Chapter 4: Chasing Shadows and Shady Favors

Ashwick’s streets were too quiet, like the town was holding its breath before a supernatural sucker punch. Nightshade’s hooves clopped steadily, her phoenix-forged shoe glowing faintly under the streetlights. Lirien rode beside me, her skull tucked under her arm, its green eyes scanning the shadows for Siobhan’s next move. 

I, Felix Carver, was now the guy who’d thrown an amulet at a banshee and survived a wraith, but the Collector’s words “you’re on the board now” made my stomach churn. My diner shifts felt like a past life, and my crush on a headless reaper was officially a full-time job.We were headed to my apartment, mostly because I was out of ideas and needed a nap before Marge fired me.

 Lirien’s whip swayed at her hip, ready for trouble. “So,” I said, kicking a pebble to avoid her skull’s gaze, “Siobhan’s still out there, the Collector’s got his creepy soulstone, and I’m apparently a supernatural chess piece. Any chance we get a breather? ”Lirien’s skull snorted, a haunted wind-chime sound. 

“Breathers are for mortals who don’t hang with dullahans. The soulstone’s bad news, Felix it stores soul energy, enough to crack the Veil between worlds. The Collector’s not collecting for fun. He’s planning something big. ”I stopped, forcing Nightshade to pause. “Crack the Veil? Like, unleash demons or ghost Godzilla? And you didn’t mention this before I grabbed the thing? ”Her body shrugged, which looked weirder every time.

 “You were busy not dying. Besides, you’re cute when you’re clueless.”My face burned. Was she flirting or trolling? Either way, my heart was doing dumb flips. “Okay, but what’s his plan? And why’s Siobhan so pissed? This isn’t just about Dublin, is it? ”Lirien’s skull sighed, its glow dimming. “Siobhan’s working for someone probably the Morrigan, my old boss. She’s got a grudge from when I got promoted to dullahan and she stayed a banshee.

 But Ashwick’s a weird hotspot for death energy, and the Collector’s soulstone means he’s tapping it. We need answers, fast.”I rubbed my temples. “Great. So we’re dodging a banshee, a soul-hoarding creep, and maybe a death goddess. I should’ve stayed at the diner. “You’d be bored,” Lirien teased, nudging me. “Besides, that amulet toss was badass. You’re not as useless as you think.

”I grinned despite myself. Sidekick to a dullahan wasn’t the worst gig, even if it came with a death wish.At my apartment, I locked the door like that’d stop a banshee. Lirien set her skull on the coffee table, its light casting spooky patterns on my walls. Nightshade was tied outside, probably scaring my landlord. I grabbed a soda, offering one out of habit before remembering Lirien’s head situation.

 “Alright,” I said, slumping onto the couch, “what’s the plan? We can’t just wait for the Collector to nuke the Veil or whatever.”Lirien tapped her fingers, her whip coiled like a snake. “We need to know what he’s summoning. There’s a hedge witch, Old Lady Marrow, in the woods. She’s got the lowdown on Ashwick’s supernatural dirt. If anyone knows the Collector’s game, it’s her.”“A witch?” I groaned. “Please tell me she’s not the ‘cackle and curse’ type.

“More like ‘hoard tea and hex your socks off,’” Lirien said, her voice amused. “She’s not a fan of reapers, so we’ll need a bribe. I’ve got moonstones in my stash. Meet me at dawn by the old oak. “Dawn? I have a shift! ” I protested, but her skull’s grin shut me up. I was in too deep to bail now.Dawn hit like a caffeine crash. I trudged to the oak, my hoodie zipped against the chill. Lirien was there, tossing me a velvet pouch that clinked with moonstones.

 Nightshade snorted, like she was judging my bedhead. “Let’s move,” Lirien said. “Marrow’s picky about time.”The woods were thick with mist, the air heavy with pine and something metallic. Lirien moved like she owned the place, her whip ready. I clutched the pouch, jumping at every twig snap. “So,” I said, “Marrow won’t turn me into a frog, right? “Only if you’re annoying,” Lirien teased. “Just smile and hand over the shiny stuff.”Marrow’s cabin was a mossy hut, herbs dangling from the eaves. 

The door creaked open, revealing a woman who looked ancient but moved like a ninja. Her eyes were sharp, like she was pricing my soul. “Lirien,” she said, voice like dry leaves. “A dullahan and a mortal? This better be worth my time.”I offered the pouch. “Moonstones. We just want info on the Collector.”Marrow snatched it, peering inside.

 “Hmph. Decent. Come in, but don’t touch my stuff.”The cabin was a witch’s fever dream jars of glowing goop, a bubbling cauldron, and runes carved everywhere. Marrow sat us at a table, eyeing us like we were pests. “What’s this about? “The Collector’s soulstone,” Lirien said, her skull glowing. “He’s planning something. 

We need to know what.”Marrow’s eyes narrowed. “Soulstones are Veil keys. He’s trying to tear it down, let something big through probably a demon lord. Ashwick’s a weak spot, thanks to you reapers stirring up death energy. And your banshee friend? She’s the Morrigan’s errand girl, hunting you.”Lirien’s whip twitched. 

“The Morrigan? No way. She wouldn’t trust Siobhan after Dublin. “Believe it,” Marrow snapped. “You’re not here by chance, dullahan.”Before I could ask more, the cabin shook, a scream Siobhan’s ripping through the air. Lirien’s whip cracked. “Felix, stay down! ”Siobhan burst in, hair swirling like a storm, eyes blazing silver. 

“Lirien! The Morrigan’s done with you. Hand over the mortal, or I wail your name!”I dove under the table, spotting a jar labeled “Iron Dust.” Siobhan’s scream hit, but I hurled the jar, shattering it. She shrieked, flickering like a bad signal. Lirien’s whip lashed out, green fire forcing Siobhan back. Marrow tossed a glowing herb, yelling, “Not in my house!

”Siobhan vanished in a swirl of mist, her scream echoing. Lirien grabbed me. “We’re leaving. Now. ”Outside, Nightshade galloped us away, the dagger I’d swiped from Marrow’s table in my pocket. “The Morrigan? Demons?” I panted. “What’s next?”Lirien’s skull was grim. “We stop the Collector. And Felix? That dagger grab was ballsy. You’re not just my sidekick anymore.”I grinned, heart racing.

 “Good. Because I’m not dying before that vampire story.”She laughed, and as Ashwick’s lights loomed, I knew we were headed for a fight I was finally ready for.