by Chloe Mayson
Cortney glanced at the wall between the dining room and the kitchen to see a horde of black widow spiders as they ran out of the wall.
Frank screamed as he lumbered out of the dining room into the hallway to the foyer.
“What?” Cortney called out, shocked at the big man’s flight from the spiders.
“He has arachnophobia,” Tom Cat shouted as he followed Frank into the hall.
Instead of following Tom Cat and Frank, the horde of spiders scampered toward Cortney.
“They’re after me!” Cortney declared as she ran into the hall. “Where are they coming from?” she shouted at Frank. The monstrous man was too wide-eyed with fear to answer.
“It’s a spell. One of the warlocks conjured up a spell,” Tom Cat replied as he arched his back at the black wave of spiders headed toward him from the dining room.
“I thought Barnaby House had a protection spell,” Cortney said.
“It does, but it protects from spells from outside of the house. The culprit conjured the spider spell from inside the house,” Tom Cat explained. “Do something, Cortney!” the familiar added.
“What? I don’t know how to counter a spell!” Cortney shouted. “At least if I had Hildegard, I could sweep them back,” she added.
Cortney had no more than mentioned the name of her broomstick when suddenly she found it in her hand.
“How?” she mumbled but didn’t have time to say more as she started sweeping back the horde of spiders. She heard Frank’s lumbering footsteps as he fled upstairs.
“I can’t sweep them back fast enough. They’re swarming around us, cutting us off from the stairs,” Cortney shouted to Tom Cat. “What can I do? Tell me a spell to use against them.”
Tom Cat leaped over the mass of spiders between him and the stairs. He didn’t answer Cortney as he followed Frank upstairs.
Anger boiled up inside of Cortney so intense that it blinded her for a moment. When her sight returned, she knew what she must do. She turned the handle of Hildegard toward the horde of spiders and shouted words she didn’t understand.
A blue fireball shot from the end of Hildegard’s handle. The fireball exploded when it struck the black mass of crawling spiders. The blue flames of the fireball raced through the horde of spiders as though they were made of paper. Within a matter of seconds, nothing remained of the spider invasion but blackened ashes on the floor. The flames from the fireball had burned the entire horde!
“God, how did I do that?” Cortney said as she glanced down at the tip of her broomstick. She expected to see an opening at the end of the handle. Nothing! It looked normal.
“Where are the spiders?” Gator said as he peeked out of the door to the kitchen.
“Gone. I… I caused a fireball to shoot out of the end of my broomstick. Its flames flashed through the entire horde. Burned them to ashes,” Cortney said still in shock.
“You might be only half a witch, but you are still powerful,” Mildred said as she emerged from the kitchen. “Where is Frank? He didn’t get bitten, did he?”
“Nope, the spiders couldn’t catch him. He ran upstairs as fast as his mismatched feet would carry him,” Cortney said.
“He can’t help being afraid of spiders,” Mildred defended Frank.
“Well, all I can say is that if Mary had known about his fear of spiders, she would have written a very different novel,” Cortney said as she heard plodding footsteps descending the stairs.
“Are they all gone?” Frank asked as he stopped halfway down the stairs.
“Yes, Miss Cortney destroyed them,” Mildred called out to Frank.
“How in the world did you do that?” Frank said as he continued down the stairs.
“I managed to shoot a fireball out of Hildegard. The spell just popped into my mind. It felt great to use magic,” Cortney said.
“Good job! Miss Morticia couldn’t have done better,” Frank said.
“She is much more powerful than we thought,” Mildred said. “It seems that her mortal blood has made her a more powerful witch than normal,” she added.
“Strange, very strange. It’s something that Miss Morticia didn’t see coming,” Frank said as he joined Cortney at the bottom of the stairs.
“Good, that means that the warlock trying to kill me will underestimate my power,” Cortney said with more confidence than she felt.
“Yes, they all know that your father was mortal. So, they will think you’re weak,” Frank agreed.
“The fun is over. I’m going upstairs,” Cortney said. “Hmm, I wonder where Tom Cat is hiding?”
Cortney called her familiar’s name as she climbed the stairs. She shook her head and mumbled under her breath when Tom Cat didn’t answer. He’s probably in my bedroom, but I’ll check and see if he’s with Chester, Cortney thought. However, the real reason she knocked lightly on Chester’s door was to tell him about the spider attack and how she had burned them with a fireball.
Chester as always appeared in midair when Cortney entered his bedroom. “Have you seen Tom Cat?”
The ghost nodded toward the bed.
Cortney glanced over and saw Tom Cat peeking out from under the bed.
“Meow?”
“Don’t you dare meow me! You get out from under Chester’s bed! Some familiar you are,” Cortney scolded.
“When Frank runs, I do too,” Tom Cat said as he crawled out from under the bed. “I mean he’s a monster, and I’m just a little black cat,” Tom Cat protested.
“Don’t call Frank a monster,” Cortney said.
“Well, what else do you call someone sewed together from body parts of two different men?” Tom Cat asked.
“I call him Frank and you should too,” Cortney replied.
“Ah, how did you get rid of the spiders?” Tom Cat asked.
“Yes, tell me how you got rid of a horde of spiders that one of the warlocks conjured up to attack you?” Chester said.
“How did you know? Oh, never mind. Tom Cat, of course. He came crying to you for protection,” Cortney said shaking her head.
“Spiders are afraid of ghosts,” Tom Cat said.
“Please, you can do better than that,” Cortney said.
Tom Cat suddenly busied himself licking his paw.
“So, are you going to chastise your cowardly familiar all night or tell us how you vanquished the spiders?” Chester asked.
Cortney pointed the handle of her broomstick at Chester. “I caused a fireball to shoot out of Hildegard. The fireball turned the entire horde of spiders into crispy critters,” Cortney announced.
“Really? I’m surprised you have such power since you are only half a witch,” Chester said.
“Yeah, yeah, that’s what they told me downstairs,” Cortney said and smiled. “Now that I know I’m as powerful as them, I’m going to take the fight to the warlocks. Tonight, I’m going to pay Councilman Innman a visit with Hildegard. I strongly suspect that he is the one that poisoned Aunt Morticia.” Cortney added.
“That could be dangerous. I’m sure all the warlocks have protection spells guarding their homes,” Chester said.
“I’ll just buzz his house, maybe shoot a fireball at it to see how strong his magic is,” Cortney said.
Chester shook his head. “Okay, I see I can’t talk you out of it. Just remember that I warned you against such rash behavior.”
“Duly noted,” Cortney said. She glanced at Tom Cat. “Are you sleeping under Chester’s bed tonight?”
Tom Cat stuck his tail straight up into the air.
“Chester! Did you see that? Tom Cat gave me the finger!” Cortney said.
“Don’t bring me into your squabble with your familiar,” Chester said and vanished.
“I liked it much better when you didn’t talk,” Cortney said as they walked out of Chester’s room.
“Sticking my tail up is a nonverbal form of communication,” Tom Cat said and giggled. “You know like one picture is worth a thousand words,” the familiar added as Cortney unloc
ked the bedroom door. “Pajama time?”
“No, I’m going to pay Warlock Innman a night visit. I suspect he is the one that conjured up the spider spell. Turnabout is fair play,” Cortney said.
“I guess me telling you it’s a terrible idea isn’t going to stop you, is it?” Tom Cat said.
“Nope, I’m tired of having warlocks attack me and not hitting back,” Cortney replied.
“But you don’t know that he’s the one that attacked you,” Tom Cat said.
“Just call it shaking the tree,” Cortney said as she opened the window.
“Those that shake trees sometimes get hit on the head by falling fruit,” Tom Cat said.
“Wow, where do you come up with such profound words of wisdom? Fortune cookies?” Cortney said as she straddled Hildegard. “Keep the light burning so I can find my way home,” Cortney said and giggled as she flew out the window.
She felt empowered riding Hildegard again. This time she meant to turn the tables on one of the warlocks.
“Warlock Innman’s house should be on this street,” Cortney mumbled a moment later as she directed Hildegard to fly just above the rooftops. She had studied a map of Bayou George during a lull in business at the diner and now knew the location of Councilman Innman’s house.
There!
Cortney knew she had found the warlock. Who else would have built a stone building that resembled a massive mausoleum for a house except someone steeped in dark magic?
Hmm, am I steeped in dark magic too? Cortney asked herself as she flew closer to the building. She noted the stone gargoyles lining the eaves of the building. The hideous statues were slightly larger than Tom Cat. They sat perched on the edge of the roof as though ready to take flight. They look so lifelike, Cortney thought as she hovered over the building.
“Now for a little love tap,” she mumbled as she pointed her finger down at the metal roof of the building. Let’s see. How did I do it when I destroyed the horde of spiders? She mentally reviewed the spell for a moment before she proceeded.
This time the spell came more naturally. The ancient words she spoke didn’t have sounds that could be heard by mortal ears. The words made the air around Cortney crackle seconds before a huge blue fireball shot out of the tip of her index finger. Cortney watched as the fireball struck the metal roof of the building and transformed the entire roof into blue flames for a brief instant.
The gargoyles!
The fireball had awakened the statues! One moment they were stone and the next flesh and blood. Screams of rage filled the air as the gargoyles took flight as a flock of horror.
“Home, Hildegard!” Cortney shouted the command in a state of panic at the hornet nest of evil she had awakened.
Obeying Cortney’s command, Hildegard streaked skyward even as the gargoyles swarmed in pursuit. After she gained altitude, the broomstick flew in a full circle as it changed direction and headed home.
The gargoyles are gaining! Cortney realized as she glanced over her shoulder.
“Faster! Fly faster, Hildegard,” Cortney called out in panic, as images of the creatures tearing her limb from limb popped into her mind.
Breathe slow. Calm yourself, Cortney thought as she fought to gain control of her fear. Now, how can I stop them?
Fireballs!
God, I hope it works. It’s the only spell I know, Cortney realized as she turned sideways on the broomstick and pointed her finger at the leading gargoyle. Luckily some of the creatures flew at slower speeds or else they would have overtaken her.
As Cortney pointed her finger at the fastest flyer, she gathered her strength. She spoke the spell words quickly. The moment she finished, a blue fireball shot from her finger and streaked across the night sky. It flared bright blue when it touched the leading gargoyle. When the flash of blue light died, the gargoyle had vanished.
“It worked! I destroyed one!” Cortney shouted. Her excitement died quickly as another gargoyle flew from the flock to replace the fallen leader. “Rats, he’s just as fast,” Cortney mumbled as she bent forward hoping it would help Hildegard to fly faster.
It did increase the broomstick’s speed just enough to stay ahead of the flock of gargoyles. In the distance, Cortney spotted Barnaby House. I’m going to make it!
Relief flooded Cortney as she neared the cemetery.
“Yes,” she shouted as Hildegard descended in the direction of the window.
Pop! Pop!
Hearing the sound behind her, Cortney glanced over her shoulder as a gargoyle made a loud pop, flared brightly, and vanished from the night sky.
“What the heck?” Cortney mumbled as Hildegard flew through the window.
“What did you do to make Councilman Innman’s gargoyles chase you home?” Tom Cat asked.
“I shot a fireball onto the roof of his house,” Cortney said. “Ah, what destroyed the gargoyles that flew near Barnaby House?” Cortney asked as she dismounted her broomstick.
“The protection spell that your aunt put around the house. All the warlocks have protection spells,” Tom Cat said as he licked his paw.
“But my fireball struck Warlock Innman’s roof?” Cortney said.
“That’s because you conjured up the spell inside the protective dome of his spell — the same way that one of the warlocks conjured up the spiders inside Barnaby House. The spells protect from an attack outside of the protection zone but not inside,” Tom Cat explained with an air of superiority.
“Wow, I’ve got a lot to learn,” Cortney said.
“Yep,” Tom Cat agreed.
“Hey, you don’t have to be so eager to agree!” Cortney scolded.
“Damned if you do, damned if you don’t,” Tom Cat said as he licked his paw. “Now, can we go to bed, Bunny?”
Chapter Fifteen
The pounding on the front door caused Cortney to lay her fork on her plate and turn toward the sound.
“Who could that be so early in the morning? she asked.
“Maybe a door-to door salesman,” Tom Cat said as Frank got up from the table.
“Nothing good this time of day,” Frank said as he lumbered out of the dining room on his mismatched feet.
Cortney heard loud voices and quick footsteps as someone approached the dining room.
“You!” Councilman Innman shouted as he walked into the dining room. “You attacked my house last night!” he shouted as he pointed his finger at Cortney.
“No, I just knocked on your roof,” Cortney said.
“With a fireball!” Councilman Innman accused. “You woke my gargoyles. I lost five of them last night! They are irreplaceable. I brought them from Walachia,” the warlock said.
“I’m sure the internet has replacements. It has everything,” Cortney replied.
“Cortney,” Frank said as he entered the dining room. “Is what the warlock said true?”
“Yes, I flew over his house and shot down a fireball. But he has a tin roof so what harm did it do?” Cortney said. “Anyway, he’s probably the one that conjured the spiders yesterday. I was returning the favor.”
“Spiders? What are you talking about?” the warlock said.
“One of you warlocks conjured a horde of poisonous spiders before leaving the house last night,” Frank answered.
“Well, it wasn’t me! I’ve been loyal to Morticia since she created the council. I will admit to having my differences with Morticia over the years, but I never broke my vow of loyalty. And, although I don’t like her niece, I accept her as the leader of the council,” the warlock proclaimed.
“Words,” Cortney replied. “Just words.”
Suddenly Councilman Innman drew a pentagram in the air. “I take the truth oath that my words are true!” The pentagram caught fire. “I didn’t poison Morticia. And I am loyal to the council and Morticia’s niece. And I didn’t call up the spiders,” he shouted. The pentagram vanished.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Cortney asked as she glanced at Frank and then Tom Cat for answers.
Tom Cat answered. “If he lied, the flames from the pentagram would have consumed him.”
“Really?” Cortney said. “And why is he struggling to stand?”
“A truth spell pulls energy from the one that conjures it. He’s weak.”
“God, she’s like a child wielding a shotgun. She knows nothing of the power of magic,” the warlock proclaimed.
“Hey, it wasn’t my choice to stay here in Bayou George and become a witch. Frank forced the decision on me. I just wanted the money,” Cortney said. “You made me a witch, now deal with it!”
“Apologize for hitting his roof with a fireball.” Frank said.
Cortney took a deep breath. “Okay, I’m sorry. I thought you were the one that sent the spiders,” Cortney said.
“Well, I didn’t,” Councilman Innman said.
“One of the other four warlocks did,” Frank said.
“Yes, I guess there’s no ignoring the fact that one of them killed Morticia,” Councilman Innman said. “I was hoping it was someone that snuck into the house and poisoned the caper sauce while Mildred was distracted. But I see now that it was indeed a member of the council that poisoned Morticia.”
“We should work together to find the killer,” Cortney said with a deep sigh. “Do you have any suspicion which one of the remaining warlocks is the killer?”
“Two names pop into my mind,” the Councilman Innman said.
“And which two would that be?” Cortney asked eagerly.
“William Stonemason and Gerhart Kessel. They both opposed Morticia keeping cell phone towers, and other progressive ideas, out of Bayou George,” the warlock said.
“If I remember correctly, you told me in the diner that you also opposed her restrictive policies,” Cortney said.
“Yes, but there were whispers about Warlock Kessel and Warlock Gerhart breaking the loyalty oath and making a grab for power,” Warlock Innman said.
“And you know this how?” Cortney asked.
“I have my spies,” the warlock replied and didn’t elaborate.
“What about Warlock Wigdahl and Warlock Blackman?” Cortney asked.
“Warlock Wigdahl is a doctor and takes his Hippocratic oath seriously; Warlock Blackman is unreadable. He hides behind an expensive Italian suit and a professional smile. I can’t read him. But he never openly opposed your aunt, for what it’s worth,” the warlock said.