Chapter 2

As the carriage passed through Bath Street on the way toward the commons in Bedford Park, the world around began to wake up to a new day. A number of enterprising nannies were already walking their wards towards the commons park; some gentlemen were stepping out of their houses on the way to work. In many yards, gardeners and ground keepers were starting on the hedges and the flowerbeds. However, most of the work was unseen, inside the houses the household staff, many who had been up for hours were getting ready to greet the masters and mistresses of the houses.

The Kinsley or Star House was not as large as the Orchid or Tower House but it lay on a wider piece of property overlooking the park. One aspect that was lost on most was that the Star House was well protected. For the uninitiated, Lady Kinsley’s carriage drove through the tall iron gates crossing powerful mystical wards that kept all but the most determined entities from entering the grounds. Overlooking the home itself, one of the most talked about elements of the estate was the collection of little stone cherubs that looked down from the roof. These playful sprits were always a great delight to see by the many children that walked by the great home. If some of the children said that they had seen them move, or on occasion wave back, the adults paid no attention.

Waiting patiently by the front door, a tall young man, richly dressed in the uniform of the First Footman stood ready as the carriage came to a stop. “Good morning, Lady Kinsley.” If the young man was surprised at his mistress’ dress, he gave no sign.

“Morning, Tom.” Erin lightly stepped from the carriage. In the time of Queen Victoria, where even showing of the ankles was frowned upon, Lady Erin Kinsley’s attire would be considered positively scandalous. She wore no trousers, as they would just slip around her ankles. Nor did she wear undergarments for the same reason. Even her shoes were missing. Out of the carriage, Erin stepped barefoot wearing a men’s shirt, and red uniform jacket of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers that hung past her knees. What was missing from the night before was the mahogany cane.

With one hand, she tossed a small paper bag to the coachman. “Share that among your mates Alex. I’ll need the carriage again before lunchtime.”

“We’ll be ready and thank you my Lady.” Passing the bag to the large burly ex-Prussian solider, the coachman drove around to the back of the estate.

“My Lady Kinsley, should we head in?” The First Footman asked.

“A moment, Mr. Wallace, will you hand a couple of those bags to Tom here?” She shook her head in amusement. Lord Kinsley’s valet held four bags of assorted breads and Danishes in his arms.

“Yes, your Ladyship.”

“My Lady?” First Footman asked again, this time now in possession of two bags of freshly baked bread.

“Give them a moment Tom, Mr. Cooper has everyone scurrying around. Let them at least catch their breath.” The household staff would now be lining up in the foyer. “Let us go, then.” Raising her head, she gracefully approached the front door. Another layer of defense the doorway itself was for most part went unnoticed although some visitors complained of a slight tingling sensation.

“Good Morning, Lady Kinsley” The roomfull of house servants spoke out in unison as she entered the home. Most of them had smiles on their faces; even for Erin her dress this morning was unusual.

“Oh my Lady, how you’re dressed.” An older woman put her hand to her mouth and shook her head in anguish.

“Good Morning, Mrs. Robertson.” Erin smiled; she knew her Lady's Maid was doing her best not to have a fit in the center of the foyer.

“I like your dress Erin...your jacket...color of blood.” Two small redheaded girls dressed as Chambermaids spoke at the same time. Lady Kinsley herself brought the identical twins to the home. Where they came from, her Ladyship would not say.

“Enough, you two.” An older woman, dressed as the Housekeeper curtsied. “Good morning Lady Kinsley, I see your brother was out late again.”

“Yes, Oh good heavens everyone, I’m sure you have better things to do than to sit and listen to me.” She smiled. “Everyone have a pleasant day.” After most of the staff went off to continue their household duties, Erin turned back to the Housekeeper. “Sorry, Sybil, neither the first time nor the last I imagine.”

“Yes, if you wish, my Lady, I would be more than happy to explain to him that having his sister walk around in his shirt is not acceptable.” Looking over at the still stunned Lady’s Maid, the Housekeeper shook her head in disgust. “Mrs. Robertson…Kathy why don’t you see to your Mistress...” Turning around, she pointed at the two redheaded Chambermaids who had not moved. “And you two go draw your lady a bath.”

The two teenage girls moved away giggling into their hands. “Water is nice…clean…” A visitor might think that the two chambermaids were the only unusual members of the household staff but they would be very wrong.

“I see, as usual, Mrs. Evans has everything well at hand.” A tall bald emaciated man approached. Slowly his long thin fingers reached for a pair of spectacles, cleaned them before returning them to his face. The Butler, Mr. Cooper, gave one look about the room before turning his attention to Erin. “Lady Kinsley, a pleasure as always. Before you leave for the day, I have some papers for you to sign.”

Nodding, Erin started to walk towards the long flight of stairs that lead to the living quarters. “Bring them in during breakfast, if you wish, Jonathan.”

Kathy happily stood in the center of Lady Kinsley’s sitting room. She was pleased, as her mistress was now properly attired in bodice, skirt, and a light shawl. Around her neck, she wore a brooch; in the center of the piece was a blue stone that seemed to shine on its own. Although Mrs. Robertson didn’t exactly approve of what her mistress was reading, her appearance was impeccable.

What would be unusual in any Victorian household were the chambermaids sitting in the back of the room feeding each other a berry Danish. “Don’t you two have work to do?” Mr. Cooper entered the room; his footsteps barely heard.

“We finished...all of it...the upstairs…earlier.” They said together.

“Then see if Mrs. Evens has work for you.”

The two girls look at him for a moment, then each other and then to Lady Kinsley who nodded. “We will do…our best.” Before leaving the room, the two girls reached over and hugged Erin.

Setting down the London Times, Lady Kinsley reached for the papers. Household goods needed to be paid for and of course the salaries of those who worked in the house. Checking the numbers for a moment, Erin signed the documents before returning them to Mr. Cooper. “Thank you Jonathan, I will be leaving for the Club within the hour. Please have Alex bring the carriage around.”

Over an hour later, Lady Kinsley’s carriage drove through the late morning London streets, passing the University College on Gower Street and turned towards a stone structure off Bedford Square. Soon disappearing underground, the carriage stopped in front of two-iron bound doors. Etched into both doors were symbols of a pyramid, within a circle and inside the pyramid an eye.

“Alex, you may return home.” Lady Erin Kinsley pulled on a pair of gloves and settled a hat on her head. “I imagine that my brother will find a suitable method of transportation home.”

Once the carriage had departed, Erin reached for the center of the doorway, which opened with a single word. Travelling down the long dark halls, she could feel others watching but they were not important. A third summoning circle had been destroyed last night, why would anyone in their right mind summon a creature from the Other world was beyond her understanding. Even the least powerful could easily drive men mad. The entity last night, Erin could tell was full of hate and fury. It came as no surprise; the body of last night’s summoner was mangled beyond recognition.

Through a brass door also adorned with the symbol of the Society, Erin entered a large room full books and tomes, where a small round man waited for her arrival. “Good morning, Lady Kinsley.”

“Brian, good morning, please tell me that the inscriptions on the crypt from Southwold were identifiable.”

The man nodded a smile on his lips. “Somewhat, Professor Hopkins believes it to be some sort of Icelandic runic mix.” The two began to walk towards another room. “The tomb robbers broke the seal without knowing what lay inside. We determined it was a Vaeitter that possessed the body, easy enough to do by the path of destruction it left and what was left of the creature’s remains afterwards.”

Lady Kinsley frowned. Luckily, for everyone else the tomb robbers opened the crypt as the sun was rising. After dealing with those who awoke the Norse spirit, the rays of the sun destroyed the body of the creature as it made its way to the seaside town of Southwold. Could have been worse she thought, say another mummy waking up at the British Museum for example. “We ben shrewes, every wight and han delyt in wikkednes."

“Quoting Chaucer, yes it does seem appropriate.” Brian laughed. “Do you think Chaucer ever came across an actual Wight?”

“Not bloody likely.” A tall Scotsman sporting an impressive face of red whiskers stood at an open doorway. Inside servants were setting down cups of tea. “The others are waiting, Lady Kinsley.”

Brian nodded at the tall Scotsman. “Lady Kinsley, certain items of interest are now in our possession. The rest of the treasure is in the hands of her Majesty’s government.”

“Thank you, Brian.” Reaching into her purse Erin pulled out a small notebook. “Take a look at these symbols when you have a chance. If possible, I need to know their origin. They appear familiar but I would like a second opinion.”

“Yes, your Ladyship, my pleasure.” The round man took the notebook and headed off towards another room.

Erin turned her head and looked at the tall Scotsman. “Shouldn’t you still be in bed?”

Osgar shrugged. “After I was done last night, Owen’s boys dropped me off here and I took a nap on your brother’s couch.”

Lady Kinsley wrinkled her nose. “Delightful, please have Miss Lane acquire some clean clothes for you Osgar, you smell like a mixture of the River Themes and a bonfire.”

The large Scotsman laughed. “Yes ma’am.” Opening the door wider, he escorted Erin into the room. Two others stood up from their chairs as she entered. The first, a young woman wearing green and brown robes, her hair was the color of the sun and adorned with small white flowers. The second was a bald headed man, dressed all in black. His skin was a pasty grey and one eye was covered in a black eye patch. In his right hand was a cane made of ash, topped with a bright green jewel.

“So Osgar was telling us about last night.” The man in black gave a half smile. His voice sounded like that of a much younger man. “My brother Richard said there have already been complaints about your…brother burning down another warehouse.”

“Jesus, that was quick.” Osgar grumbled but then again, it was the third warehouse full of goods the Society had set aflame this week.

“What, they’d rather have the Sluagh walk among them?” The young woman took her seat as servants came into the room to pour the small group some tea.

“I believe they are more concerned with the goods destroyed then the poor people that live near those warehouses.” The man in black commented while reaching for a small scone. An early morning tea had become a tradition among certain members of the Society.

Reaching for her cup of Cornish cream tea, Erin said. “Don’t worry, Jack; they may complain all they want. Her Majesty’s government is well aware why it’s necessary. Doubtful any of those men will lose a penny.” So far, the summoning circles have been scribed in the poorest sections of London. She wondered what her Majesty’s government would think if the Society burnt down one of those nice estates in Bedford Park. “The question is why?”

“None of the practitioners seemed to have possessed any real ability.” The woman in green said. “I imagine that last night’s circle was no different.”

“Correct, different symbols but it turned out the same. The number of people killed initially was much higher this time. “So far from what they could determine, none of the casters was really gifted and all of them summoned an entity beyond their ability to control it. It appeared to Lady Kinsley as if they were supposed to fail.

“Glad I brought all that extra salt.” Osgar added a little something extra to his tea from a silver flask. He passed it to the woman in green, who looked at it for a second then added some to her tea as well.

“Erin, I heard we have a new member. I assume he will be joining the auxiliaries.”

“You mean the Monster Squad.” Osgar laughed.

“I dislike that name.”

“I agree, Rachael, but that’s what they call themselves.” Erin said. “Let Owen go out with you tonight, if we get any…requests I would like him to be in charge of Hedrick’s squad. They’ll be happy to show him the ropes.”

“I heard the new man saw service in South Africa, took an impi spear in the leg.” The gentleman in black commented, while sipping his tea.

“Ay that he did Jack, discharged him because of it too, in fact almost lost the leg.”

“How is it now, the leg?”

“Right as rain as far as I can tell.” Osgar grinned.

“That’s why I want him in Hedrick’s squad; they will respect him knowing that he can handle himself in a fight.” Erin sat back fiddling with her brooch.

“So Erin, should we expect a fourth circle tonight?” Rachael asked.

“Perhaps, but it doesn’t make any real sense.” Lady Kinsley said. “Why the summoning in the first place?”

“Maybe someone wants to get our attention.” Osgar said reaching for a cucumber sandwich and stuffing it into his face. Noticing the other three were staring, he looked down at his clothes. “Did I drop some food on my shirt?”

“What did you just say?”

Osgar shrugged. ““Maybe someone wants to get our attention.”

“Jack?”

“I think he might be right, Erin.”

“So they have our attention, now what.” Rachael asked, afraid of the answer.

The sun had long since set and now Lord Kinsley sat inside one of the Society’s carriages. The benefit of taking one of the Society’s carriages was that it contained some extra equipment that, on certain nights, might be more than useful.

“So no summoning circle.” Lord Kinsley asked for the second or third time.

Osgar, now looking cleaner and more awake only smiled. He knew his friend’s mind was working a mile a minute, more than likely going over more than a dozen things at once. Once again, he thanked whatever fates brought the two of them together, when this young officer showed up in the middle of the night; pointed to him saying that he needed his services. The British Army had crossed into Zululand to face King Cetshwayo impis. Like most soldiers, Osgar wasn’t even sure what was going on but one night Lord Kinsley showed up in the fire light informing him that he was now under his command. Strange, not one of his officers objected, even though it appeared that the officer wasn’t even part of Lord Chelmsford’s army. All Osgar knew was that the rest of the 24th foot was going to set up camp and relax, while he was wandering around Africa with this mad Major. The other soldiers that marched under his command were even stranger but Osgar didn’t complain, for some reason that night as he walked away from the camp, he had a bad feeling about the location his regiment was heading, a place called Isandlwana.

“Where are you, Osgar?”

“What? Oh Africa...thinking of my old mates in the 24th.”

The carriage came to a stop. “You alright?”

“Yes sir.”

“Good, let’s go see what has Rachael all excited.”

The carriage moving through Queens Hill in Kentish Town slowed down a couple of blocks away from Our Lady of the Immaculate Heavens, a Catholic church. The first person the pair came across wore a familiar face.

“Sergeant Owen, what a surprise to see you this evening.” Osgar reached over and shook the Welshman’s hand.

“Sir.” Owen immediately came to attention when he recognized Lord Kinsley.

“Good evening Owen, don’t worry about that; our group is a little less formal.” Michael took a good look around. Something was in the air, what he didn’t know. Off to the side were a half a dozen blue-coated men, leaning against a wall. Most of the men had Martini-Henry rifles in their hands and all of them appeared very familiar with their use.

“What in God’s name do you have on your back, Hedrick’?” The Scottish sergeant exclaimed.

“One of Tesla’s new creations.” Hedrick voice was a deep bass voice, sounding as if it came from the ground. The tallest man of the squad, he was a huge hulking being with hair as black as coal.

“How does the bloody thing work?” Osgar moved over. It looked like a rifle but a silver coil wrapped itself snake like around the barrel. The coil protruded out of a large silver box on the huge Corporal’s back.

“Point, shoot and blow things up.” Hedrick grinned, revealing odd shaped teeth.

Lord Kinsley shook his head in admiration. It looked heavy enough that only a troll could pick it up, good thing that Hedrick was half-troll. “So where is Rachael?”

“Sir, Miss Dunne’s group is deployed towards the front of the Church. We have been placed here as a reserve.” Sergeant Owen replied.

“You’re wearing your grandmother’s amulet.”

“Of course, sir.”

“Good man, then follow me. Hedrick, I’m going to borrow your Sergeant for a a little while.”

“Yes sir.” The half-troll grinned.

The three men walk across the street, finding another squad of men and a few women standing behind a long stonewall. Next to them, covered in a green cape was Rachael, in her hands was a long staff made from Yew.

“Rachel, so what’s all the excitement about?” Osgar greeted her and the others who stood against the wall.

The blonde haired woman smiled as the three men approached. “We had a report of a disturbance at this Church.”

Lord Kinsley chuckled. “A disturbance I see. Well before we see to that, Owen take out your amulet.”

Owen did as he was told and let the amulet lie on his chest. Rachael eyes opened wide as she approached him. “Owen, may I touch it?”

“Yes ma’am.”

She fingered it for a second. “Rud éigin spéisiáºil”

“I thought as well.” Michael smiled. “I charged it last night; I believe you can teach him to do it himself.”

The blonde haired woman nodded. “I’ll see to it.”

“Thank you, Owen, if you can keep an eye on Hedrick, make sure he doesn’t blow anything up with that new toy of his.”

“Yes sir.”

Osgar watched the Welsh sergeant run back to his troops. “Looks like Black Jack might have a new apprentice.”

“So shall we see what all of the fuss is about?” Lord Michael Kinsley turned and opened the gate walking into the front of the Church. As expected he could feel any number of things, this was holy ground after all but something wasn’t right. Unfortunately, he knew exactly who was causing the commotion. Why had she returned?

The Church doors opened with a gentle touch revealing a darkened vestibule. Lord Kinsley, Rebecca, Osgar and a dozen blue-coated troops quickly followed entering the Sanctuary.

Towards the alter, stood a small female form, dressed in a nun’s habit. With arms outstretched, she stood facing away from the entrance.

“Oh my children, I’m so happy you have arrived.”

Lord Kinsley turned to the blue-coated troopers. “Go ahead outside and surround the church, you’ll not be needed here.” Michael knew that the men and woman behind him didn’t really stand a chance against the creature that stood before them.

“Oh Michael, how come you always take the fun out of things?” The figure turned. Her skin was pale, almost translucent. Her hair was raven black but it was her eyes that caught everyone attention, it was the color of blood.

“Nosferatu bitseach”

“Why Rachael, it’s so good to see you again.”

The woman in green began to move forward but Osgar reached for her and held her back.

“And Osgar as handsome as ever.” The Vampire laughed.

“Luna.” Lord Michael Kinsley put his cane down. “Why are you here?”

The Vampire frowned. “Well, former husband of mine, we need to talk.”

Authors Notes: A special thanks to djkauf for a little elvish editing. If you like the story please leave a Kudos, if you have the time I would love to hear from you. Thanks to all for reading!

Elsbeth

PS: For those historically inclined, read what happened to the 24th foot at Isandlwana. They had a very bad day.