Storm Hound

by Claire Fayers

  Storm dashed out to meet her, his tail wagging frantically.

  Jessie laughed. ‘Down, Storm. We’ll take you for a walk in a minute.’

  ‘Actually, I think it might rain,’ David said. ‘You should stay in tonight, and keep the doors and windows locked.’

  ‘Why? This is Abergavenny, remember? The most dangerous thing that’s happened was when Mrs Williams yelled at us because Storm chased her cat.’

  David glanced about, looking nervous.

  ‘Have you argued with your aunt again?’ Jessie asked him.

  ‘Sort of.’ He let out a breath. ‘Listen, there’s something I need to tell you.’

  Finally! Jessie folded her arms and stared at him. ‘You can start with exactly what’s going on here. Why are the professors so interested in other people’s dogs? Who is your aunt really?’

  But then another voice drifted down the street.

  ‘I hate school!’ Ben shouted.

  They both turned. Jessie ran out on to the pavement and saw Ben marching towards her.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ she asked.

  ‘Nothing.’ He flung his school bag into the house, then tore off his coat and threw that too. ‘I hate this town. I hate Wales. I want to go home.’

  Jessie tried to hug him but he pushed her away.

  ‘This doesn’t sound like nothing,’ she said. It was the kind of thing Mum would say. Ben’s eyes filled with tears. He turned away from her, wiping his face on his sleeve. ‘Some of the kids at school were saying things, that’s all. They said the reason we don’t live with Mum is because she doesn’t want us.’ He sniffed loudly.

  Something inside Jessie curled up tight. She’d thought Ben was getting on all right at his new school. But then she hadn’t really been paying attention this week and she should have. She was supposed be looking after Ben. Storm licked her hand as she crouched down in front of her brother.

  ‘Ben, she said. ‘You know Mum would have us if she had space. And Dad wants us too, don’t forget.’

  ‘She’s right,’ David said. ‘You’ve got two people who want you, in two different places. That makes you twice as lucky as those other kids. They’re just jealous.’

  Storm dashed into the house and emerged seconds later, carrying his lead. Jessie laughed, and found it eased the ache inside her.

  ‘Why don’t you hold Storm’s lead today?’ she asked. ‘David, are you coming? You wanted to tell me something, remember?’

  He glanced at Ben and shook his head. ‘It’ll keep. I’ll come with you, though, just in case.’

  Just in case of what? But David was already walking on ahead. He clearly didn’t want to talk to her in front of Ben. Sighing, Jessie locked the front door and followed with Ben, and Storm tugging excitedly between them.

  They headed to the castle and sat down on one of the humps of grass, their backs against a wall. Jessie unclipped Storm’s lead. Normally he’d have torn off in pursuit of squirrels, but today he sat down a few paces away, watching them. As if he were on guard duty.

  A few cold splashes of rain fell.

  Ben heaved a sigh. ‘I hate this place. It’s always raining. I want to go home to London.’

  Jessie wished she knew what to say to him. She wanted to go back to London too, but she didn’t want to leave Storm. And, even if they did go back, would it feel like home without Dad there? She pulled out a piece of paper and a pen and began to draw the scene around her: the broken walls of the castle, the green spike of the market tower that seemed to be visible from everywhere. It was a good scene to draw, she had to admit that. She added a hare running across the grass and then a second one alongside it. She didn’t know why: it just felt right.

  David stretched his arms out over his head. ‘I’ve been all over the world, and I can tell you, this is a good place. The mountains feel friendly, as if they’re looking after the town. And you can’t say you don’t like the castle. Everyone loves castles.’

  ‘They’re all right,’ Ben said grudgingly.

  David pulled a tuft of grass out of the wall. ‘They’re better than all right. Put your hands here, both of you.’

  Jessie put down her pen and spread her fingers over the stones. Even Storm came over and sniffed at the wall.

  ‘I can’t feel anything,’ Ben said.

  David grinned. ‘No, but think of all the people who’ve put their hands exactly where yours are now.’

  ‘Yuck.’ Ben wiped his hand on his trousers, but he was smiling.

  They sat for a while longer, until the castle gates were ready to be closed for the evening. As they left the grounds, Jessie saw a man hurrying towards them, holding a dog’s lead.

  Storm yapped. It was Viking’s owner – the Great Dane from the obedience class.

  ‘Have you seen Viking?’ he asked. ‘I was taking him for a walk and he just disappeared. I can’t find him anywhere.’

  CHAPTER 23

  Danger! Dark magic. The cat had said so.

  Storm stood still, his ears quivering. He could smell something else now – so faint he’d missed it at first. Something ancient and cold.

  He barked and tugged hard on his leash.

  ‘We’ll help you look,’ Jessie said. ‘Storm, heel.’

  Hurry up, then.

  The scent of magic came in patches, here and there, leading across the grass back into town. Storm pulled harder on the leash, making Jessie walk faster. Finally he’d found a use for the silly thing, making Jessie follow him.

  Viking’s human hurried behind with the Not-Boy.

  And what was wrong with the Not-Boy all of a sudden? He’d seemed nervous before, but now he smelled overwhelmingly of fear and he kept twisting his head from side to side, staring at everything.

  ‘I’ve already checked the High Street,’ Viking’s human said as they came within sight of the shops. ‘I was going to try the river.’

  He could if he wanted, but the trail didn’t point towards the river. Storm headed determinedly in the other direction where the sparks of dark magic seemed strongest.

  Aha! Here was Viking’s smell: a big patch of it, and then the metal stink of one of those loathsome cars. He paused to give it a good sniff, then led the humans on. This was not quite a Wild Hunt – more a disorderly one, with Jessie, Ben, the Not-Boy and Viking’s human getting in each other’s way behind him – but his blood buzzed with anticipation.

  He was Storm of Odin, striding down the High Street.

  He was Storm of Odin, with rain in his fur and his senses alive.

  He was Storm of Odin, sitting down at the pedestrian crossing waiting for the lights to change.

  And then, sometime later, the smell of magic was overtaken by a flood of Great Dane. Storm paused, feeling his hair rise on end, the collar tugging at his neck.

  There!

  There, where the end of a black tail poked out from underneath a hedge. The humans didn’t even see it until Storm dragged Jessie closer and then the Not-Boy shouted.

  The dog was lying on his side, not moving. Ben took a step back. ‘Is he . . . ?’

  Storm nudged the inert body with his nose. Get up, will you? You’re scaring the humans. Viking didn’t move. Storm nipped him sharply on the ear. I know you’re alive. I am Storm of Odin, stormhound of the Wild Hunt, and you will do as I say. Get up!

  For a moment he felt huge again. His shadow spread out around him, swallowing the pavement. Viking stirred, gave a Great Dane-sized cough, and lifted his head.

  ‘He’s alive!’ Ben shouted.

  Viking’s human dropped to his knees, running his hands over the dog, babbling questions Viking couldn’t understand. Storm wriggled in under his arms.

  What happened to you? You stink of magic. Was it the professors?

  Viking lowered his head to the pavement. I don’t remember. They lit tiny fires on sticks that smelled funny.

  Candles, probably. Odin’s halls were full of them. You must remember something, Storm growled.

  They said I wasn
’t the dog they were looking for. Viking burrowed his head into his human’s clothes. For such a big dog, he was quite pathetic.

  ‘I’ll take him straight to the vet,’ Viking’s human said. ‘Can you watch him for a minute while I get my car?’

  He was back two minutes later. Viking was on his feet by then, stumbling unsteadily.

  Storm sniffed Viking’s nose. The smell of magic was already fading. Some meaty chunks and a night curled by the fire, and he’d be fine.

  Take care, little one, the Great Dane said as his human helped him into the car and jumped into the front.

  Storm watched the car drive away.

  I am not a little one. I am a . . .

  He heard a sound behind and turned to see the Not-Boy staring at him, his eyes completely round in his pale face.

  Storm shook his head and tried to look innocent and puppyish, but it was too late. The Not-Boy had seen his shadow grow. He’d guessed what Storm was, and the knowledge had terrified him.

  ‘David?’ Jessie asked, reaching out to him in concern. ‘Will you please tell me what’s going on? Tell me the truth.’

  The Not-Boy shoved her hand aside. ‘I can’t be your friend,’ he said. ‘That’s what I was going to tell you before. I’ll be leaving soon and I’ve got other things to do. I don’t have time to hang around with you. Just . . . just stay away from the professors and you’ll be fine.’

  He turned and walked away from them, then he started to run.

  ‘David!’ Jessie shouted. The Not-Boy didn’t stop. Jessie crumpled in surprise. Storm stood in front of her, his tail wagging against her legs.

  That’s right, coward, you can keep running. We don’t need you.

  CHAPTER 24

  ‘Your friend is weird,’ Ben said as the three of them made their way home.

  Everything was weird, thought Jessie. Viking hadn’t just run off – he’d looked ill. And David had seemed afraid. What else did he know that he wasn’t telling her? It didn’t matter now, she supposed. She should have believed him the first time he’d said he didn’t make friends. She’d just wasted a whole week talking to him – and she couldn’t believe she’d helped him break into the professors’ staffroom yesterday.

  Dad came running the moment they opened the door of the house.

  ‘Where have you two been? Why didn’t you answer your phones?’

  Jessie saw the missed messages. ‘Sorry,’ she said. ‘Someone lost his dog and we were helping to look. You knew we’d be out with Storm, though.’

  ‘I assumed you were, yes, but I didn’t know. You should have left a message.’ He gave a strained smile. ‘I worry about you both, you know.’

  If that was supposed to make her feel better, it didn’t work. She already had to try to make sure Ben didn’t get upset. Now she had to keep Dad from worrying too.

  Storm stopped by the hall table and looked up at the telephone. It rang.

  ‘It’s like he knew!’ Ben laughed.

  Of course he hadn’t. How could he?

  Jessie picked the phone up. ‘Hello?’

  ‘Hello, Lightning Bug,’ Mum said.

  Straight away the world felt better, as if all the bits that were in the wrong places had been put back where they belonged.

  It’s Mum, Jessie mouthed at Ben and Dad.

  Dad nodded, mimed making a drink and walked off to the kitchen. Ben tried to grab the phone out of Jessie’s hand and she fended him off.

  ‘Wait your turn. Mum, we just took Storm for a walk and we helped find a missing dog. I think he might be ill.’

  ‘Who, Storm?’

  ‘No, the other dog. He looked all funny. His owner’s taken him to the vet. Are you coming to visit this weekend?’

  ‘I’m afraid I can’t,’ Mum said. ‘I’ve got to work. But I will visit soon. I’ll talk to your dad about it later. And . . .’ she added as Ben pressed his head against Jessie’s so he could hear, ‘I have some good news.’

  Jessie’s heart jumped.

  ‘Mum’s coming to live with us!’ Ben shouted.

  ‘I’m afraid not, Lightning Bug.’ Mum’s voice sounded tight, worried.

  The phone started to feel slippery in Jessie’s hand. She wiped her palm on her trouser leg. ‘Ben, you can have your turn in a minute,’ she said, taking the phone into the front room and closing the door, shutting Ben and Storm out. ‘What’s happened?’ she asked. ‘You haven’t got a boyfriend, have you?’

  She hadn’t realized how much she’d worried about that until the words were out. Her eyes burned with tears. ‘Because it’s all right if you have,’ she said. ‘I mean, Ben will probably be upset at first, but he’ll get used to it . . .’ It was no good. All the words she wanted to say bundled up in her throat and she couldn’t get them out.

  Mum laughed. ‘It’s nothing like that.’ She seemed to realize this was something serious and she paused. ‘Jessie, I promise if that ever happens I’ll tell you. Are you OK?’

  Jessie wiped her eyes. ‘Yes. It’s been a strange day, that’s all. What’s your news?’

  ‘I’m moving house,’ Mum said.

  Jessie didn’t know what to say. Of all the things Mum might have told her, Jessie wouldn’t have guessed that. She gripped the phone, listening to the sound of her own breathing. ‘But why?’

  ‘Because I need somewhere bigger, of course,’ Mum said. ‘I’ve found a flat, not too far from where I am now. It’s got two bedrooms. You and Ben will have your own space when you visit. You’ll have to share if you come together, but you can take it in turns too, whichever you prefer. You can spend the whole school holidays with me if you like.’

  She was talking too fast, cramming words together without giving Jessie a chance to answer. ‘You can decorate the room yourselves,’ she said, ‘and choose whatever furniture you want. It’ll be yours. You’ll be able to have your friends round – we can have a welcome party if you like.’

  ‘What about Storm?’ Jessie broke in. ‘Can I bring him?’

  Mum paused and sighed. ‘I don’t know, Lightning Bug.’ The excitement drained from her voice and she sounded tired now. She’d wanted them to be happy about the news.

  ‘It doesn’t matter,’ Jessie said.

  ‘No, it does. Of course you have to bring Storm. Maybe my allergy won’t be so bad. We can try it and see. We’ll sort the details out later. The important thing is you and Ben can live with me part of the time. If you want to, of course,’ she added. Her voice wobbled, just a little.

  Jessie gripped the phone hard. ‘Of course I want to. It’s just . . .’ She felt suddenly exhausted, as if Mum, Dad, Ben – all of it – was a huge weight and she couldn’t carry it any longer. ‘Ben’s waiting to talk to you,’ she said. ‘You should tell him the news. Bye, Mum.’

  She ran back into the hall, ignoring Mum’s voice asking her to wait and pushed the phone at Ben.

  ‘Hi, Mum,’ Ben said. ‘Abergavenny’s got a castle. When are you coming to visit?’

  ‘What do you want for dinner?’ Dad asked, coming out of the kitchen. His face creased in worry.

  ‘You knew about this, didn’t you?’ Jessie asked.

  He looked down, avoiding her gaze. ‘Only for a little while. Mum wanted to tell you herself.’

  ‘We can stay with you?’ Ben shouted into the phone. ‘Fantastic! Bags me first.’

  Dad wrapped his arms round Jessie’s shoulders. ‘I know things are all a bit strange and difficult right now, but your mum loves you. We’re still a family.’

  A family split across hundreds of miles, with her and Ben travelling back and forth, never quite belonging in either place. She squirmed free. ‘I’ve got homework to do.’

  Storm followed Jessie upstairs. He wasn’t really supposed to go in the bedrooms, but Jessie’s Dad didn’t call him back so he nosed the bedroom door open and padded through.

  Jessie was lying on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. Storm climbed up next to her and she wriggled up to make room for him. He lay down aga
inst her with a sigh. He wanted to tell her there were more important things happening than the Mum-Person keeping secrets or Dad being cross – things like dark magicians and Not-Boys – but he knew she couldn’t understand him. And, anyway, he had the feeling that even if Jessie did know the truth, the things that happened in this little house would still be more important to her.

  Jessie curled tighter around him. ‘I used to wish for a dog all the time,’ she said. ‘I wanted a puppy – a white one with ears that stood up like triangles. And a little black nose.’ She opened her eyes, blinking against Storm’s dark fur. ‘You know, if Mum and Dad hadn’t split up, we wouldn’t have moved here and I wouldn’t have found you.’

  Storm sniffed her chin. Her smell was sharp, full of tears and angry lightning. He licked Jessie on the cheek, tasting salt. He knew how she must be feeling. Falling to earth hadn’t been good, but some of it was tolerable. The meaty chunks, for example, and the warmth of a blanket at night. And Jessie herself.

  Jessie sniffed and brushed away tears. ‘You’re a good dog, Storm.’

  No, he wasn’t. He was Storm of Odin, who ran with the Wild Hunt and tore the night apart for the joy of it. He was everything that was untamed and free. Humans and their little lives were over in an instant and none of them should matter to him.

  But, here and now, he was Storm, licking salty tears off his human’s face as she cried.

  CHAPTER 25

  David should have gone straight back to the house he and Ceridwen were renting by the river, but he couldn’t make himself do it. He walked along the High Street instead, looking in the windows of shops that were shut for the day while the sky grew steadily darker.

  It was Storm.

  The stormhound – the great, slavering monster his aunt was so worried about. Storm. How hadn’t he realized straight away? That uneasy prickling that seemed to fill his whole body when Storm was around. He’d put it down to his natural unease around dogs. And then there’d been the way the puppy was always looking at him as if it understood every word he said. But David hadn’t been looking for a stormhound then, and he’d wanted Jessie to like him, and . . .