Crossroads Magic

by TJ Green

  "I have," El admitted. "The courtyard plants outside my workshop have sprung to life."

  Reuben agreed. "Our nursery is blooming, too. I just thought we were having an unseasonable bit of warmth."

  "I told you, it's the Green Man," Shadow said. "He's affecting everything."

  "But why hasn't it happened in other places?" El asked. "Surely someone would have said something?"

  Shadow shrugged. "Maybe no one noticed. Not enough to comment, anyway."

  "For all we know they did, but it didn't make the papers or the Internet," Alex suggested.

  "We're supernatural central," Reuben pointed out. "And we have a lot more magic in White Haven than most places. I think it's feeding him. Let's hope it doesn't become too obvious. Anyway, where shall we all meet before the show?"

  "Castle car park," Alex said immediately. "But what's our plan? Surely we don't want to engage in some kind of magical battle?"

  "Reconnaissance, that's all," Newton said. "Observe, fact find, but nothing else! I'm presuming you don't want to out your magical abilities to the watching crowds?"

  "No need for sarcasm, Newton," Reuben said. "But if we're attacked, we may have no choice. Anyway, it must be time for another beer. And can we please order some food before I die of starvation?"

  8

  After a quiet, uneventful Friday, during which Avery tried to forget all about crossroads magic and suspicious deaths, Saturday was busy. White Haven was again inundated with circus performers as they paraded through the town, drumming up business for the afternoon and evening performances.

  Acrobats and jugglers in bright costumes handed out flyers during the morning, and there was a palpable air of anticipation in the town. Two performers on stilts were dressed as giants with huge heads on their shoulders, and although it wasn't clear which giants they were supposed to be, everyone was excited, because Cornwall was well-known for its giants. Everyone who came into the shop was talking about them, and it sounded like the first performances would be sold out. However, by lunchtime the street performers had gone. The afternoon show started at two, and the evening show at seven. Avery hoped they'd avoid most of the crowds of screaming children for the night performance, although that wasn't really an issue for her.

  "I thought you wanted to see the show?" Sally asked Avery at lunch.

  "I do, but it's more important to investigate the campsite again. I can see it another time," she pointed out. "It's here for over another week before it moves on. I didn't think you were going at all!"

  Sally shrugged. "I reconsidered, and the kids were driving me mad. And you're right. Nothing will happen at the show in the middle of the afternoon. I managed to swap the tickets Mairi gave us for the afternoon performance, so it's free too!"

  "Just stay away from the ravens," Dan warned. "It's like Hitchcock's The Birds out there."

  "What?" Avery asked, thinking he'd gone mad.

  "Haven't you noticed? There are a lot of ravens around the town." He walked to the shop window and pointed upwards, and Avery craned her neck to see the roofs above.

  Dan was right. Ravens were gathering on gutters, chimneys, and electricity poles up and down the street.

  "Oh, wow. I didn't notice," Avery confessed.

  "Well, if the Green Man is here, it makes sense that the Raven King is, too. The magic is rising, Avery," Dan said ominously.

  Sally laughed and checked her watch. "I'm not scared of birds, and I'd better go, if that's okay."

  "Sure," Avery said, waving her off. "Have fun, and see you Monday. But let me know if you notice anything odd."

  "Are you going?" she asked Dan, after Sally had left.

  "Probably. I'll give it a few days in the hope that the rush dies down---I gave Sally my tickets. Although, it's been all over the news. Have you seen it?"

  "No, I've been preoccupied with research. Which reminds me, have you found out anything else?"

  "Not much at this stage. Nothing significant, anyway. I'll let you know as soon as I do. And Avery, be careful tonight. This thing worries me because of all we don't know. It's so odd!"

  Avery held her hands up and jiggled them. "Competent witch here! Don't worry."

  Dan looked over her shoulder and out the window, a frown creasing his face. "That guy's back."

  "What guy?" Avery said, turning quickly.

  The street was crowded with pedestrians, and cars crawled down the road, stuck in Saturday traffic.

  He inclined his head. "That man wearing dark clothes, with grey hair. He's in the entryway between the second-hand store and the butchers, and he seems to be watching our shop. That's the second time I've seen him there."

  Avery stared, waiting for a gap in the crowd, and then caught a glimpse of him leaning against the wall. She took a sharp intake of breath. "I know him! Well, not know, but I bumped into him a couple of days ago---literally walked directly into him. He was right behind me, and he seemed to be watching that strange woman."

  "Really? And now he seems to be watching us---or rather, you."

  "Why me?" Avery asked, startled.

  "Well there's nothing interesting about me," Dan said. His eyes narrowed again. "Looks like he's leaving."

  Avery made a quick decision. "I'm going to follow him."

  "Avery! I'm not sure that's wise."

  "I don't care. I want to know who he is. Don't worry, I'll be fine."

  And with those brief reassurances, she ran out to the street. The man was striding down the pavement, back towards the high street, and Avery hurried after him, wishing she'd thought to grab her jacket. It might be mild for February, but it still wasn't warm.

  The man was tall, and she could just see his head above the crowds as she struggled to keep up. She hadn't decided what she wanted to do. Should she try to speak to him, or just try to see where he went? She struggled through the shoppers, edging between them as quickly as she could, but it was hard going, especially as she didn't want to appear too obvious.

  He paused at the bottom of the road, looking left and right as if he couldn't make up his mind where to go, and she slowed as she got closer. Then he turned right swiftly, and headed towards the harbour. For a second, she lost him. The main street was much busier, and she hesitated, uncertain, but then she saw him again just as he turned into an alleyway. She quickened her pace, and when she reached the entrance, she paused and peered around the corner, feeling like a spy. What was she thinking?

  He was nowhere in sight, so reassured, but annoyed at the same time, she started up the street, and then cursed herself as she saw him sitting on a large black and silver motorbike. The engine was already running and his helmet was in his hand, but before he rode away, he turned back to look directly at her, and raised his hand to his eyebrow in salute, a slow smile spreading across his lips. And then he pulled his helmet on and roared away.

  ***

  El stood with her hands on her hips as she surveyed the circus tent and the sprawling castle grounds. "Wow. This is pretty impressive. No wonder it's had such rave reviews."

  "And we haven't even seen the performance yet," Reuben pointed out. His arm was slung across El's shoulders as they paused at the edge of the site.

  El was right. It was spectacular. The castle was always eye-catching, especially when lit up from below by the lights that illuminated the castle walls, but there were now strings of coloured lights as well that added to the party atmosphere. Small vans and stalls created a village to stroll through via narrow walkways, all displaying typical carnival fare, albeit with a twist. Everything was Green Man-themed, with the occasional glimpse of the Raven King's image, and there were huge painted ravens on the sides of some stalls. Dominating everything was the Big Top, camouflaged by paintings of leaves and trees with multiple images of the Green Man peeking through. The arch leading into the main area beckoned the crowd, and instead of just two huge imitation standing stones next to the archway, more now lined the path to the tent. The flaps were drawn back, offering a tantalising
glimpse inside, but the lighting was low and mysterious, and Avery felt everyone's excitement rise.

  The queue to get into the circus was long, but Briar and Newton had arrived early with Avery's free tickets, and Briar texted to confirm they had got seats.

  A dark figure emerged from the Big Top, throwing his hands wide in welcome. As he stepped into the light, Avery caught her breath. It was Corbin, dressed as the Raven King. He looked magnificent. The cloak and mask they had glimpsed the other night were only part of his costume. His calves were covered in shiny, slick black Lycra, but the rest of him was clad in feathers, his chest puffed out. His mask incorporated a long black beak, and the only thing visible of his face was the glint of his eyes. He threw his arms open and the cloak lifted like wings. He must have had something in the sleeves, because as he extended his arms, the wings grew longer. It was quite dramatic. He shouted, "Welcome to the Crossroads Circus! Beware all who enter. The boundaries between worlds are thin tonight! Who knows what may come through?"

  With that statement, it seemed as if hundreds of ravens were suddenly overhead again, their wings beating noiselessly, but their caws deafening. Several people flinched and ducked, but they were high-quality visual and sound effects, and as the Raven King dropped his wings and re-entered the tent, the illusion vanished.

  "Clever," Reuben observed. "Are you sure that's not what you felt the other night?"

  Alex just looked at him, deadpan. "No. I know the difference between an illusion and magic."

  Reuben winked. "Just checking."

  It was already dark, but fortunately the mist had lifted, leaving a damp, cloudy evening that threatened rain. They had parked in the car park like everyone else, and Avery, Alex, and Shadow joined El and Reuben as they strolled to the stalls.

  "We'll separate when the show begins," Alex told them. "The campsite should be at its quietest then."

  They entered the mini-village together, and Avery's senses were quickly overloaded with smells of food---candyfloss, doughnuts, burgers, hot dogs, and chips---and also the shouts of teenagers, the hum of generators, and garish lights. She fell into step beside Shadow. "I forgot these places were so loud. Do you have anything like this where you're from?"

  Shadow was looking around with curiosity, but she nodded. "Always, but without these--- what do you call them? Generators?" Avery nodded and Shadow continued. "We don't have electricity. But the themes are the same, just with a lot more magic and fey, of course."

  Avery raised her voice to be heard, "You don't have electricity?"

  Shadow looked at her, amused. "No. But we have magic that provides lights beyond candles and oil lamps. It's complicated to explain, but I guess it would be something like your witch lights." She lifted her gaze and frowned. "What's Reuben doing?"

  Avery looked across to where Reuben was picking up a pellet gun and talking to a stall owner, and she laughed. "We have to watch this. Reuben is going to try and shoot the targets. The sights are always out, so people can't win."

  They watched Reuben square up to shoot the little tin targets that were set up at the back of the stall. He called across to El. "What do you want if I win?"

  There was a range of cuddly toys hanging up around the stall, as well as key rings, mugs, and t-shirts. In the middle of the display was a large raven soft toy. "The bird, please," she said, pointing it out.

  The stall owner, a florid man dressed all in green, laughed. "You'll need to hit a dozen targets for that."

  "No problem," Reuben said. He took the first shot, which missed, and he grinned. "Okay. Now I've got it." And then he reeled off the next several shots like a firecracker, and the tin targets fell one after another.

  The stall owner looked flustered and confused. "That was impressive."

  "I know. Raven, please."

  The stall owner handed it over, and Reuben passed it on to El with a flourish. "For you, my lady."

  She laughed as they strolled away, tucking it under her arm. "And what am I supposed to do with this?"

  "I don't know. I just wanted to win it. You can give it away, I suppose." He looked insufferably pleased with himself.

  "Good," she answered. "I'll give it to the next deserving child I see."

  They continued to stroll through the stalls, some of the performers still entertaining the crowds, and when they spotted a hot dog stand, they came to a halt while Alex and Reuben queued for food. Shadow and Avery walked on for a short while, Avery curious to see if they could exit through the back of the stalls to the campsite.

  "What do you think we're going to find tonight?" Shadow asked her as they stopped in a corner where they could watch the comings and goings of the crowd.

  "I don't know, probably not much if I'm honest. I'm wondering if we gave ourselves away the other night, and now they'll hide everything."

  "Maybe, but whoever is behind this has been doing it for some time. They might not worry."

  "But anyone who recognises magic---as we do---would know what we are and what we do, even though I thought I'd blocked us the other night." Avery was still annoyed with herself, and frustrated. She must have dropped her guard, which allowed them to be chased across the field. But something was niggling her. She was usually so careful, and she was sure she hadn't acted carelessly.

  "No point worrying about it now," Shadow told her. "They're here for a while yet. If we don't find anything tonight, we can come back."

  "The other night, you felt the Green Man. Can you feel him now?"

  A wicked glint entered Shadow's eyes. "Yes, I can. He's stronger than before. There's a real energy here now. You must feel it, too!"

  "I can feel something, I'm just not sure what it is." She considered Shadow's excited expression. "Is he good in your world, or a figure of fear?"

  "Generally good, but like all Gods and spirits, they have their own agenda. It's hard to know what he wants here."

  And that was the trouble, Avery thought, but while they were speaking, she heard a swell of music come from the big tent. The show must be starting.

  Within seconds, Alex joined them, taking final bites of his hot dog. "Are we ready, then?" he asked them.

  Avery pointed further along where there was a break in the stalls that led to some portable toilet blocks on the edge of the section. "We can get through that gap."

  They wound their way through the still considerable crowds, and finally emerged behind some generators. The campsite was ahead. Avery cloaked them all, and Alex threw in a protective shield, as well.

  They threaded through the vans, generators, and general camp detritus, trying to sense anything unusual. Unfortunately, the campsite wasn't as quiet as they'd hoped. There were still plenty of people milling about, some seeming to act as security, and others were performers, now dressed in their outrageous costumes and elaborate makeup as they made their way to the discrete doorway at the rear of the tent where they could enter unseen. Avery saw a dozen acrobats all dressed in green again, but made to look like trees.

  "Dryads," Shadow whispered, before she disappeared in her bewildering way, leaving Alex and Avery alone.

  "We should try to find Corbin's van," Alex said, striding determinedly ahead, barely visible with the spell that protected him. "We know that will be empty."

  Before she could follow, Avery sensed the strange woman's presence again and she whirled around, trying to see her.

  She stared into the pools of blackness cast by the vans. Nothing moved, but she could sense the woman just ahead, out of sight. She followed almost blindly. It was tantalising, a wisp of magic she couldn't explain. And then Avery reached the edge of the camp, slipped through a gap in the hedge, and the world fell away.

  9

  Avery was standing alone on a road made of beaten earth, and ahead she saw a crossroads with four huge standing stones, like sentinels, marking the four corners.

  Where was she? More importantly, how was she here?

  The sounds of the circus had disappeared, and instead the rag
ged caw of a bird broke the silence. There was no moon that night in White Haven, it had been covered by thick clouds. But here---wherever here was---the sky was clear and the full moon's ghostly light showed a large raven perched on the furthest standing stone, watching her.

  Avery's heart beat wildly in her chest, and she glanced around trying to orientate herself. Nothing looked familiar, and all she could see were four roads stretching into the distance. She glanced behind her. The hedge was gone. Avery started to panic, and she took a deep breath. I'm a witch. I've got this. This has to be an illusion. But creeping dread filled her. This didn't feel like an illusion. It felt very real.

  She froze, uncertain of what to do. Breathe, and take notes. This could be important, she reminded herself. She looked around again, trying to find landmarks. There was a gentle rolling hill ahead, and trees covered some of the landscape, but other than the standing stones and crossroads, her surroundings were uneventful. It was as if she was in the middle of the moors somewhere. And why was the road of beaten earth? Why wasn't it made of tarmac?

  In the middle of the crossroads a swirl of mist appeared, and within seconds a figure stepped from it. It was the woman from the procession. She stared at Avery, grim amusement in her eyes, and fear struck Avery as she'd never experienced it before, not even when facing the vampires. Avery heard drumming, a faint beat at first, and then it grew louder, wilder, and suddenly she wasn't afraid anymore. She was furious.

  "Who are you and what do you want?" she yelled. "I know this isn't real!"

  "Isn't it?" the woman said softly, her voice almost husky. "Look around, Avery. Do you know your way home from here?"

  "How do you know my name?"

  "I know many things. "

  "So it seems. Would you like to share?"

  "All in good time. You're interfering in things you shouldn't."

  "Don't bring your business to my doorstep, then."