Nature or Nurture Ch. 49-50

Victor stays with Catherine and their guest.

'They were lucky,' he observes, 'we nearly spitted them, they came towards us in a dark alley with hoods over their faces. I nearly went for the kill, having Mina along gave me just a little more faith in a good ending, that saved the girl I faced at least. Had I been with Adison, the girl would have died.'

'I've been talking with your friends all evening,' Jakob says, 'and I think we have thought of a way to end this battle, by getting rid of the infamous Mrs Poole. Maybe one of those girls is willing to tell us how many her mistress has under her command, so we clear out the entire nest instead of just getting the queen bee.'

Is is just Victor, or is Catherine looking positively vindictive? She still so tiny, such a look does not become her, and thinking of her mother and Heathcliff's reputation for anger and mental instability, Victor opens his arms to her.

'Psst, Catherine, want to come sit with me?'

Her face clears instantly, and she lets him lift her eagerly, nestling against his chest, little arms around him. That does feel good, the trust of a small child, in some ways she is still a typical two year old, and very cute and loveable.

His heart melts for this little girl, and he wraps her in his arms and kisses her black locks. She is clearly very tired, but she doesn't want to miss anything, it's her future that is at stake after all, yet she is a toddler and she needs sleep.

'You know Adison and Vincent always tell you everything Catherine, no need to fight sleep.'

The girl's endearing face looks up at him thankfully.

'You are really sweet, Victor, and totally right, I am very tired and I need to sleep. But I like sitting with you, may I sleep in your lap for a while?'

And so it is that when there is a knock on the door, Jakob answers it by himself, Victor does not have the heart to disturb his little house mate. Jakob is back in the kitchen soon, with a handsome gentleman well in his forties, who looks vaguely familiar to Victor, and who seems to know him.

'We saw each other at your friend's show, remember? I'm George.'

Now Victor remembers, the family that was with Paul that night Vincent had given them free tickets for the theatre. He seems to remember them being very noble, and Melissa has told them she's very working class, which Jakob's clothes show very clearly, maybe a bit too clearly? There are no stains or scuff-marks on them, maybe they're a statement towards the world that Jakob sympathises with the working class, or just a plain disguise.

George is dressed well, expensively actually, and in excellent taste. He has very easy manners, and sits down at a very humble kitchen table with no qualms whatsoever.

It is clear that despite the apparent difference in class, these men know one another well, and those poor girls will be safe with this guy without bringing danger to him or his family. According to their new friends, George is one of the more powerful mages in the city, a so-called adept, someone who can take the magic energy from those powerful green balls where it collects, the nodes, and use it as he wills.

Victor inquires, 'So you'll put them up for a night, and then Jacob's friends will find a place for them where they will fit in and be able to take care of themselves?'

'Exactly,' George replies, 'they will have one or two safe nights with us, and then they move on, we often help people to find a new life, but we're a bit too upper class to help them fit in, so we provide funds to those who will. And in this case, safety from their former mistress. You're sure all the strings and spells are removed from them?'

Jakob answers that question with certainty.

'I saw Adison do it, she is very proficient, I'm thinking of asking her to become part of the web, for future cases like these. Her instincts are flawless.'

Seeing Victor raise an eyebrow at this, he adds, 'It would give her access to instruction and other advantages, such as instant communication.'

Now the others are filing in, the girls have cleaned up rather prettily, hair still wet and wearing Adison's dresses, but they still look awful, and George clearly shows a soft side, his mild expression changes to shock at their condition.

'Anne, Bridget, I'm pleased to meet you, my name is George, and you will be staying with my family for at least this night. We'll find another safe spot for you tomorrow or maybe the day after.'

'But sir, we will put your family in danger, we are being hunted,' Bridget says honestly.

Only someone familiar with magic would have seen George's face blank out for just a fraction of a second, and he assures the girl, 'No-one will follow you with magic, there is no trace of any magic on you except your own.

And Bridget, I'm a very powerful mage myself, well able to defend the two of you from anything less than a god. My house has enough shields and wards on it to send lightning back to where it came from, please believe me, you will be safe.'

And such is his sincerity, that the girls believe him, a trust totally deserved. They follow him obediently, and Jakob and Mina accompany them to the door. Vincent and Adison sit down and look at their daughter with a tender expression.

'You look good with a child, Victor,' Vincent says, 'you would be a great father.'

Victor is not so sure, but he knows he will never have children anyway, Mina is unable to have them, and Victor will never settle with anyone else. As if he can read that thought, Vincent observes, 'Someone may yet appeal to you to give her a child.'

He must have shown his feelings clearly, for his friend adds, 'No undying love, Victor, just a child. That wouldn't be so bad, would it?'

Sometimes Vincent makes no sense at all, he must be as tired as Catherine is, he's probably had a moving day with his first rehearsal in a new theatre, and spending an afternoon with the famous Oscar Wilde.

When Jakob and Mina return, Jakob tells them more about himself and his circle, and he offers Adison, Catherine and Vincent to have his circle mask their magic talent, making it visible only when they are actively using magic.

'In your case that may be permanently, Vincent, or never, since your body uses your talent continuously, but not consciously. I don't know, we'd have to see.'

He tells them more about this procedure, and they actually make an appointment to attend the next meeting of the circle. By then they are all pretty tired, and decide to talk about evil some other time.

Victor does want to know something else.

'You're dressed like a working class man, Jakob, but you know a highly ranked noble like Sir George Nomes. Are you indeed of the working class?'

Jakob laughs, and observes, 'You're very perceptive, Dr Frankenstein, you probably noticed my clothes are not dirty and not scuffed. I worked in a factory for most of my life, as did my wife. Melissa and her sisters were mostly raised by our own parents, and we're very proud that Melissa managed to become an engineer on a loan that the owner of the factory that employs us gave her.

But since she married Paul she has come into contact with several highly ranked nobles, all involved with magic, and they wanted me to become involved in various projects to improve life for the lower classes, because I know them and can relate to them, and are still well able to explain their views to the upper class.

Soon, this started to take up so much of my time, that I couldn't keep up my job any longer, and the city council decided to put me on a retainer.

So I dress like I used to, only cleaner because I have a public function now, and I still live in my old neighbourhood, in the same house, to stay in touch with the people I represent.

But I eat steak once a week, and I've bought a bicycle from Paul to get around more easily, and my grandchildren will all be able to study before they will start working.

So there you have it: I am working-class, but in a way I am no longer.'

'That's much like Bruce, our Chinese friend,' Vincent offers, 'he looks Chinese, and he needs his community very much, but he is not as hidebound, and he understands English society, so he acts as an intermediary between the world outside, and his own community.'

'Exactly,' Jakob says, 'and I know we decided to talk chaos and order later, but the Chinese community is a bastion of order that holds progress at bay with everything they can. By doing that, they create chaos elsewhere in town, encouraging progress without being aware of it.'

Victor carries Catherine to her bed, feeling very soft inside to see her pretty, chubby face totally relaxed in sleep. He covers her with her blanket and feels reluctant to leave her alone, according to Vincent those witches can travel through walls.

Jakob!

He runs after their guest, and manages to catch him just before he gets on his bicycle to leave.

'Those witches,' he whispers from up close, 'they can move through walls. What if they take Catherine when everyone sleeps? Mina can't sit by her bed all night.'

Jakob considers this carefully, and decides in a second.

'Will you please watch my bicycle for a few minutes?

Adison, will you come with me?'

They go back inside, into the bedroom, where Jakob lays his hands on the outside wall, and blanks out for a few moments.

'There is no-one in there now, but I'd like to put a ward on it, with your energy. That way, if anyone tries to enter through the wall, you'll know instantly, even in the deepest of sleep. Will you touch the wall with one hand, and my hand with the other? This is going to be hard, but I want you to sit up straight in bed if someone crosses it, not me, so you need to be involved.'

Adison does as he asks, and Jakob starts to chant, his voice as calm as ever, the language fluid but not one she knows. It might be Gaelic, some of the phrases seem to contain a lot of consonants.

As she looks at the wall it seems to light up in a blue haze, the whole outside wall.

Jakob's chanting increases in intensity, and the blue haze settles into the wall, and somehow in herself. It feels weird, but the strangeness fades quickly.

The chanting becomes softer until it dies away, and when Jakob removes his hands from the wall, Adison suddenly feels very tired. She has no clue what he has done, but it is clear she has paid for the magic with her own energy.

'The outside wall was connected to the sides and the front, I've managed to ward the whole building in one go. It's not very subtle, an alarm will sound like a church bell in your head, but it's the best I could do without preparation and my circle.

I'm sorry for the cost, I thought you'd feel it was worth it to sleep safely at night. If something breaks in whilst you sleep, you'll know. If something sneaks in while you're away, you'll feel it the second you pass the threshold, and you'll know where it is. I'm certain your friends will be well-able to handle the rest.

I'm off now, you stay here, take your rest. Good night, we'll meet again soon!'

And Adison sinks to the bed, totally worn out, her head aching slightly. But their daughter will be safe, even in the dead of night, when Mina is also asleep.

When Vincent comes in a few moments later, he already has a glass of water and a painkiller with him, and he lifts her gently so she can take it without choking.

'How did you know?' she asks.

'Jakob told me you needed it, he excused himself, said you needed to share the cost to feel the effect, it would have had little use if he woke up knowing something breached our walls.

In her husband's loving arms, Adison falls into a deep, dreamless sleep, and in the morning everything is still as it should be.

Chapter 50

The next evening they have the appointment with Miss Yves, and after dinner they all set out, hoping to find out more about their enemy.

As he serves the coffee, the dangerous looking servant who is not quite a servant, Sembene, whispers to Adison, 'Something has taken hold of my friend's heart, it is captured with evil magic. I can feel it, and it grows daily.'

'I will try to spot it, but I cannot remove it without his consent,' Adison replies.

He smiles mysteriously, exuding self-confidence.

'I will get him to agree. We go back a very long time.'

She nods, and he moves on.

There is a lovely pie to go with the coffee, apparently they are expected, and everyone but Mina and Miss Yves takes a slice. Amazingly, Ethan Chandler is there, too, and he seems rather content, Adison has had a suspicion from the first that he stayed with his sick girlfriend because he didn't want to abandon her in her hour of need, but had quite a fancy for Miss Yves from the start.

But the one she is here for is Sir Malcolm, and he is indeed not as he should be. He greets all of them much too cordially, and now he is talking to Victor and Vincent with a relish, he seems positively smitten indeed. In a way, Adison feels sad that seeing Sir Malcolm happy makes everyone present very suspicious, but Mrs Poole is bad news, and they need to know how deeply she is involved with Sir Malcolm. So she does what needs to be done and checks him out with sight, finding him indeed bound even tighter than the two girls.

This is a strong spell, actually a complex of spells, and Adison worries whether she can remove it at all. But Jakob has told her that it is not actually she herself who removes the bond, it's a collective of Chinese masters, on 24 hour call, like their practice, and they will be able to handle quite a bit of expert misuse of power. Faith is just as important here as when she still thought her ability was the gift of the gods, Mina probably had some serious spells on her, and Miss Yves is still convinced she was possessed by the devil. Adison removed that possession easily enough, once Miss Yves was kind enough to stand still.

To not be aware of the existence of magic, and still work feats of magic like this, the masters must have an immense belief in their gods. Maybe one day she will find out where they are, those Chinese masters, and thank them for their kindness.

Miss Yves looks at her with a question in her eyes, and Adison can only nod in confirmation. They have decided yesterday to leave the spell as it is, and try to find out where his next date is, waylay Mrs Poole, breaking the spell by her demise. But if Sembene can get his friend's permission to remove it, wouldn't that be infinitely better? They might have to fight him or incapacitate him if he still trusts the woman and tries to defend her against his own daughter and her friends. He might call the watch.

As she considers the wisest course, Vincent sits down next to her and asks, 'Did you find anything wrong?'

She tells him what she has seen, and what Sembene has told her, and Vincent agrees that if he can get his friend to submit to Adison's treatment, they should try that.

'Sir Malcolm is a noble, and if he opposes us when we take his girlfriend out, we could be in deep trouble.'

Not seeing any reason to delay their action, Adison catches Sembene's attention, and tells him what is going on, and what she can do about it.

'But will he believe it if we tell him he is under a spell? Actually not one, but a whole number of them?'

'He will believe me, I will make sure of that. Leave him to me, you do what you need to do when I am done.'

And he moves straight towards Sir Malcolm, who is still talking to Victor, sits down next to him and says bluntly, 'Malcolm, dear friend, your soul is in danger. Miss Yves and I have suspected for some days that the woman you are seeing has spelled you. Miss Adison here confirms that. You saw her release Vanessa, and she has given your daughter back her freedom, if sadly not her life.'

Sir Malcolm of course protests.

'But I feel fine, there is nothing wrong with me, I'm happy, actually, my anger is finally laid to rest.'

But his protest sounds feeble, something in him knows that his anger is part of him, that being happy and carefree is not his natural state. Looking straight at Adison, he asks, 'Is it true? Did she bewitch me with her sweet compliments, and her wry humour?'

'She bewitched you with spells, Sir Malcolm, I don't know how she did it without your noticing it, but she is a witch and she can use incantations, and also bodily fluids, nail clippings, even used handkerchiefs or a little bit of hair to spell you.'

Adison can see he is taking her very seriously, good.

'I did kiss her, and we touched quite a bit. We didn't...you know what, we're in the presence of a child. I'm still married, after all. I have been feeling strange the last few days, but I thought I was in love. Well, that is supposed to be a kind of bewitchment as well. Why don't you do what you did with Mina and Vanessa, and see if I feel the difference? If it is there, I will visit Mrs Poole and ask her for an explanation.'

Adison can see she needs to tread lightly here, and she explains carefully.

'With your consent I will remove any spells from you by holding your head, speaking a formula in a language you will not understand, and kissing you on the forehead.

After that I beseech you to consider that Mrs Evelyn Poole is a dangerous witch who is after Catherine, who has sent her underlings after us several times, endangering Catherine, your daughter, my husband and myself. She will be physically stronger than you can imagine, she has spelled you before and she can probably do so again. Going after her alone will only result in your demise, or your renewed spelling.

We propose you pretend nothing has changed, go out with her, but on a date that will prevent you from being too close to her, and constantly on your guard. By day, when her witch-powers are at their weakest.

Then you lead her through a certain deserted alley, where we will be waiting for her.'

'Why not just raid her house? I know where it is,' Sir Malcolm proposes, anger getting a hold on him once more.

'She has underlings, and we don't know how many,' Vincent answers, 'they can disappear into walls, and they are incredibly strong. We prefer to take out the leader first, and see to the servants later. They will be much reduced without their mistress.'

'If we go by day, Mina cannot be there,' Sir Malcolm says, 'I want my daughter by my side. Can we make it an hour after sundown, that's around six? We'll visit that gruesome wax-museum, she'll love that and it's way too public for intimacies. There's a nice, dark alley a few blocks down.'

They've got him, he is thinking with them instead of wanting instant revenge.

'Will you sit in front of me, Sir Malcolm?' Adison now asks in her sweet, calm voice.

'Sembene, will you touch my neck or face, bare skin but not my hands, I will be needing them. Apparently it is a lot safer to practise magic that way, and this is a powerful enemy. I'd like your solid mind backing me up.

There is a chance that she will become aware her spells have been removed, in that case, our plan may be too dangerous for Sir Malcolm.'

Since no-one can predict that anyway, Adison readies herself for the procedure. Sembene is standing behind her, sitting just doesn't seem his thing. He is touching her cheek lightly, and Adison feels a lot safer for it, he is such a calming presence.

Taking Sir Malcolm's bearded jaws in her hands, she looks him in his eyes, piercing eyes, fortunately she is used to an even intenser sulphurous gaze, and she has no trouble at all facing his icy grey one. She wills him free, speaks her Chinese incantation, and kisses him on his brow. He blinks once, twice, and when she releases his head he shakes it vigorously, as if to clear it.

'You were right,' he says respectfully, 'I was under the influence of a bewitchment. My anger is back, and rising. I'm glad we've made plans, or I'd be off right now, loading my gun to extract my revenge, playing right into her hands no doubt. Are you all right?'