It was much chillier down by the strand, where the wind brought a skim of frost with it. Elizabeth’s strides quickened as the school shrank into the landscape behind them. Fionn jogged after her, his breath making clouds in the air. ‘Where are we going?’
‘You’ll see,’ she said, waving a finger up ahead. ‘We’re almost there.’
The thunder of unexpected footsteps announced Bartley’s arrival. He caught up with them easily, not a hair out of place. ‘What’s going on?’ he demanded. ‘Where are you going with my gran, Boyle?’
‘Bartley, come with us,’ Elizabeth said, linking her arm through her grandson’s and leading him along the strand. ‘We’re going over to the house for minute.’
Bartley screwed his face up in confusion. ‘You’re supposed to be back at that meeting, Boyle. Everyone’s waiting for you.’
‘Hush, Bartley,’ said Elizabeth sternly. ‘This is far more important. This is about family.’
‘But –’
‘I said hush!’ she snapped.
Unease grumbled in Fionn’s stomach when they stopped at the lifeboat station. It was bolted shut, and nowhere near Elizabeth’s house.
‘I’m going back,’ he said. ‘Whatever this plan is, it can wait. I’ll get my grandfather and we can go together.’
Elizabeth ignored him and made a show of patting her coat pockets. ‘Where is that blasted key? I had it on me this morning.’
‘Why would you have a key to the lifeboat station?’ asked Bartley. ‘And what are we even doing here?’
Fionn turned to leave.
Elizabeth grabbed him by the sleeve. ‘Hang on!’ she said, her nails digging into his wrist. ‘You can’t go back yet.’
‘Let go of me,’ said Fionn, wriggling free.
Elizabeth shuffled backwards until she was pressed against the door of the lifeboat station, like a frightened mouse.
‘There’s another way to save our family, Bartley,’ she said, wringing her hands. ‘Why risk our lives against the Soulstalkers when we can bargain with them?’
Fionn and Bartley exchanged a glance. ‘What?’
‘We’re going to stand up and fight, Gran,’ said Bartley. ‘That’s what we decided.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous. I have our family to think about,’ she said, her dark eyes blazing. ‘And in the likely event this goes badly for the island, I’d rather you were safe than dead.’
Fionn backed away from her.
Elizabeth stayed where she was. ‘You know they’re not interested in the rest of us, Fionn. They’re only interested in you …’
‘Gran,’ said Bartley uneasily. ‘What have you done?’
‘This is the price, Bartley. A Beasley boat for a Boyle Storm Keeper. A guaranteed safe passage. Clemency.’
Fionn slipped his phone from his pocket and scrolled to his sister’s number.
‘It’s too late for heroics now. I’ve made us a bargain, and we’re going to take it.’
‘A bargain with who?’ asked Bartley.
Ivan stepped out from behind the lifeboat station. ‘Have a guess?’
Fionn pressed the ‘call’ button.
Elizabeth lunged for him and knocked the phone out of his hands. It went flying through the air, the screen flashing at him as it disappeared in the long grass.
Fionn turned on his heel and ran.
There was a line of Soulstalkers blocking the road.
‘I’m sorry, Fionn. But this is the trade,’ Elizabeth called after him. ‘I have to look after my own!’
‘Whatever Ivan promised, he lied to you!’ said Fionn as the Soulstalkers surrounded him. ‘You won’t be safe, no matter where you go!’
Elizabeth only shook her head, pressing her lips together.
‘Bartley! Do something!’ shouted Fionn.
But Bartley seemed paralysed by fear. His jaw hung open, his eyes round with shock.
The Soulstalkers fenced Fionn in as Ivan marched towards him. He grabbed Fionn by the throat, his gloves crackling as Fionn choked the name from his lips. ‘Bartl—’
Bartley just stood there, blinking.
Coward! Fionn screamed inside his head. Dirty rotten coward!
His vision was blurring around the edges. He tried to reach for his magic, one final time, but he couldn’t feel it, not even the tiniest flicker.
His thoughts became a jumble.
Malachy, Cormac, Fionn.
Fionn, Malachy, Cormac.
The wind was howling.
The earth was trembling.
Cormac, Malachy, Fionn.
‘Lights out, Storm Keeper.’
Fionn gurgled.
The darkness reached out and buried him in its fist, and his body crumpled to the shuddering earth.