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seemed to work between them.
    Nicholas had appeared in her dreams over and over again, before they ever met in real life. She used to call him “Leaf”, because he’d leave autumn leaves on her pillow, on her doorstep, among her books, for her to find. She treasured them, pressing them into the silver photo album Juliet had given her for Christmas. Nine transparent pockets, nine leaves – red, gold and yellow. She’d kept them hidden under her bed so that Sean wouldn’t find them. Sean was always wary of him.
    Nicholas hunkered down in front of the fireplace, fuel briquettes and little twigs piled up, ready to light. He touched them with his long, pale fingers, and blue flames started burning at once, silently. Sarah wasn’t sure if she loved those blue flames or if they spooked her, dancing blue in place of a hot, red fire.
    “Nicholas.”
    “Yes? What’s on your mind?”
    “It’s not over, is it?”
    “Between us? It’s just started, are you ditching me already?” he said in mock alarm.
    “Please, be serious. You know what I mean. You said you’d tell me everything, but there’s still so much I don’t understand.”
    “OK, OK. Sorry. No, of course it’s not over. But I’m here to protect you, so what’s the problem?”
    “Cathy’s Valaya … you said it’s not the only one.”
    “No. There are many of them.”
    “Why now? What has happened to … to organize the Surari in this way?”
    Nicholas hesitated for a second. “I see no point worrying about that. All we need to do is stay alive, and with me here, nothing can hurt you, Sarah.”
    She tried to read his expression. His black eyes were very lucid, very bright – but impenetrable, like the surface of a still, dark loch – it was impossible to gauge what lay underneath. He took her in his arms and she rested her head on his chest, thinking she’d only stay there a minute, time for the world to stop swirling.
    An hour later, she was still curled into him, as Nicholas stroked her hair slowly, hypnotically.
    “Nicholas …”
    “Yes?”
    “There was something else.” Sarah tried to feel her way out of the fog that enveloped her thoughts.
    “Tell me.”
    “I need … I need something to eat first.”
    “Is that what you wanted to say?” he laughed.
    “No, no. Just, I haven’t eaten since last night. Come on.” Nicholas followed her into the kitchen, where she stood in front of her cupboards, and sighed. When Nicholas was around, cooking seemed a huge effort somehow. And to get her kitchen dirty filled her with dread. She’d have to wipe each surface a million times over.
    “Nicholas,” she began.
    While she was trying to decide how to ask him to go to Islay with her – so difficult, when her brain felt as if it was full of cotton wool – a little black ghost with a white paw crossed the room, as quick as lightning, and jumped onto her lap.
    “Shadow, my sweetie.” The cat purred and burrowed into Sarah’s neck. Since the whole Cathy business, she had become very clingy, especially when Nicholas was around. She liked Nicholas even less than she liked Sean, who had sent her to sleep when he’d first arrived at the house. He had touched her between her eyes and put her out cold. Shadow had never forgotten that, let alone forgiven it.
    Sarah cuddled the cat for a bit, placing little kisses all over her fur under Nicholas’s impatient gaze. He didn’t like Sarah giving attention to anything else but him. Finally she let Shadow go, and put the kettle on. A cup of tea with lots of sugar was the safest option.
    “What did you want to talk to me about?” asked Nicholas as Sarah wiped away stains only she could see.
    She took a deep breath. “My parents’ will.” She moved on to polishing her already spotless kitchen table. “You see, I am not allowed to live in this house on my own. Not until I’m eighteen.” Her hands were shaking with nerves and hunger.
    “I don’t understand. What happens if you live here on