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cranky, you are absolutely adorable.” Her laughter was light and unrestrained.
    “I hate it when you do that,” Julian said.
    “Oh yes I know. I would not do it otherwise.”
    Bridget continued. “Julian, you are an exceptional man with a truly original mind. The power of your presence, your spirit, your thought if you will, is integral to who and what you will become. To deny this would be like denying the color of your eyes – do it all you like but when you are done, they will still be that lovely sterling gray.
    “You are capable of being focused and methodical, but you know how and when to take risks. Julian, you are a man who will come to possess unbelievable talents and you will bring an unimaginable intensity to their application. I have lived a long time and I have seen and learned much. Believe me when I say I know what I am talking about in this regard.
    “You are also alarmingly short-tempered, madly impetuous and painfully shortsighted. To be sure, those attributes will change as you gain experience. You may trust me, when you gain that experience, you and I will look back in the years to come and laugh and laugh and laugh.”
    “One laugh would have been sufficient,” Julian said.
    Bridget smiled, walked beside Julian a few more steps, then became serious. “Not everyone will suffer you as I do. Some will treat you far more harshly. Trust me, they will treasure you as I do, but they will not allow you to take the easy road. In fact, if given the choice, they will probably send you up the harder one to teach you not to be so cheeky or peevish.
    “Keep this in mind also.” Bridget’s voice turned more serious still and Julian took notice. “This is not a game. There are those who will try to stop you from being what you are meant to be. I must leave that for others to explain. But know it is real and true and deadly. There are those with a vested interest in maintaining the illusion of darkness.”
    Julian began to realize he had become quite fond of this not-so-crazy, not-so-old woman. “Where am I going?” Julian asked. “I don’t mean tomorrow. I know that one, but, you know…”
    Bridget stood and looked for a long time searching Julian’s face. “As long as where you are going is better than where you have been, does it matter?” She answered, turned and walked toward the house.

Chapter Four
     
    The next morning was clear and crisp. Sunrise was over an hour away, but there was already pink on the eastern horizon.
    Bridget confiscated Julian’s map and pored over it as the car worked its way through the maze of Dublin’s streets that would take them to the N1 highway. The professor relaxed in the back seat and looked out the front window as if for the first time.
    Julian drove slowly at first adjusting to the car’s right hand drive but picked up speed as his confidence increased. Before they reached the road leading up the rugged Irish coast, the professor was snoring peacefully.
    “Bridget, I know you grew up in this, what would you call it, vocation? No doubt, you come from a long line of people who do whatever it is that you do, but this is new to me. You talked last night of skills or gifts or talents or whatever. I have no idea what the correct words are to form questions so I apologize in advance.
    “Has navigating whatever reality it is you see that I don’t, has this been easy for you? I mean did you learn quickly? God, that sounds stupid.”
    “The language is difficult at first, but it comes in time. You have, however made a blunder.” She looked pleased with herself.
    “I’ve not even said much. This is depressing.”
    “Normally I would let you finish with your questions before I pointed out your error, however, your error is a perfect place to begin.
    “You, Julian, made an assumption, namely that I – to use your words – grew up in this vocation. I did not – no one I have ever met did. This is not a family business. As to whether it has been easy; I