Page 50 of Malice

I nod back, rising to my feet. “Stand next to me, Hudson. Keep hold of Otto please.”

“Of course.”

I roll the cleansing stick in the oil then dip it into the potion before lighting it. As soon as I do, the air in the room seems to thicken, like an unseen fog has rolled in. The room darkens as if the sun dipped behind the clouds. A shiver of foreboding rolls down my back, and Hudson must be feeling it too as he clings to me.

I bend my head to look at the spell, gasping as the Horror bursts into the room, clearly agitated by whatever is in this potion.

I wave the cleansing stick around the room, aiming it at the Horror, who snarls and growls at me.

“Any malicious energies, spirits, and intentions must leave now.”

The Horror tilts its head, sneering at me but making no attempt to leave.

“Toss some of the potion at it,” Crash says. “The house spirits suggested it.”

I nod, scooping some out and noting how warm it feels before I blow it at the Horror. It shrieks and rears back, so I repeat my command.

“Any malicious energies, spirits, and intentions must leave now!”

I grab the obsidian crystal, waving it in the air.

“Obsidian, assist me with protection, willpower, focus, and strength.”

The Horror continues moaning and shrieking, but I notice how the sound is weakening. Maybe I’m feeling a little confident, but it seems like a good time to try and get his name again.

“Tell me your name, Horror, and end this nightmare for both of us. You’re powerless here. All you’re doing is delaying your inevitable demise. I’m not leaving Hudson.”

That was apparently the wrong thing to say because the front door flies open, slamming against the wall as a wicked windwhips up, sweeping me off my feet and sending me tumbling out the door and straight into the front yard, where I land with a thud. Slightly winded, I scramble back to the door, but I’m unable to open it. My panic grows when I hear Otto yelp and Hudson scream my name.

With all the strength I have I yank the handle and kick the door to no avail, until Crash appears next to me, holding my potion. For once, he actually looks stressed, his brow creased and gaze intense.

“Sprinkle this on the door and say, ‘Malicious energy, go back to the source of your power.’”

I do exactly that, and when the door swings open, I fall forward inside. Hudson throws himself and Otto into my arms. The Horror shrieks as it’s pushed back forcefully into the kitchen.

I hold on to Hudson. “Are you okay? Did it hurt you?”

He shakes his head. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” I pull back to cuddle Otto. “Did he hurt my dog?”

“No, just scared him. Otto is brave and tried to run at him.”

“Okay. Hold on a second.”

I hurry over to the threshold between the kitchen and dining room and sprinkle some of the potion on the floor. Peering through the opening, I spot the weakened Horror cowering in the corner. I blow out a breath. This should keep him at bay for a little while at least.

When I turn around, the house spirits are behind me, and without words or even a noticeable gesture, I sense their pride and happiness with me.

You can relax now.

“For how long?”

Hard to say, but he’s weakened. Your spell worked and it will take him time to recover.

“Thank you.”

I return to the living room to find Hudson and Otto sitting on the couch. Hudson offers a tentative smile.

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