Chapter 17 #2
I hear the rush of air that leaves his chest. “Oh, thank god. Okay. I was honestly stumped on how to exorcise the demon. Like, there’s plenty of things online, but it’s so hard to tell what will work and what won’t.
My friends were trying to help, but they were getting the same things that I was.
I figured I would have one shot, so I didn’t want to waste it unless I was sure it would work. ”
I scrunch my face. “You’re being surprisingly cool about this. Most people would be a little skeptical when their coworker tells them they’ve been possessed.”
“Well, yeah. I’m a witch. As are the friends I mentioned. Did you not know that?”
My mouth opens then closes. I consider what he said. Nope. New information. “I knew you were into Wicca things—”
He chuckles. “Nah, I mean I’ve done actual spells before. Nothing big, mostly little things. Spells to find lost items, spells for luck, spells to give annoying customers horrible bacne.”
My mouth drops. “And these spells have, like, worked?”
“Duh.”
I take this in, the knowledge of what I know about this world I’m living in both growing and shrinking. “Okay. Wow. That’s really cool.”
“It’s new, but yeah. So, you’re alone? Like alone alone? The demon, what, just left?”
“Sort of? Long story, but I got stung by a bee—”
“Are you okay?” he interrupts. Matthias knows I’m allergic, I guess.
I smile slightly at the concern in his voice. “Fine. I’m fine. Kit got me to the hospital in time. I’m good.”
He lets out a relieved huff of air. “Kit is the demon who possessed you?”
“Yeah. He’s…actually kind of okay.”
“Interesting,” he muses, drawing out the word.
My face burns bright red. I’m so glad he can’t see me. “The problem is, he’s now possessing someone else. I can’t just stand by and let that happen.”
“How are you going to find him?”
“He’s probably going to come back to my apartment tonight.”
“Uh, okay? And you think that’s safe? You should be lining your doors with salt.” I hear him shift on the other end of the line. “I’m coming over. I’ll help you bless your apartment—"
“Not yet. Kit…he won’t hurt me. The easiest way to get him out of this guy is to keep him close.”
He clicks his tongue, doubtful. “If you trust him not to hurt you, I guess I do, too. Fine. So, do you have any ideas? I can still come over and help you brainstorm.”
“It’s probably best if you don’t. I don’t want Kit to get suspicious.
” I also think he’s a little jealous of Matthias, which would make him even more suspicious.
I pull out my laptop, opening it. “I know you said you’ve been researching like crazy, but Kit and I have been talking about Hell and things a lot. Maybe I’ll see something you don’t.”
“Worth a shot,” Matthias says. “I’ve got my laptop open.”
I start simple with: How to exorcise a demon.
I click through several websites, searching for answers, a Sydney library website, a Catholic archdiocese website, Wikipedia, and basically come up with one conclusion. I need to contact a priest.
Matthias confirms, “That’s what I saw, too.”
“I was hoping this was something I could take care of on my own. I don’t want Kit to think he’s being ganged up on.”
“You’re worried about his feelings?”
“Yeah,” I sigh honestly. Imagining the hurt he’ll feel when I exorcise him is nearly enough to change my mind.
The next thing I google is exorcist priests in my area. Okay. I’m finding a lot of links about how to find a priest, but none actually directing me toward a real priest. Should I call the Catholic church in town? Will they even believe me? I don’t know.
My teeth scrape over my bottom lip. “A lot of the things the websites are describing…they aren’t like Kit.”
“And what is like Kit?”
“He’s just…I don’t know. A guy. He’s just a guy who likes to commit the occasional petty crime and needs a host to survive on Earth.”
I click through more links. Exorcisms sound painful. At least it seems like I’ll be sending him back to Hell rather than killing him. I don’t want to hurt him. He saved my life. I can’t just say, “Hey, thanks for the life-saving and all, now let’s get you back to Hell.”
If only August were here as well. She knew enough about this world to be able to figure out how to save the man. Hell, if August were here, she would have clocked I wasn’t me immediately when I was possessed.
No use wishing for things that simply can’t be true.
I keep digging through pages and pages of results when something catches my eye.
It’s a link to a fandom page for a show called Lore Hunters.
I click through it, my tongue between my teeth as I read.
“The lines from exorcisms in Lore Hunters are real?”
“Are they?” He sounds skeptical.
“That’s what this site says. I wonder…” I trail off. Well, if they can do it, why can’t I? Maybe I can exorcise him myself after all. I know that show is fictional, but who says you need a greater connection to the spiritual realm to exorcise? I can be an amateur exorcist. Who’s gonna stop me?
“What are you going to do? Turn on an episode of Lore Hunters and hope Morgan Asher can save this guy’s ass?”
“Potentially,” I mumble.
I research lines for an exorcism, and even though I do find plenty of prayers in English, I opt for one in the original Latin instead. I feel like it’ll have a better chance of working.
There are a few different Latin versions, but I eventually settle on one with good reviews. “My teenager is back to normal!” being one of them. I send Matthias the link.
“Maybe I could read this off myself. Get some holy water, some candles, a rosary. Find a way to tie him down. Or get him blackout drunk, even.”
Matthias clicks his tongue as he reads through the prayer. “I mean…this could work. Text me when you think you’ll be able to do this. I’ll help.”
“I’d appreciate it. There’s a Catholic supply store on the main strip that you could stop by for me?”
“You know, it’s a good thing I like you. I wouldn’t willingly relive my Catholic trauma for just anyone.”
I laugh. “I appreciate it. I’ll text you?”
“You’re sure you’re safe?”
“Positive.”
We hang up. Guilt creeps up through my fingers, but I shake it away. I owe Kit my life, but the only reason we were in the field in the first place is because of him. I would not have gone there by myself. He may have saved my life, but he was the reason it needed saving in the first place.
Once my eyes are too heavy to focus on the screen of my laptop, I close it. Kit is still gone when I drift off to sleep.