Industrial Magic
Page 105
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We think it might not be a ghost at all, I said to Benicio. Then I looked at Lucas. I think its time to consider exorcism.
He nodded. Past time, by the look of things. We should
No exorcism, Jaime said.
Yes, I realize theyre unpleasant, Lucas said. Yet it cant be any worse than what youre enduring now. This has gone far enough
No, it hasnt, she said firmly. It hasnt gone far enough. Not yet. Whatever this thing is, it has a message its eagerpainfully eagerto deliver to you guys. Its a rough ride, but Im prepared to tough it out if itll help solve this case.
What if its not trying to help us? I said. Look at the way its acting. Thats not normal behavior for a helpful spirit.
But it has helped, right? It gave us the vampire clue and led us to Cass She stopped, eyes going wide. Oh, my god. Paige is right. It is evil.
I heard that.
I twisted to see Cassandra in the open doorway between the cabins. She stifled a yawn.
I smiled. Got some sleep?
A nap.
Good.
She started forward, then blinked, seeing Benicio. She slanted a look my way, and I knew she wanted a proper introduction this time.
I gestured toward Cassandra. Benicio, this is
Cassandra DuCharme, Benicio said, standing and extending a hand. Pleased to meet you.
Cassandras brows arched.
Benicio smiled as he released her hand. When Lucas first raised the possibility that we were dealing with a vampire, I suspected it might have been you I met at Tyler Boyds apartment. The Cabal keeps very good records on all supernaturals of influence, so I only needed to check our dossiers for your photograph to be sure.
One advantage to vampire mug shots, I said. Theyre never out-of-date.
I assume youre here to represent the vampires interests in this matter? Benicio said.
Yes, Cassandra said. Something which, I fear She stopped and her gaze swept across the other side of the cabin, her frown growing as she saw no one there. She gave her head a sharp shake. Which I fear may become
She wheeled, one hand shooting up, palm out, as if to ward something off. She scowled at the empty space behind her.
Huh, Jaime said. Good to see Im not the only skittish one this morning.
Cassandras gaze shot to Jaime, getting a look at her for the first time. What the hell happened to you?
Same thing I think is happening to you, Jaime said.Without the clawing, bitch-slapping, hair-pulling, and all that fun psychic wounding stuff.
Jaimes spirit is back, I explained. Its probably here now. Is that what youre sensing?
Cassandra cast another look around. Im not sure. What
Jaime flew forward, nearly onto Lucass lap. He lunged to grab her, but before he could, she jerked back into her seat so hard she ricocheted off it and would have toppled to the floor if both Lucas and I hadnt caught her.
What? she shouted at the ceiling. We arent moving fast enough for you? Impatient bitch.
Its a woman? Benicio asked.
Jaime flourished a hand at the claw marks down her face. Either that or a demon with talons. Fights like a woman, Ill tell you that much. She fingered her scalp and winced for effect, then looked at me. You dont see any bald spots, do you?
I lifted up in my seat for a better look, then shook my head. Nothing a good brushing wont fix.
Thank God. Last thing I need is
Jaimes head whipped back so fast her vertebra crackled. Lucas, Benicio, and I all jumped from our chairs, and even Cassandra stepped forward. Twin indentations appeared on the side of Jaimes neck. Before anyone had time to react, the dents punctured through the skin and blood spurted.
Cassandra shouldered me aside. Jaime yelped, her hand going to her neck as she backed away from Cassandra. Blood gushed over her fingers. Lucas reached to grab Cassandras arm, lips parting to cast a spell. Then he saw that I wasnt trying to stop Cassandra.
Its okay, I said to Jaime. Let her
Jaimes bloodied hands shot out to push Cassandra away.
She can I began, but Jaimes scream cut me short.
Cassandra reached for Jaime, but Jaime kicked her back. Arterial blood continued to spurt from Jaimes neck. As Lucas dove to grab her, I cast a binding spell, but it failed. Benicio was on the phone, calling for help. By the time a medic arrived, it would be too late, but there was no time to tell him this. I cast the binding spell and, again, in my panic, fumbled it. Lucas grabbed Jaimes arm, but it was slick with blood and she yanked free easily. She was fighting blindly now, kicking and hitting at anything that came close.
Jaime! I shouted. Let Cassandra
Lucas tackled Jaime. She fought, but he pinned her down. Cassandra bent over Jaime. Blood sprayed Cassandras face as she lowered her mouth to the wounds. Jaime screamed and bucked, throwing Cassandra off, but when she jerked upright, the wounds had closed, leaving the tiny punctures invisible from where I stood.
He nodded. Past time, by the look of things. We should
No exorcism, Jaime said.
Yes, I realize theyre unpleasant, Lucas said. Yet it cant be any worse than what youre enduring now. This has gone far enough
No, it hasnt, she said firmly. It hasnt gone far enough. Not yet. Whatever this thing is, it has a message its eagerpainfully eagerto deliver to you guys. Its a rough ride, but Im prepared to tough it out if itll help solve this case.
What if its not trying to help us? I said. Look at the way its acting. Thats not normal behavior for a helpful spirit.
But it has helped, right? It gave us the vampire clue and led us to Cass She stopped, eyes going wide. Oh, my god. Paige is right. It is evil.
I heard that.
I twisted to see Cassandra in the open doorway between the cabins. She stifled a yawn.
I smiled. Got some sleep?
A nap.
Good.
She started forward, then blinked, seeing Benicio. She slanted a look my way, and I knew she wanted a proper introduction this time.
I gestured toward Cassandra. Benicio, this is
Cassandra DuCharme, Benicio said, standing and extending a hand. Pleased to meet you.
Cassandras brows arched.
Benicio smiled as he released her hand. When Lucas first raised the possibility that we were dealing with a vampire, I suspected it might have been you I met at Tyler Boyds apartment. The Cabal keeps very good records on all supernaturals of influence, so I only needed to check our dossiers for your photograph to be sure.
One advantage to vampire mug shots, I said. Theyre never out-of-date.
I assume youre here to represent the vampires interests in this matter? Benicio said.
Yes, Cassandra said. Something which, I fear She stopped and her gaze swept across the other side of the cabin, her frown growing as she saw no one there. She gave her head a sharp shake. Which I fear may become
She wheeled, one hand shooting up, palm out, as if to ward something off. She scowled at the empty space behind her.
Huh, Jaime said. Good to see Im not the only skittish one this morning.
Cassandras gaze shot to Jaime, getting a look at her for the first time. What the hell happened to you?
Same thing I think is happening to you, Jaime said.Without the clawing, bitch-slapping, hair-pulling, and all that fun psychic wounding stuff.
Jaimes spirit is back, I explained. Its probably here now. Is that what youre sensing?
Cassandra cast another look around. Im not sure. What
Jaime flew forward, nearly onto Lucass lap. He lunged to grab her, but before he could, she jerked back into her seat so hard she ricocheted off it and would have toppled to the floor if both Lucas and I hadnt caught her.
What? she shouted at the ceiling. We arent moving fast enough for you? Impatient bitch.
Its a woman? Benicio asked.
Jaime flourished a hand at the claw marks down her face. Either that or a demon with talons. Fights like a woman, Ill tell you that much. She fingered her scalp and winced for effect, then looked at me. You dont see any bald spots, do you?
I lifted up in my seat for a better look, then shook my head. Nothing a good brushing wont fix.
Thank God. Last thing I need is
Jaimes head whipped back so fast her vertebra crackled. Lucas, Benicio, and I all jumped from our chairs, and even Cassandra stepped forward. Twin indentations appeared on the side of Jaimes neck. Before anyone had time to react, the dents punctured through the skin and blood spurted.
Cassandra shouldered me aside. Jaime yelped, her hand going to her neck as she backed away from Cassandra. Blood gushed over her fingers. Lucas reached to grab Cassandras arm, lips parting to cast a spell. Then he saw that I wasnt trying to stop Cassandra.
Its okay, I said to Jaime. Let her
Jaimes bloodied hands shot out to push Cassandra away.
She can I began, but Jaimes scream cut me short.
Cassandra reached for Jaime, but Jaime kicked her back. Arterial blood continued to spurt from Jaimes neck. As Lucas dove to grab her, I cast a binding spell, but it failed. Benicio was on the phone, calling for help. By the time a medic arrived, it would be too late, but there was no time to tell him this. I cast the binding spell and, again, in my panic, fumbled it. Lucas grabbed Jaimes arm, but it was slick with blood and she yanked free easily. She was fighting blindly now, kicking and hitting at anything that came close.
Jaime! I shouted. Let Cassandra
Lucas tackled Jaime. She fought, but he pinned her down. Cassandra bent over Jaime. Blood sprayed Cassandras face as she lowered her mouth to the wounds. Jaime screamed and bucked, throwing Cassandra off, but when she jerked upright, the wounds had closed, leaving the tiny punctures invisible from where I stood.
