The Rituals Trilogy

Oak and Mistletoe Book One

CHAPTER 1: Prologue, Part 1

Catherine was about to tell Kathleen to shut up when the pilot announced that the plane was about to land. Her sister had been pestering her nonstop for the last hour about their plans.

“Kathleen! Please!"

“I don't understand why you're getting so riled up," huffed Kathleen as she sat back, invading Catherine's personal space.

Danny made it back to his seat just as the flight attendants walked down the aisles for the last check.

“You took an awfully long time," Catherine said as he buckled his seat belt.

“I wasn't gone that long, geez," he pouted and slumped in his seat.

“Who were you flirting with this time?" Kathleen rolled up her fashion magazine and jabbed him ruthlessly.

Danny slapped it away. “That girl with the purple hair in the back corner. She's from New York," he said, as though being from New York meant something to him. He gave his sisters a crooked smile, and they glared back. “Hey, she's really nice, okay?"

“What's her name?" asked Catherine, still frowning.

“It's . . . Danielle," he replied.

“Right," the girls said in unison, turning their gaze back forward. Danny shrugged.

The three siblings were on their way to Dublin for a summer in Ireland. It was a college graduation trip. Catherine was glad she could spend her summer on her beloved Emerald Isle, rather than roaming the large empty rooms of her family's estate. Her love for Ireland first began when traveling with her grandparents as a child to connect with distant Irish relatives and explore her heritage. She hoped she would at least have some time to herself before the end of the trip to unwind while she worked on completing the next step after graduation: getting a job.

Catherine's thoughts were interrupted when Danny bumped her arm as he craned to look over his shoulder down the aisle. She loved her older brother and twin sister, but she found them rather irritating at times. Catherine was not looking forward to doing everything together. It had already begun to seem like a headache to her.

When the plane landed, the siblings made their way out of the airport to wait for their bus, luggage placed in front of them on the ground. It was hot, and Catherine's natural red hair glowed in the rare blazing Irish sun.

Catherine looked around at the busy crowd around them. Kathleen pulled her hair into a disheveled bun while complaining that the heat made her hair stick to her neck. Out of the corner of her eye, Catherine thought she saw a man with curly brown hair staring their way. When she twisted around to look at him, he was gone. Just then, a few buses pulled up, and there was a rush of people and bags. The man was forgotten as she hurried along.

The bus ride to their hostel only lasted a short time, and they checked in easily. Catherine and Danny had set up hostels instead of hotels for a “more authentic experience." However, Kathleen wanted to be pampered instead. She didn't want to share anything with anybody, especially strangers. Both hoped the lodging would be good for Kathleen's development. Only Catherine knew her sister would vow to never do it again. Still, Kathleen didn't complain until later in the day when she had to use the hostel's public restroom.

“I shouldn't have to share a bathroom." Kathleen scowled. “It's fine for you," she flicked her hand toward Catherine, “since you chose this place instead of a hotel, but not me."

Danny sighed as Catherine narrowed her gaze and raised her fist, soundlessly threatening to punch her.

Kathleen's eyes rolled away as she turned and went to the side of her bed. Her bun had slowly fallen apart in places during their journey from the airport, so she unraveled the rest and tossed it back as she sat down. “What is there to do here?"

Danny laughed. “What do you mean? It's Ireland, there's tons to see."

“Well, of course, but I mean at this hostel," she reiterated with disgust.

“You saw the list of activities," Catherine grumbled.

“They have a barbecue!" Danny could hardly wait to sink his teeth into a burger.

Kathleen wrinkled her nose. “Right, well you know I've decided to go off meat."

Catherine didn't respond. It was just another one of Kathleen's phases. Danny looked at himself in the mirror, brushing his light brown hair with his hands to make it look just right before walking toward the door.

“I'm going to get something to eat, be back later," he said, shutting the door behind him.

When Catherine finished unpacking, she sat down and looked through her phone to check their plans for the next few days. “Uncle Mickey wants us to visit as soon as we can."

“Where does he live?" Kathleen asked.

“I don't remember, but it's in my address book. I'll figure out if we need to take a bus or a train."

“Can we wait until tomorrow? I don't want to go out for the rest of the day," Kathleen said as she peered through the windows at the sudden downpour of rain.

“It's Ireland, Kathleen. You'll have to get used to the weather."

Kathleen sighed and nodded irritably as she looked through her bags. Pulling out her compact mirror, she pouted at the already damaged ends of her long hair. She had recently dyed it black.

Catherine glanced over. “I told you not to dye it."

“It's no secret I'm not as enthusiastic about our natural look as you are," Kathleen huffed before she shoved her mirror back inside the bag.

Catherine frowned, then clicked through to Uncle Mickey's address. It looked like it would be an early start in the morning.

Later that evening, Catherine settled in for the night, leaving her siblings to themselves. Huddling in her bed under the covers, she listened to the sound of the rain. She was happy to be in Ireland again, always feeling like it was another home to her. Knowing the excited butterflies in her stomach would eventually dissipate, she reveled in the feeling for a while before allowing the pattering raindrops to lull her to sleep.

***

When the alarm on Catherine's phone went off the next morning, the three stumbled out of the hostel with grunts and grumbles. It was an hour and a half bus ride, and they used it to sleep off their jet lag. Catherine occasionally opened her eyes to see the green passing by her window.

Finally arriving in the town of Baltinglass, the siblings made their way through the cattle mart and explored a bit of the town center. Danny and Kathleen had fun shopping, but Catherine preferred exploring the ruins of Baltinglass Abbey, where the arches loomed above her. Kathleen found ruins to be creepy, and she hung onto Catherine's arm. Danny dragged his feet until they got to the gravestones. After a few hours, it was time to go see their uncle.

The three walked along the road leading to his house. Catherine found the sound of their steps comforting as the gravel crunched under their shoes. A small white bungalow came into view, and Catherine picked up her pace. Reaching the edge of the well-kept green lawn, she heard a dog barking from inside, and a lock click as her uncle opened the front door. His eyes lit up as he pulled them into hugs and his Wicklow Terrier lapped at their feet.

“Oh, it's great to see you three," he said happily, ushering them inside. “I only just saw your graduation pictures yesterday. We're mighty proud of you here, aren't we, Brighton?" he said to his dog as he led them to the living room.

Kathleen smiled, but Catherine knew she secretly wanted to run back outside and away from the shaggy gray animal now sniffing her knees. Though the small thing was harmless, Kathleen's fears had always been irrational. Catherine reached down and picked up Brighton. Kathleen mouthed a silent “thank you" as she settled into a nearby armchair.

“Ah, Brighton really takes to you, Caty," remarked Uncle Mickey.

Catherine cringed at the nickname. She had never liked it, even in childhood.

Mickey was quite the cook, the siblings found, and they were grateful for the delicious Irish stew made up of lamb, potatoes, carrots, onions, and parsley. They savored the blend of different flavors drawn out to perfection.

After dinner was over, and they had caught up on all of the family news, Mickey turned to his usual talk of folklore. Catherine had always been fascinated by his tales. Now it was apparent that his interest spread to every room of his small home, with ancient tapestries hanging on one wall and relic weapons on another. He was retired now after consulting with museums and schools around the country, and in the States. Catherine also enjoyed history; archaeology and ancient studies were the subjects she had just received her degree in at school. Since his retirement some years before, Uncle Mickey had continued to solve what small archaeological mysteries he could, no matter how steeped in superstition they were.

“I'm going to tell you something, Caty," he said, gesturing for her to come closer. He had just finished recounting a lecture on ancient druids of Ireland. It must have sparked a memory in him, for Catherine could see his eyes light up as she inched closer. “'I've come across many people in my time, and I think you've got something special, Caty," he said with a smile.

“What do you mean?" Catherine asked, confused. She gave him a hesitant smile.

He looked over to make sure Kathleen and Danny weren't listening. Kathleen was busy on her phone, and Danny had gone to the bathroom. When he felt assured he wasn't being overheard, he continued. “I think you're a special girl, of course, but I think you have that tinge of magic some seek. Aligned in your stars," he said matter-of-factly.

Catherine laughed and waved off the idea. Uncle Mickey's kind face turned serious.

“This is no joke, Caty. I've always felt you're connected more than the others to this land. And on more than one instance I've been led to think of you during my work."

Catherine shook her head, taken aback. “But that doesn't make sense to me."

“I think you feel it too. Don't ignore it, it may be your undoing. It could even bring harm to others," he said sternly.

Catherine listened, without realizing how keenly. Just then, Danny returned from the bathroom. Uncle Mickey sat up and asked Danny about his plans in business, leaving Catherine to her thoughts.

The evening crept in, and it was soon time to leave, much to Catherine's unexpected relief. Brighton barked rapid goodbyes, and Uncle Mickey hugged them profusely until they were literally out the door. He would have followed them to catch the bus, but the three insisted they could manage fine.

Uncle Mickey had left Catherine unsettled. His superstitions were certainly entertaining, but they were always just that—superstitions. Still, he seemed to truly believe. It seemed harder to shrug him off this time. By the time the three siblings arrived back at the hostel just an hour short of midnight, they were all spent. Catherine laid her head down and went straight to sleep. Her dreams were fraught with folklore, ruins, and druids, yet she woke up with no more thought of them or her uncle's rantings.