Free Awakening Her Soul to Destiny by Deborah R Stigall Page A

brought the evil fiend into the Clas Myrddin.” She stiffly rose from her mossy seat, leaning against the oak for support. “I should ha’ drowned the bastard as soon as I gave birth to him,” she observed wryly, a humorless smile upon her face.
    Kaitla stared up into Etain’s tormented eyes, unsure of what exactly to say, “You couldn’t have known,” she finally uttered lamely, looking away from Etain as she spoke.
    Etain merely closed her eyes and shook her head wisely. “Aye, I knew…ye know that as well as I do, child.” Slowly making her way back toward the stone path, she kept her eyes locked to the ground. “I met Ravon’s father in the Ancient Black Realm when I was still unsure of my ways. I was young then, easily blinded by the thrill and excitement of new love...of the chase. I had already conceived Ravon before I discovered his father to be a heartless demon.” Hugging herself forlornly, Etain’s voice dropped to an entranced monotone. “Escaping from the Black Realm and Ravon’s father, I returned to Clas Myrddin to await the birth of the child, hoping the babe would inherit nothing from his evil sire. As soon as I held the wee bairn in my arms and looked into his sooty eyes, I knew Ravon for what he was.” Etain raised her tear-filled eyes, imploring Kaitla to understand, “I couldna’ bring myself to harm him though. The lad was still my own.”
    Silently embracing Etain as though she was a frightened child, Kaitla clumsily patted her. “It’ll be alright,” Kaitla whispered…trying to console her, knowing it probably wouldn’t be all right at all. From everything she had come to understand, Ravon had to be defeated. The only way to defeat him was to destroy him completely. Kaitla knew Etain also realized this, but would she be able to accept this fact when it actually came to pass?
    Etain withdrew from Kaitla’s embrace, rewarding her with a knowing smile, as though she had heard Kaitla’s every thought, “Come, child –we’ve much more to discuss.” Once again, they started up the path, this time heading back to the estate and the veranda outside Kaitla’s suite of rooms. Emerging from the gardens, they could see Tobias basking in the sun on the wide marble railing. He was stretched full length, lying belly up to warm his plump little body. Etain smiled at the sight. As soon as she had cast her gaze upon him, he immediately sounded a startled, “ppprrrrwrff!” and sat up, ears perked in their direction. Etain continued to meet his gaze as Tobias abandoned his ledge to meet her. Etain bent to rub the proffered head replying, “Aye, Tobias, she’ll soon be able to hear ye too.”
    “ What are you talking about, Etain?” Kaitla asked, picking Tobias up for a cuddle.
    Etain reached over Kaitla’s arm to gently scratch him under his chin, “Another of your gifts, Kaitla, is to communicate with all creatures,” she replied, smiling at Tobias’ expression of sheer ecstasy.
    “ You mean like Dr. Doolittle?” Kaitla asked. Arriving at the table on the veranda, they both took a seat. Kaitla placed the contented feline in the center of the table where he immediately hiked his hind leg to embark on a rude quest for personal cleanliness. Snorting at his bad manners, Kaitla shook her head in dismay at her rude little cat.
    “ I’ve ne’er met this Dr. Doolittle,” replied Etain, as she eyed Tobias’ behavior with exasperation. “But what I mean is that ye will ken in your heart what a creature feels. Ye willna’ be in danger of being harmed by them.” Etain continued to glare at the cat, willing him to direct his energies in a more appealing pastime. Tobias finally politely curled tightly into a ball and began to snore. “Ye might e’en be able to convince them to do your will. But of that I’m not sure,” she observed with a frown, “It’s been centuries since any of the Auld Ones had that gift.”
    Cocking her head to one side thoughtfully, Kaitla eyed Tobias with