Legacy 210: Now You Seer Me
Part 2
Xxx
Henry was surprised to see Ivy standing on the front porch of the manor. He had not seen her since their encounter at the demonic market, where she had escaped with the Soulthorn ring and handed it to one of their enemies. Although he knew not to trust her, Henry had to admit she looked great in the checkered skirt she was wearing, as it showed off her nice legs. Julian seemed less thrilled to see her, as their familiarity was about as confusing and tricky as it could be.
"Ivy." Julian sneered. "What are you going here?"
"Nice seeing you too." Ivy replied. "Can I come in? I'd rather not have this conversation in the rain."
"Sure, come in." Henry said.
"Thanks, Henry." Ivy replied.
Ivy walked past Julian with a smile and entered the manor. Julian closed the door and frowned at Henry, probably wondering why the hell he invited her in. Henry wasn't quite sure himself, but if the demonic witch was planning something, it was better to let her think she was getting away with it.
"What brings you by, Ivy?" Henry asked as they followed her into the living room.
"Straight to business, I see." Ivy replied. "That's so unlike you."
"Maybe you don't know me as well as you think." Henry noted.
"Maybe so." Ivy said. "Guess it's time to change that."
"Enough with the games." Julian said annoyed. "Tell us why you're here."
"Relax, this doesn't concern you." Ivy replied as she sat down on the couch.
"Really?" Henry asked. "I doubt it's just a social call. Either you're after something or you need help somehow."
"Fine, I'll admit it." Ivy said. "You're right, I need your help."
"We're not helping you with anything." Julian replied harshly. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it will come around to bite us in the ass."
"Luckily for you I don't need you then." Ivy said. "I just need Henry."
"Why me?" Henry asked.
"I'm attending a ball and a need a piece of arm candy." Ivy replied casually. "You just happen to be the first person that came to mind."
"I'm flattered." Henry said. "But I doubt my good looks are all you need. Why don't you try telling the whole story?"
"Whatever it is, he's not doing it." Julian stated.
"Will you excuse us for a moment?" Henry said. "I need to have a little private chat with your brother slash nephew."
Henry grabbed Julian by the arm and led him to the kitchen to talk in private. He really didn't seem to like Ivy, but refusing to listen to her wasn't going to help. If they wanted to know what she was planning, they needed to play along with her game. Besides, Julian was the one who asked him to get closer to Ivy in the first place.
"Okay, you need to chill." Henry said softly.
"We can't trust her." Julian replied.
"Well, thanks for that brilliant observation, Sherlock." Henry remarked. "The only way we're going to learn the truth is to hear her out. You told me to get close to her, remember, this is the perfect opportunity."
"I know, but this feels like a trap." Julian said.
"Look, she came to us, which means she is desperate." Henry replied. "We can use that against her."
"Do you really think you can out-trick her?" Julian asked. "She is a born manipulator, just like Elizabeth was."
"I know her better than you do." Henry noted. "She might think she can manipulate me with a little flirting, but two can play that game."
"I still don't like it." Julian replied.
"You don't have to like it." Henry said. "You just need to trust me."
"Alright, fine." Julian agreed. "But you get out at the first sign of trouble."
"Deal." Henry replied.
Henry and Julian returned to the living room, but Ivy had disappeared from the couch. For a moment, Henry grew concerned that she had stolen something from the manor, like the Book of Shadows, but he was surprised to see her returning to the living room with two pizza boxes. She dropped the boxes in Henry's arms and opened the top one to get a slice.
"I saw the delivery guy coming." Ivy noted. "But who puts mushroom on their pizza though, that's gross."
"The other one is without." Henry said.
"Oh great." Ivy replied as she switched the boxes around. "Enjoy, it's my treat."
"Thanks, I guess." Henry replied. "So, tell us more about this ball you're attending."
"Of course." Ivy said. "It's hosted by a client of mine to show off his impressive artifact collection."
"A demonic client?" Julian asked.
"Forcas is a demon, yes." Ivy admitted. "But he knows many people in the community, both human and demon."
"So I'm not walking into a room full of demons." Henry noted. "That's good to know."
"It's not all demons, no, but everyone there is associated with the demonic black market." Ivy said. "You'd be surprised how many mortals deal in dark magic."
"So what are you after?" Julian asked. "There must be something there that you want."
"I'm after an artifact from his collection for another client." Ivy replied. "I'm hoping Forcas will be willing to sell."
"And if not?" Henry asked.
"Well, that's the other reason I need you specifically." Ivy explained. "In case we can't charm Forcas into selling the artifact, we're going to steal it. Your power to turn intangible is just what I need."
"Sounds easy enough." Henry remarked. "So what is this mysterious artifact?"
"It's called the Moonstone Amulet." Ivy replied.
"What does it do?" Julian asked.
"Its a protective amulet meant to ward off and break curses." Ivy said. "Its unique and said to break even the strongest of curses."
"Sounds harmless enough." Henry replied.
"Unless her client wants to break a curse placed on them for a reason, a demon cursed by a witch for example." Julian noted. "All her clients as evil, so all of her transactions have consequences."
"I'm not responsible how people use the artifacts." Ivy replied. "I'm just the supplier."
"An easy excuse." Julian remarked. "Why should Henry agree to helping you?"
"Because I need his help." Ivy admitted. "My client is getting impatient. If I don't get the amulet in time, it's all over for me."
"Serves you right." Julian replied.
"Henry, please." Ivy said as she looked at him, ignoring Julian entirely. "I hate having to reply on anyone, but I'm desperate. I can't do this alone."
Henry looked at the demonic witch and saw a hint of actual fear in her eyes, despite her attempts to hide it. She was scared of her client, meaning she had likely gotten in over her head. Although Julian had a point about it being her own fault, Henry couldn't just stand by and let her get hurt. He actually sympathized with Ivy, despite everything she had done.
"Alright, I'll help you." Henry said.
"I knew you would." Ivy replied with a wink. "Who knows, it might be just as fun as the rave."
"Sounds tempting." Henry said.
"I'll get things ready." Ivy replied. "Meet me at Turner mansion tomorrow at one. Don't be late."
Ivy smiled as she grabbed another slice of pizza and disappeared in a shimmer. Feeling hungry as well, Henry grabbed a slice of his own pizza and sat down on the couch. He could tell Julian wasn't happy about it, but his cousin opted to stay silent as they ate. Although Henry knew Ivy could stab him in the back at any given moment, he was actually excited. After all, when else would he get the chance to infiltrate a ball hosted by a demon and steal a priceless artifact? It was like something out of a movie.
Xxx
The morning after what happened at the coffee place, Payton was sitting on the couch in the apartment she shared with Penny, still wearing her fluffy pajamas. She had not slept well, as the strange premonition kept her up for most of the night. She wondered what it meant and what triggered it. Was the woman she bumped into the same one as in the premonition? If so, then why couldn't she see her face? Payton snapped out of her thoughts when she heard a door shut. She looked up to see Penny entering the room and heading to the kitchen to get some coffee. Unlike her, her sister was already fully dressed.
"Morning." Penny said. "How did you sleep?"
"Barely." Payton admitted. "I keep thinking about that premonition."
"Well, that makes sense." Penny noted. "After all, it was clear there was an innocent in danger. Can you remember anything else?"
"Yeah, I remember a sign." Payton said as she grabbed her laptop and walked over to the kitchen counter. "I saw the name Floral Heart and I did some research. The name belongs to a flower shop in Bodega Bay. That's the town I saw."
"Looks like a cute shop." Penny replied as she looked at the screen.
"We have to go there." Payton said. "The premonition happened in bright daylight. I feel like it's going to happen today."
"What about Julian?" Penny asked. "You said you saw him there fighting a demon."
"Yeah, I don't know how he's connected, but he was there defending that woman." Payton said. "At least that's what I think happened."
"What about the demon?" Penny asked.
"All I saw was that it had glowing beady eyes." Payton replied.
"Well, that's not much to go on." Penny noted. "I guess we'll just have to find out the hard way."
"I already tried calling Julian, but he's not answering." Payton said.
"Yeah, he hates using a phone." Penny said she rolled her eyes. "He never had one as a kid so he barely knows how to use it. Hold on."
Penny closed her eyes and focused. Although she could not sense it, Payton knew she was trying to reach their brother telepathically. It was a power the two of them shared, which made Payton feel a little left out in the power department.
"He'll be here in a minute." Penny said as she opened her eyes. "Apparently, I caught him in the shower. Thankfully my telepathy is not visual."
"Did you tell him about the premonition?" Payton asked.
"The short version." Penny replied.
Penny finished her coffee and Payton looked at her laptop to find the location of the flower shop. A few moments later, Julian appeared through a pillar of fire. He was dressed in a black leather jacket and jeans, but his hair was still wet from his shower.
"Alright, I'm here." Julian said. "Tell me about this premonition."
"Well, good morning to you too, sunshine." Penny remarked. "Coffee?"
"Alright, sure." Julian said. "Payton, tell me what happened?"
As Penny poured another cup of coffee, Payton explained everything that had happened and what she had seen in the premonition. It still wasn't much, but at least they had a clear lead.
"Something feels off." Julian said. "The way the premonition impacted you and how you couldn't see her face."
"It did feel strange." Payton agreed. "Do you think it's a trap?"
"Maybe." Julian said. "But whoever planted such a premonition has to be a pretty powerful and skilled as well. Only a few beings are capable of it."
"Beings like a Seer?" Penny asked.
"There is no Seer anymore." Julian replied. "Talia was the last."
"Sorry for bringing her up." Penny said. "I know it must be painful to think about her."
"It's fine." Julian replied stoically as he drank his coffee, clearly not wanting to talk about it. "The real question is why someone would want to lure you there. Who is this woman and how is she connected to you?"
"I don't know." Payton said. "Planted or not, I could sense the woman was in real danger. I still think we have to check it out."
"Alright, then we go." Julian replied.
"Really?" Payton asked. "Just like that?"
"You're the one with the premonitions, Payton." Julian said. "You were smart enough to sense something was wrong, but if you think that woman in in real danger, we have to trust that feeling."
"Julian is right." Penny added. "We just have to proceed with caution and not rush in blindly."
"Thanks." Payton replied. "Alright, then we're going."
"You might want to get dressed first." Julian remarked as he glanced at her fluffy pajamas.
"Oh, right." Payton replied as she blushed.
Feeling a little embarrassed, Payton hurried to her bedroom and got dressed. Once she returned to the living room, Julian teleported them all to Bodega Bay with his flames.
Xxx
Julian and his sisters appeared in an empty alley through intense flames. After the events of last night, he had not expected to be out chasing a demon in a small beach town. He had intended to follow Henry and Ivy from a distance as they attempted to steal that artifact, but he had no choice but to trust his younger cousin to manage on his own. Henry was smarter than he pretended to be and knew what he was getting into with Ivy. At least, that's what Julian hoped.
"Alright, the flower shop should be just at the end of this street on the boulevard." Payton said as she checked her phone.
"Lead the way." Julian replied.
Payton nodded and headed out into the street while Julian and Penny followed. They were greeted by a cold but pleasant sea breeze. Julian always had a fondness for the beach, as it used to be his safe haven from Elizabeth, but it was too crowded here for his liking. Bodega Bay was popular among people looking to get away from the city, so the boulevard had many shops and restaurants to accommodate them. Despite that, it still was nice to smell the salty ocean air.
"I never knew this place was so cute." Penny said. "We should come here more often. I already saw a fun place we can lunch."
"Can we focus on the demon first?" Julian asked.
"Oh, come on." Penny replied. "I saw you smiling just now. You like it as well."
"I like the beach." Julian said. "I just prefer it emptier and quieter."
"Yeah, I guess an empty beach is a good place to mope and brood." Penny remarked.
"Exactly." Julian replied. "Without sisters nagging you."
"Guys, come on." Payton said. "We need to find the flower shop."
The siblings continued their way down the boulevard. As he stared at the waves, Julian's mind started to wander and he found himself thinking about last night and what he had experienced with the Soulthorn ring. Much of that night in Bangkok was still a blur, but he felt like he was getting closer. That mysterious psychic woman seemed to be the key to unlocking his memories. Why did he feel drawn to her that night, was it that she reminded him of Talia?
"We're here." Payton said.
Julian turned his attention back to the present and saw they were standing in front of a small white building decorated with many flowers and plants. The name on the sign was the Floral Heart, decorated with the image of a purple flower. Another thing that reminded him of Talia, as it resembled her amulet he had in his possession.
"Let's go inside and find the woman from my premonition." Payton said.
"Alright, just be careful." Penny noted. "I agree with what Julian said before, something about this feels off somehow. It's too easy."
"Why don't I turn invisible and scope out the place first?" Payton suggested.
"Good idea." Julian said. "Just a quick look around though, don't go too far on your own."
Payton nodded and looked around to make sure nobody was watching them, after which she disappeared from sight. A moment later, the door of the shop seemed to open on its own as she went inside. As they waited, Julian felt strangely on edge and he had the feeling someone or something was watching them.
"I don't like it." Julian said. "We have to go after her."
"It's like you read my mind." Penny replied.
Julian and Penny went inside the shop, which was a small, long room filled with flowers of very color imaginable. Julian focused and tried to sense if there was a demonic presence, but he got nothing. As Penny walked ahead, something invisible grabbed Julian by the shoulder.
"What are you doing?" Payton whispered.
"We couldn't wait." Julian said. "Did you find anything?"
"I could hear movement in the backroom, but I didn't want to go in alone." Payton replied.
"Stay invisible a bit longer." Julian said. "In case we run into any surprises."
A sudden shriek sounded from the other side of the store, followed by shattering glass. Julian rushed to Penny and found her standing next to a broken vase.
"What happened?" Julian asked.
"A rat!" Penny gasped.
Julian rolled his eyes for a moment, annoyed that their cover had been blown by something as silly as a simple rat. He looked around and saw the small vermin sitting on the counter. However, something about it felt wrong. Its eyes started to glow as it jumped off the counter, transforming into a young male demon with blond hair and beady red eyes.
"Witches." The rat demon hissed. "You have no business here."
"You're here, that makes it our business." Julian countered. "What are you after?"
"I came to collect a debt." The rat demon replied. "We always get paid our due."
Behind the rat demon, an invisible Payton carefully lifted up a vase and smashed it over his head. However, the demon barely seemed fazed and turned to look for his attacker. Julian used the distraction to blast him with a bolt of lightning, easily vanquishing the low-level demon.
"Well, that was anticlimactic." Penny remarked.
"Rat demons never work alone." Julian replied. "This isn't over."
"What is going on out there?" A strangely familiar voice sounded. "I heard something shatter."
A young woman entered the store from the backroom, wearing a floral apron over a short blue dress. She had long and wavy brown hair with a single red streak. Julian froze as he saw her face, it felt as if his heart had stopped beating. The large brown eyes and beautiful lips were uncanny. He was looking at a ghost. Her ghost.
"Talia." Julian whispered.
Xxx
