Page 39 of A Keeper of Time

“As I’ve explained to the lass here, we can no’ undo what Evanore has done.”

A pang of disappointment and anxiety hit Angus in the gut.

Melusina seemed to understand what he was feeling and so she quickly added, “But we can use magic of our own to produce the hidden house.”

“Is it nearby?” Cailin asked.

“Aye,” Maggie said. “It should be right here, somewhere.” Her arms spread wide as she indicated the area.

They all glanced around as if they expected to be able to find the house they’d been unable to see to this point.

“The whole time Edna’s been so close and yet it feels as if she has disappeared completely,” Angus shook his head in disbelief. “When will ye do it?”

“Do what?” Daire asked.

“Make the house appear.” Angus furrowed his brown with concern and looked to Maggie for help.

“Uncle, doona worry. They’re going to get the house to appear and then hopefully we can coax Evanore out to explain herself.”

“What of yer aunt? Will she come out?” Angus asked.

“We’ll have to see what happens,” Melusina said.

Angus didn’t care for that response. “What kind of witches are ye? If me Edna were here she’d ken exactly what to do.”

“Well, she’s no’ here now, is she?” Melusina stuck her nose in the air and turned away from Angus, making a show of surveying the area.

“Uncle, be patient. All will be well.” Maggie took hold of his hand and looked him in the eye. “Ye believe me, doona ye?”

A sad smile appeared. “Aye. I do.” He was proud of her and what she’d accomplished. Maggie was capable of doing more with one of her spells than all of the assembled warriors combined. He put his complete trust in her.

“We’ll need some time and some space, so if ye’ll all go back to the fire and wait, we’ll get to work.”

Exchanging skeptical glances, they moved away. Angus sat in a position that allowed him to see what they were doing as they worked.

The three from the Council stood huddled in a circle where they whispered to each other, sometimes nodding their heads and sometimes shaking them. They broke the circle and Daire held out an arm inviting Maggie to join them. She hurried to do so.

Again they huddled and whispered before breaking into a line, facing away from the camp area. They raised their arms in the air and in commanding voices began an incantation. Or at least that’s what Angus thought it must be. They repeated the words he could not understand over and over again. Slowly he began to see something emerging. It started at the ground and brick by brick it seemed to grow and then row by row until an entire house appeared.

The women lowered their arms, applauded and turned to each other with bright eyes and wide grins. Angus could tell they were happy with the results and that maybe they hadn’t been so sure their spell would work. He hoped it was the right house they had conjured up.

“Shall we?” Melusina motioned to the women as they all headed to the door of the house intent on going in.

***

“There’s someone at the door,” Evanore said, eyeing Edna from across the dining room table where they were silently eating breakfast.

“Ye should answer it then.” Edna’s somewhat snarky response came with the knowledge that whoever was at the door was someone who knew how to find the invisible house.

Evanore appeared uncomfortable and unsure of herself, which put a smile on Edna’s face. It was obvious Evanore wasn’t expecting anyone. She set her napkin on the table and pushing back, rose from her chair. She glanced suspiciously at Edna, who merely shrugged.

A spark of hope grew inside of Edna as Evanore opened the door a crack and then shrank back away from it.

The door opened further revealing Melusina, Mardella and Daire. Edna thought she couldn’t be happier, but then Maggie entered. She took one look at Edna and ran to her.

“Auntie are ye alright?” she asked, hugging her tight.

“Aye. I’m nae worse for wear. I’m glad yer here.” The relief Edna felt was so overwhelming that it brought tears to her eyes, which she quickly brushed away before Maggie could notice.