Ghost Bell by Mark Wright

Author:Mark Wright
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Badger Publishing
Published: 2015-09-09T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 6

The door of the bell tower creaked open. Tamsin, Chase and Mr Brandy stood in a line before it. Tamsin half expected Paul to come running out as if nothing had happened, demanding ice cream.

But he didn’t.

Tamsin promised herself that, when this was over, Paul could have as much ice cream as he wanted.

“This is going to be dangerous,” said Mr Brandy, peering into the rectangle of black. “I can’t stress enough how dangerous, but I cannot do this alone. When we enter, keep close behind me and do exactly as I say. Do you understand?”

Tamsin swallowed nervously and nodded. So did Chase.

Mr Brandy nodded. “Good. Time to get this over with.” Without hesitating, the Guardian strode forwards into the tower, Tamsin and Chase right behind him.

“Wish I’d brought a jumper,” said Chase, shivering in the cold of the entrance hallway.

“I doubt that would help,” said Mr Brandy, running his hand over the stone wall. He held it up glittering with frost. Tamsin noticed the whole room was covered in a frosting of ice.

“I’m guessing that isn’t good?” she asked.

“Things are further on than I’d thought,” said Mr Brandy. “We must hurry.”

Together they moved to the steps, Mr Brandy placing his foot on the first one. Laughter echoed around them.

“Turn back, Guardian,” hissed a voice as cold as the air in the room, causing Tamsin to step back. “The boy is mine.”

“I can’t allow that to happen,” said Mr Brandy. He seemed to have grown a foot taller, no longer the geeky bookseller. “Return him to us, and no harm shall come to you.”

The cruel laugh clutched at Tamsin’s heart. “I see,” the voice hissed, “that you have brought me two more mortals. Their lifeforce will make the passage between worlds so… delicious.”

“Give my brother back!” shouted Tamsin, causing Mr Brandy to glare warningly at her.

“So much spirit,” cackled the voice. “I shall enjoy devouring you.”

“Oh, whatever,” shouted Chase. “Just give him back!”

“You know what we want,” said Mr Brandy. “We will not leave empty handed, spirit!”

“You have been warned, Guardian. Leave now, while you are still able.” With a final, hissing laugh the spirit was silent.

“The spirit isn’t strong enough yet,” said Mr Brandy. “Time might still be on our side…”

“What are we waiting for then?” said Chase, barging past Tamsin and Mr Brandy and running up the stairs.

“Chase, no!” warned Mr Brandy.

Tamsin moved after Chase. An icy blast of air forced her back, making it difficult to move. She saw Chase’s panicked look as the blast caught her, then from nowhere an explosion of darkness seemed to surround her.

The air filled with shrieking black shapes, like rags whipping through the air. “Crows!” she heard Mr Brandy shout over the shrieking.

Everywhere Tamsin looked were sharp talons, manically flapping wings and wildly pecking beaks. The air was choked with the creatures, their shiny, black eyes glinting. “Chase!” Tamsin had lost sight of her friend in the storm of attacking birds.

Dimly, she was aware of Mr Brandy batting one of the frenzied crows away, sending it spinning against the wall with a squawk.

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