Page 109 of Echoes of the Banshee

I glance at my hand and sure enough, a large cut.

“Why couldn’t I see you?” I ask. “Normally I can spot you when you’re invisible.”

“I threatened the shadows.”

“How?”

“Sun bathing.” We dissolve into laughter as we enter the nurses office. She shakes her head and quickly heals us.

The rest of the week passes by slowly. Quite a few goblins come up to me and thank me for helping. When I asked Benson he told me that Billy’s brother released the video of me asking for permission to touch him. Said it made a lot of the goblins, not respect, but not hate me anymore.

I’m so tired, I’m ready for the weekend to come where I can figure out once and for all if Zair is Lazlo.

Zair

How to Write a Banshee Report and Not Reveal you’re One

Soccer practice runs long, and by the time we’re done, my muscles ache in that satisfying way that only comes after a hard session on the field. The air’s cool, just brushing the edge of autumn, but not cold enough to be uncomfortable. Thea had texted that she brought food to the nook so I sling my bag over my shoulder and head to the library, falling into the rhythm of a routine that’s become oddly comforting.

Our Spiritborne History project is on magical creatures, and with Thea as my partner, I know we’ll be fine. We balance each other out, she handles the deep dives and complicated research, the kind that makes my brain hurt just looking at it. Then I help translate it into something that actually makes sense to other people.

We’re planning to dedicate Sunday night to getting it done so I can focus on soccer the rest of the week before the final match next Sunday. The rest of the class will probably stick to the easy stuff; shifters, witches, maybe vampires if they’re feeling bold. But Thea? She’ll pick something weird and specific and probably cursed. Something that’ll either make me laugh or make me question if she needs supervision.

I smile to myself, then shake my head to clear it. We’re friends. I need to get my feelings under control.

Thea isn’t in the nook when I get there. Not unusual. I wander over to the table, dropping my bag before I sit in front of her open laptop. Figuring I could just dive in.

Banshees: The Truth of Soul-Taking

By Thea Lockwood and Zair Brennan

“Ah, for feck’s sake!” The voice charm fails. My shock punching straight through the spell like it’s not even there. I look around and make sure I’m alone. Then I look at the screen, the title stares back at me. Out of all the magical creatures in existence, she picked this. My mind races, trying to figure out what she’s up to. It’s so… Thea.

A stack of books walks into the nook and I hurry over to help her set them down.

“Hey,” she says. “I think I got everything we need.”

I can’t help but smile. “One of these days the librarian is going to realize that he doesn’t have to get every book you request.”

“Yes, but not today.” Her smug grin stretches as she sits in front of her laptop.

“Banshees? Why?” I’m sure there’s a reason. I don’t think I’m going to like it.

“I think they’re misunderstood.” She offers me a smile, but it’s not the kind that says she knows my secret. It’s the kind that says, ‘I think banshees are misunderstood, and I want to help.’

“Really?” I ask, my voice slipping into a tone I don’t mean. “You think creatures that can rip the soul from the living are misunderstood?”

Her smile falters a bit, but she doesn’t back down. “Yes. Banshees take souls to assist them when they’re suffering. It’s a thankless job that takes a deep toll on them. Being surrounded by the dead, having to make the choice to take a soul to ease its comfort or help them fight. Then, add to that the fact that most of them were killed off because people misunderstood what they were doing, thinking they were stealing souls to feed the Fomorians.”

“Fomorians?” I ask, raising an eyebrow. I know exactly what they are, but not many people outside of Ireland do.

“They’re a Celtic myth,” she explains. “Giants that supposedly eat souls.”

“If banshees don’t feed souls to giants, what do they do with them?”

“They help them.” Thea looks at me with fire in her eyes. This matters to her. And I have no idea why. “Seriously, Zair, you’re not going to make this assignment difficult, are you? I never thought you were one to judge a creature based on outdated myths.” I can’t help the unease creeping up my spine. I’ve never heard anyone speak about banshees in this way. It feels… too close to the truth.

“I won’t, I swear,” I say quickly. “It’s just… I’ve only ever heard bad things about banshees. How do you know all this?”