Page 48 of The Book of Unwritten Stories

As much as Sephy hated to think about it, she might have to speak to the council of witches and that would mean speaking to Clara. This was a serious matter. They could not have an inexperienced witch using black magic without knowing the dire consequences of their actions. She closed her eyes to summon Lenny and Dora to the shop; they had to know what was going on. Even though Sephy didn’t detect any threat to themselves, they had to be cautious for they had not defeated Corwin only to then get involved in another matter that was dangerous to them be it indirectly.

A knock on the door made Sephy stand up. She felt so weary not to mention on the verge of tears. Dora and Lenny were standing there and she ushered them inside, locking the door behind them. Not that anyone would be trying to shop this afternoon as the road and surrounding area was now closed while they investigated the horrific death of that young girl.

‘What happened out there? Lenny had to almost bribe the officer guarding the scene to let us through,’ said Dora.

‘I fear someone is using a book of black magic, well not just any book, The Book of Black Magic.’

Lenny crossed her arms. ‘How do you know, Sephy?’ Lenny was frowning.

Sephy talked them through the last hour.

‘This woman who turned up at the scene, what did she look like?’

Dora was the one to answer. ‘Did she have long black hair, wearing all black, red lipstick, my age or slightly older and could pass for Morticia Addams?’

Sephy snapped her head in Dora’s direction. ‘Yes, you know her?’

‘Not really, I was at home when Hades turned up acting all weird and said “trouble”. I followed him to the Ropes Mansion gardens, and he led me to a woman sitting alone on the porch out the back. She was full of attitude and Hades wanted me to help her, he kept saying “trouble”, but she didn’t want help. Was rude and obnoxious so I left her there. She did say her name was Morana. That was all I got from her.’

Sephy stared at Lenny. ‘This is not good, not good at all.’

Lenny nodded. ‘Morana is the ancient Slavic goddess of death. It seems she is living up to her name.’

‘So, she isn’t real? She’s a goddess?’ asked Dora.

‘No, dear, she was as real as you and I. I don’t think she is an actual goddess, but I do think she has somehow found your father’s book. The one that Lucine wrote in when she was going through her dark phase and almost turned into a shadow witch so full of blackness that no light could penetrate.’

Dora shook her head. ‘Here we go again with the family secrets that are locked in a vault until someone decides it’s time to open it. You guys are like a nightmare to keep up with.’

‘Shut up, Dora, this isn’t about you. We do what we must, keeping you and the rest of the world safe is not an easy task.’ Lenny was glaring at her.

‘How did Morana get hold of that book?’ Sephy was pacing up and down, wringing her hands.

Lenny sighed. ‘Corwin, it had to have been. He took it, then hid it away.’

‘Did he hide it in the bookstore?’

‘Don’t be silly, dear, you cloaked the bookstore so well that no one found it,’ Sephy replied.

‘Why do you ask that, Dora?’ Lenny was watching her face.

‘I went back the other day and the bookstore was there in plain sight for anyone to find if they were out looking for it. Before I cloaked it, I noticed there was a space on one of the shelves where a book had been. It was missing.’

Lenny arched an eyebrow at Sephy.

Sephy gasped, cupping a hand over her mouth. ‘I don’t like this, I fear we are going to have to inform Clara. It’s too far out of our control and I do not want to be responsible for what is happening this time around.’

‘Clara? You want us to go to that old witch and tell her we think someone is using our sister’s long-lost book of black magic. Are you insane, Seraphina?’

‘Unfortunately not, Lenora. What choice do we have? This is bigger than us and at the moment it doesn’t directly involve us, so let us not put ourselves in danger.’

Dora held up her hand. ‘Erm, I might have to disagree with you there, ladies.’

This time they both turned and glared at her.

‘For some reason, Hades is way too involved with this Morana. He wanted me to help her. She knows who I am, she knows Hades can talk and, well, I don’t think we can just brush it away, especially if she’s using this book. It’s our responsibility. If it was my father’s or my mother’s. If it came from the bookstore. This is my fault and I need to fix it.’

‘Why is Hades so bothered about her, and how did he find her anyway? That must be where he keeps disappearing to,’ muttered Sephy.