Always a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

Author:Carolyn MacCullough [Maccullough, Carolyn]
Language: nld
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780547224855
Publisher: Clarion Books
Published: 2011-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

JUST IN TIME I PRESS MY LIPS together to keep from screaming. I want to block out this sight, but it's as if my eyelids have been glued open.

Liam steps back and then plunges the poker into the fire again as if shifting logs is his only concern. After the fire has scoured the poker clean he sets it back in the rack. Only then does he turn and, taking an empty crystal goblet from his desk, stoops by Alistair's motionless body, pressing the goblet to Alistair's ear. Horrified, I watch as the crystal cup fills with blood. when the glass is almost full Liam sets it on the desk and wipes his hands with a handkerchief he procures from his pocket. Sighing, he stares down at the stained cloth for a moment and then tosses it into the fire, where it flares a second later. Then he crosses to the doorway and presses a small black button.

A minute later, there's a knock on the door and Rosie enters. But she's not alone. She's holding the hand of a very small child. From the pants and shirt, I'm guessing it's a boy, although I can't quite tell between the smudges of dirt on its face and the cap on its head. "I brought him like you asked. Found this one in the usual place. Five Points. He—"

"Did anyone see you?" Liam interrupts.

She tosses her head. "Do you think I'm new at this?" she asks with a grin. And then the pleased expression fades from her face as Liam steps back and she sees Alistair's body. "What happened?" she breathes. She studies the body more closely. "That's the man who rang the bell earlier."

Liam nods. "A small accident. He hit his head."

"Oh," Rosie says. It's clear she doesn't believe him. It's also clear she's not going to mention that. Instead, she says briskly, "I'll summon Horace, shall I? He'll get rid of him for you?"

Liam shakes his head. "I do need Horace. That other one you brought me didn't last long. I'll need him to get rid of it. It's in the usual room. Let's hope this one"—and here he nods once at the child—"is made of stronger stock." Then he returns to examining Alistair's body. "But this one ... this one may be useful yet. He may be the key to this puzzle. This one may be quite ... extraordinary." Then, he straightens up, pats Rosie on the cheek. "My girl," he says, his fingers lingering on the curve of her chin.

She smiles up at him, then says casually, "You know, Horace'll want the usual fee."

"He is mercenary, that one," Liam says with good humor. After crossing to his desk, he unlocks a side drawer. He fills Rosie's outstretched hand with what sounds like coins. The child's saucerlike eyes dart swiftly between Liam and Rosie, but otherwise he seems uncomprehending.

"Shall we move him, then?" Rosie says. Liam considers the body for a second, then nods. Kneeling down, he grasps Alistair's shoulders and heaves him across the floor.

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