Cloud Magic

spell.
    The air felt heavy with rain when the girls met on the beach that evening.
    ‘Xanthe rang,’ Chloe said. ‘I sent her a mail this morning. She said dark spirits are very dangerous and we have to be really careful. We mustn’t go near Marianne again.’
    ‘But what about helping Tor and finding the hagstone with the hair?’ Erin protested.
    ‘Xanthe says it’s too dangerous for us to go to Marianne’s house. She’s coming to stay at my house tomorrow and said she will decide what to do then – she says we’re not to do anything about him until she’s here.’
    Erin felt a mixture of relief and frustration. It would be brilliant to have a grown-up to help them and not to feel they had to do it all on their own, but she wanted to free Tor as soon as possible. She didn’t want to wait even a night.
    ‘I was thinking we could ask if you could stay over at my house tomorrow,’ Chloe went on. ‘Then you’ll be able to talk to Xanthe more, not just see her in the evening.’
    ‘Brilliant,’ Erin said eagerly. She looked around. ‘So what are we going to do tonight?’
    ‘Well…’ Chloe hesitated. ‘When we went into the feed room, the very first time we went to Marianne’s house, I’m sure I saw some keys on a big red ring hanging on a hook opposite the door. They looked like the keys she had last night. Maybe we should go and see if they are the keys to the hut in the woods.’
    ‘But Xanthe said we’re not to go near Marianne’s house,’ Erin pointed out.
    ‘It’s not like we’re going to the house, is it?’ Chloe said persuasively. ‘I’m sure it’ll be safe. We can camouflage ourselves and just look through the window. We might not be able to go looking for the hagstone until Xanthe’s here, but at least if we find the right keys that’s a start.’
    Erin nodded. She agreed completely.
    They flew straight to Lookout Point. There was a light on in one of the downstairs rooms of the house.
    ‘Look!’ Erin said in a low voice.
    ‘Maybe Marianne’s in there. Let’s check,’ said Chloe. ‘If she is, we know we’re safe to look in the feed room.’
    Erin nodded and, keeping themselves camouflaged, they flew cautiously towards the house. The window with the light on was open slightly and the curtains had not been drawn.
    Marianne was inside, sitting at a large polished table, a piece of paper in her hand. She looked deep in thought and seemed to be speaking out loud to herself. Erin strained her ears to listen through the open window.
    ‘He is too stubborn… too proud…’ Marianne was muttering, looking down at the piece of paper. She read for a moment and then ran a hand through her hair. ‘ But one coming willingly lets the dark’s power grow. ’ She nodded slowly. ‘Of course. It needn’t be him. Just one with royal blood. Now, why didn’t I think of that before?’ Getting to her feet, she hurried out of the room.
    ‘What was all that about?’ Chloe whispered, mystified.
    ‘I don’t know,’ Erin answered uneasily.
    They both jumped as they heard the front door open and Marianne stalked out. She was wearing her cloak. Underneath it Erin could see the glint of her pale-blue dress. Marianne took off into the skies and headed swiftly towards World’s End.

    An idea flashed into Erin’s mind. ‘Quick! Let’s have a look around the house before she comes back!’
    Chloe hesitated. ‘But we don’t know how long she’ll be.’
    ‘We’ll just have a quick look,’ urged Erin.
    ‘But it will be like breaking in.’ Chloe bit her lip.
    ‘I know,’ Erin said. ‘But we have to help Tor, don’t we? And that means going inside to find the hagstone.’ She saw Chloe’s troubled face. ‘We’re not going to be taking anything else and we have to find the stone. This could be the perfect chance, Chloe, but look, it’s OK if you don’t want to come in – stay out here and keep guard.’
    ‘No, I’m coming in too,’ Chloe said immediately. ‘I’m not letting you go in on your own!’
    The window was open just enough for Erin to get her hand through to unhook the catch and push it fully open. ‘Where shall we start?’ Chloe said as they squeezed inside.
    ‘I don’t know,’ Erin whispered. Even though she knew Marianne was out, she felt the urge to stay as quiet as possible. She had the uncomfortable feeling that the house itself was somehow watching them.
    They looked around the room. There were shelves and tables with things piled on, strange