The Witch's Thief

by Tricia Schneider

  And then, mysteriously, Basil followed.

  The difference being that Sage returned home after a few months of adventuring, and Basil did not.

  As if he could read her mind, Basil looked at her. They stared at one another for several moments as Sage rambled on about the weather and nearly being frozen in snow as the storm raged. She saw the query in his gaze. The question she could not answer. And in return, she sent her own question to him with her eyes.

  Why did he leave Meryton all those years ago? Why did he leave her?

  “I must call for Mrs. Prescott,” Julia said, breaking eye contact with Basil and interrupting Sage’s lengthy meteorological discourse. “I’m certain she wishes to see you at once.” She turned to leave.

  “I’ve spoken with Parker,” Sage said, his voice stopping her. “He tells me she is resting. Her afternoon nap, I believe.”

  Julia’s hand tightened around the doorknob. The instinct to flee overwhelmed her.

  She thought it difficult before, keeping secrets. First from Mrs. Prescott, then from Basil and now Sage? Was there no end to it? She bit her lip, forcing her mouth closed when she wanted to blurt out the truth. To allow Basil and his family to assist her in her quest to save her sister.

  But, in doing so, she would damn them, and she could never live with herself if another suffered because of her actions.

  What must be done?

  She looked over her shoulder to see Sage, now standing beside his brother. Basil hung his head, looking down as he whispered softly. Julia could only guess he spoke of the embrace Sage witnessed upon entering the room.

  “Ah,” Sage said, and the sound of surprise in his voice sent a tremor of awareness through her. Sage lifted his head acknowledging something by the window. “Miss Marianne, I did not see you there. How do you do?”

  A chill swept through Julia, and her hand clenched over the doorknob, her nails biting into the brass. Her breath lodged in her chest, choking her, but her body froze as the scene played out before her.

  Marianne, who sat crumpled and weeping on the window seat, heard Sage speaking her name. She lifted her head in surprise, her mouth opening to gape at him.

  Sage continued to smile, as he awaited Marianne’s response.

  Basil lifted his head. He looked first at her. But, Julia could not tear her gaze away from Sage and Marianne. For since Marianne did not respond to Sage’s greeting, he now took steps closer.

  “Why is it, Basil, that I enter the room to find two women weeping? What have you done?”

  Basil’s gaze swung in turn from Sage, to the window seat, which remained empty to his eyes, then back to Julia, the horror dawning on his face. The dagger of betrayal penetrated her heart.

  Sage could see Marianne.

  He could see her!

  Julia didn’t know what sort of power Sage possessed, but he was strong enough to see the spell that tore Marianne’s spirit from her flesh. A sudden realization sent Julia into a horrible panic.

  Marianne would tell Sage. Tell him what happened.

  If she did that…

  It was over. Their lives were forfeit.

  Julia could think of one thing. Only one thing might save them now.

  She turned the doorknob, opened the door and ran.

  ****

  Basil heard Sage’s voice, but couldn’t quite make out the words. He stood frozen for a moment, staring at the empty space Julia had just occupied.

  His brother’s arrival had not been all that surprising. After all, he frequently corresponded with Sage, sending his letters to the London house where Aunt Petunia rarely ventured. It was in part Sage’s last missive besides his aunt’s that had sounded rather desperate and solidified his plans to return to England. Upon reaching Merriweather Manor and realizing he’d have to make the trek to Uncle Arden’s to rescue his sisters, Basil knew he’d have to wait for the snowstorm to end before embarking on that journey. He wagered Sage would make an appearance before too long.

  Having Sage discover Julia in his embrace, he was sure, must have been rather shocking. Surprising even, but not unexpected. Sage was certain to have remembered the relationship he and Julia shared once long ago.

  And Sage sent him a questioning look as he handed her the handkerchief to wipe away her tears. Tears apparently caused by Basil.

  “What have you done?” Sage had whispered, while Julia took measured steps toward the door.

  “Nothing, I assure you,” Basil answered, seconds before Julia announced she would seek out Aunt Petunia.

  And then Sage spoke of Marianne.

  No…to Marianne where Basil saw no Marianne.

  The cold emanating from the room penetrated Basil’s chest, straining to touch his heart.

  “Oh, Gods,” he said.

  He looked into Julia’s eyes and the truth shined in her panicked face. When he arrived looking for Julia, she had been speaking to someone. Speaking to an empty room. Or so he thought.

  Marianne.

  Basil looked over his shoulder as Sage approached the window seat, speaking softly to…nothing. There was nothing to see.

  Nothing his eyes could see, but something very real to both his brother and Julia.

  “Marianne?” Basil spoke her name, questioning his sanity and his brother’s eyesight. Was it possible? Julia indicated earlier that her sister was in residence. Although he had yet to see her, he did not think it unusual. Even as children, Marianne was one to run off to enjoy her solitude. Of course, now that he thought on it, he found it odd she did not come down to greet him. Even Marianne would come to greet him after ten years abroad.

  Julia fled the room. He let her go. Instead of chasing after her, as his heart wished to do, he walked over to where his brother spoke to the air by the window.

  “What are you doing?” Basil asked. He hoped Sage played false, some morbid game, but he knew his brother too well.

  Sage spared him a glance. “The poor woman is speechless,” he said. “Just what have you been saying to the young ladies to upset them so?”

  “What woman?” Basil asked. “I see none.”

  Sage’s brow furrowed. He looked from Basil back to the window seat and back again.

  “Are you blind? Marianne is sitting here weeping, and you don’t see her?” Sage asked, his voice rising in anger. “It’s unbelievably rude of you, Basil, to ignore her so. She’s clearly distraught.”

  Basil grasped his brother’s shoulder. “No, Sage, I do not see her.”

  The meaning of his words must have shown in his face for Sage gasped.

  “Truly?”

  Basil nodded, solemnly. What was going on? Was this the black magic he sensed? Marianne was invisible to all but Sage…and Julia.

  He tilted his head and considered again. Julia had been talking strangely. As if she spoke to someone who was here…

  “Damn,” Basil muttered.

  Marianne was here, cloaked from visibility, and Julia knew. But why did she not say? Why keep it secret?

  He turned back to the door, ready to ask Julia the many questions that needed answering, only to find the doorway empty. Yes, she had fled.

  “I do believe something is amiss,” Sage muttered.

  “I agree,” Basil said. “We must speak to Julia.”

  ****

  Julia ran to the library, nearly flew to the mantel over the fireplace, skidding to a halt just short of tumbling into the flames. She pressed the hidden panel that she stumbled upon weeks ago during her search. When the panel popped open, she yanked the ancient tomes none too gently into her arms. Though there were six, she only managed three.

  She shook her head. There was no time to find a sack to carry them in, and she could not risk coming back for the rest. These three would have to do.

  Not bothering to close the panel, she hurried from the room, running most awkwardly while hoisting the three heavy tomes up the stairs to her bedroom.

  Once inside, she gasped for breath and dumped her burden onto the
bed. Grabbing the bottle with the summoning powder, she raced to the full-length ornately framed mirror nailed to the wall.

  Quickly, she blew the powder over the glass, speaking the words of the spell all the while praying Drake was nearby to notice.

  She was in luck.

  Within moments, Drake appeared.

  ****

  “She’s been cursed by a necromancer,” Sage said.

  Chills coursed down Basil’s spine. That explained the black magic he sensed, and the reason no one could see Marianne. All except Julia and his brother. He pondered that for only a moment. Now was not the time.

  “Why did Julia not speak of this?”

  Sage listened. Apparently, Marianne could hear all that was spoken in the room and answered Basil’s question.

  “She was warned not to speak to anyone, nor seek any assistance. Although her spirit is free to roam as she pleases, the necromancer has Marianne’s body. If Julia disobeyed and anyone learned the truth, he can easily end Marianne’s life.”

  “And now we know,” Basil said, taking a breath. “Is Marianne in danger because of it?”

  Sage shrugged. “Possibly. She’s not certain. She’s been begging Julia to ask for our help. She’s willing to risk her life for a chance to escape this madness.”

  “Yes, but Julia would never risk her sister’s life.” Basil sighed heavily, running a hand over his eyes. “How long has she been cursed?”

  “Six months,” Sage repeated then flinched. “Good God! With no one to help you? It’s no wonder you’re willing to risk death!” He moved forward, making an awkward motion with his hands in the air.

  Basil frowned.

  Sage clenched his fingers and leaned back. “I cannot touch her. I feel the cold as my hand passes through her.”

  “I felt it earlier,” Basil admitted. “She must have tried to touch me.”

  “There, there,” Sage said. “We will help you. Whatever must be done, we will do it.” To Basil, he said, “She is sobbing, poor girl. And I cannot hold her to offer any comfort. Never before have I felt so helpless!”

  Basil agreed, although he was accustomed to feeling helpless against his own demons.

  “What must be done? How is the curse lifted?”

  Sage listened.

  “A spell. The necromancer is seeking a spell and promises Julia that he will return Marianne’s spirit to her body when she finds it.” He paused. “He’s ordered Julia to search Merriweather Manor. She’s been searching for six months to no avail. She cannot find the correct spell.”

  Basil nodded, remembering his father’s spellbook in the library. “So, that’s what she was looking for.”

  “He says the spell must be found by the end of the full moon. He will not wait any longer. Why, that’s tomorrow night.”

  “This explains her desperation,” Basil said. “Come, we must find Julia. We need to discuss what must be done.”

  “Where do you think she has gone?”

  “I have a suspicion she might have gone to the library. She was reading a spellbook there yesterday.”

  “Let’s go,” Sage said.

  When they arrived at the library, Basil could see clearly that Julia was no longer there. But, she had been.

  The secret panel was, of course, opened. Three of his father’s books missing.

  “Where would she take them?”

  Sage listened, then let out a curse. “Marianne tells me she’s been communicating with the necromancer through the mirror in her room. It could be she means to bargain with him for her life, using the grimoires. Julia has not found the spell, but she worried she might have skipped a page. She’s been going over them every day for weeks.”

  “If she means to pass them through the mirror…” Basil did not finish his thought. Instead, he ran from the room, daring to hope he could stop Julia in time.

  Those books contained valuable, even dangerous, spells that could not be revealed to just any witch, and especially not a necromancer.

  He raced for the stairs.

  ****

  “Do you have what I seek?”

  “Yes,” she lied. She hurried back to the bed, hefted the heavy grimoires back into her arms and waddled over to the mirror with them. “Here.”

  Drake’s eyebrow rose. “You don’t know which one?”

  “I haven’t the time to search thoroughly, but I am assured the spell you seek is in one of these grimoires. It must be. They were stashed away, hidden in a secret panel in the library. And they are old. Very old. Please, Drake,” she said, despising herself for the note of pleading in her voice. “I have no more time to search. I’ve been discovered. Please, you must release Marianne.”

  “Give them to me,” Drake said.

  “I don’t know the words,” she said. She hadn’t planned on using the portal. She hoped to have found the spell months ago and planned to travel to Drake’s castle to deliver it. She never traveled by mirror portal and preferred not to do so now, even to pass the books through.

  However…

  The pounding on the door heralded her urgency to overcome any uneasiness. The mirror portal was her only choice.

  Basil was here.

  Drake spoke the words, and Julia repeated them. The glass of the mirror vibrated, the waves rippling at a maddening rate.

  A hand broke through the waves, large masculine fingers uncurled in her direction, seeking the books he desired. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

  Was this a wise decision? Was this what she needed to do?

  Julia could weep for uncertainty. She couldn’t trust Drake, but she dare not trust Basil either.

  She was alone.

  “Julia!” A man’s voice yelled from beyond the bedroom door, the pounding continued as he fought to gain entrance. The frame shook. It would only be moments before he broke in.

  She handed the volumes over to Drake. Instead of grabbing the spellbooks, his hand grasped her arm and pulled.

  ****

  He pounded on the solid door. Again and again, pausing only to listen to movement inside. At first he heard voices, but it grew silent, and the gnawing worry in his belly grew.

  If Julia came to harm…

  Basil needed to protect her. Every fiber in his being told him that. And once he held her in his arms again, he did not intend to ever let her go. He was a fool to abandon her all those years ago.

  “Julia, open the door!”

  Sage skidded to a stop behind him. “Back away,” he said and pushed Basil away from the door. Then Sage grasped the doorknob, closed his eyes and whispered an unlocking spell. When he turned his hand, the door opened. He looked at Basil with a smile. “You never could unlock a door like me.”

  Basil thanked him, then unceremoniously pushed him aside. He stopped just at the threshold.

  Julia stood in front of a full-length mirror, grasping a protruding hand. She caught a glimpse of him before the man on the other side yanked her through the portal.

  “No! Julia!”

  Basil rushed to the mirror, but was too late. She was gone. However, the portal remained open, and he wasted no time in throwing himself into it.

  There was no thought in his head other than to save Julia.

  “Basil!” He heard Sage’s frantic yell as he tumbled through the portal.

  He had a moment as he flung himself through that if Reed were here, he’d never hear the end of it. It was not a painful passage, merely uncomfortable. His body stretched, as if his arms and legs were tugged by unseen forces and his torso by another. In the space of two heartbeats, he found entry on the other side of the mirror.

  Basil stumbled forward, falling to the ground. He landed hard, his face smacking into stone floor. His body felt oddly disoriented from the passage. Though his brain screamed to launch to his feet, his arms and legs were slow to respond.

  He heard male laughter at the same moment booted feet appeared within inches of his face.

  “What have we here?” the man sai
d, his voice amused. “I do believe, Miss Grey, he has come to rescue you.”

  A chill ran through Basil’s spine. He knew that voice. It was as well known to him as his own.

  “No,” Basil whispered, the grief in his heart too much to bear. “It cannot be.”

  He rolled onto his back, his body still not ready to command more than this simple movement. And once he was there, looking up at the man’s face, Basil wished he had remained staring at the stone floor.

  Although ten long years passed since he had last seen Drake, his appearance remained the same, save for the bit of gray acquired along his temples. His face was identical to his memory. His eyes, however, were different. A hardness was there he had never seen before, and Basil understood he looked into the eyes of a man he loved, but did not know. The once blue eyes, always twinkling with merriment, now dulled to an icy color. Cold, hard. There was anger, pain and despair in his gaze despite his chilling laughter.

  “Greetings, brother,” Drake said. “Welcome home.”

  Chapter Seven

  Sage fell through the mirror portal seconds after Basil appeared. He stumbled over his brother, but had better balance, managing to stay afoot rather than fall to the ground.

  “Ah, Sage,” Drake said, with an eerie smile. “So glad you’ve joined us.”

  He whispered a few words, waved his hand toward his brother and Sage stilled.

  Frozen. Unable to move. Bound in spell.

  Julia shook with fury.

  “This was not part of our bargain.” She stepped forward, kneeling beside Basil who continued to stare at his brother. He was shocked. He hadn’t known of his younger brother’s evil-doing, and she had hoped to protect him from the knowledge. Surely he’d never discover the truth if he hadn’t followed her through the portal.

  If Drake hadn’t pulled her through…

  “Drake.” Basil moved first his arms, then his legs. Julia helped him to his feet. “What have you done?”