The Curse of Deadman's Forest by Victoria Laurie Read Free Book Online Page B

Witch of Versailles’s visions, but he’d ignored them, because Lachestia’s unpredictability made her a danger to him as much as anyone else.
    Still, if those few lines from the scroll he’d stolen fromthe burning tent of that archeologist were correct, and the Guardian’s death was the key to bringing down the One, then what choice did he have but to engage Lachestia in his plans? The dilemma was how to control the sorceress of earth once he rediscovered her. Past experience had proved that it would require a delicate touch, and Magus doubted that either of his other two sisters was up to the task.
    There was the possibility that after three thousand years, Lachestia had gained some lucidity. Perhaps once the One and her Guardian were dealt with, he could convince Lachestia to join him in a secret alliance against Caphiera and Atroposa. When their sire escaped and the world was theirs, it would be less bounty to split between siblings, after all.
    “There is no need for a vote,” he said finally. “I shall visit the Witch of Versailles and find Lachestia on my own.”
    Caphiera smiled triumphantly. “Of course you will,
dear
brother,” she said. “Meanwhile, Atroposa and I shall retire to my fortress, as it is far too hot this time of year for me to be of any further service to you.” Turning to her sister, Caphiera said, “Come, dear, you look winded. Let’s get you to the mountain pass, where you can rest in cool comfort.” And with that the two sorceresses left Magus to smolder moodily and stare out to sea.

SECRET PASSAGES
    I an rolled over onto his back and lay in the cool darkness for several long moments, his hand still gripping Theo’s arm tightly.
    “You all right?” she whispered.
    “Yes,” he said, sitting up and coughing from the dust still swirling around them. “That was a close one, though.”
    “Too close,” agreed Carl, and Ian noticed that his voice came from about five feet away.
    “Is Jaaved all right?” Ian asked.
    “Fine, thank you,” said Jaaved, and Ian was surprised to hear him just behind Theo.
    “It’s pitch-dark in here,” Theo said. “Shouldn’t we be able to see some daylight?”
    “I think the entrance to the tunnel caved in,” Carl moaned, and Ian heard him shuffling around in the dark. “Hang on,” he added, and then a light switched on and they could faintly make each other out.
    Ian smiled gratefully at his friend, glad at least Carl hadhad the good sense to hang on to his torch. “I lost mine in the cavern,” he admitted.
    “No worries, mate,” Carl said good-naturedly. “One’s all we need, really.” Carl then got to his feet and attempted to wipe some soot off his trousers.
    Ian glanced back at Theo, seeing for the first time that she’d lost her shoes. “What happened to your shoes?”
    Theo blushed. “They slipped off when I was climbing up the rock,” she explained, accepting Ian’s hand. They both got to their feet. “What tunnel is this, do you think?”
    Ian’s face brightened when he realized she knew nothing about what he’d discovered just before rushing to rescue her. “Oh, Theo, you won’t believe it! This tunnel leads right up to the tower room at the keep!”
    Theo blinked. “It what?”
    “We saw the cyclone from the window in the tower,” Carl explained. “And Ian pulled up the slats in the bench and a trapdoor opened to a ladder that led down to this tunnel.”
    Theo’s eyes widened. “Incredible!” she said.
    “It is, isn’t it?” Ian agreed. “I’d no idea there was a tunnel leading directly to the keep, but it makes sense, doesn’t it?” The land spreading out from Castle Dover and the keep was riddled with tunnels and hidden caverns. Some of these were natural, and some were man-made. Most of the latter were dug out by either the local population, who feared invasion from the sea, or the men in service to the many earls of Kent who’d held the land—providing each earl with an escape route should the