“Wait, Murdoch. Didn’t I treat you a few weeks ago? Are you with Kaia then?”
“I am.”
Confusion had me furrowing my brow. Could Kaia speak to animals too? Was Murdoch a familiar? If so, did that mean therewerewitches in Loren Brae? Before I could ask any of my questions, Murdoch took flight, swooping high above my head and disappearing over the top of the castle.
“Well, now, isn’t that interesting?” And exciting. This new development gave me hope that for once I might be able to settle in one spot and stay a while. Bolstered, I continued my walk up the drive, daydreaming about what color I’d paint the walls in my flat. I’d never really decorated my home before, yet oddly enough I found myself endlessly watching videos on decorating and housing renovations. It was the forbidden fruit, I supposed, that dream of settling down and making a cozy space for myself.
My last home I hadn’t even lasted three months before I’d been met with a knock late at night, angry men at my doorstep. It was an age-old story, and one I’d grown tired of, but self-preservation had me able to leave any place I lived within an hour.
Being misunderstood was tiring.
And my cross to bear.
Leaves rustled, Gloam yipped a warning, but it was too late.
A massive glowing Highland coo thundered from the bushes, bellowing, and despite my training with magick and self-defense, I shrieked and ran.
Pounding up the hill, I skidded to a stop in front of the castle as two dogs raced to meet me, a chihuahua and a corgi mix, barking with excitement. An older gentleman, with bushy white brows, a newsboy cap pulled low over hisshock of white hair, and faded denim trousers, stood with a shovel in hand and a smile on his face.
“Clyde get ya?”
“I … I have no idea what a Clyde is.” I brought my hand to my chest, and steadied my breath, trying not to look like a mad woman screaming up the hill to the castle doorstep. Gulping, I reached up to pat my hair and take a moment to settle myself.
I was one hundred percent certain that the coo that had just terrified me was a ghost. But I wasn’t about to admit that in front of this gentleman, a man I faintly remembered seeing pacing the halls last night during Edith’s delivery.
“Our resident ghost coo. He gets a real kick out of frightening guests. It’s like he learned how to ghost from watching television and now takes it as his sole responsibility to perform his duties correctly.”
I raised an eyebrow at the man, but he didn’t seem to be having me on.
“A ghost coo?”
“Aye, lass. Ye heard me.” The man’s bushy brows dropped and I realized it was best not to argue with him. “He’s right there.”
I glanced over my shoulder to where he gestured and found Clyde poking his head from the bushes, like a toddler peeking to see if his practical joke had worked.
“Bloody hell, you’re right. It is a ghost coo.” I shook my head, and now that I was no longer in a panic, I could find the amusement in what he’d done. One of the dogs, the chihuahua, caught sight of Clyde and took after him, his jaws contorted in a snarl.
“And they’re off. That’s Sir Busterand his sidekick is Lady Lola.” The man chuckled as the coo leapt from the bushes and the two dogs chased it across the expansive lawn, their excited barks reverberating across the hills. “They do this pretty much every night. It’s a great game for them.”
I couldn’t blame them, it looked to be grand fun to race around the gardens.
“I don’t think we’ve properly met. I’m Dr. Faelan Fletcher.” Turning, I held out my hand and was given a firm handshake in return.
“Archie. My wife, Hilda, and I are the castle caretakers. We’re pleased as could be about your help with wee Edith. She had us worried.”
Bemused, I tilted my head at Archie. I wouldn’t have suspected a man like him would be that invested in a hedgehog’s delivery.
“She did everything right. She’s going to be a great mum.”
“Aye, lass. I believe that to be true. Well, now, come on through. We’re just having a simple tea tonight in the lounge. Leftovers from last night. Lia spoils us all with her cooking. Don’t say anything, but once in a while it puts Hilda out a bit as she doesn’t have to cook as much as she once did.”
“I won’t say a word.” Largely because I’d only met Lia, the owner of the castle restaurant, in passing last night.
“Welcome, again, to MacAlpine Castle.” Archie left his shovel by the door, wiped his boots on the mat, and ushered me inside. “The castle was built in the 1600s and has always been occupied. Forty years ago, part of the castle was converted into a tourist attraction, in order toencourage more visitors to Loren Brae. This side of the castle has family and staff apartments, and the other has been turned into a historically accurate museum that reflects how life was once lived here, as well as displaying items and art from years past. It’s been quite popular, well, it used to be, that is.”
At that, I glanced at him and caught a flash of frustration on his face. Not feeling comfortable enough to ask him what he meant, I defaulted to silence as he led me down a stone corridor with electrical sconces that mimicked real flame torches. Portraits of what I presumed were family members from days past lined the walls, and voices carried to us from an open doorway at the end of the hall. Though Scotland boasted its fair share of castles and historical keeps, and I’d been to loads of them, I couldn’t help but admire the care for preserving the history here.
“Faelan’s here,” Archie announced unceremoniously at the door, and I followed him into a lounge. Along one wall were tall windows that looked into the well-lit garden, a fireplace with two armchairs bookending it, and faded rugs covered the stone floors. On another side of the room, a kitchen table and chairs were tucked against cabinets, and in the middle of the room were two impressive couches where Sophie sat, speaking to her boyfriend, Lachlan, and the woman I believed to be Hilda. Archie confirmed that when he walked past, dropped a kiss on the top of her head, and took a seat in one of the faded tartan armchairs by the fireplace. Immediately, he lifted a box from the floor onto his lap, opened it, and pulled out what looked to be a feather. Before I could ask what he was doing, Sophie popped up to give me a hug.
