Cards of Death Box Set

by Tamara Geraeds

  I grab a pen and pencil and settle onto my bed again.

  On the first page, I write my name in big curly letters. Below that, I write Book of Spells.

  Before I put in anything else, I decide to protect it. I go downstairs to get everything I need. This spell is a combination of two spells I’ve cast before, so it shouldn’t be too hard. Only a few words are different.

  A couple of minutes later, my Book of Spells is laying in a circle of salt and candles in front of my bed. In a bowl, I’ve mixed the herbs I used to protect both this house and Darkwood Manor.

  By now I know the spell by heart. I only have to change one word.

  “Salt and herbs, nine times nine,

  guard well this book of mine.”

  After shaking the contents of the bowl nine times, I dip my finger in it and draw a circle around the notebook, within the ring of salt.

  I invoke the powers of the four elements. As soon as the candles are blown out by a magical breeze, I move on to calling the shadows.

  “Wanted by evil, dark as night,

  I cloak this book in magic’s light.

  Make it unseen, from left to right,

  unreadable from any height.

  Wrap the shadows all around,

  block all eyes and touch and sound.

  Keep it out of every fight,

  hide its contents from evil’s sight.”

  Once more, the shadows form slender bodies that dive through the air. They envelop the Book of Spells and lift it up. Dark hands toss it around, until it is fully covered in darkness. Then it lands on the new laminate boards with a soft thud and the shadows withdraw to their rightful places.

  When I pick it up, a surge of energy flows through me. Images of all the demons I’ve encountered so far flash before my eyes. It’s as if the book wants me to draw them. As if it was meant to be a book of spells and monsters.

  I clean up the floor as fast as I can, wash the bowl and put away the candles.

  When I return to my bed, the red of the book is pulsing slightly.

  Carefully I grab it again, but it feels normal. I frown when I notice my writing on the first page has turned yellow. When I put my father’s notebook next to it, I realize the letters are the same color as his name. And that’s not the only weird thing. Before I even look closer, I already know, it’s the same handwriting.

  There’s no doubt in my mind that I never wrote Dad’s name in his notebook. This must be some kind of magic. Maybe it’s because the books are the same. Whatever the reason, it feels good to me. Somehow, Dad and I are still connected. I carry on his mission and use his words to help me.

  I wipe away a stray tear and put Dad’s notebook aside. The pulsing red of my Book of Spells tells me it’s time to fill it with everything I know.

  I start by writing down all the spells I’ve used. Some I can copy from Dad’s book, others are taken from memory. I’ll have Vicky check them later.

  When I can’t think of another spell, I start drawing every demon I’ve seen. Below the pictures I describe where I saw them and how we defeated them, if we did. When I’m done, it’s almost eight o’clock. Mom will be up soon to make breakfast. But there are two more drawings I want to include. One of the true streetscapes of Blackford, and one of the creatures I saw at the Winged Centaur.

  I’ve barely finished the last of those, the menacing Boogeyman, when Mom knocks on my door. “Breakfast is ready.”

  I slam my book closed and put it back in the bottom drawer. “I’m coming!”

  As soon as I’m dressed, I put Dad’s notebook back behind my waistband. I remember what the date is and smile. So far, Friday the thirteenth has been good to me. I can only hope it’ll stay that way.

  When I pull out of our street, I already drive towards the middle of the road without thinking.

  “What are you doing?” Mom asks.

  I steer Phoenix from the magical road onto the normal lane. “Sorry, thought I saw a squirrel.”

  The rest of the way to Darkwood Manor, she chats about how lovely it is that we’re doing something together, just the two of us.

  Her eyes grow wide when we pull up to the mansion. “Is this your house?”

  I park Phoenix and lean on the steering wheel, trying to imagine what she must be thinking.

  She shivers. “It’s so creepy. Maybe you should sell it.”

  I shrug. “You get used to it. And I’m sure I can make something great out of it.”

  She crinkles her nose. “Isn’t it a bit big for you?”

  I tilt my head as if contemplating the possibilities. “I’ve got plans.”

  Her heads swivels in my direction. “Really? What kind of plans?”

  “Can’t tell you yet.” I grin.

  Don’t know yet.

  I open the car door. “I’ll get my wallet and we can be on our way.”

  For a moment, I think she’s going to ask me for a tour of the house, but she just keeps looking at it with disgust.

  “I’ll be right back.”

  In the kitchen, D’Maeo hands me my wallet.

  “Thanks.” My gaze flicks to Maël. “Are you ready to come with us? You can also stay here. Quinn and Charlie will arrive in about ten minutes.”

  She lifts her head full of spiraling curls. Her golden headpiece glistens in the morning sun. “It would be my honor to accompany you, master.”

  I get a sudden urge to bow, but Vicky is pulling at my arm. “Let’s go. I want to find out who is on the Cards of Death.”

  I watch them walk out of the house and fade into the back seat. With five of them there, it must really look like a Picasso painting. I guess I won’t be using my rearview mirror a lot today.

  CHAPTER 18

  While Mom tells me about her latest talk with Mona, the ghosts stay quiet. At one point Taylar gets bored though, and takes Jeep’s hat. He puts it on Mom’s head and moves it from side to side singing, “Oh baby baby, how was I supposed to know.”

  I try to keep a straight face, but since Mom is still chatting, it looks like she’s singing with Taylar’s voice, which is really funny.

  I can’t hear what she’s saying anymore, so I just nod and hum a bit, meanwhile biting my lip to stop myself from laughing.

  When we stop at Pinestone Bird Park and pile out of the car, I wrap my right arm around Mom and hold Vicky’s hand with the other.

  Jeep smirks. “Oh, what a wonderful family trip.”

  I pay for two at the counter, feeling a bit guilty.

  Mom studies the map she got. “I can’t believe how much this park has changed.”

  “We’ve been here before?”

  She puts her arm through mine. “Sure, when you were little. You loved the owls. I think I still have a couple of drawings you made.”

  We pass a restroom and Mom excuses herself.

  I sit on a low wall a bit out of sight, so I can talk to the Shield. We study my copies of the Cards of Death again and decide what to look out for. “If you see a star, a company name starting with an M or a woman with a hair bun, let me know.”

  “What about screens?” Vicky asks, pointing at the picture.

  I nod. “Sure, you never know.”

  Mom waves at me and I join her.

  “Were you on the phone? I heard you talking.”

  Vicky squeezes my hand.

  “Yeah, Charlie called. I’m meeting him tonight.”

  Mom’s face falls. “Really? I was hoping we could spend the whole day together.”

  I pull her closer. “That would be great. If you’re not too tired.”

  She shakes her head. “I’m not ill anymore, Dante. We can stay up for as long as we like.”

  I plant a kiss on her temple. “And we will.”

  “Oh my God, you two are sweet as sugar,” Jeep says.

  “You’re just jealous,” I mumble.

  “What’s that?” Mom asks.

  I point at a c
ouple of wade birds with carmine heads and dark grey wings, standing in a small pond. “Look at those fellows.”

  “They’re beautiful.”

  Jeep snorts. “Nice save.”

  Mom takes some pictures and we move along. I wish I had brought my sketchbook. There are so many different birds in this park. It would be nice to draw something normal again, instead of a ghost house and monsters.

  But I can’t concentrate on drawing now, anyway. I’m constantly looking for clues, and so is the Shield. We don’t have much luck though. By the time we finish lunch, I’m starting to think we’re in the wrong place.

  But then Mom furrows her brows. “Those are strange birds. Some sort of sandhill cranes, but uglier?”

  I follow her gaze and almost spit out the drink I took with me.

  Three small demons are roaming around nervously near the owlery. The owls are screeching deafeningly, flapping their wings. I can’t blame them. Although the demons don’t pay them any attention, their smell is nauseating and the sight of them would make anyone turn around and run.

  They look a lot like the other tar covered demons we’ve encountered lately, only smaller and with long tails. Their beady eyes are glowing and black saliva drips from their mouths.

  I plant my feet firmly on the ground and reach for the buzz next to my heart.

  Taylar has already whipped out his sword and shield and Maël clutches her staff.

  But D’Maeo holds up his hand. “Wait. They can’t see us, remember. We’re invisible and you and your mom can’t be seen by evil, thanks to the spell. That won’t wear off until tonight.”

  The demons lift their heads and sniff the air.

  They might not be able to see us, but it looks like they can still smell us.

  Vicky puts her hand on my arm. “Relax. We’re fine.”

  Mom is already walking towards the first owl cage and I fight the urge to pull her back.

  “If they can’t see or sense us, why are they here?” I whisper to Vicky.

  Taylar points at a woman emerging from one of the cages. She has long, wavy ginger hair and is dressed in a pinstripe suit. The demons immediately turn their dripping heads towards her.

  She closes the cage and waves at the owls. “Bye guys, I’m off to work.”

  She greets Mom, who’s studying two owls that are huddled together. Then she binds her hair together into a tight bun and walks away. The demons follow her closely.

  “That must be her, right?” I whisper. “We should follow her.”

  “How?” Jeep asks. “She’s going to work. We’ve only seen half the park.”

  “Can’t you guys go after her?”

  He shakes his head. “I wish we could. But we’ll be pulled back to the mansion when we’re not near you, remember?”

  “Oh, right, I forgot.” I tap my foot. “What if you follow her until you disappear? At least we’ll know which direction to search in.”

  “Dante? Are you on the phone again?” Mom is standing behind me, the map in her hands.

  I turn around with a smile. “No, just talking to myself.”

  “Well, come on. These owls are so beautiful. Look here.” She’s already moving away from us again and I seize the opportunity to gesture to Jeep.

  He salutes and dissipates without a sound. The rest of us follow Mom.

  Every few seconds, I look over my shoulder and scan for demons, but all I see are birds and visitors.

  We’re admiring the macaws when a man in a dark suit taps Mom on the shoulder. I’ve already moved to the next birdcage, so I can chat a little with my Shield.

  When Mom turns around, suit man spreads his arms. “Susan! It’s really you!”

  I have never seen this man before in my life, but Mom seems to know him. She hugs him and smiles. “Trevor, how are you?”

  “Fine, fine.”

  While they chat, an idea hits me. “We should call Quinn, he can follow that woman with the hair bun.”

  D’Maeo nods. “Yes, you could try that. Maybe he can locate Jeep.”

  I close my eyes and focus on my friend. Quinn, we could use your help here. Are you there?

  I open one eye and look around. Mom is still talking to suit man, who is smiling way too brightly to mean it.

  “I don’t trust this guy,” I whisper to Vicky, who is also observing the two.

  She crinkles her nose. “Me neither.”

  I’m just wondering if Quinn heard me, when he emerges from behind one of the cages. I’m surprised Mom and the man don’t look up. Quinn isn’t exactly an inconspicuous figure. He’s tall and broad and his handsome features always attract attention.

  “Were you attacked?” Quinn asks me.

  “No, but we saw the woman from the cards.”

  In hushed tones I explain the situation to him. Then I hear my name being mentioned behind me. “Dante is doing great. He’s over there.”

  I smile when she points at me. Suit man narrows his eyes. “Where?”

  “That handsome young man standing next to that red macaw.”

  He squints and looks right past me. “I don’t see anyone.”

  She raises an eyebrow and turns her head to him. That’s my cue. Time to vanish.

  The Shield follows, while Quinn studies the man. “He can’t see you. It must be the spell.”

  I clench my fists. “I knew something was off about him.”

  Vicky senses my unrest. “We could undo the spell.”

  “No, it’s still Friday the thirteenth. Undoing it will also make Mom visi-“ I slap my hand against my head. “Wait a minute. If he’s evil, he shouldn’t be able to see Mom, either.”

  D’Maeo rubs his gray beard. “So it must be something else.”

  Quinn joins us at the back of the cage. “Do you want me to stay?”

  “No, you find Jeep and follow the woman from the cards. We’ll be fine.”

  He blinks out of sight immediately and we focus on the man again. Maël points her staff at him, while Mom is calling my name. The ghost queen mumbles something under her breath. A soft rustle moves towards the man. His clothes flutter lightly, but he doesn’t seem to notice. His face turns redder and redder. His hands change into stone fists. His hair vanishes, leaving a bald piece of rock as a head. His eyes are a deep black with red sparks.

  All this time, he and Mom keep talking as if nothing is wrong.

  Maël stops mumbling. “You were right. He can’t see you because he’s evil.”

  “What is he?”

  “An earth elemental. Probably from the south, since he’s red.”

  I can’t take my eyes off the stone man standing next to my mother. He smiles broadly at her and a spark ignites at his feet. It goes through him like a wave, and escapes from his head in small bubbles.

  I recoil. “What was that?”

  Maël puts her staff back under her cape. “Ever heard of the phrase love conquers all?”

  “Of course.”

  “Well, that applies to magic, too. It looks like this man is in love with your mother. That’s why he can still see her, even though he’s evil. He would never hurt her.”

  My gaze shifts from the man to Maël. “An evil man has a crush on my mother?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  “Great. Let’s add another problem to the list.”

  When I look at the two again, suit man has turned back to normal. He still looks creepy to me though.

  How can I get him away from her?

  A hand on my arm startles me. “Let me handle this.”

  The slender figure of Vicky walks by, her black and blonde hair bobbing up and down as she approaches suit man with confidence.

  I expect her to stop in front of him and use her hypnotic powers, but she just walks straight through the man. And then, without stopping, she turns and steps through him again.

  He wavers on his feet, steadying himself against the cage next to him.

 
“What’s wrong?” Mom asks. “Are you okay?”

  He blinks. “I’m not sure.”

  Vicky keeps walking back and forth.

  The man brings his hand to his mouth. “I don’t feel well. I’ll… I’ll be right back.”

  He runs away before Mom can react.

  Vicky beckons me.

  “There you are!” Mom calls out when I emerge from behind the cages. “Didn’t you hear me calling? I wanted to introduce you to an old friend.”

  I hug her, glad she’s okay. “Sorry Mom, but I don’t trust that man. He’s got a bad vibe.”

  She walks to the next cage, where two owls come out of their hiding places. “I’m glad you felt that, too. You’ve inherited my instincts.”

  “You know he’s evil?” It slips out before I can stop myself.

  She tilts her head. “Evil might be a strong word, but something is definitely off about him. I’ve always known that. That’s why you shouldn’t provoke him. Just be nice.”

  “I’m always nice, Mom. You know that.” I wink.

  She pushes a stray blonde lock behind her ear and smiles. “Just say hi to him and we can move along.”

  While I’m searching for an excuse, Vicky leans over. “Leave it to me.”

  She disappears around the corner.

  After a few minutes, I suggest we go to the next cage. “We’ve still got a lot to see. If he wants, that man can always catch up with us.”

  Mom agrees.

  “How do you know him anyway?”

  “Trevor worked with your father. They sometimes had meetings at our house. I never liked him, although he was always very nice to me.”

  I snort and she gives me a surprised look. ‘What’s so funny?”

  “That man obviously has a crush on you, Mom.”

  She blushes. “Really?”

  I laugh out loud and pull her close. “You’re pretty naïve for someone with such good instincts.”

  CHAPTER 19

  The ghosts stay at the bird park when Mom and I leave. This way they can make sure Trevor doesn’t follow us. And I won’t have to make up an excuse to stop at Darkwood Manor again.