I was summoned from the void by a witch named Suzanne
Who named me, faced execution in her village in Scotland.
Her daughter Deborah was spared, taken to safety in Holland,
Her own power grew under the watch of a Talamasca man,
Whom she, as an adult, came to seduce—
A numinous legacy bound to be produced—
Then came Charlotte, favourite mine,
Left Holland for the Caribbean, continued the bloodline.
Then Jeanne-Louise inherited the land & wealth, family claim.
Despite marriage, she held on to the family name.
Then came Angelique—a female twin.
Then Marie-Claudette moved her family from the Caribbean.
Then came Katherine—the weaker one.
Julian—her brother—the warlock son.
I was Mary Beth’s punishing strong arm.
Stella—the fun lover, the first to reject my charm.
Carlotta—the cruel, blinded Antha so she couldn’t see
Because Antha—from girlhood—was loyal to me.
Carlotta’s next victim—poor Deidre—“Incapable”, her status
Had baby and estate taken from her, drugged, driven to madness.
What that hag called “protecting them from me”!
I aided their family for centuries! Didn’t she see?
And lastly came Rowan—thirteenth in line.
Only she could end this loneliness of mine.
Everything achieved by this arcane clan went according to my plan.
One wish needs fulfilling: I want to be a man,
Roam around in your physical reality.
A union with my dearest heart—Rowan’s the key.
That boundless obsession, driving me the most,
Would be a welcome change from my current state—“The Family Ghost”.

Through incestuous matings and marriages, the family grew
On plantations and estates between New Orleans and Saint Domingue.
Everybody felt envy and fear of this clan of witches,
Powerful in the supernatural and their riches.
They owe it all to me—their watcher, their protector—
Written off by some as an interfering brown-haired spectre.

I am deeply connected to the Mayfairs.
Bound to the young female heirs
Through the emerald necklace each wear—
Speak my name and rest assured, I’ll be there.
I am your servant, reliable swift hand.
Name your desire, dear. Lasher awaits your command.

[Inspired by the Gothic Horror novel The Witching Hour by Anne Rice.]
Talamasca: A secret society of psychic detectives.