by TJ Green
"How?"
Avery sighed as she weighed her options. She had only just met this man, and here she was sharing things that most people would have her locked up for. But it was clear that he was no ordinary man.
She lowered her voice and answered him with a question. "It doesn't bother you that I'm a witch?"
"I know magic, and I know other witches. No, it doesn't bother me. It's what I do. Not many places, however, have as much magic around the town as here."
"Probably not," she admitted. "We had a thing last year."
"A thing? Care to elaborate?"
"Not really."
Harlan laughed, and it made him look far less menacing. "Fair enough. But the Green Man is strong here. Your spring has arrived early. And the Raven King is here, too. I can feel him. You have a lot of ravens in town at the moment. That hasn't happened anywhere else I've been."
"I think that's probably to do with the thing that happened. It should work to our advantage."
"I presume you won't elaborate."
"I'd rather not."
"You haven't told me how you escaped from the crossroads."
"I flew out of there, on my broomstick."
He laughed loudly. "You have a sense of humour! I like it. But, I think you mean witch-flight."
"You are surprisingly well-informed."
"My job, remember?"
"You seem to know a lot about me. What about you? What's an American doing in England? Not enough myths there?"
"There are plenty there, but it's a long story. I tend to move around." He eased back in his chair. "Where does this leave us, Avery? We both want to stop Caitlin, but we have different ideas of how to do it. And at this moment, you have far more ability to succeed than me. But, I would like that ring."
And that was the rub, Avery thought. She wanted to destroy it, they all did; no good could come of it. But what if they couldn't? What if he was right? And even if he was, they'd be better at keeping it safe than giving it to him.
"Say you're right, and we can't destroy the ring. What will you do with it?"
"I have a buyer."
"I'm not sure I like that option. What if your buyer decides to do something equally dangerous with it?"
"I doubt he will. He's a collector. It will probably be displayed in a deep, dark personal vault somewhere. And I'll pay, remember?"
"I don't need your money, Harlan."
Anger flashed behind his eyes. "So, what now?"
Avery's mind raced. She needed to speak to the others. They were going to stop this tonight, and they had a plan...of sorts. If she couldn't destroy the ring, they had to try his suggestion. It might even work. But whatever happened, they certainly didn't want him with them. He had his own interests at heart and would only jeopardise theirs.
"Harlan, it's been good to meet you, but I'm not sure we can help you. I don't think any of us will want that ring going somewhere else, and I will try to destroy it before I try anything else."
He stared at her for a moment and sighed, before sliding a business card across the table. "I appreciate your honesty, and I certainly don't want to antagonise you. But I'll be honest, too. I want that ring, and I will try to get it, so if you won't help me, I'll try another way. You have my number if you change your mind."
And with that he stood, grabbed his jacket, and left.
20
"What's happened now?" Dan asked when she arrived back in the shop.
"Is it that obvious?"
"That you look annoyed and distracted? Yes. And Sally said you had a mysterious assignation with a strange man."
"I said no such thing!" Sally exclaimed as she joined them. "You're such an exaggerator. But seriously, who was he, and where did you go?"
Avery groaned. "There's a new player in town---the American!"
Dan whistled. "The guy who was watching the shop?"
"The very same! He's a collector of arcane things, and guess what he's here for?"
"Something circusy?" Dan asked suspiciously.
"Too right." She told them about her meeting.
Sally frowned. "So he thinks Caitlin has a powerful ring?"
"Yep. He's seen it, and is convinced that it's the one he wants. And he clearly knows a lot more about us than we do about him. But, we have Newton, and I have his card and his name, so I'm off to make a phone call."
Avery headed to the back room, and stuck some bread in the toaster while she made the call. Newton picked up quickly. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. I'm juiced up on spells to keep me awake. Look, I had a strange meeting today. Have you got time to chat?"
"Sure. How strange?"
"I met the American man who's been watching my shop and the circus. He's called Harlan Beckett, and he works for The Orphic Guild. They collect arcane artefacts for private buyers. He wants Caitlin's ring, which is apparently famous in the paranormal world, but I hadn't heard of it. I wondered if you could find out anything about him?"
"Excellent, no problem. At least we have a name. Did he threaten you?"
Avery thought for a moment as the toaster popped and she buttered her toast. "No, not really. But he made it clear he wanted the ring, and I made it clear he shouldn't have it, so we have opposing agendas."
"Tell me what he looks like."
Avery gave him the best description she could. "We're meeting tonight in the pub, before we go to the circus if you want to join us."
"I've been thinking I should come to the circus with you," he said. She could hear voices in the background, and they went quiet as he seemed to move rooms.
"Are you sure that's a good idea, Newton?"
"No. But I'm coming anyway. Tell Reuben to bring his shotgun and salt shells. See you later."
Despite all their planning, Avery felt increasingly nervous and underprepared. She carried the plate of toast to the table and sat down, brushing aside boxes of books and incense. There were too many variables---Corbin, boundary magic, Hecate, the Green Man, and the Raven King, trying to isolate Caitlin while keeping the circus safe, and Shadow. She hated to have doubts about her, but they barely knew her. She said she wanted to help, but Avery knew she had her own agenda, too. She wanted to use the boundary magic to get home, even though they had told her it wasn't like the portal that had brought her here. She was headstrong and stubborn. And now there was Harlan who knew far too much about them, and Avery had the sinking suspicion that Shadow's agenda was more closely aligned to his than their own. Hadn't she talked only recently about treasure hunting, and how she used to do that in her own world?
The toast tasted like cardboard, but she forced it down anyway into her churning stomach. What was the matter with her? They could deal with this. They had before. Except, she reminded herself, her own life hadn't been at risk before. Not like this. Not soul-yoked to a mystical standing stone that wanted her essence, her power.
She pressed her palms to her eyes and closed her eyes tightly, and immediately the crossroads was there, eerie under a full moon, the mist writhing across the ground. Shit! Her eyes flew open, and she was relieved to find she was still at the shop. Time to renew her spell and keep herself awake.
Before she could move, her phone rang, vibrating across the table, and she saw Shadow's name light up the screen. Now what?
"Hey Shadow, everything okay?"
"I'm going to head to the circus on my horse, so I'll meet you there," she announced. "Remind me, what time are you going?"
"We'll arrive just before the show ends. The stalls will be open for another hour or so, so we'll blend in with the crowds post-performance."
They had theorised that with the hustle of people leaving, the stalls still full, and the circus performers busy celebrating in the Big Top, that it was the best time to isolate Caitlin.
"Good. I'll text you, but maybe we should meet in the far corner of the castle, under the walls. It will be well away from the main place."
"Where we put the camera? Sure," Avery agreed. "How will you disguise yo
ur sword?"
"Fey glamour. It will be sufficient for a few hours."
A horrible suspicion entered Avery's mind. "Any reason you don't want to meet us at the pub?"
"None. I just thought it was a good way to do extra reconnaissance on the way. In the fields behind the circus is where I feel the Green Man the most."
"Okay, we'll see you there. But don't do anything crazy!"
Shadow laughed impatiently. "Course not. Laters."
Avery hung up and looked at the phone for a long moment, perplexed as to how quickly Shadow had picked up English slang and idioms. Maybe it was a fey thing, and her strange magic. Shadow was smart and quick-witted. Not much escaped her. But more importantly, Avery's paranoia was back. Was she imagining things, or did Shadow sound cagey? If Harlan knew about the witches, he must know about Shadow and Gabe. It sounded like he'd been watching them long enough. Had he just made Shadow a better offer? Avery rose to her feet. Well, whatever happened, it was ending tonight, one way or another. Time to renew the energy spell.
***
When Avery joined Dan and Sally back in the shop, she felt freakishly alert again, like she'd had too much caffeine. The spell was effective, but the side effects were unpleasant. Both of them looked at her, worry written all over their faces.
Sally's hands rested on her hips and Avery realised she was about to be lectured. "I think you should delay this again. It's too dangerous."
"It's too dangerous not to!" Avery said softly. She pointed towards the windows and the street beyond. "You've seen what's happening. White Haven is unseasonably warm, and that's because the Green Man is here. Now, don't get me wrong, I love the Green Man, he's a nature spirit and he's doing his thing. But it's not right! It shouldn't be spring now. And there are ravens everywhere, not just at the castle." As if to prove her point, two appeared on the eaves of the shop opposite, cocking their heads to look at her. "They prove the Raven King is here. I can feel the flap of his wings over the town and the castle. They're feeding off our magic, too!"
Dan watched the ravens and then looked at her. "I presumed that was the case. The crossroads magic is mixing with yours."
"Sort of. It's the only explanation. Harlan said this hasn't happened anywhere else---well, not to this extent. And the longer this continues, the stronger it will get." Avery's voice rose with exasperation. "And I can't sleep, or I'll end up at that bloody crossroads. We can't wait."
Sally's shoulders sagged as the reality of the situation hit her, but Dan said, "I looked up that ring, admittedly in the few resources I have on hand, but I found nothing. However, I'm sure you've heard of Callanish and know where it is?"
"I know that it's a ring of stones in Scotland," Avery admitted.
"Callanish is a village in the far north of Scotland, on the Isle of Lewis. It's famous for the standing stones there, which predate Stonehenge by about five hundred years." He showed them the images he'd found on his phone.
"Another group of stones?" Sally exclaimed.
"They're arranged in a circle and a cross, and as usual there are legends associated with them. Nothing about a sorcerer, though. Not that I could find, anyway."
Avery groaned. "Damn it. They're too far north to be where I was, and they look different, but that is interesting. Perhaps the ring was made for that site and Caitlin has made it work for her. After all, a cross within a circle is a sort of crossroads. Thanks Dan, that's good to know. Anyway, I'm going to go and do some restocking, just to keep me busy," and she turned and headed to the back room to collect some stock.
In the end, the afternoon passed all too quickly. As she finished locking up the shop and said goodnight to Dan and Sally, Sally enveloped her in a big hug. "Please don't do anything stupid tonight!"
"Of course not! Have a little faith."
"I have lots of faith," Sally said softly, as she released her from her iron grip. "But I know how you push yourself. Just be careful." Her face was etched in worry.
"I promise I'll be very careful, and you'll see me tomorrow, safe and sound."
Uncharacteristically, Dan hugged her, too. "Yes, please be careful. I'll buy coffee and cakes tomorrow if you make it." He flashed a grin. "Kidding. You will make it. You'd better, I can't put up with Sally alone. Although, there will be more of Sally's delicious cake for me..."
"Dan!" Sally slapped his arm. "You'll be lucky if you get any more of anything from me." She had another long look at Avery. "Okay, I have to go or I'll cry. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yes, you will," Avery said, resolutely. "And thanks for your help, both of you. You've helped us a lot with your awesome suggestions." She waved them off, locked the door, and headed up to her flat, hoping that wasn't a horrible lie and that she wouldn't die that night. She fed the cats, giving them an extra big fuss, and then headed to the attic to collect all of her prepared gear. While she'd been restocking shelves, she'd used the time to memorise spells, and had written down a few on a piece of paper, just in case her memory failed her.
She dressed all in black---jeans, t-shirt, hoody, and a black leather jacket, and her knee-length, flat-heeled leather boots. She had a small black shoulder pack that she threw a selection of herbs in and another tonic from Briar, and then put some more silver jewellery on. She'd been wearing El's necklace and her own with the chalcedony stone all day. The stones felt warm against her skin, and she'd sensed their protection all day. After taking one last look around the room to ensure she had everything she needed, she headed to The Wayward Son where they were meeting for food and a final debrief, at Reuben's suggestion. He argued that you couldn't work on an empty stomach. No surprise there, Avery thought as she headed out the door. The day Reuben stopped being hungry was a day to really worry.
***
"You met him on your own!" Alex said, appalled. His drink was halfway to his lips, but he slammed it down hard and his beer sloshed over the rim and onto the table. "Bollocks!" Briar threw a handful of paper napkins at him, and grabbing some herself, helped to mop up, while Alex continued to complain. "Why didn't you call me?"
Avery had just updated them on her meeting with Harlan. "I tried and couldn't get through. Besides, it's okay, I'm fine," she tried to reassure him but clearly failed. "I met him in the Sea Spray Cafe, surrounded by pensioners and families."
"Why did he come to you and not one of us?"
"Because he knows that it's me Caitlin wants."
The anxiety levels had already been high when they had all met, and now they were even higher. Caspian had joined their coven, and they were waiting on Newton and their food; as usual, they were sitting in the small room overlooking the courtyard at the back of the pub.
"Bloody hell, Ave," Reuben said. "We were only talking about black market stuff a couple of months ago. Do you think he's after things from us? You know, like the magical items we gave Ben?"
She shook her head. "I doubt it. He's after proper collectors' stuff, old arcane objects with history and provenance. But, I could be wrong. What is really worrying me is why Shadow isn't here. It's suspicious timing. I think she's Harlan's back-up."
All the witches exchanged nervous glances, and Caspian cleared his throat. "You're probably right, which means we have to make a plan to contain both of them, too."
El grimaced. "I'm not so sure. I doubt she'd double-cross us that quickly."
Reuben pointed a finger at her. "You were the one who said she had the bit between her teeth on this treasure hunting business. You can't change your mind now."
"I'm not changing my mind," she explained, "I just don't think she'd betray us---certainly not harm us deliberately."
"But if we stood in her way?" Briar asked. "And we don't know Harlan at all. Who knows what he's capable of?"
Before anyone could continue, Newton arrived and sat in the remaining empty chair. "I take it you've updated them," he said to Avery.
"Yup. That's why everyone looks pissed off."
"Give us some hope," Reuben said. "What did you find on
him?"
"Very little. He has no criminal record, and no social media profiles. All I know for sure is that he arrived in the UK ten years ago and lives in London. He pays his bills and his taxes, and owns a motorbike, a Moto Guzzi V7, and a Mercedes SCL300."
"Those are seriously nice toys!" Reuben exclaimed. "He must make good money."
"And the company he works for?" Alex asked. He'd mopped up his spilt beer and had balled the napkins up in a pile.
"It's legit, but very hush-hush. Have you checked the website?"
"I did," Avery admitted. "It says very little. Just a page with the barest of information and an email address. It's all in black and grey with some fancy font."
"What's the name of the company again?" Caspian asked, pulling his phone out, ready to start searching.
Avery checked the business card. "It's called The Orphic Guild. Very mystical."
While Caspian searched, Alex persisted. "It must have an address?"
"Not on the site," Newton told him. "Just an email. I found the address through company records. Again, it's in London. A private residence."
"Is that unusual?" El asked.
Newton shrugged. "It depends on the business, so no, not particularly." He looked around at their disappointed faces. "Sorry. That's all I can give you. Whatever they do, they keep their noses clean."
Before anyone could comment, one of the bar staff came over, bringing their food, and they fell silent for a moment.
As soon as they were alone again, El said, "The dagger's ready, and I think you should carry it, Avery, even though we're hoping you won't need to go to the crossroads. It just means you will have to be close to Caitlin to destroy the ring."
"If we can destroy the ring," Avery said, reminding them of Harlan's information.
Newton looked unimpressed. "We still have to try."
Reuben grinned. "Can I start calling you Frodo after this?"
"No. Piss off," Avery said, and threw a chip at him.
He caught it deftly and ate it with a smirk.
"I still think you should keep well away from Caitlin," Alex said.
Avery grimaced. "I'll try, but I'm going, regardless. I have to, I just know it."
