Chapter Nineteen

The Catacombs

~N~

Graveyard, Dark, 673, 28th, October

Now Kolo tapped them with his canes, “Are you finished insulting her or would you like me to put you in the ground next to her bones?” Richard, Luke, and Tadd, shook their heads and climbed out. Now Richard asked, “Do you want us to cover her back up?” Kolo replied, “I want you to carry me back to the coach. They can fill it up.” Richard lifted Kolo as Tadd and Luke started tossing the dirt back in.

Richard asked, “Where are we heading next?” Kolo said with determination, “I need to go see if Lola is where she died.” Richard said, “What if she is not there either?” Kolo admitted, “Then I do not know where else she could be.” Once they were several yards away Kolo realized, “Oh. They need to bring the coffin and I do not care if they leave the grave open.” Richard turned and yelled, “Stop. Get the coffin out.”

Tadd and Luke turned, “What?” Richard smirked, “We are taking the coffin with us, and he says you can leave the grave open.” They looked at each other and shrugged, Tadd jumped in and pushed it up to Luke, and he pulled it out of the grave, as Kolo explained, “If there ever is a next time, I want her bloody bones where I can get to her quickly, without digging nor having to take a long coach ride.”

~N~

Sidonia mumbled, “Everyone told me she was crazy and I began to believe them, it was easier than continuing to blame myself for things I did not know I had done and felt I was not capable of doing. I truly thought the threat was over, that we proved it. When father put her in the sanitarium that was something she had not seen in her visions, and I thought it meant her future changed or Mother was just insane.”

The princess paused feeling haunted, then slowly added, “Even when she escaped, I still wanted to believe it was over. Yet, something always had me saying she was kidnapped, just as she predicted.” Rorik swallowed feeling rotten for hoping she would say the Evil One was the January Man, for it was a dark thing to want to believe. He urged her, “You think the one Mother raved of has contacted you, again?”

She nodded and Rorik pried, “What did he want this time?” Sidonia admitted, “To help me.” Rorik was furious, this vampire must not be Kolo, and he demanded angrily, “Help you with what?” She huffed, “To save my life.” Rorik groaned with disappointment, “That does not sound like someone threatening you, nor like what mum claimed him to be, and why does he think you need to be saved?”

Sidonia reluctantly told her brother, “He wanted to help me go through the transition when I am old enough. Because I am a half blood child, I am less likely to survive it. I see now that he used my insecurities, due to Samala trying to kill me, and her prophecy that I will die a horrible death. It worked he fooled me into helping him.” Rorik thought to himself, ‘Now this sounds more like Kolo.’

~N~

Lola’s sight continued to improve and she could see even in this darkest space. Lola saw the walls of her confinement seemed like stones. Now she was able to twist to look beneath her. Lola screamed in terror as she saw she was laying on bones, and it was not stones about her, it was skulls. She did not understand how she had come to be here nor where she was, not even why she was unable to leave it.

Lola could only guess it was the weakness keeping her trapped. Without meaning to, she screamed. Her horror was music to the three shades as their whispering started again. Lola began to see the three blue ghosts, as their faces came out of the dark to shriek at her, causing her to scream again. Their laughter made her angry and she calmed herself. Lola cursed, “I will fucking kill you for this Kolo!”

This brought more laughter from the spirits about her. It was then that she gasped, “What if Kolo is dead as well?” Now realizing it might be weeks even months before she could pass through what maybe six feet of soil. The mocking whispers sent her into a panic. After a while, she gained control of her fears, by fueling her anger with how she would capture these spirits and torture them, and everyone else who were responsible.

~N~

Frowning Rorik asked, “Sid how could he know what you fear?” Tears rolled down her face as she admitted, “I believe he has Mother and she has told him. I think he tried to gain my attention, numerous times. Then when I did not fall for him, he would compel me to forget, and try again, sometimes with a different appearance. It would be easy that way to finally say the right thing, and I let my guard down.”

Rorik groaned, “That is impossible! You let Mother’s ravings in your head and now you are acting like a mad woman by fleeing from us.” His disappointment had him annoyed with her. He had waited his whole life to kill the bastard who murdered his father, kidnapped his mother, and now caused his curse. He was more annoy that he had run from Kolo.

It had all happened so fast, that Rorik refused to blame himself, ‘If I had known it was the man that killed my father and taken mum… I would have attacked him.’ Rorik huffed, “So your relationship goes bad and he kills a few men, it does not mean he is the one mum predicted.” Sidonia was tired, “If that is what you believe then you can go, and not worry about me. Go check on Viktor, and when father shows tell him.”

~N~

Kolo directed them to Glad’s property; he was not surprised to see he still knew the way. As Richard lifted him out, Kolo asked, “Do we have rope?” The men nodded and untied it from where they had secured the coffin to the roof of the carriage. Kolo pointed and directed them down a trail to the back of what was once a large farm. Luke said, “It seems abandoned.” Tadd asked, “What happened to the people who lived here?”

They saw his dark smile as Kolo said coldly, “What should happen, when they do not care that children were pushed into their Well, and left for dead. They also refused to let a search group on their property. Mother was not pleased and so she made certain they were never Glad again!” Luke said, “I am surprise no one bought the place.” The buildings came into view they had been burnt to the ground. Then they saw bones.

Tadd whispered, “I would be more surprised if someone bought it. This whole damn place looks evil!” Kolo chuckled darkly, “Everyone believes it is still haunted by Lola’s restless spirit.” Tadd scoffed, “Weak minded fools.” Kolo sneered, “You think so? Perhaps you should speak to the families of the children who died.” Tadd’s face went pale, “She killed them?” Kolo nodded, “You have met Lola?” Tadd gasped, “Well. Yes.”

Kolo smirked, “Did you think she was born hateful?” Todd shrugged, “I guess I did, I just never thought about when and why she died. Nor that it might have something to do with her anger.” Richard said, “There is nothing living here, not even weeds, it is just dirt and bones.” Luke nodded, “Can you imagine the scent of all these dead cows.” Kolo grinned, “It was wonderfully horrid. The putrid smell carried for miles.”

Confused Tadd said, “No one saved the cattle?” Kolo snickered, “They feared the animals were possessed by demons. This way everyone had to mourn this tragedy with us. No one was quick to forget, what happens when you cross Mother.” A few hundred yards later, they came to an area where stones were scattered about by the small circle foundation, Kolo pointed, “That is what is left of Glad’s Well. Tadd is going in.”

Poor Tadd’s eyes bulged and he coughed, “What! Why me?” Kolo grinned, “You go in the Well, with a lantern. Luke you can tie his rope and lower him.” As Luke brought the rope about Tadd’s waist, Tadd shook his head and said, “I do not like this one bit!” Luke made certain he tied it tight saying, “You are the lightest.” Kolo said, “Richard once he reaches the bottom, take me over to it, so I can look down into her place of death.”

Richard nodded and Luke lower Tadd down into Glad’s Well. As Tadd asked just before disappearing into it, “Will she hurt me if she is down here?” Only his echo answered him. Tadd grumbled, “Always the smallest, and it is why they call me Tadd. I am going to start eating five meals a day, if I get out of here alive.” Holding the lantern low so he could see what was beneath him, he was certain something would grab his leg.

Then he twisted about fearing Lola was behind him and Luke huffed, “Stop moving about, you will make me drop you!” Tadd froze until he finally saw the bottom he called, “There is nothing down here, not Lola, not even water.” Richard took Kolo to the Well and felt his fists clinging to his vest, as he tilted over the edge and looked down. Tadd looked ghoulish down in the space with that light.

Kolo gasped, “Did you hear that?” They all shook their heads. Kolo growled, “You do not hear a child crying?” Richard said, “I hear nothing, not even crickets.” Kolo nearly cried, “Get me away from here. My past is causing me to hear things.” Luke pulled Tadd up quick and they all hurried away from the dark place of Lola’s first death. They even had sympathy for Lola and Kolo. They rode home in silence.

~N~

Sidonia was prickled into finally saying it, “Mother told us the January Man was different men.” Rorik smirked in excitement, “Exactly, she was raving mad.” Sidonia stated, “No. I went to break it off and saw his appearance change from a short body with dull brown hair, into his normal look, taller, gaunt, with curly red hair.” Rorik turned away as Kolo had been a red head when he and his men caused his curse.

He scoffed turning back and he baited her, “Where do you come up with this horse shit?” Sidonia said, “He is like a Pixy, he can change his looks, yet the color of his eyes were always the same. When he died against the barrier last night, he exposed his true features the shorter plum body with dull brown hair, pointed nose, he no longer has the power to change to another look. Well, maybe he has healed enough now.”

Rorik insisted, “Too bad you did not take off his head to keep him dead. How is it you did not get a vision of him or know his thoughts?” Sidonia shook her head, “I can only guess it is why mum-.” Rorik gasped, “The necklace! He tricked you into giving mother a necklace so that she lost her gift and was vulnerable to him. Did he give you one too, some trinket?” Sidonia felt the guilt, “He was a stocky grey haired man then.”

She was far away in thought as she finished, “I was three, surely you are not still blaming me for that! And no. I am not wearing anything he gave me.” He felt dumbstruck, “Mother lost her power, and he nearly killed her. Oh, shit. I bet he is wearing it.” Sidonia now gasped thinking of the necklace that Rorik was wearing, “I had not suspected that. Yes, the Evil One wore two rings, and a bracelet, regularly.”

Nodding her head she said, “One might have been charmed to prevent me from learning his thoughts.” Rorik was convinced and as he realized what that meant, he started to hate himself, and he mumbled, “It does no good to describe him, because he can take on other forms. I bet he uses a different name with each look.” Sidonia was watching him, glad he was not fighting her, still she felt suspicious, yet did not know why.

~N~

Kolo stormed back down into the catacombs, bringing his guards with him. He found the Witches were awake. Unchaining Nepathi, he commanded his guard, “Richard drag her in here.” Richard came and got her chain, following Kolo through the Throne room down a passage into his playroom. Nepathi saw the new torture device, and screamed, “No!” Kolo locked her in. Then Richard and Kolo calmly went back.

The other two Witches could still hear Nepathi’s screams, as Kolo came back they knew he had not found Lola and Samala gasped, “They said she was there!” Darciana hissed at her, “You are a filthy rat.” Kolo sat glaring into Darciana’s eyes, “Tell me about the spell!” Darciana sat back in her chair, “I was young, maybe ten, when I watched my ma create the potion and I wrote it down in my book, also checking against her book.”

Kolo nodded, “It was recorded correct.” Darciana added, “Ma told me while she was helping a client contact a loved one, his wife had found out. She broke into the room, and swung an iron fire poker at her husband, scattering his soul.” Kolo urged “And?” Darciana sighed, “She feared he would come back and haunt her. Ma sent him to his resting place, so he could get his gate and move on.” Kolo pulled the dagger from her hand.

Darciana added, “Since you do not have her with you… yet if it was her grave dirt you gave Nepathi I would have said she was in her coffin… whose dirt was it?” Kolo frowned, “It was just dirt from the catacombs where I bury the January women.” Now his eyes went wide, Kolo commanded the three, “Go get your shovels.” Kolo threatened, “If she is not here-.” Darciana cut in, “I promise it is the only likelihood.”

They came back and followed Kolo rushing passed the Witches to go deeper into the catacombs. In the distance, the Witches could hear the echoing sounds of shovels hitting dirt. Kolo was screaming, “Lola! Are you here Lola?” Now they heard a muffled moaning and then a cry coming from deep in the ground. Kolo pled with the guards, “Tell me you heard that this time?” The men wiped their brows nodding, “Yes.”

Kolo called out, “I am so sorry I did not know the spell would put you here.” The guards stopped when they hit bones. Now they knelt to wipe the dirt from the bones. Kolo peered down into the discarded pile, “Lola are you in there?” Now he saw her glow as Lola lay in among the bones of their victims. Kolo began apologizing, yet it was too late as Lola found she could move, she rushed flying into Kolo.

Lola took over Kolo’s body, as she force Kolo to hit himself with his own hands.” His guards stepped back, in wide eyed in horror, glad she had not possessed them. Kolo screamed trying to run away as he begged her, “Stop, I found you. I saved you.” Then he started crying due to her breaking open his healing face, and hands. Kolo limped about in a circle before realizing he could not get away from himself.

He yelled at his men, “Hold my arms down, now before she kills me!” Kolo now fumed at her, “I went to the graveyard and found your burial site, so we could open your coffin and find you. Then I had to go to Glad’s Well, and look down at the bottom of it for you!” Furious Lola seeped out and went to the Craftroom leaving him at the burial site. Kolo got his wits back, and said, “She is gone. Get off me.”

Lola rushed in looking at the two bound witch’s as she demanded, “Which Witch caused this? Shall I just torture you both?” Samala replied quickly, “Nepathi did the spell.” Darciana cursed her, “You hateful disloyal bitch.” Samala added, “It was a spell from Darciana’s grimoire. Darciana bit her tongue and did a hex. Lola screamed, “Where is that fucking Egyptian?” Samala answered, “Kolo took her to the t-.”

The hex caused Samala to lose her voice. Lola fumed, “Where?” Darciana smiled coldly as Samala’s eyes went wide, and she gasped trying to speak. Seeing Lola coming closer out of desperation Samala pointed at her mouth and then at Darciana. Lola did not seem to understand yet said, “Point if you cannot speak.” Samala nodded to the Throne Room. Darciana laughed.

Lola was about to go towards the Throne Room, when voices stopped her. Kolo said to Richard, “Bring Lola’s bones to my study, I want to lock them away in a lead chest I have or destroy them.” Lola turned towards the area of the dead listening as Kolo dabbed at his bloody face with his handkerchief, fuming as they walked towards the witches, “Yes, it would be satisfying right now to kill her.”

Then he added recklessly, “And know she cannot come back!” Lola yelled from the Craftroom and it echoed down the catacombs, “I heard that!” Kolo stopped in his tracks his eyes going wide in horror. As she added in a dark hiss, “You had better sleep with one eye open and wear a helmet, because I intend on bashing your skull in!”

~N~