Spell, Crook and Handle Pt. 06

Sheffield's of London, it was the iconic place where the wealthy went for custom jewelry in Great Britain. It was said that the royal family came here over past generations for their finest pieces. One foot inside and Louis believed it. The showroom was sound proofed against the outside world and the carpeting was thick and luxurious underfoot. It had the feel of individuality the moment you entered. A young couple was at one of the three display cases when Kat and Louis arrived. There was no chime or bell but from behind a scarlet curtain an elderly man appeared and greeted them. He was tall, thin and dressed in a thousand dollar suit. Not a single one of his gray hairs was out of place and his moustache was trimmed to perfection. This was of course Andrew Thomas Sheffield the fifth, eight generations of jewelers to the crown and nobility to the whole of Europe.

"Katrina," he said in greeting. "It is so good to see you again. This must be the young man we made that handsome ring for. It is a pleasure to meet such a dashing adventurer such as yourself."

"No, the pleasure is all mine," Louis said taking his hand and shaking it.

"Powerful grip you have Sir," Andrew replied. "Now what can we do for you?"

"Actually, I have a request," Louis replied before Kat could answer. "I am looking for a very special setting for a very special stone."

"We do enjoy a challenge," Andrew said his eyes widening in curiosity. "What can we do for you?"

"You sneaky little..." Kat muttered under her breath.

Louis reached into his jacket pocket and produced an old weathered box. It had been with him since he had left France and it held a long term project that had been idle for far too long. He handed the box to the older man who turned it to face him and opened it. The man's face lit up as if he had just seen the Holy Grail. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he smiled.

"Who cut the stone," Andrew asked as he closed the box and dabbed the tears with his handkerchief.

"I did," Louis said.

"YOU did," the old man remarked. "I will hire you on the spot. If that were a resume young man I would be a fool to turn you away."

"Thank you for your kind offer but here is what I require," Louis said handing the man an envelope. "It contains a hard copy as well as a digital one. Price is not an issue but time is, can you have it completed in a month?"

Andrew handed Kat the box as he opened the envelope and unfolded the papers within. Once more his eyes went wide and one corner of his mouth turned up. He stroked his chin as he looked at the demanding details and qualities required of the piece. The old man thought long and hard and shook his head.

"I would love to take this contract," he said folding the papers back up. "But I could not meet the deadline. Six weeks I might be able to accomplish it, and in eight I could guarantee it, but not in four. I am sorry Sir."

"You have the job," Louis said.

"But I don't understand," Andrew replied his composure shaken.

"You are the tenth man I have asked and the first to stick by the quality of your work. You would rather refuse the contract on the basis of honesty and family pride. I respect that and I will send all my business your way."

"Thank you Sir," Andrew said pulling himself up to his full height. "You are very kind."

"Wait until Gabrielle gets word of this. She is going to flip."

"Holy mother of..." Kat said as she finally opened the box. "It's gorgeous. You never mentioned that you were a gem cutter."

"We all have our secrets," Louis said taking the box and handing it over to Andrew.

Louis let go of the box and shivered where he stood. He had been so busy with the transaction that he missed it. He glanced over at the woman by the counter. She was absolutely stunning but it was the waves of negative energy she was putting out that had made him shudder. He locked eyes with those of a stone cold killer. She smiled and returned back to the man she was clinging to.

"Oh please sweetie," she purred in his ear. "Surely I am worth a paltry little trinket like this."

"Paltry, it is 35,000 pounds sterling," the man replied. "I love you and all but my father would lose his bloody mind if I paid that for just an engagement ring."

"Remember that thing I said would have to wait until after the wedding," she counteroffered.

"Really," the young man gasped. "Well... I uh..."

Louis whispered in Kat's ear and she nodded. She and Andrew haggled over the price of the project while Louis looked around. He moved directly behind the couple and shifted his perception to the astral. He looked over his shoulder and nearly cried out when he saw her true nature unveiled. While the young lady wasn't a demon she was definitely candidate material. Her aura was so dark and so repulsive he had no doubt about his earlier impression of her. She was a serial killer and had to be stopped. He restored his vision to the earthly plane and alerted Feng who in turn would alert the local authorities.

Louis had been studying with Iyaden and his workouts were not just physical and spell combat but also the honing of his perceptions. His will was strong enough to peel away surface thoughts with ease. But with a little effort he could pry a person's entire life history if he desired it and he did. He looked down at the display case but his real attention was to the abomination behind him. His awareness sliced through her thoughts with no resistance at all. He dove into the very core of her being and unraveled it skein by skein.

Her given name was Pandora. She came from a long and proud Greek heritage. That would explain that flawless olive skin of hers. Her childhood was a loving one but there was wickedness in the girl from the beginning. She enjoyed being bad. It manifested as little things at first but as she became older she learned how to harness her beauty as a weapon. Her first kill was a young man in her hometown. She lured him with promises of dark delights and in the throes of his first climax she pushed him into the well he had been leaning against.

The rest were a slow buildup of fast marriages followed by her becoming a widow over and over again. She had assumed so many identities over the last six years it was a testament to her consummate skills that she stayed in character long enough to bleed her husbands and their families dry before disappearing again. This poor bastard was Willem, landed gentry, with a proud family possessing both land and titles. It was her most audacious victim yet. Louis turned as he sent all the information, aliases and proof to Feng. She would contact the appropriate authorities while Louis performed his magic upon her.

"Pandora," Louis said and watched the girl's head whip around in utter astonishment. "Is that you girl?"

"You must have me mistaken for someone else," she said coolly.

"No, it is you, gods I haven't seen you in what six years now," Louis continued as he closed the distance between them.

Kat laid a hand on Andrew's arm and they shared a look that spoke of silence and patience. Let him do this and all will be well.

"I just have one of those faces," Pandora replied fidgeting now. "Let's go, we can pick out a less expensive ring somewhere else."

"What's wrong," Willem asked. "You are never like this." Pause while the truth sinks in. "You told me your name was Virginia."

"I am, this bloody fool is an idiot that has me confused with someone else." She snarled as the mask began to fall away.

"Does she still have that birthmark just above her left cheek," Louis asked watching her movements intently.

"Good god woman," Willem said backing away from her. "You said I was your first."

"Come with me," Kat said pulling Willem away from Pandora.

"YOU... you ruined everything... who the hell are you anyway," Pandora growled. "FBI... Interpol... let me see your badge."

"I don't have a badge," Louis said moving closer still and weaving the dark magic around her.

"UNNNN... what is going on," Pandora snarled. "MMMMMM... why am I so wet all of a sudden?"

"I have no idea," Louis said as he reached out and slipped his fingers around her wrist. "I am going to just hold you while the police arrive."

"UNNNNNNN..." Pandora moaned as she climaxed from the simple contact of his flesh on hers. "I just... how did I... can't think straight."

She collapsed to the floor and Louis gently cradled her from behind. Kat told Andrew the police would be discreet and it would be alright. Willem stared down at the woman he had fallen for and barely recognized her. Her skin was flushed with color and her eyes were half closed as she twitched on the floor of the store.

"Call an ambulance," Louis cried out. "I think she's having a seizure!"

It wasn't a seizure it was in fact Louis deliberately feeding on her life essence. Her shaking was the multitude of orgasms she was experiencing as he drained her dry. Everyone witnessed his gentle grip on her and watched as she passed away before their very eyes. Two minutes later the police and medics arrived but it was too late. She had apparently died from an undiagnosed epileptic condition. Statements were taken but it was pretty cut and dry. Willem thanked Louis and Kat and even invited them to the manor house when it was appropriate of course.

Kat smoothed things over with Andrew and paid the down payment for the project right then and there. All was well and forgotten as far as the old man was concerned. Kat and Louis left the jewelry store and wandered around until he saw an old shop that looked quite inviting, Old Man Corvinus the sign said.

"This looks promising," Louis said.

"Who was she really," Kat asked as they walked towards the store.

"A part of the group that had taken my sister," he lied. "She was a serial killer."

"I was able to confirm at least ten men she had murdered Mistress," Feng chimed in from behind us.

"Ten... then poor Willem would have become number eleven," Kat said and kissed Louis' cheek. "You are a hero."

"It was just a healthy dose of paranoia and good luck on my part."

"To die like that though," Kat made a face. "Epilepsy... I never knew it could be fatal."

"It is uncommon, but a strong enough seizure can completely destabilize the brain and prove quite lethal." Feng added.

"I had a friend that died that way," Sora said. "He got up one morning, fixed his first pot of coffee, turned on the television and died before he sat down."

The group fell silent as they entered Corvinus' shop of wonders. Old Man Convinus fit his name quite well. He had to be at least eighty but was pretty spry and quite enthusiastic when they entered.

"Back again Mr. Masters... oh no... I am sorry I thought you were someone else," Corvinus said. "My apologies but for a moment there I would have sworn. Anyway, how can I be of service?"

"Just looking," Kat said but Louis felt like he had been bitch slapped.

"Do you mean Mr. Jon Masters?" Louis asked.

"Well I guess I should be more genial considering his home coming and all." The old man said smiling. "It's not every day a Duke returns from across the pond."

"Duke," Kat and Louis said simultaneously.

"Oh yes, it is all over the news," Corvinus said. "He inherited from his grandfather. Duke Jon Masters of Wind Sword Manor and blah blah blah... a bunch of lesser titles. He is a bit of a local hero and all. He and Prince William are working on starting a company together. What was it they called it?"

"Eidolon," Feng supplied. "They are going to be manufacturing state of the art artificial limbs and organs for military veterans, free of charge. It is a non for profit organization."

"That is wonderful," Kat said smiling.

Louis took his time examining the amazingly diverse stock inside the shop. He was pointing and telling Kat about this object or that. There were objects from all over Europe and even Southeast Asia. The leather case caught Louis' attention and he picked it up. There was a faded design on top of the letter G and a winged creature worked together.

"What is that," Kat asked.

"It's a griffon," Louis replied as she opened the case. "This must be nineteenth century medical equipment."

"Is that a syringe?" She asked pointing to the antiquated hypodermic needle and two empty vials.

"Yeah," Louis said as he took up one of the vials. "There's a little left at the bottom of this one."

"And this one too," Kat said. "It looks like dried blood."

"That's what I tell customers," Convinus said as he approached them. "That once belonged to none other than the famed doctor and scientist Professor Griffin. You know the one that inspired H. G. Wells."

"No way," Louis said. "I loved that story when I was a kid. How did you get a hold of it?"

"I didn't. My great-grandfather accepted it when a strangely clad young man pawned it ages back. He never came back so we have held onto it ever since."

"How much," Louis asked as Kat reached into her purse to take out her credit card.

"Let me write you up a receipt," Corvinus said smiling. "Follow me to the front."

Kat bought Louis the case and was all smiles. Convinus offered to gift wrap it but Louis just slipped it into his back pocket. As they began to walk out, the old man made a striking comment.

"It is interesting," he said. "Jon Masters also purchased a case from the Victorian era."

"I may have to ask him about it," Louis said as he left.

The next couple of hours and a few small stores and Louis was all shopped out. He threw up his hands in surrender and they called it a day. To repair his frazzled nerves they returned to the pub near Al's.

Louis bought a round for everyone and after two pints felt his stress reduce to a tolerable level. His thoughts had been circling around the demise of Pandora. He knew why he had done it. The real reason was payback for Lily and his deceased father. He was no saint and in truth the woman was a prolific killer. So why the hell did he feel bad about killing her.

As if on cue he received an email from Gabrielle. She was interested in the situation at Bob's house and glad it was concluded without complications. Then there were three words in regards to what happened earlier that day... Let It Go. Louis knew that only one person would have contacted Gabrielle about the death of Pandora. He and Feng were going to have a little talk about boundaries. As if things couldn't get any worse a news article on the television covered the life and death of Pandora. All eyes were on the two televisions in the pub. Louis called a server over and ordered a bottle of tequila. Kat just sat back and asked for two glasses.

"Make it three," Bob said sitting down next to Louis. "Hey guys... can we talk?"

"Sure, bring bob here a pint too," Louis said. "How is the house?"

"Well, I actually went down to the basement for the first time last night. I have never felt comfortable down there when it was dark. But it started this morning. The noises from downstairs were quiet at first but by lunchtime it was bad... real bad. I need your help."

"What kind of noises are we talking about?" Louis asked as Kat's color ran pale.

"It started off as creaks and settling. But now its voices, plural, and they sound like they are in pain."

Louis held up his hand as the bottle of tequila arrived and he poured shots all around the table. One silent toast to lost souls later and Louis collected his thoughts. He was loath to even contact Gabrielle but he was quickly getting out of his depths on this one.

"Fuck... I need to make a call," Louis cursed. "Feng connect me to Gabrielle now."

"Nnnnnn... uh Louis? What is going on?" Gabrielle replied on the other end.

"I need your help. Things have escalated and I am out of my comfort zone." Louis said while Bob watched on confused.

"Who is he talking to? There is no phone or anything."

"It's his watch," Kat explained.

"How bad is bad," Gabrielle asked an ocean away.

"Multiple voices and they sound like they are in pain. This is my fault..."

"Shut up Louis, blame can be determined later. I will make a call. I have the address so someone will be in touch." Click.

"Help is on the way." Louis told Bob as he poured a second round of shots.

Bob looked relieved but he hadn't met an Inquisitor yet. Louis knew that they had a presence in most major cities. So it shouldn't take her long to send a request for aid. Louis wondered if they would be aiding him or simply doing it for her. It didn't really matter in the end, as long as Bob's house was cleansed once and for all. He was so lost in thoughts he didn't notice the two girls that walked into the pub. They went to the bar and the bartender pointed at the table in the corner.

"It's really him," one girl said within ear shot of Louis.

"He really is cute," the other said. "This is going to be fun!"

"Can I help you," Louis asked checking out the pair.

They were both dressed in tight jeans and dark t-shirts. The blonde was cute as a button but the brunette was straight up smoking hot. He didn't recall meeting them before though. Kat though managed to figure it out pretty quickly. She sat back and let him hang himself. It was a slow painful conversation but oh so entertaining. Bob couldn't help but stare at the two attractive new comers. One plopped down next to Kat and the other slithered onto Bob's lap.

"Hello Bob," the brunette purred.

"Hello Louis," the blonde giggled.

"How the hell do you know my name," Louis asked.

"He really is silly," the blonde replied.

"He is rather cross," the brunette purred. "Maybe he needs a hand job."

"Hey now," Kat intervened. "If anyone is giving him a hand job it is going to be me."

"Ummm..." Bob said finding the conversation strange and yet exciting.

"We haven't forgotten about you sweet cheeks. We are going to take care of you."

They introduced themselves, the blonde was Inquisitor Jinx and the brunette was Inquisitor Rumor. Louis looked at the pair and tried to process the way they were dressed along with their names. Jinx and Rumor, what kind of Inquisitors were they? Was this some kind of joke on Gabrielle's part? He tried to process it and his brain sneezed.

"Seriously," Louis said as he reached for the bottle of tequila.

His hand never reached it. Jinx snatched it and tossed it tumbling end over end towards Rumor. The two of them kept the bottle in the air for a full minute before settling it back on the table without spilling a drop. Louis looked from the bottle to the girls and back a few times. Well that was impressive.

"Okay, what's the plan," Louis asked.

"We'll fill you in on the way," Jinx said. "Last call or better yet leave the bottle for Bob."

"Me..." Bob said.

"Yeah, you should stay here," Rumor added. "It's gonna get hairy. I think you and Kat should remain at the pub."

"I am not leaving you..." Kat began but Louis shook his head.

"No, you are going to stay here." Louis demanded.

"Are you sure," Kat asked even as Jinx and Rumor got up to leave.

"Positive," he said. "I will be back before you know it."

The three of them left the pub together and Louis followed the Bobbsey twins to a parked black Range Rover. They opened the back and geared up right out in the open. The Inquisitors strapped on gun belts, slipped on armored long coats and offered him the same. Louis accepted the matching gauss pistols and long coat. They locked up the vehicle and walked down to number 32 Hobs Lane. Bob had left it unlocked and once the trio had stepped inside why he wasn't worried about the place being robbed. The temperature had dropped below freezing and their breath came in clouds of steam as they exhaled.

"What the fuck," Jinx exclaimed.

"I did this," Louis said. "When I freed her soul..."

"You gave her a chance at heaven, this is something else." Rumor replied sharply. "Jinx move forward, Louis goes right and I will cover the basement door. Sweep and meet back there."