Worst Curse: A Ghostwalkers Journey, Book II

Chapter 17

     In a bed, encased in thick dark curtains, Pilo attempted to get some rest. Thinking Demini was still out there, trapped in the spirit realm, kept his eyes from shutting. With the sunlight out, it was nearly impossible for him to find her searching throughout the spirit realm. It's too easy to lose course, and extremely difficult to make out your surroundings with the sunlight bleaching the landscape. He wondered her state of mind, and if she was able to escape from the coven. Laying down for long enough, Pilo got out of bed and exited the bedroom.

     The High Priestess' estate was roughly sunlight proof. She enjoyed the dark as much as the company she kept. With dusk arriving soon, Pilo made his way toward the Priestess' study. Since within the walls, sunlight was scarce, Pilo was able to use his bat to carry him to the other side of the mansion. In an effort to be cordial, knowing he needed her help in finding Demini, Pilo exited the spirit realm outside her door, and knocked. There was no answer, and he didn't hesitate to knock again. After the third set of knocks, he entered inside to find it empty.

     Sitting on the first chair he found, he connected with his bat, and searched throughout the residence. When his search came up empty, he wondered what kind of head start they would need on him. Why would they leave him behind, and what were they planning? After the way things ended last night, he didn't think she would travel with Therion without having Pilo there for insurance. Nothing was making sense, and he slumped down in the chair. While pacing through the thoughts in his brain, he watched as the sun went down outside the curtain's seams.

     High above the floor, the ceiling topped the large study. In front of the window was a long dark desk with the only straight edges along the top frame. Tormented bodies and faces made up the edges, and large claw feet secured it on the floor. Two bone chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Book shelves lined the back walls, and all around the balcony level. A large cauldron in the back of the room stood off the ground by iron legs. More shelves led up to the cauldron, and stood beside it. Each shelf was full of vials and jars. Herbs and spices hung from the shelf ends. There were three sets of doors, and one up in the balcony.

     When the sun went down Pilo had some decisions to make. Being mobile presented him with options about where to go to next. His main objective was to eliminate Ladieta, and a part of him wanted to stay on task while she was in a weakened state. Being trapped, alone, in the spirit realm, for an entire day was long enough. He needed to locate Demini soon, before damage was done to her psyche. Feeling time was a factor, he stood and prepared to exit. Then a voice from behind startled him.

     "Where might you be off to," she asked.

     Pilo flinched, and turned to make eye contact with the High Priestess, "What in the witches gaze? If I had a heartbeat, you'd've made it skip...Where have you been?"

     "I had to take care of some things. I apologize for getting back behind schedule. I know I said I'd help you with finding Demini after assisting me last night, and I want to stay true to my word."

     "Starting something new are we?"

     "Now Pilo, don't be insulting," she said, looking away and brushing her dress off as she walked toward the cauldron.

     "You're right. I was just making a little fun. Have you been able to locate her?"

     "I can always locate her." She grabbed a vial from off the shelf while walking to the cauldron. Sprinkling some of the contents on the water's surface, she spoke in tongues while slowly waving her hand over the surface. A smoke formed at the edges, and the water began to swirl. With her other hand she pulled a gemstone from her pocket. The stone gave off a purple light, and she dropped it into the water. As the stone sunk, the light it produced created an image on the surface. Standing beside the cauldron Pilo stared at the image as it came into focus.