by
D.C. McGannon & C. Michael McGannon
Charlie Sullivan and the Monster Hunters: Witch Moon
Written by D.C. McGannon and C. Michael McGannon
Front and back cover design by Matthew D. Smith – www.mdsmithdesign.com
Copy editing by Dale Cassidy – [email protected]
Book layout by Amy Gilbert – www.illuminated-pages.com
Copyright © D.C. McGannon, C. Michael McGannon 2013
Published by Wyvern’s Peak Books
An imprint of The McGannon Group, Ltd. Co., 2013
Charlie Sullivan and the Monster Hunters: Witch Moon / by D.C. McGannon & C. Michael McGannon – 1st ed.
Summary: After their battle with the Dark Prince, the Monster Hunters answer an overseas plea for help and soon become entangled in a deeper plot between three of the most powerful known witches in history.
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ISBN-13: 978-0-9854088-4-8
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the authors’ imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Except in the United States of America, this book is sold subject to the condition that is shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
www.MonsterHunters-TheBook.com
To Holly.
My bride, my love, my everything
You’re not going to believe what happens next!
D.C. McGannon
For Matt, Randy, and Heather, best friends and fellow story lovers.
C. Michael McGannon
In Memory of Our Beloved Grandpa.
Charles Gann, Jr.
1928-2013
Grandpa passed from this life to Heaven’s welcome this year. He was a true hero, and a pillar of strength to his family and community.
We celebrate his life, honor his memory, and are thankful for every moment we had to share with him.
You are missed Grandpa. We love you.
Glossary and Pronunciation Guide
Aisling – Pronounced ASH-ling.
Constructs – Automatons and creatures brought to life by magic. Examples include stone gargoyles, Exsecrifers, golems, and others. Can be created both by Greaters and Lessers to either serve or guard.
Dark Prince – The varcolac royal in The Varcolac’s Diary, responsible for terrorizing the town of Hunter’s Grove and trying to raise the Ancients. The effects of his personal goals and of his defeat are far reaching and still causing trouble for the Monster Hunters around the world.
Dub – Pronounced DOW. A son of Carman, one of the three most powerful witches.
Exsecrifer – Exsecrifers are Constructs that are imprinted with curses, which they place on anyone who comes into contact with them. In The Varcolac’s Diary, it was the Dark Prince’s Exsecrifer that bit Liev and cursed him to die a thrice death.
Faoladh – Pronounced FAY-oh-lah.
Greaters and Lessers – Typically thought of as the social standing of a monster, based on various characteristics from wealth, influence, magical power, physical power, etc. Whenever a Hunter is assigned to a job, they tend to deal with the Lessers and work their way up to whatever is giving it purpose. Typically, a Greater.
Hecate – Pronounced he-KAY-tee. The Witch Goddess.
Ley Lines – Veins of magic and energy that run through the earth. Ley lines can be found in both the human world and the Otherworld. When many ley lines intersect, a portal to the Otherworld can open. Also, ley lines can be used to carry protective spells, set wards and traps, and for travel at magical speeds by certain monsters.
Otherworld – The disjointed and chaotic world of monsters. Unlike the human domain, the Otherworld is made of drifting dimensions and magic. Certain pockets seem to be connected to locations in the human world, linked by portals and ley lines.
Portal – A gateway between the human world and Otherworld.
Sluagh – Pronounced SLOO-ah. Spirits of the dead.
For more fun facts, in-depth backstory, intriguing character profiles, and more within the world of Charlie Sullivan and the Monster Hunters, visit www.MonsterHunters-TheBook.com.
Table of Contents
Prologue: Hunter and Prey
Chapter 1: The Messenger
Chapter 2: Arrival in the Old Country
Chapter 3: The Road to Drakauragh
Chapter 4: The Hunters, Hunted
Chapter 5: Consequences
Chapter 6: The Pack
Chapter 7: The Alpha’s Trap
Chapter 8: Drakauragh
Chapter 9: The Witch Moon Rises
Chapter 10: The Curse Eating
Chapter 11: The Battle at Drakauragh
Chapter 12: A Bitter Return
Prologue: Hunter and Prey
“As the house burned to the ground, a shadow passed through the village. By morning, everyone was dead. It was the blind boy, see. They say he didn’t die in the fire—that he became something else under the witch’s spell. Something monstrous.”
Eldin paused dramatically, looking around the campfire. His audience was captive, their young minds filling in the details of his gruesome story all too well.
“The ruins of the village still stand today, though nobody will go near it. Some say you can still see his milky white eyes lingering in those woods at night, watching for his next victim.” He raised a finger, pointing to the woods right behind them. A few of the younger ones turned to look out of instinct. Little Mary screamed when she saw two glowing eyes peering out from the trees. The others jumped, shrieked, or felt the blood rush to their feet.
The figure stepped out of the trees and into the firelight, and laughed as he held up two book lights for examination. Eldin and his colleague grinned, as their duped audience turned to glare at them.
“Ah, that’s nothin’,” roared Jonathan Kelly. “We’ve all heard that one before.”
“You got one better?” challenged Eldin, as his partner in crime tried to turn the book lights into strobe lights behind Eldin.
Jonathan leaned forward. “I do.” He paused, then said, “Drakauragh.”
The fire seemed to dim just a little.
A girl with light hair leaned forward, glaring at Jonathan. “We aren’t supposed to talk about that, Jonathan.”
“Come on, Aisling. Afraid your grandmum is going to appear out of nowhere and tell us to mind our own?”
“No. I’ll do it for her. Mind your own. We don’t talk about…that place.”
Jonathan grinned at her, a dare twitching on his lips. “You’re not afraid of your grandmum…it’s her you’re afraid of, ain’t it? Drakauragh’s witch mistress. The Sagemistress.”
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“Don’t speak her name!” Aisling warned.
“When did you get to be such a scaredy cat?” asked Eldin.
“I’ve been to Drakauragh, and I know what’s happening there now. It’s nothing to speak lightly of.”
“They’re just ghost stories, Aisling.”
“No. No, this one’s different.”
Jonathan sat back on his log, crossing his arms in a superior fashion. “Come on. It’s not like she’ll sick any of her wolves on us or anything.”
The words had barely left his mouth when the group around the campfire heard something that made their hair stand on end. It was a mournful sound. One that was both agonized and enraged. It was the howl of a wolf, but a howl like no other they had heard. Deep and angry, it sounded like the question of an extraordinarily intelligent being.
As if that weren’t enough, the answering howl, maybe just half a mile away from them, was purely terrifying. It was a long howl, lasting for several seconds, then followed by two nearly identical sounds.
In fear, the entire group rushed into their tents, while Eldin doused the fire. Aisling peered through her tent’s canvas door for a moment, trying to hear where the sounds came from. She knew the wolves were supposed to be farther north. What were they doing so close to her grandmother’s mansion?
Two white eyes peering at her from the trees made her gasp and fall back into the tent. She threw the sleeping bag over her, giving her a false sense of security, praying whatever those white eyes belonged to didn’t have any interest in her.
Far off in the trees, Aisling and the others could hear what sounded like a hellish chase crashing through her grandmother’s acreage.
Tonight might not have been the best night for telling ghost stories, after all.
The messenger gritted his teeth as he rode over the rolling hills of sharp rock and green grass. His heart echoing like the frantic hoof beats of his horse, he steered the beast wildly, dodging trees that appeared like violent specters—or the wolves—from the swirling mist. He heard the alpha wolf’s initial howl, and the scout wolf’s hunting answer, which was too close for his comfort. Having ridden all the way from Drakauragh without stopping, his thighs were barely more than loose blistered flesh and his body ached as if he himself were being trampled under hoof. He knew not whether it was the threat of the wolf pack pursuing him or the importance of his message that drove him through the pain. He simply knew that he had to keep riding, until he made his way to what Nathan had called the airport… somewhere in the county of Sligo. And after that? Somewhere in America, called Hunter’s Grove.
A new succession of howls grated against the messenger’s ears, filling him with anxiety. A tree branch gashed his forehead and cheek open, and he cried out in pain. The messenger leaned forward and dug his heels into the horse’s sides.
He had a message to deliver.
The scout howled a question over a distance of miles, to where the Alpha Wolf stood perched on the crest of a hill, his crimson eyes open, but not seeing.
Should I pursue the prey? the smaller wolf was asking.
The Alpha took no time to consider. The horseman had to be stopped. He sent a gruff but long howl of confirmation, followed by a short bark of sorts.
Do it. I will be there soon.
The Alpha Wolf had faith in his pack. But he wanted to make sure the human was stopped. He knew exactly what the messenger’s intentions were, and he had not so quickly forgotten the five human fledglings that this messenger sought. It was the Alpha’s intention that the rider would not live to see the night through.
Behind him, his pack tensed and coiled their muscles, eager to hunt, to chase, to kill. He stood up with a low, cautioning growl, warning them not to get in his way. Then the Alpha dug his claws between the dirt and rocks, and propelled himself forward with powerful muscles. He flew off the side of the hill and landed somewhere in the dip of the valley below.
He hit the ground running.
Chapter 1: The Messenger
Knock, knock, knock.
There was a moment of shuffling from inside the house until Mrs. Vadiknov opened the door.
“Charlie, what a lovely surprise.”
Charlie smiled. “Hello Mrs. Vadiknov. Is Lisa here?”
A hollow expression passed over Mrs. Vadiknov’s face. She smiled, but it didn’t shine the way it used to.
“Da, she is in the library. I will get her.”
Charlie waited as Mrs. Vadiknov disappeared. He glimpsed a little monster dusting off the lamps in the living room and waved.
“Charlie!” squealed Dräng happily. “It gives me a happy to see you.”
“It’s good to see you too Dräng. Where have you and—”
He stopped midsentence when Lisa emerged from the library. Dräng winked heavily at Charlie and went back to the lamps, leaving the boy to frown in confusion.
“Hello, Charlie,” said Lisa almost formally. She held a huge book under her arm. Charlie tried to read the spine, but it was written in Russian.
“Hi Lisa,” he said, smiling.
“You wanted to see me?”
“Well, I was wondering where you’ve been lately. We haven’t seen you or Dräng at the Key at all this week.”
“I’ve been…busy.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Reading?”
“Yes, actually.”
Charlie sighed. He had a feeling he knew what she was reading about. “I’m on my way over right now. You want to walk together?”
“Well, I’m still in the middle of researching something—”
“I would very much like to go,” said Dräng, appearing from behind Lisa. “No more co-co-a in the house. We can get more?”
The little monster looked up at her with his biggest puppy-dog eyes, which were actually more frightening than cute. Still, it did the trick.
“Alright,” she said. “Fine.”
“Hooray!” cheered Dräng, jumping in place. He pushed Lisa out the door. “You two go ahead. I will follow. The kitchen calls to be cleaned.”
He grinned toothily and slammed the door in their faces.
“What,” Charlie asked, baffled, “was that about?”
“Beats me.” Lisa looked just as shocked. “So…what’s on Loch’s training menu for the day?”
Charlie smiled. “He rebuilt the obstacle course again.”
Lisa rolled her eyes. “Oh joy.”
As they walked through the neighborhoods leading to the Key, a disheveled boy waved at them.
“Hey guys!” Donnie called. “What are you two doing?”
Charlie waved back halfheartedly and said, “Nothing.” Lisa ignored him.
The former bully grinned. “Are…are you going on a date or something?”
“No!” the two shouted at the same time.
“We’re headed to the Key, Donnie,” Lisa said with exasperation.
“Oh, cool. Can I come this time.”
“Nope. Hunters only. Sorry.”
Donnie’s smile slipped as the two kept walking, passing him.
“Alright then,” he said. “Maybe some other time?”
“Maybe,” said Charlie, distracted. “See ya, Donnie.”
“Yeah. See you later.”
On their way to Hunter’s Key, Charlie and Lisa ran into Darcy and Nash.
“Hey, Lisa,” said Darcy with a big smile, running over to hug the other girl. “We’ve been worried about you.”
“Worried?” asked Lisa, looking stifled in the hug. “What for?”
Darcy stepped back, faltering. “Well, just…nothing, I guess.”
“We just want to make sure you can keep up with the rest of us,” teased Nash. “You know, since you stopped hitting like a girl so recently.”
Lisa threw a friendly but forceful punch to Nash’s
bicep.
“That confirms it,” said Nash, rubbing his stinging arm. “You’ve started hitting like a girl again.”
“Let’s just get to the Key so I can beat your time again on the obstacle course.”
Nash laughed as they made their way through the Gate of Foreboding, as they had come to name it.
A few minutes later, Hunter’s Key looked down upon them like a strict parent as they walked up the long driveway. A few weeks ago, the old mansion had looked to be the epitome of the haunted house on a hill. But under Elizabeth Witherington’s careful eye, the grounds were manicured, the great fountain had been cleaned out and was now full of snow, and the Key looked cleaner than it had in the last two years.
Of course, simple upkeep would not change the Key’s ominous personality. It just made it more of a home for the Monster Hunters of Hunter’s Grove.
The young Hunters were still poking fun at each other when they walked up the steps and made their way through the heavy front doors of the Key, but the merriment stopped there. Inside, Loch stood leaning against one side of the giant twisting staircase. His arms were crossed, causing his jacket to jut out at the bottom like wingtips. With a wild look in his eye to match his manic hair, he looked them over, a scowl on his lips.
“Lisa,” he said, managing something that looked like a smile. “Glad you could make it, girl. The team was getting shaky without you.”
She nodded. “Sorry, Loch. I had something I had to take care of.”
“Understandable. Now then, about the obstacle course. We’re not doing it tonight.”
“What? No way, why not?” Nash asked as Darcy, Lisa, and Charlie all let out the most quiet sighs of relief that they could manage.
“In lieu of the obstacle course, you will all have homework.” He reached over to the steps behind him, picking up a huge stack of tomes, and then dropped them on a table near the bottom stair. The table wobbled uncertainly as a wave of dust wafted out towards them. Charlie, Nash, and Darcy recoiled in horror. Lisa was giddy with excitement.
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