The car stuttered and made a harsh grinding noise. The thin, frail looking woman at the wheel muttered and said coaxingly, “Please, please come on. Just a little more. Just until we reach a town. Please.” The car surged forward, as if it had new life. Then the grinding noise grated through the air and steam started hissing from the front grill. Staring at it, Élodie turned the wheel with the last bit of power left in the car and pulled it off the road. She rested her head against the wheel gently, trying not to cry and wake the small boy strapped into his car seat in the back.

But they had to get out of the car. She didn’t know how far the men were behind her, those terrifying, merciless faceless men that wanted her and her child and would stop at nothing to take them back. So they couldn’t stay here. No matter how much Élodie wanted, needed to rest. No matter how much even the slightest movement hurt. The headlights were still on, piercing the darkness. The road was a narrow winding one twisting through a deep green forest. The road appeared only to be tolerated by the forest, with the tress growing up and over, almost creating a tunnel. The light of the moon struggled to pierce the branches, full of summer foliage.

Sighing, she sat upright and undid her belt before opening the door and stepping outside. She had managed to pull the car off the road far enough that no one driving along this deserted stretch of road would hit it. She ran a hand through the tumbled dark brown hair that had escaped it’s tie. It hung, limp and lifeless around a face that was narrow and guant. A firm chin and high cheekbones were highlighted from the shadows of not enough food and stress. Bright green eyes, clouded with fatigue looked at the road and the car and then to the forest. She should see the start of a path leading down and away from the road.

Bending her frame she opened the backseat and pulled out a bag. There was no hope for it. She would have to pack the minimal that was needed and hope they could find someone that would be able to help get the car started. Though she had little money for that. It might be better to sell it for scrap and see if she could get another car. She was tired of running. Tired of being frightened and constantly watching the shadows and people for threats. “I just wish I could find somewhere safe, somewhere where I could be anonymous and free to raise my baby boy. Where he could be safe.” Élodie whispered to the forest. She placed a spare set of clothes for the boy and as much food as was left. She layered an extra set of clothes on top of her current jeans, shirt and light sweater, tying an extra sweater around her waist. The night was cool but she would soon be sweating from walking through the forest.

Something, instinct, urged her to hurry. She had learnt to trust those tiwnges, those warnings the last two months. Hurrying she put the pack on so it was carried on her front. Then strapped a soft ergo carrier around her waist. Reaching into the car she undid the straps of the car seat, threading Sean’s arms through the straps. He stirred slightly, and opened vivid green eyes. “Muma?” he asked sleepily.

“It’s alright baby bear. The car broke, but there is a forest path. Mum is going to carry you in the carrier on her back. Out we get.” She pulled him out, taking the weight of his sleepy little body, drawing in a deep breath of his sweet baby scent. Holding him tight she stood. Manoeuvring herself and him she perched him on her back and pulled the carrier up over him and clipped the straps together across her chest. Shaking slightly, she settled him comfortably. “Ok bubba?” He only response was a slight snore. She reached back and pulled the hood up over his head to keep him warm and protect him from any stray rain. It was Ireland, so rain was always possible.

She grabbed the small stuffed rainbow bunny and shoved it in her pocket. Shutting the door she locked the car, though she knew it would more than likely be searched once the men following her found it. With one last look she set off down the faint path into the woods.

The woods swallowed her up fast. Within a few metered she couldn’t see the road or the car anymore. She trod carefully, dependant only on the moonlight to show the way. She didn’t have a torch and was wishing she had thought to buy one last time she stopped. Trees surrounded her, and only the faint glow of the moonlight showed a path. They grew so tall and straight. Green ferns and moss stained the ground, turned silver green in the drifting light. Rocks, boulders really, were thrown in random piles, almost like a giant tossing them to see where they landed. Élodie smiled at the thought.

Sean was a warm weight on her back. All she could think was thankfully he was sleeping quietly so they could move faster than if he was walking. She was getting hot already with the layers of clothes, and the ever present fatigue, bone crushing at times in it’s presence and weight was pushing at her to stop. She shook it off and took a sip from her water bottle. She couldn’t stop, no matter who tired, no matter how hard her legs wobbled and burned. If they found her, they would take Sean. Take him and imprison him again, make him do things, take blood, examine him like a bug under a microscope. She couldn’t let that happen. She wouldn’t let that happen.

A small stream started following the path. Élodie stopped next to a tree, leaning against it as she caught her breath. It felt like she had been walking for hours but a glance at her watch showed that it had been barely forty minutes. Her arms shook with fatigue and stress. She could hear something though. Faint but something was crashing through the trees and the lower shrubbery and ground cover. She took another sip of water. Instinct was screaming at her that it was them. Looking into the forest for their prey. Thinking that they almost had her.

Pushing off the tree, she reaching deep down into herself for that spark, the little bit of strength, needed now. Drawing it up carefully, she pulled it through her, pushing power and strength through her muscles. Power and determination to protect her child, however she could. Stretching she opened her eyes. The forest looked different now. She could see through it as if the sun was shining brightly down. A path lit up for her, showing her the way to take. She set off at a jog, a loping stride that she could keep up for as long as the gift of strength held. Hopefully, it would last until morning, or until she was far, far away.

Sean bounced gently in his carrier and she tighten the straps slightly to stabilise him. The forest drifted past. Tree close together, brilliantly green with moss and lichen. Branches reaching down, but moving away from her as if moved by the wind. A rich, dark landscape of the forest. Somewhere secret and hidden. Élodie hoped that it would take her and Sean and keep them deep within, secreted away from their hunters.

An hour later she pushed through into a glen. Grass whistled in the wind and silvered in the moonlight. The moon was dropping low, not far from setting. A single stone stood in the centre of the glade, a steel grey pillar, ancient but rising towards the sky. Worshiping the moonlight as it had for centuries. Élodie stayed near the tree on the edge of the glen. There was something special about this glen, a sense of power, ancient and tied to the forest. She wasn’t sure it would welcome her presence or any human touch. A hand touched her arm. Sean.

“Mumma, I’m hungry.” A small voice murmured in her ear. Élodie reached behind her with what remained of her power. She listened, holding herself silent. Nothing flowed down on the wind but the shivering trees and the distance burbling of a brook. For now anyway, she had left the men chasing her behind. She unclipped the buckle and reached behind, to hold Sean as the carrier realised him. Swinging him around, she gently set him on his feet on the grass at the edge of the glen. “Just a small drink and some crackers for now. We need to keep moving.”

Sean nodded and sat on the ground. She passed down water bottle and found the container with the dry crackers. He sat and ate carefully, making sure there were no crumbs. “Want some mumma?”

“Mumma ate already darling.” Élodie lied to her sweet boy. There wasn’t much food left and she didn’t want him to go hungry. When they found a town she would eat something. Until then most of the food she had with her would go to her boy. He needed it more than she did. “Finished mumma.” Sean said, lifting his arms so she could put him back on her back. She strapped him back in and felt him res his head on her shoulder. He trusted her to always take care of him and make sure he was safe and she wouldn’t, couldn’t, let down that trust. She set off across the glen heading towards the other side and hopefully a path that would lead them to a friendly town and people. A safe haven for her and her son.

Conchobar leaned against the tree, watching the woman stride across on of his glens. The secret hollows of his power. Power drifted around her, making the air sparkle gently. He had seen her give her child her food and take none for herself. Sacrificing her health for him. He had felt her steps as she ran through his woods. And the darkness that tainted the men that tracked her. A darkness he would not allow to taint his woods, his homeland, with their man made weapons and the sharp tang or gunpowder and the astringent taste of anger and lust.

He raised a hand back towards the way the woman had come. The forest shifted and wind howled through the branches, making them creaks and crack. Dead fall fell from above, taking out one of the men suddenly. Powerful torches moves from the faint tracks they were following to see the injuries he had taken. When they moved back to the path, after the realisation that he was dead, the path had shifted. Boulders had moved and a faint trail now led them north. Conchobar laughed silently, grinning. These humans would be good hunting for him. But first he needed to make sure the woman followed the path he laid. One of safety form the creatures and secret places in his woods. One that would take her to someone that would watch over her until she could defend and protect her child from the coming threat.

***

Élodie swapped between the loping run and the slower striding walk as she travelled. Her legs and chest were burning but she couldn’t stop. The path she was following wasn’t so faint anymore. It was almost marked, which made her wary. But it was easier to follow then to head off the side into the forest, which had taken on a darkness and sense of threat, she didn’t want to touch. So she followed this set path through the forest. Climbing over the roots and boulders, splashing over small streams. It might have been a path but it still had places that were wild and required harder work to get through. She came to another, smaller glen. Her breath was wheezing through her chest at this point. She needed a rest.

This glen held a pair of rocks. Both rose in the centre, almost like the pillars marking a doorway. Élodie shook her head at that fancy thought. Maybe it was just a normal occurrence in this part of the country. “Mumma, off please.” Sean asked as she paused.

“Do you want a drink?” She asked as she swung him down off her back. She was trembling with exhausting but held her limbs strong, so as not to show Sean. He took the offered water bottle then walked around, not moving too far from her. “Mumma look!” he called from near the pillars of rock. Staggering, the pushing to hide the weakness from Sean she followed him to the pillar. Looking through the pillars she could see a faint light. An electric light, such as that from a house. The sky was starting to glow with the faint light of the sun about to rise. It let her see make out the faint outline of a lake, further down through the forest. “Ok then Sean. Up you go. Hopefully we can get there in another hours or so.” Élodie said in encouragement.

She didn’t mention that her legs were trembling and felt like limp noodles. Or that her chest had turned tight and it was harder to catch her breath. Her back and her arms ached. Her hair was a tangle and several pieces had been pulled out from branches too low. Dirt covered her legs, and her arms in markings. Bark and damp dirty moss clung to a few patches of her face where she had run her hand across after leaning against a tree. A scratch from a whipping branch scored her cheek, bleeding sluggishly. She locked her arms and swung Sean onto her back.

She walked through the pillars. Winds rushed around them, swirling, tugging and pushing in a roar. Élodie’s hair whipped around her face and she pulled her arms up to cover her face as light burst and spun around them. She took another step then fell to her knees with a gasp. The air seemed to pop around them. Élodie’s ears popped, the brief pain clearing her head.

“What the hell was that?” she muttered to herself before pushing herself upright.

“You stepped through a portal. Luck was on your side that I decided to help and not hinder a child of my kin.” Élodie spun violently, wringing a cry from the toddler perched on her back. A man was leaning against one of the pillars. Dark[ml1]  brown hair that reflected the forest trees hung wild around a face that had high cheekbones and a square jaw. Something about him, was striking, arresting and interesting through there was an alien cast to his features. Something not quiet human. Large silver eyes inspected her.

He was dressed in tight brown pants and a deep green tunic of all things. A bow hung loosely in his hand, with the quiver strap hanging over his shoulder. “We are sorry that we have intruded onto your property.”

“The forest belongs to those that respect it and protect it child. Not to any one person. It is my home and I am its Guardian.”

Élodie nodded her head low, keeping him in her sight. “Does that protection allow myself and my child free passage to the people below?” She moved slightly around, keeping the stone at her back, but keeping an eye to having a path open to let her run. She pulled he last of the reserves of her power through her. If she could get to people, safe people before she crashed, she could at least make sure Sean was safe.

The man smiled faintly, as though he understood what she was thinking. “You are a child of my kin and the forest welcomes you. Follow the path, the path only mind you. Others walk this forest that may not be so kind. When you reach the lake tell the woman there that Conchobar sent you. She will provide you with friendship and protection is you are worthy of it.” He stepped back from the pillar, moving towards the forest opposite her. Then he paused and looked over his shoulder. A feral grin passed over his face. “Those that were chasing you. Do not worry for them any longer. The forest takes care of its own.” He disappeared into the deepening green shadows.

Élodie moved towards the path he had shown her. She shuddered at what he had implied. The men that had been following her were somewhere in the forest and they wouldn’t be bothering anyone anymore. The people of the forest apparently looked after their own and she apparently belonged to them.

Breath rasping, limbs trembling, Élodie staggered against a tree before leaving the forest. A cottage sat on a small hill knoll and a grassy lawn, speckled with wildflowers rolled down to a jetty stretching out onto a silver blue lake. The cottage was stone and wood, with wide windows facing the lake. A white expensive four wheel drive was parked next to it and a drive, lined with rocks, led up the hill under the shade of the trees. A bench, a welcome seat, sat in front of the cottage, looking out on the lake. Élodie staggered over to it and swung Sean down from her back. He was grumpy and grizzly about being carried for so long. But at the same time he looked at her with worry. “Alight mumma? You ok?” he questioned as he felt her arms tremble as she stood him on the ground.

“I’m ok Sean. Just tired from walking so far. I’ll just sit and have a drink. You eat the rest of the crackers and the apple ok?” she dropped more then sat onto the bench. Taking the water bottle she guzzled most of the rest down. She had refilled it from one of the bright clean streams that they had crossed since leaving the glen and the portal. And not they had reached a house, though she wasn’t sure if this was the place the man, well creature, had directed them towards. Sean sat at her feet on the grass eating his crackers and the apple she had brought him. He silently passed her a cracker and took the water bottle.

Such a solemn little boy. He had her vivid green eyes but his hair was the rich russet compared to her dark brown. The red had come from her father’s family. Rather than the milk pale skin or a normal redhead child though he had golden skin that tanned dark if he spent too much time in the sun. That was the only thing physical link between him and his father. He was tall and strong, though on the thin side. Élodie frowned at that. He had always been skinny for his height but he seemed to have lost even more lately. The stress of always running and not having enough food beginning to show.

Guilt hit. She needed somewhere that she could live and make sure her precious boy was safe. See him laugh again and run for the joy of it. Have enough food and the space to be happy. She pushed it away and stood on her trembling legs. She peeled off the extra shirt she had thrown on, the clear warmth of the day starting to hit. It was a clear sunny day and everything seemed brighter. Hopefully that was sign, though she didn’t really believe in them, that everything would be ok, that everything would work out.

**

Saorise dangled her legs off the edge of the jetty, enjoying the cool splash of water against her legs. It was midmorning but the clear bright day had dragged her out of the house and down to the cottage to paint. Summer was in bloom and she was determined to make the most of it. Leaning back she lifted her face to the sun, closing her eyes and enjoying the warmth. She felt the rolling movement and a foot landed in her ribs. She opened her eyes and smiled down at the mound of her belly. She patted it gently then pushed herself back to sitting upright. She felt mellow and relaxed today.

Sighing she manoeuvred herself to standing. It was getting hard now she only had about three months to go, but she was joyful about the life she was carrying. A blessing after losing a brother, discovering a new one and finding the man of her dreams. Smiling she turned back towards the cottage and the easel that was waiting with an almost finished painting. Sparrow had been asking if she had any new works he could display at the gallery. She gasped in shock as she almost ran into Conchobar, her father. “Don’t do that! Whistle or something before I die of fright next time.”

He smiled his enigmatic smile down at her. “Good day to you daughter.” He ran a hand briefly but lovingly over her pregnant belly. “And you too grandchild.” The baby squirmed and booted his hand. Saoirse looked at the expression of love and delight on his face. This man might be from another race and ancient beyond her understanding but his love of life and children in particular was magic to see. He was fascinated by her growing belly and the child she carried within. “Going to be the hovering grandfather are we?” she asked with a gurgle of laughter.

He smiled at her. “You are blossoming with life. A child is always welcome. A miracle of hope and magic for the future.” He gave her belly a final pat before taking her arm to guide her off the jetty and towards the cottage. He had started treating her life she was fragile glass as soon as he found out she was expecting a child. His visits had been coming more often as well, while she got to know this strange alien man who had fathered her. “I brought someone here. I told them you would help her. She was in my forest, being chased by men. Men tainted with some unnatural darkness, a taint I don’t know or understand.”

Saoirse gasped. “Is she alright?”

“For now. The forest took care of the men and she passed through one of my portals so the journey was halved. But she had the markings of someone that has been running for a long time.”

“And you want me to help.”

“She is kin, daughter. A child of the guardian that has passed over. Riordan, who guarded the Star Gate and gave his life to save the life of my child. And the lives of many of the descendants of the Tuatha Dé Dannan and the children of Mille.”

Saoirse looked up at him. Sorrow passed over her face as she remembered the events of only three months ago. A violent mad man has taken a magical artefact and tried to break open the gates that barred the worst of the Tuatha Dé Danann and foul twisted creatures, who only purpose was to cause pain, terror and drain the life and blood of the human race, from accessing the world. So many people had died, their blood, magic and pain sacrificed on the altar of a man’s quest for power and the ability to crush others below him into subservience and rule the world.

“I will do what I can Conchobar.”

“Good.” He released her and waves as he loped down the forest edge. Antlers rose above his head like a crown, decorated with green leaves from the forest that was him home. Sighing, she walked, well waddled really, up towards the cottage. Almost all the weight she had put on was belly but it threw her sense of balance out and made her walk funny. Patting the mound again she trotted upwards. She passed her easel on the way. A glance at it and she was smiled. The painting was finished, she decided. It showed the lake and the Macgullicuddy Reeks [ml1] rose up, dusted with vivid green and the dark swatch of forests. Bare stone showed at some points. The lake dmoniated the painting though. A shimmer of water, that glowed  and reflected the colours the forest and the grassy banks that flowed down the hill to the water. It looked like a celebration of life and summer and wonderful relaxing days.

She looked up at the cottage and noticed the slight woman seated at the bench. The new bench that Eric had put in for her so she could watch the lake she loved when she came to visit the cottage. She was slumped with weariness, and it looked like determination was the only thing holding her up. Thin, so very thin, almost like she had starved, or had very little access to food. Pale, pale white skin, marked with dirt and moss and a bit of blood. A[ml2]  thin narrow face full of shadows and hollows, created from hunger and stress. High cheekbones, so sharp they could cut, a pointy chin and wide eyes, Saoirse could see were a vivid brilliant green even from this far away. Rich, deep brown hair fell in a tangle around her face. It looked limp, straggely and wild. Something that had been ignoredand thrown back in a ponytail or knot just to keep it out of her face.

She was slight. Saoirse thought she would be slight and slender framed even without the thinness or too little food. Her cothes were ragged and bore streaks of dirt and moss. A noise brought her attention to the ground. A young child of maybe three say there eating an apple. He russet hair flyaway haiar that hung to his ears. His build, though that of a child, spoke of height, and a lean musclar strength that would come with age. He turned his head and caught sight of her. Green eyes dominated a face that was long with a pointy chin and the chubbiness of his age. He pointed at her and spoke to his mother.

Saoirse waved at the pair. “Hello.”

Élodie saw the young woman climbing up the slight hill from the lake. She had long[ml3]  dark, dark brown hair, almost black that tumbled over her shoudlers in large waves. Pale skin and a dark dusting of freckles made the face with it’s rounded cheekbones and stonr jawline beautiful in a different way. Tall, she was slender despite the large pregnant belly she sported. She was dressed in a flowing knee length dress, with cap sleeve and swirled in the light breeze. A ring flashed on the hand she raised to wave at them. Élodie stood and as the woman got closer, she saw that she had larger silver grey eyes, that looked familiar.

Élodie gasped and raised her hand to her mouth. They were the same colour as the man she had met in the woods. The one she was certain was not human, but a creature that belonged to the woods and the secret dark places found there. Looking at her son, who was watching the wman with a wary look, she glanced up and pulling her courage up spoke. “I’m sorry to intrude but my car broke down. Both of use have been travellling through the forest most of the night. Do you know if there is anywhere nearby we could stay, or I could find a job? I need to get my car and get it fixed.” Élodie had come to the conclusion while she sat and caught her breath that it was time to stop running for the moment. Sean needed somewhere where he could stay for a while and she needed to earn some money, to build up her stash again. Just incase they needed to run again. It was a risk she would have to take. And maybe, just maybe she had found somewhere safe.

The woman smiled. “I’m Saoirse Finnegan. My father, Conchobar, told me you has traveled through his forest here. Then men that were chasing you are gone, so you have no need to worry. You are safe here.”

Élodie sank back down onto the bench. She hadn’t expected this woman to claim to be a duaghter of the forest creature. Uneasily she looked at her. Saoirse spoke with an accent that wasn’t Irish or English that she knew so it confused her further. When she didn’t speak Saoirse sat and smiled at Sean. Sean appraoched her and patted her belly. “Baby.” He said. “Yep, there is a baby in there. See this house? This is the house I first lived in when I came to Ireland.”

Élodie found her vioce. “You were not born in ireland? But I thought Conchobar was your father.”

“He is. I only met him late last year. My mother concieved me here but she ran, after she left her husband to Australia. I was raised there. I came to find out who I was last year. Imagine my surpise when I met this strange alien creature who belongs to the forest and found that my real father was the Stag of the Forest, one of the Tuantha Dé Dannan.”

Élodie just murmuered nonsence. She was starting to feel dizzy and out of it. The crash of using the last of her strength. She tried deperately to push it aside. Trusting her instincts she spoke. “I can trust you can’t I?”

“Yes.”

“My name is Élodie Ahern. This is my son Sean. W have been running from people, from an organisation that wants to study Sean for the last three months, sicne my father died. They have something to do with my ex-hsubands family. I don’t know if I am safe here. They are powerful and I could be putting you and your friends and family in danger. But I need to stop running for a while. I need somewhere safe.”

Saoirse smiled at her gently. “You will be safe here Élodie. You can stay at the cottage here. It belongs to my husbands’s family. And we are not without our friends. We have our own power and we protect those that need it. Conchobar would not have trusted you to travel his forest and his portal unless he saw something in you.”

She leaned over and took Élodie’s arm. “Now you are probably exhausted down to your bones. How about you come inside? Have a shower and I will make something for you to eat. Then we can talk. If you want a job, I already have one you can do if you are interested.” She pulled Élodie gently to ht ehouse, opening the door. Inside was a beautiful house. The door opened straight out onto a large room that took up most of the first floow. A sofa and comfortbale chairs surrounded a coffee table with a tv opposite. A covered fireplace was nearby and then the room flowed onto a kitchen, with a dinning table and chairs set before it. Saorise waved the a doorway set next to the gorgeous carved wood staircase.

“There is a bedroom there. The stairs led to the master bedroom. Kind bed, ensuit and walk in wardrobe. There is another bathroom behind the stairs that backs onto the bedroom down here. Power, gas, water and the phone are all on. And if you are worried we can just keep them in my name. One less way for someone to track you down.” She sat Élodie in a seat that faced the kitchen bench cum breakfast bar. Finging the kettle she put it on to heat and pulled out mugs. She filled a plastic cup of water nad smiling gave it to the little boy. Opening the fridge she dug out cheese and tomatoes and a loaf of bread.

Élodie stared and wondered why someone would put bread in the fridge. Saoirse caught the look. “Oh. I know it goes stale but I can’t help putting it in the fridge. Eric just skaes his head and takes most of the stuff out that I put in there and and puts it away. I come from a town where if it is wasn’t in the fridge it would be mouldy the next day or the ants would be using it make a nest.”

Saoirse spoke as she made toasted cheese and tomato sandwhiches. “Sorry it isn’t anything special but I am not a good cook. Eric does most of it. Now, if you live here, I will organise a car for you to use. Eric has enough in the garage until yours can be repaired. Job wise.” Saoirse leaned her arms on the kitchen bench and looked at Élodie. “I need an assistant. Someone to run errands, cart stuff around for me and so the paperwork. Who knew there was so much blasted paperwork involved in being a painter. You can deal with Sparrow for me too. I am coping at the moment but I am starting to slow down and everything is taking away time I want to paint or get stuff ready for the baby. Or even just relax.”

Élodie looked at her suspiciously. “You aren’t just making this up are you? Becayse you feel sorry for me.”

Saoirse started laughing. She held her pregannt belly as she laughed and laughed and laughed. Élodie just looked at her. “The sandchiches are burning.” Saoirse pulled them off and cut them into triangles before passing them over. She took a bit, still chuckling. “Sorry. No this isn’t a mad eup job. Sparrow and Eric have been nagging me for the last two months to get an assistant. Sparrow mostly because I gnore his calls, forget the paperwork, forget meetings or any of a hundren other things. He told me that if my paintings weren’t making him tonnes of money and demonstarted what an outstanding artist I was, and if I wasn’t married to his boss, he would wash his hands of me or strangle me. Or both. Apparently I am a pain to work with or for. Just so you know.”

Élodie looked at Saoirse. Her grin and verve was infectious. She put out her hand, thankfull washed clean or dirt and moss, and said “You have a deal. I will take the house and be your new assistant.”

Saoirse grinned. “You won’t regret it.”

Saoirse opened the door to let Eric in. She had settled Sean onto the couch with a scrap book and some pencils. He was absorbed in trying to draw pictures of all the creatures he had seen while they were travelling through the forest. Eric glanced over and waved, briefly before following Saoirse to the kitchen. Pouring a cup of tea he watched as she settled onto a stool, absently eating the apple he sliced up. “I brought one of the older cars over. Gwen organised a car seat that should be suitable. Are you sure they will be safe here? We can bring them up to the house to stay. More people and space.”

Saoirse shook her head. “No, I think Conchobar will be watching over her. And this place, this cottage. It’s a healing place, somewhere where you can find yourself again. Remember the time we spent here? I think it will be good for Élodie to have her own space. Especially as she is going to have to put up with my nonsense more often than not anyway.”

“Darling, I doubt very much you will work her that hard.”

“I’m going to put her to work liaising with Sparrow.” Saoirse rubbed her hands together. “This should get me out of the paperwork and him off my back. He nags so much, it’s driving me crazy. I just want to paint, why does he want all this other stuff. This way everyone wins. I get an assistant who can do all the paperwork etc, run errands and take stuff to the gallery and Sparrow, Élodie gets a job, and Sparrow doesn’t have to deal with me directly.”

Eric shook his head. Sparrow and Saoirse got along well, except for when it came to her paintings. She would only send the ones she wanted, usually missing half the paperwork that explained what it was, and when it was done and where the landscape came from and certification that it was painted by Saoirse and Sparrow could sell it. Sparrow would nag her to send the ones she didn’t want seen yet, and talk and talk and talk about it until she exploded at him. He asked for things she didn’t consider art, saying the clients of the gallery wanted them, or ask her to attend gatherings despite her sheer stubbornness in actually meeting the people who were buying her pictures. She’d snarl something about him selling her soul and the clients could go stuff themselves. That the only reason she was even hanging the pictures for sale was because Eric had badgered her about it being her responsibility to her gift to showcase what she could do. It had been fun to watch actually.

“So who do you think they are running from? This doesn’t sound like the normal running away from a violent husband or some such thing.”

“Mumma took me from the bad men.” A thin high voice pipped up. Saoirse looked behind her to see that Sean was watching them, where they sat at the breakfast bar. “Do you want to come sit over here? You mum is probably going to sleep another hour or so. Eric can make you something to eat.”

Sean moved away from the coffee table and climbed up on the stool next to Saoirse. Eric winked at him and started chopping ingredients to make a stew. “I’ll make a nice beef stew for you and your mum to have for dinner. But what would you like now? I can make you an omelette or soft boiled eggs and toast soldiers. Or is there anything else you like particularly?”

“Egg and soldiers. I like eggs.”

“Ah that’s good then. Just the thing for growing young boys.”

Sean watched as Eric moved around, setting the pot to boil and getting the eggs out, all the while chopping the ingredients to go into the pot for his stew. Soon the air was full of the smell of frying onions and beef and Sean had a pair of soft boiled eggs and toast cutting into thin strips. “Sean can you tell us about the bad men? If you don’t want to, I can ask your mum when she gets up.”

Sean looked at her. Those clear vivid green eyes, seeming to see right through her and judge her. He blinked and looked back at his plate. “We used to live with grandpa. The man mum said was my dad used to come visit us, with his mum. Then grandpa died. The man came, he took us away. Mumma tried to get me away. Told me to hide. But he was hurting her, so I came out. They locked us up. Mumma told me I was brave. They hurt me and they hurt her. I didn’t like them. They smelt wrong. It was scary. Then mumma did something. I don’t know what but she got us out of the cage and out of the building. We went back to grandpa’s house and took the car and all our stuff. Mumma drove far away. We stopped sometimes and stayed but the men came again. I dreamed they were coming and mumma listened. And we left. But the car broke and they almost caught us. Mumma made me hide again, she made me promise not come out no matter what happened.” Sean looked down at the toast, where he was crushing it in his hand. Tears were sliding down his face.

“I stayed. I hid. No matter what she said. They hurt her.” He whispered. “And then they went. We ran. And then the car broke again. Mumma took me through the forest and we met the stag man.” He looked up at Saoirse and Eric. The look in his eyes and on his face, showed that despite his young age he understood more than you would think. “Are you going to stop them? I don’t want to go back. I don’t want them to hurt mumma again.”

Saroise gathered this solemn little boy into her arms. He couldn’t have been more than three and yet he had witnessed things no child should witness or understand. Tears shimmered in her eyes. “I promise you Sean, those men won’t get anywhere near you or your mum. You have friends and protectors now. No matter what they threaten or do they will not take you from here.”

Eric nodded. His eyes glittered with a rage he kept hidden from the boy. “You and your mum are safe and welcome here Sean.”

“Thankyou.” Élodie spoke from the shadows near the stairs. She had heard the last few things Sean had told them when she came down the stairs. It shamed her that her child, her son, who she should have protected with her life, had witnessed the degradation and violence she had been subjected to. It made her feel dirty that she couldn’t have fought back more, protected herself and this little innocent boy. The tall man behind the kitchen counter nodded at her. He smiled gently at her. Black hair was cut well to fall in long strands to his ears. He was handsome with his broad forehead, square jaw and round cheekbones. Amazing amber eyes watched her, and he projected a sense of gentleness and peace. Though there was power contained in his build, in the broad shoulders and heavy musculature of his arms and chest. Power that was only unleashed when it was the last option.

“Welcome to the Lake Cottage Élodie. I’m Saoirse’s husband Eric. I’m just putting together a stew for you to have for dinner.”

“You didn’t have to.” Élodie said feeling guilt at all that this couple had given her already. He grinned, laughter in his eyes. “It’s no bother. I love to cook and this way you don’t have to think about it tonight and you have a nice warm meal before mo mhuimin puts you to work.”

Élodie smiled in response, relaxing as she realised Eric was not threat to her. She pulled snuggled up next to Sean, stealing a piece of toast and cuddling him close. He rested head on her shoulder, exhausted suddenly in that way of children. “Here we go my little bear, up the stairs and off to sleep.” She carried him up the stairs, pulling off his socks and shoes and tucking him into the king size bed. He was in that utterly limp pose of sleep as she left him. His dark eyelashes twitching slightly in sleep.

She walked down the stairs, trying to decide how much she should tell Eric and Saoirse. How much she should let them get involved with what was happening. Instinct told her to tell them but she was wary to involve others, to put them at risk or being hurt or injured. She settled on Sean’s stool, still undecided. Eric slid a plate over in front of her. An omelette steamed, freshly made. It smelled and tasted delicious. Saoirse got one as well, though hers looked a bit more cooked. She poked it with a fork. “No runny eggs remember?” Saoirse grumbled at her well cooked omelette. “At least it still tastes awesome.”

Eric started clearing and cleaning the bench. Élodie ate watching him. She leaned over to Saoirse and whispered “You are a lucky woman.” Saoirse nodded. “Deinfately.” She said between mouthfuls. Eric looked over at them from the sink. Saoirse grinned and gave a thumbs up. Élodie kept eating. Eric shook his head and went back to what he was doing. By the time he had finished both plates were empty. He finished washing them and placed them in the drying rack.

“So now your tummy is full, do you want to tell us the story or would you rather not. It is up to you Élodie. We don’t want to pressure you, but the more we know the more precautionary measures we can put in place.”

Élodie looked at her hands. They had broad palms that attached to her thin wrists and narrow long fingers. Musical fingers. Ones that used to dance along the strings of her violin or along the keys of the old grand piano her father had kept.

“I guess it all started when I meant Riorden. Riorden Mullaney. I won’t bore you with the courtship but we were married five years ago. I was only twenty-four and I thought I was in love. That I was the centre of his world. He was thirty so there was an age gap, but not too big as far as I was concerned. We tried for a baby right away. But nothing happened. So we went and saw a specialist. He told us that Riorden was infertile, that his sperm count was so low it would be a miracle if we could conceive naturally. So we started IVF. We got lucky. We got pregnant the first go. I was so happy. But Riorden, while he seemed happy, he seemed to resent the baby. But when Sean was born I was sure that would change. How could he not love this tiny little bundle that we had been blessed with? But he didn’t. He grew more distant and angry. I knew he was cheating and I asked him to leave.

“That was when he hit me the first time. I had him out of the house within the hour. I packed up Sean and my stuff and I took it home to my father’s house. I had hated the house Riorden had chosen for us to live in. It was a characterless cloned box of a house in the middle of a Dublin suburb. We separated and divorced. I let him visit Sean, and bring his mother along. Despite both of us hating each other. Than something changed. I saw Sean playing. And it wasn’t the normal play of a two year old. He was levitating objects and making them dance through the air. Animals would come at his call. And he didn’t know not to do it in front of his grandmother and his father.

“Not long after this happened my father died. A car accident they said. He’d been drinking and driven his car off an embankment. My father rarely drank and he never, ever got behind a wheel if he had been drinking. I knew something wasn’t right but no one would listen to me. Then Corryn and Riorden arrived for their next scheduled visit. Only this time they came with men, soldiers or bodyguards, I don’t know. They packed up Sean’s things and tried to take him from me. I fought back and pushed Sean away. Told him to hide. But he came out, running to my rescue, a little two year old boy throwing things through the air with magic, when he heard me scream in pain when Riorden broke my ribs.

“They gave him something, I don’t know what but they knocked us out and bundled us into the car and took us away. To a building. A building I hope to never see again as long as I live. They caged us. Brilliant stark white walls, and metal bars. A floor designed to be hosed down in case they drew blood. And they made Sean do things. Pushed him, hurt him with a cattle prod if he didn’t, or just because they wanted to. Or they threatened to hurt me. They took his blood, they cut him and I couldn’t stop them. I tried, oh god did I try but they just knocked me out, or held me back and broke my ribs or an arms or smashed a fist into my face.

“Then Corryn came in one day. She sat down outside the bars and looked at me as though I was a dog, someone to be trodden on. Then she told me how Sean was their prize. How Riorden wasn’t really infertile, that he had had a vasectomy, so that after he married me they could inseminate me with the seed of a creature they had caught. Trapped and tortured with iron. One of the Tuatha Dé Danann. How because I was half Tuatha Dé Danann myself they wanted to see if they could breed a child that was almost full blood. Because the blood of the Tuatha Dé Danann was precious in its ability to combine with certain chemicals to make an elixir of life. That they could combine it make their men stronger and faster then possible while making them completely controllable.

“They had had some success with the pure Tuatha Dé Danann blood but it needed a human component to not cause lasting harm to the user. That one of the men they had tried it on earlier had gone mad and escaped, killing people in a search for blood and power, before he was finally killed. That it needed to be combined with the blood of the sons of Melli, the people that settled Ireland and pushed the tuatha dé danann from this realm. So they searched for a woman to experiment on, to breed a child from, and I was chosen. I was furious and hurt and betrayed. That everything I had known was a lie.

“I don’t know exactly what happened then. Some explosion, or someone else they held using their power to break the walls down and drain the electricity from the building. But I used the opportunity. I took Sean and I got out of there. I also had the pleasure or tying that horrible woman down and locking her into my cell. Somehow I managed to make my way out of the building. It was a miracle is all I can say that I wasn’t caught.

“We went back to my father’s house and I packed up what clothes, food, money and things I thought we would need. Then I took his car and sold it and bought another. We have been running since. I stopped at a town once, because I thought we might be safe and the car needed to be fixed.

“That was when I found out that they had people following us, chasing us. I got Sean to hide. He was their key prize, their orders didn’t cover mean. I wasn’t any use to Corryn or Riorden alive or dead. They hurt me. I won’t go into it, but you can imagine. They tried to break me so I would tell them where Sean was. But I didn’t. And he didn’t come out from his hiding spot. They left me alive. Probably in the hope that I would lead them to Sean. I bundled Sean up and we left. The rest you know. The car broke down in the forest and my only hope was to run, to escape through the forest. To hide and hope they wouldn’t find me.”

Saoirse moved closer and wrapped her arms around Élodie, hugging her tight. “You are an amazing Élodie. You have done whatever you can to protect your son. Whatever happened you need to know that. Hold that inside you as a truth. You are strong, worthy and a warrior, more brave and courageous then known.” Saiorse pulled back. A glint lit her eye and anger ran over her face. “And we are going to find these bastards and they are going to fry.” Lightening slammed to the ground somewhere outside, as thunder roiled.

Eric reached over and gripped Saoirse’s hand. “Calm it down a ghrá geal. You don’t need to take it out on the forest or the people around here.”

Saoirse shuddered and the clouds cleared outside. Eric turned to Élodie. She could see the anger and outrage he held close inside. “You have our protection here Élodie for as long as you need it. Our clan is yours and we protect our kin.”

“Clan?”

“The mage clans. Those that are descended from the children of the tantha dé danann and the sons of Melli, the sons of men.”

Élodie looked at them. She saw people that understood her, that understood her son and accepted his gifts and abilities. Because they had them as well. She smiled tentatively. “Then thankyou for the welcome, cousin.”