Free A Place Beyond by Laura Howard Page A

exactly.
    I searched the cushions and found it under where I watched the movie with Ethan the night before.
    I had a missed text from Niamh. I wasn’t even paying attention to keeping her out of my head, maybe she was just giving me space.
    I know you’re busy. Come over when you can.
    I stuck the phone into the pockets of my jeans. Niamh was back from Tír na n’Óg. I was nervous about seeing her. I had no idea what Saoirse had told her. Maybe she really couldn’t see Aoife and didn’t know about my part in the plan to separate Niamh and Aodhan.
    There was only one way to find out. Once I cleaned up the kitchen, I’d go next door. The promise I made Ethan the night before echoed in my mind. I pulled my phone back out and texted him a quick message.
    Aunt Jessie stood and started clearing the table. “I can get those,” I told her.
    “You cooked, I’ll clean,” she said, ushering me out of the way.
    “I’ll dry, Mom,” Nicole said as she jumped up to help.
    “When you find out what time we can go to Wallace, give me a call,” Uncle David said. “I’m going to get rid of the leaves in the yard. I’ll take care of yours while I’m at it, Jane.”
    The whole family kept busy. Being idle was not our way, and it helped keep unpleasant thoughts from taking over.
    “I’m going to take a walk next door, Gram,” I said, trying to ignore the way Nicole’s eyes darted to me. “Niamh’s home and I want to check on her. But, I’ll have my phone if you need me.”
    “Very good, sweetheart. We’ll be just fine here.”
     

     
    I walked through the path, full of apprehension. I felt very alone as I looked up at Liam’s house. It didn’t make sense. I knew Aodhan wouldn’t desert me no matter what Saoirse told Niamh. But I’d considered Niamh a friend and I regretted double-crossing her.
    I went in the front door, not seeing anyone at first. I passed the empty oak table in the dining room and through to the living room. Niamh sat on the arm chair with one leg crossed over the other looking through the French doors.
    “Hey.”
    When she turned to look at me, her mouth was turned down in a frown. “Hello, Allison.”
    “Where’s Aodhan?” I asked, rubbing my fingers along the seam of my T-shirt.
    “In the garage,” she said.
    She wasn’t giving me a clear indication of her mood. Not a good sign.
    “So, what’s happened?” I asked.
    Niamh stood and the heels of her black boots clicked on the hardwood floor as she walked toward me. She stopped when she stood in front of me and her brow furrowed a little as she raised her arms and…hugged me.
    I was so surprised, it took me a minute to return her embrace.
    “I’m sorry about your grandfather,” she said.
    It was a very human gesture. “Thank you.”
    “I’m afraid I don’t bring the happiest of news,” she said, clasping her hands in front of her.
    “No?” I said, eyes widening.
    “My mother is distressed by a vision she saw in the basin.”
    “What kind of vision?”
    “She had a hard time telling me this, Allison,” she said. “She saw my sister. But it’s how she looked that bothered her so much.”
    “How she looked?”
    Niamh nodded and licked her lips. “She was ill. Not in the way a human might get sick, my kind don’t get sick. Not unless they use forbidden magic.”
    “The last time I saw Aoife, she was very healthy,” I said with a shudder. Physically, anyway. Mentally, not so much.
    “That’s what I thought,” she said with a sigh. “I tried to comfort her and tell her Aoife was fine. She doesn’t have any faith in her visions. It’s like being blind, something she’s never dealt with.”
    “I’m sure your father has been very supportive, too,” I said, rolling my eyes.
    Niamh made a very uncharacteristic snort. “That’s another thing. She hasn’t seen my father since we’ve been gone.”
    “He’s been at Aoife’s house all this time?”
    “Yes,” she said, her eyes narrowing. She lowered her voice