Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 18

 

18. 

 

Inspector John Watson called for a gathering of the coven the next day. The gathered was numbered six of them, and with himself, the number added to seven. They met at the Inspector’s office. The coven consists of two of his constables, Jeeves, and Allen; novice witches. The others are the admin staff, Allie, the town morgue’s administrator, Carly, the Uni’s Dean Joseph Haller, Ms. Gertrude Miller, their trusted member to get the needed information from the town folks. The number seven for the warlock signifies power, perfection, and spiritual completeness, often used in spells for success, manifestation, and aligning the physical and spiritual realms. They will meet every full moon to commit to their coven tasks.

“My near accident was unexpected.” The Warlock looked at Allen. “What did you find out?”

“I checked. The coachman said he was not aware the horse bolted. It seems that he was …….”

“Stunned or lost in his thoughts? I am now more intrigued.” The Warlock looked away. “Only some witches could do that. Let it be for now, Allen. I will take care of it.”

The warlock then looked at Gertrude. She was dressed for riding; the tailored jacket with a long skirt to match. She had on a small hat with veil half covering her face.

“It was a fine task you did, Gertrude. I was intrigued by the arrival of Doctor Helsing, and you did a fine task of reading his mind.” The warlock smiled for the lady held taste to her dressing.

“Elementary, my Warlock.” Getrude smiled form behind the veil. “He was fulfilling. When he was asleep, I did what was needed, but there is much I have yet to get from him. He …….”

“A mind block? Most interesting. He was a surprised to come here.” The Warlock looked to the Dean. “How did …… he get invited?”

“I did not invite him. He came with a letter of introduction from the Dean of Steinback University and requested I allow him a session. I was declining but the letters came on regardless; notable names and institutions, and then came the hefty contribution to the …….”

“A huge bait for you with the Uni’s, low on funding with the town’s attraction having died.” The warlock smiled. “The Theology Society have their own sources of contributions but trickles of it was to yours.”

“Yes, Warlock. We are low in funds.” The Dean sighed. “I had to …… consent.”

“And Gertrude was to assist you.” The Warlock smiled. “She was ……. Should I say alluring to the Doctor?”

“I am a woman … a very persuasive woman.” Gertrude smiled. “I did what I could, but as I mentioned, there were many parts of him that I was unable to see.”

“Most intriguing this Doctor.” The Warlock looked to the others. “I had tried to read him myself, but like Getrude, he had barred me from some memories. Dean, do a more thorough check on his background.”

“Warlock, I was informed that the doctor was joined by two others, claimed to be his sons.” Jeeves reported in. “I am monitoring them.”

“The reason I called all of you in was the arrival of a group of strangers. An elderly lady and her five companions. I could not make out their visit, but ………”

“I tailed the lady to the home of Ms. Muriel.” Jeeves cut in and it was then the Warlock glared at him. Jeeves felt the tightening on his throat. He gasped to breathe.

“Novice witch man, do not …… ever intrude on my words, I am still the Warlock.” The leader warned Jeeves. “Now back to my words. I am concerned on their visit here.”

“Getrude, do your part on the Helsing. Jeeves, and Allen. I want them always to tail the group.” The warlock then looked away. “I will see to Doctor Helsing.”

“Warlock, what about ……” Jeeves was to ask.

“Leave Ms. Muriel alone.” The Warlock cut in. “She is my concern.”

At the tavern, the doctor was with his sons enjoying their breakfast. Kane was tasting the new baked pie and complained that it was not as tasty.

“Maybe the dog died this time.” Doctor Helsing smiled.

“Huh? What has that to do with …….” Abel was to say but then choose to push away the plate of pie. “I will take my tea…… plain.”

“Back to our reason here.” Doctor Helsing looked up from his cup of tea and viewed the area. They were the only patrons there, and the tavern keeper was at the back of the café.

“I think we are in the right place. My opportunity at the Uni was fulfilling. There is something here.” Doctor Abraham smiled, recalling his stay with the lady. She was enterprising with her approach, and when he was at rest, he felt her probing his mind. It was his works on hypnosis that allowed him to block his selected memories. A task he learned from a witch some time ago. He let her see what was unimportant.
“Father, please explain the reason we are ……” Abel asked.

“This town held a history of unusual events. The High Council have been monitoring the town, and its ripe for another visit.”

“The creature? I thought it died……. Went missing years ago.” Kane looked at the father. “Maybe the High Council have erred.”

“Never question the High Council, Kane. We are all sworn to serve the High Council. Your greats and us now. Both of you knew of the creature that was here, but there were other unreported events, like the witches. Yes, it was ten years ago, and I was told to investigate the possible new events,” Doctor Helsing explained. “The return of the prodigal son, the Spielsdorf, and the ……. Witches. Something is brewing here.”

“And it’s all going to happen soon.” Doctor Helsing sighed. “We need to be ready.”

“Let us move on, Father. We were also briefed on the events. For an update, we trailed the father and daughter to the mansion, as requested,” Kane said. “We should ……”

“Visit them,” Abel cut in. “I can go alone.”

“Yes, please do.” Doctor Abraham nodded, and thus cutting off Kane’s intention to object. “Kane, I need you to keep an eye on one named Victor Frankenstein. He is staying here at the tavern. I will do my own exploration.”

Their focus was then moved onto the group of guests who walked into the café. It was the two ladies with the four men. The elderly lady stopped their approach, and decided to leave the café.

“They are not eating here?” Kane asked.

“Probably the pie was not tasty.” Abel smiled and then excused himself to leave. The doctor took the same leaving Kane seated there alone. Somehow then, his appetite for the pie waned.

Outside the tavern, Wiccan Agathe gave her orders.

“Brown, take Jae and Marcos. Watch the mansion, and if you see Victor Frankenstein, keep tab on him.” Wiccan Agathe said. “Lilith, do follow me with Stefan. We will visit the Muriel’s. There is preparation to do.”

The group split up, and then Wiccan Agathe sensed her group was followed by the other from the café. She was unsure of who he was and could not sense their mind, which was why she took the group out of the café. The smell lingered in her.

The Wiccan proceeded to walk to the nearby café and took her breakfast there. While there, she saw the two constables standing nearby. One took off after Brown’s.

“Lilith, lure the other constable to the woods. We will need to question him. Bring him near Muriel’s house.”

“Would that be a risk?” Lilith asked. “He may know me. Or he may be witch like me. He may detect me then.”

“He is a witch, and more to that, your presence may attract him to follow you We are out of time. I cannot afford delays. More to it, I will give you a spell to expose your true self. He will follow you.” Wiccan Agathe handed the amulet to Lilith.

“As you commanded, Wiccan.”

“Do it. The Warlock suspects me, but he needs to be warned off, or we need to know more. He must not be allowed to stop us.” Wiccan Agathe said. “Lure him to the rear of the house.”

During that morning, Elizabeth approached the basement and saw the man she had incarcerated there. The demon stepped out of the darkness and approached the lady.

“Beezer, I have grown tired of him. Remove him from my sight.”

“Yes, mistress.” Beezer stepped towards the chained man. Doctor Edward saw the demon there.

“Free me of my pain, please.” The man pleaded. The demon held the jaws of the man with his right hand and shafted his left fist into the throat. There were no screams from the man; if there were, it was without any voice to call out. The man writhed in pain and then lost his ability to live on.

“Leave his body in the woods. Does it as if the creature got to him.”

“The creature? I thought ……” Beezer was puzzled.

“The creature lives on. It had remained hidden, but I could tell it is still here.” Elizabeth said. “Victor told me it never left the area. Its home is here.”

“Mistress, I cannot …….” Beezer was to explain its concern.

“No excuses. Just get it done.” Elizabeth left the basement. Beezer went to work on his task. He carried the body from the rear of the house, and with the spell of his own, he was not seen moving into the woods.

The spell work on the others but not onto the witches.

“Brown, look there.” Jae motioned to the other. He was looking at the trees, and saw the body dragged by the figure. “It looked like a …….”

“Demon,” Brown said. “That is a demon. Most unusual to see it here.”

“We will stay here for now.” Brown continued looking at the figure. He had seen that demon before; once when he was with the Wiccan. It was a long time ago, and the demon was snared by the Wiccan. It pleaded for be freed, citing that it was banished by the master. The Wiccan offered it freedom to serve another named Elizabeth Muriel.

“I could handle the demon.” Marcos took a step forward. He was a young novice in the arts like Jae but his over confidence tends to get him into binds.

“Not now, Marcos. Jae, watch the demon while I look at the mansion.” Brown motioned to the other member to follow him.

At the mansion, Sven and the Spielsdorf family took to explore the mansion for the runes. The father was with his crossbow while Sven was armed with the rifle. They went through the chambers and even the library.

“Lauren, do you recall …… could you detect the runes?” Rudolf looked at the lady. “It may ……”

“I cannot use my spells… yet,” Lauren reminded the father. “We need to do it this way.”

Rudolf nodded and continued his search there. Sven who was there saw the arrival of Victor Frankenstein. He excused himself and went to meet the young master.

“Master Victor, are you here to inspect the lab?” Sven asked. “I have not …….”

“No, I am not. I have also not gotten the people to repair the generator. I am here to ask if I can come over to stay at the …….” Victor looked to the mansion. “No, I want to stay with you. For a few days.”

“My place?” Sven was surprised. “It may ……”

“Sven, I will cut the chase here. My daughter, Mary Annabelle, is ……. Frightened, and she have dreams of the creation.” Victor sighed. “My creation… Mary. The one that Henry……”

“Please, Master Victor. Please do not mention Henry’s name. He ….” Sven lowered his head. “He lives on in me.” “I am sorry, Sven. Do you ……. I was thinking that the creation may …… Is she around?”

“Who? Oh, the creation.” Sven looked at Victor. “I do not ……”

“Do not deny me, Sven. I know that you knew of it. I need to find …… Mary.” Victor saw the movement in the mansion. “Who is in the mansion?”

“Spielsdorf, Rudolf Spielsdorf. He is here…with his daughter,” Sven replied. “They are here to pick up some left-behind items.”

“Rudolf?” Victor met the former yesterday. “What ……. Let them pick what they need. Sven, I need to meet the creation. Can you tell me where it is?”

“I …… I do not know. I have not seen the creation …… since.” Sven shook his head. He then looked hard at the young master. “Please leave her out. Mary is not… what you want now.”

“Mary? You called her Mary too. It was what Henry wanted to name …… it. Sven, I need to find Mary. She may be the link to my daughter’s …… dreams.”

“I do not know!” Sven lost his composure. “Please leave us alone.”

Sven stomped off in anger back to the cottage. Victor stood there watching the man leave. For a moment, his sight was averted to the trees nearby. He felt that he was being watched from there.

“Mary, see me. I am Master …… Victor. I am here to see you.” Victor called out loudly to the woods. He saw no movement and was then interrupted by Rudolf.

“Victor, can we talk?” Rudolf had approached the other.

In the woods, Jae was impatient, and upon seeing the departure of the enforcer Brown, he crept towards the demon location. Beezer, having carried the dead Doctor Edward there, dropped the corpse onto the root of the tree. The demon then looked at the tree.

“Golden Oak, I bid you to bury the mortal here.” The demon called on the spell that invokes the tree roots to uproot and then dragged the body into the ground.

“Do not be gentle, Golden Oak. Split it and sink it in.” The roots tore into the body, splitting it into portions, and then pushed it deep into the ground.

“Now bring me the intruder here.” The roots spread out and grabbed Jae, who was standing behind another tree. Jae had the tree roots entangled onto his limbs and then was dragged to the front of Beezer.

“Intruder, you are ……. Wait, you are a witch.” Beezer stood back. “A novice but still one with the arts.”

“Release me, demon. I will …… my Wiccan will hurt you.” Jae struggled with his bonds.

“Wiccan? I …… you mean there is one other in town. How was it I missed that?” Beezer smiled. “I thought the Warlock was the only one. The last few covens were defeated by him.”

“Wait, I can sense it now. You are with the Wiccan Agathe of Eastwick. She is here. I could not detect her earlier but the sniff of her presence lies in you.”

“Demon, if you knew of my Wiccan, then release me now. I will ……”

“Your Wiccan had me enslaved to one other. If I were still with Beelzebub, she would not dare to approach me. Anyway, I hold no alliance to either. However, you are here.” Beezer smiled. “You will do for me.”

“Perish this witch for me, Golden Oak.” Beezer called out. The roots tightened on Jae but he was strong.

“I am an Enforcer, demon.” Jae fought against the roots restraints but he was not a fully qualified Enforcer. His strength was still weak. The sound of bones cracked with the sight of blood spurting out.

“Argh……” Jae screamed out. The demon leapt at the witch man and shafted his right fist into the other. “I disliked loud throes of death.”

The fist reached in deep, and then stifled the witch man. The novice was split into portions and the ground parted to swallow it.

“Messy……Oops, a broken tooth.” Beezer pulled his right hand from the throat. His fingers were seen at the chest cavity, and he wriggled them before he pulled it out.

Beezer smiled and did not see the blow to its head. It fell forward onto the exposed roots. The rear of the head had cracked. It turned to look at who had hit it.

It was the creature.

Beezer then saw the right foot stamped onto its face.