Whichcraft (previously entitled Gothic Moon)

As soon as Olivia walked into the research facility, the security guards approached her with the news that the building had been robbed but they didn't know which articles were missing until she examined them herself. She gripped her silver necklace, falling short of stopping herself from pulling it from around her neck in anger. Olivia stood in the middle of the large Ancient Antiquities room and examined all the artifacts. Her heart fell when she saw the glass holding case with the panel door open and the wooden pedestal devoid of any artifact. Gone were the objects that could open the portal to the other side.1

The authorities were on their way. What was she going to tell them? A book, a vase, a candle, and several sticks of incense were taken? Items, if used together, could cause a shift in the universe and cause a portal to open? Nice. How believable.2

“Excuse me?” a deep voice resonated from behind her. Lost in thought, she didn't even know anyone had entered the room. She turned to face the police officer sent from the police department. He stood six foot four and fit his blue uniform perfectly. His chiseled face held a confident and authoritative look as he surveyed the room. 3

Olivia never felt conscious of her looks before but standing in front of this handsome man, she seemed conservative in her navy blue slacks and blazer with her chestnut hair pulled up in a bun. “I’m Officer Andros and I’m here from 21st division. I had an opportunity to look around and there doesn’t seem to be many things missing, ma’am.” 4

“Ma’am?” she thought. She was only twenty-nine and didn’t feel the need to resort to such language. She walked over to the cop and pointed at his little notebook. “You haven’t looked very hard then. What was taken was very important. Obviously, the person who took my things knew exactly what to take. You should be writing notes and finding out how they got in here. This is a secure location and it shouldn’t have been breached.”5

“Could it have been someone from the inside?” he asked, tilting his head downward to speak to her face to face. 6

She swam in his eyes of green and golden brown. He gave off a light musky fragrance when he leaned so close to her. The light fabric of her chemise under her blazer felt hot against her skin. “I don’t believe so. You’ll have to question the people who were working tonight, I guess. By the way, my name is Olivia. Olivia Jacobs. ”7

“Where were you tonight?” he asked, pen in hand, waiting for her answer.
“I was at home conducting some research. I came by tonight because I found out something interesting about the artifact that was stolen and I wanted to check it out but I guess it isn’t going to happen tonight, is it?”8

“What was actually stolen, Olivia?” She liked the way he said her name. Many people pronounced her name as if it started with an A, but his accent made the O sound rhythmic.9

“Over there,” she started, pointing to a wooden pedestal to the right of the room. “Was an ancient book of spells, The Demontia. It was found in an underground archive in Salem, Massachusetts. It was believed that there was a coven of witches who wanted to raise a demon to get revenge for all the innocent women killed.” Walking to the front of a glass-shelving unit, she pointed to seven empty spaces. “And over here, held a unique vase, an ancient candle known for the use of conjuring, four incense sticks, and a platinum medallion on a gold chain. It is said that the wearer of the medallion would have the power to control the demon once conjured. However, you know what happens in history, Mr. Andros. The conjurer usually gets possessed unless there is some sort of protection.”10

The officer smiled and shook his head. “Sounds like a bunch of mumbo, jumbo to me.”11

If his smile wasn’t so sweet, she would have slapped him silly. “Laugh if you will, officer but do you know what would happen if someone used all those items in unison? You may not believe in the paranormal, but we could be in serious trouble. The uniform of yours and the gun and stick beside you won’t help us if anything happens to get into this world.”12

He stiffened nervously as if he thought her words were a prelude for someone grabbing his gun. She watched his muscles stiffen under the fabric. Olivia wanted to know if he was as built as he appeared to be under the official uniform of the Metropolitan Toronto Police Force.13

“Are you going to interrogate me, Mr. Andros, or are you going to continue to look around?” she asked, loosening the bun on her head so her hair fell down just past her shoulders. The tight knot was giving her a headache and she had to think. "The disappearance of the group of artifacts was not a mistake. They were taken for a specific reason. Today is July 18 when the moon is at its fullest and I have to check my research books for any rituals that may be performed tonight."14

“Call me Alexander.” He responded, tucking away his notebook and reaching for his phone.15

“What a strong name. A defender of men. It fits your profession.” She smiled. “But I would rather not have you storm this place with cops. There are a lot of precious and expensive items in this room.”16

“It wasn’t my intention, Olivia.” He answered. “I was going to get someone down here to check for prints.”17

“We don’t have time for that. If I don’t figure out what is so important about tonight, looking for prints will not be important.”18

“I don’t know what you people are doing down here but I have a job to do.” Alexander stated. “And I need to call someone in.”19

Olivia entwined the silver chain between her long, slender fingers. Its cool touch brought her comfort. She studied his authoritative stance. His taunt legs slightly apart and his hands on his waist alongside his utility belt, reminded her of the heroes through history. Her studies in anthropology and history kept her head in a book but her skin felt flushed when she had to engage in one on one conversation with a member of the opposite sex.20

"Relax, Mr. Andros. You'll do your job. I need your help. Don't you help others as well as serve and protect?" 21

"We can't do this alone." He answered, putting away his cell phone.22

"Well, unless you know someone versed in universal dimensions and underworld methodologies and ancient history, we're all we've got."23

"What about your colleagues?" he asked. "I've gotten statements from three co-workers from the front office."24

Olivia walked to a large wooden shelving unit which stood from floor to ceiling. She dragged her fingers over the titles until she grabbed a thick book and pulled it out. "They're not my equals, they're the night staff. All they do is sneak outside and smoke, no wonder we were robbed. Besides, you did say it could be an inside job. How do I know they weren't involved? I could call Roger as a reinforcement but he lives over two hours from here and we don't have much time." 25

Alexander looked around nervously. "What kind of danger are we in here?" he asked, placing a hand on his gun. "What are you, a witch?"26

She grit her teeth, walking to the counter with the book. "I'm a paranormal historian, a professional, a researcher but I am not a witch." 27

The pages whipped by as she roughly flipped through them until she stopped at a diagram. It showed a picture of a square with each of the four corners connected with a thick incense stick. In the middle sat a vase with a candle glowing brightly inside it. It was the set up for a summoning on the night of a full moon. "This is it."28

"What?" he asked, getting in closer so he could examine the drawing as well.29

She started to twirl her silver necklace again. He was too close. His musky odor was overwhelming. She stepped away. "The diagram and with the missing items, it's capable of being used to conjure spirits or poltergeists to create havoc but that's not much to be afraid of. Once the full moon returns, they're forced back to their realm. Conjuring even a low level demon is dangerous." She looked over at the officer, staring at her anxiously and gripping the countertop. He looked like he was ready to take orders. "I've got to find something that will counteract this and you've got to scour the premises looking for more clues."30

He seemed anxious but was glad he had something to do. His years of training as a police officer would keep him from getting into trouble. When he smiled at her, she turned her eyes away. Her stomach turned and twisted into knots and a feeling of nausea swept over her. She drew in a deep breath. "I'll be alright." She said, shooing him to the door.31

Olivia left the book open and glanced up at the clock. There were two hours left until midnight. She flipped through the pages again and stopped at a magical phrase. Her finger followed each word as she read it to herself and confined it to memory. Then she heard his footsteps and shut the book.32

"I couldn't find anything." He said. "The night watchmen really don't know anything more except to keep an eye on this place until 8am when the researchers come back in the morning."33

"Well, you're quick, Alexander." Olivia said. "Did you find anything? Anything that would help?"34

"One of the men said there was a room in the basement. It's more of a storage room but it's worth checking out. If this was an inside job, it's more than likely something would be going on down there."35

"It doesn't make any sense. If someone were to take anything, the thief would be long gone. Why would they risk doing anything in the same building?"36

"You're the paranormal history buff." Alexander smiled. "You tell me."37

Olivia returned his smile and started to think. His eyes sparkled and his whole face gleamed as he waited for her response. "I guess it's because this building is a central point, where we harness the most power."38

"That's right. If you're right about all the paranormal stuff, this building must hold some special nuance. Plus, you would never go back to look at the same place the items were stolen. It's like going back to hide in a place that has already been searched."39

"So what are we going to do?" she asked, crossing her arms in front of her chest.40

"We're going down there." He answered. "Do you have a key?"41

Olivia walked over to her leather handbag and pulled out her keychain from the small front pocket. She unhooked a large key from a group of other keys swinging from the steel ring and threw it in his direction.42

He caught it and Olivia followed him out of the room.43

They ran down the wide marble stairs to the basement with Olivia directing him. The last level was dark but she found the light quick enough and illuminated the corridor. There were unopened cardboard boxes littered on the floor and some doors stood open leading into more darkness.44

"We don’t use those rooms very often. The storage room is at the far end." She said, pointing ahead. Then she held his arm and pulled him close to her. "Alexander, you should go back. You don't have to do this. I think you should call for reinforcements."45

"We don't have much time." He said, keeping his voice low. "Besides, if I was to use my phone, we'll be overheard. It's best to take them by surprise."46

Olivia bit her lip, nodded, and let him go. She followed close behind him, looking both ways to help watch his back. When he arrived at the end of the hall, he tested the doorknob and found it locked. Quickly but as quietly as he could, he used the key to open the lock and then returned it to Olivia. He put his finger to his lips and slid his gun from its holster. He pointed to her and then pointed to where she was standing. He wanted her to stay put so she leaned against the wall and waited for him to do his job. 47

Alexander cautiously entered the dark room, and a waft of an undistinguishable sweet smell filled his nostrils. With his gun pointed out in front of him, he swung it to the left and then to the right. When he didn't see anything right away, he walked further into the room. Ahead of him, he saw a flickering light and heard the shuffling of feet. He kept his weapon raised and moved slowly forward.48

He recognized the scene from the book Olivia showed him. There was a large square diagram drawn in some sort of chalklike substance, possibly charcoal and at each corner was a thick incense stick already lit and burning. The light he saw entering the scene was the vase with the glowing candle sitting in the middle.49

There were three women in the room each standing at a point of the square. They were all dressed in flowing white diaphanous robes and each wore a silver necklace. In the dim light, the candle cast shadows so he could see the silhouette of their bodies underneath. 50

One held a thick book in her hands. When she looked up, he noticed a gold chain around her neck and from it, dangled a platinum medallion. She glared at him and then glanced at the other two women in the room who were standing at the other ends of the square. She nodded to them slightly but they didn't move. 51

He held up his gun and pointed at each woman in turn. "Please put your hands up and no one will get hurt." There was only one spot missing to make it an equal four to complete the diagram.52

"It won't be necessary, Alexander." Olivia said from behind him. He never heard when she locked the door. "I don't think the facility is going to press charges."53

When he turned to face her, he felt something soft, like powder, massage his face. Dizziness overcame him and his hand felt too weak to hold his gun. She uttered words he didn't understand as he collapsed under his weight and fell to the ground.54

It seemed like moments until he awoke and found his wrists and ankles tied securely with silken rope. He was lying in the middle of the square with the candle burning brightly above his head. 55

"You're kidding me!" He shouted, trying to wriggle free. He looked around and found Olivia had completed the circle. She made up the fourth member and stood at the last corner of the square. Her white sheer gown hugged her body. If he weren't in such a predicament, he would have enjoyed the view. "Why are you doing this, Olivia?"56

"I'm sorry but I had no choice." She explained, looking nervously at the other women in the group. "This year marks the coming of the demon and we were chosen to introduce it into the world. I didn't want to. Really, I didn't."57

"Olivia, that's enough!" Yelled the one who held the book open in her hands. "It is almost time."58

"If he is to be the vessel to hold the great one, he should know of his purpose should he not?" Olivia asked, pleading to them for a chance to explain.59

"She's right, sister." One of the others said, also turning to the woman who held the book, but eager to go on with the task.60

"Fine." She answered, irritably, waving at her to continue. "We don't have much time so get on with it."61

Olivia winced as she watched him lying on the cool ground when he had come to help her and keep her from harms way. She felt guilty and tried to warn him when they first came downstairs but he was too eager to find the perpetrators. They needed a young, healthy, strong male who would withstand the amalgamation with the demon they conjured tonight. Someone like Alexander.62

"I'm sorry I mislead you. I wasn't lying when I told you those items were taken, I just knew who took them and it is dangerous to summon a being from the underworld but the silver necklace we wear will protect us. You should feel lucky you were chosen to hold his soul. It won't hurt for long and then you'll be free." She explained, and then her skin flushed when she continued. "I was also chosen to mate with the demon when he enters this world so we can produce a hybrid. I am honored and I await his presence in you."63

Alexander laid his head back. These people were crazy and he cursed himself for walking into the world of psycho on his watch. As he listened to the chanting that began and watched the shadows dance around the room, he hoped these women were just insane and in the morning, he was going to wake up drugged and hospitalized. To think he was attracted to Olivia when she turned out to be a nutcase. 64

He pushed his wrists against the black silk bonds but they held fast. For a fabric so soft, it was extremely tight and strong. The women's voices seemed to sooth him somehow and all attempts to escape drifted away. Alexander's head spun. His heart raced and he could feel his body heating up. His muscles tensed and pushed at his skin as if he was expanding. His clothes felt tight and he could have sworn the fabric tore away from his body. Pain seized him but only for a moment. His brow furrowed in nervousness but the emotion was soon replaced by solace and then by arrogance. His eyes burned red like fire as he broke the bonds and sat up with a sneer. 65

Alexander looked at each woman surrounding him until his gaze fell on Olivia. She smiled at him and he grinned back. "Come forth woman." He commanded, holding out his large hand, beckoning her forward. His deep voice resonated in the room as the last of the ceremony was completed. He was not himself, but felt power course through his bones and blood like nothing he had felt before. He retained the knowledge of his earthly life but was also imbued with all things dark and inhuman. He drew Olivia to him. Her feminine hand seemed small wrapped up in his. "You will make history by my side and produce a son."66