TUS NUA - ch 53

TUS NUA – ch 53

New Beginnings – Mia and Midnight

(*)(*)(*)

Finola knew Ali’s brother-in-law needed to put his mind at rest. She fed her arm through his and led him outside. “We’ll sit here. If you like, I can put a block around us so our conversation will be private.”

Neil Byrne glanced at the door and replied, “Knowing what Ali’s been through and what this house stands for, I doubt that will be necessary but, thank you for thinking of it. Still, I do have a few concerns.”

Finola smiled and said, “I understand that right now, you’re not sure where to begin. I also know that you understand that I have the ability to read your thoughts. However! I won’t do that. You need to voice your concerns, verbalize your thoughts.” She reached behind him and retrieved two small tumblers with a bit of amber liquid in each. “Here, drink this. It’ll calm you, give you strength and courage to face and say what’s in your heart and on your mind.”

Neil smiled and asked, “Hennessey? Finola, I’ve a long drive home.”

She gave him a smile and an almost silent giggle. “It looks like Hennessey, tastes like Hennessey, will calm you and strengthen you like Hennessey, but has absolutely no alcoholic content like Hennessey. Drink up now and we’ll talk.”

They raised their glasses and toasted the success of Tus Nua.

Neil gently rubbed his small tumbler between the palms of his hands, then spoke.

“I understand and completely agree with what you’ve done regarding the Moretti family, but my concerns are about his accomplices. While Ali, Sybil, and Beverly were able to tell us so much, they also admitted that there was much they couldn’t remember. What if the Moretti’s kept a journal? Or, what if one of their friends did? What, or rather how could we protect the girls if they decide to come after them? Especially once we leave here. We won’t have the same protection as Tus Nua has.”

“Hmm. Ali and the others seem to have gotten so used to their talisman, they’ve forgotten the powers that go with it.”

Neil took another sip of his drink. “You know, Finola, considering there is no alcohol content in this, it’s really delicious. Okay, sorry to interrupt. What’s this talisman, where is it and what does it do?”

“Each one of my girls, as they entered Tus Nua was given a talisman to wear around their necks. It’s a small Irish protection charm and warns of approaching danger. As it begins to vibrate, the metal warms – not hot enough to burn skin, just warm enough to allow the wearer to recognize the change in how it feels. Each, I suppose calling them girls is long ago inappropriate, but as they leave Tus Nua, whether to move on with their lives, or just go shopping, is given a key chain. There are no keys as none is needed. Wherever they go, should they need a lock to open, all they need to do is touch the handle and door will open. Their key chains won’t work for anyone else, so let’s assume you or your wife hold it and approach a closed lock. That lock stays closed until Ali holds the fob.”

She felt the still bits of concern in his mind.

“There is one more thing I can do and it will be for you and your family. Come, I’ll take you to my home. What I need is in my office.”

They stood, and Finola reached in her pocket and pulled out her orb which enabled her and Neil to arrive at her home within seconds.

“You know, Finola, in the time Ellen and I have been here, I’ve seen a few of your family do that and while I know from stories my grandmaam used to tell us that it’s common among witches, I always thought they were just folk tales. it’s something I may never get used to.”

She laughed but didn’t speak her thoughts aloud, “Oh, Neil, you need to read your grandmaam’s journal. You’re in for a huge surprise.”

“My workroom is upstairs.”

Inside her room, Neil saw a worktable with small caldrons, a larger one on another table, shelves stacked with jars labeled with an assortment of herbs and spices, larger jars with what appeared to be bark from a variety of trees, and the upper shelves contained large vials with different colored liquids.

She pulled out a drawer and withdrew what he thought was a huge bag of salt. Out of another drawer, she picked up what look like a plain, clear, glass marble the size of a golf ball.

“This is yours to take home. Find a place in your home where the orb is visible. If danger is approaching, the orb will turn red. Otherwise, it will remain clear.

The bag contains a special, crystalized salt that will not melt in the rain. When you get home, dig a shallow trench around the perimeter of your house. As you sprinkle the salt in the trench, say these words: ‘Whatever evil comes to my door, leave, stay away forevermore.’ Neil, please repeat that.”

As he repeated her words, his hands began to tremble. “Finola, are you sure I should do this? My hands are shaking.”

“Neil, mo stor, I’m more than positive. A small trembling of the hands is a good omen. With the orb’s warning of approaching danger, you’ll be able to be aware of what surrounds your home. The salt will prevent danger from entering.”

She stood. “Now, let’s get back your family. I need to give Ali her keychain.”

Neil stood, with the bag of salt tucked under his arm, and the orb carefully placed in his pocket. He nodded at Finola and she tossed her orb in their air that would take them back to Tus Nua.