Chapter Three: Shields and Wards
"So when do I start studying?" Mika asked as the group made their way out of the library, James remaining behind to browse some.
"That is up to you Miss Anderson, "Karen said with a smile, "I would recommend giving a few weeks at least to let it sink in. That would also give me some time to work on refreshing the wards on this place and perhaps improving on them."
"Yeah, that would be a good idea, "Sam said walking right behind them, "Any way you can make this place Demon proof without kicking us out."
"That would be relatively easy, all I would need to do is key you guys to the wards to allow you access, "said Ms. Wallis with a raised brow, "Have you had problems with other demons?"
"Phft! More like a she-demon, "Sam answered, "There this bitch that tried to take me and my brothers back to the Abyssal Plains. Gave Mika here a hard time, because I…we wanted to stay with her."
"Thanks for the warning, "Karen said with a frown, "I'll get to work on the new wards first thing in the morning. Until then, I assume she'll be safe enough with you."
Sam and Mika both blushed, but Sam nodded once firmly in agreement.
"In that case I will definitely need to put off your training for at least a week or so, "Karen sighed, "Between the wards, getting Damien's shields going and all the paperwork…"
"Anything we can do to help?" Mika asked.
"Aside from holding my tools, not really. If any of you knew enough about setting up wards or shields, then both of those jobs would have already been done, "Karen said frankly, "The paperwork can only be done by me since I was the one your grandfather left in charge of it. At least I don't need to see about making sure you are fed or guarded from normal intruders. "
"You think someone might break in here, "Sam asked as they stopped at the base of the stairs.
"Actually once word breaks out on Miss Anderson's sudden wealth I do foresee kidnapping attempts and possible break-ins. Not to mention the occasional guy trying to con her into falling in love with him, "Karen answered frankly, "But with five demons here and soon to be installed up-dated security system, I'm not as worried as I was. Miss Anderson just can't go into town alone until she learns to defend herself. Since you two are an item, I'm holding you personally responsible for her safety."
Mika frowned and protested, "Hey, that's…"
"Fine by me, "Sam said with a grin, "If anyone tries to lay a finger on my girl they are going to regret it."
Sam and Mika started to go upstairs as Ms. Wallis turned to get her things from the dining room. "Huh, Ms. Wallis, ma'am…"Matthew said nervously once she entered.
"Yes, Matthew, "Wallis answered waiting for his question.
"Well, me and the guys were kinda planning another graduation party for Mika, "the boyish looking demon said, "You know one to kinda make up for the one she already had…something she can have fun with and be with her actual friends rather than…"
"That sounds like a wonderful idea, "Ms. Wallis said, "What's your concern?"
"Well would it cause problems with you setting up the wards if we have this weekend? It'll only be a some of her high school friends and some barbeque…"
Wallis took a few moments doing some mental math, today was Tuesday with both paperwork and wards going up. Wallis sighed and said, "If I can get some help putting up those wards it shouldn't interfere. I might need to stay here over the next few nights."
"Cool!" Matthew exclaimed and then asked, "What sorta help do you need? Anything I can do?"
"Don't see why not, I just mainly need someone to make sure my materials don't run out and help make sure I don't overdo it with the energy usage. You would need to make sure I take breaks and eat something every few hours. I have a bad habit of forgetting when I'm focused."
"I can do that; just let me know when you are ready to get started!"
Wallis chucked and said, "I'll talk with Mika about me staying here while I'm working on the wards when I come by tomorrow. I wonder if my old room is still free."
"You use to live here?" Matthew asked with a tilt of his head.
"I was Mr. Anderson's personal assistance and supernatural advisor, "answered Wallis with a shrug, "I had to be available at any time during the day or night. With a place this big it was just easier to claim a servant's room as my own and just move in."
"Huh…if you don't mind me asking, "said Matthew, "You don't seem old enough to know all this stuff and have seen Mika as a kid."
"Let's just say, that like you, I'm older than I look"
(The mundane library)
Damien waited in the normal library as he was silently asked to by Ms. Wallis. He could barely believe it; he was finally going to be able to stop reading people's minds. He couldn't stand sitting any more. He got up and tried to read the titles off the books in the room. He could slowly read some of them…someday he'll be able to not only read the book titles but the actual books.
"Thanks for waiting, "Ms. Wallis said as she entered the room and took one of the chairs for herself, placing the briefcase on the floor so that it leaned against the same chair, "Please sit down, I want to go over what basically we will be doing tonight and then see about working on the actual shielding tomorrow. If that's alright"
"Of course, "Damien said as he sat down.
"Now I need to know how detailed your mind reading is. Do you actually see what the person is thinking about or just hear the words?"
"It depends, "said Damien, "Usually it's just words but sometimes if a person is thinking hard enough I can see images. Like when Mika has her nightmares, if I'm close enough I can actually see what she is dreaming. Normal or pleasant dreams I can't really hear or see unless I'm in the same room."
"Thank you, that helps. It seems to me that you mind reading is rather strong but rather specific, "said Wallis, "So you most likely just need basic shields to prevent accidentally hearing thoughts. Are you able to send you thoughts to another person?"
Damien thought silently for a few moments and shook his head, "I don't think so. I never actually tried but I have never heard complaints from by brothers about talking in their heads by accident."
"Try talking to me with your mind, "suggested Karen, "It may help to close your eyes."
After a few moments of hearing nothing, Damien shook his head and said, "It didn't work."
"That's not a problem, it's just sometimes the two abilities come together and I just wanted to know if you needed any additional training than what I have planned."
"Do many humans have these abilities?"
"Yes and no. Most humans consider such abilities to be myth or a hoax. Unfortunately that means when a rare human child develops such abilities they rarely if ever get the training they need so they either go insane or their minds seals the ability away to protect itself. I came across one child while I was running a long distance errand for Mr. Anderson. Apparently her abilities awoken when she was being attacked and the mental scream she sent out scared everyone for miles around. Nearly killed her attacker."
"What happened to her?"
"Some local religious nuts insisted that the mental scream was from the Angels or some such nonsense and tried to claim her for their church, "the woman frowned at the memory, "It was no Angel leading that church but a smarter than normal Devil. Let's just say it was a bit of a mess to get her back to her parents and convince them to allow her to get the training she needed."
"That's good."
"Now the first thing we need to do, is to get you to find your mental center and then built up a barrier
to attach to it, "said Karen, "That'll be the easy part since I should be able to show you mentally if I think hard enough. After that is the hard part, at least for you: sneak attacks."
"What?!"
"I get Mika and your brothers to start thinking really loud and weird thoughts at you, "Karen smiled humorously, "At first you will have to concentrate to keep those shields up but after being constantly reminded to do so, it should become second nature. I want it to make it so you have to concentrate to lower the shields instead of keeping them up."
"Why do you use these shields?"
"Because humans and nice demons such as yourself are not the only ones that can read minds and the same shields that prevents you from reading minds will prevent others from invading yours."
"Oh…should we teach the others?"
"Let's leave it at one student at a time for now, "Wallis said tiredly, "I will be teaching Mika how to do this along with her lessons. If you want to try to teach the others you are welcomed to although without a sender it may be more difficult."
"Actually, I'm already familiar with some mental shields, "came James' voice as he stepped out of the Library into the study, "I just never thought Damien might be able to use them to block his mind reading ability. For that I'm sorry, brother."
"I'll take you word for it, "said Karen just before a hall clock chimed the hour. The woman smiled and said, "I do believe that's my cue to leave. I'll finish and drop off the paperwork at the legal offices tomorrow morning. After collecting the required materials, I'll be by to start on the wards and then continue with Damien's training."
James graciously helped the woman up and said, "I thank you for all the help you are providing us."
"Don't concern yourself, I'm a personal assistant…I'm suppose to assist, "said Karen who then smiled added, "Now with that lame joke out of the way, I'll be off. Sleep well you two."
As the woman left the building, Damien spoke up, "She's nice but she is hiding something."
"Do you think it might be dangerous?"
"No, "Damien answered honestly, "She block me out just a few times tonight and each time it was when she was talking about something that happened long ago."
"Then let her keep her privacy, "James said firmly, "We all have thing in out pasts we rather not have revealed."
(Ruined Church)
A paled skinned woman with long black hair knelt down on the broken, concrete floor and said, "The Anderson inheritance has been passed on. Harold Anderson's granddaughter has accessed the Library."
In front of the kneeling woman a tall, thin figure stood up in the dark shadows. Only its red glowing eyes could be seen as they narrowed. A male voice came from it as it said, "So a new Anderson plans to take up the cause. Bah! Soft hearted fools, every last one of them. I assume the Bitch is the one to show her the way?"
"Yes, Master, "the woman said and then added, "The Anderson girl also has five demons living in the Anderson House. They have all been given permission to enter the Library."
"WHAT?! Who are these demons?!"
"Incubi from what I can tell, "the woman reported, "They are nobles of some sort that escaped to Earth. It appears they did not agree with what their father was doing."
"Five noble born demon sons…Ah the Demon Lords lost spawn. I heard tell of them. Let me guess the bleeding heart that he is, the late Anderson was the one that helped summon them here. Go! Observe them for now, quietly. I want to know how attached they are to the girl and the Bitch. Are they just using them for their energy, are they close allies and who is fucking who?"
The woman nodded and said, "At once, Master." She then turned into smoke and vanished.
"Master, if I may speak, "said a hunched over being with a creepy voice.
"Speak, Worm."
"There is a prophecy, one from Abyssal Plains that speaks of a Lord of Dragons who falls in love with a human woman."
"What does this have to do with the Anderson girl."
"The Lord of Dragon is said will be born a demon, son of a cruel tyrant. The demon will rise up against his father and with the love of this human woman will become a dragon. If the Anderson girl happens to be…attached to one of the incubi…"
"Then we might have access to a dragon in the making, "the Master said thoughtfully, "Research the matter the best you can. I want to find out if it's better to destroy the whelp before he hatches or put my harness on him as he rises."
To be continued…