Chapter Thirteen

‘Don’t you just want to get home?’ Melissa asked as Callum walked her to her front door from Marlock station.

He shook his head grimly. ‘I’ve got to go to the churchyard. I want to know what the hell all that was. Maybe Jacob can shed some light on it.’

Melissa sighed. ‘I’d come with you, but I know my parents are going to be wondering where I am by now. Listen, thanks for everything today. I’m just sorry that we . . .’ She trailed off, her eyes welling up at the memory. A tear spilled over and she wiped it away quickly. ‘I’m sorry we didn’t get there in time.’

Callum watched as she went inside, then set off at a determined pace for the churchyard. Jacob and Doom were waiting beneath the yew tree. Jacob’s pale skin seemed to glisten a little in the dusky light of the afternoon.

‘Callum,’ Jacob said as he strode over. ‘I did not expect you for some hours yet.’

Callum quickly explained what had happened in Leicester, the ghost listening intently with his arms folded. When Callum finished, Jacob shook his head, his pale brow furrowed.

‘Black Annis? How did you even know she had crossed over?’

Callum sighed – he hadn’t mentioned his initial vision.

‘I . . . I saw something – it was like a premonition almost. It wasn’t clear at first, everything was in darkness and shadows, but there was a group of humans, and they seemed to be performing a ritual . . . a sacrifice maybe, on this hag-like demon. Then Melissa looked up the thing I described, and it was obvious it was Black Annis.’

Jacob’s face was grim. ‘It would seem that your visions are becoming more prescient with the onset of the Shadowing. That you are seeing further into the future. This is to be expected.’ He paused. ‘Start from the beginning. Tell me everything you saw.’

When Callum explained his vision in more detail, Jacob seemed even more unhappy. He paced away from Callum and kept his back turned. Doom followed, as though awaiting some instruction. Finally Jacob turned and spoke, fixing Callum with a hard stare.

‘Callum, I do not think I need to tell you how severe this situation is. Firstly, you should not have gone off in the hope of attacking a Netherworld being about which you knew nothing.’

‘Hang on,’ Callum interjected. ‘That’s not true, we did know something about her, and that’s why we were so anxious to find out more. We were looking for clues. And once we ran into her, I had no choice, I had to do something!’

‘Regardless, you should have spoken with me before embarking on that journey. Black Annis may have passed over at this early stage in the Shadowing, but she will grow increasingly strong – and increasingly dangerous – with each feeding.’ The ghost paused. ‘Nevertheless,’ he said, ‘you showed great courage in your actions. And we know you have discovered and used new powers. You showed strength and focus when it mattered most. That is good.’

Callum shrugged. ‘It didn’t help that girl.’

‘No,’ Jacob said. ‘But you saved Melissa’s life.’

‘Yeah,’ Callum said, but he couldn’t help feeling depressed. He had already allowed people to die at the hands of this demon. And she was just the first to cross over.

He had to do better, or . . . He didn’t know if he even wanted to think about the other option. ‘What if I can’t actually do what I’m going to need to do?’ he murmured.

Jacob walked over to Callum and looked him dead in the eye. ‘Would you rather hide? Leave the world to these monsters – and these humans who wish to do their own kind harm?’

Callum held Jacob’s gaze for a moment, and then shook his head. He folded his arms and frowned, recalling again how his mother said that attitude makes all the difference.

‘No.’

Jacob nodded, and kept his eyes on Callum a moment longer before speaking. ‘Good. Good. Now, you say that this group of humans seemed united?’

Callum went over the vision once again. Jacob’s figure seemed to be melding into the growing darkness, but Callum could see the look of concern on his face.

‘I fear they are a coven,’ Jacob said finally. ‘And I fear you may be correct, that they were making a sacrifice of Black Annis. The consequences could be severe.’

‘Like . . . like what exactly?’ Callum wasn’t sure if he wanted to know the answer.

‘As I said, Black Annis is a dangerous crone – particularly if she is feeding regularly.’ Jacob stopped for a moment, and seemed to be considering something. After a moment, he continued. ‘There is usually only one reason for sacrificing a Netherworld demon . . . To widen a gap in the Boundary.’

‘Widen?’ Callum repeated. ‘So they might be trying to bring something bigger over?’

‘Something bigger or more powerful. Or perhaps even a greater quantity of demons sooner,’ Jacob replied. ‘Either way, an increase in demonic activity before you are fully prepared is very bad news.’

Callum let out a wry laugh – he hardly needed telling.

‘We need to get to Black Annis before they do, then,’ he said determinedly.

Jacob shook his head. ‘I fear it will not be so easy, Callum. Black Annis is not like the Fetch. She is more intelligent. Now that she is aware you are seeking her out, she will lie low – so low we may not be able to find her again. You cannot search the whole of Leicester in the hopes of stumbling across her.’

Callum’s heart sank.

‘OK,’ he sighed. ‘Well then for now we’ll just have to concentrate on getting my powers up to scratch.’

‘Certainly. However, I think you have had the best possible practice for today.’

‘Come on, Jacob, I need to do this,’ Callum pressed, but Jacob held up his hands.

‘I think you must go home, have some time to digest what has happened. We shall return to our tutorials tomorrow.’

Callum was a little irritated, but he had a feeling Jacob was right. There was a tumult of emotions swirling around his mind, and he wasn’t sure how much more he’d be able to handle today. ‘Fine. I’ll see you tomorrow then.’

Callum turned to leave, but he stopped as Jacob called his name.

‘One more thing,’ the Born Dead said. ‘Something you must be alert for, now that we have more evidence of a mortal conspiracy within the Shadowing.’

Callum turned, waiting.

‘They may try to enlist you,’ Jacob said at last. Callum raised an eyebrow.

‘To join the Dark Side?’ he said sarcastically.

‘It is no joking matter,’ Jacob said, his face solemn. ‘Callum, you would make a powerful tool for the coven, and indeed for Netherworld forces themselves, if you allied yourself with them willingly. As you are now aware, some mortals do so without hesitation.’

Callum smiled – for the first time that day, it seemed. ‘Jacob, that’s one thing I don’t think we have to worry about.’

But the Born Dead’s black eyes were deadly serious. ‘Do not underestimate the power you wield, Callum. Do not underestimate the temptations that the coven may lay in front of you.’

Callum paused for a moment, then nodded silently and made his way out of the graveyard. Jacob’s words were still turning over in his mind as he walked back to the cottage.

He pushed his hands deeper into his pockets. All he knew was that he needed to do something now. With Black Annis still on the loose, the humans from his vision were a step closer to doing whatever it was they planned to do, and that was his fault. Callum vowed not to make the same mistake again.

Next time, he’d be ready.