Morgaine and Michael [The Morgaine Chronicles #8]

by Joe Vadalma

  Raven approached him and yanked on the chains attached to Michael with shackles. They were quite strong, and there did not seem to be any way to open them. “Michael, I can't get these off."

  "They open and close using a spell. But first get me something to drink. There's a jug of water on the night stand. Morgaine drinks from it, so I know it's not adulterated."

  Raven filled a glass from the jug and brought it to Michael, who drank it down without removing the glass from his lips. When he finally put it down, he said, “I feel better. I was so thirsty.” He paused as though in thought. “I know the spell to unshackle myself. Morgaine grew careless once when she released me for exercise. I read her lips while she mumbled the spell.” He said words that sounded like nonsense syllables to Raven's ears, and the manacles fell from his wrists and ankles.

  As he stretched himself to get the kinks out, Raven could not help but admire the musculature of his chest and abdomen. Michael was a well-built man, and he wore only a brief that barely covered his genitals. He grabbed Raven and hugged her in gratitude for coming to rescue him. Raven enjoyed the sensation of his manly body against her. It was something she had fantasized often since she met him.

  After he stepped away, however, an odd thought struck her. If he knew how to free himself, why hadn't he. She asked him.

  "It would have done no good unless I had a way back to our own dimension. I was waiting for someone who knew of a gateway to act. Otherwise Morgaine would've caught me and placed a different spell on the manacles. C'mon Raven, show me the way back to the real world before Morgaine returns."

  She bowed her head in regret. “I can't. I don't even know how I got here. I was resting in my room at The Church of Omega. Suddenly I was here in this castle."

  "Oh no. It's a trap then. Your physical body is not really here."

  "It isn't?” She thought, That embrace sure felt like it was my physical body.

  "Morgaine must've sent your aura to this place and a demon to possess you. This is terrible. I was afraid of something like this since you and my other friends contacted during that seance. Like me, you're trapped in this dimension for eternity."

  Raven asked, “Is there no escape?"

  "Not that I'm aware of."

  Although Raven trembled like a leaf with terror, she said, “Now that you're free, can't we try to find a way?"

  Michael thought for a moment. “Y'know, centuries ago when I first met Morgaine, we attended a University of Sorcery together. I've heard her speak of a gateway to that dimension somewhere in the underground catacombs of this castle. Let's go down there."

  "But how can we get out of that dimension?"

  "There are several gateways in the university. One I know leads to a museum in New York City. That's how Morgaine came to the college. She called it, The Museum of Fantastic Art. She said she walked into a painting. It's worth a try. Let's go."

  They exited his room and headed down a gloomy stone stairwell. Down and down they went in what seemed like a never-ending spiral. Raven shivered with the cold coming from the moldy damp walls. As they descended further, she heard strange noises just above the threshold of hearing. It sounded like the faraway screams and groans of people being tortured. An unpleasant odor assailed her nostrils. She had a feeling of creeping horror that the shadowy stairwell was filled with unseen evil creatures. And that something ugly, evil and horrible waited at the bottom of the well.

  "Wh-where does this lead?” she asked through chattering teeth. She wondered how Michael could stand being almost naked in the cold and nasty place.

  "To the land of the dead,” he replied in solemn tones.

  The hairs on Raven's neck rose. Her knees felt as though they were turning to water, and she became lightheaded with fear. She stumbled against Michael. He put a strong arm around her to keep her from falling. She leaned against him. “I'm so frightened, Michael. I don't know whether I can go on."

  "We'll rest for a while. The entrance to the catacombs is not much further."

  They sat on the stairs. Michael's arm around Raven's shoulder was a comfort. She gazed into his face. Those penetrating eyes of his sent waves of heat into her body. She raised a hand to Michael's cheek. “Oh Michael, do you think escape is possible?"

  He smiled. “There must be a way. Y'know Raven, until now I never noticed how beautiful you are.” He brushed his lips against hers lightly.

  She put both arms around his neck and kissed him back passionately.

  Michael whispered, “Once we're out of here, we should become lovers. I've always admired you."

  "What about Melody?"

  "She and I will never be together again. We were never really compatible. She hated Moonwood, disliked my friends and blamed all our troubles on my interest in the occult.” He shrugged. “Perhaps she's right."

  Raven smiled back at him. He was a dreadfully handsome man. She did not know whether she would want him forever, but at the moment she was feverish with feeling for him. If he made one move in that direction, she would tear off her clothes and make love with him on the stone steps.

  As they cuddled, Raven heard footsteps coming towards them. She and Michael rose quickly, but not quickly enough. Morgaine followed by two demons with swords came down the stairs toward them. She was purple with rage.

  "So Raven, you betray me by stealing my man. In this place you'll find my wrath is terrible indeed."

  Raven and Michael ran down the stairs to get away from her. But, on the next turn, two more weapon laden demons came up from below. Raven screamed. They were trapped.

  CHAPTER 12. MOONWOOD

  Lance Flebert took the Amtrak upstate. It left Penn Station at five-oh-five P.M. on a Friday afternoon. In two hours it would arrive at Rheincliff, New York. At that time of the day, it was fairly crowded. As a result, a comely young lady with auburn hair sat next to Flebert. Like many modern young woman, she wore a halter top that revealed deep cleavage. A few minutes after the train pulled out of the station, she started a conversation.

  "I hate the train, but it's better than the bus,” she said.

  "You commute?” asked Flebert.

  "You could say that. I stay in the city during the week and like come home on weekends."

  "I see. Where do you live?"

  "Woodstock."

  "Oh yeah. That's where I'm headed."

  "Say. I know who your are."

  "What do you mean? I don't live in Woodstock."

  "I mean I recognize you from films. I'm like a movie buff. You're Lance..."

  Flebert puffed up. He loved being recognized from his disastrous movie career. “Flebert. But, my dear, I made those action movies in the eighties. How could you have seen them?"

  She chuckled. “Actually I've only seen one, Blaster. It's on VHS. I love action movies. I thought you were awesome as Rod Gunman."

  Flebert was flattered by her remark. “Do you really think so?"

  "Absolutely.” She held out her hand. “By the way, my name is Lucinda."

  He held it both of his. “I'm always happy to meet a fan, Lucinda. You're a very pretty girl. I like the way you've let your hair stay long. It's a beautiful color. So many women these days cut their hair short."

  She batted her eyelashes. “Well, thank you. That's quite a compliment coming from a man who like dated movie actresses and supermodels."

  They went on this way for most of the trip, flirting slightly, flattering each other outrageously, and discussing action movies, some of which Lance had appeared in, but most of which he had not.

  As they neared Rheincliff, Lucinda asked, “How are you planning to get to Woodstock from Rheincliff?"

  "Thought I'd call a cab from the station."

  She whistled. “That might be like expensive. Besides, the local taxi drivers don't like going across the river. They have a hard time getting a fare that's going back. Why don't you like ride with me? I'm going that way anyway."

  "I hate to impose."

  "Not at all. I'd l
ove to have a famous movie star ride in my car."

  He chuckled with delight. “Well, if you put it that way, how can I refuse a charming young lady the pleasure of my company. I'm kidding of course. The pleasure will be all mine."

  * * * *

  The drive from the railroad station in Rheincliff to Woodstock took another forty-five minutes. By that time it was eight o'clock. It had started to rain, and flashes of lightning appeared in the sky.

  "Looks like we're in for stormy weather,” Lucinda said. “Where do you want me to drop you off?"

  "Anywhere. I'll need to get a cab from here. The place I have to go to is on a county road a ways up the mountain."

  "Do you think is like New York City? You'll never like get a taxi to drive you up one of those mountain roads on a night like this. I'll take you."

  How Flebert was going to get up to Moonwood had been bothering him for a while, ever since the rain started. “But it's out of your way. I don't want to inconvenience you. Your people are probably waiting for you."

  She shook her head. “I don't have any people. And it's no inconvenience at all. I enjoy your company. We seem to have like a lot in common. Which way, Lance?"

  He was relieved that he did not need to find another way of getting to Moonwood. “Turn right at the intersection at the edge of the village and keep on that road until I tell you where to turn."

  As they turned into the driveway with a broken gate, Lucinda said, “Are you sure you know where you're going, Lance? This is like some rich man's estate."

  "It's called Moonwood. My friends, the Elluls own it."

  By the time they reached the mansion itself, the rain was coming down in buckets, lightning crackled almost continuously and thunder rumbled around the mountains. As Lucinda pulled up in front of it, a streak of lightning lit up the house.

  "Holy crap. What a dump. It looks like it's like falling apart. There's no lights on. Are you sure this is like the right place?"

  Flebert cleared his throat. “My friends are probably asleep. They go to bed early."

  Lucinda looked at her watch. It read eight ten. “Are you kidding? Nobody like goes to bed this early.” She turned off the engine. “I'll wait here. If you don't get in, I'll take you back to the village."

  "That's very kind of you."

  Before he could get out of the car, Lucinda grabbed him around the neck and planted a wet kiss on his lips. It was so pleasant, with her almost naked breasts pressed against his chest that he kissed her back just as ardently. They stayed that way for several moment. When they finally parted, Lucinda sighed and said, “So that's what it's like to kiss a movie star. I liked it."

  "I enjoyed our kiss very much too. You're a lovely girl, and I'm quite attracted to you. But I must go now. Perhaps, if you give me your telephone number, we can get together sometime."

  "You betcha.” She scrounged around in her purse until she found a scrap of paper and pen, upon which she wrote a telephone number. “It's my cell phone, so you can like reach me regardless of where I am."

  "Thank you.” He kissed her on the cheek and exited the car. He carefully walked up the broken steps on the porch and turned to wave at her. She had not started the car. He opened the front door and stepped in. The foyer was pitch black. He groped around until he found a light switch. It did nothing. Apparently, the electricity was off. “Oh shit. Let's see. If I remember right, the Elluls kept candles in a drawer on the hall table."

  He stumbled around until he found the table and removed a candle. Before he could light it, however, he felt a presence in back of him. He shuddered. He hoped that it was not the vampire, Sylvan Macrome. Soft hands covered his eyes, and a feminine voice said, “Guess who."

  It was Lucinda's voice.

  "Lucinda. What are you doing here?"

  "My car like wouldn't start. The distributor must've gotten wet. The door was open, so I walked in. But what are you doing standing in the dark?"

  "The electricity must be out. I was getting a candle. Have you got a lighter?"

  There was the sound of flint and the sudden light from the flame momentarily blinded Flebert. He put the wick of the candle to it. “The circuit breakers are in the kitchen."

  He led Lucinda into the kitchen and found the main circuit breaker. It had been turned off. He flipped it, and the lights came on in the room and the hallway. When he turned around, Lucinda was standing by the food preparation island admiring the carving knives. She picked one up and suddenly flung it at Flebert. It stuck in the wall two inches from his head.

  Flebert turned pale and cried, “Holy Christ, why did you do that?"

  Lucinda chuckled. “Scared you, didn't I? I once worked in circus. Only I was like the one getting the knives thrown at her. But my partner showed me how it was done. When he split, I quit the circus."

  "I could've had a heart attack.” He wiped sweat from his forehead.

  Lucinda came up to him, put a hand on his cheek and said, “I'm sorry. I'm like impulsive.” She gazed in to his eyes while standing so close that her breasts touched his suit.

  He smiled back at her. “I forgive you. But don't do it again.” He could not stay angry at such a lovely young woman. “There's a phone in the foyer if you want to call a mechanic to get your car started."

  When they returned to the foyer, Lucinda said, “Boy, this place is a mess. It looks like the inside of a haunted house. I'm surprised that these rich friends of yours don't like keep the place up better."

  "Well, uh, they don't really live here anymore. I've come here to help rescue someone."

  "Rescue someone? From what?"

  "A demon witch. She's holding my friend hostage in another dimension."

  Lucinda laughed. “Are you putting me on? A demon witch? Another dimension? C'mon Lance, what's the real story? Did you come here to like look the place over for a movie? Are you going to be in a horror flick?"

  "No. I'm serious. What's more, you need to get that mechanic out here as soon as possible. You're in deadly danger here."

  "Boy. You're good. You have such a serious expression, I like half believe your nonsense."

  Flebert was at a loss as to how to convince her of the truth of what he was saying.

  She turned to him and put her hand on his cheek again. “Say Lance honey, are we alone in this house."

  "I'm not sure. There may be vampires."

  She chuckled. “There you again. You like say that stuff with such a straight face. What do you say we go upstairs and find a nice soft bed?"

  He got her drift. He thought, Maybe if I make love to her, she'll call a mechanic and leave. “Okay Lucinda. I'm all for that.” He put an arm around her as they strolled upstairs.

  They found a bedroom with a bed covered with a sheet. After they removed the dusty sheet, they undressed. Although the only light was from the occasional lightning flash from the storm, Flebert noted that Lucinda had a gorgeous figure. She was just the type he liked, a little plump to fill out her curves nicely. They kissed and petted until Flebert was ready to penetrate her. She went on top. But before he could enter her, she suddenly was thrown to the floor.

  "What the hell!” cried Flebert.

  Lucinda yelled, “Get off of me, you fucking whatever you are."

  Flebert switched on a lamp. On the floor next to the bed, Isaac, the robot, was holding Lucinda down by the arms and kneeling on one of her legs. Her other leg was kicking the robot. In her right hand, Lucinda had one of the knives from the kitchen. She was trying to stab Isaac with it, tearing at the psuedoflesh of his arms.

  "Isaac, what are you doing?” cried Flebert.

  In a calm voice, Isaac said, “Stopping this woman from killing you."

  "Killing me? What made you think she was going to murder me?"

  Meanwhile, Lucinda was screaming bloody murder and swearing like a drunken sailor.

  "I heard intruders in the house. The sounds must have come from you and this woman. When I entered this room, you and her were having sex. Sh
e had that knife in her hand and was about to stab you in the chest until I pulled her off of you."

  Lucinda cried, “He's lying. I was just fooling around."

  Flebert recalled how close the knife had come to hitting him when they were down in the kitchen. “She must be a mad woman or possessed. Keep holding her, Isaac. I'll find something to tie her up."

  He ran down to the kitchen and found a roll of duct tape. He brought a straight back chair from the dining room. When he returned to the bedroom, the robot and Lucinda were still struggling on the floor. Isaac had managed to make her drop the knife. It lay on the floor nearby. Lucinda was trying to stretch her arm to reach for it.

  Flebert picked it up and laid it on the bed. He placed the chair near where the two were wrestling. “Isaac, can you place her into this chair?"

  "I will try.” Isaac picked Lucinda up by the armpits and set in the chair. Westcott grabbed one of her kicking legs by the ankle and taped it to the chair leg winding it around a few times and cutting it with the knife. While he did this, he received a few kicks in the head from her other foot. Luckily, she was barefooted. He grabbed her free ankle and also taped it to a chair leg. He had Isaac hold her wrists in back of the chair. He taped them together and to the chair back. He also wound tape around her stomach and the chair.

  "You fucking bastard, let me go. Now that I'm tied up are you going to try something kinky. I don't go for that crap. I'll have you arrested for kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment."

  "And I'll have you arrested for attempted murder. It now occurs to me that you deliberately made my acquaintance and got my confidence. You planned to kill me all along. You knew my name and that I was once in movies. I don't believe you've actually seen Blaster. Someone hired you and briefed you. You're a paid assassin."

  "Fuck you. Let me go.” She eyed Isaac. “Your savior there isn't human is he? I never met anyone as strong as him. And that face. He looks like a department store dummy."

  "He's a robot. Now, tell me who sent you."

  She laughed. “Why would I tell you that?"

  "I could torture you."

  Isaac said, “I could not allow that Mr. Flebert."