Blood From a Silver Cross (Kat Redding) by E.S. Moore Page A

If I’d asked, I was sure he’d be there in an instant. He realized I wanted to do this on my own. It was built into the both of us.
    I was still having a hard time putting one foot in front of the other without stumbling, so I leaned against the wall before heading all the way downstairs. It wouldn’t do to show weakness in front of the demon. He’d take too much pleasure in it.
    It was then I noticed Jeremy was holding his phone. By the way he was squeezing it, I could tell he had yet to make a call.
    “Don’t call him,” I said. “I’ll take care of this. There’s nothing he can do.”
    Jeremy nodded and slid his phone into his back pocket like he’d known that from the get-go.
    I gave him a thankful nod and then headed down the next flight of stairs.
    The fireplace was cold in the sitting room. I wanted a warm fire more than ever, but it would have to wait. I couldn’t put this off any longer. If I waited, chances were good Beligral would send more pain to remind me of my mark. The next time he did, I might not be standing in a shower. I could be riding my motorcycle. If that happened, I’d probably break my neck.
    I took the stairs into the basement slowly, trying hard to manage my anger. I really didn’t want to do this. I was afraid of what I might say to the demon once we were face to face.
    As soon as I was in the basement, I resolutely made my way to the door that led down into Ethan’s lab and pressed the intercom button.
    “Ethan,” I said, sounding far angrier than I wanted. I needed to calm down fast. I really didn’t need Beligral pissed off at me any more than he already was.
    It took him only a moment to answer, as if he knew I’d be coming. “I’m here.” He paused. “What’s up?”
    I took a deep breath and grimaced. It tasted horrible, like bile and raw sewage. My hair was still wet and I think I’d puked in it, which only added to the stench. I felt like hell, yet there was no turning back now.
    I glanced at the table with my weapons. What I wouldn’t give to take them down with me, but knew that would only irritate Beligral. What came out of my mouth was probably already going to be bad enough.
    “Open the door,” I said. “I need to talk to your demon.”
    There was a pause, followed by a faint, “Oh.”
    A moment later, the door clunked open.

8
    T he lab was cool and demon-free as I descended the stairs. I looked around, noted that everything looked pretty much the same as the last time I’d seen it, including the cage at the far end of the room, and then turned to face Ethan.
    He was watching me, red-faced. There were no half-finished weapons on the table, nor were there used weapons in need of cleaning. There was no hint that he’d summoned Beligral that night at all, or had had any intention of doing so until I’d arrived. I briefly wondered what he’d been doing down here by himself, but decided I probably didn’t want to know.
    “I need to speak to your demon,” I said, glancing around the room again. The circle was still there, clear of debris and dust like always. The chair remained in the center, though I thought it looked as if it might have been turned a little so it faced the doorway more fully. I wasn’t sure if that meant anything or not.
    Ethan bit his lower lip when my eyes fell on him again. “You sure?”
    I gave him a flat look.
    “Right,” he said with a shaky laugh. He turned and gathered his supplies.
    I’d seen Ethan do this a few times, yet each time, it surprised me that someone like him could do something like this. He didn’t seem the type. He’d been doing it since he was a kid and I wondered how he ever got himself into a situation where he felt the need to summon a demon. I mean, people didn’t just suddenly decide to start summoning demons because their life wasn’t going the way they’d hoped. Something had to have happened.
    I’m not sure if I’d ever ask him. It felt too invasive.
    Ethan set up his flesh candles and drew