A/N: 06.25.2018

Welcome back, folks! Real quick, I forgot to mention that the concept of Jessica being a "lumen wizard" and another concept in this chapter is partly inspired by Bayonetta. Just thought I would mention it!

Okay! On to Chapter 8! Enjoy!

Chapter 8: Edgar Allan Poe

Edom, Abbie, and Ichabod were sitting at the airport, waiting for their plane to start boarding. It was just after midnight and Abbie had fallen asleep on Ichabod's shoulder. Edom had his head on a swivel, looking for anyone who might be following them. So far, they were in the clear. By comparison to the busier hours, the airport was fairly empty, which made it easier for them to see if anyone was coming. The fact that Set would have them followed did occur to them but the events at the Diamond Club confirmed it.

Ichabod looked over at Edom, taking note of the angel's watchful gaze. "Concerned?"

"Very much so," Edom said. "Set's people shouldn't have been able to follow us. I took precautions. Apparently, not enough." He sighed and sat back. "The next time they find us, we won't have Jessica to whisk us to a tactical advantage."

"We shall have to make do."

"I'm just concerned, as you said."

"We all are."

The following morning, Jenny and Joe went to Good Day for breakfast, sitting next to each other in a booth. Claudia hadn't come in for her shift yet, giving the couple a chance to talk the supernatural for a while.

"What did Abbie say when she called?" Joe asked.

"They had a quick run in with Set's people in Chicago," Jenny said. "So far, nothing too major. They're going to meet with Edgar sometime today."

"Allan Poe, right?"

Jenny smiled, "Yeah."

Joe shook his head, "Ray was right. It took us way too long to get to the question of how he was still alive."

"We're kinda used to that, by now, though."

Just then, Ray walked through the door with Sophie right behind him. Joe saw them first and tapped Jenny's arm, causing her to look up. Jenny's jaw set when she looked upon Sophie. She had a lot of problems with Sophie but, before writing her off completely, she had a few questions.

"Hey, guys," Ray said as he and Sophie approached. He motioned toward her. "Look who I found at the sheriff's station."

"Arresting her?" Jenny asked.

"Jenny!"

Sophie looked down, worryingly, "I deserved that."

Ray sat down on the opposite side of the booth, motioning for Sophie to sit next to him. She did so, uncomfortably, as she was face to face with Jenny.

"You know I have questions," Jenny said.

"Yeah," Sophie replied. "I'll answer them. Whatever you need."

"Good start," Joe said.

Jenny agreed but wouldn't express that yet. "Why didn't you tell us?" she asked. "Why didn't you let us know that you and that jackass were reporting to that other jackass?"

Sophie took a minute to consider her answer. After such a betrayal, she knew that she had to make it a great one. "I thought…" she began, "I thought we, me and Danny, could keep it from her. Do more on our own. Abbie had enough to deal with at that point. So, did you and Crane… everyone. And… the timing just never felt right to tell her. I was hoping we could protect her, watch out for what Walters wanted, and do what we could to help her."

Sophie gazed at Jenny, "I know some part of you has to hate me for lying about this. I know that I completely screwed this up and it makes it nearly impossible to trust me or believe a damn word I'm saying. But, if I'm on anyone's side, it's you guys. Please, believe that." She looked down then looked at all three of them before focusing on Jenny. "I'm really sorry."

Jenny regarded Sophie for a few minutes, with Jenny remaining completely silent and still. Joe and Ray were starting to get nervous; they were both 100% sure that, if Jenny decided to attack Sophie, they would be useless in that fight.

After another few seconds, Jenny nodded, "Apology accepted."

Sophie's eyes widened, "Really?"

"Yeah. I can't speak for Abbie but… yeah, I forgive you."

Sophie looked around, nervously, "N-not saying that I don't appreciate it but, honestly, I didn't think you'd forgive me that easily."

"You're not alone," Joe said.

"That makes three of us," Ray added.

Jenny shrugged. "If anyone understands keeping secrets for everyone else, I do. Not just because I've done it but because of people who have done it for me."

"Dad did it for all of us," Joe said. "Kept the weight of the world on his shoulders. Just for us."

"He was one of the best at it." Jenny turned back to Sophie. "Look, I get why you did it. It still sucked that you did and I get why Abbie's pissed."

"Completely."

"But… she's been pissed at me before. And she's been pissed at Crane. And Joe. And probably Ray."

"Oh, absolutely," Ray agreed.

"So, she'll get over it," Jenny said.

Sophie looked down, , in shame, "She'll never forgive me, though. Not for this. I should've just told her."

"Yeah, you should have. Keeping it from her was a dumb thing to do. Surprising since you're usually smarter than that."

Sophie looked up, with sad eyes. She knew Jenny was right.

"But that's family."

Sophie perked up at hearing that.

"Family fights," Jenny explained. "Family gets mad at each other. Family gets things wrong. But at the end of every day, family's what you can count on. You, us… this is family, faults and all. We started off rocky, you and me, but… I really do trust you, Sophie."

Sophie took a deep breath. That made her more emotional than she was expecting just to hear that. She nodded, a tear escaping. "Thanks, Jenny." She exhaled again. "That's a serious weight off."

"For all of us," Ray said.

Sophie composed herself and wiped the tears away, "So, what's been going on? Ray couldn't give me all the details."

"Abbie, Crane, and Ed are on their way to Seattle to meet Edgar Allan Poe to help us out with the Egyptian god, Set," Jenny said, simply. "Also, we met another Egyptian god, Osiris."

Sophie stared at Jenny for a second then closed her eyes. "I can't even begin to express how many questions I have."

"We can compare our lists," Ray said.

Claudia walked in for her shift and saw them all sitting at the table. She walked over, "Morning, everyone." Everyone greeted her back. "Has anyone taken care of you guys yet?"

"Not yet," Jenny said. "We had to wait on the best waitress here. And Edom's newest friend."

Claudia blushed at that.

"Wait, what?" Sophie asked.

"Oh, yeah," Ray said, tapping Sophie's arm then pointing at Claudia, "Ed asked her out."

Sophie leaned back, "Oh, my God, finally! That was taking forever!"

Claudia shook her head and laughed. "There's never gonna be a dull moment with you guys, is there?"

"Sweetie, you don't know the half of it," Jenny said.

After a lengthy plane rides, including two deliberate lay overs, Abbie, Ichabod, and Edom landed in Seattle just after 11 PM that night. Edom rented a car and they headed for the address that Jessica gave them. It was 30 minutes outside of Seattle. The car ride led them deep into a forested area, north of the city, until they came to two-story, dilapidated house in the middle of a clearing. Edom stopped the car as they all observed the house.

"Are you sure this is the place?" Abbie asked.

"Old, broken-down, and too condemned-looking to be livable?" Edom asked. "It might as well have a sign that says 'Edgar Allan Poe Lives Here.'"

Abbie and Ichabod looked at Edom, confused.

"Edgar is a bit on the eccentric side. And a squatter, when the mood hits him."

"So far, this seems to be the strangest person you know," Ichabod said.

Edom thought about that for a while. "Actually… you may be right."

They all got out of the car and Abbie and Ichabod began walking toward the house.

"Hold it," Edom said, subtly.

They stopped and looked at him, curiously. "What?" Abbie asked.

Edom fished the coin Jessica gave him out of his pocket. "Edgar has a charm on the house. He always has a charm on whatever house he sleeps in. Keeps the monsters hunting him away. As an angel, I can pass through it with fair ease but, for you both, it would be extremely painful. Near fatal, in fact."

"You say that so… pragmatically," Ichabod said.

"'Tis my nature." Edom held up the coin and it began to glow a dark blue. He let go of the coin, it floated then began to rotate in mid-air. Suddenly, a large dome of light blue energy was visible before an opening occurred.

"Here we are," Edom said. He presented the way to Ichabod and Abbie, "Ladies, beauty, and insufferable-nature before age. I'll let you both guess who is who."

Abbie smiled while Ichabod shot a droll look at Edom and walked through the opening.

"A brazen joke, Edom," Ichabod said.

Edom shrugged, grabbing the coin after he walked through, "The opportunity so rarely presents itself." The barrier returned to normal, becoming invisible once again.

"I liked it," Abbie joked.

"Of course, my love," Ichabod said, exasperatedly.

They walked to the door and Edom opened it. While the inside of the house was somewhat decayed, it wasn't in total shambles. With a little work, it would be a very nice house.

"Are you sure he's here?" Abbie asked. "The barrier could be just protecting his belongings."

"He hardly ever takes any belongings of any supernatural significance with him," Edom explained. "He tends to travel light. His belongings are elsewhere to be retrieved whenever he needs them."

"Got it."

They looked up the stairs when they suddenly heard raucous laughter.

"Most unsettling," Ichabod whispered.

"Oh, that's just him watching Looney Tunes or some comedy, I'd wager," Edom said.

"Looney Tunes?" Abbie asked.

"Though he travels light, he keeps a laptop and a Wi-Fi hotspot on him at all times."

"I never dreamed any of that would be associated with Edgar Allan Poe," Ichabod stated.

"Said the man who fought in the Revolutionary War who plays Halo on Xbox," Abbie smiled.

Edom laughed. He looked up and shouted, "Edgar!"

"Who goes there?!" a voice shouted. The voice was distorted and deep, it would've frightened anyone else. "Who dares bellow at the great…"

"It's Edom, Edgar. You can stop with the frightening voice!"

A door opened upstairs, then a man with black hair and thick moustache peered over the banister. "Ah!" Edgar shouted. "Edom, my dear friend! Be right down!"

Abbie laughed.

"I told you he was eccentric," Edom smiled.

Edgar walked down the stairs and hopped down past the bottom two steps. He smiled and spread his arms out. Standing at 5'8", he fit the description that Abbie and Ichabod were familiar with in pictures of him, save for he was wearing a long black coat, black dress pants, and button-up shirt. And Adidas tennis shoes. Abbie was actually slightly impressed by that.

"Always a pleasure to be in the presence of an angel," Edgar said.

"Good to see you, Edgar," Edom said. He motioned toward Abbie and Ichabod. "The Witnesses."

"Yes, yes! There's been quite a bit of chatter about the chosen warriors of Sleepy Hollow. Charming little town. Haven't been there in ages."

"You've been to Sleepy Hollow?" Abbie asked.

"I visited the northeastern United States, heavily, at the height of my career," Edgar replied. "Sleepy Hollow was always a great place to unwind. Until something strangely supernatural happened. But enough of that for now! Allow me to, properly, introduce myself. I am Edgar Allan Poe." He gave a bow and rose up. "But, please, call me Edgar. A pleasure to meet you."

"Abbie Mills," Abbie said.

"Ichabod Crane," Ichabod said.

Edgar gazed at Ichabod, studying him for a few moments. "Colonial. Soldier from how he carries himself. I'm guessing he walked with Washington, maybe he even knew old Benji."

"Benjamin Franklin was his mentor," Edom said.

"Oh, he's that Ichabod Crane! Well, of course! Silly me. Benjamin always spoke so highly of him. Never thought I'd get to meet him in the flesh."

Ichabod paused, his mouth slowly falling open. "You… met Benjamin Franklin?"

"Yes, God rest his soul," Edgar said. "He passed about… 120 years ago, give or take a year or two."

"Benjamin Franklin was a master of magic, too?" Abbie asked. "That really wouldn't surprise me."

Edgar smiled. "I trust you met Jessica, which how you received the key to my home. And you see me and you must wonder about my longevity of life."

"The thought did cross our minds," Ichabod said.

Edgar motioned them, "Please, follow me."

They walked into the living room. Ichabod and Abbie hadn't been in this room yet but noticed that the furniture, while a bit older, was a long way from being run down.

"Pardon the mess," Edgar said. "I don't often get visitors. The last person to visit me was dear Penelope Sayers. Do you remember her, Edom?"

"Nice girl," Edom said. "Slightly crazy."

"Yes. Yes, she is." Edgar chuckled. "Please, everyone, take a seat." Everyone did so. "So, in terms of my age, a quick summation: Earth has a few people who are… chosen to be somewhat guardians of it. Through magic and what have you. Jessica's been at it a bit longer than me and so had Benji when we met. I was chosen due to my investigations into occult and things of the like I conducted to further my writings. The deeper I delved, the more I learned about the secret world that exists within our own. I humbly accepted a position to be one of the guardians of the world. I've become what's known as a specter sage. Benji fell into both categories: he had vast information about the occult and was able to perform magic of the light."

"Did he…" Ichabod said, "leave anything behind? Books or notes."

Edgar smiled. "He did. Quite a few writings. He left many things under many pseudonyms. I will get you a list. The man was a walking well of knowledge and ideas."

Ichabod smiled. "Yes. He was."

"He spoke very highly of you, Ichabod. Please know, he held you in the highest of respects."

Abbie took hold of Ichabod's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Edgar," Edom said. "With great regret, this isn't a social call and some matters concerning Benjamin will have to wait."

"Of course," Edgar replied. "What seems to be the issue?"

"For starters, I took one of your editions of the Raven's Ledger from Chicago."

"Oh, good! That'll keep anyone else from getting it! Why were you looking for it?"

"I heard that others were seeking it out," Edom explained. "I thought it best to secure it before anyone else did. I now know what was hunting it. Set, the god of chaos is alive."

"Set?" Edgar asked. "Hm. That seems to be quite accurate. There's been a lot of increase of supernatural powers lately, in particular dark magic. He's not the only one."

"We're in the thicket of the Seven Years of Tribulation," Ichabod explained.

"Hm," Edgar nodded. "Wars to end all wars. To the end of the world."

"That's what we're trying to prevent," Edom said.

"Indeed. What is Set after?"

"The nine Sacred Sites."

Edgar took a deep breath, "Oh, dear. That could be a problem should he return to full strength."

"We're hoping you can help us with stopping that," Abbie said.

"Well, of course, I'll help you." Edgar hit the arm rests of his chair with his hands, "So! We should leave at once and head to Florence."

"Florence?" Abbie asked.

"Indeed, milady," Edgar said. "If Set is seeking out the Sacred Sites, he'll need a sure fire way to find them. One such map is in Florence."

Edom smiled. "I should've known you didn't have it with you."

"Why would I keep something that dangerous with me? I can barely feed Lenore all of the time, something she reminds me of constantly. I don't need mad creatures hunting me for a map, as well."

"Lenore?" Ichabod asked.

"His raven familiar," Edom replied.

Abbie stared at Edgar. "You actually have a raven named… Lenore?"

Edgar smiled and shrugged.

"That's a bit on the nose, don't you think?"

"Oh, absolutely. I know of no other way to be!"

Abbie smiled. "Alright. I like him."

"As do I," Ichabod said.

"He has that effect on people," Edom said.

"Let us depart!" Edgar said. "It's been so long since I visited Florence. And I am quite due a trip!"

On a yacht in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Cyprus, Set was standing at the bow railing of the deck. One of his servants approached, "My lord."

"What is it?"

"The Witnesses were just seen boarding a plane. We're not sure where they are headed just yet."

"Was it just the three?" Set asked.

"No, my lord," the servant replied. "There was a fourth person with them."

Set laughed. "That makes sense. They will seek out the Sacred Sites now. Follow them until they reach a destination with no stops, no other flights to catch."

"Yes, sir."

"What about Osiris?"

"He remains constantly moving, my lord. We're not able to get a lock him. Fortunately, he hasn't been able to locate us either."

Set growled. "Well. Let us hope that the Witnesses find what we need before Osiris finds us."

A/N: Oooh. So, what's going to happen in Florence? Oh, just wait and see.

Because, in Florence, we're going to see the return of an old friend of Abbie's and Ichabod's. Someone those of who followed Seasons 1 and 2 will be quite familiar with.

See you next time, Sleepyheads!