Page 21
Story: Love & Other Atrocities
Theodore groans, dropping his head into his hands.
“What do you mean, you are not a real priest?” I snarl.
“Iwas, but they kicked me out.” Benjamin shrugs, looking unconcerned.
“So you can’t…perform an exorcism?” Theodore asks.
“Even if I was still ordained, I don’t even know the whole rite. It has to be performed correctly, and by someone of ‘great faith’. In other words, not me.”
I cannot help but let out a low, savage scream and allow the black claws to reappear at the tips of my fingers.
“You filthy liar!”
“I tried to tell you!”
Theodore takes a step between us. “Ok, just settle down. Do you know anyone who would do itwithoutthe permission of a bishop or family, and without all the mental health tests? Under the table, I guess…”
“Not here,” Benjamin says. “I could try to make some calls, but…I’m not exactly in good standing with the church anymore. Not really in a place to ask for favors, especially ones that break rules.”
“Fuck!” Theodore snaps. I begin pacing the floor beside the window, Benjamin’s dark eyes following me closely.
“So…you’re a real demon?” he asks. “What’s Hell like? I’ve been told that’s where I’ll end up. It would be nice to get a sense of the place.” He is smirking, as if it is all a joke, and the rage in my chest burns even hotter.
“Your human mind cannot comprehend the horrors that await you,Father,” I say softly, flashing my pointed teeth.
He is, apparently, still unfazed, and shifts his gaze to Theodore. “So…what now? Can I go?”
“I…I don’t know.”
“Am I allowed to ask questions about your…situation?”
“I guess so.”
“She seems to want an exorcism as badly as you do. What’s the deal? I thought demonswantedto stay inside their host as long as possible.”
“This ‘host’ is weak and cowardly,” I say, waving my hand at Theodore. “I cannot take hold of him, nor bend him to my will.”
He glares at me across the room. “I’m just…dealing with some shit, and I guess that makes it harder for her to take over my soul, or whatever. She wants out so she can go find another victim, and I want her out…for obvious reasons.”
“And you can’t just leave on your own?” Benjamin asks me.
“Not unless I have completed my mission, or if I am recalled by my masters in the Seventh Tower.”
“Ok, well…skipping right over what the fuck that is, what would make your mission complete? What do you have to do?”
“I must corrupt his soul so completely that it will never wash clean, by controlling his mind and body to make him commit the most heinous of sins.”
Benjamin actually laughs, but then his face grows serious when he looks at me. “Oh…for real? I mean…that all sounds super dramatic.”
“That’s just how she talks,” Theodore says, rolling his eyes. Benjamin grins, then sits up and claps his hands together.
“Ok, listen. I know this sounds completely insane, but…I want to help you,” he says to Theodore. “I’ll be honest, I’m interested. Even when I was clergy, I guess this was part of it that I just…didn’t really believe in. So, I’m willing to make the two of you a deal.”
“You are in no position to make bargains, Father!” I hiss, sweeping my clawed hand toward him. He gulps, but does not otherwise react.
“What deal?” Theodore asks.
“I’ll make those calls and try to get someone out here who could do your exorcism…under the table. But, until then, you let me crash here. I’ll give you back what’s left of the money I took too, as a sign of good faith.” He pulls a wad of human money from his pocket and holds it out.
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21 (Reading here)
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 86
- Page 87
- Page 88
- Page 89
- Page 90
- Page 91
- Page 92
- Page 93
- Page 94
- Page 95
- Page 96
- Page 97
- Page 98
- Page 99
- Page 100
- Page 101
- Page 102
- Page 103
- Page 104
- Page 105
- Page 106
- Page 107
- Page 108
- Page 109