side. I promise to get you home, sometime!” She slips her arm through Katie’s and drags her in the first bar, laughing.
Four hours later Katie is nursing her feet. “Don’t be such a mother hen, Anya!” Katie says shoving her. “Go on now. I’ll just be waiting here for ya!” she insists as she drinks her espresso martini.
“Fine! But you’re dancing with the next guy! My feet are killing me!” She says as she slips out of the booth and follows the gorgeous guy onto the dance floor.
Katie sips her drink and sways to the traditional Irish music, looking down at the cocktail napkin she holds. Lasair Mill, she traces the name of the club with her finger, Lasair means flame or blaze in Gaelic. Odd name for
