Pledge (Witches of Coventry House Book 1)

by Christina Garner

  Eden pulled her little wooden stool over to the window—the one she sat in when she played teacher and read to her stuffed animals—and climbed up to look outside.

  There was someone out there. Someone standing beneath the tree she loved to climb. Who had come to see her in the middle of the night? She waved, and her new friend stepped from the shadow and into the light of the moon. He smiled and crooked his finger.

  Her tiny hands struggled with the lock. She didn’t want to keep him waiting.

  The latch gave way, and Eden pressed the window open.

  She swung one leg up on the windowsill and then the other. Her new friend reached up, spreading his arms wide.

  Eden jumped.

  Chapter 26

  Mael stepped back before the one called Sarah touched him.

  If she touched him, his spell would be broken, and the screaming would start.

  “No, wait! Please don’t go.”

  Her desperate cry was music to his ears.

  He crooked a finger and turned, knowing she would follow. He walked slowly, pondering which one he would gather next.

  The answer lay in a heap at the base of the stairs.

  The moment after she’d leapt from her window and his arms closed around her, Eden knew she’d made a terrible mistake.

  Vines snaked around her, and thick moss blossomed in her throat. Her tiny body twisted in its bindings, her lungs struggling for air.

  Sharp fingernails dug into her flesh, and the boogeyman slung her over his shoulder and ran. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she watched her house getting smaller and smaller.

  He dropped her into the trunk of a car and paused just long enough to pull his lips back in a wicked smile, his teeth jagged and gray. Eden screamed, but the sound was swallowed by the stinking, wet gag.

  The last thing she saw were his glowing, yellow eyes before he slammed the trunk lid and cast her into darkness. She kicked frantically and clawed for the gag in her throat.

  He was going to kill her. The boogeyman was going to kill her—she had to get out of this trunk. The door slammed, and the engine started.

  No! she screamed, the sound nothing but a gurgle. She kicked and thrashed and cried. The heat of the trunk was suffocating.

  It got hotter and hotter—like she was being roasted alive. Except the heat was coming from inside of her.

  She felt it in her belly, felt it build and build, rivers of sweat pouring from her body, but even that wasn’t enough release.

  The heat shot up and out of her, and a moment later she heard a scream—a bloodcurdling cry that sliced into her ears.

  The scream faded, only to be replaced by hisses and pops. Smoke filled the trunk and burned her eyes, made her lungs scream for air.

  Eden kicked and kicked as the flames closed in.

  And then the trunk flew open, and Eden was staring into the wild, worried eyes of Mr. Mathers, her crabby neighbor from down the street who yelled if the kids strayed too close to his lawn.

  He scooped her in his hairy arms and pulled her out.

  For one hysterical moment, Eden thought that maybe he was kidnapping her too, but then she heard the car explode—felt him fall to the ground on top of her, shielding her from the flying debris.

  “I’ve got you.” For the first time ever, Mr. Mathers sounded kind. “You’re safe now.”

  In the back of an ambulance, Eden sat curled into the lap of her mother, who held her tightly and murmured, “My baby, my baby,” over and over in Eden’s ear.

  Her father stood outside, talking with a policeman.

  “The car was stolen. If she can’t give us an accurate description, we may never track him down,” the policeman said. “Maybe once she’s calmed down she’ll be able to give us details we can use.”

  “Stealing a child from her bed then lighting her on fire... I can’t even—” Her father looked like he might cry. He never cried.

  Eden felt terrible for causing all of this. They had to know the truth.

  “Mommy, the boogeyman—”

  “Ssh, sweetie.” Her mother rocked her. “There’s no monster. You’re safe now.”

  Why wouldn’t they listen? The details were fading, but she remembered opening the window, remembered—

  Eden bolted upright, back in her adult body, the terrible truth on her lips.

  “I jumped,” she whispered. Then over and over again, “I jumped.”

  Her whole life she’d been afraid the boogeyman was real, but that wasn’t the truth she’d been avoiding. She hadn’t been taken. She’d gone willingly.

  “You jumped.” His voice was grating and raw. “And you have no idea how long I’ve spent wishing you hadn’t.”

  Eden looked up, her pulse pounding, every nerve a live wire.

  He was as hideous as she remembered, veins pulsating beneath translucent skin, his eyes glowing in the darkness. He circled her slowly, and she trembled, terror gripping her heart.

  “But now, I see the synergy. See that I should be the one to bring you.” He bent low and rasped in her ear. “Of course, the money helps that synergy along.”

  Eden glimpsed over his shoulder, and what she saw freed her from her paralysis.

  “Sarah!”

  Sarah stood on the bottom step, still entranced.

  Eden leapt to her feet, but the boogeyman struck her so hard she went sprawling across the floor, jolting her already injured shoulder.

  Thick, rope-like vines sprang up around her, crushing her limbs to her sides.

  Moss, thick and heavy, filled her mouth and throat as she gagged.

  No, not again, not again!

  Eden kicked and writhed. The vines snaked around and squeezed her shoulder; the pain was excruciating.

  He watched her, head tilted—a bird regarding a worm.

  She thrashed until the pain and the trickle of air took its toll—until her eyes bulged and her nostrils flared. Then all was still, except for the pounding of her heart.

  “Is that all?” He sounded disappointed. “You had more fight in you as a child. Seeing you so pathetic almost makes up for the hell you put me through.” He loomed close, the stench of his breath hot on her face. “Almost.”

  He gripped her by the throat, his long fingers wrapping all the way around and pressing into her windpipe. Spots danced before her eyes, but she wouldn’t let herself lose consciousness. Because jumping wasn’t the only thing she remembered.

  Fire burned in Eden’s belly, sparking a blaze that ripped through her whole body. It burst forth into flame and then—

  Fizzled.

  Eden stared in disbelief.

  The boogeyman released his hold on her neck, his lips peeled back in a cruel rictus. “Try again.”

  She did—summoning every ounce of strength she had—but with the same result. The flames simply ceased to be.

  “Do you think I would risk coming back for you if your fire could still touch me? Because of what you did to me, I had to go home—to heal in the waters of my world.” His eyes flashed with menace. “My flesh was twisted and charred, which spared me at first. But as I healed, the hunt began.” He shoved her backward. “A great irony that this skin you humans find grotesque is so coveted in my world that the borahn are close to extinction.”

  Eden’s head swam as she struggled to sit up. Her mouth worked furiously, but no sound came out. He waved his hand, and the gag disappeared. She wheezed as air rushed into her lungs.

  “Am I supposed to feel sorry for you?” Her voice was scratchy and hoarse.

  The boogeyman chuckled.

  “Empathy is a lie, and sympathy is boring. I want neither.” His voice became a hiss. “I just want you to know why this is going to hurt so much.”

  Eden screamed as razor-sharp fingernails sliced into the flesh of her ruined shoulder. He dug deeper and deeper into the muscle, the pain white-hot and blinding. She screamed until she had nothing left, until her cries were nothing more than whimpers.

  He released her, and
she collapsed back to the floor, the blow to her ruined shoulder barely registering.

  She couldn’t let herself go into shock. If the others were under his spell—

  Eden’s eyes darted around the room, but all she saw was Sarah and Paige. That meant—

  “Jules! Rebecca!” If she could warn them, there was still hope. “Get Carolyn. Run!”

  The boogeyman backhanded her, and her brain rattled in her skull. “There will be no running.”

  He pursed his lips and whistled, an eerie sound she remembered all too well.

  She heard footsteps and turned to see Rebecca, Jules following behind.

  “What’s with the yelling?” Rebecca was brushing dust from her clothes. “And do not tell me after what I just went through that I’m supposed to follow the sound to an attic because—”

  She raised her eyes and gasped, a look of ecstasy washing over her. Jules was gone too.

  “You see?” he said. “They belong to me now.”

  Eden sagged, an unruly tear sliding down her cheek. “Why me?”

  The question had consumed her since she was a child, but she’d never spoken it aloud. If he was going to kill her, she would die knowing the whole truth.

  “Because of your power. It’s always about power.”

  Injured and bound, her magic failing—Eden had never felt so powerless in her life.

  “Why did you jump?”

  The question caught Eden off guard, and she looked up at him with indignation.

  “Because I was under your spell. The way they are.” She cocked her head toward the corner.

  A look of genuine surprise flashed on the boogeyman’s face. “Is that what you think?”

  He touched her cheek, and though his skin was like sandpaper on hers, the look he gave her could pass for affectionate.

  “Do you truly not know who you are?” His words were as revolting as his touch.

  “I know who I am.” She spoke through gritted teeth.

  “If that’s true, then you feel the darkness in you—a blackness so complete it absorbs the light around it. An abyss that hungers for death and worse. You’re the perfect kind of monster—the kind who can excuse her violence in a shroud of righteousness.”

  “You don’t know what you’re—”

  “Let me show you.” He turned to Rebecca and pulled a slim dagger from his pocket. “Catch.”

  The blade sailed through the air, and with lightning reflexes Rebecca caught it, her glassy-eyed expression never faltering.

  The boogeyman made a twisting motion with his fingers, and Rebecca spun the blade, placing the tip to her heart.

  “No!” Eden struggled against her bindings.

  “Good.” The boogeyman looked back at her, pleased. “But you can do better.”

  He went to Sarah, who looked at him adoringly. His hand hovered near her neck.

  “Don’t hurt her.” Eden tried to keep the panic from her voice, tried to think of something—anything—that would stop him.

  “Or you’ll what?” His eyes blazed. “What does the beast in you want to do to me if I threaten your friend?”

  The image of Hannah, her neck broken—her eyes wide and frozen with fright—flashed in Eden’s mind.

  “You killed Hannah.”

  He didn’t speak, just gave a small nod.

  “Why?” She had to stall. The flames hadn’t touched him, but they’d singed the vines. If she could get free, she could...what?

  “I let her see me too soon.” The admission seemed to annoy him, and he waved his hand dismissively. “Enough of this. Your pain lies in the pain of others.” His hand closed around Sarah’s throat. “Show me who you really are.”

  “No!” Eden screamed.

  Sarah’s eyes rolled back in her head. When they snapped back open, they were wild with fright. She made a gurgling sound and clawed at the boogeyman’s hand around her neck.

  “I’ll do anything,” Eden begged, but the boogeyman didn’t want to bargain; he was taking delight in her pain.

  She twisted and tugged at the vines behind her back. The spell on Sarah was broken. If he let Sarah go, she could run. At least one of them would live.

  The boogeyman lifted Sarah up so that only her toes scraped the floor.

  He was killing her; he was—

  Eden broke free of the vines and, with a guttural cry, launched herself into him.

  She caught him low and off guard, and they crashed to the floor, taking Rebecca and Sarah with them.

  Rebecca screamed and scrambled backward. Sarah lay in a heap, struggling for air. The boogeyman paid neither any heed, his eyes frantically searching the floor.

  Eden spotted the shiny piece of silver at the same time he did. They dove for it, her hands closing around it first.

  He punched her—her brain bouncing in her skull—but she held fast. She gasped in pain and surprise as the fever built inside of her again—becoming an inferno.

  Fear flashed in the boogeyman’s eyes.

  The heat burned away her pain, burned away everything but its own existence.

  He bolted for the door, but Eden stepped between him and it.

  “I think my flames will touch you now.” This time, she was the one smiling. “You don’t have power over me anymore."

  “You still don’t understand.” His glowing eyes regarded her with scorn. “I never had power over you.”

  White-hot flames engulfed him, and the boogeyman screamed, the same terrible scream she’d heard as a child.

  Eden sent more and more fire—she had to know he would never come for her again.

  The blaze consumed everything—even his cries—and she watched, mesmerized, as he turned to ash.

  “Eden.”

  Sarah shook her, and Eden came back to herself.

  Sarah’s face was a mix of horror and confusion.

  “It’s all right,” Eden said. “He’s gone now. For good this time.”

  “But...what was he?” she said. “I thought he was an—”

  The front door burst open, and Alex rushed in, Courtney and the others on her heels.

  “You’re alive.” Eden’s eyes went wide. “But—but you were...”

  “Pro tip, Eden—if you come across a witch with no wounds, covered in blood, try washing it off. And maybe check for a pulse.” Her eyes scanned the scene. “What happened in here?”

  “I’ll second that question.” Rebecca pulled herself to her feet, her face ashen.

  Paige and Jules looked around, their faces painted with shock.

  “What is this?” Alex said, pointing to the thick pile of ash.

  “The-the boogeyman,” Eden stammered. “He called himself something... Borahn, I think.”

  “A borahn demon?” Alex’s eyes climbed up her forehead. “That explains the catatonia.” She looked down at her robe in disgust. “And why I’m covered in deer’s blood.”

  “It really doesn’t.” Rebecca folded her arms. “At all.”

  “I saw him,” Courtney said. “For a split-second. I tried to cast a protection spell around us, but it slid right off.”

  “He had this.” Eden opened her hand.

  “A talisman.” Alex plucked it from Eden’s palm. “To block magic.”

  “Will someone please tell me what’s going on?” Sarah’s voice was shaky, and she rubbed her throat.

  “We will,” Courtney said. “For now we need to get out of here.”

  “You don’t have to ask me twice.” Rebecca made her way toward the door. She paused when she got to Eden. Their eyes locked, and Rebecca gave her the fraction of a nod. Then she hastened from the room.

  Paige followed, stopping in front of Eden, her face pale. “I’m not completely sure what just happened. But I think I might owe you my life, so... Thank you.”

  She shuffled toward the door, her head bowed.

  “Me too,” Jules said. “I thought he was...”

  “It doesn’t matter,” Eden said. “It was a trick. A spell—otherwise
none of us would have gone to him.”

  Jules nodded gratefully and left.

  “Come on.” Sarah took Eden’s hand. “Let’s go home.”

  She let Sarah lead her, but where they were going wasn’t Eden’s home anymore. She glanced back at the pile of ashes and suppressed a shudder.

  I never had power over you.

  Chapter 27

  Eden looked up, the sight of Coventry House filling her with the same blend of feelings it had the first time she’d come: apprehension mixed with wonder and a side of intimidation. Except this time there was sadness too. And loss.

  Her legs felt rubbery as she climbed the steps, Sarah all but holding her up. The adrenaline was wearing off, and Eden felt she might collapse at any second.

  The healing spell Alex performed had been enough to stop the bleeding but hadn’t repaired much of the damage; her shoulder throbbed and burned in its makeshift sling.

  Walking into Coventry House felt like an exhale. Like Eden had been underwater too long, holding her breath, and had finally broken the surface.

  Only the air—Coventry House—didn’t belong to her anymore.

  The common room was empty except for Carolyn.

  “Sit down.” She rushed forward.

  Eden sat, although it was more like her legs gave way.

  “Carolyn, I—”

  “Shh.” Carolyn closed her eyes and ran her hands over Eden’s body.

  When she stopped at her shoulder, Eden gasped, ice cold and burning heat twisting inside of her muscles. The two extremes were almost too much to bear; Eden panted with the effort it took not to pass out.

  Finally Carolyn opened her eyes, and Eden’s pain receded.

  “You will be sore,” she said. “But it is healed.”

  It was true; when Eden slipped her arm from the sling, she was able to rotate her shoulder with only moderate pain.

  She looked into the eyes of the woman she’d alternately idolized and feared. “Thank you.”

  “From what Alex tells me, you saved several of my girls tonight. It is I who owe the thanks.” Carolyn stood and scanned the others. “Is anyone else injured?”