Page 96 of The Sinner and the Scholar
“I’ll come back,” I promise, then rush to Prue’s bedside.
“Thank God,” the Rev says upon seeing me. She’s sitting on a chair, holding her rosary beads to her lips.
Father Angelotti stands at the foot of the bed, holding his Bible toward Prue and praying. The tired man shoots me a look of relief. As I look around the bed, everyone has the same expression.
Their faith gives me the courage to take charge. Prue hisses and screams as the staff nears her, but I continue my healing thoughts. The staff heats and fires up, glowing brightly. It wants to help. But something is wrong. Prue’s body suddenly drops to the bed. She surveys us and cackles like this is all a game. Iridescent scales roll beneath her sores and rotting flesh. Something moves inside her body. Something alien. It wants to break through.
“That won’t kill me.” The taunt from her lips is otherworldly and profound. “I am too strong. A prince of hell.”
“No,” Father Angelotti replies, his face stern as he wraps his rosary around his Bible, ensuring the crucifix faces the demon. “You are Loimós Leviathan.”
Shock enters the demon’s expression. Then the unmistakable pallor of fear. They must have waited for me to arrive before using the power of the name. I see why. Now the demon is desperate. It bucks inside Prue’s body, thrashes, and moves with unnatural strength. A giant invisible hand grips her spine and flops her up and down like a ragdoll.
It becomes glaringly apparent that whatever came before this was an act. This is real. Leather straps creak as they strain. Chaos erupts.
“Hold her down,” Mercy barks, renewing her grip on Prue’s shoulder. Leila takes another. Raven grabs a leg, and Tawny holds Prue’s head between her hands. The Saint mumbles something to Father, hands him a vial of holy water, then takes the other leg. Wesley gives Jinx to Zeke and joins in, holding down any part of Prue he can grasp.
Halogen lights flicker. Bulbs burst. I hold the relic to Prue’s body and think healing thoughts, but it’s still not helping. Wesley was right. I might have to obliterate the demon—as I did with Vepar… but that won’t save Prue.
“I can’t do anything until the demon is out,” I shout. “Otherwise, Prue might die.”
“I think she’s dying anyway,” the Reverend Mother says quietly.
Prue’s body contorts with a succession of wet cracks… from the inside.
“Help her, Thea,” Tawny cries. “Help her now.”
“But—”
“Now!” she barks, eyes blazing.
Demon Prue’s manic laughter escalates. She snaps the restraint on her left wrist and swings at Mercy. Father Angelotti lunges and intercepts. The strain of keeping Prue’s fist from connecting with Mercy turns his face red. But he never once falters with his prayers.
Wesley turns to me. “You said the relic works with your thoughts, and if you match what Cisco says, perhaps you will combine powers.”
Father nods without breaking his flow. His words are in Latin, but I understand every single one of them. With both hands on the staff, I keep pressing it to Prue’s body and join Father.
She stops struggling. Her back lands on the bed again, and she stills. The thing inside her is watching us through black eyes.
“You won’t kill me,” it rasps. “I’ll only take the Stony One’s place. And then I’ll find a way out.”
“Stony One,” Wesley mumbles thoughtfully.
The next part happens in slow motion. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the horror for the rest of my life. I increase the force of the relic. The light glows blindingly, just like when I healed Wes. Father pushes his rosary-wrapped Bible onto Prue’s chest while dousing her with holy water. Prue’s mouth gapes open, revealing sharp piranha-like fangs. Wesley shouts for us to stop, but I hear him through water as I arrive at the same conclusion.
Stony One.
Sakhr.
Prison.
We’ve been duped. But it’s too late.
Out of Prue’s unhinged demonic mouth, a masculine hand appears. I’m too horrified to move. Is this a hallucination? Is it real? No—I glance around the bed—only those with the Sight are as stunned as me. But they’re still afraid. Something is happening. When I look back at Prue, a man has climbed out of her mouth.
An entire man.
He rolls over her body and drops to the floor between Mercy and Dom. They’re both so alarmed they step aside.
