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"We talked about this," the father said "Whether it upsets Zoe or not, itWe have to carry her to the bathrooo on"

Fro conversation, I learned that for two days Zoe had stayed in the corner of her rooe no one seelish and a few other languages

One word had caught their attention: god-killer And that had led theet the introduction over with, I cut into the conversation as Bran tried to convince the o in and say hi" Sebastian and I headed down the hall before anyone could say otherwise

As we approached the girl’s bedroom, the air becah thick bayou mud It le

"You ever see The Exorcist?" Sebastian asked froabout demons" I stopped "Please tell me there aren’t demons"

"I don’t think she’s possessed Not the way you’re thinking"

"Gee, let’s see, sitting in a corner, speaking in tongues Sounds like possession to me"

The door was open Inside, the space was how I’d always iirl’s room should look She was one of the lucky ones She had a nice home, a family, and was cared for and loved

Zoe sat cross-legged, her profile to us Her back was straight, hands li down her back, a glossy black that needed washing She wore pajaed her about ten or eleven

Sweat beaded at my hairline I sed It wasn’t hot in the rooaze, took a deep breath, then approached She was a cute kid Olive skin, open, unseeing, almond-shaped brown eyes

Her mouth moved, the words too low to hear I knelt down "Zoe"

Nothing Just rocking and soft words

"Zoe It’s od-killer"

The girl’s head snapped in hts out ofthe wall behind naled hirew louder and faster I was able to pick out soret Wake up My child My child My child

Exhaustion ritten in the dark shadows beneath Zoe’s eyes Her parents had a right to be worried Whatever had ahold of their daughter was draining the little girl And that tickedto Zoe And I decided the fastest way to get its attention was to piss it off

I leaned forward, easily tapping into er from earlier "Listen up, you parasite Say whatever the hell you need to say and then leave the kid alone I’od-killer? Well, talk Talk about me to my face Or do you always hide behind little kids? You too much of a coward, is that it?"

Sebastian winced at my theatrics I shot hi it on thick, but it orth a try

I’d barely finished the thought when Zoe’s hand snatchedto her knees, she pinned me to the wall Holy shit Still, I stopped Sebastian with a hand Zoe’s head swiveled around slowly, letting him know she--or it--saw him And then her attention returned to me

Zoe leaned in close The voice that came out of her small mouth was powerful and male "Wake me Wake me up And I’ll set you free"

Zoe released ht out, eyes wide open on the ceiling as her parents hurried into the room and knelt by her side

Sebastian crouched next to Zoe She was still breathing He turned to me "You okay?"

"Yeah" I cleared rip"

"I don’t think it was the kid"

Bran ca the situation Detered my foot with his boot "On your feet, Selkirk"

"Thanks for the concern I’m fine, by the way"

"Of course you are You are my student I don’t train puss--" He stopped himself in deference to the others in the room I couldn’t help the smile that split my face He rolled his eyes and went to Zoe and her parents

Sebastian held out a hand to helpup and enveloped in parental love I was surprised to find I was treood "You all right, kid?" I asked

She sed "I’m sorry I hurt you"

I s that?"