‘Sure.’ I took hold of his arm. ‘But I’m much more used to travelling the witchy way than the fae way, so don’t blame me if parts of you get a little rearranged.’
15. The Source
I had been joking, of course, about that. I would never put Jared at risk if I didn’t know what I was doing. My grandmother had made me practise taking passengers along with me before. Even so, travelling the fae way was a bit of an adventure – and not just because of my dreadful voice.
‘I feel like I’ve been travelling through light,’ said Jared. ‘And time and … and everything. It was … it was …’
‘Exhilarating?’ suggested my grandmother with a wink, reaching out a hand when we arrived in her back garden. It still looked like a forest, and the crown of hawthorn berries remained atop her head.
‘Come on in and I’ll warm you both up,’ she said, leading us into her kitchen. ‘It’s nice to see you again, Mr Montague. And of course you look just as handsome as always, despite the fact my spies saw you out and about in Warren Lane in the wee hours of the morning.’
He laughed, blushing slightly. It should have disconcerted me to see that Jared found my granny attractive, but considering she looked just as young as I did and had the fae blood which drove vampires to distraction, I really couldn’t blame him.
‘You know about the march?’ he asked.
‘I do,’ she replied. ‘And don’t worry – I know that you were doing your best to talk some sense into the other vampires. But there’s no point in trying to sway mob mentality, Jared. The vampires are decided – the fae are their enemies. They’ll stand with Vlad’s Boys whenever they make their move on my enclaves. Of that I have no doubt.’
I winced a little. I had no idea how best to put the news I was about to give her, so I might as well just come out with it as quickly as possible. ‘Granny, we … we had a chat last night with Bella Foyle’s familiar. Alvis. He’s the ghost owl I started to see when they uncovered the old school and let Bella’s spirit possess Catriona Eager. Anyway, Alvis told us some very interesting things. Like the fact that Vlad’s Boys have found the source of whatever keeps the doors to your realm closed. Alvis said they’re going to destroy it, and that they’ll be making their move during tomorrow’s full moon.’
She sank into a chair, wiping her forehead and looking quite faint. ‘Well it was just a matter of time really, wasn’t it? We’ll have to make sure you work extra hard during this lesson, Aisling. And Jared – you shall stay and watch. I have the feeling that might be useful.’
I sat down opposite her, frowning. ‘You really want to give me another lesson after what I’ve just told you? Surely there are more important things you need to do now. And much as I love Jared, he should be off making plans with our friends, not watching me make a mess of magic.’
She grasped my hand, and Jared’s too, looking intently at us both. ‘Trust me. There are many ways this can play out, but you need to be a part of it, Aisling. As do you, Mr Montague, although I’m not quite sure why that should be. You just need to believe me when I say that you do, Jared. And of course you’re right, Aisling – there are very urgent things I need to put in place as soon as possible. We need to get everyone we can trust together. And we need to get them here, where they can’t be compelled or affected by Vlad’s Boys before tomorrow night arrives. I’ll put all of that in motion, trust me. But in the meantime, we will have our lesson, and Jared will watch.’
I pulled my hand from hers, sitting back. ‘Fine. But first you need to tell me – what is the source? What is it that Vlad’s Boys need to destroy in order to get in here?’
She paled. ‘It’s … well, you already know the source, as a matter of fact. It’s how you came through the night you rescued your parents.’
My eyes widened. ‘The hawthorn tree in the Wandering Wood?’
She began to pour some tea into small, delicate cups. There were three cups on the table, as though she had been expecting Jared all along. ‘Yes. That very tree. It exists here as well as there, as you know. When my father gave Arnold Albright a cane carved from its wood, that cane was powerful enough to trap me here. It was powerful enough because the tree is so powerful.’
She passed some tea my way. ‘I’m teaching you elemental magic for a reason, Aisling. Because so much of our protection is based on that very magic. Our protection is based on it because most of us give ourselves to it, when we die.’
‘You don’t die, though, do you?’ I said. ‘You’re immortal.’
‘Yes, we are,’ she agreed. ‘But immortality can last an awfully long time. Sometimes we choose to pass on to the next realm. When we do, we leave our bodies behind. Some leave them to other elementally powerful areas, but most leave them to the tree. Our blood is in those roots. It’s a part of us and we of it. If that tree is destroyed there, then it shall be destroyed here, too. And then … yes … all other doors to this realm will be opened once more, and Vlad’s Boys can indeed storm in and make a nuisance of themselves. That’s what I’ve feared for some time now, hence our recent lessons. But suffice to say, Vlad’s Boys can only enter our world if they have something powerful enough to destroy the tree in the first place.’
She passed Jared his tea, and then took a sip from her own cup. ‘Although, considering what they’ve done so far, they might have just such an object at their disposal.’
The tea was a delicious berry blend that made me feel far more energetic than any cup of coffee ever could. I’d have to get the recipe before I left. ‘The owl told us about that, too,’ I said. ‘The object they’re drawing power from is called the Staff of Wrath. It was stolen from a vampire called Cassandra.’
She let out a choked-sounding breath, then stared at Jared. ‘Cassandra? The vampire who sired your father?’
‘The very one,’ he confirmed. ‘Do you know where she lives? Pru was going to see Cassandra, before she got waylaid by Greg. Now, all she wants to do is iron his boxers and pour his blood.’ He gave me a wry grin. ‘That’s actually what she was doing when we went round there last night.’
The Queen pulled at a strand of her titian hair, thoughtfully wrapping it around her finger. ‘Well, I’ve never heard of this Staff of Wrath, and I have no idea where Cassandra resides, either.’
I looked helplessly at her. I knew she wouldn’t have all of the answers, but I hoped she’d at least have some.
‘I’m not being very helpful, am I?’ she said, as though reading my mind. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever felt so far out of my depth in my life. Not even when Arnold trapped me here.’
She sighed sadly. ‘Like my son and like Pru, I’ve seen the many ways this plays out, and none of them have a happy ending. But this version of the prophecy that’s playing now, with Greg as the main player … this is something I never saw before. Perhaps that difference means that we have a chance. Or perhaps it means that the outcome will be worse than anyone could have envisioned. Either way, if this staff was owned by Cassandra, then it seems to me that she’s more than a little bit involved in this whole mess. You ought to go and see her.’ She gave Jared a strange smile. ‘Both of you, I think. The second Aisling’s lesson is over, the two of you must go.’
‘We know that,’ I pointed out. ‘But we don’t know where Cassandra is.’
She stood up and ruffled my hair. ‘Cassandra is hard to pin down, it’s true,’ she said. ‘But I do know of someone who’ll be able to tell you where she lives. I’m not the only woman who likes to run her nearest and dearest ragged with training. Cassandra happens to be the great, great, great, great … well, let’s just say she’s the grandmother to a woman I think you know. Melissa Wayfair. She’ll know where to find her.’
16. A Cure for Crazy
By the time my lesson ended, almost everyone I knew was watching me – which wasn’t at all uncomfortable, because I cope wonderfully under pressure. Ahem.
They weren’t all there specifically to watch the lesson, although it sure felt that way. My gran
dmother had called on them all so that we could brainstorm our next move, and also so that they would be safe from Vlad’s Boys in the meantime.
My parents had come, along with Fuzz, the broom (according to my mam it had been incredibly insistent), Brent and Robert Pointer, and Brent’s boyfriend Malachy. Malachy, like Jared and Nollaig, was one of the few vampires who weren’t following Vlad’s Boys. It made Jared’s theory seem all the truer – Greg wanted his former friends to know exactly what he was doing, and to suffer in watching him do it.
Grace and Nollaig had come too, both of them looking a little tired after their drinks the night before. Dylan had arrived last, because he had been desperately trying – and failing – to urge the Wayfarers into action.
‘What about Felim Moon?’ I asked my father as I took a drink of water and wiped my forehead. ‘He should be here with us. Not to mention Roarke and Edward. Chantelle said the newspaper was getting complaints about having a faery on the staff. What if the vampires storm the office?’
‘I’m worried about that too,’ my dad replied. ‘But Edward and Roarke seem to be safe for now, I promise you. Grace gave them the day off, so they’re nowhere near the office. In any case, they’re feeling the effects that almost everyone is feeling. Whether it’s compulsion or not, I don’t know, but they don’t seem to believe that Vlad’s Boys pose any real danger. As for Felim, he’s still on the hunt for Mark. Every time we get close to him, he’s gone. He’s just too fast – and too determined as well, I’d say. We tracked him to Darina’s mansion in Riddler’s Cove, but he was gone by the time we got there.’
At the mention of Darina Berry’s mansion, I felt a renewed sense of panic. Thanks to Alvis, we knew that the mansion was now home to Vlad’s Boys, and the gang weren’t making the slightest attempt to hide their whereabouts. According to Dylan, even Greg and Pru had recently headed over there, which meant that while we were making plans to protect ourselves, Vlad’s Boys were making their own plans on how to strike.
As frustrating as it was, I couldn’t think of it just now. Not while Jared and I had to bow out and go in search of Cassandra.
‘I really think some more of us should go along,’ said Dylan, as I went to join Jared, preparing to sing us out of the enclave. ‘Melissa Wayfair is a lovely girl, but the last I heard all of her coven have been compelled, same as almost everyone else.’
‘I want to go along, too,’ Nollaig said. ‘Ron caused all of this. A man I almost married again for the umpteenth time. I feel responsible, and I want to help.’
My grandmother smiled sympathetically, shaking her head. ‘You are not responsible for Ronaldo’s actions, Nollaig. And no one is going along with Jared and Aisling. It has to be them, and them alone.’
Dylan frowned. ‘What do you know, Úna? What aren’t you telling us?’
‘I know everything and nothing,’ she said. ‘And believe me, I’m just as exasperated about that as you are. I agree that I could be making a mistake here, but … I’m willing to risk it, if Aisling and Jared are.’
Jared and I shared a glance. Having everyone else come on the search for Cassandra seemed like the sensible option (and the one least likely to make Dylan jealous), but I kept thinking of last night, of how Jared had acted as a medium for Alvis. His power had astounded me, and I felt sure that he had an important part to play. A part that might get sidelined if there were too many others coming along.
‘I think my granny might be right,’ I said. ‘I think it needs to be me and Jared.’
Grace patted our backs awkwardly and said, ‘Well then, you must do what you must do.’
‘They must,’ Brent agreed. ‘And remember,’ he added as he grasped my shoulder, ‘we’ll all be right here, waiting, if you need us.’
‘We will,’ said the Queen. ‘But I don’t think we’ll be needed just yet. When you find Cassandra, Aisling, she shall be alone. There’ll be no members of Vlad’s Boys for you to fight.’
I was sure she’d be right about that. I only wished her power extended to telling us how we could make Gregariad be Greg again, because no matter what he had done, I wanted him – and Pru – to be safe.
As everyone came to give us hugs goodbye, Fuzz wound himself around my legs, purring loud enough to wake the dead. I could always feel his purrs all through me, but there was something extra-special about these ones. They seemed to make me feel a little more confident than before. I gave my cat a questioning glance, and he winked in return, before sidling off to an armchair.
My granny followed him to the armchair, sitting down and placing him on her lap. ‘Enough of the love-in,’ she said. ‘It’s time for you to go.’ She looked pointedly at Dylan. ‘Alone.’
I gave Dylan a long, lingering look. I could feel his worry for me, and I wished I could take it away. But the Queen was right. He couldn’t come with us. With one last look in his direction, I grasped Jared’s hand tightly, opened my mouth, and sang us to Riddler’s Cove.
≈
Almost instantly, Jared and I arrived at a beautiful cottage called Wayfarers’ Rest. The path to the front door was lined with laburnum trees, and the whole house had a charming, slightly off-balanced look about it – the top floors were wider than the supporting floor, and it looked as though it might keel over any minute.
In the garden behind the house I could hear the barking of a large dog, followed by laughter. Closer by, cats peeped out at us through the flowers and shrubs, and a small brownish-black bat flew overhead.
‘Was that bat eating a slice of mango?’ I wondered.
Jared chuckled. ‘That’s Wanda Wayfair’s familiar, Dizzy. I met him once in the Water Bowl, that weredog bar on Madra Lane. He’s a Lesser-Known Mango Bat.’
‘There’s no such thing as a Lesser-Known Mango Bat.’
‘There is. He’s just … lesser known.’ He knocked on the door, and a few seconds later, a stunning redhead pulled it open. She was wearing yoga clothes, but the expression on her face told me there was no amount of yoga that could take away her current stress.
I hadn’t seen much of her since we’d been incarcerated in the Wyrd Court’s holding pen together, back when a bunch of chaos coins had been granting wishes that caused a whole lot of pandemonium. Yes, life has been a lot more dangerous than usual since moving to Riddler’s Edge.
‘Aisling! Jared!’ She drew us both in for a hug. ‘I haven’t seen you for ages. How’s it going?’
I hadn’t expected to find myself in a group hug, but it was lovely all the same. As I pulled away from her, I looked carefully at her, and then at Jared. His smile widened, and he said, ‘You don’t look compelled to me, Melissa, so that’s a good thing.’
Melissa let out a dry laugh. ‘Is it? Everyone in my coven is acting like Vlad’s Boys aren’t about to go to war with the fae. I’ve been pulling my hair out trying to get them to listen to sense.’ She took a deep breath, and her hands moved into a prayer gesture. ‘But it’s all good. I mean, you two are here and you still seem to have your factory settings intact, so I’m hoping you have a suggestion as to how we cure all of the crazy that’s going around.’
‘We don’t have a cure for the crazy, unfortunately,’ I told her. ‘If anything, we think we might need your help in finding that. Melissa, we need to speak with a vampire called Cassandra. My grandmother told us she’s your great, great, great … well, there were a lot of greats but is she right? Is Cassandra your granny and if so … do you have any idea how we can find her?’
She stepped outside. ‘She is my granny. And it’s funny you should mention her, actually, because she missed our last training session. I was kind of relieved at first, because it’s not fun to have a stubborn grandmother teaching you.’
‘I hear ya,’ I drawled. ‘But right now, we need all of the stubborn grannies we can get. Do you fancy leading the way to yours?’
Melissa grabbed a jacket from the coat rack inside the door, and then reached out her hands and said, ‘Grab onto my sweaty palms, guys, and I’ll
take you on a ride.’
17. A Little Bit Vampy
Cassandra lived high up in the Wicklow Mountains, in a small valley with no other houses around. The valley was unseasonably warm, and plants were growing that usually wouldn’t be seen outside of the tropics.
‘She swears it’s not a weather spell,’ said Melissa. ‘I’m not sure I believe her.’
Despite the loveliness of Cassandra’s valley, her house itself looked more like a tiny, rundown shack. There were broken windows, and the whole thing was covered in moss and surrounded by giant ferns that ran all the way through the open front door.
‘It’s bigger on the inside,’ Melissa explained. ‘And a lot fancier, too.’ She made to walk towards the door, but fell right back.
‘Crap.’ She stood up, wiping the dust from her rear. ‘There’s a boundary spell on the place. I mean, there’s always a boundary spell on this house, but this is a new one. I’m always welcome here, but today I can’t get near the door. I can sense my grandmother, though. She’s in there, I’m sure of it. And now that I’m closer to her, I’m even surer – she is in trouble.’
She muttered a few incantations, all to no avail, while I stared at the magic in the air. Even before I looked, I had the sinking feeling that I knew what I would find. Sure enough, it was the red magic, shaped like concaved discs, with those odd little lopsided crosses at the centre of every single disc.
‘Incantations aren’t going to get us anywhere,’ I said with a sigh. ‘This magic looks just the same as what Vlad’s Boys used at the Fisherman’s Friend when they gate-crashed the wedding of doom. My dad couldn’t break through it, and neither could I. My granny thinks it could be a kind of blood magic, probably vampire based, but drawing on something powerful.’
Melissa arched a dark red brow. ‘So … you can see magic?’ She slapped a hand against her thigh. ‘So that’s how you got us all out of the cell that time! All of that stuff you and Greg spouted about the Pharuncoinic Conductor Spring was a load of drivel. You were able to see the magic that was holding us in, so you sang at it to break it.’
A Little Bit Vampy Page 9
