‘Then why didn’t you just ask Miss Cadabra to go back to the night of the fire, in the first place, for that reason?’
‘Because I didn't know what taken from Growan House, or by whom, until you both pursued your investigations, Thomas. I didn’t start this. Lucy was the one who told Amanda it was time for me to tell her story. And some part of Lucy knows why they felt it was time. That must mean something. But don’t blame Lucy.’
Trelawney was silent, putting on his black shoes.
‘Mike ... do you believe stories have a power of their own?’
‘I do.’
‘Is it the story that has brought us to this point?’
‘Perhaps. You can blame it on the story if it makes you feel better.’ Hogarth saw his friend was still perturbed. ‘Thomas, if you think that I have manipulated Amanda, then I can only ask you to forgive me. It was not my intention. Amanda is strong. She has free will. But you must also remember that her experience as a little child connects her deeply to Lucy, in a way that neither of us can fully understand.’
‘True ... then whether this mission was intended for her or not, Miss Cadabra intends to carry it out. And I can only do my part.’ Hogarth helped him into his long coat. Trelawney’s face softened. ‘I don’t blame you. You’re right. It is her decision.’
Hogarth clapped him on the shoulder.
‘Bring her back, Thomas. Bring her back safe.’
‘I shall do my level best, Mike.’
Amanda came out into the hall when she heard Hogarth and Trelawney had emerged.
‘You look very ....’ Hogarth began.
‘Don’t say it. Granny always discouraged me from wearing black. She always said, “nothing says witch like going about all in black like the Adams family!”
‘Too true. Ready?’ asked Mike.
‘Ready,’ Amanda responded.
‘Let’s go.’
Chapter 44
Into the Fire
It was muggy. Amanda and Trelawney wriggled out of their coats on the way to Hogarth’s car.
‘Amanda,’ directed Mike, ‘sit in the back with Tempest, and stay down. We don’t want you to be seen. Thomas and I riding around at all hours is a reasonably familiar sight.’
The land was quiet, save for the rumble of thunder muted by distance. Kali night or not, it was moonless under the thick boiling rack of cloud that blocked out every star.
Hogarth parked a safe distance away from the remains of Growan House, and got out with them. Quietly, he led the way, as Kyt had done for Amanda that day, to a place about halfway between the two remaining mansions. To the west, Flamgoyne, where Pasco lay asleep, and to the east, Cardiubarn Hall, standing empty and equally eyeless.
Mike felt a stone beneath his feet and stopped.
‘Here,’ he whispered to Amanda. ‘This is the boundary, at the edge of what was Dowrkampyers’ property. I’ll be here when you return. The light be with you.’
Amanda looked at him. She had never heard him use that blessing before. She swallowed. This must be bad, she thought. Tempest’s eyes were a-glitter. The game was afoot.
She turned to Trelawney.
‘Please, wait here while I cast the spell.’
He nodded and, with Tempest at her ankles, Amanda moved a few paces forward to within the boundary wall. She took out her Pocket-wand, held it to her heart and pronounced the charm, addressing Lady Time:
‘Hiaedama Tidterm, Hiaedama Tidterm, Ime besidgi wou. Agertyn thaon portow, hond agiftia gonus fripsfar faeryn ento than aer deygas.’
Amanda waited for the jolt in her vision. Nothing. Maybe the spell needed more time. A minute passed. Nothing. Amanda took a deep breath and repeated the enchantment …
Nothing. She glanced back at Hogarth and Trelawney, then forward again, hoping the change she was expecting would become apparent.
‘What’s wrong?’ Trelawney whispered to Hogarth.
‘The spell isn’t taking.’
‘Why not?’
‘I’m not sure. Maybe because she’s trying to break into her own timeline.’
Amanda thought feverishly. Granny and Grandpa had said something about this happening and what to do … Oh, what was it? At once she heard Grandpa’s voice in her head .... ‘By the power of —’
‘Ah,’ she breathed. ‘I know! “By the power of three, I call upon thee. My cause is just, my heart is true. As it is cast, so let it be.”’ With that, Amanda repeated the spell for the third time. At once, the air before her pulsed. What was far seemed close, and what was near at hand, distant. Concentric rings formed, expanding and contracting, until the portal was large enough to admit her. She looked back and nodded to Trelawney.
‘Phew,’ he whispered and moved forward to join Amanda. Hogarth got to her first.
‘If it gets too dangerous, at any point, get out. Your life is more important than the information, understand?’
‘Yes, Uncle Mike.’
‘Sure you want to do this?’
‘Yes. For Lucy.’
Amanda looked at Trelawney.
‘Yes,’ he said. ‘For Lucy.’
She led the way through, followed by Tempest. Trelawney entered last, and the portal closed. Amanda turned to him.
‘Wait here, please.’
‘Twenty minutes,’ he replied.
‘What?’
‘Twenty minutes, then I’m coming to get you.’
‘I can’t .... Fine,’ she agreed unwillingly.
She could see her objective, straight ahead.
Amanda kept low as she approached the house, its top engulfed in flames. Sure enough, fighting was in progress around the front. She crept round to the right, the east side of the building, and flattened herself against the wall. Tempest had disappeared, but there was no time to look around
