House of Strange

By Michael Weyer

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She couldn't move.

She couldn't speak.

She couldn't think.

All Cameron could do was stand in place.

She had no idea of her surroundings. She could have been in a black room, she could have been in a field in daylight, she could have been in the middle of Grand Central Station. She didn't know where she was and furthermore would not have cared.

All she could do was stand and stare at those two glowing green eyes as they burrowed their way into her head. Her body. Her soul. Nothing else mattered but those eyes and the voice that went with them.

"You will obey me, Cameron," that thick accent continued, a note of smug satisfaction lacing the words.

"Obey you," she dully stated.

"Nothing matters but doing my will."

"Nothing," she agreed, unable to do anything else.

The dark green eyes seemed to twinkle brighter. "Excellent. Now, Cameron…This is what I wish you to do…"

She stood and listened to the commands as there was nothing else she could do.

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Wilson wasn't the most religious of men but he couldn't help uttering a prayer as he stared at the demonic figure captured in the pentagram's field. Chase had crossed himself while Foreman simply whispered. "My God…"

"Not even remotely close," Wong softly stated. House just stared at the creature, trying to take in the fact that he was only feet away from an actual demon. The creature's eyes raked around as it spoke again. "I ask again, who dares?"

Strange was the only one who didn't seem concerned as he stepped forward, arms outstretched. "I dare, Mephisto."

The demon looked at him and let out a snort. "Strange. I should have recognized your braying." He reached out to touch the field, letting off a shower of sparks. "Pulling out the stops here, eh? What do I owe the honor of this interruption?"

"Silence, demon!" Strange intoned. "While you stay within the field, you are bound to answer me. None of your powers and tricks may be able to harm those upon this plane. You are here to talk, nothing more."

Mephisto drew back. "Hmm…getting rather melodramatic, Strange. Even for you. Why…" His eyes whirled and fixed upon the doctors staring at him. His huge mouth drew back in a hideous smile. "Ah. Now I see. This isn't a summoning, it's a performance piece." He leaned forward to the small group. "Has he started on the grand speech of the sacrifices he goes through as the protector of Earth yet? Dear humans, you have my deepest sympathies."

"You are here to answer me, Mephisto!" Strange called out.

The demon ignored him, glancing at the Asian man. "Wong. It's been a while since I last saw you. Still doing the slave labor for Strange?"

"I am honored to aid him," Wong retorted.

Mephisto chuckled, a truly horrendous sound. "Washing his undergarments and scrubbing his floors is an honor? You humans can be so delusional. But then, if you weren't, my domain wouldn't be so full."

"Mephisto…" Strange bit out.

House finally spoke up. "Hate to break it to you, Strange, but it sounds like he's not playing by the same script as you."

Mephisto focused on him. "Gregory House. I've had my eye on you for quite a while."

House did his best not to let the sudden terror in his heart spread to his face. "Really? Does that include video? Cause there was this great time I had with a hooker about three weeks ago I wanted to relieve…"

"An addict, a stain upon your soul, you have technically killed," Mephisto said. His face darkened. "But then you must save the lives of others, must aid those in need. That pitiful spark of purity within you prevents me from grabbing your soul." The smile returned. "But then…There's always a chance you'll sniff that out on your own someday."

House swallowed. "Well….Nice to have goals in life."

"Demon!" Strange yelled. "You will answer me or I shall return you to the pit from whence you came!"

Mephisto looked at him, then back to the doctors. "He's still under the impression that's actually a threat to me. I am the Lord of that realm, of course I want to go back." He turned to Strange. "Very well, Strange. Just to give myself some peace, ask your questions."

Strange nodded as he spoke. "Are you responsible for the demon attacks upon this plane of existence?"

Mephisto rolled his eyes. "That is why you dragged me up here? Strange, Strange, Strange, surely the…" He held up his claws and wiggled them as if to make quotation marks. "'Sorcerer Supreme' of Earth is able to find the cause without calling upon me."

"I am attempting to get to the probable source first," Strange snapped. "To let you know that as long as I stand, your attempts to attack Earth shall not succeed."

Mephisto shook his head like a teacher to a child. "Strange, when are you going to get it through that skull of yours that I am not Dormanamu? I have no interest in ruling or controlling this pitiful mud ball you call a world. I am more than content to take what souls come to me."

"You mean which ones you trap, tempt and trick."

"Your naivety is always so refreshing, Strange. Sooner or later, you're going to have to accept that more often than not, humans fall prey to the sins that lead to my domain. I don't need to make deals or trick them into giving away their souls. They do that on their own."

"We're watching a demon talk philosophy," Chase remarked. "I really need to get drunk later."

"So you're saying you're not behind this?" House spoke up.

"Gregory," Strange snapped. "You cannot interfere or the gravest consequences…"

Mephisto was already turning to House. "No, I am not. I am aware of these attacks and I have to say," he turned to Strange. "I am absolutely insulted that you think I would lower myself to using such pitiful forces to do my work. I am a Lord of Hell, Strange. When I try to attack this plane, trust me, you'll know it."

"Well, you got to knock the most obvious choice out of the ring first," House stated. "Hopefully, Stephen here can get on with the real work, assuming he can figure out what that is. I do have a booklet of methods, if that helps."

Mephisto threw back his head to laugh. "Now this is a mortal worth talking to! He's perfectly content with his arrogance and his pride instead of trying to disguise it behind a veneer of humility and grandeur like you do, Strange."

Strange grit his teeth. "If you are not behind this, who is?"

"Now that would be telling, wouldn't it?"

"Isn't that why you're here?" Chase asked. He instantly regretted opening his mouth as the demon's red eyes focused upon him. "Hmm…you remind me of your father a bit."

"My father?" Chase asked with a whisper.

"Oh yes. I've chatted with him a bit. He does have a nice spot in the pit. His screams of agony when I have him roasted over the flames are so exquisite…"

"Enough!" Strange cried out as he slammed his hands together. The pentagram field glowed and Mephisto began to sink into the floor. The demon didn't even seem to mind, simply cackling outward as he sank into the floor and out of Earth completely. His laughter seemed to hang in the air after he went, along with the smell of sulfur.

House turned to Strange, his face sour. "Well, that went well."

Strange let out a long breath, his body relaxing from the ordeal of opening the portal. "Gregory, I had my reasons…"

"Did it not occur to you that he was deliberately baiting you so you'd end the conversation?" House said. "Trust me, I know about ticking people off to get out of talking to them and he was a classic case right there!"

Strange moved to where Wong was offering a cup of tea and quickly sipped it down. He looked to where Chase was obviously shaken and spoke quietly. "He is a demon, a master of lies. You should not take what he said about your father to heart."

Chase shrugged. "Actually…it's not that hard to believe."

The door opened and Cameron entered, holding a small pack of coffee cups. "Figured everyone could use a shot," she stated. She paused as she took in everyone's expressions. "Um, did I miss something?"

"Oh, just conjured a demon, insulted him, saw Strange is a drama queen and found out Chase got his long-time wish," House dryly stated.

"A…demon?" Cameron asked as she handed out the coffee. "Are you serious?"

"Unfortunately," Foreman said as he took a cup and slumped in a nearby chair.

Strange tapped a finger on his cup as he pondered the situation. Behind him, Cameron handed House a cup as her superior made his way to a large chair. "What now, O Master of Histrionics?" House asked.

"These demons are here for a purpose," Strange said. "Someone is guiding them, they could not do this on their own. However, the list of those who can command these forces is rather long."

"It is?" a worried Wilson asked.

Cameron stepped back, her hands going into her coat as House spoke again. "And since Memphis or whatever his name was won't talk, how are you going to find out the truth?"

Strange pursed his lips. "There are still some contacts I can try. Perhaps a search with the Orb of Ashanti can reveal more…"

House was looking to Cameron and was struck by the blankness of her looks. While such a sight would have caused him to make a smart comment, he was thrown by how she didn't seem that attuned to the goings-on inside the room, which was unlike her. Then there was the way her body was a bit tensed, as if readying herself for something. Not to mention the bulge in one pocket as if she was making a fist…

"Wong," Strange stated as he turned around. "I shall need a few volumes from the library. Begin with the Book of Vaughn and then…"

Without warning, Cameron lunged at him, her hand emerging from her coat. Held in was an ornate dagger, the silver edge gleaming as she plunged it at Strange's heart. Just as she was moving, House threw his cane outward, the shaft knocking between Cameron's legs. She didn't fall but it did trip her off-balance, causing her to stumble. In that second, Strange was able to erect a purple field of energy so the dagger bounced off it.

"What the hell?" Wilson yelled as Cameron kicked the cane away and came at Strange again, waving the dagger at his chest. Foreman and Wilson moved fast toward her but the swinging of the knife kept them at bay. "Cameron, what are you doing?" Wilson yelled.

She gave no sign at hearing and indeed her face didn't change expression as she went back at Strange. The mage held up a hand, two fingers entwined and barked out "Stupifidor!"

Instantly, Cameron froze in place, a twinkle of lights around her, her arm held back to make a new knife strike. "Damn," House remarked as he grabbed his cane and stood up. "I didn't think she'd be the first one of you to snap."

"What the hell is she doing?" Chase blurted as he came up to stare at the frozen Cameron. "I've never seen her like this."

"And you have seen more of her than the rest of us," House noted. He smirked at Strange. "Funny, always figured someone would have tried to kill you a long time ago, Stephen."

Strange did not find any humor in this. "I fear there is more to this than meets the eye." He stepped forward and waved a hand before Cameron's face as he whispered. She relaxed, her arms going slack, the knife falling to the ground. Her eyes shut and her head slumped forward. Strange rested his palms at either side of her head and when he spoke, it sounded more booming. "Cameron….what is your purpose?"

"Kill Doctor Strange," Cameron answered in a monotone.

"By whose orders?"

"I…" Cameron frowned. "I….must kill…Doctor Strange."

"By whose orders, Cameron?" Strange pressed.

"I…" Cameron shook a bit, sweat appearing on her brow. "I…he said…"

"Who?"

House slammed his cane to get Strange's attention and pointed at Cameron. Any joviality had left his face as he hissed at the magician. "Bring her out of it, now."

Strange returned his gaze and then looked to Cameron. He waved a hand over her and she blinked. She glanced around and started. "Huh? How…what happened?"

"You all right?" House asked.

"Yeah, I'm….a little dizzy but ok."

"You're sure?"

"Yeah, I'm…" Cameron stopped, her eyes widening. "Oh my God. You're actually concerned about me. What happened?"

"You tried to stick a dagger in Strange," Wilson answered.

"I what?!" Cameron shrieked, whirling around to see the confirming looks from Chase and Foreman.

"What do you last remember?" Strange gently asked.

Cameron rubbed her head. "I was going to get some coffee…I was walking by an alley and….and…" She shook her head. "It's all blank up until right now."

Strange paced a few feet, rubbing his chin. "Evidentially someone mesmerized you to go after me."

"Hold up," Foreman said as Cameron gasped. "You can't hypnotize someone into doing something they wouldn't want to do."

"He's right," Chase said. "Otherwise, she'd have tried to stab House."

House simply shrugged. "Nah, she'd have aimed lower than my chest."

Cameron glared at him. "Can we not joke about someone taking over my mind and trying to make me commit murder?" House had enough sense to keep his mouth shut.

"This was not simple hypnotism," Strange informed him. "It was laced with powerful magics that in essence allowed the spellcaster's will to supersede Cameron's, to make him her puppet."

"Puppet?" Cameron said as she sat in a chair.

"Verrry tactful, Stephen," House quipped.

Strange's pacing stopped as he faced a door, his expression drawn. "Someone attempted to use her to kill me in my own home, believing I would be taken unawares."

Wong frowned deeply. "But Master, how could you not detect the influence on her? You have spells set up to alert you to such traces so you can be prepared."

Strange nodded. "Indeed. Which means that whoever cast this spell on Cameron knew how to avoid such magical scans."

Wong was confused. "But, Master, you created those spells yourself. Only you know how to counteract them."

"No, Wong," Strange answered. "Those spells were taught to me by the Ancient One. Which means one who learned from him would know how to work past them."

Wong's eyes widened and his face grew pale. "Master," he choked. "You…you don't mean…"

Strange turned to face him, nodding solemnly, his face and voice grave. "Yes, old friend, I'm afraid so." He gazed out, his eyes narrowing as he uttered a single word.

"Mordo."