Chapter 7

Let’s Party

 

Beth Stevens was hunched over her word processor hard at work on the latest batch of manuscripts she was editing when Heather came upstairs to ask for the family credit card.

“Mom?”

“Just a second, dear...” the light from the computer screen was reflected in her mother’s glasses, so Heather couldn’t read her eyes. “Okay... Okay. Now, dear, what did you need? I’m glad to see you out of that gloomy basement for a change. You need to get out more.”

“I was thinking the same thing mom. There’s this party I want to go to, and I need to go shopping for some more clothes. I need something nice.”

“Do we know who’s throwing this soiree?”

Heather hesitated. “Actually, I’m not exactly sure. A friend from school invited me. I know it’s being held at an old mansion on the northeast side of town. This is no high school party. It’s a formal affair of some kind and I need some really nice clothes to wear. Let’s go shopping in Soho. I know I can get something nice at one of the stores there. Come with me.”

“Heather, I’ve got a ton of work to do. I know we don’t do much together, but I respect your choices. You are old enough to do your own shopping, and you can go to the party if you can get Jeanine to take you.”

Yes! Heather screamed in her mind. She had gotten permission without lying to her parents for once, but she was seriously questioning her parents parenting skills. They trusted her way too much. Not that she was complaining. “Thanks, Mom. I’ll take the cell phone too, just in case. Oh, and I’ll just go home with Jeanine and crash at her place after the party because I’m sure it will run late.”

“Ok, Dear, Just use your head and keep safe.”

“I will, Mom. And, I’ll call for help at the first sign of trouble,” she reassured her mother.

Next, she went to her room and called Jeanine. “Jeanine, I need a lift to the subway station, so I can do some serious shopping. And I need another favor, too.”

“What are you shopping for?” Jeanine sounded interested

“Formal wear.”

“Ugh, sure I’ll give you a lift and take you home. Just call me when you’re through. What’s the other favor?” Jeanine sounded more cautious this time.

“You’re supposed to take me to a formal party, but I really don’t need you to come with me. Just drop me off and maybe pick me up. Oh, and tell my parents I am staying with you. Can you cover for me?”

Jeanine sighed before answering, “Great, now I’m covering for you. Sure. I cover for a lot of my friends. I guess I can cover for you too. So, what are you really up to?”

Heather lay back on her bed and looked at the ceiling. “Sorry, That’s need to know only.”

Jeanine paused. “I feel I need to know.”

“Fine, I’m hunting vampires.”

Jeanine paused longer this time. “Look, if you don’t want to tell me that’s fine, but don’t pull my leg.”

“Okay. But, first things first. Shopping.”

When Heather returned from Soho, she was in possession of a black sequined floor length gown that was slit up the side, a black handbag that concealed a holster for her snub nose revolver, and a pair of platform, black high heels. She also purchased some dangly cross earrings with diamonds in the tips. She knew that vampires like to wear unblessed crosses as a sign of contempt for religion. She also had a wide black ribbon to wear as a choker that had an onyx and silver broach attached to it.

Heather worked on her makeup and magickal skills during the week leading up to the vampires’ party. She felt her illusions were almost impenetrable, and the spell that concealed her humanity was flawless. She had never felt more ready to face down a hoard of vampires, which is not the same as saying that she wanted to hobnob with a bunch of bloodsucking undead.

On the night of the party, Simon appeared at the top of the stairs to the basement. He gazed at her with his golden green eyes. He sat there with his tail wrapped around his paws. So, I see you are going through with this charade.

“Yes, I am.”

Nervous?

“Of course.”

He gave her a look of approval. Don’t be. You are well prepared for this. Just don’t waste your magick frivolously. Save it for when you really need it.

“I know I’m limited in my magick. You needn’t remind me of that.”

I have a gift for you. Take my collar. It stores mana that flows along the ley lines. Stand on one and it will recharge.

Her gave him a sly look. “Okay, but what’s the catch?”

No catch. I just want it back when you are done with it.

She wrapped the ruby spangled collar around her wrist as a bracelet. “Honestly don’t know what to say.” She could feel the power flowing through the bracelet.

Simon’s voice took on a soothing tone in her head, You don’t have to say anything. Just come back in one piece and don’t lose my collar. Mana stones are hard to find these days.

”Well, I’ll say thank you anyway.” She scratched Simon behind his ears and he purred.

Happy hunting. I sincerely hope you don’t get turned into a real vampire.

“I hope so too. I’m not even sure it’s possible given my condition.”

It was well after sundown when Heather had Jeanine drop her off at the gates of the gothic mansion on the hill. The drive up to the front of the mansion was lit up like a Hollywood gala, but windows were shrouded, and light was dimly filtering through.

Jeanine said, “Are you sure you want me to leave you at this creepy place?”

Heather paused before she said, “Yes. I’ll be fine. I’ll call you if I need backup.”

“Are you looking for trouble?”

“No. I’m just doing some routine research.”

“Heather, you are the only person I know who goes to a party to do research.”

“It’s a bad habit of mine: sticking my nose into other people’s business.”

“Well, I hope you find what you are looking for.”

“Neo gothic blood cults.”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

“That explains the vampire getup. I’ll go park down the road. I have a suspicion I’ll be bailing you out later tonight.”

“Thanks.” Heather got out of the car, and took time to adjust her spells before she walked up the drive.

There were several elegant automobiles lining the driveway, along with some sportier models. Black was the primary color, and tinted windows were the order of the day.

Party guests were lining up at the majestic front door. A chime sounded nine times and the oaken double door was thrown open and allowing the guest to filter into the foyer. Heather joined the throng of humans and vampires as it surged forward into the house.

The grand foyer had a curving double staircase and a huge crystal chandelier whose bright prisms refracted light throughout the room into tiny rainbows that danced across every surface of the room. Heather could hear the music of a string quartet filtering in from the main hall.

The guests were greeted by servants in red livery who took the coats from those that had them, and hailed the guests with “Come, All are welcome.” The servants ushered the orderly throng into the main hall where several people, the hosts, were already waiting.

A beautiful woman with blond hair and pale blue eyes that had a predator’s gaze stood by the doorway leading into the hall. She wore a white, linen pants suit with a black, turtle neck dickey. One hand held a wine goblet while she was shaking hands with some of the guests with the other. Her fanged grin made Heather uneasy as it reminded her of Monet’s. The woman addressed Heather as she passed by her. “Hello. You are a new one here aren’t you? Where are you from little one?”

“I was sent here from Chicago,” Heather said in her most neutral accent. She was weary of being talked down to by adults even though they might be lifetimes older than she was. She mustered her sense of decorum and said “My name is Heather, Ma’am.”

“I welcome you to my party, Heather of Chicago. I hope you will enjoy yourself and stay for the evening’s entertainment. I am Dorthea Sween.”

Heather weakly grasped the other’s clammy hand and made her way into the great hall and wandered amid the crowd listening to snippets of conversation.

She noticed an older gentleman in a smoking jacket and what looked like purple silk pajamas make his way over to Dorthea and whisper in her ear. Dorthea smiled brightly and nodded as he finished.

Heather was almost jostled by a servant carrying a tray of silver goblets and wineglasses, and she hesitantly grasped a goblet as he passed. She looked at the red viscous liquid in the cup, and she realized she shouldn’t drink it. It was blood mixed with wine.

As Heather was passing a group of adults whispering in harsh tones, she caught a bit of the conversation.

“...really, if a bunch of kids can break our most sacred law and risk exposing us to the humans...” said a dark haired woman.

“Now, Vanessa. It hasn’t been proven...” said a man with dark hair and beard. He wore a Polo shirt and khaki cargo pants.

“Julian, they are your kids. Of course you are going to give them the benefit of the doubt. The rest of us have to rely on the minor fact that the slaughtered humans were found in their crypt. It points to the truth that your brood just couldn’t curb their instincts and got all of us in trouble.”

“They haven’t been formally charged...”

“They ran. They haven’t been caught yet, and your protective attitude hasn’t swayed many of us.”

Another man gestured to Heather. “You, there. What do you think about our renegades?”

“Really don’t know, sir. I just got in from Chicago. What do you think?”

“I think our kids are running wild, and we need to capture these three and bring them to justice to show everyone that they can’t get away with trampling our Bloodoaths.”

“But, what if they were proven innocent?”

“Julian, here, would love to see that. I’d like to see someone try.”

“In that case, I’ll have to get back to you.”

After a few more conversations like this, Heather could see Jazzman and his friends would have little chance of getting a fair hearing among this crowd. She could also see that the vampires took the murdering of humans to be a serious offense, so she couldn’t justify just killing them all. With an ambivalent heart she pulled Julian aside.

“What do you want girl?” said the slight man forlornly.

“I want to know why you think your children are innocent.”

“All parents know their children just as I know mine. I know mine are innocent. They are not Oathbreakers.”

“But, can you prove it?”

“If only I could.”

“I’d like to help. Who do you think framed them?”

“I don’t know. I wish I did. But, why would you want to help me?”

Heather whispered under the sound of the string quartet. “I feel they may be innocent, and I’d like to prove it.”

“Child, if only you could! If I were you I’d look to higher members of my clan. They seem to be most adamant in passing judgment against them and me.”

Heather turned and surveyed the crowd. Elegantly dressed vampires stood in circles with equally well dressed humans, and the humans seem to hang sycophantically on to each word the vampires uttered. She recognized many humans as being from the upper crust of the human world. Politicians and starlets mixed with new and old money families amid the bloodsuckers. They seemed to be enthralled by the whole affair.

“So, Julian. How exactly do you plan to keep yourselves secret if your guests are so high profile.”

“You truly are a child. These humans are bound to us by the same blood that binds us to this mortal coil. They are our servants and proxies in the main stream world. Don’t make the mistake of asking anyone else that question or they will think you a fool at best.

“Now, if you are truly here to help me stay out of my way.”

“But, your children.... They contacted me. They were on the run, but safe the last time I saw them.”

“That gives my soul some rest. Maybe we’ll have time to clear them yet. Now, go somewhere else, and watch what you ask.”

Heather backed quickly away from Julian, and nearly bumped into another servant carrying goblets. She switched the one she was holding for a fresh one.

She vacated the room that was full of adults and went back into the main foyer. She noticed that the ballroom was darkened but lit up with flashing lights that pulsed in beat with trendy, edgy music. From the foyer she could barely hear the music, but as soon as she crossed the doorway she found the music to be deafening. As she scanned the doorway for magic she found a silence charm on the doorpost.

Most teenaged revelers writhed on the dance floor, but Heather could see more figures huddled in groups on the sidelines which were strewn with gaudy overstuffed pillows. Here there were no goblets being passed but the younger vampires were feeding directly from the throats of their cohorts in the throws of what looked like a passionate embrace.

As she made her way around the room she saw a group of human girls with razor blades who were taking turns cutting the flesh of their arms and licking at the blood from the wound. A doe eyed brunette offered her arm to Heather as she passed, but Heather shook her head rather emphatically and kept on moving. She found the whole scene rather distasteful.

She was on the verge of leaving when she noticed the sign glowing under the black light behind the DJ stand. It read: “Free the Suffolk Three!” Apparently, Jazzman had quite a few supporters among the younger family members.

Heather exited the ballroom and found herself in the foyer again. She had grown thirsty while wandering around and almost made the mistake of drinking the blood wine in her goblet. She paused for a moment and passed her hand over the goblet several times as she murmured until the contents became clear water. This drink she downed quickly.

Back in the great hall a buffet line had been set up filled with sumptuous delicacies. She figured it was for benefit of the mortals, but she noticed several vampires were at the buffet filling their plates.

She entered the serving line determined to get a ham sandwich out of this crowd at the very least. After passing through the line she came out with two Cornish hens and pile of mashed potatoes. She nibbled on the food as more servants came in carrying two throne-like chairs and placed them on a dais at the front of the room. There was a hushed whisper running around the room at this new addition. Heather saw Julian go paler than he normally was.

Dorthea and the man in his pajamas took their seats upon the thrones. Heather noted that the man in pajamas now held a cane in his hand. He tapped its metal tip on the ground thrice for silence. Dorthea smiled and made an announcement. “The Baron has something to say.”

“Bring her forward,” said the man in pajamas who Dorthea had called the Baron. As he motioned toward the side door, two rough looking men led in a slight girl in heavy chains.

The girl was crying and screaming, “But, I didn’t do anything! Let me go! Let me go!” She struggled against the chains but to no avail.

“Now, Dana, behave yourself. I’m trying to introduce you to our friends.” The Baron stood and faced Dana. “My friends, we have captured one of the Oathbreakers. Before we stake you out to meet the sun, may we get you to tell us where the others are hiding?”

“No! I mean, I don’t know and I wouldn’t tell you if I did!”

“Guards take her to the roof and stake her. Maybe a nice long look at the moon will loosen her tongue.” The guards led the struggling waif out of the room.

Heather felt like a ton of bricks had fallen on her. She thought she might have days to properly investigate this case, but she now realized she had only hours if she was going to save Dana’s life.

But the Baron hadn’t finished talking, “This morning you will see justice served. You will see how we deal with renegades in our ranks and that we will not tolerate the senseless slaughter of humans.”

“Shove it in your ear, Baron! You know as well as us that Jazzman and his friends are innocent.” A tall, thin young man had entered the hall. He wore a leather trench coat and had blue spiky hair.

“Well, friends, that is my nephew Lobo. Thank you for your opinion. Now, go back to your dance floor and leave this matter to the adults.”

Lobo stared hard at his uncle before turning on his heel and walking away.

Heather followed him into the foyer. “Wait a minute. If Dana is innocent then who has been killing the humans.”

Lobo stopped and turned toward her. “One of the adults, of course. My uncle the Baron knows who, but he wants to make it look like we youths are out of control just so he can crack down on our independent natures and bow to his commands.”

“Well, what do we do now?”

“I don’t know about you, but my friends and I are going to mount a rescue. We can’t let Dana suffer for the sake of some old codger who can’t keep his fangs to himself. Want to help?”

“I’m going to prove who did this once and for all so Dana and her friends can go free.”

“I wish you luck then. I don’t have time to help you with that project. You might want to check out the Baron’s room. It’s on the top floor all the way to the right. Check out the journal on his computer. We’ll be freeing Dana as soon as we can.”

“Can you give me time to investigate before you do anything rash?”

“It will take about thirty minutes to get everything ready. I can give you that long.”

“That’s not much time.”

“It’s all I dare give you. Get going.”

Heather nodded and headed up the curving staircase to the second floor. She looked around at the oaken paneled walls for the next staircase while she gathered mana within herself.

She saw an elevator about midway down the hall to the right. She decided the risk was worth taking and cautiously approached the door. She hesitated before she pushed the button checking to see if the elevator was already in motion, but it was stopped on the forth floor according to the panel of lights. She pushed the button and the car started to descend. When the doors opened she quickly entered and pushed the top floor button which was labeled “Five.” The doors closed before anyone else came up to the second floor, and Heather was on her way up.

When the door opened she carefully peeked out to the left and the right. The hallway was empty to the left, there was a burly vampire, in a black suit, guarding the door at the end of the hallway to the right.

She quickly stepped out of the elevator and said “Excuse me, but where is the bathroom.”

The guard seemed startled by her sudden appearance but he quickly recovered his wits. “No guests are allowed on this floor. Use the one downstairs. Now, get lost.”

Heather let the elevator doors close behind her as she readied her spell. “Oh, I am so sorry. I didn’t know.” She put her index fingers and thumbs together while fanning her other fingers. She focused her mana on the space between her fingers, and there grew a brightness in the space. She aimed her Ray of Helios directly at the guards head and released the massive energy of the spell. The vampire didn’t have time to scream as the sun-like bolt caught him full in the face and turned his head to ash. His headless body dropped to the floor. Heather strode forward toward the door, but almost stumbled as the spell had left her light headed. She staggered up against the wall breathing heavily. She was still in a bit of shock from actually killing the guard. She had only meant to blind him. Her spell was more powerful this time.

When she came to her senses, she saw there was a keypad near the door to the Baron’s room. “One day I’m going to learn a spell to unlock doors,” she said to herself.

She took a compact of powder out of her purse and powdered the keypad. She carefully blew off the excess dust so that only the most used keys were highlighted.

“Now I’m guessing...” She punched the numbers in order from the top down. The red light on the keypad remained steady and the door was still locked. She tried the keys in several different combinations, but after five minutes the door remained locked. “It was never this hard in the movies. Guess I’ll have to try something else.”

She glanced around the hall to make sure she was still alone before putting her hands together and pulling them apart so that sparks arched between her fingers. She pointed to the keypad and the sparks jumped into it. There was a sizzling sound as the keypad shorted out, and the door swung open.

“It worked,” thought Heather excitedly. She hadn’t expected it to be so simple. She grabbed the dead guard by the arms and drug him into the room behind her.

After a quick look around the room to make sure she was alone, she dispatched the body with a sunlight charm. Her Ray of Helios had left her feeling weak, so she drew upon the power in Simon’s collar. The body and clothes burned away into ash, and within minutes, even the ash was gone.

The room was divided into a luxurious bedroom and a spacious study complete with a library of leather bound books. The room was done up in bright reds and gold. The walls had a velvet look to them and the bed was stacked with soft satin pillows.

Heather spotted a laptop in the open roll-top desk. She went over to the computer and found it was logged in, so she started searching for journal files. As she navigated the directories she came across ones labeled “Private” and “Finances.” She tried searching private files, but she found they were password locked.

She started hunting around the desk for slips of papers that could hold the key password. After flipping through a pile of old post-it notes on the desk and scouring the drawers, she finally located a piece of paper taped to the underside of the pullout shelf. It read: “root demonprince666.”

Heather logged out of the current session and logged back in as root, the system administrator. She gained access to the directories but was disappointed as she quickly scanned them. Nothing incriminating appeared to be in his logs; however, one name kept popping up over and over: “Lord Basilar.” Apparently, this person was someone in authority over the Baron, but she could not quite understand their relationship.

Next, she started scanning his email and came across several messages from a basilar@dominion.hellonearth.net that seemed to be congratulating him on a job well done and praising him for his loyalty. She headed for the Baron’s sent messages and struck gold.

From: Baron123@nightlink.com

To: Basilar@dominion.hellonearth.net

Subject: unwanted attention

My Dear Lord Basilar:

I have eliminated the interlopers as per your instructions. I understand how much you value your privacy. The three human investigators were getting too close to the truth.

I have pinned their deaths on some of our more rambunctious youths. Unfortunately, they ran away before my hunters could apprehend them. I now plan to provide their information to other hunters, both human and vampire. I have left a bloody trail for them to follow.

They will either be captured or killed soon as they are too young to survive on the run for long. If they are captured, I will, as head judge and paterfamilias of my clan sentence them to death, but I feel that the hunters may eliminate them for me.

I pray that your plans are going well and will be compleated without further intrusion or disturbance. If you need my assistance in the future, I will be ready and eager to serve you.

Your Servant,

The Baron Von Brook, of the Suffolk clan of the Hampton coven.

Heather saved the email onto a 1.44 floppy disk along with Basilar’s replies then made a second copy for herself. She felt sure this email would clear the names of Jazzman and his friends if she could get it into the right hands, but who should she give it to? Her only solid ally was Lobo, but he was about to wreck his credibility by staging a rescue attempt. Perhaps Julian would know who to give it to.

She headed back down to the main hall just as several black shapes swooped from the ballroom and headed up the stairs. “Lobo and his friends,” thought Heather. She spotted Julian in the hall looking morbid among the throng of happy vampires and their excellent guests. She hurried over to him and stood next to him while she whispered to him under the sounds of the string quartet.

“I can prove they were framed by the Baron himself. This email has his confession of the crime. It should clear your kids.” She handed him a disk. “I hope this will convince Dorthea to call off the hunt.”

“Thank you, I don’t even know your name.”

“Heather is my name, but you may call me Soror Nox. Here’s my card. If you really want to thank me just pass along some information on a Lord Basilar.”

“Who?”

“He’s mentioned in the email. Tell me if you find out anything about him.” Heather smiled and turned to exit the room. She made her way through the sea of revealers to the foyer.

Heather pulled out her cell phone and hit Jeanine’s speed dial button for her car phone. “Meet me out front. Hurry.” She said to the groggy Jeanine who answered.

“Be right there,” she mumbled.

Heather walked fast down the driveway. When she looked back she saw five shadows flitting down the roof into the trees and onto the ground. A few moments later Lobo and Dana appeared before her.

“Did you do it?”

“Yeah, I found out the villain was the Baron himself and gave Julian a copy of an email he sent saying so. I imagine you’re off the hook or soon will be.”

Lobo looked uncomfortable. “But, why would my uncle slay humans himself?”

“Does the name Lord Basilar ring any bells? He seemed to be working for him.”

“Not a thing.” Lobo looked toward the house. There was a commotion at the main door. “Look, we are going to lay low again until this thing blows over. Thanks for your help.”

Dana hugged Heather and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Heather felt her face grow red under her pale illusion.

“Well, I’d better get out of here before someone figures out I’m the cause of all this. Good luck to you and to Julian.”

Dana and Lobo melted back into the shadows.

At that moment, Jeanine pulled up to the gate and kicked the passenger door open. “Get in.”

Heather obliged and climbed into the passenger side. “You can take me home now.” She dropped her disguise spells as soon as the door was closed.

“I thought you were coming over to my place.”

“Home. Your place. It’s all the same right now. It’s two o’clock in the morning and I need some sleep. It’s been one of those nights.

Jeanine pulled the car away from the gate at a rapid pace.

“So, did you learn anything?”

“Yes.”

“Make any friends?”

“Maybe.”

“Any enemies?”

“Two, at least.”

“Busy night.”

“I may have a mess to clean up. We’ll see. I might have to come back. Right now, let’s just head home.”

***

Two nights later Heather received a call on her cell phone. She pulled the bulky handset off its charger and answered it.

“Hello, Nox?” It was Julian.

“What happened after I left?”

“The Baron was sacked as the head of the clan after Dorthea read that email you gave me. He’s going to be executed as soon as we can find him. He escaped in a cloud of red smoke.”

“I see. Any leads?”

“Just the one. Lord Basilar is a Demonic Prince. I’d be watching my back if I were you.”

“Don’t worry about me, but thanks for the head’s up.”

“Good luck to you Heather.”

“Thanks, again.”

As soon as Julian was off the line, she called Shin. “Sensei, have you ever heard of a demon named Lord Basilar”

“Yes. I have heard of him. He is very powerful and dangerous. I fought him once, but I failed to defeat him.”

Heather had trouble imagining Shin losing a fight to anyone. “I think I may have gotten on his bad side.”

“That is not a good thing. Come see me tonight. I’ll send Josh with a car to pick you up.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Heather pulled on her fatigues and combat boots and threw her trench coat with it’s arsenal on over her sweatshirt.

Going out again, Heather? Looks like you’ll need my collar again. You have company waiting for you on the lawn. Simon was looking out the window.

Heather took his collar and looked out the window. “I don’t see anything...”

Look closer.

Heather formed an inverted triangle with her thumbs and forefingers. She looked through the space in between. On the front lawn she saw the fuzzy, staticy outlines of two ethereal skullcats. She opened her third floor window and made an upright triangle this time.

Bright light pulsed from her hands as she erased the first shadow beast. The other beast sprang from its ready position and raced across the lawn toward the house. It started to climb the trellis. Heather drew mana from Simon’s collar and repeated her gesture. The cat beast made a hiss like an untuned television and fell back to the ground.

Heather followed up with another volley of Helios light beams, and they sliced through the skullcat like a laser. The beast shriveled up and died on the spot.

The effort of combat brought Heather to her knees. Simon waved his tail and finished off their corpses with two fireballs.

She had been lucky she hadn’t attracted any attention with that display of power. “Any more?”

No. But I still have the feeling we are not alone.

She went downstairs to wait for Josh. She parked herself on the couch beside her mother who was watching a movie on the internal projection TV.

“Are you going out tonight, dear? Take an umbrella. Your father said he thought he saw flashes of lightning a few minutes ago.”

“Okay, Mom. I’m going over to Shin’s for a bit. Josh is coming to pick me up. I shouldn’t be gone too long.”

“Are you thinking about joining the sparring competitions again?”

“Maybe. Shin wants to talk to me about something. I’ll see what comes up.”

“I really wish you would. You need something physical to balance out your studies and extra-curricular activities.”

“Mom, I spar at the gym. I don’t need to compete to stay healthy.”

At that moment, the doorbell rang. Heather went to the door and peeked out the peephole. She saw Josh’s face smiling at her. She opened the door to let him in.

“Evening, Heather. Evening, Mrs. Stevens,” said Josh. He was dressed in a dark blue jogging suit that had white stripes on the sleeves and legs. “You ready to go, Heather?”

“Yeah, Just wait here a second, I’ve got to check on something outside for a moment. She slipped out the front door behind Josh and let her eyes adjust to the darkness. Josh’s Fiat was parked at the curb and the two elm trees towered in the front yard. It was cold enough this night so that she could see her own breath.

Heather formed the inverted triangle with her hands again and scanned the area for more invisible nasties. She was relieved to find that she was alone at least for the moment.

She stepped back inside. “Okay, we can go now.” She grabbed Josh by the arm to drag him away from a potentially embarrassing discussion with her mother. “Bye, Mom. I’ll be home later.”

Josh joked with her as he normally would as they drove along the highway to Manhattan, but Heather could tell he was nervous about something.

“Okay, Josh, let me know what you’re really thinking.”

“Uhm. I was just wondering what you did to piss off a Demon Lord.”

“Long story. I’ll tell it to you sometime, but I think he noticed me first. I’ve been having a little trouble with his pets for a while now.”

“Heather, that’s not good.”

“I know. I’m hoping Shin can help me out.”

“Yeah, if anyone knows what to do it will be Shin.” Josh grew silent for the rest of the trip.

Josh cruised through the maze-like streets of Chinatown like a professional, and he brought the car to a halt in an alleyway behind Shin’s Dojo. Shin was waiting for them just inside the doorway. He was dressed in his saffron and green robes and a split legged skirt called a hamaka. He waited as Josh and Heather pulled off their shoes in the entryway and put on slippers.

“I’m glad you made it here safely, Heather. I was worried about you ever since you called. Basilar is not someone I would have chosen as your opponent. We must be careful now that he has taken an interest in you.”

“I take it he has an unlimited supply of those pets he keeps sending after me.”

“He has many legions and many allies.”

“Okay, I assume you have a plan. I can’t keep blasting those things forever.”

“Indeed. I have a plan.” He brought out a stack of paper talismans inked in red. “Place these on your doors and windows. They will protect you from his minions.”

“So what do I do when I want to leave my house?”

He produced another stack of talismans, this time inked in black. “These will dispel any other worldly beasts on contact. I only had time to make you ten of these so don’t waste them. They only work once.”

“Thanks. These help in the short term. What’s the plan for getting me out of this mess? When do I get to fight Basilar?”

“You, my dear student, do not get to fight him. I will be your champion and engage him in combat. But, first he has to show himself. Josh and I will be keeping an eye on you waiting until he tries to make personal contact with you.”

“Now, I feel like I’m being babysat.”

“That’s only because you are,” said Josh.

* * *

Acea waited on the lawn across the street from the Stevens’ house along with her crew of five girls. The Blue Pentagram had been keeping watch over Heather ever since she had battled the first skullcat at the school. Acea was getting tired of waiting in the cold just as Josh’s white Fiat pulled up in front of the house

She took out her communicator as Heather walked up the path to her front door. Acea knew they would be invisible to any detection spells she might use. Pentagram equipment was made for keeping tabs on mages. “Acea, here. Target has returned home. No sign of pursuit.” Acea had been quite surprised when Heather had quickly disposed of the two skullcats so easily that evening.

Acea wondered just who this girl was that she would be assailed by lesser demons as well as tailed by Pentagram agents.

Hibiscia motioned to her magick sensor. A protective barrier had just gone up around the house. “I wondered how long it would take her to do that. It looks like she is using some magickal seals to keep away demon pests.”

Rhia and Rosa glanced at each other through their adept’s masks, but Smilax was the first to voice the question: “Will it hinder us as well?”

“No,” Acea replied. “Our mission is to observe any activity coming from the house. We shouldn’t actually have to go in.” Acea informed central about the new barrier. “They say our relief should be here within the hour.”

Rhia, Rosa, and Pyria fidgeted a bit.

“I’m ready to go home now,” said Rosa.

“I know it’s been a long day for us with a lot of waiting. We have to follow her to school for the rest of the week, so things will be more involved.”

Acea hoped for the sake of the team that things wouldn’t become too involved. She didn’t want to get caught in a magical battle between Heather and a group of lesser demons.