Feather of A Raven

Chapter Two

In her dreams, the tall man with the sunlit kissed auburn hair was there. He held her close to him. His voice was British with a sweet tasting of Irish whispered in her ear beautiful things that made her melt. She could nearly feel his skin under her hands. He was handsome in an unworldly way. Oh, if only he existed in more than just her dreams.

Tessa woke in her bed without a clue on how she ended up there. Again, the book and her glasses were on the table. The cups and saucers were washed, placed to dry on the rack. Either Stuart could do all that with his little birdy feet or she was hell of a sleepwalker. She always leaned towards sleepwalking.

The Spring had turned into Summer once more, making the village busy with travelers and sightseers. The air still had a crisp feeling that Tessa loved. She lived in her sweaters. The tables and chairs outside the books shop were full of locals and traveler. All stopping in for a cup of coffee or a bit of tea. Several back packers found books that they were hunting for. They were amazed to find a former American behind the register. The light of the day was much longer, yet those dark woods were still gloomy as ever.

"In those woods, The Unseelie live there." A local man told a few back packers who wanted to explore. Every single local would discourage anyone from going to those woods. The travelers would never believe them, until Tessa spoke.

"I have lived here now eight years and there have been several disappearances related to those woods. Fae folk or animals, I would advise to stay clear." It must be her American accent that made people listen for the ones she talked to made it a point to stay clear.

At closing, Tessa caught herself looking to the woods again. She did wonder if Stuart made his home there. A cute hollow of a tree where he would keep trinkets and things. She found herself giggling about the idea, thinking it would make for a fun children's book. Climbing on her bike, she rode through the village that was still lively. She decided to stop in the pub to grab a bite to eat and talk a bit to her friends. Later, she took the long way home, watching how the sunlight played on the hills and houses.

"Kraa!" A sound above her caught her attention. The great bird swooped down to her eye level. She knew right away who they were.

"A race to the cottage?" She asked Stuart as she petaled faster. The bird flapped his wings and kept pace with her. Rushing through the gate, she nearly collided with Mr. Kelly who was standing in the driveway, shot gun in hand still. She turned the handlebars just in time to avoid hitting him.

"Mr. Kelly? What's wrong?" Tessa asked after she stopped her bicycle.

"A large dog has been hanging about. It nearly got a lamb. I didn't get a clean shot when I saw it." The shepherd said as his blue eyes were scanning the landscape. "You keep yourself inside after dark. The beast could make short work of you too." Mr. Kelly adored his tenant and thought of her like a daughter.

The flapping of wings made Mr. Kelly look at a fence post. Stuart was eyeing the man with the gun. "Never have I seen a raven with green eyes. He be part of the Fae Folk, I say." Mr. Kelly warned. He knew that Tessa had a raven for a friend but never seen it so close.

"Are you telling me that you believe in all that?" Tessa asked curiously. Mr. Kelly had always been a straightforward man who never was about flights of fancy. He even suggesting such a thing was a surprise to her.

"I have lived here, right on the edge of those woods my whole life, Tessa girl. I have seen things creep along just in the tree line. If a sheep wanders in there, I don't go in after it." Mr. Kelly stared at the raven. Stuart stared back.

Tessa did not fall asleep reading her book that night. The hour was late, but she was still wide awake. The thought of the large dog and what Mr. Kelly said about the woods had place her on an edge. Stuart watched her clean the dishes and place them in their proper spots.