When Irish Eyes Are Haunting: A Krewe of Hunters Novella Read Online Free PDF Page A

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.
    But, Kelly hadn’t noticed.
    “Strange black shadows. They seem to watch us from corners when the light is dim, as if they’re waiting for the right moment, ready to encompass us…devour us. I think that they’re the death ghosts. The banshees!” she said, her eyes solemnly on Devin’s. “You’ll see. Wait, watch, and listen. Death is here,” she whispered. And then she added, “Oh, Devin! I believe that death itself now resides here! You’ll know—you’ll know when you hear the banshee wail!”
     

Chapter 3
    Rocky lay awake in the massive bed in the old master’s room.
    The mattress was new, brand new. Apparently, Kelly had tried her best with just a few days in which to work to make the room fresh and new without compromising the integrity of the history to be found within it. The bed itself was circa 1400 with four massive carved posters, a headboard with the family crest deeply etched into it, and tapestry for the