Amanda Cadabra and The Hidden Depths by Holly Bell (good book recommendations TXT) 📗

Your breathing is getting deeper and deeper … In … and out … In … and out … You are drifting off … relaxing … cusslæpath.’ At the sound of the spell-word, instantly, Jonathan was asleep.

Trelawney raised his eyebrows at the apparent ease with which she had performed the spell.

‘Impressive,’ he murmured, as Amanda checked that Jonathan was comfortable.

‘Thank you. What’ll be more impressive is if I manage to pull off what I need to do next. By the way, you know you won’t be able to come all of the way down the hall with me?’

‘Aunt Amelia has given me instructions: stand at the back, don’t speak and get you two safely out of there when it’s all over.’

‘Oh?’ Amanda was unsettled by that last. ‘Sounds like she thinks that final one could be a challenge.’

‘Only a possibility,’ Trelawney said moderately.

‘Nothing in the glass globe?’ she checked.

‘No. But she’s watching, all she can,’ he reassured Amanda. ‘And Amelia said the Oracle will speak to you in some form of ancient British-Celtic-Cornish.’

‘What?’ Amanda was dismayed.

‘But she’ll make sure you can understand her.’

‘Phew. All right. I have to get Jonathan now. That is, I have to connect with him in his dream state.’ Then in a rush of candour, she added, ‘I’ve never done this before. I have no idea if it will work, and even if it does, how long I can sustain it.’ Amanda felt she must cover all her bases. But Trelawney responded encouragingly,

‘I have confidence in you.’

‘Thank you. Oh, could you carry this, please?’ Amanda got her grandparent’s geode out of her bag. ‘It’s a gift for the Oracle.’

‘Yes, of course.’

‘Erm, you’ll have to be very quiet, Inspector, while I attem— perform this spell.’

‘I shall be.’

‘You know I’m not used to doing this with people around? I mean, things like this.’

‘You’ll be fine.’

Amanda turned to Jonathan’s sleeping form. This enchantment was several notches up from seeing through Tempest’s eyes. She crossed her legs, put her hands, palm up, on her knees, closed her eyes and inhaled … exhaled … Her breathing gradually slowed. In a murmur, Amanda, began to chant:

‘O Twantra Weoroldrow Vrifte, ime besidgi wou. Liefa adraelan eodha rifteunow. Liefa fordoc Jonathan Sheppard. Framth keaold keoaoldes dho keaold brystioc. Aswa gworsp pehyhtya maegal.’

There was a pause, and then a strange feeling of expansion, as though she was suddenly outdoors on a fine day.

Even through closed eyes she could clearly see what was before her. Her awareness drifted towards Jonathan. Gently, she called him. ‘Wake up, Jonathan.’

He opened his eyes, drowsily, unfocused. ‘Is it time?’ he asked quietly. At that, she gingerly opened her own.

‘Yes, please.’

Jonathan nodded. To Amanda’s relief and Trelawney’s manifest astonishment, a second Jonathan rose from the chair and stood beside the table. He looked at the inspector.

‘He’s coming as our bodyguard, remember?’ Amanda prompted.

‘I remember.’ His voice was growing in strength and his form in solidity. Strangely enough, Jonathan now seemed to see nothing wrong with his current state. Then again he’s been down there before, thought Amanda, retreating her consciousness to her body. After some wiggling of fingers and toes and rubbing of hands, she stood up.

‘Jonathan, where do you remember the opening to the cave being?’

He walked a few feet from the table and pointed down. ‘Here.’

Amanda joined him, then looked around at both men.

‘I’m going to open the … the way, through time boundary.’

Amanda had never attempted to open one so ancient. Having got this far, getting Trelawney to agree, getting the costumes, persuading Jonathan, performing potentially life-threatening magic and on a human … would this next spell even work?

Chapter 34

In the Hall of the Oracle

Amanda and her familiar took up a position by where the entrance to the cave lay, according to Jonathan. She put out of her mind that Trelawney was standing only yards behind her, drew out her wand, and held it to her heart. Looking into the air, Amanda made her request of Lady Time,

‘Hiaedama Tidterm, Hiaedama Tidterm, Ime besidgi wou. Agertyn thaon portow, hond agiftia gonus fripsfar faeryn ento than aer deygas.’

At first, there was no change. Amanda had a sense of the spell having to bore through a barrier. Then it came: the fisheye effect, the blurring, the swelling and expanding of the space before them. She had done this before but now came a significant difference in the effect of the enchantment. In front of her, a translucent circular portal was opening. It was pulsing, vibrating. Large enough for a human to pass through, on the other side of it, the cavity lay before them, not vast but large enough, and well-lit by candles in sconces.

Amanda turned to Trelawney,

‘I’ve never seen this … this gateway thing before. I have no idea how long it will hold. Let’s go through.’ Amanda gestured for their guide to lead the way. ‘Come on, Jonathan. For Mrs Pagely.’

‘Yes, for Mrs Pagely,’ he responded readily and proceeded.

She looked back at Trelawney, who nodded and followed, with Tempest as the rearguard.

The descent, at first, was a gentle slope under a low ceiling. It became a series of well-cut steps of varying but manageable height and depth, cut into the chalk. It was growing warmer as they went further down, where Amanda would have expected it to cool. Finally, they reached a bend in the tunnel, free of steps but with a ramp. Jonathan looked around at Amanda and the inspector.

‘You’d better wait here while I let her know you’ve arrived. That will show we recognise her authority to grant or refuse you an audience.’

‘I understand. What if she says no?’ asked Amanda.

‘Then, erm … we’ll have to make another appointment.’

‘Let’s hope she says yes,’ murmured Trelawney. ‘Sorry. Speak when I’m spoken to, I know.

Amanda nearly smiled, but this was all too grave for levity.

‘Please, go ahead, Jonathan.’

He disappeared around the bend. Amanda and Trelawney listened for his footsteps. It must be a huge chamber, she thought. They were able to hear his progress for some time,