“We’re fine—just fine,” Devin said.
Kelly glanced affectionately at Gary with a quick smile. “I figured you’d be entertained, but I was sure we’d be back before it ended.”
Devin thought that she felt her cousin trembling, despite her words and manner.
Rocky slid from the booth to meet Kelly, and Gary rose as well.
“I hope you were good!” Kelly teased Gary.
“Luv, I did my best!” Gary told her.
“We have been in excellent hands—Brendan was completely welcoming and Gary is a great guide,” Devin said quickly. “And, of course, Kelly, this is Rocky—or Craig Rockwell, my husband.”
“Wonderful to meet you, wonderful, and thank you—thank you so much for coming!” Kelly said.
“Of course. It’s beautiful and quite historic, and Gary is full of fascinating information,” Rocky assured her. “Join us, can you? Or should we be joining you, Kelly, and saying hello to your father?”
“Yes! Should I say hello to Uncle Seamus?” Devin asked.
“He’s headed on to bed,” Kelly told her. She smiled. “He thought you two would be in bed already for the night—you are newlyweds. But, I knew you’d wait up to see me,” she added, smiling at first and then growing a little anxious. “Are you all right? Are you sure you’re all right—in that suite? Collum did die there,” she added softly.
“Kelly, I’m sure many people have died there through the centuries,” Rocky said pleasantly. “We’ll be okay. From everything I’ve heard, Collum was a fine man, and I’m honored to be staying in his chambers.”
“Of course—they’re ghost hunters!” Gary said cheerfully. “So you want them in that room specifically, don’t you?”
Kelly flushed a bright red color. “I don’t…I mean…I wish I did know the truth. There’s so much rumor going around.”
“Kelly,” Gary said softly. Watching him, Devin thought that the man really cared about her cousin. “It’s rumor—just rumor. People have to talk when someone like Collum dies. It’s sad—because he was a great guy. But, there’s no conspiracy, no curse, no reason other than that his heart had taken a beating.”
“I know, I know,” Kelly said. “Still.” She gave herself a physical shake and smiled brightly. “So, here’s hoping you like St. Patrick’s Day. Did you know that the Americans were the ones who really turned it from a solemn holy day into a big celebration? Here, there was always a procession. A church procession. And music, and wailing, and all that. But, now, we have the dancers from the church, Ren fest vendors, parades, and all. It will be great.”
Kelly greeted Siobhan when the waitress came with their food, ordered a beer, and talked as they ate. When it was time to go, she insisted it was all on the house—or the castle, as it was—but Rocky insisted on paying. After all, they’d invited Gary to dinner.
Gary bid them good-bye and headed out to the car park in the courtyard, leaving Kelly standing with Devin and Rocky in the great hall.
“I’m so scared!” she admitted.
“Kelly, why?” Devin asked. “Rocky and I haven’t had much time yet to ask any questions, see the M.E., or look around, but it truly sounds as if your uncle died of natural causes. Gary certainly seems to think so.”
“There’s just something, something different,” Kelly said. “All I can say is I feel it, Devin.”
“What do you feel?” Rocky asked her.
Kelly looked from Rocky to Devin.
“Something menacing…something dark and terrible and evil. Like the prophecy,” she said.
“What prophecy?” Rocky demanded.
“You’re kidding!” Devin said.
“What prophecy?” Rocky repeated.
Devin sighed and explained. “Castle Karney in Karney hands shall lie, ’til the moon goes dark by night and the banshee wails her last lament,” she quoted.
“And what is that from?” Rocky demanded. “It’s what Gary the Ghost quoted during the tour, right?”
“Declan Karney,” Devin said, still looking at her cousin with sympathy. “He supposedly said those words before impaling himself on Sir Barry Martin’s sword after his wife, Brianna, was slain. Kelly! He meant that he’d die—which he did—before letting any man take Karney Castle from the Karney family. There’s nothing about the family dying out in that prophecy. He meant it as a battle cry—a cry of revenge, a promise that he’d kill his enemy—which he also did.”
“I’m just glad that you’re here,” Kelly said. She studied Devin anxiously. “I know you have had trouble…but you’re the strong cousin and you’re…” she paused to look at Rocky, “…you’re tough! And something is going on here. I know it. I’ve—I’ve seen…”
“Seen what?” Devin prodded her.
“The black shadows,” Kelly said.
“What?” Devin asked. Her voice came out sharp. Too sharp.