Mythical Link ▸ Link Neal {Book One}

120

"Charles."

Link squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. He was tired of hearing the voices. He was tired of screaming. He was tired of being there every time something bad happened. He just wanted it all to go away.

The female voice penetrated his eardrums with her soft, yet thick Irish accented voice once again. "Charles Lincoln Neal. An Seer Dorchadais."

This garnered Link's attention and he opened his eyes, slowly turning his head to look over his shoulder. A young woman stood in the doorway, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed over her chest. She was wearing a dark green crushed velvet Celtic gown, the sleeves concealing her arms and hands as it reached the floor, trimmed in silver braiding. The neckline of the dress was trimmed in the same silver braiding, and it revealed a Celtic symbol dangling on a silver chain that adorned her neck. A silver hipbelt rested around her waist, and he noticed the symbol that was etched into the cloth.

A Celtic knot. He knew who this was, without even having to look into her profound dark eyes and long reddish-brown hair swept to the side in a braid.

"Mercedes," he said, his voice trembling. He knew it was her but at the same time he didn't. How was this possible, when she was older? She appeared to be Terra's age just standing in front of him. She pushed herself away from the door and rested her arms at her sides. He noticed something glinting off of the top of her head and noticed she was wearing a floral pearl headpiece.

"Come with me," she beckoned with a delicate small hand. Link turned his head to look at Rhett, and then up at the frozen hooded figure. He shakily rose to his feet and began walking toward Mercedes.

The smile that creased Mercede's lips was warm and alluring, the sentiment melting into her eyes. A twinge of disbelief seized his heart at the prospect of her composure in such a grim situation. He was absolutely certain that he had gone and messed everything up for good, and that he would never see Rhett alive again. He took a step toward her with his eyes narrowed, and she kept her posture steady, tall with an air of authority. It was almost as if there was an invisible string attached to her head and pulling her up rod straight.

"Have no fear, ceann óg. Come, follow me and we'll talk about this." She turned swiftly, her braid swinging and trailing down her back. Link just shook his head with a chuckle that wasn't of the comical kind. She stopped and turned her head to look over her shoulder at him with a confused look in her eyes.

"Young one? I think I'm older than you, lady," Link said with another chuckle, shaking his head because he just couldn't believe it. She just called him young one in Irish.

Mercedes smiled again. "nach bhfuil tú ag tuiscint... Here, allow me to show you." She took Link by the wrist and pulled him out the door, much to his reluctance.

"You're not understanding," he mumbled under his breath, translating her Irish. How was he understanding this language when he hadn't spoken a word of it in his life? The moment he stepped outside, he was overwhelmed by a sense of panic. His breath hitched as his eyes widened, taking in the glorious scene before him.

Vibrant green, crisp grass paved the ground before him, the blades catching the sunlight like an unseen power force. Large healthy oak trees were sparse throughout the large property, the branches dressed with young spring leaves. Link inhaled deeply, the mixture of warmth, grass, tree bark and water filling his nostrils; making him feel spring. He questioned why he was smelling water, but didn't have a moment to ask as Mercedes began to guide him through the property. Straight ahead he could see a line of trees that lead into what looked like a mini forest, and he had a feeling that's where they were heading.