THE TAROT LADDER

Chapter 1

It was an unusual christening., Anselm Trask thought as he prepared to conduct the service. The daughter of an over two hundred years old witch, and the Collinsport sheriff. The father was gay, and worse, the current lover of the witch's ex-husband, who was a vampire.

He'd better not think more about it, since it was hilarious, and it would not do if he were to burst into laughter in the middle of the service.

Specially when you considered the tragedy that had befallen the Collins family. David Collins was lost to the forces of evil, if not of Darkness. He had been claimed by entities which were bright and cruel, and who wanted to make him one of their own.

He sighed. They had lost David, and they had lost Amy Jennings. They spoke bravely of somehow rescuing them, but the words sounded hollow. They were helpless. Even Angelique, weakened by the delivery, offered no hope.

He saw Barnabas in the back pew, as if somewhat ashamed of being seen inside a church, and he knew that Barnabas was thinking about David, and trying to be cheerful for George's sake.


Darkness surrounded Amy. But she did not fear it. She was a daughter of the darkness. Descended from gypsies who slept under the stars, and from Quentin Collins, whose life had come under the power of the Moon.

She would find her way in the darkness, and through it she would find other ways, and doors which would lead her to victory and return.

The cards would lead her. She knew them, each and every one. And just because her eyes could no longer behold them did not mean that she had lost them. She had within her mind a deck of greater scope and power than any other she had ever owned.

She let her mind wander over the cards, one by one. Minor and Major Arcana both, not choosing their order, but letting the cards find it by themselves

The Hierophant appeared. A blessing. Kindness, generosity. But it could also be weakness, ill advised clemency to those not deserving of it. And also the need to seek the support and advice of others.

Do not go at it alone. Seek allies.

How could she seek allies, imprisoned as she was? No one would come near her unless he or she served the Sun. Or was a prisoner like herself.

Or one of the dead.

One slain by a phoenix who had not given himself or herself to Ra.

Was there a vengeful ghost who would help her, even now?

She called upon that ghost, so that she would know of its presence, so that they might plan together.

"Help me, if you are here, if you can hear me. I know that you are a friend and that we have enemies in common. Won't we join forces?

Was there a presence next to her? She wished she was more sure of it.

"If we join forces we might win this battle, and you may gain the revenge you wish for."

Then she knew that someone was with her. A man.

"You wish to gain revenge?"

"Yes." the man said "I have been trying to tell all of them what happened tome, but they did not listen. Not even my son cared. They just call it an accident, and say that it was to be expected, the way I drank."

"What is your name?"

"Robert Loomis."

"Robert Loomis. You are Willie's father."

"Yes. Not that he cares. He just tells everyone that my death was an accident. I tried to tell him the truth, but he does not want to listen to me."

"I can make him listen. I can make everyone know the truth about you and Hallie Collins. It was she who burned you, wasn't she?"

"Yes. She had those stones with her. I stole them, and she had her salamanders get them back and burn me."

"We will tell them the truth then." Amy said. "You and I will enter the realm of dreams and through it we will speak the language that they will listen to."

She had now the cards in her hands and she shuffled them.

"There will be ten cards to read the goal." she said "You must choose the first one."

Robert Loomis did so.

"It is the Fool." he said.

"Find the person who this card represents. You shall have the power to be seen and heard by this person, and to command his presence before me."

Robert Loomis studied the card. And Amy felt herself drift away from the place where she had suddenly found herself talking to a solid Loomis.


Julia checked Urien's vital signs.

"Any change?' Barnabas asked.

"No. It is still the same with him."

"Can't you help him at all? Can anybody help him?"

Julia shook her head. "It is more powerful than we are."

"I can give him my life force. Like we did the last time."

"Barnabas, not until we know that it is over. Not until we get Amy back or admit total defeat. While there is a chance to get Amy and David back, you must remain as you are,."

"You mean that I cannot save him."

There was an old pain in his voice. He had been unable to save Naomi, or Sarah, or Josette... And now he was helpless again... It was more than he could bear.

But he would have to bear it.

"Angelique should have recovered in a couple of weeks. She may be able to help then,"

"A couple of weeks might be too late."

Julia sighed. It was the best that she could do. Megan was checking among her contacts if they could get someone with experience in dealing with phoenixes... one of the advantages of living a long time, is that you got to learn a lot of things... but up to now, she had had no success.

But it was right. In a couple of weeks David would be a phoenix... and whether they could get Amy back...

"I am not blaming you, Julia." Barnabas said, helplessly. "it is just that no one cares. Not even George."

"He cares,"

'It is not the same thing. I know, he has a daughter to think of. And I have a son. Here, in a coma. And people everywhere are living their lives, enjoying themselves as if nothing had happened.."

"I know that it is unfair. But that's how it is... I have a daughter myself, and I know how George feels."

"Yes, you do... and I know that I should not begrudge the their joys. They do not begrudge me my own joys when they have sorrows. But I feel so... helpless."


David recognized her as she passed by, blindly sweeping the floors.

She was naked, and her head shaved. There was a length of chain between her ankles. She was a slave of the Temple.

"Amy!" he shouted. "Amy!"

He had brought her to this. She had tried to help him and for it, she had been reduced to this state.

"Amy!" he shouted again. "Amy, I am sorry."

Amy lifted her head, as if doubtful "Sir?" she asked, with deference. "Do you require anything from me?"

Her eyes... it was hideous to see the damage done. Her eyes would never see again.

"It is my fault, Amy. They should let you go. I will ask Hallie to let you go. There is no reason for you to suffer."

"Don't talk that way, Sir, please." Amy answered, trying to appear humble "Don't make them punish me."

David turned his face away. Even this... they had broken her.

And it was his fault. What good was he to anyone? He had not even saved his own son.

He had been doomed from birth, and any attempts to change what must be only brought disaster on those who cared.

Why was he alive? What right did he have to live?

Amy knew of his anguish, but could not relieve it. She was at the beginning of her game, one which could bring either freedom or death, and she had to play carefully. Any comfort she offered David now might doom them later.

So she went on, playing the meek slave for all of them to see.