Brimstone Witch Mysteries - Box Set 1 Read online

  “Why don’t we have a trial flight first? Like we did with Kitty.” I wasn’t sure about this at all. I’d flown on aeroplanes before with nervous passengers and I’d been anxious on their behalf throughout the flight. It wouldn’t do me any good to pick up on Luca’s terrified thoughts as we soared above the clouds.

  Luca got to his feet, his knees trembled and he muttered to himself again about being brave.

  I went to his side and placed the broomstick behind him. “Sit on it just here. It’s quite comfortable. It’s like sitting on a cushion.”

  “A cushion? It doesn’t look like a cushion. It looks like a thin piece of wood that could snap at any moment!” His voice rose in panic.

  “Just try it.”

  Luca wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans and nodded. His legs were still shaking as he lowered his behind onto the broomstick. I got on behind him and the broomstick lifted two inches.

  Luca screamed in panic and fell off. He lay in a quivering wreck on the ground. I jumped off the broomstick and knelt at his side. I placed my hands on his heaving chest.

  “Are you alright? Is anything broken? You didn’t fall far.”

  “My pride has been severely damaged.” He looked closer at me. “Cassia Winter, are you laughing at me? I can see your mouth twitching.”

  I let my laugh out. “Sorry, but you are being a wimp. We only went up a little way.”

  Luca sighed. “I know. You’re right; I am a wimp. Give me an evil demon to fight, and I’m okay. But ask me to fly and I turn into a wobbly jelly.” He gave me a smile. “Stop laughing. It’s not that funny.”

  I slapped him on the chest. “I know what you can do! Turn yourself into a rabbit or some other animal. You are a shapeshifter after all. Can you turn yourself into a bird? That would solve our problem straight away.” I straightened up, held my hand out and pulled him to his feet.

  He stood up and shook his head at me. “Why didn’t I think of that?”

  “Because you’re a wimpy, wobbly jelly,” I told him with a grin. “Can you turn yourself into a bird if you’re scared of flying?”

  “I don’t know, I’ve never tried it. You know my chosen animal shape is a rabbit, and that’s the form I feel most comfortable with. Also, I keep all my memories if I turn into my chosen animal. I’m afraid I might forget where we’re going if I turn into a bird.”

  I asked, “Is your rabbit self braver than your human self?”

  He nodded. “Much braver. Shall we give it a go?”

  “Yes.”

  I watched in amazement as Luca shrank and turned into a rabbit. I must admit that he was a cute rabbit with his light brown fur and deep blue eyes.

  His nose twitched and he looked up at me. “Let’s have another go. Lower your broomstick.”

  I did so and Luca hopped onto it. He nodded and said, “I feel quite secure. Get on and let’s give this a whirl. Hurry up.”

  I frowned. “You’ve gone all bossy.”

  I got onto the broomstick behind Luca and we rose several feet in the air. I was waiting for Luca to scream, but no sound came from him. We went higher.

  “Well?” I asked him. “How do you feel?”

  He looked over his shoulder at me, his rabbit eyes wide with excitement. “I love it! I absolutely love it! Go higher.”

  We did so and Luca started to laugh with joy. His bunny ears flapped in the wind as we flew quickly forwards.

  I leant over and said, “Where are we going?”

  “North. To the town of Dingy Skipper. I’ll tell you when we get closer.”

  “Dingy Skipper? That’s an awful name.”

  “It’s an awful town. You know how Brimstone is named after a butterfly?”

  “Yes. They’re beautiful,” I said as I recalled the light green and yellow creatures that lived in the town.

  Luca continued, “The Dingy Skipper is a butterfly too. It’s brown and grey in colour. It’s excellent at disguising itself on bare ground. The town of Dingy Skipper is just like that too. You could fly over it and not know it was there.”

  “Really? That’s interesting.” I paused. “Have we already flown over it?”

  “No. Keep going. Cassia, this flying business is amazing. I’ll have to come out with you more often.”

  “I’d like that. Luca, tell me more about your life as a shapeshifter and guardian. And tell me about your life growing up.”

  “I will, as long as you tell me about your life.”

  For the next thirty minutes, we headed north and chatted about our lives. It was so easy to talk to Luca. He was a good listener and was interested in everything I said. I was fascinated with the things he told me about his life and the adventures he’d had in Brimstone.

  All too soon, Luca said, “There’s the town of Dingy Skipper.”

  “Where?” I peered downwards. “All I can see is a large area of mud with a river at the side.”

  “Right below us.”

  “Where?” I squinted as if narrowing my eyes would help.

  “Look closer. You can make out the buildings.”

  I focused on the area. I’d never been any good at making out those Magic Eye posters, and I’d been useless at spotting two different shapes in those silhouette pictures.

  Something small moved below me. It was a person. As soon as I’d worked that out, the rest of the town came into focus. I could make out the tops of dark coloured buildings, muddy streets and residents in brown and grey clothing walking about.

  I said to Luca, “It’s a depressing-looking town.”

  “I know. If you were painting a picture of this, you’d soon run out of brown and grey paint. Cassia, can you see that building over there? The one with the sign on it?”

  I looked closer at where Luca was aiming his paw and said, “The sign with the skeleton on it?”

  “That’s the one. It’s a pub. We need to go in there. That’s where we’ll find Pam.”

  “Pam?”

  “She’s in charge of the Breath-Takers. The pub is her headquarters.”

  I flew the broomstick towards the pub. I could make out the name now.

  I said, “Is that really the name? ‘Not Welcome Inn’. Charming.”

  Luca laughed. “People here say what’s on their mind.”

  We stopped in front of the pub and jumped off the broomstick. Luca returned to his human self, complete with clothes. His T-shirt still had my coffee stain on it.

  I shivered as I took in our dismal surroundings. Everything was grey and brown. There wasn’t a splash of colour anywhere. A light drizzle settled on us and I could feel my spirits deflating like a two-day-old balloon.

  Luca must have picked up on my mood because he said, “We won’t be here any longer than we have to.” He looked towards the pub doors. “Stay close to my side at all times. Okay?”

  I pulled my broomstick closer and moved next to Luca. My scalp was pricking with fear and every sensible part of me was telling me to run away.

  Luca opened the pub doors and we stepped inside.

  Chapter 9

  As we went inside, I was reminded of one of those cowboy films where a stranger walks into a busy saloon. Everyone would stop talking and look their way. The piano player would cease his playing, and the barman would duck behind the bar taking his best whisky with him.

  That didn’t happen. People didn’t stop talking. But they did stiffen slightly as if they were fully aware that Luca and I were behind them. I saw eyes steadfastly not looking our way. There was an ominous, still feeling in the air as if someone was getting ready to pounce on us.

  It was hard to make out if the figures in front of us were human or were of the supernatural variety as all of them were dressed in dark clothes. Many of them had hoods pulled up over their heads.

  Luca marched over to the bar. I scuttled after him.

  The barman stopped cleaning a glass and aimed a cheerful smile our way. “Hello there, strangers. Passing through or staying a while?”

  The noi
se level in the pub stayed the same but I could sense people listening to our reply. Some hooded heads turned in our direction and I saw a grey tentacle wiggle out of one of the hoods.

  Luca said to the barman, “I’m looking for Pam. Could you kindly tell me if she’s here today?”

  “I certainly can, young man. May I ask what it concerns?” His smile was still cheerful, but there was no cheer in his eyes.

  “I’d rather not say,” Luca said as he met the barman’s stare. “Is she here?”

  “I’m not entirely sure. I think it would be wise if you told me what your business with her is, young man.”

  I heard someone mutter darkly behind me, “Yes, that would be wise. Very wise indeed.”

  Luca held his ground. “It’s not something I want to discuss in public. If Pam isn’t here, then we will leave.”

  The barman looked Luca over. “Pam doesn’t like to be disturbed. If you tell me why you want to talk to her, then I’ll ask her if she wants to see you.”

  A woman’s voice cried out, “Oh, for goodness’ sake! Neville, stop being so nosy and get back to your cleaning. Oi! You two. I’m over here.”

  We looked to where the voice was coming from. I could vaguely make out a hooded figure sitting on a padded corner seat, a small table in front of them. The figure lowered their hood and I saw a woman’s face. She was pale and non-distinct. I couldn’t find the words to describe her. Normal? Plain? Forgettable? If that was Pam, she had the perfect look going for an assassin as she was easily blending into the background.

  Luca took a step forwards. “Pam?”

  “It is. Come closer and sit yourselves down. Do you want a drink of anything? My treat.”

  “No, thank you, we won’t be staying long,” Luca said. He moved over to Pam’s table and took a seat opposite her. I went after him and sat at his side.

  I blinked as I looked at Pam. I’d already forgotten what she looked like.

  Luca said, “We’re from the town of Brimstone. I’m Luca, and this is – ”

  I interrupted him. I hadn’t said a word since we entered and I needed to speak up for myself. “I’m Cassia Winter. I’m a justice witch, and I’m here about a murder.”

  The talking around us ceased immediately. The door to the pub swung up and many hooded figures shuffled out. The remaining ones put their heads down and moved closer to the bar.

  Pam said, “Ignore them. It’s good to meet you both. I’ve heard about the work you’ve been doing, Cassia. I know your gran. How’s Esther doing?”

  “She’s fine, thank you.” Everyone I met seemed to know my gran. It was comforting.

  Pam leant back on the sofa. “You’re here about Alan.”

  “Alan?” I asked.

  “Yes, he’s one of my best workers. He’s been missing for a few days. He’s a little fellow. He’s very swift and nimble. He can sneak up on a person and steal their breath before they know it. He gives them a quick and painless death.” She tilted her head. “Mainly painless. Most of his customers ask for a bit of pain to be included in the deal. If you intend to murder someone, you don’t have any fond feelings for them. A bit of suffering always goes down well with our clients.”

  I shifted in my seat. I didn’t like how casually Pam was talking about murder.

  Pam said, “Sorry, Cassia, I can see how strange this may sound to you. Things are different here compared to your town. Murders are commonplace. I run a thriving business. I’ll be able to retire in a year or two. Thought I might get a house on the beach. I could do with the peace and quiet after all this murder and mayhem.” She laughed. “Do you like the beach, Cassia? Would you recommend it as a place to settle down?”

  I nodded. “I would. You could go for long walks on the sand.” I shook my head. I wasn’t here to talk about Pam’s retirement plans. “I’m investigating a murder. Do you think Alan might have something to do with it?”

  “I do. He’s been acting suspiciously these last few weeks. I heard him talking to someone down a dark alley last week about setting up on his own. He’d been contacted by a wealthy customer in another town who had an urgent job for him. Alan said if it went well, there would be other jobs for him. He knew an amount of black magic had invaded the town where his customer lived, and that citizen’s minds were turning to murder.”

  I asked, “Did you confront him about this other job?”

  Pam examined her pale fingernails. “I did confront him. I reminded him who his boss was. I told him our work was limited to certain towns.” She looked up and gave us a smile that chilled me. “He learnt his lesson and said he’d forget about that wealthy customer of his. I knew he was lying but I decided not to take the issue further. Not at that point.”

  I handed over the piece of fabric I’d found. “This was located at the crime scene where a centaur called Selo died. A doctor examined Selo and said he’d died from heart failure.”

  Rage flickered in Pam’s eyes as she examined the fabric. She hissed, “The idiot! The absolute idiot! I told him to only work in this town!”

  “Is it Alan’s?” I asked.

  “It is. It’s part of his cloak. All my assassins have this cloak. It makes them blend into the background.” Pam lowered the fabric and I was surprised to see tears in her eyes. “I should have been tougher with him. I should have broken a few more of his bones. His customer must have offered a lot of money for Alan to go against my wishes. Why would he betray me like this? Why?”

  “Do you know where Alan lives? I’d like to question him.” I held my hand out. “Could I have that back, please?”

  Pam gave me the fabric. “Like I said, I haven’t seen Alan for a few days. I thought he was sulking after our little meeting and hiding himself away. I had no idea he’d gone to Brimstone.” She suddenly hollered out, “Hey! Anyone seen Alan recently?”

  “Not me.”

  “Nope.”

  “Haven’t seen him all week.”

  Pam shook her head. “That is strange. He could still be in Brimstone. He might have got more clients lined up, the sneaky rat.”

  “I’ll try to find him,” I said. I stood up and added, “Thank you for your time.”

  Pam gave me a studious look. “Cassia, you be careful when you look for Alan. He’s a wiry specimen and he could sneak up on you and steal your last breath before you’ve had chance to blink.”

  I lifted my chin and tried to sound brave. “It’s okay. I can look after myself. I know defence spells.”

  “Yes, I’m sure you do,” Pam said darkly. “But won’t you need your breath to perform those spells?”

  With that cheerless thought in my mind, Luca and I left the Not Welcome Inn.

  Chapter 10

  Luca was quiet as we flew back to Brimstone. He’d turned into his rabbit form the second we’d left the pub. I didn’t mind that he was silent as I didn’t feel like talking either. The thought of someone in Brimstone hiring an assassin was beyond comprehension. What would the residents do next?

  We arrived back at Brimstone and I made our landing outside the café. Within seconds of Luca transforming back into his human form, we were approached by a furious-looking Astrid.

  She jabbed her finger at me and snarled, “Where have you been with my boyfriend? What have you been doing with him? I bet you’ve cast one of your evil spells on him.”

  “Enough!” Luca thundered making me jump. “Astrid, don’t talk to Cassia like that. It’s disrespectful.”

  Astrid’s voice was full of scorn as she retorted, “She doesn’t deserve any respect. She should go back to her own world and leave us alone. She doesn’t belong here.”

  Luca’s face turned red and I thought he was going to explode. Before he could say a word, I held my hand up to him and said, “Luca, I can deal with this.”

  “This? Are you talking about me?” Astrid folded her arms and looked me up and down. She looked like a sulking teenager.

  I smiled as politely as I could at Astrid and said, “Luca and I have been
out investigating a murder. May I remind you, Astrid, that I am a justice witch. I have the right to ask any citizen of Brimstone for help during my investigation. Luca is a guardian of this town, and it is his duty to help me whenever I need it.” My smile was slipping somewhat by now, but I continued. “Astrid, you are also a guardian and you should be doing what you can to help me, not hinder me. Luca and I have discovered some disturbing news about the murder.”

  Astrid looked unsure of herself now, but it didn’t stop her from saying, “So?”

  “So, it’s something we need to deal with urgently,” I said. “I don’t have time to explain myself to you. I’d like to point out that I never need to explain myself to you. Luca and I are friends, and we always will be. Also, we will be working together on this murder case. Instead of accusing me of whatever foolish ideas are in your head, I’d prefer it if you could help me too.”

  Luca looked at Astrid and added, “I would like that too. What do you say, Astrid? You like a good mystery.”

  I could see the conflict on Astrid’s face. She looked like she still wanted to shout at me.

  Astrid gave a belligerent shrug and muttered, “I suppose I could help.”

  Luca put his arm around her shoulders and said, “That’s the spirit. Come with me and I’ll tell you everything.” He looked my way. “I’m going to inform Blythe about Alan. I’m going to suggest we send a search party out for him. We’ve got many creatures who’ll be able to track him from his scent. Could I have that material?”

  “Sure.” I handed it to him.

  He hadn’t finished giving me orders yet. “Cassia, don’t go looking for Alan on your own. You heard what Pam said about him. Don’t put yourself in danger.”

  I could have sworn I saw Astrid’s eyes light up at the thought of me being in danger.

  I said to Luca, “I won’t go after him on my own.”

  Luca stared right into my eyes. “That doesn’t mean you can go after him with Stanley at your side. I don’t want either of you trying to track him down. Understand?”

  “I understand.”

  Astrid said, “Luca, if Cassia wants to go after this Alan creature, you can’t stop her. She’s a justice witch and she’s got a job to do, no matter how dangerous. Isn’t that right, Cassia?” Her false smile was aimed in my direction.