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Look what I found! exclaimed Elnie.
Robin s heart jumped, and her skin went cold at being startled. He was just sitting in the tree! The
wee minki didn t even hear me creep up on him. Elnie held out the cage that she put her captured
birds in, this being only the second one she had caught. The first had been injured, so it didn t
really count. There sat a huge raven, almost looking ashamed that he had been caught. He says he
wants to sleep in your room tonight. She let out a little giggle as she looked at the bird and it
cocked its head at her and squawked.
What? I don t need a bird in my
He won t take up much room. She placed the cage on Robin s dresser, then quickly walked out.
Elnie! What the hell am I gonna do with this? It was too late. Her sister was out of the room and
running down the stairs before she could stop her. The raven let out a weird sound as she turned
toward it. Poor thing, you should have been a bit quicker. The bird clacked its beak and grabbed a
bar on the cage. I know, little one. As soon as she s asleep tonight, I ll let you out. The raven put
its head up to the bars, and Robin scratched its head. You re a sweet thing, aren t you? I ll be back
for you later.
She left the bird on the dresser and went to discuss the Imbolc ceremony with her mother. There
were only two more holidays until the big Beltane ritual. She hoped this year she would have
someone special to bring, but it was hard enough to find other Pagans in the area, let alone someone
who was a shifter. The family had started to arrive, and her mother was still putting things away.
Let me help you with that. She took a small pile of books and walked over to the bookshelf. You
really should have let me help before, Mum.
I know, I know. Thank you for taking those for me. She looked exhausted, put a smile on as she
headed toward the kitchen, but she stopped short. Oh, Robin, would you mind taking that basket
of stuff upstairs please?
Of course, Mum. I ll be back down in a bit.
When she came back down, everyone was crammed in the living room, and Elnie and Duncan were
already clamoring to be this year s hedgehog. You were it last time, and they wound up having to
chase you. I promise to be a good hedgehog and come out when I m supposed to. Duncan held up
his hand and closed his eyes as if he were being sworn onto the witness stand.
Sorry to you both, but I think it s time for Heather to take a turn, as she is old enough now. Moira
gave them both a look of firmness that set them both silent.
Heather was usually a shy, quiet child, but she let out a little squeak and quickly covered the huge
smile on her face. She was the second youngest in the family at six years old and took great delight
in being chosen over her older cousins, who thought they were too mature to play with her.
Robin decided to defuse the situation before little tempers started to flare. Okay, ladies, time to
make the corn dollies. We don t want Brigid to skip our house tonight, do we?
There was unison of Nooooooo.
All right then, let s get to work.
Duncan trailed behind them and stood in the doorway. Robin?
Yes, dear?
Can I make one too this year, even though I m not a girl? he asked timidly.
I don t see why not. Robin extended a hand to him in invitation, and he ran to the table to sit. He
had had a rough day, and she thought the poor kid deserved a break. Duncan came running over
and sat right by Elnie.
The kids made a mess of the corn husks, sticks, and glue. By the time they were done with their craft
and back in the front room, the family was almost done deciding who was bringing what and the
roles everyone would play in the ceremony. The little ones went over to place their corn dolls in
Brigid s bed, Robin set a bit of soda bread on the sill, and Moira was smoothing the ashes in the
hearth while the adults finished business.
Uncle Barney said to Kelly, You can do the fog thing that you did last year, right? He didn t give
her a chance to answer before he continued. I m hungry. It s time to eat.
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