The man was a Fae. It seemed there was no escaping them anywhere, but they hadn’t been allowed on Skye in decades. At least as far as she knew. What was he doing back?
“Hi,” the woman said.
Elodie swung her gaze to the female. She looked close to Elodie’s age, and something about her seemed familiar.
“You don’t remember me, do you?” the woman asked with a smile.
Elodie shook her head. It was unnerving that people already knew she was on the isle. Worse that they remembered her when she had done everything to forget Skye and everyone on it. “I don’t.”
“You’ve been gone awhile. I’m Rhona.”
In an instant, Elodie remembered Rhona and her cousin, Sorcha. They used to come over occasionally. She had always liked both girls. Elodie glanced at the floor, slightly embarrassed for the harsh welcome she had given them. “Of course.”
Rhona looked at the man beside her, love shining in her eyes. “This is Balladyn.”
“A Fae,” Elodie said before she could stop herself.
Balladyn inclined his head of long hair. His eyes were silver, but she saw a ring of red around them. “Reaper, actually.” His voice had an Irish lilt.
Reaper. Elodie wasn’t sure what that meant.
“We wanted to welcome you back and see if you needed anything,” Rhona said.
Elodie shifted her feet nervously. Did they know she’d lost her magic? “That wasn’t necessary.”
“You’re one of us,” Rhona said with a soft look. “We look after our own.”
Resentment threatened to choke Elodie, and she had to remind herself that she shouldn’t direct her anger at Rhona. She hadn’t been any older than Elodie back then. Corann was a different matter. “Corann sent you?”
A frown moved over Rhona’s face so quickly that Elodie almost missed it. “We lost Corann. I’ve taken his place.”
“Oh.” Damn. She should’ve had Edie bring her up to date on things. Then again, Elodie hadn’t wanted to talk to any Druids, so she had made sure not to take an interest in anything. “Honestly, I won’t be here long. As soon as I get the place fixed up and sold, I’m leaving.”
Rhona’s green eyes narrowed slightly. “That’s a pity. We could use you.”
No one ever had use for her. Elodie glanced at Balladyn to see that the Reaper’s gaze hadn’t moved from her. It was unnerving to have him watch her in such a way, and yet she didn’t feel threatened. “It’s for the best.”
“Why don’t you come for tea later this week? We can catch up,” Rhona said.
Elodie’s plan to keep to herself was rapidly disintegrating. She liked Rhona—or at least the person she had once been. It wasn’t in Elodie’s nature to be outright rude, but Rhona would likely ask questions that Elodie wasn’t prepared to answer. And she was tired of lying. “I’m no–”
“Please don’t decline. Think it over.” Rhona smiled. “Please.”
Well, bugger it. “I’ll consider it.”
Rhona’s smile was huge. “Great. And if you need any help, we can get this place together quickly.”
The offer was so tempting that Elodie nearly took it. If they did, she could leave Skye that much quicker. However, if she agreed to Rhona’s offer, it would inevitably lead to those pesky questions she was intent on dodging. “Thanks, but I’ve already made good headway today.”
“At the very least, let me fix the leaking roof,” Balladyn said.
Her gaze snapped to him. The roof was leaking? She glanced around but didn’t hear any dripping. Then a drop landed on top of her head. This might be a bigger project than she’d thought. She faced him and forced her tight lips into a smile as her stomach churned with anxiety. “I would appreciate that.”
“It’s done,” he said with a bow of his head.
“Thank you.”
Rhona flashed another smile. “It’s good to have you back. I hope you’ll consider the tea.”
Elodie held her smile until the two of them suddenly disappeared. She blinked and frowned. Balladyn must have teleported them out. At least the leak was fixed. She looked up at the ceiling and spotted the water damage.
“I’m going to be here forever,” she grumbled.
CHAPTER TWO
The wind was as sharp as a knife as it cut over the water and right through him. Scott Ryan bundled deeper in his coat, wishing he had worn his gloves. Fuck, he was cold. He wouldn’t mind observing if he could do it from the indoors. Normally, the cold didn’t bother him that much, but then he wasn’t used to island life.
A leggy woman strolling casually down the street as if the wind weren’t trying to snatch her away snagged Scott’s attention. A black beanie covered her head, leaving a long, blond braid that fell down her back to lay against her plaid burgundy coat. She had a black scarf wrapped around her neck and black gloves on her hands. The strap of a purse hung across her body.
What really drew his gaze was how she almost stood in protest against the weather when everyone else rushed to and from buildings and their vehicles. Her chin was lifted, her gaze focused straight ahead. Defiant. As if she dared anyone—or anything—to touch her.
Scott wanted a closer look to see what color her eyes were. He’d seen confidence before, but this woman wore it like a crown. Or maybe it was just her I-don’t-give-a-shite attitude. Whatever it was, he liked it.
“And there she is.”
Filip’s voice drew Scott’s attention. He glanced at his comrade to see where Filip looked. Scott’s lips flattened when he realized it was the same woman he’d been watching.
“Elodie MacLean.” Filip said her name like a prayer.
Scott blew out a breath, silently cursing the odds. “Are you sure?”
“I’d know her anywhere.” Filip waited until Elodie was inside the store before looking at Scott. His pale gray eyes didn’t do a good job of hiding his sorrow. The beanie he wore almost hid Filip’s black hair. He adjusted the cap and sniffed. “She used to walk around Skye as if she owned it.”
“Did she?” Scott wanted to know.
Filip chuckled. “Damn right, she did. With a glance from her, men would leave their wives and girlfriends. She wreaked havoc all over the island. There wasna a male on Skye who wouldna have done anything for a night with her.”
“You included?” That infuriated Scott for some reason.
“Even me.”
“Did you?”
Filip shook his head. “No’ for lack of trying.”
Scott pulled his hands from his coat and blew into them before rubbing them briskly together in an effort to create some warmth. “We know she’s here. Now, we can get on with things.”
“This should be simple enough.”
“Doona underestimate the Druids here,” Scott cautioned. “That’s a good way to ensure we fail.”
Filip snorted. “We willna. We can no’.”
“There’s too much riding on us. I’m no’ taking anything for granted. I’m also no’ going to be an idiot and disregard the Druids here.”