She scooted forward in the uncomfortable chair and nervously tapped her toes on the floor.“Come on,” she said with a quiet groan.“Let’s do this.”
“Here he comes,” Emily said.
A harried man loped toward the waiting area, dodging passengers and their luggage as he shrugged on the official blazer that told everyone his untimeliness was the reason they hadn’t boarded yet.When he reached the counter, he flipped on the microphone, making it squeal so loudly that everyone cringed.“Sorry about the last minute boarding, folks, and the noise too.Nothing wrong with the plane, mind you.Everything tickety-boo there.”
“Tickety-boo?”Jessa gave Emily a hard side-eye.“I think I’ve changed my mind.”
“Non-refundable, Jess.”Emily grabbed her by the arm and tugged her to her feet.“Come on.We’re going.This trip’ll do you good.Especially when Jeremy sees all the fun you’re having without him.”
Jessa swung her backpack onto her shoulder, purposely whacking her friend with it in the process.Of all the people for Em to bring up right now: lying, two-timing Jeremy.She clenched her boarding pass even tighter as they lined up and slowly made their way to the jittery and quite possibly overly caffeinated airline worker scanning the passes.“I’ve blocked that jerk on every site,” she told Emily.“My doings are no longer available for his viewing pleasure.”
“Yeah, well, I haven’t blocked him, and I’m tagging him in everything.”Emily hugged her cheek against Jessa's and held up the phone for a selfie.“Smile, Jess.Big smile that tells the world you’re loving life without that loser.”
Jessa faked a wide smile that made her cheeks ache while second-guessing this trip to Scotland for the thousandth time.But as Emily had said, the tickets were non-refundable.“No more selfies for a while, okay?”
“Whatever you say.”Emily showed her boarding pass to the attendant, went through the door, and disappeared around the turn.
Jessa held out her pass, but when the man tried to take it, she couldn’t seem to let it go.
“Madam?”He tugged on it again while giving her a fakeplease, lady, can we just get on with itsmile.“I need to scan it, and then you may have it back.I promise.”
“She’s just a little nervous about flying,” Emily told him as she rushed back, yanked the pass out of Jessa's grip, then gave it back to her once he’d finished with it.
“I’m just a little nervous about life right now,” Jessa muttered as she plodded down the ramp behind Emily and stepped onto the plane.This last year had sucked the life out of her.The breakup with Jeremy right when she’d thought they were about to make things permanent.Laid off from her dream job.The carjacking.An unexpected hike in her rent, or, to be more accurate, losing her apartment and having to accept Emily’s parents’ charity.She almost gagged at the thought of being so desperate and needy.She had always been independent and adventurous, but this harsh run of bad luck had her ducking for cover over the slightest things.
They found their seats and stowed their bags under the seats in front of them.The rest of their luggage was in the belly of the plane.Or, at least, Jessa hoped it was there since they planned to stay in Scotland for a month.As a popular influencer, Emily could run her business from anywhere, and as a freelance digital creator, Jessa could as well.The lady from the cottage they’d rented in Seven Cairns had assured them of passable cellphone reception and marginally better wireless connectivity.If all else failed, they were within an hour’s drive from Inverness and several reliable possibilities they could access for little or no additional cost.
“Our adventure is set.”Emily excitedly patted her on the arm and winked.“Maybe we’ll even find your Mr.MacSexy.”
Jessa closed her eyes, pulled in a deep breath, then eased it out while concentrating on relaxing.“I’m sure all we’ll have to do is look upMacSexyin the phone book, and it’ll lead us right to him.”
“It’s going to be all right, Jess,” Emily said with rare but genuine seriousness.“I feel it.”
“I hope you’re right, Em.”Jessa kept her eyes tightly closed.If she opened them, tears brought on by anxiety and worry might escape.She faked a yawn.“This patch is making me sleepy.If I snore, nudge me.Okay?”
Emily pressed a tissue into her hand, then gave her arm another squeeze.“I promise it’s going to be all right.”
With all her heart and soul, Jessa hoped her friend was right.
* * *
Mairwen shuffledthe tarot deck while waiting for the rest of the Council.She idly dealt them in her favorite layout and slowly turned them face up.The familiar smoothness of the cards with their worn, faded edges felt like a chat with an old friend.Ah, but old friends were rarely so cryptic when they offered advice.The somewhat confusing symbolism of the cards could be troubling to those who took them too seriously.Some mortals were afraid to sneeze without the colorful cards’ permission.She laughed and re-dealt them.Those mortals should focus on looking within and connecting with the higher energies.That thought made her slowly shake her head.It seldom worked that way.Mortals rarely took the wisest path.Guiding them was much like herding cats.Of course, not all of them possessed the ability to embrace the powers, and more often than not, those blessed with the auld ways shied away because they feared what others might think.
A wry snort hissed free of her.Then there were those who couldn’t connect with the energies if their lives depended on it.Yet they conned the world into thinking they were the ultimate mystics and seers.The wealth and fame they attained by manipulating the fears and beliefs of others were lowly and without honor.Little did they realize that everything they sent out into this world would eventually return to them times three.Retribution would come and not be pleasant when it did.Karma never forgot or overlooked anyone.
She picked up the cards and shuffled them again, finding their quiet shushing between her hands pleasant and calming.This era’s ever-increasing fascination with the mystical made her apprentice Keeva’sappmost effective.Mairwen paused and made a face.Was that the correct word?App?After a moment of study and sorting through her memories, she nodded with certainty.Yes.That was it.App is short for application, Keeva had told her.Mairwen often wondered where her wily apprentice came up with such things, but the dear girl did spend a great deal of time among the mortals studying their interests to gain more clarity about joining them with their fated mates.
Keeva’s zeal and devotion made Mairwen hum a prideful little tune.She had been wise to select that particular young one for training.Few would devote so much energy to understanding the complicated yet treasured mortals.The apprentice had quickly discovered that evolution among those they sought to match seemed to follow an uneven pattern, much like raindrops spilling down a glass.Some raced along, advancing, learning, and readily accepting that which the energies offered.But then others stubbornly clung to the same spot as if fearing to move in any direction.Odd yet exquisite creatures, they were, and it was a Divine Weaver’s honor to guide them while protecting the strength of the ancient Veil.
“They’re coming,” Keeva announced from the doorway of the meeting hall.“Most are, anyway.”
“Most?”Mairwen tidied her stack of cards and set them aside.“Allare needed to prepare.Our guests are due to arrive this evening.Where is Killian?He can help ye bring them along.”
Keeva wrinkled her nose and tucked a strand of long hair that was currently dyed a deep purple behind one of her ever so slightly pointed ears.“He’s fetching the dark ones.I passed the word amongst the light.”
Mairwen folded her hands on the table and gave her apprentice a sharp look she knew the lass would take to heart.For Keeva to become a Master Time Weaver, she needed to overcome her insecurities about dealing with the Weavers of the Dark, those who guided mortals with conflict, curses, nightmares, emptiness, and hate.“Next time, I want ye to be the one to fetch the dark and Killian to fetch the light, ye ken?”
“Aye, Mairwen.I will.”Keeva chewed on her bottom lip and glumly stared at the floor.“Shall I make sure the tea is ready for the meeting?”
