Chapter 10

[Althanor—House of Healing]

Deep within a cloying mist and several dimensions away from Earth, a large island bobbed like a float on rippling lake waters. The surrounding marshes and woods provided additional privacy and solitude for its inhabitants.

As it had before and after the fire demon's defilement centuries past….

As it did when the priestesses reestablished the community in the 1750s with Wabash's assistance….

Now they scurried about their daily routines. Some prayed to their goddess and meditated. Others tended the communal garden just south of the village. More worked in the House of Healing performing good works in their deity's name.

On this day, however, it meant for an ally from the outer world….

Angie watched with a heavy heart as the priestesses tended to Jenny. She wished that the situation back in the village wasn't so volatile. She'd knew Sharon wasn't satisfied with the sketchy explanation behind Jenny's disappearance. She hoped that the sheriff wouldn't harass Dave overly much about the standoff especially since he and the Child had contained Lichtenfeld's damage.

Too bad Jenny's condition wasn't simply physical. If it was, Angie could've had her taken to Eagle Plain, Albany General or even healed the latter herself. With the risk of some mystical booby trap within Jenny, Angie couldn't risk it….

…Nobody would want to deal with the Child's rage if Angie became infested with the insidious cancer….

I'm a doctor who can heal with a single touch. Yet I can't use that gift because it might kill me. What good is this? What…? Angie felt a helping hand on her shoulder. She turned to find Deirdre watching her. "Any news, Dee Dee?"

"We're doing everything we can, Mama. I just wish Miss Mills hadn't been so foolish to try and go there alone," Deirdre lamented. "This is like the stories about Papa when he was younger."

"Indeed." Angie recalled the arguments about Dave's dark vigilantism from their college days. She remembered how his need to protect and know things drove them apart for several years. "It's been such a good time without this garbage in our backyard."

"And it will be again, Mama. We have to believe that our friends can help us," Deirdre assured her. She noticed one of the attending priestesses approaching them. "Yes, Matilda?"

"Milady, we've done everything we can. The patient struggles against the darkness. She needs the support of love to heal fully. Is there anyone we can fetch to do so…discreetly of course?" Matilda informed her.

"I'm sure the Cranes are in Wabash by now. Perhaps we should go and see Brother Tony?" Angie suggested.

"A wise idea indeed," Deirdre concurred. "I'm sure Abbie Mills will want to know more of her sister's condition." She opened a portal in the mists. "Follow me, Mama." She turned to Matilda. "We shall be back soon."

The nurse-priestess bowed in respect before heading back to the bedside. Hurry! She watched as Jenny writhed on the bed under the dark influence. Goddess, help her!

[Ladies Room—MacLindy's]

Angie stepped through the portal to find herself in the familiar bathroom. No matter how many times she came and went from the village, it and the diner it was a part of provided comfort. She made herself focus on the moment however.

"They're close, Mama," Deirdre advised while stepping through the mists and closing them behind herself. She waved her hands and casting a disguising spell. Instead of her emerald robes, she seemed to wear a brown flannel shirt, a pair of blue jeans and walking shoes. "Better to look like I've been helping you and Papa at the farm, right?"

"Right," Angie agreed. She opened the door slowly and peered out into the eating area proper. She didn't see the old ladies who formed the center of the village's gossiping grapevine. She saw a few of the regulars scattered about the booths and tables in the place.

In the corner, Brother Tony sat with Abbie and the Cranes speaking about something.

"There they are. Come on," Angie advised her daughter as they left the bathroom.

Let's hope we can get out of here without more of a ruckus! Deirdre looked about the area. For some reason, she felt as if they were being watched. Still she couldn't see anything out of the ordinary for the small diner. "You're imagining things." With that, she headed for the booth in question….

[Corner Booth]

Abbie stirred her lukewarm coffee listlessly. In the hour since their arrival, she and her companions had come no closer to discovering Jenny's whereabouts. Can't these people keep their heads on straight? I mean REALLY NOW? They know about this stuff…at least they should.

"It will be all right, Abbie. Jennifer is getting aid as we speak. I know it," Katrina assured her friend.

"Have faith, Leftenant. I can't believe Dr. Dubois would be so careless as to let a patient out of her sight," Ichabod concurred before continuing on in a low voice. "She was always so thorough in the old days."

"That is very true still, Captain Crane," Brother Tony agreed. He started into his third cup of coffee and tapped his fingers on the careworn Bible on the table. "Angela possibly contacted assistance in that regard especially given the scene outside this morning. There are those who are better suited to deal with certain maladies than others."

"A strange sentiment coming from a Christian minister to be sure," Ichabod assessed.

"Just an understanding of how things work." Brother Tony took a thoughtful sip from his cup before continuing, "I am strong in my service to the Lord. However I am but one part of the defense that the Light provides. I can co-exist with others. A vampire saved me from darkness in seminary. I have seen the goodness that comes from an alliance with the priestesses not to mention members of Light-based sects. I have also read the accounts of prejudice which have harmed all concerned. General Washington, I'm sure, knew this as well."

"Indeed he did. And the incident which led to Captain Dubois' death in this village stems from that as well," Ichabod declared. He of course had read copies of the New York State histories at the New York Public Library. "Tragic affair."

"If only that minister hadn't been so closed to my kind, it might've been different," Katrina noted sadly.

"Indeed so." Brother Tony saw Angie and Deirdre crossing the room. "I believe there may be news." He waved the two female newcomers over. "Good afternoon, Angela and Deirdre. Care to join us?"

"Thanks, Brother Tony. We'd like that," Angie grabbed a couple of chairs and slid them over to the booth. "Wish we had a better welcome back for you all than this however."

"Seeing my sister in one piece would be a good start," Abbie informed her.

"She is. However she needs assistance…your assistance. The darkness she encountered in Rowenshire must be driven out. The sisters have done what they can for her body and spirit. Now our high priestess, Cybelle, requires your love to drive it completely out," Deirdre informed them.

"Darkness?" Abbie wondered.

"The demons have done something. Perhaps I might know some other craft?" Katrina offered.

Deirdre shrugged. "I am not one to discount help from any corner, Katrina. If we could go over to the church, I'll do the honors from there. Mama, maybe you should check on Papa? Just in case? Something's not right here."

Angie shook her head. She didn't feel anything but wasn't about to discount her daughter's instincts on such matters. "I'll do that. You just watch my patient."

"Will do," Deirdre promised. "Follow me. All of you."

Brother Tony produced six dollars and left it on the table for the waitress to get later. "Come along, Everyone. I believe it's time to find Miss Mills for ourselves." He led them out of the diner and across the Green toward his sanctuary.

"So now we do more hocus pocus stuff? I had enough of that in Purgatory," Abbie supposed. "Katrina, you know of these sisters?"

"Aye. Althanor provided my order with indirect and discreet assistance. They did assist me later when I evaded the others for Jeremy's sake," Katrina concurred as they headed into the church. As with the last visit, she was astounded by how the church remained intact from her own day. "I can see why you wish that this place was closer to Sleepy Hollow, Ichabod."

"This has always been a friendly hamlet, my Love, despite the darkness under the surface," Ichabod stated. "Present company of course included."

"We value simplicity here, Captain. Thank you however," the minister expressed. "Deirdre?"

"Ask and the way shall be shown," Deirdre indicated. She waved her hands making the portal open. "Step through and find yourselves there." She ushered them all through.

Here we go again! Creepy! Abbie suppressed a shiver while stepping forward and vanishing through the dimensional gateway.

Deirdre looked around warily. She knew the church remained safe and inviolate. However the uneasiness lurked about the village's edges. Strange. Hope Papa doesn't react to it. She stepped through and shut the door behind them.