Creepy Hollow Fae: Leanan sídhe

Year of study: fourth
Assignment type: paired





“How do you even say that?” asks Honey, peering over my shoulder at the assignment briefing.

“Um, I think it’s something like Lah-nan Shee-uh,” I say, trying to remember what I learned in Classification of Fae in first year.

Honey sits down beside me on the Guild staircase and absently plucks a leave off the banister vine, which hoots in protest. She doesn’t notice. “Wait, don’t tell me.” She twists the leaf between her fingers. “The Leanan sídhe is ... a woman, right?”

I can’t help rolling my eyes. “Oh yes, it’s important to get the gender right.”

“Yay, one point for me!” My sarcasm has obviously gone right over Honey’s head. “Okay, okay,” she continues, “I know this one. Um ... she seeks out human lovers?” I nod. “And she always goes after the artsy kind, right? Because she’s kind of like their ... what’s that word?”

“Muse?”

“Yes! She inspires artists. And in turn she drains their life force.” Honey pauses. “And they go mad. And die young.”

We stare at nothing for a moment.

“It’s kind of tragic,” whispers Honey.

“Yup. Totally. So let’s go save this guy’s artsy butt.”

~  ~  ~

Like this flash fiction? Find out more about the Creepy Hollow series.
If you'd like to know more about my A to Z flash fiction pieces, read my A to Z Challenge Theme for 2012 post.