SEVERED (A Tale of Sleepy Hollow) by Dax Varley Read Free Book Online Page A

I
dismounted, intending to lead her the rest of the way, but she fought, pulling
back, and nearly dragging me to the ground. Her ears pricked, and her black
eyes grew wild with fear, arousing a sense of dread that rippled my flesh. But
I couldn’t turn back. Garritt was enclosed in this hellish terrain. I had to
see him.
    I towed Dewdrop
back to one of the living trees – “You’re just making this more difficult!” –
and secured her to a limb. She wrestled with the branch. It felt more like a
warning than an attempt at escape. Animals sense danger. I quickly turned
away, refusing to heed.
    It was only fifty
paces back to the de Graff property, but one step into it and – Holy God! – the air grew bitterly cold. I pulled my shawl tighter around my arms, wishing
I’d worn wool instead. There’d been no forewarning that The Horseman had left
his mark upon the climate here too.
    I walked in haste,
drawing closer and closer. The house itself looked the same. The small saltbox
structure stood firm as always, the paint and trim unmarred. The dark smoke of
the chimney disappeared into the graying sky.
    As I reached the
porch I noticed a medicinal wreath on the door. No doubt placed there to ward
off disease. But rather than green and aromatic, the sprigs appeared to have
been touched by flame. Whatever it meant to keep out had burned its way
through.
    With a trembling
hand, I tapped lightly on the door. Within moments Notary de Graff appeared,
his waistcoat unbuttoned and his shirt hanging loose. He looked woefully weary,
as though all strength had abandoned him.
    “Katrina. We were
not expecting you.”
    “Many pardons,
Notary. I’m here to see Garritt.” How foolish of me not to bring a gift –
mutton soup or sweet cakes. Something to show my goodwill.
    “You know that
Garritt isn’t well. He cannot receive guests.”
    “I am aware, but
this is urgent.”
    He narrowed his
gaze. “In what manner?”
    “I…uh…” Since the
only urgency was my desire to talk to Garritt, I had to pull a reason out of
thin air. Then I remembered the talisman that Simon had made for me. I
uncovered it from my bodice. “I have brought him this.”
    The Notary reached
out and touched the carved trinket, running a finger across the spiral. “Very
intricate. Is this some rare charm?”
    “Yes, sir. It is
for health and protection.”
    Other men in
Sleepy Hollow might scoff at such a thing, but the kindled wreath on the door
told me that the Notary was a man of superstition.
    “That’s very
generous of you, Katrina.” He held out his hand. “I shall deliver it to him
with your good wishes.”
    “I wish to deliver
it myself.” I spoke as calmly as possible, trying to hide my panic.
    He briskly shook
his head. “That’s not possible.”
    “Please, I’ll take
no more than a minute.”
    He began to slowly
close the door. “I should be attending my son. I’ll give him your regards.”
    “Wait!” I removed
the talisman from my neck. “Here.”
    The Notary gave me
a disheartened smile. “This is very kind of you.”
    And with those
words, he shut me out.
    I stepped off the
small porch, my spirits low. It made sense that Garritt would close himself
away from The Horseman, but close out his friends as well?
    The whistling wind
whipped across the property. It was like cold fingers raking my flesh. I heard
my name whispered within the gust – Katrina – and felt his pale
breath upon my neck. Or had it just been my imagination, stirred by the bleak
surroundings? I hope.
    Anyone else
would’ve ridden straight home, but it was my stubborn nature that guided me. I
quietly slipped around to the side of the house, tiptoeing toward the back.
    I lingered in the
chill with the presumption that the Notary would deliver the talisman to
Garritt straight away. How long he’d remain, I could only guess. I had no sense
of time – it being void here – and let instinct guide me.
    I pressed myself
to the wall and ticked off seconds in my