Page 28 of Chillingham Castle

The moan echoed again, and the wind blasted through the castle, taking no prisoners. Every single door flew open, and items were knocked down.

We staggered back as the wind hit us hard, and Lynnie released a startled cry as she grabbed the laptop she’d been working on.

“I said days? Make that less. If that’s La Llorona flexing, she’s stronger than we thought,” I stated.

This was just the beginning.

Chapter Six.

Lucky

As we approached the dungeon forty minutes later, cackling reached us. Clearly, activity continued, and the demon was definitely behind some of it. It had anticipated what would happen and was acting out.

I checked the salt across the doorway and shook my head. It had been nearly blown away.

“Nice try,” I whispered and redid it.

“He tried to escape?” Haunt asked.

“Yeah. Chillingham has three desperate and dangerous entities. One on their own is fine, but the three of them together? We’re looking at a major disaster,” I murmured.

I shoved open the door and stepped inside. The evil had seeped into the walls here; you felt it as soon as you entered. It appeared just as oppressive as before. My sole comfort was knowing the spirits who’d been trapped here were now free.

“You returned,” the demon hissed.

“What’s your name?” I replied, and a cackling laugh was their reply.

“Think I’m a fool? No names, fake priest,” the demon taunted.

“Creature, I’m sending you back. It can be hard or easy; you pick,” I declared as everyone spread out around the dungeon.

“Who said I wish to go home?” the demon retorted.

“It’s inevitable. You guys consistently lose; why fight me?”

“Because it’s our nature, fake priest, and you don’t always win. Shall we battle?”

I ground my teeth and held out my cross. Steadily, I began with ritual prayers to undermine it and weaken it.

The laughter persisted for a while.

“Boring.”

A stone flew out of nowhere and hit Reaver on the shoulder.

Reaver yelped and jumped back as our eyes searched the darkness. I continued, slowly blessing the area to lock the demon down. It was harder than a possession because then I had someone to concentrate on. Here, the minion of hell used the shadows to move about.

Lich cried out and grabbed his stomach. “Asshole scratched me,” he growled.

“Damn it,” Haunt snapped.

I kept my focus despite the demon hurting my brothers to distract me.

Jack wafted incense in the air, clearly comfortable with exorcisms, which helped me.

“You’re weakening,” the demon cackled.

Coffee yelped. “Fucker clawed me too.”