Chapter 24
Back home, I hurriedly search the ground floor rooms of Van Tassel Manor, throwing open the heavy doors, barely sticking my head inside before moving on.
Ichabod and Toby are in the music room, side by side on the piano bench.
They’re talking softly, playing a few notes each, and my heart squeezes at the sight.
Ichabod turns to give me a questioning look when I open the door, but I’ll explain later. I need to find my father first.
He and Meredith are in the drawing room, huddled together on a deep red velvet love seat, their hands entwined. Their heads are bowed together silently. They both look up as I enter the room.
“I’ve been so stupid,” I start breathlessly. “I can’t believe we haven’t thought of it before. Dad, pack a bag, quickly. Meredith, call Ben and tell him to get the car ready. We need to get you out of here, Dad, get you to safety.”
He and Meredith exchange a glance.
“I can’t leave, Katrina,” he says.
“I know you want to stay and protect the town, but we can’t fight the Horseman. And if you go, he won’t be able to get to you, and he won’t return to full power! It’s so simple.” I laugh.
“No, Katrina.” He smiles sadly. “In the literal sense. I can’t go beyond the boundaries of Sleepy Hollow.”
Meredith squeezes his hand, and I stare at the two of them, uncomprehending.
“What? Since when?” I hear myself ask.
He chuckles, but it’s without humour. “Well, since my father died and I became head of the Van Tassel family. It’s a catch, shall we say, of the original Horseman binding.
The witch who enacted the ritual needed to ensure there was always an Order of men in Sleepy Hollow to complete the yearly sacrifice and maintain the hold.
Each of the five town leaders’ families were, well, cursed to put it bluntly, so that the head of each family cannot leave the town.
We must remain here and carry out our duties. ”
The tote bag slips out of my grasp and hits the floor. I’d forgotten that I was holding it.
“I’d give up everything to protect the people in this town, believe me. I already have.” He holds my gaze with misty eyes. “But leaving is the one thing I cannot do.”
I sway on the spot. I’m trying to think of a time I know he’s left the town. A work trip, maybe? A family holiday? He can’t have never left. But I can’t think of anything. All my memories of holidays as a child are just me and Mum.
Oh my god.
Mum.
He couldn’t leave Sleepy Hollow, even if he wanted to. It wasn’t his choice.
She couldn’t have known.
I slowly lower myself into the chair opposite Dad and Meredith. The air seems to have gone from the room.
We all sit in silence, until finally, Meredith coughs delicately and indicates the tote.
“Katrina, what’s in the bag, love?”
The bag. Right. I guess we will be needing it after all.
I glance out of the window at the setting sun. It’s time to lure the Horseman to Van Tassel Manor. And my dad is the bait.