The Witch's Thief (2 page)

The liquid splashed across Susanna’s face and onto Drake’s hand. He did not stop working it into her throat until the bottle was empty.

“All is well, my love,” Drake said, tossing the bottle to the floor where it smashed. He lifted Susanna onto his lap and held her, gazing out of the window. “All will be well. I’ll have you back again. I vow, my love. I’ll have you back again.”

Roger took Julia by her arm, helping her to stand. While she cried, Roger helped her from the room. She glanced at her father, his hair mussed, his lip bloodied, and his shirt slightly torn. He had fought well, but Drake was the younger, stronger witch.

“It’s over now, Papa,” Julia said, sniffling between her sobs.

“I fear not, my pet,” Roger mumbled. He turned his face into her hair to place a kiss upon her head. “I fear it has only begun.”

Chapter One

Bavaria 1817

Basil Merriweather crouched among the forested trees lining one side of Schloss Adler. It was a huge gothic creation built over a century ago. The tall arched windows gave it a menacing appearance. While he waited for Reed to return with news, he contemplated the wisdom of his decision. Was it wise to proceed as planned? Or was it lunacy?

Basil wished desperately to know the difference. He clutched the letter from Aunt Petunia in his hand. He’d reread it a dozen or more times in the last week, during which he’d traveled relentlessly to get back home. He trekked over the mountain passes of the Bavarian forest on foot where Reed had at last found him situated near a deserted peasant village. Then, as luck would have it, by horse and cart aided by the one trusting farmer they happened upon. But, it was taking much too long and Basil found he was unable to handle the rigors of travel as he once had. The quest was taking a toll on him, both body and spirit.

It was when they found the inn that Basil had decided to use the mirrors to return home. Reed argued, as a good assistant would, that it was too dangerous to use the mirror transportation in his condition. Any magic use at all was dangerous. But, Basil was resolved. He needed to get home. His family needed him. He’d let them down one time too many in the past and he refused to repeat yet another mistake, which caused his sisters to suffer more from his neglect.

Movement in the darkness caught his attention. He held his breath, awaiting the approach of the person who moved with stealth amongst the trees. It should be Reed, but he’d make no mistake by trusting his instincts now. It might not be Reed, after all.

His grip on the pistol tightened.

“Where are you?”

Reed
. Basil heaved a sigh, relaxed his grip and lowered his weapon.

“Over here,” Basil called in a loud whisper.

Branches spread apart and Basil saw Reed’s face in the shadows of moonlight. Reed squatted beside Basil for a better view of the mansion.

“I’ve found your way home, Mr. Merriweather. The reports we heard in the village were correct,” Reed said, smiling with accomplishment. He paused in his moment of glory when he looked closer at Basil. “How do you feel?”

The half-day’s travel had been difficult. More than Basil should have attempted in his condition. He knew Reed was concerned, but he ignored the question to get to the matter at hand.

“Did you find a way in?”

Reed steadied his gaze on Basil’s face. Basil knew his assistant saw too much. He saw the lines beneath Basil’s tired eyes. He saw the way the pain had etched itself into his face. Instead of remarking upon it, Reed continued with the mission.

“Aye,” he said. “There’s a back entrance, unlocked. Most of the servants are abed, the few who are awake still are in the east wing.”

“And the mirrors? Do you know their location?”

“Second floor, near the front. A ballroom with one wall filled with them.”

“Fancy, that,” Basil remarked dryly.

“The Adler’s enjoy their wealth. With so many to choose, you’ll find the one you need,” Reed added with a nod of agreement. “Are you ready?”

Basil nodded.

Reed’s hand reached for his arm, and helped him to his feet. Basil brushed it off. Pride kept him from taking the proffered assistance. He leaned heavily against the tree for a moment before he followed Reed onto the dark path leading to the mansion.

Once inside, it was easy business to find the grand staircase leading to the second story. It took more maneuvering to find the appropriate room as they searched the upper floor. They moved quietly through the corridors, aware their movements might be discovered by the family currently in residence or the servants who worked there. Reed cast a spell to create a luminescent glow to light their path. The light floated like a miniature sun above his hand, or like a large candle flame without the candle. He also cast his magic to peer through the closed doors to see what was hidden inside. No need to risk being discovered.

Basil followed his assistant, his friend, feeling rather useless as he could not risk any more use of his own magic. Using the mirror for magic was going to sap enough of his strength to make it a danger.

Minutes seemed like hours until they at last discovered the ballroom.

Basil’s eyes had grown accustomed to the dim, shadowy darkness of the corridors. As they entered the ballroom, he was assaulted by the brightness of Reed’s light spell reflected in a dozen mirrors, all of various shapes and sizes lining one entire wall. Reed closed his outstretched hand, extinguishing the light. The nearly full moon shining in a cloudless night sky emitted enough light to see without the need for spells.

“Will one of these work?” Reed asked, his voice a hushed whisper.

Basil nodded. “I’m certain of it.”

“Which?”

“A tall one,” Basil answered. He reached his hand out to the one nearest him. It stood six feet in height and at least that much in width. He closed his eyes and concentrated on his power, stretching his magic into the mirror, seeking the correct destination. When he couldn’t feel the connection he searched for, he moved onto another.

“I need one large enough to walk through,” Basil commented, as he searched.

“There’s plenty to choose from here,” Reed said. “And if one of these don’t work, I’ll begin a search into the other rooms. There’s bound to be more in one of the bedchambers.”

“If one of these are not suitable to my needs, we leave this place. You have a wife and daughter to think of now. I’ll not have you risk your neck any further, Reed.”

“I’d not have wife nor daughter if it not for you, Basil. I’ll do what needs doing.”

Basil glanced at his friend to see the solemn look of promise pass over his face. He nodded his acceptance. He never need fear that Reed would abandon him.

He went back to work on the mirrors while Reed walked toward the windows to gaze out at the scenery beyond.

“The snow will make the journey difficult,” Basil said, knowing the direction of his friend’s thoughts. “You need not follow me.”

Reed turned back to him. “I’ll see you off first. Then I’ll fetch Mary and the babe, and we’ll be off to England as soon as can be. Do no worry on that. I’ll bring your notes, correspondence and books. You’ll want those to continue your work.”

My work is finished
.

Basil glanced at Reed before turning quickly back to the mirrors to hide the sorrow in his eyes.

But Reed saw the glance. A profound silence echoed throughout the room until Reed spoke.

“You will continue…won’t you?”

Basil paused his search for the mirror. He lowered his arm, turning his hand over to watch the slight tremble of his fingertips. His hand fisted tight.

“I don’t see the point, my friend.”

“There’s still time.”

“Not much.”

“Little, but enough. You cannot give up now.”

A sound from the corridor silenced any further conversation between them.

They moved as one, walking stealthily toward the doorway to take positions on opposite sides. Reed lifted his hands in preparation. Basil heard the whispered prelude to a binding spell. Since Basil refrained from using his magic, he relied on his physical strength to subdue anyone who came upon them. If any broke free from Reed’s spell, Basil was prepared.

They stood in silence, awaiting the men outside.

If they were caught and detained, there was no way Basil would live to get home in time. And he’d not let anyone stop him from getting back to his family, nor would he let anyone hurt his only friend. This was his last chance to go home, to make things right.

Two men. The voices in the corridor sounded friendly enough, amiable, relaxed, not the sound of men searching for intruders. One laughed at a crude joke the other told and soon they passed the door and the voices were gone.

Reed let out a relieved sigh before lowering his hands. “We’d best hurry, Mr. Merriweather,” Reed said. Again they were master and servant, a role they had played for many years. “No telling when another insomniac will wander through.”

They moved back to the mirrors where Basil continued his search for the proper mirror. He reached out, extending his senses like he’d extend a hand. It was similar to listening to a particular tune, only instead of hearing it, he’d feel it. He needed one that he could attune to the vibrations of a mirror in his home. If he could find the right vibration, the correct tune, he could cast the spell to connect the two and he’d be able to simply walk from this room to his room in England.

Just as he neared the end of the wall he stopped.

“This one,” he said, wriggling his fingers to feel the vibrations of the mirror.

He found it. This was one he could match to the one in his house.

Reed grabbed the satchel Basil left by the door when they had entered the room and carried it to him. He opened it and grabbed the bottle he had packed at the top for easier access.

He lifted the bottle to open it, but Basil placed his hand over it, stopping him. Reed’s gaze lifted.

“Farewell, my friend,” Basil said, disappointed with the lump that formed in the back of his throat.

Reed shook his head. “We will meet again.”

“As you say.” Basil smiled at his friend’s optimism. He held his hand for Reed to shake, solidifying their good-byes. Reed took the proffered hand then pulled Basil into a brotherly embrace, slapping him solidly on the back.

“You will find it,” Reed whispered in Basil’s ear as he held him close. “Mary and I
will
see you in England.”

Basil nodded to ease his friend’s conscience. In his heart, he knew this was the last time he’d hear Reed’s deep chuckle or see his boyish grin.

After they parted, Basil opened the bottle and shook some bluish powder onto the palm of his hand. He whispered some words and then blew the tiny particles into a cloud that clung to the glass of the mirror. He waited a moment, watching calmly as the solid surface of the mirror began to shift, to change. It wobbled and, in areas, the glass appeared to slide from one end to another. Shimmering waves crested, and Basil knew the portal was fully open.

He glanced at Reed with a nod, and then turned back to the mirror. Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the watery glass.

He slipped through easily enough. His arms and legs began to stretch, an invisible force tugged at him. Even though it was uncomfortable and set his teeth on edge, it was not painful.

A moment later, he emerged on the other side, and stepped carefully into a darkened room. The flowery scent of lilacs hit his nostrils, like walking into a cloud of flowers. He inhaled deeply the aroma that reminded him of a woman from his past. Every lilac in the world smelled like her and he was just thankful that he came into contact with that particular flower as infrequently as possible.

Disorientation hit him in the total darkness. He flung out an arm, searching for a wall to lean upon until he could regain his balance. His leg hit an object and blindly his fingers fumbled against it. Recognizing the edge of a table, he leaned his weight on it, and prayed for the dizziness to pass quickly.

He knew that travel through the mirror would sap his already dwindling strength. But, he hadn’t suspected this disorientation or the weakness that passed rapidly through his limbs. It had been several years since he attempted to pass through a mirror, but now he knew his condition was worse than he realized.

The table swayed, threatening to give way beneath his weight. He reached out a hand to search for the wall or something sturdy enough to hold him.

The darkness was impenetrable. He couldn’t see a thing. Not even a hint of ambient light from any corner of the room.

Where was he?

He fought to control the hammering of his heart, knowing from past experience that the stress would only do him ill. But, this blindness was chilling. How could he know for certain that the mirror took him to the correct destination? If he had made a mistake, a minor error in calculation, he might have gone through another mirror, into another house.

And with the strength of his magic dwindling...

The limbs of the table succumbed to his added weight. He heard the crack seconds before his body followed. He crumpled to the floor. And though he tried to brace himself for the impact on the hard tiles beneath, his elbow smacked against the floor and light brightened the room.

At first, he felt relief that he could finally see, but a moment later he realized the stars that lit the room were a result of the pain from his head hitting the tiled floor. And then the darkness grew deeper...

****

Julia Grey’s head jerked up, her finger poised upon a line from the ancient leather-bound text. She tilted her head, listening. Above the crackle of the fire in the hearth, she heard a noise unfamiliar from the otherwise silent library. Mrs. Prescott and her servants had retired for the evening over an hour ago, which was why Julia had crept downstairs to retrieve the hidden spellbook. With no one to witness her nocturnal reading, she had made herself comfortable at the desk with a candle for light and a fire for warmth.

Then another sound, this time a crash in the hall, sent her leaping to her feet. The chair fell back, echoing eerily in the sudden silence.