Sign of the Throne: Book One in the Solas Beir Trilogy by Melissa Eskue Ousley Read Free Book Online Page A

fun in here.”
    “How’s the book coming?” Abby asked.
    “Take a look. I just got an email on the artwork for the cover.” Riordan held out a piece of paper he had printed. On it was the title, Legends of Monsters and Ghosts: Tales from Scotland . Below that was Riordan’s name and an illustration of a castle ruin, shrouded in fog. It looked as though there were glowing eyes in several of the castle’s windows.
    “That’s really cool,” Abby said. “I didn’t know you were into ghost stories. I thought you were more of a history guy.”
    “I love ghost stories!” Riordan exclaimed. “I love history too, of course, but when you start exploring the mythology linked to all these historical sites—it’s just fascinating.”
    Abby smiled. “I’ll bet. I’d love to read the book when you’re done.”
    “Thanks—I’d love to hear what you think after you read it. I even included a few legends passed down from my family,” Riordan said proudly. He turned his attention to the fort. One corner of the quilt had come out of where Abby had tucked it between Ciaran’s dresser and the wall. “I thought I heard you guys making plans to turn the dining table into a fort.”
    “Oh,” Abby said, “well, we did, but I think we got a little too loud. Moira asked us to take it upstairs.”
    “I see,” Riordan said. “She can be kind of abrasive—I hope you don’t take anything she says personally.”
    “Oh no, not at all,” Abby said. “It’s fine.”
    Riordan gave Abby a look that said he didn’t quite believe her. “Well, if she gives you a hard time, I hope you’ll tell me so I can intervene.” He laughed to himself. “Not that she’s all sunshine and rainbows with me either. She wasn’t too happy when we wanted to move in, but this house belonged to both her and my mother, and before she died, my mother made me promise that I’d help care for my aunt, since she doesn’t have any children of her own.” He frowned. “Moira thought I was motivated by the inheritance. She didn’t quite accuse me of wanting to do her in, but things got pretty hairy there for awhile.”
    “What happened?” Abby asked.
    “I worked really hard, doing repairs on the house and cleaning up years of clutter. And Cassandra and I both took over cooking and cleaning to make life easier for Moira, so I guess she finally decided our intentions were pure,” Riordan said. “Still—Moira’s always been fiercely independent and never shies away from sharing her point of view. But she doesn’t really mean to be obstinate. She’s got a good heart, and she’s given a lot to this community over the years. People respect her. I think it’s been tough for her to take a step back because of her health. It’s hard for her not to be in the middle of everything—she feels disconnected from people.”
    Abby tried to imagine what life must be like for Moira, to have been a central figure in Newcastle Beach, and to be forced to slow down when her body could no longer keep up with her spirit. She thought maybe she could understand why Moira was frustrated. Even so, she didn’t want to be on the receiving end of the woman’s wrath. She decided to keep the kids out of Moira’s territory downstairs.
     
     
     
    After several weeks, Abby hit her stride, spending her days at school, some afternoons and occasional evenings at the Buchans’, and weekends at the inn. She mastered avoiding Moira and enjoyed her time with the Buchan clan.
    But then, strange things started happening in the old Victorian. Abby first noticed it one evening when Cassandra and Riordan went out to dinner. She was bathing the twins with her back to the bathroom door when the lights flickered. She felt something strike her back and heard it clatter to the floor. She turned, expecting to catch Ciaran giggling in the doorway, but no one was there. A baby lotion bottle, which had been on the sink countertop on the opposite side of the room, lay at her feet. Not