Shadows of the Redwood - By Gillian Summers Page 0,48
a long, long time to sort through it. Had Mom used magic books? Since Mom was half fae, she could have—but then why keep her father out of her life, if magic wasn’t objectionable?
Keelie lifted the parchment up to the sunlight, trying to figure out what it was.
Laurie finally reached her. “I checked through the house for you. It’s so creepy and empty. It got really cold, like something was watching me, and Sean is going nuts. He’s stalking the neighborhood like an escapee from the Lord of the Rings funny farm. Somebody is going to call the police.”
Keelie held up her hands. “Stop talking. Where is Sean now, and where’s Risa?”
“He said to pick him up at the end of the street. Risa is sitting in the car and refuses to get out. She’s saying something about dark fairy magic. She looks sick, kind of green around the gills.”
“Elves don’t have gills, sprites do,” Keelie said absently, putting the parchment into her pocket. “Let’s go rescue Sean and Risa. Elves can’t tolerate urban environments for long.”
“What were you doing down here at the park?” Laurie asked. “Remember when we used to play here, and bring books and picnics?”
“Yeah, it was fun. That tree just talked to me.” Keelie motioned with her head in the direction of the tree.
Understanding lit up Laurie’s face. “Ah!” Then her forehead furrowed. “Did it talk to you when we were little?”
“Apparently, but I didn’t remember until just now.” Keelie didn’t want to go into the whole Mom-using-magic thing.
Knot came dashing up to Keelie. He’d returned to his normal size, but his eyes were dilated, his fur mussed, and he meowed angrily.
Laurie’s eyebrows rose. “What’s wrong with him? He’s acting weird even for Knot.”
This wasn’t weird. This was agitated. Keelie wondered if it was really Peascod that Knot had chased away from the house. “Kitty, you need a cup of catnip tea. The good stuff that makes you drool in the corner.”
The temperature in the park had suddenly dropped several degrees, and a cold wind kicked up. Maybe Risa’s claim about dark fairy magic wasn’t too far off the mark.
Laurie was trying to act calm and collected like she wasn’t concerned about anything, but Keelie knew her friend was worried. Truth be told, Keelie was, too. The trip to the old house had revealed more questions than answers.
“Storm must be blowing in. Let’s go and get a latte at the mall. I think I could use a coffee,” Keelie suggested.
“Sounds good to me.” Laurie turned and walked down the street, back to the car. Knot surveyed the terrain like a tiger scrutinizing his territory for enemies.
Keelie looked in the same direction, and swore she saw a skinny, ugly dog watching her from the bushes. It seemed to be the coyote. A flash of dull gold fur disappeared into the greenery. Knot growled.
“Come on. I’ll buy you a tall cream.”
Knot swiveled his head up to stare at Keelie. He blinked and his eyes dilated. All of a sudden, he reached out, wrapped his paws around her ankle, and bit her. His fangs sank deep into her skin.
“Ow! Let go, you crazy cat.”
He did, and ran after Laurie like a spineless wuss not brave enough to face the consequences of his insane action, which was an angry Keelie.
“You have cat litter for brain cells.” She loped after him. “Get back here, you psycho horror-movie excuse for a cat. A coyote would make a better guardian than you.”
There was a tingle in the air, followed by a zingy harp sound. Keelie spun around, expecting to see an elf girl playing a harp. No one was there. Nothing. Still, there was a feeling of magic in the air, and suddenly she wanted to leave.
Two ladies in jogging suits watched with baffled expressions as she hobbled to the car. Knot was nowhere in sight. Laurie was waiting for her. She put on her sunglasses, shaking her head, and opened the car door.
Just then Sean rounded Mr. Heildelman’s bushes and came to Keelie’s side. He clasped her upper arm as he scanned the street. “Are you okay? Did you see anything strange?”
“Nothing’s normal anymore, but I’m fine, thanks.” Keelie forced a smile. “We’re going to grab a coffee at the mall.” She looked at her old house once more. “Did you lock everything up?”
“Yes. Are you sure you’re done here?”
Keelie bit her lip, then released it. Mom had always told her not to bite her lip. “I’m done.”