Sorry that this chapter took a little longer than usual. I was trying to hold off because I'm going on holiday in a few days and won't be able to write or post anything for a week. So the next update will definitely take longer.

CHAPTER NINE:

Travis had come downstairs to find Constance chatting with the neighbor. "Hey babe," he said as he kissed Constance's cheek. "I've got an audition today; don't know when I'll be back."

"That's alright." Constance sounded a bit distracted. She was more focused on the fact that Isabel was there. Ever since realizing that her neighbor was her daughter, she longed for this moment. Constance knew she had been a damn fool in giving up her fourth child. And she wanted her back now.

Travis acknowledged Isabel with a "hey" as he slipped on his jacket and then was out the door. He felt confident about this audition and would hopefully get the part. It was for just a small part on a television show. But it was a start and he felt sure it was the start he needed.

When Travis walked out the door, Isabel and Constance were left alone again. "Where's Addie?" Isabel asked, noticing the lack of Adelaide's appearance in her own home.

"Probably up in her room, reading," said Constance.

It was a lie. She knew exactly where Adelaide was and it wasn't in her bedroom.

""""'"""""'"""

A red ball rolled across the basement floor to Adelaide. She giggled quietly and rolled the ball back to Beau. She missed being able to see her brother whenever she wanted. She missed living in this house. But Isabel lived there now with her father. That was okay. Adelaide was content to just sneak over.

"Hey Addie," said Tate as she sat down on the floor beside his sister. He put an arm around her shoulders. He didn't like going so long without seeing his sweet sister. She was the one thing left in this world that was good; pure. Adelaide laughed again, a little louder this time. "Shh, don't be too loud," Tate warned. "Izzy and her dad are upstairs."

Adelaide shook her head. "Nuh-uh. She's with Mom," Adelaide informed Tate. "I heard them talking in the kitchen."

Tate frowned at this. Why would Isabel be with Constance? He didn't think his friend had any reason to be with that woman. "Do you know why?" he asked Adelaide as she continued to play with Beau.

"No, I couldn't hear what they were saying." And Adelaide didn't really care what business Isabel had with her mother as it was most likely something that didn't interest her. "Are you and her friends?"

"Yeah," Tate answered.

"Do you think she's a pretty girl?"

There was some hesitation that came with his answer. Isabel was rather plain looking. But that wasn't why he hesitated to reply. "Sure, but not in that way. In the same way that I think you're a pretty girl." There was just something about Isabel that made Tate feel connected to her, but not attracted. There was something about Isabel that made her feel familiar.

Something about her eyes especially. Though it had been quite a long time since he had looked his mother directly in the eyes. His mind didn't make the connection that his friend was something more. And he died before he knew that there not three Langdon children including himself, but four.

""'"""""'""""'""

"I was surprised to get your phone call so early on a Saturday," Billie Dean remarked. Though she spoke to Constance, she kept her eyes on Isabel, the newest resident of the Murder House. "Now what is it that you need me for?"

Constance motioned to Isabel for her to go ahead and tell Billie Dean of her issue. "Thaddeus Montgomery; that weird sort of demon child thing. I need it gone."

Now that wasn't something Billie Dean was expecting. She dealt with ghosts. Demons were a different story though; trickier. "That's not something that can be taken care of overnight."

"Why not? Can't you just make a circle of salt and say an exorcism?"

Billie Dean gave a tightlipped smile. "You've been watching too much Supernatural," she said. "It isn't that simple."

That was extremely disappointing to hear. "Okay, not helpful," Isabel said bluntly. And there was another problem she needed to have taken care of. "Can you at least tell me what's gonna happen to me?" Again, she took off her cardigan and showed off her bandaged arm.

Billie Dean raised her eyebrows. "May I?" she asked. Without waiting for a response, she uncovered Isabel's arm and revealed the bite mark given to her by Thaddeus. "No sign of infection… have you felt strange ever since you were bitten?" When Isabel shook her head, Billie Dean pursed her lips. "I believe you'll be fine," she assured the girl.

That was more than a relief to both Isabel and Constance. So it seemed the bite wouldn't do anything to her except maybe leave a scar. Isabel would happily have a scar rather than become possessed or whatever.

Isabel said, "Now about getting rid of Thaddeus: I know you said it isn't simple. It doesn't have to be simple. I'll do anything." Even if it was a process that took months. It wasn't just about getting rid of the Montgomery child before the Halloween party. It was about making her father and herself safe.

"Perhaps I should be clearer: when I say it isn't simple, I mean it isn't possible." Isabel felt her heart sink down into the pit of her stomach. It wasn't possible? Billie Dean went on. "There is a way of getting rid of the ghosts that are bound to the house. But a demon bound to the house for unknown reasons can't be gotten rid of."

Isabel felt like she wanted to cry. This was terrible and frightening. She didn't reply and instead just focused on the bite mark on her arm.

"Come with me, honey," said Constance gently to Isabel. "We'll clean you up and re-bandage you."

She guided Isabel to the bathroom upstairs, leaving Billie Dean alone. The medium shook her head. It was clear to her who Isabel was. And it was clear to her that Constance had told Isabel nothing about their relation.

That seemed irresponsible to Billie Dean. She knew of Constance's lineage; her blood relation to the Delongpres, which included Mimi Delongpre, a renowned Supreme when she had been alive. Isabel could be in possession of remarkable abilities and not even know it. That could go one of two ways: either wonderful things could happen or disaster could strike.