Wild irish heart

WILDIRISHHEART
Book1intheMysticCoveSeries
Copyright©2014byTriciaO'Malley
AllRightsReserved
CoverDesign:
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Editor:
EmilyNemchick
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photocopying,recording,oranyfuturemeansofreproducingtext.
Ifyouwouldliketodoanyoftheabove,pleaseseekpermissionfirstby
contactingtheauthorat:
"Maireannlágoruaigachmaireannangrágohuaigh."
Adaylastsuntilit'schasedawaybutlovelastsuntilthegrave.


CHAPTERONE
THEPINGOFthedoorbellstartledKeelinO'Brienfromherdaydreamof
charteringa
diveboatthroughtheGreatBarrierReef.Blinking,sheshovedherselfupfrom
hermessydeskandpaddedquietlyinherIrishcottagesockstothedoor.Peering
throughthehole,shesawthatitwasFrank,heroverlyfriendlymailman.
"Hi,Frank,"Keelinsaidassheeasedthedooropen,carefultohideherclutter
fromhisview.
"Hi,Keelin.I'vegotaspecialpackageforyoutoday,"Franksaid.
"International!"
"Really?Ihaven'torderedanything.Howinteresting."Keelinsignedforthe
packageandFrankraisedhiseyebrowsather.Keelinknewthatheexpectedher
toopenthe

packageinfrontofhim.
"Thanks,Frank.Gottarun!"Keelinshutthedoorwithherfootandexaminedthe
smallpackageasshewanderedtowardsherkitchen.Thecheerfulblueofher
kitchen
wallscontrastedwiththepileofdishesinhersink.Asmallwindowwithsoft
yellowcurtainsallowedarayofsunlighttopickupthelayerofdustonher
sideboard.Withasigh,Keelinmadeamentalnotetoclean.
Brushingapileofpapersaside,Keelinsatathertableandlookedatthepackage.
Rectangular-shapedandwrappedinbutcherpaper,itwasn'tthetypical
internationalenvelopefoundatthepostoffice.Twinewovearoundthepackage
andwhatlookedlikeanhonest-to-Godwaxsealclosedthetwine.Keelin'sname
andaddresswerewritteninadeepbrownink,thehandwritingabeautifulold
calligrapherstyle.Keelinsquintedatthereturnaddressandrememberedher
readingglassestuckedinhershirt.


Interesting,Keelinthoughtassheexaminedtheaddressmoreclosely.The
address
wassmudged.Itseemedalmostdeliberate.Keelinwonderedwhyshesuspected
thatit
wasdeliberate.Onlyonewordwaseasilyreadable:Ireland.
Keelinliftedthepackageandgingerlybroketheseal.Animageflashedintoher
head.
Flamesslicingintothenight.Voiceschanting.Amidnight-bluecovethatglowed
fromwithin.Andeyes.Asharp,crystal-bluepairofeyesstaredatherthrough
theflames.
Keelingaspedanddroppedthepackage.Herheartpoundedquicklyandshetried
out
someofthedeep-breathingtechniquesthatshehadlearnedinyoga.Thoughher
handstrembled,Keelinshookherheadandlaughedatherself.Hermother

alwayssighedat
whatshetermed"Keelin'sLittleFancies"andcluckedthatKeelinwouldnever
findamanifshewasalwaysdaydreaming.Keelinwishedthattheseimages
werejust
daydreamsortheresultofanoverlycreativebrain.Unfortunately,Keelin's
talentsranmoretothesciencesideofthingsthanthecreative,daydreamertype.
Yet,Keelinneverknewhowtodescribetheimagesshewouldseewhenshe
touchedcertainthings.
Things?Whowasshekidding?Keelinthought.Itdidn'tjusthappenwith
objects.It
happenedwithpeople,animals,andevenplaces.Shehadrecentlystartedto
wonderifsheneededtotakehermother'snot-so-gentleadvicetogoseea
therapist.Keelin'sguttoldherthatatherapistwoulddolittletoshedlightonher
problems.She'dlearnedlongagotoshelterherselfandtokeeptheseimagesthat
floodedherbrainquiet.LivinginMassachusettshadimplementedinhera


healthyfearoftherepercussionsofbeing
different,ifthehistoryoftheSalemWitchTrialsindicatedanything.
Sheheldthepackageandtookadeepbreathbeforesheimmersedherselfbackin
the
image.Thistime,shefocusedonthefeelingsitbrought.
Darkimagesslashedather.Afishingvillageatnight.Alonedogwanderinga
hill.Amantyingafishingline.AsKeelinwadedthroughtheimagesshedecided
thattherewasafeelingofforeboding,yetalsoofhomecoming,thatthreaded
throughtheimages.Itwasn'tevil,yettherewasasenseofsteppingovera
threshold.
Itwasalmostasifshewasbeingpushedawayandpulledin.Herfingers
trembledasshepeeledbackthepaper.Insomerespects,shehadbeenwaiting
forthis.Therehadalwaysbeensomethinginherlifeleftunsaid–undiscovered

even.Keelinwonderedifthiswasfinallyheranswer.
Asmallbooklaynestledinthepaper.Arichbrownleathercover,creasedwith
age,andwithhandstitchingatthebinding,encasedtheyellowedpages.Keelin
marveledoverthebeautyofthesimplecraftsmanship.Nowordsorsymbols
marredthesoftleather,yetyearsofscratchesfromusehadweatheredthecover
toaperfectpatina.
Thebookseemedtospeakvolumeswithoutawordonitscover.
Thisbookwasold.Reallyold.Keelinwonderedifsheneededglovestotouchit.
A
booklikethisbelongedinamuseum,shethought.Shegentlyopenedthecover
and
gaspedatthepages.Thesewerevellumpages.Herhandsshookastheenormity
ofthedelicacyandstrengthofthisbookstruckher.Keelinhadknownthebook
wasoldbutwritingonvellumdatedbacktotheBookofKellsdays.Thiswasa
bookthatwasnottobetakenlightly.Whohadsentsuchagifttoher?


Keelinsuspectedsheknewthesourceofthisgift.Therealquestionwas:why
now?
Afoldedpieceofpaperthatwastiedwiththesametwineandmatchingsealas
the
wrappinglaytuckedinthefrontofthecover.Keelingentlypulleditoutand
unfoldedit.
Thewordsstruckherlikeapunchtothegut.
Itistime.
Keelinstaredattheletterinshock.Inrecognition.Shetuckedherstrawberryblondehairbehindherear.Hersocialitemothercarefullytintedtheredfromher
hair,sniffing,
"It'stooIrish."ButKeelinsecretlylovedherhaircolorandalwaysrefusedto
haveitdyedwhenhermother'ssecond-favoritestylistdiscreetlysuggestedthe
changeeach

month.
Itistime.
Thewordsboredintoherbrain.Hadsheknownthiswascoming?Sheheldthe
letter
uptoherface.Itsmelledfaintlyoflavenderandsomethingdeeper.Smoky,
almost.
Visionsofamoonlitcove,aboat,andthepromiseoflustandloveflashed
throughhermind.
Itistime.
Keelinheldthebookandmarveledatthebeautyofthedetailing.Sheclosedher
eyesandinhaledthescentofthewornleather.Thebookseemedtowarmtoher
touchandafeelingoflovespreadthroughherarmsandcurleditswaythrough


hercore.Shecaughtaglimpseofanoldwomangatheringherbsonaslopinghill
nearthewater.Hersuddeninsightconfirmedhersuspicion.Thiswasher
maternalgrandmother'sbook.Her
grandmotherlivedinthehillsofIreland,justnorthofasmallfishingvillageon
thesouthernmostpeninsulaofIreland.Reportedtobecrazyandaloof,Keelin
hadhadlittlecontactwithher.Keelin'smotherhadinsistedonmovingtothe
StatesbeforeKeelinwasbornandwasproudtoraiseherdaughteronBoston's
reputableBeaconHill.TheyhadneverreturnedtoIreland.
Shehadoftenwonderedwhyhermotherhadrefusedtodiscussherupbringing
with
Keelin.Atthetime,shehadputitdowntohermom'sobsessionwithpedigree
and
socialiteparties.Therewasn'tmuchplaceforapoorIrishupbringingamongst
thewealthofhermother'sfriends.NowKeelinwonderedwhatvitaldetailsshe
mayhavemissed
abouthermother'slifebeforeBoston.

Thebookseemedtocalltoher.Keelintracedherfingersoverthesoftleather.
Shepickeditupandtheimageofblueeyespoppedintoherheadagain.This
timeasmallthrillofheatcurledthroughher.
"Whoa,thisisalittleridiculous."Keelinlaughedandgotup.Sheneededto
pace.
Twothoughtsracedthroughhermind.Thefirstwasthathergrandmotherwas
dead.Thesecondwasthatthiswasabookofpower.
Keelinneededanswersandtherewasonlyoneblondesocialitethathadthem.
Shepulledonknee-highbrownbootsoverleggingsthathuggedgenerouships,
threw
onalongfair-islecardigan,andpickedupthebook.Keelinduginherclosetfor
awoolscarfandgentlywrappedthebookbeforetuckingitinherleathersatchel.


Itwastimetohuntdownhermother.Thenshewoulddealwiththeimplications
ofthebook.


CHAPTERTWO
MARGARETGRAINNEO'BRIENlivedinatwo-storybrownstoneinthe
covetedBeacon
HillneighborhoodofdowntownBoston.Keelinenjoyedthecobblestonestreets
andthecherryblossomtreesinthespring.Shehatedtheseverelackofparking
andtheminisculelivingspacesthatthehigh-rentneighborhoodoffered.
Wondering,again,whyanyone
wouldpayanobsceneamountofmoneytoliveinsevenhundredsquarefeetof
space
withoneparkingspot,Keelinranghermother'sbell.
"Keelin,darling!Whatareyoudoinghere?"Margaretasked.Acoollylovely
blondeinherlateforties,shewasdressedforteainapalegraycocktailsuitwith

adeeppinkshirt.Pearlswinkedatherearsandaleatherwatchpeekeddiscreetly
fromhersleeve.
MargaretusheredKeelininandbeganmakingdistressednoises.
"KeelinGrainne.Areyouwearingleggingsoutsideofthehouseagain?"
Margaretasked.
"Mom.Stop.Everyonewearsleggings.Andmysweaterislong.Theyarelike
tightsbutwithevenmorecoverage."Keelinrolledhereyesandstompedtoher
mother'sfrontroom.Graceful,archedwindowsboastedaviewoffashionable
shops.Keelinsettledonthesetteeandactivelyhatedtheroom.Everythingwas
whiteandgold.Toomuch
opulence,shethought.
"Mom.Weneedtotalk."Keelinreachedintoherbagtopulloutthebook.
"You'repregnant!Iknewit.IknewthatToddwasbadnews.Whatwereyou


thinking?"
"Whoa.What?No!Mom,ugh,God,juststop.Gross.IneversleptwithToddto
beginwith.Yousetmeupwithhim,whichshouldhavetoldyouthathewasnot
agoodmatchforme.Wouldyoupleasejuststopwithtryingtosetmeup?"
Keelinsaid.Itwasaconstantaggravationforher.Margaretenjoyedarranging
blinddateswiththesonsofthetown'selite.Keelinlovedhertoomuchto
embarrassherandditchoutonthedates.
Inevitably,everyTodd,Chad,andSpenceshedatedfailedtogetherjuices
flowing.Idly,shewonderedifsheevenhadanyjuicesanymore.Ithadbeenso
longsinceshehadtrulybeenpassionateaboutanythingexceptherwork.
"ThankGod.IwouldhatetotellShirleythathersonwasajerk.Now,whyare
youhereinthemiddleoftheday?Shouldn'tyoubeworkingonanapplication?"
Margaretsaid.ShewasreferringtoKeelin'sinternshipapplications.Keelinhad
beenworkingfortheBostonAquariumforthepastfewyearsandhadwantedto
branchoutforawhile.

Hersecretdreamwastofinishhermaster'sdegreeinmarinebiologyandtowork
onaresearch-and-diveteam.Shehopedtogetaboardaresearchvesselasan
internoverthesummer.
Keelindecidedtogoforimpact.Shereachedintohersatchelandwithdrewher
scarf-wrappedbundle.
"Keelin,whenwillyougetridofthatuglyscarf?ItissoIrish,"Margaretsaid,
herdisdainevident.
Silently,Keelinunwrappedthebundleandplacedthebookonthetable,
watchinghermotherclosely.Margaret'seyeswidenedslightlyandthenreturned
tonormal.
"Why,whateveristhisoldbook?Isthisforschool?"Margaretasked.Keelin
noticedthathernormallypalemother'scheekswereflushedandherhandplayed
atap-tap-taprhythmontheEastlakesidetable.
"Mom.Youknowwhatthisis.Ineedanswers,"Keelinsaid.


"Ihavenoideawhatyoumean.Itisanoldbook.Lovely,actually.Iseebooks
likethisintheantiqueshops.Youshouldplaceitondisplay,"Margaretsaid.She
refusedtomeetKeelin'seyesandglancedquicklyatherwatch.
"Darling,Iamsosorry,butIhavetomeetMrs.Thatcherfortea.Wearegoing
overplansforthebookclub'scharityfundraiser.Imustn'tbelate,"Margaretsaid
asshestood.
"Idon'tthinkso.Sitdown,"Keelinsaid.
"Keelin.Whatiswrongwithyou?Donotspeaktomelikethat."Margaretstood
herground.YoucouldtaketheIrishoutofIreland,Keelinmused.
"Thisisyourmother'sbook.Mygrandmother.Icanfeelit.Iknowit.This
arrivedtoday.Doesthismeansheisdead?Doyoueventalktoheranymore?"
Thequestionstumbledout.Keelindidn'tmeantosoundaccusatorybuttheold
bitternesswelledupinherthroat.She'dalwayshatedhowMargarethadisolated
herfromlearningaboutherIrishroots.

Sighing,Margaretwalkedtothewetbarandpouredherselfawhiskey,neat.
Shocked,Keelinwatchedashermild-manneredmotherdowneditinonegulp.
"Iknewthatthistimewouldarrive,"Margaretsaid.Hershouldersweretense
andshestayedfocusedonthewetbar.
"Um,yeah.Nokidding.Thelettersaid,'Itistime,'"Keelinsaid."Careto
elaborate?"
"ThisisthereasonthatIleftyourfather,thetown,andhaveneverreturnedto
Ireland."Margaret'sbackwasstillturned."Ihadhopedthisdaywouldnever
come."


CHAPTERTHREE
"OKAY,DRAMAQUEEN,"Keelinsaid."Let'sbringitdownanotch.Thisisall
alittlemuchforme."
AsmallsmileflittedoverMargaret'sfaceassheturnedtofaceKeelin."You
werealwayssoirreverent.PartofmehasalwayswishedthatIcouldbethe
same."
Keelinwasshocked.Hermomadmiredwhatshesochastised?Interesting,she
thought.
"Ifyou'llexcuseme,Ineedamomenttocancelmymeeting.ThenIwilldiscuss
that…thatbookwithyou,"Margaretsaidasshestrodepurposefullyfromthe
room.Herback,ramrodstraight,radiateddeterminationandfortitudeasusual.
Keelinautomaticallystraightenedhershoulders.Justlookingathermothermade
herfeellikeaslob.
Idly,sheletherhandstracethebook.Thesuppleleatherseemedtowarmtoher
touchagain.
"Let'sgo,"Margaretsaid.Keelinjumpedandgasped.
"Mother!Ididn'tknowyouownedjeans!"
"Well,yes,ifIeverwentforawalkinthewoods,Iwouldneedapair,wouldn't
I?"

Margaret'stidybluejeansweretuckedintoHunterbootsandherthickcardigan
was
buttonedperfectly.Aplaidscarftoppedheroutfitandscreamed"RalphLauren
chic."
"Woods?Whatwoodsareyouwalkingin,Mom?"Keelinasked.
"Well,theCommon,ofcourse.Theyhavelovelytrees."


Keelinhadtolaugh.Onlyhermotherwouldrefertothemanicuredlawnsofthe
BostonCommonas"thewoods."
"Okay,Mom.Let'sgoforawalk."Keelintuckedthebookintohersatcheland
gatheredhercardigan.Shewatchedashermothergatheredherkeysfromthe
gold
Hermèsdishbythedoor,andmadesurethedoormatwasalignedjustso.
Howhadshecomefromsuchawoman?Thiswasn'tanewthoughttoKeelin.
Messy,
disobedient,andopinionated,Keelinfeltlikeshewasaconstantdisappointment
toherpoliteandreservedmother.Sheoftenfeltlikeshewasplayingarolewhen
hermotherinvitedhertothesociety'smostelitefunctions.Silkdressesand
beingseenmatteredlittletoKeelinwhenshecouldburyherheadinabookor
hearsomegreatlocalmusic.Hermomknewwhateveryspoonandforkmeant
inatablesetting,whileKeelinpreferred
ciderandagreasyburgerfromthelocalbar.Foralltheirdifferences,apure,
strongloveranbetweenthem.Ithadbeenjustthetwoofthemforsolong.She
couldn'tfaulthermotherforwantingthebestforher.
AswastypicalofaFridayafternoon,theCommonbustledwithactivity.The
pulseofthecityseemedtobeatthere,aspeoplefromallwalksoflifeflowed
fromthestairwellsoftheT,dispersingintothegreenoftheCommonand
weavingbetweenthepondsand
trees.Itneverfailedtointeresther,thepeopleshefoundhere,Keelinthought.

Keelinhadspentmanyanafternoonthinkingaboutthelivesofthosewho
walkedpastherpicnicblanket.Sheoftenplayedagamewithoutreallyknowing
why.Keelinwouldguessthe
ailmentsofstrangers.Shehadnowayofconfirminghoworwhysheknewwhat
shedidbutshediditwithoutthinking.Cancer,coldsore,cough,diabetes,
sprained
wrist…imagesflashedthroughherheadalongwithemotions.Itwaslikeagame


show
whereshehadnowayofknowingifshewasawinner.
Keelinwalkedquietlybesidehermotherandlistenedassherattledofftheprices
oftheapartmentsthatlinedtheCommon.Sheknewallofthisalready,yet
allowedher
mothertotalk.Margarethadatendencytotalkrealestatewhenshewas
nervous.
Eventually,theywoundtheirwaytoastonebenchoverlookingasmallpond.
Keelinidlywatchedamotherhelphertoddlerfeedtheducks.
"WhatdoyouknowofGrace'sCove?"Margaretasked.
"Well,IknowthatitisasmalltownonthewaterinSouthernIreland.Iknow
thatyougrewupthereanddidn'tlikethevillagelifestyle.I'vegoogleditandthe
picturesarestunning.Itreallylookslikeabeautifulplacetolive.AndI'dloveto
getoutonthewaterthere.Thosecliffsareincredible!Iimaginethereisatonto
study,"Keelinsaid.
"Yes,well,I'mnotsurprisedyoulikethewatersomuch,asyourfatherwasa
fisherman,"Margaretsaid.
"Yes,soyou'vesaid,"Keelinsaid.Shewassurprisedthathermotherhad
broughthimup.Asourceofbitternessbetweenthem,Keelinknewlittleofher
fatherandMargaretrarelyspokeofhim.
"IunderstandthatImadeadecisiontoremovehimfromyourlife,Keelin,

however,itwasinyourbestinterests.AndlookatthelifethatIgaveyou.Ihad
myreasons,"
Margaretsaid.
Keelinstayedsilent.She'dheardthisrefrainbefore.Whatwasthepointof
arguingthepast?


Margaretsighed."Isupposeitistimeforyoutoknowmoreaboutyour
heritage."
"Yes,thatwouldbenice,"Keelinsaiddrylyasshepickedatsomefuzzonher
sweater.
"Ilovedyourfather,deeply,"Margaretsaid.
Keelingasped.Shehadalwaysassumedthatshewasan"oops"andherfather
wasapassionatenightinpassing.
"Oh,Keelin,weweresoyoungandinlove.Hewasworkingtobeacommercial
fishermanandhadplanstogotoDublintoopenacommercialfishingbusiness.
That,orstartaboattourcompany.Eitherway,youcouldn'tkeephimfromthe
waterifyouhadtried.Seanhadquitethebigdreams.He…hedidn'tknowabout
youuntilIhadleft.Inevertoldhim.LeavingIrelandwasoneofthehardest
thingsthatIhavedone."
Keelinstaredinshockathermother.Margaret'scheekswereflushed,yetthere
wasastubborntilttoherchin.Therewouldbenoquestioningofherpast
decisions.
"But,howcouldyounottellhim?"
"Heranfromme.Heleftme,Keelin.WhenIfoundoutaboutyou,Iknewthat
theonlythingthatmatteredwasthatIgiveyouachanceatanormallife."
"But,Mom,didn'tyoumisshim?Whatwassobadthatyouhadtoleave?"
Keelinasked.
"Imissedhimterribly.Istilldo.Iseepiecesofhiminyou.Wearen'tthesame
peopleanymorethough,andthattimehaspassed.Letmetellyouaboutthe

historyofGrace'sCove."
Keelinnoddedandkeptsilent.Thiswasthemostshehadevergottenoutofher
motherandshewouldn'tletherbigmouthsidetrackMargaretfromgivingher
the


informationshesodesperatelycraved.
"Haveyouheardofthefamouspiratequeen,GraceO'Malley?"
"Ofcourse;sheislegendarythroughoutIreland.Shewasnotoriousforher
fiercenessinbattle.Iknowshemarriedtwiceandhadseveralchildren.Shewas
famousforbeingruthless,yetatthesametimeiscreditedwithpreservingmuch
ofGaelichistory."
"Absolutely,andshewasawomanthatknewherownmind.Didyouknowthat
GrainneistheCelticnameforGrace?"Margaretasked.BothKeelinand
Margaret'smiddlenamewasGrainne.
"Ididnot,"Keelinsaid.
"AlmostallofthewomenofaparticularbloodlineinGrace'sCovecarrythat
name.Itisn'tbecauseofthetownname.Itisbecauseourbloodlineisthatof
GraceO'Malley."
"Shutup."Keelinwasthrilled.Shewasrelatedtoafamouspiratequeen?How
coolwasthat?
"Keelin,donotsay,‘Shutup.’"
"Sorry,Mom."
"Yes,youareadescendantofGraceO'Malley,forwhomGrace'sCoveisnamed.
Yourgrandmotherhasadirectconnectionandexperiencestheeffectsofit."
"Ofwhat?Idon'tunderstand.Isol'Grandmaapirateorsomething?"Keelin
asked.
Margaretsmiled."No,notquite.Gracewasrumoredtohavepowersotherthan
herformidableonesasapiratequeen.Somesaymagick.Otherssayahealer.
Otherspointtoalmostapsychicabilitytopredictpotentialthreats.Itisn'treally

knownwhatallsurroundedGrace,yetalmostallwillagreeshehadalevelof
power."


Keelinbegantonervouslypickathernails.Shepulledataloosehangnailand
wincedasbloodcametothesurface.Withoutthinkingshecovereditwithher
handandthe
woundslowlyfaded.
"Thecoveitselfisrumoredtobeenchanted.Almostnoonewillgothere.Well,
asidefromyourgrandmother.Andafewothers.I'vegonethere.Ineverwill
again."
"Wait.What.You'rekiddingme,right?"Keelinsaid.Shepicturedthestunning
imagesofthecovethatshehadseenonGoogle.Itwasimpossibletothinkthat
peoplewouldn'tspendtimethere.
"TheIrishareaverysuperstitiouspeople,Keelin.Nobodywillgothere.People
whodoareoftensweptouttoseaorinjuredontherocks.Theysaythatthe
moonwon'treflectoffthewaterthere–yetattimestheseaglowsfromwithin."
"Okay,Mom,stop.Thereareperfectlyplausibleexplanationsforthesethings.
Oftentimescoveshavewhirlpoolsorriptidesthatwillpullpeopleouttosea.As
forglowingfromwithin,therearecertaintypesofphosphorousplanktonthat
cancreateaglowingillusiononthewater.I'msureitisalljustasuperstition,"
Keelinsaid.
Margaretsmiledandshookherhead."You'resosmart.And,typically,Iwould
agreewithyou,hadInotseenthepowerformyself.Iwon'tgobackthere.My
motherwentintothecoveregularlyandneverhadaproblembutshehadher
ownwayofdoingso."
"Mom,whyisitnamedGrace'sCove?Whatistheconnection?"
"Well,itisrumoredthatGraceO'MalleyhidtheChaliceofArdaghthereand
thattheoneinthenationalmuseumisacompanionpiecetotherealchalice."
"What!Mother.No.Thatisinsane.TheChaliceofArdaghispartofIrish

nationalpride.Ifthatweretruetherewouldhavebeenexpeditions.Diverswould
havefoundit.


Thecoveisnotthatbig."
"Oh,therehavebeenexpeditions.Many.They'veallfailed.Thegovernmentgot
sickofspendingmoneyonitandnowdismissesitasasillysuperstitionand
warnspeopleagainstgoingtothedangerouswatersofthecove.Theofficial
statementisthatthereisapowerfulcurrentthatwillsweepyououttosea.The
unofficialstatementisthatitiscursed."
Keelinstaredatthepond.Theducksswamlazily,pickingattheofferingsof
bread.
Thesciencesideofhermindconcurredwiththeofficialreasonforthecove's
problems.
The"other"sideofherthatstayedawakeatnightwithvisions,hummed.Her
mom'swordswerelikeabalmoftruthtohersoul.Conflicted,Keelinrubbedher
handstogether,notseeingthathernailwoundhadcompletelyhealed.
"HowcomeGrandmacouldgothere?Howdoesthebookplayintoallthis?Is
thiswhyyouleft?"Keelinhadsomanyquestions.
"YourgrandmotherandIhadadifficultrelationship.Itwasoneofthereasons
thatIleftwithyou.Herplansforyoudidn'tcoincidewithmyplans.Ineededto
giveyouachanceatanormallife,"Margaretsaidagain,nervouslytwistinga
goldbandaroundherrighthand.
"Um,what?HowamIsupposedtorespondtothat?Canyoujustsayitstraight?"
Keelinlikedtoworkwithfacts.
Margaretsighed.Hertwistingmovementsbecamefaster.Keelinreachedoutand
put
herhandonhermother's.
"Mom,justsayit."
"Thatbookisyourgrandmother's.Shewasconstantlydevotedtoit.Shecarried

iteverywhereandwasalwayswritingcarefullyinit.Yourgrandmotheris


famous
throughoutIrelandasawisewoman–ahealer.Therearethosethatclaimsheis
awitch.
Idon'tbelievethat.Yet,I'veseenhercurepeoplewheremodernmedicinewas
unableto.
Sheneverletmeseethebook.ShetoldmeitwasformydaughterandthatIhad
othergifts.Ineverplannedtogetpregnant,soIdidn'tthinkaboutleaving
Grace'sCoveuntilIwassurprisedwithyou.Icouldn'tletyougrowupwithsuch
nonsense.Whatkindoflifewouldthatbeforyou?Peopleonlycometohealers
iftheyneedtheirservicesandhealersareoftenshunnedinotherplaces.Healers
arethefocusofconstantwhisperedgossip.
WithFionaasmymother,nomatterifwewentintoapuborastore–someone
alwaystalked.Themorereligiousmembersofthetownwouldswitchdirections
andcross
themselveswhenwewalkedby.Ijustwantedanormalupbringingforyou,not
liketheonethatIhad.Ijustwantedthebestforyou.Youhavetounderstand.I
gaveupmyeverything.Mylove,myfamily,mylifesothatyoucouldbea
normalchild.AndIstillfearthatIwasneverabletogiveyouwhatyouneeded.
Shemayhavebeenright."
"Mom.Ihadagreatchildhood.It'sfine,"Keelinsaidquickly.Tooquickly.
"Keelin.No,youdidn't."MargaretsigheddeeplyandclutchedKeelin'shand.
"Youhadconstantvisions,daydreams,andnightterrors.Youwouldscarethe
crapoutofourfriendswhenyoutoldthemtheyweresickorwhatwouldhappen
withafamilymember.
Andthattimethatyouhealedourcatthatwashitbyacar?Youwerefive.Five!
YouarenotnormalandthereisnothingthatIcandotochangethat.Youare
touchedwith

somethingspecial.MaybeitistimethatIembracethisanddowhatIcantohelp
you.


You'llneverfindhappinessifyoudon'taddressthis."
Keelinwassurprisedtofeelhercheekswerewetwithtears.Shehadn'tfelt
herselfstartcryingbutitwaslikeapartofherhearthadcrackedopen.Herwalls
hadbeenupforsolongthatsherarelythoughtofherchildhoodorhowdifficult
herlifecouldbeattimes.
Hermotherknew.Shesawallofit.Allofherstrugglesasachild.Herdifficulty
inrelationshipsbecauseKeelinalwaysknewtoomuch.Shehadatendencyto
scarepeoplewithoutmeaningto.Ithadtaughthertopickherrelationships
wiselyandtokeepherbondstenuous.
"Oh,honey,I’msosorry.Don'tcry.Ialwaysknewthisdaywouldcome,though
Iwishyourgrandmotherhadpickedalessdramaticwayofdoingthis,without
sending
thatbooktoyou.Iloveyounomatterwhat.Evenifyoumayhaveatouchof
Grace
O'Malley's"power"inyou.Imean,wouldyoureallybeIrishifyoudidn'thavea
littleextrasomethinginyou?"Margaretcrackedasmallsmile.
"Mom,canyouhealpeople?DoyouhavethesamethingthatIdo?"Keelinwas
eagerforanswers.
"No,Keelin,Idonot.Mystrengthscomeinotherways.Icanreadpeople's
emotionsfromamileaway.WhydoyouthinkthatIcancloseasaleina
heartbeat?"Margaretsmiledherferociousrealtor'ssmile.Keelinnodded.It
madesense,afterall.AsinglemomstraightofftheboatfromIrelandwould
havehadtohaveanextra"something"torockettothetopoftherealestate
empireinBoston.
"So,whatdoesthismeanforme?Idon'tknowwhattodo."Keelinstaredatthe
book.

"Idon'twantyoutogo.Ireallydon't.Infact,IamterrifiedthatIwillloseyou.
But,ifyouwanttolearnaboutyourself,youmayhavetogotoIreland.Ifyou
wanttoignoreitandcarryonhere–Icompletelysupportthat,"Margaretsaid
eagerly.


Keelinlaughed.Sheknewhermotherwantedtokeephersafe,underherwatch.
The
bookhummedinherlap.
"IthinkthatImighthavetogo."


CHAPTERFOUR
KEELINWALKEDHOME,thebookwarmagainstherside.Hermotherhad
heldher
closewhentheypartedandwhisperedhowsorryshewas.Keelinmulledoverall
thatshehadlearnedonthewalkthroughthebusyrush-hourstreettraffic.She
feltliketherewasasmallpressurebuildingdeepinherstomachandshewas
unsureifitwasfromfearorexcitement.Possibilitiesbegantosnakethroughher
mind.
Oncehome,Keelinfixedapotofblacktea,oneofthefewthingsshewas
capableofmakingwell,andcurleduponhercouchwiththebook.Sheblew
softlyontheteathatsteamedfromherfavoriteflowermug.Thepressurebuiltin
herstomachandshegottheeeriefeelingthatshewasstaringatherdestiny.
"Nowornever,"Keelinmurmured.Carefultosettheteafarawayfromthe
book,Keelinleanedoverandpickedthebookup.Shegentlyeasedthebook
openand
cautiouslytouchedthepagesonlyalongtheedges.Asmallenvelopeslippedinto
herlap.
Differentthanthefirstenvelopewiththecryptic"itistime"message,this

envelopewasunmarked.Itwassoftlypaddedandheldthesamewaxsealshe
hadseenearlier.Keelinexaminedthesealmorecloselyandthoughtthatshewas
abletodiscernwhatlookedlikeanold-fashionedanchor.Shelaughedsoftlyas
shethoughtaboutbeingadescendentofafamouspiratequeen.Withalittle
smile,Keelinpeeledthesealbackandfoundastackofeurosalongwithan
addressforGrace'sCove.
"Well,someonedoesn'tliketomincewords."Keelinwasamusedatthedirect
route.
ShegrabbedheriPadandgoogledtheaddress,pullinguptheimagefunctionon
themap.


Athatchedcottagemethereyes,perchedhighonahill.Assherotatedthe
image,Keelingasped.Theviewfromthecottageoverlookedstunningcliffsand
thecurveofacove.Inanyothercity,thiswouldbeprimerealestate.
KeelinputheriPaddownandreturnedtothebook.Pickingupthewadofeuros,
she
quicklycountedthemoney.Itwasmorethanenoughfortravelandsomeodds
andends.
"Well,let'sseewhatthisbookisallabout.I'mnotabouttogetintoanydarkmagickstuff."OnethingKeelinwascertainofwasthatherlifecoulduseless
drama.
Keelincarefullypagedthroughthebook.Hundredsofhandwrittenspellsor
poems
coveredthepages.UnfortunatelymuchofthewritingwasinGaelicand
completely
undecipherabletoKeelin.Asshepagedthrough,shenoticedsmallsheetstucked
behindeachpage.SheopenedthemandfoundEnglishtranslationsoftheGaelic
words.Itwasevidentthatsomeonehadlaboredwiththisbook.Thiswasmore
thanagift.Itwasanoffering.
Keelinbegantoexaminetheweatheredhandwritingthatscrawledacrossthe

pages.Itwasalmostasiftheywererecipes.Yetnot.Asshereadthroughthe
ingredients,Keelinrealizedthatmostofthesewerenotsomethingyouwould
eat.Theyweretopical
ointmentsandpotionsusedforvariousailments.Therewereevendirectionsfor
cultivatingcertainplantsunderthelightofthemoon.Spooky,Keelinthought.
Yet,forsomereasonshewasn'tscared.Keelinpagedthroughthewholebook
andfoundnothinginrelationtothedevilordarkartsasidefromsomesortof
ritualforprotection.Fromwhatshecouldsee,thiswasahealer'sbook.
Hercuriositypiqued,KeelinpulledoutheriPadagain.Sheresearched"Celtic


healer."AsKeelinscrolledthroughthepagesofinformation,shefocusedona
fewkeyfacts.
TheCeltichealingtraditionisoneoftheoldestpathsandcandeepenthe
connectiontothedivineenergy,ancestors,andtheendlessrenewalofthenatural
world.Healingenhancesthephysicalbodyofthepersonreceivingtheenergy
and
canresolvepainsorinjuriesofthephysicalbody.
TheCeltswerearuralpeoplebychoice,preferringtoliveclosetonature
because
oftheirloveofthelandandtheirviewofthemselvesasbeingthecaretakersof
MotherEarth.TheDruidswerethespiritualguardiansoftheCeltsandmade
sure
thateachCelticcitizenledahealthyholisticlifestyle.
ItiscommontoIrishtraditionthatfamiliesofhealersaredescendedfrom
someonewhohasbeengivenaccesstohealingknowledge.InIreland,families
of
healerswereoftensaidtohaveobtainedtheirknowledgefromancientbooks.
Greatlegendsanddeepsuperstitionssurroundtheseinfamoushealingbooks.
Withhealingcomesawordofcaution.Theseekingofwisdom,includingthe

wisdomofhealing,isadangerousbusiness;deathmayensueifhealingisused
improperly.
Keelinshiveredandrubbedherhandsupanddownherarms.Itappearedthat
there


wasalongandrichhistoryofhealersinIreland.Shewonderedhowcertain
peopleweretouchedwiththegiftwhileothersweren't.Therehadtobemore
thanjustGrace
O'Malley'sbloodline.Wasshereallyahealer?Wasthisherpath?Herstomach
tookasmallnosedivewhileatthesametimeherheartseemedtoleapandsing.
Sheshookherhead.Beforemakinganyrashdecisions,sheneededtodomore
research.Shepaddedintothekitchenandpulledoutapacketofinstantchicken
soup.Pouringitintoacup,Keelinshookherheadassheputthesoupintothe
microwave.Somehealershewas.She
couldn’tevenmakesouponthestove.Howwasshetomixcomplexointments
andheal
someone?
Blowingonhersoup,Keelinpaddedbackintothelivingroomandcurledup
witha
blanketonthecouch.Hermindwasspinningwiththepossibilities,yether
sciencemindscoffedatthis"energyhealing"concept.Sheneededtolearnmore
aboutGraceO'MalleyaswellastheChaliceofArdagh.
QuicklycaughtupintherichhistoryofIreland,Keelinblinkedhourslaterasher
iPadbatterydied.Sheshookherheadandstretchedoutherlegsandarms.
Sometimesshehadahabitofbecomingsoengrossedinherresearchthatthe
hourswouldslipbyunnoticed.
Shethoughtaboutwhatshehadlearned.ItappearedthatGraceO'Malleywas
theoriginalgangster.Notonlydidthiswomanmarrytwice,birthachildatsea,
andmurderhundredsofinvaderswhosoughttotakeherlands,butshealso

forcedpoliticalchangeforhercountry.Verylittlewasmentionedabouther
healingpowers,thoughmanynotedthatshehadanuncannyabilityfor
anticipatingpotentialthreatsandcircumventingthem.Itwassaidthatshe
disappearedwhentheendofherlifecametoacloseandwasnever
accountedforagain.Keelinwonderedwhathadhappenedtoher.
TheChaliceofArdaghalsohadaninterestinghistory.Thoughmanydetailswere