Page 133 of Traitor

And then, like a goddamn switch flipping, the fucker lights up.

His spine straightens. His eyes burn.

"She killed our pastor! She has to pay for her crime! She is a demon who needs to be destroyed! Banished from Earth! She is evil and will spread her sins across this land, corrupting humanity! Apephet, our savior, will not stand for this! We must prepare for the arrival of the Holy Nagathis and—"

I tune him out.

I don't need to hear any more of this shit to know he's already dead.

I glance over at Ghost, expecting his usual blank stare. But the motherfucker is smiling.

Full-on. Teeth showing.

I blink.

The first real smile I've seen in thirteen fucking years — and it's directed at a raving lunatic who wears Crocs and preaches about demons.

I don't know which one of them is more disturbing.

I take a breath. Focus.

Turn back to crazy straws.

"We can't be letting demons run amok now, can we?" My voice is calm, understanding, almost soothing. Like I'm his goddamn disciple.

He nods fervently, like I've just confirmed all of his sick little beliefs.

"Do your... brothers? Parishioners?Friends?" I throw out words like darts. "Do they know you found where the demon is hiding?"

His face glows with excitement. Does this fucker really think I'm on his side?

"I was going to call them with her exact address once I was sure," he says eagerly. "We had an incident before, and I didn't want a repeat. I saw her go to that house a few days ago, but then she left not long after. I tried to follow, but I lost her trail. And she never came back. I know someone else lives there. Another woman. I'm sure that woman has been corrupted, too." His eyes blaze with fanaticism. "She will need to be dealt with. Purified with holy venom. To erase the stench of the demon from her soul."

Yeah, he'sdone.

"So no one knows you're here?" My voice stays light, casual.

Something flickers in his eyes. Suspicion.

I can't have that.

I pick up a knife, walk to the chair and cut the bindings on his right hand. He flinches, confused.

I do the same with the other, then pull him to his feet.

Throw an arm around his shoulders, friendly-like.

"We'll help you with your little demon problem," I murmur, my voice dripping with sincerity. "Evil shouldn't be allowed to fester, spreading lies and corruption among the righteous." I keep my voice steady, my expression grave. "I know exactly who the woman you're looking for is. But we'll need reinforcements. Holy ones. From your group. She's too powerful for just us. She even poisoned us once. We barely escaped with our lives." It's a fucking struggle to keep my face straight.

His breath catches.

Hook. Line. Sinker.

"So, do they know you're here in Silverpine? Or do you need to call them?" I press gently. "We'll need all the help we can get."

His entire body vibrates with excitement.

"I knew the Holy Nagathis was guiding me! He always provides when the righteous are in need! I haven't called my Order yet, but I can do it now! I was meant to be in Brookside two days ago, but when I saw the demon, I stayed here. I knew I had to gather more information before alerting my brethren. They'll need time to prepare the sacred rites, the tools." His breath quickens, eyes gleaming with unhinged zeal. "The demon's blood must be collected with precision, stored in a sanctified amphora, untouched by corruption. And the other one — the tainted one... she will require a different method of purification. A venom, potent and holy, to cleanse her soul before the ritual can begin..."

---