Absorb this demon, hold it tight.
No longer bound to harm or stay,
Trap the shadow, take it away.
“Well, that seems easy enough to remember,” I whisper nervously.
Milly’s face drops a little. “This task lies beyond me now. It must be one of you. My spirit lacks the strength that the living still possess.”
“I’ll do it.”
I look at Professor Blackthorne with shock at his offer. “Are you sure? This could riskeverythingyou have been working toward if this does not work. I could do it myself, and if things go awry, then at least you could continue to stop him.”
His face remains impassive, but I notice the clench of his jaw. “I won’t let you risk your life, as much as you may irritate me with your lack of… self-preservation.”
I stick my tongue out at him.
“All I’ve wanted is to end this man… this demon. He’s taken too much from me.” Pain shatters across his eyes, and for just a moment, I feel the urge to hug him. But, just as quickly as it showed, it disappears. I wonder whathehas lost from the hands of this demon.
“I’ll be there, Professor Blackthorne. I’ll make sure he’s distracted when you’re doing this. I—” I swallow harshly. “I don’t want anyone getting hurt on my account. Don’t risk your life in exchange for mine.” Milly’s eyes flash to the side of my face, but I maintain my gaze on Archer.
“It’s going to be incredibly risky having you there, Grace. You very well could be the one getting hurt.” He doesn’t hold back the honesty, and I find that I appreciate the no bullshit.
“That’s fine. I understand the risk.”
He nods. “I will grab you tomorrow morning and bring you to him. Milly or I will be with you at all times.”
The hair on my arms raises as the realization that this is really happening overtakes my nervous system. I begin to feel nauseous.
“Okay, so we have the mirror, we have the incantation…we just need the candles and what, chalk?” I ask.
“I have the candles already from the last ceremony. I can easily set that up before tomorrow. I’m due to attend a meeting at midnight tonight in preparation for tomorrow anyway.” He looks at me again.
I swallow my nerves and lean back further into the couch. “I'm still the only target, right?” They both immediately nod.
“Everyone has been searching for you. Some out of genuine concern, others from the fear of the Priest,” Milly says. “I have seen him turn on his little cult, issuing threats cloaked in devotion.”
Professor Blackthorne leans over and opens his briefcase, pulling out a newspaper and a ripped piece of paper. “They have written an article about you in the newspaper. Some people are worried that you were murdered in the woods. I’m sure Priest Brown is livid to know that this has reached the public.” Hehands me the newspaper first, and I skim over it, seeing the name Bea.
I smile to myself, knowing that she won’t stop until I’m found.
“It appears your friend will not quit and is certainly the reason this is published in the first place.” He hands me a flyer of me with the word “MISSING” in large letters at the top. It breaks down different attributes about myself, and I look at him again.
“Bea did this?” I ask with emotion. I attempt to clear my throat.
“Yes, she did.” He holds my stare, and I can’t help the next question that rushes out, “What about my father?”
Milly grabs my hand and looks down, hiding her face through her curls while my professor shows a glimpse of pity. I clench my jaw and toss the papers on the table.
“It doesn’t matter anyway.”
They both glance at each other before looking at me again.
“He has been particularly quiet about this whole situation. We are unsure if the priest is threatening him or if he simply does not care.”
I feel my eyes start to swell with tears, fighting the emotion as best as I can while hearing that my father more than likely doesn’t care.
I lift my hands and abruptly wipe my eyes, shaking my head to clear the thoughts.
