Melinda seemed to be less on edge. More focused. And sadly, happy with Riley. No, it is a good thing, he reminded himself. Everything is as it should be.
“While we ponder the subject of the Soul Hunter,” he continued, “I’ve actually called this meeting to discuss additional concerns.”
They perked up, eager to hear what William had to say.
“In the matter of heightening our security here at the mansion, I’ve decided to make a few purchases on behalf of the family.”
“Of what?” asked Charlie.
“Gargoyles, for one,” William answered.
“We have one in the backyard,” reminded Michael.
“Yeah, and a lot of good it’s done,” jested Charlie.
William’s emerald green eyes gleamed mysteriously. “These gargoyles are a little... different.”
“How so?” asked Charlie.
“They are real,” answered William.
“Real?” the siblings questioned simultaneously. Emily cleared her throat, equally surprised.
“So they’d be like pets or something?” Melinda tried to understand. “Like roaming around the yard and stuff?”
“Not exactly,” William explained. “During daylight they are stone. Gargoyle statues if you will. Only by the light of the moon do they come to life. They live in the shadows, remaining unseen by the unsuspecting eye. And I assure you they are of no danger to anyone.”
“So like really big guard dogs,” reeled Michael.
“Of sorts,” said William. “There will be two at the front of the house and two stationed in the back. At night, they will patrol the grounds. They can sense the supernatural, each equipped to recognize true evil.”
“They can really do that?” exclaimed Melinda.
“So the research claims,” William explained. “It is said that gargoyles can see through any facade. That they can see a person’s true intent. Not unlike Michael’s empathy.”
“Except some people can learn to send out fake emotions, or I can read people wrong,” said Michael. “My ability is not a perfect test of what someone is truly feeling.”
“If what I’ve been told is true, these gargoyles will not have that problem. Sensing out true evil is entwined into the very being. It’s their reason to exist.”
“How do they learn to sense evil?” asked Emily.
“It’s their nature,” William responded. “Gargoyles were bred many long years ago to warn villages of approaching evil.”
“So they are sort of like guard dogs, but made of stone,” said Melinda. “And they only come to life at night. That’s astounding, William.”
He nodded in approval of her sentiment.
“Sounds like we should have done this years ago,” Charlie determined. “We’ll know if evil gets too close to the mansion. I’ll sleep a lot better at night…” he choked on his own words. Somehow, he doubted even gargoyles that could sense evil were going to stop his late night romps across The Demon Isle.
“A warning that evil is close, is the point,” expressed William. “In light of recent events, and warnings from the Guardian, Nina, I think we’d all sleep better at night knowing there’s extra protection around the mansion.”
“You don’t sleep,” reminded Michael.
“And in the past I believed that enough protection,” quipped William, casting a side-glance at Charlie. “I’m not always home. Sometimes I patrol. And even I can be caught unawares.”
“And sometimes you’re locked in the basement, for a cleansing period,” challenged Charlie. “Suffering from… withdrawals?” He lifted an eyebrow in the vampire’s direction.
William cleared his throat. “Or quite simply need to keep my cravings in check, now and again,” the vampire responded evenly. He knew Charlie was fishing for information but there was no way in hell he was going to admit what he’d done with Lizzy Deane.
Michael, Melinda, and Emily tossed inquisitive looks back and forth. What had they missed? They were aware William had spent a few days in his cell claiming he needed to voluntarily monitor his blood cravings…
Melinda’s breath caught in her throat. William had never done that before. She wondered why? Wondered if it had anything to do with what had happened between them. He had been his most distant since coming out of his cell.
“Times are changing,” exclaimed William sternly.
Melinda’s focused gaze returned to the vampire, listening intently.
“We must change with them whether we like it, or not. Safety is a primary concern, and one we no longer have the luxury of taking lightly.”
Charlie sighed. “I cannot disagree, William. When you’re right, you’re right.”
The vampire’s eyebrows raised in a gesture of agreement.
“Okay, so gargoyles guarding the house,” said Charlie. “Sounds like a solid plan in the making. When will they arrive?”
“In about a week.”
“Okay. So what else?”
“The gargoyles will only give the mansion security at night. We need to add additional security during the day...” William paused, hearing the Mack line ring from in the kitchen. The direct phone line between Mackenzie Briggs, the sheriff of The Demon Isle and the Howard Witches.
Charlie raced to grab it, speaking hello as he reappeared back in William’s study. Everyone waited to see what supernatural trouble was brewing now, but to their surprise, Charlie beckoned them to follow him back into the kitchen.
William, thanks to his super vampire hearing, overheard what Mack was saying to Charlie and darted into the kitchen ahead of everyone, turning on the TV. He flipped the stations until he’d found the right one.
“I’ll call you right back,” said Charlie, hanging up. “Mack said we need to tune into the local news. Says we have two potential problems on our hands.”
They turned and watched a local news reporter already in mid-conversation with a man, apparently a tourist.
“Welcome back. I’m Courtney Jessup, and if you’re just joining us, we’re about to speak with witness Thomas Kinney, on what’s turning out to be a fascinating first day on the job as Channel Four’s new Demon Isle Supernatural Investigator. The D.E.S.I. Report, for short,” she added with a wink. “Channel Four is now being broadcast across the entire tri-state area. Yes, that’s right folks. Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.”
Courtney’s hair was dark blonde, tied in a ponytail, and she wore a summery, above the knee skirt with a sporty jacket of bright red. It matched the color of her lipstick and shoes. Dark rimmed glasses lined her face, accentuating her dark blue eyes.
She was obviously not a local. No local would have picked her shoe choice; way too high spiked heels, on cobblestone. She’d be lucky not to break an ankle her first day on the job.
But it was the subject of her report that had the sibling’s mouths gaping. The D.E.S.I. Report… this Courtney Jessup was investigating the supernatural. They listened closely. Did this reporter have any idea that it was real? Or was this just to drum up business for the Isle? This could definitely pose a problem, regardless of the answer.
“Mr. Kinney... Thomas,” Courtney began in a calming tone. “You mentioned a strange and frightening looking man... where did you see this man?”
“On the beach, just over near the ferry landing. I was waiting for the ferry to arrive early this morning. It was just before sunup, and that’s when I saw him. And then he saw me,” he explained excitedly.
“Did this man speak to you?” asked Courtney.
“Oh, he more than spoke to me!” the interviewee replied with gusto. “He walked right up to me. Wore this crinkled looking top hat, which he took off his head... his ears were taller than anything I’d ever seen, and I swear they were pointed! He took a bow and said, ‘Good morning’ and then he smiled at me,” Thomas finished with a shudder.
“And what was so scary about a greeting and a smile?” questioned Courtney.
“His teeth. They were jagged, almost like they’d been fil
ed down to look like daggers.”
“Daggers, for teeth? And what happened after that, Thomas?” asked the reporter eagerly.
“He told me to have a nice day,” the man said, now sounding confused. “Can you believe that? But it got even weirder! He put his hat back on and just...” the tourist trailed off, shaking his head in disbelief.
Courtney raised her left hand (her right hand curled around a microphone), and gently touched the man’s arm, encouraging him to continue.
Thomas nodded. “In total honesty, the man vanished. I blinked, and he was gone. Couldn’t see him anywhere. Just... gone.”
“Truly, a fascinating tale. Thank you for sharing, Thomas.” She turned back to the camera. “And there you have it folks,” she spoke with conviction. “You heard it here first on Channel Four.”
She took a few steps towards the camera, her crew zooming in on her face.
“When I first agreed to take this job, I have to admit I was skeptical. But I think I’m going to enjoy my time here on The Demon Isle. Consider me your new eyes and ears to everything strange, crazy and unexplainable. If you have something you want to share, call the D.E.S.I. Report tip line, or send us an email; both are scrolling the bottom of your TV screens right now. You can also check out our new blog for the latest news, the link is on Channel Four’s website.”
She readjusted her glasses, tossing the camera a credulous grin. One that gave everyone watching in the Howard’s kitchen goosebumps.
“Have you seen this strange looking man with the pointy ears and daggered teeth? Be sure to contact the tip line right away. And be sure to tune in tomorrow morning for what I’m certain will be another intriguing report. This is Courtney Jessup, your Demon Isle Supernatural Investigator, signing off. Strike that!” she said, waving her hand. “I never sign off.”
The news flashed to commercial.
William turned down the volume on the TV, his brow furrowed.
“Well,” said Emily. “It appears that The Demon Isle has finally, and unfortunately in this case, taken a step towards modernization. Talk about the times are a changing…”
“She’s got a blog and everything,” murmured Melinda.
“To our aid, most locals probably have no idea what that is…” said Michael with an eye roll. It drove him crazy how behind the times the Isle was. “Hell, there’s still a few businesses in town that operate as cash only. Don’t even take a friggin’ credit card.”
“They abhor technological advances. As I do.” William actually liked that about the Isle. He felt more at ease.
Charlie gave them a warning snicker. “Regardless, that report is not for the locals.”
“No. I’d wager it’s not,” his brother agreed.
“Tourists may come here for some old fashioned charm,” started Melinda, “but every single one of them has their hands glued to a cell phone.”
“With camera. And video. And instant web access. I think you can get connected on pretty damned near the entire island now.” Emily shook her head. “Not going to make your jobs any easier. But I’ll keep my eyes on the blog. Assuming you guys want me to that is?” she tossed back at them.
“Probably a good idea,” said Charlie. “Thanks, Emily. Not sure what we’d do without your internet skills.”
“I don’t want to overstep my bounds, but it is nice to know I can help some kick-ass witches now and again.”
“You’re practically once of us,” noted Michael with a proud smile.
“And we’ll take all the help we can get,” declared Charlie with a grin.
“As long as their last name isn’t Deane,” whispered Melinda sorely. She sucked her lips and held her tongue. Only William would have heard, and she avoided his response.
Michael inhaled deeply, letting out the breath with a curious sigh. “Reporter was hired by Channel Four. Who owns that station?”
“I’m not sure,” said Charlie, glancing at William.
“I’m not privy to the information myself, but perhaps the sheriff might have some insight. My assumption is the owner is not a native of the Isle.”
“And it’s no longer just a local feed, it’s going off Isle, to the entire tri-state area,” mimicked Charlie. “Clearly an attempt to seek out tourists.”
“And what about the strange man that Thomas Kinney saw?” asked Emily.
“Prank would be my guess,” said Michael. “What better way to bolster a brand new report, or newly expanded newscast.”
“Do you think people would be gullible enough to fall for such a thing?” asked Emily.
“Have you seen Fortune Alley lately?” argued Michael sarcastically. “I don’t think they can squeeze in another tarot card reader, or magic shop.”
“Something like this was bound to happen, I guess,” said Melinda. “It really might just make our jobs even harder.”
“Regardless,” said Charlie, “we’ll need to look into this story, verify if it is just a prank, or if there’s any truth to it. I hate to say it, but what Thomas the tourist described, sounded eerily similar to a Feyk.”
“A Feyk, on the Isle? Ugh…” Melinda shuddered at the thought.
“Yes. Tricky bastards,” expressed Michael.
“And not something many would be familiar with. Especially those unaware that the supernatural actually exists.” William eyed them knowingly.
“Meaning there just might be some truth behind the sighting. And we’ll also need to investigate the investigator,” caught on Charlie. “See just how much this Courtney Jessup really knows about the Isle.”
“Why would Feyks come here now?” Melinda wondered aloud. “They haven’t been sighted on the Isle since…” Melinda caught herself and bit the side of her cheek angrily. Why don’t I think about what I’m going to say before it leaves my mouth?
Michael lifted his eyes in an I told you so manner. “You mean since the Deanes were still on the Isle, practicing dark magic?”
“The timing has to be coincidence. And that’s if this thing is even a Feyk. Or real! It might be nothing,” Melinda floundered in defense.
“Why don’t I go call Mack,” Charlie suggested, dropping the subject of the Deanes. The last thing he needed was a battle brewing in the mansion.
Melinda could have kicked herself for being so stupid.
Charlie picked up the Mack line. She skipped the usual greeting. “So whadoyaguysthink?” She sounded about as excited at the premise of more trouble on the Isle as they did.
“About Courtney Jessup or the sighting?” grumbled Charlie. “We’re not sure what to think really, other than it’s most likely a publicity stunt. I just hope this reporter knows when to keep her nose out of the wrong sort of business. We don’t need someone else to look after if she gets into trouble.”
“Or discovers the truth,” called out Michael.
“God. I hadn’t even thought of that,” groaned Melinda. “Wouldn’t that be a nightmare?”
Mack heard what they’d said. “Sounds like we’re on the same page. Not sure what to think yet either, other than we’re going to have our work cut out for us. So what about this sighting, think there’s anything to it?”
“Not sure, but you know us, Mack. We’ll check it out and get back to you. But hey, while I got you, do you happen to know who owns Channel Four?”
“’Fraid I don’t know his name but he’s not a local. Some retired newsman that bought a place here to vacation. Guess he decided to invest a little money in the local news. If I had to wager, I’d put my money on him already owning, or planning to buy, some of the businesses in town. Probably trying to drum up tourists, not that we need anymore.”
“Stir up trouble more like,” contended Charlie.
“I hear that,” agreed Mack. “Keep in touch with what ya find out.”
“Will do.” Charlie disconnected, scratching his head, unsure what to do next.
Part of him wanted to march right downtown and meet this reporter, get a sense of her intentions. Perhaps it was
more important to check out the possible Feyk sighting and see if there was any truth to it.
“What are you thinking?” asked Michael after a bit.
“First priority, check out the sighting,” Charlie decided. “Second, we’ll look into this reporter.” He caught William’s eye; the vampire gave him a sharp nod in agreement. “But we don’t all need to investigate this, so why don’t Michael and I handle it, and Melinda, you can stay here and help William.”
“With what?” she asked, aiming it at William.
“Research,” he answered. “Regarding your father and the Soul Hunter.”
“You find something new?”
“No. However, I have ideas on how to locate something new. Before we split up...” he paused, raising his hands for everyone to wait. “Not to get off track from our current endeavors, but it suddenly seems prudent that we should attempt securing the Isle’s perimeter. Not just our own boundaries here at the mansion.”
“The entire island?” questioned Michael with an incredulous frown.
“Yes.”
“Would you use more gargoyles?” asked Emily.
“I’ll have to think on it. At night they would shimmer into the shadows but it might look odd to suddenly have gargoyles posted in strange places all over the Isle.”
“Or maybe not,” said Melinda, half-joking. “Tourists would probably love it.”
William frowned. Additional curious tourists was not what he was aiming for.
“Gargoyles or not, it does look like securing the Isle might be necessary,” said Charlie. “Although, I’ve never heard of such a thing being done before. I wouldn’t even have a clue where to start.”
“Nor I,” admitted William. “But if things persist in the manner they have of late, even a small warning could make all the difference.”
“So you’re saying it would be like an alarm system?” Melinda needed to clarify.
“Yes. A warning system. Something to warn us when anything from the supernatural world crosses the borders of The Demon Isle. Whether evil or not, we would know.”
A Nightmare to Remember (Wicked Good Witches Book 5) Page 2
