Shadows of the Redwood - By Gillian Summers Page 0,74

envisioned a tornado of power above her, then tried to drive the magic and energy into Grandmother. It started down, then deflected, as if Grandmother had put up a shield to defend herself from Keelie’s healing. Keelie stared down at the unconscious woman in the outlandish costume. What had Grandmother done? Was she wearing a charm against fae magic?

Master Oswald’s deep bass boomed over the muffled and confused conversation. “Ladies and gentlemen, stay where you are. This fog is normal for our area. It will soon dissipate.”

A musical voice spoke in Keelie’s mind. What is wrong, child?

Keelie shivered as Bella Matera’s voice seemed to pour into her ears like honey.

My Grandmother … Keelie couldn’t finish the thought.

Let me help you. A powerful surge of buzzing green magic filled Keelie. It combined with the Earth magic she had summoned, twining like two layers that first stood apart, then slowly melted together.

Magic couldn’t be seen by humans, but if they had fairy blood in them, they might have seen a blanket of golden-green gossamer drift from Keelie to cover Grandmother.

Keelie looked up in the fog and could see Bella’s wraithlike form. Just as swiftly as it had floated in, the fog cleared.

Your Grandmother will be fine. It would do her some good to come stay with me. Bella’s voice faded, as did the green of the magic gossamer blanket.

Suddenly Keelie could once again hear people talking around her, as if they’d been muted before. And close by, a distinct lick, lick, lick.

Knot had resumed administering his personal form of first aid. Grandmother’s eyebrows were tilted at forty-five degree angles. It gave Grandmother a very alien look, like something from Star Trek. Too bad Risa wasn’t here to witness Knot’s healing treatment.

Grandmother moaned and her grip tightened around Keelie’s hand. Knot’s tail swished back and forth, and then he jumped off of Grandmother’s chest. Relief flooded Keelie. One: Grandmother was coming round. Two: Knot had vamoosed.

“Help me up, Keliel,” Grandmother said, her voice groggy. Her eyes opened, and Keelie suppressed a gasp. The whites of her eyes were green. Was she possessed, or was it chlorophyll poisoning?

“My head hurts,” Grandmother said. She didn’t sound possessed, just frail.

“No kidding,” Keelie said. “I think you’re going to need some coffee.”

Master Oswald bent down on one knee. “My Queen, do you need a healer? Mayhap we need to take thee to a hospital?”

Grandmother rose to a sitting position and tucked her dress around her. The regal appearance was ruined by her designer eyebrows. Relieved that her grandmother was okay, Keelie bit down on her lips to keep a giggle from escaping.

“I will be fine,” Grandmother said, pulling her hand out of Master Oswald’s with a sour look. “I need to go back to my cabin and rest. I think I must have become dehydrated.”

Tavyn and several of the elven rangers appeared. Keelie studied Tavyn as he helped Grandmother to her feet.

“You should go back to the tree house. I can’t take you, but I’ll bring your truck around,” he said. His eyes were no longer that bright shade of green. If Bloodroot was here, he was not in Tavyn.

“I appreciate that,” Grandmother murmured. “Keelie, the keys are in my purse.” She motioned toward a velvet pouch which dangled from her waist by a golden cord.

Sean arrived, no doubt summoned by one of his men. Risa and Laurie came with him.

“What happened?” Sean asked.

“Grandmother collapsed. I’m going to take her back to Wena, to the house.” Keelie explained. She gave Tavyn the keys.

Risa walked forward and looped her arm through Sean’s. “I guess you’re going to have to stay with her tonight, Keelie. That’s too bad—you’re going to miss the bonfire on the beach.”

“What bonfire on the beach?” Keelie asked.

Sean glared at Risa. “I’ll stay with you, Keelie.”

“Oh, you can’t miss the bonfire,” Risa said. “Your jousters are looking forward to you being there. Your idea to plan fun outings as a group is so terrific, and I’m sure it will help with camaraderie.”

Sean never talked to Keelie about his jousters or the problems he was having. Their conversations were always interrupted by elves, cats, and other people. They were pulled in many directions, and none of the interruptions pushed them toward each other.

“Keelie, I need you,” Grandmother said. Case in point, as Mom would have said.

“I have to go.” Keelie said. “I wish I could stay.”

“I’ll go with you,” Sean insisted.

Keelie glanced over his shoulder. His men had gathered. She shook her head. “Stay with your