Page 55 of Feral Possession

“What do you need to perform the exorcism? Right now.”

“Marcus,” she said, eyes wide and pleading. “The chances of success are slim until we know more. I can’t reverse the process until I understand how the spirit got there in the first place. This possession is far from typical. If what Shadow says is true, and he’s from Carcerem and shouldn’t even exist on this plane, that means, regardless of my skill and knowledge, there’s no precedence for this kind of thing.”

“You’ll do it anyway.” Marcus lurched out of his chair. “No more stalling. I want it gone.”

She lowered her head, clenching her hands in her lap. “All the tasks you’ve given me. How many of them have gone exactly to plan?”

Zero.

She’d gotten the results he needed, just not in the way he wanted. Which meant his only hope was a walking disaster incapable of following simple directions. Regardless, she was all he had.

“Give up. You cannot defeat me,” whispered the voice in his head.

“Go to hell,” Marcus snarled back.

Over the last few days, Marcus had spent more time with Dove than he had any other female. Gotten to know her as well as come to appreciate her, for better or worse.

Sure, Dove was a chronic underachiever with untapped power. His research confirmed as much. But with the right persuasion, she’d have no choice but to follow through.

He stormed to the sofa, looming over the top of her. “You will study, you will prepare, and you will free me of this demon.”

Instead of shrinking as most did when faced with his wrath, she leaned forward, narrowing her eyes. “Let it be said, up front, and my instructors at Havenhouse will agree. I do not perform well under pressure and tend to act out when those in authority try to force me.”

“She’s right. It says as much in her file,” Bishop contributed.

“Just tell me what you need,” Marcus demanded, ignoring her excuses.

Dove snarled back, “Off the top of my head, I’d say a location that holds deep roots for you. A place entrenched in your family line. If they’re buried on the grounds, even better. That will help me to separate what is you and what is demon. Direct access to magical ley lines would be helpful because we’re dealing with a powerful entity. I’ll need a bank of endless power at my fingertips to supplement my supply, and believe me, your demon has quite the appetite. Also, a book titled Exorcism For Dummies since I’ve never done this before. Along with twenty pounds of salted caramels and a masseuse who could double for Jason Momoa to rub the tension from my shoulders.”

At the mention of the other male’s name, fury burned in his insides. “Who is this Jason you speak of?”

Dove smacked the pillow beside her. “All the things I listed, and that is what you focus on?”

“We will kill him. Ssslowly,” snarled the demon.

“Shut up!” It was getting harder to lock out the bastard’s voice. Marcus reinforced his mental walls, his temples pounding.

“Place with familial roots,” Bishop said. “You could use your ancestral home. I’d have to check about the ley lines. Your family being vampire, there wasn’t much need. Still, many of the older dwellings were built over magical hotspots, those of the underworld being naturally drawn to them.”

Marcus exhaled, stepping away from Dove. “Both of my parents are buried on the grounds. I haven’t been back since my father’s death.” Returning would be… uncomfortable.

Dove raked a hand through her hair. Strain tightened her eyes. “I’ll need to track down a few books, gather supplies. It will take some time to prepare.”

“You have two days.”

She lurched upright again. “Two days? But that isn’t nearly enough. Maybe if I asked Celeste—”

“No. She hasn’t sworn a blood oath to me and cannot guarantee my privacy. Already, she knows too much. If word of this gets out, I could lose everything. Celeste cannot be involved.”

Bishop snorted his approval, grumbling, “Good. I grow weary of the witch treating me like a piece of man-meat.”

Dove pressed her lips together, her eyes filling with mirth. Then she coughed, growing somber again. “If this works and you’re free of the demon, does it mean you’ll give up your hunt for Helen?”

Vengeance rumbled in his veins.

“No,” he stated, covering his insatiable rage. “She has much to answer for. Also, I still need her to clear my name. To prove I have zero ties to her or Zion. Without that, I could be convicted as a conspirator.”

Dove grew pensive. “Is that all this is really about? Clearing your name? Or is it something more? Because if vengeance is all you’re after, I’m out. I’ve witnessed firsthand the toll it takes. Revenge and justice are not the same thing. In the long run, you’re better off using what you’ve suffered to bring about change. Vivian taught me that. She used her experience at the hands of her abusive ex to create something positive. Used it to build a women’s shelter.”

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