“Good,” Broheidon said after my reply. “You can leave your broomstick behind the reception desk. It will be safe there. It’s been a while since we had a class outside. Thanks to Lifin’s wonderful imagination, there is an amazing meditation garden at the rear of the property.”
“Why haven’t you been able to have your classes outside?” I asked.
Lifin said coldly, “My late brother used to take delight in galloping through the meditation garden during Broheidon’s sessions. He thought it was hilarious to force our customers to leap out of his way.”
Broheidon said, “Lifin, let it go. Keep your anger in the past. I think a one-to-one meditation session with me later is needed. What do you say?”
Happiness shone like a beacon from Lifin’s face. “I’ll look forward to that. Excuse me for now. I’ve got customers to deal with. Let me take your broomstick, Cassia, and I’ll put it behind the reception desk.”
I handed my broomstick over with a small amount of trepidation. I didn’t like it to be out of my sight.
Lifin walked away with a spring in his step. Broheidon watched him fondly.
Broheidon led us out of the main building and to the rear of the property. We were taken down a winding path which was bordered with lavender bushes. The scent was amazing and all the questions I had for Broheidon evaporated from my mind as the calming fragrance wafted up my nose.
The path took us to a large garden which contained a big expanse of manicured grass in the centre. Low rose bushes were dotted around the garden along with bright yellow sunflowers. At the far end of the garden was an elaborate fountain made out of silver spheres. Water trickled gently down in a pleasing manner, and not in a way that made me want to use the bathroom.
Cream-coloured mats had been laid out on the grass and most of them were occupied by clients, some of whom were sitting cross-legged. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to sit like that. I’d tried it before and pulled a muscle.
Broheidon must have caught my wary expression because she said, “Cassia, you sit in whichever position is better for you. You can even lie down if you prefer. Just try not to fall asleep. I’ll leave you to get settled. The class will start in a few minutes.” She gave us a kind smile before walking away. Many of her clients waved and called out a hello to her.
Stanley and I picked mats at the very back of the rows. I’d been to exercises classes before. I knew the drill. If you sit at the back, no one can see you doing everything wrong.
I settled on the mat and said to Stanley, “Do you remember when I tried meditation before?”
He nodded as he sat on his own mat. “I do. You got that app on your phone. It didn’t work out well, did it?”
“It didn’t. The man on the app kept telling me to let thoughts go, and to concentrate on my breathing. But I couldn’t. One thought after another kept popping into my mind. I got so annoyed with them! I don’t think meditation is for me.” I stopped speaking and stared at Stanley. “How have you managed to cross your legs?”
He shrugged. “I’m flexible.” He looked at the others sitting on their mats. “I didn’t think vampires would need to meditate. And, look, there’s a werewolf over there and a troll. I suppose they have busy minds that need to be stilled.”
“I suppose they do.” I took a deep breath and said, “I’m going to give this a good try, Stanley.” I closed my eyes and tried to dismiss my thoughts.
Stanley whispered, “Do you think the murderer is here with us?”
My eyes snapped open. “Stanley, I’m trying to meditate!” I looked around me. “You could be right, though. Let’s be vigilant.”
Broheidon made her way to the front of the class and bestowed a wise smile upon us. In a calm, soothing voice she said, “Let’s begin our session.”
I was certain I wouldn’t be able to relax, not with the possibility of a murderer being on the loose. When Broheidon told us to close our eyes, I kept one of mine open. If anything funny went on, I was determined to spot it.
But then something happened. Broheidon’s voice became more soothing and hypnotic as she spoke. She didn’t tell us to concentrate on our breathing; she told us a story instead. It involved us going into a magical world where all our problems were floating around in bubbles. She told us to lightly pop the bubbles and then move along to the next bubble. As she continued with her tale, I felt myself becoming lighter and more carefree. I popped those trouble bubbles and felt my happiness increasing with each pop. I experienced joy rising up in me and I felt as carefree as a child.
All of a sudden, Broheidon was telling us to open our eyes as the session had finished and that the hour was up.
An hour? It felt like five minutes had passed. I turned Stanley’s way, ready to tell him how wonderful I felt. My little friend was curled up on the mat and was fast asleep.
I waited for everyone else to leave, and then I approached Broheidon. My mind felt clearer now, and I was ready to ask the right questions about Selo’s murder.
Chapter 22
Broheidon smiled at my approach and asked, “How was that session for you?”
“It was wonderful. Thank you. It was so peaceful. When did you last have a session outside?”
“Oh, it must be about three or four weeks ago. Like Lifin said, Selo used to interrupt our sessions by galloping through once I’d begun the class. I asked him politely to stop, but he laughed at me. I spoke to his father about him, but Nilah said Selo was getting out of control and he couldn’t do anything to stop him. So, I took my complaints to Lifin.”
“What did he do about it?” I asked.
Broheidon said, “Lifin was furious about Selo’s actions. He wasn’t only interrupting my sessions, he was running wild anywhere he wanted to. He caused many a visitor an injury as he careered into them. It’s only by good luck that no one was killed. I know Lifin tried to talk to Selo, but his brother wouldn’t listen. It made me sad to see Lifin so frustrated. It’s taken him years to build this business up, and Selo was doing his best to destroy it.”
“Why would Selo want to destroy it?”
Broheidon shrugged. “Jealousy? I heard Selo arguing with Lifin sometimes, and he said Lifin was a disgrace to centaurs everywhere. Selo said centaurs weren’t supposed to run businesses; they were born to run wild through the countryside. It wasn’t easy hearing them argue.”
I asked, “How does Lifin get on with his father? I’ve heard conflicting things about that.”
“Nilah is proud of Lifin and all that he’s achieved.” She paused and gave me a long look. “I probably shouldn’t say this, but seeing as you’re dealing with Selo’s murder, I think you should know all the facts. I sometimes caught Nilah looking at Selo as he raced through the ranch. There was admiration in Nilah’s eyes, along with envy. I jokingly asked him once if he’d like to run in the yearly race one more time. He said he would give his soul to do so. His tone was deadly serious when he replied. I don’t mind telling you, it sent shivers down my spine.”
Her eyes suddenly widened as she looked at something behind me. I turned around and saw Nilah striding towards us, sweat on his brow.
He smiled our way and said, “I have some amazing news. I’ve just been out for a run and I’ve made excellent time. So much so, that I can now confirm I will be taking Selo’s place in the race.”
I heard a quiet gasp coming from Broheidon.
I said to Nilah, “I thought Lifin was going to run in the race.”
“Not anymore. It’s my duty as head of the household to make sure we keep the 1,000 Acre Forest in our family. I shall inform Lifin of my decision immediately.” He gave us a nod before walking away.
Broheidon shook her head sadly. “This news is going to greatly upset Lifin. He’ll need my support.” She took a step forward.
I asked her, “What’s so special about the 1,000 Acre Forest anyway?”
Broheidon frowned. “That’s a good question. I don’t know what’s so special about it. I’ve never been inside it. I’m
sorry, but I have to go. You are welcome to come back for another meditation class any time.” She cantered away.
Stanley got up from his mat, stretched and walked over to me. I quickly told him what had happened with the centaurs.
Stanley said, “So, Nilah had a motive to kill Selo. That’s interesting.” His ears twitched and he looked upwards. “Cassia! Look!”
I looked skywards and saw two figures flying over head. One was bigger than the other.
Stanley cried out, “It’s Kitty! She’s here with her mum! She’s in her dragon form.” He waved his paw at them.
The magnificent dragons circled overhead and then came in for a landing.
I couldn’t take my eyes off Kitty. She looked amazing as a dragon. She still had the same eyes and they twinkled as she looked at me.
“I can fly!” she exclaimed. “Did you see me? I flew and flew and flew!”
I laughed. “I did see you. You’re good at flying.” I gave Gepru a worried glance. “Is is safe for me to be so near to her? Luca said I’d be safe when Kitty’s in her dragon form. Is that right?”
Gepru lowered her huge head. “That is right. We had to find you. Kitty’s been talking about you two non-stop since we left your town square. She told me how you’d taken good care of her. I wanted to say thank you again.”
Kitty ran over to her mum and nudged her with her head. “Mum, ask Cassia. Ask her. Go on.”
“I will if you give me a minute,” Gepru said. She turned to me and said, “Would you like to come flying with us? Kitty would like you to. I would too.”
“I would love that.” I beamed at them both. “I’ll have to get my broomstick.” I felt something brushing into the back of my knees. I looked down and saw Stanley standing there with my broomstick in his mouth.
Stanley dropped the broomstick. “I thought we might need this. I heard what you said just then. Can we really go flying with Kitty and her mum?”
Kitty said to Stanley, “You can fly on my back.”
Stanley scampered over to her. Kitty was three times his size now.
Gepru said, “Whoa there, little missy. You’re not ready for passengers yet. I think Stanley would be safer with Cassia for now.”
Stanley gazed at Gepru. “Does that mean I can fly on Kitty’s back one day?”
Gepru replied, “Yes. We’re not going to lose touch with you two. I’ve got a feeling there’ll be times when you’ll need our help. If that’s okay?”
Stanley went all glassy-eyed and stumbled backwards.
I shook my head at him and said to Gepru, “That’s his pleased look. I’m glad you’ve turned up because I wanted to ask you about the 1,000 Acre Forest. Do you know anything about it?”
“Not much,” Gepru said. “I know the centaurs race for ownership of it every year. Speaking of which, I’ve seen two centaurs running out of that forest recently. The first one was an older one, and I think I saw him talking to you briefly as we were flying overhead.”
“That would have been Nilah. What did the other one look like?”
“Younger and thinner than Nilah. Oh, he was wearing a shirt too. It’s not often you see male centaurs wearing clothes.”
“That must have been Lifin. When did you see him?”
“A few hours ago. I was giving Kitty her first flying lesson and she was startled when the centaur, Lifin, came racing out of the forest beneath her. He was going at quite a speed. Almost an unnatural speed. Then the older came racing out a short while ago at the same impossible speed. There are many routes in and out of the forest, but they both came tearing out at the same spot.”
“That is interesting.” I picked my broomstick up. “Could you show us where that is, please?” I saw Kitty’s excited jiggling and added, “After we’ve flown around with you for a while, of course.”
Stanley hopped onto the front of my broomstick and declared himself ready for takeoff. I got on behind him and waited for Kitty and Gepru to take to the skies first. We had a wonderful time following them in and out of the clouds. Kitty was quite the daredevil and performed rolls and dives that had her mum screaming with fright. I was thankful Stanley wasn’t on Kitty’s back as he would have fallen off immediately.
Gepru flew at my side, her huge wings flapping silently now and again. We chatted about my work as a justice witch, and Gepru pointed out the mountain in the distance where she and Kitty lived. She told me to call on them at any time, but to make sure I sent a butterfly message first so that Kitty wouldn’t be in her cat form. I felt a twinge of sadness about not being able to hold Kitty as a kitten, but I knew it was for the best. I could always cuddle Stanley.
After a while, we circled over to a dense forest which stretched out for miles. Well, 1,000 acres to be precise. Gepru swooped low and we all followed her. She landed on a dirt path which had hoof tracks stamped on it. The tracks were in different sizes and obviously belonged to different centaurs.
Gepru said, “This is where they came racing out; both of them.” She glanced towards the trees. “This isn’t a good place. I can sense it.”
“I can sense it too,” I told her. “But I have to go inside. There’s something about this forest that’s beckoning me in.”
“We can go with you,” Gepru said. I didn’t miss the worried look she gave Kitty at her side.
There was no way I was putting either of the dragons in danger so I said, “No, thank you. I have to do this on my own. I’ll be okay. I know how to defend myself using magic.” I gave her a confident smile.
Stanley said to Gepru, “I’ll look after Cassia. I can feel when there’s danger around.” He gave her his own version of a confident smile.
Gepru said, “I’m not sure I should be leaving you, but I can see you won’t accept our help. Call out for me if you change your minds. Keep in touch. I’ll say goodbye for now.” She turned to look at Kitty. Her baby was fast asleep on the ground. Her wings were disappearing and she was turning into a cat again.
“No!” Gepru hissed quietly. “She doesn’t know how to keep her dragon form yet. I’ll have to get her away from you, Cassia.” She quickly grabbed Kitty by the scruff of her neck and took off into the air. They were soon specks in the distance.
Stanley and I turned and looked at the path in front of us. It led into the forest and I could see how close the thick trees were to each other further along the path. There was barely any sunlight coming through them.
I said to Stanley, “Can you sense any danger ahead?”
“Oh, yes,” he said matter-of-factly. “Can you?”
“Yes. And I can hear someone singing. A woman, I think. She’s calling us closer.”
“I can hear that too.”
We stared at the path for a full minute.
Then we stepped forward and made our way along the darkening path and towards danger.
Chapter 23
We followed the haunting tune through the dark canopy of the trees. I’d like to say we were brave and fearless, but we were neither. My knees knocked together with fear as I walked, and Stanley whimpered occasionally at my side.
After ten minutes of dragging our unwilling feet along the path, we came to a clearing. There was a large green tent in the middle of it, one of those triangular ones with two flaps at the front. A young woman was sitting on a camp chair next to a small fire and holding a stick over the flames. It was the woman who was humming the beckoning tune. She heard our approach and raised her smiling face to us.
My heart missed a beat. She looked exactly like an old schoolfriend of mine. She had the same wonky-toothed smile and the same mole on her left cheek. But what was Sara doing here? It couldn’t be her. Not in Brimstone. I looked closer. No, it wasn’t Sara. This young woman was Sara at the age of 16, and that was almost 14 years ago. I’d met Sara three years ago, and she’d had her teeth straightened and lost the wonky look.
The woman raised a hand in greeting. “Hello, Cassia. And welcome, Stanley. Come closer. I’ve been waiting for you. Would you l
ike some toasted marshmallows? They’re just about ready.”
Stanley hissed, “Who is she? How does she know us?”
I whispered, “I don’t know the answer to either question. Let’s move closer, but keep a safe distance. I don’t trust her at all. She’s got a calculating look in her eyes as if she’s weighing us up.”
The woman laughed. “I am weighing you up, Cassia. I do that with all my visitors. I need to ascertain what their true desires are.” She put down the stick with the marshmallows on it and stood up. She tipped her head to one side and looked me over. She gave me a satisfied nod. “Yes, of course. I thought so. Come closer and I’ll tell you what I picked up from your thoughts.”
Despite my better judgement, curiosity got the better of me and I moved a bit closer. Stanley came with me.
I said, “You know our names. What’s yours?”
She gave me a knowing look. “I go by many names. But you can call me Sara. I think I might bear a passing resemblance to an old friend of yours. Is that true?”
“It might be.” I noticed the slight shimmer of her body. “You’re not in your true form, are you? You’ve taken on Sara’s body because you somehow picked up on my memories.”
She laughed loudly and wagged a finger at me. “Well spotted, Cassia Winter. You are a gifted witch. I did find Sara in your memories as you approached. You went on a camping trip with her, and this forest reminded you of her. You have fond feelings for Sara, so I thought this would be a good body to wear.”
“I’d rather you didn’t. I like Sara, but I don’t like you.” I decided honesty was called for. “Change into your natural shape. And give yourself another name.”
She laughed again. “My! You’re a bossy one. I will do as you ask - for now.”
Her form changed into an older woman with twinkly eyes.
I sighed with impatience. “Don’t turn into my gran. You’re not worthy. Come on, Stanley, I don’t even know what we’re doing here.” I turned away from the creature in front of me.
Brimstone Witch Mysteries - Box Set 1 Page 26
