Page 22 of Shadow Scorching

“So, spirits, and entities. I wish I could tell which ones are the spirits, but I’m just starting to come into my powers with ghosts.” I frowned. “You’d think I’d be able to sense other demons, but again, at this point, I’m not all that familiar with the energy of most demons, though I think…I might be able to sense someone from the Arosien Clan, now. Though…maybe not. Seton told me that I’ve got a long way to go, and I have to be patient.”

“Seton?” Michael turned to me, a question in his eyes.

“I suppose you have the right to know,” I said, sighing. “I’m half-demon.”

He stared at me for a moment and I expected him to melt down. “I imagine that demons are as varied as humans and shifters, right?”

Grateful for his open mind, I nodded. “That holds true through most races, I think. Demons may be more temperamental and dangerous, but not always, and those of us who are half-blood, well, we could easily take after our human sides. Or shifters, or whatever.”

“So, let’s start setting up our equipment,” Orik said. “We can gather more information this way, and hopefully figure out how to counter them.”

“What kind of equipment are you setting up?” Michael asked.

“Cameras capable of catching images of spirits, EVP recorders—electronic voice phenomenon recorders, CSRs—cold spot recorders. They monitor minute changes in temperatures through the whole room, and capture it on an infrared image. We also have a few other goodies—a magical alarm that goes off when spirits cross its path.” Orik stood. “I’ll start getting things ready. Dante, want to help me?”

Dante followed him out to the car, leaving Sophia and me with Michael.

“How are you doing?Really?” I asked, catching his gaze and holding it.

After a moment’s silence, he coughed, his shoulders slumping forward. “Honestly? I’ve been better. I saw the kids last night. My wife wants to sell, but we don’t have the money. She says we’ll take the loss and live with her parents. I don’t know if I can face it. They already look at me like a loser.”

A chill ran down my back and I immediately flashed to Jack Farquar, who had lived in this house and killed his entire family for the same reason.

Sophia leaned forward. “Michael, you have to be careful. With your mood, you’re opening yourself up to them. The more depressed you get, the more of an opening they’ll have. Move out. Go stay with your family, go stay in a hotel, it doesn’t matter. Don’t spend another night here.”

He stared at her, unsmiling. “I don’t know if I can do that. I don’t know that I can afford a hotel, but going to stay with my in-laws?”

“Don’t let your ego get in the way. I know it stings, but it’s dangerous for you—and ultimately, your family—for you to be here any longer. Let us figure out what’s going on. You, take care of yourself and your family.” Sophia leaned forward. “I implore you. I’m an oracle. I may not be able to tell you what’s invading your home, but I can see glimpses of the future. If you stay here, you’ll die and join the spirits who are trapped here.”

At that, he straightened, an alarmed look crossing his face. “What?”

“I’m serious,” Sophia said. “I can see parts of your timeline and if you stay in this house, while it’s haunted, you won’t make it out.”

That seemed to spark a fire under him. “I’ll call my wife,” he said, paling.

As he walked over to the corner to call his wife, I turned to Sophia. “Are you serious?” I mouthed.

“Deadly,” she whispered back.

A moment later, Michael returned to where we were sitting. “I’ll pack a bag and go stay with them. Would you like me to leave the keys with you? I suppose I shouldn’t re-enter the house until you tell us it’s clear.”

“Please do. In fact, why don’t you give us the keys now and go. The sooner you leave, the less hold these entities will have on you.” I held out my hand. “I guarantee we’ll lock up and make sure everything’s secure. My company is bonded, by the way.”

“I’m not concerned about that. My kids and my wife need me. I don’t dare stay if this is putting my life in danger.” Michael stood, taking a deep breath. He took his house key off the keychain and handed it to me.

I clipped it onto my keychain and pointed toward the door. “Go on. Take off now. We’ll call you with news as soon as we have any.”

He picked up his bag and waved, heading for the door. As he reached for the doorknob, a loud crash came from upstairs. Michael paused, then left the house. A moment later, the guys returned, Orik pushing a dolly that had a fuckton of equipment on it.

Dante followed, carrying still more. “Michael said he’s leaving?”

“Sophia sensed that if he stays, whatever is here will kill him and he’ll be trapped in the house with the other spirits. We told him to swallow his pride and go stay with his family, because they need him.” I stood. “Okay, let’s get these cameras set up.”

We set up cameras in all three bedrooms, one in the attic, one in the kitchen and one in the living room. Then, Orik set upthe EVP recorders and the other equipment. Dante helped him test everything and we were ready to go.

“We can access these remotely?” I asked.

“Yep, we’ll be able to monitor everything from the office,” Orik said. “Now, can we get the hell out of here? This place gives me the creeps.”

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