Jackie stood beside the grand staircase, her hand trailing over the wooden bannister. She could sense the demon’s presence pulsating through the house. It hummed along some unknown frequency, audible to no one’s ears but her own. She knew that the demon’s actions the night before had only fueled its power. Hopefully, their next move would cast it out of the house for good before it attempted to harm anyone else.
The front door opened and a man entered, clad in a trim black suit with the white collar of a priest. A vibrant purple stole hung over his shoulders. He was middle-aged and short, roughly the same height as herself, and carried himself with an air of self-assurance and positivity that immediately quieted her own nerves.
Her dark eyes met his hazel ones and she smiled, as though seeing an old friend after a long time apart.
“Thank you for coming, Bishop James,” Jackie greeted, extending her hands. She clasped his in her own, pleased by the warmth and kindness she felt radiating off him.
“You must be Jackie,” Bishop James replied with a generous smile, his voice smooth in a timeless southern lilt. His chestnut hair was neatly trimmed with gray at the temples, and a small dimple formed on his cheek. He released her hands and glanced around the parlor, taking stock of the room. He released a heavy breath. “There is definitely an evil presence here.”
Jackie nodded, gazing around herself. With her sight, she could see a black stain marring the walls like oil spreads across water, starting upstairs and steadily creeping down to the first floor. The demon awaited them upstairs, its wicked humor fading to violent fury at sensing a Bishop in the house.
It made her smile. “The demon is unhappy you’re here.”
“It’s going to be even more unhappy once we begin the blessing,” Bishop James told her, pulling a rosary from the inside pocket of his jacket. The beads were black, with St. Benedict’s Medal attached to the chain above the large silver crucifix.
Jackie eyed the powerful symbols with approval. “The devil-chasing medal. Crux sacra sit mihi lux. Nunquam draco sit mihi dux.”
Bishop James nodded. “The Holy Cross be my light; Let not the dragon be my guide. St. Benedict’s medal hasn’t failed me yet in dispelling the forces of evil.”
“Let’s pray that remains true this time,” Jackie responded, guiding him toward the kitchen. “Come. The others are in here.”
Ian and Alex were busy reviewing footage from the night before, Grace hovering behind them. They all turned at the sound of Jackie and the Bishop’s footsteps.
Ian hopped out of his chair, hand outstretched to shake the Bishop’s hand. “I’m Ian Black, lead investigator of Great American Paranormal. Thank you for coming on such short notice, Bishop.”
Alex stood to shake the man’s hand as well. “Alex Gallagher. We really appreciate any help you can offer us.”
Jackie noticed Grace standing with her arms crossed, an anguished crease between her brows. She was having a hard time looking at the Bishop, and made no move to introduce herself. Concern and sympathy filled Jackie as she went to her friend while Ian and Alex launched into a discussion with the Bishop regarding the demon.
“I know you get tired of me asking, but are you okay?” Jackie asked.
Grace snorted, her arms tightening over her torso. “Yeah, yeah. I’m fine.”
“It’s okay if you’re not,” Jackie reminded her, keeping her voice down so the others wouldn’t hear. “You can’t help how you’re feeling right now. It’s beyond your control.”
“I’m a big girl. I can handle it.”
Jackie offered her a sad smile. “You’re offended just by the sight of the Bishop. You envision hurting him, maybe even killing him. That’s all very normal after being affected by a demon the way you were.”
Grace shivered, her eyes closing tightly. “I just want it out of my head.”
“It will be,” Jackie assured her, pulling Grace into her arms. “You are so brave for coming back to this place, darling.”
“So are you,” Grace reminded her as they parted. “The demon hurt you, too.”
Jackie waved off the comment. “Like you, I can handle it.”
“I’m going to begin the blessing now,” Bishop James announced, catching Jackie and Grace’s attention.
Jackie felt an angry shudder pulse through the house at the Bishop’s words. Her own body trembled at the rush of malice that accompanied it, knowing the demon was outraged.
“Good,” she replied. “I’ll help you.”
They started downstairs. Jackie sprinkled Holy Water while the Bishop held the Bible with his rosary aloft and spoke words specifically targeted to banish evil spirits and demons. Alex followed, dutifully filming the entire ritual.
The Bishop’s voice echoed throughout the house, decisive and commanding. “As smoke is driven away, so are they driven; as wax melts before the fire, so the wicked perish at the presence of God…”
Jackie focused on her breathing and the task at hand. The demon despised what they were doing, but it didn’t seem to be weakened just yet. She knew the real damage would be done once they made it upstairs to the bedroom where she was certain the demon had set up shop. That was where they would banish it, once and for all.
At least, she hoped that was the case. If the demon proved too strong for the ritual to destroy it alone, then more drastic measures would have to be taken.
Minutes later they walked up the stairs, heading straight for the room where Grace had almost jumped to her death. The Bishop visibly tensed as they entered, and Jackie watched him gaze around, apprehension tightening his features.
It was then that she spotted the gaping black hole in the oak-framed mirror over the dresser. It nearly swallowed up the entire mirror, the outline resembling clear water running over the edge of a bottomless pit. Eerie black smoke billowed out from the hole, and a vile smell reached her nose from across the room.
Sulfur, she thought wildly, covering her nose. Fire and brimstone.
It was a portal straight into Hell itself.
Bishop James could not see the portal, but it was clear he sensed its presence. He raised the crucifix and eased further into the room. She saw his hand tremble, and knew he was just as terrified as she.
“We drive you from us, whoever you may be. Unclean spirits, all satanic powers, all infernal invaders, all wicked legions, assemblies and sects…”
As he continued to chant, she saw the shadow figure out of the corner of her eye. It darted around the room, avoiding her, fleeing from the cross. Suddenly it was upon her, bearing down on her from its full height as it bent under the ceiling, and she didn’t have time to scream before her airway was cut off by its greedy hands, acting through her own.
The vial of Holy Water fell and smashed to pieces at her feet. She gripped her own neck with a strength she knew she didn’t possess, spots dancing in her field of vision as she stared into the molten red eyes of the demon.
Fire sparked within the red slits, and, just like in her dream, she watched its mouth spread in a wicked, sharp-toothed grin.
She could feel Alex catch her as she dropped to her knees. He attempted to pry her hands from around her neck, but she knew it was useless. The demon wanted blood, and hers would do at that moment. Anything to protect its portal from the damage the Bishop was causing.
The last thing she heard before passing into darkness was Alex screaming her name.
* * *
Clad in headphones, Grace sat beside Ian in the kitchen as they reviewed interview footage from the day before. She nervously watched the head housekeeper, Nancy, recount witnessing her old friend and co-worker stab herself in the hand for seemingly no apparent reason.
To hear firsthand accounts of the demon’s violence, while also knowing she herself had been targeted, infuriated her more than it scared her. She wasn’t sure how the demon had ended up in The Abby Ford House, but something that evil had no business staying like it owned the place. Grace wanted retribution for both herself and for the
others who had suffered at the hands of the monster.
Ian removed his own headphones and reached for her hand, waiting to speak until she had taken off hers as well. “Barton told me the woman who was stabbed refuses to come back to the house. Apparently, she and her husband packed up and moved out of state altogether. They refuse to talk about what happened.”
Grace released a breath, unsure if she could blame the woman. “She must have been really scared.”
“I think scared is an understatement,” Ian replied. “I’ve seen scared people during my investigations. The people in this house are petrified.”
Before Grace could respond, they heard the front door open, followed by footsteps and eager voices. Mia, Brian, and Rob entered the kitchen moments later.
Mia didn’t even spare Grace a glance, and instead went straight to Ian. “Well? Is the priest guy here?”
Ian nodded. “He’s upstairs with Jackie and Alex performing a cleansing ritual.”
“Well, if it doesn’t work, I have a better idea,” Mia declared, hands on her hips. Her smile was vibrant and more than a little cocky.
Ian sat back in his chair, crossing his arms. “What’s that?”
“A Ouija board. I have one in my car. Jackie thinks that’s how the demon got here, right? Well, maybe it’s how we kick it back out, too.”
“No.” Ian’s face contorted with instant outrage and disbelief. “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”
One of Mia’s brows slid up. “I don’t see you coming up with anything better.”
“We have a Bishop upstairs doing everything he can to—”
He was interrupted by the sound of frantic footsteps thudding above them and down the stairs. Alex’s voice called out his name, and Ian jumped up to answer.
“What’s wrong?” Ian asked, charging into the parlor to meet Alex at the base of the stairs.
Alex carried Jackie’s limp body in his arms, his face pale with dread. He pushed past Ian and laid Jackie gently upon a loveseat in the parlor, stroking her face. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he faced Ian.
“The demon made her choke herself. I-I didn’t know what to do…she finally passed out and her hands went limp, but all I could think of was to get her out of that room…”
Grace stumbled past Ian, kneeling beside Jackie. She fell immediately back onto her training and busily checked Jackie’s pulse and the dilation of her pupils. Her friend’s breath was strained and shallow, but at least she was breathing. The reddish outline of fingers was forming on her slender neck.
“Is she going to be okay?” Alex asked Grace, his voice clipped with anxiety.
She gave a curt nod. “Yes, she just passed out from lack of oxygen. She’s breathing now and that’s what matters. Get me some ice and a towel, will you?”
Ian patted Alex on the shoulder and silently left to get the ice. Alex knelt beside Grace and reached for Jackie’s hand.
He fought to catch his breath as he lowered his head. Grace touched his shoulder comfortingly.
Mia and her crew watched from the doorway of the kitchen. Grace pretended not to notice them, but could hear their hushed voices anyway. Part of her wanted to scream at them to just leave them alone, but she didn’t have the energy for it. Concern for Jackie and malice toward the demon consumed her.
Ian returned moments later with ice and towel, wrapped together to form a cold compress. Grace pressed it softly against Jackie’s neck to help with the soreness and bruising sure to come.
Bishop James descended the stairs, looking solemn. He met eyes with Ian and shook his head.
“I’m afraid the cleansing didn’t work this time. There’s a portal up there and this demon is vehemently defending it.”
Ian grimaced. “There has to be something more we can do.”
Mia cleared her throat from behind them. Ian turned, and Grace hoped he was going to tell her to get the hell out. Instead, she heard him sigh.
“I really don’t think it’s a good idea, Mia.”
“What other option do you have at this point?” she reminded him, her voice triumphant.
“What does she want to do?” Alex demanded, eyes darting from Ian to Mia and back again.
Ian shot an apologetic glance at Bishop James before responding. “She thinks we should use a Ouija board.”
The room was quiet as everyone seemed to absorb the suggestion. Bishop James finally spoke up first.
“I really do have to caution y’all against that idea,” he said, clutching his rosary tighter in his hand. “You are dealing with very dangerous forces here. The Ouija board is a tool of the Devil, and will cause more harm than good.”
Mia scoffed and waved off his concerns. “Whatever. I’ve used it dozens of times and it’s always been helpful. I really think we should try it. What do you say, Ian?”
Jackie stirred, a soft moan escaping her lips. Grace and Alex turned their attention back to her.
“It’s okay. I’m here.” Alex pressed a kiss to Jackie’s ashen forehead. “Just relax.”
Grace checked Jackie’s vitals again, then glanced up at Ian. Indecision played over his face.
She frowned. “As much as I hate to agree with Mia, we have to do something.”
For a long moment, he seemed to consider the situation. At last he faced Mia.
“Go get the board. We’ll try it tonight.”
* * *
When Jackie regained the strength to sit up, she held the cold compress to her neck and looked at Grace.
“Thank you,” she said gratefully, her voice still shaky and hoarse.
Grace sat beside her on the loveseat. “I only wish there was more I could do to help.”
Jackie offered her friend a weak smile before glancing at Ian and Alex. They stood across the parlor, huddled together, speaking in hushed whispers. They were busy making plans for that night, trying to decide how best to approach using the Ouija Board to speak directly with the demon. She didn’t have a good feeling about the idea but, at this point, they really were out of other options.
Alex’s gaze met hers, and the flare of compassion in his eyes broke her heart. He loved her, cared about her, worried for her…while she appreciated all of it, she ached knowing the pain she continually put him through.
Between the disturbing nightmares, the burning scratches, and the self-strangulation, the demon was putting her through the ringer. While she had expected it to be powerful, she could never have prepared herself for the emotional toll it would take on her and Alex. It wasn’t fair to him to have to worry about her all the time. He had known what she was when he’d chosen to love her, but she wondered if he truly understood and accepted the risks.
As a medium, especially one actively seeking out spirits and demons, she was constantly putting herself in harm’s way. It was a destiny she had accepted long ago, but could he?
Should he?
Heart aching, she turned her focus back to Grace. “I’d like to go back to the hotel and rest before tonight.”
Grace helped Jackie to her feet. “I’ll stay with you at the hotel tonight if you want. You don’t need to be here for the Ouija board thing.”
Jackie hugged Grace, appreciative of the comfort she offered. “Thank you, but I’ll be all right. I have some fight left in me, yet.”
“Are you sure?” Grace asked, her brows furrowed as they faced one another.
Jackie nodded. “I am.”
Back at the hotel, Jackie took a long, steaming shower. Alex was waiting for her, his arms crossed defensively as she emerged from the bathroom. She wrapped a towel around herself, leaving her hair hanging loose in damp, black spirals down her back.
The tension in his eyes unnerved her.
“Is everything okay?” she asked, though she knew what his answer would be. Of course it wasn’t okay. It hadn’t been for a long time.
A thousand emotions played over his face as he looked her over. She absorbed them all, thankful as always that he was such an open
book. He was scared for her, that was most clear. But he was also tortured.
“Please don’t go back into that house,” he said quietly. “I know I can’t tell you what to do, but please, Jackie, I don’t know how much more of this I can handle. Watching you almost die like that…I’ve never felt that kind of fear before.”
Guilty tears swam in her eyes. She lowered her gaze, unable to look at him. “I know it’s hard, darling. I do. But this is who I am. Being a medium isn’t easy, nor is it always safe…”
He stepped toward her, his arms lowering to his sides. He tilted her chin so she was forced to meet his eyes once more. “Remember how you felt when you thought Ray’s spirit creature had killed me last year at The Sparrow House? When you prayed over my lifeless body, didn’t you regret the danger we’d put ourselves in to try and banish him?”
The memory of it swept over her, raw and emotionally charged. The image of Alex’s face, so still, his chest unmoving and his beautiful heart no longer beating, flashed in her mind. Remembering the grief, the feeling of senseless loss, broke her heart clean in two.
Unable to speak, she simply nodded.
Alex exhaled shakily. His eyes pleaded with her. “I won’t make you go through that again if you promise the same.”
“I can’t,” she managed, tears falling freely now down her face. Ashamed of them and of the pain they represented, she moved away from him and lowered herself onto the edge of the bed. Gatsby lay fast asleep in his dog bed in the corner, and she wished for an ounce of his contentment.
She stared at her hands, twisting and turning in her lap. “I am what I am, Alex. I told you I wouldn’t, and couldn’t, change for you. That’s still true.”
He let out a frustrated groan, his hands diving into his hair. “Don’t you see this is killing me? Not being able to protect you? Having to just stand by like some useless wimp while you get hurt? I can’t take it anymore. It’s making me crazy.”
His declaration cut like a knife through her chest. She felt part of herself giving in, conceding to his request, helpless to refuse. How could it be that he had such a hold over her? When had it all changed?
When had he become more important than her freedom?
Of The Ashes: A 'So Fell The Sparrow' Sequel Novella Page 8
