15 The Kelpie

"Stray you say? From where?"

"This Ethereal girl we found seems harmless enough," Mingan answered.

John straightened, startled. "Ethereal? And you left her with my Sarah?"

"Your wife is in no danger," Mingan told him. Or at least he hoped. "The Ethereal, she is rather naïve. I've marked her with some basic runes, but we'll need to put something more permanent into place."

He put up a hand before John could interrupt. "We also came across one of the Ranch's residents. Maggie..." His shoulders felt heavy and he put his head in his hand, rubbing his temple. "She's had a rough time."

John leaned on the porch railing. He was rolling a cigarette of his own now, but the green stuff he was filling it with was of no interest to Mingan. "Maggie?" John asked. "Just Maggie?"

Mingan nodded. "Hunters found her and a young man, Jacob." He let the silence fill in the rest.

John paused a long moment before licking the edge of his joint to seal it. He stared out over his lands, frozen in thought.

Then, all at once, he resumed motion, flipping open an old lighter and lighting the joint in his hand. After taking a long puff and exhaling, he spoke.

"I feared as much would happen eventually." He shook his head sadly before moving on. "What of this gate? It opened near my lands," he added. "Should I be worried?"

Mingan shook his head at the joint that was offered him. "I don't think the gate is as much of a concern. Hayeta and Lokni will have reported to Alistair by now. Though this may be of interest to you." He dug into his pockets. "Take a look at these," he handed the pages to John. "This is what sent the hapless Ethereal girl here."

John studied the pages, joint dangling from his lips. "Hmmmm," he murmured. "No one on that side should possess this knowledge. These are the keys to the gates."

Mingan nodded. "There's no guarantee this is the only copy."

John let out a long exhale. "We should expect another attempt." He handed the pages back to Mingan. "This is Alistair's problem. Alistair and the rest of the Tutelar."

Mingan nodded, folding the pages carefully. "I will keep you informed."

John only shook his head. "I'll help you, and you alone on this, Mingan. The Ethereal realm is no longer my business. I'd prefer to keep it that way."

When they came in through the back kitchen door, Elloreah was considerably cleaner, feet bound, hair combed and braided. She sat stiffly where Mingan had left her, back straight, looking as much the part of a proper lady as possible. If it weren't for the somber mood permeating the room, he would have laughed.

She held a cup of steaming tea and looked up as they entered, gesturing to the stove.

"There is a kettle on. Sarah said to offer you some..." She trailed off, eyes widening as she took in the tawny haired, fair skinned man who entered with Mingan. She scrambled to her feet, backing away, her face twisted up in pain as she stepped gingerly on fresh bandages.

John paid her no mind, heading to the stove without giving her more than a second glance. Mingan put a hand on the redhead's shoulder. "Sit, Elloreah. This is my good friend, John Shannon."

She obeyed reluctantly, shaking her head. "But... he is... a..."

Mingan chuckled.

John had finished pouring his tea and turned to face them, leaning on the counter, long legs stretched out before him. "Aye, I'm one of the wild fae, a kelpie," he filled in.

She nodded and Mingan released her shoulder. The contact was too much. He touched his runes, hidden beneath his travel soiled shirt, and cursed under his breath.

Her tension, her anxiety flowed through him as if they were his own feelings with that touch. The longer he was around her, the more her powers seemed to seep through, despite the spell he'd worked so hard to set upon her.

John gave him a quick glance, flashing him a knowing grin before focusing on Elloreah once again. "Your fears are baseless, lass."

Mingan coughed, giving John a look before going to the counter to fetch a cup for his own tea.

"Well, not entirely baseless," John corrected. "Exaggerated, more like." He sighed and took a sip of his tea. "But we can discuss such things at a later date. How is Maggie? She is with Sarah?"

Elloreah nodded, her gaze flicking to the hall. "I was told to stay put..."

Mingan chuckled as he came around to lean on the counter beside John. "See? I told you. Harmless."

John nodded thoughtfully.

"I would have liked to have helped Sarah, but..." Elloreah continued, filling the silence. "I do not know the ways of this world. I do not know what is accepted, what is hidden and what is not."

Mingan raised a hand. "Sarah has the sight. Nothing you could have done would have mattered. Maggie is likely too overwhelmed and dazed to worry about."

"We should get Elloreah settled," John offered. "Maggie and Jacob..." he caught himself and sighed. "They preferred to camp, but I think Sarah will keep her in our rooms. We do have one extra room to put Elloreah up in. I assume you'll be staying close, Mingan?"

"I haven't much choice. She's not up for travel and I don't have a vehicle. You have a phone line up here yet?" Mingan asked, finishing his tea and turning to rummage through the cabinets. He glanced over at Elloreah briefly. "You want something to eat?"

"I, ah," Elloreah started. "I suppose I could eat."

John chuckled. "You know the rest of the folks 'round here aren't allowed to pilfer my pantry. And no, the phone company was supposed to be up here earlier this summer. They've done everything they can to put us off."

Mingan had turned from the cabinet, examining a box dubiously. "What is this?"

"Some snack food Sarah is fond of. Crackers. Cheese flavored crackers. The kids bring up a variety of new snacks I barely even recognize as foods these days."

Mingan put the box back and went for the fridge instead. "You have cheese and bread, don't you?"

"Sure," John answered. "Help yourself to the fruit as well."

"Good," Mingan muttered, turning back to his rummaging. "And I'll talk to Alistair about the business with the phone. He'll make things happen. I know he'd like to contact you without having to rely on the old methods. The scrying pools have become so unreliable."

He put a plate of cheese and bread in front of Elloreah. He straddled the bench seat on the opposite side of the table and slathered a thick slice of bread with butter. "Ahh," he murmured. "How I miss bread..."

Elloreah gingerly took a slice of bread and followed his example.

"I'm sure Sarah will be baking tonight with you in mind. Should we contact Alistair this evening?"

Mingan shook his head. "With the twins to report, I'm in no hurry. Either they come back to get her, or I'll arrange something. I'll deal with it tomorrow. Besides, we've runes to mark Elloreah with. Her influence is slipping through the ones I gave her."

"Oh?" John considered. "Seems to me you did a fine enough job. I could barely even tell what she was."

Mingan nearly choked. "You can't feel that? Even now?"

John shook his head. "What is there to sense? I've got the telepathic blocks to keep those like her out of my head. Learned the hard way long, long ago. You should as well. Would have thought your father, or at least your uncle would have taught you better."