“If he does…” Monica pressed her fingers to her forehead. “We have to all agree on this. If Kyle dies, I’ll tell the authorities I was alone with him. I don’t want any of you involved in the repercussions, especially Lisa and Brendon. I’ll take full responsibility for his death. Is that understood?”
“I agree,” Mom said. “The kids should be left out of this if the worst happens. But it may not come to that. I’m a nurse. I can monitor his vital signs and give him shots as he requires them until we get him to the hospital. You just need to bring adequate amounts of epinephrine.”
Monica nodded. “I’ll bring everything with me when I drive to your house.”
“And I’ll have a blood pressure cuff and all the other supplies. We’ll ride together and meet Brendon.”
“My father showed me how to prepare the area. I’ll have the protective circle drawn with red sand. Mr. Stratton’s body will lie just outside. One of you will have to sprinkle a barrier line around him with sea salt. Then you both have to get inside the circle and stay there. I’ll give him the peanut butter. When the demon leaves the body, I’ll use smoke from the burning sage leaves to keep him away. The two of you will have to drag Mr. Stratton into the circle. Your job is to make sure he doesn’t die, so concentrate on him and don’t worry about me.”
Mom rolled her eyes. “Right.”
“As long as I don’t cross the salt barrier, the demon can’t hurt me. The two of you have to keep Mr. Stratton alive. And remember, his spirit in the form of a shadow will come out of the hollow tree and join with his body, so don’t be afraid when that happens. You can put him into the car after that and head out to the hospital. The demon will be contained and can’t follow you.”
Mom grabbed my hand. “I’m not leaving until I know you’re safe.”
“Neither am I.” Lisa leaned against my shoulder. “I’ll stay with Brendon.”
I turned in the chair and faced her. “You’re not going.”
“Why not?” Her chin came up. “I can help.”
“It’ll be too dangerous.”
“I don’t care. He’s my father. I’ll stay in the circle, but I want to be there. I can help get him into the car. Even go with him so your mother can stay.”
“The answer is no.”
She crossed her arms. “When did you get to be so bossy?”
I was through arguing. I got up and walked past her to the sink for a glass of water.
“Maybe she can help,” Monica said. “That way, your mother—”
“No.” I whirled around to face them. “Let’s get this straight right now. If Lisa goes, I’m out.”
* * *
The week flew by and Friday finally arrived. With football season over, Carson and I didn’t have any reason to hang around after school, but he insisted we find our women and say goodbye before heading home.
“See you later,” was all Lisa said before leaving with Sherry to spend the night. Monica had arranged that so she wouldn’t be sitting around alone and worrying.
When I arrived home, it was still light outside. I drove Grandma’s pickup to the hollow tree area and prepared the ground as my father instructed. I returned to the house and ate dinner with the family as if nothing was out the norm. Krystal brought me her favorite book to read before bedtime. Stevie cajoled me into a game on the Wii. It was a good thing he let me be Diddy Kong, because my heart wasn’t in it, and Stevie carried me on his back most of the way through the jungle.
“It’s getting late.” Mom walked into the room wearing jeans and a sweat shirt.
“Oh, man.” Stevie hit the pause button. “There’s no school tomorrow. How come I can’t stay up longer?”
“You can if you stop that grumbling.” Mom pointed her thumb over her shoulder. “Get into your PJ’s and brush your teeth. Then maybe Grandma will play a game with you.”
“I’m playing with Brendon.”
“He has somewhere to go tonight.”
“All right.” Stevie tossed the control on the couch. “Grandma plays better than Brendon anyway.”
“Hey.” I smacked at his rear when he walked by.
“Brendon.” Mom motioned for me with a nod of her head. “I have something for you in my bedroom.”
I followed her down the hallway to her room. A box set on the foot of the empty bed. “Where’s Krystal?”
“Grandma has her so I can show you this in private.” She opened the box and removed a protective cloth covering. “You’ll need this tonight.”
“Wow. I remember this.” I lifted the buckskin shirt and held it up for a better view. Fringe dangled from the shoulder seams. Faded images of the sun and other symbols were painted near the bottom edge.
“This was your father’s ceremonial shirt. And his father’s before him. Now it’s yours.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I threw one arm around her and squeezed her hard. “I’ll wear it tonight.”
“You’d better. This shirt will protect you from harm. The demon’s teeth and claws can’t penetrate the fabric.”
Mom dug deeper in the box and pulled out a fringed leather scabbard. Her fingers wrapped around the wooden handle and she partially retracted the knife. The shiny metal blade glinted with reflected light. “This was your father’s also. Use it on the demon as soon as he materializes.”
I hesitated taking the knife. “Was Dad good at this?”
Her forehead creased. “Yes. He was very good.”
“Then how could a demon kill him?”
Her fingers touched her lips as she sucked in a gasp. “You remembered?”
“No. Not all of it. But I know it was a demon. Will you tell me how he died?”
“I don’t know that I can tell you how, but I can tell you why.”
“There’s a difference?”
She nodded. “Your father never performed any of the rituals at home. He always went to sacred ground, or somewhere in the country where nature assisted with the ceremonies. A man whose brother was inflicted heard about your father. He brought the brother to our house.”
Mom paused to lick her lips. “John wasn’t prepared. The demon sensed him and a conflict developed within the inflicted person. The man began to die and the demon left the body. Your father rushed us into the protective circle—the place you remember as a gazebo. John tried to go into the house to get the sacred objects to fight the demon, but it was too late.” Mom looked away. “The rest I’ll never be able to say out loud.”
“It’s all right.” I put my hand on her shoulder. “I don’t need to hear any more.”
The ringing of the phone made her jump. “That’s probably Monica.” She rushed to the living room to answer it.
I put the shirt and knife back into the box so it would be together when I left the house. I went to my bedroom to get a belt since I didn’t usually wear one. The scabbard had to be fastened at my waist so the knife would be within reach. I walked into the living room and laid the box on the coffee table so I could thread the belt through the loops of my jeans.
Mom hung up the phone and turned to me. “Monica is about ten minutes away. Kyle is semiconscious. The doctor supplied her with a sedative in case he became agitated, but she gave it to him already for the ride up here.” Mom grabbed my arm. “Brendon—” Whatever she was going to say caught in her throat.
I threw my arms around her. “I love you.” When I released her, I turned away without looking at her face. A glimpse of her pain would tear me up. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
I grabbed my things and hurried out the door to Grandma’s pickup. The dirt road to the hollow tree had lots of ruts and made for a slow, rough ride. Headlights flashed in my rearview mirror. Mom and Monica must be hot on my heels. I stomped on the accelerator. With Daylight Savings over, the sun had set a few hours ago and night had settled in. I had to get a fire going. A campfire would be the only light we’d have.
I parked the pickup behind a clump of trees so Monica could park next to the red protectiv
e circle. The women would have to carry his body the short distance without my help. If the demon inside of Stratton sensed my presence, he might become hostile even with the heavy sedation.
The dry wood only needed the strike of a match to get started. Flames shot up right away. I set a basket filled with white sage leaves close by. Now I had to prepare myself.
Headlights along the dirt road edged closer. I stripped off my tee shirt as I rushed to the pickup.
Faint starlight reflected off Monica’s red Lexus. I stifled a curse. The plan called for the four wheel Hummer. When she pulled behind the pickup, I tried to wave her off. Mom, at least, should know not to park so close to me. The car stopped and the driver got out.
“Lisa!” I rushed to her. “What are you doing here?”
She reared back when I charged her, but held her ground. “He’s my father. I want to help.”
I grabbed her arms. My fingers dug into her flesh through the long sleeved shirt she wore. “You have to get out of here. Now!” I yanked open the door and shoved her in the direction of the driver’s seat.
Her hands clenched at the frame. One booted foot braced on the metal structure. “I won’t go.”
“Damn it, Lisa.” I pushed her leg away, but her other boot took its place. “I’ll throw you into that car by your hair if I have to.”
A sob broke from her throat. “Why are you treating me like this?”
“It’s too dangerous.”
“You’re in danger too.” She grabbed at me. “I want to be with you.”
Headlights from the Hummer flashed over the campsite. It was too late to send her away. I jerked her against my naked chest. My arms wrapped around her body, and my fingers clenched at her back. I pressed my lips against her ear. “Tonight, you’ll be ripped from my arms.”
Chapter Forty–Four
Lisa stroked her fingers through my hair. “No one is going to take me away from you.”
“You don’t know. I should’ve told you.” I closed my eyes and shook my head. “In all my nightmares when I fight the demon, you’re always with me. And that filthy creature always tears you from my arms and tries to drag you with him into Hell.”
She pulled back just enough to look into my eyes. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll face a demon, even Hell, as long as I can be with you.”
I let out a hard sigh. “Whatever happened to that shy girl who blurted out the wrong words?”
Her lips twitched. “I met a bad influence who taught me how to stand tall and hold my head high.”
“Your mom just got out of the car.” I twisted her around to shield her from her mother’s view. “When she sees you, she’s not going to be happy.”
“She never is when I’m with you.” Her fingers slipped around my neck and she pulled me to her. “Might as well get her really mad.” Her lips brushed over mine.
I squeezed her against me so tight that the beat of her heart thumped against my chest. Heat from her body penetrated through her clothing and flashed against my bare skin. My hand wrapped around the long braid hanging down her back, and I tilted her head so our kiss deepened. I nudged her lips apart until the moist heat from her mouth mingled with mine. When a moan played at the back of her throat, I eased our embrace.
“I have to get ready.” I turned her so light from the fire danced across her face. “Swear to me you’ll stay inside the circle.”
Her head made a tiny nod. “I swear.”
“Lisa,” Monica screamed from the circle.
“Your mom saw you. Better get over there before she freaks out more.”
Quick feet stomping through dried grass made me glance over my shoulder. Both our moms rushed toward us.
Monica grabbed Lisa’s arms. “What are you doing here?”
“It’s too late to send her away,” I said over their arguing. “Let’s just get this done.”
“Brendon.” Mom touched my bare shoulder. “You have to get ready. We’ve got Kyle surrounded by the salt barrier, but he could awake at any moment.”
Monica tugged on Lisa’s arm. “I’m taking her to the circle.”
“Wait.” Mom slipped her arm around Lisa’s waist. “There’s something I want you to have.”
They all followed me to the pickup. The box lay on the seat. I flung the lid away and grabbed my father’s shirt. The soft leather slipped easily over my head and down my body.
I grabbed the scabbard and thrust it into the waistband of my jeans since it would take too long to thread it onto my belt. When I moved away from the door, Mom grabbed the box and dug into the corner.
“This belonged to Brendon’s father.” She opened her clenched hand. A silver medallion with markings identical to the burn on my chest lay in my mother’s outstretched palm. “This will protect you from the demon so he won’t be able to steal your soul.”
Lisa gasped. “Then you should wear it, Mrs. Alexander.”
“If Brendon’s dreams are accurate, you’ll need this more than me.” Mom tied the rawhide ends around Lisa’s neck.
“Thank you.” She kissed my mom on the cheek.
“I guess this is it.” Mom turned to me. “Do you have the peanut butter?”
I grabbed the jar stashed behind the seat. “All set.” I spun off the lid and peeled away the freshness seal.
Lisa picked up a spoon from the floorboard and shoved it into the plastic jar. I knocked her hand away. “This is another reason why you shouldn’t be here. We don’t need two people dying from peanut butter shock.”
“Don’t get mad at me again.”
“Brendon’s right.” Mom gripped Lisa’s hand and grabbed for Monica’s. “Let’s go stand inside the circle.”
I scooped out a heaping amount of creamy peanut butter large enough to make a good sized sandwich. The body of Kyle Stratton lay on the ground. A line of sea salt enclosed him in a square shaped prison. As I approached, he twitched and squirmed. The closer I got, the more his agitation grew. I glanced at the women in the circle. “Are you ready?”
They all nodded.
I didn’t share the same resolve. Lisa’s appearance complicated matters. All my hellish nightmares were about to become real.
I stepped closer with the spoon. Stratton rolled away from me, but the salt line stopped him from moving further. I walked around to the other side. His head turned and he rolled the other way. I reached as far as I could and aimed for his mouth. He smacked my arm with the back of his hand. The spoon flew through the air.
“Let me do it.” Monica held out her hand. “He’s not going to let you close enough to feed him.”
I retrieved the spoon from the ground. Dirt and dried bits of grass clung to the sticky peanut butter. I brushed away what I could see. Even if his body was infested with a demon, I didn’t want dirt shoved into his mouth. I handed her the spoon and stepped back.
Monica knelt by his head. “Kyle darling, whatever I do, I do for love.” She forced the spoon between his lips and scraped the contents into his mouth. She tossed the spoon aside and receded into the protection of the circle.
The body lay motionless on the ground. His shoulders twitched. His legs jittered. His head turned from side to side. He sprang into a sitting position. Peanut butter spewed from his mouth. His body shook violently before collapsing back onto the ground. A black vapor flowed from his open mouth and formed a dense fog around his body. The demon mist was earthbound and couldn’t float into the air. A putrid stench oozed from the center of the darkness. I pulled my knife from the scabbard, preparing to plunge it into the heart of the demon when it transformed.
“Kyle is dying,” Monica shouted.
“Don’t touch him.” I glanced at the women hovering at the edge of the red sand. “If you break the plane of protection, the demon will invade your body.”
“But we have to get him into the circle.”
“Brendon,” Mom shouted. “We have to save Kyle. Drive the mist away with the burning sage so we can reach him.”
“Don’t
touch his body until I do.” I shoved the knife back into the sheath. A couple long strides and I reached the fire. I knelt down, grabbed a handful of the sage leaves, and thrust the tips into the flame.
The women’s screams made me glance over my shoulder. The black fog had begun its transformation into the ugly, scabby, rat–man. I’d missed the advantage of surprise and killing him just became more difficult.
The filthy demon reared up on its hind legs until it stood almost seven feet tall. My blood ran cold and my stomach clenched. In all my nightmares, this hideous creature had never been so big, so fierce, so frightening.
Shadow Keeper Page 28