“And we’re looking for the Headless Horseman’s body?” Chey inquired.
“We can’t call him the Headless Horseman, as that might be factually wrong. What we do know is he was discovered after the Battle of White Plains,” I replied.
“Why was he headless?” Chey looked disturbed as she considered it.
“Some reckon a cannonball took his head off, but nobody knows. Nothing remains apart from the legend. The poor man was found and buried in the Old Dutch Church Burial Grounds. Again, there’s no record of it. But verbal tales handed down claim that happened,” I said.
“Are you tooled up?” Celt turned to Callum and Hugo.
“Overly so. We’re taking extra precautions tonight. The Lavender Lady doesn’t seem able to cross the cemetery boundary line, but if she does, we’re ready,” Callum responded calmly.
“Why are you chasing Lavender?” Celt demanded.
“Because we have to discover her power base. We need to investigate properly; one mistake and things could go terribly wrong,” Hugo interjected.
Celt frowned, but he got the point. “Will Michelle be okay in Amityville?”
“Celt, she’s got Jack, Connor, and Phil with her. She’ll be all right. Michelle’s a strong priest, and this won’t be her first or last exorcism. Jack and Connor have both assisted in exorcisms before, as has Phil. They’re going to be fine,” I assured him.
“How are you so calm?” Chey asked.
“Been doing this a while now, remember? Five and a half years. Plus, I was an avid watcher of certain shows. I learned how to do things and when not to. This isn’t my first rodeo with a demon,and sadly, it won’t be the last. Evil endures out there, and when we come across it during a haunting, we’re honour-bound to send it back to hell,” I explained.
“But demons, Callie?” Celt said.
“Demons exist. And there are many types. Imps, Incubi, Succubi, Archdemons, and the seven Princes of Hell. All of these want to cause pain, murder, corruption, and death,” Callum stated.
“That makes you a demon slayer?” Celt asked.
Amused, I choked on a laugh. “God no! I’m a paranormal investigator who, if she finds evil, sends it back to whence it came. Celt, I’m no hunter. Honestly, I’m perfectly happy chasing ghosts around. I can’t stress how unusual this situation is. Two separate places close by with two demons is rare. None of this is normal. But I won’t run from it; I’ll face it head-on,” I replied.
“That makes you braver than many,” Chey said.
“There’s nothing worse than a good person walking away from what they learn is wrong. Lots of spirits desire peace but can’t find it. Or they want an answer to something. If we can discover what they need and let them rest, don’t they deserve that? And shouldn’t wickedness be fought no matter what? The world will implode if we sit by and do nothing.” I shook my head. “No, evil needs to be battled.”
“Can’t argue with that, Callie. I learned evil can come in many shapes and forms.” Celt swapped a look with Chey.
I knew their story and guessed what Celt was referring to. He’d had his mind fucked with by Zeus, and he’d harmed Chey. Celt had bent over backwards since then to make up for his wrongs. Now they were a couple deeply in love. They were made for each other.
“We’re here,” Hugo said as Sunny pulled into a parking space ahead of us. Sunny stood by my door before Celt shut off the engine.
I studied my husband. How I’d got so lucky, I didn’t know. Sunny wasn’t exactly perfect to the outside world, but to me, he was. He was kind, caring, strong, determined, loyal, respectful, and so much more. Sunny was the guy every girl deserved, but sadly, only a few got his type. My man may not have been everyone’s cup of tea, but the way he treated me? Many wished for someone like Sunny but failed to find him.
“Okay?” Sunny asked, frowning at me quizzically.
“Yes. Just thinking how much I love you,” I replied.
Sunny’s eyes softened, and his lips twitched into a smile. He hauled me close and gave me a toe-curling kiss. As usual, my body reacted, and I was a hot mess when he finished.
“Not as much as I love you,” Sunny murmured against my lips.
“Save it for private,” Chey quipped as she got out behind us.
Sunny chuckled as Celt snorted.
“You can talk, every time I turn around, Celt has his hands on you,” Sunny joked, and Chey grinned.
“Okay, brute, you’re showing that soft side,” Chey teased. Sunny mock scowled and lunged towards Chey, who shrieked and leapt into Celt’s embrace.
