Witch of Christmas Past (9 page)

Although I felt better after a sponge bath, a shower would have definitely been preferable. If there was one thing I missed about home, it was running water and toilets. I had no idea how Granny had survived under such unsanitary conditions, but I knew I would have a difficult time toughing out the nineteenth century for longer than a day or two.

According to Granny’s sources, Lady Hastings walked in her garden every evening about the same time, and she did it alone. That would give us the perfect opportunity to waylay her and demand some answers.

As Granny pointed out, Lady Hastings could be a powerful witch. It was possible she might fry my brain with a twitch of her nose, but I had a few tricks up my sleeve.

The Black Moon Witches were supposed to be powerful too, but taking one of them down had been as easy as a walk in the park.

True, it had required tapping into my demon juice, but if need be, that was exactly what I intended to do.

It took some work, but I finally managed to talk Granny into staying in her room while Zane and I took care of Lady Hastings. The last thing I needed was for Granny to be in the way if all hell broke loose. I also didn’t want her to see me if I had to tap into that darkness that lived inside of me.

Getting onto the estate wasn’t a problem. There were a few guards on the grounds, but they were easy to bypass. The bigger problem was the dogs. Thankfully, a vampire could compel animals as well as they could humans.

We waited behind some tall shrubbery until I saw a woman slowly strolling along one of the garden paths.

She was wearing a lavender dress that appeared to be of a much higher quality than anything I’d seen in Whitechapel. Her flaming red hair was in a style suitable for the time. She even appeared to be wearing some lipstick and blush.

Since she obviously wasn’t a lady of the night, she had to be someone affluent, and not so innocent.

Unfortunately, we didn’t actually have a plan.

If she were a witch, she’d probably pick up on the fact that Zane was a vampire fairly quickly, but very few witches back on Mystique Island could detect my nature. Therefore, we figured it would be better if I approached her first, so as not to put her on the defensive right away.

Even before she was close to our hiding spot behind the shrubs, she hesitated, looking around as if she could sense that something wasn’t right.

When she was close, I stepped out from behind the shrub.

“Lady Hastings.”

She stopped in her tracks but didn’t scream. Instead, she studied me with the most stunning set of violet eyes I’d ever seen.

“Yes.” She nodded. “I’m Georgette Hastings. Is there a reason you are in my garden?”

Folding my arms across my chest, I got into a defensive stance. “Actually, there are a couple reasons. First, why are you sending people to the twenty-first century, and why to Mystique Island?”

Her poisonous laughter took me off guard. I’d been expecting denial, perhaps even some kind of retaliation, but not laughter.

“You are a brave girl to confront me in my own domain, but what could a mere shadow, such as yourself hope to gain by it? That’s the real question,” she sneered.

“Well duh! Information!” I shot back.

“Very well,” Lady Hastings sighed. “My reasons for doing what I do are not your concern. If I were you, I would be far more concerned with my own problems. Death hovers near you, and it is bad for my energy … so please leave immediately.”

Zane stepped out from his hiding place. “Maybe the death you sense is me … because you will be dead if you don’t answer the young lady’s questions.”

A wicked smile played on her ruby red lips. “Don’t you think if vampires were a substantial threat to me … I would already be dead?”

Lady Hastings swiped her hand in the air and suddenly Zane’s skin began to blister.

Zane’s rage erupted with furious growls.

My heart nearly stopped. Not only had his fangs popped out, but his eyes appeared to actually be glowing.

I figured I had maybe ten seconds before he burst into flames. Somehow the witch was hitting him with a massive dose of ultraviolet rays, which might have killed him faster if the Black Moon Witches hadn’t provided some kind of enchantment so that he could withstand sunlight.

“Stop!” I screamed.

Showing weakness was a mistake. Her attack on Zane only intensified.

Desperate to stop her before she killed him, I raised my hand and shot black light at her, AKA, demon juice.

Shrieking, she fell to her knees and instantly the attack on Zane stopped.

Lady Hastings stared up at me with wide eyes. “What kind of monster are you?” she asked through clenched teeth.

That’s when I noticed that my hands were no longer recognizable as human. They were covered in greenish black scales and twisted strangely. My nails were now long black claws.

Unlike the Black Moon Witch that I’d whipped, Georgette seemed to have a bit more stamina. She muttered something under her breath and suddenly the ground around me came alive with hundreds of slithering snakes.

Although I knew it had to be an illusion, my instinct was to freeze. That was the still human part of me kicking in, especially since I hated snakes.

It was her wicked laughter that broke the illusion.

The snakes were gone, but when I looked up, the witch was on her feet, glaring at me. “Do you care to see who wins this battle … or would you prefer to talk like civilized ladies?” she asked.

Zane literally flew at the witch, tackling her to the ground.

I had to act fast before he ripped her throat out. “No Zane! We need her alive.”

He hesitated, his fangs hovering mere inches from her arteries. I could actually feel waves of rage coming off him.

Finally, he stood up but was still glaring. “If you know what’s good for you … answer the questions.”

Wicked laughter bubbled from her mouth as she got to her feet.

The stunned expression on Zane’s face was almost comical.

“You would both be dead already … if that is what I wanted. Do that again, and you will be,” she threatened, sparks flying from her eyes.

Zane was ready to go after her again, but I held up my hand. “Like she said … let’s be civilized.”

“Hide those things. They are grotesque and distracting,” Lady Hastings said, pointing to my hands.

I glanced down at my hands and gasped. They hadn’t reverted back to their normal form.

Since I wasn’t about to explain anything to this witch or let her dictate what I did with my hands, I ignored her.

“Why are you using a portal to Mystique Island?” I asked with as much civility as I could muster.

“If you must know … I have family there and I like to keep track.”

I wasn’t sure if I could believe her or not. What I did know was that there was a heck of a lot more to it than what she was saying.

“How is it possible that you would have family there? Do you mean descendants?” I asked.

“That is none of your business. Now if it isn’t too much trouble, please remove your yourself from my garden.”

I shook my head. “Not until I get the truth … and I want to know who your current spy is on that side. You sent the Ripper not long ago,” I accused.

“Oh yes,” she sniffed. “That was a dreadful business … but since we now have murders on this side, I assume you chased him back.”

“I have no idea where he is, but I have information that someone else has crossed the time barrier. Who?”

“I’m a business woman … Miss, whoever you are. If you want information from me, it is going to cost you.”

“No more games! Answer!” Zane snarled.

Before the two of them could get into it again, I jumped in. “We have no money from this time period.”

“Information then.”

“Like what?” I was suddenly suspicious.

“Like … tell me what you are? I know you have no magic.”

Throwing me a look of warning, Zane interrupted,” Just answer before I kill you.”

“Excuse me, sir, but this is between us ladies,” she said, brushing him off.

I decided at this point bargaining might be our best option. “You first … tell me who is over there and why?”

“All I know is his name is Mr. Rosston and he gave me several thousand pounds to open the portal for him. He never bothered to tell me why he wanted to go.”

“I thought you didn’t charge people to go to Mystique Island because they acted as spies for you?” I interrupted.

“Whoever told you such nonsense?” she laughed. “It is true that I will knock the price down if they will bring me back information, but Mr. Rosston wasn’t interested. From what I understand … he has no intention of returning.”

Although she’d given up the information I’d asked for, we still weren’t any closer to identifying what Rosston was there for … or even who he was since it was doubtful he was using his real name on the other side.

“What about the moon sickness? Why are you cursing people?” I asked, figuring I might as well get as much information out of her as I could.

“Oh that?” she said with a wave of her hand. “It’s nothing. The sickness will fade at dawn. There is a werewolf loose in our city. I was experimenting to see if the sickness would trigger the change so the beast can be identified.”

I knew Mood Madness would trigger a werewolf to change against their will, so as crazy as her excuse sounded, I believed her.

“Also … where is the portal on this side?” I wanted to know.

“That will cost you more than information,” she answered, folding her arms across her breasts.

“We don’t need your magic … just the location,” I informed her.

“You two really are a couple of lost puppies,” she commented with a burst of tinkling laughter.

This witch was really starting to get on my nerves. “The location?”

“Highgate Cemetery … the LaRose tomb. Now your turn.” Her smile turned hard. “What are you?”

“I am something you never want to be … but I promise, that’s exactly where you’re headed. I’m a fallen angel!” I returned her smile with a dark grin.

“I see. That’s very fascinating. You wouldn’t be interested in working with me, I suppose?”

“Right you are. Good day, Lady Hastings.”

Before she could pull any witchy stuff on us, we fled the garden, but I had no doubt she could find us if she really tried. Granny was right. Georgette Hastings was one powerful witch.

But who was this family she had on Mystique Island?

This time, it took much longer for my demon skin to revert back to normal, but thankfully the scales were gone by the time we returned to the rooming house in Whitechapel.

Before we could knock on the door, Granny already had it open and was ushering us in.

“Did you have a chat with her?” Granny asked.

I nodded. “Sure did. Everything went fine.”

It was just a little white lie, but I didn’t want her to know about the demon transformation.

But Granny wasn’t an easy witch to fool.

“What happened?” she asked, drawing her brows together.

Zane stepped in. “Lady Hastings decided to use some magic on us, but Izzy held her own.”

Granny gave me one of those looks, like when I was a kid and got caught with my hand in the cookie jar.

“With what magic?” she asked.

“Sorry … I had to use a bit of my demon juice.” I shrugged.

“Izzy … you have no idea what the outcome of that could be,” she warned.

“I know … but sometimes it takes magic when it comes to dealing with bitchy witches, and mine got stripped the moment I came back from the dead. It is so not fair!”

I was slipping back into my old habit of leaning on excuses to explain bad behavior, but at least I recognized it. “Sorry Granny. It just couldn’t be helped this time.”

Granny waved my words away. “We are just going to have to do something about your condition.”

Sighing, I sat on the edge of Granny’s bed, which was the only place in the room to sit.

“That’s one of the things I need to talk with you about.”

Zane broke in. “While you two are discussing family drama, I’m going to go scout Highgate so we can make sure the witch isn’t setting a trap for us. Will the two of you be okay to meet me at the LaRose tomb … say in about two hours?”

“Oh yeah.” I looked to Granny. “Lady Hastings claims that one of the portals is the LaRose tomb at Highgate Cemetery.”

Granny nodded. “I know the place. There are rumors the tomb has mystical power. I guess now we know why.”

Suddenly, I was worried that Zane might leave without us.

He must have sensed my discomfort because he grabbed my hand. “Don’t worry, Izzy. I would never leave you behind. Life on Mystique Island would be too dull without you, plus I don’t have to worry about you being in any danger. The way you zapped that witch … only a fool would mess with you.”

Leaning down, he kissed my forehead. “See you soon.”

“Bye,” I said, squeezing his hand.

He was right. I didn’t need him to protect me. The truth was, I was more powerful than a vampire, even a very old one, but using that power meant giving into the dark side, which was something I didn’t relish doing more than absolutely necessary.

The discomfort I was feeling at the prospect of being separated from him had more to do with my fear for
his
safety. The idea of losing him left me feeling devastated. I was a little shocked by the feelings that were suddenly surging through me.

“Be careful,” I cautioned.

Giving my hand one last squeeze, he left.

“What was that all about?” Granny asked, sitting next to me on the bed.

“Nothing.” I shrugged. “I’m just not too comfortable getting separated during a time travel trip.”

“Hmm … if you say so.”

“Why don’t we get you packed up and I’ll catch you up on everything going on at home?” I suggested.

“What about the moon sickness?” she asked, worry clearly etched on her tired face.

Poor Granny. She always made everyone else’s problems her own.

“Lady Hastings claims it will be gone at midnight tonight. She was targeting those she suspected of being a werewolf. Apparently she believes there is one running loose in the city.”

Granny nodded. “That actually makes sense. There have been a few mutilations that I suspected could be a werewolf.”

“Either way … Lady Hastings seems like she has this under control, so let’s pack.”

“The only things I have any interest in taking with me are a couple of books. I don’t want these old clothes. It’s going to be great just to get back into my own clothes.”

I didn’t want to mention the fact that my Granny’s old clothes were not a lot different than the ones she had here, except maybe her dresses were a little shorter and more colorful.

Instead, I explained what was happening on Mystique Island, and how some of the people didn’t seem to be themselves.

Granny tapped a finger against her chin. “Whatever is happening there … it could be related to this latest time traveler.”

“My thoughts exactly, which means my first order of business when we get back … after a shower, will be to find this time traveler.”

“I think permanently closing the portal might be a good idea too.”

Granny could be right, but then again, time travel might actually have its uses too. Instead of bringing up that point, I decided it was time to tackle the issues of Muriel, and my father trading my soul to the devil.

I spent the next several minutes explaining what I’d discovered from the ghost of Captain Marsh concerning my current hellish existence, and then I dropped the bomb about my knowledge of Muriel being her sister.

The frown on Granny’s face was testament to the fact that my discoveries were not totally unexpected.

“Why didn’t you ever tell us that Muriel was your sister?”

Sighing, Granny placed her hand over mine. “It is one of those skeletons in the closet that the family didn’t want out … and it wasn’t my secret to reveal.”

“I’m lost. What are you talking about?”

“Muriel was my half-sister,” she admitted, but then lapsed into silence.

“And?” I urged her to continue.

“My mother was married to someone else … before she married my father. The man’s name was Arnold Bennett.”

“Is that supposed to mean something? If she was your mother’s child, why doesn’t she have the Osborne name?”

Granny’s father was a Johnson, but her mother kept the Osborn name after marriage. That was a rule with the Osborn witches, and one my own mother hadn’t followed.

Granny shook her head. “He was a Bennett witch, who are the natural enemies of the Osbornes. There has been a family feud going on for centuries. My grandfather threatened to put a curse on any children the couple should have, if she did not terminate the marriage. Because she was afraid for her children, my mother agreed, but it was too late. She was already pregnant with Muriel.”

“So what happened?”

“My mother ran away until after Muriel was born. She then gave her to Arnold to raise, but to keep the child safe, he had to take a wife and pretend Muriel was hers. It was such a big secret at the time, I am not even sure Muriel knew the truth,” Granny explained.

This new information started the wheels turning in my head. “Is it possible that her murder could be connected to this curse?”

Granny shrugged. “It’s possible. I know my mother thought there might be a connection.”

About that time I was really wishing I could call on the ghost of my great grandmother and possibly get some answers, but there was also the issue of my immortal soul being sold off by my own father.

“What about my father’s deal with the devil? Do you know anything about that?”

“Your father was tricked by some dark entity on the island … I guess it was probably the devil. He believed that the
joining
the entity spoke of was a promise of marriage between his first-born daughter and this man. Your father was a mortal and had no idea that the thing he was talking to wasn’t human. It wasn’t until later that he realized it was your soul the entity was after. This is why your parents decided to settle on the mainland. I suppose they hoped it would be far enough away from the Mystique Island craziness that you would be safe.”

Suddenly it dawned on me that the devil might actually be responsible for the deaths of my parents. “Do you think that is why they were killed?”

Granny nodded. “Your father tried to go back on the deal, so I am sure of it.”

“Why was I kept in the dark about all this?” I asked, anger simmering in my voice.

“Oh Pumpkin … there was nothing anyone could do about it. I didn’t see any need to ruin your childhood with this kind of threat, but maybe if I had told you about it … you wouldn’t be what you are today.”

I shook my head. “I don’t think it would have made a difference. According to the information I have, the only way out of this is exactly what Mr. Grim said, redemption. The question is, how do I earn my way out of it … and why is the devil so interested in my soul?”

Granny stood and smoothed the wrinkles from her dress. “That’s easy enough. A witch’s soul is probably worth a lot downstairs. When a witch becomes a demon, they are twice as powerful.”

Sighing, I got to my feet. “Well, I’ll tackle all of this when we get back. Right now, I just want to get through that portal and then jump into my shower. I have no idea how people survived in the 1800s.”

Granny snorted. “I can tell you this, Miss Softy Tenderfoot … they don’t do near the complaining that you do. I can tell you that. I suggest you toughen up. If you do happen to lose the battle for your soul, I doubt they have soft beds and showers in Hell.”

Leave it to Granny to knock me back to earth. That was okay. I had missed her harsh words of wisdom more than I’d realized. No one could keep me grounded like Granny could.