CHAPTER 10

Still, leaning against the house with a beer in his hand, he couldn't help but feel a small hole in his heart. Casting a wistful glance at the porch swing, he thought of the banshee Cecilia. She had disappeared about two months back after ferrying some wayward souls into the afterlife. Her absence made him sick to his stomach, but he knew that she was still alive, wherever she was. It had been accidental, but he had given a piece of his soul to the banshee and received a piece of hers in return.

Not that anybody knew if she even had a soul. Banshees were an ancient type of fae that were created from old, faerie magic, and though she was alive, she was still very much a being of pure energy. When he had given her a piece of his soul, she had imbued him with that raw energy which now manifested itself as a series of sparks that he could summon on command.

That, and the ability to shriek at high volume. Ratu had insisted that he practice it like a skill, and after screaming himself hoarse over several nights, he could now let out a scream that would deafen anyone nearby and generate a powerful wind to go with it.

Lily had teased him about it, asking him what color his cape would be when he eventually started fighting crime.

Today had been wonderful, but all he could think about was his missing friend. She was the last piece of the puzzle, and now that the sun was setting, he wanted nothing more than to sit with her and listen as the world put itself to bed. He had even asked Reggie if the rats could open a portal into the afterlife so that he could go find her, but the Rat King had informed him that a portal to the other side (as he called it) was outside of their power.

Sunset cast auspicious shadows across the front yard, and Mike leaned against the front railing, his eyes on the garden. He took another sip from his beer, then frowned. He was quickly reaching the bottom of the bottle, and he debated going back for another. The house had gone quiet behind him, and he suppressed a smile.

The sun finally vanished behind the homes across the street, and darkness crept across the garden. The crescent moon sat above him in the sky, and glowing flowers bloomed beneath its pale light. LIghtning bugs flickered in the garden, and Mike watched them dance around above the flowers. The front garden was its own magical biome now, and he wondered what sort of other creatures would manifest in time. Had the front yard looked this way for Emily?

The moon's glow intensified over the garden, and the fireflies began to fly in circles, swarming together where the maze began. The flowers shifted colors like Christmas lights, and the air went still around him. Distant music filled the air as a glowing portal opened between the bugs, stretching wide and forming an oval. Beams of light burst through, and he could hear the gentle pulsing of waves against the shore. It was a portal to the afterlife, the same kind that Cecilia had vanished through.

Mike dropped his beer and leapt off the porch, running for the portal's entrance. A glowing figure stepped through, illuminated from behind.

"Cecilia!" Arms outstretched, he ran for her. The portal zipped shut, allowing the moonlight to illuminate the dark figure who stepped through. The spectral figure was dressed in black leather and had long, dark hair that hung just past his shoulders and contrasted with pale skin that practically glowed.

MIke slid to a stop, stumbling briefly right in front of the newcomer before losing his balance and falling down in the grass.

"You must be Mike." The newcomer knelt down and offered his hand. "I've heard a lot about you." His accent was thick, with an irish lilt to it.

"Um... okay." Mike took the hand offered to him and stood. "Sorry about that, I thought you were somebody else."

"I figured as much." The figure gave a gentle bow, then stood. His eyes were pitch black, putting Mike on guard immediately.

"So... can I help you with something?"

"Indeed. My name is Sulyvahn, and I was sent by the faerie queen."

"Faerie queen?"

"Yes, my liege. She has a contract with the builder of this home requiring one of my kind to maintain a watch on the premises and escort its Caretaker to the other side at the appropriate time."

"That... that's Cecilia's job." The world felt like it was closing in on Mike, and he gritted his teeth.

Sulyvahn's smile faded. "I'm afraid that is no longer the case. I am to be her replacement. It isn't the type of work I normally do, but work is short for one such as I these days, and exceptions must be made."

"Wait. Do you know where she is?" Mike grabbed Sulyvahn by the arms and tried not to shake him.

"She is currently a guest of the queen, and likely will not be returning." Sulyvahn's dark eyes flicked to where Mike held him.

"Why?!?" When Mike spoke, his voice left him with a blast of energy that rustled nearby plants, and chased away the fireflies. Sulyvahn's hair billowed out behind him, caught in the breeze.

Sulyvahn's jaw dropped. "That... was the cry of a banshee! How?"

Behind him, the front door opened, and he heard footsteps. Beth and Tink were by his side first, followed by some of the others.

"You have quite the menagerie," Sulyvahn noted. "Greetings and well met. My name is Sulyvahn. I am here to act as your guide to the afterlife."

"We heard shouting," Beth said, putting a hand on Mike's elbow. "Is everything okay?"

"He said he is Cecilia's replacement." Mike let go of the man, his fists balling up. "He says the faerie queen has her."

"Is he a banshee too?" Beth took a step toward the man, curiosity on her face.

"Nay, fair lass. The banshee are women-folk only. I am a different type of fae. I usually ride around on a horse, but I dinna need one if I'm to stay." Sulyvahn grabbed the hair on top of his head and lifted. His head separated from his body, and inky black smoke drifted up from his neck where it detached, and an insidious grin stretched across his face.

"Mortals refer to my kind as a dullahan."