"Zubird?"

"Aye, Shay. He's the one I used Alalia on. He's from the Highlands. Another one of Malvenue's lower minions."

"Oh. I remember now. Syther demanded he come to Glas...o...b..ry. What exactly does Alalia do?"

"Silences the receiver. Corby Zubird is known for his chants and spells. If he'd been able to say a spell, we would've had a serious problem. He may have penetrated our protective circle and we might have been injured from closer contact."

Shayla looked between Meekal and Joseph, perplexed by new concepts.

"Distance can be an effective defensive tool," Meekal said with a shrug.

Joseph Chilkwell's brows furrowed. "How many others were there?"

"Syther, Zubird, three others I've never met and Sheitan."

"The panther?" Chaeli sat on the burgundy wing chair before the fireplace, stress lining her face.

"Yes," he answered. "Don't worry, mum. Sheitan obeys Shayla. You should've seen Syther when Shayla told her to leave and she did."

"It's true. He went ballistic," Shayla said in confirmation when everyone looked at her questioningly.

"Well, that's a relief," Chaeli said, shuddering visibly.

"She wouldn't harm me, Mum."

Parental concern came through in Chaeli's voice. "You don't know that, Meekal."

"I do now." Meekal grinned at her. Shayla saw the relief registered there after their harrowing experience. They definitely were getting to know one another quickly. She took his hand and squeezed it, relishing his strength.

Joseph tried to appease Chaeli. "Syther probably has her trained to take him without killing him."

"Oh thanks, Dad," Chaeli said, glaring at her father. "That makes me feel better."

Joseph's eyes flashed intensity. "Don't forget, he needs Meekal alive."

Surprise shot through Shayla. "But, I thought," she said, glancing between Meekal and his grandfather.

"He needs my blood," Meekal said, caressing her hand. "But he also needs me alive. Of course, we don't know if he's figured that out yet. That's the twist of the ward spell. Even with my blood, he can't cross the borders without me."

Shayla bit her lip, thinking. Finally, she asked, "Am I allowed to know the location of the bezoar stone?"

Joseph arched a black brow at her.

"I mean, well," she said, feeling suddenly uncertain.

"It's okay, Shay," Meekal interjected. "It isn't that they don't trust you. It's more about wondering if you're ready for the knowledge." He smiled at his grandfather. "Shayla's magic is fully opened. Even though she didn't use it much before, she's able to call for something, wind-ride, kick a.r.s.e, and she has CIARANLEXISS to guide and protect her." Meekal reached to his back pocket and took the stone box with Syther's wand within. "Shayla called for Syther's wand. I thought we could use it. Perhaps as another deterrent."

Joseph Chilkwell's brows rose in unison. He looked at Shayla with renewed interest.

"I didn't get a chance to tell you about CIARANLEXISS, Dad." Chaeli stood, giving her a smile. "Shayla has had a great many new ideas and responsibilities dropped on her in the last two days."

"I'd say she has," Joseph said. "So, you're the next Guardian for Fyr. That must mean she'll be coming for a visit soon."

Shayla nodded, even though the idea of meeting a phoenix made her nervous.

Joseph moved forward, reaching for the box in Meekal's hand. Carrying it to his desk, he placed it in a drawer without opening it. "We'll work on this later. I want to be able to give it the attention it deserves. Perhaps James and Leith can help us sort it out."

"Joseph, me thinks she should ken the stone's location."

Shayla looked up at the landscape painting over the fireplace. Black Bryan leaned against a tree, smiling at her.

Joseph sat against the front of the desk, nodding. "Shayla, the stone is in Bry's pocket. The only way to get to it is by stepping into the portrait in Meekal's room. I'm telling you because you may need to retrieve the stone or move it."

She swallowed, glancing between the portrait where Bryan still rested casually against a tree and Joseph on his desk. They were a mirror of one another. "All right. Could you tell me what const.i.tutes a need?"

The corner of Joseph's mouth twitched as he inclined his head slightly. "Well," he said, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "Say for instance, Syther is in the foyer trying to figure out how to get the stone from Bry. We don't know for sure if he knows exactly where the stone is, so he may try somewhere else. Meekal's room is at the top of the Manor. It's the furthest away on purpose. You should be able to wind-ride up there, step into the portrait and escape." He appraised Shayla, contemplating her reaction.

"Umm, where will you be?"

"Shayla," Joseph replied firmly, "if Syther makes it into the Manor, I won't be here anymore."

Absolute stillness filled the room around her, like the quiet before the storm. Realization dawned with penetrating urgency. "That won't happen!" she yelled, as tremors traveled through her.

"Shhh, it'll be okay," Meekal said, moving in closer. "We just need to cover all of our bases." He ran calming fingers through her hair, murmuring softly, trying to soothe her.

Shayla leaned close, and then wrapped her arms tightly around him, waves of panic transforming into protective anger.

Meekal patted her back, still speaking softly. "It'll be okay."

"Kal."

Steadfast strength resonated from his expression. "It's important we have a plan."

She met Chaeli's eyes over Meekal's shoulder, and then closed hers to block the worry eating at her. Within her mind, she spun from fear to discordant anger, finally around to the intensity of worry. Shayla took a calming breath, pulling the warmth and strength of Meekal's body into her. "I know," she whispered against his neck. "It's just hard. That's all."

Meekal moved, withdrawing his warm strength, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. "The stone is safe. I can get away if they capture me. You need to have faith."

With a nod to indicate understanding, she pulled away.

Emelia entered the library with Mari Bree carrying two trays of refreshment.

A sudden sense of comfort pa.s.sed over Shayla. She did not know when Meekal's grandmum left; however, she recognized the heavenly scent of spice tea. She remembered she had not eaten anything since breakfast. Wow, what a day.

"I thought we could use some refreshments." Emelia placed her tray on the oak table.

Shayla inhaled, pulling in the scent of tea.

"Have a seat, Shayla." Chaeli said, motioning to the round table. "Perhaps eating something will make you feel better."

"It smells delightful." She sat, grateful that no one made a comment about her stomach growling at the aromas of food and tea.

"Meekal," Joseph said, "after we eat, you should take Shayla up to your room. Show her the obvious route and the secret pa.s.sages."

"Aye. I'll do that."

"You have secret pa.s.sages?" Shayla asked in curious excitement.

"Several," he answered. "The Manor was originally used as a safe house during Henry VIII's purging of the church. Even though we're close to the Abbey, our secret rooms and pa.s.sages were never discovered. Several monks took refuge here."

"Ooh."

Joseph laughed. "Chaeli tells me you went to the Abbey yesterday. Did you like it?"

Shayla fought the heated flush that raced under her skin. The blush winning out, knowing she was red, she bent her attention to the bowl of stew. "Yes," she replied, still studying the mixture of carrots, potatoes and savory meat. She smiled when Meekal tapped her foot under the table, although she refused to look up.

After eating, they walked through a hidden panel in the library to an upper room serving as an oversized closet. "This is where we store the linen and paper goods for the guests who stay here at the manor. It's mostly Mari Bree and Harry who use this particular secret pa.s.sage." Meekal closed the cupboard door they stepped through and a mythic shroud surrounded them with a sense of the past.

Shayla studied the many drawers and doors built into the wall on either side. A chill traveled through her. "Kal?"

He motioned to the wall beneath a small leaded window. "Yeah, this is where two monks stayed. Their cots were there. The cupboards are a later addition."

The window let in a sliver of distorted moonlight, casting them in silver.

"Spooky."

"Aye. Come this way," Meekal whispered, wrapping his fingers protectively around hers.

Next, they stepped out into the upper hall. Plush carpet padded their footsteps as Shayla followed Meekal past portraits, artifacts and live plants adorning the upper hall.

He led her to a narrow stairwell at the far end. The first surprise Shayla received was that the stairwell was an optical illusion. Three pie-shaped steps turned to the right only to end in a black wall carved with a door. Close inspection revealed the illusion of his bedroom entrance.

"Surprise."

"How?"

"This way," Meekal said, mischievously. He moved his hand forward to the shelves that graced the end of the hall next to the fake stairs. The oak shelf before Shayla boasted several figurines: a unicorn, a wooden box carved with runes and a Crusader helmet. The helmet was fascinating. It was made of steel with narrow eye slits on the crossbar of the symbolic cross of the Crusades. Fleur-de-lis terminals embellished the sacred symbol. Meekal's finger glazed over the bra.s.s cross, following its shape. "Pernicious."

Shayla's brows rose sharply.

"No one will ever guess that's my keyword," he said, while he readjusted the helmet's position on the shelf. "Even Harry doesn't know it. Follow me."

Shayla stepped through the doorway that had opened when Meekal spoke. "Why doesn't Harry know? I thought he is your best friend."

"His twisted sense of protecting me. We hang out elsewhere when we're together. Stubborn prat. Anyway he prefers the Tor or Harry's Pub when we take time to socialize." The book shelves swung closed behind them, latching with a soft click.

"Pernicious was the Raven Prince. He was Fyr's da and the person who sent Black Bry to Glas...o...b..ry. You'll learn the history later. Perhaps Fyr will tell you."

"Okay," Shayla said, dragging the word out as she focused on the thickly carpeted narrow stairs wending upward. They stepped into Meekal's room. His upper floor bedroom spanned the full size of the manor. The steps carried them up to the middle of the chamber.

The bed dominated the right side, its presence powerfully bold due to four posts rising almost to the pitched ceiling. The ceiling, marked with both heavy wood beams and modern skylights, crowned with everything with perfection. "Wow."

"That's why I like it up here," he replied, voice filled with humor and pride. "I have a full view of the gardens below and the summer sky above. I've never been able to decide which I like best, the stars on a clear night or snow falling from the heavens."

Shayla reached for the intricately carved bedpost. The ancient oak, hand carved with leaves and grapevines, hinted at a story. Heavy ripe fruit looked so real they tempted one to pluck them. "Kal, why grapes?"

"You don't know? Grapes are connected with the vine mentioned in the Bible. You know, the blood of Christ? The bed has been in the family for generations. Mum wanted more modern pieces so she gave this one to me."

At the opposite end of the room, a desk and low book shelves stood before a wide window overlooking the garden. She walked around a half wall where a flat screen TV hung, past Meekal's workout area to a portrait positioned on the right-hand side over the desk. Ignoring the books scattered on the desk and surrounding shelves, Shayla studied the portrait closely. "Kal, is this it?"

"Aye. See the stone archway in the background?"

"Yes." The portrait was currently empty of people. It depicted a warm summer day. She squinted, positive she could see the breeze teasing the leaves on the trees. The background was of an English hill where a ruin stood in blazing defiance of the apparent destruction of the rest of the structure.

Meekal leaned in close. "Focus," he breathed into her ear.

Eyes glued to the archway and the sky through it, Shayla whispered, "Travel into a portrait. So cool."

A soft breeze transported them.

"Anything's possible with magic."

Shayla gasped. Turning quickly, she gazed into Meekal's room from the inside of the portrait. Her palm rested on the cool stones giving her evidence of the truth of their journey.

"Good evening to ye."

Shayla's head followed the voice behind her. With hands and knees shaking, she whispered through her shock, "h.e.l.lo."

Meekal grasped her elbow, leading her to a short rock wall on the interior side of the ruin. "Here, Shay. Sit."

"Morna told me. I dinna believe."

Shayla swallowed her own disbelief and looked up into a near perfect mirror image.

"Shay," Meekal said gently, "this is Keira. Keira, this is Shayla." Meekal looked from one to the other. "Well, there is a slight difference in your hair color and..."

Shayla glared at him. "Kal."

Meekal chuckled, his shoulders shaking.

Keira smiled and laughed. The sound was musical within the confines of the broken ruins around them.

"Where are we?" Shayla stood and looked around, no longer shaking.

"This was Wiston Castle."

"How am I supposed to get the bezoar stone from here?"