Summer sin northern witc.., p.10
Summer Sin (Northern Witch #4), page 10
Mark let himself be pulled to his feet. “I only saw one part. I imagine the part Robert comes from is more fiery.”
Chapter Fourteen
Mark didn’t know how he got through the next week. He tried to focus on the exams, as much as the other pupils, but he found it impossible to concentrate for any period of time. His Nanna had always been this indestructible figure, who stepped in to rescue Mark every time he made a stupid mistake. From what his Mum had told him about the disease (and some late-night internet searches when he couldn’t sleep), it would slowly steal away everything that made Nanna who she was now. One day, Mark may even become a stranger in her eyes, and that terrified him.
With the exception of his closest friends, the other students were ignorant of the thoughts that plagued Mark. The way they went about their lives, as though everything was perfectly normal... it jarred against Mark’s new reality.
Despite how amazing Harry, Sarah and even Damian had been, with their unfailing sympathy; Mark found an unexpected support. Michelle was feeling pain almost as acutely as Mark did.
It shouldn’t have been a surprise; the girl had lived with Nanna for months. Despite their early, violent clashes, Nanna was the closest thing to a real family-figure that Michelle ever had. When Mark saw Michelle’s hesitant concern, it was a heart-breaking mirror to his own.
At home, his Mum and Dad seemed to be walking on eggshells, being very careful not to say anything that could upset the kids. It was kindly meant, but it made Mark feel even worse. It was a constant reminder that it was his parents who would have to take on the role of main carers one day, switching roles with their matriarch.
Nanna was the victim of something she couldn’t control, but she quickly got tired of people treating her like she was fragile. She finally snapped and told them that they were stuck with her for many years to come; and the next person to treat her like she was on her deathbed would get a curse that would make locusts and boils look mild.
When Damian turned up on Saturday morning, breaking the tense atmosphere, Mark was relieved.
“Want to go for a ride?” Damian piped up, looking very pleased with himself.
Mark’s family practically shoved him out of the door; he guessed his dark moods hadn’t been helping matters. “Sure.”
He grabbed his bike from the garage, then went to join his boyfriend.
“Nice bike.” Mark commented, nodding at the very shiny, very new, red bike that Damian had hold of.
“Yeah, Aunt Maggie got it me.” Damian replied, with a genuine smile. “It was supposed to be a post-exam present, but when it got delivered yesterday, she got too excited to wait any longer.”
“It is looking very clean. Let’s go christen it.” Mark grinned. “Where do you wanna go, the village?”
“Leave it all to me. I have plans.” Damian said mysteriously, kicking off and setting down the gravel driveway.
Mark hurried after him, but Damian refused to explain any further.
“Fine, keep yer secrets.” Mark huffed as he caught up with his boyfriend. He matched Damian’s pace, so they could ride together on the empty country roads. “How’s things at home?”
“Alright. Miriam’s all settled in now, it feels like she’s been there forever.” Damian smiled, already fond of his aunt’s girlfriend. “Although the cottage is pretty cramped now, I think they’re looking forward to when I bugger off to uni.”
Damian’s Aunt Maggie had bought the house when she was on her own. She never would have predicted that her sister would be killed in a car crash, and that her teenage nephew would move in; quickly followed by a live-in girlfriend after a whirlwind romance.
“Maybe Maggie and Miriam will buy a bigger place, now they’re an official couple.” Mark suggested.
Damian gave a half-hearted shrug. “Yeah, I kinda like the cottage, though. It feels like home.”
“Have you told Maggie about you-know-who?” Mark asked, already guessing the answer.
Damian didn’t reply, his attention fixed on an upcoming track. “Let’s go off-road.”
Mark didn’t push the matter, he knew that Damian was still sensitive about sharing his body with a demon, and tended to ignore Robert’s existence.
Mark followed as his boyfriend headed up a track that was half-stone and half-dried-mud. It made for harder work, and Mark stood up, pushing his weight onto his pedals.
Damian seemed to be coping better. Mark wondered if it was the new bike; the football training; or the extra demon-fuelled strength he’d been exhibiting lately.
“Come on, slow coach!” Damian teased.
Mark felt the sweat bead across his skin. The sun beat down with a real summer heat, and he wished he’d brought a drink with him. Mark focussed on keeping up, concentrating on Damian’s back wheel, and coughing as dry dirt kicked into his face.
Soon enough, Damian stopped at the crest of a hill, waiting for Mark to join him.
Mark got his bearings, and suddenly felt uneasy. They were near the stone ruins that made up Eadric’s grave. Mark hadn’t been here since the funeral at Ostara, two whole months ago. After finally being absent from his daily life, Mark’s grief hit as raw and real as those first days. The shock of it squeezed the breath out of his chest, and Mark tried to swallow down the lump of emotions that rose in his throat.
When he turned to his boyfriend, Damian was looking pale and worried. “Shit, I completely forgot… I’m sorry, Mark. I forgot this was here. It’s… it’s the only route I know.”
Not trusting his voice, Mark nodded his acceptance of Damian‘s apology.
“Um, are you OK to carry on? We’ll… keep our distance.” Damian offered. “Unless, um… you want to go see him…”
Mark shook his head. He didn’t want to go pay his respects to Eadric. It wouldn’t change anything; it wouldn’t bring Eadric back to life, and it wouldn’t stop Mark from being guilty of leading him to his death.
Damian looked like he was sharing Mark’s pain. He’d always been so sensitive and attuned to those around him, Mark didn’t want Damian to blame himself for this dark spot, too.
“This isn’t your fault. I can’t go around avoiding everywhere that makes me think of Eadric. I have to move on with life, especially if I need to step up and help Nanna.” Mark said, his voice shaking slightly.
His words were some relief to Damian, who turned his bike down the track. “I, um… you mentioned that we could go swimming in the river in summer. I thought it might be fun; but we can go back, if you’d rather-”
“No!” Mark interrupted, the image of Damian jumping in the river with nothing but his shorts on was very appealing. “I mean, we’re already here, it’d be a waste of a nice day…”
Without waiting for Damian’s response, Mark set off towards the best swimming spot, where the river was wide and deep, with few rocks in the way. It was protected by a grassy knoll, that kept the worst of the wind away, making the bank a positive sun trap.
“You should have told me, I didn’t bring my swimming gear.” Mark shouted over his shoulder, a smile creeping over his lips. “Unless you’re suggesting skinny-dipping.”
“No skinny-dipping.” Came a familiar voice. “Nobody wants to see your pasty arse.”
“Harry? What are you doing here?” Mark skidded to a stop, finding the best spot was already occupied by Harry, Sarah, and even Michelle.
There were rucksacks and towels scattered across the grassy bank. Harry was armed with a bottle of sun lotion, and half-way through coating Sarah’s back.
“It was Damian’s idea.” Harry turned back to his girlfriend.
Mark’s boyfriend looked sheepish at the subterfuge, but a little pleased with himself. “I thought you might need a distraction; preferably away from home, school, exams and demons.”
Mark was choked up by everything. His boyfriend had to be one of the kindest and most considerate people on Earth; and he couldn’t wish for better friends. “It’s perfect.” He said, squeezing Damian’s hand.
“My mum packed us a picnic.” Harry pulled a face at his mother’s poor cooking. “But we can just chuck that in the bin.”
“S’OK, Nanna made enough food for an army.” Michelle opened her stuffed rucksack, and wrestled out a towel and some swimming trunks. She threw them at Mark. “I agree with Harry, no one wants to see your pasty arse.”
They all got changed, and Mark ran and leapt into the deepest part of the river, knowing it was the best way to deal with the cold water. The breath rushed out of him, as an icy cold wrapped around his body. Mark tread water, and grinned up at Damian.
His boyfriend followed his example, and jumped in, a little more cautiously. He hit the water, and let out a scream, his face red. “It’s friggin’ freezing!”
Mark laughed at his expression. “What did you expect?”
“W-we used t-to go swimming at C-camber Sands. Very different.” Damian said, his teeth chattering. “S-sandy beach, warm water. C-crowds of people, as far as the eye could see.”
“Yeah, a little different.” Mark agreed, looking at the coarse grass and empty moors.
They soon warmed up, racing each other down the river. The ever-competitive Sarah put the boys to shame, and won all her rounds. Until Harry declared that she must be cheating, and proceeded to dunk her.
When she came up spluttering, it all devolved into chaos. Water was splashed everywhere, and at everyone.
Laughing, Mark made his way out of the river, and grabbed a drink from Michelle’s stash.
Michelle was sitting on her towel, still fully-clothed, reading a book. At her side, was her crow spirit; Michelle idly stroking its black feathers.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come in the river?” Mark asked for the umpteenth time.
“Er, no.” Michelle said, sneering at the immature play that was happening in the water.
“You can just do your own thing.” Mark insisted.
“I am doing my own thing.” Michelle snapped, waving her book in his face.
“No, I meant you can have a quiet swim on your own, they’ll leave you in peace, if that’s what you want.” Mark gestured to the river. “There’s no guarantee we’ll have nice enough weather again this summer.”
Michelle glared up at him, her eyes narrowed; but Mark thought he saw a flicker of something. Was she afraid? Was that why her crow spirit was keeping her company?
“Are you alright?”
“Fine.” She snapped.
Mark rolled his eyes. “What did you tell me: no one believes that passive-aggressive response?”
“I… can’t swim.” Michelle said so quietly, Mark barely heard her.
“What?” Mark was surprised that this was the source of her fear today. “Sorry, I just assumed…”
“Yeah well, my parents never took me to lessons, or foreign holidays with seas to swim in.” Michelle hissed.
Mark stood gormlessly, he’d had both in his past, and he’d taken for granted that he could swim. It seemed a basic skill, and had never thought that other people might not have the same training. “Oh. D’you… want to learn?”
Michelle looked over at Mark’s friends with envious eyes, as they swam confidently through the river. “No.” She replied.
Mark guessed she didn’t want to show any weakness in front of the others, and he could understand that. “Another time, then.”
Michelle stared at him for so long, that Mark thought he must have sprouted antlers.
“Right…” He muttered, breaking her gaze. He nodded to the crow. “I was surprised to see her out, there’s nothing more dangerous than Mrs Johnson’s picnic food.”
“I figured she’d appreciate it.” Michelle replied, seemingly happy with the change of topic. “It’s pretty lousy, if all she ever sees is fighting.”
“Oh.” Mark had never thought what their protective spirits did when they weren’t in physical form. Did they have a spirit world, where they led spirit lives? Or did they only exist when they were summoned?
Deciding it couldn’t do any harm, Mark closed his eyes and focussed on Luka. He knew that he was successful, when he felt a warm weight lean against his bare leg. When he opened his eyes, the black and white border collie looked up at him with his focussed sheep-dog stare.
“Go… have fun.” Mark made an awkward gesture to the river.
The spirit looked between the two groups and, sensing no danger, trotted towards the river.
“Luka!” Harry cried in delight.
Mark’s best friend hadn’t been allowed a family pet growing up, and he was easily Luka’s biggest fan. The protective spirit fully-embraced being a dog, and barked at the playing teens, waggy its tail, before jumping into the water to join them.
Chapter Fifteen
They stayed at the riverside for hours. It was the perfect break from all the stress at school and home; Mark could have happily stayed longer, but the clouds started to roll in and the temperature was quick to drop on the sparse moors.
They eventually packed everything up, and picked up their bikes. Harry and Sarah headed due south, the straightest route home.
Mark and Damian faced West to go back to Damian’s cottage for a movie night. There was an awkward moment where Damian invited Michelle, too.
The girl gazed at him longingly, for a little too long for comfort, before rejecting the offer. She made her way back to Nanna’s house alone.
Trying not to feel too bad for the girl that kept making eyes at his boyfriend, Mark set off, knowing the way to Damian’s house off by heart.
“So, Prom is less than two weeks away.” Damian commented, as he rode up to Mark’s side. “Have you got your suit sorted?”
“Why, are you asking me to be your Prom date?” Mark teased. To be honest, he’d totally forgotten about getting a suit. “I’ll still be able to rent one, right?”
“In London’s many stores – no problem.” Damian frowned. “In Tealford’s one store, when everyone needs a tux in the same week…?”
“Huh. Maybe I can still get one at York Outlet.” Mark muttered. His only other option was borrowing a suit from his Dad; but he shuddered at the thought of turning up to Prom with a hot date, and an ill-fitting old-fashioned suit. “Want to go tomorrow?”
Damian didn’t reply, his eyes were fixed on something ahead.
“Is that… smoke?” Mark gasped at the dark plume that was rising in the distance.
It was a long way from Bonfire Night, and Mark felt a stab of unease. The two of them started to pedal harder, kicking their speed up a notch.
The smoke was coming from Damian’s village. As they got closer…
“Is that your cottage?” Mark saw thick smoke rising from the thatch roof. “Surely Miriam can handle it.”
It was just fire, one of the elements that the witches trained with frequently. Mark guessed that his more experienced covenmate already had this under control.
Damian’s Aunt Maggie was stood in the road, in front of the house. She was on her mobile to the emergency services, patches of black on her clothes, but otherwise unhurt.
She saw the boys arrive, and grabbed Damian in a one-armed hug. “It’s safe, we’re fine, it’s all fine.” She babbled.
“What happened?” Damian asked.
“W-we don’t know, maybe an electrical fault? It just started to burn. Miriam’s doing what she can to keep it under control.” Maggie said, her voice shaking, as she resolutely kept her phone glued to her ear. Her eyes rested on Mark. “Can… you’re a witch, too. Can you help her?”
Mark nodded. Miriam was more skilled than him, but Mark had to do what he could. He glanced over at Damian and his aunt. “Stay safe.”
Mark jogged to the side of the cottage where Miriam stood with a fierce look of concentration, and arms raised.
“Hey, what do you need me to do?” Mark shouted over the crackling fire. This close to the house, the heat made him buckle.
Miriam frowned at the cottage, struggling to concentrate on her spell, and speak to Mark. “Feed your energy… into… mine. Or, um… summon rain…”
Mark wasn’t confident in summoning rain, so he stood next to Miriam, and searched for her magic. She was pouring everything into a spell that should have stopped the fire already, Mark couldn’t figure out why it wasn’t working.
Mark closed his eyes and tried to find an inner peace, despite the chaos around him. He then channelled his magic into Miriam’s spell. And… nothing happened. Despite the heat, Mark shivered as he watched their combined strength dissipate against the fire.
It wasn’t natural.
Mark focussed on the fire, moving past the flames and heat, until he got to the core and confirmed his suspicions. Magic had started this fire. Mark felt the familiar, suffocating rhythm of demon magic. He’d been around it so much lately, it glowed like a beacon to his senses.
“Dark magic.” Mark stated, pulling his senses back.
“What?” Miriam spat, scowling at the effort of maintaining her spell.
Mark’s thoughts were spinning. They could only minimise the damage. It would take a witch of Nanna’s strength to counter the demon magic… or a demon…
Mark jogged back to where Maggie and Damian stood frozen in helplessness by the roadside. Some of the neighbours had emerged from their houses, offering buckets, blankets, and hot drinks.
Mark grabbed his boyfriend’s sleeve and pulled him away from his aunt. “I think we need Robert’s help.”
“What? Why?” Beneath his summer tan, Damian blanched. He looked about at the crowd. “I dunno if it’s a good idea...”
“Whoever started this fire used dark magic. Only Robert can stop it.” Mark said quietly, he took Damian’s hand, lacing their fingers together. “It’s the only way to save the cottage. Nanna could break the spell, but by the time she gets here…”
Damian looked at the house with a pained expression. It had been his home for six months, somewhere he’d finally started to be happy. “Fine.”
Close to, Mark could see the black bleeding into Damian’s blue eyes, until Robert stood before him. The demon increased his grip on Mark’s hand, his thumb trailing suggestively over his wrist.
