I decided to lay my cards on the table.
“Reuben,” I said, “anything I can do to help my brother, I will do. But how can I be sure I can trust you?”
“I’m a phoenix solider,” he answered ingenuously. “I serve you. My lady, you lead us into a new era—one that is not dictated by redundant elders. It’s time for a new reign. Your reign.”
Say what now? I didn’t want a reign.
“Hold on just a second,” I said as I held up my hands. “I’m not reigning anything. No one’s getting overthrown here, okay, buddy? All I want to do it save my brother.” I paused. “Brothers,” I corrected myself. “And Jaxon.”
For a second, I was sure I saw Reuben flinch at the mention of Jaxon’s name. However, he quickly composed himself.
“As you wish,” he said rigidly.
“So, we’re going to do this?”
“I am at your service.” He bowed his head. “Do you know the whereabouts of the Ballester spell book?”
“Affirmative,” I answered.
Reuben didn’t seem amused by my attempt at solider-speak, so I swiftly amended my reply. “Yeah. Ness keeps the book in her apothecary room.”
“We leave immediately,” Reuben decided. “Dawn is upon us, which means that if we are to brew the potion undetected, we must act at once. I will escort you to the cottage, where you will prepare the poison…”
As Reuben reeled off the plan, I gazed wistfully at Todd.
I’ll fix this, I avowed to him silently. Even if it’s the last thing I do.
#
Walking to the cottage with Reuben was like being hounded through the woodland by a ghost. He ushered me through the trees, trailing behind me illusively. And his presence, though necessary, was unsettling.
All around us, the awakening holt was alive with the hum of unseen activity. The last of the green leaves had bronzed and fallen from their branches, blanketing the ground with a golden carpet. Harvest mice scurried about their business, while blue jays sang their tuneful melodies, unconcerned by the urgency of our steps.
It was a time of quiet reflection, where nocturnal beings retired and a new day began—a blank canvas awaiting its story. Everything was magical and quiet. At least it was, until Reuben decided to disturb the peace in more than one sense of the word.
“What is it that interests you about Jaxon?” he asked abruptly.
“Everything,” I replied, flustered by the remark. “What kind of question is that?”
We fell into a rigid silence. I looked down at the morning shadows that streaked our path as we marched on.
“Why do you think so highly of him?” Reuben demanded after a brief pause.
“I don’t know.” I folded my arms across my chest as we walked. “I like him. Isn’t that reason enough?”
“But why do you like him?” Reuben nagged at me.
“Because he makes me happy,” I answered at last. “When I’m with him, I feel calm, and safe, and important. And whenever I think about him, I can’t help but smile…” Alert! I was sharing a little too much.
“Jaxon is unpredictable,” Reuben stated. “He’s arrogant, too. I’m confident that if you’d met me first—”
I gasped. “Reuben!”
He slowed his pace somewhat, leaning closer to me as we walked. “I’m right, though, aren’t I? If you’d met me first, your interests would lie with me?”
“No!” I exclaimed. “It doesn’t work like that! Feelings aren’t based on who you met first.”
“Then perhaps you’ll reconsider your choice? You will consider a courtship with me?”
Courtship? I wondered what decade Reuben was from. Certainly not this one.
“No,” I said sternly. “No courtshipping.”
“Why him?” Reuben scowled.
“Because it is him,” I said. “It’s always been him. It will never be anyone other than him.”
For a second Reuben was quiet, then he chuckled. “Poor girl,” he said.
I frowned.
But Reuben didn’t elaborate; he simply walked on, chuckling under his breath.
The sound made the hairs on the back of my neck bristle. What had he meant?
We didn’t speak again until we reached the cottage.
Overheard, the sun was rising. I trotted down the wooded slope and let myself in through the picket gate. Crossing the gravel, I made for the front door and gave a little nudge. It swung open into the unlit hallway. The cottage was eerily still.
“Hello?” I called.
There was no response. Well, what had I expected? A Divellion to say ‘hello’ back?
“It’s empty,” Reuben confirmed, pushing past me and waltzing into the hallway. “The spell?”
“This way,” I said, leading him into the den.
It was my first time using the secret stairwell to get up to the apothecary room. And as I ducked into the fireplace, my stomach fluttered with nerves.
I heaved myself up onto the metallic steps, aided by a very unnecessary helping hand from Reuben. I hastily swatted him away.
Rather anxiously, I began the ascent along the spiralling iron steps, followed closely by my new ally. I had to give the staircase credit—it sure beat crawling through an air vent.
At the top of the steps, we reached a door. I pushed my body against it until it groaned and eased open, unveiling the domed apothecary room.
It felt like a lifetime had passed since I’d last been in that room. Enough had transpired, I supposed, that it practically had been a lifetime.
But everything was exactly as we’d left it: spotless jars stacked neatly on their shelves, and a rainbow of light sneaking in through gaps in the roof.
“The spell,” Reuben said, hustling me towards the music stand where the leather-bound book was on display. “Find the spell.”
I stood before the worn volume. “Do you know what it’s called?” I asked as I flipped through the musty pages.
“No.”
“Then how do you expect me to find it?”
Reuben glared at me. “You’re a witch. You’ll know it when you see it.”
“Good plan,” I said dryly. “There’s no way that could go wrong.”
I continued skimming titles, passing the See No Evil spell, which had effectively blinded my brothers, and the Secrets Be Known spell, which had answered more questions than I’d even thought to ask.
“Reuben, do you like being a phoenix?” I asked while turning pages.
“Yes.”
I glanced at him. He was not at all like Jaxon. His general manner was harsh and domineering. Something about the intensity of his eyes made me instantly wary.
“Doesn’t it bother you?” I asked. “Having all this strength and no control?”
“The strength is my birthright,” he answered. “And it is only Jaxon who lacks control. Do not confuse me with him.”
I flinched at his tone.
“Well?” Reuben pressed, gesturing to the book. “Did you find it?”
I returned my attention to the pages. How will I ever find a spell that I don’t know the name of? I flipped to the next page. This is impossible!
“Wait…” I paused. Something held my focus on the current page—something beyond my conscious mind. “That’s it.” I tapped the yellowed paper. “That’s the one. Black Venom.”
Reuben leaned over my shoulder, his hot breath brushing against my ear.
“The poison sipped from devil’s cup…” he read aloud. “Make it.”
I scanned the text, memorising the ingredients. Oleander, ground ivy root, creolin, black rose petals….
No doubt about it, the spell was dark. I read the text. The brew would create a lethal potion that would vanquish a Divellion whilst keeping the essence in tact.
“What are you waiting for?” Reuben sniped at me.
“Nothing,” I said. “Nothing.”
I set to work gathering the ingredients while Reuben watched me restlessly. He stalked around the room,
his dark eyes scrutinising my every movement, burning me under his spotlight.
I ferried the ingredients to the awaiting cauldron.
“I wouldn’t touch that if I were you,” Reuben remarked casually as I approached a jar labelled Belladonna Seed.
“Why not?” I asked.
“It’s toxic.”
I peered into the jar at the tiny black pearls.
“I’ll use tongs,” I decided.
Once the components were gathered at the base of the cauldron, I ignited the burner beneath it. As the amber flames rippled over the pot’s underside, the mixture crackled and fizzed.
I backed away. “Is it supposed to do that?”
Reuben scarcely registered my voice. He was far too engrossed in the vision of the bubbling mulch churning in the depths of the cauldron.
The brew merged into a plum-coloured liquid as thick as crude oil. And the smell was potent, so bitter that it made me retch.
“Is it ready?” Reuben asked, practically chomping at the bit.
I peeked into the cauldron, wincing as I caught of waft of the aroma. Opaque purple liquid stewed in the base.
“I think so,” I said to Reuben. “Could you hand me a pipette, please? And a vial to contain it?”
Reuben slunk to the shelves, returning seconds later with a glass pipette and vial.
I went through the motions of drawing out the liquid and filling the tiny vial. I fixed the corkscrew top on extra tight before slipping it into my jeans pocket.
Step one was complete. Now all I had to do was find the Divellion who’d infected Todd, feed it poison, escape, and rescue Sam and Jaxon.
Simple.
Gulp.
Chapter Nineteen
Sleight of Hand
Reuben and I strode through the woodland. The sun had risen now, but was quickly overshadowed by a dull bank of cloud that was floating along in a constant stream of grey.
We’d disposed of the remnants of the poison, and I’d crammed a last-minute handful of orchid petals into a spare vial just in case I needed to blind anyone again.
As we approached the graveyard, I caught sight of Jaxon’s headstone. It made my heart swell, as though it was him I was seeing, rather than a slab of stone with his name on it. A plaque in his honour, I liked to think. Because, after all, Jesse Jaxon was not dead.
The thought made me stop in my tracks. At least, I hoped he wasn’t dead. I wished it was Jaxon at my side instead of Reuben. I wished I could be with him—wherever he was.
“What’s the matter?” Reuben asked irritably. “Why have you stopped?”
It was the first time we’d spoken since leaving the cottage, and his voice sounded strange to my ears.
“It’s nothing,” I said, casting one last look to Jaxon’s grave.
“We need to keep moving,” Reuben ordered. “The south side is far, and at your pace…” he trailed off, glaring at me reproachfully.
I began walking again. “What’s our plan, exactly? We burst into Divellion territory and hope for the best?”
“In a nutshell, yes,” my sullen accomplice replied.
“Sounds good.” I trotted to keep in stride with him. “So we—” I stopped dead again.
Reuben glanced over his shoulder at me. “What is it this time?” he grumbled.
My eyes travelled to the stone mausoleum at the far end of the graveyard.
“Todd,” I murmured.
“What about him?” Reuben snapped.
“He’s in the mausoleum,” I stated. It may have sounded ridiculous, but I was sure of it. I knew Todd was in the mausoleum.
I paused. But… he was also in his bedroom. I knew that, too.
“The link!” I cried suddenly.
Reuben’s dark eyes flickered with a trace of interest. Clearly the term ‘link’ was not entirely unfamiliar to him.
“Your link is the bitten Ballester?” he pried.
“I’m not sure…” I glanced across the meadow at the dismal building. Two sinister-looking gargoyles were perched on the roof, warding off intruders. “I’ve never felt this before… At least, I don’t think I have.” I cast my mind back, reflecting over years gone by. “I always know where Todd is,” I muttered to myself in realisation. I’d been so busy trying to make my link with Sam that I hadn’t even considered that it might be Todd.
But then, why would I sense him in two places at once?
I voiced my concerns to Reuben. “He’s in the mausoleum, I’m sure of it. But he’s also in our bedroom. This is so confusing.” I massaged my temples.
Reuben’s brooding gaze shot to the mausoleum. “You’re sensing your brother’s essence. It’s split between him and the Divellion. Todd is in the bedchamber, and the Divellion that infects him is in the…”
He didn’t need to finish that sentence. We looked at one another, our expressions grim.
However, alongside my feeling of foreboding was a wave of relief—the relief of knowing that the very monster we sought was within our grasp, and alone. Or, at least, not surrounded by hundreds of others.
“Should we get help?” I asked Reuben.
He baulked, affronted by the suggestion. “I am the all-powerful phoenix, Daniel Reuben. I need no help. Come.” He began pacing across the graveyard.
I picked up my pace to keep up with the All-Powerful-Phoenix-Daniel-Reuben. Ha.
We crossed the graveyard, heading for the mausoleum. Its structure was built from black stone, which in time had weathered and crumbled in places. Overgrown weeds and moss grew around the base, proving just how forsaken it had become.
High above, the warped faces of the two grey gargoyles bared their teeth at me. Their stone tongues hung eagerly from their snouts.
“Should I go in, too?” I asked, my voice quavering slightly.
“Yes.”
“O-okay,” I stuttered. “The plan?”
A plan certainly would’ve come in handy about now.
“I make the plan,” Reuben growled.
“Okay. Can’t I be in on it? I’m here too, remember?”
“Give me the vial.”
It wasn’t a question.
I stared down at his expectant hand. “Maybe I should keep hold of the vial. Seeing as though I don’t have any weapons, or super strength—”
“Give it to me!” he barked; his pace was swift as we strode forward. “You’ll never get close enough to make it drink the poison. We’ve no time for silly games.”
Shaking, I dug through my jeans pocket and slipped the vial into Reuben’s outstretched hand. With his eyes fixed on the mausoleum and his steps unbroken, he slid the vial into his trouser pocket.
We closed in on the building. Its dense iron door was framed with sturdy nuts and bolts. They glinted in contrast to the dull stone walls.
I looked heavenward, searching for calm. I shivered at the sight of the gargoyles’ black eyes, leering down at me with their mocking gaze.
Reuben reached the door first. He gripped the iron handle and yanked on it, forcing the heavy door open.
A strip of misted light lit the dank opening, then disappeared into the abyss of the crypt.
Reuben let out a deep, throaty snarl.
I heard a response from inside the cavern. An unmistakable hissing sound. One which I’d become far too familiar with.
My first instinct was to run. But I didn’t. I tiptoed into the mausoleum after Reuben.
All at once, the spongy grass was replaced by a cold stone floor. The inside of the building was empty and damp, and the click of our footsteps echoed off the ceiling. At the back of the room, I could just about make out the shape of a tomb, and hunched beside it was a crouched form.
It’s just one, I realised with relief. Reuben could handle one. He didn’t seem afraid in the slightest, which in turn boosted my own confidence.
And even though the darkness concealed its face, the overwhelming sense of Todd made me certain that this Divellion was indeed the one.
I slipped my
hand into my pocket and felt for the second vial. It was there.
Maybe I should give it to Reuben, I decided.
But in the brief instant that my head was bowed, I felt a rough shove against my back. I stumbled forward and dropped to my hands and knees.
Reuben had pushed me!
Without a word, he ducked out into the meadow, forcing the door shut behind him.
The slam of the door reverberated throughout the hollow building, and the fracture of light disappeared like an extinguished candle.
I clambered to my feet and staggered blindly for the door, just in time to hear the deadbolt pull across.
I bashed my fists against the cold iron.
“Reuben!” I cried. “Let me out!”
“Sorry,” his voice came back to me from the other side. “Nothing personal.”
“Reuben!’ I screamed, banging on the door until my knuckles burned.
“Like I said, nothing personal.” There was a sickening tone to his voice. “I hadn’t intended for you to die—it’s just a bonus, really. It’s Jaxon who deserves to suffer, and this seems like a good way to start. Actually, I hadn’t anticipated it being this easy.” He laughed blithely. “You walked into a room with a Divellion and you handed over the poison! And the best part is, no one will suspect it was anything other than the foolish actions of a stupid little witch!”
I clenched my teeth, trying to block out the hissing from the corner of the crypt.
“Reuben, please!” I begged. “Open the door!”
“I’m afraid that will not be possible. I can’t have you causing trouble. This way, your death will look like an accident. The reckless, fatal actions of a girl who thought she could take on a Divellion. It’s perfect! Oh how I’ll revel in the look on Jaxon’s face when I tell him I’m the one who killed you! Right before I watch him slowly die from the poison you made!” He cackled maniacally.
“Don’t you dare hurt Jaxon!” I shouted, frantically pulling at the immovable door handle. “Jaxon, Jaxon, Jaxon,” Reuben spat. “Do you know how satisfying it’ll be to rid the world of him?” There was a clanging thud where Reuben had punched the door. “Everything I do, everything I accomplish, Jaxon is always one step ahead of me. Well, not anymore. Now I’m going to rule, and Jaxon will be forgotten.”
Secrets in Phoenix Page 20