The Faerie Key

Chapter Seven

Unable to sleep any longer Selcouth dressed and headed to into the streets in search of food. The smell of fresh bread attracted her to a bakery. She got a loaf of bread and tea. As she ate she planned out her day. She planned to stop by the pub and "thank" the Fionn guy.

The thought of him made her ball her hands into fists. He had the same charm as Julian, but he was cruder. Selcouth despised people like him. But before that, she would stop at the Faerie Key Shop.

She hoped to find more about Risa and her death and of course the door. Selcouth tried to recall the dream with Risa but it was hazy in her mind. All she could recall was the little lights, almost like lighting bugs but bigger.

With a full stomach and Google maps open on her cell, she headed to the shop.

Navigating around Edinburgh proved to be more difficult than Selcouth anticipated. She got lost several times, even with the Google map, but someone always stopped to help her. She didn't need to ask, people here noticed when someone was troubled.

She was 5 minutes away according to her map. Her heart pounded as she pumped her legs the closer she got to her destination. When she finally got to the red spot on her map, she was out of breath. Looking up she saw small shops, but no Faerie Key.

After a few laps around the block, she muttered, "stupid Google."

Another dead end, she thought. But not being a quitter, she went into each small shop and asked about the new age shop.

At each shop, they were extremely friendly and chipper as they told her they never heard of the shop. Selcouth was about to give up when she noticed a familiar smell. An image of Amethyst floated in her mind. She followed into an alley.

"I found it," she said to the lavender that had led her there. The sign read, Faerie Key, but the shop was empty inside. She knocked on the door hoping that someone might be inside, but it was completely deserted. Before leaving she poured water on the lavender and recited Risa's gratitude poem.

Selcouth's feet hurt from all the walking and it had been a waste of energy. Although she now felt more confident about finding her way back to the hotel. When she got back she showered and got dressed to go out. She was starving since she skipped lunch but before her desire for a cold beer after a long day won out.

When she arrived at the pub the Fionn guy was there chatting away with a blond this time. He really did get around. The woman kept giggling while Fionn spoke. Selcouth rolled her eyes but smiled as she marched towards them. She tapped his shoulder. He stood up and looked at her with an amused grin.

"I don't like owing anyone anything so here's for the drink yesterday," Selcouth put money in his hand and then kicked him in the shin "and that's for the nun comment."

His face looked shocked, but the grin didn't disappear, instead, it became a smirk.

"Oh, and I like her," she nodded towards the blond lady, "better than yesterday's married brunette."

The blond woman's face contoured, and she splashed her drink on Selcouth and Fionn.

Fionn laughed so loud that the woman kicked his other leg and then left the bar.

Selcouth sighed, "a pint please."

She sat in the corner again. Fionn followed her and sat next to her.

"If you wanted me all to yourself, you could have just asked," he handed her a napkin.

She took it and dried herself.

"Since you chase away my company for the night you'll have to replace her," he smiled.

"My day just keeps getting worse and worse," she muttered to herself as she downed the pint.

Fionn ordered another round.

"What seems to be the problem, did you have a fight with your boyfriend?"

Selcouth laughed, "I can see why you are so popular with women."

"No, you can't," he raised an eyebrow which made Selcouth's cheeks feel warm.

When the beer came Selcouth gulped it down again.

"You should probably slow down," Fionn warned her.

"I'm no lightweight," she ordered another one.

"What brings you here?"

"The beer."

They sat in silence. Selcouth drank her new beer and her body felt warm.

"I was trying to find the door."

He pointed at the pub door.

"Idiot, a door for the key."

"You're not making sense."

"That seems to be the story of my life."

He laughed.

She gazed at his features and his hair. He was different than Julian but they both exuded confidence.

"Enjoying the view?"

She nodded and reached out to touch his face.

"What hotel are you staying at?" he asked.

She showed him her room card.

"That's close by."

He stood up and paid for their drinks. She followed him out of the pub. Her heart raced. She hadn't been with anyone since Julian.

Fionn slowed down to match her pace. He pointed at different places and told her stories about each one like he was a tour guide. She was too shy to talk so she nodded.

"I miss the city when I'm at work but I prefer green to grey," he looked sad when he said it.

She grabbed his hand to try to cheer him up.

"I like green too," she replied.

He smiled. When they got to the hotel they rode the elevator in silence. Selcouth opened the door to her room. Fionn stood by the door.

"Aren't you coming in?" Selcouth asked while clearing the bed.

"Unfortunately, one of my rules is never to do anything with a drunk or a nun," Fionn said.

"Huh?"

"And you're both," he added before Selcouth slammed the door on his face.

Selcouth had trouble falling asleep. She was tempted to text Tanya but she didn't want to wake her. She didn't even have Amethyst with her. She had studied the key before going to bed the flower called to her.

Before drifting off to sleep she thought of Fionn. She had been rejected. There was probably something wrong with her. No one seemed to want her.

Author's note: Thank you for taking the time to read my work in progress. Please feel free to write comments, it's my first draft so any feedback is welcomed and greatly appreciated. Also, if you are enjoying the story so far, it would mean a great deal to me if you considered giving it a star. I love new friends so follow me or drop me a line. Thanks again and have an amazing day!