***Ten Hours Ago***

“Hear me out,” I had my hands up, trying to placate the dullahan in front of me. His flames had rocketed once he heard my request, a jet of fire about two meters high wavering in the night sky like the world’s tallest torch. “Like I know this is a little unusual for a request and is probably not something asked of you by innocent bystanders. But, maybe it is? You are really popular after all.”

The flames became a teal ...