Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 142916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Silke’s ability to ferret out demons was intuitive. She had such an instinctive expertise, she knew that ability had been given to her prior to her birth. She was born with the knowledge of her ancestors—demon slayers—each adding their experience. At her birth, she was already a walking encyclopedia of demons, the hierarchy and how to kill each one. But now, demons were evolving, growing stronger and faster and resistant to the crystal sword the slayers had always used to defeat them.
Silke came back to the center of the room, staring down at Raik as he rocked back and forth, moaning. Tora kept him in a state of unawareness, yet he was still feeling pain. She had healed him, yet he was moaning and rocking. The most condemning evidence was the strong feeling of demon taint emanating from him.
“He is still unclean,” she stated, certain she was right. There was still a demon hiding itself within the host. Somehow the creature managed to stay hidden from Tora. That was another new development.
“I’ll look again, Silke, but I was very thorough. I believe the demon is there; I can see Raik is still miserable and he shouldn’t be. I just don’t…” She trailed off, shaking her head, clearly frustrated. “I’m inspecting him again. Stay merged in my mind. You may be able to direct me.”
“Is it dangerous to leave you so unprotected?” Silke didn’t like her attention divided, not when Tora was at risk.
“I’ve safeguarded the home and this room, even Raik. The women in the house are unaware of what is taking place, and before we leave, I’ll remove all memories and replace them with something that makes sense to them. That we healed Raik when he was so ill.”
Once more, Silke guarded Tora’s body as she entered Raik in her purest form. This time, Silke stayed merged with Tora as she inspected the man. When they were in his body, the energy from the demon actually lessened, as if he knew they were hunting him, and he remained quiet and inactive. Raik calmed, ceasing his moaning and rocking.
Silke felt more uneasy than ever before. She knew evil crouched somewhere in Raik. He was a good man. He wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he realized how much he was abusing his wife and daughter.
She took a deep breath, relaxed and shut down all thoughts of Raik and Tora and the repercussions of leaving behind a demon in the fisherman. She allowed her senses to reach out, to travel through Raik’s body with Tora leading the way. She didn’t try to search for the demon with Tora’s vision. She stayed inward, letting her instincts guide her.
Not in the trunk area, legs or feet. Go higher. His chest, his heart. Search there.
The trail was far too faint for the demon to be hidden anywhere in Raik below the waist. As Tora moved upward toward the heart, examining ribs, bones, muscle and organs as she went, Silke kept her vision her own. She trusted that Tora had locked them safely in the room, and she could turn all her senses to tracking that very faint footprint.
Tora was meticulous in her search, fearing the demon might attempt to give Raik a heart attack if he was found. Silke detected a stronger taint, but she was certain the demon was above the heart.
Raik continues to rock back and forth and hold his head. The demon is concealing itself above the heart. It is probable that he is somewhere in the brain.
It’s so difficult to find in all the shadows and creases. I went over Raik’s brain numerous times and didn’t find anything.
Silke knew they were both exhausted. It was far too close to dawn. Tora had to get to ground. She knew it was coming and dreaded Tora’s report.
I can’t find any shadowing. I’m sorry.
Silke knew the demon was hidden in Raik’s brain. She could feel him. The energy might be low, but she felt it pressing in on her, weighing her down. She knew, but she couldn’t pinpoint him. He was clever enough to disperse the energy throughout the entire brain.
Tora’s spirit connected with her body, and she slumped back on the floor. Silke immediately provided her wrist again.
I must go to ground. I’m so tired I feel as if I’m already going into paralysis.
“Do you need me to carry you to safety?” Silke asked. “I’m sorry I pushed you to try again. I should have known we were getting too close to dawn. You expend so much energy when you’re healing.”
I can make it. Let me put Raik into his bed. I’ll keep him in a coma. The story is he has a very contagious virus and must sleep for several risings. We’ve given him a sleeping aid to keep him under, so his body has time to heal.