Septimus Heap, Book Six_ Darke - Angie Sage [54]
“Nothing, Witch Mother! She’s got her robes on. We’ll be out soon,” Marissa called. And then to Jenna, “Like I’m going to have to make you a witch.”
“No way!”
“Marissa!” The door handle rattled angrily. “I heard the Princess. She’s not Silent anymore. What’s going on in there?”
“Nothing. Honestly. It was me, Witch Mother.”
“Don’t lie to me, Marissa. Let me in!” The Witch Mother rattled the door handle so violently that it fell off, bounced its way across the floor and hit Linda on the head.
“Aargh . . .” Linda groaned.
“What was that? If you don’t let me in right now, I shall Smash the door and then there’ll be trouble,” the Witch Mother yelled.
Marissa looked panic-stricken. “I’m going,” she told Jenna. “You can stay here and good luck to you. Don’t say I didn’t try. See ya!” And with that she pulled herself up to the window. She was halfway through when a loud craaaaaack came from the door and a long split ran through the wood from top to bottom.
“Marissa. Wait!” yelled Jenna. “Do the something else—whatever it is.”
Marissa’s head appeared at the window. “Okay. This is a bit yucky,” she said, “but it’s got to be done.” She poked her head back through the window and kissed Jenna. Jenna leaped back in surprise. “Told you it was yucky.” Marissa grinned. “But you’re a witch now. You don’t belong to the Coven yet, you’d have to kiss them all for that.”
“No thanks.” Jenna grimaced.
The sound of splintering wood heralded the metal tip of the Witch Mother’s boot appearing through the door.
“Time to go, Witch,” said Marissa.
Jenna scrambled through the window and leaped into the dark. She landed on an old compost heap.
“Run!” hissed Marissa.
With brambles tearing at them, Jenna and Marissa raced through the overgrown garden, scrambled over the wall and dropped down into the back alley. Behind them the Witch Mother—her large bulk stuck in the tiny window—screamed in fury and Sent curses after them. The curses skittered around the garden, bounced off the walls and ReBounded on the Witch Mother.
The two witches tore up the dark back alley, heading toward the welcoming lights of Gothyk Grotto. As Jenna slammed the door shut behind her to the accompaniment of the door monster, she grinned. Suddenly Gothyk Grotto looked so normal.
Marcus approached, unfazed by the sight of two witches in the shop. It was not unusual for people to dress up on the Longest Night festivities—he had just sold all their remaining skeleton suits to the staff of Wizard Sandwiches.
“Need any help?” he asked.
Jenna threw back her voluminous witch’s hood.
Marcus gasped. “Princess Jenna, you’re safe. Your friend, wotsisname . . . Earwig—he was looking for you.”
The mention of earwigs made Jenna feel sick. “Beetle! Is he here?”
“Nah. He’ll be pleased you’re safe; he was going nuts. But there’s someone here from the Wizard Tower for you.” Marcus winked at Jenna. “Good luck.”
The door monster roared again and Hildegarde rushed in. She skidded to a halt and stared at Jenna and Marissa.
“It is you!” she gasped. The Searching Glass had told her that the fleeing witch was Jenna, but she had not believed it. Catching her breath, Hildegarde said, “Princess Jenna, you do know those robes are the real thing, don’t you?”
“Of course I do,” said Jenna stonily.
Hildegarde looked disapprovingly at Jenna and the company she was keeping.
“Madam Marcia has asked me to take you straight to the Palace at once. She will be meeting you there. Witches’ robes are not appropriate attire and I suggest you take them off right away.”
Hildegarde’s attitude annoyed Jenna. “No,” she said. “These robes are mine and I’m wearing them.”
Marissa grinned. She could get to like Jenna.
Chapter 18
The Emissary
The tide of Ordinary Wizards flowed to a halt outside a small, dimly lit storefront about a hundred yards down Wizard Way, on the right-hand side. A sign above the shop announced it to be NUMBER THIRTEEN, MAGYKAL MANUSCRIPTO-RIUM AND SPELL CHECKERS INCORPORATED.
Beetle stepped out of the protective pool of Wizards and looked up at his old, once