The Scent of Magic by Cliff McNish

Author:Cliff McNish [MCNISH, CLIFF]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cliff McNish
Published: 2010-08-04T23:00:00+00:00

11

Ambush

A small goldfish rippled the dark surface of the pond.

‘Did you hear that!’ screeched one prapsy, shivering with excitement.

‘Shush,’ the other cried. ‘You’ll wake Eric, boys.’

‘But did you hear it?’

‘I heard it!’

Like blurs, they sped together from the bathroom to the bedroom overlooking the night garden. Perched cheek-to-cheek they scrutinized the pond.

‘There!’ one cried wildly. ‘An underwater devil!’

‘A midget devil. Shall we tell Eric?’

‘Don’t be stupid, you mutant spanker!’

‘You’re stupid! Shush! Wait.’

‘What?’

‘Shadows.’

They both sensed the magic approaching the house.

‘What is it? I’m scared.’

‘Can’t see it. Can’t see them. Must be backside of house. Let’s look.’

‘After you,’ said its companion, bowing gracefully.

‘No. After you,’ said the other – and they both flew off together.

From the living room they peered anxiously over the front street.

‘See how they are creepily hiding?’

‘They are scared of us!’

The prapsies’ big eyes blinked violently. One licked the living-room window, wiping off the condensation; the other pressed a round face against the cleared glass. Together they twitched and gazed out over the empty street.

‘What kind of things are they?’

‘They are flying. Must be birds. Naughty birds, maybe. Should be in bed by now.’

‘Big mad naughty birds!’ A nervous giggle.

‘Shall we chat to them?’

‘Shut up and listen!’

‘They are sneaking up, do you see?’

‘I see them!’

The prapsies flapped their wings, trying to frighten off the dark shadows.

Outside nine large silhouettes emerged stealthily from the night sky. For a moment they gathered in front of the gibbous moon. Then they plunged towards the house.

‘Eric! Eric!’ shrieked the prapsies, fleeing upstairs. ‘Rachel!’

Rachel’s eyes flicked wide. Beneath her she heard glass being smashed – something invading the house. Two shattered windows, her information spells told her rapidly. One in the living room; another in the kitchen. What else? She heard frame wood hit the carpet – followed by the soft thud of shoes.

Eric blinked from a bed that had been placed close to hers.

‘What’s going on?’

‘Stay quiet,’ Rachel told him. She tried to decide who had broken in. Witches were large-bodied and heavy. These landings had been lighter.

‘I think it’s kids,’ she said.

The prapsies were nutting the door of the bedroom. Eric let them in, pushing their quivering heads under the quilt.

‘Morpeth and Mum are down there on guard!’ he reminded Rachel. ‘Come on!’

‘Wait!’ Rachel grabbed his arm.

‘Get off! I’m going!’

She tugged him back. ‘Listen, will you!’

Four more bodies had flown into the house. Rachel heard them squeeze through the gaping holes and land. Neat landings, Rachel thought. Both feet precisely together. Children using magic – and already experienced flyers.

‘It’s an ambush,’ she said. ‘Keep quiet. They might not know we’re here.’

‘What about Morpeth and Mum?’ Eric fumed. ‘I can’t hear them!’

Downstairs glass tinkled underfoot. Even Eric’s ears could now easily hear the sound of many pairs of feet tramping noisily around the living room. From his bed the prapsies kissed each other for comfort.

‘Whoever they are, they’re not trying to catch us by surprise,’ said Eric. He lunged for the stairway. ‘Morpeth! Where are you?’

Morpeth’s gruff voice called up, ‘I’m all right! So is your mum.

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