The Witch Watch by Shamus Young Read Free Book Online Page A

to hide indoors and leave the problem for the Witch Watch to handle.
    The church had been silent until a quarter of an hour ago, when they heard some sort of scuffling inside. Then the bell was rung once, followed by profanity, a second ring, and a loud boom. They had hurried around the church, expecting some sort of ambush or wizardry, only to find it quiet again.
    “If he’s trying to get away, he’s taking an odd way around,” Captain Turpin said.
    Jack, the Captain’s second, joined them. He had been left to watch the side door but curiosity over the ringing bell had evidently drawn him here. “Is that something on the roof?” he asked, pointing to a spot beside the belfry.
    Alice squinted, and made out a dark spot there. She drew close to the church and discovered a shingle. She held it up for the others to see in the lantern light. “It’s not something on the roof. It’s a hole.”
    “What do you make of that?” asked Turpin. “Can’t fathom the use of blowing holes in the roof of the church. The walls, maybe. But not the roof.”
    “We should go in,” Alice said firmly. “Unless we mean to stand out here while he tears the building down a beam at a time.”
    “These folk are scared enough already,” said Turpin, meaning the townsfolk that were peering out the windows at them. “They don’t want any bloodshed in the church and I have to say I agree with them.”
    “We’re destroying an abomination. There won’t be blood,” she said patiently.
    The captain lowered his voice. “I know the men used to give you difficulty on account of you being a woman. But those days are long past. You’ve proven your worth and sundry, and nobody questions your dedication. You’re like a brother to them, if you take my meaning.”
    “I don’t think I do,” she whispered back, slightly irritated.
    Archer - the other member of their foursome - walked into view, leading their horses. He had been out front, where the captain had ordered him to stay with the horses. This was apparently his way of obediently abandoning his post so he could see what everyone else was doing.
    The Captain gave a sidelong glance in Archer’s direction. “I’m saying you don’t need to demonstrate your courage by advising rashness. The men would lay down their lives for you, but there’s no reason to make them do so tonight. Mordaunt will come out sooner or later. Better we keep him bottled up and make him fight his way out than the other way around.”
    “It’s not rashness,” she hissed back. “I just don’t see the sense in allowing him time to prepare some devilry for us.”
    “Look!” Jack shouted.
    Alice looked up and saw a black-cloaked figure fleeing from the church, where the side-door was left hanging open.
    “Did nobody hold their post at the doors?” Turpin boomed. He shouted for everyone to rally, but there was little need. All of them were standing together, having come to see the business with the roof.
    The abomination rushed through the pasture, heading for the trees on the far side. Archer took a shot - an act of absurd optimism given the distance and darkness. The captain and Jack mounted their horses, and the chase was on.
    “That way,” Alice said to Archer. “The captain will try to drive him back here so we can close in around him. Let’s just hope we can fight him in the pasture and that he doesn’t make for the village.”
    Even as she spoke, the abomination began doing exactly that. When it saw it was going to be overtaken, it turned sharply and made for the relative shelter of the nearby houses.
    “Why doesn’t it use magic?” Alice wondered aloud as she ran.
    “I think it is. Look at how fast it’s running!” answered Archer.
    They were fortunate to have the moon on their side tonight. It shone on the fields and village with enough strength to cast shadows. The abomination could not hide easily, despite its dark cloak. It ran through an orchard, staying close to the trees to prevent