The Devil’s Paintbox Page 20

  Mister Dark turned away, displeased. Rain clouds were gathering on the horizon, moving rapidly towards the town. He knew they heralded the end of the paintbox’s reign. When the last marauding insect fell, the downpour would wash the sand and the sickness away, and the whalers and porcelain people would be restored.

  He had wasted too much time. He cast his cruel gaze around the pier. Without the coven, there was only Cassandra and Catesby to assist him. They were more than enough.

  He rubbed the fingers of both hands together. Blue sparks formed into gobbets of crackling energy and he flung them into the bonfires where Dennis and Clarke were still tied. Flames took hold at once.

  Jack Potts dashed to cut them free.

  Mister Dark signalled to Cassandra and Catesby then strode towards the unlit beacon at the far end.

  ‘Pottsy!’ Cherry yelled. ‘Look out!’

  The mechanical butler glanced round in time to see Cassandra swinging a plank of wood at him.

  It struck with sickening force. There was a snapping of metal. The brass pipes of his neck were torn from their brackets and the bicycle chain ripped away. The tin head flew from his shoulders, crashing to the ground at Lil’s feet.

  ‘NO!’ she yelled.

  The lights behind Jack Potts’s eyes flickered a final time and died.

  His decapitated body buckled and fell and the bellows on his chest ceased pumping.

  Cherry stared at it in shock, but there was no time to mourn. Flames were leaping around Dennis and Clarke.

  Seeing the ritual dagger, she snatched it up and began cutting their ropes.

  With Verne unprotected, Cassandra seized him roughly by the hair and dragged the boy after Mister Dark.

  Lil chased them, but Catesby swooped down and attacked her father, slashing his face. Doubling back, she smacked the winged cat away. Catesby spat, then flew to the altar, took the Nimius in his four paws and raced to the beacon.

  ‘Dad, you OK?’ Lil asked desperately.

  ‘Go get Verne!’ Mike said, clutching a bleeding forehead. ‘And Lil, save your mother. That’s not our Cass. You know that.’

  Lil kissed his hand.

  Cherry had successfully freed Clarke and laid the unconscious boy down, away from the flames, but she was struggling with Dennis’s ropes.

  ‘Help me!’ she called to the girl as she ran by. ‘Quick!’

  ‘Doesn’t matter about me!’ Dennis protested. ‘Help Verne!’

  ‘Verne’s too important to Mister Dark!’ Cherry told the pair of them. ‘He needs him alive. He’s in no danger. But you’re gonna be a human doner kebab real soon. Quit strugglin’. Lil, tag in, my hands ain’t as strong as they used to be.’

  The girl took the dagger and jumped in her place. Black smoke flooded into her eyes, blinding her. Mr Thistlewood’s clothes were beginning to singe and he clenched his teeth, twisting his head away from the rising flames. Then the final rope was cut. He lurched off the burning pyre and rolled on the ground. His clothes were alight and he yelled in agony. Thinking quickly, Lil pushed him off the pier on to the sand, jumped down and threw great handfuls over him, quenching the flames.

  ‘It’s OK,’ Lil told him. ‘I don’t think it’s too bad.’

  Dennis raised his head and looked the length of the pier, to where the beacon was waiting to be lit.

  ‘Please,’ he begged. ‘Save Verne.’

  Lil promised. ‘Me and Cherry won’t let anything . . .’

  She looked around her. Where was Cherry?

  The moment Lil had taken the dagger from her, Cherry Cerise had run off. Clearing the lighthouse, she saw Verne pinned against the stacked timber of the beacon by Catesby, who was perched on his chest and mewling threateningly.

  Cassandra had removed her cloak and stood with her head back and eyes closed, enraptured. Mister Dark’s crooked, shadowy shape was looming over her. His hand reaching for her exposed throat.

  Cherry steeled herself. She could do this. She had to. It was her job. ‘Wait!’ she called out. ‘Let her go.’

  His heavy-lidded eyes glinted back her.

  ‘Don’t give me the raised monobrow routine. You knew I’d be here. We been tippy-toein’ around this all night long.’

  ‘Blood is the bridge. I will have life again.’

  ‘Fine! But not hers. She might be a witless dabbler with an overinflated opinion of herself, but she’s got a kid that needs her. As she herself pointed out, I got no one. Take your hoodoo off – have me instead.’

  ‘You?’

  Cherry stepped forward.

  ‘Like you didn’t set this up from the start. The last clause of the pact still needs tickin’. You have to kill the Whitby witch, but you were never just gonna burn me. Waste all that funky witch blood? No way. You were after the two for the price of one deal. My death and your new life, wrapped up in one well preserved and still pretty darn knockout package, if I say so myself.’

  ‘No!’ Cassandra blurted. ‘Mister Dark is mine! We belong together.’

  ‘Pipe down, sweetheart, I’m tryin’ to save your neck – literally.’

  Cassandra was about to protest again when Mister Dark passed a ghostly hand across her face. She fell silent.

  ‘Wanted to do that to her so many times,’ Cherry muttered.

  ‘You must care for her daughter very much,’ Mister Dark said with a revolting leer.

  ‘We got ourselves a deal? Let this one go – and Verne too. You can keep the Nimius. Wear it as a medallion for all I care.’

  ‘The boy stays with me. The Nimius is useless without him.’

  ‘Then the deal’s off. I’m outta here and you don’t get to fulfil your contract with the three big bads. You think they’re gonna be pleased about that? It’ll be straight back to the deep cold for you, but this time there won’t be no chance of parole.’

  Mister Dark glowered at her. ‘I’ll kill so many more before that happens.’

  ‘Oh, I know you will. So take what I’m offerin’ and go from here. You know it’s a great deal.’

  A hideous smirk pulled at his scar.

  ‘Very well.’

  Cherry held up her wrist.

  ‘Swear it on this,’ she said, displaying the bangle with the three ammonites.

  ‘My word alone is not surety enough?’

  ‘I’d sooner skinny-dip in a pit of cobras.’

  ‘Then I, Mister Dark, swear by the Rule of the Three that I shall adhere to my promise. From this day forward, the boy Verne will be neither hindered nor harmed nor forced to do my bidding and I shall leave today.’

  The ammonites in the bracelet glowed briefly, binding the oath.

  ‘Catesby, release him,’ Mister Dark said. ‘Don’t sulk – you’ve already had one mouse this night.’

  The cat snarled. He unhooked his claws from Verne’s clothes and flapped his great wings.

  Verne stumbled to Cherry and she hugged him tightly.

  ‘Go,’ she urged. ‘Whatever you do, don’t look back!’

  The boy stared into her pale blue eyes.

  ‘Don’t do this!’ he implored, terrified. ‘There’s got to be another way.’

  ‘Scram, kid.’

  There was no dissuading her. Verne staggered past the lighthouse. High above, Catesby followed silently.

  ‘Now Lil’s mom. Lift your control.’

  Mister Dark laughed cruelly. ‘She was such an eager victim. Another lost soul, searching for meaning. There really are too many of them in this modern age. There is no jolly in it.’

  Leaning in, he pressed his phantom lips against Cassandra’s. She wilted and sank to the ground.

  ‘And now,’ he said, turning to Cherry, ‘I would have my fill of witch blood. I am eager to obtain new life.’

  ‘Gimme one minute. I need to speak to her.’

  She knelt before Cassandra and clasped her shivering hands.

  ‘Hey, you OK, Mrs Wilson?’

  Cassandra stared at the witch with unfocused eyes. She swallow
ed fearfully and drew away.

  ‘Don’t be scared, it’s all gonna be swell. I know your head is full of the fuzzies right now, but they’ll clear. Your husband is waitin’ for you right along there.’

  ‘M . . . Mike? Is he all right?’

  ‘He’s just fine.’

  Cassandra glimpsed Mister Dark waiting impatiently close by and she quailed at the remembrance of the things she had done.

  ‘I’m disgusting!’

  ‘Weren’t you, not your fault.’

  ‘But it was! At the start. Lil – I said . . . did . . . terrible, unforgivable things. I was so jealous of the magic you two had.’

  ‘Want to know the truth, lady? I was the jealous one.’

  ‘You? Jealous of what?’

  ‘Of you.’

  ‘I’ve got nothing!’

  ‘You really do need a boot up the bustle. Don’t you realise you got more magic in your life than I’ll ever know?’

  ‘Me?’

  ‘You’re a mother: that’s the strongest, most ancient magic there is. It’s what created our whole universe. And look what you created – your little girl is amazin’. She’s your magic. I won’t never know anythin’ like that.’

  Tears ran down Cassandra’s painted cheeks.

  ‘She won’t want anything to do with me now. I know I don’t.’

  ‘Hey, you conjured that spell real good. It’s mighty strong and true. Just keep believin’. It’s gonna dazzle you.’

  Overhead the storm clouds rumbled and a curtain of heavy rain began moving down the Esk Valley. Whitby began to smudge and dissolve like a watercolour painting. The dunes dribbled away and the river flowed through the harbour once again.

  ‘No more talk,’ Mister Dark declared.

  ‘Go,’ Cherry told Mrs Wilson.

  Cassandra gathered up her cloak and covered her bare shoulders. Sobbing, she staggered towards the lighthouse.

  Cherry breathed deeply and closed her eyes in preparation.

  ‘I was none too shabby,’ she told herself. ‘Didn’t disgrace the sisterhood.’

  She turned to face Mister Dark. His face was savage, like a demonic mask.

  Tearing along the pier, Verne ran into Lil, hurrying towards him.

  ‘Help!’ he shrieked in terror and panic. ‘Mister Dark’s going to kill Cherry! I think . . . I think he’s going to eat her!’

  A petrified scream cut across her stunned reaction.

  Lil’s heart pounded.

  ‘That was my mum!’ she cried.

  Rushing towards the lighthouse, they reached for one another’s hands. A figure came teetering into view.

  Cassandra leaned against the stonework for support. She was visibly shaking.

  ‘Lil!’ she wept. ‘I’m . . . I’m so sorry!’

  The girl hung back from her.

  ‘Where’s Cherry?’ she asked.

  Cassandra clutched at the wall and glanced fearfully over her shoulder.

  ‘Don’t go back there! He’s a devil! A devil!’

  A horrendous dread clawed at Lil’s stomach and she began walking towards the beacon. Her mother caught her arm, but she pulled away angrily.

  Verne was too afraid to go with her. He covered his ears and started backing away. Cassandra summoned the tatters of her courage and went after her daughter. She caught her by the shoulders and spun her round.

  ‘Let me go!’ Lil yelled.

  ‘I won’t let you see that!’

  Behind the lighthouse there was a flash of blue light and the beacon roared into flames.

  Lil tore away from her mother and ran to the end of the pier.

  Verne moved further and further away. He saw the beacon burn high over the lighthouse lamp and knew exactly what it meant. Squeezing his eyes shut, he cried for Cherry Cerise.

  He couldn’t bear it. He wanted to run away from this hollow pain in his chest and never stop running.

  When he turned around, he was confronted by Catesby. The repulsive winged cat flew before him, barring his path.

  Verne lashed out to ward him off. Catesby clawed his hand and battered the boy’s face with his leathery wings.

  ‘Have a care, my pet,’ a silken voice said. ‘We don’t want to injure our young friend – at least, not his hands. I have need of those.’

  Verne whipped about. A tall, handsome man with raven hair and a rakish grin was standing behind him. His clothes were from another age and in his hands he held the Nimius. There was a fresh bloodstain at the corner of his mouth and his lips were a vivid red.

  ‘Mister Dark?’ the boy spluttered.

  ‘I rather think my new non-disfigured flesh deserves a more aristocratic title. Baron Queller, perhaps, or some combination of the two.’

  ‘You murdered Cherry! You’re a vicious killer!’

  ‘And if you wish me to do the same to your friend Lil, I shall be more than happy to oblige.’

  ‘No!’

  ‘Then do as I instruct and I won’t tear her throat out, pretty though it is. You’re going to operate the Nimius for me.’

  ‘But your oath! I heard you swear!’

  Mister Dark laughed. ‘“From this day forward” is what I said, but we’re not going forward, we’re going back. I was never going to remain in this abominable future with its infernal weapons and machines that vie with the destructive force of the Nimius. Besides, possessing the power of one was never going to be enough for me. There is such an easy way of doubling its might. Now, follow my instructions exactly.’

  The rain had reached the harbour. The avenue of torches had gone out and the downpour hissed in the beacon’s towering blue flames. Lil’s head was in her hands and she took faltering steps when she came away. She had seen what Mister Dark had done and was consumed by grief and horror.

  Cherry was dead, murdered by Mister Dark. The sight of her lying on the ground, lit by raging blue flames, was seared in Lil’s mind. The most incredibly alive and most amazing person she had ever known was gone and Lil’s world would never be as colourful again.

  ‘Sisters in witchery,’ she wept desolately. ‘Oh, Cherry!’

  She thought she was going to faint. Cassandra tried to comfort her, but Lil pushed her away.

  Hearing angry voices up ahead, Cassandra gave a cry of despair.

  ‘It’s him!’ she said. ‘It’s that devil! And he’s got Verne!’

  Lil looked up to see a tall man smacking Verne across the face, then grabbing him roughly by the collar. With his other hand he held the Nimius aloft. A purple light shone from it and a glowing track appeared at their feet, stretching along the pier towards the town.

  Dragging a struggling Verne with him, Mister Dark stepped on to the eerie, radiant road. Catesby flew to his shoulder and shook his wet wings.

  The rain battered down. Lil dragged a sleeve across her tearful eyes and anger creased her face.

  Hatred for that foul man blazed within her, hotter than the beacon, and it gave her the strength she needed.

  ‘Take your bloody hands off my friend!’ she yelled.

  ‘Lil, no!’ Cassandra wailed as her daughter charged after them.

  Lil reached the glowing path and stared ahead. Mister Dark and Verne were nowhere to be seen.

  ‘Where are they?’ she cried furiously. ‘Where are they? Verne! Verne!’

  She stared at the ground. The strange purple light was fading. If she ever wanted to see Verne again, she knew what she had to do.

  Desperately calling her name, Cassandra hurried up to her.

  ‘I’m going after them!’ Lil said vehemently. ‘Don’t you dare try and stop me.’

  Cassandra embraced her quickly.

  ‘I won’t,’ she said. ‘You go get him. Bring Verne back.’

  Lil stepped on to the flickering track.

  ‘I love you!’ her mother called.

  Lil didn’t look back. The shining path vanished and so did she.

  Cassandra was alone, and the rain teemed down.

  Also available


  THE POWER OF DARK