Part 22 (1/2)

I opened my eyes and saw Josh dive for the banshee's legs. The wailing stopped, and I cried out, ”Josh no!”

The fog clouded my ability to concentrate on what I was seeing. I brushed at the air in front of me as if that could clear my vision.

Josh's arms closed on empty air where the banshee's legs should have been. She bent down to Josh's ear. His eyes grew wide. I struggled to get up, but I couldn't move from where I lay in the dirt. A crowd of people gathered behind us. Someone screamed for help.

The banshee turned her hooded face toward me, her voice chilling in my ear and threatening my ability to remain conscious. Even in the cover of darkness, I could see that Mrs. Saddlebury's arms and hands were transformed from her usually white skin to a pale blue.

A spark ignited inside my chest. I grabbed onto that spark like a lifeline. The banshee's wail faltered as I nursed the feeling that grew inside of me. She struggled against it, and I felt myself slipping into the black. I concentrated on the spark and mentally pushed against the banshee with everything I had. It grew into a flame that I nurtured until the tone of her voice faded.

The banshee screamed, a grating, piercing sound that penetrated my ears. Shadows concealed her eyes, but I could feel her gaze on me, hot and penetrating. Before I lost consciousness, I saw a movement out of the corner of my eye. Then everything went black.

Josh rushed me to the emergency room. I pleaded with him to tell the doctor that I had fainted. By the time Mom and Zoey came, I had my strength back, and the doctor told them that I was suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder, probably relating to our house fire.

”I'm sure the helium didn't help,” Josh said, which made me laugh. His face lit up.

My good humor seemed to convince Mom that everything was all right. She let Josh take me back to his house, with the promise of checking on me the next day.

The night was still young. Last-minute trick-or-treaters squealed down the street and knocked on doors. The flapper's dress I wore looked great for a costume, but now I s.h.i.+vered, wrapping Josh's jacket tightly around me. I hoped he wasn't too cold in his t-s.h.i.+rt. He helped me out of his car.

”Does your head hurt?” Josh put his hands in his pockets.

”My ears are ringing.” I touched my forehead. I needed to find Rourke and tell him what had happened.

”Yeah, mine too.” He touched my arm to stop me from walking up the sidewalk. ”I have no idea what that thing was, but you do, don't you?”

”Yes.” I studied my hands. They looked small and childlike, half-covered by the sleeves of Josh's jacket.

Josh's mom stepped out the front door with Rourke. ”Josh, McKayla, I'm so glad you are home,” she called, motioning for us to join them on the porch. ”Are you all right, hon? Mr. Rourke came right over when he heard that you were feeling ill.”

Rourke's eyes connected with mine. I felt better, knowing that he was here. ”I'm fine Mrs. Dawson.”

Ansul scuttled over to Rourke. Josh flinched.

”There it is.” Josh pointed to Ansul. ”That's the big lizard that chased it away.”

Josh's mom looked right at Rourke's feet. ”There's a lizard? Where?”

Josh went up the steps. I pulled on his arm and warned him with my eyes. He looked confused, but went along with it. ”Probably just someone playing a Halloween trick, Mom.”

”Would the three of you like to sit out here on the porch and talk? Jace has friends over for a party, and I'm afraid it will be quieter outside tonight.”

”Thanks Mom,” Josh said.

”I'll be right back.” She disappeared into the house.

Josh looked from Rourke to me. ”What is going on? First something attacks us, and then a giant lizard that my mom can't see helps us escape?”

I sat on the porch swing, exchanging a look with Rourke. ”I know this is weird, Josh.”

Josh's mom came back, her arms full of blankets and homemade cinnamon rolls.

Josh took a roll and offered me the plate. I made a face. ”I don't think I should have any more sugar tonight.”

”Mom, do you have any of that chili left?” Josh said. ”McKayla didn't get any dinner.”

”Of course.” She went inside, offering a roll to Rourke on her way in the house.

Josh sat next to me on the swing, and Rourke settled himself on a lawn chair. The creaking of the porch swing sounded loud in the cool air, and drew attention to the fact that no one was speaking.

I glanced at Josh before signing to Rourke.

She attacked me, and she looked like a banshee-like the ones you showed me. Josh watched my fingers, a frown pulling at his mouth.

Rourke's hands flew. Are you sure? She took her banshee form in front of other people?

I thought she was part of the haunted house. There were other hooded forms, but before I knew what was happening, she whispered in my ear.

This is not good news. Rourke stood and paced on the porch.

I couldn't reach the dagger. I couldn't even move. I s.h.i.+vered.

Rourke stopped and looked at the moon, hanging sideways over the eastern mountains.

Not much time left. Until then, you are not safe.

”Are you going tell me what's going on?” Josh leaned forward, elbows on his knees.

Rourke was silent, looking out over the porch into the night.

I shook my head, curling one leg up on the swing, leaving the other dangling. Josh didn't have to voice his concern for me-I could feel it coming through the air at me in a steady stream.

”I want to know what happened.” Josh's eyes were focused, serious. I wanted to reach out and stroke his cheek to make the worry go away. I shook my head, not wanting to involve Josh, but Rourke motioned that I should tell him. I sighed.

”You know the aquamarine comb that I found at the Intermittent Spring?” Josh nodded and Rourke looked up in surprise. ”I'm certain that Mrs. Saddlebury was there that day-she left it for me to find.”

”Mrs. Saddlebury left it?” Josh asked.

”She's not really Mrs. Saddlebury.” I leaned toward him as if I could somehow soften the blow of my words. ”The thing that attacked me tonight is a banshee. She killed Mrs. Saddlebury, and is using her ident.i.ty.”

Josh's face was blank, as if he didn't comprehend what I said at first. ”A banshee, like an evil spirit?” I nodded. He looked to Rourke, probably wondering if he would discount my story. Rourke's face remained unreadable.

”Even though the comb had a negative energy, I wanted to wear it.”

It was cursed, Rourke signed. Aquamarine has healing properties. Cliona uses it to improve the circulation and bone structure of the bodies she inhabits. She must have been using the comb to track you.

”Why would a banshee be after you?” Josh asked.

I didn't know if I should say anything more.

Tell him. Rourke threw the words my way and folded his arms. I held my breath. How could I ask Josh to accept something that I barely even understood?