Carolyn hesitated before entering the ravaged megalithic site. Hearth stones from the bonfire had been kicked out of their circle and a few of the charred logs were tossed several feet from the stone structure. The wooden bowls containing herbs, fruits, milk and butter were smashed with boulders. A few white robes remained, stained with blood—more evidence of the violent raid.

Carolyn’s stomach lurched and she thought she was going to be sick. Squeezing her arms around her waist, she took several deep breaths. She watched Rory through tears as he swore, shook his head and kicked stones.

She bent and picked up a sprig of mistletoe that miraculously had not been crushed and held it to her heart.

Rory finally calmed and walked around the circle touching each stone megalith with his eyes closed, then moving to the next one. He stepped into the center of the array with arms outstretched as if he expected something to happen. But for the next hour, except for a breeze, the chirp of a bird, nothing happened.

“Are we stuck here?” she asked flatly.

He dropped his arms. “I don’t know. The Sidhe said to wait by the stone circle.”

“For how long?”

“I don’t know,” he shouted, then ran his hand through his long hair. “I’m sorry. The Sidhe can be…difficult.”

“What do you mean difficult?”

“They can be temperamental, to teach lessons for crossing them,” he said.

“Great, so the Sidhe are moody and are teaching us a lesson by keeping us here.” She strolled outside the circle toward the ocean.

“Stay inside the circle, Carolyn. I don’t know when the ley lines will intersect again and we have to stay here or we may not get another chance."

The sun reflected on a few specks floating in the ocean. Carolyn studied them. At first she thought they were dolphins, but she didn’t know if dolphins could be found in this area. The specks seemed to be moving toward the island. Then she saw splashing, from oars?

Boats.

Her chest tightened and she pointed, but couldn’t suck in enough air to call Rory.

“Carolyn, please come back into the circle,” he said. “Mother Mary…”

He grabbed her arm and dragged her into the circle. “They be coming back.”

“Boats, boats. Can’t stay here,” she mumbled as panic took over.

“Rory, come on. In the cave, before they reach the shore!”

“No, we have to stay here.” He gave each word heavy emphasis.

She yanked her arm from his grip. “Are you crazy? You saw what they did to those people. Let’s go.” She ran out of the circle toward the rocky cliffs.

He caught up, picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. She swore and struggled to make him let her go.

One boat had reached the shore. Several men with torches climbed out onto the beach.

“Rory, they’re here.”

“I know.” He put her down onto her feet. “It’s daylight Carolyn. This be an island, with practically no trees…nothing but rocks and grass. They will find us.”

He held her face between his hands and looked into her eyes. “We…can’t…leave…the stones.”

The note in his voice and the intensity in his cool blue eyes pushed aside any stubborn arguments. She nodded. He pulled her into his arms with a groan.

Over the sound of lapping waves, they heard oars banging against wooden boats.

Carolyn shook and held Rory tighter. Was this how it was going to end?