“Get dressed. Now,” I ordered.
Chase shoved his leg halfway into a pair of jeans. “Sorry, sorry.”
I fumed outside his door while he got ready. Fifteen minutes later, he ran outside and flashed me an apologetic grin that I did not return.
He was as meek as a sheep by the time we reached the grand exorcism hall. It was more imposing than the previous chamber, which was meant for lower-level exorcisms. The hall radiated serious energy from the moment you stepped inside, like a cathedral compared to a chapel.
My anxiety swelled. The empty hall loomed like an omen of despair. My nerves made my ribs feel clammy and cold, and no amount of thumbing my prayer beads soothed them.
This was it. If I screwed up again...
“Hey.”
I nearly jumped out of my skin as Chase’s voice cut into my thoughts.
He shot me a sympathetic smile. “It’ll be okay, dude. Don’t worry.”
I frowned. Chase was my client. Hewas not supposed to be consolingme.
“Please go stand over there,” I said, pointing to the depression in the centre of the room.
Chase followed my instructions without any quips. Was it my imagination, or did he seem far too calm? Someone in his position shouldn’t be so composed. Possessed individuals were often wild and frantic. They pleaded for help to cleanse themselves of the demons.
Chase just yawned and scratched his abs.
I wrenched my gaze away before I fixated on the flash of exposed skin.
Desperate for this exorcism to work, I went all out. I utilized every exorcist’s weapon in my arsenal. I lit the fiery torches. I scattered the mix of sand, jasmine flowers, and grasses. I burned the holy incense. I recited every powerfulparittaverse I knew.
Finally, I wrapped my rosary around the bottom of my bow. The rosary represented my intention to dispel the demon without harming its host. Without it, my bow was just an ordinary weapon, capable of hurting humans all the same.
I pulled an arrow from my quiver and readied it.
Chase grimaced, but didn’t flinch away. He wanted this exorcism to work, too.
We’re on the same team,I reminded myself.
My arrow began to glow with blazing white light. With all my might, I willed it to expel the demon from Chase’s body.
I took a steady breath.
I loosed the arrow.
Whipping through the air faster than I could blink, the arrow struck Chase square in the chest. He toppled over with a loud grunt.
He didn’t get up.
Worried, I ran to his side. Exorcisms were tough on the host, even if they weren’t harmed. I knew that. But I couldn’t stopthe concern from welling up, and I didn’t understand why. I was never this sentimental over clients.
“Chase?” I called.
He was sprawled flat against the dusty layer of sand and grass. His eyes were clenched shut and he groaned. The longer he remained quiet and still, the more my anxiety skyrocketed.
“Speak to me,” I cried.
He groaned, then slowly opened his eyes. “Hey.”
Cautious optimism bloomed in my chest. “Well? Is it gone?”
