Twin Crowns (Twin Crowns, #1)

by Catherine Doyle

Rose screamed as a band of wind tightened around her waist, like a rope. She was tugged backwards, towards Ortha. Towards the witches. ‘Let me go!’ She fought against the wind but it only yanked her harder, until she landed with a thud on the sand. The strange pressure snapped away as quickly as it had come, and Rose found herself blinking up into a fierce emerald gaze. It belonged to a wiry old woman with creviced skin and short white hair. She wore a forest-green cloak, the silver clasp winking at her throat. ‘Forgive me, Rose, but I can’t have you leaving when you’ve only just arrived.’ The woman’s voice was deep and earthy, rippling with a power of its own. ‘My name is Banba,’ she said, as she extended a hand. ‘Perhaps you and I should take a walk.’ Rose glared at the woman’s hand. And why would I want to do that?’ ‘Because I am your grandmother.’ The old woman moved her fingers and the wind tightened its grip around Rose. She was yanked, roughly, to her feet. And I’m afraid you don’t have a choice in the matter.’