TUS NUA - ch 35

TUS NUA – ch 35

New Beginnings – Mia and Midnight

(*)(*)(*)

Mia looked around and realized that between Finola, Dara, and Tauri, Tus Nua was under control. Or at least until the next crisis. And yet, something seemed to be nagging at her intuition. “Can’t put my finger on it,” she thought.

“Aintin? Do you feel something? Something isn’t right but then, it isn’t wrong, either. I can’t feel enough to figure it out.”

“Yes, mo stor, I feel it, too. Whatever it is, it’s weak but it’s coming.”

Finola’s phone rang, and Mia smiled. “Well, I knew that was coming but that’s not what’s bothering me.”

She heard her aunt say, “Oh, Claire, that’s wonderful. Yes, I’ll have Dara come with me.” After a brief pause, she continued, “Oh, dearie, not to worry. We’ll see you soon.”

Mia smiled and asked, “So, they really are coming back, then?”

“Yes, mo stor and first thing in the morning, too. I’m going to ask you to stay here because I’d like Dara to go with me.”

Mia chuckled, “Good choice, Aintin. I’m sure John misses her.”

Finola smiled, “I’m sure he does.”

They heard and felt a slight bump. Alistar walked to where they were sitting. “I know you felt that. While it’s a bit of trouble, it’s nothing serious. I’m taking the wards off the house so we can hear what this chap is all about.”

He opened the door to trouble and saw a very drunken young man wandering up the walk.

“Ah, no wonder I couldn’t get a read on him. He’s beyond comprehension at the moment.”

Alistar and Neil helped the young boy inside and brought him to a seat at the dining room table. Tauri poured a cup of tea with herbs to help extinguish some of the alcohol the boy consumed.

They were grateful that, even with the amount of alcohol he must have imbibed, he was quiet. The last thing they wanted was a drunken young man causing a ruckus that might awaken the young children who were now sleeping in an upstairs bedroom with Nora watching over them.

However, Nora silently left the bedroom and almost floated down the flight of stairs. She approached the young man and placing her left hand on his shoulder, said, “Well, may the God and Goddess be praised, if it isn’t our mysterious Kevin and way too young to be so inebriated.”

Everyone looked at Nora who only shrugged her shoulders and commented, “Just saying what I see, that’s all.”

Being well beyond able to hold the cup of tea, Tauri helped him drink. The more sips he took, the more he began to guzzle; and guzzle he did until the cup was empty. Tauri went to the kitchen to retrieve another cupful.

Nora looked at his eyes that now began to show signs of sobriety.

Although his mind was clearing enough to read, Nora felt he needed to speak.

“So, tell me, young man. Am I correct in assuming that your name is Kevin?”

He nodded slowly since moving too quickly caused a bit of dizziness and nausea.

“Ah, then, and what might your last name be?”

He moved his eyes carefully from person to person, avoiding any sudden movement.

Alistar squatted to level himself to those deep brown eyes that seemed to show fear, worry, and guilt.

“Ah, my boy, you’ve nothing to worry about. If you are who we think you are, you’re in safe hands.” Then on instinct added, “And so are they.”

Kevin’s eyes snapped up and widened quickly. His eyes went from fear, worry, and guilt to surprise, alertness, and ease.”

“Now, Kevin,” Nora asked again, “please tell us your last name.”

“Donahue. I’m Kevin Donahue but how did you know my first name? How did I get here? And for that, where am I?”

Finola nodded at Alistar, who understood and quickly walked to the door and replaced the protective guards around the house.

Nora answered, “You’re in a house called Tus Nua.”

His eyes darted to Nora and asked quickly, “New Beginnings? I’ve heard about that but never knew where it was. How did I get here?”

Nora smiled, “Well, Kevin, we’re going to find out but first, since we, now know who you are, we’re going to also assume that you had been taking care of Caroleena and Jenny.”

“Oh, my lordie. You found them? Where are they? Are they okay? I didn’t want to leave them, but I had no choice. When I went back to find them, they were gone. Are they hurt?”

Alistar put a gentle hand on the boy’s shoulder and replied, “They’re fine. Our friend, here, Neil found them and brought them to us. We have so many questions but first, you need to know about us. We can’t ask for trust unless you feel you can trust.”

He sat across from Kevin and explained about the family, the fact that they are white witches, the goal of Tus Nua (without mentioning the original intention of the shelter), and how Neil found the children.

Finola told him that they had the ability to reach inside his mind and retrieve any answers to any questions they had but always preferred people to volunteer information. “While we can find out anything, we always felt that to be an intrusion, an invasion of privacy, therefore, we encourage everyone to say what they feel they’d like to talk about.”

Kevin looked at all the kind faces, but Dara didn’t give him the opportunity to begin speaking; instead, she blurted out, “Hold that thought! Kevin, you must be starving. I bet it’s been a long time since you had a decent meal. How about a bowl of lamb stew?”

Tauri laughed. “Oh, sister, dearest, I’m sure he’s capable of eating and speaking at the same time. I’ve yet to meet anyone from the male species who can’t.”

As Dara placed a bowl of hot stew in front of the boy, his audible moan made them all smile.

With the first spoonful now consumed, he said, “My maam tossed me to the road when her new husband said, and I hate to use this language in front of ladies, but he said, ‘I want that flippin’ bastard gone by the time I get home from work.’ My da, well, he died a few years ago and ma, well, she met Thadeus. That was her undoing.”