Solstice at Stonewylde Read Online Free PDF

live under his dominion.
    The exit of the labyrinth was ahead. Sylvie was handed a slipof yew and then she was out. She staggered along the edge of the Green, free of the guiding path of the labyrinth, and made her way not over to the Barn with the others but into the cavernous gloom under the great yew tree itself. She drew strength from the strange atmosphere in the dark, natural dome under the branches. She cast her mind back to her birthday, the Summer Solstice, when she and Yul had had their first kiss in this magical place. She’d thought at the time that nothing else in the world mattered compared to that moment of perfect joy, but she realised now that she’d been mistaken. Many other things mattered a great deal.
    She sat for a while on the bare earth littered with dead, brown barbs of yew and thought hard of Yul, trying to reach him. She felt the cold and smelled a foul stench. She sensed pain and a body so weak and poisoned that it barely functioned. Sylvie hung her head in sorrow, sending her love to him wherever he was, hoping desperately that he’d find the strength to fight back.
    Just after Tom left the byre, Clip arrived. He was heading to the dolmen where he liked to spend Samhain night but felt a twinge of conscience as he remembered Yul and his plight. He’d called in briefly during the week and had realised there was nothing he could do for the boy who lay there like a corpse. Clip knew from experience how it was when the soul was away on a journey to other realms. The body left behind was an empty shell and there was nothing to be done until the soul returned.
    Unlocking the door, he wrinkled his nose and peered into the gloom. He’d hoped that Magus had released the boy by now but then saw him sitting up, propped against a bale in the near darkness.
    ‘Ah, there you are,’ said Clip. ‘You’ve come back from your journey then. How are you?’
    ‘You were there that night,’ said Yul slowly, his tongue awkward. ‘You know what he did to me and how powerful those cakes were.’
    Clip frowned.
    ‘I can barely see you in this murk. What’s that disgusting smell?’
    ‘I was sick. There’s a light somewhere.’
    Clip located the switch outside, and in the glaring electric light his face dropped at the sight before him. He realised it was now over a week since Jackdaw had been sent to collect the boy from the cliff top and the time had flown by. He looked at Yul and was deeply shocked. The boy was a living corpse; face white and skeletal, eyes sunk in his head. His pupils were still dilated and stared darkly from deep sockets.
    Clip felt a sharp twist of guilt; he should never have been a part of causing this boy or Sylvie to suffer. Why did he always allow Magus to over-ride him? Why did he never find the courage to stick to what he knew was right? He stood there indecisively, wanting to get Yul out but frightened of Magus’ reaction if he did so. He was also terrified of Jackdaw. The man was so intimidating and there was something about the way he looked at Clip with such contempt that made him feel uncomfortable and inadequate.
    ‘Is there anything I can get you?’
    ‘Food please – I’m very hungry.’
    While Clip was gone, having locked the door behind him, Yul reflected on his predicament. His mind was suddenly and completely clear; maybe vomiting had finally flushed his system. He didn’t know what had been happening during the past week, but knew he must escape from this prison before Jackdaw and Magus set to work on him. He shuddered to think what they had in store. Perhaps Tom would help him escape – or even Clip. He’d recognised the look of guilt on the man’s face; maybe he could be persuaded to help.
    Clip returned from the kitchens with a plate of sandwiches. He watched in revolted fascination as the boy devoured them, only to be racked by excruciating pain the moment he’d finished. He doubled over, clutching his stomach in agony. Clip stood back in case he was sick