brimstone witch 10 - deal with the grim reaper

by April Fernsby

  Andy said quietly, “I didn’t promise anything. Cassia, things should have returned to normal, but they haven’t.”

  A small, black creature came running towards us. It was Oliver. He came to a stop at my side, took in this situation and said, “What’s going on here? Cassia, why are you talking to the Grim Reaper? Where’s Esther?” He looked over at Stanley. “Stanley, tell me what’s going on.”

  Stanley padded over to his side, opened his mouth and meowed.

  Oliver said, “Stanley, stop talking nonsense. I can’t understand a word you’re saying.”

  I knelt next to Oliver and said, “It’s a curse. I tried to break it, but it seems that I haven’t.”

  “A curse? What sort of a curse? Where is Esther? She must be here somewhere. Where’s Blythe? She’ll know where Esther is.” He looked at Stanley. “What’s wrong with my brother?”

  “It’s all part of the curse.” I stopped talking. I was finding it hard to talk with a lump of fear in my throat.

  “Cassia, tell me everything immediately!” Oliver demanded. He suddenly broke into a series of meows. He stopped talking and his eyes widened in shock.

  Andy said to me, “Oliver has been allowed into Brimstone because he’s no longer needed in the human world now that Esther has gone. Both he and his brother will be given other witches to work with.”

  I straightened up, advanced on Andy and snapped, “This isn’t fair! The curse should be broken. I should have my full powers back. This has been a trick, hasn’t it? You wanted to take Gran away from me and this was the only way you could do it. You forced her to make that deal. You wanted to reap her soul or whatever it is that you do. There was never a curse. It was you and your devious ways!”

  Andy held his hands up to shush me. “There was a curse. The vision I showed you was real. Cassia, if you stop shouting at me for a moment, I’ll tell you why things have not gone back to how they were.”

  I pressed my lips together but continued to glare at him.

  Andy explained, “You have solved the murder of Oddec Hammerhands, but you haven’t solved the other murder.”

  My blood ran cold. “The other murder? What other murder? You never told me there were two murders to deal with.”

  “I didn’t know until a few minutes ago.”

  “What do you mean? Who’s giving you this information?”

  Stanley and Oliver hissed angrily at my feet.

  Andy shook his head. “I can’t explain it to you. I get information from many quarters, and now I’ve been told there’s another unsolved murder. It’s from twenty-three years ago too.”

  “This isn’t fair! You can’t just bring another murder out. You have to give me more time to solve this one! Can’t you slow time down? Can’t you give me another twenty-four hours?” I was shrieking now.

  He shook his head sadly. “I can’t make another deal. Cassia, I agree this is unfair, but there’s nothing I can do.”

  “But you have to do something,” I pleaded. “Make a deal with me!”

  Andy said, “I can’t. Your time here is nearly done. Soon, you won’t be a justice witch. You won’t be a witch of any kind.”

  My vision began to blur and I felt the earth tilting. I collapsed to the ground and the last thing I remember was too little furry faces rubbing themselves against my face.

  Chapter 29

  The next thing I knew, Blythe was talking to me and helping me to my feet. I felt a tingle all over me as Blythe raised her hands in my direction. She must have cast a recovery spell on me because I felt better instantly.

  There was concern in Blythe’s eyes as she looked at me. “Are you alright? You fainted.”

  I blinked and looked towards the gazebo. I said, “The Grim Reaper? Where did he go? I haven’t finished talking to him.”

  Blythe said, “He’s gone. He told me everything. Cassia, I still don’t remember who you are, but I do believe you’ve been subject to an evil curse.”

  I appreciated the kindness in her eyes and said, “Can you fix this? Can you reverse the curse? Can you make me a witch again and bring Gran back?”

  The look in her eyes answered my questions. “No, I can’t do any of that. It’s too late now. The only thing I can do is open a temporary doorway back into your human world. You can’t stay in Brimstone. I don’t know what’s going to meet you when you get back to your world or what kind of a life you’re going to have. I’m so very sorry.”

  I swallowed and managed to say, “How’s Luca?”

  “Dr Morgan is looking after him. He’s going to be okay. He’s asleep at the moment, but the doctor confirmed he’s going to make a full recovery. You found him just in time.”

  “I’m glad about that.”

  I looked down at Stanley and Oliver who were sitting a short distance away. They gave me dismissive looks as if they didn’t know me. Part of me died.

  I looked back at Blythe and said, “Isn’t there anything you can do? Anything at all?” I checked the time on my watch. “I’ve still got thirty minutes left. There must be something we can do together. Slow time down? Ask for help from another justice witch? There must be something. Please?”

  “I’m so very sorry. There’s nothing we can do.”

  I hadn’t finished pleading and said, “Even if I’m not a witch anymore, can’t I stay in Brimstone? Can’t I help here somehow? I’ll do anything, any job. I don’t want to go back to the human world if Gran isn’t there. Oliver and Stanley won’t be there either.”

  “No, you don’t belong here. I’m going to open the doorway now.”

  I glanced towards the nearest butterfly tree and saw the yellow and green butterflies on the branches. They all seem to be looking my way.

  I said to Blythe, “Before I go, I have to say goodbye to the butterflies.” Without waiting for any further words from Blythe, I walked swiftly over to the tree and placed my hands against its trunk. I felt a rush of love towards me and I knew it was coming from those wonderful creatures. I’d always had a special bond with them.

  I rested my head against the trunk and said softly, “If you amazing creatures can help me at all, this would be the time to do so. If you can’t help me, then just know I will miss you every single day of my life. I’ll never forget you.”

  Blythe called over, “Cassia, the doorway is open. It won’t stay open for long, so please hurry.”

  I smiled up at the butterflies before walking away. Blythe had produced a door which looked exactly like Gran’s cellar door. It was standing unsupported in front of her. It was only slightly open, but I could see into Gran’s cellar. None of her belongings were there. It was just an empty cellar. I had no idea what was waiting for me in the rest of the house and my reluctant feet had to drag me towards the door.

  Was I leaving Brimstone for good? Without Oliver or Stanley? No Gran? What kind of empty life was waiting for me through this door?

  I lowered my head and moved towards the door. I couldn’t bear to look at Stanley and Oliver who were sitting on the path. Keeping my eyes averted from Blythe, I took another step towards the open door.

  Then something happened.

  Chapter 30

  A huge cloud of Brimstone butterflies descended in front of me. The gentle flapping of their wings sent a warm breeze over me and instantly lightened my mood.

  At first, I thought they were saying goodbye to me, but it was soon clear they had something else on their minds.

  The cloud of charming creatures moved in front of the open door. They covered every part of it until the door was no longer visible. Their wings seemed to mesh together, almost as if they were holding onto each other’s wings.

  Blythe addressed the butterflies, “Would you kindly move out of the way? Cassia needs to go through that door.”

  The butterflies didn’t move.

  Blythe raised her hands towards them. “Don’t make me use magic on you. I will if I have to.

  Something even more amazing happened.

  Bl
ue and brown butterflies from the town of Adonis Blue appeared. They came to a stop in front of the Brimstone butterflies and bound themselves together inches in front of the Brimstone ones.

  “This is getting ridiculous!” Blythe exclaimed. “Will you please get out of the way?”

  More flying visitors arrived; this time in the shape of butterflies from the town of Dingy Skipper. I’d recently solved a murder in that town and the butterflies had helped me. The brown and grey creatures settled themselves in front of the Adonis Blue butterflies.

  Blythe folded her arms and regarded the wall of butterflies. She said, “Well, Cassia, it looks like some creatures don’t want you to go back to the human world. I could force them to move, but there’s a reason why they’re blocking your way back. Do you know why?”

  I did. As soon as the Dingy Skipper butterflies had settled into place, I knew why I had to stay in Brimstone a bit longer.

  I said to Blythe, “I have to see Luca immediately. I have to take on his memories using a magic spell. I don’t have much magic left, if any at all, but it’s important that I do this. Will you allow me to see him? Please?”

  Blythe looked back at the triple wall of butterflies and said, “It doesn’t look like I’ve got much choice. Tell me why you need to take on Luca’s memories? Has it got something to do with the second murder?”

  I gave her a nod, checked my watch and said, “I haven’t got long left. I’ll tell you on the way.” I turned around and ran towards Dr Morgan’s building.

  Blythe ran at my side and I quickly told her what was on my mind.

  When we entered Dr Morgan’s office, Blythe said to me, “If that’s the case, you’re going to need as much magic as you can to experience all of Luca’s memories from that day. Cassia, I can collect Luca’s memories on your behalf. They’re very deeply buried under a spell I cast on him years ago.”

  “Thank you, but it has to be me. I hope you understand.”

  She gave me a kind smile. “Of course. In which case, I’ll give you a temporary dose of my magic. It’ll be enough for what you need.”

  Without saying another word, Blythe placed her hands on my shoulders and a wonderful warmth travelled through me in a second. It was like I’d stepped out into the sun.

  “Thank you,” I said. “Where is Luca?”

  “In this room.” Blythe opened the door to the left.

  Dr Morgan was standing next to Luca’s bed with a clipboard in her hands. She looked our way. For a second, there was a flash of recognition in her eyes as she saw me. Just as quickly, it was gone.

  Dr Morgan said, “Blythe? What’s going on? You know I don’t allow strangers into my patients’ rooms.”

  Blythe replied, “Cassia isn’t a stranger, we’ve just forgotten who she is. Elza, I don’t have time to explain anything now. How’s Luca doing?”

  “Fine. He needs lots of sleep.” Her eyes narrowed as we moved closer to Luca. “What do you think you’re doing? You can’t disturb him. Move back.”

  “We don’t have time for explanations, Elza,” Blythe said. “Cassia, do what you have to. Luca doesn’t need to be awake for this spell.”

  I knelt at the side of Luca’s bed and put my hands on his arm. I closed my eyes and thought back to the day when he was seven years old and running towards the quarry. I mentally cast the memory-retrieving spell and waited.

  The images came to me straight away along with Luca’s every thought:

  I am Luca. I am in my rabbit form. I am happy and excited.

  I can’t wait to see my friend, Cassia. She loves seeing me like a rabbit. Where is she? She said she’d play out today.

  What’s that? A butterfly message? For me?

  Hi, Mr Butterfly. A message from Cassia? Great. Meet her at the Hammerhands Mine? I don’t know where that is. Can you take me there?

  Run, run, faster. Cassia is waiting.

  Who’s that? Why is she waving at me? I’d better stop and talk to her.

  A different voice came into my head:

  “Hello, Luca. Are you looking for Cassia? I saw her in that field just over there. She’s waiting for you. She’s hiding in the grass at the far end. Run, Luca, run as fast as you can!”

  Luca’s thoughts again:

  Cassia! I’m here! I’m running as fast as I can. I’ll find you. You can’t hide from me! Where are you?

  Who’s calling my name?

  What’s Cassia’s mum doing here? Is she looking for Cassia too?

  I’ll find her first!

  There’s so much grass! Where is Cassia?

  No! Rosalyn, put me down! I have to keep running. Put me down!

  I saw everything through Luca’s eyes:

  Mum placing him on the grass and smiling at him.

  Mum taking a step back on the grass behind her.

  The grass shimmering and disappearing.

  Mum’s shocked face. Her falling body. In slow motion, her arms rotating backwards as she tries to steady herself.

  She falls.

  She screams.

  I hear Luca’s scream of horror over and over again.

  I’d seen enough.

  I opened my eyes and took my hands away from Luca.

  He was now awake. He said, “I saw it all. The butterfly message. Your mum. I saw it all.”

  “I saw it too.” I got to my feet, faced Blythe and said, “Mowibela Hammerhands murdered my mum. She used a mirror spell to make her think there was ground behind her – but there wasn’t any.” I lowered my head. I couldn’t say another word.

  A sound shot out in the room and echoed around the walls.

  It was the sound of arrogant cackling. I’d heard it before. It was Gertrude Winter’s cackle.

  The atmosphere in the room changed.

  Blythe and Dr Morgan let out gasps of shock and looked at each other in horror.

  Blythe spoke first, “Cassia! The curse! It’s all coming back to me now. You did it. You broke the curse.”

  I gave her a small smile. I should have felt happier, but I didn’t.

  Luca reached out and grabbed my hand. He said, “Cassia, I’m so sorry about your mum. I’m sorry you had to see how she died.”

  I looked into his eyes which were full of love for me. “I’m sorry you had to see it too, Luca. It was Mowibela who sent you that butterfly message. She was the one who spoke to you near the field. You tried to tell me that earlier.”

  He nodded and gave me a warm smile. “We can deal with those awful memories together. We’ll talk it through later. You did it. You broke the curse. I knew you would.”

  I tried to return his smile, but I couldn’t. I said, “If I’ve broken the curse, where’s Gran?”

  Chapter 31

  Even though Blythe and Dr Morgan were giving me heartfelt apologies about forgetting who I was recently, I didn’t have time to talk to them. I had to find Gran.

  Luca squeezed my hand and said, “Go and find her, Cassia. Go.”

  I ran out of the room and almost tripped over Stanley and Oliver who were standing in the hall.

  Stanley threw himself into my arms. “I can talk again! Cassia, you did it! You broke the curse. How did you do it? Tell me everything. I can talk again! Yay!”

  I smiled down at him. “It’s lovely to hear your voice. Have you seen Gran? Has she reappeared somewhere? Is she outside?”

  Stanley shook his head. “We didn’t see her. We heard a horrible noise like somebody laughing, and then everything felt different. It was like it was going to rain one minute, but then the weather changed its mind and the rain cleared off. I knew I had to come and find you.”

  Oliver called up to me, “What have you done to Esther? If you’ve broken that curse, where is she?” His tone was indignant.

  “I haven’t done anything with her,” I told him sternly. “I’m looking for her. Where would she be? Can you pick up on her scent?”

  “I can try,” Oliver retorted. “There’s no need to take that tone with me, young lady. Just becaus
e you think you’ve been clever by breaking that curse doesn’t mean you can be all high and mighty.” He turned around and padded towards the exit door, his tail in the air.

  Stanley chuckled and whispered, “I bet you’re wishing he couldn’t talk again.”

  I stroked Stanley’s head. “That thought did cross my mind. Come on. I won’t rest until we find Gran.”

  We followed Oliver out of the building and along the street. I kept Stanley in my arms. I wasn’t letting go of him.

  Stanley looked towards the gazebo. “All the butterflies have gone. They were guarding a door and that’s gone too.” He moved his head the opposite way. “The trees are empty. There isn’t one single butterfly anywhere. Cassia, where have they gone? You don’t think there’s another curse on the town, do you?”

  “I hope not. Where’s Oliver going?”

  We jogged after the little, black cat.

  “He’s taking us to the cellar door,” Stanley declared. “Look! The cellar door is back, right where it should be. And it’s open. Esther must have opened it. She’ll be waiting for us on the other side. I can’t wait to see her. We’ve got a lot to tell her.”

  Oliver ran through the door and we were right behind him. My heart leapt for joy when I saw Gran’s belongings in the cellar. Everything was back to normal. Phew.

  Oliver stopped in the middle of the cellar and hollered, “Esther! We’re back. Where are you?”

  “Esther, it’s us,” Stanley joined in.

  I added my call, “Gran! We’re back.”

  Oliver said, “She must be in the kitchen.” He scampered across the floor and up the cellar steps. We were right behind him once again.

  Gran wasn’t in the kitchen. Her rocking chair by the fire was empty. She wasn’t doing the washing up and singing to herself. She wasn’t putting the kettle on to make us a cup of tea. She wasn’t anywhere.