“You gotta be kidding me,” Dad said.

“It’s a picture of a pot of gold!” I grinned.

“Aye,” Brogan tucked it back into his shirt. “I’ve never been certain of its meaning, except that the Fae believe their realm to be the ultimate treasure. Not another soul has seen this caller, ‘cept the Keepers who passed it to me.”

“How does it work?” Dad asked him.

“It makes no noise to the human ear, but the Fae who guards the gate will hear it and open the portal to attain the message. ‘Tis rarely used.”

“I’ll bet.” Dad rubbed his large, squared chin and looked at me. “Robyn. You brought all of your video stuff? The camera and laptop?”

“Yeah…” Where was this going? He cleared his throat and began delegating responsibilities.

“Brogan, I’m going to need you to pass a message to the Summer King through the portal guard. Tell him that the long-awaited binding will take place two evenings from now and you’d be honored to have the King and his court present for the event.”

Brogan nodded.

“What if they don’t come?” Cassidy asked.

“Let’s just try and stay hopeful, love,” Mom told her.

“Cass.” Dad looked at her pointedly. “You and I are going to leave the village tonight—”

“But—”

“We’ll be back in time for the binding. We have to be quick. There are some electronics I need to get and I’m going to need help. Plus, I’d rather have you with me, away from here, considering.”

She looked at me. “I don’t want to leave Robyn.”

“It’ll be okay.” I squeezed her hand.

“All right, listen up.” Dad’s voice sounded like a military commander and our postures straightened. “We don’t have much time, so here’s the plan.”

I lay in bed next to Mom unable to sleep. By the time Dad and Cassidy left, McKale and Rock still hadn’t been found. Keefe did witness the FFG return to her own realm, thank goodness. But it killed me to know McKale was out there somewhere feeling… however he was feeling. Did he think I’d let him go so easily, as the FFG said? Had she been able to influence him once I was no longer in their presence? And worst of all, did he kiss her? Or worse?

I couldn’t stand the thought. I rolled over and pressed my face hard into my pillow until I could feel tiny feathers poking through the cloth, jabbing my face. I didn’t care how they stung. Nothing could hurt worse than the thought of McKale losing himself in her touch.

I wondered if Rock stayed silent the whole time, or if something might have happened to cause him to interfere. He was reckless, but I didn’t want him to be hurt.

At the sound of a knock, Mom and I bolted upright.

“Coming,” she called. We helped each other stand and went to the door. Brogan and Keefe stood there together.

“We found McKale,” Brogan said. “He and Rock both made their way to Clourichaun land. They’re fine and safe fer now.”

I let out a loud breath.

“Aye, fine if you count the bloody pixie tailing ‘im,” Keefe clarified.

That gave me goose bumps.

“It would seem the Shoe Mistress is keeping an eye on ‘im by leaving her pet behind,” Brogan explained. He sounded tired. Mom must have noticed, too.

“Thank you, Brogan. And Keefe. Please thank all the boys for us. I’m glad McKale’s okay. Let’s all get some rest so we can do everything that needs to be done tomorrow.”

Brogan stroked his beard and nodded. “I’ve sent a message for McKale to stay over there until after dark tomorrow so the blasted pixie won’t be able to see any of the goings on over here.”

“Good idea,” Mom said.

Sadness weighed heavy inside me. I wouldn’t get to see him at all tomorrow? Mom rubbed a hand over my back and said good night to the men as they left.

We climbed back into her and Dad’s bed and prepared for a long, fitful night of sleep.

I took extra time doing my morning chores. The animals had a calming effect. The chickens pecked at their feed and the goats nudged my hands without any idea that today was different from any other day.

Afterward I went down to the clearing and pretended to eat breakfast. I noticed Mom only took a few bites as well. Word traveled fast through the clan. They may not have known the details, but they knew there was a threat at hand. Gone was yesterday’s playfulness. People gave me respectful nods to let me know they were there for us and I returned the gesture.

Mom and I spent the early part of the day pacing, accompanied by whispers and murmurs from the clan. I kept eyeing the sun, watching for it to get high in the sky. Dad and Cassidy were supposed to return mid-afternoon.

Leilah approached me in the middle of the clearing with a hot cup of honeyed tea. I took it and thanked her.

“Is it true then?” she asked. “About the Shoe Mistress claiming yer McKale for herself?”

Her words hurt my stomach, but I nodded. “It’s true.”

“Och! The brazen cow. Ye’ll tell me if ye need anything from me, love?”

“Yes, Leilah. Thank you.” I bent and we shared a hug before she left me standing in the middle of the clearing with my hands around the ceramic mug. I kept watching the tree line, half-expecting McKale to come walking through.

I was nearly finished with my tea when I heard the rumble of an engine over the hills. Everyone in the clearing stilled to listen. I set my mug on the table. Mom came running down from the huts. We grabbed hands and took off toward the side of the village with everyone following. Excitement rippled through the clan as a small van came barreling down the hill.