A Sorcery of Shadows: The Westwood Witches 2

by Sarah Northwood

  The decision on what must be done was made, and for the good of the Earth she would act. Sending a bomb to the Realm, to this castle, would eliminate the threat, like cutting off a limb in order to save the body. Whilst her scientific knowledge extended only as far as what she had gleaned from television shows, and she knew nothing of the world of plants aside from basic survival training, her assets lay in strategy and invasion.

  Arianna had split the unit into factions, each with commanding officers and relevant knowledgeable experts. For the most part, her role had become a project planner and a pencil pusher, but leaders had to understand their limitations and without arrogance get the best people for the job. In this way, the project to create a portal to the Shadow Realm had advanced with increasing efficiency and effectiveness. Bomb experts and all manner of the best military operatives were at her command and, in many ways, this group had become her own dysfunctional family and community.

  Keepers of the gate were fine-tuning the opening and closing of the fissure between their worlds. Like the first space flights, animals had been sent through to test the mechanisms; with the added benefit of a tracker thanks to modern technology. Those early test runs had turned hardened soldiers who had seen action in Afghanistan or other gruesome front lines pallid and rigid. The sight of the deformed, mangled animals made their stomachs turn. But the gatekeepers had persevered. She still remembered the thunderous roar from the control room as the first mammal had made it through successfully to the other side.

  The animals who undertook such tests were not expected to survive in alien terrain. Would the habitat even have evolved along similar lines enough to sustain them? That was where the geologists had come in.

  Probes and satellites provided them with the necessary tools to inform them of oxygen levels, or more specifically, the likelihood of a breathable atmosphere, and samples of the surface were brought back for analysis.

  Navigation experts arguably had the toughest challenge, but they too were headed up by leading scientific minds.

  All had been subjected to a compulsory signing of the Official Secrets Act. It was made explicitly clear: traitors would be considered guilty of treason. Arianna’s organisation reserved special locations for the likes of such people.

  But it was more likely, despite the loss to humanity and whether they were treacherous or not, these civilians would be dealt with in the old-fashioned way when the time came. This would be just one more loose end to tie up. Still the scientists agreed, despite the risks, the opportunity was quite literally a once in a lifetime experience and too good to pass up.

  Which left Arianna and her role in all this. The explosives crew were ready under her command. There would be no discontent on her behalf at happily expressing her own failings in the knowledge of the wider natural world. But what was lacking in these departments she more than made up for in making things go boom.

  Presently she sat behind her desk in the office awaiting the arrival of special officer McKendrick, with her pen clutched in her hand and blank pages before her. Having previously exchanged information with all the team heads, the news she had been waiting for sat hard in her chest. A breathable atmosphere, negligible toxins; plans could move into fast forward.

  She had begun to compose a speech to give McKendrick several times, but the blank pages mocked her. Some might describe her as cold and calculating, but tough choices weren’t made by being soft. This did not mean sending people to their deaths was ever an enjoyable thing to do. Especially not McKendrick. They’d had the pleasure to serve together before. He was a good man, loyal, ruthless and trustworthy.

  But this task could not be entrusted to automation. Or more specifically, she would not. The destruction of the Shadow Realm was a hard task for McKendrick but a necessary one.

  Arianna thought about her choices and whether they would be any different if Joanna were still alive. She’d held the greatest respect for Joanna, the conduit between witches and humans when it came to hunting terrorists or the Realworlders. Her specialist skills and magical know-how had been a great asset. Yet, she’d been a powerful force. Arianna had always been mindful to remember what she was. Even the kindest of horses can give a powerful kick when caught unawares. Either way, it was mute now. Joanna had died. No one could take her place.

  She felt the acrid taste of bile rising in her throat. If she’d ever believed in heaven and hell before, the portal, an eye to another world, had changed her mind. Perhaps there would be no penance for her sins in the afterlife. Instead she would have to live with her choices in the here and now.

  Chapter Twenty

  A Cat is a Friend You Can Trust

  Aero nuzzled Shadow. His long whiskers tickled her face as she pressed it into his warm body and soft fur. He smelt of comfort and home. As he craned his neck for her touch, her light fingers stroked his back, a dopey smile crossing her lips as he arched it and tucked himself closer. Absentmindedly whispering sweet words to him, she suddenly remembered how he had deserted her.

  Where did you go? she asked him in a low voice, striking a tone between enquiry and worry.

  Not went anywhere. Right here, good witch. Always here.

  Well, that’s not entirely true, is it, Shadow? But I have a feeling you go wherever and whenever you like.

  I like to be with you, mistress.

  But then with his nose in the air in utter contempt he padded past her as if proving her point. Aero glared after him with a mixture of pride and annoyance. She realised she would never know where he went or what he got up to.

  She thought to herself that of course, her only friend in this world would prove to be something of an enigma. His answering mewl sounded distinctly like a laugh and she heard his thoughts once again. I like Enigma much better than Shadow.

  Aero leant on her hand, lying below the tree she’d fallen asleep under as if it were a lazy, sunny afternoon and there was nothing better to do.

  But resurfacing sometime earlier from the soil, the act of transformation had taken a toll. For a time, she’d forgotten herself and known only the great tunnelling as she’d forged ahead through the earth. Exhaustion, thirst and hunger had driven her to the surface, but it had been a primal desire and not a conscious one.

  Flickering thoughts of her life as a witch and her mission had been nothing more than a spark buried deep down within herself. When the light came back on, she had become Aero again. Her arms clutched at her chest, trembling against the shock. The world she’d discovered in her transformation had slunk away into the shadows. Floppy and dazed, standing and walking like a baby taking her first steps, each footfall brought excitement and uncertainty. At first, she didn’t remember where she was or how she had gotten to be here, but then realised this was the other side of the Realm. The exact distance travelled was foggy and uncertain, already fading like a dream.

  The line between tenacity and giving up, fuelled mainly by adrenaline, had kept her going in a foreign and hostile world. But now she was here, the castle was in front of her, and her emotions felt thin as a paper bag. All her muster and good intentions were consumed. Her body was deflated, exhausted and out of air. She hadn’t expected to feel like this. Empty.

  Aero would have liked to have known exactly what it was she was walking into. Glancing at the sight of the Shadow Creatures’ stronghold showed her exactly how far out of her depth she was. Sat on a mound of ground which elevated its intimidation, she took in the coldness of the stone and its impenetrable fortress.

  The looming structure reached up into the sky, turrets and towers extending in a circular motion, impossible architecture illuminated by a moon which shone like a bright new penny in water. When she’d arrived in this world there had been barely enough light to see her own hand in front of her face. Whatever the creatures were doing to the witches inside this prison was somehow giving life to the Realm.

  Shadow was once more by her side, standing next to her as if afraid to leave her. Whether he was concerned or knew
her heart and mind were about to yield wasn’t clear. She hadn’t even seen any bloodshed or fighting yet, but Aero understood why soldiers abandoned their posts now.

  A long cold silence passed between her and the cat. The knowledge of the ridiculous odds against her stiffened in her bones and burned her stomach. One girl against an army of Shadow Creatures? The thought alone made her dizzy and apprehensive. She glanced at him, such a small and innocent creature.

  Her body physically recoiled at the battle ahead. There was no fight left to give and her body was too stunned to move. I’m sorry, Shadow, she slurred, her eyes drooping. With a slow smile, she reached out to pet him one more time, but her arm never made it. Instead, her eyes closed, and the world slipped away, down into a sleep she wished to never wake from. Deeper than the sleeping potion and darker than the blackest of depths.

  For a moment Shadow stood there and looked on. Then he whispered to her in the recess of her mind, I will always be here, good witch, and when you are ready, when you wake, you will not be alone. You may wonder who I am, but I know you well and I knew your grandmother.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Shadow

  Shadow stared out into the distance at his home. He’d spent so long away from it he had almost forgotten the sweet smell of the trees. As a cat his olfactory senses appreciated the air with layer upon layer of nuance, and whilst a part of him wanted to enjoy it for just a little bit longer, it was time to return to his true form. In truth, the change couldn’t come soon enough. Shaking off the fur and freeing himself from the constraints of a physical form gave him a heady sensation of weightlessness. He nearly cried out in jubilant relief.

  Exhilaration fluttered through him as he moved the air around his form. He flew out across the surface of the Realm and high into the sky, nothing more than floating particles above the castle. With a jolt he reeled himself back in, peering anxiously around. But the excitement of his release had made him do something risky and dangerous. Retreating to Aero’s side, he realised how foolish it would be to let himself be seen now, having endured hardship and subterfuge all this time for both Joanna and Aero’s sakes. Keeping his place had been one of the most difficult things he’d endured in his life.

  Witches were powerful creatures but to him lived only into childhood, their lives a mere speck in time. Still, Joanna had been special, and she’d bidden him to help her.

  Just the thought of her brought a wave of sadness crashing over him, wiping out the joy he’d felt only a second before. For such a young creature, the look she had given him at the time of her request still burned in his mind, her expression deep and unwavering. He had taken the true measure of her in that moment. On him, she had placed a heavy burden. They were locked into an agreement which could not be broken, a promise he intended to honour.

  Ursule had been a part of the Shadow Realm from the beginning. He remembered fleeting somethings of his early existence but like so many memories time had faded their clarity. Still, he had seen the rise and fall of eco systems and witnessed peace finding its balance. In all the eons which passed he’d never betrayed his own kind.

  These sour thoughts made his mood dip lower. As he gently stroked Aero’s hair and tended to her, he feared her reaction. How would she treat him when she awoke?

  Surely to her they were all monsters. He knew his own peaceful intentions, but would she only see darkness and fear? Their journey had been a long one. Now they both knew what awaited them. He too felt alarmed. What if their only chance at survival would be for him to become a monster too?

  As his charge continued to sleep, he took the sight of fresh rose blooming in her cheeks to be a good sign. He suspected her body and mind needed to recover from everything it had suffered. But he understood little of how a creature like her would repair, or how one could damage so easily.

  Transforming into something resembling an Earth bear-like creature, he lifted her, noting the frail way her body drooped in his arms. So light and delicate, she felt like a poof of air as he moved her to a more guarded location. They still had line of sight to the castle but were offered protection from view by a crisscross of branches and large leaves.

  His first service was always to Aero, but he saw an advantage in waiting here too. Spying was not an honourable profession, but neither was treason. The treachery of watching them now was the least of his concerns, especially considering the discoveries he had made.

  He had observed a sliver of black coming from the castle and watched with interest as the dust grew and grew, becoming recognisable. With a keen eye and quiet mind, he’d noticed this occurrence more than once and discerned an entry point existed. Useful information on the edge of this war.

  Turning to his charge, he spoke in a low voice as Aero slept on. Perhaps some part of her could still hear him? He recounted adventures and happier times which he and Joanna had shared. He had known this girl’s grandmother since she was in her childhood.

  A girl both curious and gifted, with wide eyes filled with wonder. As a young child she’d had the courage to follow the call and had been rewarded, finding the Realm. There were not many who could say such a thing.

  They had undergone moments of joy together but as Joanna had grown, so too had her life away from the Realm. Many unspoken years had passed between them when Joanna had once again come to see him, to ask for his help. So much time had passed each wondered about the other and whether they remained as they once had, but in their eyes, they had known the truth of each other and understood.

  During his earlier flight, he had spotted fresh water just beyond a ridge to the west. Still in his bear form he picked up Aero and with stealth, he began to move her. If the witch were to recover her strength, she would need water.

  Having safely moved her undetected, Shadow now left and walked down to the spring, gathering up the fresh liquid in a makeshift cup he had made from the large leaves. He was only able to collect a little at a time in this way, but it was enough to bring droplets to her lips. He had gone back and forth many times and on each occasion the water had clung to her lips without any motion or response from the girl. With every trip he projected his thoughts for her to drink, but both in body and mind the girl was silent and beyond his reach.

  As he waited in silent prayer to the Realm, he listened to the orchestra of the insects. It was hard not to notice the air which had come alive with their movements, and he’d missed the absence of the Realm’s creatures in the last few months. Now life had sparked back into his world and they had returned. His heart should have felt lighter at the sight. It brought hope of new life and renewal to his home, but he feared where this life had come from, and what price it had cost.

  Shadow wished he could sit with ease and be patient, but he’d watched the castle for as long as he could stomach. There was nothing new to learn and whilst the large body of the trees hid them well, eventually they would be discovered.

  Distracted by his restlessness he didn’t notice his charge begin to rouse, but he soon realised she was awake when he felt the stick strike the back of his head with a dull thud.

  Thankfully, the blow fell short of heavy damage, but he might have preferred it to what came next. Unsuccessful in physical combat, Aero began to scream. The assault on Shadow’s senses felt like a powerful and painful invasion. Not to mention the real danger it put them in.

  With quick thinking he changed and, as a dust cloud, flew towards her face. Placing a hand across her mouth, he drowned out the awful shrieking. Up close he saw her eyes, wild and shining bright with defiance. He almost released her; the sight of this new side to her was such a shock. Joanna had been right about her granddaughter, this sweet girl also had bite. And though he’d thought of her as almost insubstantial when asleep, she clearly had plenty of fight. This was good. She’d need it.

  There was the small matter of first convincing her to trust him. He saw no other way but to come straight like an arrow at the truth. “Aero, please be quiet. We are close to the castle
and your screams can be heard for miles. It is me, Shadow, your faithful friend.”

  He watched her face closely as she quietened and tried to sit. He removed his hand and rushed to help, but halted at her alarm. Shrinking back from his attempt to touch her, she peered at him.

  “I think perhaps you know what I am. I think you have known all long. Why else would you call me Shadow? But I promise I’m not here to hurt you. I’ve stood by your side far longer than you know. I will not desert you now.”

  She had every right to hate Shadow Creatures, he knew it would be hard for her to trust him. He quickly changed back into the cat he knew she loved. Whilst communicating in this form was not as easy, he needed her to see he was not a threat. He could only hope she would see past the what of who he was and know him for him.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Fancy Seeing You Here

  Aero sat, with the back of the tree supporting her weight, staring down at the cat. She might have called him her very own alien, for how ridiculous it sounded to her now. He’d never been hers. Apparently the one thing in this place which had given her any comfort was a lie. Why were there always secrets surrounding her? Hadn’t her life experience taught her anything?

  Disbelief had been the overriding emotion seeing him reveal himself to her, but deep inside, almost hidden from herself, she knew she’d known from the beginning.

  Still, she half expected him to spring a surprise capture, whisking her away to the castle and declaring to all his little friends that he himself was the supreme victor; the greatest in all the history of the Shadow Creatures.

  Yet, he’d had plenty of opportunities to do that already. As defenceless as her body had been, Shadow could have done it countless times and she’d have been none the wiser. And hadn’t he been the one to tell her how to bring back the fairies and lead her here? He’d looked after her; more, he’d moved her to somewhere safe.