The words are coming from inside my head. Only they’re not words; it’s a feeling, an impression, which I am putting into words. The voice belongs to me, but the thoughts do not. My brain throbs as I try to make sense of it all.

Who are you?

Karina. I’ve been trying to make you see me. I’ve come because you’re in danger.

I nod, aware of the absurdity of answering my own thoughts.

You must go to the tree. The Norns will help you put things right.

I can’t go out there! Something inside me shrinks with fear. Where is Mormor? Why isn’t she speaking to me?

Your grandmother is trapped at the tree, tormented by her regret. She died knowing she had failed to convince your mother to water it, and she feared that no one would.

My stomach wrenches. What do you mean, trapped? Can’t you help her?

You are the only one who can save her, Marta. You must go to the tree and get the dead back to the underworld.

But how? I can’t! The draugr will rip me to shreds, just like Olav and Yrsa!

Go to the tree. Don’t fear the Norns.

For a while there is only silence and I wonder if she has gone. When she speaks again, her voice is urgent. Blow out the candles and keep quiet. Quick!

Something touches my forehead and my eyes open. The room is on its side, the doll next to me, lifeless.

‘Martha? You fainted.’ Stig helps me to sit.

‘She wants me to blow out the candles.’

‘Who?’

‘My great-grandmother. She spoke to me through the doll.’

‘What? How?’ Stig nudges the doll with his foot and it flips onto its back. Seeing it move again makes me feel queasy, but I don’t think Karina meant to scare me.

Mormor warned never to leave a candle burning because it might attract a draugr. A gasp escapes me. What have we done? I wanted to stop the faces forming, but we’ve lit a beacon for the creature – we’ve drawn it to us!

I turn to Stig. ‘Quick, we have to blow out the candles.’

He gives me an exasperated look. ‘But you said the darkness helps them to form.’

‘I know, but the light attracts the draugr!’

The idea of being in the dark with the dead sends a chill through me, but what choice is there? At least I have Stig; I’m not on my own. Whatever’s in the cabin hasn’t hurt us, but if the draugr comes … My head sways as I get to my feet.

I take a deep breath and blow out the nearest candle.