Dawn’s light stretched its lazy fingers into the sky as William pulled into the parking area near Glendalough Lake. A soft mist hung over the water, which stood, framed by dark green hills. A measure of victory filled his chest at having driven for over two hours and not yielded to the temptation to smoke. Each time he reached for the glovebox, he pictured Mothball’s disappointment.
He congratulated himself. “Well done, William. What are you on—day two? Three?”
He smiled, eased from the driver’s seat, and stretched.
Another car—a silver sedan--sat in the stillness. He frowned. Who’s out here? Campers? Hikers?
The door opened, and Anne stepped free.
“Anne? What are you doing out here?” he said, placing his thumbs along the side of his spine and rubbing the tight place in his back.
“Hello, William,” she said, tugging her gray woolen coat around her slender frame. A matching gray woolen hat framed her face. She wore jeans and sturdy hiking boots. Her blonde hair had been pulled back away from her pretty face.
“What are you doing here?” he repeated. Since he, Dad and Marie had only discovered the whereabouts of the witch late yesterday, he couldn’t fathom how she knew about it.
“Marie called me last night, looking for Ryan.”
“Ah, right. I found him, by the way. He was a wreck.” William shook his head, as the memory surface. “He and Marie have some issues to sort out if they’re going to make it. I’m not so sure if they will.”
Anne flashed her blue-eyed gaze at him. “Good that you found him. Marie was so worried. Anyway, in the process, she shared some of the stuff you all uncovered in that…” She shuddered. “Grave. I can’t believe you dug up someone’s remains.”
He smirked. “Yeah, well, you do what you do for love.”
Her expression melted into sadness. “I guess.” She fiddled with the hem of her coat pocket.
An awkward tension stretched between them. William stared at the lake. Finally, he said, “I assume you’re here to help me search, right?”
“Yes, if you don’t mind.” She swept her hand toward the dirt path snaking around the water’s edge.
He nodded, turned and began to walk. “Not going too well, with Paul?” he said.
She stepped along beside him. “No, things don’t look good for us.” Her lips turned down in a frown. “I mean, I care for him but…” Staring blankly at nothing, she plucked the top from some tall standing grass. She picked it to bits, scattering the remains when she’d pulverized it.
“Are you in love with him?” William said.
She appeared pensive before responding. “I’m not sure. I thought I was. I mean, I was so grateful to gain clarity on my path with the church. I don’t want to become a nun.” She gave him another swift, side-eyed glance. “And Father Gillespie. Paul saved me from that man.” She drew her shoulders up around her ears then let them drop. “Gah! What an evil bastard. I’m so glad he’s dead, even though it’s probably a sin to think things like that.” She let out a small chuckle. “Is it a sin? I feel like I’ve lived my life in extremes, so far. First, living on the streets in Dublin where anything goes and then joining the convent. It’s going to take some time to sort out my thinking and determine whether things are true sins or merely circumstance.”
“I hear that. I wasn’t exactly a saint in Dungarvan.” William’s brow crinkled with the realization that Devil’s Arms seemed far, far away. And it was only last week that he lived there. “I’m trying to clean up my act.”
“I can relate. I was a heroin addict when the sisters found me.” Anne stepped over a fallen log.
“No shit?” William said, following her. “I knew you used, but I didn’t think it was heroin. I’ve heard that’s nasty shite to get free of.”
“No shit. Nothing but a junkie. I’d probably be dead by now if the good sisters hadn’t saved me.” A small smile appeared on her face.
“Do you ever miss it?” William said, pushing aside a branch for her.
“Heroin? God, no. Seriously. I know the relapse rate is high, but most junkies don’t do treatment in a convent. I guess that’s what I needed to get clean. What about you? You ever miss the drugs?” She brushed her hands together to get rid of the grass head remnants.
William looked out at the serene lake to his left. “It’s only been three days. It’s been kind of rough, for sure. I used a host of drugs to elevate and lower my mood. I’ve missed taking a toke or two. But the smoking part…not smoking, that is…that’s the one that’s got me by the balls. I’ve only had one in the last two days. Strike that—two.”
“Good for you. I hope you’re congratulating yourself. What’s your motivation?” Anne smiled.
“Don’t laugh.” William’s neck grew hot.
“I promise,” Anne said. She made the sign of the cross over her chest.
“It’s my kitten.” He winced, fearing her reaction. “I don’t think she likes the smell. She never bothered me in my old apartment, but once we left, she made it known she doesn’t like the habit.”
“How odd. I’ve never heard such a thing. Your kitten must be looking out for you.” Anne cocked her head as she studied him.
“I guess. So, let’s get back to you and Paul. Are you going to leave him?” William brushed a spider’s web from his sleeve.
“Maybe.” Anne chewed his lower lip.
“Does he know where you are today?”
Anne shook her head. “God, no. He’s looking for work, though, so I suspect that will keep him busy today.”
“He could always apply at the Devil’s Arms in Dungarvan. I hear they’re looking for a kick-arse bartender.” William snickered.
Anne smiled and shook her head wryly. “Not his thing.”
The trail veered up the hill to the right. “Maybe the ruins are up here.” William pointed.
“Let’s check it out.” Anne veered up the trail.
William strode by her side.
The sun yawned its way over the horizon, cutting through the early morning chill.
“And, I haven’t decided about Paul. I think we’re both drifting without jobs. But, still…” Her lips pressed together in a disapproving gash. “His lack of compassion toward Maggie is making me think twice about moving in with him. That, and he wants to do things his own way all the time. I’m not used to being told what to do.” She laughed. “Listen to me. I just came from a convent where our every waking minute is structured. I guess I mean before the convent, I was rather willful.”
“I get it. I hear you.” William stepped aside as the trail narrowed, waiting for her to take the lead. “I always used to get my own way with Paul. He basically followed my lead. Maybe he’s finally asserting himself. Perhaps this is a good thing.”
“Could be, I guess I’m just not ready to make a decision yet. I’m giving him a chance to change.” She stumbled over some rocks.
“Makes sense,” William said.
Up ahead stood a copse of sturdy pine trees.
“Let’s see what’s over there,” he said. He veered away from the path, heading toward the stately pines.
A clearing stood beyond the trees. The gray stone ruins of a cottage stood in the center.
Excitement filled William’s belly. “This could be it. Start digging around.”
“Don’t you think three hundred years of tourists and travelers would have cleared this place of anything of value?” Anne said.
“You never know. We’re here. See what you can come up with.” That same wave of dizziness he’d been experiencing lately swept over him as he sorted through the rubble. I hope the demon hasn’t tracked me here. Anxiously, he turned his head this way and that.
“What? Do you see something?” Anne said.
He shook his head. “Nah. It’s nothing.” I hope. He stayed alert, however, as he turned over stones and kicked the earth with the toe of his boot.
After about forty-five minutes his mood began to sour. “Fecking hell,” he muttered. He slumped on one of the remaining stones. “You’re right. There’s nothing left. This was a stupid idea.”
Anne settled next to him. She patted his leg. “It wasn’t stupid. It was a shot in the dark.” She reached her hand up to her chin and tapped her lips with her forefinger. “Hmm. What if the witch threw the amulet in the lake?”
“Now that’s a stupid idea,” William said, looking askance at her.
“Is it?” Anne bolted to her feet. “If it was that precious and held so many secrets, and she knew she was going to die, maybe she thought it was the safest place for it.” She looked at William with bright, eager eyes. “And can’t you turn into a whale-thingy and dive deep?”
He guffawed. “Says the woman who asked me not to go into a trance when I’m around her. How will you like it when I turn into a twenty-nine meter long ugly monster?”
She swished her hand in the air. “You’ll be under the water. I won’t be able to see you.”
A mischievous smile crossed his face. “I might breach when I surface. You might see me in all my glory.”
“And you might scare the bejeezus out of a tourist. This is a local hot spot when the weather’s nice like it is today.” She scowled at him.
He shrugged. “It’s worth a shot, I suppose. Let’s head down there.”
They trekked down the trail to the water’s edge.
“I have to strip, you know. Shifting into a Leviathan tends to shred my clothes.” He smirked.
“Fine. I’ll turn around.” She spun away from him and placed her hands over her eyes. “Tell me when I can look again.”
“No, Anne, I’m going to make you wait all day,” William said, teasing her. He found that he liked her. She was easy to talk to. And, since they shared similar pasts, he felt safe around her.
She held her middle finger behind her back.
“And the girl’s got some sass,” he said, laughing, feeling lighter than he’d felt in days. He peeled out of his jacket and shirt and lay them on a rock near the shore. His boots and socks came off next, followed by his pants and boxers. When he stood the way God intended, soul bared and naked, he waded into the frigid water. The liquid bliss pooled around his ankles, making him feel alive. He pushed his way along until he was waist deep. “Okay,” he called to Anne.
She turned around and waved. “Good luck!”
“Thanks.” He fell back in the water, relaxing for a moment. He loved being in the sea. I’ll miss being a Leviathan. It’s such a trip to deep dive in a way no human on the planet can do but my sis, my parents and me. He closed his eyes. But if it means saving Maggie, it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.
Immediately, the stillness that came with being a Leviathan flooded him. Certain his eyes were now slits, he rolled onto his stomach and jack-knifed into the deep. His movements became slow and lethargic. His vision became sharp. Sharp smells of sea life filled his nostrils. He lazily meandered toward the bottom of the lake.
The maximum depth of Glendalough Lake was thirty meters, so it didn’t take long to touch the lakebed. He let himself drift slowly, not wanting to stir up the silty bottom. His gaze landed on a few bottles, an old vase, even what looked like someone’s tattered swimsuit. Snuffling along with the place where his nose should be, he came upon a shoe and some plastic bags. Then, he spied something blue, like blue glass. He wiggled one of his tentacled arms into the soft earth, trying to dislodge the piece. Turning it this way and that before his Leviathan eyes, he couldn’t really discern what it was. He gripped it tightly and continued his search.
Time moved in mysterious ways when he transformed. After a while, he sensed that he would find nothing else, so he ascended. As he reached the light-filled top of the lake, he let himself turn back into a human. When he popped to the surface, he threw back his head and swiped his face free of water.
“Took you long enough,” Anne called, huddled at the edge of the lake. She pushed to her feet.
“How long have I been down?” he called.
“Oh, about two hours.”
“Holy Moses. I had no idea. Sorry bout that.”
“It’s okay. Did you find anything?” She held her hand above her eyes and squinted.
He lifted his hand and pried his now-cold fingers apart. His fingers buzzed with electricity as he studied the small, intricate piece. Shaped in an oval, it looked like it might be gold once he cleaned it off. It appeared to have tiny hinges to open it. A brilliant blue gemstone winked from the center. He turned it over with his fingertips, revealing a Celtic symbol carved along the opposite side. “I did,” he said, waving it back and forth.
“Well? Bring it to shore. I’m freezing out here.” She gestured toward the shore, then, wrapped her arms around her midsection.
William waded through the water, his feet squishing in the mud. Happiness filled his soul from having dived in the water’s depths. “You’d best turn around,” he said, “or, you’ll get an eyeful.”
She whirled around, and, same as before, held her hands over her eyes.
He made his way out of the water. The cool droplets trailed along his legs and belly. He laid the found treasure on the rock near his belongings. Since he had no towel, he shook himself as best he could, and wiped his legs and arms with his hands, then proceeded to tug on his clothes. “You can turn around now.”
She whirled and looked at him. “You’re wet.”
“Yep,” he agreed. “So, did you see anything? Did my Leviathan magnificence flash before your eyes?”
She grinned. “Other than your wee wanker when you were on your back or your bum when you nosedived? No, not a thing.”
“My wanker is not wee,” he said, but there was mirth in his voice. He easily slipped into his familiar flirting ways. “Want to check?”
A rosy blush bloomed on her face. “No. Paul would kill me. We may be having difficulty, but the answer is no.” She cast her gaze at his boots. “So, what did you find?”
He turned and reached for the treasure. “Check this out. What do you think?”
She stepped closer, held it up, and turned it back and forth. “Wow, this looks like a real find. But, how will we know if it’s the amulet or not? Do you have a picture?”
“Yep,” he said. “It’s in the journal in the car. Let’s go see.”
Side by side, they made their way toward the Audi. William opened the passenger door and lifted the journal from the seat. “Here,” he said, thrusting the gold piece toward her. “Hold this while I find the page.”
She took it and curled her fingers around it.
William flipped through the pages in the diary until he came to the one he wanted. Excitement bloomed in his heart. “Wow, Anne. Check this out.” He held the journal before her face.
“William! It’s an exact copy! It looks like you found it!” She lifted her gaze to him, her eyes sparkling. “Oh, this is such good news. What do we do next, what are the steps?”
William considered a moment. “I’m not sure. I should probably take it to my sister’s or my parents’ house. There are all these instructions in this book, but I need help deciphering them.”
Anne threw her arms around him.
Surprised, he jerked backward, before yielding to her embrace. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. It felt good to hold her—too good. He lingered just a little too long before easing backward. “Well,” he said, looking at the journal in his hand.
“Well,” she echoed, dropping her gaze to the amulet. She reached out and handed it to him.
William opened his palm to receive the amulet. A wash of pleasure flooded him as their hands touched. He quickly withdrew his hand. “I guess I’d best be on my way. Thank you for coming to help. Really.” He studied her face.
She met his gaze. “It was my pleasure. Anything to bring comfort to one who is suffering.”
Their gazes tangled for a few tortured seconds.
William licked his lips and dragged his gaze from hers, casting it upon the lake. “Do you need help with directions or anything? Want to follow me?”
She chuckled. “No, William, my car has the same navigation system as yours.”
He swallowed, conflicted about driving away. Less than a month ago, he would have thrown it down with any woman, any time, anywhere. Now there was Maggie to consider—at least, he hoped Maggie still lived. She could have offed herself while I’m gone. “Okay then. Thanks again. I guess I’ll be seeing you around.”
She nibbled her lower lip. “I guess you will.” She lifted her hand in a wave. “See you.”
He lifted his hand, too. “See you.” And then, he slid into the driver’s seat, confused, elated, and tired, ready to find out if he truly had the answer in his hands.