She got the feeling that this wasreal.
She had always known about the other world, of course. Her mother and grandmother had taught her all about gods and spirits andthe creatures that walked the world beyond the knowledge of humanity, but she’d never actuallymetone before.
And now here she was talking to a goddess.
“There’s nothing wrong with my hearing,” she replied. “I… um… I’m just a little… surprised.”
Lir studied her. “Ye are Rose MacFinnan, are ye not? A MacFinnan spellweaver?”
“Yes, but—”
“Good,” Lir said, cutting her off and rising gracefully. “Then ye are the one I need. Come. We must be going. Time is short.”
“Going? What do you mean? Going where?”
“To Barra, of course. In the Isles of Scotland. There is somebody there who needs yer help. In fact, many people. Help that only a MacFinnan spellweaver can give.” Those silver eyes intensified as Lir stared at her. “And not just any MacFinnan spellweaver. Butye, Rose MacFinnan.”
Rose held up her hands and backed away a step. “Hang on. Barra? Scotland? I can’t just up and go to Scotland! I’ve got responsibilities here! You’ll have to find somebody else.”
“Thereisnobody else. Ye are needed, Rose MacFinnan, needed in a way ye never have been needed before. The question is: Will ye answer that call as yer ancestors before ye have always done?”
Rose opened her mouth and closed it again. Was it really just moments ago she’d been looking at holidays on the internet? How had everything turned so surreal in such a short space of time? She heard Elise’s voice in her head.
You can’t keep putting everyone before yourself, Rose.
But someone needed her. She couldn’t ignore that. She’d never been able to. She’d been given her powers for a reason, and that reason was helping others.
Really?A traitorous little voice spoke in the back of her head.To the point where you sacrifice everything? Even your marriage?
She squashed the voice. She wouldnotgo there. She opened hermouth, fulling intending to say,Sorry, I can’t. I’m going to Italy.
But what actually came out of her mouth was, “Of course I’ll come to Barra. Although I’ll need to book an air ticket.”
What? Why had she said that? Elise would be furious! But how was she supposed to stand aside when agoddesshad come asking for her help?
I’ll just do this one task, she told herself.Then I’ll take a break. I’ll go to Italy. I will.
A smile curled Lir’s mouth. “I knew I had chosen right in ye, Rose MacFinnan. Yer name will be whispered through the ages.”
“Right. Whatever. I’d better go pack and book my air ticket.”
Lir caught her arm. The woman’s fingers were as cold as ice. “There is no need for that. I will take us to Barra.”
Rose blinked. “Um. You will?”
Lir’s smile widened. “Iama goddess. Follow me.”
She strode off along the jetty, her feet leaving wet prints on the wooden boards, halting at the end where it jutted out over the water. She glanced over her shoulder. “Well? Are ye coming?”
Rose licked her lips, glanced back at her little house, then at Lir.Oh, heck, she thought.What have I just agreed to?
She moved along the jetty until she stood next to the goddess. “Why do I get the feeling I’m not going to like this?”
Lir laughed softly. “Dinna worry. It will be over in a heartbeat. Take my hand.”
Rose did so, wincing at the cold smoothness of Lir’s skin.
“Ye may wish to hold yer breath,” the goddess instructed.
