Mistletoe and Mireworth by Tilly Wallace

Author:Tilly Wallace
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ribbonwood Press

6

Seraphina gestured in the direction of the tower beyond the library. “The binding spell in the fireplace keeps every stone in place. Neither man nor nature will shake so much as a pebble loose. Luckily, the Wycliff of old never peered into the fireplace. Not that he would have known about the spell, unless he could read hieroglyphics and he had the co-operation of a mage powerful enough to undo Kemsit’s work.”

“Why did the tower allow you to create a doorway in the stone, Mother?” Hannah asked.

The mage waved her hands, and the trees on the map before her sank back into the paper. “Because a shadow mage cast the binding spell, and a shadow mage asked the tower to admit us. The spell is an unusual one, imbued with the power of Duat. The tower will endure until a shadow mage releases it to sink into the ground.”

An enduring symbol that would stand throughout time—but a symbol of what? Pieces of a mosaic fell into place in Hannah’s mind. She refused to believe that anything evil or with malicious intent would be gifted with such longevity by the Duat or by Anubis. For centuries, Wycliff’s ancestors had been wrong about both the tower and Kemsit. How delicious that a shadow mage and her daughter would reveal the truth.

“If there is ever an earthquake, we should seek shelter in the tower, then,” Wycliff said. “Not sure if its durability would be much use against an invading army, though.”

“I’m sure that between the two of us, we could add a moat of lava.” Seraphina laughed.

Hannah nudged Wycliff with an elbow. “We don’t need defensive fortifications. Keep reading, please.”

Wycliff cleared his throat and used a fingertip to find his place on the page.

“‘Since it cannot be destroyed, let it be forgotten. Plans will be drawn to smother the stain and wipe it from our lives. I have written to the mage council and they have agreed to cast a spell over Selham, to obfuscate any memory of the witch and the tower from the minds of the locals.’”

“That is a clear violation of the mage council’s directive.” Seraphina pushed back from the desk to pace before the wall of shelves. “To alter people’s memories is a dangerous path and something one mage alone cannot do. They must have known the rumours of Kemsit’s time here, and sought to erase her from history.”

“That would also explain why no one around here could shed any light on the history of the tower. Except for Mr Hartley.” Not that the selkie had much of use to share.

“Unnaturals do not respond in the same way to magic as ordinary humans do. It is possible that he and his grandmother did not feel the effects of any such spell to conceal both tower and Kemsit.” The mage stalked to the fireplace and gripped the mantel with one hand.

Hannah grinned at her mother. “After all that time and effort, they have failed. For we will bring her back into the light, now that a shadow mage sits on the council.

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