What do I do?
Do I make a move?
He smiles slightly, leans in.
I open my mouth and that’s when the pain erupts in my head.
The screech of crows fills my ears as far below us, a blinding tower of light rises from the city.
Chapter Twenty
‘Are you OK?’ Paul’s voice cuts through the cries of the crows. They’re inside my head, calling out to me.
The tower of light in the city below is like nothing I’ve seen before. It seems almost solid and reaches far up into the darkening sky. And this time it’s white, an excruciating white. I turn my head but it pulls me back.
I have to go to it.
It drags me to my feet.
I stumble forward. Powerless.
I’m throbbing with fear and a longing to be close to the light.
‘What’s going on?’ Paul stands. ‘Something I said?’ His eyebrows are raised.
Shit, he just semi came out.
‘No, no, I have a headache.’ It sounds like a lie. ‘Like a migraine. They come on suddenly and it makes it hard to focus.’
His face falls. ‘Oh, OK. I shouldn’t have—’
I take his hand and we turn to each other. Behind him the tower of light rages, but I focus on him; his eyes softened, vulnerable. His hand is warm in mine and it’s smoother than I would have imagined.
‘You did nothing wrong. You said all the right things.’
Before we were cock-blocked by crows.
I smile through the pain. ‘This was a perfect surprise.’
His fingers stroke my palm and a thrill of electricity flows up my arm.
I close my eyes, trying to quiet the cries of the birds. ‘I’m just in a lot of pain right now and need to go.’
He takes his hand away. ‘Oh. OK. Shit. Can I do anything?’
‘Help me off the mountain?’
‘Sure, no problem.’
We pack up and make our way down. The sky seems to be getting darker faster than normal. It’s only eight o’clock and it’s usually still bright. The light rages below us. I can’t believe Paul can’t see it even as it lights up his face when he turns back to check on me.
I try texting Meg, but I’ve no signal.
The Morrigan is in my head. I have to get to that light. She’s calling me, demanding I go. I have no choice. I have to get there.
‘You want me to call Cormac, or your ma?’
‘No, no. This happens all the time. I know how to deal with it.’ Which is kind of true, except I’ve no idea what’s ahead of me this time.
