“Maybe you could stop by this week. After your chat. You could see the garden and I’ll make you a pretty bouquet for your table.”
“Sure, if time permits. It’s been a bit hectic lately.”
“No problem. Soon then.” Shona gently lifted the basket. “What do I owe you?”
“It’s nothing.” I waved it away. I hadn’t really done anything, the night before or now, that Edith hadn’t been able to handle on her own.
“Definitely come by then. I have a greenhouse too. We’ll get you some fresh veggies for a nice salad.” I smiled. I could see myself becoming fast friends with Shona. I felt genuine warmth from her, and that was extremely welcome. And a salad with fresh produce sounded divine.
“I’ll do that.” My next client was already coming in the door, and my focus turned to my patients.
One of my favorite things about running a vet practice was that there was little time for outside thoughts or distractions. Instead, I was forced to respond immediately to the problems at hand, and I loved how immersed I could get in my work.
By the end of the day, I was ready for a quiet meal and a glass of wine curled up on my couch with Gloam, but it would be rude to cancel on Sophie at the last minute. Plus, I needed to make sure I ingratiated myself with the people who lived here, and judging from the tight-knit group on hand at the hedgehog baby shower the night before, building a friendship with Sophie would certainly benefit me. With one last lingering look at my couch, I left my flat.
I’d chosen to walk, as the castle was just up the hill from my flat, and Gloam prowled the bushes near me as I strolled up the road. Silver light trailed across the calm waters of Loch Mirren and once again my eyes were drawn to the perfectly circular island out in the middle. Though I was one for the flowers and forest, there was something about the water that fascinated me. Perhaps it was that same undercurrent of otherness that clung to Loren Brae’s underbelly, but I was certain that Loch Mirren held her secrets close.
Humming, I followed the perfectly manicured hedges that lined the drive up to the castle, and I let myself go loose. That’s how my mum had always described it, when she dropped her shields and tuned into her magick. It was almost like taking a pair of sunglasses offso you could see the light. I did this now, just to confirm if what I’d been feeling was true.
While I couldn’t see magick, as I didn’t have that particular gift, I could feel it, pulsing gently across the hills and rolling down rocks that pebbled the shores of the loch. In my mind’s eye, I envisioned it to be like a delicate spiderweb that clung to the buildings and trees, dewy and fresh after a misting rain. Gloam made a soft yipping sound, a warning, and I pulled myself back, shuttering my magick, and looked for him.
He stood, his back rigid, his tail pointed straight, eyes focused into the hedges. Stepping close, I aligned myself with him, trying to see what had put him on alert.
“There’s something following us. Again.”
I didn’t respond to Gloam’s thought in my head, but held my breath, not daring to move or make a sound.What did he mean by again?The wind tickled the back of my neck, and fine goosebumps broke out across my skin as my adrenaline kicked up. I’d taken self-defense classes, which had then turned into a stint of Muay Thai training that I had fallen in love with. Rocking backward so my weight was on my heels, I shifted slightly, bringing my hands up.
Golden eyes glimmered in the fading light and then they were gone.
Had whatever it was not blinked, I would have missed it entirely, as the breeze strengthened, sending the hedges rustling, blocking my vision. Straining, I leaned up, searching for what I’d seen, but I couldn’t get a read on anything.
“It’s gone.”
“What was it?” I glanced down to where Gloam bumped against my leg, his posture now relaxed.
“I’m … not sure, to be honest. I can’t get a read on its scent.”
“Human? Animal? Magick?”
“I don’t know.”
That was odd. Wasn’t it? Shouldn’t a fox be able to get a read on what was following us?
“You’re certain it was following us? Or was it just passing through?”
“Hard to say. But it’s gone now. Listen. You can hear the birds again.”
I paused, and realized he was right. The sounds of wildlife putting themselves to bed for the night had returned to the early evening air. A raven swooped over us, and landed nearby on a branch, cocking its head and studying me with its shiny brown eyes.
“Good evening, sir,” I said, automatically, as I pretty much talked to every animal that I met.
“Good evening.”
My mouth dropped open. This wasn’t Gloam’s voice in my head, but another. Deeper, with a rasp around the edges, like someone slowly ripping wrapping paper.
“Is that you speaking to me? Raven? What’s your name?” I glanced over my shoulder to make sure nobody was about. The last thing I needed was for people to hear me talking to animals.
“Murdoch.”
