Page 58 of Samhain

Samhain.

Most of the town was preparing for the celebrations later in the week. I’d grown up at various boarding schools throughout England and spent a great deal of time in Scotland, so I understood some of the Gaelic legends. I didn’t remember much about the fairies, but some believed ghosts walked among us on Samhain. Some believed the apparitions were fairies themselves. In either case, perhaps it was fortuitous we’d arrive at the time when it might be the easiest to find the land of the fairy folk, if indeed such a thing existed.

Ivy booked a room at the pub that had once been owned by Siobhan and Ashley. It was now in the possession of a retired couple named Bill and Keely.

“Have you lived in Killwater long?” Carter asked when Bill offered to bring our bags up for us.

“All my life,” he said, lugging our suitcases into the top room.

“Looks like everyone’s excited about Samhain,” Carter said, attempting he’d see what he could get out of the guy.

“Oh, aye. It’s mostly for the locals, ya know?” he said. “But you’re welcome to come. There’s trick-or-treating for the kids, and lots of toasting for the adults.”

I walked around the space. Two queen beds sat on either side with a small window overlooking the woods on the wall opposite the door. The old furniture reminded me of Aberdeen, of how I’d taken the disregarded pieces from each castle I liked and filled my most beloved space with them.

“The bathroom’s through here,” he said, but my attention refocused on the trees.

They were different now, pulsing with an energy I hadn’t noticed before. Taunting me. They knew we were here, that we’d returned, and they beckoned us to them like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. But I knew better now. I knew that house made of candy held dark, dirty secrets, and I’d be better prepared this time.

Or at least, that was what I told myself to build the courage to see this through.

“What about the woods?” I asked Bill.

“The woods?” He raised his eyebrows as he turned to me.

“Yeah,” I said. “Are there any festivities in the woods on Samhain?”

Bill’s features dropped, his eyes widening, his mouth hanging open.

Fear.

The woods scared him, but in the way powerful things often did to the wary. There was terror, sure, but mixed with respect and awe. He knew the secrets that lay out in the forest, and he didn’t dare tamper with them. He feared we might do the same.

“No,” he said, regaining his composure. “Not that I know of. And if you were smart, you’d stay far away from there.”

Lex smirked. “Why is that?”

“People your age go missing in the woods all the time.” Bill cleared his throat and hiked his pants higher on his waist. “Don’t come out for months if they come out at all.”

“Our age?” Lex raised a curious eyebrow.

“Older folks know better,” he said. “Fairies don’t want them, anyway. Fairies want beauty and eternal youth.”

Ivy crossed her arms. “You believe in fairies?”

“Of course,” he said. “They’re real, and they’ll give ya a go if you aren’t careful.” He patted down his pockets like he was making sure he’d given us everything we’d need. “Breakfast is served between six and nine, and if you come in after twenty-two hundred, I’ll ask that you use the back door so you don’t wake up any other guests.”

“Sure,” Carter said. “Thanks, Bill.”

He took one last look at us before going to the door and opening it.

“Stay outta the woods,” he said. “Nothing good ever came from going in there, especially on Samhain.”

None of us said anything, but when he shut the door behind him, we looked at each other.

“We should listen.” Lex lit a cigarette and pinched it between his fingers, going to the window next to me so he could open it and blow the smoke out. “We know what’s lurking out there. Everyone in this town does.”

“That’s the whole reason we came,” Ivy said.

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