The Dullahan reached for this bone whip.

No, Cat thought. We’ve come too far and enough is enough.

She had one more trick up her sleeve and she meant to use it. As the Dullahan raised his whip and aimed it directly at Shane, Cat reached into her pocket and wrapped her hand around the hag stone. Then she took a deep breath and, as loud as she could, yelled, ‘CAITRIONA! WE NEED YOUR HELP.’

For a split second, the Dullahan faltered and lowered his whip, but then he laughed.

‘What good will yelling do you? There is no one around to hear your cries.’

A soft breeze picked up, rustling through the trees. It sounded like ghostly whispers.

‘I wouldn’t be so sure,’ said Cat. ‘You say you want souls? Have a hundred.’

From out of the trees poured the army of ghost-children. They swarmed around the Dullahan from all directions, surrounding him in a bright silver light.

The Dullahan howled and tried to grab at them, but the ghost-children were too quick. Faster and faster they swirled around him until the light grew so bright Cat had to look away. With one final flash, the light disappeared and there was silence in the clearing once again.

Cat opened her eyes. The Dullahan was gone and there was no sign of the army of ghost-children. A tiny flicker of movement caught her eye and when she squinted she could just about make out the shape of Caitriona the ghost-girl. She was almost totally translucent now and though she couldn’t be sure, Cat thought she was smiling.

‘Thank you for coming when I called,’ Cat said, pulling herself to her feet. ‘I guess you’re free to … you know, move on now.’

‘Cat,’ said Shane, his voice high and panicked. ‘Come quickly.’

She turned to find him crouched over Nancy’s unmoving form and ran over to help.

‘She’s not breathing,’ said Shane. ‘What do we do?’

‘Nothing,’ said a voice. Cat looked up and saw a silvery figure hovering above them. It was Nancy and she smiled down at Cat and Shane. ‘There’s nothing you can do for me now.’

‘Oh, Nancy,’ said Cat, her eyes filling with tears. ‘I’m so sorry.’

‘What’s there to be sorry about?’

‘This,’ said Cat gesturing at ghost-Nancy. ‘This is all my fault. If I’d just left you alone–’

‘Then I would still be trapped with the fairies. Trust me, this is better. I’m finally free. I wanted to thank you both, for helping me to be brave.’

Ghost-Caitriona floated over to Nancy’s side.

‘Are you ready?’ she said, her voice so soft it was barely above a whisper.

Nancy nodded. She grasped the other girl’s hand in hers and together, they faded away into nothing.

‘Woah,’ said Shane, stumbling backwards as the figure of Nancy that lay in their feet disappeared as well, leaving nothing but a flattened patch of earth behind.

‘Shane,’ said Jenny in a small, tired voice. ‘Can we go home now?’