CHAPTER 27 - The Beginning of the End: Part II

The house was silent and looming in the early dusk. A cool wind blew through the threes and seemed to whisper tidings of death and sorrow. The group stood at the edge of the driveway and scanned the perimeter for signs of Kalina.

"She won't appear unless we approach the house." Jean whispered. "She wants to stay as close to Cyrus as possible."

"Then lets go ring the doorbell and say Hello." Broadway muttered. She shivered in the chilly air and silently wished she had put a sweater on. "Nah, things are going to heat up before the end of the night." She thought miserably, but with a hint of adventure. Her boots thudded heavily along the ground as she stormed up the driveway with determination. Royce fell into step at her side.

"This is where we first met." He said casually.

"Yeah, this is where I saved your ass."

"Maybe I might be able to return the favor."

Broadway stopped and faced him. "Royce..don't leave me tonight, alright? Stay close to me?"

He wrapped her in a tight embrace. "I promise, Dolly. I'll stay with you."

"Hey - Beauty and Beast - can we please save that for the victory party?" Dennis called from behind them. Broadway bent down and picked up a small round stone that she pitched at Royce. He sent it flying towards Dennis who faded out of the way in the nick of time. The Prince tapped his bat on his shoulder.

"Don't forget who you're talking to, Dennis. How IS your head, by the way? Did that nanny ever kiss it better or-"

"Knock it off you two! Now is hardly the time for a pissing contest!" Mallory said firmly. The wind picked up suddenly and something moved in the shadows. "What's that?"

Susan adjusted her eyes to the darkness and gasped. "DUCK!!"

The group fell to the ground as some unseen force flung several pieces of aluminum siding from the side-yard shed at them. The same high-pitched cackle heard all those weeks ago rang through the stillness as Kalina floated into view.

"I knew you'd come. Come to your death!"

"We have to think of a way to get her to chase us." Seth whispered to his brothers. "We need to get her in to Broadway's truck before the girls can put the barrier spells on it."

"Why don't we take her cloak?" Luke whispered. "She'd want that back more than anything, right?"

"Yeah..yeah, she would! What do you say, boys? Go for it?" Seth nodded at Luke and Zeke before springing to his feet. "COVER US!!" He shouted before the three of them took off towards the spirit.

Broadway swore and sprang up, Royce and the others at her heels. Seth, Zeke and Luke circled Kalina as the rest of them tried to keep her attention elsewhere. Luke grabbed the back of her robe and pulled as hard as he could. Kalina shrieked as the garment slipped off her body and she was once more exposed to the world. Seth gagged as a rancid smell flooded his nostrils and locked the spirit in a bear hug as Luke and Zeke got a head start towards the car. Kalina faded out of Seth's grasp and knocked him backwards before pursuing his younger brother.

"Get ready! Jean, get ready!!" He shouted.

Zeke entered the back of the Avalanche through the right hand side and exited through the left making his way to the front. Luke followed with Kalina dangerously close. He exited the same way as Zeke and slammed the door shut. Kalina gave a curious look before trying to get herself turned around to exit the way she came. Zeke slammed that door closed as Jean cried out the barrier spell.

"She better not fuck with my truck or else I'm going to be DAMN pissed." Broadway muttered as Kalina's shrieks echoed throughout the night.

"Forget about that - now that we have her out of the way we can get inside, and Cyrus will be weakened because his Spellstress is out of the picture for the time being!" Dana scolded.

Arthur slipped the golden key into it's slot and the front of the house opened silently. "Well, doesn't this bring back pleasant memories?" He murmured.

"Pleasant indeed." Jean replied dryly.

It was dimly lit inside; the only light seemed to be coming from the main floor chamber - the room with the Black Zodiac design on the floor.

Bianca rubbed her hands together. "Well, where do we go now? Where is he?"

"Somewhere." Susan replied. "I would think to check the basement first."

"Makes sense. Anyone got any better ideas?" Arthur said.

"Yeah" Seth muttered. "Lets torch this place and get the fuck outta here. Place gives me the gibblies."

Arthur snickered. "You have no idea."

They moved slowly and quietly from room to room, throughout the vast hallways until they found the stairs leading down. The basement looked like a giant yawning mouth, swallowing up all light into it's dark depths.

"I guess no one thought to bring a flashlight, ah?" Arthur paused at the top before taking a tentative step downwards. It seemed sturdy enough and he took a few more steps, Jean and Dennis following close behind. He let out the breath he had been holding and turned to the group. "There, see - it's alright." There was a deep grumbling sound followed by the low sound of metal on metal before the staircase fell away and Arthur fell into the darkness.