The pebbles trembled, skirting just outside of the dark tower looming in the center of the room. The enclosed space was lined with a single, large door on each wall facing every direction. From the first three entrances, tiny glimpses of light streamed across the sides, illuminating layers of dust-caked rags. The room thrummed in sync with the undulations coursing from the life beneath the heap. A slight air stirred as quick shuffles sounded from the three paths. The handmaidens entered, clinking pleasantly like wind chimes in the distance. They each carried a piece of the princess’s garb. Kneeling in a semi-circle, the sacred cloth and accessories were placed in delicate, tiered altars before them. From the back of the room, a forth entrance appeared─ the stone doorway rising from the ground. Emerging from the darkness, a lone maiden graced the room. Her rapid steps were barely audible above the continuous hum. Unlike her sister counterparts that wore dark and heavy kimono, she was draped in a thin gauze. Her body was whole, almost translucent, and curvaceous─ thinly outlined by the subdued lighting from the doors. She appeared a soft violet in hue against the obsidian walls. The woman cradled a red, silk pillow in her arms like it were a child. Her face was smooth and fair like porcelain─ her hair a deep onyx. She knelt before the pulsating mountain and placed the last pillow on the altar, completing the circle. The center object glistened, casting a soft, warm glow on her body. The woman’s glassy stare moved upward and finally fixated upon the dark pile.

The room fell silent, the slight stir from the wind now dead at the maidens’ feet. The doors sealed one by one behind them as the head handmaiden began the incantation. The words spun like web, silver in tongue as they were weaved. They wrapped the dust-encrusted mound, fast making their descent to the precious soul inside. As the final door completed their encasement, the other three joined in her now frenzied speech. The dirt shivered from the ancient dialect and crashed to the ground, relinquished from its cloth-like tomb. The figures paused as a low hum emitted from the center, and like drones, they returned their queen’s call. Low and in unison they resonated, holding the note as it shook the enclosure. The first burst through, throwing the dust and debris from the ground. It sped to the interior walls, encrusting every surface. The bones clinked from the lowly maidens as they struggled to stay knelt before the throne. The fourth merely flinched, the gown blown from her body.

Her bent naked frame revealed a single braid that ran down the length of her back. Each knot of the braid was embedded with a silver cross stitch. It wove in and out of the dark mane that went from the top of her head, down to the left ankle and wrapped once. She wore her burdens unabashed as she feverishly continued, her lips barely catching up with the magic that flowed from them. She bared her teeth as the second pulse came stronger, knocking the others to the ground. They rattled, their hips inverted, and they struggled to pull themselves back into position. Finally, they returned to their knees in prayer. The head handmaiden shook, her breath barely passed over her lips─ but the words never stopped. Each woman spoke through gritted teeth as the insistent pulse bathed them. The light came seconds before the deafening blow. The room halted, the debris hung in the air as snippets of light reflected from the tiny specs of stone. It let out a sigh, there were staggered clinks and pops, followed by three distinct shatters─ and then, there was silence.

* * *

Daniel quickly covered his ears after he rang the bell. He jumped as the door swung open a nano-second later. Did this woman live by the door? She was wearing a black, lacy turtleneck and skirt with a large silver and blue jeweled brooch pinned just below her neck. As he stood there she raised her brow, “Well?” She asked. He uncovered his ears and looked around, “Did you get rid of the insect sounds?”

“Lord Boy, I heard your car ages before you walked up to my front door.” She stepped back as he gawked at her. Matilda placed a hand on her hip and tapped her foot. “You going to actually come in, or stare at me some more?” She leaned in toward him, “no matter how tempting I am to you, I’m single and happy with that.” Her forehead creased and she wagged her finger sternly, “Don’t you go getting any ideas.” He chuckled and shook his head, same Matilda. She grinned up at him, “there now, there’s that smile. We’ll find Celeste, don’t you worry yourself so much.” He nodded and stepped into the house. They got halfway down the hall before he stopped and looked around. The corridor was half the size he remembered. The staircase had shifted to face the back door and the paintings were replaced by typical garden scenes with pictures of still life─ outdoor vases, ponds, and cozy cottages. He arched a brow and looked to her, “you remodeled?” Matilda looked at him like his ass was glued to his face, “what, the house? You can’t expect it to stay the same all the time,” she continued down the hall, her voice slightly muffled, “it gets bored, same as the rest of us.”

He followed her past the living room and turned down a small hallway before they found the dining area. “Ah, the Westley model, you’ve outdone yourself this time.” Daniel swore he heard creaks as Matilda smiled and sat down at the large wooden table. “The Westley model?” She poured tea and patted the table for him to sit down. “I told you, the house has different preferences from time to time, this is the model it uses to impress guests.” She smiled warmly at him, “It must like you.” Daniel scratched his head, “What the hell are you going on about? Houses can’t change themselves.” He sat down, reached for his tea, and took a long sip. He started as his saucer and the table shook, the porcelain clinking on the solid surface. Matilda giggled and patted Daniel’s hand “shows what you know. I’d be careful of what you say, Fiona’s the touchy sort.” He sighed and rubbed his face, “Matilda, I don’t have time for this. I need to talk to you about the last time me and Celeste were here.” There were a few distinct rumbles. “Oh dear. You mean after everything you’ve seen you still don’t buy it? Typical cop.” Matilda shook her head.

Daniel furrowed his brow and was about to ask when she cut him off, “the last time both of you were here, Miss Lain had come up missing and we were discussing where she might be.” Matilda hesitated and glanced around. “I don’t really like to talk about that here.” She leaned in and motioned him to come closer. Daniel bent toward her, confused. “There are ears everywhere, Daniel,” she whispered, “this is better left for outside the house.” He sat back and jumped as a soft voice sounded behind him. “Auntie Matilda?” Daniel turned his attention to the voice and openly stared. This was the most beautiful child he had ever seen. Cascades of blonde, vibrant green eyes and pale, perfect skin─ it was ethereal. Matilda’s voice rang out matter-of-factly, “This is Detective Wallis, and he is investigating Celeste’s disappearance, Hun.” He smiled at her and extended his hand. “You must be Lain.” She looked at his hand, grinned shyly and skirted behind Matilda’s chair. “The one and only” Matilda drawled.

Lain continued peeking at him from the chair as Matilda took a sip of tea and looked outside. A wave of guilt washed over him as he stared at the tiny beauty. He should have reached out sooner than he did. Lain had meant a great deal to Celeste. He had saw to it that the girl was able to be placed under foster care with Matilda, but it was merely temporary. If Celeste wasn’t found soon, this girl would have to return to those people. At least here she had a shot of living a normal, happy life. He felt equally ashamed that he hadn’t gotten in touch with Matilda sooner. He was a cop, for Christ’s sake. This was the first place he should have returned to after they came up with nothing in Japan. Better late than never, he thought. Wasn’t that how the saying went? Damn, I’m lame. He was feeling less confident by the second, but managed to keep his composure. At least he had his training to rely on. He may have felt like a mess, but at least he didn’t look it. He had carefully chosen his outfit that day, a nice, collared shirt with grey slacks. He prided himself on his ability to always appear put together. Daniel smiled, remembering the first time Mike found out he had a cat. No one would have guessed the way he kept his clothes and car. Well, you’re here now and that’s all that matters, he told himself. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and find her. Matilda’s eyes danced from across the table. It was the kind of look someone gave you when they knew something you didn’t. He felt instantly annoyed.

“You mentioned something last time that I never put much thought into until today” Daniel said. She set down her cup, leveled her gaze, and scoffed. “Yes. Bout damn time you caught on. Devil’s door, between you and Scott we may never figure out where she went off to─” She trailed off for a second and then sat up. “Daniel, call Scott.” “What, but I wanted to know about─” “Just do it.” She hissed. He pulled his phone out and dialed the number, “Okay, but I’m confused as all hell,” he went to hand it to her and she motioned it away. “Best you not hand that to me. You’ll need a new phone. Put it on speaker.” Daniel set down the phone and turned it on.

The ring sounded for a few seconds and he thought Scott wasn’t going to answer. He sighed in relief at the gruff voice, “Yes?” “Don’t you take that tone with me, boy” Matilda quipped. Scott chuckled, “hey trouble. How’s Lain?” “Oh, same old. She doesn’t remember a ton, but we are working toward it.” Matilda leaned closer. “We may not need it.” There was silence on the other end, and then a rustle. “We’ve exhausted all other options. And I mean, all.” There was a certain bitterness to Scott’s voice that Daniel couldn’t place. Matilda snickered, “ah, been talking to her then.” “No, nothing of the sort. I would have to go to Japan, you know how that works.” Her voice was low and hushed, “Well, ever thought of calling? Skyping maybe? I’m sure deities can Skype too.” Scott sighed heavily, “Luci tried that once, it just resulted in weird images and me with unexplained lost time.” Matilda shrugged, “worth a shot I suppose.” Scott cleared his throat, “So, Miss Fortune, tell me what this is about?” Matilda smirked, “oh he’s got jokes now, huh?” There was a groan and creak, “don’t you help him.” Daniel looked at Lain as she giggled. Apparently, he was going to be the only one not in on it─ again. “Scott, in all this time I think we have been looking in the wrong places” Matilda said. “What do you mean?” Scott sounded frustrated, “I’ve had John looking, reading up on the thirteen Judges of Hell─” “Listen to me, Scott,” Matilda interrupted. For once she actually sounded serious, “we have been looking in the wrong hell.” They all sat silently, the thought left hanging in the air. Daniel looked from Lain’s confused expression to Matilda’s determined one. “That would mean─” Scott trailed off, he was audibly tapping his fingers on something. “Is that even possible?” Matilda glanced uneasily outside. “It’s either that, or she vanished out of all the known areas in Shinto or Buddhist realms and dispelled into the Æther.” Scott’s voice was uncertain, “You do realize what you are suggesting.” Matilda snorted at the phone, “believe me, I was really hoping to be wrong on this one.” Scott grunted. “Alright, I’ll check into it. In the meantime, I might have to take a side-trip to the Land of the Rising Sun.” Matilda stared out into the hallway, “Do you think she will show herself to you again?” Barely a beat passed before Scott spoke, “She’ll be there, trust me.”

* * *