It was like being underwater. That was the only way I could describe it. Like I had lost access to a sense I relied on and the world was duller, colder and more muffled without it.

It was more than just uncomfortable. Cutting me off from it had been downright painful and, from Mrs Kennedy's expression, she had known that beforehand.

My fingers played with the edge of the binding cuffs. It just felt so wrong not to be able to feel the magic I knew swirled within me.

Now I was numb. Numb and alone. Although Nancy was replying to texts, she had been too busy to see me and I knew why.

The rumours spread like wildfire through the school, and now no one would so much as look at me. At breakfast Enzo had walked out as soon as he saw me enter, and Blake was nowhere to be seen.

Blake also hadn't replied to any of my messages since discovering what I was and I didn't know whether to feel betrayed that he seemingly believed what people were saying without speaking to me, or understanding because, well how well did we really know each other?

One look at the lunch hall had my heart sinking and my appetite disappearing. The suspicion and fear in everyone's faces at just seeing me in the doorway said it all.

Turning on my heel, I marched away, just walking blindly and trying not to think too much about what would happen when the council members decided to see me.

I knew they were here. Everyone was talking about how quickly they had arrived and how unusual it was. The waiting for them to summon me had left me so jumpy and on edge. I had hardly slept last night. Not deeply enough to dream, at least.

The lack of nightmares was the only thing I was really thankful for. Glancing up, I realised my aimless walking had brought me out near the library.

If no one would talk to me, or explain things, perhaps I'd have to research what I was myself in an attempt to understand.

The librarian's face visibly paled as I entered and I sighed, not even bothering to ask her for help as I headed for the fae section and began searching.

The first few books were dead ends, but the fourth, titled Fae Royal Index, had a chapter labelled banshees. With a little glance around the silent library, I scurried over to the nearest chair and quickly flicked through to find it.

Banshee \BAN-shee\ A female fae, first recorded by humans in Gaelic folklore. It was believed her appearance and wailing scream would warn a family that one of them will soon die. In fact, they are more conduit than death bringer. The scream others hear is a song for souls and guides them to the afterlife.

Banshee are classed as rare due to the limited number which are born into the fae courts. Every generation, three banshees are born. Known as the soul queens, each has a magical path to follow. One to guide the souls of the innocent, one to consume the souls of the cruel, and one with the gift to see how two souls might weave together and help those of our world discover their soulmates.

Each banshee holds that magic until they pass themselves, where it will be reborn into another. With enchanting voices, those banshees who have sung for souls recently will also be able to use the residual energy that leaves behind to speak with compulsion, a form of command that is nearly impossible for anyone to resist. For this reason, they are both revered and feared in equal measure.

The following passage listed some of the most well known of banshee, not all for the best reasons. From ones whose screams brought down hillsides and killed hundreds, to those who were rumoured to be insane and locked up.

I leaned back in the chair and let the knowledge sink in. One of just three? Where were the others and what had they done that could have caused Albert to fear me when we discovered what I was?

"Hey."

The soft voice startled me out of my thoughts. "Blake?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." He moved his bag more securely onto his shoulder and then sunk his hands into his pockets.

Every part of his body spoke of guilt and defeat. I hadn't known him long, but this wasn't the Blake I knew.

"You ok? You didn't text back." I asked, hating how needy that made me sound.

"Sorry." He said, looking anywhere but at me, "I meant to reply to your messages but... well, I'm sorry. My mother is here. She was part of the council called about you, and she brought my father this time."

Something about the way he said it made my blood run cold, and I remembered the things Enzo had said. The things Blake's Father used to get up to, perhaps, still did. "Why is your father here?"

He shrugged. "Would you just come and meet them? I won't let anything happen to you."

For the first time since I had met him, I really didn't trust Blake. From the way he refused to meet my eye, he knew that too. "Ok." I whispered.

I wasn't sure if it was morbid curiosity about whatever everyone was so afraid of, or maybe I was just the type of girl who was first to die in a horror movie, but I wanted to know.

He looked crushed, as though he hoped I would refuse. His words didn't match his actions, it was like someone else was speaking for him. "Ok." He repeated.

I stood, fast enough he had to take a quick step back to give me room, and returned the book to the shelf. "When were you thinking?"

He sighed. "I suppose now is as good a time as any."

I nodded grimly, straightening my spine and allowing him to lead me from the room.

"Is everything ok?" I asked.

He looked pained by my question. "Not really. I hope it will be, but I don't know."

"Very cryptic." I teased.

His gaze flew to mine. "How can you be so flippant?" he shook his head. "You have no idea the danger you are in."

I matched his long strides with my own and stared back. "I thought you said you'd keep me safe from the dangers in the dark?"

He gave a humourless chuckle, looking away. "Not all dangers lurk in the dark. Sometimes it's those in the light you should be most afraid of."

"I don't suppose you are going to explain what you mean by that?"

His answering silence said it all.

I sighed. "Didn't think so."

Our shoulders jostled together as we both joined a winding staircase, but still he said nothing. "Where are we going?" I asked as we came out into an unfamiliar corridor.

He stopped so suddenly I almost crashed into the back of him as he rummaged through his bag.

"Take this." He whispered, shoving a small dagger into my hands.

I let out a squeak of alarm. "Why the hell do I need this?"

He looked pained as he closed my fingers around a ruby encrusted handle that hummed with energy. "I can't tell you. I wish I could. Hell, I wish I could stop this happening altogether."

"Stop what happening?" I asked, as he doubled over in silent pain.

There was an urgent look in his eyes. "I can't say more, but you'll need this soon. Do not let them see it and do not let it go."

I nodded, "I trust you."

If he looked in pain before, the stark agony on his features now was so much worse. Somewhere in him, a battle seemed to rage before he straightened and moved to a door. "I wish you didn't." He whispered, pushing it open before I could ask anything else.

The room beyond was small and furnished like an office, though there were no personal touches to hint at who it belonged to.

Grinning at me from behind the desk was Blake's sister, Kira, and to the side. Both his parents stood with their heads bowed.

Kira looked delighted. "Thank you, brother. You can go now. Do not tell anyone what we are doing and do not return."

Blake was already backing away. His movements jerky as he whispered "I'm so so sorry Erica. I didn't want to." He struggled to get the words out, "They're my family and blood conquers all."

Before I could question where that phrase was from or what it meant, the door swung shut and I was left to face the three unfamiliar vampires alone.