VAMPIRUS

WITCH'S SUPPER

Broderick found the cottage without a problem.  Although secluded, he discovered the witch's home by partaking of Blake's blood as the slight hint of the hog's spirit resided in his bloodstream having manifested during his battle with Nesdal.  And now Broderick stood openly against the cottage, projecting his presence so as to be noticed.

It didn't take long.  Clee, the head witch, opened the door.  Her expression showed no fear as she fastened her eyes on his.

"Hello, Broderick," she calmly greeted him.

Broderick nodded.  "Clee."

She stepped aside, inviting him into her home.  "Come in.  I've been expecting you."

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Clee handed him a bowl of her homemade vegetarian chili.  "Careful.  It's hot," she replied motheringly.

Broderick spooned a small portion and blew on it, placing it gingerly to his lips.  It was quite delicious.

"This isn't by chance tainted, is it?" he questioned with a generous smile.

"With my generosity," she returned.

Broderick sipped from his chalice of apple juice.  "Where are your fellow charlatans?"

Clee snickered.  "They're gone."

"They left?"

"They're dead."

Broderick's brows furrowed.  "What?"

"I killed them."

Broderick set his spoon down in the bowl.  "No you didn't."

Clee just stared at him.

Broderick searched her thoughts.  He was taken aback.  She wasn't kidding.

"You killed your own sisters?" Broderick asked incredulously.

"I wouldn't quite say kill," Clee considered.  "Just merely putting them to sleep is the more appropriate term."

"Sleep is a euphemism for death," Broderick replied.

"In some ways, yes," Clee agreed, taking a sip of her own apple juice.

"So what did you do to them?"

"I performed a ritual while they were asleep and cast them into quiescence," she simply answered.  "I regained my youth in the process and I'm content."

"Why did you do it?"  Broderick relaxed in his chair, drinking from his chalice.

"Their powers were suppressing mine," Clee answered, flinging a lock of hair over her shoulder.  "I believe they were trying to overpower me.  They were becoming greedy for power since that battle with the vampire Nesdal on account of Blake.  They were becoming dangerous and a serious threat to me.  I was afraid they were going to kill me."

"So you got them first."

"Correct."

After a brief silence, Clee leaned on the table, a questioning gleam in her eyes.  "Tell me the reason why you're hear."

Broderick opened his mind to her.  Clee slightly cocked her head to the side, nodding.  "I did nothing to your beloved Blake.  The two of them did."

"Do you know the reason why they did?"

"I, as well as them, practice the dark arts.  However, their love of the craft went too dark," Clee explained.

Broderick leaned forward, intrigued.  "Explain."

"They attempted to traverse the recesses of hell," Clee pointed out.  "They wanted to literally rule the underworld."