The headmaster had ordered Eva and Lucas to stay apart, but now, with the headmaster’s permission, Professor McManus discussed the possibility of her in his class. With Lucas. And Devin. She wondered how that would work. Would Devin vanish every class period?
She assumed that the other students had to notice his strange behavior, but she heard no whispers—no gossip—as if it were perfectly normal for Devin to disappear all the time. But couldn’t they see that it was only in front of her?
And how would Lucas react with her in his class? Would he be glad? Sad? Mad? She didn’t know how to gauge him anymore. Politely, he would nod to her while they exchanged classes, but his smiles had started to vanish. During meals, he would pull Liam and Finn away from Corrine and Meg to sit with him and Devin. Bree would be at a nearby table with other third and fourth year girls, trying to listen in, laughing at conversations among Leprechauns that she wasn’t invited to.
But Lucas would be disappointed, because after a few minutes, Liam and Finn would leave, and rejoin their girlfriends. Eva liked to be around them. Especially Liam. He always had a way to make her feel better. His southern accent soothed her—like ointment on a wound.
“Well, given your knowledge of the language, I don’t see why you have to even take it,” her mother said, wearing a red tank top.
“Yeah, don’t they have French, German, or even Russian? I have friends doing business in Russia, and they’re learning the language. They said it’s tough, but necessary,” her dad added.
She didn’t know much about Russia, but always imagined it to be a cold place. Right now, Boston was cold enough. German would be interesting, but she always wanted to learn French. Paris, the City of Love, was her dream destination. She had always imagined touring the city with the guy she loved, but she didn’t know who that would be: Lucas or Devin?
“All he teaches is Spanish. But maybe I can have a free period. I can go to the library and study—like study hall.” She remembered what it was like to be in a regular school, which made her think of her former best friend. “Have you seen Soledad?”
“We don’t talk to them anymore,” her dad said with an edge to his voice, referring to Soledad and her parents.
“So…you knew that her parents thought I might be dangerous?”
“Yeah, we heard,” her mom answered. “I asked Soledad how she could believe that. I mean, it’s not like you attacked anyone.” She furrowed her brow. “You haven’t, have you?”
Eva grunted. “No.”
No, I haven’t attacked anyone, but the thought of yanking Bree’s golden hair out of her scalp, or slapping Devin in the face, has crossed my mind, once or twice…well, a lot. But I wouldn’t do it. I have other problems—like witnessing people dying. And there’s the issue of Lucas, breaking through my cursed black veil barrier, and now we have to stay away from each other. Also I’ve been whisked away, literally, by Lucas, the school heartthrob, and Colin, the horny groundskeeper. I’ve kissed them both, but I like, no mysteriously love Devin, the aloof rocker boy, who wants nothing to do with me, and…I still love Lucas. How’s that for you, mom and dad?
She wanted to say all that and more, but she kept her lips sealed. She didn’t want to frighten her parents, but there were things happening at Green Clover Academy that her parents couldn’t even conceive of—truths they weren’t ready for.
“Of course she hasn’t attacked anyone,” her dad said, annoyed at his ex-wife.
Eva’s mom rolled her eyes. “I’m not the one who said she was potentially dangerous,” she whispered. “That was Miguel and Maria, remember?”
“I know that. I was there with my finger in his face, shouting, remember?” her dad shot back, louder than a whisper.
Her mom crossed her arms against her chest. “I remember! The whole neighborhood was staring at us!”
They were fighting again.
“Well, what would you have done? Let them talk about Eva like that? Now Eva’s lost her best friend because of those two! And Soledad should know better! They’ve been friends forever,” her dad argued.
“Yes, she should,” her mom conceded, “but she’s young. If her parents forbade it, they forbade it. What was she supposed to do?”
Her dad held his hand up in the air, frustrated. “Have a mind of her own, that’s what!”
Eva thought it was funny that her dad was defending her now, when before, along with her mom, they questioned her sanity, and allowed Dr. Quincy Lang to keep her for a year in a psychiatric hospital.
She was ready to say goodbye.
“Well, I have to go,” she said sweetly. “Bed time soon,” she lied, knowing it wasn’t until several hours from now.
Her parents were glaring at each other and didn’t hear Eva.
“I said I have to go!” she shouted at the web cam.
Her parents turned back to her, unclenching their jaws.
“Oh…okay. Well, we’re sorry we couldn’t bring you back for Christmas,” her mom said.
“Yeah, maybe Spring break?” her dad proposed.
“Uh…I think things can get pretty busy here around that time…studying and all. How about the summer? When the year is over?”
She needed a break from them, especially if they were fighting again.
“Well, if that’s what you think is best,” her mom said with a sad look.
“It’ll fly by. You’ll see me soon.”
She hoped it didn’t fly by. She wanted to stay at Green Clover Academy forever, despite all the turmoil that was happening.
Her dad smiled. “Well, we’re glad you’re doing okay. Keep up the good work, and we love you. And we’re sending your presents in the mail.”
Eva fought back her tears. “I love you too and thanks.”
“Love you.” Her mom blew her a kiss.
Eva played like she caught it and held it to her cheek.
“Bye,” her parents said in unison, waving at her.
“Bye.” Eva quickly ended the session before she started to cry.
She was now alone. Her roommates were off somewhere, probably making goo-goo eyes at their boyfriends. She tried not to feel bitter, but it was tough. Desiring rest, she leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes, hoping to fall asleep, hoping to escape the cruel world for a while.
But the darkness she sought behind her eyelids was disturbed by a moving light. When she opened her eyes, she saw that the red and green Christmas lights were blinking. They weren’t supposed to be doing that. Or were they? She stood up and turned around to scan the trail of lights around the room, but she saw something far more interesting.
There were two ghosts hovering above the floor. They were the same two young women she had encountered all those months ago. One had black hair, looking remarkably like Eva, and the other had blond hair. Both were very pretty, but they had that same opaque look to them—like frosted glass.
But she still wasn’t frightened of them. “Who are you?” she asked calmly.
The one with the black hair smiled. “Thank goodness! I thought we’d float here forever!”
The opaque screen was gone, and Eva could see them, vividly elegant, as they descended to the floor, with their gowns covering their feet. Their black and blond hair seemed to shimmer with radiance, and their gowns, the color of white and black pearls, flowed like silk garments in water.
The black-haired ghost walked over, collapsed on Eva’s bed, and rested her head against the pillow. “I’m so glad you said something.” Eva heard a hint of an Irish accent. “I thought we’d never get the chance to speak with you.”
“What are you talking about?”
The blond-haired ghost approached the bed. “Get up sister! You can’t make yourself at home! Besides, it’s rude to Eva!”
Eva gasped. “Sister?!”
She was so shocked that she had to sit back down on her chair. But as she viewed them both, she saw a resemblance in their wide eyes and curvy noses, along with their fair hint of Irish accents.
The black-haired one with emerald eyes, sat up, and faced Eva. “Fine!” she fumed.
“That’s better,” the blond-haired one said with sapphire eyes. She took a seat next to her sister on Eva’s bed.
The black-haired one rolled her eyes. “Never let me have any fun,” she muttered.
“We’re not here for fun,” her sister reminded her. “We’re here to warn Eva.”
“Warn me about what? And why did you disappear all those months ago?”
The black-haired one waved her hand in the air. “It’s these rules. Apparently, you had to speak first, and then we could speak. It’s sort of like you had to invite us in.”
“And you knew that,” the blond-haired one said, wagging a finger at her sister. “You knew she had to speak first,” she continued, “and still, you went first.”
The black-haired crossed her arms against her chest, mad. “I was excited, okay! I wanted to talk to her.” She turned to Eva, smiling. “She looks so much like me.”
“I noticed that too. Who are you?” Then Eva turned to the blond-haired one because she didn’t want to be rude. “And who are you?”
But she really wanted to know more about her ghostly doppelganger.
The blond-haired one smiled. “Allow me to introduce ourselves. I’m Aghamora. And this”—she gestured to her sister, smiling affectionately—“is Muirgen.”
Eva’s hands flew to her mouth. When she lowered them, she said, “Wait! You two are…” She trailed off, unable to say what her brain was shouting at her.
“Yes,” Muirgen, the black-haired one, said. “We’re those two! The first ones to be cursed. The first of the Banshee.” She did a slight bow with her head, but didn’t seem pleased with her historical status.
“So you’re my…ancestors, right?”
“That’s right,” Aghamora said.
Her blond hair seemed to be in such a calm contrast to her sister’s moody black hair.
“Can others see you?”
“Yes, but we’ve come to see you,” Aghamora answered.
Eva swallowed, nervous. “About what?”
“Well, first of all, hey,” Muirgen said, waving.
Eva was confused, but waved back. “Hey.”
“We don’t have much time, sister,” Aghamora said, frustrated. “We can’t stay in this realm forever.”
Muirgen rolled her eyes, waving her sister’s worries away. She looked at Eva. Since we’re being rushed,”—she slyly nodded to her sister (Aghamora just shook her head)—“I’ll get to the point: there’s an evil presence in the school.”
“Is it Bree?” Eva asked, half-joking.
Muirgen laughed. “Oh, that girl!” Then she frowned and Eva saw the worry on her pale face. “But no, it isn’t.”
Eva was confused. “Evil? Like…evil-evil?”
“It’s complicated,” Aghamora said. “He’s been here for quite some time.”
“Who? What? I don’t understand.” Then she remembered Aghamora had given her a clue. “He who?”
Aghamora and Muirgen cringed, as if they wanted to tell her, but couldn’t.
“We’re not allowed to tell you everything,” Aghamora explained.
“Well, can you tell me some things? What was it like all those years ago in Ireland? What did the Saoirse look like? Did she look evil? Especially after you know what? What about her daughter, Laoise? Did you ever see Cormac, her illegitimate son?” Eva threw question after question at them.
She hoped to hear history from the people who had lived it. But for once, Aghamora and Muirgen didn’t seem too pleased to be with Eva. The sisters looked at each other with fallen faces.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be so rude,” Eva apologized. “I just wanted to know what life was like long ago.”
“It’s okay,” Aghamora said. “But now is not the time to talk of such things. We have to go.”
“Can’t you stay? I won’t ask you anymore questions…except, who’s this evil presence in the school?” she asked Muirgen.
“All we can say is that he has taken control over one of the Leprechauns. The two may have already become one. And if that’s so, then that Leprechaun may be forever lost.”
Eva was shocked. “A Leprechaun? Which one? A student? A professor? The headmaster?”
“You know him well. You have affection for him,” Muirgen said.
“He’s dangerous and cunning,” Aghamora said.
“And powerful,” Muirgen added. “A warlock. He has dark designs.”
“Warlock?! Why are you telling me? Why not the headmaster? I’m just a girl—a student.”
Muirgen shook her head, as if Eva didn’t understand. “You are more important than you know.”
“Shhh!” Aghamora admonished her sister. “We’ve already said too much!”
Muirgen crossed her arms against her chest. “Why do you have to be so bossy?” She waved her hand angrily in the air. “Even in the afterlife?”
“Because I’m the eldest, remember?!” Aghamora exclaimed, pulling rank.
Eva blinked and as rapid as that movement was, the two bickering sisters were gone. It wasn’t like a Leprechaun. No black fog announced their departure. They had left, and the only reminder of their visit was the depression they’d left in her bed cover where they’d sat.
Her mind raced: an evil warlock with dark designs…someone dangerous…cunning…powerful…a young Leprechaun who she had affection for.
Lucas was powerful. He could enter her mind and penetrate her cursed barrier, but he had soothed her—he never hurt her. He was also cunning. All the times they’d slipped away to the little abandoned schoolhouse to be alone, no one had ever found them, or knew they had been missing.
But dangerous?
He had a temper, she knew that, but most guys did, especially when they thought another guy was moving in on their girl. Like how he’d reacted to Colin.
Could it be Colin?
Despite his bad boy persona, he was quite nice to her, except for when he’d kissed her, but he hasn’t forced himself when she’d rejected him, and since that time outside in the wintry night, he had never tried again. He knew his limits—the boundary that she had set. But she always found him alone, just like how she felt, and they would talk for hours outside in the cold, while the other students snuggled and kissed in the warmth of the school.
She did have an innocent affection for him. It wasn’t her intention to lead him on, but she needed the company of a male—a single male. Liam and Finn were nice, but they hung around giddy Corrine and Meg all time, kissing and talking about how much they loved each other. Eva didn’t want to be around that. She didn’t have Lucas, and Devin wouldn’t even touch her with a ten foot pole.
But as much as she liked to hang around Colin, she really didn’t know him that well. And she really didn’t know Lucas that well, either. The headmaster had yet to come to a decision concerning Lucas’ ability to enter her mind, and it seemed that Lucas, or Eva’s “ex,” as Colin called him, had accepted the distance with them no longer sneaking out. But she never really cared to be with him at that abandoned shack, where perhaps the ghosts of little school kids from long ago had been watching them make out.
Colin had told her that he believed Lucas had moved on, but she would’ve heard. Corrine, Meg, and hell, even Bree would’ve said something. But she found herself not particularly sad, which made her even more sad about her sudden change of heart. Devin had always caught her eye and was in her heart. Perhaps she had the greatest affection for him.
But was he being controlled by a warlock? Was he afraid that she’d discover who he was? Is that why he always vanished?
All this pressure made her head hurt, but her ancestors had given her a duty. She had to uncover this menace—this warlock. The only one she knew of was long dead—Cianan—Saoirse’s lover and Cormac’s father. But the ghost sisters would’ve mentioned if someone that important was in her school. Right? Well, whoever this warlock was, he was con
trolling one of the male students.
Maybe her affection would cause his exposure. But what was she supposed to do after that? Call the police? About a warlock on the premises? Controlling a Leprechaun?
She wished there was a magical squad who could take care of her problem, but no, it was up to her. It was kind of neat. Like she was a detective. Except that she had no experience tracking down a disguised warlock…or any other investigative skills. But she needed something more to do in her life. Otherwise, she was just a sobbing teen who saw dead people.
Lucas was off limits because of the headmaster’s order, but not Colin. Now she would finally give in to his wishes. She would go to his room, and she hoped that he didn’t get the wrong idea. She wanted him to do something to her.
She wanted to see if he could enter her mind.
17
Suspicious Minds
In just two hours, the Four Leaf Clovers were set to perform in the Commons Area. All the students were in other parts of the school, and the professors were in their apartments, thankfully staying there with no intention to hover over the students during the Christmas Eve concert.
Eva spied the bright Christmas tree near the entrance. It was so tall that the white star at the top touched the ceiling. A string of blinking red and green lights spun around the branches. Ornaments hung all over, and there were many green shamrocks, but the candy canes that had been on the tree were already gone, eaten up by the students. Underneath the tree lay hundreds of presents, stretching beyond.
Before Christmas, the headmaster had taken the students to the mall, to go Secret Santa shopping. They were to buy one present, not exceeding thirty dollars. Eva didn’t have any money, but the headmaster slipped her a fifty, and told her to keep the change. She wanted to spend all day there, but the headmaster put them on a time table. She got Liam as her Secret Santa and felt instant relief. Buying a present for Lucas would’ve racked her nerves, and if she got Devin, well, she’d probably faint on the floor from running up and down the mall, trying to find him the “best” gift.
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