The Witch's Thief (11 page)

Still they continued to shake.

“I can’t,” Julia said, tears clouded her vision. “I can’t. I can’t.”

“Why?” Marianne screamed, turning toward her. Her pretty face twisted with pain and anguish. “Why do you allow me to suffer? I am a shade. A ghost. My body remains locked away in Drake’s castle dungeon while my spirit lingers in this limbo. I cannot touch nor taste. No one but you may hear me speak. I am nothing, Julia! Nothing! And you allow me to remain so!”

Julia trembled, shaking her head. “No, no, no, Marianne,” she whispered in response to her sister’s accusations. She loved her sister. She wanted to help her. Drake wanted the book. She would find the book. To save Marianne.

But, she could not involve Basil for she loved him, too. What would Drake do to Basil? What if he cursed Basil as he had done to Marianne?

And her father.

At last, the tears fell. She choked back a sob, fighting despair, but the sounds of Marianne’s weeping reached her ears. She could contain it no longer.

And then Basil’s arms wrapped around her. Julia clutched at his jacket, clinging to him. She sobbed her pain.

It took quite a long time for the tears. She held them in for so long that once one escaped, they flooded loose.

Basil held her close, one hand caressed her back, soothing her as no one had done since before her father died. The thought of her father’s death sent her into another wave of fresh tears. She had not cried since her father was taken from her.

And for the first time in over a year, she felt safe. Basil made her feel safe. She buried her face into his shoulder, unmindful of the tearstains that were sure to show on his jacket. She melted into his embrace. The heat of his tenderness warmed her. For just a moment, Julia let her barriers fall, allowed her heart to open and her imagination free reign. For a moment, she allowed herself to believe all would be well, that Basil loved her as she loved him, would protect her from all the evil in the world, and could save her sister.

Relief, like nothing she had ever known, released her. She felt light and free. Happy. Truly happy.

But, reality had a habit of crashing down on her head with the force of a heaving sword. Her precious moments of relief vanished with the sound of someone knocking at the door.

Julia lifted her head from Basil’s shoulder. She pushed away from him, alert to the presence of someone who might discover them in such intimacy. He held her fast, the stubborn man, refusing to let her go.

“Well, hello, Basil,” Sage Merriweather said, standing in the doorway. He tilted his head, his eyes widening at the sight of the embracing couple. A slow smile spread over his cheeks. “And, Miss Grey, a pleasure to see you once again.”

Julia stepped away from Basil, who reluctantly set her free. She swiped her cheeks, hoping to wipe the telltale traces of wetness away. Her legs trembled as she stepped forward to greet Basil’s younger brother.

“Mr. Merriweather,” she said, forcing a smile of welcome. She sniffled once, wishing she had a handkerchief nearby. “So happy to see you. When did you arrive?”

“Only just.” Sage withdrew a handkerchief from his jacket pocket. Without any remark over her need for the cloth, he handed it to her and sent a questioning glance toward his brother.

Basil remained where he was, silent.

Julia turned and watched as Sage entered the room fully. As she did so, she could see both brothers at once. It took her breath away how handsome these men were. But where Basil was light with golden rays shining from his hair, Sage was dark, with deep browns and reds. They shared the same aristocratic nose and strong chin. Their cheekbones were rather high for men, giving them another reason for the women who fell over them.

And make no mistake, the women must surely fall for them. In all of her days, Julia had never seen any more beautiful than Basil or his siblings.

Julia wiped at her cheeks and nose with Sage’s handkerchief, inhaling the sandalwood scent of him. Of the two, Sage was much more exotic than his brother. Basil had once been content to remain in England, to take over his father’s estate, to learn his mother’s spell craft. Sage had been the adventurer in those days. Eager to leave Meryton, to learn the delights of London. And when that did not appease him, he left for further shores, landing on the Continent and exploring the world.

And then, mysteriously, Basil followed.

The difference being that Sage returned home after a few months of adventuring, and Basil did not.

As if he could read her mind, Basil looked at her. They stared at one another for several moments as Sage rambled on about the weather and nearly being frozen in snow as the storm raged. She saw the query in his gaze. The question she could not answer. And in return, she sent her own question to him with her eyes.

Why did he leave Meryton all those years ago? Why did he leave her?

“I must call for Mrs. Prescott,” Julia said, breaking eye contact with Basil and interrupting Sage’s lengthy meteorological discourse. “I’m certain she wishes to see you at once.” She turned to leave.

“I’ve spoken with Parker,” Sage said, his voice stopping her. “He tells me she is resting. Her afternoon nap, I believe.”

Julia’s hand tightened around the doorknob. The instinct to flee overwhelmed her.

She thought it difficult before, keeping secrets. First from Mrs. Prescott, then from Basil and now Sage? Was there no end to it? She bit her lip, forcing her mouth closed when she wanted to blurt out the truth. To allow Basil and his family to assist her in her quest to save her sister.

But, in doing so, she would damn them, and she could never live with herself if another suffered because of her actions.

What must be done?

She looked over her shoulder to see Sage, now standing beside his brother. Basil hung his head, looking down as he whispered softly. Julia could only guess he spoke of the embrace Sage witnessed upon entering the room.

“Ah,” Sage said, and the sound of surprise in his voice sent a tremor of awareness through her. Sage lifted his head acknowledging something by the window. “Miss Marianne, I did not see you there. How do you do?”

A chill swept through Julia, and her hand clenched over the doorknob, her nails biting into the brass. Her breath lodged in her chest, choking her, but her body froze as the scene played out before her.

Marianne, who sat crumpled and weeping on the window seat, heard Sage speaking her name. She lifted her head in surprise, her mouth opening to gape at him.

Sage continued to smile, as he awaited Marianne’s response.

Basil lifted his head. He looked first at her. But, Julia could not tear her gaze away from Sage and Marianne. For since Marianne did not respond to Sage’s greeting, he now took steps closer.

“Why is it, Basil, that I enter the room to find two women weeping? What have you done?”

Basil’s gaze swung in turn from Sage, to the window seat, which remained empty to his eyes, then back to Julia, the horror dawning on his face. The dagger of betrayal penetrated her heart.

Sage could see Marianne.

He could see her!

Julia didn’t know what sort of power Sage possessed, but he was strong enough to see the spell that tore Marianne’s spirit from her flesh. A sudden realization sent Julia into a horrible panic.

Marianne would tell Sage. Tell him what happened.

If she did that…

It was over. Their lives were forfeit.

Julia could think of one thing. Only one thing might save them now.

She turned the doorknob, opened the door and ran.

****

Basil heard Sage’s voice, but couldn’t quite make out the words. He stood frozen for a moment, staring at the empty space Julia had just occupied.

His brother’s arrival had not been all that surprising. After all, he frequently corresponded with Sage, sending his letters to the London house where Aunt Petunia rarely ventured. It was in part Sage’s last missive besides his aunt’s that had sounded rather desperate and solidified his plans to return to England. Upon reaching Merriweather Manor and realizing he’d have to make the trek to Uncle Arden’s to rescue his sisters, Basil knew he’d have to wait for the snowstorm to end before embarking on that journey. He wagered Sage would make an appearance before too long.

Having Sage discover Julia in his embrace, he was sure, must have been rather shocking. Surprising even, but not unexpected. Sage was certain to have remembered the relationship he and Julia shared once long ago.

And Sage sent him a questioning look as he handed her the handkerchief to wipe away her tears. Tears apparently caused by Basil.

“What have you done?” Sage had whispered, while Julia took measured steps toward the door.

“Nothing, I assure you,” Basil answered, seconds before Julia announced she would seek out Aunt Petunia.

And then Sage spoke of Marianne.

No…
to
Marianne where Basil saw
no
Marianne.

The cold emanating from the room penetrated Basil’s chest, straining to touch his heart.

“Oh, Gods,” he said.

He looked into Julia’s eyes and the truth shined in her panicked face. When he arrived looking for Julia, she had been speaking to someone. Speaking to an empty room. Or so he thought.

Marianne.

Basil looked over his shoulder as Sage approached the window seat, speaking softly to…nothing. There was nothing to see.

Nothing
his
eyes could see, but something very real to both his brother and Julia.

“Marianne?” Basil spoke her name, questioning his sanity and his brother’s eyesight. Was it possible? Julia indicated earlier that her sister was in residence. Although he had yet to see her, he did not think it unusual. Even as children, Marianne was one to run off to enjoy her solitude. Of course, now that he thought on it, he found it odd she did not come down to greet him. Even Marianne would come to greet him after ten years abroad.

Julia fled the room. He let her go. Instead of chasing after her, as his heart wished to do, he walked over to where his brother spoke to the air by the window.

“What are you doing?” Basil asked. He hoped Sage played false, some morbid game, but he knew his brother too well.

Sage spared him a glance. “The poor woman is speechless,” he said. “Just what have you been saying to the young ladies to upset them so?”

“What woman?” Basil asked. “I see none.”

Sage’s brow furrowed. He looked from Basil back to the window seat and back again.

“Are you blind? Marianne is sitting here weeping, and you
don’t see her
?” Sage asked, his voice rising in anger. “It’s unbelievably rude of you, Basil, to ignore her so. She’s clearly distraught.”

Basil grasped his brother’s shoulder. “No, Sage, I do not
see
her.”

The meaning of his words must have shown in his face for Sage gasped.

“Truly?”

Basil nodded, solemnly. What was going on? Was this the black magic he sensed? Marianne was invisible to all but Sage…and Julia.

He tilted his head and considered again. Julia had been talking strangely. As if she spoke to someone who was here…

“Damn,” Basil muttered.

Marianne
was
here, cloaked from visibility, and Julia knew. But why did she not say? Why keep it secret?

He turned back to the door, ready to ask Julia the many questions that needed answering, only to find the doorway empty. Yes, she had fled.

“I do believe something is amiss,” Sage muttered.

“I agree,” Basil said. “We must speak to Julia.”

****

Julia ran to the library, nearly flew to the mantel over the fireplace, skidding to a halt just short of tumbling into the flames. She pressed the hidden panel that she stumbled upon weeks ago during her search. When the panel popped open, she yanked the ancient tomes none too gently into her arms. Though there were six, she only managed three.

She shook her head. There was no time to find a sack to carry them in, and she could not risk coming back for the rest. These three would have to do.

Not bothering to close the panel, she hurried from the room, running most awkwardly while hoisting the three heavy tomes up the stairs to her bedroom.

Once inside, she gasped for breath and dumped her burden onto the bed. Grabbing the bottle with the summoning powder, she raced to the full-length ornately framed mirror nailed to the wall.

Quickly, she blew the powder over the glass, speaking the words of the spell all the while praying Drake was nearby to notice.

She was in luck.

Within moments, Drake appeared.

****

“She’s been cursed by a necromancer,” Sage said.

Chills coursed down Basil’s spine. That explained the black magic he sensed, and the reason no one could see Marianne. All except Julia and his brother. He pondered that for only a moment. Now was not the time.

“Why did Julia not speak of this?”

Sage listened. Apparently, Marianne could hear all that was spoken in the room and answered Basil’s question.

“She was warned not to speak to anyone, nor seek any assistance. Although her spirit is free to roam as she pleases, the necromancer has Marianne’s body. If Julia disobeyed and anyone learned the truth, he can easily end Marianne’s life.”

“And now we know,” Basil said, taking a breath. “Is Marianne in danger because of it?”

Sage shrugged. “Possibly. She’s not certain. She’s been begging Julia to ask for our help. She’s willing to risk her life for a chance to escape this madness.”

“Yes, but Julia would never risk her sister’s life.” Basil sighed heavily, running a hand over his eyes. “How long has she been cursed?”

“Six months,” Sage repeated then flinched. “Good God! With no one to help you? It’s no wonder you’re willing to risk death!” He moved forward, making an awkward motion with his hands in the air.

Basil frowned.

Sage clenched his fingers and leaned back. “I cannot touch her. I feel the cold as my hand passes through her.”