Demon's Mark (The Dark Lakes Series Book 4) by M.V. Stott & David Bussell

Author:M.V. Stott & David Bussell [Stott, M.V.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Uncanny Kingdom
Published: 2022-06-29T16:00:00+00:00

12

Mabel and Alistair led me from the attic to a stone spiral staircase. The weathered steps wound down, down, down the centre of the building like a boot-scuffed spine until we were some distance below the house. With each footstep, the temperature dropped a little until I could see my breath cloud before me with each exhale.

As I walked, I was reminded of what Karl Turner had told Abigail and I: There were stone steps under my bare feet. Was this the same journey he’d taken on the night he vanished? Was this the crux of his nightmare?

The Wynters were casual as we walked, whereas my heart was doing an impression of a caged budgie having a panic attack. The fact that they were so at ease showed me they were in control. That they knew that they could handle me if I decided to make another move against them.

‘That was quite a party trick,’ I said as we continued down, miming an arm thrusting out of my chest.

‘Oh, that’s nothing,’ Alistair replied proudly.

‘You’ll find we’re full of little surprises,’ continued Mabel, flirtatiously. Which, under the circumstances, was a little unsettling.

It was clear their dabblings with the dark arts had afforded them magic beyond what I was capable of. The ability to mutate their bodies the way Alistair had, and at such speed, was rather worrying. If he could do that without breaking a sweat, what else could he and his sister do?

The staircase ended in a gothic chamber lit by flaming torches mounted in sconces on the walls. It was all very atmospheric; thumbs up to the set designer.

‘Those must be a bugger to keep going,’ I said. ‘You should ask an electrician to run some wires down here.’

Alistair put his arm around me like we were the best of pals. ‘You know, I have really been looking forward to getting to know you.’

‘Oh, good. That’s nice.’

‘It’s a pity you’ll be leaving us so soon.’

Like Mabel, Alistair’s body radiated cold. I began to shiver, my breath short. ‘And why would that be?’

‘You’re a warlock,’ said Mabel. ‘A witch. A thing like you is so very useful. You really are doing us quite the favour.’

‘What can I say, I’m a helpful kind of guy.’

Alistair gave me a cheery slap on the back and strode off ahead. ‘Come along now. Mother will be impatient, she will know you’re here.’

I glanced back to the stone staircase that led back up into the light.

‘Run if you like,’ said Mabel. ‘I do enjoy a chase.’

I swallowed, stopping my teeth from chattering with some effort, then followed on after Alistair, Mabel at my side.

‘I’m not the witch I was. I don’t have access to all of that power if that’s what you’re thinking.’

‘But it’s inside of you still,’ said Alistair. ‘Boiling away behind prison doors.’

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