I am in the progress of writing the second draft of my novel “The Cat’s Lair.” I hope you enjoy it, and comments are welcome. I have no editor, yet. PEACE
“THE CAT’S LAIR” BY MARY JUDGE
CHAPTER 1
12/3/2020
By: Mary L Judge-Hubard
CALIFORNIA-CAPITOL OF THE WITCH GOVERNMENT
The Prophecy has begun- “House of Government” for Witches- Los Angeles
Gabriella hands the plane tickets to the air hostess, as Serena, sits quietly next to the window seat in first class. Gabriella looks around the airplane cabin. No witches here. It had only been six hours since Serena was turned. Ihe energy released into the world has not been deciphered yet? The airplane glides down the tarmac, and takes off the end of the air strip. The fasten your seat belt sign turns off. Gabriella turns to Serena with her index finger on her lips “shoos.” Remember we do not have identification. We are about to enter the most powerful witch turf in North America.” Gabriella looks at Serena. “We must fade into the background…incognito.”
“in-cog-nito, adverb: in a way that conceals ones true idenity.
As soon as our feet hit the pavement, we did not feel safe. Serena’s sixth sense had kicked in, and we could not arrive at the hotel fast enough. Serena mutters under breath. “Los Angeles is called the City of Angels? Fallen Angels is more like it.” Gabriella unpacks their bags. The hotel she booked is inner city, and is UN-desirable.. They will find better accommodations tomorrow. Gabriella is not happy, and then the phone rings. Serena jumps up high towards the ceiling. The phone call had startled her. Serena wonders who could be calling them? Have they been found? When she lands safely on the floor Serena motions to Gabby, and answers the phone call.
Serena takes a deep breath. She has lived a sheltered life as a Southern Princess for 87 years. Now she is a fallen angel looking for help. Gabby tells her “be yourself.” Serena knows this phone call may be the phone call to get us an introduction with the California Supreme Witch? We need them to help us gather an army to conquer the evil Arch Angel Lucifer from destroying the world. Serena is not fooling around, and she is starving.“I am hanging up if you continue to ignore me. Minutes pass without a proper response. Serena hangs up. “Gabby we need to find a restaurant. I am hungry.” Gabriella passes Serena a jacket. “Lets go, I bet the front desk can help us find one”
The phone rings just as the Serena and Gabriella try again to leave for dinner. She must act with guile to start negotiations. “Are you friend or foe?” Gabriella is thrown off base, the voice on the other line is soft and sweet. Gabriella lowers her voice, but no one has ever called her sweet. “My name is Gabriella, and we need to speak with the Supreme ASAP, but not over the telephone. It is a life and death situation. Can you arrange a meeting with her tomorrow.
The line goes silent. Gabriella is flabbergasted. Not this again, but it is obvious the phone was being handed to someone else. A voice, opposite of soft and sweet continues the conversation. “Gabriella I am the Supreme Witch Shirley. The person you are looking for. I am only speaking with you because of the energy that you and the other entity is being emitted into the atmosphere. I am curious. Neither of you have accredited travel documents, or permission slips to enter the state of California.” Serena knows she must be strong when they meet. The Supreme Witch of Los Angeles is all business. “It’s best not to mince words.” The Supreme Witch is demanding. All Gabriella and Serena want if a full belly and sleep. A lot has happened in two days. “We will be at your Hotel room in thirty minutes. Do not go anywhere, because if you do, we will find you, and your friend and put you both behind bars. Do you understand? You are on my turf, and you cannot hide, Capisci” The Supreme Witch Shirley does not procrastinate. “Capisci.”
A knock on the door. Gabriella looks through the peephole. Standing in front of the door is a coven of at least twelve witches. “Serena they have arrived, and we are out numbered. Are you ready.” Serena has a plan. “Gabby, you will introduce me as the Angel Serena, I will show myself. Walk out of the bathroom, and I will release my wings. They will have to believe us.” Gabby shakes her head. “When did your wings show up.” Serena walks into the bathroom. “Not now. We have important business to do.” Gabby opens the door. “Now or never. The entourage takes over the Hotel room. Serena waits for Gabby to introduce her. Hopefully her bodyguard will not mind calling her Gabby instead of Gabriella
The Supreme Witch Shirley yells. “Get out…get out.” Gabby is confused. The covens soldiers exit the room. Gabriella introduces Serena when only the one witch remains. She must be the boss. Serena walks out and releases her wings as Gabby introduces her. “The Angel Serena at your service.” Electricity as well as a blinding light fills the room. The energy dissipates as the angels wings fold back into Serena’ back. The lone witch introduces herself to Gabriella and Serena. “I am The Supreme Witch Shirley Mayte. I am the most powerful Witch in the Northern Hemisphere. Who are you” Why are you here without any identification,and what do you want.”
Gabriella hands the Supreme a book of Witch lore and magic. The first chapter tells the story of the Angels that fell from grace, and the two angels without wings that accidentally fell with them. She points at the book. “Serena is one of those angels…God has just promoted her to an Arch angel of peace and love. Do not think she is fragile, because of her title. Serena is here to save Earth from Lucifer and a secret army of evil soldiers. We need your help”
The Rolls drives slowly down a long driveway under a large archway of flowers and into an atrium of an old Spanish mansion. The driver helps Supreme Mayte out of the car. “Ladies stay right here. Two maids run out of the mansion and walk Mayte into the house. All the while Mayte speaks in a German on her cell phone.
“Gabriella…can I tell you something and not get mad? “I am in love with Lucas. I cannot stop obsessing about the kiss we shared.” Should Gabriella give her hope. Stick to the truth and it will set you free.” ‘Darling it is natural for you to have intense feelings for Lucas. Channel that Energy and you will be un-stoppable.”
A maid took the girls up a spiral staircase, down a long hallway and into a large bedroom with three hundred- and sixty-degrees ocean views. No one could get to them from the outside. The entire mansion is a fortress. A table in the center of the room is filled with an assortment of fresh fruit s and vegetables. Serrena takes a bite from the forbidden fruit, apple, and lies down on the bed and is lulled to sleep by the sound of the Pacific Ocean. Gabriella, watches over her mistress. She sits on the windowsill, the perfect spot to watch the door from intruders. After a few hours Gabriella closes her eyes and drifts off to sleep.
Serena slaps Gabriella on the butt. “Wake up sunshine.” The maid scurries in with a try of breakfast foods. “The stylists are here.” Gabriella stands in front of the bedroom door. “Wait, maid, what is your name?” The maid looks down at her feet and speaks softly in a lovely Spanish accent. “My name is Carmen” What do you want?” Gabriella stops Serrena from interfering. “Are you a spy?” Serrena knows Gabriella is making a false judgement and feels sorry for Carmen. Serena interrupts Gabriella “You are our maid Carmen. Welcome now you are a part of our little family. You have nothing to fear. Thank you for your help. The breakfast looks divine. Where are our clothes? Who put the PJ’s on us?” Carmen looks down at her feet. “New clothes will be here shortly.” Carmen scurries out of the bedroom.
Gabriella pours Serrena a coffee. “Today is a new day. I like Carmen.” Serrena speaks slowly. The Supreme Witch Mayte will bring us to the witch council. These are powerful witches. They will vote on our fate.” Serrena walks into the bathroom. “I am taking a long shower. Your first with the stylists. Are you going to frisk them?” Gabriella giggles, and thinks about it. “Are you joking.” She pours herself a coffee. Gabriella opens the bathroom door. “Serrena how strong do you feel.? Are you settled in your wings?” Serrena giggles. “Yes, I feel comfortable in my feathers. Now leave me in peace.”
Gabriella pours Serrena a coffee. “Today is a new day. I like Carmen.” Serrena speaks slowly. The Supreme Witch Mayte will bring us to the witch council. These are powerful witches. They will vote on our fate.” Serrena walks into the bathroom. “I am taking a long shower. Your first with the stylists. Are you going to frisk them?” Gabriella giggles, and thinks about it. “Are you joking.” She pours herself a coffee. Gabriella opens the bathroom door. “Serrena how strong do you feel.? Are you settled in your wings?” Serrena giggles. “Yes, I feel comfortable in my feathers. Now leave me in peace.”
Gabriella pours Serrena a coffee. “Today is a new day. I like Carmen.” Serrena speaks slowly. The Supreme Witch Mayte will bring us to the witch council. These are powerful witches. They will vote on our fate.” Serrena walks into the bathroom. “I am taking a long shower. Your first with the stylists. Are you going to frisk them?” Gabriella giggles, and thinks about it. “Are you joking.” She pours herself a coffee. Gabriella opens the bathroom door. “Serrena how strong do you feel.? Are you settled in your wings?” Serrena giggles. “Yes, I feel comfortable in my feathers. Now leave me in peace.”
OVERALL HAPPINESS 