“I’m afraid that I’m going to have to return to my office and counsel a couple who are interested in marriage. You are both more than welcome to rest here and look around the church some more if you would like,” the priest explained apologetically and then left.
The room that Cheshire and Leana were in had been set up for pre-schoolers. The room had four large, low wooden tables in the center, surrounded by little wooden chairs. The walls were decorated with colorful pictures. In the corner there were several large bean bag chairs placed near a small book shelf, as well as a set of building blocks. Cheshire had been looking at the book shelf when he noticed a funny-looking square rock on the shelf closest to the floor.
Looking at the rock, Cheshire could see that it had a series of funny shapes on top of it. The rock itself was shiny and yellow, and the shapes were red and black. Curious to see what it did, Chesh tapped one of the shapes with his paw. An explosion of noise startled both cats. Leana, who had been curled up on the bean bag, leapt to her feet sending the bag flying. Cheshire jumped backwards and stared wide eyed at the small rock that appeared to be screaming at the top of its lungs.
“Heavenly Master!” Chesh exclaimed.
“Do something!” Lea added.
Chesh carefully crept up on the rock and tapped it again. It changed. Now the rock played fast and lively music.
“Peaches in the summertime, apples in the fall. If I can’t have the one I love, I won’t have none at all!” the rock sang.
“It sings nicely, for whatever it is. Sorta sounds like something from back home,” Lea commented.
“In a way,” Chesh interjected.
“Hello,” a young voice caught both cats’ attention. Turning and looking behind them they found that a young child had entered the room. The child had blonde hair, and was dressed in a t-shirt and shorts. The young boy showed no fear as he approached the cougars.
“You are big kitties,” the child continued.
“Hello, little one. My name is Cheshire,” Chesh greeted the child with a smile.
“I’m Leana.”
“My name is Jimmy. What are you doing here?”
“Listening to that,” Cheshire replied and nodded toward the yellow rock.
“Why?”
“I don’t know how to make it quiet,” Chesh answered. Hearing this the child walked over, picked up the radio, and pushed the OFF button.
“Jimmy, what are you doing here?” Lea asked.
“Mommy and Daddy work, so I stay here.”
“Your parents left you?” Leana gasped with a look of total and complete shock.
“No. I come visit Mrs. Kay. I have Boots too.”
“Who is Boots?” Chesh questioned.
“Boots is my bear. He always protects me when there is thunder and lightening. Would you like to meet him?”
“Surely.”
“Would you guys like to play with Boots and me?” Jimmy added.
“Sure, Jimmy. That sounds like fun.”
CHAPTER 36
Ever since the media circus that had resulted from their last run-in with John and David, the Brotherhood of Eternal Shadow had been forced to change everything. People had been alarmed when they first heard of the group’s dark rituals behind the local high school. Now that a year or two had passed, people had gone back to foolishly ignoring the Brotherhood as they slithered about in the shadows of Louisaburg. Few would believe that the polite group of “naturalists” that owned a “research center” on the outskirts of town really used it as a center for demonic worship.
The whole Brotherhood had gathered in their auditorium, waiting anxiously for the Serpent Master, their leader, to take the stage and start the ceremony. Silence fell over the group when a man dressed in a black-hooded robe and a morbidly decorated silver face plate walked out on to the stage.
“So, my brothers. The time has come for our next twilight raid. Shall we let the shadow blade decide who will feel the chill of shadow tonight?” the Serpent Master tantalized his frenzied audience. They eagerly began chanting, “SHADOW BLADE! SHADOW BLADE!”
“Shadow blade it shall be then!” the Serpent Master exclaimed and then unsheathed a skull-handled dagger which he began waving in the air in a snake-like pattern. After continuing the pattern three or four times he turned toward a wall covered with church photographs and threw it full force. The blade sliced through the air, tearing through a picture of St. John’s Church and stopped when it dug itself into the wall.
“Tonight the Brotherhood shall ride against St. John’s. Let us go and prepare,” the Serpent Master announced and led his minions out of the room after retrieving his blade. When the room had been empty a few minutes, Thorson emerged from the shadows and glanced at the wall.
“These creatures are easier to manipulate than a blade of grass,” he chuckled to himself as he gloated over how easily he had manipulated the Brotherhood and its pliable leader into doing his will.
****
Mt. Purgatory, Ebb’s stronghold, lay far south of Louisaburg and was hidden among the Blue Ridge Mountains. Very few knew that deep in the depths of the mountain lived a creature that thrived upon their pain and agony. No Park Service map listed the picturesque mountain as the home of an evil tyrant, but that’s what it was. Standing among her servants and lieutenants in the massive cavern that she called the Great Hall, Ebb fidgeted and fumed.
“I’m not limited as you are,” Ebb mockingly mimicked Thorson, temporarily taking on his shape while she did it. “Thorson thinks he’s going to use those things to let him play in my domain. I don’t think so!” she added with a snarl.
“What shackles would you like me to use on them, my mistress? Opium? LSD? Acid? Catnip?” one of her serpentine underlings asked in a tone that betrayed his desire to please.
“None of that. These things are not high enough on the food chain to appreciate such subtle weapons,” Ebb commented.
“You are so right, Mistress. Such simple creatures. A little MSG and they suffer. Allow me to deal with them,” another added.
“No. I shall deal with these creatures myself.”
Long ago Ebb stopped sending her lieutenants out beyond the shadow of Mt. Purgatory. She had once sent her top lieutenant, a wolf named Pilate, to track down and kill one of his own kind. Out from under her control, Pilate had collapsed and reverted to the “loathsome” creature he had been before she had ensnared him with dark food and drink. This would never happen again because anything that required distance she did herself. Since that time none of her victims had escaped to the safety of the enemy’s stronghold like the female wolf had. If Ebb ever caught Pilate or Claire, the female wolf whom Pilate had been ordered to track and kill, they would beg for something as merciful as eternal servitude; but no mercy would be shown.
****
Mrs. Jones had been standing out in the front yard watering the lawn when a convoy of five extended cab pickups pulled up in front of the house. The trucks were dark green in color and had the words U.S. Army painted on the fenders. The vehicles appeared to be equipped with all sorts of communications and weather forecasting equipment.
After parking in front of the house the truck doors opened and 19 soldiers spread out across the lawn. Captain Carpenter walked toward Mrs. Jones while his men awaited orders. Captain Carpenter was dressed in full combat fatigues and was also equipped for field combat. As he approached Mrs. Jones noticed that his shoulder patch featured green cat’s eyes and the word A.D.A.M. .
“We received a report that your family has come in contact with cats from Evermore. Is that correct?” Carpenter began.
“I’m glad my husband’s message got through to you. Cheshire Cougar and Leana Longclaw spent the night here,” she replied.
“May we see them?”
“They aren’t here. John and David took them for a drive around town.”
“Did they say where they would be visiting?” he pressed.
“The only place I can say tha
t they will visit for sure is our church. Perhaps you can find them at Saint John’s,” she offered.
CHAPTER 37
True to their word, Cheshire and Leana stayed at the church to stand vigil. After walking the church grounds, they decided to set up a watch post in the branches of a large oak tree near the church entrance. From their perch in the tree, Leana watched as a car pulled up to the church, a woman got out and walked up to the building, and emerged a few minutes later with little Jimmy and Boots in tow.
“That must be Jimmy’s mother,” Lea commented in a tone that sounded distant and troubled.
“Must be,” Chesh responded. Looking at Leana he could see that something was bothering her.
“Lea, what has you so upset?” Chesh inquired, already knowing the answer.
“It’s Jimmy. He may as well be an orphan. What kind of culture dumps their cubs and leaves them? What happened to motherhood?”
“I don’t know. There has to be a reason.”
“I looked into the nursery and could see five more children. What reason can there be? It has been an honor to see the human world, but I am ready to go home.”
“I don’t know when that will be.”
“Cheshire! Do you think we are stuck here?” Leana exclaimed.
“Listen, do you have any questions about how to handle any attackers that may come here?” Chesh changed the subject.
“Do we use deadly tactics?” Leana asked as she looked anxiously to Cheshire for an answer.
“No. If anyone does come, I think it would be best to not shed blood on this holy ground,” he answered after pondering the question a moment.
Cheshire and Leana had enjoyed an uneventful afternoon watch and were looking forward to a peaceful evening when a group of black-hooded men carrying clubs and pipes started to creep out of the woods. By the aura of darkness that surrounded the strangers, neither cougar needed any further investigation to know who they served--the Dragon.
“Wait for my signal,” Cheshire whispered as the group started toward the church. The group passed under the oak tree and started to sprint across the open landscape between the tree and the church.
“Now!” Cheshire whispered and jumped to the ground.
The moment Cheshire’s paws touched the ground he bounded after the group, with Leana bringing up the rear. When Cheshire caught up to the group, he pounced on one of the men, knocking him to the ground. Before he could confront the man he had downed, he caught sight of another man with a long-bladed knife who was walking toward the statue of Christ. Cheshire lunged at the man, using his terrified victim as a springboard. Cheshire landed squarely on his target, knocking the man down and sending the knife flying. The man flailed around desperately until he felt the knife handle and then wildly slashed at Cheshire. After dodging a few times, Cheshire extended his claws and slashed at the knife. The moment his claws struck the blade, it shattered, leaving the Serpent Master holding only a useless handle. Before the man could react Cheshire shoved him down, forcing him to lie on his back and held him there with his paw. The group stared in disbelief at Cheshire who glared back at them.
“This is a place of light. Your darkness is not welcome here!” Cheshire addressed the group with a growl.
Hearing one of the cougars speak threw the entire Brotherhood into a panic. One of the men charged Cheshire, giving the Serpent Master a chance to escape. Leana knocked Chesh’s attacker to the ground before he could hit Cheshire with the crowbar he was carrying, thus leaving Cheshire to pursue the group’s leader.
CHAPTER 38
Scared out of his wits, the Serpent Master fled into the woods with Cheshire hot on his tail. Cheshire had closed the gap and was in pouncing range when a small tree fell between them. Cheshire slid to a stop and the man kept on running. After catching his breath, Cheshire scanned the tree line. The man was gone, but an unseen sinister presence had replaced him. Feelings of turmoil, dread, and evil flooded Cheshire’s senses as he tried to find the source.
“Cougar, cougar….” Thorson’s voice echoed from the shadows.
“Lost our way, have we?” Thorson sneered in Cheshire’s face after appearing in front of him. Cheshire glared at the Rottweiler and pounced backwards.
“What’s the matter? Can’t you place me? Don’t have your little friend to tell you what she smells?” Thorson taunted viciously in his most patronizing tone.
“I don’t need anyone to tell me that you are one of the Dragon’s slaves,” Cheshire snarled, cutting Thorson’s pride to the core with his words.
“That doesn’t matter, Half-bit. Not to you. I am going to use your pelt to decorate my throne room,” Thorson roared and lunged at Cheshire. Cheshire countered by locking his claws into Thorson’s muzzle, stopping the demon cold.
“You are supposed to be weak,” Thorson stammered in a state of shock.
“I thought I could feed on your little friend’s weakness, but it turns out I misplaced my hope. You are the weak one, aren’t you?” he continued after regaining his confidence.
“What are you talking about, demon?” Chesh growled.
“Your strength was taken by my master at Eastern Pass,” Thorson chuckled.
“Your master is a liar!”
“Prove it! You are nothing!” Thorson chided.
Cheshire responded by digging his claws deeper into his adversary and began pulling the struggling demon toward him. As he pulled, the muscles in his shoulder began to spasm and ache. When the pain became excruciating, Thorson was able to break free.
“ Pathetic!” Thorson smirked.
Feeding off of Cheshire’s fears, Thorson grew stronger. Thorson charged at Cheshire snapping wildly at Cheshire’s throat. If not for his training Cheshire could have never escaped his attack. Driven back into the prayer garden Cheshire became ensnared after stumbling into a bunched up water hose. Having spent most of his newly gained energy, Thorson walked up to where Cheshire lay trying to untangle himself from the hose.
“Your Master only loves winners. You aren’t worth his time,” he spat as he watched Cheshire struggle.
“That’s not true!” Cheshire hissed.
“You know it is.”
“No!” Cheshire roared as he broke free of the hose and leaped to his feet. He swung at Thorson who dodged and rammed Chesh’s sore shoulder.
“I will begin by killing your little friend,” Thorson howled.
Without thinking Cheshire swung at and hit Thorson full force. Chesh felt an agonizing pop but found that his shoulder muscles had loosened. After hearing a shriek Chesh glanced up and found that he had knocked Thorson into a stone pillar that held up a water container. Some water had spilled and dissolved Thorson’s fur coat. Now red serpentine scales accented his muzzle. Thorson winced and desperately tried to wipe the water from his face.
“Curse this blessed water!” he shrieked.
“My perfection! You have ruined it!” Thorson accused Cheshire .
“Beauty is skin deep, but vanity runs to the core,” Cheshire panted in return.
“You have won this round, but victory shall be bitter. That I promise!” Thorson snarled and then vanished.
CHAPTER 39
After Cheshire had pounced on and chased the Serpent Master deep into the woods, his followers quickly panicked and scattered in all directions. Zig zagging through the group, Leana worked quickly to round up the fleeing humans and herd them into a fence corner, trapping them.
“Beast! Flee before the power of shadow is brought against you!” one of the men yelped in an attempt to scare Leana. Instead of frightening the cougaress, it only made her step closer to the group.
“Maybe I should remove your tongue! You seem to have no better use for it other than bringing damnation on yourself,” Leana growled, driving her captives further into the fence corner. Normally the thought of removing someone’s tongue would never have come into her mind, but the way that these humans ignorantly called on the Dragon for demonic power made
her indignation nearly as fiery as Michael’s. She doubted that the Duke of Shepherds would have been content with merely holding them captive, but she was under orders. The Marquis of Cougars had already decided that no blood was to be shed on the church grounds. That was not in her nature anyway, and they both knew that the Divine Master was a God of Love, not of bloodshed.
CHAPTER 40
Ever since the attack had started, Pilate had sat in the entrance of his den on the church property and observed the chaos around him. Pilate enjoyed watching the two cougars send the unholy vandals running for their lives. He had breathed in the evening air and was trying to sort out the odors it carried when one in particular caught his full attention. The smell was that of death and sulfur. A demon was nearby. Quickly Pilate dropped to the ground and peered out through the brush. There hiding in the grass was Ebb, a gargoyle-like demon, who was watching Leana and her prisoners. After another moment of studying Leana, Ebb transformed herself into a cougar similar to Cheshire in appearance and started toward Leana.
“Not her!” Pilate gasped in horror. After the fall Ebb had become so thirsty for power and authority that she would transform herself into any form and use any means possible to fulfill her own selfish desires. Ebb was the creature that slithered through Pilate’s subconscious attacking him with flashbacks of his past--a past in which he was the dark wolf of Mt. Purgatory.
Ebb, in her disguise, strutted up to Leana and sat down between her and her prisoners. She was careful to cover up her scent so as not to reveal her true identity.
“Chesh, is everything well?” Leana asked, looking visibly confused by the fake cougar’s behavior.
“Quite…”, Ebb responded in a tone similar to Cheshire’s. Before Leana could realize the deception, Ebb took in a deep breath and exhaled a mist that engulfed Leana.
“Oh my, la-lavender!” Leana stammered as the intoxicating mist put her into a trance. As the lavender mist worked its way through Leana’s system, it allowed Ebb to control her like a puppet.
“Well! Well! What shall I do with you, Miss Kitty? Should I keep you as a personal slave? No. Perhaps I shall use you to lure the other cougar to his death? There is no sport in that. No, I am afraid there is only one thing to be done with a creature like you. Kill you,” Ebb pondered her actions aloud as she studied Leana.