Erin turned and observed Hattie. The older woman had a contemplative look on her face and her finger traced the image in the grimoire. After a couple of seconds Hattie turned to Erin, "Are you sure, I mean absolutely positive?"
Erin nodded vigorously. She reached for her laptop computer flipping it open and with a few simple keystrokes she brought up a facebook account, not hers obviously as it no longer existed, but a friends. Somebody who shared the limousine with them to the junior senior prom.
Within seconds Erin found a picture that Matthew was in. It was in front of the Octagon House with the entire group. It pained Erin to notice that she wasn't in the picture, standing next to Matthew. Erin attempted to bury the discomfort and turned the screen so that Hattie could take a good look.
Erin noticed the woman squinting her eyes to get a better look at the screen and Matthew. Erin used the zoom function and there taking up most of the small laptop screen was Matthew's face.
Hattie leaned in close. Yes, it was the same person. Hattie looked away from the picture and the facebook photo and turned towards Erin.
Erin was shocked when Hattie leaned over and wrapped her arms around her shoulders in a warm embrace. For a handful of seconds Erin remained enveloped in the hug. When Hattie leaned away from her. Her eyes were expectant.
"Do you know where he is now?" Hattie asked hoping Erin would have the answers to their questions. That Erin could tell them and they could quickly find their savior.
However, Hattie was severely disappointed when the young girl shook her head. "No, that is who I was looking for when you guys found me."
Hattie shook her head, she did recall the young human girl stating that. But, at that time there was so much going on that she had forgotten until it was brought up again. Hattie let her head fall in disappointment. They had been so close and yet so far away. When would something go in their favor?! It had been so long. But as soon as the words entered her mind her eyes returned back to the human girl looking at the photo of 'Matthew' on the computer screen. Well, Hattie couldn't forget their luck of finding something they hadn't even been looking for. Something did go right, but the coven would need a little more luck if they wanted any chance of finishing and actually winning the war.
Erin noticed Hattie staring and met her gaze. "What is it?" she asked.
"Tell me everything and I mean everything about this household and all of the occupants. Even if it seems small and insignificant I need to know about it. Even if it doesn't make sense to you it may fall within the bigger picture!"
Erin nodded and thus began the story of the Matthew and his 'weird' family. However, as she was telling Hattie, Erin began to realize the pieces were slowly being put tother to form the bigger picture.
***
Elizabet exited the alternative reality Octagon House and entered the real world again. She took a deep breath and began to search for her prey.
While Elizabet was dining on the man beneath her she received a call. She knew it was Hattie, she was the only one strong enough to cross the planes and contact her cell. She picked up the phone, "Hello Hattie." Elizabet cooed. The man beneath her moaned not bothered that she answered the phone in the middle of the their 'sexcapade'.
Elizabet rolled her eyes. "Hattie dear, this must be very important if you called me while I am feeding?" The woman let out a moan to encourage the prey.
The woman on the other end of the line spoke quickly. "I am sorry to bug you dear, but I just finished speaking with Erin."
Before Hattie could continue Elizabet interrupted. "Ah yes, Erin. Is she disappointed that I am feeding?" Elizabet laughed, but the man beneath her responded more vigorously as if he was failing the goddess he was with. Elizabet licked her lips pleased with his newfound willingness.
Hattie took a moment. She knew that the words her friend spoke hurt her. She laughed it off as a joke, but Hattie knew what went on in Elizabet's head. Hattie knew better.
"Elizabet darling. Do not think of yourself so harshly. Besides, you can always tell her the truth?"
Elizabet snorted in response. "You know how bad of an idea that is at this moment, right?"
"I know. I know. I trust you and your plan. I will always trust you with my life, you know that."
"Yes, anyways Hattie, why did you call?" Elizabet questioned as they had gotten widely off topic.
"My conversation with Erin." Hattie spoke quickly as to not be interrupted by Elizabet again. "She had some interesting things to point out. Do you recall when we first met the dear girl. She had mentioned a Matthew?"
Hattie paused giving the succubus a moment to think and recall their first encounter with the girl.
"Yes, vaguely. We were rather preoccupied with other things as the moment."
"Yes, well. This Matthew is the key."
"I'm sorry, what exactly do you mean? I don't follow."
"He is the one that can find our Lady of the Lakes. He is the only one that can truly wake her from her slumber!"
"He...what? This is good, right?" Elizabet pondered.
"Yes, but we do not have any idea where he is. So, while you are 'out and about' can you do some research?" Hattie asked, "if it isn't too much trouble?"
"Absolutely." Elizabet grinned and hung up the phone. To the man that was beneath her she said. "I think it is time for you to hurry up. I have things to do."
Elizabet left the room and once again she had a mission she had to accomplish to the sake of the coven and for the sake of all free mythological creatures everywhere.