The Witches of the Dark Power

by Gabriella Lepore

  Blue looked to Dino for approval. ‘And you’re okay with this?’

  Dino shrugged. ‘I guess we’ve got no reason not to. Unless . . .’

  Mia groaned. ‘Unless what?’ she prompted, unable to hide the exasperation from her voice.

  Dino eyed Kizzy suspiciously. ‘Unless this is all a trick, and Kizzy is working with Colt and Siren as part of a master plan to—’

  Kizzy lifted a glass of water from Blue’s bedside and threw the contents at Dino. ‘Get a grip, man!’

  ‘Hey!’ Dino spluttered, blinking in shock. ‘You could have just said it’s not me like everyone else does.’

  Kizzy replaced the empty glass on Blue’s nightstand. ‘Oh. Sorry.’ She patted down a strand of wayward hair. ‘It’s not me.’

  ‘Okay,’ said Mia, moving on. ‘So, are we doing this?’

  There was a long moment of silence as they waited for someone to make the first move.

  Dino was the first to speak. ‘What exactly do we do?’

  Everyone looked at Blue.

  ‘Um . . .’ Blue scratched his head. ‘I guess we’ll need a spell.’

  ‘Yes!’ Mia cheered. ‘What spell?’

  ‘Um . . . A spell to b-b-break an exile. Maybe something like . . .’ They all waited on tenterhooks as he formulated a plan. ‘Abraxis,’ he decided, untangling himself from the sheets and clambering out of bed.

  The others looked on expectantly as Blue trotted across the room in his chequered pyjamas. After fumbling around his desk, Blue lit a candle and held it high in front of one of the bookcases. He muttered to himself as he read the spines of the ancient volumes.

  ‘This might do it,’ Blue decided at last. He eased a leather-bound tome out from its slot on the shelf and sat on the rug.

  The others sat down next to him, silently watching as he leafed through the yellowed pages, his eyes darting across the text as he read.

  ‘Here it is,’ Blue announced finally. He began to read aloud. ‘Abraxis. A spell to grant entry.’ He looked up. ‘I’m pretty sure this is the only spell strong enough to break an exile.’

  ‘Then let’s do it,’ Mia urged. ‘What do we need?’

  Blue returned his focus to the open book, hovering the candle flame above the text. ‘We’ll need a white candle, the incantation, and . . . oh.’ He stopped.

  ‘Problem?’ Dino asked.

  ‘Sort of. but we might be able to get around it.’

  ‘What is it?’ Mia pressed.

  ‘Well, according to this, the spell needs to be done by four witches who weren’t involved in the initial exile rituals,’ Blue relayed.

  ‘So what’s the problem?’ asked Mia, looking around their little group. ‘None of us were involved in the exile ritual.’

  ‘Right.’ Blue cleared his throat. ‘But we also need the blood of one of the witches who did exile them.’

  There was a pause.

  ‘Isaac, Amos, our mother, and Madeline,’ Dino recounted.

  ‘Mum and Aunt Maddie hate Colt,’ Mia said with a sigh. ‘They’ll never agree to it.’

  ‘Maybe not,’ Blue reasoned, ‘but I’m hoping that your blood will do the trick. After all, you’re family. You all share the same blood.’

  Mia glanced at Dino. ‘Okay. I’ll give it a go. What do I need to do?’

  ‘Just one drop of your blood on the candle flame,’ Blue explained. ‘Then we’ll all read out the spell from the book and extinguish the flame in one breath. Simple . . . ish. Be sure to think about Colt and Siren when we’re reading the incantation, though,’ he advised the others. ‘That’s the only way we’ll get both of them back in.’

  Mia exhaled. ‘Okay. I need something to prick my finger with.’

  ‘I have something,’ Kizzy told her. She reached down to the hem of her jumpsuit and unclipped a safety pin from the ankle. The pin glinted in the light of the candle flame.

  Dino took the pin from Kizzy before Mia could. ‘I’ll do the honours,’ he said. He pressed the sharp point into his thumb, and a dot of ruby blood rushed to the skin.

  Mia smiled at him. ‘Thanks.’

  ‘Don’t say I never gave you anything,’ he joked.

  Blue set the candle and the book on the carpet between them. ‘Get into position, everyone. North, South, East, and West.’

  They shuffled around to create a circle on the rug.

  ‘Ready?’ Blue asked.

  Dino held his thumb above the candle. A drop of blood fell onto the flame, causing it to hiss and sizzle.

  Blue signalled to the open book, and together they began reciting the script.

  ‘Hear my call, hear my mind,

  Take these words to whom I seek to find.

  With this blood I banished thee,

  Now with this blood I set thee free.’

  Blue leaned towards the candle and blew out the flame. The small pool of light disappeared, and for a second or two, they blinked in the darkness. Only then did they notice a small fracture of light seeping in from across the room.

  ‘Oh, no,’ Blue murmured, staring at the door.

  The others turned to follow his gaze. There, in the open doorway, stood Isaac.

  He scowled. ‘Fools.’

  ‘Wait, Isaac,’ Blue stammered. ‘You d-d-don’t understand—’

  ‘Oh, I understand all right, Buttons. You’ve broken the banishment!’ Isaac accused, his pale eyes blazing in the darkness. ‘You’ve granted the Hunters access to the castle.’

  ‘Yes, but—’ Mia began.

  ‘Fools!’ Isaac laughed bleakly. ‘You’ve brought death to us all. I will warn the elders. And when the Hunters return, I will personally see to it that they are executed on sight.’

  With that, he stalked from the room, allowing the door to slam shut behind him.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Dastardly

  Colt felt the Abraxis spell rock through him like an electric current. A rasp of breath escaped his lips and he gripped a nearby tree trunk as his legs buckled.

  ‘Feel that, Siren?’ he asked huskily.

  Hidden in the shadows of the forest, Siren gave his reply. ‘Home time,’ he murmured.

  As the last tremors of the spell left his body, Colt straightened up. He smiled darkly. It was home time, indeed.

  ‘Cover me,’ he said in a silken voice directed at the elements around him. Wisps of mist began to rise from the earth, licking at Colt’s ankles. They reared higher, enveloping his calves and thighs, until soon silver fog was spread around his entire body. It billowed behind him as he began to run.

  The exile was finally broken. He was finally free to cross the border into the Glass Castle.

  And it was about time.

  At lightning speed, Colt tore through the forest and out into the open. Mist trailed in his wake as he sped towards the castle beneath the low glow of moonlight. As he ran, shrouded in silvery vapours, he appeared as nothing more than a misty gale moving across the glade. He was the gale, and the gale was him.

  In no time, Colt was at the castle’s heavy front door. With his blood pumping wildly, he raised his palm and the door burst open. He moved along the mahogany corridors in a flurry of wind and fog. Even if his arrival had been noticed, he would not have been seen. He was nothing more than an illusion in a house of mirrors—he was everywhere and nowhere all at once. He knew that he would be invulnerable to the Arcana in the castle. There was no need for him to enchant the mist this time.

  It was only a matter of seconds before he was at the door to Wendolyn’s bedchamber.

  Only then did he pause.

  There was no sound coming from beyond the door apart from the placid crackle of the log fire. He twisted the handle gently and ventured into the chamber.

  The room was split level, lit by flickering oil lamps. At the far end, next to the fireplace, the elderly lady lay unmoving in a grand four-poster bed. Her long white hair tumbled over the grey bedcovers like a pearly river cascading over rock.

  Colt crossed
the room and knelt at the bedside.

  ‘Wendolyn,’ he said. ‘I’m home.’

  She didn’t stir.

  ‘Can you hear me?’ he asked.

  Wendolyn’s frail hands were folded together on top of the quilt. Her eyes were shut and her breathing was shallow.

  Colt winced. Wendolyn had always been so strong. And now she was . . . What was she, exactly? Not dead, but certainly not alive, either.

  ‘I had to see you,’ Colt went on quietly. ‘I have a feeling things won’t end too well for us today. But do they ever?’ He laughed sadly. ‘I came to tell you that I think my time’s up. And, to be honest, I think I’ve had it coming for a while.’ He swallowed against the sudden dryness in his throat. ‘I wanted to tell you . . . I wanted to say . . . You have been . . .’ He sighed. ‘I just wanted to say thank you,’ he finished simply. ‘For everything.’

  He rose and turned to leave.

  ‘Colt,’ Wendolyn’s voice came out weakly.

  Colt spun around. ‘Wendolyn?’ He crouched at her bedside again.

  ‘Listen carefully,’ she murmured. Her eyes remained closed, swollen with dark shadows. ‘You must take . . .’ Her words faltered and her breath escaped in a cough.

  ‘Don’t speak, Wendolyn,’ Colt whispered. ‘Rest. You’re unwell.’

  ‘No,’ she choked. ‘You must listen.’ Her eyelashes fluttered open for a moment. ‘Take my amulet,’ she wheezed, directing her gaze to an antique cabinet beside the fireplace. ‘You will need it.’

  Colt eyed the cabinet, illuminated by the fire’s dwindling flames.

  ‘Take the amulet,’ Wendolyn insisted hoarsely. ‘It’s in the top drawer.’

  Hesitantly, Colt stood and walked to the cabinet. He prized open the stiff drawer and retrieved a long silver chain with an amber pendant attached.

  ‘Guard it,’ murmured Wendolyn from her bed.

  He drew in his breath. ‘I will. I promise.’

  ‘Astral Switch,’ she mumbled.

  Colt frowned. Astral Switch? What does that mean? He slipped the chain around his neck and tucked it into his T-shirt. As he moved to return to Wendolyn’s bedside, he noticed a tea cup sitting atop the low cabinet. He lifted the delicate cup from its saucer and peered inside. Small yellow flecks were resting at the bottom of a pool of pale liquid.

  ‘Belladonna root,’ he muttered, staring into the cup in disbelief. ‘Wendolyn . . .’

  ‘Goodbye, Colt,’ Wendolyn breathed before falling once again into a bottomless slumber.

  Mia sat on the window ledge in her bedchamber. Mist had leaked into the castle, seeping into every corridor, every room, every crevice. It surrounded her fully now, strangling out everything else from view.

  Mia knew without a doubt that it was Colt’s mist.

  Colt was there.

  She supposed that Isaac’s tirade would be null and void now. In fact, if anything, it had worked in their favour. When Isaac had charged in on Cassandra and Demetrius to break the news of Colt and Siren’s imminent return—tailed by Roland, Mia, Dino, Blue, and Kizzy—Demetrius had been far too out-numbered to pull off any sly tricks. Besides, Colt and Siren’s return could hardly be stopped if no one could see anything. The small group of Arcana huddled in Mia and Dino’s chamber could barely see each other through the dense fog that swallowed the castle, let alone intruders.

  Under Cassandra’s instructions, the Arcana had locked themselves in the bedchamber. Cassandra, Isaac, Roland, Blue, Dino, Kizzy, and Mia had all gathered there, awaiting Amos and Madeline’s return.

  But still no Colt.

  Where are you? Mia called silently.

  From the depths of her heart, she urged him to call back to her. I’m here, she willed him to say. Everything is going to be okay.

  I love you, she thought, wishing that he would somehow hear her.

  I love you, too, came his reply.

  But it was only in her mind.

  Colt lay in wait, motionless. He was in a lower chamber, hidden amongst the shadows of tall dark furniture. The room was unfamiliar to him. The air had a warped and tangled energy, like an empty field just before a lightning strike. Colt wanted to get out. But it wouldn’t be much longer. All he had to do was wait.

  He’d be there soon.

  Colt’s thoughts went to Mia. Just thinking of her gave him an overwhelming sense of peace. It was something he did often. It was his anchor. All he had to do was close his eyes and imagine her beside him, and suddenly his mind was calm.

  He spoke to her silently now. Everything is going to be okay, he told her, knowing she would never hear him. I love you.

  He imagined her in her bedchamber, where he sensed she was hiding. He thought of her cowering with the other Arcana, scared.

  The sooner they got this over with, the better.

  Right on cue, the door opened.

  Colt knew at once that he hadn’t been detected by the newcomer.

  The stout silhouette paced into the misted room, agitatedly waving his hands in front of his face in an attempt to clear the fog. ‘Blasted mist . . .’ he grumbled to himself as he crossed the floor.

  ‘Hello, Amos,’ Colt spoke from the shadows before stepping forward.

  Amos froze. He stared through the mist as though he were seeing a ghost. ‘Colt,’ he murmured hoarsely. ‘How did you get back into the castle?’

  Colt waved his hand, easily parting the mist so that Amos could see him clearly. ‘It pays to have friends in high places. Doesn’t it?’

  ‘What game are you playing with us?’ Amos spluttered. ‘Leave us alone!’

  Colt’s laughter echoed throughout the chamber. ‘Bravo, sir!’ He clapped his hands. ‘I bow down to you. You truly are the master of deception.’

  Amos blinked. ‘I . . . I don’t know what you’re getting at, Colt, but—’

  ‘Oh, really? Drop the act, Amos. Honestly, it’s pitiful to see you snivel and lie like this.’

  ‘Now you listen here—’

  Colt raised his palm. ‘Let me stop you right there.’

  Amos fell silent. He glanced furtively to the low flames in the crackling fireplace, inevitably wondering what Colt’s next move would be.

  ‘Oh, rest assured,’ said Colt, catching the older man’s flickering gaze, ‘I’m not here to fight. I only want to talk.’

  Amos swallowed hard and adjusted his spectacles. ‘Get out.’

  Colt mustered a careful smile. ‘I want the antidote, Amos.’

  Silence.

  ‘Belladonna,’ Colt went on, tapping his index finger to his temple. ‘But, sir, I thought poisonous plants were banned from the castle?’

  Amos’s lips pressed together in a tight line.

  ‘What’s the potion?’ Colt asked. ‘Deadly Nightshade’s Kiss? Raven’s Sleep?’

  Amos said nothing.

  ‘Go on,’ Colt coaxed. ‘Just tell me. I’ll figure it out eventually.’

  ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ Amos said tightly.

  ‘Oh? Then let me jog your memory. You’ve been poisoning Wendolyn,’ said Colt flatly. ‘I know you have, so don’t bother denying it. I can only assume you wanted to get her out of the way so that you can get a clear shot at the Arx. Dastardly. I like it. Unfortunately for you, I also like Wendolyn.’ He took a step closer to Amos. ‘She’s like family to me,’ Colt went on. ‘A mother-type creature. And, if truth be told, I’d like to keep her around. Are you with me so far?’

  Amos nodded stiffly.

  ‘So, it seems we’ve reached a fork in the road. I want the antidote to whatever potion you’ve medicated her with, and you—’

  Amos let out a snort of laughter.

  ‘I’m glad you find me so amusing,’ Colt remarked. ‘Now how’s this for a joke? Tell me how to reverse the poison or I will kill you. And it will be funny.’

  ‘Kill me and you’ll never get the antidote,’ Amos countered calmly.

  ‘Interesting.’ Colt rubbed his jaw. ‘What’s your price?’ />
  A spark of interest crossed Amos’s round face. ‘Since it seems we’re speaking candidly,’ he began slowly, ‘you have something of mine, don’t you?’

  ‘Do I?’ Colt feigned ignorance.

  ‘The Tome of Black Magic. I want that book back. And I know you have it.’

  ‘Do I?’ Colt repeated.

  Amos’s cheeks reddened. ‘Don’t waste my time, boy. I need that book, and I need it now.’

  ‘Forgive me if I’m wrong,’ Colt mused, ‘but you only want that book for one spell, correct? You want the spell to steal the Arx?’

  ‘And if I do?’ Amos asked smoothly. ‘Surely a Hunter as canny as you would be willing to strike up a bargain . . .’

  Colt smirked. ‘No deal.’

  ‘Ah, too bad,’ Amos tutted. ‘Unfortunately, you can’t have it both ways. Who do you want to save more—your beloved mentor Wendolyn, or that frivolous Arcana child?’ There was a beat of silence before Amos began to fill the room with rumbles of laughter. ‘You know, Colt, the look on your face right now is priceless!’

  ‘Give me the antidote,’ Colt said through gritted teeth.

  ‘Give me the book first,’ Amos replied.

  ‘Do you take me for a fool?’ Colt arched an eyebrow. ‘I’m not giving you the book without getting the antidote first.’

  ‘Then Wendolyn dies,’ Amos said simply. ‘And to think, you had the power to save her. What a shame.’ He shook his head in mock remorse. ‘But I understand that’s becoming quite the pattern with you lately, isn’t it? I’m sure Lotan and Roc could have used backup when they were being slaughtered. What a pity you weren’t around to help them, either.’

  Colt flinched.

  ‘Oh, sorry,’ Amos faked concern. ‘Hit a nerve, did I?’

  ‘Just give me the antidote,’ Colt snarled.

  ‘How many other ways can I say this? When I get my book, you’ll get your antidote. Do you understand?’

  Colt’s eyes narrowed. ‘I understand,’ he said at last.

  ‘And?’ Amos prompted.

  ‘And you can have the book.’

  Amos broke into a wide smile. ‘Good. Now tell me where it is.’

  Colt met his gaze. ‘I’ll take you to it. Alone.’