MIDNIGHT MAGIC - ch 27

MIDNIGHT MAGIC – ch 27

Julie

(*)(*)(*)

Mia’s eyes widened. “Portals? I’ve read about them, but I thought they were just part of the fictional tales in my books.”

“No, mo ghra, they’re real. But first we need to get those girls back in Ireland. I could portal them from New York but I’d rather they come here legally.”

Turning to Tony, she reminded him, “Tony, there is no need to cast more spells however, you will never forget what you’ve done. Each time you see a woman, whether beautiful or not, you’ll want to drool over the loveliness your imagination conjures. Then, the guilt will come down on you heavier than you can imagine. You’ll turn away and run. However, as I said earlier, there will be one woman from whom you’ll never escape. You’ll never forget this night or what happened here, but you will never be able to speak of it. Now, except for the rope binding spell, all others remain forever. Stand. You’ll leave with Mia who will take you directly to the airport. You’ll follow the directions I gave you. Mia and I will meet you and the women at Dublin Airport upon your return.”

“Aintin?” Julie asked, there’s one thing I think we’d forgotten.”

Finola raised her eyebrows. “Oh, my, yes, Jules. You’re absolutely correct.”

She turned to Tony and said, “Tony, if by one chance, your father and or brother acquired more women while you were away, you will, without hesitation bring them here with the others. Is that clear?”

Hanging his head, he mumbled, “yes.”

“Tony, say it louder and mean it!”

He raised his head and looked at Finola in defeat, “Yes, Ma’am. I’ll bring them all here to you.”

She turned to Mia, “Are you ready, mo ghra?”

“Yes, Aintin.” Turning to Tony, Mia grasped his elbow and demanded, “Tony, you will not leave my side until you board the plane. Is that clear?”

“Yes, Mia.”

“Good. Midnight? Come of stay. I’ll let that be your choice.” The feline jumped from Julie’s lap and scooted towards Mia since she’s now a fan of riding the leys. In one high leap, she landed softly on Mia’s shoulders. Mia looked at Tony and said, “Let’s go!”

She led the broken, slouched-over person from the house. Finola watched as Mia pulled him on a line and vanished.

Ian breathed a huge sigh of relief and asked, “Anyone for a cup of coffee? After all that, I’m wiped out. Aunt Finola, I can’t even imagine how tired you must be!”

Brian replied, “You’re right little, brother; I think we could all use a shot of caffeine. The night isn’t over yet. I’ll start the fire.”

Finola shook her head and laughed at Brian. “Brian, mo ghra, I use my wood stove because I enjoy it, but I do own a coffee pot, and I do have electricity!”

Brian stopped suddenly and looked at the woodburning stove, then the electrical outlet in the corner. He raised his eyes to stare at the overhead lighting fixture and cursed almost silently under his breath.

“Sorry, Auntie. I’m so used to seeing you use your stove that I keep forgetting your house is as modern as mine. Okay, then, you sit and relax. I’ll make the coffee.”

Morena jumped up suddenly enough to startle everyone. “Oh, no you don’t, Brian Diehl! We’re going to drink coffee, not mud! Aunt Finola will still need wood later tonight, so go get some. Be useful.”

As Morena made the coffee, Liz placed a plate of Irish soda bread on the table with a covered bowl of jam. She noticed that Julie and Mickey were huddled in quiet conversation.

Within thirty minutes, the front door burst open and there stood Mia and Midnight. “He’s gone!” she declared. “We were lucky. His uncle’s pilots were taking a nap in their plane, just waiting for Tony and Jules. I quickly conjured a spell to keep them from asking questions. I waited until the plane was in the air before coming back.”

Finola nodded and walked to her small broom closet.

Mia looked at Finola and asked, “Now, we scrye?”

Over coffee and soda bread, they avoided speaking of the night’s events but concentrated on how to care for the women that would soon arrive in Ireland.

“Between us, we should be able to accommodate all of them. At least I think we could,” Liz offered.

“While the offer sounds wonderful, Mom,” Julie said to Liz, “I’m thinking, for at least the first few days, they should be together. I brought enough money with me to find rooms for them in the town’s hotel.”

“No,” Mia said, “that’ll never do. Yes, they need to stay together since I’m sure by now, they’ve bonded. A hotel is too impersonal. They might feel unsafe. I’ll think of something.”

Ian said that whatever plans they made, must be made quickly. “It’s a seven-hour flight from here to there and seven hours back. What we do, we need to do quickly.”

Finola placed her fingers at her temples and closed her eyes.

Within seconds, there was a knock on her door. She opened it and smiled as she introduced her cousin and long-time friend.

“Alistair, this is my family. Family, this is Alistair. My master builder and Warlock Extraordiaire.”

Mia began to laugh, “Oh, Aintin, you really are full of surprises.” Everyone else looked puzzled.

“Alistar will build us a lovely shelter for our girls, uh, women.”

Turning to her cousin, she said, “Alistar, we have only thirteen hours to build and furnish a modern, fifteen-room house. Can you do it?”

He placed an arm around her shoulder, kissed her cheek and said, “Ah, mo stor, have I ever failed you? How do you think Finn and I built this house so quickly?”

She rested her head on his shoulder and said, “You truly are a wonderful friend.”

They left the house and soon found an area large enough to build an adequate shelter.

Alistar said, “And what will you call this wonderful shelter, mo chara (my friend)?”

“There’s only one name that would fit. Tus Nua (New Beginnings).”