She shook her head. ‘Thanks, but I’m pretty full. Stuffed actually. I had a really big dinner.’

‘Are you sure? I find there’s always room for dessert …’

Cat looked around, hoping to spot Shane but spied the girl instead. When she noticed Cat staring, she held her gaze and inclined her head slightly toward a plain wooden door recessed in an alcove. Cat knew what she had to do.

‘I’m really sorry,’ she said, already moving away from the fairy. ‘It’s been lovely talking to you, but I have to be going. I need to find my friend.’

For the briefest second, a dark look flashed across the fairy’s face. But then it was gone.

‘Have it your way,’ he shrugged. ‘Enjoy the Revels, it’s a party you’ll never forget.’

Suddenly, Shane was in front of her looking slightly red and sweaty.

‘Where were you?’ he said. ‘I turned around and you were gone.’

‘Sorry, I got distracted,’ said Cat. ‘Where were you?’

‘Oh, uh …’ Shane looked behind him where a group of giggling fairies were waving and blowing kisses toward them. ‘I also got distracted.’ He flushed deeply and Cat stifled a laugh.

‘Any sign of Mikey and Jenny?’

Shane shook his head, ‘No. Who was that you were talking to?’

‘Just one of the fairies.’

‘No, not him. The other one. The girl. She didn’t look like the rest of them.’

‘That’s because she isn’t. And I think she may be able to help us. Follow me.’

Together, they wove their way through dancing couples and, making sure no one was watching them, slipped through the door and into a darkened corridor.

‘Where are we–’ began Shane, but before he could say another word, the mystery girl stepped out of the shadows and shut the door behind them with a firm but gentle click.

‘Shh!’ she said. ‘Keep quiet and stay close to me.’

She started down the corridor and motioned for them to follow.

‘Can we trust her?’ whispered Shane.

‘I don’t think we have a choice,’ said Cat and together they followed the strange girl into the shadows.

Chapter Eighteen

Breadcrumbs

The corridor was narrower than any they had seen so far and though it wasn’t lit by any torches, the girl seemed to know her way. The music from the Great Hall grew fainter and fainter until there was no longer any noise but the shuffle of their feet on the cold stone floor and soft sounds of their breathing.

At a crossroads where two hallways met, they turned left and for the first time all evening, they found themselves on a path that sloped upwards, away from the heart of the Rath.

‘Hang on, where are you taking us?’ said Cat.

‘Be quiet,’ said the girl coming to a dead stop. ‘I think I hear someone coming.’

Cat was about to ask her what she was talking about when she heard what sounded like two men walking toward them, laughing and singing.