Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 29

 29.

 

Lauren approached the grave and stood there looking at the stones that lined the grave. She was attracted to the gleaming stones there, basking in the moonlight. It was near dawn, and her father was asleep, seated there by the window. Doctor Abraham and Victor have taken off to the town, citing that they need to get some supplies. Abel was at the other side of the cottage, standing guard or sleeping, for he was still recovering from the wounds.

“Hello, Henry. That is your name, I was told,” Lauren said. In all her training, she was told that the dead have a soul, like their spirit, who may stay on near the body till it has released all its obligations. She figured that Henry may have his unsettled obligations.

“I am Lauren.” The young lady said.

“And I am Mary.” The voice was from the trees. “Please do not scream. I am not here to harm you.”

Lauren held back her fear and looked towards the voice by the tree. She saw then the appearance of the figure. It was the creation, dressed in the shabby shirt and pants, and the hair dishevelled by the appearance.

“I am Mary. I am Henry’s …… lover.” The creation approached Lauren. “I’ve seen you before, but……”

“I am Lauren. Lauren Spielsdorf,” Lauren said. “I have seen you too, but……”

“I am a monster, which is why you screamed.” Mary stopped before the lady. It stood at almost twice the height of Lauren. “They have called me a monster.”

“Monster? No, I was not ……. Prepared to meet you. I am now.” Lauren looked up the creation. Somehow, her courage shouldered up, and she was not afraid then. “I …… I was not used to your appearance.”

“Am I not ……. Pretty?” It looked at Lauren.

“No…… I meant to say, not that you are not. You are like many of us, perhaps larger than most of us. And… you look untidy.” Lauren bit her lips. “Pardon me, if I am……”

“No, Lauren. I hear you and am not upset. Henry once told me I am ……. Simple, and he likes it that way.” Mary proceeded to sweep her hair back from her ears.

“Let me help you. I have a comb.” Lauren rushed back to the cottage and emerged with a cloth and basin with the comb in the other hand. “Here, sit yourself by the side.”

Mary sat by the grave on the root of the tree there, while Lauren fetched water from the nearby well. Lauren then sat behind Mary and combed the hair. She combed the dirt and leaves or whatnot that was there.

“You may wash your face with the towel. Wet it first,” Lauren said. Mary did the task while Lauren straightened the hair. She moved the strands of hair at the back of the neck and saw the stitches there that attached the head to the neck.

“My master created me,” Mary said. “I am …… glad towards him.”

“Master Frankenstein created you……. But how?” Lauren asked.

“I do not know. All I could remember was waking up and then meeting Henry. He understood me well.” Mary lowered her head. She was emotionally sad, but tears were not seen in her eyes. “Henry likes me…… No, he loved me. I want him here.”

Mary held her hands to her chest.

“I told Master to get him back. I am lonely and want Henry,” Mary sighed. “Why did they take him away?”

“I would not know. I was……. Away. I came back to find something of my own. Did you place those stones here?” Lauren asked.

“Yes. I got them from the creek. Henry likes it there.” Mary looked at the grave. “I also took from the other places.”

“The mansion? My chamber?” Lauren asked.

“The… I do not know.” Mary said. “If it is pretty, I will place it here.”

It was then Lauren heard the loud voice.

“Stay away from my daughter!” Rudolf had awakened and stepped out to the rear of the cottage. “I will kill you, abomination.”

Rudolf levelled the rifle at the creation and pulled the trigger. Mary had moved to the left side and then crouched up to run. The man struggled with the loading of the rifle, and it was then Abel arrived. He was hobbling on his good leg towards the grave. He had his crossbow and released the arrow there at the creation. The arrow pierced the left forearm, but the creature managed to run into the woods.

“Stop it, Father. She was ……. Not hurting me.” Lauren rushed at the older man. “You could have……”

“It is not ……. It is a monster.” Rudolf reached out to his daughter, but she stepped away.

“I hate you. She was to…….” Lauren turned to the grave. “The stones……”

“Are you hurt, Lauren?” Abel approached the lady. “I……”

“You rushed in like the fool you are.” Lauren hit her hands on the younger man. “Why are you so ……”

“I am sorry.” Abel took her blows on his chest and then reached out to hold the lady. Lauren took to his arms and sobbed her tears. Rudolf stood there looking at them and did not say anything.

“Lauren, I……” Rudolf tried to say some good words.

“Rudolf, you have done your part.” Rudolf heard the voice and turned to look. What he saw was disbelieving then. There was Sven, and behind him were the two ladies he once met.

“She needed another to hold her.”

“Annabelle…… Is that you?” Rudolf said.

“Yes, Rudolf. I am with Carmilla. We are here now.” Annabelle approached the man. “Hello, Lauren.”

“Annabelle. Carmilla.” Lauren greeted the other two figures.

“You ……. Both of you are ……” Abel was lost for words. He saw the ladies were dressed in the white gown laced at the front.

“Dead? Yes, we are. We are here in our other form. Our physical is at the other mansion.” Carmilla approached Abel. “We are Lauren’s mistresses. We are here to protect her.”

“Stand back, Lauren.” Abel rushed forth with the branch he picked up on the ground. He swung the branch at Carmilla, but she had deflected it with the wave of her right hand. Abel maintained his charge at Carmilla when Annabelle impacted on Kane’s face with her magical blow, causing him to fall to the side.

“Stop it, Abel,” Lauren called out.

“Are you mad to… protect them? They are demons.” Abel stood up. “I will kill you.”

“No, they are not demons. They are witches and ……” It was Lauren who stood in between the brothers. “They are my mistresses. I am to be a witch like them.”

 

 

 

Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 28

 

28.

 

When one is the leader in the catacombs of Hell, one can be forgotten or be seen for ages, but bad news reached the demon leader.

“Who dares?” Beelzebub roared out. “First Beezer, and now Tareek… Before and what was his name…?”

“Tor, my master.” The senior demon there reminded the master. “You have hundreds if not thousands not at your side, and their names may not be at your lips.”

“My lips are for myself to suckle on the spirits of my minion and enemies; it’s my mind that fails me, but I valued loyalty.” Beelzebub looked at the senior demon, who had remained at his side ever since he took the mantle of being the leader. “I cannot let him go unpunished.”

“Why did they leave the mansion? Were they not to stay there and harass the sisters?”

“They did as the chosen one had fled the mansion. The new witch had taken to the road to return to the pinnacle of power.” The senior demon reported. “You do recall the pinnacle…”

“I do. The other covens are there. They will battle each other to get the source of the power during the event.” Beelzebub turned away. “They are the silly ones. Without her, that coven cannot harness the power.”

Beelzebub motioned to the figure chained to the wall.

“Sister Lissa, or shall I call you Mama? Your daughter cannot harness the power of Three without you. Even if she is there now, the source of the pinnacle of power will not be with her. She is too weak.”

“Master, what of the other two covens?” The senior demon asked.

“The other two will battle each other, and once the winner is confirmed, I will step in to defeat the winner.” The demon master laughed. “William Katt of Circle Creek held onto the area for some years now, waiting for this event, but little does he know that I am the true master of the power there.”

“William Katt thinks himself superior, but Wiccan Agathe is crafty. She had been here longer than William Katt, but sadly her coven fell in battle with the Frankenstein then. The issue with the Wiccan is that she was careless to let her witches on their own. She was too occupied with the conflict with William Katt, and when she realized her coven was shattered by Frankenstein, she chose to leave the town. Her departure strengthens William Katt in believing himself better.”

“The Wiccan as she is now,” The senior demon recalled. “Agathe was concerned about Elizabeth and her liaisons with the one named William Frankenstein. He died mysteriously…….”

“Damned you, minion. William’s death was no mystery, but the appearance of the creation was one. How did the son of Frankenstein create that… monster? It defied all reasonings.” Beelzebub sighed. “And yet the creature evades our senses. I valued that creation and wanted to know more of it.”

“See to the event and who wins the battle.” Beelzebub gave the command. “Do not act rashly. The demise of my demons ached me, but I will take on the final battle for the pinnacle of power.”

That command stopped the other demons from attacking the Frankenstein and Spielsdorf, but the words did not reach the covens.

It was near dawn when Mary Annabelle looked away from the window. She had not changed her clothes and even ignored the supper served. Her mother was not going to turn up. She felt disappointed at that, and with her father leaving her there, she felt the whole world had left her.

“Your father will not return, Mary.” Mary looked to the figure seated there by herself at the far corner. It was a lady, but she could not make out the identity.

“How did you get here?” Mary looked to the door that she had bolted. She was sure it was bolted.

“Through the front door. You were asleep.” The figure explained. “I am your mother. I am Elizabeth.”

Outside of the chamber, Lilith stood guard. She had helped Elizabeth to look for her daughter. While she stood there, she was uneasy. She had checked into the chamber down the corridor, but ever since then, she felt unsafe there. She knew the place well, having lived there during the early years. She was the little girl that led the guests to the chambers then. Ever gaily in her strides, she will walk them up. She was an adventurous girl, having to spend her free time in the woods. She was with the other girls, but due to her younger age, she was left out of much of their fun. More to that, she was helping her ailing mother then, who was the chambermaid to one family.

“Lilith, do your bit to get the linens down to the wash area.” Lilith was obliging, and it was that day she saw one of the girls take to the woods. Lilith heard of the missing girls who were said to be snatched by wolves or the nymphs in the woods, and she was forbidden to go there.

“Caroline!” Lilith called out, but the other girl did not hear her. She took to her task, and then saw the constable take the same trail. She did not like the constable, for his hands were always touching. She reckoned he was checking on the girls there. She ignored it and did her task. The words of the missing constable reached her ears, and she told no one. Her ailing mother soon fell very ill, and she was told to be with Aunt Agathe. It was her journey to be in the cove, protected by the Wiccan. When the constable was inducted into the coven, Brown was without his memories. He was not to remember her, but with the Wiccan at her side, Brown was not to approach her. He was assigned with the other two men, while Lilith was on the Wiccan side.

“Lilith, learn the crafts I am to teach you.” Wiccan Agathe told her. “You will succeed me when I am too old to hold the leadership.”

Lilith was trained well, and by then she did not fear Brown at all. That night was her first time that she acted on her own without telling the Wiccan. Suddenly, she had the scent on her nose.

It was unmistakably animal.

Lilith had that scent when they arrived, but it was faint then. She looked towards the dark corridor and saw the red glint there.

“Артемида, послушај го мојот повик. Дај ми го штитот за да се спротивставам на оваа закана. (Artemis, heed my call. Give me the shield to counter this menace. The small shield appeared on both her hands, from her fingertips to the wrist.

The red glints moved forth to reveal a dark wolf figure. It was huge, almost the dimension of a man, and the fangs seen then were long. The wolf had a dark scar on the left side of the snout. It crouched there to leap at Lilith.

It was then the door to the basement slammed at the corridor, hitting the wolf as it charged the corridor. The wolf fell back, and from the chamber stepped out Brown. He did not speak and faced the wolf. He was compatible with the wolf in the dimension. The wolf leapt at the man, and Brown raised his right arm to protect his face while his left arm lashed out with a swing at the wolf’s head. The wolf fell to the side from the blow and slunk back to the far end of the corridor. It was to charge once more when its ears twitched to the new command. It turned and rushed down the rear stairs. Brown was to take chase, but Lilith stopped him.

“Let it be. It is not call for ……,” Lilith called out. Brown stopped in his tracks. He turned to look at the lady. He was told to listen to her command, but a part of him denies that.

“Brown, I command you.” Lilith called out with a stern voice. “I am the ……”

“Brown, you are the fool here. Listen to her.” It was the Wiccan who appeared. The elder lady had appeared from the main stairs.

“Who are you to bring Elizabeth here?” The Wiccan looked at the witch. Just when Lilith was reprimanded then, Brown rushed down the back stairs. Lilith tried to intervene, but the Wiccan stopped her. Marcos was standing at the main stairs.

“Let him go. He is upset. Marcos, to stay with me.” The Wiccan looked at the witch. “I am upset that you brought Elizabeth here.”

“I told her.” Elizabeth appeared at the chamber doorway. Mary Annabelle was hugging her mother’s left leg. “I had to see Elizabeth.”

“You are ……. Adventurous but foolish.” The Wiccan picked her words when she saw the younger lady looked at her. “Hello, Mary Annabelle. You are as as your …… grandmother.”

“Who are you?” Mary Annabelle asked.

“I am… your other grandmother. Your mother’s side. I am named Agathe.”

“Are you a witch?” Mary Annabelle asked. “Mother told me you are one.”

“Witch? I am more than that. I am the Wiccan. I command the witches.” The Wiccan smiled. “Do you want to be one too?”

“I must ask my mother. And father.” Mary Annabelle looked to the mother. “She is not one, but she told me of you. I read of witches who are powerful, and they can heal others. I want to heal my mother.”

“Noble of you, Annabelle, but ……” The Wiccan looked at Elizabeth. “Not all of us can cure the ailments, but… we do try.”

“Lilith, take my family back to the house. They are in danger here.” The Wiccan moved the subject matter towards Lilith. “Watch them at all times.”

The Wiccan picked up the hair from the flooring.

“Wolves… I was suspicious. They are here but undetected.” The Wiccan sighed. “They are powerful to evade my detection. They must be here for the event. I am without many witches, but I can hold them off.”

At the backyard of the tavern, Howard walked to the shed where he holds the gardening tools. He walked to the rear and saw the form of a naked man crouched there.

“You are a fool, Alistair. You were to guard the tavern, not attack the witches.” Howard hissed out. “I am the Alpha, and you will obey or leave the pack.”

“I had his scent, Alpha. He was with Connie then. Earlier, I was unsure, but then…….”

“Alistair, whether he is or not does not matter. Your daughter died a long time ago.” Howard crouched to face the other. Alistair’s daughter Connie was in the woods that night when they were killed by the Frankenstein-led group.

“He has her scent on him. He was there.” Alistair was desperate. “I have the patch of his shirt with me. It’s faint, but I held his scent.”

“Stop your rantings now. We have a bigger task to complete. We had been in hiding for many years for this task. Once we are done, we will be prime pack. I will be the prime alpha. All the other packs will bow towards me. Our mistress will be proud of us.”

“For now, Alpha…” Alistair mumbled to himself.

“Now get back to the pack, and prepare for noon. There we will strike.” Howard returned to the tavern. He walked to the chamber where Kane was held.

“Where is he?” Howard was surprised at the empty chamber.

Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 27

 

27.

 

Elizabeth Muriel sat in the dark in the living area of her home, nursing the half-empty glass of wine. She was brooding on the sight of her grown daughter, whom she had ignored that day. She felt no remorse but an emptiness inside her.

“William…” Elizabeth muttered to herself. “She… could have been ours. Yet……. She is not. Yes, she held the blood of Frankenstein inside but not yours.”

Her thoughts were frayed, and she kept on muttering. She knew that she did not love Victor, but he was the last of the kins there. She had the consummation on desperate terms; she was alone. She thought she was until she met Agathe.

“I am not a witch and will never be one.” Elizabeth having told Agathe. “Mother was not one.”

“She wedded…no, consummated with the witch.” Agathe bit her words. “It was her legacy, as it was ours for generations.”

“Mother was in love.” Elizabeth had defended her mother. “It was……”

“Love? A funny term for myself. I bore your mother and aunt from the needs of the coven.” Agathe looked at Elizabeth. “No sons, but daughters, as you did. You may deny yourself to be a witch, but you are one inside.”

“No, I am not. My ……. Ailments are ……”

“Medicine could not cure you. Only the coven could.” Agathe looked at the lady. “Fine, you will not be one. But you are my granddaughter. Be that for me.”

It was how she reconciled with Agathe, but her bouts of madness were a concern to Agathe. She hid that from Victor, and he was too occupied with his tasks and had attributed her moods to the pregnancy. He let her have her avoidance of him, and it was then she found Agathe to soothe her with the medicinal herbs and comfort.

Medicine that Elizabeth was unaware of.

“Ms. Muriel, I will be in my chamber.” "Lilith the witch," said Agathe when she saw Elizabeth seated there.

“Stay with me for a while. Lilith,” Elizabeth told the other. “Turn on the lamps if you want.”

“I am fine with the darkness.” Lilith took to the other armchair there. She sat there and watched the lady of the house. She was dressed in the dark dress, with the tight bodice buttoned to the neck.

“Who …… I meant, tell me of yourself.” Elizabeth changed her tone.

“Myself? I am with the Wiccan. I had been since I was five years of age, orphaned and taken care of by the Wiccan. I followed her, was trained by her, and served only her.” Lilith smiled in the dark. “I knew no others outside of the coven.’ Why do you ask?”

“I am just curious,” Elizabeth replied. “I am a sheltered child, and when my mother died, I was raised by an aunt, and then I went on to be with… a man and have a child. All of these were discarded to return here.”

Lilith remained silent.

“I am unsure now of what I am to do,” Elizabeth sighed.

“You saw your daughter. You are unsure of what to do next,” Lilith said. “I am unsure of what to do if I am you.”

“What was Agathe ……. In the mother’s role?” Elizabeth asked.

“Wiccan? She …… She was… like any mother. Stern and loving at times.” Lilith said. “She taught me well.”

“Will you die for her, Lilith?” Elizabeth asked. The other nodded.

“Will she die for you?” Elizabeth asked in a different tone.

“I think so.” Lilith nodded. “Our responsibility is the Wiccan’s well-being.”

“Lilith, were you here before? With the other missing girls? Ten years ago?”

“I… I cannot say, Elizabeth.” Lilith turned to leave. “There are things ……. I will not say. Good night.”

“Wait, Lilith. Assist me in one task,” Elizabeth asked. “I know it is late, but do help me.”

It was also late and dark then when Victor and Doctor Abraham took to the lab to work on the generator. They carried the required components there and assembled it. Rudolf and Lauren, with Abel, chose to stay back in the cottage after having barricaded the windows and doors. Only Sven was missing then.

“I can assemble these components, but we need those other items to connect it.” Doctor Abraham looked at the silent machine. “Are we to start? Or shall we fortify the lab from the demons?”

Victor, who was standing there, looking at the once proud lab of his, was lost in his thoughts once again. He could recall the maid on the wall and Ernest pinned by the metal cupboard. It was coming back to him then.

“Victor ……” Doctor Abraham whispered to the other. “Are we ……”

“Yes. I need that generator to start the tasks.” Victor nodded. He was clouded in his mind.

“Doctor, have you fought demons?” Victor asked. He changed the subject matter. “You seem to be……”

“Myself? I ……” Doctor Abraham hesitated to say. “I cannot … say. I have …… In my research at Metaphysics, I have explored many events, including the non-confirmative ones. I will say in my research, I will not disregard anything.”

“My question was, had you encountered… demons?” Victor pressed on.

“Had you?” Doctor Abraham asked back.

“I …… I have not till tonight.” Victor lied. “I never thought that demons existed.”

“Perhaps a monster?” Doctor Abraham probed the other.

“I am …… My creation was no monster, Doctor Abraham. It was a …… creation.” Victor blurted out in anger. “Maybe our collaboration will be a mistake.”

“No, sir. I do apologize. I would like to partake in your new experiment…. Perhaps a creation.” Doctor Abraham turned his tone. “I was…… I am just tired. And worried about the demons.”

Victor did not say anything. He stared at the generator. He could fix it, but with much work, as he was not with the knowledge on the machine. The doctor may speed up the repairs, and he could do his next creation.

A mate for Mary.

Loneliness is a sad feeling.

“Okay, let us wait for dawn and get the needed components. Steal if we must.” Victor begins to clean the lab.

Meanwhile, Sven stood there transfixed by the floating apparition, which was his mistress, Annabelle Frankenstein. He had encountered many unnatural forms and was fearful of what he saw. If it was truly his mistress, she will not harm him.

“Sven, stay with me. Do not fear me. I am back with my sister to assist Lauren. Is she safe here?” Annabelle asked. “Who did that?”

“That…… It was another.” Sven lied. “I know not whom it was.”

“You are not telling me, Sven. Be truthful, or I will read it from your mind.” Annabelle looked at the man. “Sven, I know you are a good man. I will help you.”

Sven resigned to his pain and explained it all. He told the mistress of Mary and his son, Henry. And, about Victor and Elizabeth and the granddaughter Mary Annabelle.

“My granddaughter… I am… why with her? I had……. I wished I was here. I could have stopped him.” Annabelle sighed. “Alf ……. Poor Alf. He came here because of me. Red too.”

Annabelle recalled the event that made her meet up with her lover. Carmilla was injured, and Annabell had a truce with Alf. She brought Carmilla to Alf’s home, and there she recuperated. Lissa had joined up with Rudolf. Alf bought the mansion then and held that as their home. It was all calm till Annabelle sensed the place was with its presence; the place held magical properties. She was alone and feared for Carmilla, who was injured.

Then came the Eastwick and Creek Circle.

They posed a danger to the sisters, and Annabelle had to act. Lissa was committed to her life with Rudolf, and with Carmilla injured, Annabelle held the challenge off from the other two covens.

“Annabelle, you are no match for me alone. Without sisters, I can defeat you.” William Katt had confronted the lady. “All I ask is you leave the area. This town belongs to the Circle Creek.”

It was a brazen challenge, but Annabelle was not to give it up. She challenged the other despite her condition and the child soon to be named. She fought hard against the witch but was too weak to continue.

“Give up, Annabelle. I will spare you and your unborn child.” William Katt told her. “I will spare your sister, Carmilla, who is in need of recovery, if she ever does.”

“I will accept defeat.” Annabelle surrendered. She returned to the mansion and met Carmilla. She told the other of the promise by William Katt.

“Lissa is selfish not to come to your call.” Carmilla sighed.

“No, Lissa had her reasons. She promised Rudolf that she will not practice witchcraft. It was her solemn oath to her lover.” Annabelle smiled. “I had no such pledge, and if I can give him a daughter, Alf will be contented.”

“You are hurt now, Annabelle. How sure are you that you could survive this pregnancy? It will take its toll on you.”

“Well, till death do we reunite once more, as spirits of the coven. And ……” Annabelle smiled.

“And a new witch will take on our powers and be the guardian of the Power of Three.” Carmilla affirmed their association. It did, and Annabelle passed on soon after the birth of Ernest.

“Sven,” Annabelle returned to the present then and asked of the other. “Where is this… Mary?”

“I do not know. She comes when she does. She is …… around.”

“We must protect Victor. He is all I have now.” Annabelle looked at Carmilla.

“And Lauren. She is the chosen one. We must protect her too.” Carmilla smiled.

 

 

 

 

Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 26

 

26.

 
Kane regained his consciousness and then hobbled to the doorway. He made his way to the café downstairs and saw Howard there alongside several patrons. They were all drinking there at the tables.

“You…” Kane felt for his weapons, but there were none.

“Your crossbow is here with the arrows. I may suggest you rest some more. The witches’ act does have a profound effect on your strength.” Howard smiled. “Have a drink on me. It will give you some help.”

“Meat pie? No animals died but the sheep in the rear.” Howard added. “From Alistair’s farm here.”

Alistair was seated there holding his goblet. He was a huge man dressed like any farmer, overall, and weather-beaten boots. He has a scar on his left cheek.

“Sheep was mine. She strayed too near the woods. Wolf had her there, but I stopped the kill.”

“No thanks.” Kane grabbed his weapons and walked to the door.

‘Hold on, Kane Helsing. I will suggest more rest. The event is tomorrow at noon, and now is dusk. You cannot travel…….”

“I must find my father and… brother.” Kane took leave of the tavern. His horse was there, and he mounted it. He took to the road towards the mansion. Howard stood there by the entrance and then returned to the counter. He leaned over and spoke to one of the patrons.

“Jesse, alert the pack. We have our hunt soon.”

“Long wait, Alpha.” Jesse said, and then took leave to hunt the others. Victor was then hunting for the missing parts. Sven showed him the hidden parts, and with Doctor Abraham he was sorting out the needed components.

“Most of it looked good.” Doctor Abraham studied the disassembled components. “We need more of some ……. Perhaps from the university. They have a couple of generators there.”

Victor nodded and looked towards Lauren. She was tending to Abel’s wound there, watched by the concerned father standing by the window. Sven was outside the cottage scrummaging the ground for buried components.

“A few more fuses, cables, and some diodes, and I think it will work.” Doctor Abraham smiled. “I have to see the whole generator.”

“I need to step out for a while.” Victor moved towards the door. He saw Rudolf looking towards him. “Come with me. We can talk.”

Both men stepped out with the rifles cradled in their arms.

“I see you have Father’s ceremonial sword.” Victor began the conversation.

“Yes. Sven handed it to me.” Rudolf was unaware of the sword at his waist belt. For many years, he had worn one, and it was a part of him. “Do you want it back?’

“No, it belongs to you now. It is a military sword and should be worn by an officer. Father would not have minded.” Victor smiled. “William used to put it on when Father was not around or sleeping.”

“Yes, your father loved it.” Rudolf felt with the sword handed to him; the weight of the responsibility was greater. Alf had used the sword to slay his foes, like the witches and vampires.

“Why did you not …… stop me then?” Rudolf asked.

“Sven did. I was behind you.” Victor replied.

“It was your creation? Was it not?” Rudolf asked.

“I am not certain……,” Victor was to say.

“It is yours. You created it. Which was why you returned here.”

“I am not sure. I have not…”

“Do not deny it, Victor. We saw it then, ten years ago. It killed the demon then.” Rudolf had his voice raised. “Now, it is back because you are back. Was it the reason?”

“No…” Victor struggled to state his reason. “I came back to restore the mansion. I also brought my daughter here to see the place. I was not aware of the creation for years.”

“And it is here. So are the demons, and what else……. Perhaps the witches.” Rudolf sighed.

“What witches, Rudolf? I knew of none.” Victor looked towards Rudolf. “Tell me if I missed anything.”

“No, nothing missed out. I was just muttering.” Rudolf looked towards the trees. It was the same for Lauren, who was then peeking from the window. Abel hobbled over to stand next to her.

“It was not his fault that I got shot.” Abel assured the lady. “Anyway, I am shot.”

“No, I am not faulting my father.” Lauren looked at Abel. “You are a brave man to face the demon.”

“I was? I was more afraid then.” Abel laughed. “I am not as brave most times. Kane is the braver one. I cannot stand bats.”

“Me too.” Lauren laughed. They carried on their conversation watched by Doctor Abraham. The older man was seated there when Victor left the living area. Doctor Abraham smiled to himself. He was amused that Abel was talking to a lady besides the ones he knew at home. His son was not much of a man compared to Kane. Abel tends to be silent when he is with the elder brother. He recalled Abel was still under training, but Abraham decided to bring him along.

“Demons!” Doctor Abraham heard the warning from outside. He rushed out with the rifle ready and saw both men looking at the trees.

“I saw some movements.” Rudolf told the others. “Sven, where are you? He walked to the trees earlier.”

There was no reply then.

“Wait here. I will check.” Rudolf set off on his own. Doctor Abraham stepped up next to Victor.

“Did you see anything?” Doctor Abraham asked.

“No. It was Rudolf who called out. Where is Lauren?”

“Inside with Abel,” Doctor Abraham replied. He then heard the scream, and then Abel was seen flung out by the window. Both men rushed in, but they were stunned by the flash of light from inside. More sounds of clashes were heard, and then total darkness. Rudolf was then rushing past them into the cottage. Doctor Abraham and Victor attended to Abel, who was on the ground outside.

“Lauren!” Rudolf called out when he stepped in the cottage. The place was a mess with strewn furniture and marks of burns. “Where are you?”

“I am here.” Lauren called out from the corner. “The demons were here. Two of them grabbed Abel. He was thrown out. I had to…….”

“What did …… Oh, no. You used your spell again.” Rudolf sighed. “Are you hurt?”

“No, I am fine. I …… killed them.” Lauren pointed to the wall in front. Rudolf looked at it and saw the burnt marking that resembled two figures. “I did not mean to.”

“It is fine, Lauren. You did well.” Rudolf hugged his daughter.

“The spell was …… powerful. More than I had done before.” Lauren sobbed into her father’s chest. “It was horrible.”

Suddenly, Lauren pushed away and asked about Abel. They walked out to the outside and saw Abel being helped up by the father.

“He is shaken but fine. Maybe some aches to follow.” Doctor Abraham told Rudolf. “What happened inside?”

“We do not know. For instance, there was an explosion, and when I went in, Lauren was at the corner with her head held down,” Rudolf said. “It could be an explosion.”

“I may suggest we move to the lab. There we could secure the place.” Victor said. “I will leave a note for Sven.”

Sven, who was nearby, saw the explosion and was at the other side of the cottage. He had seen such explosions, not of the explosives deployed by man, but of the magical spells of witches. He sat the trio of demons, and two went in while the third one stood guard outside. The explosion came soon after, and the demon outside took off. Sven followed the demon trail and saw it went towards the creek. There it was met by two others.

“Tareek, the witch terminated Turo and Nyet.” The demon who escaped said. “I was outside.”

“It cannot be. She is not a witch yet.” The demon called Tareek hissed. “She is still ……. Who is there?”

Sven turned to run but was faced by another demon.

“A mortal who has decided to be immortalized.” The demon standing before Sven hissed out. Sven thrust his rifle at the demon but was deflected from his move. He turned to run in the other direction and found himself surrounded by four demons.

“You are to die, mortal.” Tareek snarled at Sven. “I…”

The first demon who escaped the cottage found its head smashed open. The blow cracked the skull of the demon into two halves, and then its spine was pulled out. The other three demons stepped back, but the second demon was grabbed by its left upper limb and tossed against the oak tree.

“Flee!” Tareek called out and turned to leave. It felt the strong grip on the back of its neck; the grip pressed deep onto the back, and then the flesh gave way. It was then the spine gave way and was removed from the frame. Tareek screamed out, but its soul was leaving the demon.

The remaining demon fled into the woods while Sven was stunned by the attack. He stood there staring at the bloodied ground and saw the roots of the tree claimed the dead demons.

“Mary ……” Sven uttered. Mary stood there looking at the roots that devoured the demons’ remains. The dark blood dripped from its hands.

“Mary, for God’s sake.” Sven fell to his knees. “What are you?”

Mary had then taken off back to the woods. It was then Sven heard the voice.

“A creation, Sven.” The voice was familiar, yet Sven was unable to make out the two figures standing before him, or rather floating there.

“Hello, Sven. It is me, Annabelle.”

 

 

 

Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 25

25.

 

“Ride hard, Doctor.” Victor called out to the other, who was holding the reins to the chaise. The chaise sped down the road past the woods. They were headed to the mansion when they were attacked by the demons.

Victor had seen his daughter facing his daughter. He told the doctor who was riding with him to wait at the tavern. He approached his daughter and then led her away. He was upset at her meeting the mother and had her kept at the chamber. She told Howard that she was to put on the next coach back to the city. He then rejoined the doctor and said that they will return to the mansion.

“The mansion? Why?” Doctor Helsing asked.

“We have work to do. We might as well start tonight.” Victor replied. They rode on in silence, and near the mansion, they were attacked.

“What are they?” Victor called out. The demons numbered three; one of them flew by the chaise and startled the horse, which took off in a gallop. The doctor held onto the reins to manage the mount, but it was frightful of the flying dark figures.

“Demons, Victor. I see them before.” The doctor replied. “I am without a weapon.”

“I have none. Let us ride for Sven’s place. He will have guns.” Victor called out. They rode on feverishly and took the turns sharply.

“We are almost there.” Victor called out when he saw the familiar sights. It was then the axle of the chaise gave way, and it went sideways. The chaise was overturned, and the horse was on its side with its legs flaring to get upright. A demon flew at the horse's neck and stabbed it there with the right fist. The horse neighed in pain while blood spurted out.

“Climb out, Victor. We need to make a run to the mansion.” Doctor Helsing climbed out and then pulled the dazed man from the overturned chaise. “Let us run now.”

Victor, despite the pain in his legs, took to running and was behind the doctor. He then felt himself lifted and struggled to get free. He looked up and the demon had grabbed him by the lapels of his coat. He reached up and pulled at the left lapel of his coat.

Then a shot rang out.

Victor was falling and landed on his back. He saw the demon flying away holding the left side of its head.

“Come on up, younger man. We are almost there.” Doctor Helsing pulled the man up. More shots rang out, and they reached Sven’s cottage. They saw Sven there with the younger man, with their rifles levelled at the demons who were fleeing away.

“Thank you….” Victor struggled to the cottage. Inside he met Rudolf and the dear lady named Lauren. “Thank you.”

“What are those?” Victor asked.

“Demons,” Lauren said. “They are here for… me.”

“Lauren, do not say that,” Rudolf cut in. He then looked at the young Frankenstein. “How are you doing?”

“Fine. I may have sprained my left leg, but I am still fine.” Victor replied. Abel had then approached his father.

“Father, I saw the chaise overturned.” Abel said. “We stepped out to help.”

“Fine task there, son.” Doctor Helsing smiled. “Now I need a drink.”

In the town, Inspector Watson stood there holding the glass of wine before the remaining key members of his coven. He was without Jeeves and Allen, but he still has Allie, Carly, and Dean Joseph Haller with Gertrude Miller. They were in the university library.

“Seven we were, but now down to five.” The inspector said. “Five it will be, as the fifth occurrences this year. It is a rarity, but it does happen, but the more significant part of this one is it will be over this town. Maybe the five of us were meant to be.”

“Joseph, are the artifacts ready?’ Inspector Watson asked.

“Yes, Warlock. We have been accumulating the artifacts over the years. The Uni held its unique position to acquire the items with the name of the establishment. And more to it, our faculties of learning on the subject drew sponsorship and contribution.”

“I am aware. Your latest guest affirms it.” The warlock nodded. “Earth, air, fire, and water are the foundational building blocks of our world, which form the core corner blocks, and by extension, of ourselves; we are the fifth block. We formed the pinnacle of the blocks, and through us the core energy will be directed towards the moon.” The warlock explained. “It is our moment of true form. The new form will surpass all others, whether they are warlocks or Wiccans.”

“Hail the Grand Warlock!” Gertrude called out and was echoed by the others.

“Beware, my coven. The others are here. They will convene on us then and snatch our form. Summon the others to be prepared for war.” The Warlock called out. “Unveil their presence and be alerted.”

“What of the Helsing?” The dean asked.

“He will be taken care of. His concern is Frankenstein. We will look to him after the event.”

The Wiccan was not taking it low. She had gathered her coven and looked at them.

“We lost Jae today, but we also inflicted on them. One is dead, and the other interned.” The Wiccan looked to the gathered. “They are down to five but still formidable. We must split our own to battle them. We are in their domain.”

“Brown, you have done well. You will be our foremost member to hold the others. They will surface and stop us. I will attack the event tomorrow. Marcos, you will back Brown in the task. Do not despair me.” The Wiccan looked then to Lilith. “My granddaughter may be in danger.”

“She is……” Lilith was cut off.

“She is alone. Vulnerable but needs to be protected.” The Wiccan glared at Lilith. “You had been my recruit but untested. Do me well, and I will have you as a full witch.”

“Yes, Wiccan.” Lilith bowed to the elderly lady.

Back at the cottage, Abel took to his watch duty outside the cottage. He spotted no demons but kept his vigil.

“Are you in need of anything, Abel?” Abel turned to look and saw it was Lauren. He loosens his grip on the rifle, a weapon he had trained on but was more familiar with the crossbow. He smiled at the lady.

“No, I am fine. You should go in.” Abel motioned to the lady. “They are still here.”

“I am fine. Father and Sven are busy discussing the works here, while Master Frankenstein is checking the components of the machine. I am bored and stepped out.” Lauren stood by Abel.

“Well, stay close to me.” Abel turned his focus on the trees.

“Tell me about yourself, Abel,” Lauren asked.

“Well, I am who I am.” Abel smiled. “Pardon me. I meant to say I am Abel Helsing, the younger of the two. I have been with my father; my mother passed on years ago, and we trained to hunt the demons and others. We……”

“Witches too?” Lauren asked.

“Yes, we do. Our tasks are assigned by the High Council.” Abel nodded.

“Have you… hunted any?” Lauren asked.

“Yes, but I have not killed any. Vampires I have.” Abel smiled. “They are evil. But killing is ugly.”

“So, what is evil, Abel?” Lauren’s voice took on the serious tone.

“Well, evil comes from their action. They ……”

“Are all actions evil, Abel?” Lauren cut in. “Maybe a witch may do good, like protecting the others.”

“I would not know. I have not met any.” Abel smiled sheepishly. “My father could tell you more. He has seen more.”

“What is that?” Lauren suddenly asked. She was motioning to the grave.

“What… I cannot see anything.” Abel looked at the grave. All he could see then were the flowers and laid stones.

“No, it is glowing… the stones.” Lauren walked towards it. “It may be ……. It is calling me.”

Abel watched the lady walk to the grave, and before he could stop her, he saw the moving shadows.

“Demons!” Abel called out and aimed his rifle at the trees. “Come back, Lauren.”

Lauren was mesmerized by the stones and walked towards them. She stopped there and looked at the grave. She did not see the demon that was approaching her from the tree branch. Abel fired the rifle but missed the demon. It landed on the ground next to Lauren and snarled at the lady. Lauren screamed out, and when the demon leapt at her, she stepped back.

The demon did not make it towards Lauren. It did jump towards the lady but felt the blow to its left ribs. The demon was flung to the side. It crouched up and looked at the attacker.

“Who…. What are you?” The demon shrieked. It was met by a kick in the face and was flung back several feet. Lauren looked at her saviour and screamed. It was the creature there; all covered in dirt. Her scream drove the others from the cottage.

“Lauren!” Rudolf called out and levelled the rifle he was holding. He pulled the trigger, but the rifle was pushed to the side by Sven.

“Do not shoot!” Sven called out. “It is Mary.”

The shot fired by Rudolf missed the creature but hit Abel in the left thigh. He went down in pain, and the doctor rushed to his side. Mary, meanwhile, had disappeared into the woods.

“Why did you ……” Rudolf was furious. “It could have hurt Lauren.”

“No, it was Mary. She was to protect your daughter.” Sven defended his action. “The demon……. Where is the demon?”

The demon had escaped during the chaos.

“Abel, are you able to move your leg?” The doctor looked at the wound. “I cannot tell from here. Let us move you inside.”

All of them moved inside except for Victor, who was staring at the woods.

“Mary…” Victor mumbled. “Please return.”