Brimstone Witch Mysteries - Box Set 2

by April Fernsby

  “Knot making? Like a reef knot? And a rolling hitch? That sort of thing?”

  “I don’t know the names of the knots, but yes, those kinds of knots. In fact, Knotty Cove is a nickname that the residents came up with years back to increase tourism. They’ve even got a website and Facebook pages. I can’t see the fascination myself with knots, but some people seem to like it.”

  Jeremy stared into the distance. “I love knots and all the different varieties you can get. I’ve got a book on them. That workshop sounds amazing. How often do they have classes? Do you think I could enrol in one of them?”

  I smiled at him as we walked along. “I’m sure something can be arranged. I’ll sort it out for you after this investigation.”

  “Thank you,” Jeremy said, with a huge smile on his face.

  We came to a stop at the water’s edge. Stanley was standing as close as he dared. He was giving the water a suspicious look and his whiskers were twitching in an irritated manner as if the water was offending him.

  I said to him, “You don’t have to come with me. You can stay here with Jeremy and tell him about the comb business.”

  Stanley lifted his little chin and said, “I’ve made my mind up. I’m coming with you. I trust your spell-casting abilities and know that no harm will come to me.”

  I was touched by his faith in me and hoped I wouldn’t let him down.

  Jeremy said, “What’s all this about a comb? I thought that got sorted out.”

  I reached into my pocket and retrieved the hair comb. I told Jeremy where I’d found it as I handed it over to him. I said, “Could you talk to Isla about this? I think it’s hers.”

  Jeremy’s nostrils flared in anger. “Someone has been inside the lighthouse when you’ve been asleep? I definitely closed the door on my way out and I used magic to lock it.” His nostrils flared again and his hand tightened around the comb. “I can’t believe someone did that! Wait till I get my hands on them.”

  I placed my hand on his arm in an effort to calm him down. “I don’t think whoever left it there meant us any harm. They’re leaving us a message of some sort. Would you be able to look into this, please?”

  Through gritted teeth, Jeremy said, “Yes, I’ll deal with it alright. I’ll find out who’s been sneaking into the lighthouse in the middle of the night.”

  During my conversation with Jeremy, I hadn’t notice Rex turning into his horse form. As impressive as he was in human form, he was magnificent as a horse. His white mane caught the wind and billowed behind him like a sheet on a washing line.

  He turned his black eyes my way and said, “Are you ready? You’ll have to climb onto my back.”

  Beads of sweat broke out on my forehead. I whispered to Jeremy, “How do I get on his back? He’s enormous. Should I magic up a pair of ladders? I’ve never ridden on a horse before. What do I do? What do I hold onto?”

  Jeremy replied, “Stop panicking. I’ll help you onto his back. Your mum was just the same when it came to riding a horse. She conjured up a saddle so that she had something to hold onto. I remember the spell she used. Would you like me to use it now? I could even add a seat belt to keep you firmly in place. I think you’ll need it; I’ve seen how fast Rex goes.”

  Stanley padded over to us and said, “I heard you saying something about a seatbelt. Can I have one too, please?”

  Jeremy put the comb in his pocket and then waded through the water and over to Rex. He said to something to Rex before raising his hands at his back. Tiny, green sparks shot from his hands and landed on Rex’s back. A brown saddle appeared there and I was pleased to see there were two seat belts on it; a large one for me, and a smaller one for Stanley.

  Jeremy beckoned us over and then clasped his hands together and told me to put my foot into them. My legs shook as I did so and I thought there was no way Jeremy was going to be able to lift to me. He was going to cause damage to his back if he wasn’t careful.

  Jeremy made a low grunting noise as he heaved me onto Rex’s back. I saw him wincing in pain as he did so and I could have sworn I heard something crack. Jeremy placed Stanley in my arms and I secured the little seatbelt around him. My hands were trembling as I fastened my own seat belt. Was it normal to be so high up on a horse?

  Jeremy gave my leg a reassuring pat and said, “You’ll be fine. I’m almost sure of it. Enjoy your trip.”

  My voice was too scared to come out so I gave him a swift nod and then gave Stanley a quick stroke of his head. It was more to comfort me than Stanley.

  Stanley looked over his shoulder. “Cassia, you haven’t done the underwater spell on us yet! Don’t forget that!”

  I took a steadying breath and then began to chant the spell. The only way of knowing whether or not it had worked was to go into the water.

  I said to Rex, “Can you take us under the water slowly? I want to make sure my spell is working correctly.”

  “Of course, let’s go.” Rex took a few steps further into the sea.

  I put my hand on Stanley’s side and could feel his heartbeat going at an alarming rate. He was being so brave.

  Rex cautiously moved further into the water until the sea flowed over his back. Stanley stiffened as water trickled over his paws. After a few more of Rex’s steps, the water reached his chin.

  Stanley said, “Cassia, I can’t feel the water on me at all! I can see it going all over me, but I can’t feel it. You spell is working.”

  I let out a sigh of relief and told Rex to go fully into the water.

  He did so, and I was pleased to see Stanley breathing normally as we became submerged. I even heard him chuckle to himself. He was enjoying this.

  Rex called out, “Are you ready to travel at speed now? Hold on tight.”

  Without any further warning, Rex took off running through the water at an impossible speed. It reminded me of being on an aeroplane when it suddenly speeds up and you leave your stomach five hundred yards behind you. The sea creatures around me became flashes of colour as we shot through the water.

  In front of me, Stanley whooped with delight and raised his paws in the air. He called out, “Whoo! Yay! Go faster!”

  I shook my head at my brave little cat. I wish I felt as brave. I was not enjoying this trip at all. It called to mind a horrible rollercoaster ride I’d been on once. It had gone up and down, back to front and even upside down. I’d been sick for hours afterwards. I decided the best course of action now was to close my eyes. I instantly felt better even though I was buffeted from side to side as Rex charged onwards.

  Rex began to slow down after a few minutes and Stanley’s shouts of joy began to subside. I opened my eyes and was surprised to see we’d arrived at Knotty Cove. Rex carried us out of the water and along the sand.

  Rex said, “I’ll drop you over at the side here where no one can see us. It wouldn’t do for the humans to see me in this form.”

  He took us a short way down the beach and lowered himself so that I could climb off his back. I got off first and then reached for Stanley.

  Stanley’s mouth was pulled back in a smile and his eyes were wide with excitement. “Can we do that again? I want to do it again right now.” He turned to Rex. “Thank you. That was amazing. So amazing. When can we do it again?”

  Rex replied, “We can do it again when I take you back to Brimstone.” He shook his mane and then turned back into his man form. He pointed ahead of us. “The sirens are here. I can see them. They’re mixing with the humans. They shouldn’t be doing that.”

  I looked towards the cove and the promenade at the top of it. Houses and shops lined the promenade and I recognised every building. Outdoor tables and chairs were occupied by the residents of the town. I knew them all. But I didn’t know the long-haired women who were sitting with the residents and talking to them. Each woman was wearing a long, blue dress and they were barefoot. Unease grew in my stomach as I noticed the residents staring silently at the woman as if mesmerized. A slight humming noise drifted over to us and I realis
ed that the women were now singing.

  I said to Rex, Those women in the blue dresses, are those sirens?”

  He gave me a tight-lipped nod.

  “They look as if they’re hypnotising people. Is that what they’re doing?”

  Rex couldn’t hide the worry in his voice as he said, “That’s exactly what they’re doing. And they do that just before they lure humans to their deaths.”

  Chapter 26

  I stared in horror at the scene in front of me. Normally, the people of Knotty Cove would be working in the shops and cafés or walking along the beach. The sight of them sitting silently in front of the singing sirens was sending chills racing down my spine. It was like watching a horror film when you know something awful is going to happen and all you can do is gawp at the screen.

  I gave myself a mental shake and said, “I have to stop this immediately. Come on Stanley.”

  Stanley didn’t reply and when I looked down at him, I saw a glazed expression on his face. He was moving from side to side as if listening to a song.

  Rex explained, “He’s under the sirens’ spell. He must be able to hear their songs from here. The sirens will affect you soon.”

  “Not if I can help it.” I quickly recalled all the spells I knew and thought a protective spell would be the best one to use. Magic rushed to my fingers and I moved them quickly over myself while reciting the spell’s words. I did the same to Stanley and he immediately came out of his trance.

  He gave me a confused look. “What happened to me? Did I fall asleep?”

  “Almost.”

  Rex’s jaw was hanging open and he now had a glazed expression on his face. I swiftly used my magic on him. His mouth snapped shut and he gave me a surprised look.

  I told Rex about the spell I’d used. He said, “How long will it last?”

  “I’m not sure, but I don’t think we should hang around here for too long. Is there one siren in particular who’s in charge? I want to find out why they are here and what they’re going to do to the people.”

  Rex pointed to a lone siren who was sitting on a low wall to the right of the promenade. She had her attention on the rest of the sirens who were now singing even louder.

  Rex said, “That’s Ollyanne. She’s the one in charge. Cassia, be careful around her. I’ve never heard her sing, but I’ve been told her mournful wails can make a creature lose their minds in a second. Do you want me to come with you?”

  I didn’t want to take the chance of Rex coming to any harm so I said, “No, thank you. You stay here. We’ll be as quick as we can.”

  With Stanley in my arms, I hurried up the empty beach and over to Ollyanne.

  Ollyanne’s head turned our way as we approached and anger flashed in her eyes. Her long hair reached to her waist and it moved slowly from side to side as if it had a life of its own. She was wearing a long blue dress and was barefooted just like the rest of the sirens.

  There was spite in her voice as she spat, “Cassia Winter, what do you want? You shouldn’t be here. Clear off back to Brimstone.”

  I wasn’t going to stand for any nonsense today. I replied curtly, “It’s you and your friends who shouldn’t be here. This is my world, and these are my people. Tell me why you and the other sirens are here. What are you intending to do to these people?” I sat next to her on the wall and looked directly into her eyes. “I don’t want any lies. If I have to, I will use my magic on you.”

  Ollyanne looked me over. “You can’t use your magic here. You’ll get into trouble with Blythe if you use magic in this world. I know the rules.”

  “Blythe isn’t in Brimstone at the moment, so I’m in charge. Which means I can use all the magic I wish to here. Why are you here?”

  Ollyanne folded her arms and looked away, her hair flicked from side to side as if annoyed by my presence. “I can’t tell you. I’ve been sworn to secrecy by Nerita. We’re waiting for her further orders. She said she’d be in touch soon.”

  Stanley looked up at me and said quietly, “She doesn’t know about Nerita.”

  Ollyanne turned her face back to us. “What did your cat just say about Nerita?”

  I said in a gentler tone, “I’m sorry to tell you this, but Nerita is dead.”

  Ollyanne’s hair stopped moving. She said, “Dead? She can’t be dead. We’re waiting for her orders. You’re lying.”

  “I’m not lying. I’m investigating Nerita’s death. That’s why I’m here. My investigations have led me to you and this beach.”

  The siren shook her head in disbelief. “I don’t understand. Why are you investigating her death?” She became still and comprehension dawned on her face. “She was murdered, wasn’t she? Why else would you be investigating her death? Who killed her?”

  “That’s what I’m trying to find out. I suspect her death has something to do with you and the other sirens. I need an explanation from you. It’s important.”

  Ollyanne pressed her lips together as if considering the matter.

  My patience was running out. I said, “If you are here to cause harm to these humans, then I will stop you by whatever means I can. If Nerita asked you to hurt them for some reason, I have to know what that reason is.”

  Ollyanne gave me a slow nod. “I’m going to tell you the truth now. I don’t know why we are here. Nerita brought us here and told us to get friendly with the humans so that they’d trust us. We’re not here to cause them harm, I promise.”

  I frowned. “Why do they need to trust you?”

  “Nerita said something terrible is going to happen in this area very soon; it’s something to do with the seabed moving. When that happens, we have to lead the humans to safety. They will come with us quickly if they trust us. That’s why the other sirens are singing to them now. They’re gently hypnotising them so that when the terrible event occurs, they will follow us immediately as we take them away from the danger.”

  I stiffened and remembered that Syloe had said something similar. “What do you mean about the seabed moving? What’s going to happen here? And when is it going to happen?”

  Ollyanne shook her head. “I don’t know. I’m waiting to hear from Nerita about that. That’s not going to happen now.” She turned her head and looked towards the sea. “I can feel a change in the water out there. Something isn’t right. Can you feel it too?”

  Turning my head, I studied the water and noticed how calm it looked.

  Stanley raised his paw and said, “Cassia, look at the horizon. The water looks peculiar. It looks like water boiling in a pan. Can you see it?”

  I narrowed my eyes and focused on the horizon. Stanley was right. The sea there was moving in an unusual way and I saw water shooting up in several areas like geysers.

  “You should speak to Nerita’s uncle about the seabed,” Ollyanne said. “When she first ordered us to come here, I asked her why. She said her uncle advised her to do so before the seabed moved. He’d told her that the humans here were going to be in peril when that happened and we had to protect them. She wouldn’t give me any more details.”

  “Her uncle?” I looked down at Stanley. “I knew Mortimer was keeping something from us.”

  Stanley nodded. “We’ll have to speak to him urgently.”

  I stood up with Stanley in my arms and said to Ollyanne, “You stay here with the others. As soon as you suspect danger is imminent, get these people to safety.”

  She nodded. “We will. Are you coming back?”

  “Yes. I’d like to prevent the terrible event from occurring in the first place, if I can. I can only do that once I know what’s going on.”

  I hurried down the beach and towards Rex.

  Stanley shivered. “Did you hear that? It was like the sound of thunder. But it’s coming from the sea.”

  I glanced towards the horizon again and noticed it was becoming more turbulent. I swallowed down my nervousness and broke into a run.

  Rex must have picked up on my urgency because he immediately turned into his horse
form and lowered himself. I jumped onto his back, secured us in place and told Rex to take us back to Brimstone as quickly as possible.

  Before we were fully submerged in the water, I looked back at the lovely town of Knotty Cove and the wonderful people who lived there. I couldn’t let anything terrible happen to them.

  Chapter 27

  Rex sped through the water and had us back at Brimstone Beach in next to no time. Stanley and I leapt off his back and ran along the sand. I’d left my broomstick in the café and I needed it urgently.

  Jeremy was sitting on a blanket a short distance away and when he saw us, he got to his feet and waved the hair comb in the air. “Cassia, I’ve got something important to tell you about this comb.”

  I ran over to him and gasped, “There’s no time for that. Knotty Cove and its inhabitants are in danger. We found the sirens. Nerita ordered them to go there to protect the humans because something terrible is going to happen soon.” I ran out of breath and stopped speaking.

  Stanley took over the explanation. “There’s something wrong with the seabed in Knotty Cove. The sea doesn’t look right and there’s a weird noise coming from it. Nerita’s Uncle Mortimer knows what’s wrong with it, and we need to talk to him immediately.”

  I wheezed, “We need my broomstick. Just give me one more second to catch my breath.”

  Jeremy shoved the hair comb in his pocket and said, “There are other ways of travelling beside using a broomstick.” He put his hands on my shoulders. “Can you conjure up an image of where Mortimer lives? I need you to be as clear as possible about the location.”