The Mortal Knife (6 page)

‘I wonder who he takes after?' Morta said. Her voice was very soft and very poisonous. ‘I was led to believe that you Mortsons are such an
old
family. So many
Keystones
! I was told your family had some talent. Well, most of your family. Not every family member has shared your aspirations for greatness.'

A glass smashed behind them, breaking the moment. Morta turned away sharply and Adam gulped in a deep breath, feeling like a weight had lifted from his chest. Auntie Jo was standing behind them, glaring at Morta with pure hatred. Adam felt a moment of confusion. All right, Auntie Jo hadn't married but she was taking Morta's words a bit personally.

‘What did you just say?' Auntie Jo was looking up at Morta, unflinching. ‘Is there something you'd like to say?'

‘Jo.' Nathanial stepped towards his sister and curled his fingers round her arm. His voice was a mixture of comfort and warning.

‘Every member of our family did their best to serve humanity. We have a long, proud history. Every one of us made sacrifices for the greater good.
Every one
.' Auntie Jo's voice was a hiss.

Morta smiled, her lip curling slightly. ‘Of course. I meant no offence.' She inclined her head. ‘Please do excuse me. I must attend to my other guests.'

Adam watched her walk away through saucer eyes. When he turned back towards his father he could see Nathanial was furious but trying hard to maintain his composure. ‘That was unwise.'

Auntie Jo gave him a look of deepest contempt. It was shocking, as if she'd slapped him. ‘I've had enough of this. I didn't come here to have our b—' She cleared her throat. ‘To have our family insulted. Who does she think she is?' She was clutching the silver locket she always wore around her neck, pulling it to and fro in agitation.

Heinrich spoke up. His voice was stern but not unkind. ‘She thinks she is the thread-cutter – and she is. Please remember that, Josephine.'

Auntie Jo scowled. ‘She's just a monkey taking orders like the rest of us. She might pretend she's the organ grinder – but she's not.'

Nathanial sighed. He looked as depressed as Auntie Jo. ‘How much longer will Lady Morta require our presence?'

Heinrich shrugged and lowered his voice. ‘I'm every bit as surprised by her invitation, my friend. I hope we won't be detained much longer.'

Adam shivered. So they weren't really guests, so much as  …  captives. He looked over at their hostess. She was talking to Elise. His mother was clutching hold of Chloe and Luc with a protective hand on their arms. When Morta turned her attentions to Luc, Adam could almost see his mother willing Luc to stay silent. Unfortunately Luc was smitten. He was beaming and babbling like a lunatic. Under other circumstances it would have been funny.

Morta's voice rang out around the room, killing all conversation in an instant. ‘I will speak with you all. But first, there is something I wish you to see. Come, this way.' She walked towards what appeared to be a blank wall but as they drew closer Adam could see a double door set into the stone. Morta raised her hands and the doors swung open soundlessly, revealing nothing but darkness on the other side. Morta strode forward, disappearing from view. After a moment's hesitation the Concilium followed her, with the Mortsons bringing up the rear.

Adam's heart was thumping. There was no reason to be so afraid, safe with his family and the Concilium, but there was something about Morta. Stepping into the dark with her was a bit like stepping into a dark cave, wondering if there was a wolf sleeping there  … 

The doors swung closed behind them, leaving them in pitch-darkness. Adam heard Chloe give a little gasp and Elise's comforting murmur. Then flaming torches flared into light, illuminating a long spiral staircase ascending into nothingness far above. ‘Come,' Morta said and led the way up the stairs. After a moment's hesitation everyone followed. Their footsteps were strangely muffled.

They climbed for a long time. Adam could feel his calves starting to burn and he could hear Auntie Jo huffing for breath just ahead of him. The torches were dim and the constant spiral in the staircase began to make Adam's head swim. At one point he tottered backwards and panic-stricken, realised he was about to fall – until he felt Nathanial's strong hand grip his shoulder and gently right him.

At last the stairs ended – but unfortunately so did the torchlight. Adam shuffled forward blindly, afraid of crashing into someone. He heard Nathanial emerge on the stairs behind him. It was hard to know why but Adam had the sense that they were in the centre of a cavernous space. The group was totally silent. The darkness was immense and somehow profound. For a long, ludicrous moment Adam felt like crying.

‘There is nothing to fear, Lumen,' Morta said softly from the blackness. ‘I only wish to show you a wonder. Behold, the Tapestry of Light.'

For a moment nothing happened. Then, just ahead of Adam the faintest glow appeared. He squinted, trying to see what would emerge. The glow intensified, before flaring suddenly into light all around them. A gasp and murmur rose from the crowd.

All around them the walls were alive with the light of billions of fireflies. The room was circular. The staircase had emerged at the centre of a giant sphere, a kind of globe of the world. But this globe was unlike any map Adam had ever seen before.

The lights wove a living dance, forming the outlines of countries and continents. Adam wasn't sure how he knew this because the shape and size of the countries was completely different to anything he had ever learned in geography. This map hadn't been drawn by political ambition or human pride. This was a map of human souls.

China was easy to spot. It covered a vast area – a dense, pulsating mass of lights with uninhabited zones in the west. To the north lay Russia; to the east a glittering chain of islands that could only be Japan. And further east again, across the Pacific, lay the Americas, bold and bright in places, sparsely populated in others. Adam stared mesmerised from country to country – the teeming lights of the Indian and African Kingdoms; tiny jewel-like Mediterranean islands; the vast darkness of the Poles and oceans.

Morta moved towards the lights. ‘Billions of souls,' she said softly, running a caressing hand through the air in front of the wall. ‘Souls at every stage of mortal life; threads growing brighter – and threads dimming.'

It was true. As Adam looked more closely he could see she was right. Some threads were writhing and burning with light while others wove through in the background, glowing softly. Some threads blazed red or gold while others were more muted shades of cool blue, soft green or lavender. And in every country on earth a handful of souls glowed with a steady white light.

‘Threads dancing towards me.' Something glittered in her hand and Adam realised with a shudder that she was holding the Mortal Knife. This close he could see how long and fine the point was, a blade made for delicate, deadly accuracy. Morta moved the tip towards one of the white lights. ‘See how the Luman's soul shines so very fiercely in the Tapestry. And yet one day even these threads will be cut.'

She turned towards the group and her voice was sweet but poisonous. ‘All souls pass through my hands on their way to the Hinterland and their Light and  …  beyond. All souls have their time – but mine is the right to harvest some before their allotted time. My quota. Souls chosen by me, taken in their prime. You Mortsons of all Lumen understand this because you guide these very souls.' She shook her head. ‘Their threads still burn so bright. Death must be so unexpected for them.' She shook her head, feigning sympathy, and in one black second Adam realised that he hated her.

‘
This is the law!
' Morta's voice changed and now the cavern echoed with the sudden, harsh sound. ‘I may take the souls I please. It is for the Concilium to uphold the law in these matters.' She looked around the silent men standing before her. ‘I trust you will all remember your duties, should anyone be so foolish as to cheat me of what is rightfully mine.'

Heinrich bowed his head but there was an edge to his voice. ‘Of course, Lady Morta. Although I understand that it is within your power to limit the number of souls taken before their time. To ignore your quota and let some of these souls have their allotted time?'

Morta appeared not to hear him. She pointed to a tiny, sparkling mass to the east of a vast ocean of blackness. ‘The Kingdom of Britain. Observe the white lights.' She smiled at the group. ‘Those, dear Lumen, are
your
souls. Someday they too shall meet the Mortal Knife. Let us hope that is a distant day.'

Adam stared at the lights mesmerised, wondering which one was his own. He understood Morta's message only too well. She was sending a warning. She
knew
that someone was saving souls. If he kept doing it she would exact her revenge – and she would exact it on the Mortsons.

It was a subdued group that trailed down the spiral staircase in Morta's wake, back into her chamber. The ‘party' dragged on, Morta chattering gaily as though nothing had happened, but there was a fresh tension in the air. Most of Adam's family seemed confused. Nathanial put on a brave face but Adam knew he understood the message. Heinrich had warned him that there was a rogue in the Kingdom interfering with the Fates. What Nathanial
didn't
realise was that the rogue was his own son.

Adam sighed, wishing he was at home. A movement caught his eye. Clotho the thread-spinner was hovering on the edge of the crowd, silent and withdrawn. Her eyes roamed over the group, studying each face in turn. When she came to Adam their eyes locked. Adam stared and she stared back, curious and unabashed, the way little kids did. For just a second her eyes widened but a moment later she turned and disappeared into the tunnel behind.

The minutes dragged by, until finally Morta seemed to have had enough of their company. She raised her hands in the air and the music stopped abruptly. The chatter of conversation died in an instant. ‘Such a pleasure. Alas, I can spare you no more time.' She smiled. ‘There are threads which need to be cut. Hurry home, Lumen!'

A chill ran down Adam's spine. For the whole time they had been there not one person on earth had died. He had a feeling Morta would make up for lost time.

She led the way to an alcove in the wall and pulled back a tapestry, revealing a door of ebony wood. Morta opened the door and smiled at them all. ‘Farewell, Lumen. Perhaps we shall meet again someday.' She looked around the group, her eyes lingering on Luc. He tried to stare boldly back but Adam could see the uncharacteristic flush in his brother's face. Morta shook hands with each of them in turn as they left. Auntie Jo could barely contain herself but managed to touch her palm to Morta's without spitting in it first.

Adam was the last in line, Nathanial keeping him close. ‘It's much easier getting home Adam but stay close to me. Once we're back in the Hinterland we can swoop as normal.'

Adam nodded, dreading returning to the weird grey light beyond Morta's realm. As he shuffled along behind the others his foot struck something and it rolled in front of him. He frowned and bent down to pick it up. It looked like a tiny black marble until he turned it over and saw the earring mount on the back. He grinned. At least Morta could lose things like anyone else. It reminded him that she was still human.

He was going to give it back to her but Nathanial had noticed his hesitation and frowned, ushering him towards the door. Not wanting to draw attention to himself, Adam shoved the earring in his pocket and managed to shake Morta's hand without making eye contact. Even the gloom of the Hinterland seemed more attractive if it meant escaping from her.

Still, passing through the doorway was scary. Stepping from a marble floor into grey nothingness made Adam's head spin. He closed his eyes, feeling sick and disorientated until he felt Nathanial's firm grip on his arm. ‘It's OK, Adam. Just wait a moment. I need to speak to Heinrich and then we'll go home.'

Adam nodded and managed to ease his eyes open without falling over. The door into the Realm of the Fates had disappeared and he was back in the same dim light as before. The others had already swooped home. Nathanial and Heinrich stood a little distance away and Adam tried not to listen to their conversation, but in the deathly silence of the Hinterland it was hard not to hear even their lowered voices.

Heinrich's face was serious. ‘So, a message then. It appears that our Lady Fate is paying close attention.'

Nathanial nodded, looking grim. ‘Message received. I'll be watching.'

Heinrich looked relieved. ‘Good. Let us think of happier matters. We have many things to celebrate.'

There was a sound in the distance. Adam paused and looked up. It was a strange hissing, rattling noise. It wasn't near but it was coming closer, the way a thunderstorm could move. He squinted into the gloom. Far off the light was changing. It looked darker.

Heinrich and Nathanial had noticed it too. ‘The Fates are cautious today,' Heinrich said wryly. He embraced Nathanial. ‘Best not to tarry.' He beckoned to Adam and shook his hand. ‘Goodbye Adam. I look forward to seeing you all soon. My Light is your Light.'

Adam and Nathanial repeated his words and watched him disappear. The hissing sound was growing louder. Adam peered around him. ‘What
is
that?'

Nathanial took his arm. ‘Nothing to worry about. Come on. It's time to go home.' Adam clutched his keystone and a second later the Hinterland was gone.

Minutes later, back in the confines of his bedroom, Adam gave a sigh of relief. He had survived the encounter unscathed. Morta hadn't been joking when she said there were threads to cut – they had barely re-entered the physical world before Mortson death senses had flared and Nathanial had swooped away to guide an unsuspecting soul into the afterlife.

Adam had lost all sense of time in the Realm of the Fates but he knew they'd been there for at least a few hours. Weirdly they returned home and found that only a few minutes had passed in the physical world. It was clear that time passed differently in the Realm of the Fates, which probably explained how the Fates lived longer than Lumen. He made a mental note to ask Auntie Jo about it – and this time he promised himself he would actually
listen
to what she told him.

His relief was slightly overshadowed by the guilt of knowing Morta was watching the Mortsons. He had an awful feeling he was pushing his luck with the whole saving people thing, including the girl earlier that day. The trouble was, how could you just stop doing it when you knew the consequences were so huge? He had the chance to keep people on earth, alive and well. It had seemed worth the risk but now that he had seen the Mortal Knife he had a feeling he needed to lie low for a while.

Adam sighed. It was time to switch his head from the life and death of people to the life and death of earthworms. Biology homework was always a riot.