‘Get off the path,’ Cat cried. ‘We need to get some cover.’

They veered left and sprinted through wet leaves and brambles. Once or twice, Cat felt her toes snag on the uneven ground, but she regained her balance and stumbled on. Finally, just when she felt the last of her strength give out, the hill flattened out and they emerged into a clearing where a stream cut through.

‘We need to cross the stream!’ yelled Shane. ‘Remember what it said in the Book of Secrets? Fairies can’t cross running water!’

He was right. It was a small advantage, but Cat would take whatever they could get.

They sprinted for the stream and waded right in, not caring for the cold bite of the water as it lapped at their feet. No sooner had they set foot on the other side than the fairy host burst from the trees, howling.

There were dozens of them and most were wielding wooden staffs and spears. A smaller group rode on horseback, with the queen leading the charge from the back of a sleek white stallion. She was no longer beautiful. Her delicate features had grown sharp and cruel and when she looked at Cat her eyes seemed to glow with hatred.

This was it. There was nowhere left to run. Cat threw herself in front of Mikey, ready to protect him with her last breath and she saw Shane do the same with Jenny.

When the queen reached the stream, she pulled the reins hard and her horse reared to a halt. She raised her fist and gestured for silence. At once the fairies fell so quiet Cat was sure she would be able to hear a pin drop.

‘Very clever,’ said the queen. ‘Using running water against us. Unfortunately for you, you haven’t stopped us, only slowed us down. Rest assured, you will pay for this and the other insults you have dealt us this night. We will take you all and keep you as our pets for a hundred years.’

The white stallion reared up and, with a loud whinny, tore off through the trees with the others close behind.

Cat knew they had only a few minutes to make a plan before the fairies found a way around the stream. She looked at Shane who was still struggling to get his breath back and at Jenny who was shaking and crying. Finally, she looked at Mikey who blinked up at her with wide, sleepy eyes. They were all exhausted. There was no way any of them could go any further. Cat felt her heart sink. We were so close, she thought.

Then, a mocking laughter drifted across the stream. Cat recognised it right away. She clenched her fists.

‘You,’ she said, turning to find the inhuman creature lounging against a tree. ‘You’ve been following us around all night.’

‘Oh, longer than that,’ said the Pooka, ‘I’ve had my little friend keeping an eye on you for the past two days.’ He gave a piercing whistle and a magpie flew out of the trees and landed on the creature’s outstretched arm.