of WWII. Members spent their time pouring down poison on interracial couples, members of the LGBTQ community, and war widows, for starters. Noah Black was the man who started it all in the basement of his home out in California.” He gave his head a shake. “After everything we went through at the hands of Gideon Black, it never crossed my mind to think about his legacy.”
“Very good, Captain Fitzgibbon. You also go to the head of the class.” Musgrave rubbed his hands together in anticipation.
“No fucking thank you,” Fitzgibbon hissed.
“Not only was Noah Black my mentor in rooting out the evils of Salem, he also passed down his extensive knowledge of black magick.” Pride tinged Musgrave’s voice.
“Of course he did, because living a righteous God-fearing life includes rooting out everyone who doesn’t believe what you do. Witchcraft was always thought to be one of Salem’s ills, yet becoming a witch yourself didn’t bother you.”
“I may have borrowed from Peter to pay Paul, but I got results.” The giddy look on Musgrave’s face faded. Replacing it, was anger and a touch of fear.
“The ends justify the means, right?” Cope’s anger roiled in his stomach. Something is always bad until you can use it yourself to forward your own agenda. Cope had seen it happen hundreds of times before. He had no doubt it would happen again in the future.
“Homosexuals, such as yourself and your friends, are a blight upon this earth. They need to be eradicated. I’m doing God’s work.” Father Musgrave’s self-righteous tone shook the house.
Cope laughed again. The sound was high-pitched and if anyone but him had made it, he would’ve thought they were unhinged. “God’s work? You weren’t feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, or supporting single mothers who needed a bit of extra help. No, you were torturing and murdering gay men and women for your own pleasure.” Saying the words over and over again in his mind, Cope couldn’t help letting out a little giggle.
“It seems you’re losing your mind, Copeland. Don’t worry, I have just the cure for that.” Musgrave advanced towards Cope. Jude moved to stand in front of him, but Cope didn’t back down.
“I’m not laughing because I’m losing my mind, Musgrave. I’m laughing because I’m about to topple all of this to the ground.” Cope’s eyes darkened. He knew exactly what he was doing.
Cope’s words stopped the former priest in his tracks. “Oh, really? How do you plan to do that?”
“I’m ashamed of you, Father. Every good witch knows what’s done can be undone.” Cope’s mother taught him this lesson when he was learning his first spells.
“Yet, in order to do that very thing, you must know the exact spell I cast over this house and the spirits who dwell within it. The upper hand remains mine.” Musgrave advanced another step closer.
“Good point. You make a very good point. I’m a sixth-generation legacy witch. My people were casting spells long before you were born. I wouldn’t be worthy of my heritage if I weren’t able to decipher and break the simple spell you’ve used to torture and abuse people with for the last century.” The words had come to Cope in a dream last night. Unbeknownst to Jude, he’d spoken to his spirit guides, begging for help. They’d come through for him, and then some.
“Simple spell, is it? As you said, it’s been strong enough to keep my little menagerie intact for all these years.”
“That ends today.” Taking a step back, Cope took a deep breath. “Wind and fire bring me power that grows with each passing hour. With the power of three times three, I bind thee to me. As I will, so mote it be!” Flames burst from the living room fireplace while a chill wind screeched down the stairs.
“NOOOO!” Musgrave bellowed in obvious fear.
“Yes! All the souls you tortured, all the souls you murdered have been set free.” Cope felt the heat from the flames on his face. One by one, he felt the presence of the captive spirits.
Musgrave hit his knees. He started mumbling under his breath.
Cope knew exactly what he was doing. Musgrave was trying to cast another spell over this house and the spirits within it. “Not today, you dirty fuck.” He turned back to Fitzgibbon and Ronan who were standing in front of Cisco. “Grab him! Hold him down.”
Kevin and Ronan were quick to obey Cope’s command. Within seconds they had the man flat on the floor, his face mashed against the hardwood. Musgrave