brimstone witch 11 - grotesque murder

by April Fernsby

  “I have.” He pulled a face. “It could do with a lick of paint. I’m not a fan of pastel colours. I’ll change that when I move in.” He laughed at my expression. “Of course I’m going to move into Esther’s house. How else will I be able to explore the human world? I can’t do it from here.” He looked at the silent creatures in front of him and then gave me a conspiratorial wink as if we were sharing a joke. “I’ll be glad to get away from this lot now and again. They have their uses, but they’re terrible company. Barely say a word, and they never crack a joke.”

  “Well, they wouldn’t, would they?” I said. “With them being golems.”

  “Ah. I see you’ve worked that out. I thought you might. I hope it didn’t take you too long.” His smile increased. “Do you want to know what I’ve done with your friends? Hmmm? Have I killed them? Perhaps. Am I holding them as prisoners somewhere you’ll never find them? Maybe. Am I going to tell you what I’ve done with them?” He began to laugh.

  Stanley and I waited until his laughter subsided.

  Quinn shook his head. “No, I’m not going to tell you what I’ve done to them.”

  A mixture of dread and anger flowed through me. I forced the fear away and concentrated on the anger. I needed to stay strong.

  “Why?” I asked. “Why have you done this?”

  “Because I can. It’s fun.” Quinn took one step towards us. “I feel powerful. And I like it.”

  “What are you going to do with them?” I kept my voice steady even though I wanted to yell at him.

  Quinn inclined his head in Blythe’s direction. “I’m going to take Blythe on my journeys. She’s going to convince residents in other towns how wonderful I am, and how they should listen to my stories.” He moved from side to side as he rocked Oliver in his arms. “Everyone will listen to Blythe when she tells them about me.”

  I asked, “Why do you want them to listen to you?”

  Quinn rolled his eyes. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m going to change them into golems too. It’s much easier to do that when they’ve been transfixed by me and my stories.” He sighed heavily. “You look confused, Cassia. I thought you were more intelligent than this. Don’t you understand what I’ve been doing? You’ve been talking to creatures in other towns. Haven’t you worked it all out yet?”

  “Why don’t you humour me?” I could still feel Stanley’s weight against my legs. He was trembling less now.

  Quinn continued, “I’ve been visiting towns for many years now. I came across a lot of magical creatures. I could see how powerful they were. I wanted that power for myself. Thanks to a wily wizard who charged extortionate prices, I found a way to do that. Come on, Cassia, you must have known what I did in those towns you went to. Don’t disappoint me. What did I do to those fearless creatures who are the stars of my stories?”

  “You stole their courage.”

  “And?”

  “Their memories.”

  “And?”

  “Everything that made them who they were. You left them a shell of their former selves.”

  Quinn nodded enthusiastically. “That’s it! Well done. I would have stolen their life force, but I didn’t know how to do that then. The wizard gave me a few spells to use on the residents in the towns I visited. I told them amazing stories and they paid me in goods, some quite valuable. I sold those goods and paid the wizard for more spells. Well, you can see for yourself how powerful I’ve become. And it was so easy. That’s the fun part of it all.”

  “What did you do to all those residents in the other towns? They’ve changed.”

  Quinn started laughing. “I didn’t even know that was going to happen. It was a bonus. I chased the towns’ butterflies away. I didn’t want them getting in the way of my beautiful butterflies during my shows. The towns’ butterflies took the joy and laughter with them. Who knew that would happen! Ha! It brightened my day when I found out that had happened.”

  I stole a glance at the nearest tree and was relieved to see the Brimstone butterflies there.

  Quinn took another step towards us. “I suppose you want to know what my ultimate plan is, Cassia dear?”

  “Does it have something to do with changing creatures into golems and taking over their towns?”

  “Yes. Clever witch. What else?”

  “You won’t stop until you’ve taken over every town in the magical lands.”

  He grinned. “That goes without saying. What else?”

  “Once you’ve finished with the magical lands, you’re going into the human world.”

  “Yes, I’m looking forward to that. I’ll need your help for that part, You know the human world well. Of course, I’ll have to steal your memories fully to do that. I did try in the caves, but you’re a stubborn one. I only got part of your memories before you lost consciousness. You nearly died on me. That was so annoying. But I’ll get your memories of the human world when I’m ready for them. I’ll have to keep you a prisoner until then. It won’t be pleasant. Sorry.” He gave a half-shrug.

  Oliver shifted in Quinn’s arms. He opened his eyes, lifted his head and stared up at Quinn.

  “Oliver!” Stanley cried out. “Jump!”

  Quinn tightened his hold on Oliver and admonished Stanley, “Be quiet, cat.”

  I looked down at Stanley and saw his back arching. He let out a low growl and said, “Let go of my brother. Now.”

  Quinn gave Stanley a blank look. “Okay.” He threw Oliver in the air.

  I screamed, dropped my broomstick and reached out for the black cat as he arched through the air. I was aware of Stanley shrieking at my side.

  My fingers brushed against Oliver’s fur as he flew over my head. I spun around. Oliver landed behind me. He smashed into many pieces of clay.

  Stanley and I stared at the remnants of Oliver in shocked silence.

  Quinn’s mocking laughter broke the silence.

  We turned back around to find him holding his stomach and chortling with glee.

  “You should see your faces!” he spluttered.

  Stanley suddenly shot forward and flung himself at Quinn. Such was the force, that Quinn rocked back on his heels and fell to the ground.

  He shattered to pieces.

  Stanley stood in the middle of the mess and turned his head to look at me. “Cassia? What just happened?”

  I moved over to Stanley. “You broke him.” I picked a piece of Quinn up. “He was made of clay. He must have been a golem too. Oliver was also a golem. Let’s hope the original one is somewhere safe. He might still be inside Gran’s house.”

  Stanley shook his head. “I don’t understand. I thought Quinn was the evil warlock.”

  A shadow fell over us. Someone let out a polite cough from behind us and said, “I’m afraid you’ve got your facts wrong. I’m the evil warlock. I’ve been in plain sight all this time.”

  We slowly turned around.

  Chapter 32

  A tall, thin creature was standing there. A pale green cloak hung over his skinny frame. His eyes were light yellow. He towered above me and his shadow completely covered Stanley and me.

  He held his thin arms out and his gaunt face broke into a smile. His voice was deep as he said, “Let me introduce myself. I’m the evil warlock, as you so rudely called me, Stanley. I do have a name. I am Zemulin. I won’t flatter myself and ask if you’ve heard of me. I know you haven’t. My name is not well known. Yet.” He lowered his arms and cast a sorrowful glance at our feet. “Alas, you’ve broken my finest creation. I’ve been working on him for years. This latest version was the best one yet. Most believable. No one suspected he was a golem, not even the wise and powerful Blythe.”

  I moved away from what was left of Quinn Ocean and said, “Who are you?”

  “I told you, Zemulin.” He made a circling motion with his hand. “Let’s rewind a bit. Remember what the storyteller told you about meeting a wizard? And how that wizard helped him to steal emotions and whatnot from helpless creatures? Yes, of course you do.” He pull
ed himself to a greater height. “I am that wizard. I saw what the storyteller was achieving with his tales. I saw what a mesmerizing effect he had on creatures. Despite weaving a good yarn, the storyteller had a limited imagination. He didn’t realise what he could do with the power he had. I told him we could do great things together. He wasn’t interested. What a waste.”

  “What did you do with Quinn?” I asked, fearful of the answer.

  “I’ve got him locked up somewhere dark and dingy. What’s left of him.” He pursed his lips in contemplation. “I suppose I’ll have to make another version of him. He’s been travelling around the lands for years and working his magic. Well, my magic. The creatures there trust him. I don’t want to waste that trust. I’ll need it if I’m to replace the residents with my precious golems. By the way, what do you think of the ones I’ve made here? Quite magnificent, aren’t they? Not perfect, but they’ll do for now.”

  A slight movement caught my eye from the far side of the square. I needed to stall for time. I asked, “Why Brimstone? You had other towns to choose from, so why here?”

  He steepled his thin hands together and stared at me with his yellow eyes. “Because of you, Cassia. And you, Stanley. I heard about the work you were doing here. How you kept putting yourselves in danger etc. You are respected. And too clever by half. If I’d have put my plan into action in other towns, you may have heard about it and tried to interfere. I had to get you out of the way. I knew it would be difficult.” He laughed. “But I didn’t think Blythe would fall for the charms of my storyteller so easily. It seems the improved powers I gave him were better than I thought. I had those golems ready nearby. I was going to send them into Marbled White, but this was too good an opportunity to pass up. Now, I have my army ready to do anything I ask of them. Like the storyteller said, everyone will listen to Blythe. This has worked out better than I hoped. I feel almost dizzy with power.”

  I hated to ask my next question, but I had to. “What about us? Stanley and me?”

  His arms fell to his side. “Alas, poor witch, I shall have to kill you. I did have a golem ready for you, and don’t take this the wrong way, but I can’t bear to look at your face for much longer, not even in golem form. The same goes for you, Stanley. No offence.”

  Another movement got my attention; it was a signal. It was nearly time to go. I said to Zemulin, “Why? Why do any of this? It can’t just be for the power it gives you.”

  Zemulin put his hands on his chest. “Power is a wonderful thing. It makes me feel alive. And it’s addictive.” His hands dropped. “But you’re right; it’s not just for the power. I’ve been classed as a second-rate wizard for years. Scorned by others. Laughed at. They said I’d never amount to anything. They were wrong. So very wrong. I shall take great pleasure in proving that to them when I visit their towns.” He looked into the distance with joy in his eyes. Or was it madness?

  I felt Stanley resting against my leg firmly. He knew it was time to go too.

  Zemulin suddenly brought his attention back to us. “Cassia, I almost forgot. You asked who I am, but you never asked what I am. Or rather, how I’ve disguised myself in full view for so long. Allow me to show you. You’ll like this. Or maybe you won’t.”

  He lifted his chin and closed his eyes. He pulled his green cloak apart. His shape began to disperse. Parts of him flew outwards. Bit by bit, Zemulin’s body changed into a cloud of green and yellow butterflies.

  Brimstone butterflies.

  Stanley gasped. “No! It can’t be. Not our beautiful Brimstone butterflies!”

  The trees around the square were now devoid of Brimstone butterflies.

  I picked Stanley up. “No, those aren’t our Brimstone butterflies. Zemulin, nice try but you don’t fool me. Show your true colours.”

  The green and yellow butterflies transformed into black ones. Black ones with blue and red spots. The butterflies clustered together and formed the shape of Zemulin again. This time, his cloak was black and his eyes were red.

  He wagged a finger at me. “See what I mean? Too clever by half. I picked up on your special connection with the Brimstone butterflies when I attacked you in my caves. Your magical powers are too strong. See, this is why I have to kill you. Just like I killed those interfering grotesques. That reminds me, I’ve still got to kill that nosy gargoyle. Relloc, isn’t it?”

  I looked down at Stanley and explained to him, “Our Brimstone butterflies have been trying to protect us. When Quinn came into town with his butterflies, the Brimstone ones tried to chase them away. They weren’t dancing with them like everyone thought. Do you remember when the black butterflies tried to come closer to us?”

  Stanley nodded. “The Brimstone ones got in the way. I thought they were angry with me. I didn’t know they were trying to keep us safe. Why didn’t they tell us about Quinn, and the butterflies, and him?” Stanley looked at Zemulin.

  Zemulin gave me a bored look. “Tell him, Cassia. I can’t be bothered.”

  I said to Stanley, “The black butterflies are poisonous. Cyanide, I suspect. They used their poison to subdue the Brimstone butterflies. That must be how they got rid of the butterflies in the other towns too. You remember how Dr Morgan found cyanide on Nitoth and Budomm?”

  Zemulin clicked his fingers in the air. “Enough talking. Especially about the useless doctor. Is she dead yet? I left a special present in her brain when I visited her. She won’t last much longer. I’ve no need for a doctor, not with my creative abilities.” He gave me a considered look. “It’s a shame to waste your talents. Would you consider working with me, Cassia? We could do great things together.”

  “Never,” I declared.

  Zemulin shrugged. “You had your chance. Prepare yourself to die. This will hurt.”

  “May I say something before you kill us?” I asked.

  Zemulin sighed. “If you must. Make it quick.”

  I gave him a smile. “Stanley and I are not alone.”

  There was a flutter at my feet. The noise got louder. Zemulin’s face creased in confusion.

  The magical butterflies from the Fascinating Forest appeared around Stanley and me in a protective circle. The one with the deep voice announced, “Ready?”

  I gave him a nod and then said to Zemulin, “Like I said, we are not alone. We’ll be seeing you again very soon.”

  We vanished from Zemulin’s view as the butterflies worked their magic on us. They lifted us swiftly away from the town square and upwards. We passed over Blythe’s house where Nitoth and Budomm were waiting. Some of the butterflies broke away and collected the grotesques and someone else.

  We could hear Zemulin’s howl of rage as we were taken away from Brimstone and the residents made of clay.

  Chapter 33

  The pink butterflies from the Fascinating Forest carried us at superfast speed towards Bronze Hollow. When they deposited Stanley and me on the street where Walter was waiting, my stomach took a moment to catch up with the rest of me. My broomstick landed gently at my feet. I’d forgotten to pick it up before we left Brimstone. Those butterflies were so thoughtful.

  Nitoth, Budomm and the other creature were deposited at my side.

  Budomm held up a leather-bound book and declared, “I found it. You were right. It was in Blythe’s house. I’ve looked inside and it’s full of spells. There are three which will defeat a warlock.”

  “Thank you,” I said to them. “Although, I’m not sure Zemulin is a warlock.”

  Stanley added, “He’s just a nasty wizard with ideas above his station.”

  I looked at the creature standing next to Nitoth. He looked furious and his lion arms were folded in anger.

  “Hello, Relloc,” I said to him. “Sorry for the swift rescue from Blythe’s house, but we had to get you away from Brimstone quickly.”

  Relloc burst out, “You could have sent me some kind of warning. When Nitoth walked into the cellar, I thought I was dead like him! I thought someone had sneaked up on me and killed me when I wasn’t
watching. When Nitoth spoke to me, I thought my ears were playing tricks on me.”

  Nitoth’s dragon mouth twitched at the corners. He said, “He screamed. A lot.”

  “So would you if you saw the dead walking about!” Relloc declared. He turned his anger fully on me. “You haven’t heard the last of this, witch. I shall be making a formal complaint to Blythe. Just as soon as I see her. Where is she?” He looked left and right. “What’s going on here? Why’s everyone staring at me?”

  “Because you’re making a fool of yourself!” Stanley told him. “I have never met such an ungrateful creature in all my life. These grotesques rescued you from your cell to protect you from the evil hands of a nasty wizard! They didn’t have to, but Cassia asked them to. You were brought here by these lovely butterflies, and you haven’t even said thank you. All you can think about is getting Cassia into trouble! Well, that’s not going to happen because we don’t know where Blythe is. We don’t know where Esther is. Or Luca!” His voice broke. “They could all be dead.” He turned away from Relloc.

  Walter swiftly picked Stanley up and stroked his head. “Calm down, Stanley. Don’t upset yourself. We need you to stay strong for a while longer. We’ll be putting your plan into action soon. Don’t you want to see that happen?”

  Stanley brightened up a little. “I do. Can Relloc help too? He’s got a big mouth.”

  “Hey!” Relloc called out. He promptly closed his mouth and pressed his lips together as if trying to make his mouth as small as possible.

  Walter said to me, “What happened in Brimstone? Who’s this nasty wizard Stanley’s talking about?”

  The various gargoyles, grotesques and butterflies gathered around while Stanley and I told Walter what had happened in Brimstone. Walter’s face turned pale, but then it turned red with anger.

  When I’d finished, Walter said, “I can’t believe a creature could be so evil. He’s been planning this for years. It’s time to put a stop to this. Cassia, look at those spells in Blythe’s book. Make yourself familiar with them. My butterflies will give you extra magic if you need it.”