Drake Stone walked into the study in his penthouse. Horvath was staring out the windows when he entered.

"They're in position?" Horvath asked when he heard Stone enter.

"Yeah," Drake said as he walked around to the other side of the room. "Chipped my mani," he grumbled as he sat down in the big executive leather chair. "Which is not cool!" He added as he spun the chair around once.

"No, I don't imagine it is," Horvath said with rolled eyes.

The Grimhold was sitting on the big desk in front of him, and Drake picked it up to look at the image on it. It was a young girl, possibly 15 years old. She was wearing a colonial black dress and white cap. Drake cringed at the evil expression on the face of the girl. He set down the Grimhold and kicked his feet up on the desk.

"Below that lies our next co-worker," Horvath spoke as he came over and tapped the Grimhold with his cane.

"That creepy little girl?" Drake asked with a wave at the doll.

"Remember the Salem witch trial? She's the little devil that started it all," Horvath explained. He smiled at the memories that came with the explanation. Those had been good times.

"Once she's out, we're at the Morgana shell," Horvath said after a minute of reflection. "And unfortunately, even my considerable power is not enough to crack that prison."

Drake shrugged and examined his chipped nail. "So what are we going to do?" He asked as he frowned down at his nail polish.

"Ever hear of a parasite spell?" Horvath asked as he walked around behind the chair Drake was lounging in. He laughed an unpleasant sound that had nothing to do with joy. "No, that's right. You're education is… lacking."

"I go more by instinct," Drake replied with a grin. "What feels right."

"Yes," Horvath said with a sneer, "I'm sure."

Drake nodded, thinking Horvath was agreeing with his manner of operating.

"Parasite spell is a nasty piece of business. Allows a sorcerer to steal the energy of another," Horvath said with a grin that was more a bare of the teeth than an actual smile.

Drake nodded as though he understood, but then shook his head as he thought about it more. "I'm confused," he admitted after a moment.

"Not for long," Horvath spoke wickedly as he placed his cane on Drake's neck. He spoke a word and suddenly Drake seized up as his powers flowed into Horvath's cane. He felt the power merge with his own and smiled a true smile. Then he reached down and slipped the ring off the finger of the unconscious Drake Stone.

"You weren't really using it anyway," Horvath said as he placed the ring onto his cane. He slid it down till it touched the crystal handle. Both the ring and the handle started to glow as Horvath focused on the Grimhold. He touched the crystal of his cane to the doll, and unlocked the next layer.

In a flash of light it split releasing Abigail Smith. She emerged from a small whirlwind that rose from the opened layer.

"I have a job for you," Horvath said to her as she focused her attention on her surroundings.

Abigail knew Horvath from her days before the Grimhold. He had helped her with some of her plans. She nodded to him politely as she looked around. She saw the unconscious Drake Stone and gave Horvath a questioning glance. "Who is he?" she asked in her sweet young voice.

"No one of consequence," Horvath responded with a sneer at Drake.

"Alright then. What do you need me to do?" Abigail asked with a small grin. Horvath told her what he needed of her, and why. When she learned his plan her evil little smile grew. She knew that this was going to be fun!

Not too much later Balthazar pulled the car up in front of Drake Stone's building. Once the car was parked and off, he turned to Elaine. He placed a hand on her shoulder, getting her attention.

"Promise me, no matter what happens, if Morgana is freed from the Grimhold, that you'll do whatever it takes to destroy her."

Elaine nodded, not sure she liked the finality of what he was saying. "Of course I'll do whatever it takes."

"Let me give you one last bit of advice," Balthazar said. Then he stared deep into her eyes, and forgot whatever it was he had been planning on saying. He shook his head and said, "I got nothing. Whatever happens here, you wear the old- person shoes very well." He finished lamely.

Elaine knew to take is as the compliment it was meant to be. She gave a broad smile and held out her hand, fingers curled in a fist. "Knuckle bump?" She suggested with a laugh.

Balthazar gave her a raised eyebrow then shrugged. "Why not," he said as he touched knuckles with her.

"Let's do this!' Elaine said as she got out of the car. Balthazar followed with an expression of pride on his face. No matter what happened, she was a very good apprentice. He wanted to tell her that, and so much more, but the moment had passed.

It was off to battle for them.

Horvath stood in the overdone living room of Drake's penthouse. Abigail had just returned from her assignment, and was putting the prize in the bedroom with the unconscious figure of Stone.

She came out and admired the Grimhold with Horvath. They were finally at the innermost doll, the prison holding Morgana.

"Is it time to release Morgana?" Abigail asked Horvath as she looked down at the doll. She had an expression on evil delight on her face, which even Horvath found a bit disconcerting.

Horvath raised his cane and moved towards her with intent. "I'll give her your regards."

"Have I done something wrong?" Abigail asked, her tone changing to that of a frightened child. "Something to displease you?" She backed away from him.

"No, it's nothing personal," Horvath said as he backed her into a wall. He touched the cane to her and repeated the parasite spell. A moment later she fell to the floor in a heap. He violently pulled the pentacle amulet from around her neck, and tied it to his cane.

"I just needed you power to help free Morgana. I'm sure you'll understand the sacrifice," Horvath spoke to the unconscious girl. He looked at his cane and felt the power there. It was almost enough.

"One more to go," he said as he transported Abigail's small body to bedroom. He dropped her down by Stone and then looked over his prize.

"Yes. The perfect bargaining chip," he said as he gazed down at the figure lying there bound and gagged.