Page 30 of The Shadows of Excess

Justice held my gaze with concern and determination. “Think about it,” he urged gently. “Demons, especially powerful ones, have ways of manipulating memories. It’s not only about instilling fear. It’s about control. If Lisa was trying to reach out to you, it means she had something important to share, something crucial enough that the demon felt threatened.”

I frowned, trying to piece together the fragmented images lingering in my mind. “So the demon’s messing with my memory? I thought it wanted me to find Lisa and her phoenix.”

Damon crumpled his coffee cup and tossed it into the trash can. “According to Father Ray, they like to play games. Kinda like how a cat enjoys torturing a mouse.”

I looked around the room in confusion. “Where’s Father Ray?”

“He returned to his parish, but he left us this.” Damon reached down and produced a two-gallon jug of holy water.

“That’s great.” Hope thawed the eerie chill that had gripped me. I pondered my dream again and blurted, “So, this thing inside my head, blocking my memories...”

“It’s a defense mechanism,” Justice interrupted, nodding slowly. “The demon is scared. Whatever message Lisa tried to send you, it’s something that could weaken or even destroy it. That means it’s something we need to uncover.”

He gave me a patient smile. “Think of dreams as a conduit to the supernatural realm. Demons manipulate barriers between our worlds to protect their secrets.” His voice was low but intense. “It’s like a battlefield of the mind. The demon knows if you uncover what Lisa wanted to tell you, it could shift the balance in our favor. That’s why it’s fighting so hard to keep the knowledge from you.”

Damon leaned in, his gaze sharp. “Okay, so here’s the game plan. We gotta bust through your mental Fort Knox and get those memories back. Who knows? Might find a cheat code to beat our demon buddy. And hey, finding Lisa? That’s the cherry on top. This ain’t fists and guns. It’s Sherlock Holmes time.”

The weight of his words settled on my shoulders, and I felt the gravity of the situation. As if a lightbulb had turned on in my mind, I realized I might hold the key to defeating our powerful adversary. Adrenaline surged through me as I resolved to find Lisa and her phoenix.

“First, I have to get out of this damn hospital.”

Dr. Ward and the nurse were still missing, but several hours later, I got a clean bill of health. I walked out of the hospital with Damon and Justice, ready to find out what the demon was so desperate to hide from us.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Damon gently lowered himself into the driver’s seat of his cherry-red Fairlane, careful not to scratch the soft leather interior. My hand instinctively stroked the smooth surface as I settled into the passenger seat beside him. Justice squeezed into the back, his hand brushing against my back, sending chills through me. He looked like a male model with his chiseled jawline and perfectly styled long, curly hair.

He caught me looking at him, and a warm flush washed over me. I jerked my head to the side, staring out the window. As Damon turned the key in the ignition, I breathed a sigh of relief, happy to be out of the Nightmare on Hospital Room and back in this familiar, comforting car.

Damon turned out of the parking lot. “Where to now?”

“I think we should go back to where I was attacked.” Justice rubbed his rugged chin. “Maybe there was a reason the demons were lurking there.”

“Great idea.” Damon glanced at me. “We could grab some grub at the Twilight Tavern and come up with a plan.”

I cocked an eyebrow. “You’re hungry?”

Damon shrugged. “Hospital food isn’t exactly satisfying.”

I turned my head and caught Justice’s gaze in the rearview mirror. The sound of my stomach growling drowned out the low hum of the car engine. I hoped he hadn’t heard. Suddenly, I blurted, “Do you mind if we stop for a quick bite to eat? Damon’s right. The hospital food isn’t exactly Michelin-star quality.”

His teasing grin made my stomach flip-flop. “You’re hungry, too?” he asked.

My face flushed with embarrassment. “You could hear it?”

“More like it shook the whole car,” Damon joked from the driver’s seat.

“Shut up,” I playfully swatted at him. “You’re as famished as I am.”

“And then some,” he agreed, pulling into the Twilight Tavern’s crowded parking lot. “Hopefully, this time, the demon won’t interfere with our lunch.”

As we headed toward the diner, my gaze darted toward the dimly lit alley for any signs of danger. My tattoo remained silent, but my stomach kept growling, reminding me that I had only eaten bland hospital food for the last several days. I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into a greasy burger and fries.

Justice opened the door for me. As I walked past him, I inhaled his spicy scent, which reminded me of a warm autumn evening. A mix of smoldering bonfire, crisp fallen leaves, and a hint of cinnamon from the seasonal harvest.

Keep your head in the game, Sawyer.

Several people were in front of us, creating a slow-moving line that snaked its way to the hostess’ podium. Damon shifted impatiently, the heels of his boots clicking against the tiled floor. His gaze darted around the room, taking in the retro vibe of the little cafe. The jukebox played an Elvis Presley song, and the soft hum of conversation filled the air. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods wafted from the kitchen, mingling with the sound of clinking dishes and the occasional laugh from a distant table.

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