“Okay,” Ellen said before stepping away.
Everett and Megan followed Ellen to her room and watched as Ellen pulled out her Legacy volumes from her closet.
As Ellen was moving her volumes to her bed, Megan asked, “Can I help?”
“Sure,” Ellen said. “First we need to find all the volumes that were written between the years 1500 and 1540.”
“Okay,” Megan said.
Once all the volumes were on the bed, Ellen, Everett and Megan sat on the bed and flipped through the volumes for the correct ones.
The three located the volumes of the correct era fairly quickly, but it took an hour for them to find any reference on Heathcliff.
Megan was the one to find it before saying, “I got something. It says here that Heathcliff was the great uncle to… to whoever who had written this section. Anyway, he… Heathcliff was also known as the spiritual puppeteer… Oh my God!”
“Let me have that,” Ellen requested.
As Megan was handing over the volume, she gestured towards the paragraph that she was reading.
Ellen silently read what it said about Heathcliff before saying, “I second your, ‘Oh my God!’”
“What is it?” Everett demanded.
“Heathcliff was a master in astral projection…” Ellen was only able to get out.
“Astral projection is the ability that allows a living person to spiritually leave his or her body at will; walk about as if he or she is a ghost and then return to his or her body at will, right?” Everett questioned.
“Right, and as I said, Heathcliff was a master at it. Anyway, by using an incantation that he recited in a spiritual form, he was able to take over anyone’s body. Just before battle, he would take control of someone from the opposing army and create mayhem and chaos among his enemy, so when he and his men attacked, the outcome of the battle would be in his favor.”
“What does that have to do with what’s going on here and now?” Everett asked.
Ellen thought for a second before suggesting, “Leon Stone can astral project too. He’s controlling people the way that Heathcliff was capable of. He’s the modern day puppeteer.”
“Leon took control of my grandma’s body and made her walk out in front of that bus,” Everett surmised.
“And I’m willing to bet that Leon was also the one who had shot Peter Berkeley,” Ellen added. “Whoa! Wait a minute! Last night at the theater Gary told me that Karla has been doing a Mr. Hyde impersonation around this time of the month during the last few months. And according to him, she was doing that impersonation last night.”
“Who’s Mr. Hyde?” Megan asked.
“Mr. Hyde isn’t a person, but the evil side of a person when the good is removed,” Everett explained.
“‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ is a very old novel made into a movie,” Ellen added. “Dr. Jekyll drinks a concoction that he creates that transforms him into the evil Mr. Hyde.”
“Okay, I think I understand,” Megan said.
“I think I understand too,” Ellen said as she stood up with the book in her hand. “I’m even more convinced that Jessica and Karla are innocent.”
“I wouldn’t make that claim just yet,” Everett countered while standing.
“You’re judgmental towards them anyway,” Ellen accused. “So of course you wouldn’t.”
“And I hope you won’t allow your wanting-to-see-the-best-in-people to get in the way of you seeing the truth if they turn out to be hurting people without Leon’s astral projecting spirit’s influence,” Everett retorted.
“I won’t,” Ellen insisted. “And we need to let Harry know what we learned.”
“I’m right behind you,” Everett said before following Ellen out of the room. Ellen carried the book.
“And I’m behind you both,” Megan told them.
Ellen, with Everett and Megan at her side, took the volume to Harris. Once Harris read what Ellen had wanted him to know, he said, “Just like in Tony’s dream.”
“What dream?” Ellen questioned.
“Allyson didn’t tell you?” When Ellen shook her head, Harris continued with, “A few days ago Wendi had called and said that Tony dreamt that you and he were going from place to place while looking for Geppetto’s ghost.”
“Geppetto’s ghost?” Megan echoed. “Geppetto, as in the woodcarver in Pinocchio?”
“Yes,” Harris confirmed. “And within Tony’s dream, Ellen, you and he had found a puppet-like man, but that he had changed into a real man before you were able to get to him.”
“Harry, could astral projection and taking over a person’s body during astral projection be one of those trivial incantations that only require great focus and conscious thought?” Ellen asked.
Harris grinned before saying, “I believe so. And if not then your recent theory about him doing a vivacious incantation prior to his stroke would be plausible in this situation.”
“Leon Stone needs to be stopped,” Everett uttered.
“Yeah, but how do we stop a wizard who can turn anyone he wants into a puppet?” Ellen questioned.
“You begin with one of those incantations that Sadie had deciphered for us earlier in the week,” Harris supplied.
“What about those incantations?” Ellen asked.
“There is one that she hasn’t deciphered yet, but among the two that she had, one of them was a protection incantation against demonic possessions,” Harris explained. “And demonic possessions are actually nothing more than spiritual possessions.”
“So that protection incantation will work to keep Leon’s astral projecting spirit out?” Ellen asked.
“I believe it will,” Harris said. “Therefore, I’m going to give you permission to break that promise that you made my mom.”
Ellen gave Harris a confused look before saying, “The only promise that I made your mom is that one about me reading the Legacy volumes before I even look at the books on incantations.”
“The very same.” Ellen held her confused look before Harris explained, “Anyone who is attempting to keep out spiritual possessions has to participate in reciting the ritual, and the ritual is a vivacious one.”
“Who all can participate in the ritual?” Ellen asked.
“What do you mean?” Harris questioned.
“Everett and his family need protecting from Leon Stone too, but they aren’t witches or wizards,” Ellen began. “So can they participate even though they’re not witches and wizards?”
“Just one witch or wizard is needed to do the ritual and up to seven other people can participate,” Harris informed. “And those seven people don’t have to be witches or wizards. They will have to recite the incantation along with the witch or wizard though.”
“There are more than eight people who need protecting,” Ellen pointed out.
“Yes,” Harris agreed. “We’ll do the incantation twice. I’ll do it first while you watch what I do. Then you’ll do it.”
Ellen took a timid breath before agreeing, “Okay.”
“We need to contact my parents about this,” Everett said. “In fact, my mom should be home now.”
“We’ll talk to your parents,” Harris assured him. “However, I seriously doubt that we are on Leon’s radar at the moment, so there’s no need to rush.”
“If Jessica or Karla had told him about me, we might be on his radar,” Ellen suggested.
“You’re friends with Jessica and Karla though and you don’t carry the birthmark, so as far as Leon’s concern, you’re benign,” Harris informed.
“I don’t want to presume that and fall victim to Leon Stone,” Ellen said. “And how do we protect Sonya when she’s too young to recite the ritual?”
Harris grinned before saying, “A witch or a wizard can recite the ritual for him or herself plus one other person, so I was going to do it for me and Sonya.” When Ellen nodded, Harris continued with, “And to alleviate your guys’ worries, we’ll do this ritual as soon as possible. The ritual calls for
supplies though that we don’t have, so… it looks like we need to go buy them.”
“I’ll get Sonya ready to go,” Ellen said before turning and walking away.
“I’ll call Allyson and let her know what we’d learned and what we’re planning,” Harris said as he went towards the phone.
“Ellen, I’m taking this Legacy volume to show my parents,” Everett informed.
Ellen looked towards Everett, and when she saw in his face that he was unyielding on the subject, she slightly grinned and nodded while saying, “Okay.”
Sonya had just dozed off and when Ellen picked her up from her swing, she began to fuss.
“I know, baby girl, but we have to go somewhere,” Ellen said before singing along with the stereo in order to pacify her.
When Sonya stopped crying after a short moment, Megan supplied, “She definitely loves music.”
Ellen nodded before saying, “I’ve been told that Sonya’s mom was also easily calmed by the sound of someone singing.” Sonya overlapped Ellen’s words with her monotone sound. “Okay, Sonya. Okay.” Ellen then sang some more.
Ellen with Sonya in her arms, Everett and Megan waited by the front door during the time that it took Harris to get off the phone with Allyson, along with making a list of supplies that were needed for the incantation.
Ellen and Megan were singing in cadence to Sonya when Harris stepped up and said, “I’m set. Let’s go.”
Everett opened the front door and motioned for Ellen to leave out first. Megan followed Ellen out and then Harris gestured for Everett to leave out before him. Before Harris followed Everett out, he made sure that the door would lock behind them.
Harris drove to a bookstore that sold crystals, candles, tarot cards, incense, herbs and other items that can be considered mystical. After they bought the items that the incantation had called for, Harris drove to Everett and Megan’s house.
As Harris approached the house, Megan caught sight of Lance’s car in the driveway and announced, “Dad’s home too.”
“I see… and good,” Everett said.
Harris parked the car on the street and popped open the trunk for the stroller. After everyone was out and the stroller was pulled from the trunk, Ellen placed Sonya in the stroller.
Everett carried the Legacy volume as he led the way to the house. Ellen allowed Megan to push Sonya’s stroller as she and Harris walked beside Megan. The magic supplies were left in the car.
Once inside, Lance and Kristen were told about their speculation and then they were shown the Legacy volume.
Once Kristen learned about Leon’s possible astral projecting ability, she shared, “Darrin Parker was admitted into the psychiatric ward around three-thirty this morning.”
“Darrin Parker was one of the geniuses who we had interviewed yesterday,” Ellen quickly said.
“Which one was he?” Everett asked.
“He’s from the second house and he had an IQ of one hundred and forty-two,” Ellen said.
Lance sighed before saying, “Bridget and I had argued… and argued over the existence of witches and warlocks. She had wanted me to get involved by investigating Leon Stone, and I refused. And now… I can’t say that I fully believe, and even if everything that you told me is true, Leon hasn’t broken any laws that I can prove.”
“Only a wizard or a sorceress can stop him anyway,” Harris told him. “And although we can’t stop him, we can protect ourselves from being turned into his puppets.”
“How?” Kristen asked.
“There’s an incantation that protects against spiritual possessions,” Harris said. “I’ll perform the ritual and everyone who participates in the ritual will repeat the ritual words after I say them.”
“And this will keep Leon’s astral projecting spirit from entering our bodies and taking control of us?” Kristen asked.
“The incantation is actually new to me, but I was told that it will work by someone who I trust with my life,” Harris said.
“Dad. Mom. We need to do this incantation,” Everett insisted.
“We will,” Lance assured him. “Not that I’m convinced yet about any of this, but I am curious enough to see the ritual performed.”
“Don’t we all have to completely believe in witchcraft for the magic to work?” Megan asked.
“Your belief isn’t required for the witchcraft to be performed on you,” Harris began. “However, if you were the one who was performing the witchcraft… or—in this case— conducting one then your non-belief might make the incantation fail.”
“Ah,” Megan uttered in an understanding tone.
“Anyway, I would like to do the ritual at my in-laws’ house,” Harris said. “They need to be informed of this and participate in the ritual as well.”
“Alright,” Lance and Kristen agreed.
“We can go now,” Lance added.
“Okay,” Harris agreed before everyone began preparing to leave the house.
As everyone was leaving the house, Megan asked, “When are you going back to work, Dad?”
“Are you trying to get rid of me?” Lance teased.
“I’m just curious,” Megan insisted.
Lance amusingly grinned before saying, “Unless I get called in, I don’t go back in until Monday.”
Ellen fastened Sonya in her infant car seat before she put the stroller back into the trunk. She then got into the front passenger seat. Harris was already in and was starting the car when Ellen was shutting her door.
Lance, Kristen, Everett and Megan went to Lance’s car. Once everyone was set, Lance followed Harris to Martin and Paige’s house.
Allyson—while standing at Claire’s open front door— waved as Ellen and Harris were getting out of the car.
As Ellen and Harris waved to Allyson, Lance stepped up and pointed out, “That house belongs to Peter Berkeley’s widow.”
“Yes,” Harris agreed as Ellen went to get Sonya from the infant car seat. “Her name’s Claire.” Harris pointed to the next house over while continuing with, “My in-laws live there.”
“Why is Allyson at Claire’s house?” Kristen asked.
“She’s babysitting Claire’s autistic son,” Harris said.
Once Sonya was in Ellen’s arms and the car door was shut, Sonya began her monotone sound. Ellen rolled her eyes before pointing towards Allyson to distract Sonya.
“Look, Sonya,” Ellen said while pointing. Sonya just stared at Ellen’s finger. “Over there, Sonya. Over there. There’s Aunt Allyson.” Ellen changed from pointing towards Allyson to waving to her. Sonya just watched Ellen’s hand.
“I don’t think Sonya is grasping the concept of looking to where you are pointing,” Everett pointed out.
“Not at all,” Ellen agreed as she turned herself to where Sonya was facing Allyson.
“Let’s go,” Harris told Ellen. “Sonya can learn the concept of looking to where you are pointing later.”
“Okay,” Ellen said before she and the others walked towards Martin and Paige’s house.
Allyson shut the door and returned to the room where Spencer was making his drawings.
Once Ellen had entered the house with Sonya, Stacie— while singing—reached out her hands to take Sonya. When Sonya acted delightfully excited, Ellen handed Sonya to Stacie.
Once the introductions between, Lance, Kristen, Megan, Martin, Paige and Stacie were done, Harris explained things to Martin, Paige and Stacie.
Martin and Paige were familiar with Peter Berkeley’s investigation of Leon being a warlock, but they along with Stacie were taken back when they learned that everything about Leon was true and that Harris, Ellen and Sonya were respectively a potential warlock, a potential witch and a sorceress. Once the shock had worn off, Martin, Paige and Stacie agreed to participate in the ritual.
Claire was still on the road and everyone had waited for her to return before everyone went over to her house to include her and Spencer in on the ritual. Harris carried the magic supplies into Claire’s
house.
Once Claire had learned of Leon’s ability to astral project, she presumed, “Sally wouldn’t speak to me because Leon could’ve been spying on her… on us.”
“He could still be spying on us,” Megan suggested.
“Crap!” Ellen uttered. Everyone gave her a curious look. “The mirror’s in my purse and I didn’t bring my purse.”
“I have mirrors, Sweetie,” Claire pointed out.
“The one in my purse had been… charmed to reflect spirits and souls,” Ellen said.
Claire politely grinned and nodded in an understanding manner.
“Ellen and I were wondering if that kind of mirror was the kind of mirror that vampires can’t see their reflections in,” Everett supplied. “If vampires exist that is.”
“Witches, wizards and vampires,” Lance rattled off. “I had fallen into a horror movie.”
“The only thing missing are werewolves,” Stacie added.
“You know that werewolves are nothing more than venomous wolf-likens,” Megan supplied.
“Uh… so werewolves actually exist as well?” Stacie quickly asked.
“They do,” Harris said before explaining the liken incantation to the ones who didn’t know it.
Once the explanation was over, Ellen asked, “Harry, do you remember that mirror incantation?”
“We won’t need a mirror,” Harris said. “And if everyone is ready, I would like to begin that protection incantation.”
‘Absolutely’, ‘Of course’ and ‘Yes’ were what Harris had heard.
“The incantation requires me to draw out a circle, a pentagram and symbols,” Harris informed. “So is there a room in the house that I can use that it won’t matter if I mess up the floor?”
“The basement,” Claire quickly said. “I’ll show you the way.”
Claire gathered Spencer’s drawing pad and pencils, and then took Spencer by the hand. Spencer fussed while walking along with Claire. Everyone followed behind Claire and Spencer as Claire led the way to the basement.
Once in the basement, Ellen—while holding her copy of the words to the incantation—intensively watched Harris’s every move as Harris set up the incantation’s layout.
“We need Sonya’s car seat,” Harris said before completing the chalk circle.
Legacy Page 38
