Davis Mansion

Mai's P.O.V.

A silence had fallen over the living room as everyone got seated around the projector. I glanced out of the corner of my eye to watch my two children adjust to the newer setting. Regardless of what Naru says, those two were certainly the social butterflies. But I think it also helped that Yasu was chatty, more than normal.

I felt my husband approach behind me and lay a hand on my shoulder.

"Are we ready to begin?" He whispered into my ear.

Grabbing the folders for each individual person, I stepped away and nodded my head.

"Yep, let's go!"

Naru nodded over to Lin, who typed quickly on his lap top and fixed the projector to the presentation. The lights were clicked off as soon as I handed off the last folder. I took a seat next to my daughter on the couch and snuggled in next to her. She gave me a happy smile and then turned her attention to her father. There was a click from the laptop and images came up on the screen, all different snap shots of the castle itself. The main entrance was through a 20 meter high gatehouse. Two semi-octagonal towers flanked a passageway protected by a portcullis. And the battlement that projected over the gatehouse didn't escape my attention, and a statue of John of Gaunt loomed over it all.

Another picture caught my attention as I recognized the keep, probably the oldest standing building throughout the entire castle. It stood four stories high with buttresses at each corner and in the middle of each wall.

"This is Lancaster Castle in, of course, Lancaster England. It's one of the only few castles that's still active. The Ministry of Justice operates a Crown court in one part of the building, and some of the others still serve as a prison."

Naru stepped back and let Lin continue.

"The castle was built in 79 AD. As time passed, there were additions made and the castle was remodeled, but it still served its purpose as a prison. And then it turned into the Executioner's Block."

There was another clicking sound as the pictures changed.

"The number of executions between 1782 and 1865 is two-hundred and sixty-five."

Takigawa let out a whistle and ran a hand through his hair.

"That's a lot of people. Especially if most of them are spirits." He commented.

"Right. It's way too big of a job for us alone." Ayako was quick to agree.

"However, we were asked to investigate the dungeons and the offices." Naru was quick to interrupt. "They understood the level of cleansing it would take and knew that we wouldn't be able to cleanse the entire place with that many souls. They just want the offices and the jail cells cleansed. There's been trouble."

There was a silent click as the picture changed to a darker scene of the front door. The lights of an ambulance took up most of the picture, but all of our attention was focused on the body bags and a stretcher. Two medics blocked the view of the victim's face, but it was easy to see blood dripping off.

"Prisoners are being attacked and killed. The guards, when they try to help, get attacked." Naru finished.

"So this is a dangerous case, eh Naru?" Ayako asked.

Naru was quick to turn a dark glare on the poor Miko.

"If you feel that your safety is in danger, you can decline the offer."

A scowl crossed her face as she harrumphed and crossed her arms.

"I never said I wouldn't do it Naru. Just making sure I understand what we're getting ourselves into, that's all."

I put a hand on Jean's leg and gave it a tight squeeze. She gave a startled jump and tore her eyes away from the image on the screen.

"Did you see something?" I whispered to her.

Jean shook her head slowly.

"No, I just get the sudden feeling of dread. This won't be pretty, will it?"

"I don't think it will be, especially with these attacks." I whispered back to her. "How often do the attacks occur?" I asked Naru.

He flipped the folder open and rummaged through some pages before stopping.

"As often as three times a week."

"My gods!" Monk exclaimed as he stood up from the couch and started to stretch his legs out. "That's an awful lot. Are we the first team to head in?"

Lin stepped forward and turned the projector off.

"Not really. There have been other teams in before us, but they were mostly for the more obvious ghosts, like the little girl, the monk or the Grey Lady, but none of them have been exorcised yet. However, there have not been any ghosts of the Pendle Witches Trial, which is a shock for us. But there's a possibility that this spirit attacking might be related to the hanging Trials."

"When do we leave?"

"Give us another day to pull our equipment together and call in favors, then we'll leave by Tuesday."

The horse under me moved at a slow and easy pace, which was almost lured me to sleep.

"Mai dear?"

"Hmm?"

I hadn't noticed that my husband was talking to me at all, my mind was wondering. His blue eyes were full with concern and eagerness that I hadn't seen in a while. His brown horse was traveling at an easy pace next to mine.

"Are you okay? You are so quiet."

"Sorry. I was just thinking, that's all."

"About the case?" He guessed.

"Yeah. Just worried about the children, that's all."

"Why?"

"They've had no experience. I feel like we're throwing them in the middle of this."

"Which is the best way to learn."

I fell silent again and studied my saddle.

"It's dangerous."

Naru grabbed a hold of my hand and gave it a squeeze.

"It'll be fine. We're with them. They know how to use their powers, and they know the mantras. They're ready."

"I know. That's why I'm worried. That's all. I'll have to get use to it, that's all."

I felt a hand gently touch my face, and I looked up in time to see my husband lean in and kiss me.

A/N: I'm apologizing again for the delays. There's been awful weather here; internet has gone down for a bit. Not to mention, towns around me have been hit by serious tornados, and we're thinking we might not be so lucky to be avoided next time. Joplin is not too far, and I will be trying to help there as much as I can. And not to mention a trip my twin and I'll be making next week! So, I took advice from () and went with changing P., which is something I don't do often, but I think I can pull it off as long as I keep it between Jeanine and Mai. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Until next time!

Love,

Jazzy