Page 20 of Echoes of the Banshee

“I don’t think it’s a banshee thing. Benson, my goblin friend, had the same thing happen. He said his vanished suddenly after English class, mine during Potions.”

“That’s awful strange.” She taps on her chin and I let her think, but after a minute she seems to give up. “Let me know if it comes back.”

“I will,” I assure her.

“But ya said two strange things. What’s the other?”

I hesitate, the words sticking in my throat. I take a deep breath, “I met a girl.”

Her eyes light up. “Oh, did ya now? That’s strange for ya, is it?”

“Not like that, Ma,” I say quickly, though I can’t help the faint grin that slips through. “I mean… maybe. But there’s somethin’ more. She smells… strange.” I pause, unsure how to word it. “She smelled like soul death, Ma. So I took a look.” I struggle to say it. After spending time with her, it’s easy to think I imagined it. “Ma. Her soul, it’s mutilated. No longer connected. Like it’s been ripped out and shoved back in.”

Her smile vanishes, replaced by a sharp, focused look. “What are ya on about, Zair? A soul ripped out and put back? That can’t happen. Once it’s out, it’s out. It wouldn’t survive.”

“That’s just it, Ma,” I explain. “She’s got a soul shard. I saw it.”

Her face pales. “Soulenium? Are ya certain?”

“I thought they were little, but it’s huge. And beautiful. Her soul is shredded but shining like a saint’s.”

“Soulenium is made from tragedy.” Her eyes widen for a moment. “The size of a soul shard corresponds to what they’ve been through.”

“Bloody hell.”

“A shard like that, it’ll make her stronger, aye, but it makes her a target. Folk’d kill for somethin’ like that,” she cautions me.

The thought guts me. “Aye,” I murmur, nodding. “Do ya think that’s what happened to her soul, someone tried to take it?”

“Unfortunately, it’s very possible. I don’t know much about Soulenium magic, but…” She hesitates, her hands clasping together as if to steady herself. “I’ll do what I can to find answers, start researchin’ immediately. I don’t want to risk tellin’ anyone about her. So keep an eye on her, will ya?”

I agree, not that I needed another reason. Not that I could stay away if I tried.

My alarm rings out. Time for class.

“Stay safe, my boy,” she says, her voice softer now, filled with something, though I’m not sure what.

“I will,” I assure her. I end the call, and the silence presses in on me. I stand, pacing the room like I’m looking for answers in the shadows. But I know they won’t come. I change into my gym clothes, put my lip ring back in place, and head to the gym for Combat Magic.

Of course she’s here. Like she’s been threaded into every part of my day now, stitched into my damn fate, and I’m only just realizing it. I watch as she talks to Coach Drake, a full foot shorter than everyone else in the class. Has she always been here? How have I never noticed this girl?

He surveys all of us like the predator he is and sends us to run circuits. I attempt to get put in her group, but Coach pulls her off to the side.

I’m supposed to be jumping rope but all I can focus on is the far side of the room. Coach throwing her around on the mats. Again and again. And she keeps getting up. I’ve moved through four circuits and she’s still there, getting tossed around and then back up like she’s made of steel and fury. She says something that makes him laugh, his body shaking as the sound ricochets through the room. He slaps her on the shoulder, sending her toward the circuits. I look around, wondering if anyone else has noticed.

I’m barely sweaty by the time class is over and earn a disapproving glare from the assistant coach. Oh well. I jog over to where Thea is grabbing her bag and water bottle.

“Thea!” I call out my voice sharper than I intended. Too eager.

She looks up slowly. “Yes?”

Why does she make me work for it? Why do I like that?

“It’s Zair, in case you forgot.” I offer a half-smile.

“It looks like you forgot to work out,” she says, giving me a once-over. She starts walking, but lets me fall into step beside her.

“I know I’m going to regret this,” I say. “But please tell me you just transferred into Combat and I haven’t been totally oblivious.”