Obsidian Secrets: The Mac Tire Chronicles, #4

By Garnet Davenport

The conclusion to Shay's prophecy!

Shay knows there is a countdown to her summer. All she had to do was make it through one of the most important days of her life- Graduation.

After being left for dead Shay needed her brother now more than ever. Her emotions were running high and all she wanted to do was spend the last few days with her brother as they complete their 'thirteen-year-old-hearts-desires' of a bucket list. It should be simple, right? They could totally sneak into Area 51 and take a picture with an alien. And why not get a little skydiving in? Tattoo? Then make it to Ireland on a magical ship that has only been talked about in lore. Sure, all of it could be done in eleven days. Not to mention she still was trying to figure out how she could remove the life bond she had with Matt. What could possibly go wrong?

When the solstice starts, Shay is supposed to be in Ireland with everyone involved with the prophecy and ready to defeat the Morrígan before the Donn escapes from the Gate to Hell. She's not sure she can lead innocents into a battle when she doesn't see herself surviving. Can Shay manage to do everything in time to stop the Morrígan and save the world from being overrun by demons?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Garnet Davenport
• Release date: Apr 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223197331

Book preview

Chapter One

➢FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL

There I was, running through the trees. The branches ripped at my arms as I tried to escape whatever was chasing me. I could hear its panting and heavy footsteps behind me. I couldn’t catch my breath. I could feel my blood as it dripped down my fingertips. I turned to look behind me, but I couldn’t see anything.

All I could hear was the deep growling coming closer. My breath was warm in the night air. I could see in front of me as I ran, but that was as far as I could see. I knew I had to keep running. I couldn’t stop. I feared for my life.

I felt as if I was slowing. I couldn’t keep up the pace to get away. I could hear every raindrop fall through the leaves of the trees and hit the ground. Then there was a crack far off in the distance, and I jerked my head. Panicking, I took off, not looking before I ran.

Everything went dark.

I couldn’t believe I had survived the night that I called out for the mac tires. I hadn’t known exactly what happened that night or what led to those events, but I thank the gods every day for my survival. I looked down at my arm. A new set of pale scars tagged my skin. A wolf bite. My wolf. He’d marked me only because he wanted to take my power.

When I had screamed, I called out to all the mac tires, and they came. I didn’t know who was on my side. Eva Callamore was definitely not the one I thought would be the one to come to my rescue. But seeing all the mac tires surrounding me with a hunger in their eyes, I had no choice but to let them bleed me. I let him bleed me. When the Finich wanted something, he got it, especially over his region. I waited for my certain death. I couldn’t bear to look him in the eyes, and I figured he thought the same thing. But the power inside of me was far greater than the love he had for me. I felt him lunge at me, knocking me to the ground. He tore at my arm as I cried out for him to stop. His pack waited for their turn to drain anything they could from my powers. They would have taken it all. But the only mac tire to control the temptation of power was the white wolf—Eva Callamore. The only other wolf to have seen death and survived.

She did what any mother would have done. She pulled him by the scruff of his neck and scolded him properly. He ran from me that night, embarrassed and mortified at his actions. I remember seeing the other mac tires scatter and Shen Xui rushing to me. Everything was a blur. I couldn't keep my eyes open. They had drained me of blood and power. I thought the Morrígan had won for only a brief moment until I felt the sense of family. Tommy, my mother, my father, Aodhan, they all were there. Eva had shown my mother what to do. Blessed and healing.

Since that night, he has even gone so far as to send Hank to my door to see how I was recovering. My mother sent Hank away. She knew Hank was there that night. She knew all the mac tires were there that night. And she wouldn’t let any of them near me. Even Alex. He’d felt the power that night and knew just as much as I about what that meant.

After Declan tore the flesh on my forearm and drained my power, Shen Xui had protected me while Eva brought me to my mother’s house. There, they cared for me through fevers and cold sweats. When my skin finally started to heal through the pain, I awoke to Eva and Mom amicably speaking to each other.

She cried out, Eva said.

She turned, Mom said.

Do you believe it could have happened? Eva asked.

There is no other way the mac tires would have all come to her call. It was the entire region who responded, Mom said.

What are you talking about? I whispered with a husky, dry voice.

They both stood and walked over toward me. How are you feeling? Mom asked.

Sore, I whispered. Light headed, I added.

I’ll go get you some water, Eva said.

My mother looked at Eva and nodded. Thank you.

Eva walked out of the room. What happened? I asked.

Shay, sweetie, you’ve been asleep for almost thirty-six hours, she explained. My eyes widened. Eva came back into the room and handed me a glass of water with a bendy straw. You’ve been healing. I looked down at my arm with the blood-stained bandage.

"He hurt me?" I asked, my words shaking as they came out.

He did, Eva said. He’s been to check on you every hour since I brought you here, Eva said. I know he is torturing himself over what he did.

I slowly raised my hand. It felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. No. I don’t want to hear it. My voice was starting to sound more normal. What were you talking about before?

When? Mom asked.

When you said, ‘I called out? That I turned’? I asked.

The long pause led me to assume there was something there I needed to know. This was one time I wasn’t budging from my position. I would get answers.

Sweetie, our folklore tells of magical creatures with special gifts–mac tires are one of these creatures. But there are so many more. When an already magical creature endures great emotional duress, they can change. Men have been known to change into ogre-like creatures. Strong and angry. Females develop banshee-like qualities. You called out for your mac tires to protect you. They all came to your call. When something is too great, emotionally or physically, the mac tire can change completely. I've heard stories of bad men who started to change and the more bad they did, the more the ogre took over. The power you possess was much greater than the need to protect their queen, Mom explained.

My jaw literally dropped. I wasn’t anyone's queen.

That day–the day it all happened, I learned more about Striker than I did about myself. My conversation with Striker will haunt me for the rest of my life, no matter how long it will be. Striker, born from mac tire and demon blood. His loss and pain changed him. He carried the blood. Demon just like me. I had become a demon. The one saving grace, I had no soul to take to Hell. I will stay in Tech Duinn for all eternity. Perhaps, I will get to see Striker there.

Samantha Shay Evans, let’s go. It’s time for breakfast.

My eyes shot open. Crap! It was only a dream, I said aloud to myself. It had all started with that night. The night my entire life changed. And I can’t say it was for the better. I sat up in bed and brushed my hair out of my face so I could get the crusty sleep from my tear ducts.

Knock. Knock. Shay, are you up? Mom said, opening the door to my room. I made bacon and eggs for breakfast, she said, smiling.

I smiled back at her. Thanks, Mom. I stretched out and yawned. I’ll be down in a minute.

All right. I hung your dress on the back of your bathroom door, she said, walking back through the doorway. Oh, and your cap and gown are in my bathroom. I had to steam your gown this morning. She smiled, lovingly. I can’t believe my baby is graduating today. She sniffled. I wish Tommy and your father were here.

Losing both my twin brother and my dad in the same year was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to deal with. I wake up every day needing them. I still wish I had died that night so that I wouldn’t feel ripped apart by Tommy’s absence. I'd never forgive my mother for the part she played in my brother’s death, but she was suffering too. She’d lost just as many in her life by others pulling strings and keeping lies.

I stopped her before she could start bawling out emotional tears. I know. Me too. I will be down in just a few minutes.

She sniffled back the tears. All right, all right. She smiled, tilting her head. Will you put on a little mascara and eyeliner?

She kept the ‘pretty please’ look on her face until I agreed to her request with a gentle nod of my head. She finally left me to get cleaned up and ready for my graduation. I couldn’t believe it. I made it. Graduation.

Shay? Are you coming down? Mom said.

I shook my head. My mom loved when I wore my hair down. I did it for her and to hide a few white bite marks. I gave myself a last look in the mirror. I didn’t look like myself. I looked like the girl Edness Callamore wanted for her grandson–prim and proper, powerful, and regal. I closed my eyes, looking away from the mirror, and walked downstairs for my breakfast.

There you are. Sit and eat something, Mom said with a loving smile as she picked up a coffee mug and took a long sip. I had gotten my love of coffee from her. Dad drank his coffee black. Which I liked. I could drink it that way every once in a while, but my perfect cup of coffee was a little sweeter and with just a splash of half-and-half. Like Mom. Coffee? she asked, already pouring me a mug.

Thanks, I said, taking it from her hand, and then she pointed at the island counter for the half-and-half. I smiled because she knew. And I was having the hardest time being mad at her when she showed me love in all the little ways that mattered. I had an overwhelming urge to be near her since that night. Without thinking too much about it, I walked over to her and wrapped my arms around her, sweeping her close. She stood firm at first and then gave into the warmth of the hug.

What was this for? she asked. Not that I’m complaining.

It’s for all the little things, I replied.

She gave me a quick meaningful squeeze before backing away. And that was for all the big things you have done. She smiled, holding back tears. She picked up the ends of my hair. I love that you kept your hair down for me. You’re so beautiful.

Blushing, she let go, and I picked up a spoon for my coffee. Thanks, Mom.

Yeah, she said, walking over to pick up her tablet. In that instant, she returned to the mother I had once known.

I finished fixing up my coffee and sat at the island bar with her standing close. I would make the change. Even if she didn’t know how. The bacon was just crispy enough, and I snatched a slice for the plate. It was a little past the warm point, but seriously, bacon was good even cold.

I’ve got to get to the gym early. They are overly spastic about timely attendance, I said, sarcastically.

She smiled. All right, I will be right behind you.

Sounds good, I replied, awkwardly. I’m just going to go grab my cap and gown.

Okay, she replied.

I took another sip of my coffee and hopped down from the stool and quickly made my way to get the hanger with my cap and gown. I went back down the same staircase I had gone up and down so many times over my life and remembered Tommy chasing me up the stairs. I stopped mid-stair and watched a memory unfold in front of me like a ghost.

‘I’m going to get you!’ Tommy would call out with his fingers ready to tickle me until I couldn’t breathe. I held back a few tears for the sadness that Tommy wouldn’t be there to walk with me.

Bye, Mom. I’ll see you there, I called out from the front door as I picked up the keys to the truck and waited for her to respond. But she didn’t. I listened closely with my enhanced abilities. She was crying softly. I looked at my phone for the time. I made a decision. I didn’t go to her to comfort her.

I decided to be selfish. It was the most selfish thing I could do for me and for Tommy.

I left.

Chapter Two

➢CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF…

I found a parking space close to the exit. I wanted to be able to have a quick getaway. Even if I didn’t need it. I didn’t trust anyone. They had all turned on me. They all felt the power coursing through my veins. And they all wanted to feel the high from the power. It buzzed through me.

I saw Angelica’s Eos parked in her front parking space. There was the black Jeep next to her Eos and Declan’s Charger. I figured he would be here. Duncan and Angelica were both graduating today. That wasn’t what surprised me. It was that I hadn’t felt anything from him. I didn’t know he was here. Everything I had felt for him, because of him, was gone. He had vanished from my life in the last nine days. He left me alone after he knew I was alive. My power was waning because of him, and I wanted it back.

He had hurt me. He kept hurting me. I couldn’t stop it from happening. I needed him as much as I needed air. And that was too much for anyone. Soul mates. First loves. Written in the stars. Whatever you want to call it, he was the one that walked away, and he did it to keep me safe.

I got out of the truck, grabbing the cap and gown from the passenger seat, wrapped it around me, and zipped it up. I placed the gold and black ropes around my neck and fitted the cap. It tilted to the side ever-so-slightly. And I turned to walk into the school for the last time.

Many of my classmates were already inside in their prospective seats. My eyes met Matt’s first. He was looking for me. I had held that wall I had created between us so steadfastly over the last week. I knew he had felt the pain and the emotions from that night. My guard was down, the wall was broken, and Matt felt me break when Declan ripped at my skin. I also knew Matt went to Declan. Told him every detail about that moment for me. And the thirty-six hours I feverishly healed. All the nightmares I was forced to relive. All the deaths I had seen played over and over. He deserved the pain I had felt. They all did.

Matt looked at me, almost terrified at my presence. I glared and turned away. I would give them nothing. Matt even sickened me. He knew, if Declan drained me of power, tore me to pieces, he would cease to exist, and yet, he didn’t care. He wanted the power oozing from me just as much as the rest, if not more. He has felt the power since I gave him his life. I turned away.

Angelica and Duncan were already sitting in the fourth row. Duncan’s eyes met mine, and he tapped on Angelica’s arm to get her to stop talking. They watched as I walked to my seat and sat down.

I started to scratch my right shoulder. If it wasn’t for the fact that I knew Sebastian was only a few seats away, I would have thought it was just an itch. I turned around, looking to see him. He sat quietly, staring at me. His eyes had more sorrow than I have seen. Even more than when he thrust the sword through my gut.

I turned back around and then looked up to watch the honored guests arrive. Edness and Matt’s father sat together, in the best seats in the house, and I assume having Eva there wouldn’t go well, as she was still presumed dead. And well, coming back to life for the normals in this town wouldn’t be so okay. But for us, it’s just another Tuesday, apparently. I looked around for my mom. She wasn’t there. Was she coming?

A warning tone came. Attention all family and friends, please take your seats. We will begin shortly. Principal Aleo spoke into the microphone at the podium.

I swallowed.

The commotion made me anxious. I was here, ready to graduate, and I wanted to be anywhere else but here. I took a forced relaxing breath out through my mouth. I spoke softly to myself, Calm the panic. I breathed deeply again.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to present your graduation class. These last four years have been an amazing and emotional journey. I would like to start with a memorial for our students taken before their time. I have to say, this class has had more losses than years before, Principal Aleo said.

For some reason, his eyes landed and stayed on me. It was an understanding between us. He knew why there was loss. It was because of me.

The projector played through the short memories Tremper had captured on video. Tommy was one of the main features. Tears welled up in my eyes. There were home movies. My mom gave them personal movies. I watched as Tommy and my father played football in the backyard. They smiled for Mom, holding the camera, and waved. I heard Angelica sniffle from just a few rows in front of me. The lights brightened, and Principal Aleo stepped back to the podium.

After all the speeches were said and all the tears I could have possibly thought could come, there was a moment when I was about to step on stage where I looked for Mom out in the audience. I didn’t see her, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t there. I caught Principal Aleo’s eyes. He had called me to his office only a few days ago to talk to me about Tommy. He had wanted to do something special for him. To honor him.

The next student I am announcing has had more tragedy than most. With a special thank you for accepting a diploma on behalf of Thomas James Evans, I will call Samantha Shay Evans to the podium, Principal Aleo said graciously, clapping and backing away from the podium.

He had told me he wanted me to speak to the graduating class about loss and life. After a lot of pleading, I agreed.

I walked across the stage. I could hear the heavy tapping of my heels across the hollow flooring. I reminded myself, ‘don’t fall’ and shook Mr. Aleo’s hand. I cleared my throat, standing at the podium. Principal Aleo asked me to say a few words about life and loss. Reluctantly, I agreed. I scoffed. I figured he wouldn’t let me graduate without sharing what I had learned. I heard a low chuckle in the audience. My brother was amazing. He is still amazing. Everything he did in life was for someone else. I pulled my lip into my mouth and bit. But he died, and then life kicked me in the ass, again. My dad did nothing spectacular with his life, but he was an amazing father, and with his death, I found all the things he had worked so hard for. I looked up at the guests and then back down to my graduating class. Every day, I feel the pain from their absence. But I wake up, get dressed, and continue to fight for all the moments I get to live. There is a tomorrow, and a future, and you’ve got to live for the happy moments. So, here is what I’ve learned. Losing my brother was complete shit, losing my dad shortly after, almost freeing. It knocked me back on my ass and out of the comatose state of life I was walking through. And years from now, when I look back on all the money I will spend in therapy, I will always know that they loved me as much as I loved them. Otherwise, it wouldn’t hurt this much. And that’s what life has taught me. Thank you. I chuckled at my blunt admission. Mr. Aleo clapped along with the audience and shook my hand again, then after getting two diplomas from Vice Principal Jones, he handed them to me with a big smile on his face. He was accepting of my language and the words I used to show them life has happiness. I walked off the stage, and they continued on with the distribution of the diplomas.

The last few names were called, and I snapped out of the trance I had set up. I realized I had scratched through a couple layers of skin just above the new scar. I stopped myself and pulled the gown’s sleeve over the new marks. As Mr. Aleo concluded the ceremony and dismissed our class, everyone stood and threw their caps into the air. I turned around, my eyes finding Tommy. He had his cap and gown on, same as me. Just how I wanted it. He smiled at me. As the caps fell to the floor, it was like there was nothing between us. We had graduated. He was there with me. And nothing in this world would have made me happier at that moment.

Chapter Three

➢THE COUNTDOWN

I squeezed through the crowd of families hugging and laughing while taking photos. I wanted out of there. Fast. I got to the truck, unzipped my gown, and then threw it into the truck. I don’t think anyone realized I was by myself. And honestly, I didn’t want them to know. I had graduated. I had seen my brother in his cap and gown, and now I was ready to sail to Ireland. Let the countdown begin.

Hey? Shay? Sebastian said from behind me.

I turned around, purposefully scratching, in hopes he wouldn’t keep me long out of guilt. Do you need something? I asked.