Moon Portal

Melissa watched as the brunet stepped out of the bedroom, and she turned to look at her granddaughter. She beckoned for her to come closer as she stood by the foot of the bed, eyes glued on the young face of the platinum blonde. Unconscious.

Tracey walked towards her grandmother, and the older woman discreetly handed her a piece of paper. The second Tracey read her grandmother's instructions, her eyes widened for a fraction of a second, but she nodded nevertheless and exited the room.

She knew what she needed to do, what had to be done and so she walked towards the basement and lit patchouli incense. Knowing it will secure the room from any prying ears.

She opened the large wooden wardrobe; she needed to move fast. She needed to make a call to the Congregation. The Behemoth was there, and she needed to die.

She picked up the large mirror with a black drape over it, strugglling as she placed it in the centre of the room, but she managed. She needed to hurry, who knows when the Abomination will return.

She grabbed the candles from the altar, the bell and the small knife.

Then she removed the sheet off the mirror and started to prepare her Circle. She traced a circle shape in the air with her finger then placed each element-based candle in their corresponding directions, North-Earth, East-Air, South-Fire and West-Water. And she stood before the mirror, seeing herself standing there.

What she was going to attempt was way past her level in magic, way over her second-degree. But that didn't matter right then; her grandmother knew that too. The balance of the world was at stake.

So Tracey calmed her raising heart, and she closed her eyes. Her hand held the knife firmly, positioning it against her wrist, and she visualized pure energy and breath. She slit her wrist, letting the blood flow, dripping down the cold floor.

"Est quia per illam terra ad carnem,

Aeris in hoc est spiritus eius,

Quod est ignis per suam animam,

In aquis animam viventem quae est in sanguine suo,

Sicut superius et inferius;

Et datum est circulus: Sic fiat semper."

She said, feeling the soft breeze in the windowless room.

''Ding'' ''Ding''

She rang the bell.

The sound filled the silent room.

Tracey opened her dark brown eyes, she could feel the room growing cold, and she felt scared. She and her grandmother were tainted witches, and she wondered if summoning the guardians was the right thing to do. They could end them the second they arrived, nothing is holding them back.

Her eyes remained on her reflection in the mirror. The glossy surface blurring and the image started to swirl. And her reflection disappeared, changing into a hooded figure standing in a darkly lit room, only the swaying candlelight providing light behind him.

"wherefore calleth us, the Guardians of Purity?" the person spoke, his voice deep and husky. And Tracey tensed where she stood, hand grasping her bleeding wrist.

"My grandmother and I ask for pardon," Tracey said, desperation clear in her voice.

"What doth thou has't in exchange?" the person asked, almost in a bored tone. They received a number of calls from tainted witches, asking for pardon in exchange of information.

"The Behemoth." Tracey said, almost in a whisper, but it was loud enough for the man to hear. There was a pause, and she noted how the hooded man's shoulder tensed. The very mention of the Behemoth had filled him with interest.

"If thee art fools us, we wilt taketh thee life." he warned. She shook her head desperately.

"Come now, I beg you, come prepared the Abomination is near." she said, eyes wide. She could feel her heart pounding against her chest, and cold sweat dripping down her back.

The man pulled his hood down, revealing a scarred face, his left eye completely white. "Open the gate." he said, and she nodded. Travelling to long distances is possible through Moon portals, but it can only be used if the two gates were both open. None can enter unless invited.

….

Aldren returned five minutes later, giving instructions for some of his men to come to his location. It was better safe than sorry, and he had learnt to listen to his instincts no matter what. The very reason he was still alive to that very day.

The brunet made his way towards the bedroom, pausing halfway up the stairs when the hair on the back of his neck stood up, and his eyes narrowed. He sniffed the air, and he knew, they were no longer alone. He could smell the strong scent of sulfur, and wax; scents that are almost always present in rituals. And he also knew, blood was about to soak the ground. He blurred first towards the source, and there stood the two witches. Old and young, facing each other with eyes shut closed, holding onto each other's hand.

He scanned the room; he could tell they were attempting to open a portal. Most likely summoning the Guardians.

He knew witches learning of Violet's identity was going to make things complicated. Those who aren't loyal to him will most likely share their knowledge, in hopes that the hybrid would be eliminated.

"Always so loyal to Mother Nature," he said, attempting to enter the room, but pausing when he felt a barrier, inhibiting him from entering.

Tracey opened her eyes when she heard the man speak, "He cannot enter, we are safe. Do not be afraid, dear." Melissa said, feeling her granddaughter's arm stiffen in hers.

Aldren chuckled, "Grandmother is right. I cannot enter." he confirmed, stepping away and disappearing. He took his time as he dragged a wooden chair from the kitchen to the basement, making as much sound as possible.

"Concentrate." Melissa urged as she continued to chant under her breath. She knew Tracey was afraid, very afraid, but they will survive this. They only need to open the gate.

Aldren paused before the door, "The thing about vampire barriers is, it can only keep the vampire away. And it tends to disappear when the person who made it dies." he said, as he quickly broke one of the legs of the chair with his bare hands.

After making sure the tip was sharp, he threw it like one would throw a spear hitting the young woman easily. He clicked his tongue, "Oh, I missed. I was aiming for the head" he said with a soft tone of disappointment, "I think I need to practice that. It's been hundreds of years since I last did that!" he added cheerfully.

Mellisa slid to the floor, jaw dropped as she held onto her bleeding granddaughter, "It was highly ambitious of you to assume you would survive after betraying me." he said, watching the ashen-faced woman start bawling. Aldren leaned back to the side of the door. Seeing the mirror, in it, he could see a familiar face. "Orion?" he asked, slightly confused. The man tensed, that was his grandfather's name. "Oh, my mistake. You have blue eyes." Aldren said, knowing full well the man could hear him through the mirror.

The scarred man clenched his jaw at the sight of him, they never crossed paths before, but he knew him all too well. The Abomination, he really was there, and he pounded against his side of the mirror desperately. He was aware of the history of his family with the Vampire, the hatred that they shared towards each other. "I will kill you!" the man shouted, earning an amused chuckle from the brunet. "Grandson?" he asked and based on the man's expression he knew he was spot on. "You do not only have his face, but also his spirit." Aldren said, grinning. He had killed Orion ages ago, after all. Ripped him to shreds then sent him home piece by piece if his memory hasn't failed him. Orion Crane, used to belong in the Crane bloodline, one of the 13 original families that formed the Congregation.

Aldren turned towards the two women on the floor after noticing the young woman's heart had stopped beating. He placed his hand forward as if to feel whether or not the barrier was still there, when his hand went through he smiled satisfied.

"My sincerest condolences, Melissa." he mocked as he took a step forward and successfully entered the room.