Practical Demonkeeping Chapter 27-28

27AUGUSTUSAugustus Brine lit his pipe and contend guerrilla the details of Traviss story in his mind. He had finished the bottle of wine, only if each(prenominal)thing, it had brought clarity to his thoughts by washing past the adrenaline from the mornings adventure. in that location was a time, Travis, that if ab give away luggage compartment had t experient me a story like that, I would understand c whollyed the mental-health people to come and deplume him up, merely in the last dickens dozen hours reality has been riding the dragons back, and Im just implementk to hang on myself. moment what? Travis asked.Meaning I believe you. Brine ruddiness from the ch dividing line and began untying the ropes that bound Travis.There was a scuffling behind them and Brine dark to see Gian chick Gian coming through with(predicate) the living d soundly wearing a flowered towel around his back toothnon and a nonher around his header. Brine thought he looked like a burn i n a Carmen Miranda costume.I am refreshed and demandy for the torture, Augustus Brine. The Djinn stopped when he aphorism Brine untying the ogrekeeper. So, draw off out we hang the beast from a portentous building by his heels until he dialogue?Lighten up, King, Brine verbalise.Travis flexed his arms to feel the blood flowing. Who is that? he asked.That, Brine express, is Gian Hen Gian, baron of the Djinn.As in djinny?Correct, Brine said.I dont believe it.You be not in a spotlight to be incredulous toward the existence of spiritual beings, Travis. Besides, the Djinn was the bingle who told me how to find you. He knew wid outwit twenty-five centuries before you were born.Gian Hen Gian stepped forrad and shook a knotted chocolate-brown finger in Traviss face. ensure us where the tender of Solomon is hidden or we entrust exhaust your genitals in a nine-speed ralwaysse action blender with a five-year guarantee before you evict narrate shazamBrine raised an eyebr ow toward the Djinn. You give the Sears catalog in the bathroom.The Djinn nodded. It is filled with legion(predicate) fine instruments of torture.There wont be any need for that. Travis is filter outing to find the cast so he can give the demon back.I told you, Travis said, Ive never seen the Seal of Solomon. Its a myth. I testify near it a hundred multiplication in books of magic, more all over it was always described differently. I compute they made it up in the Middle Ages to sell books of magic.The Djinn hissed at Travis and in that respect was a wisp of blue damask in the air. You lie You could not call up absorb without the seal.Brine raised a hand to the Djinn to quiet him. Travis prepare the conjuration for calling up the demon in a candlestick. He never saw the seal, just I believe it was hide in the candlestick where he could not see it. Gian Hen Gian, turn in you ever seen the Seal of Solomon? Would it be possible to blot out it in a candlestick?It was a silver scepter in Solomons time, the Djinn said. I suppose it could ask been made into a candlestick.Well, Travis call backs that the magic trick for sending the demon back is concealed in the candlestick he didnt rotate. Id guess that anyone who had that issueledge and the Seal of Solomon would in addition have an invocation for giving you your power. In fact, Id bet my living on it.It is possible, entirely it is also possible that the dark one is misdirecting you.I dont think so, Brine said. I dont think he sine qua noned to be involved in this any more(prenominal) than I did. In s level offty eld hes never figured out that its his give that controls Catch.The dark one is retarded, thenHey Travis said. teeming Brine said. We have things to do. Gian Hen Gian, go get dressed.The Djinn left the room without dissent and Brine dark again to Travis. I think you found the fair sex youve been expression for, he said. Amanda and Effrom Elliot were married right afterward s he fall backed from World War One. They get their picture in the local write up every year on their anniversary you chouse, under a caption that reads, And they said it wouldnt last. As soon as the king is ready well go over there and see if we can get the candlesticks if she lock in has them. I need your word that I can trust you not to try to escape.You have it, Travis said. nevertheless I think we should go back to jennets house be ready when Catch returns.Brine said, I want you to try to put jenny out of your mind, Travis. Thats the only way youll find out control of the demon. But startle, theres something you ought to know close to her.I know shes married.No. Shes Amandas granddaughter.28EFFROMNever having died before, Effrom was confused about how he should go about it. It didnt await gondola carnival that a man his age should have to adapt to new and difficult poseuations. But life was seldom fair, and it was probably in effect(p) to assume that death wasnt fair either. This wasnt the first time he had been tempted to firmly subscribe to speak to the person in charge. It had never cyphered at the post office, the DMV, or return counters at department stores. perhaps it would work here.But where was here?He perceive vocalisations that was a good sign. It didnt seem uncomfortably warm a good sign. He sniffed the air no sulfur exhaust system (brimstone, the Bible called it) that was a good sign. Perhaps he had done all right. He did a quick inventory of his life good father, good husband, responsible if not dedicated worker. Okay, so he cheated at cards at the VFW, but timelessness seemed like an awfully longsighted excoriate for shuffling aces to the bottom of the deck.He clear his look.He had always imagined heaven to be bigger and brighter. This looked like the inside of a cabin. Then he spotted the fair sex. She was dressed in an iridescent purple body stocking. Her raven-black hair hung to her waist. H eaven? Effrom thought.She was talking on the phone. They have phones in heaven? wherefore not?He tried to sit up and found that he was trussed to the bed. Why was that? Hell?Well, which is it? he demanded.The woman covered the receiver with her hand and turned to him. Say something so your wife allow know youre okay, she said.Im not okay. Im dead and I dont know where I am.The woman rundle into the phone, You see, Mrs. Elliot, your husband is safe and go out rest so as long as you do exactly as I have instructed.The woman covered the gumshield again. She says she doesnt know about any invocation.Effrom perceive a gravely male fathom answer her, but he couldnt see anyone else in the cabin. Shes lying, the phonation said.I dont think so shes crying.Ask her about Travis, the parting said.Into the phone the woman said Mrs. Elliot, do you know someone named Travis? She listened for a second and held the receiver to her breast. She says no.It might have been a long time ago, the function said. Effrom kept looking for who was talking but could see no one.Think, the woman said into the phone, it might have been a long time ago.The woman listened and nodded with a smile. Effrom looked in the direction of her nod. Who the hell was she nodding to?Did he give you anything? The woman listened. nookydlesticks?Bingo the voice said.Yes, said the woman. Bring the candlesticks here and your husband leave be released unharmed. Tell no one, Mrs. Elliot. Fifteen minutes.Or he dies, the voice said.Thank you, Mrs. Elliot, the woman said. She hung up.To Effrom she said, Your wife is on the way to pick you up.Who else is in this room? Effrom asked. Who have you been talking to?You met him earlier today, the woman said.The alien? I thought he killed me.Not even, the voice said.Is she coming? Catch asked.Rachel was looking out the cabin windowpane at a cloud of sparge rising from the dirt road. I cant tell, she said. Mr. Elliot, what pattern of car does your wife dri ve?A white Ford, Effrom said.Its her. Rachel mat a quivering of excitement run through her. Her star of wonder had been stretched and tested many times in the last twenty-four hours, departure her open and raw to every emotion. She was panicked of the power she was about to gain, but at the same time, the myriad possibilities that power created thin her fear with a breathless giddiness. She felt up guilty about abusing the old copulate in order to gain the invocation, but perhaps with her newfound power she could punish them. In any case, it would be over soon and they would be going home.The unquestionable nature of the Earth spirit daunted her as well. Why did it seem well so impious? And why did it seem so male?The Ford pulled up in front of the cabin and stopped. Rachel watched a frail old woman get out of the car keeping devil ornate candlesticks. The woman clutched the candlesticks to her and stood by the car looking around, waiting. She was obviously terrified a nd Rachel, facial expression a stab of guilt, looked extraneous. Shes here, Rachel said.Catch said, Tell her to come in.Effrom looked up from the bed, but he could not rise enough to see out the window. What are you going to do to the wife? he demanded.Nothing at all, Rachel said. She has something I need. When I get it, you can both go home.Rachel went to the doorway and threw it open as if she were welcoming home a long-lost relative. Amanda stood by the car, thirty feet out-of-door. Mrs. Elliot, youll need to bestow the candlesticks in so we can chatter them.No. Amanda stood firm. Not until I know that Effrom is safe.Rachel turned to Effrom. Say something to your wife, Mr. Elliot.Nope, Effrom said. Im not verbalise to her. This is all her fault.Please cooperate, Mr. Elliot, so we can let you go home. To Amanda, Rachel said, He doesnt want to talk, Mrs. Elliot. Why dont you bring the candlesticks in? I assure you that neither one of you will be harmed. Rachel couldnt believ e that she was saying these things. She felt as if she were reading the script from a bad gangster movie.Amanda stood clutching the candlesticks, uncertain of what she should do. Rachel watched the old woman cope a doubtful step toward the cabin, then, suddenly, the candlesticks were ripped from her grasp and Amanda was thrown to the realm as if shed been hit by a shotgun blast.No Rachel screamed.The candlesticks seemed to float in the air as Catch carried them to her. She neglected them and ran to where Amanda lay on the ground. She cradled the old womans head in her arms. Amanda opened her eyes and Rachel breathed a sigh of relief.Are you all right, Mrs. Elliot? Im so hapless.Leave her, Catch said. Ill take care of both of them in a second.Rachel turned toward Catchs voice. The candlesticks were shaking in the air. She compose found it unsettling to talk to a discorporate voice.I dont want these people hurt, do you understand?But now that we have the invocation, they are i nsignificant. The candlesticks turned in the air as Catch examined them. Come now, I think theres a seam on one of these, but I cant magnetize it. Come open it.In a minute, Rachel said. She helped Amanda get to her feet. permits go in the house, Mrs. Elliot. Its all over. You can go home as soon as you feel up to it.Rachel led Amanda through the front door, holding her by the shoulders. The old woman seemed groggy and listless. Rachel was afraid she would drop any second, but when Amanda saw Effrom tied to the bed, she shrugged off Rachels escort and went to him.Effrom. She sat on the bed and stroked his bald-headed head.Well, wife, Effrom said, I hope youre happy. You go gallivanting all over the state and you see what happens? I get kidnapped by invisible moon-men. I hope you had a good incite I cant even feel my custody anymore. Probably gangrene. Theyll probably have to solidus them off.Im sorry, Effrom. Amanda turned to Rachel. Can I loosen him, please?The pleading i n her eyes almost broke Rachels heart. She had never felt so cruel. She nodded. You can go now. Im sorry it had to be this way.Open this, Catch said. He was tapping a candlestick on Rachels shoulder. composition Amanda untied Effroms wrists and ankles and rubbed them to restore the circulation, Rachel examined one of the candlesticks. She gave it a quick twist and it unscrewed at the seam. From the lean of it, Rachel would have never guessed that it was hollow. As she unscrewed it, she detect that the threads were gold. That accounted for the extra weight. Whoever had made the candlesticks had bygone to great lengths to conceal the hollow interior.The two pieces separated. A piece of parchment was tightly rolled inside. Rachel placed the base of the candlestick on the table, slid out the yellow thermionic vacuum tube of parchment, and slowly began to unroll it. The parchment crackled, and the edges flaked away as it unrolled. Rachel felt her pulse profit as the first few garner appeared. When half the page was revealed, her excitement was replaced with anxiety.We may be in trouble, she said.Why? Catchs voice emanated from a spot only inches away from her face.I cant read this its in some foreign language Greek, I think. Can you read Greek?I cant read at all, Catch said. Open the new(prenominal) candlestick. Maybe what we need is in there.Rachel picked up the other candlestick and turned it in her hands. Theres no seam on this one. grammatical construction for one it might be hidden, the demon said.Rachel went to the kitchen area of the cabin and got a knife from the silverware drawer to scrape away the silver. Amanda was assist Effrom get to his feet, urging him across the room.Rachel found the seam and worked the knife into it. Ive got it. She unscrewed the candlestick and pulled out a second parchment.Can you read this one? Catch said.No. This ones in Greek, too. Well have to get it translated. I dont even know anyone who reads Greek.Travis, Catc h said.Amanda had Effrom almost to the door when she heard Traviss name. Is he still alive(predicate)? she asked.For a while, Catch said.Who is this Travis? Rachel asked. She was supposed to be the one in charge here, yet the old woman and the demon seemed to know more about what was going on than she did.They cant go, Catch said.Why? We have the invocation we just need to get it translated. Let them go.No, Catch said. If they warn Travis, he will find a way to nourish the girl.What girl? Rachel felt as if she had walked into the affectionateness of a plot-heavy mystery movie and no one was going to tell her what was happening.We have to get the girl and hold her warranter until Travis translates the invocation.What girl? Rachel repeated.A waitress at the cafe in town. Her name is Jenny.Jenny Masterson? Shes a member of the coven. What does she have to do with this?Travis loves her.Who is Travis?There was a pause. Rachel, Amanda, and Effrom all stared at empty air waiting for th e answer.He is my master, Catch said.This is really weird, Rachel said.Youre a small(a) slow on the uptake, arent you, honey? Effrom said.