We leapt to our feet and headed in the direction of the larger dining room. As we entered, a table was knocked over as if someone rushed past it. Further tables had been disturbed, and a woman shrieked.
“No! I said no! This is mine,”she cried.
Though no one was visible, a fight likely occurred here.
“What’s going on?” Suga demanded with a frown.
“Help me!”the woman called.
“It’s the maid, and the ghoul is draining her energy,” Callie gasped. We couldn’t see her to help.
Michelle brandished a cross and began reciting prayers, but the woman’s voice became fainter than her cries. Lucky, Callie and Ghoul joined in as my club followed suit, but the maid’s voice faded.
A low, dark chuckle ran around the dining room.“Can’t stop me.”
I flinched at the evilness in his voice.
“Who are you?” I demanded.
“Weak fool,”the ghoul retorted.
“Yeah, whatever. Are you Jeremiah?” I asked.
“Don’t control. Mine. Leave.”
I frowned. Was it telling me we didn’t control it, that this place was his, and that he wanted us to leave?
“Yeah, not happening, pal. Can’t say we’re scared of you,” I retorted.
“You. Will. Be.”
The lights flashed, making us jump, and then the Inn plunged into darkness. A woman screamed.
“Callie!” Sunny roared.
“That wasn’t me!” she called back.
“Michelle!” Jack snapped.
“I’m fine.”
The scream echoed, and a loud slam came from somewhere in the Inn.
“Murder most foul.”A voice whispered, and a chill ran down my spine. Jeremiah was amping up and giving us a display.
“Shouldn’t he burn through his energy manifesting like this?” Trunk murmured.
“Usually, yes. But Jeremiah feeds on our energy now. The fear and shock we’re experiencing is replacing what he’s using,” Callie murmured.
“Fuck!” I exclaimed.
“How do we get rid of him?” Dive demanded.
“I need to figure that out,” Michelle replied. The lights flickered and then came back on.
“Warned,”Jeremiah said.
“Yeah, one we’re going to ignore, thanks,” Reaver called out.
