Im just a small town shi.., p.1
Combustible Magic, page 1
Combustible Magic
MYRTLEWOOD MYSTERIES BOOK THREE
IRIS BEAGLEHOLE
Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Epilogue
Also by Iris Beaglehole
About the Author
Prologue
As Rosemary and Athena slept peacefully in their beds, a woman stood on a hill under the light of the waning moon, overlooking the village of Myrtlewood.
Her eyes gleamed in joy at the news – such good news. Her contacts had come through, finally. A girl had entered the fae realm, and not just any girl, the one she’d been looking for all these years.
“Right here under my nose,” she said to herself and cackled in glee.
There was finally a path in sight, a way to cut through to the realm, and this held the key to unlocking many years’ worth of plotting.
“The power will be ours,” she said to her companion, who hung back, overshadowed by trees.
The woman raised her arms, her dark hood sliding back slightly to reveal pale hair that gleamed pearlescent in the moonlight as she began chanting the ancient words, not heard for centuries.
She signalled for her companion to open the crate as the spell reached its apex. A burst of red and orange flew out. Circled in the air and then sped away.
The woman held her breath, unsure whether the spell had worked. It had been too fast, too much of a blurr to catch the details of what had been unleashed. She surveyed the countryside, looking for some kind of clue.
Down in the fields of Myrtlewood, all was quiet.
Then, as if from nowhere, a gust of wind swept through the back of the old Twigg farm.
The barn that had stood there for a hundred years suddenly burst into flames.
Agatha Twigg looked out her back window in horror as the bright orange fire engulfed the structure before turning an unearthly pink.
“Oh dear me, Marla!” Agatha called out to her niece. “Ring the authorities. Something big is coming!”
One
It was a charming late spring day. Athena lay on the grass next to Elise on the lawn at the back of Thorn Manor. They both looked up at the sky.
The foundling children ran around on the other side of the lawn. Athena could see Harry’s red hair as he ducked behind a magnolia tree, chasing dark haired Mei, light haired Elowen, and the tiny strawberry blonde twins who Athena had named Clio and Thea. It was peaceful to watch them play from a distance, although staring at the tufts of white clouds drifting through the clear blue sky was even more tranquil.
“You're lucky to live somewhere like this,” said Elise. “It's beautiful here.”
“It would be more beautiful if I was allowed to go out and do stuff on my own,” said Athena. “Outside of school, I'm pretty much stuck here. Unless Mum feels like taking me out for a walk like a little dog.”
“I hate to say it, but there might be good reason for that,” Elise said. “Your mum was in quite a state when we saw her after you disappeared. We were worried about you, too.”
“I know,” said Athena. “I'm sorry. It was stupid. I never should have trusted him.”
“You don't have to keep apologising,” Elise said. “I mean, as long as you've learned your lesson.” She twirled a daisy between her fingertips and then flipped it at Athena.
“Hey!” Athena jokingly slapped at her friend. They giggled for a few moments. “Thanks for coming over. It's gonna be a long time before Mum lets me actually go out and visit other people's houses.”
“She'll loosen up soon enough,” said Elise. “I mean, you're sixteen. It's not like you're a baby. You're almost an official adult.”
“That's what I keep telling her,” said Athena. “But does she listen? No. She's so stubborn.”
“Just like someone else I know,” said Elise, reaching for a little wad of grass. Which she ripped up and threw at her friend.
Athena blasted the grass away with a burst of air.
“You seem different ever since you went through,” said Elise.
“I am different. For a start I couldn't really use my magic before. Not properly. There was something about that place that kind of sparked it all...kicked it off.”
“It's not just that though,” said Elise. “You felt it, didn't you? That feeling...when I went through. It was like...going home.”
Athena turned towards her friend, giving her a knowing look. “It was the best thing I’ve ever felt,” she admitted. “But I can't possibly tell my mother that. My father might understand, although I can never be sure with him. Plus, I can't really talk to him about that stuff. It’s too personal.”
“Fair enough,” said Elise. “But he probably does understand, in his way. It’s his home, his only true home. He’s fae. For us, at least, we’re part human. We should belong here just as much as we do there.”
“Then why doesn't it feel like this?” Athena asked. “Why does this place feel so...”
“So heavy and lifeless?” Elise suggested.
“Exactly,” said Athena. “I mean, I know that there’s life all around me, but it all feels so dull compared to the other realm. It's like, it's like I was living in black and white, colour blind, and all of a sudden, everything's in Technicolor. You know, like in that old Wizard of Oz movie.”
“That's exactly what it's like,” said Elise. “My mum's never been through. But my grandmother grew up there and she knows. The doorways used to always be open. And people could just wander through. Sometimes they’d pop in for dinner and exit at the end of the evening.”
“I wish it was still that way,” said Athena. “But that was, I don't know, a hundred years ago or something.”
“Yeah, my grandma's really old,” Elise replied. “Naiads live for a long time.”
“That's good to know,” said Athena, smiling at her friend. “Hopefully you'll live for a long time, too. Sometimes it feels like you're the only one who understands me. I can't talk to Mum about any of this.”
Athena held out her hand towards Elise.
Their fingers met, sending sparkles all around them. It reminded her a little bit about the moment she'd shared with Finnigan.
Despite the usual heaviness to her heart when she thought of him, the sparkles that shone out lightened everything again.
Athena didn't need to waste her energy on him. She wasn't going to make a stupid mistake like that ever again.
Two
The envelope sat on the kitchen table. It had been delivered with the morning post, but Rosemary hadn't opened it yet. She knew exactly who it was from. No one else would send such elaborate gold and purple brocade stationery.
“What do you think it says?” Athena asked.
They both stood over the table as Serpentine prowled around them as if she owned the house. Thorn Manor was unusually silent. Nesta and Dain had taken the foundling children to the park. The lack of background noise only made the envelope seem more ominous.
“I don't want to think about it,” said Rosemary. “I know it's from our cousins.”
“I'll open it,” said Athena, picking up the envelope.
Rosemary’s heart thudded in her chest. She was worried Athena would see something she shouldn’t. “No. Give it here.” She took the envelope and sat down at the table with her cup of tea. She’d asked for the favour from Elamina because she’d been desperate, and it wasn’t the teen’s fault. She didn’t want Athena to feel like she was some kind of object to be bargained over. “Okay, here goes.”
She opened the stiff expensive card of the envelope and pulled out an equally expensive looking piece of paper, complete with the Bracewell-Thorn’s gold monograph in the corner.
“What does it say?” Athena asked.
“It's an invitation to dinner. Not exactly what I was expecting.”
“You thought they were going to ask for your firstborn child?” Athena joked.
Rosemary gave her a serious look. “I'm indebted to them for the help they gave me to get into the fae realm. I told you...”
“So what? That was just a little favour. They gave you some spell ingredients. What's the big deal?”
“I'm afraid they're going to make it into a very big deal. And don't joke about firstborn children. You know, Elamina seems to quite like you. I wouldn't be surprised if she tried to steal you.”
“I'm not a thing to be stolen, Mum.”
Rosemary eyed her daughter warily. Elamina could be deceptive and ch arming when she wanted something. She hoped Athena wasn’t naïve to that fact.
“Exactly, but my cousins might see you as some kind of pet,” said Rosemary. “You know, they assume most other people are beneath them. Especially me.”
“So we're not going to go and see them,” said Athena.
“I guess we have to,” Rosemary replied.
“Maybe going to dinner will be returning the favour,” Athena suggested somewhat optimistically.
“I very much doubt that. But I do need to find out what it is they really want. And this is the best way to do that. I can ask them directly.”
“When’s the dinner?” Athena asked. “And do we have to dress up really fancy?”
“Tonight. And wear whatever you like,” said Rosemary. “A brown paper bag would be fine. Least it would give them something else to be mocking and scornful about rather than just my very existence.”
“What if we turn up butt naked?” said Athena.
“Sounds a little bit gross.”
“Yeah. I don't know. Just making conversation. Doesn't it seem impolite that they summoned us for dinner at such short notice?” Athena looked at the invitation, which Rosemary had finally let go of. “What if we had plans tonight?”
“Exactly,” said Rosemary. “They don't think much of us. Any plans we have are inconsequential to them.”
“Some kind of weird flex,” said Athena. “It's kind of rude, though, isn't it?”
Rosemary sighed. “They just wouldn’t really think of us as real people.”
“Though it is a little bit strange, isn’t it?” said Athena. “Aren’t they supposed to deeply value decorum?”
Rosemary shrugged. “Maybe they think they’re honouring us with the invitation.”
“All right. We'll go see them. I've always wanted to check out their house. You said it was a massive mansion.”
“I've never been invited before,” said Rosemary. “But that's how Granny always described it. Actually, I wonder what the old bat would have to say about this.” She went upstairs, followed by Athena, half expecting not to see the little door to the tower. She was a little surprised that the door was visible from the upstairs landing, and even more shocked when she got there to see that there was a note pinned to it.
“More mail,” said Athena. “We’re popular today.”
“I didn't know ghosts could write,” said Rosemary. “It’s definitely Granny's handwriting.” She opened it up to read aloud.
My dearest descendants. I’m so relieved that Athena is back and that you are both well. I take this as my cue to leave you.
“Aw,” said Athena. “She was growing on me.”
“Like a delightful fungus,” said Rosemary, although she did feel a pain in her heart at the thought of Granny not being around anymore. She continued reading.
This is not a final goodbye. It’s merely a fare-thee-well-for-now. There are matters in the spirit realm that are calling me, requiring my utmost focus and urgent attention.
I apologise for not saying goodbye in person. I did not want to wake you or to disturb you.
Besides, I get the feeling having a batty old ghost hanging over your shoulders is starting to cramp your style.
Take care, my loves. I'm afraid you won't be able to summon me from where I'm going, but I will be back one day.
Until then, farewell and blessed be.
Rosemary felt sadness well up. “It’s like I'm having to say goodbye to her all over again.”
Without any warning, Athena put her arm around her mother's shoulder and gave her a little pat. “It's okay, Mum. She'll come back. And when she does, you can give her a right telling off.”
Rosemary smiled.
“I suppose we’d better figure out what to wear tonight,” said Athena.
“That's right.” Rosemary sighed, remembering the dinner that she’d temporarily been able to forget. “Family,” she said. “Even when they don't live with you, they have the amazing ability to drive you up the wall!”
They stood outside an enormous, looming black stone mansion belonging to the Bracewell-Thorns.
“Foreboding is the word to describe it,” said Athena.
Rosemary rang the doorbell and some kind of fancy butler answered. He was tall with a black and silver waistcoat and a stony expression. They were shown in to an elaborately adorned cloak room, and the butler took their coats and then lead them through to an even more elaborate waiting area.
“Looks like we're inside a palace,” said Athena. “And to think, these family members knew we were in poverty and never once offered to help.”
“It’s a bit gauche for my tastes,” said Rosemary bitterly.
The butler disappeared into another room and then returned a moment later. “The Bracewell-Thorns are ready for you now.” He bowed slightly and gestured for them to enter into a long stone hallway, lit with flaming lanterns.
“You’ve got to admit this part is cool, though,” said Athena.
The hallway opened up into a large room with a high ceiling. Rosemary eyed the lengthy dining table with seating for over a dozen, complete with lit candles in crystal stands that glimmered, casting reflections back and forth between the chandeliers that loomed large on the ceiling. The whole room smelled like lily of the valley, Elamina’s favourite perfume, but fortunately it wasn’t too overpowering.
Rosemary’s two cousins stood at the far side of the room. Elamina stepped forward. Her long white-blonde hair was done up as if she was prepared for a ball and she wore a grey and mauve evening gown, tailored perfectly to outline her petite figure.
Derse was dressed in a suit as usual, and glanced across at them, just as aloof as ever.
“Rosemary...Athena, how wonderful of you to join us.”
Rosemary shot Athena a confused look. In all the years that she'd known her cousin, Elamina had never once before been so gracious or willing to acknowledge Rosemary's presence. She almost seemed warm in her demeanour.
It certainly must be an act, Rosemary thought, wishing that Athena would read her mind so they could have a conversation. Ever since she'd come back from the fae realm, Athena, having learned how to control the voices in her head, had very deliberately turned them all off, saying she didn't need the extra headache.
This was occasionally frustrating, but also a welcome relief. Overall, Rosemary preferred not to have to worry about her own mind being pried into by a nosy teen. It meant that Rosemary had slightly less to be teased about, at any rate.
Elamina, with a genuine smile on her face, or at least a genuine gleam in her eyes, came forward, taking both Rosemary's and then Athena's hands in a kind of half handshake. She then air-kissed them on both cheeks in turn.
“How wonderful of you to join us,” said Derse, though his voice sounded wooden, almost robotic. Rosemary was surprised to hear him speak more than a word at a time. Whatever this charade was, he’d clearly been let in on it but couldn't act to save himself.
Elamina turned to him with a slightly wild look in her eyes, her smile faltering a little. She turned back to Rosemary, eyeing her rather casual outfit. “You look...well. It’s so refreshing when middle-aged women give up the need to dress to impress.”
That’s more like it. Her cousin’s passive-aggressive tendencies were strangely more comforting than the horrendously fake smile plastered to her face. Athena just looked surprised and vaguely amused. Rosemary didn’t even bother trying to return the backhanded compliment.
“Please take a seat.” Elamina gestured to the table.
Rosemary noticed little place cards with their names on them. Athena's place was right next to the head of the table, where Elamina sat down.
