Lucifer's Daughter. V. J. Banis

be able to find out whatever is to be found out.”

      “What does it all mean?” Julia asked.

      “Well, from what little you’ve told me, I would suspect you had a visitation.”

      “Visitation?” Julia frowned. “From whom?”

      The woman shrugged her stocky little shoulders. “It might have been anyone,” she said. “But in view of the crystal ball shattering and Madam Esperelda’s vision of evil and trouble, I would say you were visited by Satan himself.”

      Julia gasped. “Oh, I just can’t see how such a thing is possible.”

      “It is not nonsense, child, you can believe me...I know. You are not the first the Lord of Darkness has deigned to honor with a visit.”

      “Honor? I want no part of demons or devils.”

      “But the Master is no one to fear, girl. Not many people are as fortunate as you have been, as much as they wish for it.”

      Julia’s stomach tightened. Surely the woman wasn’t serious, she thought. No one in their right senses would welcome a visit from Satan himself. She said as much to the woman seated across from her.

      Surprisingly, Julia heard the woman laugh softly. “But why shouldn’t it be an honor to be visited by one of such esteem? After all, he is an angel...a supreme being.”

      “A fallen angel,” Julia corrected. “He’s the personification of evil.”

      “Ah, but there are many kinds of evil, just as there are many kinds of goodness. Goodness can sometimes be evil. Lucifer has the power of doing much good for his worthy disciples. He has the power to grant happiness, health, prosperity, joy. There is nothing he cannot grant. We who are knowledgeable in the world of the black arts do not look upon Lucifer as evil. He is a spirit just like any other, but he is an extremely powerful and magnificent spirit, deserving of every courtesy and sacrifice.”

      “But I am not one of his disciples. Why should he choose to appear to me, if that is what you believe he did?”

      “That is something we must find out. I will hold a séance. Perhaps he will reappear and make his desires known. Perhaps not.” She put her hands on her knees and pushed herself up out of the chair. “You will return tomorrow night at eight o’clock. Wear no jewelry and put on a simple black dress if you have one, otherwise anything plain and of a dark color will suffice, but black preferably. I will have the others present.”

      “Others?”

      “The Devil’s number is four and four. We will have six souls combine with ours tomorrow evening. You and I are not powerful enough alone to make the journey to the other side.”

      Julia got to her feet. “I’ll be here at eight tomorrow night.” She hesitated and frowned. It was almost as if someone else had spoken for her.

      “Good,” the woman said, nodding her head slowly.

      Julia glanced down at the slip of paper she still held in her hand. “I’m afraid I don’t know your name,” she said. “Madam Esperelda supplied me with only your address.”

      “That is as it should be. Remember, I do not know your name either. We will be introduced if it is necessary.” She turned and started out of the room. “The telephone is here in the hall. You’ll find the number of the cab company written on the pad.”

      I won’t come back, Julia told herself—but another part of her knew that was not true.

      CHAPTER FIVE

      “Julie, you look lovely,” Elizabeth said when Julia came out of the bathroom wearing her trim black dress.

      “You should have pearls to set it off,” Allyson said.

      “I’m afraid I didn’t remember to pack them.”

      Margaret frowned. She’d packed one good dress and a strand of pearls, but she had no intention of loaning the pearls to Julia.

      Julia glanced briefly at her reflection in the mirror. She hadn’t told the girls her true destination. They seemed excited for her, albeit a little envious. Margaret showed her jealousy more openly than the others. They were convinced Julia had a date with a man; Julia did not elaborate on her invitation out. All she had said was that she’d met someone who’d asked if they could see her this evening. She didn’t feel she was lying by letting the girls jump to their own, incorrect conclusions.

      “I’d better dash,” Julia said as again she glanced at her watch. “Don’t wait up,” she tossed back over her shoulder.

      “Be careful, Julie,” Elizabeth warned. Julia recognized the hint of genuine concern in Liz’s voice. Of the three, Elizabeth was the most thoughtful of her...but Elizabeth was thoughtful of everyone, even people she disliked.

      Julia found a cab just outside the hotel. She glanced at her watch again. The medium’s house wasn’t far. She’d make it in plenty of time. She gave the address to the driver and remembered to unclip her wristwatch and drop it into her bag. She leaned back against the seat but found she couldn’t relax. She felt suddenly nervous, not knowing what she might be getting herself involved in. She tried to calm herself by telling herself that it was nothing more than a new and exciting adventure. It was different and it would be amusing, if nothing else. She reminded herself that a group of people were getting together for her sake alone. The thought was pleasant enough, although slightly unnerving.

      At two minutes to eight the taxi pulled up in front of the house at the end of the cul-de-sac. The place looked less forlorn tonight. Oddly enough, Julia thought as she paid the driver, there was a certain warmth about the place now. It seemed to be looking down at her as though welcoming an old friend. She found her steps lighter, springier, as she went up onto the porch and pressed the doorbell.

      She had expected the medium to answer her ring and was surprised when a man opened the door.

      “Good evening. I’m Julia Carson. I believe I’m expected.”

      He smiled. “Indeed you are,” he said, “but the introduction wasn’t necessary. My aunt prefers to work without benefit of knowing anything about a new subject.” He opened the door wider and ushered her in. “She feels that facts complicate her purpose.”

      He was a pleasant-looking man, Julia noted, of about thirty-five, no more than thirty-eight, with bright, blue eyes, and a thick wave of jet-black hair that hung well down over his brow.

      He smiled at her. “Not being a medium myself,” he said with a slight glint in his expression, “I personally approve of introductions, especially when a beautiful young lady is involved.” He held out his hand. “I’m Fred McAndrews.”

      His grasp was strong and friendly. “How do you do.”

      He nodded toward a closed doorway. “My aunt and the others are waiting for us in there.”

      He opened the door for her and Julia entered a different room than the one she’d seen the night before. This room was lighted by electricity and not candles but was just as cluttered, although it was a different kind of clutter. The walls were adorned with the most unusual paintings and designs Julia had ever seen. There were mysterious symbols and markings of varied sizes, descriptions and colors. One wall was covered with a painting of a huge bird of unrecognizable ancestry. Tiny faces peered out from its outstretched wings. Its claws were curled around naked forms of no particular sex. The head of this massive creature was painted a brilliant yellow with blood-red eyes and beak. Around its neck was a chain of what looked like door keys, and on its plumed breast rested a medallion which, on closer inspection, Julia noticed was not painted but an actual piece of jewelry beset with gems (obviously not genuine) of red and yellow and blue and black.

      The ceiling, too, was painted with designs and bizarre pictures, the most dominating figure being that of the head of a golden bull or calf.

      A large, round table sat in the middle of the room, with eight chairs spaced evenly