Left behind, Lavender screamed a wordless sound of anger and disappeared into the mausoleum.
We swapped glances.
“Looks like the Woman in Black helped after all,” Chey said.
“I guess I know where we’ll have the exorcism tomorrow. He is powerful; we should go. I will need a lot of rest,” Callum replied.
“Did you see how he morphed into the Horseman?” Celt asked. “Is that normal?”
“Demons can possess someone and manipulate their surroundings. But to change like that is rare. We’re not dealing with a low-to mid-level demon. This is a higher entity, and we must guard against it. Come on, we need to rest. Tomorrow, we head into battle,” Callum stated.
I exchanged a glance with Sunny. I knew there would be a fight later about my attending, but I would. However, I would also ensure I was heavily protected against the demon and its servants. Nobody would hurt the baby or me. But neither could I allow this evil to exist and let it harm innocents.
As Callum said, we battled tomorrow.
Chapter Seven.
Callum
Carefully, I salted three circles around the mausoleum. We were an hour from nightfall, and with daylight was the best time to prepare. The demon wouldn’t be able to manifest outside yet. Well, the Headless Horseman hadn’t been reported as being seen during the day, so I prayed I was correct.
Sunny was digging a fourth circle, an inch deep into the ground, so even if the demon breached these three, he wouldn’t break the extra one.
Callie and Chey were checking the equipment I’d brought. Everybody was nervous, including me. I’d done countless exorcisms and blessings, but this one felt different. Then again, they all were unique. No two were the same.
This demon was about to give me a run for my money.
“Ready?” I asked. Chey looked as if she was prepared to bolt, while Celt wore a disbelieving look. As if Celt couldn’t quite grasp that he was really doing this. Sunny was resigned and determined. A man with a good heart, even if he didn’t express himself properly. Callie was a mixture of emotions: determination, excitement, and faith. But she remained calmdespite those feelings, which only deepened the conundrum that was Callie.
Reverently, I put on my purple prayer stole and kissed my Bible. “God protect us and give me the strength to finish this task.”
Callie met my eyes. “Ready, Callum?”
“As best as I can be,” I replied. “Callie, if this goes awry, call Hugo and get him and Michelle here ASAP and keep everyone away until they arrive. Contact my church for support, too.”
“Nothing will go wrong, Callum, because I have faith in you,” Callie responded with feeling. Bolstered by her belief, I smiled. Callie was a special woman indeed.
“Let’s start,” Sunny said with a nod.
“Child of Satan, who hides in a place of rest for humanity, I command you to show yourself,” I called.
I began chanting, and the doors flew open. The creature emerged with Lavender behind it. Lavender crouched low to the ground and hissed. The minion charged, and I stepped forward as it bounced back as the salt lines kicked in. It roared as Lavender looked concerned.
“Let us out!”she howled.
“In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I order you to leave. You have no place here on Earth,” I shouted.
And the battle began. When I paused for a drink, Callie stepped up and continued the prayers. The minion was fading faster than Lavender, who wavered between threats and seduction. In an act of desperation to break the circles, Lavender, after five hours, shoved the minion into the salt line. This time, I shot forward and placed my crucifix on its forehead as it fell to its knees. It screamed as Callie threw Holy Water over it, and my cross burned it.
Without warning, the creature began shuddering, and clearly, Sunny grasped what would happen as he grabbed Callieand swung her away. He bent over, covering and protecting her as the minion exploded.
“Huh,” Celt said.
“What?” Sunny commanded.
“Well… I thought there would have been flying chunks of flesh,” Celt replied.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Sunny exclaimed incredulously.
