Nature of the Witch Read online

  Now it was Kitto's turn to look confused, “I don't understand. Did they take her or not?”

  “Kiera's magic is strong. It is true that she left this world last night but I don't think she made it to the faerie world either,” the tree-spirit told them, “I sense she is stuck somewhere between. That means there is a chance to get her back.”

  Kitto stroked his beard thoughtfully; there was hope in his eyes, “Yes but surely it would take a witch to perform that kind of retrieval spell and she is the only one of her kind.”

  “That is true,” the old man nodded, “only a witch could do it.”

  “Then it is hopeless,” Kitto whispered.

  “But you have a witch,” the man said softly.

  “Since she's the one who needs rescuing I'm not sure how helpful that is,” Jack said bitterly, “we need to find another way.”

  “I think you're looking at this wrong,” there was a twinkle in the old man's eyes, “if only a witch has the power that you need, then the question is not how to rescue Kiera, but how to get Kiera to rescue herself.”

  Jack sat and smiled awkwardly at the strange tree-like man sitting before him. He glanced at his watch. He hoped Kitto returned soon. Not only because the longer it took the more fearful he was for Kiera, but also because it was very difficult making small talk with a tree-spirit.

  He wasn't entirely sure what Kitto's plan was, or where he had dashed off too, but he hoped that it worked. They needed Kiera back. He needed Kiera back.

  He heard a car and rose to his feet. He stood on the outskirts of the trees and, shielding his eyes from the high winter sun, he tried to see the road. He hoped the farmer didn't appear. He wasn't entirely sure how to explain what he was doing there, or how a mini tornado had hit his trees.

  He turned around and jumped in surprise when he found the tree-spirit only inches away from his face.

  He cleared his throat and attempted to sound polite, “I realise it's different for trees, because you all just grow where you're planted, but human beings have personal boundaries.”

  The old man raised an eyebrow.

  Jack took a step back and signalled with his hand, “I need a little space.”

  “Oh,” the old man smiled and then his eyes twinkled knowingly, “yes I forget that you humans like to have distance between you.”

  Jack frowned. That wasn't exactly what he'd meant.

  “You and Kiera are one now,” the man whispered to him, “do you feel it?”

  At first Jack thought he'd feign ignorance and pretend he didn't know what the man was talking about, then he entertained the idea of a smart-alec response, but didn't have the energy to muster one. He looked the man in the eye and knew he had to be honest. He sighed, “Yes I feel it. I have to save her.”

  “She'll need you when she returns. You are her strength when she feels weak, her light when all around her is dark, just as she is to you. You must help her stick to her path.”

  Jack nodded. He wanted to ask a question but then Kitto appeared. He carried a mirror in one hand and a strange-sort-of necklace in the other.

  “Follow me,” he said to Jack as he strode past him purposefully. They entered the clearing and Kitto handed Jack the mirror, “Hold this.”

  Then he proceeded to walk slowly around. The necklace turned out to be a gold pendulum which Kitto held out in front of him as he walked. The pendulum swung gently as he moved and Kitto watched it intently.

  “What are you doing?” Jack asked, after he had observed him for a moment.

  Kitto didn't look up. “Dowsing,” he replied, “the pendulum is imbued with magical powers. It used to belong to Bersaba,” he paused as though he had difficulty saying her name, “it can be used to find lost things. It will tell me where Kiera is.”

  Jack stared at Kitto as though he might have gone mad, “We aren't looking for a set of car keys, we are looking for a full person. Are you hoping to find her hidden in the grass?”

  Kitto ignored him and continued to move about. He covered every inch of ground, stepping over branches and debris left behind after Kiera's escapades the night before. Suddenly the pendulum swung hard to the right and stayed rigid, as though it was pointing. Kitto followed its direction until it swung back to the centre and pulled his hand downwards.

  “Here,” Kitto called to Jack and they both stared at the patch of earth at Kitto's feet.

  “Well I don't see her,” Jack said dryly.

  “Sit,” Kitto commanded.

  Jack did as he was told. Kitto took the mirror from his hands and placed it on the ground in front.

  Then Kitto crouched down and spoke to him, his voice full of urgency, “Jack, this is very important. Kiera is lost somewhere between our two worlds and only you can reach her. As her Gwithiaz you have a connection to her like no other. You must speak to her. You must tell her to use her powers and come home to us.”

  Home. Jack found the word caused a tightness in his chest. Kiera needed to come home to them.

  “How do I do that?” He asked.

  Kitto pointed to the mirror, “The mirror has always been a way of connecting worlds. In magic it can even be used as a doorway. Without Kiera's powers we obviously have no way of using it as such, but there is a chance of connecting to her with it. Call out to her and she may hear you. All you have to do, Jack, is concentrate, concentrate hard, clear your mind of everything else and only think of her. Then speak to her, speak to her and tell her what she needs to do.”

  Jack nodded. He shifted into a comfortable position and took a deep breath. Then he closed his eyes. He briefly wished that he had spent some time meditating in the mornings, like Kiera did, so that he was better at this type of thing. Then he followed Kitto's instructions, took a moment to clear his mind and concentrated on Kiera, praying that she would hear him.

  Chapter Twenty Five

  Her dad was running along beside her. She could feel his hand on her bike seat and she started to giggle, partly due to nerves and partly due to the exhilaration of it all.

  “And go!” He shouted.

  She squealed as she felt him let go and then he dropped out of sight. She wobbled and swerved and heard him yell, “Use the brakes!” She tried to head for the grass but didn't make it before the bike toppled to the ground and she felt the gravel scrape at her skin.

  It was only a moment before her dad's arms were around her. He picked her up as she let out a sob. She was about to burst into tears when she realised dad was laughing, “Well done Kiera, that was great, another try?”

  She laughed with him and let him stand her on her feet and pick up her bike. She glanced at him fearfully as they set off. He ran beside her again before letting go. She managed to ride a short distance before losing control and skidding the bike to a halt. They spent all evening practicing. There were a few tears and several plasters but she got the hang of it in the end.

  Next they were swimming. Dad was pretending to be a surfboard. He swam under water whilst Kiera stood on top of him, laughing and shrieking until she fell off.

  Then they were climbing Ben Nevis, what a wonderful holiday they had had in Scotland. She could see how tired and cold they both were by the time they reached the top. He held her hand and pulled her the last few steps. The fog was thick and they couldn't see a thing, but they had made it. The cold pierced through their many layers of clothing so they only stopped long enough to take a quick photo and then began the descent.

  More memories besieged her, each one vivid as though she was living through it all over again. Maybe they weren't memories; maybe she was living through them again. That would mean dad was alive. For a moment she felt hope and her mind felt at peace, his death had just been a bad dream.

  Then suddenly she was surrounded by an impenetrable darkness. The dark was so thick that she could almost feel it in her throat, choking her. She began to shiver and the hope and peace she had felt were replaced by despair. She was completely alone. She tried to scream but nothing came out
. Then a sound echoed through the all-consuming black.

  She listened intently. It sounded like Jack. Was that possible? She listened again but then the black dissolved and she saw her dad once more.

  This time he was cycling. She was sitting on a bike seat attached to his bike. She held on to the bar in front and her dad's arms encircled her as he gripped on to the handle bars. She felt safe. The countryside around them was beautiful, a view made up of green fields and flowery hedgerows. She felt a calmness wash over her.

  They stopped and had a picnic. Dad had brought some extra bread to feed the ducks on the canal. Then they set off again. She sang him a song from her favourite Disney film as he cycled, his breath heavy as his legs peddled furiously up a hill. He seemed strong and invincible, death surely an impossibility.

  Then suddenly the countryside melted away and the darkness was back.

  “Dad!” She tried to call but again she could make no sound. He was out there. She had seen him. Perhaps he could help her. He had always been there for her. He would get her out of this darkness.

  A voice rattled around in her subconscious. It was the same one she had heard earlier. Was it really possible that it was Jack? She tried to listen as cold seeped into her skin and seemed to penetrate her very heart.

  “Jack,” she whispered and this time sound came out.

  Then the darkness vanished and her heart lifted as she saw her dad again. He was sitting on the end of her bed. He looked the way she remembered him, fair-haired and blue-eyed. He was telling her that he was sick. He was telling her that it would all be okay, and she was believing him. After all, any other outcome was unthinkable. They were making light of it and talking about what they would do once he was better. They would definitely move to Cornwall, where dad had always wanted to live, and dad would learn to surf.

  Then she was sitting by his bedside. All hope was gone. Dad was going to die. The hospice nurses entered and smiled at her and then left again. They let them have their last few moments together alone. Kiera was trying not to let her sadness completely overcome her. She wanted to be brave for him. She swallowed down the fear and tried to put on a brave face. What would she do without him?

  She rested her head on his chest and he stroked her hair as he wheezed out his last few breaths. She felt his chest fall for the last time and she clung to him. He was gone.

  The darkness was back, stronger and colder than ever before. She couldn't fight it, she didn't have the energy. What was the point in fighting it?

  She felt herself sink further into it, a black pit of loneliness. She briefly wondered if there was an end to it or whether she would be sinking into the darkness forever.

  Then came the voice. It was louder than before. It was definitely Jack.

  “Come home Kiera,” it called, “please come home.”

  “Jack,” she replied, “I'm lost. I'm sorry.”

  “You're not lost!” He called to her. “You are a witch. Use your powers and come home to us!”

  Her eyes closed. Her heart felt heavy.

  “I am lost,”she whispered again.

  All was silent. Then her eyes opened. Jack's voice was loud, it echoed throughout the darkness, “You can do it. You're strong and you can get yourself home Kiera!”

  Her arm felt like lead as she lifted it shakily. Her breathing was quick as she tried to concentrate. She focused on Jack's voice, she concentrated on his words and slowly she began to move.

  It took all her strength and energy. She felt her magic within her and in her mind's eye she glimpsed faces. They were the faces of her fellow witches, those that had gone before her and they were urging her on. They called her sister and Jack summoned her home and with all her might she moved upwards. The darkness shifted into something else. She felt it tangible beneath her fingertips and against her skin. Then the panic set in. It was soil. She was being buried alive. She pushed upwards, kicking and scrabbling against the earth around her. It seemed impossible to break through.

  Finally she could bear it no more and she inhaled. Instantly earth filled her mouth, hitting the back of her throat and making her gag. She reached out her hand in a last ditch attempt at freeing herself. Consciousness began to slip away when suddenly someone grabbed hold of her. She was being pulled upwards. The darkness tumbled away and she saw sunlight and she had never been so happy to see the sun before. She felt her body lighten as she was pulled upwards and freed. She spat soil from her mouth and tried to breathe in noisy, desperate gasps. The last thing she remembered was Jack's face smiling at her in relief as he pulled her into his arms.

  “You're safe, you're home,” he whispered and then everything slipped away and the world was black again.

  Chapter Twenty Six

  Kiera spent the next two days mostly sleeping. She felt completely drained of energy. Whenever she awoke she was never alone, either Kitto, Jack or Mags were beside her bed watching over her. Kiera was grateful to Mags for coming to look after her. Mags moved into the spare room and told Kiera she wouldn't be leaving until Kiera was better. It was nice to have a woman's touch during her recovery. Kitto and Jack did their best but Mags stroked her hair, held her hand and made her homemade soup.

  Jack didn't speak much when he sat with her. Often it looked as though he was on the verge of saying something but then he would change his mind. When she felt better she would have to make sure nothing was troubling him.

  “What were you doing out there?” Kitto asked her. Mags and Jack were both sitting with her when Kitto walked in with a fresh cup of tea.

  Everyone looked at her expectantly and she felt her cheeks flush as she lied, “I went to try and help with the faerie problem. I thought I could handle it but I obviously wasn't ready, I should've asked for help.”

  Mags and Kitto both nodded gravely in unison. Jack didn't move but his eyes narrowed slightly.

  “How did you know there was a faerie problem?” Mags asked her perplexed.

  For a short moment Kiera was stumped for an answer but then she said quickly, “I sensed it when Jack and I were shooting there the day before. It's hard to explain but I knew I had to go back.”

  Mags looked pleased and Kitto smiled too. Jack wasn't smiling.

  “I told you to find a way to communicate with the natural world,” Mags leant forward and rubbed her shoulder proudly, “looks like you found a way. But next time don't go anywhere like that without your Gwithiaz.”

  Kiera smiled feebly. She hated lying to them but she couldn't tell them the truth. They wouldn't understand. Besides, she had successfully communicated with the natural world; a tree had spoken to her, you couldn't communicate with the natural world any better than that.

  Mags returned home on the fourth day. Kiera had started to move about, although she still felt weak. She was sad to see Mags leave, it had been nice to live under the same roof again. She missed Mags's warmth and her cooking and her motherly ways. But it also felt good to be home with Kitto and Jack. When she had been trapped underground she had thought she would never see them again, but they had come for her and they had helped her out of the darkness.

  Once she had waved goodbye to Mags she went in search of Jack. She found him in his workshop, he was carving with his back to her. She thought he hadn't heard her enter, but, as she neared, he spoke without looking up, “How are you feeling?”

  “Still a little weak,” she admitted, “but I'm told that's because of the amount of magic I've used in the last couple of days, what with the faerie banishing spell and also the power I had to use getting back. My body isn't used to it.”

  She pulled up a chair next to him and sat down in it. She watched him while he worked with the wood. He was wearing a long sleeved black top which clung to his arms and his strong hands sliced deftly.

  “Where did you learn to do that?” She asked him.

  “When I was in the Children's Home,” he replied, still not looking up at her.

  “Was it really bad growing up in care?” She asked
him quietly.

  He paused, surprised by her question, “Not always. There were good times.”

  “I'm glad,” she said, mostly because she couldn't think of anything else to say.

  He stopped carving and placed everything on the worktop in front of him. Then he sighed, “It was pretty lonely though. I never fitted in with the other kids.”

  He turned to her suddenly, “Are you trying to raise your dad from the dead?”

  Kiera was completely taken aback and began to stammer as she searched for a response. She had the Grim Seed. Mags must have found her bag in the living room and had brought it up and placed it by her bed. It didn't look like she had opened the bag and Kiera had quickly hidden the flowers before anyone could find them.

  “What makes you say that?” She asked.

  “I've seen the spell,” he said steadily.

  Kiera turned away from his intense gaze. He was trying to read her; he wanted to know if she was telling the truth. She wanted to be truthful but couldn't bring herself to discuss it, “I thought about it but I've decided not to.”

  She was a terrible liar and she felt her cheeks begin to burn. It was the second time she had lied to Jack in the space of a few days. She knew what her real decision was. The memories of her father had seemed so real. She had been trapped between two worlds, lost in the darkness, and her father's face had given her hope. She had the means to bring him back. She had already started to look through her books for ways to protect her soul. She hadn't found anything yet but she was still looking. She had two days to keep looking and to re-energise, because the spell required a full moon and in two days' time she would have just that. The idea she would see her dad in a couple of days made her heart lurch. She had missed him so much. Jack and Kitto would understand why she had done it once he was back.

  She smiled and tried to change the subject, “It's nice to be out of bed. I think I'll go and put the kettle on. Would you like a cup of tea?”