brimstone witch 09 - witch is dead Read online

  The vampires stopped eating and talking as soon as I entered the room. I kept my eyes averted from the full plates on the dining table.

  Gethin dropped whatever disgusting thing he was eating and gave me a slow smile. “I wasn’t expecting to see you so early. We were about to retire for the day. We’ve had a busy night.” He waved his hand over the table. “An extremely productive night. Have you brought my goods with you? I hope you have.”

  I shot him a defiant look. “No, I haven’t brought your goods. I did find them, though. I’ve seen what those potions do. They inflict terror and pain on creatures. How long have you been using them on the residents of Dingy Skipper?”

  Gethin lifted his skinny hand and examined his long fingernails. He smirked and said, “For a few months now. We’ve had tremendous results. The potions save us a lot of time and energy.” He lowered his hand. “We could terrorise and inflict pain using old-fashioned methods, but those potions get quicker results and we can visit more residents in a shorter time span. Henrietta outdid herself when she made those potions for us. We shall miss her, but we’ll find someone else to meet our needs.” He stood up and walked slowly towards me. “Hand the potions over.”

  I felt someone creeping up behind me. There was a flash of light followed by a scream of pain. I looked over my shoulder to see a vampire writhing on the floor in agony.

  I said to Gethin, “As you can see, I have protected myself against any vampire attacks.”

  Gethin’s eyes darkened. “But how long will your spells last if I throw you in the cellar and tie you up?”

  I squared up to him. “How will you manage to throw me in the cellar when I’ve tied you up in magical rope? Not only have I defended myself against any vampire attacks, I know many spells which would leave you weak and defenceless.”

  Gethin looked me over in disgust. “Don’t test my patience, witch. You don’t know who you’re dealing with. Hand those potions over before you get hurt.”

  “No. You’re not having them. I’m going to destroy them.” I held my nerve but it was hard to stay strong as the other vampires were moving towards me and forming a circle around me. Could I take them all on if needed?

  Gethin clasped his hands behind his back and moved even closer to me. I could smell rotten meat on his breath. His voice was low as he said, “Perhaps I haven’t made myself clear. Not only could I hurt you, little witch, I could hurt those scruffy cats of yours. Also, I could maim that guardian you’re so keen on. What’s his name? Luke? Luca? What about that old witch you live with? I could easily break her frail neck.”

  I couldn’t help but smile at his last words. “You wouldn’t get anywhere near Gran. She’d have you bound in ropes and locked up before you could blink. You’re not getting those potions. They’re illegal.” I wasn’t sure if that last part was true as I didn’t know what the laws were in Dingy Skipper. I wasn’t even sure if they had laws at all.

  Gethin’s top lip pulled back in a snarl. “You’re a fine one to talk about illegal matters after what you did to Selena yesterday.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “She told us how you held her captive in Cordelia’s cellar while you relentlessly interrogated her. But what nasty spell did you cast on her afterwards? She’s suffering greatly from the evil you put on her. I should report you to the witch council or whatever feeble authority you report to.”

  I was about to tell him I hadn’t done anything to Selena, but then I realised what could be happening. I said, “What condition is she in?”

  Gethin’s face twisted in disgust. “Her skin is turning pink and her eyes are shining with health. It’s repulsive. I’ve sent her to her room until your spell wears off. She’s turned into a hideous creature and it’s all your fault.”

  “I need to see her immediately. Where’s her room?”

  “What are you going to do to her next? Change her into a fairy or some other useless creature?” He put his hand out to stop me moving. A flash of magic sent him flying backwards.

  The circle of vampires around me widened and some of them moved away.

  Gethin jumped to his feet and snarled, “I’m going to enjoy killing you, witch. I’ll bide my time. Oh, yes, I’ll bide my time with you.”

  I gave him a nod. “Fair enough. If you’ve stopped threatening me, can you tell me where Selena’s room is?”

  “Never.” Gethin’s attention briefly went to the stairs behind me.

  “I’ll find her myself,” I said. I headed towards the stairs. The vampires nearest me backed up and looked away from me. They actually looked scared. I made a mental note to tell Stanley about this perfect moment later.

  It didn’t take me long to reach Selena’s room as hers was the only door which was closed. There was also a warning sign on the door telling visitors to keep away from the ugly creature inside.

  I went into the darkened room, closed the door behind me, and walked over to the sobbing creature lying in the bed. I sat in the chair at the side of the bed and put my broomstick on the floor.

  Selena’s face was pressed into the pillow and she was crying as if her heart were broken.

  I tapped her on the shoulder. She stopped crying, raised her head and blinked at me in surprise.

  I said quietly, “It’s okay, Selena. I know your secret. I won’t tell anyone.”

  She gave me a defiant stare. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  I lowered my voice a bit more. “I know you’re not a vampire.”

  Chapter 20

  Selena looked nervously towards her closed bedroom door and whispered, “What are you talking about? Don’t say things like that. I am a vampire. I can sink my sharp teeth into your neck at any second. I can drain the life from you and make you my eternal slave. I can …” she stopped speaking and fresh tears ran down her cheeks.

  I waved my hands around the room and muttered some words. When I’d finished, I placed my hands on my lap and said, “I’ve performed a soundproofing spell. No one can hear us, and no one is going to burst through the door as I’ve cast a spell on that too. Selena, I know about your visits to Henrietta. I thought at first you were there to collect protection money on behalf of Gethin.”

  She shook her head. “Gethin never asked Henrietta for protection money. I think he was a bit scared of her and what she could do. Not that he would ever admit that to anyone.”

  I continued, “I spoke to Peanut Flashwings and she told me about the plants she collected for Henrietta. Once combined, they make a potion called the Elixir Of Freedom. Well, you already know that seeing as Henrietta made it for you so you could change into a vampire for a while.”

  A ghost of a smile alighted on Selena’s lips. “It worked really well. I blended into the clan with no problems. How did you work this out?”

  “Once I’d found out the name of the potion, I looked through Cordelia’s book about crimes committed by the vampires in this town. Your name never came up. You never hurt any of the residents. All the other vampires did. Some of them many times. But not you. That made me think you weren’t a vampire at all.”

  “I couldn’t bear to hurt anyone. I could do other things that the other vampires do, but not that. I became an expert at making up excuses when it came to that sort of work. That’s why I’m the one who collects the insurance money.” She gave me an embarrassed smile. “I shouldn’t call it that. You’re right to call it protection money. Residents handed it over to me without arguing. They’d already had visits from Gethin who’d threatened them with everlasting pain if they didn’t hand their money over to me.”

  “When I discovered you weren’t a real vampire, I wondered why you would want to be one.” I smiled at her. “Then it struck me. You’re in love with Gethin.”

  Selena let out a heartfelt sigh and gazed at the door. “He’s a thug. A bully. He has no morals. And no table manners. But, yes, I do love him. I came to Dingy Skipper years ago. I’m a shapeshifter. There are many of us in this town. We take
on many forms as we try to fit in. I often saw Gethin walking around town with his clan. I tried to be repulsed by him, but it didn’t work. My dreams were full of him and I couldn’t think straight. I knew I had to get him out of my system somehow. I spoke to Henrietta and asked for her help. She suggested the Elixir Of Freedom. It would turn me into a vampire for a short while. Then I could get close to Gethin and find out what he was really like. Henrietta hoped that I’d be so repulsed by him that I’d leave town.”

  I took in the dreamy expression on her face and said, “That didn’t happen, did it?”

  She shook her head and her smile increased. “I fell more in love with him. There’s something so magnetic about him. I’d do anything for him. I asked Henrietta to change me into a vampire for good. She wouldn’t. She was becoming concerned about me and said I needed to get away from Gethin as I was becoming as cold-hearted as him.” Her head dropped. “I’m ashamed to say that I threatened her. I forced her to keep giving me that potion. She eventually agreed and said she’d have to charge me for it. She asked me for two silver coins for each bottle. That’s a lot for me, but the potion was worth it.”

  “Oh? Didn’t she charge you before?”

  “No, she did it as a favour. She was hoping I’d soon see what Gethin was like and run away in disgust.” Selena sat up straighter and fixed her attention on the door. “The Elixir has worn off completely. What am I going to do now? Gethin will kill me when he finds out I deceived him. It won’t be a quick death either. He takes insults to heart and revels in getting his revenge on those who’ve crossed him.”

  I thought about my parting words to Gethin. Yes, I was certainly on his list of beings to get revenge on.

  I said, “I can protect you. I can cast spells on you. You could leave Dingy Skipper forever and make a fresh start somewhere else.”

  “I can’t. I can’t leave him. I’d rather face Gethin and die by his hands than never see him again. Can’t you understand that?”

  “Not really. Selena, I have to ask you this. Did you kill Henrietta?”

  “No. Why would I? I needed her services.”

  “What about Gethin or one of the other vampires?”

  “They needed her services too.” She bunched the bedcover in her hands. “I’m going to face Gethin now. I’m going to tell him the truth about myself.”

  I shook my head. “You can’t do that. Please, let me help you.”

  “You can’t help me.” She shrugged. “Maybe he’ll take pity on me. Maybe he’ll turn me into a vampire for real.” She pulled the bedcover back. “I’m going to talk to him right now.”

  I was loathe to leave her. “Isn’t there anything I can do or say to change your mind?”

  She shook her head. “There’s one thing you can do. You can leave this town immediately. Gethin’s going to be furious when he finds out what I’ve done. I don’t want him taking his anger out on you. Go now while you still can.”

  I picked my broomstick up and reluctantly got to my feet. “I’m not happy about leaving you. Let me know if you need my help for anything. Anything at all.”

  “I don’t need anyone’s help.” She moved over to the mirror and looked at her glowing face. “I look awful. Look how rosy my cheeks are.”

  She tutted and fussed with her appearance. I could see any more words on my part would be useless. I removed the spells from her room and door, wished her good luck and then left her room.

  As soon as I walked down the stairs, I could sense a change in the atmosphere. The vampires were lounging in chairs around the dining table and giving me funny looks. Looks full of cunning and deceit. They were all smirking as if they knew something I didn’t. Had they overheard everything I’d said to Selena? Or was there something else going on?

  Keeping hold of my remaining courage, I walked over to Gethin and declared, “I know what you’ve been up to in Dingy Skipper. I know about your schemes and how you’ve been terrorising the residents. I will put an end to it. I will charge you with those crimes. If I find out you killed Henrietta Whitmore, I’ll charge you for that too.”

  Gethin let out a low chuckle which caused the hairs on the back of my neck to lift. He said, “It’s funny hearing the tremble in your voice, little witch. You’re so scared right now. It’s so sweet. Are your spells wearing off? Is it time for you to leave? These crimes you think I’ve committed, do you have evidence?”

  “I have some, but I’ll find more. I’m certain of that.”

  He made a steeple of his fingers. “Are you? Who’s going to help you with that? Cordelia? No, she’s run away, hasn’t she? She made the right decision there. Blythe? She won’t be around for much longer. I can take care of her too.” He chuckled again. “Blythe has made many enemies over the years. Her enemies could easily become my allies. Dingy Skipper is my town now. Witches are not welcome here. I will take whatever measures are necessary to clear my town of unwanted residents. Perhaps I could then concentrate my efforts on Brimstone? Yes, that would be an excellent challenge for me. I do so love a challenge.”

  My courage was starting to waver. “You won’t get away with this. I won’t be intimidated by you. Blythe won’t either.”

  Gethin’s hands dropped to his plate. “You’re boring me now, little witch. Leave. We’ll continue our conversation at a more convenient time.” He shared a look with the other vampires and smiled. “Shouldn’t you be getting back to your cats to make sure they’re still safe?” He picked up a small bone and turned it around. “Or are you too late?”

  The other vampires burst into loud laughter and started to bang their hands on the table.

  Rage washed over me and I jabbed my finger at Gethin. “If you’ve laid one skinny finger on Stanley or Tobias, you’ll regret it.”

  My words would have been more effective if they could have been heard over the laughter.

  Gethin waved the bone at me and yelled, “Bye, little witch! See you soon.”

  The laughter increased and insults flew my way. I ran out of that evil house, jumped onto my broomstick and flew back to Brimstone at top speed.

  Chapter 21

  I cast a spell on my broomstick and made it go as fast as it could. I had to keep taking deep breaths to calm myself down. If those evil vampires had harmed one tuft of fur on either cat, I was … I couldn’t bear to complete the thought.

  Once I arrived back at Brimstone, I raced up the steps and into Gran’s apartment. I yelled, “Stanley! Tobias! Where are you?”

  The cats were curled up on the rug in front of the fire. They both shrieked and jumped to their paws in response to my yelling.

  Stanley quickly looked left and right. “What’s wrong? Is the apartment on fire? Are we under attack by malicious beings? Have you run out of chocolate?”

  I dropped my broomstick and ran over to the cats. I put my arms around them and said, “I’m glad you’re in one piece and not someone’s lunch.” I released them. “Are you okay? Have there been any strangers at the door?”

  Stanley shook his head. “No. We wouldn’t answer the door anyway. Cassia, I can hear your heart beating like a drum. What happened in Dingy Skipper?”

  I made myself comfortable on the rug and told them everything. Stanley made suitably annoyed noises when I told him what Gethin had said.

  “The nerve of him,” Stanley muttered. “Someone needs to put him in his place. And I think that might be us. What do you think is going to happen to Selena? Do you think Gethin is going to kill her?”

  “I don’t know. I wish I hadn’t left her now, but I was too worried about you to stay there a minute later. I’ll go back there soon and check on her.”

  Tobias began to walk up and down the rug. “We should have gone with you. We should have protected you. I feel so responsible.”

  “None of this is your fault,” I told him. “You didn’t know Henrietta was helping Selena. And until we found those bottles, you didn’t know she was making potions for the vampires.”

  Tobias stopped pac
ing. “I still can’t believe she did that. It’s so out of character for her. Why didn’t she tell me?”

  Stanley said, “I’ve been thinking about that. What if Henrietta was forced to make those potions? What if they threatened to hurt you if she didn’t? She wouldn’t have had a choice if that was the case.”

  Tobias sighed. “But she should have told me. Cassia, do you think the vampires killed Henrietta? She might have told them she wasn’t going to make any more potions for them.”

  “That’s a possibility,” I answered. “Tell me about Henrietta’s regular visitors. We know about Peanut and Selena. Was there anyone else?”

  Tobias stiffened. “Oh. Yes. I hadn’t considered her.”

  I nodded. “Are you thinking about Vera Gilligot? I was talking to Luca last night, and he asked me if she was a suspect.”

  “Is she?” Tobias asked.

  Stanley said wisely, “Everyone’s a suspect. What would Vera have to gain by killing Henrietta? Did Vera have a dark secret which Henrietta uncovered? Did Vera have a secret lover? Or is Vera an undercover spy working for a secret organisation? Hmm?”

  Tobias gave Stanley a little smile. “You’ve got a big imagination. Vera isn’t good at keeping secrets; not anyone else’s and certainly not her own. Henrietta liked talking to Vera as she kept her up to date with the town’s news. Do you really think she’s a suspect?”

  I said, “I don’t know, but she could be useful to us. We’ll have a chat with her soon. Is anyone else hungry? I know it’s not lunchtime yet, but I could do with a snack.”

  “I never say no to a snack,” Stanley said. “Tobias, do you want anything?”

  Tobias shook his head. “I’m not hungry, thank you.” He walked over to the window and stared out.

  I motioned for Stanley to come with me into the kitchen area. Once there, I picked Stanley up and whispered, “How’s he doing?”

  “As well as can be expected. When you left, we had a little walk around the square. I didn’t want to stay out too long in case those horrible vampires turned up. We came back here and had a chat. I did most of the talking. Tobias wanted to know more about my life with you. I felt awkward talking about you at first as I didn’t want him to keep thinking about Henrietta, but he seemed genuinely interested. We were about to have a nap when you burst through the door.” He looked over at Tobias and continued, “Cassia, I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to you. I think I’d die of a broken heart.”