Overcomer - The Journey, Judy Colella [book reader for pc txt] 📗

they used him.

Was that why he’d been chosen? Of course not! How could he do battle against the Darkness if he had become dark himself? Moloch had made a terrible mistake – if the Darkness had wanted to destroy him, it should have left him alone.

His deepest sorrow was that Olivia Bolton and her husband had lost their lives, and in such a brutal, horrible way. No one deserved that, especially such wonderful, loving people… preventable? Could have been, and shouldn’t have been. What was not had in reality been what was right.

Despite his musings, he was still listening to the Croghan. After having his say, the harper had been pacing by the head of the kitchen table. When he stopped, head bowed, Cian stood to face him. “Croghan.”

Croghan raised his head, eyes brimming. “What is it, Cian?”

Taking a deep breath, Cian went to him and put a hand on his arm. “Everything happened the way it was supposed to happen.”

The Keeper looked away. A moment later he stared back at Cian, and the tears spilled out, glittering as they paused before their descent down his face. “By God,” he whispered, grasping the boy by the shoulders, “you were chosen well.”

Cian shook his head. “I can only hope you’re right. I’m finally beginning to see how powerful that evil being really is. And... and I think I can appreciate Celesta’s power a lot more.”

The Croghan pulled Cian into a quick, ferocious hug, released him. “I’m humbled.”

Not understanding what the man meant, Cian turned away to indicate with a nod the silent group of people at the table. “What of them?”

“How do you mean?”

“Celeste and I are to travel with you to the Hub, I believe?”

“You are, yes.”

Cian walked around the table and stopped behind Katie’s chair. “I can think of no reason why she shouldn’t come with us, too.”

Croghan took a shaky breath, wiped his eyes with a hand, took out his handkerchief, and blew his nose. “Now, Cian, I like Katie – you’re a unique individual, lass, full of quick wit, humor and genuine kindness. But honestly, Cian, what can she do?” With a shrug he tucked the handkerchief back in his pocket.

Cian stared at nothing for a minute. He thrust out his jaw and nodded. “Katie, Celeste, what do you think about Tara joining us?”

“No way!” they said in perfect synchronicity, their expressions identical. They looked at each other in horror, then back at Cian, and at the same time said, “What are you smoking?”

“I wasn’t serious,” he told them. “You see, Keeper? They’re a part of each other.”

“It would so seem.” He nodded, giving the girls a brief smile. “But I have to ask you again – what can she do?”

“Be there for Celeste. Sit with her, keep her company while she plays back the evil for me. That is why Celeste was chosen, yes?”

The Keeper nodded. “Looks like you’ve given this a lot of thought.”

Niall, who had been silent throughout, stirred in his chair. “Me arse hurts. Can’t we get on with this? For heaven’s sake, Croghan, let the girl come.”

Eileen shook her head. “Not good. What about Katie’s mother?”

“Have you forgotten who I am?” asked the Keeper. “I can bring her back whenever you’d like – including a mere minute from when we leave.”

“So her family won’t miss her?”

“Not for a second.”

Like calibrated talking androids, Celeste and Katie gazed up at Mrs. Kelly and said, “Pleeeeeeze?”

Cian gave the Keeper a meaningful shrug.

“Actually,” the Croghan said, “I think Cian’s right.”

Eileen gave in. “Fine. I doubt any of you will stop nagging me until I say it’s okay so – fine. But – ” she raised a finger, “she’d better come back safe and sound, sir.”

“Anyone care what I think?” asked Donal.

Eileen reached across the table and grasped his hand. “Of course, love.”

“Well, I’m not so sure about all of this. First, I’ve no idea what kind of, of whatever it is you think my daughter can do; second, it seems to me you made a huge blunder where this poor young man is concerned and nearly got him killed. That doesn’t exactly inspire confidence, you know. And third, you’re dragging someone else into this who originally had nothing to do with it at all. So all I’m saying,” he finished, returning everyone’s stare, “is that I’d like to meet this so-called angel of yours before I give anyone permission to run off with my child.” He sat back and crossed his arms, his mouth a firm line.

“Very good, Mr. Kelly,” said the Croghan. “Please get your coat and come with me.”

“Now?”

“Isn’t that what you wanted?”

“Uh, yes, but... well, I guess I didn’t expect you to take care of it so soon.”

Niall got up and stretched, yawned and said, “Come on, Mr. Kelly – ye can’t have it both ways now.”

Eileen also stood and went to her husband’s chair, putting her hands on his shoulders. “Where, exactly, are you taking my husband?”

“Through the Door and into the Hub!” The Keeper of the Doors smiled.

Her own smile was most noticeable by its complete absence. “And where is this Door?”

“Not too far from here. There’s more than one reason why the place is called ‘Mystic,’ you know.”

“The seaport?” Donal’s brows shot up.

“The same.”

“And by the way, in case ye had any doubt,” said Niall, “I’m goin’ wi’ ye.”

Cian suddenly remembered a promise. “What time is it? I said I’d be back home by nine o’clock.”

“You’re kidding!” said four voices at once – Niall, Croghan, Celeste and Katie – and he took a step back, startled, until he realized what they meant. “Sorry. I forgot.” Traveling with the Keeper of the Doors at the Hub of Time made the need to check one’s watch pointless.

“So, Donal Kelly,” said the Keeper, “are you ready?”

Mr. Kelly nodded, getting up, and everyone followed him to the front hall closet where he retrieved Gerald Croghan’s overcoat. “Here you go.” Reaching back in, he took out his own.

“How long will you be gone?” Eileen asked.

“Only as long as it takes.” Croghan was grinning again.

She shook her head and muttered, “Great.”

Behind her Katie softly sang, “Don’t fear the Keeper, da, da-dat, Dah!”

Donal snorted. “I’ll be fine, my love.” He pulled Eileen close and kissed her hair. “Stop fretting.”

She gave him a swift hug and turned away. “Well! Come on, kids – let’s find something to do; we don’t want Katie bursting into another corny rendition of some golden oldie, do we!”

Golden what? The context told Cian that the reference had something to do with the strange little melody Katie had sung but nothing else.

As everyone except Niall started heading back into the kitchen, Cian saw the Croghan pause in the middle of buttoning his coat.

“All right, old man,” he said. “Fetch your bucket and let’s go.”

 

*******

 

The ride to Mystic Seaport was quiet, but not uncomfortably so. For one thing, the Brehon’s silence was the result of his having fallen asleep in the back seat.

“So where in Mystic is this Door?” asked Donal when they’d been driving for close to twenty minutes.

“Inside the building housing the figureheads – the whole village, as you know, is a museum.” Anticipating Donal’s next question he added, “I have a key.”

“Really. And I suppose you’re the Curator or something like that?”

“No,” he said, chuckling. “That would be a good friend of mine.”

“Of course!”

They fell silent again. Not long after, Croghan pulled his Jaguar into one of the empty parking lots to the left of the museum buildings. As they stepped out into damp, salty air the sound of water slapping heavy against the docks greeted them. None of the ships were in the water at that time of year, some having been put inside their winter boathouses, others, mostly the larger ones, hanging from winches in dry-dock. The moon was up and full, the view of its reflected twin unobstructed by masts as it swam across the wind-stirred water.

Donal enjoyed the scene while Croghan took a lantern from the trunk, opened the back door and roused Niall. He’d never been here this late, but then, no one else had, either, as far as he knew, with the exception of the occasional time traveler and maybe the police... uh-oh. “Croghan!” he rasped, trying not to be too loud.

The harper had locked the car and was rummaging through his coat pockets. “What is it?”

“Your car! What if a patrol car comes by? The police will be all over us!”

“Well, unless – ah! Here it is! – Unless one was here forty-five minutes ago, there’s no danger of that happening.”

Donal started to question that weird statement, but changed his mind while Niall gave a grunt of agreement and indicated with a wave for Croghan to lead the way. “Never been through this Door,” the Brehon mumbled.

“All right, then, gentlemen,” the Keeper said, “let’s go visit an angel.”

TWENTY-SIX

 

Donal was awestruck. The passageways to the Hub, the Hub itself, were all exactly as the Keeper and Cian had described. And Celesta – never in his life or dreams had he seen or imagined anything like her. He was unable to stand in her scintillating presence, having lost all strength in his knees almost as soon as they’d crested the hill.

      “Ah!” she breathed, bending down until her exquisite face was close to his. “The father of my Celeste! The pleasure of meeting you is great, Donal Kelly. You are a good father and a good man.”

      He wanted to kiss her feet. He wanted to thank her for her kind words. But both motion and voice were beyond him, so he simply stared into her sapphire eyes and hoped she could read what was there.

      With a lovely smile, she touched his cheek with smooth, warm fingertips and said, “Your child will be safe here. She will be watched over, protected as much as possible. And yes, danger will come, but her champion will fight, and she will champion his efforts with her music, and together they shall keep each other safe until the battle is done, and for a while, mankind is spared That One’s evil. So be at ease, good sir, and be happy in your daughter, proud of her heart, for its benevolence and gentle kindness exists in part through you.”

      As she spoke, her graceful touch like a fragrant breath, Donal grew peaceful, his fears retreating, and was filled with acceptance and the assurance that all would be well. Any lingering doubts he’d had about the Keeper’s veracity or the existence of this place were long gone, and in their stead only amazement and gratitude that he had been allowed to come here, to have a share in what was happening.

      Celesta stood, extending her hand to help Donal back to his feet. In a state of wonder he took it and rose. Managing a smile, he found his voice. “Thank you.”

      She tilted her head to one side, considering something, and her blue-sparkled silver hair slid like a cascade of white-blue light over one shoulder. “I think,” she said, “that some day I would like to meet your love, Eileen. But for now,” and she sat once again on the stone and picked up her harp, “you must return to your family, and you, Brehon,”