The Demon in Me by Michelle Rowen Read Free Book Online

Darrak asked.
    “Yes.”
    “Did I do something wrong?”
    “I think you know what you did.”
    There was silence for so long she thought he’d vanished to the same place he’d been before when she couldn’t hear him. But then, “You’re right. I’m sorry for intruding. I guess I’m feeling a bit powerless at the moment.”
    “That makes two of us.”
    Another pause. “Like I said before, I’ve never been able to talk to a previous host so easily before. Maybe this is an opportunity to work together to find the witch so I, pardon the expression, get the hell out of your life.”
    She tensed at that. “How do you know she’s close right now?”
    “When she cursed me, the black magic she used left a residual trace that still remains after all this time. Think of it like a very weak, magical GPS. And right now it’s signaling to me that she’s not that far away.”
    Sure. That was as clear as scary, demonic mud.
    Eden stared out of the window as Ben’s black Chrysler LeBaron turned the corner and sped off into the distance. “I can’t believe he asked me out and I insulted him.”
    “You like him.”
    “What’s not to like? He’s absolutely perfect.” She pressed her lips together, frustration over this situation spreading over her again. “I want you to go away, Darrak. Please. I can’t live like this.”
    “If you help me find the witch then I will go away. Gladly.”
    “What’s her name?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “You don’t know the name of the witch that cursed you? There are five million people in this city and the surrounding area.”
    “I’ll find her. And as soon as I do, I promise that this will all be over.”
    “Not good enough.”
    Remembering what the exorcist said earlier, she clenched her jaw and cracked open the Bible.
    “Be strong and of a good courage,” she read aloud, “fear not, nor be afraid… for the Lord thy God—”
    “What exactly do you think you’re doing?” Darrak interrupted.
    “I’m reading from the Bible.”
    “Do you do this a lot?”
    “I like to read from my trusty Bible all day, every day. Do you have a problem with that? Does it sting a little?” She raised an eyebrow. “Does it make you want to leave and never come back?”
    “I’m afraid it’s not quite that easy. However, if you take requests, I always find Revelations quite soothing.”
    Damn. How could a demon not be affected by holy scripture? She hadn’t gone to church since she was ten years old, but it should still work. What kind of a demon was he, anyhow?
    A good demon, he’d told her.
    Right .
    “I don’t know what I can tell you to set your mind at ease.” He sounded weary. “I want this over with as much as you do. More, if that’s possible. I’ve had to exist this way for so long I barely remember what it was like before. Please, Eden. I can’t end this without you.”
    She put the Bible down. “I know how to end this.”
    “So, you’ll help me?” he asked.
    “In a way.” She swallowed nervously. “Can you hear what I’m thinking?”
    “No. You’ll need to speak aloud for us to communicate.”
    That was a relief, because if he could read her mind then he’d know that the two people rapidly approaching the front door of Triple-A Investigations weren’t potential clients—they were the exorcists she’d hired to take care of her little demonic problem.
    Eden braced herself for whatever was going to happen next.
    The walls weren’t bleeding yet, but the night was still young.
     
     

FIVE
    The bell on the door jingled as the two people entered the office. One was a small but round woman with short red hair and a—the only word for it was a jolly smile. She wore a loose, paisley-printed dress and carried a big, blue canvas tote bag. She also had a walking cane with a crystal set into the top of it.
    The man with her was young—looked like a college kid—and he wore black pants and a white shirt. He wasn’t smiling. His dark blond hair was a bit lank,