Witch's Bell Book One

protected buildings in all of Vale.
    So, what was it?
    It had to be more general than a simple cursed object. It had to be something that, presumably, all the inhabitants of Vale came across. If everyone in Vale was effected, then it had to be something that could affect all of Vale at once. Something all of her citizens couldn't help but share.
    The water, the electricity, the ground, the buildings?
    As Ebony walked along the corridor, fully intending to return upstairs, she somehow missed the stairwell altogether – too caught up in her thoughts. With her head bowed, lips pressed, and a look of full concentration on her face, she simply walked the length of the corridor.
    What would her mother think, she wondered. Would even Avery Bell, powerful witch of the Coven, be unable to speak against the Grimshores? Ebony was one thing, just a little witch in the scheme of things. But surely whatever this magic was, it couldn't extend its influence over someone as powerful as Avery Bell?
    Ebony bit further into her lip, her legs just walking along as if on full autopilot. Unless of course, she thought to herself, her mother did know. Perhaps the witches of the Coven knew what the Grimshores were up to, but simply kept the secret.
    Ebony suddenly found herself at the end of the corridor, and was more than a little surprised to look up and see the office door of the Police Chief himself. It was closed, of course, but his little shiny brass-name-plate glinted out at Ebony.
    She gave a little laugh. What was she doing down here? Silly goose, she admonished herself, as she quickly turned on her heel. Too caught up in the mind, and not in the body.
    Ebony glanced to her left as she set off to walk back to her office, for real this time.
    She stopped, dead still. The door was open to the Chief's second office, and Ebony was afforded a clear view of his richly patterned Persian rug and leather chairs. It wasn't the decor that surprised her though; it was what was sitting on it. Or rather, who.
    The man from the crypt. The pasty, creepy, irritating, little man from the crypt. The one that had set all of Ebony's troubles rolling in the first place. If he hadn't decided to up and kidnap Cecilia Grimshore, then Ebony would still have her magic – her life.
    He was in a suit of some sorts, even though the tie that sat against his gaunt and pulled neck was still emblazoned with embroidered golden runes. He was obviously trying to look inconspicuous. It didn't matter though; Ebony would be able to pick out that face from a mile away.
    It did take her several moments, however, to recognize the woman that sat next to him.
    The hair, that nose, that long, swan-like neck....
    Cecilia Grimshore.
    Ebony just stood and stared, face angling to the side, eyes pressed with worry, confusion, and something else.
    The gaunt man was the first to notice Ebony, and he made eye contact slowly and carefully. Those large, wet eyes just snapped onto her, seeming to glow with a freakish, but barely perceptible, yellow.
    Then Cecilia looked up, her hands clasped so primly in her lap, her smile so prim on her face.
    'There's someone at the door for you, Mr Bates,' Cecilia said steadily, her expression so calm and even, it was clear she either did not recognize Ebony, or was the best actress this side of Broadway.
    The Police Chief walked to the door, his brow furrowed. He was a tall, bull of a man, with a broad chest, and mustache so bristly, he could have easily passed for a strongman from a 50s fair. 'Can I help you, Miss Bell? I am currently in a meeting.'
    It took a second for Ebony to find her tongue. The confusion at seeing the madman from the crypt sitting alongside his apparent victim, was all a little unexpected. 'Ah, sorry... Chief... but what's going on here?'
    The Chief's mustache didn't manage to hide the thin frown that seemed to cut his jaw in half. 'Excuse me? You're out of line-'
    'Out of line?' Ebony's voice raised up a pitch. She may technically be a witch, but she was still under Chief Bates' command. But that was the last thing that was on her mind right now. 'I'm sorry, but shouldn't that man be in prison?' her voice trilled high, her throat tight from the confrontation.
    Now the Chief's face practically boiled. It was as if his skin had been dipped into cooking fat, it prickled red so quickly. 'What on earth are talking about?' he pressed out each word like the puff of a bellows. 'This man and Miss Grimshore are guests of