The Summerland by T. L. Schaefer Read Free Book Online Page A

for her life to end in this green room, dressed in her robes of white.
    * * * *
    Samantha jerked involuntarily, drawing into a protective ball as the man’s low voice came over the hidden PA system.
    “ Greetings, Mother. I’ve been waiting a lifetime for you.” The silky voice purred. “I know you’re confused, even angry with me, but you must be educated in The Way before your rebirth as Diana. I will wait until you are ready, and then we will join and be reborn.” The PA clicked off and the relaxing sounds of Kitaro filled the room.
    Samantha looked around the room wildly, vainly searching for the origin of the voice. She was imagining things. She knew she was. But she wasn’t imagining the music. Or the fact that she was enclosed in what appeared to be the library of a lunatic. She closed her eyes, picturing herself in her apartment in L.A., snorting a nice big line of blow. Her eyes snapped open, and she was still there. So much for the nightmare.
    She braced herself and began. “Who are you? What do you want from me?” The mellow pipes of Kitaro met her queries. “Goddamnit, who are you, what the hell do you want from me?”
    The smooth voice permeated the air again. “Do not take the Lord’s name in vain. Study the books, they will tell you all you need to know. Have no fear, I will not come to you until you have become educated in The Way and worthy of the consummation.”
    Samantha looked to the ceiling and raved, “Well, I don’t want your fucking consummation and you and your books can go straight to hell.”
    The elegant voice softly laughed. “I don’t believe in hell, and neither should you. You are the Goddess reborn. Do not bore me with hysterics. Study. Learn what you would be. Then I will come to you.”
    Samantha shivered, holding her arms into her body and slowly rocking. She was fucked, literally and figuratively.
    * * * *
    She is magnificent. I knew from the moment that I saw her that she was the Chosen One. The Goddess would only cloak herself in a strong woman. When will she know, when will that cunning I can see in her eyes change to awareness? When will she realize her freedom lies in education? That our freedom lies within her?

Chapter Six
     
    The Sheriff heard Wiley Goltree’s raised voice before he even entered the room. As usual, the man was pontificating on his favorite subject, those kooks over by the river. It had become almost a weekly ritual in the squad room.
    “ I’m telling you now,” the old man screeched, “it’s them damn witches that’s the cause of this. Them over by the river. It ain’t right, them practicin’ that voodoo-hoodoo. They probly sacrificed them girls to the devil.” As he entered Wiley wheeled around to face him. “Sheriff, what are you gonna do ‘bout them damn witches?” Drops of spittle flew from between his few remaining teeth, coating Bill in a fine mist.
    Taking a handkerchief out of his pocket, he quickly wiped at his chin, keeping his eye on the grizzled old goat stooped before him. Wiley was the local doomsayer and the keeper of every hideous thing that had occurred within the county in the last sixty years. He had an opinion on everything from the coming apocalypse to the taxation practices of the state of California, and he made sure everyone knew it.
    Of late his favorite subject had been the Wiccan coven which met for its worship services in one of the old commune houses across the river. His frequent and vehement declarations on the fact that they were teaching the young people of Mariposa the ways of the devil had made him a favorite among the local churchgoers.
    His grandson Stumpy was also one of the Department’s deputies. Bill casually scanned the room, noting that the deputy in question was conspicuously absent.
    He replaced his handkerchief, taking a deep mental breath as he did so. “Good morning Wiley. How are you this morning?” Then he stood back and waited for the coming storm.
    He was not disappointed.