that I’d unleashed my grief, it was never far from the surface. The gaping loss inside me was eager to swallow me whole. But I’d made a choice—a choice to go on without him, no matter how much it hurt. I let the tears flow, and straightened my spine as leather-clad fingers encased my clenched fist. Silent and reassuring, Ewan held my hand as tears streaked down my face and Calum continued his story.
“. . . Sabastian watched a group of rough lookin’ boys gaff and encourage one another as they pushed a young child under the water, her golden hair fannin’ out on the surface. Sabastian ordered them to stop and the boys brought the sputtering child out of the water. ‘Tell him, little witch,”’ one of the boys taunted. ‘Tell the good man we’re tryin’ to drive the demon from your soul!’
“But the girl only cried, choking on her own tears.” Calum paused and met the eyes of everyone in the circle. “Sabastian knew there be evil in the world, but watchin’ these wicked boys harm a child, even in the name of witchery, could no’ be tolerated. So he rounded the pool, drew his blade, and gave them one last opportunity to release the girl. Several of the boys brandished their own knives and a scuffle ensued. In the chaos, the girl escaped, but not so for Sabastian. The boys were larger and stronger than he’d realized and they eventually disarmed him.”
Lachlan shifted, leaning forward, his narrow shoulders stiff.
“Outnumbered and weaponless, Sabastian was forced into the pool, the icy liquid instantly slowin’ his reflexes. As the boys held him down and water flooded his lungs, his last thought was that he’d failed. Failed to collect the enchanted water and take it back to save his sister.”
Calum lifted his mug to his lips, and I wiped away the moisture from my cheeks, waiting for the rest of the story. Every Scottish fable I’d heard in Doon had a silver lining. My eyes shifted around the silent circle and I noticed Gabby had fallen asleep on her brother Luci’s shoulder. She had to be one of the oldest members of the new Crew. My respect for the girl grew exponentially. Calum continued in a rumbling whisper, drawing my attention back to the story.
“Sabastian Demetri’s murderers fled as his lifeless body floated to the surface of the sparkling pool. The waters didna contain magical properties, so there was no healin’ that could keep him from his destiny in heaven. But that was all about to change.”
Calum paused, his eyes widening as he leaned forward. “When the angel lifted Sabastian’s soul from his body, he resisted. The angel tightened her hold. ‘Why do ye fash, Sabastian Demetri? You’ve shown great faith and strength of character. I’m takin’ you to paradise.’
“ ‘My sister is dyin’.’ He jerked against the angel’s grasp, to no avail. ‘I’ve failed to save her! I must go back!’
“ ‘Brave Sebastian, young Meg will be healed. And because of your sacrifice, this pool will forevermore contain the properties you sought in it.’ And so it was that the waters of Saint Sabastian’s pool became an elixir that has driven out evil and healed all those who seek it with honest integrity.”
Everyone in the circle clapped and Calum crossed an arm in front of his waist to take a mock bow, but something about the tale had caught my attention.
“Why are ye no’ clappin’, Yer Majesty?” Ewan asked. “Did you no’ like the story?”
Since coming to Doon, the lines between fiction and reality had blurred. I’d seen the impossible happen before my eyes over and over. The magic and miracles woven into daily life had forced me to see the world through an entirely different lens. Finding the answer to our dilemma couldn’t be that easy, but I had to ask. “Is it possible”—I glanced at Ewan—“that a pool like that could exist in Doon? A blessed place with waters that hold the power to drive out evil?”
Ewan tilted his head and I saw the moment comprehension clicked in his gaze. But then his face fell and he shook he head. “No’ that I’m aware. And I know this kingdom just about as well as anyone.”
“We used to have a bit o’ Saint Sebastian’s elixir.” I spun around to find Fergus standing behind us. “In the royal chapel.”
I dropped Ewan’s hand and sprang to my feet, searching my giant friend’s face. I felt kind of ridiculous asking about a