Chapter 1

The worn, uneven floors creaked beneath Ella's dark brown boots. As the wind howled through the thatched roof, she couldn't resist the allure of a crackling fireplace -the kind that seemed to embody every cliché of Irish stories she'd grown up with. The pub, Nora's Nook, appeared untouched by time. Antique wooden fixtures served as structural support throughout the interior, and a faint coating of dust covered various parts of the wall, creating a warm atmosphere that instantly enveloped Ella after she stepped inside.

Her nose detected the lingering scent of oak and straw, enhanced by the unmistakable aroma of aged spirits permeating each wooden pore.

The Nook resembled an ancient, disheveled being, whispering folklores of Ireland’s past. A place where Ella could absorb the unspoken, centuries-old vibrations of the stories it witnessed—and maybe sneak in a craft beer or two.

She'd barely taken more than a few steps when the clatter of porcelain caught her attention. Turning slightly to the left, she found herself gazing at a collection of ceramic figurines filling a shelf, niche-like in the timeworn wall. The rows of Irish folklore's famous faces stared down, inviting Ella to examine them closer. Of course, the Púca claimed the center position—as mythological creatures often do—with its wide grin and mischievous eyes.

Ella felt her lips turn up in response, remembering stories from her childhood. The red-haired boy sitting at the bar caught her gaze. Laughing lines adorned his deep-set eyes, as if he could hear her thoughts and found them utterly amusing. He raised his glass, and she couldn't help but follow suit, smiling back at him.

As Ella reached the bar, the stool beneath her groaned in protest. She shifted, trying to find a more comfortable position, placing the heavy pub menu on the worn wood surface.

A quick scan revealed the beer options she had only dreamt about before coming to Ireland. She knew the selection wasn't expansive compared to some of her favorite spots back in San Francisco, but this place offered a certain charm she couldn't quite put her finger on.

"Lovely spot ye've found 'ere for yersel', miss?" The voice seemed as ancient as the very walls engulfing them.
Her head whipped to the left, meeting the welcoming smile of a bartender who looked like he'd squeezed a lifetime into a single day.

"Ah, American, are ye now?" he asked in a playful, rumbly voice as he wiped his hands on a worn dishrag, leaving damp smears on the counter. His gaze flicked between the menu and her, trying to size up the unfamiliar woman who'd strayed into his pub.
In her mid-twenties, Ella had long brown hair that cascaded over her shoulders in loose, beachy waves, with big blue eyes that seemed too large to have ever belonged to a mere mortal. Paired with a slender figure, she could have been the epitome of an all-American tourist.

"I'm Ella, actually," she responded, tearing her eyes away from the menu and offering him a grin of her own.
"And yes, I'm from San Francisco, but I feel like there's an actual piece of my soul that's living here already."
The bartender's laughter echoed through the ancient structure. "Well, Ella. I'm Liam. Fergus here can take care of yer order while I get ye acquainted with a few things." He gestured towards the dark-haired man on the other side of the bar.

Fergus, with his raven hair gleaming even in the dimly lit corners, locked eyes with Ella. His strong jaw and dimpled smile created an utterly irresistible combination.
As Liam sauntered over to offer a warm introduction to the nearby patrons, Ella felt her cheeks heat at the attention. Fergus’s gaze stayed on her, lingering just long enough to disarm her before flashing a wink and turning back to his pint.

“So, Ella from San Fran, what’ll ye be having for your first meal here?” His deep County Cork accent coiled around her like an invitation.

She hesitated, biting her lip as she glanced down the menu. She’d never quite grown used to the copious serving sizes in Ireland and wasn’t sure if she could manage a full dinner after her earlier travels. Before she could answer, a voice interrupted, icy and brittle, seeping through the cheerful hum of conversation. “Ah, Fergus. There you are.” The man approaching their corner of the bar had black hair and gray eyes that were nearly colorless in the dim light. He leaned against the counter, forcing a friendly smile as he glanced at Ella, who shrank under his gaze.

Fergus looked thoroughly annoyed at the interruption. “Ella, this is Sean. He’s a regular,” Fergus explained hesitantly, his eyes conveying a wordless apology. The jovial atmosphere that had once surrounded them instantly felt strained as Sean's narrowed gaze settled on Ella.

Sean’s smile tightened, turning the amicable gesture cold and unyielding as he extended a long-fingered hand toward her. “Hello, lass,” he said through gritted teeth.
Hesitating just long enough to appear polite, Ella shook his hand. She could have sworn he squeezed a little harder than necessary.

Or maybe it was just her imagination playing tricks under the watchful eye of her newfound charming companion Fergus. Ella politely extricated her hand from Sean’s grasp, a nervous laugh caught in her throat.

Fergus flicked a curious stare at Sean, eyes narrowing at the sudden intrusion, before turning his attention back to Ella. “Sean’s a good sort,” he murmured reassuringly. The smile on Fergus’s face, while genuine, suddenly felt more like a warning than a sincere evaluation.

As Ella nodded ever so slightly to Fergus, her eyes darted to Sean’s hands. She noticed how his thumbs tapped impatiently, as if counting off the seconds until he no longer had to endure her presence.

Sean departed at last, leaving Ella and Fergus to become better acquainted.

Fergus seemed to take up more space than he had before. His warm smile was a beacon, drawing her back from the coldness of Sean's demeanor. As Sean left, a rush of relief washed over Ella. She couldn't explain the sudden apprehension she felt in his presence, but it weighed on her, an unwelcome intrusion.

Fergus leaned closer, his eyes never leaving hers as he asked, "Now then, Ella. What were you saying about food?" The dimple in his cheek deepened, his voice like a caress that spread through her and warmed her from within. It was as though the atmosphere had shifted and lightened around them, leaving only the two of them.
The conversation between Ella and Fergus began to flow effortlessly again, their laughter melding together as they discovered shared interests and unearthed tales of Ireland’s legendary folklore.

Ella recounted her childhood dream of visiting Ireland, inspired by stories of mystical creatures hidden in the country’s heart, intertwined with its verdant hills and winding roads. Fergus, his emerald eyes gleaming, shared his own love of Ireland’s old lore, embellishing each story to make them more captivating for her.
The evening wore on, and with another drink, Ella felt herself relax in his presence, the weight of her earlier unease dissipating into the smoky shadows of Nora’s Nook.

As the dimly lit pub gradually emptied out, Liam informed them of his impending departure. “Well, I’ll be shutting down the kitchen shortly. Any last orders?” He asked, wiping a towel over the counter between them.

Ella hesitated, looking towards the darkening sky through the nearby window, still uncertain whether she should stay longer.

“I suppose just one more round, then,” she said, ultimately caving to her desire to make this moment stretch into something more than just a fortuitous encounter.

The moonlight spilled through the windows in ribbons, carving a tantalizing path on the creaky wooden floorboards. Fergus flashed a dazzling smile at her response. Every corner of the Nook seemed to hold its collective breath in anticipation.

Another round.

It became a simple thing—an almost laughable acknowledgement of the connection that sparked between them.

Ella and Fergus traded stories and witty banter as if they had been old friends reunited by fate. Her head tipped back in laughter, the nape of her neck inviting with each giddy peal. The weight of Sean's unwelcome interruption slowly faded beneath the warmth of newfound camaraderie.

The pub food and ale had filled Ella's belly, causing a slight bloat as the two wrapped up their night.
Fergus suggested they take a stroll under the star-studded sky to walk off the meal. A shiver of excitement coursed through her veins at the thought of spending more time with him, despite the alcohol haze that enveloped her judgment.

The cobblestone path underfoot seemed to hold secrets of its own, whispering tales of old Ireland with each crunch beneath their feet. As they meandered through the village, Fergus playfully challenged Ella to a game of guessing which stories were true and which ones he embellished for effect. She couldn't help but laugh as she gamely rose to the challenge, enjoying this lighthearted banter with her charming companion.

The subtle dance of playful flirtation tingled in the air as they navigated their way through cobbled roads, twisting and turning between rows of ivy-covered cottages. The ancient stone walls seemed to absorb every syllable exchanged between them, blending their laughter, innuendos, and quiet confessions into the rich fabric of Ireland’s history.

As the new pair approached the woods that Ella’s cottage lay beyond, they heard an unearthly scream. It pierced through the stillness of the night, ripping apart the veil of tranquility that had enveloped them.

Ella and Fergus froze in their tracks. Her hand instinctively clutched his arm, her fingers digging into his solid muscle. She couldn't be sure whether it was fear or a sudden desire to hold on to him that caused her grip to tighten. He looked at her with a mix of concern and confusion, his dimple nowhere in sight.

The shriek came again, closer this time, followed by another, before vanishing into the darkness as abruptly as it had appeared. It didn't sound human; instead, it bore an eerie semblance to a wail she'd heard in stories since childhood.

Memories long locked away in the dark corners of Ella's mind stirred uneasily, a distant echo of whispered tales from her grandmother. The strange shrieking, however, didn't belong to any familiar animals —it somehow seemed both foreign and ghostly. The haunting cries set an almost tangible chill to sweep through the air with the moonlit fog.

After a moment of hesitation, Fergus placed his hand over Ella's, prying her fingers from his arm. "We should return to the safety of the Nook," he murmured softly, a tinge of fear creeping into now husky voice.

As they hurried back through the maze of cobblestone streets, their bodies pressed close together, an unspoken intimacy warming them from within. Another shriek shook their bones, this time seeming to be right next to them.

A thud behind them, followed by a deafening scream, struck a fear into Ella like a pair of razors stabbing her in the back.

Upon reaching the Nook's entrance, Ella and Fergus found more than just warm refuge. Liam had been waiting for their return, eyes wide with concern. He shoved open the heavy oak door as it creaked in response to their urgent entrance, the stained glass window casting prismatic patterns across the room.

Fergus and Ella wasted no time in conveying what they had just witnessed. Liam had been a part of this town and tended the Nook for most of his life, listening to stories whispered among patrons about ominous cries from years gone by.

His eyes darkened as they looked upon Ella, suddenly weighing the possibility she’d been a target tonight. An unfamiliar weight pulled Liam's face into a scowl; something inside him awoke, long forgotten memories making their way to the surface. It seemed impossible that an ordinary American tourist could have crossed paths with such a deadly specter, but the haunting screams were unmistakable.

Fear and surprise swirled within Fergus, his eyes widening as he glanced at Ella.

The words had barely left Liam's mouth before Fergus noticed her jacket and shirt were torn by long and deep scratches on her back. He reached out tentatively, his touch feather-light as he traced the fresh wounds, the reality of what they meant sinking in.

Ella winced under his gentle touch, but didn't pull away. The pain was only now starting to make itself known, a fiery sensation spreading through her back. She could feel the weight of Liam's gaze on them, watching intently as Fergus took in the damage wrought by whatever malevolent force had attacked Ella.

Liam stepped closer, carefully moving Ella's hair to one side to reveal the extent of her injuries. His face paled as he observed the deep red claw marks weaving their way across her skin. He had seen those marks before on another local, long ago, but had never believed the supernatural lore he'd been told while growing up.

"Fergus," he said hesitantly, swallowing hard against a lump forming in his throat. "Those scratches, they're not from any creature I know. I think...I think you and Ella have encountered a banshee."

Ella winced as she touched the wounds. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but instead took a stumbling step forward and collapsed, just barely being caught by Fergus.