When the Spirit Calls (When the Spirit... series - Book 2)

by Thomas DePrima

  The three girls looked questioningly at Arlene.

  "I don't know," Arlene said. "It sounds plausible. I still remember so much of Amelia's early childhood that it feels like I was there. But I promised Jeremy in 1883 that I'd never perform another séance."

  "Why not?" Erin asked.

  "He was afraid people would have a negative view of my association with the occult. We had a position in society to maintain."

  "That was another body in another lifetime. Amelia Westfield died and was buried. You didn't promise him that Arlene Watson wouldn't conduct séances."

  "That's true, I guess. Strictly speaking I'm no longer bound by that promise. And this is a special case. Should we try?"

  "I'm game to try," Erin said. "I could use a little help with my Latin. Even with the required study for my medical career, I don't know if I'm up to translating ancient religious texts."

  "Why not," Renee said, shrugging her shoulders. "What have we got to lose?"

  "Okay," Arlene said, nodding.

  "When will we do it?" Megan asked. "Midnight tonight?"

  "Why not right now?" Arlene asked.

  "Now?" Erin questioned. "We don't have candles or aromatic food. And it's not midnight."

  "We'll dim the lights so they won't be a distraction. I don't think we'll need the props anymore. My ability to interact with spirits has increased tremendously since we were sixteen, so perhaps my power to contact those in the immortal world has increased as well. Madam Elana told me recently that I'm even strong enough to roam the immortal world with my mind. I simply lack the training."

  "Okay," Erin said. "We can always fall back on the tried and true if this attempt fails."

  It took the girls just a few seconds to prepare for the séance, seating themselves at the table, palms pressed flat down on the surface with pinkies touching their neighbor's. Arlene said, "Lights at level one," and the lights dimmed considerably.

  "Kewl," Megan said. "Did you just do that simply by telling them to dim?"

  "Yes, there are ten levels. This is the lowest level."

  "Lights at level ten," Megan said. The room suddenly brightened so much that it actually hurt eyes that had just adjusted to near darkness. Megan's smile extended from ear to ear.

  "Okay, Meg, we'll play later," Arlene said. "Let's get the séance over with first. Lights at level one."

  As the four girls touched pinkies again, Arlene concentrated with all her being on projecting her mind into the immortal world. The others closed their eyes and also concentrated on reaching out to the spirits.

  "We are trying to contact the departed spirit of Amelia Turner, Martha Fuller, Elizabeth Reese, or Roberta Johnson," Arlene said. "I am Arlene Watson. Please answer my call."

  The room was deathly silent for several minutes. Arlene didn't repeat the call. She just sat and waited, stretching out with her mind to make contact.

  "Arlene Watson," Megan suddenly said, "it is I, Amelia Turner."

  "Welcome Amelia. It's a pleasure to speak with you again after so many years."

  "And for me. We owe you much. Our parents send their love to— their second daughter."

  "Tell them that I love them and miss them. We shall all meet again one day."

  "I shall, but my time here is short. Why have you summoned me, my sister?"

  "I need your help. A demon has been released from the Underworld, and I've been asked to help banish him back to the Underworld. Can you tell us how to accomplish that?"

  "I see the demon of whom you speak. His is a black and evil soul. He is aware of your presence and purpose. You are in grave danger, sister. You should leave this place and not return."

  "The ones who released him did so accidentally and have been unable to banish him. He cannot be allowed to continue his evil ways on Earth. Can you tell us how to return him to the Underworld?"

  "I know not how to accomplish that. I would certainly tell you if I did."

  "That's as I feared. But perhaps you can help in a different way. We know you have the ability to influence the minds of mortals. Can you and the others strengthen the dim memories we carry of your studies in the classical languages so we might better study ancient texts?"

  "We can."

  "Then please do so. It will be of great benefit to us."

  "It will be done. I tire and must leave now, Arlene. We shall be watching. Goodbye."

  "Goodbye, Amelia. Thank you."

  "Megan?" Arlene said after a few seconds.

  "Yes, Ar?

  "It's over. Thank you."

  The sound of someone taking a deep breath drew their attention and the girls all turned their heads toward the doorway. Madam Elana was standing there.

  "Girls," Arlene said, by way of introduction, "this is Madam Elana. Madam Elana, these are my friends— Megan Kearney-Heston, Renee Dennis, and Erin McDonald."

  "How do you do, ladies? Welcome to Lake Georgina. Madam Arlene, that was exhilarating. You did it so easily and so simply. I've seen several self-proclaimed spiritualists perform séances, but there was always a theatrical air about them. They lit special candles, chanted vague verses, or spoke in tongues. In the end, they never seemed able to contact the spirit that was sought. You did it as simply as making a long distance phone call."

  "We didn't realize anyone was watching," Renee said. "It's much more impressive when we light dozens of candles, sacrifice a live chicken, and then chant for ten minutes from the Book of Psalms."

  "Stop it, Renee," Arlene said, giggling. "Madam Elana, we've never chanted or sacrificed a live animal. We did use three candles and aromatic food in earlier years because I once read somewhere they were necessary to attract the spirits, but we've dispensed with those now. And in case you haven't realized it, Renee is our comic relief. She keeps things from getting too serious."

  Madam Elana smiled. "So I see. I must say again that seeing you make contact with the immortal world was most exhilarating. Is Megan always your medium?"

  "Yes, darn it," Megan said. "And I never know what's happened until it's over. What did happen, by the way? Who came?"

  "Amelia. She said they'll refresh our memories. That was an excellent suggestion, Meg."

  "I hope it helps. Was that all that happened?"

  "Not all. She told me my parents from my past life send their love. She also told me that the demon is aware of my presence here and that I'm in danger."

  "More specifically," Erin said, "she stated that his is a black and evil soul, and that you're in grave danger. She also said you should leave this place and not return."

  "Do you think she foresaw your death?" Renee asked.

  "We've learned that many possibilities for the future exist and that our actions can alter what will be, but there is danger, so we must be very careful not to misstep. We must be fairly certain that when we find a way to banish the demon, it has a good chance of succeeding."

  "Then let's get to work," Erin said. "Where are the books written in Latin?"

  "Out the door to the left. The bookcase is marked," Arlene said. "The Italian texts are to the right of the Latin texts. The French texts are out the door and to the right. Boxes of white cotton gloves are located around the rooms. Remember the age of the manuscripts and treat them gently. Use the strips of acid-free paper here on the table to mark your place."

  As the girls started to rise from the table to retrieve their first book of many, Arlene added, "Remember, we can't skim over any parts of these books. We don't have to memorize anything we read, but we must read every line. When you complete a book, make a notation in the index on the computer. If you find any reference to demons living on Earth, banishing them, or even exorcisms, make a notation of the page number or whatever other reference you can in the computer, put a strip of the acid-free paper there, and set the book aside when you've finished reading it. Otherwise put the book back where you found it and go on to the next."

  Madam Elana moved out of the way to allow the young women to pass but held up her h
and as Arlene neared her.

  "Perhaps I was wrong to ask this of you. You should do as the immortal suggested. If the demon knows you're here, he might already be formulating a plan to kill you."

  "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, but I won't be run off. We know he's responsible for Simona's death, and only he and God knows how many others. He'll continue until he's stopped, and we're the only ones who can stop him."

  "You weren't part of the coven that released him, so he probably won't be weakened by your death. There's nothing to prevent him from coming after you."

  "I realized that before I asked to see the books you had amassed. I have one advantage that no one else has, as far as I know. I have the ability to see him coming."

  "You said spirits can hide from you if they wish. Doesn't that apply to demons as well?"

  "I imagine so. But he presents no danger while he's trying to remain invisible to me."

  "What about when he assumes someone's body."

  "That's when he becomes dangerous."

  "But can you detect him then?"

  "I don't know yet. I suppose it depends on just how powerful he is and the amount of energy it takes to control the body he's selected. If it takes all his energy just to control the body, he may not have enough to hide the aura that normally surrounds a spirit. Let's hope that's the case. Forewarned is forearmed."

  * * *

  On Thursday evening, the four young women met the full coven, it being their regular night to gather. The coven members treated Arlene and her friends like visiting celebrities. Apparently Madam Elana had told the others of Arlene's book, and each witch had procured a hardbound copy, which they had brought along with them to have signed. Some had two. After Arlene had signed the books and penned short notes inside the front cover, each witch presented the book to Erin, Roberta, and Renee for their signatures. Each young woman signed with her nineteenth-century name.

  "Mrs. Stintson at the book store had a difficult time tracking down the copies we ordered," Evelyn Dowd, perhaps the oldest of the coven members, said. "They only arrived today."

  "She might have cleaned out the printer's warehouse," Arlene said. "I only paid to have a thousand copies produced when it was printed two years ago, and a hundred of those were sent to reviewers at newspapers and reviewing services. According to my latest statement from the printer, the supply had finally shrunk to double digits by the beginning of this year."

  "Mrs. Stintson is trying to track down more. Since we ordered first, she had to fill our order first, but half the women in town have called her looking to purchase a copy."

  "Really?" Arlene uttered in surprise.

  "Yes, really. Perhaps you should consider printing additional copies."

  "Perhaps," Arlene said.

  Once all the books had been signed and put away, Arlene explained the need for assistance and the women used the rest of their time reading from the English texts. Several promised to return whenever they could in the weeks ahead to continue their efforts.

  As Arlene sat with Madam Elana, Renee, Erin, and Megan at the table in the reading room after the last of the coven had returned home, she said, "I thought your coven had thirteen members."

  "We were thirteen when we freed the demon," Madam Elana said. "Of course, Simona's death reduced us by one. Two others moved away in the month after Simona disappeared."

  "I suppose that's understandable," Arlene said.

  "Yes. I couldn't blame them. The experience with Kamet was frightening."

  "I wonder if their absence from the coven has further lessened Kamet's power, assuming they're more than fifty miles away."

  "I don't know. I never considered that before. Perhaps the loss of three members is responsible for Kamet only having the strength to kill once before resting."

  "Have you brought the book I requested? The one with the spell you used to free Kamet."

  Opening her purse, Madam Elana removed a folded sheet of paper. "I didn't think you needed the entire book, so I copied down the spell for you. Here it is."

  Arlene opened the paper, read it, and passed it to Renee, who passed it to Megan after reading it. Erin received it last and read it aloud.

  "From darkest gloom, Kamet unsung,

  The bell held high, and now thrice rung,

  My words spake thrice and loudly said,

  To call one from the horde of dead,

  I seek this soul of immortal cull,

  Atropos' deed I now annul."

  Arlene was silent for a minute as she considered the words. Finally she said, "How could you not suspect what you were doing? Look at the very first line, 'From darkest gloom, Kamet unsung…"

  "According to my encyclopedia," Madam Elana said, "Kamet is a peak in the Himalayas, which made me think of Tibetan monks and very high holy places. I didn't realize it was also the name of a demon in the Underworld."

  "What about the 'darkest gloom' part of the line? You never considered that it might refer to the Underworld?"

  "My coven usually meets on my property outside of town after the store closes on Thursday evenings. It's always dark because there's no electricity out there. We normally build a small bonfire to give us some light, but we didn't that night because I thought the line meant we were supposed to speak it in darkness."

  "And the fifth line," Erin said, "where it talks about a cull? You never suspected that an immortal cull occurs when a soul is unsuitable for the immortal world and is sent immediately to the Underworld at the time of death?"

  "One of the dictionary definitions for 'cull' is 'look for and gather.'"

  "But the final line is clear as glass." Renee said. "How could you possibly misunderstand that?"

  "I admit I didn't fully understand that," Madam Elana said. "I realized Atropos was the name of one the Fates of Grecian myth, but I didn't understand what the deed was."

  "Atropos," Arlene said, "was the Fate who cut the thread of life. In other words, Atropos sent the mortals on their journey from this world to the next. By annulling Atropos' deed, you were restoring one who had passed on. In this case, that was Kamet."

  "It sounds so clear and straightforward now, but eleven years ago I had never heard of Kamet. If I had but known he was a demon, I would never have cast that spell. Simona was my best friend, other than Gisela."

  "Why is this spell in English?" Megan asked. "Shouldn't it be in Latin or something? I mean, they always seem to be in some ancient tongue in books and movies."

  "I suppose a spell was written in the language of whoever created it," Madam Elana replied. "It's logical that ancient spells would be written in ancient languages. I was told once that, while important in content, the spoken words were not nearly as crucial as the ability of the witch or coven to focus the ethereal energy necessary to work the spell. If spoken by ordinary people, the most powerful spells known to mortals would have absolutely no effect. That's why I thought I could create a spell that would return Kamet to the Underworld. We had Simona to speak it."

  * * *

  "Dick, come into my office, please," Lt. Bolger heard when he picked up the telephone receiver. He winced when the sheriff called him Dick. He hated that name, and the sheriff knew it. He only used it when he had something unpleasant for Bolger to do. He seemed to think that it steeled Bolger for the task ahead or something.

  "Right away, Sheriff."

  A few seconds later, Bolger entered the large office and closed the door behind him.

  "Yes, sir?"

  "Are you aware that that woman is still in town?"

  "Woman, sir?"

  "That ghost woman."

  "Ah, Miss Watson. Yes, sir. I've seen her car around town and heard she's been in Gianni's for dinner twice now, but I haven't run into her. I understand she spends all her time in Georgina Antiques."

  "A couple of residents have complained about her."

  "Really? I haven't seen any logged complaints."

  "They haven't been formally filed. The people called m
e, personally. It seems she's using her association with the Campbell case to sell a book she's written. Mrs. Stintson has sold every copy she can get her hands on— even used copies."

  "That's good, isn't it? I mean Mrs. Stintson must be making a profit."

  "This is a tourist town, Dick. We're supposed to be selling to the yokels, not the locals. And the only folks buying this woman's books are regular residents."

  "It doesn't sound like she's broken any laws, Sheriff. And if it wasn't for her, we'd probably never have found the Campbell body."

  "Dick, I'm running for reelection in November. I can't afford to alienate the citizens of this county. See if you can persuade this woman to leave town as soon as possible."

  "Who's complained, Sheriff?"

  "If they wanted their names associated with this, they would have filed a complaint openly. Just see what you can do. I know how persuasive you can be when you try."

  "Since she's been spending so much time in Georgina Antiques, I have to assume she's become friendly with Madam Elana. I'm sure you remember what happened to Supervisor Eggston when he took on Madam Elana in that rezoning matter. He couldn't get elected now to scrub out the garbage cans at the hospital cafeteria. Do we really want to do this?"

  "No, dammit, I don't want to do this. But I'm caught between a rock and a hard place. If I don't at least try to get rid of her, I'll lose some very important support in the upcoming election."

  "So you want me to talk with her, but not push her so hard that Madam Elana gets her back up? If she resists, should I simply back off?"

  "Speak with her and try to get her to leave peacefully."

  "Okay, Sheriff, I'll speak with her. But unless you're prepared to push, and push hard, I can tell you right now she won't leave until she's ready. This woman isn't a homeless transient we can just order around. She comes from money— big money— real big money. You should see her estate in Massachusetts. Her house makes the governor's mansion in Albany look like a pauper's cottage."

  "Dammit, Dick, just use your own judgment. You understand what's at stake here."

  "Right, Sheriff. I'm on it."

  Lt. Bolger smiled after leaving the sheriff's office. He had been looking for an excuse to see Miss Watson again, and she had told him they'd meet again. He wondered if she'd foreseen this reason.