29: What Goes Up… – Pt. 2

“Try and relax Sweetheart, that pacing isn’t doing any of us any good.” Loretta spoke calmly as her fingers traced through lines of text within The Book of Elements. The incident at the light show left both Derrick and Victoria on edge but even more so filled with questions. The two quickly got back to the house and Loretta immediately went to work on trying to figure out what the sign meant and why it was directed at her granddaughter.

“Relax? Are you serious? I had a flaming ball of fire shot at me by some growling, winged beast! How in the world can I relax?”

“Gargoyle,” Derrick replied barely looking in Victoria’s direction as he replayed the events once more in his head.

“I’m sorry a Gargoyle? Those carved stone, gremlin looking things on the sides of buildings? What the hell is it doing in Danbury Square?”

“Gargoyles are protectors; they ward off evils and defend their charges from harmful spirits or other predators which is why you see them often on Churches.”

“Ok but I’m not evil. So why then was I targeted by one?”

“I’m not so sure it was after you. I think there was someone or something else there that this gargoyle had in its sights. I’ve been replaying the moment it swooped down on us over and over again trying to see what I missed and I’m almost certain that fireball was aimed behind you, not towards you.”

“I think Derrick is right, Victoria. I’ve just finished the Eye of Providence spell on you and it’s not good.  Something seems to have attached itself to you and it’s awoken the spirit of a gargoyle to come to your aid.”

“Attached to me?” Victoria asked and immediately brought her arms into her chest protectively. “What does that mean? I’m being haunted?”

“You said you were having dreams of a ritual of some kind and that each one felt more and more real right?” Derrick asked finally looking at her. He stood and paced a little closer as the worry on her face deepened and the bracelet on her arm sparkled with the shade of teal. “I think what is happening to you is the work of a spell. Someone has placed a charm on you that is escalating in danger whenever you dream. The more you see of the ritual, the worst it gets.”

“The cuts and the markings on my arm. I mean they healed almost by the next afternoon but they were there and they hurt and they came from my dream. So what you’re telling me is that if I continued dreaming, stopped staying up all night and let the dream play out, I’d be killed?”

“If that is the end result of the ritual, yes. But there are hundreds if not thousands of different types of blood rituals and rites that don’t result in death. There’s no way of knowing what kind you’re dreaming about without seeing it to the end and unfortunately it’s also the only way we can figure out where the charm originated.”

“Hold on a second, you’re telling me I have to sleep and maybe die just to stop whoever is behind this? Does that make any sense to you Derrick?”

“There may be another way,” Loretta stepped in placing a hold on Victoria’s anger before she exploded at the vampire’s ridiculous theory. “With the help of a few herbs I have out back we can induce sleep, only simulated. Meaning you wouldn’t actually be sleeping but in a state of unconsciousness where you retain your faculties and are able to guide yourself to the end of the dream. It’s sort of a living dream state.”

“If I understand you correctly what you’re saying is in normal sleep I wouldn’t have control over what I did and could die. But in this induced state I could operate as if I were awake and defend myself?”

“Exactly.”

“Is that dangerous?”

“If we gather the necessary ingredients I should be able to protect you while you’re out.”

“Should be?” Victoria asked and tucked her bottom lip between her teeth.

“Victoria, there are no guarantees even with magic there’s still the chance something could go wrong. But I promise you I will do everything in my power to keep you safe.”

“What can I do?” Derrick asked closing his arms in front of him as he watched Victoria take up her anxious pacing once more.

“There are mushrooms that grow in a cave near the falls off of Landing. I’ll need a handful for the spell.”

“The falls as in waterfalls? That sounds nice. Mind if I tag along? I could really use a distraction right now,” she asked looking a little frazzled.

Derrick smiled comfortingly and held his hand out for her to take. “Let’s get going then.” He grabbed a few flashlights and a backpack to carry them in before escorting her out the front door. It didn’t take long before the two were standing in front of a waterfall that poured into a small lake near the local park.

Derrick started down first and helped Victoria over the side of the cliff. Using an umbrella, he entered the mouth of the cavern and pulled her down behind him. “Are there bats in there?” Victoria asked as she stepped beside the cave opening.

“Relax Detective, bats are not indigenous to this region.”

“Yeah well if I step in guano, you’re buying me new shoes!”

“If you step in guano, I’ll buy you a whole new outfit Victoria.” Derrick wrapped his arm around her waist and lifted her against him as he stepped into the cavern.

She giggled as his hands tickled her sides as he held her. “I um…I’m sorry our date was interrupted earlier,” she smiled and closed her hands on his shoulders, bracing herself against him.

“Our date huh?” he asked with a raised brow and arrogant smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“Well you know…our outing, the whole thing at the…at the park. It was fun.” Victoria fumbled over her words and only seemed to grow more nervous as Derrick’s smirk became a full blown grin.

“I had a good time too. In fact I was kind of hoping to end the night on a high note.” His eyes shimmered with an unreadable emotion but the way his hands rubbed down her hips was unmistakable. Victoria pushed away until her feet were on solid ground again and took a step back from him. “I meant the rollercoaster, Detective. It’s been a while since I’ve had the pleasure.”

“You and me both,” Victoria replied under her breath but it didn’t go unheard thanks to Derrick’s keen sense of hearing.

“Uh, w-watch your step,” he cautioned leading the way into the cave and anxiously clearing his throat as the implication caused his mind to wander. 

Victoria retrieved her flashlight from her bag and directed it in front of her as she walked in Derrick’s footsteps, taking in the surrounding flora and sound of the falling water above them. “If it wasn’t for the scary, pitch black darkness this might actually be a nice place to picnic or something.”

“If you say so Detective.”

“Well I mean listen to the waterfall, it’s like rain on a tin roof, I’ve always loved that sound. On top of that there are tons of gorgeous and exotic plants growing around us. You don’t think this place is nice for a cave?”

“I suppose; but I’ve had my fill of dark places, I’m not a fan.”

“Right; creepy, stalking creature of the night, how could I forget?” 

He stopped suddenly and turned to look at her, the expression on his face less than pleasant. “You know not every vampire movie you’ve seen accurately depicts who or what we are Victoria and neither did that book you read. As you may recall we’re touted as monsters with twisted visages and extra appendages which, as you can see, is not true. I’d appreciate it if you’d give me the benefit of not tossing me into the same category as those stereotypical Hollywood actors!”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you I was just…it-it was stupid and…” Derrick brought his hand up to interrupt her apology before offering one of his own.

“I know you didn’t mean any harm. And to be honest I am used to hearing it. It’s just with the whole other side to you and your family I thought you’d see things…differently.”

“You’re right and I didn’t mean to offend you Derrick.” 

“Don’t worry about it. I’m sure I’ve given you plenty of reasons to be fearful of my kind.”

“What was that?” Victoria asked looking over Derrick’s shoulder towards a crevice that led into the next alcove.

“It was nothing Victoria, you’re just imagining things.

“I am not! Something just squeaked!”

“There are no bats in here, look,” he motioned with his flashlight to show her the top of the cave and the moment the beam touched the surface of the ceiling the light revealed dozens of winged creatures hanging above them. “Whoa.”

“See Derrick!”

“Shh. Be still, you don’t want to wake them.” Scanning the area, he located the mushrooms near the back wall and started over.

“Derrick what are you…?”

“Shh! I’m gonna grab the herbs and get out of here, just, don’t move or make a sound.” He turned and headed towards the wall. Snipping the stems of a few mushrooms, he placed them in the bag he’d brought with him and slowly moved back to where Victoria stood. 

A smile crept up on his lips as he glanced up at the bats and Victoria shook her head no. Closer and closer he moved towards her all the way making gestures of the winged animals above them. “If you do anything to wake them, I swear to God Derrick I am going to make you pay!”

“Oooh was that a threat Victoria?” Dropping the light at her feet, she opened her hand and whispered an enchantment beneath her breath. Derrick watched as an energy ball formed within her palm and her eyes moved up to his. “Careful with that thing, it could seriously hurt someone.”

“I kind of think that’s the point.” Derrick smiled, grabbed the flashlight from beside her foot and took her hand in his, causing the orb to dissipate.

“You’d never do that to me Victoria. You care too much about my precious face.”

“I really think you have me confused with yourself, Derrick.” She laughed as he thought about her response and the two turned to exit the cave before its inhabitants were the wiser.

“Still think it’s a nice picnic spot?”

“Let’s pretend I never said that. And by the way, you owe me a new outfit!” she smiled and glanced at her feet. Derrick smiled in return and nodded.

“Come on, we’d better get back.” 

By the time the two arrived back at Loretta’s the spell had already been prepared. “Good you got them, just waiting on this last ingredient. Victoria, dear why don’t you hop up on the table while I finish the incantation, it shouldn’t be much longer now.”

Doing as instructed, she laid her head against the wooden surface, folding her arms against her chest as she waited for her grandmother to put her under. “How long does this last?” she asked a little nervous about the idea of walking into a trap or possibly her death.

“No more than a few minutes but as I said before, you’ll have complete control so you should be able to wake yourself. If not, you have me and Derrick at your side. At the first sign of trouble, we’ll pull you out. Now, are you ready?” Victoria nodded and Loretta began casting a spell over her as Derrick stood watch.

Like hypnosis, Victoria was out like a light and dreaming the same dream she’s had on repeat for a while. Both women began levitating simultaneously and Derrick looked on as Loretta’s enchanting grew louder. The lights flickered briefly and the water in the cauldron began to bubble on its own.

The mushrooms he’d gathered earlier glowed eerily from the center of the water and Victoria grunted as Loretta reached the beginning of a new incantation. Victoria’s eyelids jerked with each passing scene and Derrick moved closer when she moaned in distress. Suddenly her body began thrashing and Loretta fell out of her trance to tend to her grandchild. “Victoria? Sweetheart?”

“Loretta, what’s happening?” Derrick asked worriedly as he took Victoria’s hand in his.

“I’m not sure. She’s convulsing as if something has a hold on her. Hold her down Derrick I’m gonna grab my spellbook. Whatever you do don’t let go or we risk her dropping permanently into her dream.” Loretta rushed to the corner of the room, quickly locating the page within her tome and hurried back to Victoria’s side. “I need you to keep her still while I bring her out of this.”

“Still? You’re kidding right?” he asked as Victoria flailed even harder in his arms like a fish on dry land.

“Derrick!”

“I’ll try.” He huffed and pressed more of his weight against her. Using all of his strength he was able to hold her down enough for Loretta to begin her spell. He watched as her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she levitated a few feet off the ground. 

“Hurry, she’s getting worse!” Derrick warned as Loretta began chanting in Latin and lights dispersed from her hands over her granddaughter’s body. A blue mist swirled from Loretta’s hands and entered Victoria’s mouth, seemingly calming her from the inside and Loretta nodded for Derrick to let her go.

Moments later Victoria awoke, coughing hard from the resulting spell as she sat up to take in the faces of her grandmother and friend. “What happened? I thought you said I’d have more control over my dream! It felt as if the life was being choked out of me the moment I went in. I couldn’t move, I couldn’t speak and I couldn’t even see what was happening to me.”

“I’m sorry Victoria.”

“Sorry?” Derrick barked taking a step forward. “She could have been killed Loretta! That was too dangerous!”

“Derrick, it’s ok,” Victoria turned in surprise, pressing her hand into his chest to back him away from her grandmother.

“No, he’s right,” Loretta sighed stepping forward. “I should have been more careful. Whatever force is controlling your dreams is very powerful and whoever is doing this, doesn’t want to be seen. I was cut off the moment I placed you in trance Victoria. His magic is pretty strong and I fear that this may be the ‘what’ you felt earlier that placed you on edge. I can’t be sure where his abilities originate or where he’s from but one thing is certain, he knows who you are and he’s coming for you.”

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