by TJ Green
Avery struggled to find the right words, but Alex said, “I’m so sorry, mate. But at least he’s looking out for you.”
“Yeah, I guess so. I shouldn’t need him to save me though, should I?”
“He’s your big brother, that’s what he does.”
“But why now?” Reuben asked, genuinely confused. “I haven’t seen him all year!”
Alex leaned against the counter. “I don’t know either, but there’s obviously a disturbance in the spirit world, enough to shake up lots of things. I’m glad we have him on our side.”
“But I don’t want him battling other spirits!” Reuben said, annoyed. “I want him resting in the afterlife…whatever that may be!”
Briar lifted her head from her task and watched Reuben. “I think Gil’s doing what he needs to do right now. Hopefully when this is over, we won’t hear from him again.”
Reuben just nodded, his eyes firmly on the floor again.
El’s hand was resting on his arm, to comfort both of them, Avery thought, and she squeezed it gently. She was trying to be calm, but Avery could see she was struggling. “What were you doing on Gull Island? If you’d been seriously injured, we would never have found you!”
He looked sheepish. “Reminiscing about Gil, actually. Hearing about him yesterday made me want to see the cave again, so I went.” He glanced at Caspian. “I got a bit angry, and then I started thinking about smuggling, and who exactly would have been involved in our family. Anyway, I headed to the cave by the beach. Remember it, Avery?” he said looking at her.
She nodded. “Of course. It had the hidden catch in the stone door.” She remembered how Reuben had found the mechanism, allowing them to enter the cave beyond that led to the rocky beach.
“That’s where I was jumped.” His eyes took on a far away expression. “I saw a lantern—a ghost lantern. Who knew there could be such a thing? And then I was hit in the chest and lifted clean off my feet. That’s never happened before!”
Avery imagined not. Reuben was a big guy.
“And then,” he continued, “a knife came out of nowhere—with this.” He reached into his pocket with his left hand and pulled out a blood stained note. “It says, ‘Blood will be my vengeance.’” Avery was relieved to see his humour finally return as he attempted a smile. “Ominous, isn’t it? And it left a handful of these.” He reached into his pocket again and produced a couple of gold coins, which he handed to El. He added, “I’ll give you the knife later.”
Alex strode forward, taking the note and scanning the message. “Vengeance? For what?”
Reuben shrugged and winced again. “I have no idea.”
Alex looked from the note to Caspian, who appeared far better than he had earlier, even though he was still unconscious, and frowned. “Why were you two stabbed?”
“I don’t know,” Reuben said. “You’re the one with the crystal ball.”
Alex looked at him impatiently. “Thanks!” He started to pace. “If restless spirits want vengeance on you, then it suggests that your families must have pissed them off in the past.”
Reuben looked at Caspian suspiciously. “I hardly think we’d have worked together.”
“You might have,” Avery said. “Remember all that stuff I found out about Helena? Our families were all merchants in the sixteenth century, and potentially yours were still in the eighteenth. You could have been affected by smuggling and decided to combat it together.”
Reuben shook his head, his face wrinkling with disdain. “But we were involved in the smuggling business, from what I can tell. That doesn’t make sense!”
“Intriguing,” El said, “and worrying. You could be attacked again.”
Eli stopped grinding herbs and leaned on the counter to look at them all, arms crossed over his broad chest. “Potentially, you could have been more badly injured than you were, if not for Gil. The spirit certainly could attack you again. Caspian, too. It’s odd that he could have been killed, but wasn’t. Sounds like the spirit is biding his time…or their time. This could be just the start.”
Avery saw Alex flinch. “I have some bad news too, I’m afraid. Inez Walker was killed today.”
Everyone gasped, and Avery asked, “How?”
“Her skull was crushed by some kind of creature. She was with Newton in the tunnel that led off that cave collapse in Looe.” He held his hands up. “That’s as much as I know.”
Briar’s voice was sharp. “And Newton?”
“He’s uninjured—I think—but upset. Angry, actually. I told him to come to the pub later.”
Avery’s legs suddenly felt weak, and she needed to sit down. She sank onto a stool and used the table to prop herself up. “I had a weird conversation this morning in the shop, after we came back from the museum, El.”
“Of course. I’d forgotten to ask about that,” Briar said, pouring hot water onto the herbs they’d prepared, and releasing their pungent scent into the room. She dropped the cotton cloths into it, keeping busy as she tried to hide how upset she was. “Did you find anything useful?”
“A few interesting things, but my customers mentioned a smuggler that I read about at the museum—Cruel Coppinger.”
El nodded. “I remember that name.”
“According to them, he was very active in White Haven, maybe Harecombe too. I think we should focus on him. I’ll ask Dan to help.”
“And Oswald had news,” El reminded her before addressing the group. “They found the victim’s car, the one in Fowey. It was on the National Trust car park, out of town.”
“That’s not close to the beach!” Alex said.
“Exactly,” El said darkly. “What does that mean?”
Just then Caspian stirred and groaned, sending Briar hurrying to his side, and Eli picked up the dressing and started to treat Reuben’s wound. At the same time, a loud banging sound came from the front of the shop.
“That’s probably Estelle,” Eli said. “Gabe managed to tell her about Caspian.”
“I’ll get her,” Alex said, already leaving the room.
Within seconds Avery heard raised voices and Estelle appeared in the doorway, dressed in a smart skirt and silk blouse, her long hair brushed back from her shoulders. She looked coolly professional, but her eyes blazed with a mixture of fury and worry. “Where is he?”
“I’m here,” Caspian said weakly, as he struggled to sit up. A ray of afternoon sunshine illuminated his pale face, showing dark shadows beneath his eyes.
Briar laid her hand on his shoulder, pushing him back down. “Don’t move. You’ve been stabbed.”
Confusion clouded Caspian’s face, and he glanced around the room, trying to orientate himself. He finally saw Avery, but he looked quickly away to Estelle, who was now at his side.
In typical Estelle manner she hadn’t bothered to greet anyone, instead striding across the room as if they didn’t exist. She dropped to her knees next to Caspian, examining his injuries. He was bare-chested, partially covered by the blanket that had slipped as he struggled to sit. His bruises looked worse now, and a large one bloomed across his cheek.
“What the hell happened?” Estelle asked, her voice sharp as she looked first at Briar, and then the rest of them suspiciously.
“He was attacked by ghosts,” Briar told her calmly. “Avery and Alex found him, and they brought him to me.”
Estelle’s eyes narrowed and her voice dripped with disdain. “Spirits? A likely story. Did one of you do this?”
Avery was so astonished at the accusation that she couldn’t speak, but Briar’s voice was hard and her dark eyes sparkled with an emerald light as the Green Man rose in her. “How dare you! I have spent hours tending to him. We’ve saved his life, you ungrateful bitch!”
Estelle recoiled in surprise, and then she stood, clenching her fists as magic sparked around her. Briar stood too, the scent of earth and old magic pouring off her. Estelle took a quick step back.
Before either could say or do anything else, Eli intervened,
stepping between them, his bulk shielding Briar. “You should be more grateful, Estelle. I suggest you apologise.”
Estelle squared her shoulders and looked up at Eli as if about to speak, but Caspian interrupted. “Estelle, please stop. I feel like death, and can do without you fighting the people who helped me.”
Estelle stared at Eli for a moment longer and then turned to Caspian. “You remember what happened?”
“Vaguely. Will you please sit down?” Despite his obvious pain, his voice was firm.
Estelle glared at them all once more, and then her shoulders dropped. “Go on.”
The tension in the room eased, and Eli returned to finish Reuben’s dressing, as Avery exchanged a worried glance with El. Briar perched on the sofa next to Caspian, as if to protect him from Estelle, her hand resting on his. Her voice was gentle as she said, “Don’t overdo it.”
He smiled at her, albeit weakly. “I couldn’t if I tried. Everything aches.” He pressed his hand to his side. “And this feels like a red hot poker has been stuck in my side.”
“That’s where you were stabbed.”
“What happened?” Estelle repeated sharply.
“I’d just been for a run around the grounds and was heading to the shower, when my protection spells on the house suddenly collapsed and I was struck from behind. The next thing I know, I was fighting for my life against some surprisingly strong ghosts.” He rubbed his face and then winced with pain. “It’s a bit of a blur, actually. Something struck my head, and I don’t remember anything else. I certainly don’t remember being stabbed.” He looked confused. “I don’t understand how I’m here now.”
“Genevieve couldn’t get hold of you,” Avery explained. “She asked me to call you to tell you about tonight’s council meeting. When you didn’t answer me, and your office said you were at home, I headed to your house. I knew something was wrong when I realised your spells were gone. I called Alex for backup.”
Alex was standing next to Avery now, his warm hand on her shoulder, and he gave it a reassuring squeeze as he answered. “It’s a good job she did, too. You still had two spirits in your house. They’re both gone now. We found you in your bedroom, unconscious and bleeding.”
Caspian looked shocked, and so did Estelle. “What could do this?” he asked, struggling to sit up again. “And why?” He tried to laugh. “I know I piss people off, but not usually the dead.”
“I was attacked, too,” Reuben told him, as Eli finished bandaging him up. “More spirits. I think we’re being targeted.” He passed the bloodied message to them and Estelle frowned at it, pinching the paper between the end of her finger and thumb like it carried a disease. “‘Blood will be my vengeance?’ Is this a joke?”
Reuben shook his head. “Nope.”
Estelle looked between him and Caspian. “You two? Why?”
Reuben gave her his most charming smile. “I have no idea, but I aim to find out. And if I were you, Estelle, I’d watch my back. Because if our families are being targeted, that means you might be next.”
Chapter 12
Avery examined the grim faces of the members of the Witches Council who sat around the long, wooden table at Crag’s End.
Not all of the members were present. Claudia had sent her apologies, as had Charlie from Polzeath, Hemani from Launceston, and Gray from Bude. Estelle was there in place of Caspian, her eyes narrowed with annoyance. The windows were open, allowing a warm breeze to circulate around the room, and it carried the scent of roses and lavender from the garden.
Avery had just related the events of the afternoon, and every single member was looking at her, most exhibiting worry, but Mariah and Zane clearly showed dislike. She shifted in her seat, uncomfortable with the level of attention she was getting.
Genevieve spoke after her, swinging her gaze to Estelle. “How is Caspian now?”
“Better,” she conceded, “but still weak. I’ve settled him at home, and renewed all of the protection spells—for whatever good they may be worth. My uncle is with him.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” Genevieve looked back at Avery. “It’s good you checked on him when you did. He might have died.”
“It’s lucky you asked me to,” she answered. “He was very weak. But it is odd. The spirits could have killed him at any time, and yet they didn’t. I don’t understand what’s happening.”
“Of course,” Zane said sharply, “there is only your word to go by on this.”
Avery was too tired to argue and just glared at him. “Oh, shut up, you idiot.”
Her disdain was more shocking than if she’d argued, and Zane’s mouth fell open in surprise.
Rasmus’s gravelly voice broke the stunned silence. “Well said. We trust each other in this group, and Avery has more than proven her worth here, as have the other White Haven witches, which is more than can be said for you, Zane.” Ignoring Zane’s furious face, Rasmus turned to Oswald, who was trying to conceal his amusement. “Oswald, I understand you have been looking into the death in Fowey?”
Oswald nodded. “The victim, a young man called Miles Anderson, was found on the beach, with pretty much every bone in his body crushed. His car was parked out of town, not too far from the coastal path.”
“Someone could have picked a fight with him and then pushed him over the cliff,” Eve suggested.
“But,” Avery said, “Newton thinks the fall wasn’t enough to have broken so many bones. And there was no sign of a struggle at the top. They searched quite a large area, I gather.”
Oswald continued. “The locals also report an increase in supernatural activity. Nothing concrete, of course, and certainly no ghosts looking like sailors! Just rumours about piskies. But they did say that the young man had been seen about town recently, and hanging around the castle ruins.”
“He could have been looking for something,” Rasmus suggested thoughtfully. “But it really doesn’t give us much to go on.”
Eve was sitting opposite Avery, and she looked at her sadly. “I’m really sorry to hear about the policewoman. That’s awful.”
Avery had updated them on all of the recent news, and she smiled at Eve. “Thanks. I hardly knew her, but it is terrible, and it sounded as if Newton was upset. I’m hoping he’s at the pub now, speaking to Alex.”
“There are several things worrying me,” Genevieve said. “Obviously, these unnaturally strong spirits, and what could be a very destructive supernatural creature. They both seem to have appeared very recently. Simultaneously.” Her arms were resting on the table in front of her, and she leaned on them, staring at Avery. “Tell me what Newton saw, again.”
“Well, I only know what I heard via Alex, but he said that something scuttled down the tunnel, something small. He hit it with his torch, but didn’t get a clear picture of it because it was too dark. But if he hit it, then it’s not a spirit.”
“But you said you felt the spirit’s hands around your throat earlier,” Zane said, “and that one picked Reuben up. Therefore, it must have some physical presence. It could have been a ghost that Newton encountered!”
Avery looked at Zane’s accusatory glare and nodded. “It’s possible. But Newton is a policeman, which makes him very observant, and he reacts well under stress. If he thinks it wasn’t a spirit—and he’s seen enough of them—then I trust him.”
Jasper intervened. “We can’t forget that these events are linked to treasure. Guineas were thrown at Avery, there were some at Caspian’s house, a few were left when Reuben was attacked, and one was placed in Miles Anderson’s mouth. It’s seems pretty obvious to me that someone has found buried treasure and disturbed some spirits…and they are seeking revenge.”
“Miles?” Genevieve asked. “Or someone else?”
“It could have been Miles,” Oswald said. “Potentially he, and maybe someone else, found the buried treasure, and that’s why he was killed. This has to be about smugglers! We all know there were a lot of them in Cornwall.”
“Absolutely,” Genevie
ve agreed, nodding.
Oswald looked puzzled. “I’m confused that there are both doubloons and guineas, but there must be a connection.”
“What about witches?” Rasmus looked at Estelle. “Why was Caspian targeted? Did your family clash with smugglers in the past?”
Estelle rolled her eyes. “I have no idea, Rasmus! You’re talking about a few hundred years ago. It’s possible, I suppose.”
“You were, and are, shipping merchants,” Avery told her. “I think it’s very likely you would have clashed about shipments.” She turned to the rest of the table. “Reuben has caves under his grounds, and a long passage leading to Gull Island. We know his family was involved in smuggling. But, we don’t know if they clashed with a particular group. Reuben has already started to look into it.”
Rasmus grunted. “I think you should do the same, Estelle. Your life may depend on it.”
She nodded, stiffly. “I will, but I’d be very surprised if we worked with the Jacksons.”
“So would Reuben,” Avery said, dryly. She caught Eve’s eye and suppressed a grin.
“Mariah,” Genevieve said abruptly. “What do you know about the cave collapse in Looe?”
Mariah looked surprised at being addressed. She normally remained as quiet as possible. “Only what has appeared on the news. The locks on the wooden chests found in the bottom of the cave were recently smashed, and there were the remains of three bodies found—very old ones, obviously. Looe, like everywhere else, has an extensive smuggling history. One of our most notorious smugglers was Cruel Coppinger.”
Avery watched her while she talked, not wanting to reveal that she’d seen her photo at Jamaica Inn’s Smuggling Museum. She also hadn’t told the group about a witch walking the spirit world. If it was someone around this table, she certainly didn’t want to alert them to the fact that she knew, or that Alex had walked there, too. She glanced around the rest of the table, but no one looked guilty or worried at all.