by Davida McLea
McKenna could tell he felt ridiculous. “Fine,” he sighed as he bent to take them off.
"Close your eyes,” she said, watching to make sure each set of eyes shut. “Take a deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. Visualize the air you breathe in as pure, white light. In your mind's eye, see the air that you're expelling as black with all of the negativity you are releasing.” She kept her voice calm and even. “Good,” she said as they all exhaled slowly. “Now breathe in again, visualizing the air as pure white, protective light. Let that light come into your body until it settles in the center of you body. See it glowing there. Let it swirl and glow until you feel calm and serene.” She visualized her own ball of energy just below her ribcage. It felt warm and familiar. She hadn't centered since she had slept with Aidan. It felt wonderful to be centered and at peace with her own energy.
"Does everyone feel centered?” She opened her eyes and watched as each person nodded in turn. She closed her eyes and continued the exercise. “Good. Visualize roots growing from your energy ball, down your legs, through the bottom of your feet and into the earth. Feel the earth anchoring you."
McKenna felt her own roots sink deep into the earth. The vibrations shimmied up her legs, tethering body and soul together. She opened her eyes to see the room come into sharp focus. The cream walls glowed richly in the dim light from the gas sconces set into the walls on either side of the window facing the town square. McKenna could see Lorena's own energy field glowing deeply violet.
"Open your eyes now."
She gave everyone a quick once over, making sure that their eyes were bright and their faces calm. She met Aidan's confused green eyes. “Are you okay?” The grounding and centering was one of the most important things they would do. If he didn't get it, he could cause problems for everyone and put himself in danger.
"I'm fine,” he said. “It was just"—he wagged his head ... “weird. I've never done anything like that."
"I know, but it's good to know, and I promise it's not anything odd or hocus-pocusy.” She handed Lorena a lighter. “Could you light the candles, please?” Lorena nodded solemnly.
One by one, the brightly colored candles flared brightly as Lorena silently made her way in a circle around the room. McKenna was thankful for her tact. Had Lorena and McKenna been alone in the room, Lorena would have verbally invoked spirits associated with air, earth, water and fire. Lorena worked better with elementals, but not everyone in the circle shared the same belief system, and anything strange or odd could break the bond of the circle. When she lit the final candle, she returned to her place in the circle and gave McKenna an encouraging smile.
"So it begins,” McKenna whispered.
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Chapter Eleven
"Everyone join hands."
Aidan reached out and took McKenna's hand. It was warm and dry, and her grip was strong. He felt her energy pass through his palm. From the corner of his eye, he could see a glow surrounding her, and for the first time, he felt secure in his belief that McKenna could handle this. When the circle was complete, Aidan could feel the energy pulsing through him as though it were a living thing.
We come together to fight evil
To expel the demon haunting this place
We ask for your protection as we work
Keep us safe and sane.
McKenna released Aidan's hand, but he didn't feel any drop in energy. Instead, the energy that McKenna had built through the grounding and prayer filled the room and penetrated every cell of his body.
She picked up a container of what Aidan guessed was salt, carefully measured out one small scoop and poured it into an ornate bowl of water that she had placed on his desk. Using her hand, she stirred the mixture until the salt was dissolved.
Lorena stepped to the makeshift altar and picked up the bowl, cradling it in both hands. The two women walked to the easternmost corner of the room. McKenna dipped her right hand into the bowl and sprinkled water in the corner. “I bless and cleanse this room in the name of light and love. Let no evil enter here.” The others in the room echoed McKenna. Aidan shifted nervously, feeling like an interloper in his own office. He had never dreamed such a world existed parallel to his own mundane universe. It was disconcerting to find himself in the middle of such a ceremony.
McKenna and Lorena moved to the southern part of the room and repeated the blessing. By the time they moved to the western corner of the room, Aidan found himself repeating the blessing along with everyone else. He thought he saw McKenna give him a wink, and he wondered if it was a trick of the light. When all four corners of the room had been blessed, Lorena returned the bowl to the desk and picked up what looked to be a large bundle of grass. She held it in the flame of a nearby candle until the herbs glowed red. The sharp smell of sage filled the room. This time, it was Lorena who blessed the corners of the room, waving the bundle to disperse the smoke into every area of the room. Then, she opened the coat closet and allowed the smoke to fill the space. She opened all of the drawers on his desk and let the smoke fill every nook and cranny. After the smudging ceremony was completed, Lorena set the still-burning stick into a ceramic dish and took her place next to McKenna in the circle. Once again, the group joined hands.
This room has been cleansed and purified
Rid of evil and negative energies.
It is a place of light and love.
Nothing but good may enter here.
McKenna's voice sounded lighter and less ponderous than in the opening blessing. Everyone dropped hands, but no one moved until Lorena had walked the circle and extinguished the candles. After the last flame was snuffed out, McKenna turned on the lights. The room looked cleaner and somehow brighter. The ritual had taken a lot out of McKenna. The dark circles under her eyes stood in sharp contrast to her pale skin, but her eyes sparkled and she gave him a happy smile as she took a deep breath. “It feels better in here, huh?"
The air was lighter, and Aidan found it easier to breathe. The muscles around his neck and shoulders released the tension that he had been carrying since he first started renovating the Inn. He hadn't been aware that spiritual and psychic negativity could have such a profound impact on his body.
"It does seem different,” he agreed, “but I was kind of expecting something more dramatic."
A giggle escaped McKenna's lips. “You've watched The Exorcist too many times. It's never that dramatic.” Her face lost its merriment. “This was easy because all we really accomplished was blocking the demon from entering this space. It's cleansed, so we have a safe room now. We'll cleanse each room, and it should be easy until we hit the lobby. Then you should see enough excitement to last you a lifetime."
"If this is easy, then why would the lobby be any different?"
"Even if we block the spirit from the other rooms, it still has a home in the building. When we get to the lobby, it will be the only place the spirit can go. When we cleanse that last room, he won't have any choice but to leave the Inn, but he won't go easily."
* * * *
They finished the kitchen and Aidan's room before Lorena saw the strain the work was taking on McKenna and called an end to the night's work.
"Everyone get a good day's sleep—alone,” she directed to McKenna and Aidan, “and be back in the lobby by seven pm. We should be able to get the rest of the rooms tomorrow night and save the lobby for Saturday."
Lorena held McKenna back from the rest of the group. Concern etched worry lines around her violet eyes. “This took a lot out of you, didn't it?"
McKenna started to lie, but knew that there was no point. “I've never done this much work over this many days. It's taking more energy than I expected."
"Do you want to strengthen your shield?"
McKenna shook her head. “I'm not sure I have enough energy left right now to generate anything stronger, and I'm afraid that if the shield is too thick I won't be able to sense the changes in vibrations as well. Shielding is nece
ssary, but I don't want to put up a solid wall. I still need all of my senses"
Lorena nodded. “True, but I'm still worried. You're weak and I think your defenses are a little low.” She took McKenna's hands in hers. “I'll do most of the work tomorrow. I think Josh can help, too. We have a whole lot of energy there that we aren't tapping. We can't drain you completely. It's too dangerous."
"And using Josh isn't? He hasn't been trained at all. What if he loses control of his power while we're working? We could all be in danger."
"He's well-shielded, and he has energy to spare. I think he can handle a room cleansing. Anyway, it can give me an idea of how I need to train him when this is all over. If he gets in trouble, we're both here to haul his fat out of the fire."
What Lorena said made sense. McKenna was exhausted, and she would need all of her strength to deal with finally expelling the demon from the Inn. Why not take advantage of Josh's energy and eagerness to help?
"You're right,” McKenna admitted. “Josh should be perfectly capable of helping, but I don't think he should lead."
"Of course not,” Lorena agreed. “You should stay in the circle for at least every other room. Now, go upstairs and get some rest.” McKenna opened her mouth, but Lorena cut her off. “Not another word,” she mock-scolded. “Go upstairs, take a hot shower and sleep until I come wake you up."
McKenna held two fingers to her forehead in salute. “Yes, sir,” she barked, then laughed and hugged her friend before turning to return to her room.
* * * *
McKenna closed her eyes and savored the feel of warm water pouring over her. In her mind's eye, the water washed away the negativity that still clung to her. She and Lorena had underestimated the demon's strength. Evil had infiltrated every corner of the Inn, and in siphoning much of it off, it had attached itself to her psychic shield. McKenna felt dirty, physically and mentally, even though she knew that there was nothing tangible to strip away.
She had hung a packet of herbs that Lorena had given her over the showerhead, and the warm water carried the essence of the dried plants. McKenna caught the subtle aroma of rosemary and mint and knew that Lorena had given her a protection sachet. She was a worrier, and while most of the time McKenna could take care of herself, it felt good to have someone around who looked out for her.
The water ran over her shoulders and down her legs, thick with tar-black negative energy. McKenna's feet felt glued to the shower floor, and she knew if she opened her eyes, the water would look pitch black and thick as syrup. She inhaled deeply, drawing in the scent of the protection sachet, and felt herself becoming clean and fresh. It would be wonderful when the demon was expelled from the Inn. McKenna had carried the weight of evil on her shoulders for so many days that, at times, it seemed to stifle her breath.
She turned off the water and immediately shivered at the loss of warmth. She reached blindly for a towel as she stepped out of the shower. The towel was heavenly against the skin of her face. Wrapping herself in the thick, soft cloth, she appreciated Aidan's attention to detail in appointing the Inn. Her towels at home were thin and threadbare. She would have loved staying at the Inn under normal circumstances.
She opened her eyes and felt her heart drop when she saw a deep red stain against the snowy white towel. Looking down at her wet body, she saw blood running down her legs.
"Not real,” she whispered. “This is not real.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, but when she opened her eyes, the blood was coming in heavy waves. Vomit rose in her throat. McKenna struggled to keep her composure. The reflection in the mirror showed her face, but the skin was peeling back, layer by layer, until she could see the white of her skull. Her knees burned as she fell to the ground and a terrified wail ripped through her throat.
"Not real!” she screamed. “This can't be real!” Pain ripped through her body. She could feel the flesh being torn from her bones. She closed her eyes, unable to look as her body was torn limb from limb.
It's killing me, McKenna thought. I'm dying. It was her last coherent thought as a powerful hand closed around her throat and darkness clouded her mind.
* * * *
Aidan was almost asleep when he heard McKenna's cry. He sat upright and tossed off the covers, hoping that he had been dreaming, when he heard her cry out again. Fear pierced his heart as he sprinted down the hall. Lorena stood at McKenna's door, rattling the doorknob and calling McKenna's name.
"I can't get the damn door open! Go get the key!"
But McKenna's screams had subsided. Aidan didn't want to waste time going to his office for a master key, so he lowered his shoulder and plowed through the door in a splintering crash. They found McKenna lying prone on the bathroom floor, nude and still damp from her shower. Lorena knelt next to her and rolled her over on her back before smoothing her hair away from her forehead.
"McKenna,” she whispered. “McKenna, wake up.” Lorena stroked McKenna's face and whispered to her in a voice too low for Aidan's ears. He quickly grew impatient.
"Can't you shake her or slap her face or something?” he asked. “All that whispering isn't going to work."
Lorena never took her eyes from McKenna's face, never stopped stroking her face. “Something traumatic happened to McKenna to make her shut down like this,” she explained. “The last thing I want to do is add to that trauma. She will come back to us when she's ready."
On and on, Lorena continued to try to rouse McKenna. Concern creased her face, as nothing she did seemed to make much difference. She gave Aidan a worried glance.
"Talk to her,” she said to Aidan. “She needs to hear your voice."
Surprise temporarily stole Aidan's voice. Lorena had never trusted him enough to ask for his help. “What do I say?"
"Anything,” Lorena said. “Whatever you want her to hear. Just let it come from your heart."
Aidan scooted closer to McKenna's lifeless body and took her hand in both of his. “McKenna, please wake up.” Anguish and worry made his voice harsher than he intended.
"Quieter,” Lorena instructed. “Try your best to be calm."
"Sorry,” he said. “McKenna,” he tried again. “It's Aidan. Please come back to me. I need you. Just open your eyes, honey. I'm here. Nothing's going to hurt you."
The seconds ticked slowly by as Aidan held his breath, hoping for a sign of life from McKenna. When her eyelids flickered open, he expelled his breath in a great rush.
"McKenna,” he whispered as her eyes filled with a sudden horror. “McKenna, it's me.” He stroked her face.
She began to wriggle and writhe in his arms and opened her mouth to scream. Terror drained all the color from her face, lending her skin an unearthly porcelain glow.
"It's Aidan. It's Aidan.” He wrapped his arms tightly around her slick, nude body.
Lorena touched Aidan's shoulder and shook her head. “Not so tight,” she said softly. “You're making it worse.” With much reluctance, Aidan loosened his grip, but didn't remove his arms. “Keep talking to her,” she said.
Aidan was at a loss. He had already said everything that he could think of to calm her. “I'm here,” he said. “I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."
Spasms ripped through her body. Aidan felt powerless to help her. He didn't know if Lorena would approve, but he was past caring when he gathered McKenna in his arms and pulled her head against his chest. No longer able to form coherent sentences, he was reduced to wordless cooing and rhythmic caresses along McKenna's spine. Slowly, her shaking stopped and her breathing returned to normal.
Silence hung in the air as heavily as the rosemary-scented steam that still filled the bathroom. Aidan was afraid to say anything, afraid to do anything that might jeopardize McKenna's fragile metal state. Lorena, however, had no such worries.
"Tell us what happened, McKenna,” she said.
"Don't know,” she rasped. “Throat hurts."
"I know, honey.” Lorena reached out and took McKenna's hand. “But we have to know what happened
. Was it the demon?"
"Think so.” McKenna winced as if she had been struck.
"Can't this wait?” Aidan snapped. “She's been through a lot, and it obviously hurts her to talk."
"'S okay.” McKenna's voice was just above a whisper. “She's right.” Her throat bobbed as she swallowed loudly. “Shower. Sachet clearing neg...” she stopped and drew a ragged breath before succumbing to a coughing fit. Aidan sat her upright and supported her weight through the worst of the attack. “Black water ... thick."
"But that's normal,” Lorena said. “It's normal to see the effects of the cleansing herbs."
McKenna shook her head fiercely. “Not normal—not after. Saw blood ... On the towel, on my body. Pain, lots of pain. Flesh ripped ... could see my bones,” she whimpered. “Could feel skin ripped from me. Felt hands around my throat. Choked until I blacked out."
"But you know none of it was real,” Lorena soothed. “You know it was just a trick of a desperate and angry spirit."
"It felt real!” McKenna's voice was filled with gravel and anguish, but she didn't back down. “The pain was real. My throat is on fire. I was choked, Lorena. It tried to kill me."
"It can't kill you,” Lorena said, but doubt filled her voice. “It can only try to scare you."
"It worked.” McKenna looked down at her naked body and pulled the towel from the floor and wrapped it around herself. “What now? It will keep trying."
"Stay with me.” Aidan had been quiet while the women argued, but he knew that his idea was sound. “My room is cleansed,” he reminded Lorena. “It's been expelled from the room and it can't re-enter. She'll be safe from the demon there."
"Who's going to keep her safe from you?” Lorena asked.