Finally, my bike and I stopped moving and I lay on the street pathetically, my side throbbing in pain. I looked up and saw Dullahan at the finish line, his face back to normal. A satisfied smirk on his mouth. Roman said something to him as I lay there, listening to the other racers come up and pass me.

Last place. Not even last really because I couldn’t even finish the race. This didn’t make sense.

Two black boots came close and I looked up with wide eyes to see the towering body of the Dullahan looking down at me. His gaze dragged over my jewelry and he sneered. I felt pinned in place.

“Must of got bad luck to happen upon a race with me,” his deep voice came out with a thick Irish accent.

“Bad luck?” I felt like I was in an alternate dimension. I’d not only lost but I’d fallen. I began to pull myself from the ground and Dullahan jerked back in distaste. I eyed him oddly, wondering why I should be afraid of someone who couldn’t stand getting near me. Then some of the words my grandmother had said roiled up.

“Never let him speak your name.” Which must have been an omen because the bastard opened his mouth and said just that.

“Lacey Flanagan,” he spat and I watched his lips form the words in equal parts interest and fear.

“How do you know my name?”

“Mutual friends. See you soon,” he said in a gravelly voice as he shoved a cigarette in his mouth and walked off. I saw smoke sift from the closed scar around his throat.

I laid there, not even bothering to get fully up as I watched him get back on his bike and give the throttle a twist. The bike gave noises that nearly made my ears bleed.

“Fuck,” drifted out of my mouth as my world shattered and I finally understood what exactly made my grandmother so terrified of Dullahan.

He could nullify my luck.

“I knew you could be beat,” the little sniveling shit from before barked out in humor. I wasn’t in the mood.

“Fuck you!” I snapped and the werewolves howled in delight at my reaction.

6

I flew through the sky, following Lacey’s bike as it headed back to her place. She was in a sour mood after what dear Dullahan had pulled. Sort of funny they ran into each other. I don’t think it was planned at all. Dullahan had seemed determined to avoid her at all costs until we got her captured and even then seemed apathetic.

Could he be lying?

Wind slid over my sleek, light body. The glow of the city kept the sky tinted dark blues, the stars invisible. At least for humans. As a bird I could see so much more–more of everything, including the stars and colors that they couldn’t. When Lacey neared her building I swooped around other skyscrapers, wasting time.