by Kris Tualla
“All right. Don’t rush me.” Carmen stood. “See you at the party tomorrow, Hollis. Are you bringing a date?”
Hollis smiled politely. “He’s out of town.”
While the couple gathered up their bags and left, Hollis turned back to her cooled food. Her appetite had returned as she talked to the Samoas, encouraged by Tony’s almost-apology.
“He didn’t do it,” Sveyn said.
“I don’t think so either.”
“What party?”
“The museum staff Christmas party.” Hollis took another bite of her cheeseburger. It was still delicious.
“What did you think of the food?” she asked with her mouth full.
“I tasted the meat.” The Viking’s eyes lit up. “I have missed roasted meat more than I can explain.”
*****
Hollis gave the valet her ticket and waited in silence for her car to be brought around. She tipped the guy three bucks and climbed inside, probably the only customer he would have all day who was returning from the mall empty handed.
After their shared lunch, Sveyn suggested that they see a movie. Hollis welcomed the distraction. They sat in the back of a theater showing a seasonal romantic comedy and Hollis thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Sveyn even seemed to engage with the characters, laughing at the appropriate times.
When they got home, Hollis turned on the cable station that ran Ghost Myths, Inc. “I want to see the commercial that Carmen was talking about. I hope it doesn’t take too long to show up.”
Three minutes in, there it was.
“Wow.” Hollis stared at the screen. “Is my butt really that big?”
Sveyn guffawed. “Is that what catches your attention?”
“Any woman would wonder the same thing.” She threw a glance over her shoulder. “Don’t judge me.”
“It is my opinion that your butt, as you call it, is absolutely perfect.” Sveyn approached the TV. “However, I believe you should be prepared for more attention, Hollis. This is a very compelling commercial.”
She hated to admit it, but the Viking was right.
Monday
December 21
Last night’s party was horrible.
Between questions about the dead cat and the ghost on the commercials, Hollis was bombarded the entire evening.
“I didn’t know everyone had cable,” she grumbled to Stevie as they waited to be served at the free bar. “They’ve all seen the commercial dozens of times already.”
“It’s just basic cable,” Stevie qualified. “That’s been the new normal for a while now.”
Hollis carried her glass of Chardonnay to the table where George and Stevie were sitting.
“Any word from Matt?” George asked when Hollis sat down.
“He texts me every couple of hours when he’s on the road,” she replied. “Tonight he’s staying in Albuquerque.”
“Almost here!” Stevie looked giddy. “Aren’t you excited to see him again?”
There was another million dollar question.
Hollis looked at the clock in the tray of her computer screen. Two-thirty. Today’s paying guests should arrive about three and they paid for the four-hour minimum. She should be getting out of work about the same time that Matt pulled into Phoenix, weather permitting.
I should check the weather report for northern Arizona.
“Hollis?”
Hollis smiled. “Hi, Miranda.”
The statuesque brunette walked into the office. “Matt’s coming today, right?”
“Yep.”
“Do you have plans for Christmas?”
Nope. “Are you doing another one of your straggler gatherings?”
Miranda sat in the chair facing the desk. “Not exactly. I keep it more intimate for Christmas and we do an elaborate white elephant exchange.”
“That’s sounds fun.” It actually did. “I was going to wait for Matt and see if he had anything in mind, but if he doesn’t I’d love to join you.”
“Great.” Miranda grinned.
Hollis screwed up her mouth. “Do I have to cook from scratch again?”
Miranda laughed. “No. Just show up.”
The offer moved Hollis more than would have expected it to. “Thank you, Miranda. I’ll let you know tomorrow.”
Her desk phone beeped. “Hollis?”
“Yes?”
“Your group is starting to arrive.”
Hollis looked at the clock. Two forty-five. She should have put in a stipulation for exact start times when they planned all this hoopla. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
Miranda stood. “Who is it today?”
“I have no idea.” Hollis stood as well. “Makes it more interesting that way.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“The Exor-Clergy?” Hollis repeated to make sure she heard the man correctly. “What is that?”
He flashed a very handsome smile. “We are a small ecumenical group of pastors who perform exorcisms.”
That explained the black suit and white collar. “What do you mean by small?” she asked and then clarified, “I mean how many of you are coming today?”
“We only act when there are three of us in attendance.” He leaned a little closer and Hollis caught a warm whiff of his pleasantly spicy aftershave. “A cord of three strands is not easily broken.”
“Ah. Ecclesiastes.”
He looked impressed. “Not only beautiful, but educated as well.”
Hollis frowned. “Are you flirting with me? Aren’t you a priest?”
A rich baritone laugh rumbled from his chest and his eyes twinkled. “Episcopal. We’re allowed to marry.”
Hollis swept the trim man with an evaluative gaze.
No wedding ring.
“Well, I’m currently spoken for.” She lifted one teasing shoulder. “But you can leave your business card in case it doesn’t work out.”
Her gesture was rewarded with more enticing laughter. “I will.”
Two clergymen walked through the front door together. One was carrying what looked like a leather shaving kit. “Fred! Good to see you!” one called out.
The three black-clad men, ranging in age from Fred’s mid-thirties to a wizened eighties, greeted and embraced each other heartily. Fred introduced her then clasped his hands together.
“Shall we begin?”
*****
“This should prove interesting,” Sveyn said as the group made their way to the collections storeroom. “I’m curious as to how exorcisms are performed in this time.”
Good question.
“Gentleman, can I ask you something?” Hollis stopped at the door and held up her keycard. “Are you going to perform an exorcism today?”
“We plan to, yes,” Fred answered. He seemed to be the spokesperson for the trio.
“Isn’t that for demons?” Hollis swiped her card and the lock clicked.
“Yes.”
Hollis shot him a confused look before she opened the door. “And you think that’s what’s happening here?”
“Yes. We believe that what passes as the spirits of dead people are actually demons taking on those personae.”
“I believe he is right,” Sveyn opined. “I have never encountered another soul in my realm—whatever my realm is.”
“It’s an interesting take,” Hollis answered both men.
“The Bible says that to be absent from the body is to be present with Christ,” Fred explained. “There is nothing about anyone’s soul remaining earthbound for any reason.”
Hollis cut a quick glance toward Sveyn. “Come on in gentleman, but please don’t touch anything.”
The middle-aged pastor set his little satchel on the plastic table Hollis had prepared and pulled out what must be the tools necessary for the rite: a silver cross, a white LED candle—per museum rules—and a crystal bottle with a cork.
“Holy water, I assume?” Hollis asked as she took her seat at the table.
“Very good.” Fred sat acros
s from her. “Now, as we proceed, we ask you to please remain a silent observer.”
“No matter what you hear or see, young lady,” the elder priest warned as he flipped the switch on the bottom of the candle bringing it to softly glowing life. “Can you do that?”
Hollis nodded. A knife blade of fear sent a shiver up her back. Sveyn knelt beside her. His presence made her feel a little safer.
Her phone vibrated and she pulled it from her pocket.
Heading into snow in Flagstaff. Hope it’s not too bad.
She texted Matt back: Keep me posted.
Fred gave her a stern look. “Let’s all turn our phones off.”
*****
Hollis watched in fascination as the Exor-Clergy guys moved through the ritual. First the men each prayed for protection against evil. Then the priest asked God to free the subject—in this case the museum—from the devil and his demons.
The pastor prayed next, demanding in the name of God that the devil and his demons leave the museum. Fred walked around sprinkling holy water throughout the storeroom, assuring Hollis that it landed on nothing but the concrete floor.
“Is that all?” Sveyn looked surprised. “I have been exorcised with whips, hammers, and handcuffs. This is so uneventful.”
“Have we finished?” she ventured.
“We’re finished in here.” Fred corked the crystal cruet.
Hollis looked at the three men. “What do you mean?”
“We would like to perform the same rite on the Blessing of the Gods,” the pastor explained. He waved a hand around the storeroom. “There doesn’t seem to be any more demonic activity in here, and our actions have sealed the space against further manifestations.”
“You didn’t mention that before,” Hollis hedged. After her own experience with the damned thing, as Sveyn called it, she was leery of touching it again.
“Let them do it, Hollis,” the Viking urged. “Perhaps that will stop the curse.”
Hollis looked at her watch. “We can go look at it now. But we can’t actually begin until the security staff comes on in twenty minutes.” She met Fred’s eyes. “One of my stipulations when I stay late.”
Fred smiled his dazzling smile. “Understood.”
While she led the clergymen out of the administrative office area and into the museum proper, Hollis retrieved her phone. She turned it on and was greeted with seven texts from Matt.
Snow is starting. Tiny pellets at this point.
Not too heavy, but still an hour outside Flagstaff.
Are you there?
Can’t see the mountains anymore. Not a good sign.
Hello? Going to stop in Flagstaff for dinner.
Are you getting these messages?
Please text or call soon as you can.
Hollis huffed an irritated sigh. There was no way she could call him right now. Didn’t Matt remember that Mondays were her ‘extra duty’ days?
She directed the men toward the Kensington wing, excusing herself to go to the ladies’ room. Once inside that sanctuary she texted: Got your messages. At work with exorcism guys.
As an afterthought she added: Can’t wait to see you. Drive safely.
Matt’s reply was immediate: Can’t wait to see you, too!
*****
Hollis opened the pair of locks on the Blessing’s case while Sveyn hovered beside her. She handed Fred and the middle-aged pastor each a pair of white gloves. “The two of you should hold one half. But don’t get them too close to each other.”
Fred looked at her oddly. “You sound like you believe the legend.”
Hollis shrugged. “All I can say is that both men who possessed the halves went crazy.”
The elder priest opened the little satchel again and set the silver cross on the lid of the opened case. Fred jumped and almost dropped his half of the icon.
“Careful!” Hollis blurted. “They’re really old!”
Fred’s eyes widened and he stared at his partner. “My God—is yours vibrating?”
“Yes.” The pastor’s face blanched and he swallowed audibly. “Let’s pray.”
As the trio bent their heads and fervently invoked God’s presence in the room, Sveyn spoke in Hollis’s ear. “Can you hear that? They’re humming.”
She nodded and looked up from under her brow to try and see the clergymen’s faces.
Sveyn’s tone hardened. “It’s getting louder.”
“Amen.” Fred lifted his head and looked at Hollis. “Do you hear something?”
“You mean the buzzing?” Her pulse surged as the sound grew louder. “Yes.”
The pastor’s hands began to shake and his grip tightened on the icon. “Mine is pulling toward yours.”
“Don’t let them touch!” Hollis shouted over the angry noise. “Back away!”
Sveyn stepped between the men. “Use the holy water!” he bellowed.
“What did you say?” Fred looked at the pastor. “Holy water?”
Sveyn tried to push against the pieces but his hands slid uselessly through them. “Yes! Holy water! Now!”
The elderly priest nodded. “Yes. All right.” He uncorked the cruet and wet his fingers.
“Don’t just piddle on them!” Hollis cried. “Douse the damned things!”
She slapped her hands over her ears. The buzzing sound thrummed palpably through her veins. Her body felt like a hive of bees.
“Do it!” Sveyn roared. “Hurry, you old fool!”
The priest glared at Fred. “Don’t call me an old fool!”
Fred looked confused. “I—just do it!”
The priest crossed himself and stepped forward, pouring the holy water over the two halves. “In the name of Jesus I command you to leave and never come back!”
When the water hit the Blessing a keening screech seared through the air.
Hollis dropped to her knees, her hands still pressed over her ears. It didn’t help; the furious wail of pain slid through her palms and resonated against her eardrums.
Sveyn held his ground.
Fred’s face was an angry mask of determination. He held his half of the icon in stiff, outstretched, and shaking arms.
Buoyed by his companion’s display of fortitude, the elder pastor did the same. Eyes squeezed shut, he snarled his opposition to whatever forces were manifesting in the room.
Water dripped from the baptized pieces and puddled on the floor.
Hollis wasn’t sure how much time had passed when the buzzing faded to silence. She looked at the four men in the room—three corporeal and one not—trying to discern what they were thinking.
Sveyn leaned against the open case, panting airlessly.
Fred sank to the floor. He sat cross-legged with the wood and metal piece still clutched in his gloved hands. “Well that was unprecedented.”
The pastor opened his eyes but otherwise remained rooted. “What in hell—and I do mean that literally—was that?”
The elderly priest stared at the empty cruet. “I’ve never seen anything like that. The curse on that Blessing was real.”
Fred let go with one hand and gestured toward the pastor. “It’s a good thing you mentioned the holy water when you did.”
The other man frowned. “I didn’t say anything.”
“I know you were in the heat of it, Fred,” the priest grumbled. “But you didn’t need to call me an old fool.”
“I didn’t. I didn’t say anything like that.”
Hollis sat still and tried to remain inconspicuous. Even so, three pair of eyes fixed on her.
“Did you hear it?” the priest demanded.
Hollis glanced at Sveyn, wondering what he thought she should admit to. “Hear what?”
“Did you hear someone say to use the holy water?” Fred asked.
Hollis was trapped. Sveyn was no help—he looked as stunned and clueless as the clergymen. “Yes,” she admitted.
The priest stepped forward. “And did you hear someone tell me to hurry and call me an old fool?
”
She nodded.
The trio stared at each other, their shock obvious.
“They heard me, Hollis.” Sveyn snorted his disbelief. “They heard my voice. All of them.”
“Four of us witnessed a miracle.” The priest crossed himself again. “We heard the voice of the Lord.”
Sveyn recoiled, eyes as round as saucers.
Hollis’s jaw dropped.
Though not the truth, of course, that was probably the best explanation anyone could offer. Better yet, it was one that would be unquestioned and accepted in this little crowd.
“What happens next?” Hollis ventured.
The trio considered each other again, pensively this time.
“We don’t normally publicize our experiences,” the pastor began.
“Oh, please don’t!” Hollis interrupted. “Please! I beg you.”
The priest faced her, skepticism splashed all over his expression. “Why? So you can continue to bamboozle the public?”
“No! Of course not!” Hollis climbed to her feet. “There is more than enough interest in all this ghost craziness already. If you reveal what happened here this evening, you’ll only add fuel to that unhealthy fire.”
Fred nodded and regained his feet as well. “She has a point.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to allow the curious cats to keep coming,” Hollis continued. “Knowing that the danger is gone now?”
“Good, Hollis,” Sveyn said. “Keep going with that.”
She smiled. Thanks. “Then after time passes and nothing notable happens, their interest will move on to the next sensation.”
“I agree with Ms. McKenna.” The pastor walked around the display case and set his half of the icon back in its place. “We don’t want to encourage the wrong kind of interest.”
Fred followed his friend’s example and laid his half to rest as well. “We’ve never done this to bring attention to evil, but to banish it. Let’s stick to our policy of silence.”
The priest nodded. “Yes. My lips are sealed as well.”
The men pulled off their cotton gloves and handed them to Hollis.
“Thank you for a most interesting evening, Ms. McKenna.” Fred’s eyes were starting to regain their spark. “I guarantee I won’t forget it soon.”