Hidden Hills: The Selkie

By Pauline Perron

Irish mythology mentions the Selkies as humans who are re-born as seal creatures and live in the sea. Ancient mariners called them mermaids, and told tales of being summoned by these lovely half women, who sang so
beautifully, many a man responded to their call, never to be seen again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jul 20, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483531571

Book preview

9781483531571

HIDDEN HILLS

The Selkie

Chapter 1

She emerged from the sea, her long pale hair covering most of her unclothed body, and stopped for a moment on the sandy beach, breathing in the moist air and the familiar aroma of the ocean. A sizeable cavity in the rocks caught her attention, and she saw it yielded a cave, visible because the tide was at its lowest. Her large brown eyes surveyed the region, noting it appeared a desolate area of the beach and a perfect location to hide her sealskin. Never had she travelled such a great distance from the island of her ancestors, in waters not known to her. She smiled, relieved to arrive safely at this strange place where the human now made his home. She found him after so long a time. She awoke soon after she passed from the earth, and found herself living in the sea. Grateful for a chance at a new life, she pleaded with the Sea God to allow her to search for him. The Goddess, Morrigan, heard her plea and granted her request to leave the sea for a short time. She paused again to listen to the comforting roar of the ocean-sighed, hating to leave the security of the sea, and headed inland.

Kallan tossed restlessly in his sleep, waking Shaylee. She turned, adjusted her covers, and attempted to doze until Kallan called a name, familiar to her but not hers. She bounced out of the bed and quickly left, flying into the forest to summon Orrla.

He calls her name, she wailed as she pursed her lips, and faced her sister, the Queen of the Sidhe fairies.

Shaylee, Orrla declared. Kallan loves you. You cannot accept what he says in his sleep as truth.

Shaylee appeared seventeen in human years, and Orrla twenty-five although they were centuries old. Both beautiful, with green eyes the deep color of emeralds that illuminated their magnificent features, and tiny natural pink mouths, which attracted many, as a moth to the light. The only notable difference being Orrla’s hair was a golden-red like the setting sun, and Shaylee’s long tresses the pale color of the moon.

I did as you asked Shaylee said with a frown upon her face. All the Sidhe are free because I fulfilled the promise of our mother and married an heir of Mil Espaine. Now I forfeit my life with a man not of my choosing.

Orrla wanted to counter with a response, but didn’t. How can she still think of Avery Blake? she thought. In what manner does she forget what I have done for her-the sacrifices I made?

She glared at her sister, at first angry, then, noting her eyes wet with tears running down her pink cheeks, reminded herself Shaylee still had the emotions of an adolescent.

You have been true to your promise, and the Sidhe are free, Orrla said, and gave her a hug You presented yourself as a princess should, and our mother would be proud of you as I am.

Shaylee scrunched her elfin face and flapped her wings as a child stomps its feet.

If you had allowed me to wed Avery Blake, the one I chose, we would not be having this conversation.

Enough about Avery, Orrla snapped. You agreed to be wed to Kallan. He is a handsome, virile man, and you an attractive woman. If you feel so strongly that, he is still thinking of his dead wife, then charm him as you can easily do, and stop his grieving. No man, human or not, can resist your beauty and magnetism.

Orrla looked upward into the skies and spread her bright-colored wings. Morning appears soon, and I must attend to matters of greater urgency. She planted a quick kiss on her sister’s cheek, and lifted her body. And- pay no mind to what a man says while sleeping.

Of course you have no concern for my happiness because you, not I, have the affection of Avery Blake, Shaylee shouted into the wind as Orrla swiftly rose into the first light of dawn.

Chapter 2

Nerida spied a pale blue cotton dress hanging on a clothesline and slipped it on. The dress was large, and she wrapped the attached fabric belt tight around her slim waist. She spotted a road, headed for it, and walked, without shoes, until her bare feet, bruised and bleeding from the hard surface of the road, made it too painful to continue. A passing motorist, in a pick-up truck stopped when he saw her sitting along the side and offered her a ride.

Where you going? the pudgy faced man asked.

I travel to Hidden Hills, she replied softly.

Never heard of it.

If you cannot take me there, leave me.

Just a darn minute, missy. I can’t leave you out here all alone. Let me drive you into town. Someone will know where Hidden Hills is.

Nerida reluctantly stepped up into the truck and sat with one hand on the doorknob.

The man drove to a small village bordering the sea on the East Coast and stopped at the local realtor’s office. He motioned for her to follow him.

Mornin Jim, he said. Found this little lady walking on the old beach road. She needs to go to a town called Hidden Hills, and you being a realtor and all, I’m sure you can help her. Then he nodded his head in a gesture of thanks, and left Nerida standing in the open doorway.

The realtor had a polished baldhead, with a nose too large for his thin bony face. He sat behind an old wooden desk with stacks of papers almost hiding his small frame. He peeked up at her with crossed eyes over wire-rimmed glasses repaired with tape.

Hmmm, Hidden Hills, the realtor said. If I recall, the town is in the mountains west of here. Nobody I’m acquainted with ever went there, and there is no transportation in that direction. You could rent a car. He suggested But no one in this town rents cars. -Or take a bus, but not many buses go through."

I must get to Hidden Hills, she said softly, and he strained to listen and thought,

Something about this girl is strange. Where did she come from? How did she appear on the old beach road, looking like she does with long uncombed hair, in a dress two sizes too big, no shoes, and no purse? He scratched the top of his baldhead. Could she be a runaway? His fingers reached for the telephone to dial the police, all the while smiling into her large brown eyes.

You don’t need to call anyone, he heard as brown eyes stared sadly back into his, and suddenly, he was a captive, held by the intensity of her eyes, and understood he had to help her. She continued to stare into his eyes, telling him to take her there in his car. His body relaxed, his head bobbed, and the pencil slipped from his hand to the floor. He heard himself say, I will drive you, and he moved slowly out from behind the desk, spilling the contents of a cold cup of coffee on the carpet. His legs led him out into the street, following her out the opened door. His Lincoln sat in the usual spot along the curb, and she opened the locked door without keys. Nerida slid into the seat beside him, and she calmly told him to leave. He did not want to drive. He did not want to obey the instructions of a complete stranger. Yet, he did. He drove for almost two hours heading west toward the mountains. Neither spoke. As they loomed closer, Nerida’s excitement increased. She marveled at the beauty around her- so different from the sea, and her heart pounded in anticipation. He slowed down to navigate the dangerous and narrow passages around the curving mountainside roads, and Nerida spotted a small sign that read Hidden Hills. An arrow pointed to a narrow dirt road, and she motioned the realtor to stop the car. She stepped out and immediately felt the rush of cooler air, and inhaled deeply, breathing in the scent of the forest. Nerida paused and memories rushed into her head. The valley where she and Kallan had lived. The perfumed heather and wild roses they planted together, and how she and Kallan had farmed and enjoyed harvest time, when all the villagers helped each other. The sound of the car motor interrupted her memories, and she looked over at the realtor who remained seated with both hands on the wheel, waiting for instructions.

Nerida no longer needed the realtor and released him from her spell. You can return home now, she said softly.

He nodded obediently, put the car in gear, and drove away. Hours later, when he returned to his office, he could not remember where he had been and wondered how he could forget to lock the front door.

Nerida walked on the winding dirt road, as it turned and twisted and finally came upon a clearing. A sign read, Welcome to Hidden Hills, and before her lay a small town consisting of two long blocks with single-story wood buildings lining both sides of the street, and a larger structure at the end, hindering anyone from going further. Beyond the large structure was the forest with trees jammed together. She could see no visible path. It was evening and most of the stores were dark. As Nerida passed, she noticed the apothecary was open and slipped inside. Her footsteps made no sound