Sinéad woke with a jolt after nearly eighteen hours of sleep. Her body still felt heavy with exhaustion. After a long, steaming bath, she slipped into one of her favourite dresses. It felt wonderful, almost decadent, not to be wrapped in armour for once.

With a glass of her favourite red wine in hand, she stood beside the balcony and watched the vanilla‑coloured sun sink behind the Mourne Mountains. It was a sight to behold, yet it stirred a deep sadness in her. She wondered where her friend Róisín was... and whether she would ever see her again.

While drifting in and out of sleep earlier, she could have sworn she heard someone calling her name. The memory of it brought fresh tears and a sharp, lonely ache.

Nine months had passed since Róisín vanished, and the absence gnawed at her. Sinéad’s thoughts wandered, circling darker and darker possibilities. She was convinced her friend was trying to reach her, from across the miles... or perhaps from the grave.

Those nine relentless months of hunting down vampires and their familiars had taken a brutal toll on her mind. And still, there was no sign of her precious friend.

In that moment, Sinéad made a decision. She would begin a new search for Róisín. But the thought of what she might discover, and what she might be forced to do, filled her with dread.

Even so, she knew in her heart that she had to try. For Róisín’s sake. No matter the cost.

The next morning, Sinéad’s head was spinning as she read a message from a Ranger in Tullamore, claiming to have vital information about her friend’s whereabouts. He told her she should meet him at The White Pony Inn in Rahan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.



To be continued.


Go raibh maith agat as do chuid ama!