by Sharon Booth
Aveta leaned forward, looking eager. 'Do tell, Celeste. You need have no fear here.'
I did my best to explain what had been happening; how I was hearing voices that seemed to come from the past.
'Jethro and Trinity were talking about keeping something from Sky. Jethro said he felt bad, and he'd hate for her to get hurt, but when Trinity suggested they stop whatever it was they were doing, he wouldn't. He said it felt right. I mean, what does that tell you? And Star says the two of them keep going off to his study and when Sky walks in they both shut up. But surely, if it was just about the book, they wouldn't need to be so secretive, would they? It's not as if she doesn't know the story, anyway.'
'If Jethro's cheating on my darling Sky, I will turn him into a pot of ink,' Mother said. 'As for Trinity, if she's playing games with Sirius ...' She shook her head. 'He can't go through any more heartbreak, he just can't. It's taken him all this time to come to terms with losing Carissa. This is the first time I've seen him happy in over three years. I'll turn Trinity into an American bagel and feed her to the castle ravens if I have to.'
'Iliana!' Aveta said, shocked. 'I'll have none of that talk here, thank you very much.'
'I don't care,' Mother said defiantly. 'No one hurts my children. No one.'
'I know it's horrible,' I agreed, 'but don't you think the bigger worry is she might be here to cause us harm?'
'And why would she do that?' Aveta asked.
'Well,' I said eagerly, 'I was thinking about the prophecy. You know what you said about that line, "From new to old the white bird flies", and you said it must mean someone was going back to 1669 from this point in time?'
'Go on,' she said, her eyes narrowing.
'What if that's the wrong interpretation? Think about it! Trinity Jones flew over from America — the new world — to England, the old world, in a white bird. That's what Mother Clipson called aeroplanes, remember?'
'Goodness, you're right, Celeste,' Mother said. 'How alarming. Maybe it's best she doesn't love Sirius. Jethro can have her.'
'It's a theory,' Aveta admitted.
'I have another one,' I said. 'It came to me the other night. Trinity said she was over here researching her family tree. What if her ancestor is the witchfinder, Tobias Palmer?'
They both looked at me doubtfully.
'And why should that be the case?' Aveta asked.
'I was thinking what a huge coincidence it is that she chose now, of all times, to do her research. The very time that Blaise arrives in the twenty-first century. And I thought, what if witchfinders have some gene they carry, like witches? Is it possible that Trinity sensed the arrival of the very witch her ancestor tried to catch, and it brought her to Castle Clair in search of him?'
Aveta and Mother looked at each other, then they both burst out laughing.
'Hey!' I said indignantly. 'What's so funny?'
'A witchfinder gene!' Aveta mopped her eyes. 'Oh, Celeste, darling, there's no such thing. Witchfinders were all charlatans. Frightened or power-hungry men, religious zealots or out-and-out misogynists. It's not a genetic condition. There was nothing remotely magical about them, trust me.'
'Oh.' I felt rather deflated. 'Are you sure? I was kind of banking on my theory being correct.'
'I'm sorry to disappoint you,' she said, 'but you need have no fear about Trinity — apart from whatever's going on between her and Jethro that is.'
'Do you know something about her?' Mother asked.
'Of course. You think we didn't check her out thoroughly the minute she arrived in Castle Clair? We've investigated her entire background. She's exactly what she says she is: a well-respected editor working for a reputable publishing company in New York. Only child. She has American and British nationality. Her mother was from York and died a few years ago. Her parents divorced when she was very young, and she has no contact with her father.'
'And her ancestors?'
'They were confectioners in the York area during the nineteenth century. Pleasant, ordinary family, originally from Lincolnshire but moved to Yorkshire in the mid-eighteenth century. Nothing to do with our world. Nothing at all.'
I slumped, almost disappointed. 'Oh. Well, that shuts me up.'
'Not at all,' Mother said, her eyes glinting. 'I shall keep a close eye on Miss Trinity Jones and Jethro Richmond myself, from now on.'
'Do you think Jethro would cheat on Sky?' I asked, feeling sad.
She took a large sip of wine and considered the matter. 'No,' she said at last. 'Not really. I suppose I got carried away, remembering your father and his shenanigans with half the barmaids in North Yorkshire. Jethro's not Raiden. Whatever's going on, I'm sure he would never betray Sky. Goodness,' she put her glass on the coffee table and sat back, looking rather guilty, 'I feel awful about him now. Fancy saying I would turn him into a pot of ink! I must buy him a good bottle of whisky to make it up to him.'
'And Trinity?'
'Hmm. I'm still not sure about her. I'll watch her, see what happens. I can't risk her hurting Sirius.'
'That's a family matter,' Aveta said. 'Nothing to do with the High Council. I'm far more interested in this new power Celeste's displaying.'
I'd had an awful feeling she would be.
'You realise, of course, that you're entering people's minds. That you're walking around in their memories?'
'Yes,' I said uncomfortably, 'and I really don't like it.'
'But it's an incredible gift.'
'More like a curse. Why would I want to intrude like that? I think it's awful, but I don't know how to stop it from happening. I have no control over it. It's quite scary, too, because I can't see anything when it happens. It's as if I go blind. It's just me, alone in the darkness, and then these voices start. All echoey and weird. It's a really disturbing experience.'
'It's extraordinary,' Aveta breathed. 'Another level of witchcraft that few will ever reach.'
'Is it an extension of the power we already have?' Mother asked. 'We all have the ability to remove memories from people, after all. Is this a development from that?'
'Not at all. Yes, witches can remove memories, but only memories that they themselves are a part of, and then only in self-defence. They certainly don't have the ability to walk inside another's mind and be party to memories that are nothing to do with them. This is almost on the level of a Guardian's abilities.'
'I'm so proud,' Mother said. 'This is one in the eye for Zephyr and Titania Ambrose.'
'You're being very flippant,' I said. 'What about me? You do realise how scary this is? I don't know how to stop myself from visiting other people's memories. It's not a pleasant experience.'
'Don't worry about it for now,' Aveta said kindly. 'Control will come with practice. This is still a developing power, but you'll master it, I'm sure. When you do, you'll be able to turn it off when you wish, and, even more usefully, you'll be able to probe people's minds at will. How fascinating will that be?'
'I'm not sure I like the sound of that,' Mother said. 'She is my daughter, after all. I don't like the idea of her climbing inside my memories and having a good rummage around. There are some secrets a mother should never reveal.'
'Believe me, I don't want to know them either,' I said, horrified. 'It's just, right now, I don't seem able to stop them.'
'But you will, eventually,' Aveta said. She eyed me thoughtfully. 'This is such a rare ability among witches, Celeste. It's a great gift. I'm sure you'll be discreet once you've mastered it.'
'Of course I will,' I assured her. 'It's not something I've wanted, believe me. I'd rather not know what's in most people's minds. I've got enough going on in my own to worry about.'
She raised an eyebrow. 'Is there something else worrying you?'
'Apart from Blaise pushing you to do things you're not comfortable with, and a man with acorn-coloured eyes,' Mother said pointedly.
I blushed deeply. 'No, no, nothing else. Oh!' I sat up straight and said, 'Actually, there is something, though it's probably not i
mportant.'
'Which is?'
'Spirit!'
'Spirit? Your cat, Spirit?'
'More like your cat these days, Mother, and that's what's upsetting me.' I turned to Aveta. 'Why would a familiar suddenly stop wanting to be with a witch?'
'Don't be ridiculous!' Mother snorted. 'Spirit turned up on our doorstep when you were younger than Aither is now. She's stuck by your side ever since.'
'Maybe so,' I said, 'but she never wants to be with me these days. She wants to stay in with you all the time, and I'll be honest, I find it hurtful.'
Mother opened her mouth to speak, then paused, thinking. 'You know, come to think of it, you're right. We spend lots of time together these days. She doesn't even go to work with you any more, does she?'
'A familiar will stay with a witch as long as they need him or her,' Aveta said thoughtfully. 'They are free to leave if they choose, but most familiars remain loyal to their witches.'
'They certainly do,' Mother said. 'Look at Bran, your father's raven. When Raiden lost his magic, Bran should have flown off to find another charge, but he didn't. He took early retirement and stayed with him instead.'
'You're not making me feel any better,' I said. 'I thought Spirit loved me.'
'I'm sure she does,' Aveta soothed. 'Maybe she feels you don't need her any longer.'
'Why would she think that?' I said. 'Nothing's changed!'
'Blaise is here now,' Mother pointed out. 'Spirit knows how you've always felt about him. Maybe she feels he'll take care of you.'
'With no magic?' Aveta frowned. 'I presume Blaise's magic still hasn't returned, or you'd have mentioned it.'
'No,' I said unhappily. 'And there's no sign of it coming back at all. He's ever so upset about it.'
'I have to tell you,' Aveta said, 'that it seems unlikely to me it will ever come back now.'
'What? But it has to! You said—'
'I know what I said, but it's been over three months. I find it hard to believe it will suddenly return after all this time. Celeste, Iliana, I know this is a peculiar question, but do you think it's possible Blaise never had powers at all?'
'Of course he had powers! He was a famous witch,' I gasped.
'We thought Bevil had powers, too, remember?' She shook her head. 'It never even occurred to us it was Jennet who had the strongest magic. Maybe she was the only one of the three?'
'But Blaise said—'
'I know what he said, but I also know what proud and haughty men are like. We only have his word for it. Unless ...'
She broke off and Mother and I exchanged worried glances.
'Unless what?' Mother demanded, eventually.
Aveta looked distracted. 'Sorry? Oh, er, nothing. Just thinking of various possibilities, that's all. You know, Celeste, although you tacked this little worry on at the end of your conversation, this may be the most significant thing you've said all evening.'
'Thanks,' I said. 'I think. So, I'm right to be worried?'
'Perhaps. It's certainly an unusual turn of events.'
'I'll tell you something else,' Mother said, her forehead creasing with worry, 'it's not just Spirit that's behaving oddly.'
'Oh? Who else?' Aveta enquired.
'Belasko,' I said, remembering how he'd attached himself to Blaise. 'He's taken a real liking to Blaise and is always by his side.'
'Yes, Sirius is quite put out about it,' Mother said. 'I think he feels rather jealous.'
'Does he? He's never mentioned it to me,' I said.
'He's hardly likely to, is he? Belasko has chummed up with Blaise, of all people, and we all know how you feel about him. Well,' she added as an afterthought, 'we all thought we did.'
'But Blaise has no magic,' Aveta said. 'Why would Belasko abandon Sirius for a man with no magic? This is most intriguing.'
'I suppose it is,' Mother agreed. 'Do you think it has anything to do with the prophecy?'
'I don't know,' Aveta admitted. 'I'll ask around, see if anyone has any experience of this happening before.'
'There is ... one more thing,' I said cautiously.
'Goodness, we'll never get home at this rate,' Mother said.
'Sorry, but it's — well, talking of ravens and prophecies. There's another raven on the scene. A female. She's been—' I gave a self-conscious laugh, aware of how stupid it seemed, 'she's been following me.'
'Following you? Why didn't you say anything?'
'I wasn't sure at first, and I didn't want to worry you. But she keeps popping up all over the place, and she just sits there, staring at me. It's weird.'
Aveta shook her head. 'I have no idea what to make of all this. I'll speak to Amlodd. He's the expert on ravens and familiars. It all sounds very unusual and we can't rule anything out. Be careful, Celeste. We have no way of knowing where this raven came from or what her intentions are.'
'You think she could mean Celeste harm?'
'Who knows? It's not unheard of. You've just said yourself, Celeste, that Jennet's raven attacked Blaise so she could blast him over the castle wall. Ravens are remarkably intelligent creatures and can be used for evil as much as they can for good. Take care when you're out and about and keep an eye out for her. Make a note of when you see her and what she's doing. Anyway,' she finished, 'I have a lot to tell the other members of the High Council, and you have a lot to sort out at home.' Her eyes twinkled with mischief. 'Not least the little matter of how a certain person feels about a man with acorn-coloured eyes.'
****
I avoided Blaise's attentions when we got home from Aveta's, though more from luck than management. By the time we arrived back at Castle Lodge, Castor was home and informed us Blaise was fast asleep, snoring his head off.
'Heard him loud and clear when I went up to get changed,' he told us, 'so I reckon it's best you don't disturb him, don't you?'
'I have no intention of disturbing him,' I said, earning a knowing look from Mother.
'What are you doing home so early, Castor?' she enquired, heading into the kitchen to make strong coffee, although it was almost bedtime.
Castor shrugged. 'Couldn't settle. Me heart isn't in darts these days. Or owt else, come to that.'
I thought about what Star had told me. Why had Castor visited Mrs Greenwood? I longed to ask him, but I could imagine only too well what his reaction would be, and I wasn't sure I felt up to dealing with it. Instead, I snuggled beside him on the sofa and, after a moment's hesitation, he put his arm around me.
Spirit jumped up beside me and climbed onto my lap, which made me so happy that, for a moment, it felt like all was right with my world.
'Sirius not back, I take it?' Mother asked, returning to the living room with two coffees for us, and a hot chocolate for Castor.
'Nah, he'll be out having a good time with that red-headed lass.' Castor reached for the hot chocolate and nodded his thanks. 'Never seen a lad so smitten so fast. Well, I tell a lie there, 'cos he were the same with Carissa, remember, Iliana?' He sighed. 'The lad doesn't fall for many lasses, but when he falls, he falls hard.'
'How do you feel about Trinity, Castor?' I asked, suddenly curious to know what his take on Sirius's new love interest was.
'Trinity? She's all right.' He sniffed, considering the matter. 'Bit full on, but that's Americans for you, isn't it? Thing is, I reckon that, underneath all that "Gee, ain't life wonderful, ain't everything so cute" guff, she's actually lonely.'
'Lonely? Trinity?' I hadn't considered the possibility before.
'Seen her for meself,' he said. 'When he brought her round here, and she were all friendly and touchy-feely, ugh! Any road, there were quiet moments. Moments when you lot were yak, yak, yak the way you do, and I saw her ...'
'Saw her what?' I asked nervously.
'Watching. Watching you all with this look in her eye.'
'What sort of look?' Mother asked sharply.
'Sort of, sad. Envious, maybe. There were a — I dunno — a longing there. Lass has no family, has she?' he pointed
out. 'Fine having a high-flying career and a swanky apartment in New York, but it's not much use when you've got no one to share it with, is it?'
'She has two flatmates,' I remembered.
'Not the same, though, is it? Colleagues, she told us. Revealing, that. Not friends. Colleagues. Reckon she's proper lonely meself.'
I'd never even considered that possibility before, and I confess I felt rather ashamed of myself for not picking up on it.
'He hasn't told her about his magic yet, though,' Mother pointed out. 'It could all change when he has that little conversation with her. The question is, will she react as positively as Jethro did, or as badly as Benedict?' She looked deeply worried. 'Do you think she genuinely cares for Sirius?'
Castor snorted with laughter. 'Are you joking? Barmy about him, isn't she?'
'But how do you know for sure?' she persisted.
Castor sighed. 'I know. I've seen that look before. I've been in love meself, once or twice, remember?'
Once or twice? I knew he'd had a very happy marriage with Enid, but I couldn't imagine for the life of me he'd ever been involved with anyone else. A figure of speech, I decided, before dwelling on what else he'd said. Castor was a shrewd judge of character, and if he thought Trinity genuinely loved Sirius, then ...
I realised, actually, he didn't seem particularly keen on Blaise, which seemed strange.
'You don't like Blaise much, do you?' I asked suddenly.
Castor almost choked on his hot chocolate.
'Celeste!' Mother reproved. 'Why on earth would you say that?'
'But you don't, do you?' I asked him. 'I'm right, aren't I?'
He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and stared grumpily into his hot chocolate. 'Never said that, did I?'
'You didn't have to. It's been written all over your face ever since he got here.'
'I just — I just don't think he's good enough for you. There I've said it,' he pronounced, putting his mug on the coffee table. 'I've seen the way you've mooned over him for — well, for as long as I can remember. But he's not a fairy-tale prince, Celeste. He's a flesh and blood bloke now, and he's right here, and his ways aren't your ways. Truth is, he's not right for you. You deserve better.'