Of Witches and Warlocks: The Complete Series

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

We stood together, staring at the cottage before us. Hex and Vance continued to argue over which was the best way to approach the property and cross the wards. I rolled my eyes.

I'd quit trying to offer suggestions or intervene, because they just kept talking over the top of me. By this point, I was pretty sure they'd forgotten I was even there. It was obvious the two of them were going to come to blows if something wasn't done quickly though.

Taking a deep breath, I began swiftly walking toward the house, marching straight to the front door, and knocking loudly upon it.

"Portia, what are you doing?" Vance's voice groaned into my head when he realized I was missing.

"Taking care of the situation," I replied. "Now be quiet so I can concentrate."

The door opened a crack revealing what appeared to be the eye of an elderly gentleman.

"Yes?" he asked warily, glancing over me suspiciously.

"Hello, sir. Please forgive my unannounced appearance on your doorstep. My name is Portia Mullins, and I'm a witch. My coven and I have a psychic member who believes you may be in danger from a certain demon who wants to obtain a key that is in your protection." I waited, trying to seem relaxed while being on alert for any signs of an attack.

"You're too late," the man said, swinging the door wide open to reveal the devastation which lay inside. "He came during the night."

My heart fell as I turned to motion for Hex and Vance who were still outside the wards.

"Are you okay?" I asked the man, looking him over from the top of his bristly white hair, over his stooped, dirt-covered body, and down to the worn boots on his feet.

"Please, call me Earl," he replied. "And yes, I'm fine. I was away overnight getting supplies for my master. I'm just the caretaker."

"Is your leader here?" Vance asked, coming up behind me with Hex.

"The master didn't survive the attack I'm afraid, nor any of his coven. I've been working to bury the bodies out back." He turned and beckoned for us to follow him.

Stepping inside, I was amazed, not just at the level of destruction I saw, but at the amount of keys that littered literally every surface. They were on the ceilings, walls, shelves, floors, and any other flat space that could occupy some. It was incredible how many different kinds there were.

"What are all these for?" I asked, trying to fathom why someone would want so many.

Earl chuckled. "Some are to special places my master was guarding, others have uses, and some are simply collectables. The master was always accumulating keys of all varieties and from every era. He was enthralled with them."

"Looks more like a hoarder to me," Vance muttered under his breath, and I elbowed him in the ribs.

"It's a fascinating collection to be sure," Hex replied, sending Vance a quelling look as well. Vance responded with an over exaggerated eye roll, and it made me glad Earl had his back to us.

Moving through a small living room area, we entered a slightly larger kitchen space. This room had a door that revealed some very steep looking stairs that disappeared into the darkness beneath. Passing it, Earl led us to the back door, and we stepped into a screened in porch.

I tried hard not to gag at the burned, mottled looking bodies that lay spread out in a row on the roughhewn planks. It was clear Damien used Vance's gift of fire to destroy everyone.