“It certainly hasn’t changed since then. It’s so far away from the nearest town that it’s unaffected by modern living.”

They drove across the bridge and slowed to a stop at the gatehouse.

“Byron, look.” Amelia pointed to an owl sitting on top of the gatehouse. She’d never seen an owl up close, and it was a real surprise to see a bird of prey just sitting there.

“I see her. She’s a long-eared owl. You’ll see all sorts of birds and animals around here.”

Byron never seemed to be surprised about anything they encountered. The gatehouse barrier lifted and the owl flew off. Amelia followed its flight up to the castle turrets where she saw an assembly of large birds of prey. An eagle and an owl were the only ones she recognized.

“This place is seriously strange.”

“You haven’t seen anything yet,” Byron said with a smile.

The car pulled though the gates of the castle wall and drove over to what seemed to be a main entrance. Byron got out and walked around the car to help Amelia out.

Amelia took her hand and stepped out. The place looked deserted, and there was no one there to meet them.

“Where are they?” Amelia asked. “Those BaoBhan…people.”

“BaoBhan Sith,” Byron corrected her, and pointed up to where the long-eared owl was sitting on the castle turret. It left its perch and flew down to sit in front of the large castle doors.

Amelia gasped, and held Byron’s hand tightly as the bird started to transform before their eyes. In a matter of seconds the bird had grown and morphed into a woman wearing a long green gown, embroidered with gold with a gold tassel tied around her waist. She had long ringlets of the most beautiful copper hair.

Amelia forgot to breathe. How could this even be happening?

The woman held out her arms and had a warm smile on her face. “Byron Debrek, after all these years. Welcome.”

Byron walked forward and embraced the woman, something Byron seldom did with people. Had they been lovers?

“Wonderful to see you, Hilda, and thank you for helping us again,” Byron said.

Hilda waved her hand and the other birds of prey flew down from the turrets.

“This is your castle, Byron,” Hilda said, while behind her the other birds transformed into women wearing the same green dress, each with a different appearance.

Hilda continued, “You have let us use this as our home, and we will always be in your debt. Now introduce me to your young lady before she faints with shock.”

That’s exactly how Amelia felt. Light-headed, confused, and liable to faint at any second. How else would one react to birds transforming into women before one’s very eyes?