Exorcized (Episode Five: The Nightshade Cases) Read online

  But right here, right now, as she pulled the beautiful woman across the threshold and kissed her with all the passion she could muster, it didn’t matter who knew they were together. “I’m sorry. I know how hurt you must be.”

  “I’ll be fine. Now that I’m here, with you.” Smiling, dark eyes full of mystery and promise and still with a hint of hurt, Cici followed Ray to the bedroom and closed the door.

  ***

  INT. – ST. BONIFACE HOSPITAL – NIGHT

  Gideon whistled as he entered the elevator and pressed the button to the correct floor. He adored these little errands, especially when it meant gathering more sheep to his flock.

  Utterly delightful.

  A simple smile and a push of his charm at the night nurses had him cruising past their station, through the pediatrics ward. The scent of all that young death invigorated him, set his dervish heart to pitter pat with the delight of their pending demise. Too bad they were, for the most part, human. How delicious it would be to find a dying paranormal to snack upon in their final hour.

  Not to be, alas. He carefully schooled his features as he approached the doorway, the pull of his subject drawing him on. He had a job to do tonight, and he really shouldn’t allow himself to become distracted.

  She gasped when he entered, muttering in Spanish while the father cursed softly and tried to place himself between them. Gideon firmly shoved Edward Richards back into his chair and smiled with the utmost charisma at his considerable command, aimed directly at Maria.

  She came to his side, kissing his heavy, gold ring, pressing his thick fingers against her dark cheek. “My love,” she whispered while Edward stared with hate and the inability to act.

  “Our child has reached his maturity.” Gideon turned his head, to stare into the boy’s eyes. Down syndrome was an unfortunate side effect to crossing these particular races together, but his dedication and loyalty thanks to the anomaly of genetics would make him an excellent addition to Gideon’s followers. “I’ve come to take him home.”

  “Don’t touch him, devil.” Edward finally found the courage to speak again. Gideon ignored him as Maria wept. “Father Harry warned us.” Now he had the Collective leader’s attention. “He warned us about you. That you’d come and take the boy away.”

  “Did he, now.” Gideon’s smile held no joy or caring, only malice. “What else did your precious Father Harry say?”

  Maria tugged on his hand, caught his attention as a fly might. “Forgive us,” she wept. “We should have trusted in you.”

  Gideon jerked his arm free from her grip, disgusted by the both of them. Time to be done with the caretakers of his seed. He gestured to the boy who rose from the bed, jerking free the IV lines and pushing past his mother to stand with his new master.

  “It’s a good thing Father Harry is dead.” Gideon’s grin shone with sparkling white teeth. “Saves me having to kill him. Night, now, you two. Be good.”

  The nurses would have protested, except they didn’t see Jimmy past Gideon’s charm. He was already on the elevator before he spotted the young, bleached blonde woman watching with huge eyes, staring in fear.

  He waved at her, waggling his fingers, as the elevator doors closed softly behind him.

  In about an hour, he’d have his people visit the Richards house. Clean up loose ends. For now, he had what he came for.

  “Ready for an adventure, son?” Gideon clapped a big hand on the boy’s shoulder.

  Slanted, almond eyes flickered from dark brown to deep, sullen red. One hand lifted to rub at the scars on his chest. Six symbols he’d earned through his faithfulness to the Collective.

  “Ready, Father,” Jimmy said.

  (CUT TO BLACK)

  ###

  Next time on The Nightshade Cases…

  Kinsey has the worst taste in men. Especially when the charming, handsome guy she falls for happens to be a con artist and criminal who just can’t seem to stay dead…

  Look for Episode #6: Try Dying, in two weeks!

  Try Dying

  Booty Call

  Death Song

  Zoology101

  Teacher’s Pet

  Panic Room

  Bad Shoot

  Sicko

  Federali

  Witness

  The Hit

  Mimic

  The Maze

  Haunted

  Splish Splash

  Divided We Stand

  Don’t miss a single episode of Season One! Sign up for new release emails at www.bit.ly/pattilarsenemail.

  ***

  About the Author

  Everything you need to know about me is in this one statement: I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was a little girl, and now I’m doing it. How cool is that, being able to follow your dream and make it reality? I’ve tried everything from university to college, graduating the second with a journalism diploma (I sucked at telling real stories), was in an all-girl improv troupe for five glorious years (if you’ve never tried it, I highly recommend making things up as you go along as often as possible). I’ve even been in a Celtic girl band (some of our stuff is on YouTube!) and was an independent film maker. My life has been one creative thing after another—all leading me here, to writing books for a living.

  Now with multiple series in happy publication, I live on beautiful and magical Prince Edward Island (I know you’ve heard of Anne of Green Gables) with my very patient husband and six massive cats.

  I love-love-love hearing from you! You can reach me (and I promise I’ll message back) at [email protected]. And if you’re eager for your next dose of Patti Larsen books (usually about one release a month) come join my mailing list! All the best up and coming, giveaways, contests and, of course, my observations on the world (aren’t you just dying to know what I think about everything?) all in one place: www.bit.ly/pattilarsenemail.

  Last—but not least!—I hope you enjoyed what you read! Your happiness is my happiness. And I’d love to hear just what you thought. A review where you found this book would mean the world to me—reviews feed writers more than you will ever know. So, loved it (or not so much), your honest review would make my day. Thank you!