by Joe Vadalma
* * * *
The iron gate's lock finally opened to the unlocking spell Morgaine had given it. She swung it back and burst into the mausoleum. She held a forty-five caliber in one hand and pointed the beam of a flashlight at Raven with the other. Keith entered behind her. Raven raised a hand to shield her eyes from the glare.
"Well, well, Raven darling, we meet again,” Morgaine said.
"Get that light out of my eyes. Who's with you?"
Morgaine lowered the flashlight.
When Raven saw that it was Keith, she sucked in a deep breath, and her eyes misted. “Keith, what's the matter with you?” she cried. “Why are you helping Van Best?"
His reply was slow and ponderous, in an even chilling tone. “I belong to her now, Raven. Its all over between you and me."
Raven glared at Morgaine. “You've put a spell on him. What are you?"
"Would you like him back?” Morgaine said. “I could return him to you with a snap of my fingers."
Raven eyed her suspiciously. “For what price?"
"Nothing. I'm tired of him. He's really quite dull. C'mon, give me a hug, and we'll be friends.” She approached Raven with her arms out.
Raven backed away and ran into the secret room. When Morgaine and Keith followed her, Bachman revealed himself. He pointed his gun at them. “Drop your weapons and put your hands on your heads, you two. What did you do to Ms. Lenore?"
Morgaine and Keith dropped their weapons and raised their hands.
Although Raven crouched in a corner sweating and shaking, too weak with fear to stand, she replied for Morgaine. “Nothing. They haven't done anything yet. Just don't let her touch me."
He glanced in her quizzically. “Jesus Lenore, you say that they haven't done anything to you, yet you're acting like the ghost of Doctor Dee was about to eat you or something."
Raven muttered, “That woman's not human. She's a demon who wants to possess my body."
He shook his head in disgust. “I see. They threatened you with some new age voodoo. Well, I've got the drop on them now. So, quit worrying, I won't let her sorcer you."
"Who the hell are you?” demanded Morgaine. Angrily, she wondered why this person was here. His presence ruined her plan completely. She had hoped to trap Raven in the tomb alone.
"My name is Bachman, Major Albert Bachman, Retired, US Army. And you are Claudia Van Best? Raven's been telling me some wild tales about you."
"Yes. And what are you doing here with her?"
"I'm interested in is the robot. Ms. Lenore tells me that you have it."
"Suppose I have. What makes you think I'd hand it over to you? Who in hell are you? You've told me your name and that's all.” She smiled seductively. “Are you going to kill me if I don't tell you where it's hidden?” She puffed out her ample chest. “Go ahead. Shoot me."
"Oh now, don't get testy. I'm not a murderer. I'm willing to negotiate, swap something that you want for the robot. I am willing to pay you—let's say as much as one hundred thousand dollars—for it."
"Ahh ... that's puts a different light on the subject. But it's not money I'm after."
"I see. Are you like Raven here, into witchcraft and the occult? Maybe it's Doctor Dee's journal you want."
"Yes, I would like that. Do you have it?"
"Let's say that I know where I can lay my hands on it. Hand over the robot, and I'll give you the journal."
She laughed. “I'll bet you found that journal here. Where else would you have obtained it. And now one of you has it in their possession. Well, it's not enough. I want something else."
"What? Don't be coy. Name it."
"Her.” She pointed at Raven who cringed in the corner, shaking like a leaf.
"Don't let her touch me,” she whimpered.
"What do you mean you want her? In what sense? Do you expect me to allow you to murder her?"
"Oh no, I wouldn't harm a single hair on her head. I simply want to touch her, to embrace her."
Bachman looked at Morgaine as though she were mad. “That's all? So this a lesbian thing?” He scratched his head in puzzlement.
"No,” Raven screamed. “She means to possess me."
"I see. This has to do with the supernatural. Some of your magical mystic nonsense."
At that point George burst into the mausoleum waving the AK-47. “Everything all right, Major?"
"Fine, just fine. Pick up those pistols on the floor, and keep these people covered, including Ms. Lenore. Well Van Best, this will require some discussion. But this is not the best place for that. We need to go where we can sit down and talk. George, take Ms. Van Best and Mr. Borgenson back to the car. Ms. Lenore and I will join you in a couple of minutes."
Morgaine eavesdropped on their conversation using her demonic powers. Bachman said, “Okay Lenore, tell me the truth now; does she have the robot?"
"As far as I know. Are you going to trade me for it?"
He laughed. “Not a bad bargain from my standpoint. Do you really believe that she can take you over?"
"I don't really know, but I don't intend to find out."
"I see. Well, after I get the robot, I'll decide your fate. One other thing though; I'd like to know why that journal you stuck under your jacket is so important?"
"Well, if you think that the robot will make you a billion dollars, if what Ellul claims this contains is true, it could make you a hundred billion."
"Oh yeah, how's that?"
"According to Ellul, it holds the secret to eternal youth and longevity. In others words, it contains a formula that would allow a person to live forever and never age."
* * * *
Morgaine, Keith and George sat in the back seat of the Bronco; George held the AK-47 across his lap. Robert drove while Bachman and Raven squeezed next to him, with Raven in the middle. Bachman kept his pistol in hand. When they arrived at the warehouse, they piled out of the car. Bachman and Robert led the way while George herded the others. A thick fog had rolled in from the sea.
After they entered the building, Robert took over guard duty while George hunted for a table and additional chairs. George set a lamp with a dim bulb on the table. When that was accomplished, Bachman had Raven sit next to him with Morgaine and Keith across the table. The henchmen leaned against posts with guns drawn.
"Okay, down to business,” Bachman said after lighting an evil-smelling cigar and puffing out a cloud of blue smoke. “Ms. Lenore, if you please, hand over the journal."
"To hell with you.” Raven kept her arms crossed and her jacket zipped. “It's more valuable than the robot. Like I told you, it contains the secret of immortality."
Bachman's expression turned mean. “Says you. You wouldn't want Robert to take it from you forcibly, would you? He can get pretty nasty."
Robert's icy blue eyes gazed into Raven's. He smiled tightly. She unzipped her jacket and handed Bachman the precious document. Once it was in his hands, he set it down in front of him and said, “Now, Ms. Van Best, as I said back in the graveyard, I'll trade you this for my robot."
Morgaine smiled sickly sweet at him. “That is generous of you, but I also want Raven."
"That's what I don't quite understand. What do you mean you want her? To do what with?"
"I told you I won't harm her. I'll simply perform a little ritual which won't hurt her in the least. Since you do not a believe in the occult or magic, it would be completely meaningless to you.” She shrugged and stared at Raven. Things were going her way again. She figured that this Major Bachman was a fool.
Bachman's eyes narrowed. “And what is the purpose of this ritual. Pretend that I buy into all your supernatural crap."
"It is to purge the wickedness out of her. She's a witch you know. Ask her; she'll admit it."
He turned to Raven. “Is that true?"
"Yes, but witchcraft is not what you've been led to believe. Besides, she's obviously lying. If anyone here needs the wickedness purged from them, it's you, Claudia. Or perhaps you're nothing but wickedn
ess, evil incarnate."
"Okay, okay. You can perform your ritual. But I must watch—to make sure you don't harm Lenore."
Raven pleaded with him. “Don't let her do it. The harm won't be physical. It'll be my psyche, soul, mind, whatever you want to call it that will be damaged, perhaps gone."
He shook his head disdainfully. “Jesus Lenore, the stuff she's trying scare you with is a psychological parlor trick. It'll affect you only if you let it. Don't pay any attention to her shenanigans. Laugh at them.” He turned back to Morgaine. “Okay Ms. Van Best, it's a deal. Where and when do we make the exchange?"
"As soon as possible. But you cannot watch. Only Keith may be present. I'm sure he won't allow any physical harm come to his former girl friend. If you like, I'll take you to where the robot is hidden right now."
When Raven pleaded and argued, Bachman said, “Shut up, or I'll tape your fucking mouth.” He told George to tie her wrists and ankles before they squeezed back into the car. They drove to Mortlake and entered an ancient abandoned building. Morgaine led them into a dirt floor cellar with stone walls. It was lit by hundreds of flickering candles. In one corner stood the robot, still as a statue. Its clothing, wig and other parts of its disguise had been removed.
"There's your golem Major,” Morgaine said flinging her arm out in an expansive gesture. It also put a control spell on the hoodlums and their boss. In a commanding voice, she said, “Now give me Doctor Dee's Journal and have your men tie Raven to that chair and leave.” The chair rested on a great flat stone embedded in the floor. A red pentagram was painted on the stone. The four elements of the ancients were at four points of the star, a bowl of water, another of dirt, a lighted candle and an empty beaker with a stopper to hold the element of air. On the fifth point, the one at the top of the star from the perspective of the entrance of the cellar, a human skull.
Bachman handed over the journal, and George tied Raven to the chair. The three men had that same blank expression and zombie way of moving as Keith. Like automatons, they marched up the cellar stairs without the robot they had traded the precious book and Raven for. Keith, Morgaine and Raven were alone in the dank cellar.
Morgaine laughed as Raven watched them leave. “Yes Raven, they're under a spell and will do whatever I ask. But be happy. Soon Keith will hold you in his arms again. Although you'll be me.” She cackled wickedly and up held Dee's journal. “And with the secret in here, I'll live forever, human, young, alive for an eternity.” She gazed down at Raven. “I'll need your cooperation though. You must desire to have my aura enter you."
"That'll be a cold day in hell. How do you propose to force me? Torture?"
"Oh no, I wouldn't harm that precious body of yours for the world. Tell me Raven, do you love Keith?” Tears appeared. “Reply enough. Keith, Raven loves you despite the fact that you've betrayed her. In fact she risked her life, and possibly her soul, to rescue you from me. What do you think of that?"
Keith's eyes blinked as though he was fighting to come out of his trance. Nevertheless, all he said was, “That's nice. But it's useless."
"Why useless?"
"Because I ... I'm your slave. I must obey."
Raven asked, “Why don't you just do to me whatever it is that you've done to Keith and these hoodlums?"
"Because I need your full conscious cooperation. Also, my powers are more effective on males. Let us begin. Keith, take out your revolver. Okay, make sure it's loaded.” Keith withdrew the clip, examined it and slammed it back into place. “Now put the barrel to your temple and release the safety.” Like a somnambulist Keith obeyed, standing with the gun pressed against his head ready to blow his own head apart.
"No,” Raven cried in horror, “please don't make him kill himself."
"Well Raven, whether he pulls that trigger or not is up to you. Will you cooperate with me? Allow me to enter your body? I promise, it won't be as bad as you think."
Raven hung her head. “Okay Claudia, you win. My body is yours. I hope I get a terrible painful disease while you're in it."
"Oh, in that case I would return it to you as spoiled merchandise.” Morgaine cackled at her gallows humor and set about preparing the conjuration. She picked up a ceremonial knife, cut a vein in Keith's wrist and allowed it to bleed into a bowl. Keith simply winced, but did nothing to stop her. When the bowl was full, she set it down and bandaged Keith's arm. Meanwhile, two red lights came on in the corner of the room. Morgaine stepped into the center of the pentagram near Raven. As she recited a spell, she sprinkled blood over Raven. When she finished, she untied Raven's wrists and held her hands. “Now you must open up to me, Raven. You must allow me to come into you. To desire the change."
Raven shut her eyes tightly.
Suddenly the robot sprang forward, took the gun from Keith's hand, smashed it to pieces and grabbed Morgaine. She cried, “Let me go, you goddamn machine.” She thought, I'm having a really bad day. First that Bachmann interferes, then this stupid robot.
Keith stood in the same position with his hand to his temple with the gun at his feet crushed.
The robot dragged Morgaine away saying, “You are harming human beings. I cannot allow you to continue. You cut Keith's arm, and somehow caused him to almost shoot himself. You were about to harm Raven in a manner unknown to me."
"Let me go, let me go,” Morgaine screeched. “I wasn't harming Raven. She wants me to do what I was going to do."
"That's a lie,” Raven cried. “Keep her restrained while I get these damn ropes off and decide what to do with her."
Morgaine wasn't about to allow the detective to capture her. She caused every candle in the room to go out at once, throwing the underground room into absolute darkness, and used demonic strength to break the robot's hold on her. The robot said, “You are strong for a human being. Raven, she has escaped."
Morgaine ran out of the house followed by Keith who was still under her spell.
CHAPTER 15
DOCTOR DEE'S JOURNAL
Morgaine again used the crystal to discover Raven's, Melody's and Michael's plans. She found out that Dee's journal had alluded to something hidden in a house in Prague. Late in the afternoon the day after she and Keith arrived in that Czech city, they took a cab to the Town Hall square where they waited in a hidden area to see who would show up. It turned out to be Raven, who wandered around the area like a tourist interested in admiring every detail of the ancient buildings. She also gazed at the astronomical clock for hours. A Czech student noticed and hit on her. She flirted with him, but he left her after a while.
When the sky turned purple and the square emptied as the entrances to tourist attractions were locked up, Morgaine followed Raven down a side street and into an alleyway behind one of the ancient buildings. When twilight turned into night, Raven scaled the wall to its courtyard. Morgaine waited a few minutes, and she along with Keith played follow the leader. She watched as Raven entered a room on the second floor. She heard Raven chipping at the stone walls. Finally, something fell to the floor with a loud thump. Moments later Morgaine and Keith strolled into the dark room.
Raven slid her revolver from her shoulder holster. “Who are you?” she asked. “I know someone's in here."
Morgaine did not reply, but took another step toward her. Raven turned on the penlight and pointed it and the pistol toward the sound. Morgaine grinned at her.
"Oh shit,” Raven cried, “not you."
"Yes, its me. And serendipity, not only have I found you,” Morgaine said, “but I assume that box you removed from behind that stone contains something I've been looking for."
"Maybe, but you're not getting your claws on it. Don't move. My gun's pointed at your heart. Although I'd like to stay and chat, I'm afraid I have to leave.” With her penlight and pistol still aimed at Morgaine, Raven backed towards the door.
"Grab her,” Morgaine said.
Keith's strong hands pinned Raven's arms. She tried a judo move to break the hold, but it grew stronger. Keith's voice said i
nto her ear, “You don't think you could use a trick I taught you, Raven?” Under Morgaine's spell, it sounded dead and hollow. He twisted Raven's wrist, making her drop her pistol.
When Morgaine's long nails lightly touched Raven's cheeks, she screamed and pleaded with Keith, “Keith, please don't let her touch me. She wants to possess my body."
"I know love, but there is nothing I can do. I must obey her."
Morgaine placed her palms on Raven's cheeks and murmured a spell.
"You can't do it.” Raven cried. “You need the four elements and the skull. And blood."
"You're right. I won't be able to possess you right now. But I can make you my slave like I have Keith and those idiots who kidnapped you. Don't fight it. It'll only be harder on you."
Raven's sweating hands shook, and she grew limp in Keith's arms. Morgaine kissed Raven full on the lips and pressed her body against her. Raven cried out, “Oh Hecate, save me."
"C'mon, you two we're leaving here,” Morgaine said. “Follow me quietly."
Raven holstered her gun and followed Morgaine out the window. In the courtyard, Morgaine paused and gazed around to make sure no one was about, sprinted for the wall and leaped over it in a single bound. Keith and Raven followed more slowly since they needed to climb over it. The trio sauntered out of the alley onto the main street like three friends taking a stroll.
"Where to now, Claudia?” Raven asked.
"The airport. We're returning to England."
"England? Are we going back to the Orklands?” Raven asked.
Morgaine patted her on the cheek. “No sweetie, we're going somewhere else. I'll let you know where later."
"You've got everything you want. Why don't we return to the states?"
"You ask too many questions, Raven. It'll all come clear in the near future."
"Okay Claudia, you're the boss. I don't seem to have the ability to disobey you."