Pacing back and forth across Lucien's chamber, Callie took deep breaths in an attempt to calm her rising panic. "If I knew why she wasn't there, I wouldn't be half as worried," she said. "In the dream I had last night, I saw her throw her sun charm into the sea. There's something wrong Lucien, I have to find her."

He rolled his eyes, "She's a big girl and knows how to look after herself. You've already found her once, what's the problem with trying it again."

"I have," she sighed. "It keeps going off the end of the map."

"So try a bigger map."

"Oh, I didn't think of that." She hugged him and disappeared.

Arriving at Stephan's shop a short while later, Callie rummaged around in his stack of local maps until she found one that covered all of Ireland. Liz ushered her through to the back room and watched her scry for her friend by swinging the dowsing pendant in a large circle. Closing her eyes, Callie concentrated on finding Sydney. The pendulum swung twice before it veered forward, the circles getting smaller and faster. It struck the paper, standing upright to mark a point along the north coast.

"I need a bigger scale map of this area," she squealed happily, pulling her phone from her pocket to call Sam while Liz went to fetch it. "Hon, I think I've found her. She's on the north coast."

"What's she doing up there? Never mind, I guess we're going on another road trip, do you want to leave now or in the morning?"

"I can go straight from here as soon as I pinpoint her."

"You're taking someone with you. No way are you leaving your body unguarded while you visit with her."

"You have the conference call scheduled with Ben tonight so who do you suggest?"

"I'll cancel and come with you."

"He said it was important, Hon. I'll be fine."

"I'll send Nico," he sighed after a moment's thought. "As much as I hate the idea of the two of you alone together, I know he'll guard you with his life."

"Okay, I'll wait till he gets here then. I'll be back in a couple of hours or so. Love you." She finished and hung up as Liz returned with the map, laying it out in front of her. The dowser swung without help this time. It slammed against the map with enough force the mark the paper. "Port Ballintoy." Callie read around the tear. "That's not too far from where Irene lived with her Grandmother."

*****

Clutching the side rail of the small vessel, Sydney studied the people who waited for their return on the mainland that afternoon. Two were missing, no doubt holed up in the bus' luggage compartment again.

"Do you have any suspects?" Harmony asked as she joined her. "Personally, I wouldn't put it past Lewis to try something underhand if he thought he'd get something out of it."

"I don't think it's him as his thoughts are like an open book. He hates everyone but on the same token wouldn't see harm come to any of us. Whoever it is, they've managed to conceal their thoughts until now. Then again, I haven't been looking for anything specific."

"Speaking of concealed thoughts, has the potion Lana gave you worn off yet?"

Sydney turned her head to look at Lana, who was huddled in her heavy cloak at the back of the boat. The deep hood covered her head and concealed her features. "No, and I don't trust her." Sydney murmured. "She's hiding something; why else would she have blocked me from reading her."

"Those were my thoughts too. I'll keep an eye on her. Make sure she doesn't get up to anything."

"I'd appreciate that, thanks."

Eric masterfully moored his moat at the harbour wall and helped each of the women up the deep step from the deck to the ground. Lana waited until everyone else was ashore before she rose from her seat and watched as those with friends embraced the others. Envy chorused through her, people avoided her as though she had the plague and she coveted the close relationship these people had formed in the short time they'd been here. She followed behind as they moved off, listening to the banter and excitement as news spread of their impending journey home.

"Can I have everyone's attention please," Sydney called over the din once everyone took his or her seats back on the bus. "This is Lana, as you've no doubt heard she's agreed to help you get home, but there will be a price."

"Isn't there always," Lewis chimed in.

Sydney ignored him. "She will advise you of the price individually once we get to the place she'll be opening the portal later this evening. Now," she continued, ignoring several raised hands, "should any of you decide to go for a wander around the area be sure to be back here as soon as the sun sets. The bus moves out the second it dips below the horizon, with or without you."

Motioning Sydney with her hand, Lana beckoned her closer. "Your friend is waiting at the top of the hill. Tell her to be at the temple," she pointed to an old building further along the coast, "by an hour after sunset to cross over after I send the others through."

Sydney left the bus and ran through the deserted narrow streets to meet her friend.

Callie enveloped her in a fierce hug, "Are you okay?" she asked as she released her and studied her expression.

"I'm fine," she half-heartedly smiled, and filled her in on what she'd learned about Mama and the reason for the abductions. "Apparently this deliverer will stop the siofra from wiping the vamps out."

"What's that got to do with you though?"

"Dainton and Emily seem to think I'm it, which I still don't get."

"So what now then? If this Mama is dead, how do you get home? Could I recreate the spell?"

"Shouldn't be necessary because I've found the other supernaturals and a witch who says she can send them home, but there's a condition to her doing it."

Sidney hesitated so long that Callie thought she wasn't going to continue. "Well, what's the condition?"

"She wants us to rescue her father from a deochfola, a vampire, who's enslaved him."

"And she needs all of you to do that?"

"No, just us, you and me." Sydney clarified. "She'll send the others back if you agree to cross over when she opens a portal."

"Do you think we can do it?"

"It's the only way to get everyone home. When we bring him back, she'll open the portal again for us."

"And if we fail?"

"Failure is not an option."

"There's no choice then, is there," Callie stated.

"You've to meet us at the temple just up the coast an hour after sunset for the exchange."

Callie nodded. "I'll see you soon." She called for the blood she'd brought for Sydney then simply vanished.