Page 28 of The Shadows of Excess

Father Ray took on a reverent tone. “Though many tales surround Saint Eduardo, the true essence of his miracles remains a mystery. Some say he healed the sick. Others claim he could ease the burdened heart. Yet, one thing is sure. His connection to this well was special. The water drawn from it carries a certain purity, a rare and powerful essence. It’s not only about the physical sanctity of the water, but the faith and intention behind its use.”

As he spoke, Father Ray carefully uncapped the bottle. The water within caught the light in a way that seemed almost ethereal. “Saint Eduardo believed in the healing power of selflessness and humility. In a way, this water is a reminder of those virtues.”

“Father Ray.” Brody approached him and squeezed his slender shoulder. “There are more demons infesting this hospital. Innocent people like Dr. Ward and Jennifer Wells could be taken. We need to save them. Will you help us?”

Father Ray held his gaze. “I will. Saint Eduardo would want us to save their souls, no matter how dangerous. He sacrificed himself to save the innocent, and I can do no less.”

I looked between them. “What are you going to do?”

Damon grabbed a rifle loaded with phoenix grass. “Find the bastards.” He tilted his head. “Brody, grab the salt. Let’s go hunting for scumbags.”

Brody picked up the can. “The people in this hospital are innocent victims, and we need to protect them while we’re hunting. We need to remain calm so no one gets hurt.” He focused on Damon. “Are we clear about this?”

Damon held his chin higher. “I know how to do my job and protect people.”

He tapped a finger on a hospital map he’d laid out. “We’ll split into two teams to cover more ground effectively. Damon, you’re with me. We’ll take the east wing. Grady, Justice, Father Ray, you guys handle the west wing. Father Ray, your holy water and incantations will be invaluable.”

Brody’s eyes were alert and calculating. “We stay in pairs, no exceptions. Our primary goal is to protect those in this hospital and neutralize any threats we encounter. Engagement is our last resort.” His firm tone reflected a leadership style honed through experience rather than rank.

He nodded toward the remaining rifle in the duffle bag. “Damon already has a rifle. Justice, you handle the other. Use them only if you have to. We’re here to protect, not provoke. We’ll use our cell phones to communicate. We regroup here in thirty, or immediately if anything comes up.”

Damon looked at Scott. “You stay with my sister, no matter what happens. Got it?”

Scott folded his arms. “I’m not going anywhere.”

I sighed miserably and watched the two teams disappear out the door. I should be going on the hunt with them.

Frustration wasn’t the only thing I felt. What if the demon made good on his promise, and one of them didn’t come back alive?

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Silence hung heavy in the room as Scott and I waited anxiously for the teams to return. Every so often, my eyes darted to the clock, each tick louder in the oppressive quiet. The stillness was unsettling, charged with a sense of foreboding, as if the demons themselves lurked in the shadows, biding their time.

Scott paced the length of the room like a lion trapped in an invisible cage. His restlessness mirrored my inner turmoil. The absence of sound from the hallway only intensified the suspense, making minutes feel like hours.

I tried to focus on any distant noise, a clue to what might be happening outside, but the silence was unyielding, broken only by the soft shuffle of Scott’s footsteps. It was a stark contrast to the chaos that had erupted earlier, and in some ways, it was even more unnerving.

Every so often, Scott would pause and glance at the door as if expecting it to burst open at any moment. But there was nothing. Only the quiet, the waiting, and the growing worry about what might be happening to the others. I couldn’t stop wringing my hands. So far, my tattoo hadn’t started burning, but that didn’t mean anything. This was a big hospital, and the demons could be hiding anywhere, maybe staying out of rose tattoo radar range.

I wanted to stay up and wait for them. My spirit was willing, but my eyes, not so much…

I was back in the same cave again, but the darkness and the demon weren’t there.

FWOOSH-FWOOSH-FWOOSH.

The sound echoed ominously, and I tried to flee, but my legs moved as if mired in quicksand. Each step was a battle, and the sounds grew louder as I slowed to a crawl. Panic gripped me. The memory of the demon’s presence haunted every shadow.

The hair on the back of my neck stood up, and a cold chill crept down my spine. I didn’t want to face the demon again, but it felt like he’d cast another evil spell on me.

A large black form slid over me. I covered my head with my arms, hiding my face, not wanting to look at the demon.

SCREEE-SCREEE-SCREEE.

I stiffened. That sounded like a bird’s cry, not a demon’s screech. I peeked past my arm. Instead of a dark form, it was red with orange, red, and yellow feathered wings.

Then it hit me. That was Aurora. Lisa’s phoenix.

The phoenix glided around the cave as if teasing me.

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