Mum was wrong – the witches weren’t trying to hurt me. They came to me the night I was born, but it was Merlin who sent the shadow demons, not them. The tightness in my chest eases a little. I’m relieved to know the truth, yet I don’t feel any better. The impossibility of it all makes my head hurt. I realise there are people who believe King Arthur once lived, but magical beings who come from another world? I’m not sure which I find harder to accept: that Avalon is real or that I once lived there.

‘Why my mum, why me, though?’

Morgan smiles sadly. ‘The portal brought Moronoe’s spirit to this point in history at random. She sought out the first infant vessel she could find. There was no choice involved, no act of destiny – simply a coincidence of place and time.’

My head pounds as another thought occurs to me. None of this would have happened if it weren’t for Merlin. I would have grown up with a family and the girl in the story, Moronoe, wouldn’t have died and the witches would be where they belong – in their own world.

Morgan strides towards me, her feathered wings ruffling. ‘He knows that if we reunite and become nine, we’ll be strong enough to open the portal and take back Avalon. He’ll do anything to stop that happening, even if it means sending his demons and killing you again.’

‘And my mum? Where is she?’

‘If she was taken into the portal then she’s in Avalon, in the keep of Merlin.’

‘We can’t leave her there! Please, you have to help me.’

‘Your mother was only able to open the portal because Merlin allowed it. He no doubt intended for his demons to snatch you. Even if he allowed you to open it, he would kill you as soon as you stepped through.’

‘There must be something we can do.’

She clasps her hands together in a gesture of entreaty and takes a deep breath. Whatever she’s about to say, I have the feeling she’s been building up to this moment for a very long time.

‘I cannot make any promises, but we will do our best to rescue your mother. You have a choice: deny who you are or reclaim your power and join us.’

She extends her arms to me but I stay on the bed.

‘Join you?’

‘It’s time for you to become a witch once more.’

I blink at her, unable to form a reply. I came here to find my mum, not to be reunited with witch sisters from another lifetime. I don’t want any of this. I want to be with my mum, preferably starting a new life together far away from this place, somewhere ordinary where nothing ever happens. Like Coleford.

She steps closer and peers into my eyes. ‘The witch inside you is already waking.’