The Garden Witch

Chapter Nine

It was dark on the drive there. My headlights cut through the shadows, creating a passage of light. I somehow remembered the way to the mansion, still not sure how I'd get inside. Then I remembered. Thomas. I quickly called his number.

"Tabitha?"

"Thomas! They got Alex."

"I know, they're keeping him here. Hang on." There was a shuffling and the slamming of several doors. Then Thomas' voice came across louder. "Where are you?"

"I'm on my way to the house."

"You're coming here?"

"Yeah. I have a way to cure the Lycans. I have to save Myrna. You've got to help me rescue Alex so he can challenge the Alpha."

There was a pause. "I don't know if we can do that. They have him locked up, under guard. I'm surprised they didn't kill him right away but maybe Stephen wants to make an example of him."

I took a deep breath. "You have to get me inside."

"How? The only way you're getting in here is as a prisoner."

"Sounds good to me."

I stopped at the bottom of the hill and got out. Thomas met me there.

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

"I don't think we have a choice."

He led me up the hill. We marched in the darkness, hearing the sounds of insects and nighhawks around us. The woods on either side of the drive seemed to close in on us and I found it hard to breathe. What was I doing, putting myself in danger for a man I barely knew? But it was more than that. I could still save Myrna, if she had survived her fight with the vampire.

We got to the house before we were stopped. It was the two wolves who had taken me the night before, the brothers.

"Where'd you find her?"

"At the bottom of the hill. She was trying to break in to save Carter."

One of the brothers laughed. "That wasn't very smart. Put her inside next to his room."

That was easy. Thomas led me inside and down a hallway. He pulled open a door. The one next to it was guarded by a man and a woman. I glanced down at them Thomas ushered me into the room and closed the door behind me. Then I waited.

Time seemed to pass in slow motion. I counted the ticks of my watch until five minutes had passed. Then I heard a shout and footsteps. I cracked the door open and saw people running past. Good. Thomas' diversion had begun. The two guards remained, as he had expected them to.

I took a ball of herbs out of my pocket and threw it out into the hallway, whispered a word as I did. I immediately caught fire, sending off waves of roiling smoke. The guards started coughing and spluttering, wiping at their eyes. Wolfsbane.

I ducked out of my room as the guards tried to get out of the smoke and slipped into the room next door. I stopped short as I entered. Alex wasn't alone. In the corner stood the Warlock.

He watched me enter, not looking surprised. Alex's eyes widened as he stood up from a chair.

"You continue to surprise me," the Warlock said, standing up straight from where he was leaning against the wall. He adjusted his cloak and fixed me with a stare. "I expected you to try something but not to get this far."

"Well, thanks," I said lamely. I looked at Alex. "Get out of here. Go find Stephen. Challenge him. I'll deal with this guy."

Alex was out of the room without a second glance and I found myself staring down the dark-eyed man. He stepped forward and weaved his way amongst the furniture to stop a few yards in front of me.