The old man studied them briefly, and then returned his attention to the sink. "Never saw such a walking calamity before," he muttered. "Dawn." He plunged the sink, head tilted slightly as he eyed Shayla with speculation.

She ignored his curiosity and began lapping the cream. "Oh my," she whispered low.

Meekal laughed. "You can have the rest."

A warm fuzzy feeling filled her belly. It rumbled about, and then she realized she purred to the perfect timing of her tongue tasting ambrosia. She sang her happiness. Finished, she licked her face and paws.

"Vain little thing, aren't ye?" He wielded a broomstick and grumbled indiscernible words while struggling with the disposal's odoriferous clog. "Both sides. b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l. How'd she?" Water running and the mechanical sound of grinding filled the kitchen with grating sounds.

Shayla glanced around the kitchen, and then trotted toward an open doorway. Out in the hall, she paused to glance around at the fine old antiques. The hallway gleamed dust free in the low light. At the end of the hall, a double front door gave a clear view of the outside veranda-clear as day. Yeah, a charm to make the place look deserted.

The next room appeared to be a combination library and music room. She entered, resisting the inner urge of caution. She studied the book-lined walls, cozy fireplace with reading area, and an antique baby grand piano. Something on the top of the piano drew her attention. Can't be.

She jumped to the padded bench. Elegant luxury. b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l.

She then jumped to the top and stared at the photo to her left. A lump the size of Ohio lodged in her throat. She turned and glared at the other photo which was a fine family vignette shown off with pride upon the priceless antique baby grand. You b.a.s.t.a.r.d!

Anger raged through her, standing the fur on her neck straight up. She could feel the electricity of it. She rushed back to the kitchen and headed straight to the back door. "Meow."

"Time to leave, la.s.s? Ah, they come and they go."

The door opened and she bolted. Out in the yard, she made a mad dash for the front yard, the wall, and freedom. Moisture blurred her vision. Frost bitten plants grabbed and snagged in her fur. She didn't care. The only goal that raced through her mind-get out of here and as far away as possible before her emotions caused an inescapable disturbing blow up.

"Shayla! Wait, what's wrong?"

"LOOK OUT!"

CIARANLEXISS' voice stopped her in her tracks. She skidded, sliding through the garden mulch, ending nose to nose with a nasty big dog. Big didn't begin to describe. She backed up, hissing in heated anger.

He growled, showing off yellowed fangs, his eyes narrowed menacingly.

Meekal jumped between them. "Run! Shayla, run!"

She didn't hesitate. Three more feet and she bounded up the maple. On the wall, Shayla turned.

Meekal morphed. "Back off, Ruff."

Ruff whimpered and turned tail.

Shayla jumped to the ground and ran toward the ward border. A screeching sound filled the air. She realized the magical ward alarm sounded. A strong hand grabbed her up.

"Hang on," Meekal whispered, tucking her into his leather jacket and spinning in perfect tandem. They arrived in her bedroom on the chill wind of change. He waved his hand, transforming her.

"Is the privacy charm still in place?" she whispered, voice ragged with fury.

"Aye."

Fingers clenching her hair, Shayla screamed and screamed. Finally the tears flowed. "He knew. The b.a.s.t.a.r.d knew!" Sobs erupted. Strong arms encircled her.

"Shush. Hey love, it'll be okay."

She drew away. Hand held over her heart, Shayla tried with all her stubborn resolve to strengthen her heart against the pain. "He knew," she repeated. "He-he has a photo of mom's college graduation. And of mine." She collapsed on the end of the bed and stared into Meekal's emotional eyes. "The b.a.s.t.a.r.d knew. Let's get out of here. I need some fresh air."

[16] Brinawell Surprise The clear, bright water sang, dancing over the rocks in the Cuyahoga River. New morning sunshine fed its energy, sending the earth's life source into the river below.

Shayla sighed. Standing at the apex of her life brought a commingling of emotions to the surface. Change happening at a fast rate, the fear of losing her mother's love, pulled a mournful gasp from her. Despite her growing resolve over her destiny, she still had not faced the last issue, her mother.

Shayla knew she only had to speak the White Lady's name and she would materialize.

The voices from within the rapidly flowing water soothed her. The movement of the white lacy froth enchanted in the same manner as it had charmed so many people in history. It must be the power of the glacier's molding of the earth pa.s.sed down through the ages.

The White Lady was already there. Shayla knew this, even as a needle of doubt traveled from her mind to her heart. Omnipresence, she thought.

A black cat brushed up against her leg, purring.

"Bored with chasing chipmunks?"

Arching against her, he purred, "Not really. I could sense your renewed distress."

Shayla sighed and leaned on the banister. The powerful waterfall expressed its majesty through sight and sound. A mist rose up from the contact point of the falls lower level. The stones across the river glistened with sparkles of diamond water drops. "Kal, I just don't know how I'm gonna tell Mom."

CIARANLEXISS spoke up from her boot. "THE RANGER APPROACHES, SHAY."

She turned quickly.

Meekal bounded up onto the top deck rail, eyes focused on the man coming down the wide stairs. "What do suppose he wants?"

"Not a clue," Shayla said, and reached to pet him. The ranger's deep frown tipped her off to coming trouble.

Meekal observed the interaction of the ranger and Shayla.

Stepping down the last step, the ranger motioned to Meekal. "Pets are supposed to be on a leash," he said with authority. His frown intensified and his jaw set with anger as he looked from Shayla to the black cat. "This is your second infraction in two days."

Shayla stiffened. "I realize he should be on a leash. I just got him, haven't had a chance to buy one yet." What she really wanted to say was that a leash would not hold Meekal. Instead, she leaned casually back on the rail, placing her booted foot on the bottom crossbar.

This simple action brought her knife within reach. Shayla's hand rested on her knee. Distrust enveloped her as she studied the petulant park ranger. The last time the man spoke to her, CIARAN did not warn her of his presence. Today, he did. There was something different in the ranger's demeanor. She just couldn't figure out the specifics.

The ranger's eyes narrowed. His hair seemed to bristle with anger. He huffed, and glared at Meekal. "Perhaps you should take him home." He stepped forward in a menacing posture, eyeing Shayla. He continued in a disdainful tone, "Hasn't anyone ever told you that black cats are bad luck?"

She arched her brow and went into a defensive stance. Her foot hit the decking with a resounding thump. She stepped between Meekal and the ranger. "He's special," she said with determination, adding a lift of her chin.

Meekal snickered, said, "Meow," and then pranced past Shayla. Once clear of her protective body, he sat and blinked at the ranger, tail tip flicking in arrogance.

The ranger moved closer.

Shayla thought quickly about what would happen if she fought with a park ranger. Weren't they the law? A flash of inspiration came to her. Stiffening upward to extend her full height, she said, "He's my 'familiar.'" Shayla emphasized the term on purpose. Hopefully, the ranger would back off from such a possibility.

Rather than backing away, the ranger became rigid like a statue. Looking from Meekal to Shayla, he growled, "You're a witch?" Ramrod straight, the muscles of his jaw clenched, while a peculiar looking red vee made an appearance on his forehead. He waited, projecting impatience and expecting an answer.

Shayla tipped her head to the side, gave a nonchalant shrug and smiled sweetly.

The ranger's gaze raked her, mingled with both l.u.s.t and anger. He snarled like an angry cougar and bared his teeth.

Meekal yowled.

"Shh," Shayla said to him, still watching the ranger closely.

A voice came over the ranger's walkie-talkie. "Rick, you need to come to Mary's Cave, right now."

Ranger Rick, still glaring at Shayla, reached for his walkie-talkie. "I'm busy, Jackson."

"Now, Rick." The voice on the other end sounded stern. "We have a 10-15."

Ranger Rick grunted and pushed the b.u.t.ton to silence the device. "Take him home. Now. Don't bring him back to the park without a leash. If I see him loose again, I'll call the animal shelter and ticket you."

Shayla held the ranger's gaze silently. Finally, after several moments, she said. "Absolutely. I understand."

With one last fierce look at Meekal, he turned and began his climb up the stairs to the trail leading to Mary Campbell's Cave.

Meekal stretched his back into a high arch and yawned. "Well it's about time the prat left."

Shayla shuddered. "Something's not right."

"What do you mean?" Kal asked as he sauntered along the rail.

"Well," Shayla said, and glanced around furtively. "CIARAN, why did you warn me that he was coming?"

"I SENSED HE WAS DIFFERENT," he replied, vibrating slightly from his place in Shayla's boot.

"How?"

"HIS SPIRIT WAS VILE TODAY. HE WAS SUSPICIOUS OF MEEKAL."

Shayla inhaled sharply. "I also thought something was different today."

"You've met him before?" Meekal asked, twitching the tip of his tail.

"Yeah," she replied, her eyes following the back of the ranger. "Last time I was here, he made me come down off the rocks. Frankly, I don't like the way he always manages to just appear from nowhere when he crosses my path."

"Aye, well, I don't like the way he looks at my girl."

Shayla huffed.

He chuckled, moved closer and climbed into her arms.

"If I didn't know better," she teased, "I'd say you were starved for attention."

Moving up, he licked her with his sandpapery tongue. Snuggling close, he whispered, "Maybe we should go home."

"SHAY, YE NEED TO GO TO THE CAVE," CIARANLEXISS said from her boot.

"Why?" She frowned, apprehensive.

"YON RANGER IS ANGRY. SOMEONE IS HURT."

Shayla held Meekal close. She waited until a runner pa.s.sed and began an energetic jog up the stairs. Looking around to be sure that no one observed, she spun around, arriving up the hill before Ranger Rick. Pausing behind a tree, she watched as a distressed mother fussed over her daughter. A spark of recognition went through Shayla. She knew them.

Worry and distress resonated from Karen's voice. "Cathee, you should not have been climbing."

Cathee whimpered, trying to bite back her tears.

Ranger Rick arrived on the scene.

"She'll be alright, ma'am." Ranger Jackson said, standing to face off with Rick. "Where were you? My phone is outta range here. We'll have to use yours. Her wrist is broken."

Ranger Rick knelt next to Cathee. "You'll be fine. What's your name?"

Cathee stiffened, tried to pull away and stuttered, "Ca-thee."

Something shifted along Shayla's skin like an ill wind. "What is going on with him?" Rick's voice was cool and steady, yet not comforting. "Kal," she whispered.

Meekal jumped down, transforming as his feet landed. Taking Shayla's hand, he led her out of the undergrowth toward the distressed mother and child. There were simply too many questions about the ranger for Shayla to stay out of the situation.

She knelt and smiled at Cathee. "Hi," she murmured softly. She reached forward and brushed a lock of hair from her tearful face.

"Who are you?" Ranger Jackson asked, kneeling opposite her.

Shayla smiled at Cathee as she answered. "A friend."

"Shayla, thank G.o.d you are here."

"Hey, Karen, I was below when I heard there had been an accident."

Karen sighed. "I turned to my left and she climbed up on the plaque stone. It isn't even that far to fall. I guess it's the way she fell."

She listened, and then wiped a tear from Cathee's scratched and smudged cheek. Humming softly, she closed her eyes briefly, and then reached into her boot, pulling out a scarf.

Ranger Jackson frowned at her, confused.

Ranger Rick growled angrily. "What're you doing?" He did not attempt to hide his contempt.

Karen scowled at Rick.

Shayla merely murmured, "This will make her feel better until the paramedics get here."

"You aren't officially allowed to do that."

"Easy mate," Meekal drawled in his best Brit, and stepped between Rick and Shayla. "She isn't going to hurt anyone."