Chapter 1

The smell of diesel filled the crisp afternoon air as the familiar yellow school bus pulled out of James Barnes Middle School. Thirteen-year-old Emma Andersen looked over her seat to stare at the back of Braden Magrath’s red haired head. She found herself doing this more and more lately.

“I’m going to sit next to Braden.” Emma told her best friend Samantha.

“You’re not supposed to get up while the bus is moving.” Samantha frowned. “Also what do you see in him? He’s pretty weird.”

Emma turned and smiled. “I don’t know.”

Waiting until the bus stopped to let off the first group of students Emma shuffled down the aisle until she reached Braden. She found him intently reading a worn copy of ‘Le Morte d'Arthur’. Most of the other boys, if they read at all, were only interested in books where the superhero fought crime in his underwear.

“That’s an old book.” Emma quickly sat down as the bus began to move.

He had a slight Irish accent, which gave Emma goose bumps whenever he talked. “It was my mom’s.” Braden smiled sadly. Braden’s mother and older sister had been killed in a car wreck over the summer.

Feeling bad about bringing something up that was painful, Emma asked. “So did you decide what to read for the book report?”

He looked at her and smiled, pointing to the book in his hand. The young girl put her hand to her mouth and giggled. Why was she always so nervous around Braden? Were his eyes always so green?

“So what are you two girls talking about?” Dylan Thompson commented with as much nastiness in his voice as possible.

“Shut up, Dylan, must you always be a jerk?” Emma turned around and gave him a nasty look. Emma knew that Dylan liked her but she would never be interested in someone like him. Suddenly she felt cold realizing she might have just done a terrible thing to Braden.

Zinnia set down her spear and looked around the small field. “Where did that silly girl go?”

“Sorry Mrs. Bunny, I didn’t mean to disturb you.” Spotting the white haired Pixie, Zinnia realized that her friend had somehow fallen down a rabbit hole. Quickly rushing to white haired Pixie’s aid Zinnia managed to grab the fallen Pixie by her arms pulling her up and out of the burrow right on the heels of a very angry rabbit.

“You’re lucky it wasn’t a badger.” A score of Pixies had been hunting Bog Lemmings all day. Not that any of the Pixies were planning to eat the creatures but certain members of the Unseelie court would use the Lemmings as spies or messengers.

“Sorry, Zinnia.” Lily pouted wiping the mud from her dress.

Zinnia giggled. Lily was the most accident prone Pixie in the clan but it was hard to stay mad at her. However before she could say anything to her, Lily was up in the air again heading for a human road.

“Lily, what’s so important over here?” Standing on top of a wooden fence the pair of Pixies watched as two small human children knock around a third child.

“Zinnia, when did we become a swear word?”

The pink haired Pixie looked confused.” Swear word?”

“They called him a fairy, like it was a bad word.” Lily looked upset.

Sighing Zinnia reached for her fiend’s hand. “Come on Lily, there is nothing we can do here.”

“But it’s not fair, two against one.” Suddenly the fight was over and two of the children ran off leaving the third crying in the dirt.

“Go ahead, Lily, you’re going to do it anyway.”

Lily grinned then lifted off flying quickly towards the prone child. Covered in mud, the child lay on the ground silently weeping while clutching a torn book. Guessing it was a male child Lily walked up his arm and reached over to kiss him on the cheek helping to heal the injuries.

As Lily flew away, she heard the boy say. “Go raibh maith agat.”

Braden made his way into the kitchen dropping off his pack on the floor and pulling out the torn book. He stared at the two halves for a second before reaching for the trashcan, then stopped. With a roll of scotch tape in hand he climbed the stairs and into his room. He was still confused what he saw above him while he lay in the dirt. Did he imagine it? Memories of when he was a small child living with his grandmother in Ireland came back to him. Not all her stories could have been true. Could they?

After a bath and a change of clothes, Braden sat on his sister’s bed and attempted to fix his mother’s book. The dirt-covered boy who had ascended the stairs bore no relation to the young girl that sat on the bed. A little make-up expertly applied, his hair put up in silver barrettes Braden looked more like his sister. After she was killed in that horrible car crash, Braden started to dress in her old clothes. At first, the boy felt that he was honoring his sister, trying to keep her memory alive. Now, only when dressed as a girl did the day’s pain go away. It was as if a bright light went off in his head. When Braden watched the girls in his class walk by, thoughts of how pretty they looked mixed with how much he wanted to be one of them.

Wearing his sister’s clothes was bound to come to some sort of confrontation with his father. However when his father finally caught him he didn’t say a word. The boy was sure his father decided it was his son’s way of coping with his mother’s and sister’s death, maybe it was but it was less destructive than his father’s method.

“Someone tear the book.” A slurred voice barked from the bedroom door.

Braden didn’t look up, it was going to take a little work but he wasn’t going to throw the book away. “You said you were going to stop drinking.”

“Braden don’t tell me what do to boyo; you’re not your mother.” His father laughed taking a long sip from a bottle of Scotch.

“It’s Breyana, daddy.” Braden asked his father to call him Breyana when he was dressed as a girl. He didn’t want to be Braden dressed as a girl, he wanted to be Breyana.

His dad eyed his son then shook his head. All of this should have been stopped long ago. Taking a long sip from the bottle, he grumbled. “Hell, I’m no longer sure I have a son anymore...cailá­n á¡lainn...doesn’t matter.” Braden might make a pretty girl but he was sure it was going to end soon anyway. The boy was almost too big for his sister’s clothes. One long growth spurt and it would be over.

Braden looked up as his father’s voice changed again. “Daddy?” His moods were getting worse, darker.

“Won’t stop...dress like you want boyo…you can’t fool them...she wants you too.” His father whispered before sliding to the floor. “Molly help me to bed, your mother will be home soon.”

Molly was his sister’s name. “OK daddy, come on.”

Bria sat back on the kitchen counter a half smile on her lips. She would have loved to see Lily fall into that rabbit hole. She was such trouble sometimes. “Are you positive? You said you thought the child was a boy.”

Zinnia nodded. “I thought as well but no boy child could have seen us but he did say thank you.”

“I thought he was a boy.” Lily squirmed. She didn’t exactly break the rules by healing the human child but she could tell Bria wasn’t pleased. “It was hard to tell since he was covered in so much dirt.”

“I guess it could have been a girl coming into her power.” Zinnia reflected it had been easier a hundred of years ago, when you were sure the human in a dress was female.

Lily looked confused. “Do boy’s beat up girls?”

The leader of the Pixies did not have an answer to that one. Humans were a mystery to them most of the time. “Zinnia, why don’t you keep an eye on this child.”

“Send Lily.” A voice interrupted the discussion as a sleepy looking Princess came into the kitchen. Rubbing her eyes, she reached into the refrigerator for a small carton of milk. Bria knew that her Highness had just returned after a long night of playing Arbitrator between two clans of grouchy Knockers. (Knockers were Fae miners that could be either malevolent or helpful to their norm counterparts depending on how they were treated)

“Lily, you heard Her Highness.” The clan leader smiled; at least there was a chance Lily wouldn’t be falling down any rabbit holes anytime soon.

Braden pulled the garbage can to the curb, it was a long trip and he was glad he only had to do it once a week. The old house his parents bought with his father’s inheritance was a joy for the entire family. He knew his Irish grandmother would have liked the house they bought. Because of his mother’s job, they had been bounced all around the world but his parents decided to stay in one place finally. Maybe if they had still moved around his mother and sister would still be alive. Braden pushed that thought aside, brooding on such things just made things worse. The young boy looked down the street wondering why the bus was late. His father was known for his imaginative paintings and drawings but since his mother’s death, he had done little work. “Hopefully dad will sell more of his work.”

“I too would like to see more of his work.”

A voice startled the boy. He didn’t even remembering speaking aloud. Standing on the other side of the road was an old woman, leading two small black dogs. “Hi, Mrs. Stiles.” Braden didn’t like the widow, he didn’t know why. Before the summer, she had been very nice coming by and visiting with his mom but now she seemed different.

“Braden, your father told me that you might help me this evening. I need a strong looking boy like you to lift some things in my house.”

Braden nodded entering the woman’s house was the last thing he wanted to do. Calling him, a strong looking boy was also a bit much. “If dad said it was OK, how about after dinner.” Maybe he could talk his father out of helping Mrs. Stiles.

“Good then I look forward to seeing you this evening.” Thankfully, the school bus arrived at that moment.

Lily was confused, in truth, she was often but this time it was for a reason. It took some time but she finally found him at school. Braden was a boy, well she was sure of it for the most part, but it still didn’t feel right. Following the child down a flight of stairs, she noticed him walk into one of the unused boys bathrooms. Slipping inside before the door could close; she took a seat on top of one of the florescent lights. Lily sighed, why did the Princess give her this job? She was only going to mess it up as she did everything else. Still it was her job.

“So you’re a boy.”

Braden almost jumped out of his skin, here was this white hair twelve-inch tall girl with wings standing on the sink next to him. What he found strange was she was wearing the same outfit Susan Jacobson wore in class today. “Oh, hello.” Finishing washing his hands he found some paper towels to dry them off. “You’re from yesterday right? I am a boy but why do you ask?”

Lily made a face. “Well male children shouldn’t be able to see us? You can see me now because I’m allowing you. You’re not of the old blood or are you a different Unseen.”

“Unseen?”

“Oh sure, Vampires, Weres and the like…you don’t come from a Witch family do you.” She leaned closer. “I feel something…you’re different…maybe that’s why I’m confused.”

Vampires, Were and Witches too Braden was wondering if he had snapped. Maybe this was a dream but something inside told him it was real. A new world was opened up before him. The young boy suddenly felt very excited. Talking to a Pixie, his grandmother would have been so jealous. “I don’t think so, I mean if my mom was a Witch I would know about it, right?”

“I guess.” Lily’s eyes opened wide she just realized she brought this boy into a world he shouldn’t know anything about. “Oh no, I messed up.”

“Why?” Braden smiled, he was beginning to like this little Pixie.

“You’re not supposed to know anything about the Unseen, unless you are one them of course. Bria’s going to kill me.” Lily plopped down on the sink her face in her hands.

“Who’s Bria?”

“My Clan Chief.”

“Do you think if I spoke to her it would help?” Braden had no clue what he was going to say of course but it didn’t seem fair that Lily was going to get in trouble. “I mean I already knew about all of this.”

Lily looked up unshed tears on her eyes. “Really?”

“My grandmother used to tell me stories about the Fae all of the time.”

“Hearing stories and knowing it’s real isn’t the same thing.” Lily smiled sadly. “Can I stay with you for a while? I won’t cause any problems.”

Braden nodded, he could remember not wanting to go home when he was in trouble.” You’ll have to tell her eventually.”

Lily flew up and landed on Braden’s shoulder. Leaning against him, she said. “I know.”

“Well what do we have here, if it’s not the little girly girl.” Dylan Thompson and another boy entered the bathroom. Braden cursed, he picked this particular bathroom so he could stay away from the pair.

“You’re going to get in trouble you know. Fighting in school will get you expelled.”

Dylan laughed. “You’re stupid, my dad’s on the School Board.” The two boys never touched Braden. As soon as they stepped forward, something slammed against them hard sending them both to the ground.

“I hate bullies.” Lily growled.

Braden ran passing the two moaning boys and out the bathroom door. He was sure they wouldn’t say anything. Getting their butts kicked by Braden wouldn’t look good and maybe he would now be left alone.

Lily and Braden sat by themselves on the bus. During class, he was afraid that everyone would see the twelve-inch tall girl on his shoulder but no one seemed to notice.

“Who is that, Braden?” Lily whispered in his ear. “The girl in the blue and white dress.”

Braden looked forward. “Oh that’s Sofia Teague. She’s in Mrs. Simpson’s class.” He wondered why Lily asked until he found that Sofia kept looking over her shoulder at him.

“Who are you talking to, Braden?” Emma asked from behind him.

“Oh no one.”

Emma giggled then prepared to changed seats when the bus stopped but was surprised when Sofia Teague moved back to sit next to Braden. Why was she talking to him? She wasn’t even in their class. Fuming, she had to listen to her flirt with Braden for the rest of the bus ride.

Stepping off the bus, he waved to Sofia then cringed when he saw Emma’s face. He didn’t know why Sofia was being so friendly. He did like the dress she was wearing but he was too afraid to ask her where she had bought it.

“You want to come home with me?”

“Can I?” Lily hovered in front of him.

Braden laughed. “Oh course.” As he thought, Dylan and his crony didn’t even look at him as they all got off the bus. Over all it was a pretty good day. Unfortunately, his luck changed as soon as he walked through the door.

“Braden, go over to Mrs. Stiles now. “His father stood in the kitchen. “I need you here later.”

“You don’t look too good.” Braden dropped off his books and walked over to his father. “You need to lie down.” His father’s skin had an ashen color to it that was making him nervous. Braden wanted to see if Lily might be able to check out his father but he didn’t think it would be right to ask. “Maybe I should call an ambulance?”

His father shook his head. “No don’t, we really don’t have the money. Let me rest here. Go help her out and come right home.”

“OK, but don’t go anyplace. Stay on the couch.” Braden hadn’t even had a chance to take off his jacket. “I’ll help Mrs. Stiles and be right back.” Braden thought that he might even ask her to come over. He might feel uncomfortable around her but she was another adult.

“So we help out Mrs. Stiles and come right back.” Braden was talking more to himself than Lily. He was very worried about his father.

“I might be able to do something.” Lily said hesitantly.

“You’ll get in trouble again won’t you? Let’s see what Mrs. Stiles says first. Maybe he just needs a good night sleep.” Braden thought it was more serious but he couldn’t go there. He already lost his mother and sister, if he lost his dad. Tears started to roll down his eyes.

“We’ll make sure he is OK, right.” Lily hugged Braden’s neck. She didn’t want to him to be upset. She was already in trouble, what’s a little more.

Walking down the path, he found his neighbor standing at the front of her house. “Hi Mrs. Stiles, can you take a look at my dad. I think he’s pretty sick, but he won’t let me call an ambulance.”

“It would be my pleasure. “ The look of understanding and sympathy on the old woman’s face immediately changed to anger.

“Braden run, she isn’t what she appears.” Lily screamed.

“What’s the rush?” Braden couldn’t move as Mrs. Stiles walked towards him. Her eyes had changed to the color of the blackest night and they held him in place. “Ignore her dear boy. She just wants what you have. Did you think she was your friend?”

“Run away.” Lily was almost in tears. “Stay away you…hag.”

Mrs. Stiles cackled. “Oh no stupid little girl, they are both mine, not yours.” She smiled; Braden was horrified to see that her teeth were now as sharp as shark’s teeth. Something inside him suddenly broke the hold on him and he started to run.

“Into the forest!” Lily followed close behind. The Pixie took one quick look back and watched at the Hag lifted her skirt and beneath it two huge black hounds emerged.

“Bring him back, my pets.”

Authors Notes: A special thanks to djkauf for a little elvish editing. Thanks to all for reading! - Elsbeth

Chapter 2

Braden had already disappeared into the woods when the two black dogs leaped over the fence and crossed the field. Lily knew it was only a matter of time before he was captured. There was no escape once these hounds had your scent. They were the Cw’n Annwn, the heralds of death. “Stop, you stupid dogs.” Lily spun on one wing and threw what power she had at the beasts to no avail. She threw her power again tearing up the ground but the hounds continued their charge.

Turning back around Lily could see that the underbrush of the forest was now slowing her new friend down. The white haired pixie began to panic. She didn’t know what to do. Maybe she could change him into something that the Cw’n Annwn would ignore. What it didn’t matter, something anything to change his scent. Without stopping, Lily closed her eyes and with all her might threw her most potent magic at Braden. The young boy took three more steps than collapsed.

The two hounds crashed through the forest underbrush but came to a halt when reaching Braden. Sniffing around the unconscious child for a few seconds, the pair immediately headed off deeper into the forest. Dizzy Lily could barely fly, looking down she could see what she had done. Braden’s red hair was now long, down to his waist and all the features that she once recognized as a boy were gone. “Well, she did say bring ‘him’ back.” Lily then dropped like a rock to the forest floor, her magic spent.

Braden’s eyes opened wide finding himself standing in his grandmother’s home in Ireland. The sun was just coming up and through the windows the lush green land was spread out before him. “This isn’t possible.” Opening the door instead of ending up on the landing, the young boy found himself walking into the kitchen.

“This must be a dream.”

“Almost, child, you are on the borders of Tá­r na ná“g.” A young woman stood in the center of the kitchen. She wore a blue and black Leine Mna a traditional Irish dress. Like Braden, her hair was red like fire.

The boy stopped for a moment but when she smiled, he knew the identity of this familiar looking woman. “Gran!” Throwing himself into her arms, he began to cry. Even if this was a dream, he could see and touch her again. He had lost so much this year, so many people he had loved. To be able to see one of them again was such joy.

“Buachaill á³g á‰ireannach.” She held him close. Little Irish boy, she often called him that.

Stepping back eyes wide he said. “Tá­r na ná“g, did I die?” Was he talking to his grandmother in the land of the dead? Her stories of the undying lands came back to him.

She cupped his cheeks with both hands. “No, your life is still strong, full of potential.”

“Why am I here?”

“Come let us take a walk.” The kitchen door opened and the pair passed through ending up on a grassy meadow.

“It’s pretty.” He said looking around; the green seemed to go on forever. “Oh Gran, guess what, I met a Pixie; her name is Lily.”

Alexandra Magrath smiled at her grandchild. “Do you remember playing with them when you were younger?”

“I did?”

“Yes, you used to love playing with your Fae cousins.”

Fae cousins? “But daddy never mentioned them.” Braden was sure he couldn’t see them but sometime his father had a distant look. “But you could see them, Gran.”

“Of course, I’m Cailleach Feasa as was my mother and her mother before her. We are of the old blood, child. Our roots go all the way back to the Tuatha Dé Danann.” She said proudly.

A light suddenly went off in Braden’s head. “You’re a Witch.”

His grandmother laughed. “Well yes, that’s what they call us now although our family is a little more complicated.”

“So that’s what she meant by the old blood.” Lily had asked in the bathroom at school. Well at least she might now get in trouble now. “So boys can’t be Cailleach Feasa.”

“No.” She smiled sadly.

“Oh. Gran why am I here, I was running from something.”

“Because things have changed, become less clear. You will have choices presented before you very soon.” Braden’s grandmother smiled sadly. “I wish I could be there for you.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I know.”

“Is this real?” Braden spun around the land was unearthly and dream like. Speaking to his grandmother didn’t seem possible either.

“Does it matter?”

“No.” Braden leaned over and hugged his grandmother. Still it was all a little confusing when he tried to remember. There were shadows chasing him. “Gran I have to go back, daddy might be in danger.”

“Then go my Cailá­n á¡lainn.

He laughed. “Gran, I can’t be a beautiful little girl, I’m a boy.”

The smell of fresh fallen leaves assaulted Braden’s nostrils. Panicked he raised his head; the sun was getting ready to set, throwing unsettling shadows over the forest. “Lily.” He whispered into the darkness. Trying to unsuccessfully pull his hair away from his face, he thought. “What’s with the hair?”

Then the dream came back to him. His Gran had called him a Cailá­n á¡lainn, a beautiful little girl. It took only moments for him to realize how true his grandmother’s words were. “Lily, what have you done to me?” She cried out this was not right. Braden did dress in his sister’s clothes but did he really want to be a girl? One part of her was excited at the prospect, the other was absolutely terrified. Tears ran down her face as she tried to come to terms with the magic that had been cast on her. She could not see going forward in life as a girl without her mother and sister to teach her how. “Lily, I don’t know how to be a girl.”

Braden then became concerned. “Where are you, Lily?” The hounds that attacked them, did they hurt her friend. Scrambling on the ground, she looked for some signs. “Lily.” She screamed in a fierce whisper. A slight movement in the leaves caught her attention.

The Pixie lay on the ground. “Lily, please wake up.” She cupped her in her hands. Suddenly the young girl felt a pull from inside herself then a tingle. The white haired pixie began to move. “Lily, thank goodness, you’re awake.”

“Braden, is that you?” A melodious sounding voice broke through the fuzziness of her head. Lily noticed that the red haired girl that held her in her hands was very pretty.

“I think so, though I’m not exactly Braden anymore.” She shrugged.

“What about the Cw’n Annwn?” Lily sat up. She noticed that sun had almost gone down; it must have been several hours since the hounds hunted for the boy, well now girl.

“You mean those dogs.” She shivered. “I don’t know. I only woke up a little while ago.”

“I’m so sorry I did this to you, I didn’t know how to stop them.” Lily looked up tears running down her face. “I’ve messed everything up…as usual.”

Braden smiled sadly. “I’ll admit I sort of freaked when I woke up.”

Lily cringed. The Pixie could see that Braden had been crying. “I’m not sure if I can change you back…maybe Xera.” As their clans Keeper of Names, she wielded great magical powers. The Pixie understood now that she might have ruined the boy’s life.

Braden shook her head this was not the time. Even if the choice was given to her right now, she wasn’t ready to decide. “No, it’s OK; actually I would prefer if I stayed this way at least for now. Please.”

“But you were a boy.”

“Yes.”

“But you don’t mind being a girl?”

“Not at all.” Braden looked away that was not exactly true. She just didn’t know what she wanted to do. “It’s sort of been my wish, though I never thought it would really happen.” Was that even true anymore?

Lily didn’t understand. She could tell that the young human girl was struggling, confused. Perhaps what she said was mostly true. “So I didn’t mess up?”

“No you did great; you saved me, after all. Still I think this might be a little complicated to explain to my daddy.” She giggled.

Lily looked at her friend then her eyes went wide. “You said your mother wasn’t a Witch. Right?”

Braden shrugged. “Well, I’m not sure of anything anymore but I don’t think so.” She of course remembered her dream but it was just that a dream wasn’t it? “My Gran was said to have the Sight. She used to see things that no one else could see.”

“I think you might be a Witch, with some training, a powerful one at that.” Lily stared at her friend for a couple of seconds.

Gran had said that no boy could be a Cailleach Feasa. Was that one of the choices she had spoken about? “Me, really?”

Lily nodded.

The young girl looked thoughtful. “Let’s worry about that another time. I need to find out what happened to my daddy. If Mrs. Stiles did anything to him...” She couldn’t finish her sentence.

“Ok Braden, let’s go get him but we must be very careful.” Lily was terrified. She was sure that creature was a Hag called ‘Black Mary’ a powerful member of the Unseelie Court. The Pixie wanted to run to the others but she couldn’t leave Braden behind. Her job was to stay by the young girl’s side. She also knew her new friend wasn’t going anywhere until she was sure her father was safe.

“Let’s go, and Lily, please call me Breyana.” So her grandmother said only a girl could be a Cailleach Feasa so be it. If that’s what it took to save her father then she could live with it. That creature would find that she was not someone who was just going to give up.

Moving through the forest was proving difficult. Holding her pants up with one hand, the young girl had to stop every few minutes as her shoes kept slipping off her feet. “Should have worn a belt.”

“You know Breyana if you want I can change your clothes.” Lily wiggled her fingers a little.

The young girl looked up at the hovering Pixie for a moment. “Lily, please don’t take this the wrong way. I love you like a sister but can we hold off on casting any more magic on me today.”

Pain flashed through Lily’s eyes for a brief moment then she nodded. The two girls stared at one another for a second then they began to giggle. Lily flew straight down and hugged Breyana by the neck. The young girl comforted her friend. “Besides there are plenty of things for me to wear at home; what’s funny, most of Molly’s clothes are going to be a little too big on me. I’ll have to go into the back of the closet for the older stuff.”

Slipping back into the house Breyana was nervous. Was that creature waiting for her or did it run away when its true nature was discovered. From how Lily was acting, she was sure that the creature hadn’t run away. The front door was wide open, immediately telling her that something was wrong.

“Breyana, don’t go in there. Let me get my friends.” Lily pleaded. She couldn’t tell if anyone was at home but the Hag’s magic was very powerful. The creature could be standing in the center of the hallway and they wouldn’t know until it was too late.

“I need to see if he is here Lily. I have to know.” Her father was all that she had left of her family. If he was also taken away from her, no she couldn’t think that. He had to be alive. Setting her shoes quietly down in the hallway, Breyana whispered into the darkness. “Daddy.” Not finding her father in the living room, she quietly walked upstairs to discover the rest of the house empty.

“Your father isn’t here, Breyana.” Lily hovered nearby.

“I know but where is he?” Did he end up calling an ambulance? Of course if he did then he would have written a message. Not finding one on the dining room table she walked into the kitchen and found a small white piece of paper attached to the refrigerator. As she read the beautifully written note a chill ran down her spine.

Dearest Braden,

It seems you were correct. Your father is very ill, poor man. I have brought him into my home to personally see to his care and well-being. When you find it convenient please come to my home and we can discuss his future. I would suggest you come alone, if I see or feel any of your other companions I cannot guarantee his safety.

Your Good Friend,

Dorothy Stiles

Anger and despair fueled her heart “Oh Lily, she has my dad. What are we to do?”

Authors Notes: A special thanks to djkauf for a little elvish editing. Thanks to all for reading! - Elsbeth

Chapter 3

Changing into some of her sister’s clothes seemed like a good idea. The last thing she needed was her pants falling around her ankles. What the young girl didn’t expect was the person gazing back at her from her sister’s mirror. “Is that really me?”

Breyana had to sit down for a moment as most of the blood in her body pooled around her feet. She touched her face, brushed the hair from her eyes and made a couple of funny faces in the mirror. The image mirrored back her movements, confirming to the young girl that it was indeed her own reflection in the mirror. “I look like my grandmother.”

“Is that a good thing?” Lily asked.

Breyana beamed. “Yes.” Looking thoughtful, the young girl stood up and went into her sister’s closet. “Lily, can I ask you something?”

“Of course.” Lily stood in front of the same mirror preening, pulling bits of forest debris from her clothes and hair.

“Who are the Tuatha De Danann?” When Breyana didn’t hear a reply, she stuck her head outside the closet. “Lily?”

Lily stood in front of the mirror. “Breyana, where did you hear that name?”

While walking in and out of the bedroom closet, pulling out clothes to try on, Breyana told Lily about her dream. “So, it was a dream, right?”

The white haired Pixie screeched, jumped up and down and threw herself into the chest of young girl. “I knew you were special, we’re cousins.” Backing off she hovered. “Well you’re cousin to the Aos Sidhe of the Seelie Court but close enough.” She giggled.

Breyana found a seat again, the world was becoming a little gray. Turning into a girl and now finding out that she was related to the Sidhe, even if it was a distant relation, was a little too much to take in one day. “Gran said she was Cailleach Feasa.”

Lily nodded.

“So I come from a family of Witches?”

Lily made a face then shrugged. “I guess so but we don’t think of you that way. Your families are the Coimirceoirá­, our helpers, family and guardians of the ways into the Fairy Realm.”

Breyana had an epiphany. “You mean like Stonehenge?” She always thought that was a special place and still remembered visiting it when she was a small child.

“Of course, that’s a gateway into the Fairy Realm that opens up a few times a year. The Coimirceoirá­ used to guard the crossing.”

“So there is more than one family?”

Lily smiled sadly. “Not as many as there used to be.”

Throwing on a forest green heavy knit sweater, jeans and a pair of sneakers that sort of fit, Breyana ran back downstairs. Deep in the hall closet, she opened up an old cardboard box and found one of her sister’s coats. Grabbing a pair of gloves, the middle schooler was out of the door with Lily right behind her.

“Are you sure you’re not moonstruck?” The Pixie said her voice filled with worry.

“Let’s go this way.” The sun had long gone down and only the light of the full moon illuminated the way. Breyana wished it were much earlier in the day. The thought of facing the creature in the dark terrified her to no end but she needed to get to her father. Moving around the back of the house, the pair slowly made their way down to the creek. Both homes stood on a good parcel of land separated by a long wooden fence, which Breyana could easily climb. Not wanting to get wet, she jumped the small creek and climbed up the small embankment to stand in front of the long wooden fence that separated the two plots of land.

“I know this sounds crazy Lily, but something tells me I have to do this.”

The white haired Pixie sighed. “You are Coimirceoirá­. Still Breyana, you have to promise me if I tell you to run...you run.”

“I can’t leave you behind, Lily.” The young girl smiled warmly.

“Yes you can. I refuse to leave one of the Cailleach Feasa in the hands of one of those…creatures.”

“Lily?”

“Please Breyana.” The Pixie implored, her voice filled with love for this young human girl.

Breyana nodded tears falling down her face. Wiping them off, she set her shoulders squarely. “We ready?”

Lily nodded. “Let’s go.”

As soon as Breyana climbed over the fence, Lily began cursing in some dead ancient language. “I’m sorry Breyana, she knows we’re coming.”

“Don’t worry about it; we weren’t trying to surprise her anyway.” The young Irish Witch never thought that there was a real chance in that happening anyway. Her only concern was Lily. The Hag said not to bring her but she was positive the creature didn’t think either of them was a threat. With the forest to their left, the two crossed the fields with no problems. Climbing a small rise, they could now see their objective in the distance. The light of Mrs. Stile’s porch light was like a beacon urging them on.

“I see you got my note.” The old woman sat on the back porch of her home knitting a long purple scarf. “When my pets failed to return with you I didn’t understand why; now I know.”

A sense of calm had settled upon Breyana. “I want my dad.” She should be terrified but only concern for her father filled her heart.

The vile creature known as Black Mary smiled set down her knitting and walked off the porch into the yard. “I thought, girl, that all I would do is suck the marrow from your bones.” The old woman smiled kindly. “But now I see something much more interesting.”

“Stay away from her, you Hag.” Lily leaped from Breyana’s shoulder to hover in between the Hag and her friend. “We are here for her father.”

The old woman laughed. “Stupid pixie, your kind always amazes me. You did this to her didn’t you? The mortal child would just have met his death, unpleasant perhaps but that is the way of things. Now I can feel the blood flow through her veins, an untrained Cailleach Feasa my dear, you have given me such a wonderful gift.”

The Hag’s body began to change. Arms grew longer and thinner, her skin darkened to moldy grey and sharp black fingernails protruded from claw like hands. Black Mary’s face became a twisted mockery of the woman Breyana once knew. With a long nose, black eyes and a mouth full of shark like teeth, a Hag of the Unseelie Court now faced the young girl. “She is to be my Sclabhai.” The old woman cackled gleefully. “One of the Coimirceoirá­ in thrall to me, the irony is so delicious.” Her voice had sharpened, the warm voice of Mrs. Stiles gone.

“I am going to be no one’s slave.” Breyana understood enough of her grandmother’s language. She knew the old stories of the Dark Fey taking mortals into their realm never to be seen again.

“What, you think your little powers can match mine.” Without a flick of the wrist, a wall of darkness rushed towards the two girls.

Breyana turned away but the force didn’t touch her. Turning back, she found Lily with her arms wide open surrounded by a ball of white light. “You will do no harm to my friend, Hag.” The Pixie’s voice was filled with fury.

Black Mary’s laughed. “And I thought I had found a family of the Coimirceoirá­ unguarded. The others were easy enough to take. What’s so special about this child?” The smile left the Hags lips. “You might be your clan’s Keeper pixie, but know this I am called Black Mary. You will regret coming between me and my prey.” A thick miasma formed around Breyana, a chill stabbed at her heart. The bright light that was Lily began to fade.

“Breyana run!”

Before she could move a step, a warm light pushed back the foulness. “Gran?” The young girl felt something familiar when the whole area lit up as if it was day. Black Mary stumbled backwards her hands covering her dark eyes. Suddenly scores of Pixies shot out of the trees but it wasn’t that threat that disturbed the Hag the most. Four of the Aos Sidhe strode forth from the woods. The first a tall armored man wielding what Breyana knew to be a claymore. A second Aos Sidhe followed, a young woman dressed in the greens and browns of the forest carrying a long rowan spear. Another woman stood by the man’s side, dressed in a blue and white kirtle and wielding a Boleen. However, it was the third young woman who caused Black Mary to leap back and hiss.

Dressed in the purest white, shining silver stars circled around the young woman’s head, in her hand she bore a blade edged with Silver-Steel a precious gift from two clans of grateful Knockers. “I am Morgan, daughter of Mab, Princess of the High Court; I think you need to step the hell away from our cousin.”

Balls of black light flew from the hands of the Hag straight towards Breyana but it was the woman dressed in blue and white who stepped in the way deflecting the power, which exploded in the fields beyond. “Don’t worry child no harm will come to you this night.” The Aos Sidhe smiled kindly. “So Lily, I see you have been busy.”

Lily squeaked and flew into Breyana’s hair. “Hi Rá³isá­n.”

Breyana couldn’t believe she was having a conversation with one of the 'The Fair Folk' while there was a battle taking place in front of her. Seeing the concern on her face the woman, known as Rá³isá­n wrapped her arms around the girl and whispered, “Don’t be afraid; Her Highness has everything well in hand.”

While the Aos Sidhes with the claymore and the spear kept the two black hounds that had just appeared busy, the girl in white stood toe to toe with the Hag. Long nails filled with black power slashed at the Princess, which she deftly deflected sending back quick thrusts, white pure fire pouring from the blade. The two were moving so fast it was hard for Breyana to see the fight.

“Rá³isá­n, how did you know we needed help.” Lily asked still hiding in her friends red hair.

“We had just returned from the gathering with the Knockers when we made Morgan take a nap. “ Rá³isá­n smiled down at Breyana. “when suddenly she flew off the couch stating that one of the Coimirceoirá­ needed our help. I guess that means you?”

“I’m Breyana.”

“Nice to meet you Breyana, I’m Rá³isá­n. The girl with the spear is my daughter Emily and the handsome man with the big sword is my husband Liam.” The young girl watched the two dogs suddenly burst into black flame. “Good they sent them back.” Rá³isá­n commented. “Princess Morgan, of course, is the one in the white that’s about to put the vile hag into the ground.” The Aos Si shouted fiercely.

Breyana watched the Princess shift her foot and crouch down coming underneath the claws of the Hag. With a quick swipe of the Princess’s sword, Black Mary’s right arm came off at the shoulder. Before the Princess could swing around for a finishing stroke, the Hag jumped back screeching deadly curses at the Aos Sidhe of the High Court.

With thick dark blood pouring from the wound, Black Mary turned and fled. Breyana watched as the two Sidhe, Emily and Liam quickly followed charging past the house into the woods beyond. Right behind them was a huge swarm of very angry Pixies.

The young girl watched as the Princess pointed her sword at the still moving arm of the Hag and in a burst of white light, the arm shriveled to nothing but ash. “Evil thing.” When the light faded, the Princess no longer stood in shining white but now wore a simple pink flowery blouse, jeans and a scarlet and white BU windbreaker. Dressed like one of the High Schoolers that attended SHS, Breyana realized the Princess might be only a few years older than herself.

“Hi, I’m Morgan, you must be Breyana.” The Princess approached with a warm smile on her lips.

Breyana started to say something then looked at the house. “Daddy.” Quickly she ran to the door.

“No.” Morgan shouted behind the young girl.

Three member of the Seelie Court sat in Morgan Rynders living room. Scattered about the room were also a couple dozen Pixies on guard ready to protect the Princess if necessary.

“I can’t believe we didn’t kill her.” Emily growled banging the haft of her spear on the coffee table. She had thrown her rowan spear straight through the chest of the Hag but it didn’t slow it down.

“We didn’t take her head.” Morgan didn’t look particularly happy herself. She did have the pleasure of lopping off an appendage but Hags were notoriously difficult to kill. Black Mary had centuries of evil that she would one day be held accounted for.

“Alex is going to be annoyed he missed the fight.” Emily chided her Princess while passing her spear back and forth between her hands.

Rá³isá­n reached over, took the spear from her daughter, and leaned it against the wall. “I’m sure he will get another chance.” Black Mary would need time to heal the wounds inflicted on her but she would be back for revenge and Morgan’s Troupe would be ready for her.

”What about our little cousin?”

Morgan looked down and stroked the head of the girl sleeping on her lap. Of all the things that happened, Breyana running into the Hag’s house to find her father was the most unfortunate. The house was a nightmare, bloody bones littered the floor, but it was the real owner of the house; with her corpse sitting at the kitchen table that panicked the girl the most. “I’ll have to talk to my mother but she is going to stay with me.” The other two women nodded. The young girl had not let go of Morgan, who rushed to the screaming girl’s aid, pulling her out of the house to comfort her. Thankfully, they found her father still alive in one of the upstairs bedrooms.

“Her father must have been Hagridden since the summer.” Emily fumed.

Rá³isá­n believed that Black Mary had been feeding on Breyana’s father through his dreams. ”Liam will bring him to your mother’s family Your Highness, but the mortal is almost beyond our help.” Rá³isá­n looked at the unhappy Princess. “It’s not your fault, Morgan.”

“If I had been able to defeat Ashur, the Green Man would still be alive.” The Princess said unhappily. Morgan being unable to defeat the Redcap caused the Green Man to sacrifice himself to stop the beast. With the Guardian of the Sacred Grove absent, the darker powers of the Fae have had a greater influence in the mortal world.

“What about Lily?” Bria sat on the other side of the couch, looking down at her wayward Pixie. Lily was fast asleep, snuggled up against Breyana’s shoulder.

“Well Xera has been complaining that she doesn’t have an apprentice.” Morgan grinned. Everyone was in the room was impressed that the white haired Pixie stood up and took the brunt of the Hag’s power. Someone would need to keep an eye on Lily and her use of magic. She might in time and with lots of training become the clan’s Keeper of Names. “For now it wouldn’t hurt if Lily continued to keep an eye on Breyana or maybe its the other way around. Either way it might actually be difficult to separate the two.” Morgan Princess of the Summer Court looked upon the sleeping form of Xera’s new apprentice fondly.

Bria sighed; as Clan Chieftain, it was her responsibility to tell her Keeper the news. She really wasn’t looking forward to it.

Authors Notes: A special thanks to djkauf for a little elvish editing. Thanks to all for reading! - Elsbeth

Chapter 4

So far, the morning had been fairly productive. The Teague’s, Rynder’s and the Nyberg’s had descended upon Breyana’s home. Most of the downstairs had already been packed, leaving the upstairs for after lunch.

“I’m happy to see that Bree and Sofia are getting along.” Rebecca Rynders and Eshne Teague sat at the dining room table going through documents. “She is going to need a lot of support from friends and family in the upcoming months.”

“I agree, poor child.” Eshne slipped an envelope to Rebecca with a smile.

Rebecca turned her head and gave the Coven’s High Councilor a look. “Really?” Opening the envelope, she flipped through the documents shaking her head. It had been less than a week since Bree's encounter with Black Mary. “If you ever need a job at my firm...” Reaching for a pen, she signed several sheets. “This will make the State happy and Breyana can now start school again on Monday, if she wants. Actually I half expected to see Child Services at my door.”

“That wouldn’t have happened, Rebecca.” Eshne said.

“Well thank you Eshne, very much. Or should I say thank you to the ‘Good Old Sister Network.” She laughed. Somehow, with very little fuss, Braden was now officially Breyana Rynders. Rebecca smiled; she was looking forward to having two girls in the house again. She wished her oldest daughter would come back home but Nichole decided she preferred to live with her father in California.

‘How do you feel about this, Rebecca, it must have come as quite a shock?”

“Well no more than finding out your daughter is a Sidhe Princes.” Rebecca knew it was of her daughter’s toughest days when she explained to her the truth about her heritage. As Arbitrator, it was often necessary for her to be away for days at a time. There was too much going on for Rebecca not to know. She didn’t believe it until Mab had actually appeared in the center of her living room. She was very proud of her daughter but she was, of course, always worried about her well-being.

“Did she ever tell you the story about her first adoptive parents? Michelle and Lawrence were also Coimirceoirá­.” She says the word slowly. “Michelle, with her dying breath saved my daughter’s life. Morgan knows that she can never repay them for what they did but she will protect Breyana with her dying breath if it became necessary.”

“Sandra, is there a problem?”

“Do you think that Bree would like to help pack up her parent’s room? Ray thinks that either you or Morgan should talk to her about it.” Sandra walked into the dining room carrying a small box of important documents.

Rebecca nodded sadly. “We talked a little bit last night. Her mother’s clothes she would like to donate. Her father’s belongings we will place in storage. She and Sophia are going through her sister’s things right now. I imagine most of that is going wind up at our house.” Quite a number of things were also going to be sold; the funds going into Breyana’s trust fund, other household items were going into storage. The home itself was going to be rented out to another family.

“Speaking of, where are the men?” Eshne looked around. It seemed her husband and son had disappeared as soon as they walked in the door.

Sandra smiled. “They are in the garage with Ray. I believe they are currently drooling over some lawnmower.”

The sound of glass breaking coming from the kitchen and a very loud bang from the garage startled all three women.

“I’ll take the kitchen.” Rebecca said.

Eshne and Sandra said. “We’ll see what the men are up to.”

In the field behind the Magrath home, a small circle of Pixies held court. If anyone had looked outside the windows, they would see nothing but the tall grass. Even Morgan, who sat off to the side listening could not be seen. Bria, Clan Chief of the pixies, who lived in the woods, stood on a small stump looking down at a very unhappy Lily. To Bria’s right hovered Xera, Keeper of Names and to Bria’s left hovered Eglantine her second in command.

“So Lily, explain to us how this mortal boy Braden, became a girl.” Bria commanded. There had been some confusion in the past few days of what exactly happened. At first, it was thought that the child was a girl, as she was able to see Lily when she healed him. No one was aware that the family was of the Coimirceoirá­ at the time.

Lily stood there fidgeting on one foot. “You see she was being chased by the Cw’n Annwn.”

“He was being chased, Lily.” Eglantine corrected her.

Lily nodded. “He was going to be captured by Black Mary. I didn’t know what else to do. The stupid dogs wouldn’t go away.” Lily was beginning to tear up.

“Go on.” Xera said softly.

Lilly nodded wiping the tears from her eyes. “So I willed myself as much as I could and threw my strongest magic at Braden.”

Bria looked confused. “You didn’t choose to turn him into a girl?”

Lily looked shook her head. “Well no, not really. I just wanted her…I mean him to be able to get away from the Cw’n Annwn. Actually it was a bit of a surprise.”

Xera looked down at the young Pixie warmly. “Lily, you know that it was possible for you to undo yourself calling upon that much magic.”

Lily nodded. “I didn’t know what else to do.”

“Xera do you know what happened?” Bria had never heard anything like this before.

Xera looked thoughtful for a second. “I believe that Lily channeled the power of Guardian of the forest. Braden’s family is that of the Coimirceoirá­. To have a Cailleach Feasa here to help protect it was desirable.”

“I thought that the Guardian was dead.” Morgan said. She had watched the Green Man die herself.

“His physical form perhaps but the true power lies in the Sacred Grove.”

“So the Sacred Grove turned him into a girl?” Eglantine looked at the forest in awe.

“Essentially.”

“So if Breyana wishes to be turned back into a boy?” Bria asked.

Xera shook her head. “She is Cailleach Feasa, the forest has chosen her.” Dropping to the ground the Keeper of Names walked up to Lily. “Now what to do about you? Even if the Princess didn’t suggest it, I would take you in as my Apprentice.”

Lily squeaked. “Apprentice?”

“I believe it will be safer for all of us, don’t you agree?” She smiled kindly at the young white haired Pixie.

“What about Breyana?” Lily really didn’t want to leave her friend’s side.

Bria looked up at Morgan who nodded.

“Well for now you will remain with her.” Bria said. “Zinnia and Iris will also help you.”

Morgan smiled; Zinnia was a very cool-headed Pixie. She should be able to keep the other two out of any real trouble.

Breyana walked through the woods in a dreamlike state. The forest was so green, so alive with color. The young girl learned the name of the animals and the plants. She learned what was poisonous and what was safe to use. There was so much to learn. Her mentor, who taught her woodcraft in her dreams, took the form that looked a lot like her grandmother. Breyana knew that it was not her but the guardian still gave off the same warmth and love.

The time she had spent with the Rynders had so far been like a dream as well. She missed her family terribly but Morgan and her mother made sure they were always there for support.

“Bree time to wake up sleepy head.” Rebecca Rynders opened up the curtains revealing a cloudy day. “Smells like snow.”

Breyana rubbed her eyes and grinned. Snowfall had been lacking so far this year but everyone had been talking about the front that was supposed to roll in during lunch.

“Mom, do I really have to wear this?” Morgan entered the room holding up a short dark green dress trimmed with white fur.

“Everyone is dressing up for the party Morgan.” Rebecca said. She knew her daughter was still working on growing out of her tomboy phase. It was only in the last month that she was willing to wear a skirt and only because Abigail bought it for her.

“But I am going to look like an elf.” Morgan whined just a little.

Breyana began to giggle.

Morgan stuck out her tongue.

“Please Morgan, I helped pick them out.” Breyana then turned on her lost puppy dog look.

Morgan cried out in anguish, she had no defenses when Breyana did that. “Fine Bree, only because you picked it out. “ Putting her head down in defeat, she turned around. “I’m going to go take a shower.”

Rebecca smiled, between Abigail, herself and now Breyana, Morgan didn’t stand a chance.

Malcolm Kincaid greeted the Rynders as they came through the front door of the Kincaid’s Longhouse. “Welcome to our Winter Celebration.” He smiled at the three women as he passed their jackets to the coatroom attendant.

“Thank you, Malcolm.” Rebecca reached over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “You look very handsome.” He was dressed in a light and dark grey-collared shirt and slacks.

“Mrs. Summers said when you arrived to meet them in the green room.”

Rebecca nodded pulling several bottles of some sort of red liquid out of a shopping bag. “Well off to spread some holiday cheer, you two be good.” She kissed both girls and went off to find the others.

Morgan gave her mom a strange look. “Mal, what exactly are they doing?”

“Making punch.” He smiled; looking at Morgan, he noticed for the first time what she was wearing. The green dress was short, stopping well above the knees. Black boots and a green and white Santa hat finished the outfit. “Wow, Morgan.”

“Oh you like it?” Morgan looked down at her outfit. The dress was way too short though the boots were really nice. She thought she really did look like an elf.

“Yea, it’s great.” The young man said trying to catch his breath.

“I helped picked it out.” Breyana smiled. She knew Morgan looked really pretty. She was dressed in a similar outfit but the dress went past her knees and it actually had sleeves. Like Morgan, she really liked her new boots.

Malcolm smiled at Bree; perhaps he could get her to pick out other clothes for Morgan. Shivering, he remembered the bathing suit Morgan wore the first time he met her. Perhaps Abigail will stay home tonight and his brother will fall in the pool or something. “Michael was asking for you?”

“Oh really.” Bree blushed.

Morgan smiled. “Charlie’s eldest right?”

Ignoring Morgan, Bree asked. “Is Sophia here yet?” They had arrived a little early so Rebecca could help with some of the preparations.

Malcolm shook his head. “Not yet but everyone else is downstairs in the game room.” The Kincaid’s had always invited members of the Coven to the Winter Celebration every year but it was rare for them to attend. He knew Morgan’s arrival to the town would bring other changes as well.

Waving, Breyana went off to wait for her friend. She had to laugh, Malcolm so wanted to be alone with Morgan. Too bad, she saw Abigail and her Aunt’s car driving into the parking lot.

“I like that Michael boy too.” Lily said riding comfortably on Bree’s shoulder. All three Pixies were dressed exactly like Morgan.

“What, I didn’t say I liked him.” Bree objected then blushed again. She admitted he was very cute. The idea of liking boys now didn’t really seem to bother her anymore.

“Whatever, Bree.” Iris giggled hovering nearby.

“I see that Abigail is here I need to speak to Xera.” One of Abigail’s watchers was the Clan’s Keeper of Names.

“Zinnia we’re supposed to have fun tonight.” Lily said. She was still a little afraid of being the Keeper’s apprentice. Zinnia just smiled, she knew exactly why Lily was objecting.

A shadow passing caused all three Pixies to stop talking even Breyana felt it. “Who was that?” She asked nervously.

“Sile Martin.” Lily was now hiding inside Bree’s hair. The Baobhan Sith had been given sanctuary by the Princess over the summer. “Why do you think she is here?”

“She is the town’s Historian.” Zinnia watched the Scottish Vampire glide towards Morgan.

Breyana thought that Sile had felt like Black Mary but she realized she was different. “We are going to the Historical Society house next month for a field trip.” The young girl decided it should be an interesting visit.

Late in the afternoon, Sofia and Breyana sat on the other side of a wide glass door watching the first snowflakes fall. Most of the others were playing games in the other room, while the parents and older children were mingling upstairs.

“Do they ever close the schools because of snow?” Breyana asked.

“Not really. Did they close in your last school?”

“When we lived in South Carolina, even at the hint of snow they closed the schools.” Bree giggled. She remembered rushing with her sister and mother to the store to buy milk and eggs.

“Breyana” The wind whispered. For a moment, she thought it sounded like her mother.

“Did you say something, Sofia?”

“Breyana sweetie, I need to speak to you.” The wind whispered again.

Bree reached for the lock on the door.

“Where are you going?” Both Sofia and Zinnia asked at the same time.

Breyana giggle. “I just want to stand in the snow for a moment.” Could her mother be here? She still remembered the dream with her grandmother.

“I think we should go back inside, Bree.” Lily felt something was wrong. The white haired Pixie could hear the voice on the wind as well. Turning to Iris, she commanded. “Get Xera and Bria now.” Iris was stunned at Lily’s change of demeanor. The Pixie nodded and flew away as fast as her little wings could take her.

“Zinnia, please keep an eye on Sofia.”

Zinnia smiled at the command and took to the air; she had already drawn a slender blade.

“What is that?” Sofia asked. Down the stairs in front of the pool, shadows were flying around in circles.

“I think they’re birds.” Both girls stopped at the top of the stairs.

The shadows began to slow down, take shape. “Breyana I have marked you.” The form was a shadowy outline of a familiar old woman.

“Bree.” Sofia said backing away nervously. Breyana simply stepped in front of her friend.

“I have marked you child and I will come to feast on your bones, and drink your blood. I will...”

Neither girl could hear the rest of what Black Mary’s shadow had to say because an empty glass bottle flew passed them, making a whirling noise. Arcing high above the pair, the bottle landed right where the shadow was standing and exploded. Like a bomb going off, it tore the shadow in shreds, sending bits of bird everywhere, which faded into nothing.

“Stupid birds.” Sile stepped forward taking a sip from another glass beer bottle. “You Coimirceoirá­ are always causing problems. Doesn’t worry about the mark, Hags make a big deal about it. “Looking down at the stunned girls, the Scottish Vampire grinned. “So she is coming for you, big deal. When she does, just remember not to be alone.”

"How long?" Sofia said her fists clinched.

"Pardon?"

"How long till she returns?"

Sile took a sip of her beer and thought for a moment. "Not that long, maybe twenty or thirty years."

Sofia stood agape, twenty or thirty years. "Don't worry then, she wont be alone."

"Sofia." Breyana smiled with tears in her eyes.

Turning to go back in the house Sile suddenly stopped and pointed at the young Cailleach Feasa. “And you, stay away from my kitchen.”

Throwing herself into Bree's hair, Lily squeaked. “Yes Miss Sile.”

Taking another sip from her bottle, the Baobhan Sith whispered. “Stupid Pixies.”

“Sofia, can you give us a second?” Both girls were surprised to find that Morgan was also standing behind them.

Wrapping her arms around the trembling young girl, Morgan said. “Little sister you can’t be going off where angels fear to tread...at least not without me. “

“I’m sorry.”

Kissing her on the forehead, Morgan reached for Bree’s hand. “Good, alright enough fun for one day, let’s go back in before we all catch cold.”

Breyana walked through the halls of her old school happily. She couldn’t believe that she actually spoke to her father through her dreams again last night. He was sitting in front of a small pond with an easel on his lap. Looking like he did before her mother’s accident, her father looked relaxed, almost happy. Still he wasn’t exactly better; the shadows had not lifted from his eyes. However, there was a promise that someday they would meet again but right now, they could visit in her dreams.

“Breyana Rynders you better hurry along, you’re going to be late for class.” Miss Shisaa, one of the school’s gym teachers, was herding a number of other students to class. As usual, several of the buses were late. Giving the teacher a friendly wave, she scurried off to her home room right before the first bell rang.

“Oh, I love those shoes.” Sofia greeted her as Breyana slipped into her desk.

“Thanks, I got them at Zoe’s over the weekend.” Bree was amazed how much her world had changed in a few short months. She wouldn’t have thought back before the holidays, she would be speaking to Sofia about shoes.

“You’re still coming to the workshop tomorrow night right?”

“Of course.”

Sofia leaned closer. “Abby said that Morgan might join you.”

“So far.”

Sofia leaned back and smiled. “Cool.”

Breyana giggled. Who would have known that Sofia’s family were Witches. “You ready to start the day, Lily?” Breyana whispered to her best friend.

“You bet.” The Pixie was sitting comfortably on her shoulder. Iris hovered nearby and Zinnia had already leaped over to Sofia to snuggle into her neck.

Lily had accidently introduced her into a new world. It might be scary at times, horrifying even but there was beauty and wonder too. Breyana was looking forward to learning as much as she could and it was all thanks to Lily’s Magic.

Authors Notes: So this concludes Lily's Magic. I hope that everyone has enjoyed this story. Originally it was written as a short story but I was talked into making it longer. I'm very glad I did. And before you ask, you will be seeing Breyana and Lily again. A special thanks to djkauf for a little elvish editing he has done with this and all my other stories. Thanks to all for reading!

Go raibh maith agaibh

- Elsbeth