The Book of Revenge: E-Book

E. R. Murray

• Herausgeber: Mercier Press
• Kategorie: Für Kinder und Jugendliche
• Serie: The Nine Lives Trilogy
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 401

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Beschreibung

The final installment of the acclaimed Nine Lives trilogy, sequel to The Book of Learning and The Book of Shadows.   - Popular author with a high social media profile and active event schedule. - Fantasy adventure set in Ireland. - First book was 2016 Dublin Citywide Read for kids. Second in the series was short-listed for Bord Gais Energy Children's Book of Year 2016.  In The Book of Revenge, the final book in E.R. Murray's Nine Lives trilogy, Ebony Smart faces her toughest challenge so far. Her enemies, Judge Ambrose and Zach Stone, have a powerful new ally and an army of Shadow Walkers to use against her. Without the help of The Book of Learning, Ebony, with pet rat, Winston, and the Order of the Nine Lives, must find a way to discover their plans, defeat the magical beings and rescue her parents. A story of ghosts, time-travel, battles and dark magic, this is Ebony's greatest adventure so far – but will it also be her last? 

Leseprobe

MERCIER PRESS

3B Oak House, Bessboro Rd

Blackrock, Cork, Ireland.

www.mercierpress.ie

http://twitter.com/IrishPublisher

http://www.facebook.com/mercier.press

© E. R. Murray, 2018

ISBN: 978 1 78117 576 7

Epub ISBN: 978 1 78117 577 4

Mobi ISBN: 978 1 78117 578 1

This eBook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.

All characters and events in this book are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, which may occur inadvertently is completely unintentional.

Contents

Prologue

Kapitel 1

Kapitel 2

Kapitel 3

Kapitel 4

Kapitel 5

Kapitel 6

Kapitel 7

Kapitel 8

Kapitel 9

Kapitel 10

Kapitel 11

Kapitel 12

Kapitel 13

Kapitel 14

Kapitel 15

Kapitel 16

Kapitel 17

Kapitel 18

Kapitel 19

Kapitel 20

Kapitel 21

Kapitel 22

Kapitel 23

Kapitel 24

Kapitel 25

Kapitel 26

Kapitel 27

Kapitel 28

Kapitel 29

Kapitel 30

Kapitel 31

Kapitel 32

Kapitel 33

Kapitel 34

Kapitel 35

Kapitel 36

Kapitel 37

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Kapitel 44

Acknowledgements

About the Author

About the Publisher

‘What do you mean my parents are alive?’ asks Ebony, crossing to the open cottage window for some air.

As the breeze tumbles in, a sleek, black shape streaks across the bright sky, weaving through pillows of cloud. Ebony shivers, but it’s only a crow. In the distance, the sea is calm and shimmering as the Oddley Cove fishermen prepare to haul in their nets, completely unaware of the battle that had raged through the night.

‘It seems your parents’ bodies were never found,’ replies Mr O’Hara, ‘because there were no bodies.’

‘So where exactly are they?’

‘In the past,’ answers Mr O’Hara, rubbing one hand over the bristles of his thick, white moustache. ‘Where no one would think to look.’

‘But why?’

His face overcast, Mr O’Hara shrugs. ‘I only received the information, not explanations.’

Despite the light streaming in, the cottage air is cool and heavy. Silence shrouds the room like a sickness. Ebony surveys the rest of the group, anger fizzing through her veins as Mulligan and Uncle Cornelius, Chiyoko and Old Joe watch closely. On the sofa, Icarus Bean brims with muted rage. Even Aunt Ruby is tight-lipped, her backlit hair glowing like polished jasper as she steadies herself with one hand on the kitchen table.

‘What is he talking about?’ Ebony asks, looking to her aunt. ‘Grandpa told me all about my parents’ accident.’

A confused frown crumples Aunt Ruby’s forehead and she bites down on her lip. ‘He can’t have known–’ she begins.

‘My whole life,’ interrupts Ebony, ‘I’ve believed my parents were dead.’

‘We all thought they were dead,’ says Icarus, his fists balled as he glares at Mr O’Hara.

‘The proof only just arrived,’ says Mr O’Hara.

When he shows no sign of explaining further, Aunt Ruby pats the table with her palm. ‘So where is it? This proof?’ Her eyes glisten and her frown softens. Ebony’s stomach flips – could O’Hara be speaking the truth?

Slowly, Mr O’Hara pulls a photograph from his inside jacket pocket. ‘This was delivered by a King Vulture just before you returned,’ he says, placing it on the kitchen table.

There is a collective gasp.

The photograph is dated 1871. It shows a solemn-faced Ivy and Rufus Smart looking stiffly at the camera, their eyes clearly swollen. Between them, perched at a strange angle on a red velvet chair decorated with studs, Ebony sees her own face, eyes tightly closed. Behind the group, a mirror reflects a fireplace that Ebony recognises immediately. There are several framed paintings on the wall and some of them are familiar.

‘It’s the living room of 23 Mercury Lane,’ says Ebony. ‘What does this prove?’ Leaning in for a better look, she notices that Ivy and Rufus are slightly out of focus, while her past self is completely clear. The expressionless face and closed eyes are eerie. ‘Is my past self sick?’

Winston pokes his head out of Ebony’s sleeve and squeaks. An odd feeling stirs in Ebony’s gut. Her throat dries, making it painful to swallow.

‘She’s dead,’ replies O’Hara.

‘She’s … what?’ gasps Ebony.

Chiyoko takes Ebony’s hand and gives it a squeeze. Before Mr O’Hara can answer, his wife intervenes.

‘This is a memento mori, a post-mortem image,’ says Mrs O’Hara, gently. ‘A photograph to honour the dead. Very common in Victorian times – often, the only photo a person would ever have taken.’

Ebony gives a small cough. ‘You’re kidding, right? It’s gross.’ And yet she cannot peel her eyes away.

‘How is this proof that they’re alive, O’Hara?’ asks Icarus. ‘This is nonsense. I’m leaving.’

‘No, wait! He’s right – look!’ calls Ebony, spotting something strange.

As Ebony points, the others lean in, like a string of Mrs O’Hara’s shadow puppets. One by one, they gasp.

‘Rufus is wearing runners,’ says Ebony, ‘and Ivy has a digital wristwatch. Those things didn’t exist back then. They’re giving us clues. These people aren’t past incarnations – they’re my parents!’

‘She’s right,’ says Aunt Ruby, a mix of joy and concern on her face. ‘They’re in Victorian times – but why? And how have they managed not to bump into their past selves?’

Ebony stares hard at the photograph. ‘I don’t know, but look at the mirror! There’s a message instead of a picture in one of the frames it’s reflecting.’

The block capitals reflect backwards, but Ebony can decipher the message easily. She reads it out loud.

‘Help us. We’re stuck.’ Ebony looks at each of the others in turn, licking her dry lips as her heart skips. ‘We must do as they ask. We’ve got to help them.’

The night was clear and crisp as Ebony Smart huddled against the chimney pot on top of 23 Mercury Lane, newspaper in hand. Unable to sleep, her dreams filled with red pinprick eyes and Zach’s cruel laughter, only the cool night air and open sky could give her some relief.

It was almost ten weeks since Mr O’Hara had revealed the truth about her parents and Icarus Bean had used the Shadowlands to travel into the past to look for them, but there had been no word about his progress. The last few weeks in the city had been increasingly tense. Ambrose had been voted out of his position as judge of the Order of Nine Lives, placing O’Hara temporarily in charge. Ebony and her aunt had been scouring the archives, trying to figure out a way to defeat the Deus-Umbra without the Silent Peregrine, in case the demon returned. Although their investigations had been fruitless, Ebony felt better being occupied – when night fell all her worries resurfaced. She hid her restlessness by sitting on the rooftop; the last thing she wanted was to be sent back to West Cork.

Although Ebony had enjoyed being near Old Joe and her animals, hiding out in Oddley Cove with her aunt and Uncle Cornelius on Mr O’Hara’s command had felt wrong. Especially when the O’Haras had returned to Dublin right away, seeking medical help for Seamus, who had failed to wake up after the battle. Mr O’Hara had been adamant that the countryside would be the safest place for her, their guardian, until they knew Ambrose’s next move. But then the attacks started.

When one of the Order’s men missed his usual night shift no one seemed overly concerned – until his body turned up in the River Liffey bearing the mark of the Shadow Walkers on his forehead. The police began asking questions – questions that could lead to the existence of the Order being revealed – and so the Order’s main security was placed on high alert. After the second body, the Order realised they were being targeted and Ebony, Aunt Ruby and Uncle Cornelius were recalled to Dublin. Mr O’Hara had decided that there was safety in numbers and all members were commanded to travel in pairs after dark. It was clear that Zach and Ambrose were behind the deaths, so utmost caution was exercised.

Ebony’s instincts told her that it was only a matter of time before their enemies launched an all-out attack on the Order and she believed they needed to prepare for the worst. After all, she had foiled their plans for world domination not once, but twice, destroying the soul-swapping machine and accidentally killing Zach’s mother in the process. She had no doubt that both Ambrose and Zach would be seeking revenge.

Her legs crossed and her eyes fixed on the stars above the Dublin city rooftops, Ebony set the newspaper down and pressed her back into the cool brick as she stroked her pet rat, Winston, who was curled up in her lap. Pulling a bronze rose from her pocket with her other hand, she twiddled it absentmindedly between forefinger and thumb. As guardian, the rose allowed her access to the Reflectory, the place where all the Order’s souls rested before they were reincarnated.

‘Time’s racing by, Winston,’ said Ebony. ‘We’re sitting targets, getting nowhere fast. O’Hara and my aunt mean well, but waiting for Ambrose to make a move or slip up and show us his whereabouts is not going to work. We should be hunting our enemies down.’

Sitting up on his haunches, Winston looked into Ebony’s eyes, blinking slowly.

‘As for Icarus – what if something has gone wrong? What if something terrible happens to my parents?’ Winston’s tail drooped and his fur flattened. Ebony tickled under his chin. ‘I know I’ve got you, but I’ve only just found out they’re still alive. I don’t want to lose them again before we even get to meet.’

Lifting his right paw, his signal for no, to show he understood, Winston snuggled in close. Shutting her eyes, Ebony heaved a big sigh and tried to decide on her next move. When Icarus had gone into the Shadowlands to see if he could reach her parents, Ebony had offered to go too, but everyone – even Winston – voted for her to stay. At the time she had been secretly relieved. The Shadowlands were dangerous and filled with Ambrose’s Shadow Walkers, each desperate to capture her for their master. But now, the waiting was unbearable. She had to overcome her fear and see if Icarus needed help. Working alone was out of the question; she had learned her lesson and knew that she needed the Order on her side.

‘If only we knew what was delaying Icarus – he can’t have just disappeared,’ said Ebony. ‘His absence weakens our position and it makes me uneasy. I need to go after him. Maybe I should try Mrs O’Hara? She can’t travel in the Shadowlands but she knows them in her own way. Any help is better than no help.’

Jumping up and down on the spot, Winston shook his head and thrust his right paw in the air, over and over. Placing the rose back in her pocket and scooping him up with two hands, Ebony lifted him up to eye level. He stopped his protest and blinked.

‘I know you want to keep me safe, but Ambrose and Zach have to be stopped. They’re killing people from the Order, and because I ruined their plans, it’s only a matter of time until they come after me. We need to be ready for them. Icarus is one of our best men, but without knowing how to travel time in the Shadowlands, what can I do? If only I still had The Book of Learning to guide me.’

Ebony’s thoughts took her back to the recent battle on the Shadow Walkers’ ship, back to Ambrose ripping apart her beloved book and using its magic to bring the ship’s dragon figurehead to life. The loss of the book still made her feel like part of her own self was missing.

A loud clanging noise from below jolted Ebony from her thoughts. Feeling her palm grow hot, Ebony inspected the skull-shaped mark left there by Ambrose so he could always locate her. The skull was no bigger than a pea, but the edges now looked red and swollen – they were almost glowing. She traced her fingers around the skull – the mark was pulsating like a nasty midge bite. And was it getting bigger?

‘I don’t like this,’ she said.

Climbing to her feet, Ebony accidentally dislodged the newspaper. As she watched, the wind caught it and lifted it into the air like a kite, the pages rattling and separating. After setting Winston down, she carefully made her way down the sloping tiles to the roof’s edge and peered into the street. The orange streetlights gave an eerie glow and shadows lurked everywhere. Scanning them for any sign of movement or a hint of danger, Ebony held her breath. Although her heart was pumping, everything seemed normal.

Another clang sounded in the street and this time Ebony was able to follow the noise to where a sack of recycling, left out for collection under a streetlight, had been torn open. A huge, bedraggled tortoiseshell cat with a crooked tail was wrestling with its contents, trying to hook an open food can with one paw.

‘It’s just a cat,’ said Ebony, exhaling deeply. When Winston squealed, she added, ‘Don’t worry, he’s down below in the street and no danger to you.’

As she turned to begin the climb back up to join Winston, she heard a cackle, followed by a crunch. Checking behind her, Ebony saw that the cat had now vanished. Only a clump of hair and the food can rolling along the pavement, leaving a trail of dark splotches, indicated it had been there at all. Winston squealed. When Ebony turned to look at him, he was pointing to the sky. Following the line of his paw, she saw a faraway flame shoot across the black night.

‘A shooting star, Winston! Isn’t it beautiful?’

But as he watched the ball of fire arc across the sky, Winston’s fur bristled and he bared his teeth. His whiskers twitched and his tail stuck out poker straight. He pulled himself up to be as big and threatening as he could and hissed into the night air. Ebony scrambled back up the roof and lifted him with her unmarked hand. As the streak of colour died out, the pulsing in her other hand died away. On closer inspection, she saw that the swelling had gone – had she imagined it?

‘It’s just a dying star and a mangy old cat,’ said Ebony. ‘Nothing to be worried about.’

In her grasp, Winston trembled, his heart beating faster than a marching drum. Ebony cuddled him close and told herself it was because Winston didn’t like heights. She should have left him in her room, snug and warm in his cage. In fact, she should probably be in bed too, trying to sleep, instead of gazing out over rooftops.

But deep down she knew something was wrong. Cats didn’t cackle. And cats didn’t make her hand throb.

Placing Winston in a side pocket of her trousers, Ebony walked carefully along the thin path running the length of the roof, back towards the skylight.

‘We’ve got to use our time more effectively, Winston. I refuse to be an easy target,’ she said, lowering her body through the skylight into the attic. ‘This time, I will act first, with the Order of Nine Lives behind me. All I need to figure out is how to convince everyone to help.’

The next morning, Ebony was woken by the sound of raised voices. Hurriedly, she clambered out of bed and dressed. Snatching up Winston, she hid him in her sleeve before racing downstairs. As she sped into the kitchen, she almost collided with a red-faced Miss Malone. Aunt Ruby was towering over the big, blue-haired lady, her violet eyes sparking and her eyeballs looking like they were about to pop out. Miss Malone had her gaze fixed on an empty, bright-yellow saucer that she was spinning around in her cupped hands. There was none of the usual breakfast activity from the helicopters and dump trucks that lined the room and carried the food to the table; all was silent and still. Ebony’s stomach rumbled.

‘This is unthinkable!’ spat Aunt Ruby. ‘There is no reason to take such drastic action.’

‘I am only relaying the message, Ruby.’

‘What’s going on?’ asked Ebony.

But the two women were far too engrossed in their argument to reply. Looking around, Ebony spotted a sheet of paper screwed up on the floor – could that be the cause of their dispute? As she moved to pick it up, her aunt noticed and shot her a look that stopped her in her tracks.

‘That’s none of your business, Ebony. It’s a private matter. Leave it where it is.’

Nodding agreement, Ebony angled her sleeve so that Winston could see the crumpled paper and discreetly pointed. Then she lowered her arm so he could climb down her leg. Understanding her wishes, Winston began his descent. Seconds later, he had the scrunched-up paper in his teeth and was dragging it along the floor towards his favourite hidey-hole behind the cooker. Ebony kept her fingers crossed as he made slow progress, hoping Aunt Ruby wouldn’t notice him.

‘And where exactly did Jeremiah get this intelligence?’ asked Aunt Ruby.

‘I’ve already told you, Mr O’Hara swore me to secrecy.’

‘What intelligence?’ asked Ebony, even though she was pretty certain it was pointless to ask.

She was right. The two ladies eyeballed each other, ignoring her. After a while, Ebony repeated her question.

This time, Aunt Ruby answered in a scornful voice, hands on hips. ‘Headquarters has received some information about Icarus’s past that makes them believe he may have been deceiving us all along and is actually an enemy of the Order.’ She paused to shake her head. ‘O’Hara thinks that his failure to return from his current mission is confirmation of his treachery. As a result, he wants to issue a warrant for my brother’s arrest and incarceration if he does return.’

‘Icarus – a traitor?’ asked Ebony, gritting her teeth and feeling the heat rise in her face. ‘He’s saved my life countless times and always behaves in the Order’s best interests. There’s no way he’s our enemy. He’s one of our best and we have no chance against Ambrose without him!’

At the mention of Ambrose, Miss Malone shuddered.

‘What information could Mr O’Hara have possibly received that would make him think such a thing?’ asked Ebony.

Glancing at Aunt Ruby, Miss Malone tightened her lips and shook her head. ‘We’re not allowed to tell you.’

Aunt Ruby glared at Miss Malone. ‘Forget it, Ebony – it’s utter nonsense and not worth knowing. Our concern should lie with Icarus’s safe return and the success of his mission.’

‘I agree,’ said Ebony, taking a seat next to Miss Malone and clenching her hands together on the table in front of her. Peering around her aunt, she saw that Winston had reached the cooker. She watched for a second as he reversed in, trying to pull the ball of paper after him into the space between the appliance and the wall. ‘Has there been any news of his progress?’

‘None,’ replied Miss Malone quietly.

‘So what if he’s hurt and can’t return?’ asked Aunt Ruby.

Spinning the saucer in her hands, Miss Malone kept her gaze averted, shifting uncomfortably in her chair. Determined to get to the bottom of things – her uncle’s honour and meeting her parents was at stake – Ebony continued with her questioning.

‘What do you think, Miss Malone? Do you think Icarus is a traitor?’

Miss Malone cleared her throat. ‘I’m in agreement with you and your aunt, Ebony. Icarus is one of our best. But I’ve never seen O’Hara so worried. He’s been suspicious for some time – but this new information has him spooked. And when the Order finds out that Icarus is in fact–’

Aunt Ruby threw Miss Malone a silencing look. Miss Malone winced, then pressed her lips together. Sighing, Aunt Ruby rubbed at her temple with a thumb and forefinger.

‘That Icarus is in fact what?’ asked Ebony, surveying her aunt’s face. ‘What’s happened exactly? Has he done something wrong?’

‘He has not,’ replied Aunt Ruby, ‘and that is why we will not discuss it any further.’

Miss Malone looked at Aunt Ruby, then back to the yellow saucer.

Feeling her hands turn shaky, Ebony clenched them more tightly and took a deep breath before continuing. ‘But does Mr O’Hara have the power to command an arrest without a vote?’

‘Without a judge in place, yes,’ said Aunt Ruby. ‘But he should wait for Icarus to return and see what he has to report.’

‘Can’t you suggest that to him, Miss Malone?’ asked Ebony. ‘Surely it’s a reasonable request.’

‘Mr O’Hara is doing what he thinks is best for all concerned,’ replied Miss Malone. ‘Enemy activity is increasing and we need to exercise extreme caution. There was an attack in the Phoenix Park last night – we were almost another man down.’

‘But if Icarus is arrested, what will happen to my parents?’ Ebony fought the tears that threatened to spill. ‘If he’d been successful, he would have returned by now. They might never receive the help they need! Mr O’Hara can’t do that – it’s not fair!’

‘It’s not about fairness, Ebony,’ said Miss Malone. ‘It’s about securing the safety of the Order’s future – about securing your future.’

‘Then it’s even more important that we help Icarus,’ said Ebony. ‘Would you stand up against Mr O’Hara and back Icarus if I needed you to? Mr O’Hara may be able to command an arrest, but he has to listen to our people. If we stand against him and demand a vote, he’ll have to agree, won’t he? You said yourself that you agree with us.’

Aunt Ruby smiled at her niece. ‘I know you’re thinking of your uncle, but don’t do anything rash. Mr O’Hara may accept that you’re our guardian, but you haven’t yet earned his full respect. Let me speak to him tomorrow. He has called us – Uncle Cornelius and me – to a meeting. I’m sure he’ll be reasonable.’

‘That would be best,’ agreed Miss Malone. ‘As the intelligence came from his wife, it must be treated with care.’

Realising she had let part of the secret slip, Miss Malone started. The saucer clattered as it dropped from her hand and spun on the table. She looked up warily. Aunt Ruby’s mouth dropped open and she put one hand to her heart. ‘Mrs O’Hara? Are you sure?’

Her violet eyes burned brightly. Ebony could tell that her aunt, despite sounding calm, was concentrating her energy on trying to stay composed; this new information had unnerved her. Miss Malone nodded.

Ruby said, ‘This changes everything. Why didn’t you tell me before? I trust Mrs O’Hara completely, so these findings may just be true. But if they are, poor Icarus …’ She stared off into the distance, clearly trying to make sense of the situation. Then, as though suddenly remembering that Ebony and Miss Malone were there, she continued, ‘But regardless, Icarus is no traitor. I must make O’Hara realise that he is mistaken.’

As her aunt lapsed into silence again, Ebony checked on Winston’s progress. She was just in time to see the final edge of the paper disappear behind the cooker. Certain it would contain the information she was seeking – the reason behind O’Hara’s sudden decision – she relaxed a little and waited to see which way the conversation would turn.

‘Miss Malone, I must apologise for my earlier outburst. I know you’re just doing your job,’ said Aunt Ruby, lacing her long, slender fingers together as though trying to tie them into knots. ‘Tea, anybody?’

Ebony rolled her eyes – what good was tea? – but Miss Malone nodded, seemingly relieved. Winston popped his head out from behind the cooker, his whiskers twitching as he checked the surrounding area. Seeing that it was all clear, he made his way back across the kitchen. Ebony kept her eyes averted.

Snatching up her chestnut pipe, Aunt Ruby scraped a match, lit her tobacco and then the gas ring. She placed the kettle on the hob, then turned to Ebony and smiled. At that exact moment, Winston arrived back at Ebony’s side.

‘Glad you could join us, little man,’ she said. The pipe bounced up and down in her mouth as she spoke. Then, without warning, she turned and threw the match down behind the cooker. There was a flash as the paper Winston had hidden ignited. There was a sizzle and a whoosh as stale fat caught fire and flames leapt up the back of the cooker, scorching the wall.

Winston squealed and scampered to the kitchen door, as far away from the flames as he could manage. Ebony jumped up, crying, ‘What are you doing?’

Miss Malone was already on her feet, spraying the flames with the fire extinguisher from next to the cooker. The fire went out instantly, leaving a small wisp of smoke and the scent of a washed-out bonfire on a rainy night.

‘Are you crazy?’ shouted Ebony. ‘You could have set the whole house on fire!’

‘It was under control,’ replied Aunt Ruby, exhaling a stream of pipe smoke, a smile playing on her lips. ‘Which is more than I can say for you!’

Beside the cooker, Miss Malone was still gripping the fire extinguisher with both hands, looking rather shell-shocked. Checking on Winston, Ebony discovered that he had his back flattened against the kitchen door, and his eyes were big and watery. Anger rose inside her, cold and sharp.

‘What do you expect when, after all we’ve been through, you’re still withholding information from me? I’m the guardian: I demand to know what’s going on with Icarus.’

In reply, Aunt Ruby drew herself up to full height, her hair flaring out behind her despite the fact they were indoors. Her eyes flashed and sparked and her skin turned deathly white. When she spoke, her voice was thunderous.

‘O’Hara has asked me to keep it confidential until after we’ve spoken. Trust me, if I’m to remain in a position where I can help Icarus, that’s what I must do.’

The anger in Ebony shifted and coiled, twisting her insides. She felt the vein in her forehead throb as she clenched her jaw. Balling her fists, her face grew hot with rage. On the floor, Winston ran towards his best friend as she launched into a tirade.

‘Trust? That goes both ways you know,’ she yelled. ‘I have to get my parents back – what if they’re linked to the destiny I have to fulfil to reach Ultimation? Or to our ability to defeat Zach and Ambrose? If there’s something stopping their return, then it’s my duty as guardian to fix it. But I can’t do that if I don’t know everything that’s going on.’

‘That note from O’Hara summoned me and Uncle Cornelius tomorrow morning, warned of Icarus’s impending arrest and the reason why – which I’ve already told you I cannot share – and asked a personal favour regarding Seamus. Also, it was addressed to me and is, therefore, none of your business.’

Vaguely aware of something tugging at her trouser leg, Ebony kicked out. There was a squeal as Winston skidded across the floor. Grinding to a halt, he stared up at her, his nose scrunched and his ears flat. Although Ebony knew that she’d hurt her friend, it barely registered in her brain. Inside, her rage was a torrent, taking over her senses. She felt venom pumping in her veins and her brain throbbed. The world turned wobbly and green spots danced in front of her eyes, but no matter how much she rubbed, they wouldn’t clear.

‘Ebony? Are you OK?’ asked Miss Malone.

‘Let’s open the windows for some air,’ said Aunt Ruby, turning to tug at the catch of the one behind her.

Miss Malone headed for the second window, but when Winston gave a squeal, she looked back. ‘W-where’s Ebony gone?’ she said in horror.

But Ebony could no longer hear the words. Her thoughts were jumbled and tumbling and the world around her was changing. Squeezing her eyes shut and focusing all her energy, she managed to clear her mind. When she opened her eyes, everything was sketch-like, all shadowy and tonal. Her aunt and Miss Malone were now green, shimmering shapes in a different world. Ebony’s stomach knotted. She had slipped into the Shadowlands – but how? She hadn’t willed herself there. Had her anger brought her? Or had someone pulled her in?

‘Ebony?’

The bird-like voice made Ebony jump and it took a second for her to figure out what direction the sound had come from.

‘Mrs O’Hara? Is that you?’

The words felt sticky in her mouth, an effect of the Shadowlands. It had been a while since Ebony had dared to venture inside and, as always, the place instantly began to suck the joy out of her.

‘Yes. We don’t have much time.’

A figure appeared before Ebony like a half-finished sketch; it was green and wavering, but clearly female. Ebony swallowed and concentrated on the image until a faint but recognisable outline of Mrs O’Hara formed.

‘I’m sorry about using the Shadowlands, but I had to get to you quickly. I’m receiving a vision that you must see, and Icarus has uncovered a dark secret that may have catastrophic results.’

Ebony’s heart raced. ‘What secret? Tell me.’

‘First, the vision. I know you want to rally the Order against our enemies, but if you act now, you will fail – and risk losing the support of my husband. You need to know Ambrose’s plan in order to thwart his intentions and you also need the Order’s support. Be patient. Now, close your eyes and let me show you what is happening. Keep them closed – otherwise we’ll lose our connection.’

Not sure what to expect, Ebony did as she was told.

As soon as she shut her eyes, a tar-black room with a dying fire appeared. To the right, the wall was marked with a Shadow Walker skull. In front of the smouldering fire, the silhouetted figure of Ambrose knelt on a dusty floor, gazing into the cinders. In his hand, he held a large set of cast-iron tongs and, despite the heat from the fire, he was shivering. Beside him, Zach was also kneeling, his head bowed and his hands resting on the skin of a bongo drum. In front of them, just above their heads, Ebony could make out an array of paraphernalia on a ledge hewn out of the wall above the fire; it was like the altar she’d uncovered in the hidden room in her Hideout. On it were rocks inked with black skulls, cracked ceramic pots, a bird carcass picked clean of flesh and a framed photograph, its image blurred and indistinguishable behind the smoke-stained glass. And in the middle of the altar was a sheep’s skull: charred and fissured, the rims of its eyeholes were black with soot and a strange blue glow emanated from within.

I wonder where they are, thought Ebony.

Grabbing the sheep’s skull with the tongs, Ambrose shoved it into the middle of the embers. As the embers began to splutter and flare, the rims of the sheep’s eye sockets glowed brighter, emitting smoke. The blue light inside burst out from the hearth like ghostly flames, sending sparks of cobalt shooting around the room. Zach ducked to avoid them, but Ambrose remained in place, heaving a deep sigh as tiny dots of blue, like mackerel scales, freckled his face. Hesitantly, Zach straightened to his original position. As a spark hit his chin, his skin sizzled.

In the hearth, flames crackled and sparked. Lifting the sheep’s skull carefully back onto the ledge, Ambrose removed a small vial from his pocket and poured the contents over it. Ebony narrowed her eyes, but there was no label. The thick, amber liquid coated the crown of the smoking skull and quickly evaporated. After muttering a few words under his breath, Ambrose pushed a wedge of moss into one eye socket. The blue glow thinned to a single, sniper-like beam and Ambrose shifted position so the beam connected with his gaze at eye level.

‘Can you hear me?’ whispered Ambrose, his voice hoarse and rasping as he stared intently into the blue.

Zach looked away from the skull, as though too afraid to face it. Smoke began to plume from the left socket, and the moss burst into flames. Zach coughed as the putrid fumes filled the room, but Ambrose didn’t react, even though they must have been choking him too. His gaze was transfixed on the skull. As the blue light wavered, Ambrose jerked his head around and gave Zach a cold smile. Zach’s face dropped, but Ambrose didn’t seem to care.

Reaching out his hand, Ambrose placed his fingertips on the sizzling hot skull. Once more, the blue glow brightened. Wincing, Ambrose refused to cry out as his flesh sizzled, fusing with the white-hot bone. Pain etched across his face, Ambrose gave a nod. Immediately, Zach lifted his hands and began beating the drum, the skin vibrating in deep and melancholic tones. The drum rang out, loud and haunting. Shadows danced on the walls as the fire leapt higher. In the centre of the hearth, the outline of a winged creature appeared for an instant. As Ambrose’s eyes widened, Ebony felt her throat dry and her airways constrict.

‘It’s here!’ cried Ambrose, his voice tinged with delight. ‘The Deus-Umbra is listening.’

Zach hit the drum harder, until the noise filled the space.

‘We need to speak with you,’ said Ambrose, speaking into the flames where the figure had been. ‘I know you are weak and recovering, but I promise, if you help us defeat Ebony Smart and the Order, I will make sure you have what you desire above all else.’

A cruel cackling sound filled the air. Ebony watched as the flames leapt up, glowing blue and violet. Zach beat the drum harder, wincing as his palms struck the drum, but seemingly unable to stop. His arm and neck muscles bulged and his head seemed to swell, the veins in his temples throbbing. Keeping his eyes on the fire’s heart, he began to rock in time to the beat as though in a trance. The flames seemed to close in, reaching out for him.

‘Speak to us, mighty Deus-Umbra,’ yelled Ambrose, his face crazed.

The flames turned wild and thick black smoke billowed out, filling the room. Zach began to tremble and shudder, jerking this way and that as though an electric current was shocking his body. The drumming stopped and Zach leapt to his feet. His body was unsteady and he stumbled. Seemingly unable to control his movements, Zach’s body lurched to one side.

‘Zach! What are you doing? Why have you stopped?’ cried Ambrose, turning around.

Wondering the same, Ebony’s eyes searched every inch of the scene, her hand instinctively clasping the crescent-moon-shaped amulet she wore around her neck that allowed her access to the sky world.

Facing Zach, Ambrose closed his mouth and tensed his jaw. The colour in his face drained away as he stared into Zach’s eyes.

Zach’s eyes glowed red for an instant and then, deeper than an ocean trench and colder than ice, they turned completely black. When he opened his mouth to speak, his jaw seemed to grow and expand, large fangs dripping with saliva suddenly visible.

‘And what is it you think I desire?’ said an inhuman voice, like metal scraping against metal.

‘To be worshipped as a god. Like the old times, when there was peace between you and our kind.’

‘And what makes you think I need you, human? When I am strong enough, I will take what I need.’

Ambrose chuckled. ‘You only know how to terrorise – how will you make people obey? Bring you gifts and food? If you just take what you want, they will fear you and try to kill you. You will know no rest. I, however, will make them fall to their knees and worship you.’

‘You failed me last time.’ The demon’s voice sounded darker, rasping, more menacing. ‘You may have raised me, but you failed to defeat our enemies and let them drive me into hiding. What makes you think this time will be different?’

A vein in Ambrose’s forehead pulsated as he replied. ‘Help me capture the guardian and I will have complete power. And then I will make sure that the people – not just the Order, but all the people in the world – will worship you once more.’

‘The world?’ screeched the demon. Zach’s body shook. ‘Why should I trust you?’

‘I can help you recover, grow strong, without exposing your existence. Keep you safe. You don’t understand the modern world; you can’t achieve what you want alone. The world has weapons now you can’t even imagine – they might even be strong enough to defeat a demon. You need me.’

Zach’s body shuddered violently, sparks spewing from his mouth. After a moment, the sparks died down. ‘I will think on it,’ growled the demon. ‘But if I decide to help you with Ebony Smart and you fail me again, or go back on your word, I will tear you limb from limb. I will massacre all that follow you. Now I must go. Someone else is listening.’

As the demon withdrew and Zach began to come round, his eyes locked on to Ambrose; for an instant his irises flashed red and a shadow passed over his face. But Ambrose didn’t notice. Instead, he held up a thin, silver chain, letting it dangle between finger and thumb.

‘It’ll think on it … Tear me limb from limb indeed! When I send my Shadow Walkers to sneak up on it and secure this around its ankle, the demon won’t have any option but to do what I tell it.’

Ebony leaned in. The chain looked like a simple anklet, but she knew it must contain powerful magic if it could control a demon.

‘What is it?’ asked Zach.

‘Here, try.’ Ambrose slipped the chain over Zach’s wrist, then produced a small control from his pocket. It looked like a car key fob with a single button. When he clicked the button, Zach shook and jolted, his teeth rattling, the pain forcing a scream from his throat.

Ebony gasped. Ambrose clicked the button again to stop it and then, without warning, turned around and stared in her direction. The stench of burning filled the air and a blast of heat assaulted Ebony’s face. She gasped, the crescent-moon amulet digging into her palm as she fought to keep her eyes closed.

‘How nice of you to join us, Ebony Smart!’ said Ambrose, his mouth twisted. ‘Next time we meet, it’ll be in person and as you have just seen, I’ll have a very powerful demon at my command. This time, I’m taking your soul. There’ll be no stopping me.’

This was it. They were coming for her.

Ebony’s eyes shot open and the vision disappeared. Seeking out Mrs O’Hara, she found the woman’s outline was beginning to fade.

‘Wait! You can’t leave – you have to tell me Icarus’s secret!’ cried Ebony.

As Mrs O’Hara began her reply, her already faint image flickered, her voice crackling and fading in and out. ‘Icarus … true heritage … is his brother.’ Her image stabilised once more. ‘It has turned Icarus’s heart black and it will determine your end.’

‘My end? Am I going to fail? Am I going to die?’

‘The final battle is near and your destinies are entwined. If either of you is to survive, you must help each other.’

‘But how? I couldn’t hear the secret properly!’

There was no further explanation. Mrs O’Hara’s voice faded as her image shimmered and melted away. Without warning, Ebony was back in the kitchen of 23 Mercury Lane. A squeal alerted her that she was standing on Winston’s tail. Stumbling backwards, her legs not quite ready for solid ground, her head rang with Mrs O’Hara’s warning: Your destinies are entwined. If either of you is to survive, you must help each other.

‘Where did you go?’ asked Miss Malone, moving to Ebony’s side and supporting her with an arm around her shoulders.

Taking a moment to gather her thoughts, Ebony rubbed at her face. Above her head, a slate-grey cloud lingered, a sign of the sadness that the Shadowlands instilled in the people who went there. Pulling away from Miss Malone, Ebony bent to pick up Winston. As she nuzzled him, whispering an apology, he turned his head away from her and huffed.

‘The Shadowlands,’ said Aunt Ruby, nodding at the cloud with a concerned look on her face. ‘Where she was told explicitly not to go until Icarus returns and we know that it’s safe.’

‘I didn’t mean to! It was Mrs O’Hara – she was having a vision that she needed to share with me and she pulled me in. Ambrose aims to totally control the demon. It’s not fully recovered from our last battle, but Ambrose has agreed to help it in return for its support. It’s only a matter of time before it regains its full strength. So time is of the essence. My parents contacted us now for a reason and we need as many of our kind as we can to fight Ambrose. How else are we going to kill him and Zach?’

Miss Malone looked aghast, her skin pale and her face crumpled. ‘Kill? That’s your intention? But they’re part of the Order.’

‘It’s us or them,’ said Ebony, gritting her teeth as heat rose in her face. ‘And it’s time to avenge my grandpa’s murder.’ She slammed her fist on the table. ‘Where is Icarus? Why haven’t we heard anything? I knew I should have gone with him.’

‘Enough,’ snapped Aunt Ruby. ‘This is getting us nowhere.’

Ebony fought the urge to argue. She had to learn how to travel through time to rescue her parents and would need her aunt’s help in persuading Mr O’Hara that it was necessary.

‘I’m sorry,’ she said, using her best apologetic voice. ‘But I’m worried. Mrs O’Hara said Icarus’s heart has turned black – something bad must have happened. We must find out what before Icarus is arrested.’

Aunt Ruby tapped her pipe against the edge of a lily-shaped ashtray, emptying its contents. Strands of charred tobacco spilled out, creating a crescent-moon shape. Instinctively, Ebony touched the amulet around her neck again.

‘I won’t let that happen,’ said Ruby. ‘I’ll talk to Jeremiah and make him see sense. In the meantime, we have other things to concern ourselves with – Seamus is on his way.’

‘On his way? Has he come round?’

‘No, but his doctors are starting to ask awkward questions. We can’t risk the Order being revealed to ordinary folk. With Seamus removed from the hospital’s care, they’ll have less opportunity to pry.’

‘So why is he coming here?’ Although she knew she sounded mean, Ebony had a good reason for not wanting him around. Seamus would take time from their investigations and be a constant reminder of her guilt – if he hadn’t helped her escape Zach and Ambrose using his shadow puppets, he wouldn’t be in his current state.

‘Mr O’Hara’s always at work and Mrs O’Hara is being called upon to assist him more and more. I suggested that Seamus would be better off here because there’s always someone around.’

‘That’s true,’ said Ebony, placing Winston on her shoulder and heading to the fridge. Guilt plucked at her stomach as she took out an apple and some slices of cheese, and she felt her resistance fade. ‘He could have the room next to mine, like before.’

‘That’s very thoughtful, Ebony. Thank you.’

‘It’ll be good to have the surveillance team around too,’ added Miss Malone. ‘In case Ambrose returns.’

Ebony paused and glanced back, just in time to see Aunt Ruby glare at Miss Malone. ‘Surveillance team?’

‘Led by myself and Drinkwater – one of the men who helped you fight against Ambrose at Oddley Cove,’ replied Miss Malone. ‘We’ll be stationed outside, guarding the house closely and making sure that everything is OK. With all the killings, Mr O’Hara felt it was important to take precautionary measures to ensure your safety. We’re taking the first watch.’

Although she didn’t want to feel like a prisoner in her own home, the thought comforted Ebony. But she needed some air so she could try to make sense of things. She couldn’t afford to be scared. Taking out a freezer bag, Ebony dropped her apple and cheese inside, along with a packet of crackers. Shoving the food in one of her trouser pockets and stuffing Winston into her sleeve, she moved to the kitchen door.

‘Can I go for a walk to clear my head?’ she asked, pointing to the cloud above her.

‘As it’s daylight, it should be safe,’ replied her aunt, ‘but keep your wits about you. All the attacks so far may have happened at night but you can never be too careful.’

Ebony grabbed her jacket and headed out. She strode towards St Stephen’s Green, her resolve hardening with every step: if their destinies were entwined, she would have to find out Icarus’s secret.

The morning was already in full swing, making it too late to sneak into the Hideout in the park. The sun was out and the park was full, so Ebony decided to cut through it and walk the streets of Dublin to clear her mind. Back in Oddley Cove, the sound of waves always drowned out busy thoughts, but in the city she had to rely on the noise and bustle of others. Still, there was nothing like the gentle sway of water, so she headed towards the Liffey. Although bodies had been washing up in its waters, Zach and Ambrose were in hiding. If the vision Mrs O’Hara had shown her was to be believed, they needed time for their plan to work. She doubted they would attack her now, in the daytime, when there were so many people about.

As she left the bustle of the park behind, near the snorting horses and old-fashioned jaunting cars waiting for tourists, a busker could be heard strumming an acoustic guitar. The sound flooded her heart with warmth. Crossing over onto Grafton Street, Ebony paused. On the corner were three men dressed head to toe in black, their skin and clothes painted in a shiny black substance. They sat completely still, hands locked on their knees. On one of the men’s shoulders sat a crow and, in front, a hat filled with coins glistened on the pavement.