Magic Unbound

by T J Green

  “I’ll get you cake in a minute. Who are they, Gran?”

  “Nasty people,” she said. “There’s a reason witches left White Haven.”

  ***

  Avery arrived at her shop, her head whirling. Despite her best attempts, and lots of bribery with cake, she got no more sense out of her gran.

  It was unnerving. The more she found out, the less she felt she knew. Who were ‘they?’ Why did they call themselves a Council? And most importantly, where were they now?

  Sally was standing at the counter, and she looked up as the bell rang on the back of the door as Avery entered. Her blonde hair was taken back into a high ponytail, her reading glasses were perched on the end of her nose, and a pile of new books was stacked on the counter in front of her. “You okay?”

  Avery nodded, burying her confusion. “I’m fine. Just stuff on my mind.”

  She took a deep breath, inhaling the smell of incense and books. Just being here calmed her down. And of course her spell on the place, designed to ease people’s moods and help them concentrate. Jazz was playing in the background, Sally’s favourite, and a few shoppers perused the aisles.

  Sally grinned. “Alex popped in.”

  “Great. Is he okay?” Avery asked, non-committal. She plonked her bag on the counter and reached for the sweets jar they kept stocked for customers.

  “You tell me. You seem to be seeing a lot of him. He had a spring in his step and a twinkle in his eye.” She narrowed her eyes. “So do you.”

  Avery considered her answer, looking at Sally with a raised eyebrow. She didn’t want to reveal quite how much she’d fallen for him. “We’ve reached an understanding. He makes me laugh.”

  Sally smirked. “I bet he does more than that!”

  “Sally!” Avery said, fake scandalised.

  “Lucky cow. So, come on, give me the details. Don’t think I didn’t see his car here the other morning.”

  “Reuben was at his flat, actually.”

  Sally snorted. “Yeah, right. So he slept on the sofa?”

  “I’m not saying any more.”

  “I’m teasing,” she said, her voice softening. “And pleased for you. Now, get behind here, you slacker, I have stock to check.”

  “Bring me a coffee?” Avery asked, as she settled in behind the counter.

  She nodded and disappeared into the back of the shop.

  For the next half an hour, Avery dealt with customers, in between texting El and Briar to see how they were. They all planned to meet up the following evening to swap news, just as Reuben stepped into the shop.

  His glanced around the aisles, and then headed to the counter. He looked pale, despite his deep tan. He was wearing a surf t-shirt, shorts, flip-flops and sunglasses. His blond hair was tussled and salt-crusted. He slipped his sunglasses onto his head, and Avery tried not to show her surprise. He looked exhausted.

  “How you doin’, Reuben?” she asked him, concerned.

  He shook his head. “Not great. I came to apologise about the other day. I’m having trouble processing things.”

  “Not surprisingly,” Avery said, her heart heavy. “I’m so sorry, for all of this.”

  “I didn’t mean to put you in danger.”

  “It was El who was in danger, not me.”

  He dropped his head. “I know. I’ve rung her, but she’s not answering. She won’t answer the door for me, either.”

  “She’ll come around. She was pretty pissed, though.” She hesitated a second and then added, “You’re both doing a good job of pissing each other off, actually.”

  Reuben nodded and fell silent, glancing around the room again to check that no one was within earshot. “I want justice for Gil. It seems Faversham is just getting away with murder.”

  “He won’t. We just need to work out what we’re going to do. Have you heard about Newton?”

  “Yeah, Alex filled me in.”

  “We’re meeting him tomorrow. He’s finding out everything he can. We have to do this the witch way, not the legal way.”

  He nodded, but he still looked down. “Sounds good.”

  “We’ll do this, Reuben,” she said softly.

  He swallowed and looked her in the eye, his gaze direct and unflinching. “We’d better. Anyway, there’s something else I need to talk to you about—two things, actually. Are you free this evening?”

  “Sure, why?”

  “You need to get a tattoo. I’ve arranged it all with Nils.” Nils was Reuben’s friend who owned the local tattoo shop, Viking Ink. “He’s staying open late tonight to get us all tattooed.”

  They’d been talking about this for days. “So you’ve finished the design, then?”

  “Yep, me and Alex. We all get the same tattoo, and it should protect us from prying eyes. And that will help for my second request.”

  Avery had a flutter of worry. “Which is?”

  “I need help. I think I know where my book is.”

  Avery’s glanced around paranoid. “Really?”

  “Come to Old Haven Church later. I’ve texted Alex. I want him there, too.”

  “Er, sure. What time?”

  “Just before midnight.”

  “Midnight?” Avery wasn’t sure she wanted to be wandering about some creepy old church at night.

  “It has to be. Trust me.” He headed for the door, and then turned back. “Don’t bring El.” And then he disappeared, striding past the window and down the street, leaving Avery wondering what was really going on.

  10

  Viking Ink tattoo parlour was located on the floor above an arcade that was packed with kids and teenagers. It was accessible by a narrow staircase, and at the top, the staircase turned and the door opened in a long, airy room.

  Big picture windows showed views of the street below, and between the buildings opposite were glimpses of the sea and the harbour. The walls were covered in tattoo designs, the floor was wood, and there were a few partitioned rooms leading off from the main space.

  Nils, the owner, was the Viking of his shop name. He was Swedish, and huge. Well over six feet, with enormous shoulders, chest, and well, everything really, Avery concluded. His biceps and forearms were well muscled, and he had a long, red beard and a completely shaven head. And of course he was covered with tattoos. Avery could see the complex designs spiralling down his arms and peaking above his V-neck shirt. He was wearing jeans, so she had no idea if his legs were tattooed, but the likelihood was high.

  She’d seen him around White Haven—you couldn’t miss him—but she didn’t really know him. He was vaguely terrifying, purely because of his size and aggressive look. He had the palest blue eyes, almost icy, and that really didn’t help. Avery could imagine him let loose with a massive axe, invading his way across Europe hundreds of years ago.

  He looked up as she entered and almost grunted. “We’re closed.” His words held a trace of his Swedish accent.

  She stopped suddenly in the doorway. She was the first to arrive. “Reuben told me to come. I’m his friend, Avery.”

  “Ah! Avery, come in!” He grinned, showing the whitest teeth, and his scary demeanour vanished. He strode across the room and engulfed her hand in his large one. It was without doubt the strongest handshake she had ever experienced, and she tried not to wince. “So good to meet you. Lucky you! You’re the first, come and have a seat.”

  “Oh, great,” she said, trying to sound enthusiastic.

  “You are in some club, yes? You’re all having matching tattoos.”

  Avery laughed nervously. “I’m not sure you’d call it a club, but yes, matching tattoos.”

  He led her to the counter and pulled a sheet of paper towards him. “It’s a cool design. Rune work and a pentacle. Very Viking—I approve.”

  “May I see it?” Avery asked.

  “Yeah, sure,” he said, his deep voice booming around the room as he handed her the design. “Where we putting this bad boy?”

  The design was a complex layering of runes around th
e outer circle of a pentagram and a protective sigil in the centre, all in black ink. “How big will it be?”

  “About the size of your hand.”

  “Oh.” That was bigger than she’d thought, which sounded more painful. “Can I have it on my hip?”

  “Sure, right or left?”

  “Right, I guess.” Avery was so unprepared for this.

  A woman came out of a back room as they were talking and nodded at Avery. Avery was momentarily silenced. She was a beautiful, young Japanese woman. Her long, dark hair was tied back, and a section on either side of her head was shaved. She was covered in gorgeous, inky black tattoos, flowers trailing all the way up her arms and at the base of her neck.

  Nils started collecting his equipment together. “This is Chihiro,” he said. “She’s helping me tonight.”

  Chihiro nodded, but didn’t speak. She sat behind the counter and picked up a magazine.

  “When are your friends arriving?” Nils asked.

  “Soon, I guess.”

  “Great, I’ll start on you. Next one’s yours, Chi,” he instructed.

  He led Avery to a small, partitioned room. “Lie on the table, drop your skirt, and wriggle under the sheet on the bed.” He gestured to the long table like a masseuse’s bench down the centre of the room. Bright lights were above it, casting a good, even light.

  As Avery was getting ready, she heard the door open and Briar shouted out, “Hello?”

  “I’m in here, Briar,” Avery called, glad of the company.

  Briar appeared at the door and looked at Avery with a grin. “Wow, so we’re really doing this?”

  Nils smiled at her. “Chihiro’s doing you. Will be about an hour or so.”

  “An hour?” Avery exclaimed, her voice muffled as she dropped her head into the space in the table.

  Avery was vaguely aware of Briar disappearing, then she heard the whir of the needle start, gritted her teeth, and closed her eyes.

  When she finally got off the table, her skin burning, Alex and El were also in the main room, debating who was going next. Alex grinned at her. “How’s it feel?”

  “Painful.”

  He laughed, “It’ll soon go. You bandaged up?”

  “Sure she is,” Nils said, coming out of the room after her. “Follow the instructions. It looks good. Who’s next?” he asked.

  “Ladies first,” Alex said, nodding to El.

  El had already got a couple of tattoos on her upper arm, and appeared to know Nils. “Hey Nils, it’s been a while.”

  “Ah, beautiful Elspeth, come in honey,” he said with a wink.

  Avery could hear the needle whirring in another room, and presumed Briar was still in there. She sat next to Alex. “That really hurt.”

  “It won’t last long. Sorry I missed the start, the pub was busy.” He leaned in and kissed her, his hand cradling the back of her neck as he pulled her close. “I missed you.”

  “It’s only been a day,” she said, secretly pleased.

  “That’s enough. Did Reuben ask you about tonight?”

  “Yeah. I’m intrigued, and a little worried.”

  “I’ll feel happier once these tattoos are on. We need to enchant them to activate their power,” he explained.

  She nodded. “Are we doing that together?”

  “May as well.”

  Avery looked up as the door opened again and Newton walked in. She’d almost forgotten he’d be getting tattooed, too.

  Newton looked around the room, taking everything in, and then sat on a worn leather chair next to Alex. He was once again dressed in his work suit and a dark grey shirt. “It’s been a while since I’ve been in one of these places.”

  “You’ve got a tattoo?” Avery asked, surprised.

  “Yep. A big wolf on my right shoulder.”

  Alex nodded. “Sounds cool. Where you gonna put this one?”

  “Top of my left arm. You?”

  Alex looked down at his arms. “No room there. It’ll go on my left shoulder.”

  They were interrupted by Chihiro joining them in the main room, followed by Briar. Newton rose swiftly to his feet. “Briar, are you okay?”

  She looked slightly embarrassed as well as pleased, and she held a hand to the base of her neck, securing the dressing in place. “I’m fine. I can cope with ink and my own blood.”

  Chihiro eyed Alex with pleasure. He stood to greet her, and she reached up and kissed him on the cheek. “Alex, it’s been too long.” She stood back to appraise him, and Avery felt a trickle of jealousy run up her spine. “You look good,” she said, her voice low.

  “You too, Chi,” he said softly. “You doing my ink? You did the rest!”

  “It would be my pleasure,” she said, a smile playing across her lips.

  I’ll bet it would, Avery thought, trying not to snort with derision. She was pretty sure Chihiro had done more than give Alex his tattoos.

  As if he’d read her mind, he looked at Avery. “Meet at yours at nine? We can complete everything.”

  “Yeah, if you know what you’re doing?”

  He winked. “Trust me.”

  ***

  Close to midnight, Avery stood with Alex at the entrance to the Jackson’s mausoleum, waiting for Reuben to arrive.

  The door was sealed shut, but a huge crack still ran across the stone work from the foundation to the roof.

  “I hope the roof doesn’t collapse on our heads,” Avery said, looking out to the church and the cemetery.

  “It’s stood here for centuries, battered by the elements. I’m sure it can withstand a little magic,” Alex said.

  They had met at her flat a few hours earlier as arranged, and together with Briar, El, and Newton, they had recited the spell that activated their protective tattoo. Newton had looked uncomfortable throughout the whole ceremony, but hadn’t complained once. His grey eyes watched Briar discretely, and he stood near to her whenever possible.

  They drank a potion that Alex had brought with him, and then repeated the spell after him: By day, by night, dispel might, harbour love, harbour life. By air, by fire, by earth, by water, let us pass unseen, unheard, our spirits hidden.

  As soon as they had completed the spell, Avery felt a flare of power on her tattoo, and the sensation of being branded with fire had flashed into her mind before it vanished.

  As uncomfortable as it had been, she felt relieved it had been done. Hopefully they’d have no more surprise visits from Faversham. Reuben hadn’t joined them; Alex said he’d already completed his spell. El merely nodded, and Avery wondered if anything would be the same between her and Reuben again.

  As she was thinking of him, she saw headlights beyond the church, and heard the low growl of an engine and the crunch of gravel.

  Within minutes, Reuben was at their side. “You haven’t gone in, then?”

  “No thanks, mate,” Alex said. “It’s a bit creepy in there.”

  “Fair enough,” Reuben said. “Have you been tattooed?”

  “All done,” Avery said. “Nils and Chihiro are interesting characters.”

  “I’d trust them with my life,” Reuben said. “Follow me.”

  He held his hand over the lock, and muttering a few words softly, they heard the lock release. Reuben turned the large handle and pushed the door open.

  “What are we doing here?” Alex said, a hand on Reuben’s arm, before he went in.

  “I think I’ve found a hidden entrance. It might be where my grimoire is. After the last time, I thought I’d bring some back-up.”

  They followed him into the cold, damp building and closed the door behind them. Several doors led off from the main room. Stone sarcophagi were stacked high and deep, and Avery was surprised by the size of it. Her gaze involuntarily fell on Gil’s coffin, before she turned to follow Reuben into a small side room.

  “This is the oldest part of the mausoleum,” he said. “I’ve been studying old plans, and something looked unusual here.”

  Avery was incredulous
. “You have a blueprint of this place?”

  “We have plans of everything. The grounds, the glasshouse, the ice house, the main house, old garden plans, even the old gatehouse. I grabbed all the prints I could find and hid them in part of the attic. But, things have been added to over the years, so I’m not sure how accurate everything is.”

  “So, this is what you were looking for the other day,” Alex concluded, looking around with interest. He flashed his torch around the corners and high ceilings.

  “Yes, before I was attacked by that bastard.”

  “You feeling okay now?” Avery asked.

  “Yeah, thanks to you guys and Briar.” He turned away, shining his torch down to where a coffin lay on a low shelf, inset into the solid stone wall, a gap of about three feet between it and the floor. “It’s here somewhere.”

  An ornate design of curling plants and flowers had been carved into the stone around a name—Prentice Jackson, 1388 – 1445.

  Avery gasped. “Is this the oldest grave in here?”

  Reuben looked up at her from where he now knelt in front of the stonework, a grim smile on his face. “I think so.”

  “When was this built?”

  “About the early 1400s. Before then, our family was buried in the graveyard. Prentice built this.”

  “Wow. Most of your ancestors in one place.” She wondered where hers were buried, and realised she hadn’t even thought about it before—other than about Helena.

  Reuben trained his light on one flower, and turned to them, smiling. “Look.”

  They leaned closer. Within the centre was a simple pentagram, hidden within the design of the plant, the petals curling away from it. You would never see it if you didn’t look closely. Reuben pushed it with his finger, and it receded into the stone around it with a click.

  For a second, nothing happened, and then the whole stone shelf and the sarcophagus on it started to scrape back into the wall.

  Avery’s breath caught in her throat and goose bumps rose along her skin. This was seriously creepy. She looked back over her shoulder, but the dark shadows remained unmoving.

  Alex asked, “Is that another passageway?”

  “We’re going to find many more before this is over,” Reuben said, watching the space grow bigger and bigger before sticking into position. Stale, damp air wafted up from the dark hole. “Alex, help me push.”