The Haunting of a Lord

By Morgan Sales

Gabriel Jones, demon hunter and paranormal investigator. One year after assuming command of the secretive Halcyon Order, the new Knight Commander is despatched to investigate the haunting of Knighton Manor. Two people are dead, a young girl is missing and the only clue is a chilling voice mail message. Is there more to the affable Lord Shelton than meets the eye, and can the staff be trusted? Were the deaths random supernatural attacks? Why did the ghost rise, and can Gabriel find the source of the haunting before the spectre strikes again?

Gabriel Jones faces his most challenging trial yet in the novella, The Haunting of a Lord.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Morgan Sales
• Release date: May 5, 2016
• ISBN: 9798201895228

Book preview

Chapter 1: An Unexpected Summons

Gabriel took a long sip of cold beer, enjoying the cool feeling as it ran down his throat. He studied the computer screen in front of him. It showed a digital scan of an ancient Aramaic scroll containing information on a few of the more exotic entities that existed in legend. 

Gabriel reclined slightly in his chair, looked up and studied the silver sword, mounted on the wall of his chambers. He’d come a long way in the past year, learnt much, experienced many new things. However, there were aspects of his new life he still felt uncomfortable with. Monsters, beasts, ghouls, things that go bump in the night... all manner of nightmares that he wished had stayed under his childhood bed and never come out to bother him.  The things ordinary people didn’t believe in, the things from beyond – as people in the picture referred to it – the ‘veil’.

Beings that most individuals on the planet would go through life blissfully ignorant of. 

The sword on the wall comforted him in a strange way, partially because it was sharp enough to take a man’s head off if the need arose. The blade was polished to a high shine, and along with the dragon’s head pommel, reflected the dim illumination of the room. Working or relaxing, Gabriel always had the lights down low in an evening; it made the room cosier. 

He took another sip of beer and winced slightly. He could feel the entity inside him stirring deep in his unconscious mind, a feeling that even after a year he had yet to get used to.

Beep! came a noise from the computer on the desk in front of him. He turned his attention to the screen and focused on the message that popped up.

I’m coming up to see you. We’ve got a situation, read the message from Tony Harrison. Gabriel sighed, rested his chin on his left hand and deftly tapped out a message with his right.

What sort of situation?

No answer was forthcoming. Must be on his way, Gabriel commented to the ether as he stood up and headed for the kitchen, glass in hand.

Three strong knocks sounded out on the hefty wooden door. Tony opened it and walked in without waiting for a reply. He was an elderly man of average height and build, but remarkably spritely for a person of his advanced years.

Gabriel? he called out.

Yes, Professor. The answer came from the kitchen where Gabriel was pouring a cold beer into a tall lager glass. He walked over and handed the drink to Tony. Sorry Prof, no mild so it’ll have to be lager.

That’s fine, my boy.

The two men pulled up a chair each and sat at the heavy oak table.

So then. What’s this situation?

You’ve been summoned to Whitehall.

What? A look of mild confusion crept into Gabriel’s face. "We work with them, not for them."

True, but under the terms of our treaty with them they are allowed to ‘request’ our aid. Tony raised an eyebrow on the word ‘request’.

Request?

That’s the wording, but the upshot is that we are required to render assistance when asked.

Bloody brilliant. The sarcasm was not lost on Tony.  Who wants to see me? The Home Secretary?

No, the PM. He didn’t say what it was about. But as you are the head of the Order, he’s within his rights.

Bloody Tory bastard, said Gabriel, rolling his eyes.

Indeed. A playfully wicked smile broke on Tony’s face as he raised his glass.

Can’t you go? You’re the head of the Council. 

I’m only head of the Council, you’re the Knight Commander. 

Okay, but just you remember that I never signed up for this. His tone was jovial. Stopping the forces of darkness and maintaining the veil, yes. But you never said I’d have to put up with bloody politicians.

Then consider this a learning experience. He gave sly wink.

I’ll have a read of that treaty in the morning. I want to see just what I’m letting myself in for.

Chapter 2: For Queen and Country

Gabriel inhaled the fresh morning air that wafted in through the bedroom’s open window. He stood, dressed in boxer shorts and a shirt as he fumbled with his right-hand cufflink.

Anji walked in, her long red curls contrasting with the dark green of her towelling dressing gown. Having some trouble there, you twazzock? Her tone was soft and loving.

I hate cufflinks.

Come here. She took his right sleeve and deftly threaded and closed the cufflink. Sorted. She kissed him gently on the lips for a moment before collapsing onto the bed. They let you carry a sword but you can’t even manage a cufflink, she commented in a laughing tone, propping herself up with a pillow.

They’re fiddly little bastards. Gabriel pulled on his trousers. What tie do you reckon? He lifted a rack of neckties out of the wardrobe.

Not blue, Anji said matter-of-factly, as she relaxed a little further into her pillow. I don’t want those Tory scum thinking that you’re one of them.

Agreed.

How about the dark grey one? It brings out your eyes.

Sounds good. Gabriel flung the tie over his shoulders and pushed the rack back into the cupboard.

What do they want you for, anyway?

No idea, Gabriel replied, tying a half-Windsor knot around his neck. I was hoping for a few days off.  Spend a bit of time with my gorgeous other half.

We’ll do something when you get back. She looked at him and smiled. You look nice.

Gabriel smiled back. You always look nice. He walked over and slid onto the bed next to her. Anji cuddled up to him, resting her