“For the animals. You have a charmed spirit as a healer of animals,” Archie explained.
The title warmed me, and my shoulders straightened unintentionally, as though I was gaining a new confidence with this rite. My mum had always told me I was charmed, even though I’d brushed off her words.
I repeated his words, waving the bundle of smoking flowers over the stone.
“I accept the responsibility of protecting the Clach na Fìrinn and promise to restore the Order to its fullness. In doing so, I show myself worthy of the magick of Clach na Fìrinn.”
I mirrored Archie’s words, feeling my magick ripple through me, excited at a new challenge.
“It is with these words I establish the Order of Caledonia as the first line of protection for theClach na Fìrinn and alert the Kelpies to my arrival. I accept the power bestowed upon me.”
When nothing happened, I glanced at Archie.
“Well done. On to the south.” Archie nodded once, and we all turned as a group and plodded toward the next marker stone. The breeze kicked up, and the smoke from the bundle of flowers I carried mixed with that of the torches, adding an even more mystical touch to the evening.
What would Luch think of this?
Him, a doctor, rooted so staunchly in science.And why did Luch Carmichael just pop into my head now?Was it because of the thought of flowers? His clear suspicion of how I’d healed Oban? Yet he’d lived in Loren Brae for over a year now. If what Sophie said was true about the Kelpies screaming in the night, surely he would have had to suspend some disbelief over the presence of magick in the world?
I pulled my thoughts away from Luch as we finished the ritual, Sophie beaming at me like I was her new best friend. And maybe I was. Well,afriend, at least. The idea of having friends again excited me, instead of inciting the usual anxiety and worry, and my thoughts were confirmed when she gave me a huge hug.
“Welcome, Faelan. I’m so glad you’re a part of the Order.”
“Thanks, I think I am too.” I laughed when Sophie scrunched up her nose. “I mean, it’s still very new to me. But I’m sure I’ll be glad to be a part of it. Though I’m not really certain how I’m supposed to wield this.” I held my scalpel up in the air.
A band of diamonds glittered in the handle, and I almost dropped it on my foot.
“How have you already passed a challenge?” Sophie gasped, grabbing my wrist and dragging my hand forward. The others gathered, the light from the torches glinting off the diamonds in the handle of the scalpel.
“Have you healed anything unusual, lass?” Archie asked, scratching his chin.
“Just a …” I paused. Could I really say I healed a unicorn out loud? I knew we were all about magick here, but even that might be too farfetched for everyone.
“Just a what?” Hilda leaned closer, lowering her voice.
“A unicorn.” I pressed my lips together, straightening my shoulders, ready to be laughed at.
“Ohhhhh, you saw her?” Sophie squeezed my arm, excitement on her face. “Were you with anyone?”
“No, I was alone.”
“That’sinteresting.” Sophie exchanged an unreadable look with Lachlan.
“And she was hurt? Such a shame.” Hilda shook her head.
“I fixed her up though, as she’d had a nail in her hoof. She was pretty incredible. It was like trying to hold a star in your hands.”
“It’s a rare treat it is, to be seeing the likes of her. That’s a blessing for you, lass.” Archie nodded his head briskly in my direction.
“See? You really are charmed.” Sophie beamed at me, and I smiled back, feeling the warmth of acceptance flowthrough me.
For the first time in ages, I finally felt like I’d found a place I could call home—and even more than that? A place that would finally welcome me.
I hoped, wherever she was, Eriska would be at peace knowing I’d finally found my place in the world.
CHAPTER NINE
Luch
