The Spell of Rosette - Kim Falconer [5]
‘I can’t.’
‘You can.’
Janis stepped back as the sun hit the horizon.
‘I won’t.’
‘Please,’ he said softly. ‘You’ll understand it if you do. You’ll understand us.’
‘No.’ She dropped to her knees, folding over until her face pressed into her thighs and her hair tumbled across the floorboards, deep red in the last light. ‘Go find Ruby. Bring her home.’
Janis kept her eyes closed, not wanting to watch. She felt a rush of wind on the nape of her neck as the verandah rail creaked, the shock wave from his transformation washing over her. When she looked up, Luka was gone. A black-and-silver wolf tore off across the dunes, coursing for a scent.
She stood, straining after him, her heart pounding.
‘Wait, Luka!’ she called. ‘I’ll help you look, but my way.’
She turned towards the horse barn.
The wolf paused, his ears pricked back. It’s okay, love.
She heard Luka’s voice warm inside her head.
I’ve already got her scent.
‘And the Lupins?’
I’ll bring them back too.
THE PRESENT GAELA
CHAPTER 1
Kalindi Rose ran through the open field, her boots springing over the close-cropped grass. She hitched up her skirt and climbed the stile, sprinting down the cobblestone drive to the manor house. The brood mares lifted their heads, nickering softly as she passed. Magpies in the surrounding oaks chortled, and a single raven swooped overhead, letting out a raucous caw.
She took the front steps two at a time, her hand stretching towards the ceramic flowerpots. Her fingertips brushed the spring blossoms, red pansies with deep orange centres and yellow daffodils on tall green stems. She laughed, wiggling out of her backpack and tossing it onto the verandah swing-seat.
‘Mama? John’ra? Guess what!’ she called, grabbing for the brass latch.
Her fingers never touched the handle. The door was ajar, slowly creaking open with a draught of wind. She stuck her foot forward, stopping it from banging into the wall.
‘Mama?’
The sound of her voice disappeared amid the drone of cicadas coming from the cherry orchard. She frowned. No-one left the front doors open on the Matosh Estate. It wasn’t allowed.
‘Where is everyone?’ she whispered.
Nothing moved except the rise and fall of her chest and the flutter of the wind through the dogwood trees. Suddenly the magpies took flight, the cicadas went silent. Light doused the verandah, the sunset shooting long red fingers into the empty foyer. As it dropped lower it disappeared, obscured by the inevitable fog bank that rolled in from the sea. It would be dark soon, the air moist and thick. Why had no-one seen to the lanterns?
Kalindi willed her heartbeat to steady. Most likely her little brother, D’ran, would pop out from behind the door, all screams and hands like bear claws. Her mother would call for her to help with the lamps and set the table. Her father would arrive in a flurry, his horse lathered and fussed, the man roaring his discontent with some trade agreement or the price of beans. The dogs would rush up with their barks and wags of excitement.
Any minute… She strained to catch a sound above her breathing as the sky turned purple, and Ishtar, the evening star, emerged.
This is silly. She straightened her shoulders and forced a laugh. Everyone’s probably in the library, or out back. They can’t be far away.
She stepped across the threshold. A draught rushed down the hall to meet her, causing wisps of hair to tickle her face. She brushed them away with both hands, flipping her long plait behind her.
No lanterns glowed. No candles burned on their wrought-iron stands. It was like a dream where things were familiar yet not quite right. Feeling her way along with one hand on the wall, she stopped at the first doorway and looked in. It was the library, usually the brightest place in the house. John’ra insisted the fire be kept going all night, even in the summer. He said it was for inspiration. The library was dark now, abandoned. No fire. No light. No inspiration.
She stumbled into the reading table as she searched for a candle.