Magic Unleashed

by T J Green

  “It might well be, but I’ve ordered him to keep his head down for now.”

  “Well, he’s pretty excited about going to St Luke’s in Harecombe,” Avery said, recalling their earlier conversation. “Caspian is not.”

  “I like this Genevieve woman,” Alex declared. “She doesn’t put up with Caspian’s shit.”

  “Not many do, actually,” Avery said, thinking about the previous night’s meeting. “It was interesting going to the meeting again. I got more of a feel for the atmosphere and associations. Who likes who, who doesn’t. While Caspian has a couple of allies, most people are pretty indifferent, if not annoyed with him. I just get the general impression that everyone’s over his grand pretensions. Oswald, Claudia, Genevieve, and Rasmus are too old and too wise to put up with him. I think it was good taking Reuben, too. He’s less annoyed now. And of course, we had an opportunity to share what did happen recently. They had no idea.”

  “Well done,” Briar said, smiling brightly. “I knew you’d do a great job. And I’m glad Reuben enjoyed it, too.”

  “He really did,” Avery agreed. “It gave him perspective, and me too. I know what our place is in all this now. We really are part of a much bigger thing. Our town, or coven, has been in the dark about so much. No wonder our ancestors left town and abandoned witchcraft. I think it would have been less likely if they’d been part of a bigger community. It explains a lot,” she mused.

  “Just think,” Briar said, “my family may never have left, or El’s.”

  “At least you’re back now,” Newton said, “and hopefully not planning to leave again.”

  Avery suppressed a smile as she saw Briar’s slightly startled expression. “Absolutely not, Newton. Especially with my shop doing so well.”

  “Good,” he said, swiftly downing his pint. “Must be time for another.”

  ***

  James met Avery and Alex at the side door to the church. In the few days since they’d seen him, he looked as if he’d aged by several years.

  “Are you all right, James?” Avery asked, as she watched James fiddle with the keys. Not that they needed them, but they couldn’t tell James that.

  “Not really. Harry is dead in extremely suspicious circumstances, the church is locked down, and now the Bishop’s becoming involved.” He looked up, harassed. “Did you see that headline?”

  “We did,” Alex said sympathetically. “In a few months, this will be old news. Don’t worry.”

  “But where do I see my congregation? Can I come in now, just to see what’s going on?”

  “No,” Alex said firmly. He leaned against the door frame, his arms crossed. “It’s too dangerous.”

  “You can’t possibly believe it really was the spirit?” James asked, although doubt filled his eyes.

  Avery felt sorry for him. Although they’d all been together when the spirit attacked, James was clearly trying to play the whole thing down. It wasn’t unusual. To admit that there was a violent spirit in the church was one step too many for some. Although James had been willing to investigate, the proof now seemed daunting.

  “James, let us do what we need to. Who knows, it may have gone?” Avery said, trying to be positive, even though she didn’t believe it for a second.

  “But if it’s not? How long could this take? This Bishop could well insist we re-open.”

  “We have no idea how long. And if the Bishop does insist, all future deaths will be on his head. Now, can we go in please?” Alex said, pointing at the keys that James still held loosely in his hands.

  “What are you going to do?”

  “I come from a long line of psychics,” Alex explained. “I’m going to try and communicate with it, that’s all.”

  James paused for a second, and then opened the door. Alex and Avery slipped inside, hefting their backpacks with them.

  Avery turned to thank him, blocking the doorway. “Thanks, James. Can you give me a key? We’ll lock ourselves in and return the key later.”

  “I can wait.”

  “Please don’t. Go home, relax. We’ll see you soon.”

  James looked as if he would argue, but then turned and disappeared, his head down and shoulders bowed. He looked defeated, as if every ounce of his energy had been sucked from him. And maybe also his faith. James would be okay, she reassured herself. At least he wasn’t a zealot.

  Avery carefully locked the door, leaving the key in the lock, and turned to find Alex had already gone. She looked around and concentrated, feeling with her magic to see if she could detect anything, but the church felt eerily silent. It smelt musty after days of being locked up, and a heavy dampness hung on the air.

  She headed down the corridor and found Alex in the nave, already setting up in the space in front of the altar, the noises he made echoing sullenly around the church. “Feel anything?”

  “Nope, you?”

  “No.” Avery paced around, feeling for changes in temperature, or electrical static and pools of energy. She looked at the vaulted roof. “Weird, nothing at all. You’d think we’d feel something.”

  Alex pulled the salt from his bag and poured it out on the floor, making a large circle, big enough for him and Avery to sit in. “We need to encourage it to appear. Come on, jump in.”

  Avery stepped inside, carrying the bags with her. She pulled out twelve candles, all black for protection, and placed four of them at the compass points, and the rest in between all along the inner edge of the circle of salt, lighting them with a spark from her fingers. Then, while Alex uncovered the heavy crystal ball, she pulled a bundle of incense out, the combination designed to aid with communication and concentration.

  She ran the ends of the incense through the flames and watched them spark in an even red glow, and the spicy-sweet smell of incense filled the air; along with the soft light of the candles, Avery felt herself begin to relax and her senses heighten. Her magic started to build as she began to focus in this cavernous space.

  She pulled a heavy cotton scarf from her bag, folded it, and then sat cross-legged, watching Alex prepare himself.

  Aware he was being watched, he looked up and smiled, his teeth gleaming in the dusky light of the church. The last rays of the sun were setting behind him and falling through the stained glass windows, casting a rosy glow around them. “Glad you’re here, Avery.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it,” she said, her pulse quickening. She wasn’t sure if it was because of the situation or just him. Probably just him. Every time he looked at her she felt his gaze like a caress across her skin.

  “We should protect the circle first.”

  “You lead,” she said, as he took her hands in his warm, strong grip. Together they uttered an invocation, reminding her of the first time they had done this together in her attic.

  Avery felt a rush of energy and the magic of the spell soared around them, effectively sealing them within its protective embrace. The candles flared, and as the daylight diminished, the church filled with shadows.

  And then she felt something stir in the blackness.

  A shiver ran across her skin, which was not caused by Alex. “Can you feel it?”

  He nodded, scanning the room. “I can’t pinpoint where it is.”

  “No, me neither. It hasn’t gathered itself yet.”

  “It feels old.”

  Avery reconsidered the spell she’d suggested as a way of communicating, and doubted herself. “Maybe bringing the crystal ball was pointless. If it’s here, you won’t need it.”

  “I’ll need it,” Alex assured her, still searching the room. “It will help me focus.”

  “What if it’s too strong and hurts your mind?”

  “You’ll have to break the connection.”

  “How?” she said, worry flooding through her.

  “You’ll think of something,” he said, his calm voice soothing her.

  Now that they were sitting there, the candles blazing, with something manifesting in the dark, she realised how ill-conceived thei
r plan was, and how vulnerable they were.

  This spirit had killed a man.

  Alex seemed to have no such doubts as he confidently reached forward to the crystal ball sitting between them and grasped it with both hands, closed his eyes, and began the spell.

  Avery felt his power build and watched the ball at the same time as she sensed movement of the spirit around them. It had drawn closer and she felt a prickle between her shoulder blades. She fought the compulsion to turn around, and continued to watch the crystal ball. For a few seconds nothing much seemed to happen; she could see the distorted images of Alex’s crossed legs though the glass, but then it started to darken, and a swirl of smoke filled the centre, until it was completely opaque.

  Alex’s chanting slowed and he opened his eyes, staring into the depths of the ball. His pupils looked huge, his skin burnished in the light of the candles, and his hair fell around his face, giving him the look of a mystic. “Show yourself to me,” he commanded, his voice lowered.

  The air seemed to thicken around them, and Avery had never felt so thankful to be within the circle.

  Alex continued. “Tell me what you want.” The ball within his hands was now impenetrable, and while Avery could see nothing, Alex stared into it, frowning. “Talk to me. You bring fear and death. What do you want?”

  Sparks appeared within the smoky interior, and Alex gripped it harder, his knuckles whitening. “That is not possible,” he said. “This is not your dimension. Leave! Find peace.”

  Avery was startled. Alex must be talking to it. She felt the spirit draw closer, circling them slowly, and Avery looked up, trying to see beyond the bright bloom of candlelight into the darkness beyond. For a second she thought she saw something and her heart rate rocketed. The protection spell responded and the flames from the candles flared, shooting several feet into the air to create a wall of fire around them. Immediately the spirit fell back, and it seemed as if there were footfalls in the darkness.

  Alex continued to talk in his low monotone, reasoning and coaxing. “Tell me what you are. How many came with you?”

  She heard another sound like a sigh, something she couldn’t quite identify, and the ball flickered with light again. Alex became more insistent. “Let us help you return, you do not belong here.”

  Avery watched, mesmerised as the lightshow within intensified, like small lightning strikes hitting the glass. She didn’t need Alex to tell her that the spirit was angry, she could feel it. It wanted to escape, but Alex’s will was too strong.

  Suddenly, the spirit surged, the white light within the ball became blinding, and Avery looked away, but Alex didn’t move. He was transfixed, his hands like claws around the glass.

  “Alex!” Avery shouted. “Release it, now!”

  But Alex wouldn’t, or couldn’t. Was it drawing power from Alex? He wasn’t speaking anymore; instead, he seemed locked in his own private battle.

  Crap. This was just what they’d feared. If Avery also touched the ball, would she become locked within it, too? Instead, she reached over and held Alex’s face within her hands, talking to him urgently but softly.

  Nothing happened. The light grew brighter, the spirit grew stronger, and Alex’s hands started to shake.

  She must destroy the ball.

  Avery said the first suitable spell that came to mind, holding her hands above the ball, but not touching it, and sent a powerful shot of energy down through the crystal like a punch. It shattered, chunks of glass flying out in all directions, and Alex fell forward into Avery’s lap.

  Alex’s weight pinned her to the floor. She could see blood trickling down his arms from where he’d been cut. The smell of blood filled the air, and Avery bit back her fear. The circle would protect them. The spirit beyond the flames weakened suddenly, as if a howling wind had suddenly stopped, but she still felt it watching them, and then a second later it vanished, and the church was empty again.

  “Alex, wake up,” she said, shaking him violently. They needed to get out of there before it came back. “Wake up, now!” She sent a burst of energy across his skin and she felt him stir. He groaned and she sighed in relief. “Alex, are you okay?”

  He grunted something she didn’t understand.

  “Sorry, I didn’t get that, but you’re alive, so that’s good. We need to get out of here.” She tried to lift him up, but he was a dead weight. “Alex, please. That thing has gone. We need to go before it comes back.”

  He rolled his head slightly, his eyes tightly closed, muttering something in a guttural language she didn’t understand. What the hell was going on?

  “Stop being funny. I can’t understand you.”

  Alex sat up suddenly, his eyes opened, and Avery almost shouted with shock. His eyes were white and blinking blindly as he turned his head. His voice rose in panic, and then he fell forward again, the words tumbling out one after another. Damn. She had to get him to Briar.

  “It’s okay, take deep breaths,” she said, trying to calm him with her most soothing voice. She stroked his arms, trying to avoid the shattered glass that lay between them, but he tried to throw her off, still muttering, becoming almost hysterical. Was he possessed?

  She knew a few healing spells, and she tried one then. For a few anxious seconds that felt like hours, she watched him uneasily, hearing the old building settle around them; the squeak and crack of old wood, the eddy of a breeze from ill-fitted windows. And then she felt Alex start to relax, his words slowing.

  “Okay. Time to go.” She eased away, and started to collect their few belongings, placing them into their packs. She wanted to turn the lights on, but was worried it would damage Alex’s eyes even more, so she conjured a witch light before extinguishing the candles. She used a spell to collect the glass from the crystal ball, and the pieces hung in the air before she dropped them into a pocket.

  Alex groaned as she hauled him to his feet. “Come on, time to see Briar.”

  12

  Before they headed to Briar’s house, Avery needed to return the key to the church. The vicarage was an eighteenth-century house, a few steps from the church. She left Alex sitting in her van, still muttering to himself, and rocking gently backwards and forwards. She didn’t want to leave him, but she had to return the key, so she headed up the path to James’s front door.

  James appeared in seconds, his eyes filled with questions. “What happened? Did you get rid of it?”

  Avery shook her head. “We weren’t trying to, James. We were trying to find out what it is.”

  “And did you?”

  “I don’t know yet. I need to ask Alex.” She hesitated. “He’s not very well at the moment. I need to take him to a friend.”

  “Can I see him?” he asked anxiously.

  “Not now. Look, I know you’re worried, but we need to be careful. Do not go back in that church—whatever the Bishop says.”

  He looked at the floor for a few seconds, and then looked her in the eye. “Do you believe in the Devil?”

  “I believe in many things. The world is not as black and white as some would like it to be. Do you?”

  “I believe in God. I believe he cast out his brother angel, and I believe he tries to lure us into evil.”

  Avery nodded, not sure where James was going with this. “Well, you’re a vicar, that figures.” Wow. That sounded lame.

  “Is he in my church, Avery?”

  She stared at him for a second. “The Devil?”

  “Is he?” he repeated.

  “No, I’m pretty sure it’s not the Devil, but I don’t know what it is yet.”

  James sighed and passed a hand over his face. Avery could hear the TV in the background, and someone talking. James had a family and a congregation to worry about. Avery felt as if the safety of the whole town rested on her shoulders.

  “I have to go. Stay safe, and I’ll be in touch.”

  ***

  Alex started to become agitated again on the drive, and Avery pulled over and managed to subdue him again, a
nd then made a quick call to Briar to check that she was in. Avery was relieved it was a short trip. By the time they arrived at Briar’s small cottage it was after eleven o’clock, but Briar met them at the door, and led them into the small conservatory at the back where they had eaten dinner only weeks before.

  The walls of the conservatory were mainly glass in wooden frames, the lower half solid wood. A sagging couch sat under one of the long windows, stacked with cushions, and she led Alex to it.

  Rattan blinds covered the windows, but the double doors were ajar, letting in a warm night breeze. Candles filled the space, and incense coiled on the air. Books and papers were stacked on the long wooden table, and it was clear Briar had been working there. An old, battered case that she used for transporting her herbs, gems, and potions was sitting on the table, open in readiness, her grimoires next to it.

  “What happened?” Briar asked, once Alex was lying down.

  “Well, it worked. Alex could speak to it, I think. I have no idea what it said,” Avery explained. “But then something happened. The crystal ball went white and Alex just stared into it. I had to destroy the ball to release him, and now he’s talking in some strange language, and his eyes…” She paused as he opened his eyes and started to yell, and Briar cried out in surprise.

  “Avery, what the hell?”

  Avery could feel herself welling up now that she was with Briar and her adrenaline was wearing off. “I don’t know. I managed to subdue him, but the spell doesn’t hold for long. Is he possessed?”

  “I’m not sure until I examine him. Have you got your phone?”

  When Avery nodded, she said, “Start recording, I want to listen to what he’s saying properly later.”

  “That’s a brilliant idea,” Avery said, pulling her phone from her bag. She sat on the floor and leaned closer to Alex, trying not to get in Briar’s way, and then pressed record.

  Although they had managed to deposit Alex on the sofa, he was far from settled. He twitched all over, his hands were clenched tight, and he continued to chant and groan, a sheen of sweat visible on his face. Avery watched Briar’s deft hands moving over his forehead, and then she did as Avery had done, taking his head within her hands. Every now and again she turned to her case to collect various stones and herbs. She placed a large amethyst on Alex’s forehead, held her hand on it, and started a spell, her lips moving quickly.