by Cari Thomas
They spent the rest of lunch dissecting the remaining gossip from the party. Anna was pained to learn that Peter and Darcey had made up. She discovered that Manda had got off scot-free. She’d told her mum Anna had been taken ill during the fair and had gone home early. Her mum had called to check and, thankfully, Aunt had confirmed the story. She wouldn’t have wanted to lose face, to have Manda’s mother think I’m the wrong sort of girl. Anna also discovered that Selene had taken Effie and Attis back to New York for the holiday season and they’d had the best time. Remembering her own Christmas locked away, she couldn’t help feeling a prickle of resentment. She’d have given anything to go away with them.
The others departed and Anna sat with Effie, filling their free period with her tales of New York at Christmas. Darcey’s voice cut through their laughter. Effie appeared delighted at the sound, turning around – but Darcey was looking at Anna.
‘Oh, Nobody! So good to see you back!’ She spoke loudly, making sure all those around were listening.
Anna froze, one hand reaching instinctively for her Knotted Cord. Do nothing. Say nothing.
‘How was Christmas with your lovely aunt? She seemed awfully perturbed when she turned up at the party. Such a shame you had to go home so suddenly – in front of everyone, as well. Peter included. He knew you were a freak but he didn’t realize just how much—’
‘Still feeling threatened, are we, Darcey?’ said Effie.
‘Coming to her rescue as always, Effie?’ Darcey replied. ‘She’s about as threatening as a wet mop.’
‘I don’t know. I could do some pretty decent damage with a wet mop right now. Run along now, no one is listening.’
‘On the contrary, Anna is listening, aren’t you?’ Darcey prodded Anna’s back, stepping closer, speaking more quietly. Anna gripped the cord tighter. Do nothing. Say nothing. ‘You’d be smart to take a leaf out of her book, Effie. She understands the essential truth—’
‘Which I’m sure you’re going to tell us.’ Effie yawned.
‘That she’s nothing and I’m everything she’ll never be. I pull the strings of her sad, pathetic life—’
‘So pull the damn strings, Darcey.’ Anna was as surprised as everyone else to find that she was the one speaking – plainly and calmly – with the kind of slow coldness Aunt specialized in. ‘Call me names. Send me home from the party. Tell Peter lies. Ruin my existence. Whatever you do, believe me, I’ve been through worse. I’ve been through things you can’t even imagine. You are honestly the least of my worries.’
A few people around them began to laugh.
Anna exhaled, feeling the weight of years of silence lift from her shoulders. She’d meant every word. Aunt’s punishments, the threat of the Binders, the violence of the third-floor room – these were the dark places that occupied her mind now. Effie hooted with laughter. Darcey blinked several times; something around the edges of her eyes showed Anna that she was furious. Then her mouth twisted in a small, razor smile.
‘I think you’re right, Anna Everdull. There’s nothing I can do to you that I haven’t already done. Been there, broken that. But there are so many other victims to choose from. How about that one you love to defend – you know, large, easy target … the Beast.’
Rowan.
‘I just want you to know that when I break her – it’s on you.’
Anna floundered for words, panic tightening her throat. Why did I have to speak back to her?
‘You seem to have lost your voice again.’ Darcey gave Anna a final smile and left, laughter trailing behind her.
‘Well hello, Anna. Good to finally meet you.’ Effie grinned.
‘Rowan,’ said Anna. ‘Darcey’s going to make her life hell.’
Effie made a bored noise. ‘She was going to make Rowan’s life miserable anyway. She’s just trying to get to you.’
‘Well, she’s got to me.’ Anna raised her voice and now Effie was the one who looked surprised. ‘I know it’s all fun and games to you, Effie, but people are going to get hurt. On my account.’
‘Let’s do something about it then.’
Anna had been looking forward to their first coven session on Friday, to flexing her magic, but now she watched guiltily as Rowan added new objects from her bag on and around the altar: pot plants, a witch ball, a framed picture of Leonardo Vincent …
‘If we’re going to start a revolution, then our magic needs to be more powerful. We need to learn how to protect ourselves,’ Effie commanded, drawing everyone’s attention towards her. She looked around the sewing room, her eyes stopping on Anna. ‘Have you been practising?’
‘Yes,’ Anna replied, finding her magical confidence had suddenly fled. ‘It’s coming along …’
‘Well, I scheduled magic practice into my revision timetable,’ said Manda. ‘I’ve been reading all the books that Rowan lent me.’
‘You don’t learn by reading,’ Effie scoffed. ‘You have to find your own way. Any languages calling to you yet?’
‘I’ve tried several,’ said Manda, as if she were being tested. ‘Earth magic, some symbol work, word spells. I was feeling quite drawn to the latter—’
‘Anna?’ Effie interrupted.
‘Er – just knots and cords at the moment.’
Effie rolled her eyes. ‘You need to break free of your ties.’
Anna touched the Knotted Cord in her pocket. It was easy for Effie to say, but she hadn’t been raised to fear all other languages. She longed to tell the coven everything – about the secrets and lies of her life; but she couldn’t. The secrets were hers to bear. If I end up becoming a Binder, they’ll hate me, hate me for how weak I am.
‘Well, do you know your language yet?’ said Manda to Effie.
‘No,’ Effie snapped. ‘But it’ll be powerful, as powerful as the Seven. Mark my words.’
‘Can’t have been that powerful if they got themselves killed,’ said Manda. ‘Does anyone know who did it yet?’
‘No.’ Rowan shook her head. ‘Mum seems to think they should have returned already.’
‘My aunt believes it was the Witch Hunters,’ said Anna, remembering the look in Aunt’s eyes.
Effie laughed. ‘She’s really not letting that go, is she?’
‘It’s why she doesn’t want me practising magic, drawing attention …’ It was as close as Anna could get to the truth.
‘I’m sorry,’ said Manda. ‘Who are these Hunters that Anna’s crazy aunt keeps going on about?’
‘You know the witch-hunt era?’ said Rowan. ‘It didn’t go so well for our kind – burnings and pitchforks and all that jazz.’
‘Everyone knows about witches being hunted, but that was a different time,’ Manda responded.
‘But what if it wasn’t just that period?’ said Rowan. ‘There’s evidence of hunting outbursts throughout history, further back, and some of the old stories suggest they go back even further.’
‘Well, witches have always been scary, it’s no surprise’ said Manda. ‘I’m still scared of them and apparently I am one.’
‘But the old stories and legends don’t believe the hunts are random, but that they’re planned – like a cycle. That there’s a sect behind them. Five founding members. The Wolves, they call them in the old tales, destined to return again and again to bring doom and destruction on us all.’
Effie began to chant:
‘Beware, beware, the wolves are here.
There’s smoke, there’s smoke, in the town square.
Red thread and boots, prepare the noose.
The big bad wolves are roasting goose!’
Effie snapped her arms around Manda and made her scream.
Rowan chuckled. ‘Exactly. They’re just nursery rhymes and stories conjured up to scare little witches when they’re misbehaving and doing magic they shouldn’t be. E.g. me, during my entire childhood. Realistically, the last witch hunts happened because of war and economic strife and religion, and what do people worship now? Celebrities and designer bran
ds. What are they going to do – pelt us with shoes?’
Anna joined in with the laughter. It did sound ridiculous when you spoke about it out loud. Aunt thought magic was a sin and love was evil – she couldn’t be trusted. ‘I know you’re right,’ she said. ‘I’ve just got a lifetime of trauma to overcome.’
‘And a lifetime of magic to embrace.’ Effie clapped her on the back.
‘Exactly,’ said Anna, tired of the darkness and paranoia. ‘What are we doing today then? I’m ready for anything.’
Effie grabbed a glass bottle from the altar with relish. ‘Upstairs. We’re going to need space.’
They were getting to know their way around the school at night and sneaking into the old sports hall was easy in spite of Manda’s objections. The walls were a utilitarian green and the yellow floor was scuffed from decades of use. It was large and echoey and reminded Anna of best-forgotten gym lessons.
Attis was waiting for them with a large duffel bag. He dumped it onto the floor and unzipped it. He pulled out two hefty bags. ‘Salt,’ he announced. ‘One of the most powerful protective substances on earth, as incorruptible and pure as all of your souls.’ He tore the tops off the bags and decanted the salt onto the floor. He walked to the centre of the room, his presence, as always, strangely eclipsing, diminishing the world around him. ‘Now, we all know my purpose in this coven is to provide eye candy; however, my main concern is your protection and the best way to protect you is to show you how to protect yourselves. Have you ever cast a magic circle before?’
Manda and Anna shook their heads.
‘Mum taught me her version, but to be honest, when I’m casting spells, I never bother,’ said Rowan.
‘Exactly. It’s a basic of magical work but as a basic it’s all too often forgotten, yet it’s imperative. Children of witches used to be taught it at a young age. You know the old nursery rhyme Ring o’ Roses?’
Rowan sang:
‘Ring a ring o’ roses,
Lined with salt and ashes.
A shadow! A shadow!
We all fall down!’
‘Exactly. Well, it has its roots in casting circles – a way of encouraging them to practise.’ Attis stood still for a moment, eyes shut. Anna felt a shift in the energy of the room, a drawing in towards him, as if he were a magnet turned on them. She studied his face in the half-light, shadowed lines and soft lips and eyes; he looked younger with them closed, and strangely vulnerable. That’s how he reels them in, looking as if he’s the one who needs rescuing …
She gasped as the salt on the floor began to rise up and disperse. It swirled around him, filling the room like a snow storm, beautiful and surreal against the mundane backdrop of the hall.
He opened his eyes. ‘There are many different kinds of circle. The simplest will focus and amplify your magic, keep dark energies at bay and deflect an oncoming attack. Effie, if you will.’
The salt swirled faster, a blizzard of white. Effie stood up excitedly and threw the glass bottle at him. It hurtled towards him but stopped just before it reached him, shattering into pieces. Manda screamed. Effie laughed delightedly. The games they must have played as children.
The salt fell to the floor.
‘As you can see, if that had been a hex coming at me, my circle would have acted as a barrier, blocking its path. You can see its shape in the salt on the floor.’ The salt had formed a distinct pattern on the ground around him: a solid, thick circle with short lines coming away from it, like the dials of a compass or the rays of the sun. ‘It’s more than just a useful visual aid though. You can draw on the protective power of the salt to help cast your circle. Rowan, you go first as you’ve done it before.’
Moments later, Rowan was standing at the centre of her own salt storm. She closed her eyes and the salt pushed away from her, as if an invisible hand were brushing it aside. It started to fall, quietly and serenely, until it formed a pattern around her: a large and wavy circle, looping in and out like petals. If viewed from above Anna was sure it would look like a flower.
‘Good work,’ said Attis.
‘Dang, my magic is pretty.’
They repeated the experiment, Attis helping Rowan to cast her circle more quickly and with more solidity. Her pattern grew clearer and more flower-like each time. Manda was called up next.
‘Now, you and Anna haven’t tried this before. There’s no easy way to explain it really and every witch has their own technique – I just want you to visualize a circle around you and to interlace your magic with it. Imagine it however it appeals to you – as light, as colour, with neon strobe lighting, whatever you want. And draw on the power of the salt. It’s there to help you. We’ll try as many times as you need, so don’t worry.’
It didn’t take Manda long. She was almost lost in the salt surrounding her and as it fell it formed a new pattern on the floor: a circle about a metre from her and then another around that, lines zigzagging between the two.
Attis assessed it. ‘It’s very protective, with a double, interwoven barrier. I think we just need to work at the size.’
Anna suddenly felt flustered. What if I can’t do it? I don’t know how to cast without my knots … and then Attis was calling her name. She took her place at the centre of the room. He stood opposite, going over the instructions again. She hated that magical instructions were always so hazy.
Attis retreated and the salt began to swirl around her, its sea sharpness on her tongue. She closed her eyes and tried to find the magic in it. She visualized a circle of white light around her, but as the salt fell she knew it wasn’t enough. She opened her eyes and saw that it had formed no pattern at all. She shook the salt from her hair.
Attis stepped forward. ‘I thought it was a good look,’ he said and she laughed at the absurdity of her situation. ‘Effie, come here.’ He beckoned. ‘Right, let’s hold hands. Now close your eyes.’
They formed a circle.
Attis began to sing.
‘Ring a ring o’ roses,
Lined with salt and ashes—’
‘Attis …’ said Effie.
‘OK, focus. So we’ll create a circle of power and I want you to try and feel it, Anna.’
Anna closed her eyes again. With their hands in hers, the pulse of their magic running through her, she sensed it almost straight away. Magic. She let herself sink into it and found the different parts of it – the hush in the air, the purity of the salt, the push-pull force from Effie and Attis on either side. She imagined a circle of light around her … not quite a circle, more like strands interweaving, forming a net, her Hira a needle joining it all together.
‘Can you feel it?’ said Attis.
‘You can’t just go and ask a girl that,’ said Anna.
Effie burst out laughing.
Attis tutted playfully. ‘Who’s not taking this seriously now? Right, I want you to try on your own, quickly.’
He and Effie backed away and Anna, feeling more relaxed, closed her eyes. She felt the salt lift around her and sank back into the feeling of a moment ago, a smile on her lips. She held the circle in her mind and pushed it out from her, weaving a lattice of light as if it was no more than an embroidery, threads of protection and security – nothing would break through it.
When she opened her eyes she did a small jump of joy. The salt had formed a circle and another circle after that and another after that – filling the entire hall like a storm and she the eye … Anna counted them. There were seven.
‘You did it! Lots of circles!’ Manda clapped. ‘I think mine may technically have been better in terms of protection. Attis, comparisons please?’
But Attis’s eyes were roving over the circles on the floor. Rowan and Effie stared too. Anna didn’t know what to say.
‘What’s going on?’ said Manda.
‘Er – Anna’s pattern,’ said Rowan. ‘It’s a bit reminiscent of …’
‘Of?’
‘The Eye.’ Effie turned to face her. ‘It marks the magic of witches who
are cursed.’
Anna couldn’t look away from the pattern rippling from her, her fears rushing back at once. I finally manage to achieve magic and now it’s broken. Cursed?
‘But it’s not that simple. Magic is a complex beast,’ Rowan said gently. ‘This pattern could mean any number of things or nothing at all.’
Anna looked around for similar support but Manda viewed her warily, Effie with intrigue and Attis didn’t look at her at all. ‘Rowan’s right.’ He cleared the salt from the floor with one push of his hand. ‘Just a coincidence. You get all sorts of patterns with these circles. Maybe we call the salt quits for today. I’ll try and fire a simple spell at you and see if you can deflect it with a circle.’
They practised for another hour until Anna’s mind was tired and her body ached as if the magic had been seeping out of her muscles. It had taken her a while but she’d eventually managed to block one of Attis’s oncoming spells. They hadn’t celebrated – the curse mark was still hanging over them, full of questions that Anna was too afraid to ask.
A shadow. A shadow. We all fall down.
STARS
Ask no questions; seek no answers.
Tenet Five, The Book of The Binders
Anna tried to put the circles out of her mind. Perhaps she was only searching for meaning, for paranoid connections, where there weren’t any. The magic had felt good, hadn’t it? It had felt more than good. And now, for the first time in her life, she wasn’t going home, she was going back to Effie’s house, a den of magic. To Selene.
Selene was nowhere to be seen.
Effie hopped up onto the kitchen counter and rifled through takeaway leaflets. ‘I’ll order us pizza.’
Anna nodded distractedly. ‘I’m, er, just going to find Selene …’
She side-stepped out of the kitchen into a room done up like a retro lounge with a cocktail bar. A light was shining from the stairway. She made her way up. Steam and the sound of Selene singing was coming from a door, slightly ajar: ‘If I gave my heart to you, I’d have none and you’d have two …’ For someone with such a sonorous voice she was not particularly talented at singing, but what she lacked in tone she made up for in volume. Anna smiled and knocked on the door.