42

Lucas skidded to a halt, a growl rumbling from his chest.

He could feel my panic, I knew that because I could feel his need to protect me. My reaction told Lucas that Evan was a threat. I hadn't yet decided if he was right.

"Quick, follow me. They'll be here in a minute."

Evan spoke hurriedly, with no attempt to hide the fear in his voice. Pausing, I tried to weigh up our options – not easy with the need to flee into the fresh air overwhelming every other concern.

Lucas followed my lead and hung back until he got a sign that I needed him. His trust gave me the push I needed to make the decision.

Evan looked okay. Sure, he was wide-eyed, and a little manic, but that was down to his frenzied gesturing to get us moving out of the catacombs. There was no sign of the crazy that lingered behind his mask of normality during our last meeting. The dullness in his eyes then had been the most worrying thing, as though someone else still held sway over his mind. That had been replaced with a bright focus suggesting he was back in control.

It wasn't enough to make me trust him. Evan had been there the last time that I was abducted. I didn't believe in coincidences. My father had a hand in this.

"Where's Jonathan?"

"What?" Evan asked, his voice screeching the panic that was evident in every movement. "I've not seen that bastard since you rescued me."

Lucas moved behind me. Turning slightly, I saw that he was now observing me with a new look of interest.

"We have a history," I said, gesturing between myself and Evan.

"No shit," Lucas replied. "Look, we need to get out of here. He smells like truth. Can we trust him?"

"Evan?" I asked.

His life-force was strong, the blue pure and bright with an intensity that hurt my eyes. Evan was running off straight adrenaline. His eyes were bright and feverish against his pale skin, features drawn and gaunt. Scruffy jeans and black Nirvana t-shirt hung off his slight frame, crumpled and dirty.

"Evan, have they kept you here against your will?"

He looked ashamed, but his life-force buzzed angrily against his skin. When his eyes met mine, I knew for sure that he was no longer influenced by Jonathan or any witch. I also knew who was responsible for abducting us.

The coven had turned on Evan.

All that aside, I wasn't foolish enough to put all my trust in him. Had I been alone, I probably would have thought twice about taking his assistance. But I had Lucas now. He was a trained security expert. Hell, he was a werewolf.

Evan didn't answer with words, but stood with his hand outstretched. I looked at him, infusing my glare with a warning. If he crossed me again, I would end him.

With a nod of understanding, Evan reached forward, took my hand, and pulled me into a run. Lucas followed easily behind.

It was only after several strides that I realised where we were.

This was Sheffield's General Cemetery. I was home.

Hesitating in surprise, my hand pulled away from Evan's. I stumbled, foot caught in a vine weed that trailed across one of the overgrown graves. Catching myself on the grave stone, I pushed back up and forged forward, desperate to get out before Hazel and the rest of the coven arrived.

My head brushed something hanging from one of the old trees. I looked up ready to push away the fallen branch.

Fear paralysed me.

Hanging from each branch of the tree was a small doll-like figure about the length of a finger. There must have been thirty of them at least, identically suspended and gently swaying in the breeze. They were crudely fashioned, spun out of black yarn or coarse dark hair. They looked like something that a child would make.

The sight was oddly captivating. My life-force sizzled, this was strong magic. Old magic.

The figure that I had disturbed was still swinging from the impact. I reached up, intending to pluck it down for a closer look. Evan slapped my hand away. The force made me wince in pain.

"What the hell, Evan?"

"Poppets. Don't touch them. They'll suck you dry."

I stepped back, not sure what he meant, but not wanting to find out. There was a trace of silver mist on the doll that I'd knocked with my head. It hovered over the figure, more silver particles floating up to join it. I looked at my hand. They were coming from me.

I took another couple of steps away from the tree, but bumped into Lucas's hard chest. He was motionless, mesmerized by the sight.

My eyes darted between him and the tree.

The poppets danced on their strings with a life of their own, threads around their necks. A crude, childish puppet show, they called for the attention of an audience.

I gagged, bile rising in my throat, burning me from the inside out. It was a hanging tree, and the poppets were witches.

Whoever had done this was sick. More terrifying, they were powerful. Very, very powerful.

Twisting around, I slapped Lucas, trying to break the spell. Grabbing his arm I pulled, but his mass was too great for me to shift.

His eyes were focused unerringly on the tree.

What the hell was I supposed to do? Every minute that we stood here, the coven would be coming. I was strong but I couldn't take them all on.

I willed my power to the surface, knowing all the time that I risked it floating out of me to that tree of death. I could only hope that the connection that I had with Lucas would be stronger. Placing my hands on his chest, I concentrated on our bond, trying to find the place of security and contentment that we shared.

It was there, I knew it, but just as I joined with him, a sickening chorus of childish voices invaded my mind.

The poppets were singing to Lucas.

My eyes tried to turn to the tree without the permission of my brain. I shut them, gluing down my eyelids desperate not to succumb to their creepy siren-like allure.

Conjuring images of them in my mind, I gave them the faces of the pompous dignitaries that I'd met at the gala. Undermining their potency with humour was the only thing I could think of to dispel the pressure of their shrill, consuming song.

I sent the absurd image to Lucas through our bond. The side of his mouth quirked up. A moment later, his eyes met mine, laughter lines crinkled at each corner. A couple of seconds after that, horror filled his expression and he grabbed my arm and started to run.

The three of us charged towards the Cemetery Road exit, stopping just before the path reached the road. We crept to the derelict Anglican Chapel, taking shelter behind the building. A shiver ran through me, as it always did now when I was close to a gothic style structure.

The building was mid-nineteenth century, but its style meant that there was a risk. I scanned the walls of the broken down building. Gargoyles looked down at us with manic twisted grins. Herding us around the church building, I tried to ignore those warped featured and stunted bodies. They were just architectural, they had to be.

"How long were you down there Evan?"

"Two, maybe three days. I lost track."

"Did you see guards when they brought you in? Who brought you food and water?"

"I was blindfolded, but I think maybe three coven members brought me down. Jenny was one of them. She tried to shove some food into my pockets, but Hazel caught her and sent her away. They threw three bottles of water down with me, and that's all I've had."

"Shit, Evan. No wonder you look like crap."

"Thanks," he said with a wry smile. "No one came then until you guys. I heard them dragging your bodies, and followed them out. It was Eric, Hazel's second in command, but something was wrong with him. The other was an old woman, small and slight."

"Eric has started the transformation to a gargoyle. Why are they doing this?"

"I don't know, but Hazel and Eric have been ruling together for years. Maybe Jonathan is holding Eric as a gargoyle to control Hazel and the coven."

I wasn't so sure about Hazel's innocence but I admired Evan's loyalty. She had helped him recover and he wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. That was fine, but I'd seen another side to her.

"It took me ages to find you. Then you screamed. I ran round to the other end of the catacombs just in time for you to knock me down," Evan explained.

"Ok, so we have no way of knowing who's watching this place. I think we're going to have to make a run for it. The priory is closest."

"Let's go then," said Lucas.

Back to the priory for Alice and Evan. Have they come full circle? Hope you're enjoying the story.