He clicks his tongue, doubtful. “If you trust him not to hurt you, I guess I do, too. Fine. So, do you have any ideas? I can still come over and help you brainstorm.”
“It’s probably best if you don’t. I don’t want Kit to get suspicious.” I also think he’s a little jealous of Matthias, which would make him even more suspicious. I pull out my laptop, opening it. “I know you said you’ve been researching like crazy, but Kit and I have been talking about Hell and things a lot. Maybe I’ll see something you don’t.”
“Worth a shot,” Matthias says. “I’ve got my laptop open.”
I start simple with:How to exorcise a demon.
I click through several websites, searching for answers, a Sydney library website, a Catholic archdiocese website, Wikipedia, and basically come up with one conclusion. I need to contact a priest.
Matthias confirms, “That’s what I saw, too.”
“I was hoping this was something I could take care of on my own. I don’t want Kit to think he’s being ganged up on.”
“You’re worried about his feelings?”
“Yeah,” I sigh honestly. Imagining the hurt he’ll feel when I exorcise him is nearly enough to change my mind.
The next thing I google isexorcist priests in my area. Okay. I’m finding a lot of links about how to find a priest, but none actually directing me toward a real priest. Should I call the Catholic church in town? Will they even believe me? I don’t know.
My teeth scrape over my bottom lip. “A lot of the things the websites are describing…they aren’t like Kit.”
“And what is like Kit?”
“He’s just…I don’t know. A guy. He’s just a guy who likes to commit the occasional petty crime and needs a host to survive on Earth.”
I click through more links. Exorcisms sound painful. At least it seems like I’ll be sending him back to Hell rather than killing him. I don’t want to hurt him. He saved my life. I can’t just say, “Hey, thanks for the life-saving and all, now let’s get you back to Hell.”
If only August were here as well. She knew enough about this world to be able to figure out how to save the man. Hell, if August were here, she would have clocked I wasn’t me immediately when I was possessed.
No use wishing for things that simply can’t be true. I keep digging through pages and pages of results when something catches my eye. It’s a link to a fandom page for a show calledLore Hunters. I click through it, my tongue between my teeth as I read. “The lines from exorcisms inLore Huntersare real?”
“Are they?” He sounds skeptical.
“That’s what this site says. I wonder…” I trail off. Well, if they can do it, why can’t I? Maybe I can exorcise him myself after all. I know that show is fictional, but who says you need a greater connection to the spiritual realm to exorcise? I can be an amateur exorcist. Who’s gonna stop me?
“What are you going to do? Turn on an episode ofLore Huntersand hope Morgan Asher can save this guy’s ass?”
“Potentially,” I mumble.
I research lines for an exorcism, and even though I do find plenty of prayers in English, I opt for one in the original Latin instead. I feel like it’ll have a better chance of working.
There are a few different Latin versions, but I eventually settle on one with good reviews. “My teenager is back to normal!” being one of them. I send Matthias the link.
“Maybe I could read this off myself. Get some holy water, some candles, a rosary. Find a way to tie him down. Or get him blackout drunk, even.”
Matthias clicks his tongue as he reads through the prayer. “I mean…this could work. Text me when you think you’ll be able to do this. I’ll help.”
“I’d appreciate it. There’s a Catholic supply store on the main strip that you could stop by for me?”
“You know, it’s a good thing I like you. I wouldn’t willingly relive my Catholic trauma for just anyone.”
I laugh. “I appreciate it. I’ll text you?”
“You’re sure you’re safe?”
“Positive.”
We hang up. Guilt creeps up through my fingers, but I shake it away. I owe Kit my life, but the only reason we were in thefield in the first place is because of him. I would not have gone there by myself. He may have saved my life, but he was the reason it needed saving in the first place.
