Terror turned Sidra’s blood to ice as the shadow began to pursue her, impossibly swift. She struggled to breathe, to rush up the hill carrying a child in her arms. But she knew she wouldn’t be able to outrun the darkness.

“Maisie? Listen to me. I want you to run straight to Grandda’s door and knock as hard as you can on it. Wait for him to answer. I’ll be right behind you.” Sidra’s chest smoldered as she set Maisie on the ground. “Remember how we like to play chase? I’m it, so you must run as fast as you can and don’t look back. Go now!”

For once in her life, Maisie didn’t object. The girl took off running up the hill, and Sidra stood and held her ground. She unsheathed the dirk and turned to meet the spirit.

It slowed when it realized Sidra was waiting with a flash of steel in her hand.

“Who are you? What do you want?” Her voice wavered.

The shadow came to a halt, a few paces away. She realized it was wearing a hood. Its cloak snapped in the sudden gust. “The captain’s daughter. Give her to me and I won’t harm you.”

The voice was pitched deep and smooth. Her eyes strained in the darkness, eager to catch a glimpse of its face.

“You’ll have to kill me first.”

There was a low flicker of laughter. But Sidra wasn’t afraid. She stood resolute on the path, barefoot, wearing nothing but her chemise, a small dagger in her hand. The moment the shadow lunged to take her to the ground, Sidra hissed and stabbed.

It anticipated her movements, blocking with its forearm, solid as flesh.

Before Sidra could respond, the shadow backhanded her. The pain was sharp; her neck snapped, and she struggled to remain upright.

She stumbled but regained her balance just in time to see it was heading up the trail, pursuing Maisie. Sidra chased it, her ears ringing. She lunged and aimed, stabbing the shadow in the back.

She heard the cloak rip. She felt the blade puncture skin. She watched the world unspool as the spirit spun, looming over her.

“You bitch,” it hissed.

She was raising her hand to strike again, the dirk catching the stars when she felt the kick to her chest. The shadow’s boot struck her on the sternum so hard that she couldn’t breathe. She collapsed and rolled in the heather. Her hands were numb as they dropped the dirk, scrambling for purchase.

She eventually came to a stop, gasping for breath. The pain was bright; she saw spots, eating the edges of her vision.

She had to get up. She had to find Maisie.