Chapter Eight
1734 Words
Ally walked out of the building and smiled. She was sure she landed the job, but she still had things to do. The sun had set and the sky was beautiful dusty pink and purple. She knew she would need to hurry to make it to Dreamers before Circe closed it for the day.
She made her way down the still quiet boardwalk, tourist season wouldn't hit for another two months when summer unofficially started. So she was able to make it there without having to dodge too many people out for strolls. She made her way past the blown glass shop where she paused to appreciate the delicate creations in the window. Their shimmering accents making her smile. She thought of the gift that Alev had given Freya when they joined clans. The beautiful heart in the box had made Alyona want a love like that.
Shaking her head wistfully, she pushed herself away from the display. "That will never happen now. My mate surely doesn't deserve someone like me," she said walking down the sidewalk and stopping at Dreamers.
Abigor hadn't intended on coming into this store ever again, but Selene insisted. He knew that his mother had been here helping the kind old lady in the store. He walked in reluctantly and was surprised to see the picture of his mother hanging on the wall.
"Hello, young man," Circe greeted him with a smile. "I didn't expect to see you so soon," she said wisely.
Abigor gave her a surprised look. Circe just smiled broadly, "Not to worry, dear, I know who you are and I also know who you are," she winked at him and let him look about her store. He was looking at a few things, mostly gemstones and small shiny trinkets. He wasn't even sure why he was in here, just that Selene told him to come into the store.
Circe had been explaining the use of one of the sleeping oils when the doorbell announced another visitor, but the guest quickly made a beeline for a small corner of the wall out of his line of vision. Circe just smiled, she knew who had walked in. She was expecting her, she was looking for answers to more than one question.
She pushed open the door and let the twinkle of the doorbell announce her arrival. She meandered around the store while Circe helped the customer at the counter, not paying any attention to the man. She went straight over to the sweets section and perused the delightful selection. Circe had originally intended the section for the children that come in with their parents during the summer, she didn't mind when they helped themselves to a piece or two. So long as their parents permitted it.
Ally was making her way to the counter to pay for her sweets and hopefully speak with Circe for Bardik when she actually took notice of who was at the counter. She let out a small gasp, it was the man from the interview. Mr. Pretium. What was he doing here? She quickly tried to hide her bag of goodies, she didn't want him to see them.
"Hello, Miss Boyets," he greeted. His silky tenor voice saying her name easily. He glanced at her bag, "Children?" he asked.
Ally looked down at the bag and blushed, "No," she said. Even if she wanted to, she couldn't lie to the man in front of her. Not even over candy.
Abigor smiled, "Sweet tooth, huh?"
Circe was watching the exchange with a small smile, these two would be perfect for each other she thought.
Ally let out a small nervous laugh, "Yea, you could say that," she admitted. "It was a long day and I needed a pick me up," she explained. Then stopped, what in the world was she thinking? He doesn't care! She met him for the length of the interview!
Abigor laughed in agreement, "You could say that again! Well, I'll let you get done with your purchases," he said to her. He turned to Circe, picking up his own bag, "Thanks again, Miss Circe," he said kindly.
Ally and Circe said at the same time, "Just Circe."
Abigor looked at the women, a little confused, the elder lady deserved respect.
"I'm not some stodgy old lady," Circe said smiling broadly, "Yet. So I just want my friends to call me Circe," she said with a shrug of her shoulders.
As Abigor was getting ready to leave, in walked Freya with a small tornado of energy that was Raven.
"Aunty Cici, aunty Cici!" Raven squealed in happiness.
Circe stooped low to brace herself for the running bundle of Raven. "Hello, little bird," she greeted. She looked from Abigor to Freya, curious to see what happens.
Abigor took in Freya's beautiful glow and glanced over her, taking in her belly. He was surprised he felt absolutely nothing for her. Freya was studying him, she was sure she knew this man from somewhere. But he was still under Selene's enchantment so his appearance wouldn't be recognized.
"I'm so sorry, but do I know you?" she asked him.
Abigor quickly shook his head, he hoped that Circe wouldn't let his secret out.
"Sorry, no," he lied to her. "If you'll excuse me, I need to catch a plane," he said.
Circe and Raven watched as Abigor left. Raven turned to Circe who put a finger to her lips indicating she shouldn't say anything. Yet. Raven's eyes were wide and she just nodded her head. Being able to see all these things was so confusing sometimes!
Freya smiled at Ally, "I didn't expect to see you today Ally," she smiled at her warmly, wrapping her in a hug.
"I did!" Raven said with a grin.
Circe laughed, "I'm sure you did, little bird. Now, what was so important that you ran in here like that?" she asked her great-niece.
"Aunty Freya went to see Doctor Adam today, and guess what," she said, bouncing on her toes excitedly.
"What?" Circe and Ally asked. Raven was too excited for it to be bad news.
"Her baby is a girl, just like I said!"
Circe and Ally congratulated her with Ally thinking out loud, "Maybe Justin and Clara's baby will be destined to be together with yours," she said pointing to Freya's bump.
Before Raven could stop it, "No, they won't. But they will be good friends," Raven said.
The women all just stared at each other, Raven still surprises them with her random outbursts of the future.
As easily as she said it, she then turned to Ally, "And Uncle Alev is taking me over to the island soon!" she said excitedly. "But, not Runa or Easton, they aren't ready yet."
Ally smiled, "I love the island! I hope you have fun!" she said.
"We will!" she cried excitedly.
"Oh, to have that much energy!" Circe said as they left.
"I know, right?" she asked.
"Now, dear, what did you want to know?" she asked, cutting to the chase.
"I actually came for Bardik and Chusi," she said.
"I know."
"They have been working very hard to destroy that sword, yet they can't seem to do so, " she explained. "They wanted to know if Aislinn had ever said anything to you about it, or maybe had any other books on it," she was hopeful, but not expecting much.
Circe thought for a few minutes, her wrinkled hand rubbing her neck gently. "I haven't really gotten into the storage area that she used for her things when she was away from the elder council. You're more than welcome to come by tomorrow and check it out," she said.
"Can I bring Chusi with me?" Ally asked. She didn't want to overstep her bounds when it came to this.
"Most certainly, dear," she said. "Now, as for your job interview today," she said.
Ally gaped at her, "I-I"
Circe grinned at her, "Come now, dear, your clothes are a dead give away," she said, pointing at the suit Ally had on. "And when you came in, you went directly for the sweets," she winked.
"I just want a change," Ally said quietly.
"You're a tough lady Alyona," Circe said coming up to her and taking her by her hands. "You take everything that comes to you and do your best to make it right. But know that running away from problems will never solve them. It will only make it more difficult to untie the string," she said.
Ally had a feeling that Circe was talking about more than the job. She thanked Circe and left the small shop, she had a lot to do.
When Circe got home that evening she went right to Raven, "Come on little bird, let's go to the garden," she said.
Once they were out there Circe asked the child, "So, what else did you see today?"
Raven knew that she could tell her aunt everything and not worry about anything.
She leaned in and whispered, "That was the man with a shadow soul."
Circe nodded, "I know, but what did you see?" she asked. Because she saw something very interesting today when he walked in. Something that took even her by surprise.
"Aunty Cici, not everyone is going to trust him, though," she said thoughtfully before she said what she saw.
"I know that, sweetie, but what else did you see?" she didn't want to say anything that could be seen as her guiding her to say something.
Raven looked to her great aunt, "I saw a teenie tiny," she put her fingers close together and squished her eyes until they were narrowly open, "tinsy bit of light today," she said.
Circe eyed the little girl, "Where?"
"In his heart," she said. "Aunt Cici," she asked then.
"Yes, little bird," she had a feeling she knew what was coming next.
"How come no one knew it was him?" she asked, she was surprised that even Aunty Freya didn't know it was that man.
"Because, little bird, some people only see what they want to see," she said sighing sadly. She looked up at the night sky. She could swear she could feel Aislinn watching down on them, "Why did you have to leave so soon?" she whispered.
Raven looked up at the sky, "Don't worry, he'll get good," she whispered.
- Writer
