Entasy (Prophecies of The Nine) Read Free Page B

lost the two people that had grounded me to this world; one minute they were here and the next minute they were gone. No warning, no goodbyes…just gone. It pissed me off that he thought he could tell me how I should move on. I stopped seeing him after the second visit. Someday, when I felt like it, I would look in that box, but not because it was something I had to do, but because it was something I wanted to do…on my terms.
    I walked across the Gapstow Bridge and paused to take in the fall air. The cool breeze blew through the trees as dogs barked and couples passed by. The scent of patchouli drew my attention as a striking young woman with short blonde hair walked by with her English bulldog in tow. The fragrance reminded me of my mother. The only difference was that Mom’s scent always had a hint of pomegranate oil mixed in. I followed behind the woman for a bit to enjoy the mental stroll down I-really-miss-my-mom lane, and then found a great spot to sit down. The rustle of the oak trees and the slow ripple of the water had already begun to soothe my nerves.
    The vibrant fall colors of the trees were reflecting on the water. I could already picture a burnt orange chiffon gown as I pulled out a sketchbook from my bag to draw the dress. I gasped when my mother’s journal fell out and onto the sidewalk. I quickly grabbed it and dusted off the dirt and debris. This book was incredibly delicate, and if Dillon and Tynan knew that I had taken it out of the office, my head would be on a platter.
    I found it one day when I was looking for one of my father’s novels. It was nestled in between a 1926 copy of Pride and Prejudice and a tattered copy of The Count of Monte Cristo . I could not see a title on the spine, but the aged gold scrollwork drew my eye and seemed to call to me. The moment I opened it, tears filled my eyes. The Gaelic version of our family name was embossed onto the cover of this antique treasure.
    The scent of patchouli hit me again and I looked up to see the blonde with the bulldog standing in front of me. "Is this seat taken?"
    "No, please feel free." I smiled and scooted over a bit as I tucked Mom’s journal back into my messenger bag. Her dog came to sniff my boots when she moved to sit down. I leaned forward to let her dog smell my hand. "What’s his name?"
    The woman smiled. "Well, her name is Darcy." I chuckled because this stocky dog had such a prissy name.
    "It’s okay to laugh. I get that all the time. I named her after my favorite character…Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice."
    "That is so funny, I was just thinking about that book."
     "Hi." She extended her hand. "My name is Layne. It’s very nice to meet you."
    "It’s nice to meet you too, Layne. My name is Kylah."
    "So you are a fan of Jane Austen too, huh?" Layne tugged on the leash and Darcy moved to lie down at her feet.
    I grinned from ear to ear. "Absolutely. I love the classics."
    Just then my phone rang, and the AC/DC ringtone reminded me that I had forgotten to check in with my brother after I left work. I fumbled in my bag, trying to find my phone, and picked it up after a few rounds of T.N.T.
    "Hey Dillon, what’s up? I’m sorry I forgot to call you. I guess I got distracted."
     I closed my sketchbook and packed up my bag as I continued speaking. "I am hailing a cab as we speak; I’ll see you in five."
    I winked at Layne and pushed the end button. "Hey, if you are not doing anything on Saturday night, we are having one helluva Halloween bash at our family pub," I said grinning. It never hurts to do a little shameless self-promotion when the opportunity presents itself.
     "Sounds great. Can I bring a date?"
     "But of course. Keenan’s Irish Pub in Hell’s Kitchen. Dress in your Halloween best. The best costume wins free beer for the rest of the year. Hope to see you there."
    "I wouldn’t miss it for the world." Layne waved as Darcy began to bark at the leaves swirling by.
    I headed toward Fifth Avenue to hail a cab. As