Page 84 of The Curse of Redwood
What had turned him into a monster?
“Tell me what you’ve experienced so far,” Callum said with his back to us.
“Last night, the ghost spoke through me. It’s the first time anything like that’s happened. Up until then, it’s mainly been dreams. But they felt more like visions. It was so vivid and real. They were also things I shouldn’t have known. Like glimpses into the past.”
Callum turned from the stove and nodded. “It was the spirit. Possession doesn’t happen all at once. It comes in stages. The visions you speak of were more than likely the spirit’s memories. That must have been when the possession strengthened.”
“How did it start?” I asked, trying to pin the exact moment when I had started to feel different.
“Just like with demon possession, there has to be a catalyst. Something that opens the door for them to reach you. It could have been an item you touched or even a person. That moment of contact was what allowed them to first dig their claws in you.”
“A person?” I asked, feeling the blood wash from my face. “What about the ghost’s former lover?”
“That might do it.” Callum brought over a tray with four cups of tea, a pitcher of cream, and a bowl of sugar. “If the spirit felt strongly for this person, then there’s a good chance that’s what caused this. It might also explain the rage I sense.”
“What about my headaches?” I asked. “The doctor said they’re migraines, but I don’t know. It’s just weird.”
“Another sign of possession,” Callum explained, before adding sugar to his tea and taking a drink. “You’re weakening. The body isn’t meant to hold two souls.”
“Can you help him?” Ben asked.
Callum cocked his head at him. “I don’t believe I ever officially introduced myself. Apologies for my rudeness. I’m Callum Gray, and you are?”
“Ben Cross.” He held out his hand for a shake.
Callum froze as their hands touched. Was he seeing into Ben’s mind? Could he do stuff like that? Then, he gave a polite smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Cross. To answer your question, yes, I can help Carter. However, it won’t be easy. The entity that has hold of him is strong and filled with rage. I have never felt anything like it before.”
“That’s just my luck,” I said, curling my fingers around the hot cup of tea. I felt so cold all of a sudden. “I never do anything half-ass. I don’t just get possessed; I get possessed by an evil ghost hellbent on revenge. Yay me. Do I get a gold star now? I better at least get a medal.”
“All is not yet lost, I assure you,” Callum said in a voice so gentle it took me off guard. I hadn’t known the guy long, but he wasn’t exactly all soft and cuddly. “Now drink. It will help.”
I eyed the tea before shrugging and taking a drink. My grandma used to make hot tea all the time, so I was used to drinking it. Earl Grey was the best I’d ever tasted. I nodded in approval and drank a little more. The iciness in my veins faded, and my head didn’t feel so cloudy.
Had Callum put something in it?
Taylor scrutinized the tea before slowly lifting the cup to his lips. His nose curled as he took a drink, and he put the cup back on the saucer. “It’s good. I love it.”
Callum’s lips twitched, as if he wanted to smile but forced it away. “You’re a horrid liar. Try adding some cream and sugar.”
“Cream in tea?” Taylor cringed but did as Callum suggested. He poked his pinky out as he held up the cup again. “I feel very British. Ello, mates, lovely weather we’re havin’, in’d it?”
The smile Callum fought earlier surfaced now, though it faded nearly as quick as it had appeared. He then looked at me. “Can you come back this evening? If I’m going to help you, I need time to prepare.”
“What are you gonna do?” I asked nervously. I recalled all the movies I’d watched about exorcisms and hoped I wouldn’t have to go through something crazy like that. “I’m not going to puke pea soup, am I?”
Ben snorted, while Taylor looked expectantly at Callum. I got the feeling his line of thinking had been on the same track as mine.
“No, and your head won’t spin around either,” Callum answered. “However, I ask that you come alone.” He regarded Ben and Taylor. “When the spirit feels cornered, it might lash out, and you two don’t need to be nearby when it does.”
“Lovely,” I muttered like the smartass I was. I pointed at Ben. “Remember our deal.”
“What deal?” he asked.
“If I die tonight, delete my browser history.”
Ben closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Oh, right. You don’t want people knowing you watch animated porn.”
“Well, gee, Ben. Now Taylor and Callum know. And here I was trying to act like I was normal.”
