by Wendy Wang
"You sure you don't want to come in and have dinner with us? It will probably just be me and Cora. My dad tends to work late these days,” Evan said.
"That's really sweet. I appreciate it. But for once, my mother is actually expecting me home. She said she wanted to go to dinner and tell me something,” Rachel said.
The sparkle of the amethyst pendant that now hung around her neck caught his attention. "That's a good stone then to be wearing."
Rachel's hand immediately reached for the pendant. She gave him a quizzical look.
"Amethyst is protective. It's good at warding off negative emotions and forces," he said, with a faint smile.
"Protective," Rachel said, looking deep into his eyes. "I like that. Where did you learn that?"
"My mom. She's big on the crystals. My whole family is actually,” Evan said. "My cousin Jen has this huge collection."
"Sounds like something my mom would believe in." Rachel tipped her chin and looked at him from beneath her long lashes. "Evan Carver, you know, you're not like any other boy I've ever known."
His stomach did a somersault. Keep it cool Ev. Keep it cool. "That's a good thing, right?"
"It is," she said. The red Jeep Cherokee Uber pulled into his driveway and parked.
Rachel didn't stop staring at him, and it shocked him when she quickly leaned over and pressed her warm lips to his. "See you tomorrow?"
"Um... yeah," Keep it COOL EV. "Yeah. See you tomorrow."
Evan got out of the car, his whole body tingling and numb at the same time. He stood on the porch and watched until the taillights of the Cherokee turned the corner and disappeared. The mojo bag was already working.
"We’re going to win," he muttered. "We're gonna win!"
He jumped into the air, and his fingers brushed the ceiling of the porch. "We're gonna win!" he yelped again.
"Evan! What are you doing out here, son?" His father's stern voice pulled him out of his reverie for just a second.
Evan grinned and faced his father. "We're gonna win, Dad."
"I’m sure you will. Why don’t you come inside? I need to talk to you about something."
“What is it?” All the excitement from his kiss disappeared.
“It’s about your mother. Now, come on. Let’s eat dinner before it gets cold. Cora has set the table.”
"Yes, sir," Evan said. He slung his backpack over his shoulder and headed into the house.
Chapter 23
Ben led Will around Gerald’s house. They stopped at every window to take a quick peek before ducking down, lower than the windowsill, out of sight.
His heart leaped into his throat when he spied Gerald on the dining room floor leaning against a wall. In one hand, he held a gun; he cradled the other hand against his chest. Ben spotted a large Herkimer crystal on the floor next to his feet. Gerald’s dark skin glistened with sweat. Dark, wet circles outlined the underarms and collar of his blue polo shirt. He banged his head against the wall, and enormous turmoil filled every line of his face. Even through the closed window, Ben heard Gerald mumbling, Get out, to himself.
Ben flattened himself against the wall outside the window, and Will did the same. Ben pointed to the window, and Will nodded, indicating he understood, then put his hand beneath the flap of the bag he wore across his body. When he pulled his hand out, he held a large bladed knife. Ben shook his head wildly.
“Last resort,” Will mouthed.
Ben’s jaw tightened, and he reluctantly nodded his head. He didn’t like the idea of having to kill Gerald. It made him sick to his stomach to even entertain such a thought, but, in the end, he faced reality. He might not have another choice.
Ben peeked in the window again. The sight of Gerald sent him reeling backward. No more tears and emotional turmoil. Whatever concern had tormented Gerald moments earlier had evaporated. Now his countenance was a study in black irises and haughtiness as, paralyzed now, Ben stared at the barrel of Gerald’s gun pointing at him, freezing him to the spot.
Will peered quickly into the window. He yanked on Ben’s arm, tackling his boss. The two of them landed hard and rolled toward the foundation. Two gunshots rang out. Ben waited a beat before pushing his back up against the outer wall and rising to his feet. Will followed his lead.
"Tom," Ben said aloud.
Tom's voice filtered through Ben’s head. We are already on it. Now he understood Jason's shocked reaction earlier. The feeling of someone else inside his head unnerved him.
"You okay, boss?" Will asked.
"Yeah," Ben said. "As okay as I can be. I've never been shot at before. At least not with a gun."
"Understandable," Will said.
"We need to get in there. Tom and his group are already on the move. Jen —" Ben said.
"Say no more, sir," Will said. The two of them stayed low until they turned the corner. A long, wide deck overlooking the lake rose before them with a patio beneath the deck. A picnic table with benches and an outdoor seating arrangement of a couch and two chairs looked out over the water. Gerald had done well for himself. No wonder he had called this place his haven.
Ben's gut tightened. Across the patio he could see Tom, with Jen and Lisa sandwiched between Joy and Gabrielle. Ben gestured toward the pair of wide French sliders that opened onto the patio. The doors closest to Tom were open. The screen wasn't even closed. What did the demon care if the house filled with mosquitoes and flies? Ben scurried up to the set of doors nearest him and peeked inside. It looked like some sort of game room with a pool table, a long leather couch, and another room off to one side. Ben gestured to Tom to follow him in on three.
Then another shot rang out. Ben went first. Will and Tom followed closely on his heels. Ben could hear movement over their heads. He pointed to the ceiling and held his wand in a defensive position in case Gerald surprised them. Although his wand would not stop a bullet, maybe he could slow it down. The three of them cautiously approached the stairs to the main level of the house.
"Does anyone know if Gerald is married?" Jen whispered.
"He's divorced," Ben said. "What does it matter?"
He stopped on the top step. The basement door was closed tight. Ben jiggled the handle and found it locked. Not that he'd ever come across a lock that could stop him. He whispered a quick unlocking spell and heard the mechanism turn.
"I'm just wondering if there are other people to consider upstairs," Jen said. “We need to be careful."
"Jen's right," Lisa said. "We don't need any casualties today if we can help it.."
"Except, of course a demon," Gabrielle said. "I will happily accept his death."
"I didn't think demons really died," Will said.
"Did you not boast that the knife in your hands is a demon killer?" Gabrielle asked.
"It is. But honestly, I just assumed it sent them back to hell," Will said.
"If y'all are done with philosophizing about demons, and where they go, I've got the door unlocked," Ben said.
As quietly as he could, he turned the knob and pushed the door open. Three more shots rang out.
"That's six," Will said.
"So?" Lisa said.
"He had a revolver. He's out of bullets,” Will said.
“Unless he's got extra ammo on him," Lisa countered.
"Well, we better move fast," Ben said. "Before he can reload."
Ben took a deep breath and stepped into the kitchen.
Once they were all out of the basement, he signaled for them to split up. He grabbed Jen by the wrist. "Why don't you come with me?"
"Lisa may need me," Jen said.
"I need you more," Ben said.
Jen opened her mouth as if to argue.
"It's fine, Jen. Go with him," Lisa said. "Go."
Ben tucked Jen between himself and Will, making sure to stay in front of her as they made their way through the house. The sound of a struggle and furniture being knocked around made Ben speed up. They rounded the corner and rushed past the stairway into the living room. Jason and Ger
ald were on the floor, fighting over the gun in Gerald’s hand.
"Athena!" Ben said. She stood on the sidelines, seemingly hypnotized by the sight of them struggling, her right arm bleeding.
"Athena, move." Ben pointed his wand at Gerald and began to chant.
Demon head, demon heart, I command you.
I cast you out of this body. Leave this realm. Go home.
To the netherworld, where you belong.
Jen, Daphne, and Lisa joined in the chant, and all three of their wands emitted streams of pale, yellow light. Ben and Jen worked from one side with Lisa and Daphne on another. The light wrapped around Gerald's body like a lasso and tightened like a vise. Sabine and Marigold raised their wands and joined in. Ben raised his wand higher.
"Do what I do," he commanded the witches.
Lisa, Jen, and the others followed his actions and raised their arms and wands higher into the air.
Gerald's body lifted. He struggled against the light, kicking and screaming, trying to move his arms. Jason rolled out from underneath him. Ben began his chant again.
Demon head, demon heart, I command you.
I cast you out of this body. Leave this realm. Go home.
To the netherworld, where you belong.
A growl deep inside Gerald's chest escaped his body and then he grew quiet. Too quiet. After a few moments, he stopped struggling. The light lasso had pinned his arms but left his hands free. He closed his eyes and tucked his chin under. Then he raised his hands and grabbed two of the streams of light trapping him. He jerked on them as if they were ropes. He yanked Lisa and Jen forward, pulling them off balance. Jen toppled on to her hands and knees. Lisa tripped over the carpet and fell to the ground. Gerald landed on his feet.
Ben shot off a round of hot yellow light and hit Gerald in the side. He turned toward Ben, his face molding into a mask of hate and rage. Gerald’s eyes flared, and Ben shot at him again, hitting him squarely in the chest. A buzzing sound filled the air, and Gerald slapped at his neck as if a bug had bitten him. Something small, black, and sharp fell to the floor.
"What the hell was that?" Jen grabbed Ben’s hand and he helped her to her feet. He pointed to Athena across the room. She held a small blow gun to her mouth with her good hand. As they raised their wands again, another small black projectile whizzed through the air and hit Gerald in the neck again. Then another hit him in the shoulder. He let out a cry of anger and pain and swiped at the two darts penetrating his skin.
"Why, you little witch," he said. He started toward Athena, but his knees buckled after two steps, and he fell face forward on the ground.
"Is he dead?" Jason asked. He stood up and tapped his toe against Gerald's splayed arms.
"No," Athena said. “He'll wake up with a nasty headache. But he's not dead."
Athena swayed on her feet, and Jason reached out to prop her up. "You've been shot. Jen, she's been shot."
"Let's get her to Evangeline," Jen said. "She can at least stop the bleeding until we can get her back to the medical center."
Tom sidled up next to Ben. "What shall we do with him?"
"Well, that demon still has hold of him. We’re gonna have to take him back to the DOL and exorcise the demon," Ben said.
"What about the book?" Tom asked.
"Let's tear this place apart and see if we can find it. We'll bind him up and keep him out cold until we can get him back to the DOL."
"Good idea. Joy, Gabrielle, and I will start on the top floor," Tom said.
"Good. Lisa, Will, and I will take care of this floor and the basement," Ben said. "I'm gonna head back to the DOL with Evangeline and Athena to make sure she gets the care she needs. You all continue the search."
"Good idea," Tom said. "Just be careful.”
"I will. And you text me as soon as you find the book. Charlie's life may depend on it."
"You have my word," Tom said, casting a glance at Gabrielle. She stood near Gerald's body, and looked around before landing a soft kick into his thigh.
Chapter 24
Jason ripped through the walk-in closet in the master bedroom, checking every shelf, knocking on the wall looking for hollow places. Gerald had more pairs of khakis than Jason did, and Jason practically lived in khakis. He threw another pair on the floor and looked at the bare walls.
"Anything?" Will asked.
"Nothing." Jason stepped outside the closet. He found Will with one hand propped up against one of the four posters of the mahogany bed. A bank of windows gave a breathtaking view of the lake. Just looking at the last of the day’s sun rippling across the water calmed him down.
"I take it you haven't found anything either?"
"No. I've got the two female reapers guarding the prisoner for now. The other one, Tom, he decided to head back to the medical center to be with Charlie." Will turned and appeared to take in the view. "I could get used to this.”
“Yeah, me too,” Jason said.
“The sedative has worn off, and Gerald’s conscious again. I just hope those bindings hold until the transport from the DOL gets here," Will said.
"Lisa, Daphne, and Jen could hold him if necessary. I’ve seen ‘em do it. Although I don't know for how long," Jason said.
"Yeah, that's what Lisa said." Will rubbed the back of his neck and took a seat on the bed. "I knew I'd see some action when I took this job. I just didn't expect it to happen on the first case, and I’m not getting any younger."
"I hear you on that. What did you do before this?" Jason asked.
"I'm a vampire hunter," Will said.
"Are you serious? Or are you just yanking my chain?" Jason asked.
"I'm serious as a heart attack," Will said. "I've hunted a few demons, although I've never taken great care to keep one alive. Usually, once a person is possessed, they're either dead or they go insane. Either way, I don't see a good way out for this Gerald."
"Yeah," Jason said. "That's been my experience, too. Hopefully, though, if we can exorcise it, maybe there something the DOL can do. Some spell. Some psychological intervention."
"Maybe.” Will shrugged, but Jason got the feeling he didn’t believe in such things. “I'm gonna head down and see if the others need help. You okay up here?"
"Yes, should be," Jason said.
Will started toward the door. The floor creaked loud enough to draw Jason's attention. Why hadn't he noticed that before?
"Stop!" Jason said.
Will froze in his tracks, turned, and gave Jason a curious look. "What's going on?"
"I think there's a loose floorboard," Jason said.
Will bounced up and down and no creak.
"I swear I heard something," Jason said.
Will nodded and stepped off the rug. He knelt on the hardwood floor and rolled up one corner of the expensive Persian rug. Jason knelt next to the opposite corner and flipped it up. The two of them began knocking on the floor, looking for loose boards.
"There’s some give in this one." Will dug his fingers into the cracks between boards and was able to lift it up about half an inch.
"The bed is weighing it down. Give me a hand."
Jason jumped to his feet, and, with Will’s help, moved the large mahogany fourposter bed over from the center of the wall several inches. Will lifted the floorboard up with ease.
"I see something," he said.
"Let's get it out." Jason moved close to the opening and peered down into the space between the floor joists which was just enough to hide a large book.
"I'm not touching that thing. Charlie told me it was cursed. It could kill us because we're human," Will said.
"How the hell are we supposed to get it out then?" Jason asked.
"It's a reaper’s book, and we've got two of them downstairs. I'm guessing they can touch it," Will said.
"Right."
"I'll be right back. Do not touch it. It can get in your head, so you may not want to stand too close to it," Will said.
"Good to know." Jason took a step back.
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A few minutes later, Will returned with Joy and Gabrielle.
"Who is guarding the demon guy?" Jason asked.
"The witches," Joy said. "Don't worry. There is no reason to think he could overpower them, from what my brother tells me."
"I have no doubt they could handle it. But I'll still feel better about all of this once you get that book out, and he's transported back to the DOL headquarters," Jason said.
"I'll feel better once I have my book and that demon is back where he belongs," Gabrielle said.
Jason held up his hands in surrender. "You'll get no argument from me."
"Where is it?" Gabrielle asked. Jason pointed at the open space in the floor. Gabrielle quickly retrieved her book, hugging it against her chest.
Jason's phone chirped in his pocket, indicating he had a text. He quickly pulled it out and glanced down at the screen. It was from Ben.
Did you find the book? Just got a message from Tomeka. Charlie is getting worse. Need to speed this along. Wake him up if you have to.
Dread tied Jason's stomach into a cold knot.
"Charlie's in trouble. We need to get him out of here."
"We need to do more than that," Gabrielle said. She held the open book in front of her and didn't seem to bother to contain her ire. "This is not my book."
"Are you sure?" Jason asked.
"Absolutely. This is just some family grimoire," Gabrielle complained, and tossed the book onto the bed.
"Ben said we should wake him up if we haven't found the book yet," Jason said.
"He’s already awake, man. What exactly are we supposed to do with him?" Will asked.
"I'm going to assume Ben wants us to coax the answer out of him."
"And how do we do that?" Joy asked.
Will held up his knife. It gleamed in the dying rays of sunlight filtering into the room. "I think I have a couple of ideas."
Jason, Will, Joy, and Gabrielle joined the three witches downstairs.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Jason said.
"Do what?" Jen asked.
Joy and Gabrielle took up a post to watch over Gerald. Jen, Lisa, and Daphne lowered their wands.