Page 100 of Witchbane

‘How will we know, though?’ I asked, impatient for answers.

One of the women took my hand and began wrapping a long piece of linen around it. I hadn’t noticed it was still bleeding slightly. Another woman was covering Rue’s wound. I noticed her slip something into Rue’s other hand, but she secreted it into a pocket in her skirt before I could see what it might be.

‘We have no way of knowing until we see your father’s attitude towards Sorrel. Perhaps that is something you can do for us?’

Eager to find out, I gave a nod. ‘I’ll leave immediately.’ I stepped away as soon as the woman finished binding my hand.

‘I’m coming with you,’ Rue insisted with such determination that I didn’t bother arguing with her.

We raced on Warrior back to Stanthorpe, Ophelia Tredwell and Pierre following some way behind.

This time Rue didn’t mind riding with me. I was comforted to feel her arms tight around my waist as we galloped across the fields, taking the quickest route from Thistlebury Manor. I laid a hand on hers, enjoying the touch of her skin. I wanted so much for the spell to have worked, for us to have a chance to be together, to make a life together. I wasn’t yet sure how that could happen, but from now on I would not let anything stand in our way, even if it meant distancing myself from my family. Most importantly, though, we needed the spell to have worked, because if my father’s memory of Sorrel Norman had been wiped from his mind, then surely he would leave the Underwoods to get on with their lives.

I had to hope, too, that my father’s attitude towards Rue’s family had changed. In any case, I could not expect to have anything to do with Rue if I continued in my role as assistant Witchfinder, because there would still be a chance of someone discovering her to be a witch and placing her once again in danger, and I had no intention of letting that happen, even though the thought of never seeing her again pained me greatly.

No, I decided as we rode, the wind in our hair and our bodies pressing against each other; if the coven hadn’t managed to alter my father’s mind, then I would resign and leave Stanthorpe, never to return. To be close to Rue and not be with her would be unbearable.

‘We’re nearly there,’ I shouted, wishing the journey were longer and that I had more time to feel the warmth of her chest against my back. If this was the last chance I would see her, touch her, then I would need to imprint it on my mind so that I could take the feeling with me wherever I journeyed next.

We reached the outside of the building and dismounted.

‘I believe it will be safer for you to wait for me here, Rue,’ I said, concerned that if the spell hadn’t worked my father would have her arrested.

Rue stared into my eyes for a moment, appearing to contemplate something. Then, she handed me the small pouch from her pocket. ‘Take this. The powder inside needs to be cast over your father.’

‘You expect me to do this?’

‘I need you to do it, Theo,’ she said, desperation in her eyes. ‘It doesn’t matter if it falls on his back so he won’t see you throw it, but it must make contact with him to ensure our spell works.’

I had agreed to help her and like Rue, wanted this obsession of my father’s gone. ‘I will do what I can but must go in alone.’

‘I need to see my aunt and I can’t come all this way and not do that, Theo. You must know me well enough to expect that of me.’

I did. ‘If you want me to scatter this powder for you, I need to go alone. Give me a few minutes to do what I can. I will fetch you as soon as I feel it safe to do so.’

She seemed reluctant but nodded.

I made my way to the dungeon, eager to do as Rue had asked and entered as quietly as possible.

I found my father standing near Sorrel. He was staring down at her but I was relieved to note that he didn’t seem to have heard me. She had her eyes downcast and appeared to have been tortured. My father was alone in the damp room apart from Garnier who gave me an enquiring look.

Recalling how his cousin had been arrested as one of the witches, I raised a finger and pressed it to my lips. He frowned but said nothing as I walked up behind my father. I took the pouch, opened it, and held it near his back. Then, shaking the bag until all the powder held within sprinkled lightly over the back of his coat.

My father didn’t move. He was always highly alert, but didn’t sense my presence behind him.

Taking the opportunity to do all I could to help the women, I made for the door and motioned for Garnier to follow.

Once alone in the corridor, I said, ‘I can’t explain why, or how, but I have a feeling my father might change his stance on Sorrel Norman.’

Garner gave me a doubtful look. ‘And why would he do that?’ he scoffed.

‘Does that matter to you, when your own cousin is one of the women arrested with her?’

He frowned suspiciously. ‘What are you planning?’

‘If he does release Sorrel for any reason, I need you to help me persuade him to allow the others to go too.’ I watched as he considered my request.

The sound of footsteps came closer from the other end of the corridor. ‘I will do as you ask,’ he said angrily as if he would much rather not be in this position.