Across the Veil

CHAPTER 1

Jocelyn Charmaine crouched low beside the attic trap door. An assortment of odd looking weapons littered the floor around her. She clutched a stake and a cross in her hands. A rustle moved across the ceiling. She followed it with her eyes. Smiling, she shooke her head. Vampires these days. So predictable. There just aren't vampires around like in the old days. Bummer really. Taking in a breath, she switched the cross into her other hand and reached out for the latch that would swing the door open. She gripped the latch firmly and pulled.

The door burst open as if something had exploded from within the dark attic. Jocelyn prepared to hoist herself into the overhead room. Suddenly, a head popped through the opening and grinned at Jocleyn upside down. An unsuspecting Jocelyn freaked and jumped back, stake up. A fanged smile transformed into a shriek as the red eyes passed over the raised stake. Jocelyn struck out at the screaming demon. The vampire flipped through the hole and flew to the stair landing.

Tripping and swearing all the way out, Jocelyn followed the demon. Stake stilled raised, she jumped at the vampire again. The vampire caught Jocelyn's hand and grinned at Jocelyn. Jocelyn grinned back and held up the cross. The vampire's jaw dropped and she instantly released Jocelyn's arm. The vampire lashed out and knocked Jocelyn to her back. The cross came lose from Jocelyn's grip and slid across the wood floor. Before Jocelyn had stopped sliding, she was already on her feet and running after the vampire who was about to take flight in the open stair well room.

The vampire leaped off the balcony. Wings emerged from it's black coated back. Jocelyn quickly put one foot up on the railing in mid run and jumped after the vampire. Spit. She fell away from the vampire's back. Thinking fast, she caught herself on the vampiric feet. With Jocelyn's added weight, the vampire fell through the air. She beat her wings, trying to lift herself back into the air. The two rose a dozen feet. Jocelyn looked down at the spectators below her. Hm. I bet they're getting quite the sight. Dinner and a show. Too bad I'm supposed to be the dinner.

Now back in the air, the vampire turned her attention to Jocelyn. It hissed at her, baring her fangs. It reached down and grabbed one of Jocleyn's arms. It pryed her right arm off of the vampire's ankle. Jocelyn clung for dear life as she tried to form an escape plan. None came to mind. Any garunteed safe ones, that was. In a daring move, Jocelyn let her left hand fall from the ankle as she clung to the vampire's arm with her right. Her free hand flew to her pocket to draw out the stake. Using all of her might, she pulled herself closer to the vampire. She drove the stake upward, aiming for the critical spot on the vampire.

A terrible howl split the air. Jocelyn let go of the dying vampire in shock of the cry. The two fell through the air. Jocelyn wasted no time in reaching to her belt to pull out her hook shot. She pointed it towards the crystal chandelier. A grim smile spread across her face. Bless me father, for I am about to sin. She shot the hook towards the chandelier and watched as the hook wedged itself into the belly of the crystals. She came to a sudden halt. Her arms lengthened out, and they felt like they had been wrenched out of their sockets. The vampire continued to fall to the marble floor.

A sickening thud filled the room, confirming the vampire's death. Jocelyn let out a slow breath. She looked up at the chandelier. Wow. It actually worked. An instant later, the chandelier began to fall away from the ceiling. It was still connected by its wiring, swinging Jocelyn towards the far wall. Jocelyn clenched her teeth and held her death grip on her hook shot as the wall and floor approached. Jocelyn pressed her eyes shut as she came within ten feet of impact.

As her feet touched the slick floor, she began to slide. Her hook shot came loose from the chandelier as it crashed into the wall. Jocelyn opened her eyes and watched herself slide through the open doors leading into the next room. Still sliding, she thought she would be cool and retract her hook shot while moving. She clipped her hook shot back into place just as she came to a halt.

She let out a breath as her spectators came into view. Silence of awe hung in the air.

"Whoooo! YEAH!" Jocelyn burst, shattering the moment. "That's how it's done!"

The bystanders came up to Jocleyn. There were three of them. They looked about twenty-five, only two years older than Jocelyn, but nonetheless excited about Jocelyn's work.

"Nice work!" the first one said.

"You made quick work of that one, Charmaine."

"Congratulations man."

"Ah it was nothing. You know how it is," Jocelyn said, brushing invisible dust from her shoulder.

An old man walked serenely into the room. Jocelyn and the others looked to him. He was fairly tall with wise, ice blue eyes. He looked straight through the four people.

"Wasting no time in showing off, I see, Jocelyn," he said.

Jocelyn grumbled at the old man's comment.

"Y'know, Jocelyn, you're supposed to bring your people back alive." Jocelyn threw the man a shocked look. "I'm blind, Jocelyn. Not stupid. I know she is dead. Go get your stuff from the attic landing. Then meet me back here." The old man turned to the others. "You'd better leave now."

The three scrambled out of the room while Jocelyn trudged back upstairs to gather her equipment.

Walking down the stairs, she slung her back of trinkets over her shoulder. The old man was standing at the bottom of the stairs. As she joined him, she looked towards the middle of the room. The vampire was gone, but the shattered chandelier was still there.

"I see you've wasted no time in smashing the chandeleir." He smiled.

"Man, why are you always giving me rain checks on my jobs, Vasquez? That was a job well done. I didn't even get two seconds to bask in the success, and you show up."

"A job well done, maybe. But you forget that you don't have a licsense to kill, as you think you do."

"I am a paranormal expert, not James Bond."

"Exactly. Now you better go see Mendoza before he murders you in your sleep."

"Mendoza? Oh good God! I don't want to go see that fairy."

"You'd better go. It's your job."

"Whatever. But I didn't sign up for that job."

"Maybe you read the briefing material next time."

"Yeah right," she laughed. The two began walking through the building. "You really expect that to happen. You couldn't read the briefing material unless you had a neuro-microscope."

Vasquez chuckled. Jocelyn smiled. The walked in silence.

According to herself, Jocelyn was a "paranormal expert." She wasn't a hunter, an exorcist, or even a researcher. What she did was go around, helping people with paranormal problems, while gathering information for her superiors. You see, Jocelyn also worked for a secret society called the Unknowables. This society employed many people dealing with the paranormal. They employed these many people to protect the Earth from the alternate demension known as the Spirit Realm. The agents worked in conjunction with people from across the Veil to keep evil out of the Earth. And if a demon was to get into Earth, there were the agents, like Jocelyn, who were sent to capture them. The employers would always give her a job to do with explicate rules to follow. The main one being to bring the speciman back to the society alive. For Jocelyn, that was almost impossible. Most of the paranormal entities she dealt with weren't too keen on going with her at all. Nor were they to be messed with. So her missions always seemed to end up messy with hell to pay.

Vasquez broke away as they passed two large doors with golden symbols on them. Jocelyn stopped to go into the room.

"Good luck. I don't think Mendoza will be too hard on you this time."

"Whatever. See you later."

Vasquez nodded and turned away. Jocelyn prepared herself and stepped through the doors. She was met by the usual emerald green carpet with polished wooden walls lined with neat bookcases. A long wooden table stretched through the center of the room. Deep red chairs surrounded the table. A man dressed in a dark business suit stood up as Jocelyn entered. His cold blue eyes pierced Jocelyn.

"Bless me, father, for I have sinned," Jocelyn mumbled.

"Yes," he said heatedly, walking towards her. "You're very good at that. If you weren't one of our best agents, I would of thrown you out years ago." Jocelyn shrugged. "That vampire was one of our main suspects carrying information! And you killed it."

"Well, if she hadn't tried to kill me first, it would of been a different story."

"And that chandelier was over two hundred years old. And worth over a hundred thousand dollars! And you shattered it!"

"Actually, I didn't break it. The wall did."

"I wish you a week in hell for that. You're going to cost me a fortune."

"Well, I'm due for a vacation in a few weeks," she said nonchalantly.

Mendoza stared at her and wisped his feathery blonde hair away from his eyes. He sat down and motioned to a chair across from him. Wow. One of his sudden mood changes. This must be good. Jocelyn sat down.

"All right, Jocelyn, I'm asking you this because you are one of our most accomplished physical realm agents. I believe your assisstance on this mission will prove valuable."

Woah. Big words.

"Our spiritual realm agents have uncovered a plot to take over the Earth. We need to stop this threat in it's planning stage, otherwise, it could prove difficult to defeat."

"Quit sugar-coating it, Mendoza. Just tell it like it is."

"Evil is once again stirring in the Spirit Realm. This is the most powerful I have ever heard of. We are sending a small team to go in and destroy the evil while it is still in the Spirit Realm. You are one of the desirable agents for this mission."

God, what is it with him and these huge words? I wonder if that is how he got to the top?

"Why me? I'm a physical realm agent. I don't do the whole spiritual thing."

"That's the other thing. The Spirit Realm is at war. Most of our agents are spread across it, trying to keep the war contained. If this war spills to Earth, it will be a hell on Earth."

So the truth comes out.

"And you want me to go with this team of yours to find and stop this evil in a war-torn world?"

"In two weeks."

"Oh my God, is there anything else you forgot to tell me?"

"No."

"Good. So, now, how many is on this team?"

"Three."

"Three?"

"Yes."

"Your kidding me, right?"

"Not at all."

"That's a bit much to ask of three people."

"Well two of them happen to be our best agents."

"Two."

"Speaking of two, we should go meet the other two." He stood up.

"Woah, woah, woah. First of all, woah. You are just assuming that I am going to accept this job just like that?"

"Well... yes."

"You drive a hard bargain, man. Of all the crap you give me on my missions, you end up giving me the most important mission of all." Mendoza stared at her. "How come every time the world seems to be on the verge of destruction, I'm suddenly your best friend?" He didn't say anything. "What's up with that, huh? You looking for someone to blame if the world ends up being destroyed?"

"No, it's just that I trust you with these things. Would you rather have the fate of the world in Kawolski's hands?"

"Ahhh... No. Not really. No."

"Then shut up and let's go meet your companions."

Mendoza turned sharply and began walking towards the back of the room. Jocelyn stood up, glowering. She could feel her resentment towards this man settle around her like a dark cloak. Fairy. Just who does he think he is? I'm not an idiot. I know he doesn't like me. There's got to be some kind of catch here. And I don't like it. Jocelyn followed her employer quietly. He showed her into a back room. Jocelyn blinked as she stepped into a completely white room with a white table and black chairs. She stopped.

"You've got to be kidding me. You've got to get a new house decorator."

"You're telling me," a younger male voice echoed from the room. "If they wanted to be any crueler, they would of put those clear chairs in here."

Jocelyn followed the echo until her gaze fell on a tall man who looked to be a few years older than her. He had short dark hair that stuck up in all directions. His clear blue eyes reflected humor back at her. He smiled brightly.

"I know what you mean. If they'd of done that, you'd be sitting on the floor."

His smile widened. "And you would of tripped over one and fell on your face."

Jocelyn smirked. "Funny."

"I thought it was." His eyes seemed to flash like a cat's. Jocelyn almost had to do a double take.

"Please," Mendoza interrupted. "Jocelyn, this is Travis Buckley. Mr. Buckley, this is Jocelyn Charmaine."

He stood up. "Ah, so the infamous Charmaine here to rescue the world. God, are we screwed."

Jocelyn's lifting spirits froze in fury. She threw him an icy gaze.

"Well, I hear you're connected to the police office- by a pair of handcuffs..."

"Well, I hear you went to the haunted house and they offered you a job!"

A smart ass. I'll fix his wagon.

"Yes, I am an agent of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial."

"Well, you sound reasonable. Time to take up the medication."

"I don't know what your problem is, but I'm sure it's hard to pronounce."

"Thank you!" Mendoza interrupted. "We are all refreshed and challenged by your unique points of view. Now can we get on with this very simple procedure?"

As if on cue, a figure walked through the door. She wore all black complete with black hair that fell to her jawline. She had piercing gray eyes with a hint of blue. She stared from one person to another.

"Ah, Valeria. I was beginning to wonder about you."

"What do you want, Mendoza?"

"The team for the mission we discussed earlier."

"Oh yes," she said darkly. "Charmaine's team. And here is our fearless leader."

She glared at Jocelyn.

"Allow me to introduce my selves," she said. "I am Valeria."

"Right," Travis and Jocelyn said together.

Jocelyn turned to Mendoza. "So, why us?"

"I would of thought it would of been obvious."

"No, Mendoza. I confess a curiousity to why I have to work with Charmaine."

"Charmaine is our best physical agent. She's got plenty of experience. We've got Travis, a weretiger. His talents will be of great service to us. And you, Valeria, our finest spiritual agent. I'm putting you together-"

"Yes. We know," she interrupted.

Mendoza walked up to her until their faces were a couple inches apart. "You forget, Valeria. I rose you from the grave, I can easily put you back."

"What?" Travis and Jocelyn exclaimed together.

Valeria stepped away and cast a warning glare at the two curioius companions.

"You rose her from the grave?"

"Yes. She was our best agent, I couldn't afford to lose her."

Freak

"Right," Jocelyn said. She turned to Travis. "Weretiger?" He nodded. Jocelyn threw her hands up in the air. "God! What am I? Flypaper for freaks?!"

"I'm already visualizing duct tape over your mouth," Valeria said coldly.

"Just shut up, Jocleyn. All of you, shut up and get your equipment together."

Another door opened at the far end of the room. Mendoza pointed in the direction, urging them to go. As they began walking towards the door, he turned around and left, muttering, "I hope they don't end up killing each other."

They walked into a room that was packed full of weapons. Jocelyn's eyes lit up. Oh thank you God! You just made my day! Jocelyn wasted no time in starting to rumage through the many shelves of weapons. She picked out a shot gun with half the regular barrel size. She sighed. Ohhhhhh swwwweeeeeettt! She quickly brought out her bag of goodies and dumped it out. There's going to have to be some redecorating now. A few trinkets of her demon exorcising clamored onto the table. She found her holy water containers and replaced them in the bag. You never underestimate the power of holy water. She replaced her stakes and crosses. She also put her hook shot into the bag. Valeria tossed her a packet of silver bullets.

"You'll need those. Try and find a sword as well."

"Okay. Thanks."

Jocelyn found a black cane that concealed a sword. Liking what she saw, she placed it by her bag. As she continued on she found a small knife with a button on it. Curious, she pressed the button. The blade shot off the hilt and slammed into the wall. She stared at a rope that was contected from the hilt to the blade. A grin spread across her face. Ohhhhhhhhhh yyyyeeeeeeaaaaaaahhhh!! She tossed that by her bag and continued on to put in miscellaneous items that would hopefully prove useful.

As she finished packing her equipment, she joined the others.Valeria was packed and ready to go, as was Travis. She could see a few guns and knives strapped on the other two. It's all good.

"Ready?" Valeria asked.

She looked around. "Yeah. I think so."

"Finally. Good. All right. Let's go."

"Let's get this over with," Travis said.

"I'm all for it, but as far as we know, the bad guys could have already taken over the world while Charmaine here was getting ready."

"Oh I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it left," Jocelyn said, messing with her back and black trent coat.

"Is that why you're so stupid?"

"You," Jocelyn burst. "Off my planet!"

Valeria and Travis exchanged looks.

"Is there a way you can set a laser printer to stun?" Valeria asked.

Travis shrugged. "Oh, here we are, I believe."

"Yes," Valeria said. "Everyone ready to cross the Veil?"

"I was born ready," Travis said.

"Don't piss me off," Valeria warned, "I'm running out of places to hide the bodies."

Travis shot Jocelyn a terrified look. Jocelyn just shrugged uncomfortably.

"Let's go," Jocelyn sighed. "After all, the bad guys could take over the world while Valeria here is just standing here thinking of clever insults to say."

Valeria hesitated for a split second. "I'm sorry, I can't come back with an insult stupid enough for you."