by D C Young
Veronica took the glass from the tray and William flashed a knowing smile at her. Veronica smiled back and as he passed her by, she took a deep whiff of his scent.
Grrrrr! she thought. There’s that werewolf cologne. I don’t know what it is about these guys but that musk of theirs is like catnip to a vamp like me. Whoa, girl. Cool it, its work time. Bjorn will be around for some fun later.
When they were suitably refreshed, Julia decided to answer Veronica’s question.
“So, as I was saying… or about to say, before your inappropriate outburst. I mean, really, Veronica, I have to say that some couth would go very far with you.”
“I’ll mind my manners.”
“Good. So you were asking what all this has to do with the situation we are currently in with Samantha Moon.”
“Yeah, I don’t see the connection.”
“Veronica, do you know where our immortality as vampires comes from?”
‘Yes, I do.”
“Samantha Moon told you?”
“We had a very long and educational talk about it once. I had been struggling to understand more about where we come from and most importantly where we’re all going to end up. It was after we had defeated the dead witch.”
“To this day there is a controversy among the people of China as to whether The Empress Dowager Tzu-Hsi’s body was ever interred in the Qing tombs. You and I both know that it wasn’t or at least if it was, it didn’t stay there for very long. Before Tzu-Hsi’s death her body was prepared to be the host of a dark master, just as we all were. A vampire visited her chamber and drained her blood bit by bit. Her health faded slowly, making her death appear very natural. When she was about to die, the vampire fed her his blood and a few nights after her death, the Empress Dowager rose from the dead a vampire, just as you see her today.”
‘Okay. And then?” Veronica prompted. She was making a hand gesture that told Julia, she had better hurry along with the story.
“The dark master that inhabited the Empress was not that which her body had been prepared for. Tzu-Hsi was hijacked by another spirit. Luckily for her, it was a more benevolent spirit than her intended one.”
“How is that even possible? Are you telling me that we are chosen by these dark masters beforehand and none of it happens by coincidence?”
“Exactly! Tzu-Hsi had been a partial host to an ancient known Himiko for many years while she ruled China. Every insidious thing that woman ever did, every horrific act and thought was the work of Himiko. So you can imagine how dangerous a being she must be. The spirit most likely attached itself to Tzu-Hsi during her adolescence; she was young and beautiful and from an upstanding Manchurian family and the politics of the time predicted that an imperial concubine selection was near. It’s the reason so many people, including yourself just now, describe her most accurately with contradictory words. She is benevolent and wise, and yet also a ruthless bitch. Himiko’s influence was not as strong over Tzu-Hsi’s living body, it came and went like the extremes of a possession but all along Himiko intended to claim the Empress’ body after death.
When Tzu-Hsi died, Himiko’s nemesis stole dominion over the Empress Dowager’s body, leaving Himiko without her intended host.”
Veronica parted her lips again and Julia held up her hand for silence before the question could even pas from them.
“The dark master which inhabits Empress Dowager Tzu-Hsi’s body today is the spirit of Empress Wu Zhao of China.”
“You mean…?”
“The same Empress Wu who was behind the Golden Chrysanthemum coup in that movie some years ago.”
“Wow,” Veronica said suddenly dropping into the nearby couch. She made a gesture with her hands and a blowing sound with her mouth, then said, “Mind blown!”
Julia giggled at the young vampire. “I told you from the beginning that our history was worth researching. It is rich and deep and sinister but at the same time, quite… ummm, mind blowing!”
“So what happened to Himiko?”
“After the body was snatched, she was forced into the spirit realm to wander, basically. That is why we have come to be in this situation. It seems that there is an upcoming cosmic phenomenon some witches have identified as the most auspicious time to draw Himiko’s spirit back into this world.”
“Must be the planetary alignment. If that’s the case they’ll have 30 days to try working their spells. How does Sam fit in? She’s not Himiko’s new host, is she? God knows, she’s insufferable enough as it is!”
Veronica giggled at her little jab and Julia tried her best not to crack a smile. Fond memories of their friend came rushing the minds of both women and soon the light-hearted mood faded. Somber silence descended on the room. From over on the lounge chair, they could hear the soft humming of Allison’s trance like state.
“According to what Allison’s learned so far. The spell to bring Himiko back doesn’t just need a host for her, it also requires a lot of energy to work. The dark master which inhabits Samantha Moon’s body is not as old as some which reside in this house but she was a wicked and potent creature in her time. Her power, if the witches can tap into it, would be more than needed to get the job done.”
‘So, Sam is their power source? They’re trying to turn our friend into a battery?”
Before Julia could form a response, Allison suddenly sat bolt upright on the reclined lounge and looked at the two women.
“It’s Sam! She’s awake.”
“Did she say anything to you?” Veronica asked rushing to Allison’s side.
“She was afraid they would hear her, but yes, she could sense my presence and she spoke to me.”
“Spit it out, Lopez! We don’t have time to waste.”
“Funny, that is exactly what she said… before she told me to go get Max!”
“Allison,” Veronica said, taking the witch by her shoulders. “Who the hell is Max?”
Chapter Nineteen
Veronica arrived at the doors of the Occult Reading Room at Cal State Fullerton in three minutes flat. When she stepped through the door, she looked around surveying the place. It was obviously one of those strange supernatural wormholes that could only be seen and entered by beings with power and didn’t exist at all in the eyes of humans.
She’d been in places like this before, especially during her travels in the south. New Orleans was crawling with them.
As she looked around, she heard soft voices conversing among the bookshelves and moved towards them thinking she would find this Max person in the back among the books.
He’s a librarian after all, she thought.
“Don’t go back there,” a voice suddenly warned from the reception desk behind her. It was soft and nonthreatening but commanding nonetheless and Veronica stopped dead in her tracks.
The books realized their plan had been thwarted and called out to her by name.
“Am I going Looney Tunes or is something back there calling me?” Veronica asked the good looking young man standing behind the desk. He was dressed in a plain white t-shirt with his hair slicked back.
“It’s the books, They want your attention. They want any attention they can get really. They know that once they have that from the right person they’ll be able to get whatever else they might want.”
“Something tells me that the right person to them would be the worst person in your book… no pun intended.”
“You’re quite right,” max said, a smile spreading across his face. He walked around the desk extending his hand in greeting. As they shook hands, he said, “You must be Veronica Melbourne… the Vampire Huntress. I am Archibald Maximus, you can call me Max.”
“I am. Its nice to meet you, Max. But how did you…” She paused before continuing when the obvious answer hit her. “Ah, Sam’s probably complained about me to you… a lot!”
“”I wouldn’t call it complaining but you’ve come up in conversation.”
“I bet.” Veronica paused to take in the sight that was Archi
bald Maximus a little more.
No wonder Moon’s been spending so much time here. He’s a dish, she thought.
“Anyway,” she said, trying to snap out of it. “I’m sure you already know why I’m here.”
“Yes, Samantha has gotten herself into quite a pickle. You need some help getting her back.”
“Yes. For some reason she thinks you can help us and that’s what she showed Allison over their telepathic connection.”
“I was with her recently… psychically, and I was able to take a lot more notice of her surroundings than she could... so, she was right to tell Allison that I could help. I’m just so glad that she figured it all out.”
“Okay, I don’t understand any of what you’re saying but I also don’t have the time to listen to any explanations. Can you help us or not?”
“I can, Veronica, because whereas the witches holding Sam hostage have clouded her vision and trapped her in the white void of her mind, I traveled to her astrally and saw their location.”
“Now that’s something we can use!”
“Undoubtedly so. The kidnappers are a coven of thirteen witches led by a centuries old, overconfident high witch called Catalina Caruso. Their lycée is in San Francisco. Somewhere inside the Frederick and Buena Vista block of Masonic Avenue in the Haight-Ashbury district.”
“Is that it?”
“It’s hardly enough is it?” Max said teasing her. “I was sure to make note that the place has a glass roof and a backyard, but that’s all I remember. I never saw the outside of the building.”
“Glass roof and backyard is good enough for me. Thank you, Max” Veronica rushed to the library door, then turned around and asked, “Is there any advise you can give the Elder Watchers on how to handle this right?”
“Yes. You will need to take the witches with you and someone who can fly to search the house from above. Lastly, do not allow the Empress Dowager anywhere near San Francisco when you go there.”
“Oh… kay. Might I ask why about the last part?”
“You know her story, Veronica,” Max replied, “Tzu-Hsi’s body was hijacked from the Witch Queen of Wa by at the last moment by a crafty dark master. Wu Zhao may be clever and quick but against Himiko her powers would be greatly outmatched. If you are successful in rescuing Sam when Himiko has already been summoned, it will take no effort at all for her to push Wu Zhao out and possess Tzu-Hsi.”
“Oh… emm… gee!”
“That just about sums it up. An evil queen’s spirit who has been partially possessing the bodies of sovereigns and monarchs for almost two thousand years… suddenly presented with the body of an Empress Dowager who is now a vampire. That’s something we could all live without.”
Veronica nodded her agreement. “A Vampire Sovereign… and one as evil as the armpits of Hell.”
Max nodded and Veronica turned and left.
Chapter Twenty
“It’s Hermes all over again, isn’t it?” Elizabeth asked Sam. She seemed let down and rather dejected at the thought.
“I’m sorry to say it, but yes. It sort of is.”
She was quiet for a moment, obviously weighing her options. Then she looked up at Sam and spoke, “My son thinks very highly of you. Because of that I felt obligated to rebel against you. How could I inhabit the body of a good person like you peacefully? It would be quite contradictory to my reputation, wouldn’t it?”
Sam nodded her head. “The things I’ve heard about what you’ve done and the things that you have actually done to me make me inclined to think that way, yes.”
“But a wise person once said that the enemy of my enemy is my friend and though I won’t call you a friend, Samantha Moon, today you are not my enemy either.”
“So, you’ll stick with me on this?” Sam asked the woman skeptically. “No trying to body jump?”
“I’ll go back in the box and be still… for now.”
“There’s no need for that. Furthermore, if I’m going to break out of this bind they’ve put on me, I’m going to need your power to help.”
“Very well, Samantha. You have my cooperation… and my powers. You always have anyway, you just chose to exercise your will too strongly against me to learn how to fetter that power. Today is a good day for you to learn how to do that.”
***
Bridget Bishop flew slowly over the big block of neighborhood in Haight-Ashbury searching for the roof made of glass. Unfortunately there were several houses in the area that boasted roof top greenhouses so that wasn’t as unique a feature as they had all thought initially.
I need more specifics, Allison! she said over the psychic connection she had with the mortal witch who was sitting in a black Chevy Tahoe on the intersection of Franklin and Buena Vista.
Bridget . Allison thought instantly.
Yes, Mon Cherie?Do you have any more details about the glass roof? Turns out quite a few houses on the block have greenhouses.
Hmmm. From what I remember it wasn’t a partial. The entire roof was made of glass. Perhaps even some parts of it retracted so as to let in sun or moonlight.
It’s not a partial greenhouse, Bridget. The whole roof is glass!
Okay! That helps. I’ve got it!
Bridget landed in front of the properties gate and gave Allison the address. In a few moments the black van pulled up alongside the front fence of the house. Bjorn was driving and as Allison and Veronica jumped out, he grabbed a hold of Veronica’s arm.
“Be careful, Shield maiden! Perhaps there are no seats for our kind at Odin’s table.”
“Don’t be such a naysayer, Bjorn,” Veronica countered. “If the gates of Valhalla are closed to us when we get there, we’ll simply have to break them down.”
Bjorn smiled and kissed her before she jumped from the vehicle and followed behind the two witches.
***
“Think about where you were going when you saw the ball of light approaching you, Sam,” Elizabeth said to her.
“I was going to Elysium House,” she replied.
“Okay, we’ve been there before. Envision landing on the balcony, the fluttering curtains, the click of the tile beneath your dragon’s claws. Transforming into your human shape again, stepping through the doors. Who do you see first?”
“Julia. Its always Julia who greets me first.”
“Good, good. And then what?”
“She always has a glass of blood for me.”
“And what does it taste like?”
“Pure, clean, warm… delicious. Not like that crap I have in the garage at home.”
“Think of yourself holding the glass, Samantha. Raise it to your lips. What do you feel?”
“I feel refreshed, satisfied…”
“That’s not the word I’m looking for or the word that will break this spell. Think harder!”
“I feel liberated… I feel FREE!”
“Yessss… Now go and be very, very careful!”
Suddenly, Sam’s eyes fluttered open. Instantly, she realized there was no more white. She was out but that meant she was surrounded by enemies. Quickly, she closed her eyes again hoping none of the witches had noticed.”
Instead, she put out a psychic tendril feeling for the thoughts in the room. One by one they came to her and using what she saw in the witches’ minds, she put together a picture of the room she lay in. Sam felt carefully at her sides. The altar was cold and made of solid stone.
Shit! She thought, having hoped to find something she could quickly overturn and cause a panic among the chanting group of women. But I’m not tied up. So there’s that at least.
She lay listening to the repetitive incantations of the women. It didn’t seem like their spell was working very well.
I bet they don’t have a clue why either, Sam thought while chuckling to herself.
Her alliance with the powerful dark master inside her had ultimately thwarted the witches’ plans. If Elizabeth did not abdicate her body, the witches couldn’t harness the demons power to ch
arge up their resurrection spell. ease's
Fail! Sam thought.
As she lay there thinking how she was going to get her physical body out of the mess she was still in, Sam heard a familiar voice from outside the room.
She’s in there. I can feel her!
It was Allison!
Allison! Sam cried.
Samantha! I’m so happy to hear your voice, even though it’s just in my head. Are you alright?
I’m fine, but I’m surrounded. There’s thirteen pissed off witches in here wondering why their big spell isn’t working. Some of them are tired but the strongest one is just mad.
Don’t you worry your pretty little head about some mad witches. There’s two even more pissed off ones out here and a vampire with swords to fix whatever problems they might be having right now!
And with that, Sam heard the ear splitting sound of wooden doors breaking off their hinges and knew that was her cue to tuck and roll. She flew off the stone table and ducked behind it, scanning the room to gather her bearings.
She let out a high pitched whistle and Veronica looked over in her direction. Veronica pirouetted and lashed out with her swords, stopping the blades dead at the throats of two of the witches as they advanced in attack. They stopped dead in their tracks. Bridget threw her hands out in front of her and a raging gust of wind blew three of the witches off their feet and crashing into a pile of furniture across the room.
Sam stood up just in time to catch the bag of zip-ties Veronica threw in her direction and quickly set about immobilizing the witches that had been incapacitated. Allison stood at the doorway ensuring no one got through the opening, nabbing a few escapees and pinning them to the floor with her foot. Sam quickly tied them up as well.
With Veronica, Allison and Samantha busy with the others, Bridget turned her attention to Catalina.
“Do you know who I am witch?” Bridget bellowed at her.
“Salem scum! I know who you are.”