Darkside by Tom Becker

Author:Tom Becker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic
Published: 2012-01-13T16:00:00+00:00

13

The carriage moved smoothly off the Grand and the horses began clopping northwards. Jonathan’s mind was racing, and he was desperate to ask about his mother. Twice he opened his mouth, but both times Carnegie growled at him to keep quiet. It appeared questions were going to have to wait until later. Instead he stared out through the window at his surroundings. The streets became progressively quieter, though the air of poverty and decay never went away entirely. Packs of children in tatty clothes roamed the area, running alongside the carriage with their palms outstretched, pleading for money. Every so often Jonathan caught a glimpse of a house on fire, or a body lying prone in an alleyway. The carriage rattled on regardless.

Eventually the roads began to broaden out and tall trees lined the road, the first Jonathan had seen in Darkside. The wind had picked up, and their brown and brittle leaves rustled uneasily in the breeze. The tightly-packed rows of decrepit buildings had given way to luxurious mansions that hid behind high hedges and spiked railings. The road reeked of money.

Carnegie noticed Jonathan’s inquiring gaze. “This is Savage Row. The richest people in Darkside live here. And Luther, of course.”

He patted the driver on the back, a little too hard for it to be a friendly gesture. Luther flew forward, and hauled on the reins, halting the carriage. He spun round angrily.

“You shouldn’t push me, dog boy. You might not make it to Vendetta’s, at this rate.”

The burly wereman laughed in response. “Nonsense! We’re nearly there. Come on. You’re not going to keep him waiting, are you?”

Luther glared at him, and then reluctantly geed up the horses again. The carriage swung swiftly around the winding bends of Savage Row, and Jonathan noticed how the street was getting steeper and narrower. The mansions had disappeared from sight, and the trees had closed in on all sides, forming a sinister guard of honour. It was getting colder now, and Jonathan pulled a blanket over his legs. Carnegie gave him a grim smile, but said nothing. He was looking tense.

The road abruptly levelled out and came out on to a wide, broad avenue. Here the trees were almost tall enough to block out any light from the murky sun. Nothing moved, and there was no sound except for the horses’ urgent progress across the cobblestones. The avenue led to a set of imposing stone gates, which were being slowly strangled by green fingers of climbing ivy. Behind the gates, Vendetta Heights lay in wait for them.

It was a vast, brooding structure. The brickwork was old and coated with moss and shadow. Rows of elegant arched windows looked loftily down. Gargoyles perched in the eaves, their faces contorted into permanent stony leers. On the east wing of the mansion a spindly tower poked the sky. No lights could be seen anywhere, giving the building the air of an ancient mausoleum.

As the carriage approached, two shadowy figures emerged from the grounds of the house and opened the gates.

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