by T J Green
Harecombe itself was a larger town than White Haven, with a bigger harbour, more hotels, but far less atmosphere—although Avery conceded that it was still very pretty.
She sat next to Alex in his car; the roof was down and a warm breeze ruffled their hair. They were in a public car park, watching a few people as they pottered around the bay, enjoying the summer sun.
“I presume their big ships dock elsewhere,” Avery said speculatively.
“Falmouth,” Alex said. “I checked. But they keep their base here. Handily close to us,” he added sarcastically.
“So, what now?” She looked at him. “You’ve been suspiciously quiet on our plan of attack.”
“That’s because it’s really basic.” He flashed her a knowing smile. “I’m going to march in, befuddle the receptionist, and introduce ourselves to daddy.”
“Is that too simple? We are marching into enemy witch central.”
“And they employ lots of non-magical people. They’ll be limited in what they can do,” he reasoned. “I’ll do the talking—you’re my wingman.”
“Cheers! Don’t trust me to speak?” Avery was slightly offended, but also quite excited to be Alex’s wingman.
“Of course I do, but you’re my silent aggressor.”
“I thought we were planning on calling a truce—to try for a ‘lay our cards on the table’ sort of thing.”
“Yes, we are, I’m just not sure so sure they will want to, though.”
They exited the car and sauntered over to the warehouse. Once inside the wide lobby, the outside noise disappeared in the hush of the expensive, double-glazed, carpeted area. Large framed paintings were on the walls, huge potted plants flanked the entrance and the lifts, and two receptionists sat behind a gleaming oak counter.
Both receptionists were in their mid-thirties, and one looked up as Alex leaned on the counter, flashing his most charming smile. Avery stood just behind, scanning the lifts and the entrance. Apart from them, the lobby was empty.
“Hi, I have an appointment to see Mr Sebastian Faversham.”
The receptionist looked at the screen for a moment, and then said, “I’m sorry, Mr Faversham doesn’t have any appointments booked this morning.”
“I think you’ll find I’m booked in,” Alex said, still smiling.
She looked at the screen again and then looked up, confused, “Oh yes, I don’t know how I could have missed that. What did you say your name was? I’ll buzz you up.”
“No need,” Alex said, and Avery felt the fizz of magic as he glamoured her.
The receptionist next to her looked puzzled and went to intervene, and then she smiled vacantly, too. “So sorry for the confusion.”
“No problem, ladies. Remind me which floor?”
“The top one, corner office. All the senior partners are on that floor.” Her eyes were slightly gazed and Avery knew that once they left, both of them would forget that the conversation ever happened.
“Excellent,” Alex said, smiling.
They hurried over to the lifts and waited impatiently for one to arrive.
“I feel I’m in the dragon’s lair,” Avery said, her senses alert and watchful.
“Fun, isn’t it?” Alex said, flashing her a grin.
“You’re nuts.”
“I know.”
As the lift arrived and the doors swished open, Avery saw a figure coming through the main doors. As they stepped inside, he looked up and caught her eye. Caspian. As the doors closed on them, she just had time to enjoy the look of shock on his face.
“Oops, we may have company. Caspian’s here.”
“Good. The more the merrier.” Alex muttered a small spell and Avery felt the lift speed up until they arrived at the top with a thump.
“Alex!” Avery said, trying to keep her balance.
“Come on, Ave, time is of the essence. I want to see Caspian burst in on us and try to smooth his father’s very ruffled feathers.”
“We might be dead before then.”
“Oh ye of little faith,” Alex said under his breath as he exited the lift.
The first thing they saw was a stunning view of the harbour through a long window, directly opposite the lift. In front of it was a small reception area, with a gleaming white counter and a large vase of flowers. The heady aroma of lilies swirled around them. A couple of chairs and a table were placed in front of it, a waiting area no doubt for visitors to the board members’ offices.
On their left, a row of offices led to a large window at the other end, their doors open, but on the right was a small, open plan office area where two secretaries sat, working at computers. They looked up briefly and went back to their work. Avery felt reassured. Witnesses hopefully meant they wouldn’t die here.
This time, the lady seated behind the main desk was older. She had silver-grey hair tied back in a neat chignon, and she wore a very lovely pale lilac silk dress. She looked alarmed as they crossed towards her, and rose to her feet. Avery presumed their casual dress was not something she was used to seeing on visitors to the senior partners’ floor.
“May I help you?” she asked dismissively, as if that was the last thing she wanted to do.
“We’re here to see Seb. I understand he’s in the corner office—we won’t disturb you.”
Avery stifled a giggle. Seb? Alex was really pushing his luck.
“I beg your pardon? Do you have an appointment?”
“Of course I do,” Alex said as he leaned close to her, and again, Avery recognised a whiff of a glamour spell.
Avery wondered if the receptionist up here had any magical powers, because that might complicate things, but instead, her demeanour softened and she said, “Of course, the end office on the left.”
As soon as they were out of sight they ran to the end of the corridor, hoping no one else would emerge from the other rooms, and found themselves in front of two offices, one bearing Sebastian’s name, and one that said Personal Assistant on it. The door to his PA was ajar, and they could hear the muted murmur of a phone conversation.
Avery felt as if Caspian might arrive at any moment, but before she could say anything, Alex didn’t hesitate. He softly closed the PA’s door and locked it with a whispered spell, and then threw open Sebastian’s door, saying, “Good morning, Faversham! So pleased to finally meet you.”
Faversham’s corner office was enormous, as was his desk, and the man behind it was imposing. Avery estimated he was in his late fifties or early sixties, but he looked fit. He was slim and handsome, with a full head of silvery hair.
He looked up in shock and then rose to his feet, his eyes narrowing. “Mr Bonneville.”
“Mr Faversham.”
“And Ms Hamilton.”
Avery nodded, but remained silent, standing just behind and to Alex’s right, where she could see the corridor behind. She scanned the room, but other than beautiful pieces of antique furnishings, Sebastian was alone.
He regained his composure swiftly. “So, you’re here to talk about the terms of your surrender?”
Alex laughed. “No, we’re here to talk about the return of the grimoire.”
Sebastian also laughed; a dry, unpleasant noise with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. Cold eyes, Avery decided, lacking any warmth at all. “It’s good to see you have a sense of humour, Mr Bonneville. Or shall I call you Alex?”
“You can call me whatever you want. I just want the grimoire.”
Sebastian stepped around his desk and walked across the carpeted room towards them. He was as stealthy and as self-possessed as a cat.
As he approached, Avery noticed movement from the corner of her eye. Caspian came into view from the corridor outside. He caught her eye and paused for a second, and for a brief moment, Avery was confused by his reaction, and she hesitated, too. He looked worried, not angry. His eyes darted to her and then to the room, and as he stepped through the doorway, Avery called out, “Alex, we have company.”
Rather than looking pleased, S
ebastian scowled at his son. “Where have you been?”
“Seeking some answers,” Caspian replied enigmatically.
Alex stepped aside, and they faced each other in a standoff, all four of them poised and ready to attack.
Sebastian thought for a moment and then gestured to some chairs and a table in the corner of his office. “Let’s sit and be civilised, shall we?”
“Let’s not,” Alex said. “This is not a social call. We are here to try and broker peace.”
“Humour me.” Sebastian walked over and sat down, looking at them impatiently. Caspian remained standing, too, looking warily between all three of them. He’d lost weight, Avery thought, looking thinner than he had only weeks ago. His cheeks had hollowed out, and dark shadows were under his eyes. He looked ill.
Avery looked at Alex, trying to gauge what he was thinking, but he glanced at her and then at Sebastian, determined to maintain control. He strolled over to the window. “Quite the view you have, Faversham. Don’t you think you have enough?”
“There’s no such thing as enough.” Sebastian leaned back, his legs crossed, his suit elegant, and his eyes watchful.
Alex turned around, and with the light behind him it was difficult to see his expression. “Why do want the grimoires?”
“None of your business,” Sebastian shot back.
“Wrong. It is our business, because they’re ours, gifted to us by our ancestors. And you’ve stolen one of them. Or should I say Caspian has, your lackey, running around doing your bidding?”
Caspian’s eyes hardened, but he still glanced nervously at his father.
Sebastian continued, nonplussed. “Isn’t Gil’s death enough to convince you that we mean what we say?”
Avery stiffened. They had discussed this on the way over. Alicia had died last night, and it was likely that no one other than them knew what had happened.
“No,” Alex said. “If anything, it’s strengthened our resolve not to let you have the grimoires. You clearly have no respect for anything or anyone.”
Sebastian rose to his feet swiftly and Avery felt the air in the room crackle with energy. It was as if Sebastian had unveiled his power, rather than drew it to him. “How dare you presume to know me!”
Alex stepped forward. “And how dare you presume to know us.”
The energy in the room magnified as magical power flooded through them. Avery tensed, ready to attack, and she glanced at Caspian, who stood closest to her. He, of all of them, seemed the calmest, but Avery knew how powerful he was, and how quickly he could unleash it.
Alex spoke again. “Why do you want the grimoires?”
Sebastian paused for a moment. “Because they contain something we need.”
Alex leaned against Sebastian’s desk, arms crossed in front of him. “What if we keep the grimoires, and you tell us what you need, and we’ll share that—if we feel it won’t harm us. Then we both have what we want.”
“Because it is not in our interest to let you keep them.”
“It is not in our interest to let you have them, either. Surely,” Alex persisted, “we must be able to come to some sort of compromise. Our families have been fighting for generations. Yours engineered Helena’s death at the hands of the Witchfinder General, and manipulated others to support you. Haven’t you done enough?” Alex was getting angry now, his voice rising with his indignation. “These grimoires are years old. We have no interest in warring with you, or using our new abilities and powers to attack you. We just want to live peacefully alongside you. Two magical communities, co-existing together.”
Sebastian laughed, his head thrown back. “You’re a fool. You have no idea what those grimoires can do.”
“We know there’s a hidden spell at the back of them. A spell that bound Octavia. Is that it? Is that what you want? To release her?”
Avery thought she detected a snort from Caspian, but when she glanced at him, he stood impassive, watching his father. He turned to her, aware of her gaze. His eyes swept across her, a look of curiosity and doubt, and Avery had the feeling that they were missing a key piece of information.
Sebastian answered, a carefully schooled response. “Octavia’s soul should be released. But we will do that, and we need your grimoires.”
“No, you need the spell. Not the grimoires. We’ll do it for you, or copy the spell for you. As long as the demon is not released.”
Sebastian thought for a moment. “No, that’s unacceptable. But a kind offer,” he said, sarcastically.
Now Avery knew they were missing something. They had just made a perfectly good offer, and it had been rejected for no good reason. It seemed Alex thought so, too.
“You’re hiding something, Sebastian. We’ll find out what. And then you’ll wish you had accepted our offer.” Alex looked at Avery and stood, ready to leave, “At least we tried.”
Sebastian laughed again. “We have one grimoire, and we will get the rest. I believe you have only one left to find?” He glanced at Avery, and she felt the full power in his gaze pierce her core.
They didn’t answer, and he laughed some more. “We’ll know when you have it, and then we’ll take them all. Taking the Jackson’s was merely a demonstration of our power. Believe me when I say it will be better to hand them over. Surely, one death is enough?” he said, revealing he had no idea about Alicia.
“Ah, about that,” Alex said, stepping closer until he was now only a few paces from Sebastian. “Unfortunately, there was a small incident last night. Alicia, your mole, was killed by her own demons, with a little help from us. So, we’re sort of even on the death stakes.”
“You’re a liar,” Sebastian accused, his eyes narrowing. He glanced at Caspian, whose look of doubt rattled Sebastian even more.
“I wouldn’t lie about something so serious, Seb. Try and call her. Now. Go on, I can wait.”
Sebastian looked as if he was wrestling with obeying Alex’s suggestion, but curiosity finally got the better of him and he pulled his phone from his pocket and punched in a number.
They stood waiting silently while Alex moved closer to Avery. When it was clear that no one was answering, he phoned another number. “Put me through to Alicia,” he said abruptly. He listened, watching Alex and Avery with hostility. “What do you mean, she’s not in?” He paused. “Keep trying, and call me.”
He rang off and stared at them for a moment, and then threw his phone at Alex.
Avery was about to laugh, it seemed so unexpectedly juvenile, but in a split second the phone changed into what looked like a dragon, the size of a large bird of prey that screeched as it rushed at Alex, its wings outstretched, cruel talons curving with malice, and flames pouring from its gaping mouth.
Alex rolled and simultaneously threw out a rope of pure energy, lashing at the creature and throwing it back in a high arc across the room and to the window.
At the same time, Avery blocked an attack from Caspian and Sebastian, as they both threw a stream of fire at her. She responded with a jet of super-heated air, knocking Caspian off his feet and into the corridor, where he crashed against the wall. However, Sebastian remained standing, his pupils all black with no hint of white. Avery felt her breath catch. What was happening?
He grew taller and broader, and for the first time Avery was aware of how much power he wielded. It was terrifying. He reached out his arm, and although he was halfway across the room, she felt her breath catch as her chest tightened.
Alex, however, had not finished, and as she struggled to repel Sebastian’s magic, Alex jumped to his feet. The dragon wheeled and attacked him again, soaring across the room. Alex shattered the huge window at the back of the room and threw the dragon out of it with a well-placed blast of energy.
The sound was deafening. Glass exploded everywhere, and the dragon screeched as it rolled over and over in the air, now outside the building and high above the street.
Sebastian’s concentration broke immediately, and Avery was able to breathe again.
For a brief second Avery watched him as he tried to regain control of the dragon, which now out in the open, also seemed to be swelling in size. A dragon was in Harecombe. A real, live dragon.
Alex grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the window. “Jump.”
“Are you insane?” The words were barely out of her mouth when he kicked the jagged edges of glass away and dragged her through the window; they dropped like stones.
And then suddenly they weren’t falling anymore, but floating, and she had the presence of mind to throw a veil of shadow over them as they streamed down the side of the building and landed at the corner.
It was chaos on the street. Glass was lying on the ground, some people were screaming, cars had screeched to a halt, and horns were blaring at those who were standing in the middle of the road, staring at the creature that now perched on the shattered window, five floors up. No one was looking at them.
They ran across the street to Alex’s car, jumped in, and raced away, threading through the chaos with barely a backward glance.
15
Risking being pulled for speeding, Alex kept his foot down until they were well out of Harecombe. He finally stopped at a large country pub, the car park packed with customers, and they grabbed an outside table and a pint.
They both took a long drink of beer while Avery tried to still her jumbled thoughts. Their conversation in the car had been stilted and mostly consisted of, “Are we being followed?” “No, not yet. Keep going.”
Now sitting in the pub, surrounded by others, she said, “I can’t believe you dragged me out of a window. I thought you were trying to kill me.”
He laughed. “Idiot. I’m not suicidal.”
“I wish you’d have warned me.”
“Yes, like I had time for that. While I was battling a dragon!”
She stared at him for a second and then burst out laughing, and he laughed, too, until they were both giggling hysterically. Other people turned to stare, and that made Avery worse. “Holy crap,” she said, trying to control herself, “It really was, wasn’t it? I mean, I wasn’t hallucinating. It was a dragon!”