Hey, y'all! It's great to be back after vacation and being sick. (Fun) For those who guessed about the painting, it was indeed the painting of the redhead from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, which, in fact, got half of my jeans soaked for an entire day and...not important, sorry. Now, for the next chapter in the exciting saga. Again, I own nothing, thanks for reminding me. I'm just going to go have a good cry now. Enjoy and review! Oh! I forgot! I do own Sydney. Yay. (hugs the spectre)


"Madame Leota? As in the evil Madame Leota?"

Leota rolled her eyes and looked purely annoyed. She dropped the sweet tone of the mystical gypsy medium and her voice took on a very slight Cajun accent.

"Is that what the "innocent" master of the manor told you? Ha! Me, evil. That's a laugh."

"So, you're not…"

"Of course not! Maybe a little aggressive when called for, but definitely not evil."

"Can you tell me what's going on here then? George said something about demonic spirits and the house being a portal…is that true?"

"A portal? More like a vortex. Look at all the ghosts around. Even if they weren't bound to stay here, they would. It started a few months after I came here. Gracey was looking for his father and his late wife, that much is true. It's what he told you after that which diverges from the truth. A dark spirit did enter the house, but I did not summon it. He did.

"I was unable to contact the spirits he sought because they had passed on. I tried to tell him, but he accused me of not trying hard enough. To prove his point that anyone could do this, he grabbed the nearest spell book, Zaubers von dem Zwanzigste Jahrhundert, and read a spell at random. The result was me being trapped in this ball. Then, encouraged by his success, he read another spell. This spell was more of a curse and he unleashed a demon. It unlocked something deep inside of Gracey, jealousy, hatred, hostility. I was able to subdue the beast, but some of it still resides inside of him. Once more, he looked for a spell that may solve his problem. With the limited German that he knew, he translated one of the titles. He thought it said 'To find lost souls in the dwelling'. The actually translation was 'To curse the souls in the dwelling'. The curse set upon the house and I explained the meaning to Gracey. None of the souls would rest until one thousand souls reside here.

"I finally told Gracey the reason that I could not reach his father and late wife. When he heard, the demon inside of him took over and he killed his new bride, her brother, and everyone else on the premises. After his murderous streak was over, the demon went dormant and Gracey went back to normal. He saw what he had done and, he felt so guilty that, he hung himself in the hidden portrait gallery. The demon has poisoned his mind to believe that everything was my fault."

"So he knows about this place, the hidden panel."

"No, he doesn't. I found that hallway when I first came here. He has no idea that it exists."

Paula relaxed a bit. "So, the demon is always present?"

"It's more of a Jekyll/Hyde relationship, except he has no idea when Hyde will show himself."

"And I would be the last one? If I die, then everyone else is free."

"Yes, that is one way. The other is to take out the demon. There is a spell in that same book that will release the demon just as it introduced it. Get the book and bring it here. A mortal must read the text, so you'll have to do it."

There was a thud in the hallway, like a footstep. Paula jumped, but Leota's face remained unchanged. Now she spoke in an urgent whisper.

"Get behind the curtains."

"The curtains?"

"Behind the chair. There's a trunk. Get in it." When Paula still looked at her confused, she added, "Now!"

Paula rushed to comply. Behind the chair and the curtains, was a dark wood chest with carvings of an Indian origin. She slipped inside and Leota slid on the latch. The interior was dark, obviously, and smelled like spices. Paula may have been in the dark, but she could hear everything.

A door opened and Leota's sweet voice rang out.

"Ah, Master Gracey. What can I do for you tonight?"

"I need you to find me someone."

"Am I speaking to the Jekyll or the Hyde?"

"Does it really matter? I have a job for you."

"Ah, Mr. Hyde. What can I do for you?"

"Find the girl."

"Wouldn't that be cheating? You should find her yourself."

"She isn't here is she?"

"Why would she be here?" Leota's tone grew icy. "You are the only one in the mansion who knows I am here. Why don't you go find her brother? Perhaps he knows where she is."

There was a silence and then the sound of the door opening and closing again. Leota chuckled quietly and addressed Paula.

"You may come out now."

Paula pushed on the lid, but it would not open.

"Leota?" Her voice was panicked. "I think you forgot something."

"What? Oh, sorry."

The latch slid open and Paula was able to push open the lid. She stayed sitting in the chest and pulled back the brocaded curtains to find Leota simply looking at her with a small smile on her face.

"Is the book here?"

Leota shook her head sending the green clouds around her into wisps that covered her face. A moment after the upset, they returned to their proper position, framing her face.

"It is in the Master's study."

Paula remembered the large leather bound book that sat on Gracey's desk. How was she to get it? She voiced her concern to the medium.

"I've sent your hunter to seek out your brother. It is unlikely that he will be found, since he is deep in the woods with three others." Paula smiled faintly. "Just get into the study..."

"How do I do that?" Leota looked a little miffed at being interrupted, but she let it pass.

"There are more than two ways into this room. One other passage goes from here to the study."

"Does he know about that one?"

"Yes." She nodded her head to the opposite side of the room. Yet another curtain draped over the wall. This one was a dark faded blue with thick rust stripes. Gold threads glistened in the light of brass lanterns that hung from the ceiling. A gold coloured tassel hung to one side.

"Pull the tassel," Leota instructed. Paula did as she was told and the drape rose to reveal a dark entrance. She looked back for reassurance. Leota nodded forward, nudging her forward. "When you get to the end of the passage, just push on the centre of the door."

Paula nodded and slid into the darkness. The curtain fell back behind her and Leota closed her eyes to see what went on in the black corridor.

-X-

The only light came from generously spaced torches held by sculpted human hands. In the high recesses of the bricks were large glistening webs that held gigantic neon coloured spiders. Paula carefully eyed the arachnids hoping that they would not drop onto her. Cool wind blew through the corridor riffling the torch flames. She quickened her pace and looked for the end of the brick passage. A blue glow appeared behind her. Her breath caught and her heart stopped. Slowly, she turned around to face the spectre. The semi-transparent man behind her was someone that she did not expect to see again.

"Sydney?"

"In the flesh…well, sort of." His voice was low, but humourous. Paula wondered if he knew the gravity of her situation. He must have caught her expression because he grew more somber and spoke once more. "The news of the game is spreading through the mansion and I wanted to know if there was anything that I could do for you."

"Do you know where Gracey is? And how did you find me?"

Sydney thought for a moment before shaking his head ruefully. "No one's seen him inside the manor, but that doesn't mean anything. He comes and goes wherever and whenever he wants. As to the second, I've just been looking everywhere, and so has everyone else."

"But if I die, then won't they be free to go on their merry way?"

"We've been here since before you or your parents were born. We like it here. Where else would we go? Plus, we're not for the killing of innocents."

"Then I think you can help me." She gestured invitingly to the continuing hallway. Sydney followed closely behind her, like a shadow, as they continued down the passage. Paula may have seemed calm on the outside, but on the inside, she was a nervous wreck. Every small noise, from air blowing through the bricks to the skittering noise of spiders' legs, made her heart and stomach leap. For all she knew, Gracey could be following them right now or waiting for her at the end of the hall or in the study. The part of her mind that was not scared was working in overdrive. Regret and plans flooded her mind in an attempt to repress the fear. It wasn't really working. They came to the end of the brick tunnel. The wall looked like it was part of the rest of the hall, but Paula knew better. She laid her palms on the centre of the wall and began to push gently. Sydney stood behind her looking mildly interested. A second after she started pushing, Paula stopped and looked back at Sydney.

"Would you mind going in first. Just see if Gracey is there."

"Sure, no problem." He began to dissolve into nothingness.

"Wait!" Sydney reappeared. "Can you also see if there's an old leather bound book on the desk?"

"Yeah." He waited a moment. "Anything else?"

"No, that's it."

"Are you sure?"

"Yep."

He began to disappear again.

"Wait!" Again, he rematerialized. "Sorry, I forgot one thing. Be careful."

He grinned. "No problem."

He faded into nothingness again, and Paula waited anxiously for his report. Seconds that felt like ages ticked by. Her nervous habits began to kick in. She started bouncing on the balls of her feet and chanting "Hurry up" under her breath. What could be taking him so long? Finally, a blue mist appeared in front of her and began to take Sydney's shape.

"Well?"

"All clear."

Paula breathed a sigh of relief. "And the book."

"On the table."

"Good. Thanks, Sydney." She resumed pushing on the centre of the false wall. The wall swung open and light flooded into the corridor. Cautiously, Paula stepped into the room that was just as she had remembered, except Gracey was no longer inside it. The prize that she sought was on the desk, just as Sydney had said. Sydney stayed in the passage, acting as a lookout as Paula took the book with some trepidation as what would happen next. She assumed that the book was movable and that there were no Indiana Jones-like traps around. The book was heavier than Paula had anticipated, but it fit perfectly into her arms. She stole back to the hidden door where Sydney was anxiously.

"Safe!" That thought was full of relief, but quickly burst. For when she set foot over the threshold to the secret passage, the menacing voice of the master sounded behind her.

"So you did go to see Leota. Mr. Blaine, it's interesting to see you here." Sydney cringed under the demonized master's piercing gaze. "I believe you have something of mine, Miss Andersen, and I would like it back."

Paula looked down at the book and back at Gracey. His hand was extended palm up and his expression was icy. She looked back at Sydney, who still stood in front of her. He looked to her for instructions and maybe some support.

"Go tell Leota that we may have a problem. I'll come as soon as I can," Paula instructed in a low voice. At the instructions, Sydney's eyes widened. It was apparent that he had heard stories about the medium. She nodded her head forward in a 'go it'll be fine' gesture and, with that, he disappeared.

"He chose wisely. Now, Miss Andersen, I believe we have some unfinished business."

He took a step forward and Paula realised that there were no weapons that could protect her against the supernatural. She did the only thing that she could. She ran.

"You're only prolonging the inevitable, Miss Andersen."

She did not reply, only kept running. In classic horror movie fashion, she stumbled to the ground. Quickly, she scrambled to her feet and ran until she was only a few feet from the psychic's room. There Gracey stood casually examining his fingernails. Paula's eyes narrowed and she clutched the book tightly to her chest. If ghosts could walk through solid objects, why couldn't she go through them? After taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and ran at full speed to Leota's door. A chill enveloped her body and she opened her eyes. Only she opened them too late. She tripped over the doorsill and tumbled onto a stack of pillows. The book flew from her hands and landed open at the base of the table.

"Nice landing."

"Thanks," she mumbled as she got to her feet and picked up the spell book. "Which one is it?"

Leota's eyes quickly scanned over the text on the pages in front of her. Somehow, she flipped the aged pages until she came to the back of the book. Here the illustrations and borders grew darker and more gruesome. Paula thought that she saw a picture of a hand holding a fiery, bloody heart on one of the pages. Finally, Leota stopped and nodded her head to one of the pages.

"That one."

"Which one?"

"Third from the bottom on the right side. Now all we need is the possessed…" George appeared in the doorway. "Well, speak of the devil and he shall appear. You can go ahead now."

Paula had been scanning the text with trepidation. "Um, Leota?"

"Hmm?"

"I don't speak German. How am I supposed to read this?"

"Just say it like it looks."

"What are you doing?"

George's eyes blazed with an unnatural glow, even for a member of the supernatural. Leota's eyes were narrowed at him waiting for the spell to take its course. Paula's lips were working on speaking the spell. The demonized master stepped forward, bent on saving his existence. Paula gulped, licked her lips, and began to read the spell in a quiet voice.

"Dämon, mit keiner Name." The words felt strange on her tongue and her voice became quieter with each word. Leota interrupted her to help her rid the demon.

"Speak up!"

Paula began again, this time with a stronger and louder voice.

"Dämon, mit keiner Name,

Geh züruck zu wo du hast gekommen.

Lasse die Seele von diesem Mann.

Geh so weit weg wie du kannst!"

Paula looked up to see the effect of her words, and she was not disappointed. Gracey let out an inhuman yell that dragged on and echoed through the mansion. The glow in his eyes grew so it looked as if all the fires of Hell were reflected there. His body began to shake violently like he was having a seizure. His hands ripped at his skin and clothing, trying to break free. His mouth opened once more and a fiery spirit slipped out. The light went from Gracey's eyes and he collapsed on the floor clothed only in a tattered white shirt and torn black pants. Paula looked at his immobile form and wondered whether a spirit could die a second time, but her attention was quickly diverted to the demon that came out of him.

"You think that you can get rid of me that easy?" The demon's voice reminded Paula of something from the end of Ghostbusters. "Let me show you what I can do!"

The evil spirit expanded, nearly filling the entire room. The fire in its eyes was mirrored in its entire body. It looked like a serpentine dragon. Five long sharp claws accentuated the beast's hands. A tongue that looked like a whip of fire slid from his mouth and teeth that were similar to the claws made its smile very creepy indeed. Paula's eyes widened, thinking that it seemed that whether Gracey had killed her or not, she would become number one thousand. Even Leota appeared surprised, perhaps more curious than surprised, but Paula believed that this wasn't what she expected to happen. The mortal backed up until the back of her legs hit a stool and she toppled to the ground.

"Leota, why didn't it work?"

Leota did not answer, but instead, called the book to her when it flew from Paula's grasp. It floated in front of her and her green eyes skimmed over the instructions. The demon let out a hideous scream and rose up to the ceiling.

"Leota?!"

"Just give me a minute."

"I may not have a minute!" Paula's words ended in a shriek as the beast descended to her. Its claws slashed across her face, making blood flow down her skin like sweat. There was no way to defeat him without the spell. Why had it not worked? Another swipe of the claws created marks on her shoulder and ripped her shirt enough to show the cross she wore around her neck. Upon gazing at the holy symbol, the demon squealed and reared up. Paula realised her chance and got up to try to escape, but she had no luck. Now that the cross was out of sight, the demon came back and dug its claws across the small of her back. She closed her eyes to stop the tears, the pain was blinding and she let out a cry that turned into the word 'Leota'.

"Sorry, sorry. It says that the spell must be read a second time."

"I'm coming; I'm just a little busy right now."

Another claw ripped across her skin. She knew somehow the demon was toying with her, making her suffer. Those claws could have easily killed her in a heartbeat. Hoping that her diversion would work, Paula kicked a small bench at her adversary. The bench hit the demon and Paula ran to finish the spell. Again, she read the words and the demon stopped in mid-strike. A whirlwind entered the room and the demon became a tornado of flame. The room shook until the twister diminished, taking the demon with it. Paula breathing was heavy as the beast disappeared. When it was gone, her legs shook and crumpled beneath her like a newborn colt's. The book still lay open in her hands. She shut it carefully and laid it on Leota's table.

"I guess anyone really can do it. Nicely done."

Paula smiled, closed her eyes and leaned back against the table. Her breathing had slowed considerably and every once in a while a small laugh escaped her lips. The blood from her wounds had dripped down to her lips and the coppery taste reawakened her senses and brought her back to reality. The pain was considerable and Paula found that, considering the amount of blood she was loosing, it was amazing that she was still conscious. She felt the scratches on her back and brought back her hand to establish the severity of that wound. Only a bit of red showed on her pale hand, something that she was grateful for. The wounds that were the worst seemed to be the scratches on her forehead and those on her shoulder. Other minor scratches on her face and arms bled little if not at all.

After surveying her own injuries, she looked over to where the master of the manor lay, still unmoving. She made her way over to him, while Leota looked on. Paula still wondered if he was gone for good. However, if that were so, wouldn't his form have disappeared? Gently, she placed a hand on his shoulder and hoped it would be somewhat solid. It was. She gingerly turned him over so he rested on his back and looked for movement. What movement she did not know, for she was uncertain whether ghosts still appeared to breathe or not. Again, she placed her hand on his shoulder and shook his form gently.

"Master Gracey? Master Gracey?"

He seemed to stir at the sound of his name, but Paula could not be sure. So, she called him again, this time going for shock.

"George?"

At the sound of his first name, his eyes flickered open to see who was calling him. This time they were bright blue instead of the fiery red they were moments earlier. Paula sighed in relief and Leota looked as if she shared the sentiment. Gracey, however, was quite confused. His voice lost some of its dramatic nature as he began to speak and instead took on a shaky quality.

"M-miss Andersen?" He coughed and his voice regained its normal tone. "What has happened?" He looked down at his tattered clothing and then up at Paula with all her wounds. Now, he was beyond confused.

"Short version: You've been possessed by a demon for, oh, about sixty, sixty-five years. You, or I should say the demon, killed most everyone in the house, including my brother, and also tried to kill me so that everyone could go to the happy hunting grounds. If you want the long version, you'll have to ask Leota because, frankly, I don't think I'd tell it very well."

She said this almost without pausing for breath and Gracey looked at her astounded.

"So…" He trailed off, gazing at the gashes on her face.

"You didn't do that. The demon did."

It was at this point that the room had begun to spin in Paula's eyes and multicoloured spots danced there too. She began to fall forward, but Gracey caught her just before she hit the ground. Some of the blood dripped from her face and shoulder to the carpets covering the floor.

"Sorry about the mess, Leota," she mumbled with her eyes half closed. After gently laying her down, Gracey shredded one of the drapes near him to help staunch the blood from her shoulder. With another scrap of fabric, he applied pressure to her forehead. A small glass of water floated over to them, courtesy of Leota. Gracey held the cup to her lips.

"Drink this," he commanded.

She complied with the order and finished the clear liquid, with some unseen surprise. There was a note of authority in his voice, a note that advised her not to disobey. In the short time of her stay at the manor, the master had not acted like this. Mischievous and amused, yes. Concerned and persistent, no so much. Even through the events of the night, Paula felt as she would in her parents' care—safe.

"Maybe, maybe you'll get your thousand, Gracey."

"I hope not, Miss Andersen. I hope not."