A face.
A woman’s face.
I will my body to move, but I can’t.
Her eyes are beetle black, and she’s smiling as she races towards me through the water. Pale arms reach out. Long, auburn hair flows behind her.
She’s only a few strokes away when she opens her mouth into a smile.
Her lips, deep red like embers, start to move, and her voice, chill as an early-morning mist, fills my head. ‘Remember, Michael…’
She opens her mouth again and the scream fills my ears.
When I open my eyes, I’m on the ground. Meg is holding my hand, her eyes wide.
‘Michael?’
‘Did you see her?’ I gasp.
‘Who?’ She leans in. ‘You just collapsed. What happened?’
My breath is ragged and I’m trembling. ‘The woman in black, the banshee. She spoke to me. She knows me. She said my name!’
Meg drops my hand.
‘She’s real, Meg. She’s real! It’s her.’
‘What?’
But before I can answer, the world swims around me and everything goes black.
Chapter Fourteen
Mum passes me a bottle of water and closes the car door. ‘You have to see a doctor. No arguments.’
Before I can object, Meg speaks up from the back seat. ‘That’s probably a good idea.’
Traitor.
‘I just fainted.’
Mum’s voice is low. ‘Twice in one week.’
At least three times, actually.
‘It’s no big deal.’
Mum’s eyes flash to Meg and Cormac in the back. She hates being angry in front of other people. ‘Healthy people don’t faint, Michael. Thanks for calling me, Cormac.’
‘No problem.’ He offers a smile.
I fold my arms. My cheeks are hot. I’m glad Paul had to go to meet Ellen. I don’t need him seeing this.
My phone buzzes. A message from Meg.
Say yes. It’s not like the doctor will
have a test for magical abilities
