Part 34 (1/2)

You can't, or it can't?' Owen demanded.

Won't let me. Pus.h.i.+ng me out! Its beak! Its claws!' Daniel suddenly sat upright, breathing hard. He shook his head as if to clear his mind, then glanced round himself fearfully. It's very strong. I want to leave!' He stood up.

Owen got to his feet and put his arms round Daniel. Calm down. It's all right.'

Perhaps we should go,' Lily said quickly. She was beginning to feel very uneasy. The night had a.s.sumed a threatening quality, as if something hideous was about to burst out of the trees around the lake. The thought of the walk back through the yews was not pleasant. Was there another way out of the garden?

Scaring each other will not help,' Owen said, although he did not sound totally at ease himself. This is all psychological. We must be rational.'

Daniel pulled away from Owen. It won't let you in. It's a guardian created not to let anyone in.'

What about the woman, Mellith?' Owen said. Can you find her again? Ask her what we must do.'

Daniel made a miserable sound. I don't want to. I want to get out of here.'

Owen, let's leave it!' Lily said sharply. We don't know what we're getting into.'

Lily, your friend Emma is the one who seems to think it's so important for us to get into the house! We can't give up yet.'

But she's not here!' Lily's voice had become a wail. I'd feel safer if she was!'

It's OK,' Daniel said, rubbing his arms. I feel a bit better now. I'll try to talk to Mellith again.'

Are you sure?' Lily asked. We can always come back another time.' She glanced accusingly at Owen. Perhaps in daylight.'

Owen made a scornful sound, but sat down on the slabs once more. Lily and Daniel sat down as well, Daniel in the middle.

Lily laid a rea.s.suring hand on Daniel's arm. Stop at any time.'

Daniel lay back and closed his eyes. He said nothing for several minutes, until Lily was beginning to think nothing would happen. Then he sighed deeply.

He has left a key.'

What? Who has? Where?' Owen demanded.

Sss.h.!.+' Lily hissed. Let him speak.'

You need the key to enter the house.'

You mean it's just locked up? Is it that simple?' Owen's voice was incredulous.

Owen!' Lily said in low voice. Shut up!'

Daniel shook his head. The key walks. It enters the house and leaves it like smoke. It has to be pet.i.tioned.' He opened his eyes, blinked at the dark sky. That's all. She won't say any more.'

It doesn't make much sense,' Lily said. A key that can walk around? What would it look like? Is it a real key?'

I doubt it,' Owen answered. It must be symbolic. Were there no clues other than that, Daniel?'

Daniel shook his head. No. I'll think about it.' He sat up. Now, I really want to leave.'

Lily stood up and offered Daniel her hand. She sensed a s.h.i.+ft in alliances. Owen was being awkward and unfair, she thought. Didn't he consider that what Daniel was doing for them might be dangerous for him? Come on. We'll go back to the cottage for supper.'

They walked quickly, approaching the lightless ma.s.s of the yews with unspoken misgivings. To break the tension, they discussed what had happened, trying to ignore the oppressive, watching shadows. We should be safe here, Lily thought. If this is our home, we should be safe. For a moment, she thought about what it would be like if suddenly the three of them should become separated. What would come for her? What would she see? The urge to hurry, to break into a run, was great. She knew she had to resist it. Later, she would ask the others if they'd felt the same. To voice such thoughts now was unthinkable. She was sure it would act as a powerful invocation of terror.

Suddenly, Daniel froze and said, What was that?'

What?' Owen asked, glancing round.

Daniel looked up and moaned. Oh no! It's coming?'

What is?' Lily demanded, trying to peer through the thick branches. She could see nothing. Then, it came, the slow, heavy pulse of great wings. A charnel-stinking wind, hot as a predator's breath, came whistling up the yew walk.

Run!' Daniel screamed.

Panicking, the three b.u.mped into each other, tangled in each other's limbs, unable to move forward. Then Daniel leapt away and Lily and Owen could follow him. A terrible scream shattered the night, a screech as of huge metal teeth grinding against one another. The trees were creaking and swaying and rustling as if something gigantic were pressing down upon them. Twigs and insects spattered down onto the heads and necks of Daniel and his companions. Lily thought she felt claws snag at her hair. She was too terrified even to scream. The end of the yew walk was in sight, a grey rectangle in the blackness ahead. Lily was afraid that once they were out on the bare stretch of the lawn, the thing pursuing them, whatever it was, could pick them off easily. Yet what else could they do but run?

They burst from the trees, and Lily squawked in dismay. Something amorphous and black squatted on the pathway ahead of them. Owen swore and yanked Daniel back. Lily, holding onto Daniel's other arm, stumbled, grazing her left knee on the mossy stone. What is it?' Her voice was shrill. She realised that whatever had been threatening them overhead had vanished the instant they'd come out of the trees.

Daniel laughed in relief. It's over' he said, pulling away from the twins.

Lily and Owen watched as he approached the shape ahead of them. They heard him murmuring encouraging words, saw him stoop and gather something large and black in his arms. It's Raven, Verity's cat,' Daniel said. I'd know him anywhere.'

Owen exhaled in relief. Thank G.o.d! What the h.e.l.l was that back there?' He glanced round and up, scanning the sky, but now the night was still once more.

The guardian of the house,' Daniel said. It was warning us off, I think.'

Lily shuddered. It was disgusting!'

A bird of prey,' Daniel told her. A name came to me: anzu bird.'

Lily walked up to Daniel and stroked Raven's broad head. Well, Raven, I think you saved us from a big, ugly bird! Thank you very much!'

Daniel laughed. I don't think Raven had anything to do with it! He's just out hunting, aren't you, boy?'

But he was sitting there so still, as if he was waiting for us,' Lily said. I think he scared the guardian off. You look very threatening, Raven!' She smoothed the long fur on his back.

Careful where you touch him,' Daniel said. He's a bit grouchy about fussing. I have scars to prove it.'

He's very handsome,' said Lily. How long have you had him? I haven't seen him around.' Lily wanted to talk about mundane things, like Verity's cat, rather than think about all that had just happened. It would feel safer to talk about that in the sanctuary of the cottage, with the night shut outside.

They began to walk back towards Long Eden, Owen slouching moody and silent behind the other two. Vez adopted Raven a week or so ago,' Daniel said. He's a stray.'

I wonder where he's from,' Lily said. Perhaps he's wandered from one of the new bungalows.'

Wherever he's come from, Vez has catnapped him.'