Face Behind the Mask

by Leo King

She quietly and carefully got dressed. Heading out to the fencing hall, she saw that it was still nighttime. Serge and Leona were hard at practice, their masks and suits off. They moved without effort or constraint. Watching them like this was like watching a choreographed dance.

  On the other side of the room, Mark practiced with two foils on a padded dummy. The two rapiers rested on a bench nearby. Dixie sat at what was often used as the judge’s table, which was covered with notes. She was talking on a phone while nibbling nervously on her thumb.

  “Dr. Lazarus, please listen. I think Dr. Kindley has the book. Remember when Hannah wiped out Tulane? I talked to him for a short while then, and parts of his clothing were glowing.… I think he made what you call talismans.… No, I don’t know where he got the souls for them.… No, I haven’t told Ouellette. I’m not sure how he’d react.… All right, I’ll call him tomorrow.”

  That’s some crazy talk over there, Alexia thought as she watched Serge and Leona. As their practice concluded, they leaned in until their lips were almost touching. Leona’s cheeks were furiously rosy, and Serge’s face had an intense expression. Alexia’s mouth gaped open as she saw that they were both wearing golden wedding bands.

  Just as their lips were about to touch, Alexia cleared her throat. Immediately, Leona pulled away and headed toward some bottles of water, blushing to her ears. Serge had a pleased, if not guilty, smile. Mark put down his foils while Dixie used her one arm to stand.

  Alexia limped over to everyone, her ribs hurting. “Hey. How’s it going?” She had no idea what to say in this kind of situation.

  Serge wiped the sweat from his brow. “Good to see you are well, Alexia.” His accent was so thick from his physical exertion that she had to strain to understand him.

  “I’m well as can be expected, sir.”

  “Mark told us what happened,” Leona said. “What do you know about that creature?” Her French accent was also thick from being out of breath. She handed out cool bottles of water.

  Alexia sipped hers. It felt good. “Nothing, I’m afraid.”

  Mark pulled her into his arms. “I was so worried about you, baby. I was so scared.”

  She rested her head against his chest and held onto him. “Thank you for saving me.” She wasn’t sure what else to say, to him in particular.

  Dixie finally came over. “Serge, I spoke with Dr. Lazarus. We need to tell Alexia everything. Considering what she’s been through, she deserves to know.”

  “All right,” he said. “Alexia, please pay attention.”

  Looking up from Mark’s chest, she stepped away and drained her water bottle. Then she folded her arms under her chest, trying to sound strong again. “I’m listening, sir.”

  “Ja,” Serge said. “My father, Dr. Oskar Eversoll, runs a group based out of Copenhagen called the Eversoll Institute for Paranormal Research.”

  Alexia shrugged. “I never heard of them before.”

  Shaking her head, Dixie said, “You wouldn’t have. They’re privately owned and stay out of the news. They even have a convenient cover at the University of Copenhagen.”

  “That sounds… ,” Alexia wasn’t sure how not to sound cheesy. “Like a plot from a really bad horror novel.”

  Leaning back, armed also folded, Serge let out the merry laugh he was known for. “Yes, I agree that it sounds ridiculous. But I assure you… ,” His expression grew serious. “The Institute has been around in one form or another for centuries. And what we do is very real. We investigate paranormal activity and, if necessary, try to neutralize it.”

  If she had heard that a day ago, she would have dismissed it as nonsense. “But you’ve been here for years as the fencing instructor. And these crazy things started only a few weeks ago.”

  Mark gently rubbed her arm. “Actually, baby, the real bad stuff started three years ago in New Orleans. When that happened, Uncle Serge and I were sent here.”

  “Why here?”

  “Someone linked to the case in New Orleans came to Druid Hills many years ago. Gramps—Dr. Eversoll—wanted us to find out why that person was here.”

  She leaned back against him. It felt nice. “A case in New Orleans? Wait, the new Bourbon Street Ripper!”

  Dixie nodded. Her expression was serious. “Yes. So while a friend of Dr. Eversoll’s, a man named Dr. Lazarus, focused on New Orleans, Serge and Mark were sent here. Two sides of the same overall investigation.”

  “OK. So how is this linked to what happened in New Orleans?”

  “Back in the sixties, a key component of the original Bourbon Street Ripper case, a compound called the tkeeus, was used in Druid Hills.”

  “The what?” Alexia’s head was spinning.

  Reaching over, Leona pulled her into a hug, stroking her hair. “Dixie, you should probably start by explaining the entire Bourbon Street Ripper case, oui? It might help her understand better.”

  “You’re right,” Dixie said. “Alexia, I’m sorry. I’ve told this story so many times, I’ve gotten sick of it.”

  With a nod, Alexia pushed back from Leona. She needed to stand on her own. “Well, I’d like to know everything. Is the story a long one?”

  With a smirk, Dixie said, “It could fill a book or two.”

  Chapter 30

  Will to Power

  Date: Sunday, April 23, 1995

  Time: 3:00 a.m.

  Location: Woodruff P. E. Center

  Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia

  “So then, Samantha Castille learned that it was really her father, Vincent, the original Bourbon Street Ripper, who had been manipulating events in order to bind Baron Samedi to him so that she would be unable to die.”

  Alexia sat there, slack-jawed and arms folded, as Dixie finished. The story was both long and complex, but it answered every question she had concerning her brother’s death. Finally, she felt she understood what Michael had been going through.

  “And that brings us here,” Serge said. “In 1967, someone calling themselves the Oracle used the tkeeus in Druid Hills for some kind of ritual. This was the first time the tkeeus was recorded as being used.”

  Dixie picked right up where he left off. “And soon afterwards, the tkeeus was used on five-year-old Samantha in New Orleans.”

  “Which is when she was possessed by Marinette and this whole thing started,” Alexia said. When the others nodded, she rubbed her chin. As unbelievable as the story was, she couldn’t refute it.

  “So, Mark, you and your uncle originally came here to focus on that part of the tkeeus story, but then, when students started disappearing a few weeks ago, you all shifted your focus.”

  “Exactly,” Mark said.

  “So you contacted Dr. Lazarus, who had Dixie come down because of her familiarity with the New Orleans case, right?”

  “More like I was the only one who could come,” Dixie said. “Kyle is busy working on another project, and Ouellette is doing all he can to keep New Orleans together. Otherwise, I never would have left my husband and two-year-old girl.”

  “Right. And Leona, you… ,” Alexia stopped. “I have no idea why you’re a part of this.”

  With a curt laugh, Leona winked. “Besides being secretly married to Serge for the past year? Oui, I am very spiritually sensitive. I figured out something was going on some two years ago. I confronted them, and they let me in. It’s as simple as that!”

  That settled all the loose ends for Alexia. “So now what? I mean, obviously, this thing that tried to kill us is somehow linked to all this, right?”

  Mark slid his arm around her. “Correct, baby. And since you have seen it up close, we wanted to include you in the Institute’s investigation.”

  “Agreed,” Serge said. “Both Father and Dr. Lazarus had agreed to let you join. Seeing as how you’ve exhibited both an intellect and an instinct for this, we’re certain you can help us crack the mystery of that creature, the Oracle, and the tkeeus.”

  “So why is the tkeeus all that important, again?” she asked. �
�Doesn’t it just make summoning spirits and possessions much easier?”

  Dixie shook her head. “It has caused unbelievable havoc in southern Louisiana. A group called the Knight Priory is using it for everything from animating dead bodies to murdering their enemies. And a man named Dr. Kindley—well, I’m certain he’s learned how to bind ghosts to him.”

  “The Knight Priory,” Alexia repeated. They seemed like the real villains. “Well, here’s something creepy. At the golf course, something—I think it was that thing—said ‘Lullwater.’ When I mentioned it, Mr. Candler seemed taken aback. Do you think it’s connected to all this?”

  Raising his eyebrows, Mark said, “Lullwater? There are many parts of Emory and Druid Hills called that. Even the university president’s home is called Lullwater House.”

  Part of Alexia was still shocked she had blown off those classes.

  Serge and Leona glanced at each other. Then he stood up. “There’s a campus function there tomorrow afternoon. We’ll attend and see what we can learn.”

  “Of course, Uncle,” Mark said. “And I’ll go to the library to research the name Lullwater. Maybe there is more to it than meets the eye.”

  “I’ll help you,” Alexia said.

  A voice from off to the side spoke up. “And me, too!”

  Everyone turned to see Patty, dressed and grinning cheekily.

  Dixie’s eyes widened. “How long have you been there?”

  Patty sauntered over. “Long enough to know that if I’m not included in this awesome cloak-and-dagger stuff, I will never speak to any of you again.” She giggled and leaned on Alexia.

  The sudden intrusion made Alexia chuckle. “Gee, Patty! Well, to be fair, she is amazing on computers.”

  “I have mad, crazy hacker skills.” Patty flexed her nonexistent muscles.

  Mark shrugged and said, “Patty is actually the best I’ve ever met.”

  After a few moments, Serge sighed. “Fine. Just. No one else. This is not a game.”

  Patty fist-pumped and then leaned on Alexia. “So when do we leave? Are we going to break into the library?”

  “No,” Dixie said firmly. “This thing attacks at night, and we now know that the campus grounds aren’t safe. You’ll sleep here, and in the morning, you’ll go to the library in a group.”

  Patty sat down heavily, pouting. “Fine, ya ol’ one-armed party pooper.”

  Dixie rolled her eyes and muttered to herself.

  That only made Alexia laugh more. For a sweet, singular moment, life was back to normal. It was a welcome respite.

  After the meeting, Serge and Leona set out cots while Dixie returned to her mountain of notes, mentioning to Alexia that they’d talk one-on-one tomorrow. Patty went to the restroom while Mark returned to the practice dummy. Alexia sat on the bench nearby and watched. Soon, however, her eyes wandered toward the two swords he had used against the entity.

  The guards were made of the purest silver and their grips covered with the smoothest leather. She touched them and gasped—they were warm to the touch. Glancing over at Mark, who didn’t seem to be paying attention, she started drawing one out of its sheath. The blade was sharp and shone with an amazing luster.

  She had just started seeing that gold letters were etched into the blade when the tip of one of Mark’s foils patted her hand. She looked up, heat spreading across her cheeks.

  He was smiling. “No touching. Even for you, hun.”

  She slid the sword back into the sheath and moved away. “Sorry. It’s just that they’re beautiful. Are they… um, magic?” Even after all she had seen, saying the word “magic” still felt unusual.

  He guffawed and sat down beside her. “I guess you could say that.” Taking out a silk cloth, he unsheathed the two swords and laid them side-by-side on his lap. He slowly turned them around so she could see the gold lettering inscribed on each side.

  Our Father Who Art In Heaven

  Hallowed Be The Name Of The Lord

  Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done

  The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory

  “The Lord’s Prayer.” Alexia was in awe. She was certain these had to be holy weapons.

  Mark returned the blades to their sheaths. “There are very dark things in this world, baby. Things that would snuff out mankind’s light. My ancestor, Abraham Eversoll, fought one of those evils. Family legend says that the Vatican itself gave him these weapons to battle his enemy, and when he was triumphant, they let him keep them. They are now a family relic of sorts.”

  “Wow. Just, wow.” She didn’t know what else to say. Surely they were imbued with her God’s power, regardless of the church it came from. Doctrine hadn’t meant anything to her in years. He is my savior, and these feel imbued with His power.

  “My uncle used to wield them. But after Aunt Eydis died, he lost his faith. So Grandfather has me training to use them. I am to take over as the ‘paladin’ of the family when I get older.”

  “Paladin, eh? Sounds nice.” That just made him all the more beautiful. Memories of how badly she had handled herself with the entity, however, made her heart heavier. “You’ll do better than I did. I nearly died from that thing.”

  He put his hand on her leg. “No, not at all, baby. You’re the reason I was able to repel it.”

  Remembering that the entity had said as such, she asked, “But how? My prayers?”

  “Ah, yes, how to explain it without offending you,” he said, taking her hands into his. “You have great faith, but it is your will that gives your faith power.”

  “My will?”

  He slowly rubbed his thumbs over the tops of her hands. “It’s hard to describe. Just accept that one’s will is what enables them to fight off evil. It gives priests the ability to exorcise demons, saints the ability to perform miracles, and people like us the ability to touch and injure otherwise intangible spirits.”

  “I see,” Alexia said. That made sense. “So you say my will powers my faith?”

  “More like your will manifests itself as your faith. Will is the most powerful weapon any human can ever possess.”

  That didn’t make any sense. She tilted her head to the side. “Jesus said, ‘Without Me, you can do nothing.’ You’ve known me for years, Mark. You know I won’t even consider anything else.”

  Cupping her face, he said, “I know, baby. I’m a Christian too, and I believe the same thing. But if our faith was the only thing in the world that repelled darkness and evil, then only Christians like us would be able to fight. But I have seen men of other religions, as well as those who don’t believe, do the same thing. So, your faith sustains your soul, my love. And you use your faith to fight evil like that creature. Ergo, your will manifests itself as your faith. Your will can overcome any obstacle. And your will is strong—the strongest I have ever seen.”

  Squeezing his hands, she nodded again, fighting back the urge to argue that it was her faith in God that did all the work. But she held her tongue, believing she had it figured out. I have this power because I unconditionally accept God and Jesus’s love. If I try to rationalize it, then I will compromise that power.

  “All’s well?” he asked, stirring her from her thoughts.

  She blushed. The way he used her trademark line was endearing. “Yes.”

  “I love you, baby.”

  “I love you, too. Now shut up and kiss me.”

  They only stopped kissing when the heat between them grew so great that their hands started wandering. It was then that Alexia remembered that there were others in the room, and they were all trying to ignore them. She gently pushed back.

  “Can we pick this up another time?” She was out of breath.

  “Yes,” he muttered, his eyes an inferno of passion. “The greatest challenge I will ever face is waiting to make love to you.”

  Still blushing, she leaned up and licked the tip of his nose. “You know what you have to do, Mark. Until then, just keep being the perfect gentleman.”

  They kissed and p
arted ways.

  The cots were laid out, Serge and Leona were finishing the equipment cleanup, and Dixie was already lying down, gazing at a series of small wallet photos.

  Going back to where Patty had arranged two cots beside each other, Alexia slipped out of her pants and her bra and slid under the covers. Lying on the cot next to her, Patty grinned. “Your willpower is of biblical proportions, girlfriend.”

  Alexia stuck out her tongue. “Uh-huh. Actually, I kind of like feeling the tension slowly subside. It’s amazing.”

  Snorting, Patty pulled the covers up. “You’re crazy.” Then she rested her hand on Alexia’s. “Thank you for saving me, though. I love you so much.”

  Clasping hands, Alexia said, “I love you, too. Now let me sleep.”

  As Patty left her alone, she put her hands behind her head. Her thoughts were awhirl.

  People keep talking about my will. Even that thing mentioned it.

  She turned over and settled under the covers.

  Is my will really that strong?

  “Within the animal kingdom, the greatest of all senses in distinguishing between predator and prey is smell. The scent of fear is what designates a creature as prey, while the scent of aggression is what designates a creature as a predator.”

  Alexia sat in the lecture hall, listening to Professor Mathias Drakos, the guest lecturer from New York City. After cleaning up and changing clothes back at the dorm, she had learned that Mark wouldn’t be ready to go to the library until later in the day. So after a brief conversation with Dixie, she decided to go to the lecture. However, as Professor Mathias, a tall, hairless man with a skinny frame and hollowed cheeks, engaged the full lecture hall in a treatise on the study of fear and criminal behavior, she was as unengaged as she could be. She was thinking about everyone’s plans for the day. Serge and Leona were heading to the Lullwater House to speak to Emory’s president, and Dixie was checking in with Dr. Lazarus. Everyone was trying to stop this before someone else died.

  Professor Mathias continued. “This phenomenon extends to all members of the animal kingdom. In fact, some academics, myself included, believe that fear is one of the few chemical scents that humans can both emit and smell. We don’t emit pheromones when sexually aroused. We don’t emit a territorial odor. But we do emit fear. And fear we can smell.”