Page 131 of The Death Wish

And it did not have the strength to defend against him.

Seven stones. Each had shattered like eggshells left in the sun. Another flash of quiet lightning with each. A silent protest at the ruin.

A useless protest.

Silas saw his way out and lunged for it like a starving wolf on a carcass.

He broke the last stone, sweat running down the back of his neck, soaking his underarms. The white light flashed once, then was replaced by a colour like the first peaches of the season; the dawn’s hint at the edge of a sky, with a touch of violet tinging its depths.

‘Silas.’

Panting, he turned around; the hammer held loose in his hand. Edward stood with Scarlet upon his shoulder. The wisp waved with both hands, fingers bloated, but Silas was in no mood for simple things. ‘Where is he?’

‘He has gone into the lake. How did you end up here, Silas?’

‘Through good intentions that were ill-thought through.’ The thump of Silas’s heart felt dulled, still buried beneath all the dirtand decay. The scythe reshaped, finding its place upon his finger once more. ‘Edward, I must follow him.’

‘Of course.’ The lieutenant stretched out his hand. Silas had not yet stepped from the death-scorched ground with its shattered stone. ‘Scarlet woke me…and brought me here. I see now why, but what happened here, Silas?’

‘Pitch wishes to take his trials alone. I disapprove.’ Silas took the lieutenant’s hand, a tiny crackling came with their contact.

He stepped from the remnants of the faerie circle, struck by how truly quiet it had been within them. Now the sounds of the Sanctuary were many, the wind stronger than he recalled; causing distant trees to tilt and groan, a window shutter somewhere to slam, and far off birds to call out warnings.

‘Is Charlie safe?’

‘Yes. Sleeping, thanks to Scarlet.’ Edward tilted his head at the wisp, who had risen to its stubby feet. ‘They bid me come alone. Do you know what they intend?’

‘It had best be to show me where Pitch entered the lake,’ Silas said. ‘Scarlet? Why have you brought Edward to me?’

The odd little creature performed a twirl, turquoise arms spread as though they embraced an invisible partner in a waltz.

A deep rumble moved through the ground. Different to the sound Silas’s interference had made. This was like the rattling of a steam engine as it barrelled past a humble dwelling, causing all to shake. Edward’s arms lifted, searching for something to brace on. Silas stepped forward, steadying him.

‘It has happened a few times now.’ Edward said, with nervous glances about. ‘But this is by far the strongest. What do you suppose it is?’

The sound passed, softening, running beneath the earth, like a fox fleeing deeper into its den.

‘I don’t know,’ Silas said. ‘But if Pitch has just set foot in the lake I fear the unrest stems from there. I must find a way in.’

Scarlet darted from Edward’s shoulder, and moved right up close to Silas’s face, planting chubby mandarin orange hands against the tip of his nose, reminding him of the bothersome butterfly. But Silas had no doubt of this creature’s loyalty, nor intentions.

‘How do I find him, Scarlet?’ he whispered.

The wisp grabbed at the scraggy lengths of his beard and pulled him forward. Back towards the palace, whose elaborate peaks were never out of sight.

‘Back in the palace?’

A squeak, as clear an answer as any. Yes.

‘Let’s go, Edward.’

The lieutenant gave Silas a tight nod, his face furrowed with his concerns, but he did not hesitate to fall into step.

Silas rushed away from the shattered faerie prison; from the place where Pitch had dared to bestow a kiss he’d intended to be their last.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

THE LEVIATHAN’Smaw parted, and a thin seam of light peaked through the curtain of bristles at its mouth.