“I have a hunger,” Echo said.
Together they sat down to eat the Cheesy Wotsits and bar of chocolate they’d bought earlier. Echo enjoyed her can of Coke, once Jason had shown her how to open the ring-pull.
“I understand everything now,” Jason said. “About why your mother said we should look for allies. We’re just a couple of kids, and Maxine easily framed us for lighting the haystack. But now we’ve got Kate and Ben and their friends on our side. The Cobalts won’t be expecting Nikki, dressed as a vampire in place of Amber!”
“My mother was very wise,” said Echo. “But she can help us no further.”
Another twenty minutes passed before they heard the sound of engines. Jason looked out through a peephole but couldn’t see the road because of the hedge. A vehicle began to change gear, slowing down as it approached the gateway.
“This must be them,” he said, stepping back.
He and Echo each found a peephole in another wall. Now Jason was looking out into a ploughed field. He heard a crunch of tyres before a large van came into view, parking a few metres away from the pill box. Then an old brown car arrived, pulling up behind the van as both engines died. The van door opened, Matt Blackthorn stepping out from the driver’s side. The front passenger came next, a man Jason didn’t recognise. Matt threw open the back doors and six more men jumped out. Two of them had coils of rope, wrapped across their upper bodies from shoulder to waist. Three of the others had crowbars and the sixth carried a set of bolt croppers. The front doors of the car opened, Ben and Kate emerging to join the gathering. Jason noticed that everyone was in jeans, and green tee-shirts printed with the words Karmic Sometimes.
“Okay, guys, we’ll go on foot from here,” said Ben. “All of us except one.” He turned and beckoned. “Come on, Nikki, you need to listen to this.”
Jason gasped as Nikki got out of the car, standing up to adjust her outfit. Her raven-black hair was coloured with white streaks. Her face was pale, like chalk, except for her dark eye make-up and cherry-red lips. She was in the same long black dress as before, a large rubber bat now pinned at her shoulder, and she also wore a cape with a winged collar. She bared her teeth to reveal a convincing set of fangs.
“Fie,” whispered Echo. “’Tis a succubus!”
The men must have seen Nikki’s outfit already, because none of them seemed surprised. Ben pointed away from the van and pill box, towards the edge of the field.
“There’s a track at the other side of the hedge,” he said. “We’ll go that way. It ends at the Ravenstone land, and a huge wire fence. Stuart, that’s where you’ll come in with those croppers.”
“Once we’re through the fence we’ll head across the parkland,” Kate added. “There’s a garage block, and two rows of conifers that Uncle George planted years ago. They’ll give us plenty of cover so we can get really close to the house.”
Echo frowned. “What are conifers?”
“Fir trees,” Jason explained.
“As soon as Nikki’s taken the fuse out we’ll start on the shutter and bars,” Ben went on. “Those crowbars should be well up to the job.”
“What’s the latest with Guy and Deena?” asked Matt.
“I’ve been trying to call them, but their mobiles are still switched off,” Kate replied. “I’ve left messages, and sent loads of texts, but they haven’t got back to me. Looks like they’ve really taken the hump, thanks to Ben.”
Ben ignored her, turning to Nikki. “Kevin won’t be at the manor just yet, so Amber told me. We don’t know how many people are there right now, but most of the guests are due later. So, Nikki, you know the plan. Take my car. The Cobalts have left the main gates open, but keep off the Ravenstone land to start with. Drive past the gates and park in a field. Stay well hidden, have your mobile ready and wait for the all-clear.”
“The rest of us will switch our phones off for now,” said Kate. “We don’t want them ringing and giving us away. I’ll turn mine back on once we’re near the house – then, Nikki, I’ll give you a call. That’s your signal to drive in through the gates, down the lane and into the courtyard. Park there, walk to the house then hit the Cobalts with your bride of Dracula routine.”
“Once you’re in, you’ll need to sneak away to the cellar,” Ben added. “Ring Kate as soon as you’ve taken the fuse out. Then make some excuse and say you’ve got to go back to the car. After that you can drive away, and we’ll take care of the rest.”
Nikki made a thumbs-up sign and showed her fangs again. “Gotcha!”
“Okay, time to go,” said Ben.
Jason watched as Kate, Ben and their eight friends set off. Nikki got into the driver’s seat of the car, slamming the door then switching on the engine.
“As soon as she’s gone we’ll follow the others,” said Jason.
The brown car went into reverse, Nikki turning it around before driving out through the gateway. Jason waited for the engine to fade then he and Echo hurried out of the pill box, leaving behind them the map, carrier bag and hat with hair.
“We’ll stay out of sight for now,” Jason said. “Once they get to the wire fence we’ll show ourselves and tell Kate and Ben we’re going with them. By then they won’t be able to stop us.”
They set off at a run, passing the van but staying on their side of the hedge, racing alongside it until they could hear the chatter of the others. Jason slowed to a halt as he and Echo arrived at the corner of the field.
“Okay, we’re at the Ravenstone land now,” came Ben’s voice. “Show us what you can do with those croppers, Stuart.”
“Wait a minute!” cried a second voice. It was Matt. “Whassat? Oh great!”
Jason heard the fierce barking of a dog, growing louder and louder, followed by a series of curses from Ben and his friends.
“This is just brilliant!” said Matt. “You said the dog would be locked away!”
“That’s right, blame me!” said Ben. “Now what?”
Jason tapped Echo on the arm. “Okay, this is your chance.”
They scrambled through the hedge and got to their feet at the other side. The track ended at a very high fence made of concrete posts and wire meshing, a No Trespassing sign nestling among the barbed wire at the top. The Rottweiler was crouching at the other side of the fence, ready to spring at anyone who dared to enter his territory. His lips were curled back, his teeth showing white and pointed. He’d stopped barking now, an angry growl rumbling deep in his throat. Kate and the others had backed away, but they all spun around as Jason and Echo ran up.
Ben pointed at Echo. “You again! Who’s your friend?”
“No, it’s me!” said Jason. “I’m out of my disguise now.”
“But what are you doing here?” said Kate. “How did you find us?”
“Ben told us you’d be here,” Jason replied. “And it looks like you need our help. My friend’s really good with dogs.”
“We told you to stay away,” said Ben. “You’d better get back to your children’s home – right now.”
Echo took no notice, stepping around him and up to the fence. She waved her arms and began to shout. The dog recognised her now, fearfully holding her gaze as he retreated. She stared back, pointing through the wire at his ugly, glistening eyes.
“Sleep,” she commanded. “Go to sleep, evil cur.”
The dog whimpered and sank to his haunches. Slowly his eyelids closed then he rolled lazily over onto his side.
“It is done,” Echo said. “He will sleep now until the morning, unless I were to wake him.”
Kate blinked rapidly, her jaw dropping in disbelief. “How did you do that?”
“All psychic people can do it,” said Jason. “Haven’t you heard?”
“How… how do we know that hound from hell isn’t going to wake up?” stuttered Matt.
“He won’t, unless my friend tells him to,” Jason replied. “And that isn’t going to happen so long as you let us come with you.”
“I still don’t li
ke it,” said Kate. “This is too dangerous for kids.”
“My sister’s locked up in the manor,” Jason told her. “I want to be there when she’s set free, and no one’s going to stop me.”
Ben rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Okay, okay. But stay well back, and do everything we tell you.”
The athletically-built, dark-bearded man called Stuart stepped up to the fence, croppers at the ready.
Matt swallowed. “Wait a minute, what if the fence is electric?”
“Stuart’s a part-time fireman,” Ben reminded him. “He knows what he’s doing.”
“There’d be a warning sign,” Stuart added. “That’s the law.”
“Yeah right,” said Matt. “What do the Cobalts care about the law?”
But Stuart decided to take the risk. He brought the croppers up to the fence, bracing himself before clipping once through the wire.
“See,” he said. “Nothing.”
Beginning at ground level he clipped the fence again, and again, carrying on until he’d created a low, arch-shaped hole in the wire.
Matt nervously cleared his throat. “I’m still not sure about that demon dog.”
Without waiting to be asked, Echo got to her hands and knees and slipped through the hole in the fence. She hurried to the dozing Rottweiler and stood beside him.
“See – he slumbers.”
“Okay, you’ve convinced me,” said Ben, crawling after her through the gap.
Hands shaking, forehead sweating, Jason waited his turn and was last to arrive at the other side. He felt excitement and apprehension, his heart thumping wildly inside his ribcage as he stared all around. Now, the entire raiding party stood behind enemy lines.
– CHAPTER THIRTEEN –
Ravenstone Raiders
Everyone followed Kate, racing across the parkland then stopping at the winding, high-banked lane that led to the manor house. They crept down one bank and up the other, continuing to cross the parkland until the garages, house and courtyard came into view. Kate led everyone on a route that used the garage block to shield them from the house.
“We made it!” said Ben as they arrived at the far side of the garages.
From the front of the block the two lines of conifers began, bordering the lawn that swept down to the house. Kate switched on her mobile and pressed a number.
“Hi, Nikki,” she said. “We’re almost there. Time to do your stuff.”
They all followed Kate in single file, slipping between the two rows of conifers with Jason and Echo at the rear. Jason was beginning to have his doubts now. This was all starting to look too easy. What if something went wrong? What if the Cobalts realised Nikki wasn’t the real vampire?
He tried to ignore his anxiety as they all quickened their pace. Kate held up a hand once she was level with the front of the manor house, and everyone stopped in a row behind her. Jason glanced up at the sky. The veil of clouds grew ever darker, bringing forward the onset of twilight, the air heavy and damp. He and Echo crouched down, staring out through the dense lower branches of the conifers, across towards the front door.
“We’re not far from the chamber window,” said Ben. “But we’ll have to sit tight till Nikki gets here.”
Jason looked out again between the branches, this time towards the side of the house. He could see a window at ground level, covered by a sturdy metal shutter. Then his body tensed as he heard an engine; a car was coming up the lane. He glanced at his watch – almost ten past nine. Through the branches he saw the brown car, pulling up in the courtyard. Nikki stepped out, making a few final adjustments to her vampire outfit then grabbing her handbag. She slammed the car door shut and strutted towards the manor house entrance.
“A gewita is possible,” Echo whispered to Jason. “Then we may watch the succubus, once she is inside.”
Jason nodded. By now, Nikki was knocking on the front door. She waited then knocked again. At the third attempt, Tiffany answered. As Echo took Jason’s hand, the air flickered for an instant. He closed his eyes, opening them a second later as he and Echo floated out of their hiding place. Next moment their astral bodies were standing on the grass beyond the conifers. Jason saw Nikki walking away from the car, so he must have travelled less than a minute back in time. He looked again at the shuttered window.
“Lauren’s inside there,” he said. “We ought to check on her. We could float through…”
“There is no time,” Echo interrupted. “We must follow the succubus.”
Together they dashed alongside the front of the house to arrive at the door in time for Nikki’s third knock. They stood beside her as Tiffany answered.
“Yeah?”
Nikki cleared her throat. “Somebody called Scott Cobalt has ordered a bride of Dracula.”
“You’re early,” snapped Tiffany, looking her up and down with disdain. “But you’d better come in.”
Jason and Echo followed them into the hall, seeing tables of food and drink at either side. Standing near one of the tables was a stocky woman with short blonde hair. With her was a very tall man, and together they were setting out glasses and bottles of wine. Jason glanced up at the gallery, and the large banner tied to the balustrade that read HAPPY 25th KEVIN.
“Vampire’s here,” Tiffany announced.
“You don’t say,” remarked the tall man.
The kitchen door opened and out stepped Scott Cobalt, arm-in-arm with a glamorous woman in a low-cut top and tight jeans. Jason had to look twice before he recognised Maxine Knaggs behind all the make-up.
“All right?” said Scott as he and Maxine sauntered up to Nikki.
“Hi,” she said with an innocent smile that showed her fangs. “You must be Scott.”
“How d’you guess?” he said. “That’s one hell of an outfit!” He motioned with his hand, first at Maxine then at the tall man and brawny woman. “These people are friends of mine. I see you’ve already met my sister - but my brother isn’t here yet. You’re a bit early.”
“Yeah sorry,” said Nikki. “I must’ve got my times muddled up.”
“No worries,” said Scott. “My brother’s gone to the pub with a couple of mates, and they’re both sworn to secrecy. Kevin doesn’t know anything about the party, or you – not yet anyway. He’ll be here about half past. Can I fix you a drink?”
“I need to go to the bathroom first,” said Nikki, tapping her handbag. “To apply the finishing touches to my make-up.”
“Not a problem,” said Scott. “Get ready for a great party. There’ll be loads of guests and the first bunch should be here soon.” He pointed to one corner of the hall, and the half-open door in the panelling beneath a staircase. “You can use the cloakroom over there. Okay back to work, everybody.”
“I’ll crank up the music,” said Tiffany.
At the opposite side of the hall was a CD deck on a small table. Tiffany strode across to press a button, and loud music began to pound from two speakers on the gallery above. Scott and Maxine disappeared into the kitchen with the tall man and brawny woman. Tiffany followed, closing the kitchen door behind her as Nikki made for the cloakroom.
Echo covered her ears and glared up at the gallery. “There is music, but no minstrels.”
“That’s ’cos it’s on a CD,” Jason shouted. “A big help too – it’ll hide any sound Nikki makes.”
They glanced across towards the cloakroom. Nikki had closed the door, but after a few moments it slowly opened. She peeped out, checking there was no one in the hall. Quickly she slipped out, shutting the cloakroom door then creeping past one of the tables. She came to the basement steps, and Jason and Echo followed her down to the metal door.
“We really should check on Lauren,” Jason said.
Echo shook her head. “We must watch the succubus.”
By now Nikki was further down the short passage, Jason and Echo stepping after her into the cellar. She switched on the light.
“Fie!” said Echo, glancing up at the bulb. “Another magic can
dle.”
The cellar was piled with junk, but Nikki saw the fusebox on the far wall. She stepped across, taking a screwdriver from her handbag. With a deep breath she unfastened a screw then removed the front part of the box, reading the words on the back of each fuse inside. She reached up, taking hold of the one marked BARS/SHUTTER.
“We’d better go,” said Jason as Nikki took her mobile from her handbag. “It’s time for Ben and his mates to smash the shutter.”
Echo took his hand and the air flickered again. Together they drifted out of the gewita, slowly returning to the present and their physical bodies in the hiding place between the conifers. By now Kate was on her mobile again and she’d just finished a call.
“Nikki’s taken care of the fuse,” she said. “But she’s not just going to run away – it’ll look too suspicious. She’ll creep back to the kitchen, make an excuse with the Cobalts then get out of there.”
As Kate switched off her phone, they all heard the sound of another engine. Jason and Echo peered out through the conifers again. In the half-light they saw a blue Land Rover, pulling up in the courtyard beside the brown car. Jason gasped in sudden fright as Kevin Cobalt stepped out, along with two other men. Together they walked quickly to the front door.
“I don’t believe it!” Jason hissed. “He’s come back early!”
Echo grabbed his wrist and in the same instant they were both transported back to the vision of the very recent past. Now they were standing in the hall, seeing Nikki by the kitchen door, talking to Scott.
“Yes, I’ve left something in the car,” she was saying. “But I can’t tell you what it is ’cos it’s part of the surprise. Give me a few moments.”
Scott was about to speak again when the front door opened and Kevin strode into the hall. Jason recognised his two friends now. The first was blond and long-nosed; Lee Railton, one of the witnesses to George Megginson’s will. The other man was thin with a black moustache; the second witness, Carl Fishburn. Kevin took another pace forward then stopped, his mouth falling open as he gazed up at the banner on the balustrade.
Echo McCool, Outlaw Through Time Page 16
