Zodiac's Grimoire and Diary

[Zodiac]

Volume 12, Page 302
11/23/2017 9:46 PM

The countdown begins. In America most are recovering from their feasts of Thanksgiving ( More like feasts of wanton gluttony ) Football has been watched, beer has been guzzled, pies have been devoured. (I so miss pie) and now they rest. Rebuilding their strength and resolve. Here, they do the same but the grand feast was last month for them. The storm is coming and my intrepid band of shop help is prepared to withstand the storm once again. Hell is coming and all any of us can do is smile and make the most of it all.

Black Friday. For 3 to 4 hours shoppers spend their money as if life itself depended on it. Who am I to suggest they do not do this? Should I simply lock my doors and encourage them to spend their dollars elsewhere?

Kiss my lilly white undead ***. We have prepared for this siege since the passing of Halloween and it should be a good one if the signs are right. Some of my employees do get stressed during this frenzy, but on the whole we manage. Some say the ones who run the tea carts are the lucky ones. They are not trapped in the path of the stampede. I really should make the time next year to run one of the carts myself again. Is nice to be out interacting with potential customers like that. A smile, a few words of encouragement, a hot cup of tea or cocoa and cookies that re-warms the spirit and renews the determination to charge back into the fray. Spend, spend, spend, my little ones in the hopes it achieves you some measure of happiness.

What total ******** is that? Some of these warriors of the Black Friday will find themselves, in time, sitting in my parlor talking to me how they no longer feel the joy that comes this time of year. I feel for them. I truly do. How did the world flip onto its ear in this manner I cannot say. Everything is about the dollar now. I do what I can to point them in the proper directions. Remind them of things they may have forgotten or allowed to become trivial in their hearts and hopefully, if just for a moment, they can feel again.

Of course, all this happens after the frenzy. Some awaken as the credit card bills begin to roll in, but it is a short lived awakening. By the time next year rolls around they are ready to rock and roll again.

And I will be waiting. First to take their money, and then to try and give them hope.

And in other news.....

It has almost been a month now since I did the unthinkable. I still have not noticed no visible change in the air of things in this place. I went over everything again after the fact and followed the instructions an ancestor of mine had laid out. Family lore said this particular ritual was used with great success in the past and I had committed every word, action and gesture to memory. Every point hand made with the greatest of care while invoking the spirits to help me. The perfect ‘lamb’ was chosen with time and not in haste.

It was a night I will be damned to remember forever.

Did my resolve waiver in the last moments? I will admit, when they led our ‘lamb’ out, part of me wanted to grab her and flee into the night, but once everything was going I seemed to fall into a zone with it all. I spoke the words from the heart. Even as I made her drink the wine that would help her to be calm, any notion this was wrong was totally absent from my thoughts. I felt like I was channeling my ancestor who wrote this particular ritual. All my movements were so fluid. So perfect. Even when the blade was in my hand and poised to strike, I felt nothing. And once our ‘lamb’ had been vivisected and then killed. When all who had joined me partook of the feast I had prepared for them. Some of just blood and others of both flesh and blood. My jaws dripping of the hot, fresh sanguine I had engorged myself with.

I felt… accomplished. Complete even within.

But, it did not work. At least as far as I can tell.

Some who were there suggested more than one ‘lamb’ would be required. It is a point to consider, but not now. I will go over the ritual again once the madness of Black Friday passes us. Several special points in time loom in the near future that could be used if it comes to that.

I need to rest now so that I can be my best when the doors open tomorrow. No rituals required tomorrow. Only a smile and dancing eyes some say could swallow you whole.

[Zodiac]

Volume 12, Page 337
12/7/2017 11:23 PM

We danced again and still no sign of change.

The ‘super moon’ was a good choice for this. I would not taint the Yule with such a thing. However, there were problems this time. Our ‘lamb’ escaped briefly. Apparently the Cup of Calming was not mixed properly or her constitution was stronger than most. When she saw the chance she slipped her bonds and took off into the night screaming her fool head off. It was a merry little chase that never should have happened. We caught her and dragged her back kicking and screaming to her destiny. Every moment felt rushed after that. Who knows who might have heard her in the darkness. We could not force her to drink again, so it was done raw and brutal. Even the feast and celebration afterwards had an air of danger to it. As if at any moment others would emerge from the shadows and catch them all, literally, red handed. I gave the ones responsible for keeping her secured and drugged a mental tongue lashing that probably scrambled their brains in the process when all was done. The clean up was done quickly, but I even returned twice to the scene to be sure. Did we forget anything in that moment of panic?

At least the ‘real’ evidence was disposed of properly.

According to my Great, great, great Aunt’s journal, three would work, but five would be best.

Three more lambs?

I still hear the screams, but what else can I do? None of us are doing anything except going to Christmas parties. In the end, I can say at least I tried.

That’s what I keep telling myself.

To be fair, some are finally asking the right questions, but the trail is invisible. Sirens have returned to plague our little world. Interesting, all things considered. Alex the Bunny Girl messaged me on the subject and I was sad to admit I knew next to nothing about them save for mythic references and the incident when one of them had a song broadcasted over the PA systems, causing the vamps that heard it to suddenly have the hots for the first person they saw. Unlike the Fae or vampires, they have managed to keep themselves out of the limelight of modern times, thus nothing of reality or substance to work from. I have been digging into books, but finding nothing. Even my ancestor’s grimores and notes have nothing about them. It is almost like trying to find Bigfoot, but the difference is we know the Sirens are real.

They must have taught the Sasquatch a thing or two about hide and seek.

So my head is pounding, my nerves are shot. Was considering that big party the mayor is supposedly throwing for the town, but I am not sure. Seems like a good place to get a bunch of us in and suddenly– someone starts singing?

Perhaps a chance I will have to take. Someone must know about this ‘Hebigumo Foundation’ and their so called genetics program. Seems odd this place is suddenly in the light so soon after that fiasco over the ‘Cure’.

A cure, genetics, sirens? Maybe I am paranoid, but it all falls too neatly in a row for my tastes.

Well, time for a bath and pick out an outfit for the party. Try asking a few questions and see what happens from there. Maybe learn something or pick out another ‘lamb’ for next time.

God damn us all. There will be a next time.

[Zodiac]

Volume 12, Page 349
12/22/2017 1:53 PM

Something moved.

In the light of the Solstice when the third offering was made, we felt a shift in the aether around us. Are the gods finally listening or is it something closer to home starting to stir about and flex itself? Inside I feel it’s the latter, but I can remain hopeful. This time our lamb had no chance to run on us. I made sure of that this time. Some of my ‘flock’ are beginning to become nervous over what we are doing, so I had to remind them how much dirt I had on them all. Any of mine are free to leave, but breath one word and see how fast your little world comes crashing down around you.

Regardless, the rest of us are encouraged now. This is something I never want to become ‘good at’ or ‘used to’, but it needs to be done. Each time the coven moves better and better at removing the evidence of our deeds. We have completed 3 points of the pattern now. Only two more to go, thankfully. Calculations need to be made for the next offering.

And now in other news…

Early tallies so far have sales way beyond our projected hopes. Bonus time! Thank the gods for ‘Vamp-a-phobia’ (or whatever they call it). We barely get the shelves stocked with books on the subject before they vanish and some volumes are on back order. They fact that we do exist is making some publishing houses very happy I would imagine.

I don’t stock fiction. You want ‘Twilight’ or some other ‘paranormal romance’ (porn) go elsewhere. After careful consideration, there is only about a dozen books I allow to grace my shelves for the seekers of knowledge on the subject of vampires. Despite the gag gifts we have at times, these shops are way stations for those seeking answers beyond the norm. The books are not the how to kill a vampire for fun and profit nonsense I have noticed appearing in some of my catalogues, but more historical in nature. How the myth spread and the various types of vampire legends have around the world. None of them truly come close to the reality, but I have to respect the work and dedication these authors put into their works. (I still re-read my copy of In Search of Dracula by Florescu and McNally. So much real history there among the myths.)

And our ‘vampire hunting’ kits keep going as well. They are replicas of real collections I have seen and we say so in the enclosed literature and make sure the customer knows this before buying. (Goddess help me if I get dragged into court over some fool who suddenly thinks he is Van Hellsing and gets himself killed because he was using our kit.) Complete with prayer books, hammer and stakes, silver daggers, replicas of various firearms of the time periods (big kisses to Mordie for pointing me to a company who did this kind of thing) a mirror, and vials of holy water, garlic, wolfsbane and other herbs legend says vamps hate. All packed in a sturdy travel case. I admit, they ain’t cheap (the cost of the repro gun and the silver blade alone jacks the price up badly) but people keep buying them.

Who am I to deny them?

At least soon I can put the business madness behind me for another year. The rest of it?

We’ve only just begun, sadly.

[Zodiac]

Volume 12, Page 354
12/25/2017 4:53 AM

Idiots! Idiots! Idiots!

How did I get surrounded by so many idiots?

I attended the Mayor’s (aka: the thrall of a coward) Holiday gathering at his estate last night. Was a grand and pompous stage and setting. All the best our tax dollars could buy on display. Decadence at its finest! (I loved it!) Avarice incarnate.

Okay, that was the good part. But the rest?

As I said earlier in another entry. Something moved. I have been blessed beyond my ancestors in confronting a Siren face to face. No hint of mythology I have been through so far ever described them as ‘Driders’. (a monster from AD&D. Human from the waist up, spider from the waist down. NOTE TO SELF: Orders are in for books on Asian mythology. Est arrival. 12/30 ) She casted a magnificent glamour to hide herself (or else they are capable of physical transformation. That would have to hurt!) She seemed pleasant, even after Mordie unloaded his unvarnished opinion on the subject of her and her kind to her face. Literally shocked the **** out of me he would be that bold in a crowd like that. Was it an act or genuine I could not say, and here is where all those idiots I started this with come into play.

I watched her talking with many before I got near her. Not just average vampires, but some of the supposed ‘brains’ around here. They like her. Is that crazy? No, not at all. Let’s just forget the fact how crazy I was considered for having 3 paladins I considered friends in a mutual respectful relationship. Hell, they worked for me in the shops! You like pallys? Your nuts, Zo, but we like Sirens, don’t judge us.

The sudden impulse to protect the siren hit me strange. Did I agree with Mordie and Mortll (she was zero help in all this) that she should have been killed on sight? No, at least till we had more to go on she was part of something. But I do not agree with everyone else acting so possessive and protective around her either. What? A 5 minute convo and suddenly you know her whole life story and trust her like your BFF?

Something might be amiss here. This was NOT a case of smiling in the face of an possible enemy till you knew more facts. No, it echoed a bit deeper. And I think she may not have been the only one there. It was like witches of the inferno itself was stealing my thoughts and taking steps to stop them from playing out. I wonder how many of my nocturnal brothers and sisters understand how well we were made last night. Hell, they were even taking pictures in the one room. I am sure copies of them all will be going elsewhere as well as ones to who wanted them.

I tried to have a serious conversation with the Doctor concerning the line up of current events and what they might be suggesting, but either he could not see past his dislike of Mortll (who was standing with me) or so scared the Siren might be molested (or worse– his obvious obsession with that red headed blood thief) to listen to me. If he can’t get past the fact what I had to say concerns all vamps (including Mort) then he is shallower that I ever suspected. If it’s the others?

No comment.

A pattern has been emerging ever since thrall ***** was elected into office. Am I the only one who thinks this is all part of a larger plan? If so, no one is talking about it.

Or perhaps, they are and no one is including me in the conversation. (That does seem likely)

Let me declare here, I may be wrong on some of this- even all- but this is how the evidence has fell so far and how it could be chained together.

The absence of the entity known only as ‘The Crow’ was replaced by someone who calls themselves ‘The Administrator’. Unlike Crow, it is obvious this new figure has nothing but contempt for us like we are all retarded step kids. This and the new mayor happened very close together.

The rouge fissures began to appear. Was a limited occurrence that had some effect upon the opening between here and the Nexus.

The Siren incident where a ‘song’ was played on radio and over systems in various shopping centers, causing adverse effects on those who heard it. This has never repeated itself. Conclusion: it was a test.

Despite the wave of ‘Vampires are the new cool’ hysteria (thanks to idiots like Marshall) police and military increases along with heightened alert levels.

Vampires begin doing the exact opposite of what ‘The Administrator’ suggests. They did this too with Crow at times, but the Admin’s attitude towards us seems to encourage a rebellious response.

Fast forward. The research center supposedly working on ‘The Cure’. Strange how that was public knowledge and not kept secret. Possible abduction of vampires to be test subjects as well. That entire situation generated the attention of every class of Meta (Meta: a term coined in DC comics for individuals of advanced abilities) in Harper Rock. I was there. I saw them. Yet, when everything went South the vampires were the ones blamed. It is highly obvious to me now that no vampire managed to get the research concerning this supposed ‘Cure’. If a vamp had it, there would have been rumors by now. The majority of us can’t keep our mouths shut on any secret for very long, so one of the other groups has it.

Whoever got it, the odds are high it will not bode well for vamps.

Now comes the Hebigumo Foundation and their own lab. Genetic research. (Isn’t this was the other lab was doing?) And the activities of Sirens underground somewhere. Also, appearances of what could be called mutations. Coincidence?

The Admin warns us they are trying to close the rift between us and the Nexus. Says we really should stop them. He wants to be able to ‘backward engineer’ what they are doing down there. An odd term. Suggests someone of scientific knowledge or at least access to such people.

Holiday Party at the Mayors, No Mayor in sight. Doc gave me the glib reason why he wasn’t there, but I call ********. You don’t set up so grand a stage to assure your political future on just to not use it. He was either called to heel by his master or else his usefulness has ended. A third option might be he managed to piss off the wrong people, but that’s a reach guess atm. The appearance of the ‘Spokes-Siren’ (???) the sudden “let’s protect the siren’ types and the Paladins all ran too close and neat together. The Siren we could see posed no threat but does not explain the actions of others of her kind. The Pallys mean us nothing but death and damnation. Potential allies?

The Siren appears, and suddenly everyone is in love with her except for a few. I for one want proof she is what she says she is before I invite her to tea. (actually– I did just that. Gave her a freebie reading card. Damn! What kind of tea would a drider enjoy?)

Am gaining clues that suggest the majority of vamps want to close the rift. The surface logic is somewhat sound. The idiots and fuckwits that keep screwing up will be taken out of the picture for good. No return ticket from the Nexus. But that only works as long as there is no other threat to the rest of us. If this new surge of odd occurrences is part of a overall progression of a master plan, then how will all feel when it’s an Elizabeth, or a Every, or a Doc, or that damned dancing stallion that gets their *** kicked into the Nexus with no hope of return? OOOOH-BAD IDEA! But by then it will be too late. The greatest strength we have is the ability to return. An army of us could outlast any aggressive force on that quality alone.

Take that away and focus on the ‘brains’, the rest of us would fall apart and fall very easy. Even if this is not the goal of the Sirens, who is to say nothing worse will come in time to challenge our kind? Remove our one trump card and everything will go South, yet everyone seems determined to do the opposite of what the Admin says we should do.

Just like he knew we would.

I am convinced he is part of all of this. He might even be the master of our mayor. And if that is true, then it is he who arranged for the center that was working on ‘the Cure’ to be here and become public knowledge and also signed off on the Hebigumo Foundation to be operating here as well. The police, military, public opinion– all run through City Hall. (that’s how it was in America, at least) plus the fact a non vampire group managed to grab the cure info. A bit of inside information? A hint or clue on the side while we took the blame for the disaster?

If the Admin is the master of the mayor, he/she must be a vampire. IF that is so, then why is a vampire making plots against vampires with the sirens and why are the sirens helping? I highly doubt the Paladins are the brain trust behind this. No, it makes more sense with the Admin/Sirens. Once the Pallys get wind that the vamps being killed are not returning, they will pour out of the woodwork and join the fight. Another point the mastermind may be counting on. Plus on top of that whoever has the cure starts spreading it around?

A month? Maybe 2 before the majority of us are gone.

So, the multi-million dollar question is– who is running such a long game like this? I have some suspicions, but nothing solid. I won’t make a list in here (just in case those infernal witches I jested about earlier are reading over my shoulder) but yes, there are some who do fit the bill. I need to dig much deeper for clues and hints.

And if I am right, I tell the others, right?

After last night, that remains to be seen.

[Zodiac]

Volume 13, Page 3
1/2/2018 2:42 AM

A perfect way to start a year. Oh yeah, the New Years Party? Pffth! Small potatoes, but fun. But….

In the light of the first ‘super’ moon of the year we did our business. One more point to go and the true invocations can begin. I continue to feel the movement of something just out of sight. This may coincide with events in the town now. Our loving Administrator *draws a smiley face puking* had to give us a bit of praise for once. (I imagined that hurt). Now he expects us to continue doing his dirty work and then hand him the results.

As if. The last thing a male wants to do around me and say (basically) ‘*****, go get my money’. The analogy fits. The almighty one wants to sit back like some pimp daddy while the rest of us hit the streets. Screw that. If I go and if I find anything– guess what? It’s mine! AND I expect something so beyond amazing in return if I do hand it over. Not a pat on the head or empty promises. Artifacts, unknown tomes, ways to tap into powers I have no clue exist and hellacious donations to my bank account.

For starters.

I am sure in his arrogance the ones he will send to claim the prize (no way this guy is gonna show his face until all the ace cards are in his hands) will insist I (or whoever finds them) to hand them over. I am sure that bit of exchange will be quite messy and have a lot of pain attached to it. Standard negotiations where I come from. “Este ceea ce este “

So the rift is still open. A mixed blessing. Yes, all the idiots still have a free pass back and forth, but then again so do the leaders and the brains around here. I swear I must be the only one to consider that potential danger. I have written my views out before on what I think is going on. (Volume 12, Page 354) So I am not going into all that again.

All I can do is take some measure of solace that what the coven is doing in the darkness is having an effect now. Things are being pushed to a final conclusion and, win or loose, we will all finally know the answers. The spirits of our ancestors are answering now.

All we have to do is listen properly.

Well, that means me, I guess.

[Zodiac]

Volume 13, Page 11
1/5/2017 3:57 AM

Oh my!
Just
LOOK
AT
YOU!

OH MY GODDESS! Note to self: Be sure to send ‘Madame Starr’ a ton of thanks and goodies for finding this for me. When I put out word on one of the witch forums I am part of what I was seeking information on, I did not expect a result, but here it is! The book I was sent had various illustrations of different types of mythical beasts and their points of origin. It was illustrated and compiled by a person of ‘like mind’ such as myself and Starr.

And here she is.

Jorogumo

I think this jumped out at me faster than the image did. These guys and the Enchantado’s hang out together. So, is she actually a siren then? Or some cross breed? Is Jorogumo a fancy term for Siren? How the hell did this get confused with creatures who have a voice no one can resist? (Note to self: Get Jenn on the phone to ***** out our distributors on where my books on Asian mythology are)


From Japanese folklore. 'A magic 400 year old spider that can change it's appearance into that of a beautiful woman. She seduces young handsome men, wraps them in her webs and eats them.’

Sounds like she has the same opinion of men as I do. Well, at least Doc is safe.

As much as I could hand her a ‘menu’ of a few I know, the jokes have to stop.

Trying to unwrap this mystery is downright maddening. She would be classified more of a Yokai in my view. (goblin spirit) Further search into the term Jorogumo led to a species of spider found in Japan. (Nephila clavata, also known as the Jorō spider) as is linked to our friend in question. Nephila clavata is apparently what she looks like when all spider. (is quite pretty actually in coloring) This does not quite match the image that was passed to me at the party, but concept matches up to a degree. The half and half form Doc uncovered could be an intermediate form of the woman. Caught in mid-translation or a from they don’t normally take unless it serves a purpose. Why a half and half? To freak the piss out of anyone who finds themselves alone with them and deemed a threat? If I could still pee, that would do it for me.

We gonna need a bigger can of Raid here, kids.

Regardless, the hunt continues.

[Zodiac]

Volume 13, Page 19
1/11/2017 10:21 PM

*a printed e-mail pasted onto the page*

Hey, Mz Z. Glad you liked the book. Thank you for the treats. (I swear, you will tell me how you make Banana Bread. How do you get it to taste like that? YUMMY! The cookies did not suck either– as always)

Not sure what brought up Japanese Monster Spiders in your life, but I found this little one among some of my curios, so I figured you could use her ‘help’ up there. She don’t each much and she’s too cute to be a threat to anyone. Maybe she can chase away your spider problem. (Lighten up, Z, is a joke.)

Anyways glad I could help. Blessings to you and yours and may your bed and love life be spider free.

*Big hugs and kisses*
‘Starr’

–––––

For being such a competent witch, her cluelessness amazes me at times.

It’s BOOZE. The secret is BOOZE! Banana Daiquiri in a breadpan. Just like Nana made. Sheesh!

Part of me is amused by the ‘helper’ she sent me. The rest of doesn’t find it so damn funny considering what’s going on here now.



(Note to Self: Starr is officially a dork now)

Is a cute little statue, but I highly doubt it reflects the reality of them. I could see if they actually looked like this what my reaction would be.

“We have to kill them all to survive.” *angry vampire solider*

“But they are SO CUTE!” *Me: lip wibbles, eyes watering, gushing rainbows of emotion, etc*

(Note to Self: Yes, I am a dork as well)

A couple of the books I ordered arrived (FINALLY!) I can see the similarity now between the ‘Siren’ (of Greek and Roman myth) and our import from Japan. Like the Greek/Roman tales, there is no mention of males. (Yes, there were males in old Greek, but they seemed to die out somewhere along the line) Only females (which may account for the forced mating with human males to produce children. Ewww.) Nothing so far calls them immortal, so they have a life cycle. Now how old is the one we saw at the party is anyone’s guess. The bit about a Jorogumo being 400 years old means nothing. Is that the full life cycle or when they become of mating age? What? Also, the voice thing. Where the sirens sang a song no one could resist, the Jorogumo's in human form could be so kind and soft of speech that could melt the most hardened of resolve.

On line stuff shows me that spider being myths are more widespread than I thought, but the mean ones seem centered in Asia. Others ranging from Native Americans, Celtic, Greek, Africa, and others paint spider beings as friendly or indifferent. I am not even going to pour in the countless tales of regular spiders (in apearence) doing helpful things.

Only Asia paints them as total badasses.

I think I need to cross check vampire lore in Asia as well. Maybe there is a connection there that would explain their aggressive nature to us. (or maybe its as simple as a Jorogumo grabbed a vampire male and found him unsuitable for mating? Perhaps the idea of a Fadebeast exploding out of a Jorogumo or a nest of other eggs left a deep mark in their personal lore so they either avoid us or kill us when they can?)

Gain a grain of answer, get a pound of more questions.

I think I will put my little ‘spider guard’ figure on my reading table. Something to smile about when customers discover it. I think I will call her Shikon.

[Zodiac]

Volume 13, Page 28
1/21/2017 11:32 PM

And now a season of dread begins.

What happened, dear one? Did you pounce in eagerness and not prepare properly first? It happens to all of us I suppose. ‘Carpe Diem’ and all of that.

Regardless, now one of my greatest fears concerning those fuckwits who want the Nexus shut down is playing out before my eyes. If it is closed before the time is up, he will be trapped in there. His eagerness was to blame, but then again I have to wonder. I used to try and keep a tally of was here and who was ‘in there’. And perhaps a counting would suggest something more. Has the removal of individuals who do not support the idea of Spider Overlords begun? I am sure I am reading too much into this now, but it is my nature to do so. It is how one finds the facts that are hidden under the official view of things.

Regardless, plot or not, that ‘man I adore’ got his fool self in a pickle he might not escape from. This, to say the least, pisses me off to no end. I have a name to work with, and unlike my ‘brother’ who acted in impulse, I am planning my confrontation very carefully before I head out. Razbunarea de sânge! Something I am normally not motivated to do, but this is different. Things have become so twisted and warped recently to the point that such things no longer can be ignored or dismissed so easily. I will come in due time when I am ready and may the gods have mercy upon you,

for I will not.

[Zodiac]

Volume 13, Page 42
1/30/2018 1:43 AM

I can rest easy, for now. My brother has returned from the Nexus, thankfully, but is that a good thing or has he just dodged the oncoming bullet? Still no clue what is to happen in the near future. Our attempted expedition into the labyrinth did not quite go as planned. Nothing even resembling a key was found by any of us. (Mordie is still at it, of course, but for any of us to reach and help him before that place does it mass eviction of all within it, it would be economically pointless to try) But I did find something. (more below)

I hate being on the sidelines while others decide our fate. First of all, I don’t care how cute I would look in such a costume, I am NOT a cheer leader. Second, I am not sure how calm I can be when people with personal agendas may be deciding the fate of us all without our input. I know a town meeting of us never accomplishes anything, but it is better to try than suddenly discover we are now servants of our new spider overlords because a few people get special privileges because they sold the rest of us out. This is not paranoia, but every night life in this place.

Did I say spiders? Oh no, not spiders, but maybe put us firmly under the heel of Cobb? That sounds more likely. After all we have heard, learned and experienced, do I think some of us would cut a deal with that one?

Goddamned right they would. With a smile on their face as well.

The idea of uprooting and setting up shop in a swamp down near the Bayou is looking better and better every night now.

But, back to another point. I did manage to find something quite odd in the depths. At first I took it to be some type of ring or bracelet when I first pulled it out from some months old crud and dirt. At the time I could not do a proper study of the thing, but since I am back in much cleaner surroundings I was able to restore it to part of its former splendor.



The workmanship is beyond anything I have seen before. Almost as if it was spun rather than carved. So delicate are the lines and swirls, yet it is far stronger than the gold appearance suggests. The few gems mounted in this are of the usual sort (meaning I can identify them all and yes, they are not cheap ones.) but the metalwork defies classification. At least within my experiences.

It is too big to be a ring for a human finger or a bracelet. Even for a leg decoration, I pulled the thing up to my knee before it began to feel snug against my skin. My only logical conclusion was this was a trinket for something else. I considered the creatures I had seen in my journey and none of them had the brains to even begin to make something like this. A band of ownership or favorite status? Perhaps, but why something so awe inspiring on a creature? Only another smart being or someone else like the maker would recognize it and what it means.

This was not the collar of a slave, but the mark of a master. Some one (?) of grand status wore this once. Did they loose it by accident or were they killed when their ‘slaves’ revolted? And why did not someone else claim this? No, something caused the owner of this to retreat quickly and in the confusion it was lost.

The more I look at this, the more I want to think I now have a piece of Drider/Siren jewelry in my care now. Is the only answer that makes sense so far. Sadly I have no way to confirm this. Fantasy art often depicts such creatures with decorations upon their legs (just fanciful or do they denote rank and status among their own?) but I have yet to lay eyes on one in their ‘true’ form to know. (Fanboys and their art. Big imagination or lucky guess? Who knows.) It now depends if the one I gave an invitation to actually shows up one evening. I am sure she could confirm/deny what this is. I so want to finish cleaning this up. Bring back its shine and luster and display it in the main case of the shop, but that might bring me attention and guests I may not want to have there.

I think it best to keep it locked away out of sight for the moment. At least until I see if the Spider comes into the Gypsy’s parlor one night. Perhaps I will just take a picture of it and hang it up with a note. “Anyone know what this is?” and see who bites?

Yeah, and while I’m at it, I still want a pet Unicorn too. I highly doubt that woman will come within miles of me after all them bitches that were kissing her *** at the party gets done badmouthing me.

Oh well, it’s mine now!

[Zodiac]

Volume 13, Page 45
1/31/2018 4:34 AM

And now, our pattern is complete.

The fifth and final point has been set into place, and now the conjuration can begin in earnest. I am just glad this part of the process is over with. I fear some of my disciples may have gotten a taste for this sort of thing, but that cannot be helped. In this case the end will justify the means. It has to. Too much is in motion now to let things be decided by random chance or the whims of a few over the needs of the many.

Our final lamb was so precious. We treated them with such kindness and respect. Sadly in the end it does not matter. Like the previous four, it ended in tears for them. In a way, I understand, but how do you convince a lamb these things are necessary? That their sacrifice will help so many? Is perspective, I guess. Honestly, I am not sure how calm I would be if I was the lamb.

But I am not a lamb.

When it finally finished, we were swept up in a mania of sorts. Lilith was with us and our inner selves were unlocked as we sank into lustful depravity. So much blood and emotions running wild in those moments. Such a release was building up since we began this effort, it was only natural.

Never did I sink so low, or is it now I have finally risen so high?

Eventually, the site was cleaned, the evidence disposed of, and we all went our separate ways to home. Now the final part of our endeavor awaits us. It must be soon. Every bit of evidence we have gathered tells me the moment we have been preparing for is racing towards us faster and faster.

In the depths, the dark waters are stirring. Ancient, terrible things begin to move and reach upwards to us again. I want to run and hide. Pull the mountains over me and hide in the darkness.

But I am a servant of my goddess,

And I cannot do that.