They were approaching the by-pass. The street lights shone through the rain like a lighthouse for a lost sailor. He felt himself gaining strength from their glow. Knowing they were nearing their destination, just a quick wiz round the by-pass and then fifteen miles into the countryside, they would soon arrive at Simon’s.
He turned right onto the ring road, pushing the car faster as the rain at last began to thin. It still covered the car with mist, but his view was much improved. He cancelled the spell to conserve his energy for the battle he knew lay ahead. It would be close if it came to a fight. Both he and Simon were weak. Robert, on the other hand, was full of power. And if the Aldona was there, she was unpredictable and flighty. She may help either side or smite them all out of spite. He would not want to bet on her coming down on their side.
He came upon the first roundabout a little quick. The car rose momentarily onto two wheels as he overcooked the turn. A burst of adrenaline sent tingles up his arms and he wrestled the wheel to force the car back down. They made it around, the Audi sliding for a few desperate seconds before he regained control. He steadied his breathing and caught his shattered nerves and headed the car forward, still speeding in the right direction.
He eased up just a little as they approached the next roundabout. He could see water running off the road as he steered into it. The car gripped and turned beautifully this time, completing the turn in textbook style. He pointed it into the straight and pushed the speed back up. One more roundabout and they would start to head down the hill into the flatlands below.
Simon was very touchy about Lincoln’s reputation as the flat county. The city itself was built on the Lincoln edge, an embankment which allowed its Cathedral to dominate the surrounding countryside. It was that edge they now drove down, leaving the glow of the city behind they headed into the darkened night spread out before them.
As he drove, Alex thought of Simon’s love for Lincoln and the surrounding countryside. He was obsessed with its history, and rightly proud of his birthplace. Lincoln was built around the magnificent Medieval Cathedral. Which had been used as Westminster Abbey in a recent film, Simon loved to brag. Next to the Cathedral was a majestic castle once the home of William the Conqueror and housing one of only four original copies of the Magna-Carta. It was a good history, and Simon was right to be proud. Alex glanced at his friend still sleeping, his eyes flicked rapidly as they started to descend the hill.
On the left, he knew there was a field with riding stables and a cross country course. Jenny had competed there as a child.
They were at the bottom of the hill, and once again drove under street lights as another roundabout appeared. He could see the rain lit up as it fell, each drop shining bright in the night. Just a few more miles and they would be on the last leg. They had plenty of time.
Simon opened his eyes. “How we doing?”
“Not far. We’ll be off the by-pass soon and then just a few more miles. Any chance of a cuppa?” Alex laughed.
“I always keep a fresh box of Assam, just in case… you visit.”
“Then when this is over, you can make her a tea, which will make you a bigger hero than we will both be for saving her.”
Simon smiled back at his friend.
They travelled the next few miles in silence, eventually coming to the turn to Whisby. Alex slowed the car just enough to make the turn across the by-pass onto the smaller road. He mentally thanked Sophana that there was no traffic to delay them.
He pushed down on the accelerator but not as hard as previously. They needed to slow the pace a little as the road was twisty and narrow, with no street lights to help dispel the gloom. But Alex knew it well and only eased up for the worst of the corners. He was approaching one of them, just after a garden centre, when he heard a loud BANG. The Audi ducked down to the left and then careered straight off the road, into a ditch, crashing into the other side with considerable force.
The companions were all thrown forward, caught by seat belts except Rosie, who hit the front seat and ended up on the floor. She howled in pain as her bruised body made contact with the car.
The car stopped instantly, headlights buried deep into the mud bank, providing little view of what was happening. The air bags had both gone off in the front, and Simon was moaning, with the force of the impact to his tortured face.
Alex felt like he had been hit with a brick wall. He blinked his eyes and pushed the airbag away from his face. The seat belt had tightened on his body and compressed his chest making breathing hard. I don’t have time for this. He fought against the belt and the plastic of the air bag, panic causing him to thrash and grab and claw. He reigned in his panic and shook off the pain that was splitting his head from the inside. He had to stay calm. He sat back, stunned, but he was all right. If they could get the car out he could drive. He checked behind him. Doris rubbed her head and pulled on the seat belt. She would have a nasty bruise, but she was fine just a little shell shocked. Rosie was dragging herself back onto the seat, looking at him as if to say, you call yourself a driver?
Panic tried to worm into him and he fought it back down. He had to get them back on the road. He opened the door and stepped out into the rain. He fell straight into a ditch, water reached up to his waist. “Damn.” He punched the car as the ice cold water engulfed his body.
Pulling himself out of the water, he grabbed hold of a nettle. Yelling and letting go, he fell back into the freezing water. The rain continued to fall, just a light drizzle now, but he was soaked, cold and terrified they would be too late.
He hauled himself out of the ditch using the car for support. Shaking the water from his shoes, he walked round the car, as he thought the left front tire was flat. They must have damaged it in their earlier off-road excursion.
Simon opened his door.
“Don’t get out,” Alex called.
Alex climbed back into the water and worked his way to the front of the car. He tried to push. It was no use the vehicle was wedged tight into the bank and was not going to move. The ache had returned to his head, he rubbed it abstractedly he had to get them out of there fast. Time was slip, slipping away from them and with it Jenny’s hope. Clambering back through the cold water his teeth began to chatter. Using the car, he hauled himself out of the dike and back onto the road.
He stood back from the car, his hair was plastered over his head, he was soaked and cold and he could feel himself slipping into despondency. He must not give in. Jenny needed him. Bringing his hands together a foot in front of his chest, eyes closed, he concentrated, calming himself and building power. The unrelenting drizzle continued to fall, dripping from his ears and nose. It ran down his face and into his eyes. He shut it out and focused on the car. Then, pulling his arms towards him with great effort, his face reddening, and jaw clenched, he used magic to haul the car towards him. Eyes still closed, he stepped back, and grunted with pain as the Audi was pulled from the dike and back onto the tarmac. With the car extracted he collapsed onto the boot. Simon stepped out into the rain and came around to his friend. “How you doing?” he asked.
“I feel like I just gave birth to your bloody car.”
“We are both wrecks. Robert’s gonna walk all over us.” Simon popped the boot and got out the jack.
Alex fell into the passenger seat, exhausted and was instantly asleep.
Doris opened her door and stepped out into the rain. She has a bruise above her left eye. “Here.” She took the jack from Simon. “Let me. You need to heal also.”
Together, coated in the soaking rain, they changed the tire. They fought through the dark, wet and cold, and the simple task seemed to take forever. Finished, Simon crossed to the driver’s seat.
“No,” Doris called. “Let me drive so you can rest.”
He nodded, his face still covered in angry red welts, his bottom lip a purple gash, his teeth still too far exposed.
The car jerked forwards as Doris set off. She peered over the steering wheel into the gloom before
them but her confidence was growing and soon she had control of the Audi. “What’s going to happen when we get there? Have you a plan?” she asked, steering the big Audi through the mizzle as they headed towards Wyleford Woods.
Simon breathed in before answering. “We kick ass, rescue the girl and all live happily ever after.”
“Really?”
“Robert is very powerful. Together we should beat him.” His face was drawn yet he tried to look confident. “But we are both injured, and I’m worried about you and young Rosie here.” He stroked the smooth hair of the dog’s head. She was resting on his lap, eyes closed enjoying the contact. “After what she did to Robert he will want her dead, just for spite.”
“I’ll be fine,” Doris said. “He can control me easily and wants me for Aldona. I don’t think he will hurt me. We could leave Rosie in the car she will be safe there.”
“You’re probably right, but pull over, I have an idea. And pop the trunk.” Simon hopped out of the car not feeling the rain. He rooted about in the back, bringing out a variety of herbs and a small black pouch. He searched through the different compartments looking for some string. His trunk was full of an amazing number of separate areas for herbs, books, artifacts and just various junk he may need for spells. To one side was a pewter horn. At last he spotted a piece of string, sticking out from under some pennywort. He shut the trunk, shrugged off the rain and climbed back into the car.
“What are you up to?” Doris asked.
“Protection,” he replied. “Now let’s go. I need to concentrate.”
Chapter Forty
Robert hauled the unconscious girl towards the house. Holding her arms, he dragged her heels across the concrete, a smile curled onto his face. This side of the property, though modern, was still pretty impressive. As he approached, security lights came on and illuminated the house in its entire splendor. Awestruck he stared up at the property, his left hand holding the forgotten girl. This would do, this was meant for him, and somehow he felt it, the house was his. Eventually, he dropped Jenny’s arm lowering the prone body to the wet tarmac. As he did, he noticed her eye beginning to swell and turn purple. “Oops.”
The house was shrouded in rain, but the mist didn’t deflect from its beauty. He was so engrossed that he did not notice the water as it soaked through his clothes, but just gazed up at the house, mouth open. It was three floors high and had dark wooden windows, eight on each level. Though modern, the brick work was intricate, with contrasting blue brick, surrounding each window and the door. The door itself was set centrally. He could see further around a huge conservatory. As for the gardens, there was not much in the way of planting, but so much potential. He couldn’t wait to get started on making the property his.
Behind him, grass sloped down to the stone and sand beach before the dark, mysterious waters of the lake. Further, around was a deck, and he could just make out a small boat bobbing on the rain soaked waters. He breathed in, smelling honeysuckle and pine.
This was a dream come true. He could see himself in this house. Now he just had to get rid of the troublesome Simon.
He looked towards the woods which surrounded the property. They made a secure impenetrable backdrop, perfect for privacy. Gorse bushes skirted the trees and their yellow flowers seemed to glow in the dark. Wonderful, he thought, with their nasty thorns they made an impenetrable yet glorious looking barrier. The remoteness of the property made it ideal for disposal, which was probably why Simon chose this place. Robert chuckled. Turning back to the house, he was suddenly aware of the rain running down his neck, followed by a shudder as his cold, wet clothes embraced him. He reached down and grabbed Jenny’s wet hand, pulling her towards the door.
He dropped her again as he stood before the wooden door, much nicer than that UPVC crap, he thought. He placed his hand on the handle and turned -- nothing the handle did not move. Concentrating, he mumbled, “Aperire.” The door gave, and he pushed it inwards, relieved that Simon had not thought to lock it mystically.
He entered and dragged Jenny through the gap behind him. Her arm caught on the frame. Anger caused him to jerk her until it came through, and her head bounced on the marble floor with a satisfying clunk. He reached out, searching for a light with his right hand.
The switch came on and he gasped as light flooded the magnificent hall. Before him was an entranceway of spectacular proportions. Black marble stretched out to a double stairway, rising to a balcony of mahogany wood. Carved dark wooden doors led off the lower level, two of which were open. He loved the muted colors, much more nefarious than the white marble of the Stephens’ house. Yes he approved.
He needed to search the house to find the seal and get some rest. If Simon worked out where he was, there could be a battle, and he had used too much magic today. He could feel the strain, how tired and weak he was. Damn it, Jenny should not have been able to break his spell and get out of the car.
As he wandered across the entrance way, water ran from him and his wet shoes squelched on the floor leaving a watery trail. Pulling Jenny across the slippery floor was easy and even a little fun. He tried the first door. Inside was a small reception room. No good. He tried the next, the kitchen.
He had expected an oak kitchen, something classic, but instead it was a green shaker design, modern and not his taste. He would change it. He let go of Jenny, watching to see if she moved. Nothing. Her breath was very shallow, she was going nowhere. To one side was a dining room, a living room on the other side. He needed to find the seal. He pulled a chair from the table and sat. The easiest way was to use magic, but each spell drained his energy. Still, Alex and Simon had both suffered great injuries. Even if they found him, he would be stronger.
He closed his eyes and concentrated. A map of the house, formed in his mind. Six bedrooms, nice. The upper level was four bedrooms and a small granny flat, nothing there. The middle level had a lounge with a balcony looking out over the lake. There were two bedrooms on it as well as an office, and a games room. He paused, looking at the full sized snooker table. This just got better, but nothing to help him find the seal.
The ground floor had the kitchen, a dining room, a lounge opening out into a conservatory, which had access to the lawned gardens and lake. Further around was a swimming pool and hot tub. The house was wonderful and he found his mind drifting. He imagined the life he would have here, floating on the crystal clear water of the swimming pool, drinking a nice merlot in the hot tub. He would have so much power he could have anything. Tick tock, he thought, don’t get carried away time is running out. Where was the seal, of course he should have started on the ground floor, but the house had seduced him with its beauty. He concentrated on the map in his mind, feeling for the pull of the Aldona. There were two smaller reception rooms, a library and a utility that opened into the garage. As he saw each room, he made a note of what he liked, and what must go once he has disposed of Simon. At least most of it was acceptable. The conservatory was yellow, sunny sofas and bright blinds. They would have to go. Sophie had filled their house with yellow. He hated it. He wanted blacks and purples and even the deep red of Aldona. The one thing Sophie had rebelled about was the decoration of the house. He had tried to use magic, had even tried to bully her, but for once she held her ground. In the end he had given up, letting her have her own way. Another reason to get rid of her, and maybe just before the end he would tell her, that’s for painting so many rooms yellow.
He felt a strong pull towards the garage. The seal must be in there. He closed his eyes, sinking his head to the table and resting just for a second.
He sat up. “No rest for the wicked,” he said to the silent room. There was a little over an hour left, and he must find and open the seal. He grabbed Jenny and began to pull her back across the marble towards the utility and the garage. She stirred slightly as he grabbed her hand. “Not now you damn bitch,” he mumbled, dragging her along behind him.
They went into the utility past a washer and dryer. Wellies stood
to attention below a rack of coats, the cupboards and surfaces were all so tidy. Simon appeared to be a bit of a neat freak.
The door into the garage was locked. Robert closed his eyes and used another spell to open it. Stumbling with effort, he dragged Jenny through. The garage was also tidy, a quad parked on one side, a bench at the end and a few cupboards and tools around the side. He walked further in and spotted the ride on mower. He felt a physical tug towards it. Dropping Jenny to the floor, he crossed over and ran his hands over the red plastic of the sleeping beast. It seemed to throb with unseen power. The seal was close. He stepped onto the mower turned the key. The engine struck instantly, the mower ticking over. He examined the controls. A throttle leaver appeared to control forwards and reverse. He pushed it upwards. The machine lumbered forward, bumping the wall with a dull thud before he could knock it back into neutral. He turned off the engine, hands shaking a little with fatigue and adrenaline as he did so.
Stepping from the mower, he saw the door that its bulk had hidden. A metal plate was set into the garage floor about four feet wide. “At long last.” He knew nothing could stop him now.
Chapter Forty-One
Robert had found the seal at last. He released a long breath, felt a weight lift from his shoulders and the muscles in his back relaxed. All was back on plan. He kneeled beside the metal door set into the garage floor. It was a circular plate, steel, not pewter. Robert was a little disappointed. Aldona adored pewter, and to scrimp on this entrance seemed cheap. There were no carvings on the seal, so it could just as easily be an opening into the sewers, but he could feel this was the place. Power emanated up towards him. Reaching out towards it a lump appeared in his throat. He touched the metal. Minute vibrations pulsed through his hand, lifting the hairs on his arms and pulling him towards his destiny. Closing his eyes, he allowed the thrill to course through him.
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