Witch rose, p.18
Witch Rose, page 18
“All of this because some girls were mean to you and you weren’t born with a pretty face,” snarled Ivy. “Sounds pathetic to me.”
“You should be on my side,” said Jane. “Samara wasn’t complimentary about your looks when you visited. It seems only right she takes the fall for this. I wonder what she’ll look like in a prison uniform?”
“She’s not going to find that out.” Ivy didn't entirely hate the idea of Samara getting some payback.
“You need to come clean to the Charm Police and tell them what you’ve done,” said Bryony. “They’ll figure it out in the end if you don't and come after you.”
“By which time I’ll be gone,” said Jane. “I just have a few more deliveries to make and then I’m out of here.”
“There’s no way we’re letting you leave the village,” said Ivy.
“I may not be as powerful as you, Ivy Thornheart,” said Jane. “But I have a cauldron full of poison and am happy to use it. Plus, I get the sense you’re not as powerful as you usually are. You seem drained to me.”
“We’re taking you to the Charm Police if I have to get my sister to drag you there,” said Bryony. “You almost killed Gabriel.”
“Can’t have your little pet Charm Police officer hurt,” sneered Jane. “Although I do know what you see in him, his looks are angelic.” She flung another ladle full of poison towards the girls.
Ivy retaliated with a knock back spell causing Jane to stumble.
“As I thought, there’s something different about the two of you.” Jane righted herself and tilted her head to one side. “Neither of you are giving off the same magical signature you usually do. Are your powers really failing?”
Ivy raised her hands and jagged whirls of black spun from her fingers. “We are both powerful enough to beat you.”
“You cannot kill me.” Jane pouted and flipped her hair over one shoulder. “The Charm Police won’t be happy if you get rid of poor little me. Besides, no one will believe I had anything to do with the poisonings.” A bolt of lightning shot from Jane’s hands straight towards Bryony.
Ivy pushed her sister out of the way and the lightning struck her right shoulder. The air filled with the scent of singed flesh as Ivy dropped to her knees.
“Why don’t you both take your medicine like good little witches and this will all be over quickly.” Jane moved towards the cauldron.
“No, you don’t. Neither of us needs your brand of medicine.” Ivy shot a spiral of flames towards Jane, but her aim was off, and Jane dodged the magic.
“Bad witch, you need to learn who’s in charge.” Jane conjured a second lightning bolt and aimed it towards Ivy.
Bryony planted herself in front of Ivy, flashes of pink and purple magic shimmering around her as she did so. “Nobody hurts my big sister and gets away with it.” She directed all of her energy at the cauldron. It catapulted into the air and tipped over Jane’s head, the contents spilling onto her like a toxic green shower.
Jane shrieked and stumbled backwards as she wiped the poison out of her eyes. “Get it off me!”
“It’s too late for that.” Exhaustion raced through Bryony as her energy faded. Doing magic on reduced power was draining.
“I have to get to the antidote,” screamed Jane.
“You’re staying right here,” said Bryony. “You’ve hurt a lot of people in Old Sarum, including my sister.”
“But I’ll die,” said Jane.
Bryony’s normally smiley face was set in a grim frown. “Why should I let you live?”
“I’ll change. I’ll be a better witch. I won’t hurt anyone else.” Jane scrambled towards the door but Bryony blocked her path.
“I don’t believe you,” said Bryony.
“Neither do I.” Ivy struggled to her feet and hung onto Bryony’s shoulder. “We should leave her here.”
“You can’t do that,” shrieked Jane. “I need the antidote.”
“You’re getting what you deserve,” said Ivy through gritted teeth. “You had no problem with doing it to other people.”
“But those mean faced, evil crones deserved it,” said Jane. “Doesn’t that count for anything?”
Bryony looked at her sister. “What should we do?”
“As much as I’d love to kill her,” said Ivy, “we should leave her to the Charm Police. If they can find her, that is.”
“Don’t leave me.” The poison was already spreading across Jane’s skin, turning it an unhealthy green color.
“We could always tip off the Charm Police as to the whereabouts of the real poisoner,” said Bryony.
“They may get here in time.” Ivy turned to the door. “I’d wish you good luck, but I really hope you don’t get any,” she said to Jane.
Bryony glanced back just before she shut the door on a distraught looking Jane. “I do wish you luck. I wish that in your next life you come back a nicer witch and don’t do any harm to others. You’re an embarrassment to the witch community.”
Ivy sagged against the wall outside the door as Bryony pulled it shut. A loud wail rang out from the other side.
“Don’t feel bad,” said Ivy. “She deserved that.”
“I don’t.” Bryony took hold of Ivy's arm and led her slowly along the corridor back towards the stairs. “She should never have hurt you.”
Ivy glanced at Bryony. “So there is a little darkness in you.”
Bryony shrugged. “There’s a little darkness in all of us. Come on, let’s go home.”
Chapter 27
“Are you sure you’re comfortable?” Bryony attempted to plump the cushion behind Ivy’s back for the fifth time.
“I will shoot you with a fireball if you try to make me any more comfortable.” Ivy shoved her sister’s hands away and Spike grumbled a warning from his prone position by Ivy's feet. They were outside in the back garden of the family home. It was solstice evening and a huge moon hung overhead, the magic so strong you could taste it if you stuck your tongue out. It was a surprisingly mild evening given how late into the year they were.
After their mother had discovered Ivy had been injured, she’d changed their village solstice celebrations into a family only gathering. The garden was the perfect place, with plenty of space for a table and chairs, and a dedicated spot for a bonfire.
“I need to make sure you’re not in any discomfort.” Bryony stepped back and looked down at Ivy. “It was a close call.”
Ivy placed a finger over her lips. They hadn’t told their family what had happened at Samara’s mansion. “If you want to be useful, go and get me some of Aunt Isadore’s cranberry and pumpkin seed bread and some of the spiked apple punch.”
“I’ll get you a double helping,” said Bryony. “And I’d better bring some apple chips as well. Aunt Isadore has made enough to feed the whole village.”
Ivy groaned. “She’s obsessed with apples.”
“I am not,” said Aunt Isadore as she bustled out of the back door, her arms full of bowls of baked apples topped with caramel sauce. “We simply had a bumper crop this year and I don’t like to see food go to waste.”
“Drink this.” Aunt Lilith walked over from the crackling bonfire in the middle of the garden and passed Ivy a shot glass full of brilliant red liquid. “It will put color into your cheeks.”
Ivy downed the drink and her eyes watered. “What’s in that?”
“Just a restorative tonic.” Aunt Lilith grinned at her. “With a little of my own special magic.”
Adeline emerged from the kitchen, a plate in each hand, piled high with apple and blueberry muffins. She set the plates down on the table. “I’ve just heard from the Widow Merryweather that Samara’s been released without charge.”
“Why did they let her go?” asked Bryony, attempting to feign innocence as she approached with a plateful of food and some punch for Ivy.
“She was out of the village when some of the poisonings took place,” said Adeline. “But what’s more interesting, is that the Charm Police received an anonymous tip off that the real poisoner was hiding at Samara’s house.” She stared intently at Ivy and Bryony. “Do either of you know anything about that?”
“Not a thing,” said Ivy. “Can I have a muffin?”
“I’m still not sure I believe your story about a spell going wrong in the store and you injuring yourself,” said Adeline. “What kind of magic was it again?”
“I forget,” said Ivy. “And I’m injured, you should be feeding me not interrogating me.”
Adeline raised her eyebrows as she passed Ivy a muffin. “According to the Widow Merryweather, when the Charm Police got to Samara’s, they found a half crazed, nearly unconscious witch in the cellar, covered in poison. She was barely coherent, but was muttering about people deserving payback.”
“So she isn’t dead?” asked Bryony. Sweetie swept down from the sky and plucked several apple chips from a bowl before shrieking and shooting back into the air.
Adeline pinned Bryony with an intense stare. “You do know something about this don’t you?”
“Only that we were almost poisoned by this crazy witch, whoever she is.” Ivy pulled off a chunk of cranberry and pumpkin seed bread and shoved it in her mouth before glaring at Bryony.
“I don’t want you girls getting involved in things like this.” Adeline pulled up a chair and sat opposite Ivy. “I know you’re independent young ladies, but you’re precious to me. You must leave dangerous matters to the Charm Police.”
“Just like you used to do when you were younger.” Aunt Lilith smirked at Adeline. “The girls are exactly like you.”
Adeline waved away the comment. “That’s not the point.”
“We would leave things alone if the Charm Police knew what they were doing,” mumbled Ivy through a mouthful of bread. “This is great bread, Aunt Odessa.”
“Thank you, dear.” Aunt Odessa sat on a checked blanket on the ground, her long purple dress pooled around her. “But your mother is right, best you leave the detective work to those who are paid to do it.”
“The main thing is the real poisoner was found,” said Bryony.
“The most important thing to me is you two are kept safe,” said Adeline. “You know how much trouble we have to go through to continue the female line in our family. If either of you were to get badly injured, or worse.” Adeline looked from Ivy to Bryony. “It doesn’t bear thinking about.”
“Have a muffin.” Ivy pointed to the food laden table. “The sugar will calm you down. And I’m feeling better after eating this pumpkin bread.”
“You were almost killed,” said Adeline.
“It’s a flesh wound.” Ivy patted her shoulder wound and grimaced. “It’s almost healed.”
“Why hasn’t it completely healed?” asked Aunt Lilith. “It’s been two days. With your powers, you should be able to perform healing spells easily.”
“Maybe I’m under the weather.” Ivy exchanged another look with Bryony. There was no way either of them were going to confess to giving some of their powers to Kristoff Dash.
“I’ll be sending your aunts to keep a close eye on you if you keep misbehaving,” said Adeline.
Spike raised his head from his paws and glared into the darkness, a low growl rumbling out of him. Sweetie shrieked an alarm call and swooped into the gloom.
“I hope we’re not interrupting.” Kristoff emerged from the shadows, followed by a pale looking Gabriel.
Adeline stood and hurried over to them. “You are both welcome. I said the girls could bring friends. So glad to see you’re recovering, Gabriel.” She gave them both a hug.
“We won’t stay for long,” said Gabriel. “But we heard about Ivy’s accident and wanted to see how she is.”
“I’m right here,” said Ivy. “You can come and see for yourself if you must.”
“Yes, come and join our solstice celebrations.” Adeline led Gabriel and Kristoff across the garden. “As you can see, Ivy is recovering well.”
“There’s nothing wrong with me,” said Ivy.
“I heard you were blasted with a lightning bolt,” said Kristoff.
“You’re wrong,” said Ivy quickly. “It was just a spell in the store that backfired.”
“What did you hear about lightning bolts?” Adeline looked at Kristoff in alarm.
“He knows nothing,” snapped Ivy. “Help me up.” She held her hand out to Kristoff and he pulled her carefully from the chair.
“Shall we walk?” Kristoff gestured to the bonfire. “Perhaps you need warming up?”
“Not by you.” Ivy stalked ahead but then slowed as her shoulder protested.
“Ivy, take it easy.” Bryony hurried alongside her, Gabriel at her heels. “You’re still recovering.”
“I know, but I don’t want anyone else to overhear.”
“Overhear what?” asked Gabriel.
Ivy glared at him. “It’s a secret.”
“He may as well know,” said Bryony. “Gabriel is involved in this.”
“Fine, but if he arrests us, I’m blaming you,” said Ivy.
“We were the ones to tip you off about Jane,” said Bryony to Gabriel.
“Why am I not surprised to hear you're involved in this.” Gabriel sighed. “Go on.”
“We were never involved out of choice,” said Ivy. “We didn’t ask to get a poisoned rose dumped on our doorstep. If it hadn’t been for that, we’d know nothing about Jane and her crazed poisoning efforts.”
“So why did the two of you get a poisoned rose?” asked Gabriel.
“Jane found out we were investigating Josie and Belinda's poisonings and wanted to get rid of us,” said Ivy.
“She thought we'd figure out what was going on and stop her,” said Bryony.
“Which we did,” said Ivy. “No thanks to the Charm Police.”
“And why is Kristoff involved?” asked Gabriel.
“You may as well tell him everything,” said Kristoff. “He sensed there was something different about my magic when I siphoned the poison from him.”
“We worked with Kristoff to keep you alive,” said Bryony.
“How did you work with him exactly?” asked Gabriel.
“We did a power exchange,” said Bryony.
“I knew it.” Gabriel frowned. “Chad was trying to tell me what was going on when I was under the influence of the poison, but I was barely conscious and couldn’t make sense of my own thoughts. I remember him saying something about a power swap and you being involved. The next thing I knew, Kristoff was in the room holding my head. That was the most surreal experience I’ve ever had.”
“It is not one I’ll forget in a hurry,” said Kristoff. “And I’m still suffering the after effects of removing so much poison from you. I’m not sure I’ll ever get the full feeling in my fingers again.”
“You’ll be fine,” said Ivy. “You’ve got plenty of power to give you a boost.”
Kristoff touched Ivy’s arm. “If you want your power back early you only have to say. I can see you are suffering. Don’t be too proud to ask for my assistance again.”
“That was a one-off,” said Ivy. “And a deal’s a deal. You can keep our power for the agreed amount of time. But then it is coming back to us.”
Kristoff nodded. “I have something for you.” He extracted a jet black rose from his inside jacket pocket. It glistened in the firelight with an unnatural intensity. “This one isn’t poisoned. But when I saw it, it reminded me of you.”
“I don’t want your gifts,” said Ivy.
“Take it, Ivy, it is beautiful,” said Bryony.
“Then you have it,” said Ivy.
Kristoff reached forward and tucked the rose into Ivy’s scarf. “You never know, it may bring you luck. And if you keep getting yourself into these sticky situations, you will need as much of that as you can get.”
“When I’m at full strength, I won’t need any luck.” The scent of the rose drifted up Ivy's nose, a combination of heady floral and musky aromas. She didn’t hate it.
“I want to thank you both for what you did for me,” said Gabriel quietly. “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be here now.”
“And don’t forget that,” said Ivy, “the next time you’re accusing me of doing something wrong.”
Gabriel raised his eyebrows. “Helping me doesn’t automatically give you a pass to do whatever you like.”
“It should,” said Ivy.
“We were happy to help,” said Bryony. “We didn’t like to see you in pain. Especially since you picked up the poisoned rose at our store.”
“Why don’t you show me the bonfire?” Kristoff asked Ivy, giving Gabriel a pointed look.
Ivy pointed at the crackling mass of branches. “There it is.”
Kristoff wrapped an arm around her waist. “Just for a few minutes. And you can tell me why you decided to change your beautiful red hair. I thought it suited you.”
Ivy shoved Kristoff away and stalked towards the flames. “Come see the fire. But watch out, I may push you in. And as for the hair color, that was your choice not mine, and it faded. Your magic is rubbish.”
Gabriel caught hold of Bryony’s hand and they walked a few paces away from Ivy and Kristoff. “About my visits to your store. That needs to change.”
“Change how?”
Gabriel's gaze shifted to the ground. “I love coming to see you, but it’s not such a good idea. After our discussion at the station, I think it’s best if we stay away from each other.”
Bryony felt a pang of sadness in her chest. “You don’t want to see me anymore?”
“That’s just it, I want to see you too much. It’s getting in the way of my work. And if you won’t date me because of your family curse, is it fair that the two of us see each other but can’t do anything about it?”
“That doesn’t seem fair,” said Bryony. “We’ve always been friends.”
