Chapter 6: Possession
Alright! I want to give a big shout out to bjq! Thank you for the review. I really, really appreciate hearing from the readers! Hopefully you all enjoy the chapter. It sheds more light onto the mystery that is going on- I hope it ties up all the ends. If you have any remaining questions or comments please feel free to drop a review- or even PM me! I promise I don't bite! Thank you all for reading, and as always please enjoy!
Thanks all!
"Amnixiel." Reid muttered scrolling through the website he was reading on the desktop. He and Kayla had been sitting in the library for the past two hours. Luckily Tyler joined and added a third pair of fresh eyes to the search- only they were still coming up with not a lot to go on.
"Seriously… There's nothing on this Amnixiel." Reid huffed shutting the computer down and rubbing his tired eyes. The clock read 5:00 and Kayla knew her boyfriend was getting hangry.
"So, I'm still a bit confused. You guys want to research a demon because…. Pogue's dad said it represents this Amnixiel?"
"Yes," Reid replied irritated as he began to flip through the book in front of him once he put his phone facedown on the table.
"And, He also said that Amnixiel was a… demon," Tyler stated. His tone of voice was slightly patronizing.
"Yes, baby boy." Reid huffed tacking the hated nickname out of annoyance. Kayla knew he was looking to argue due to his sour mood.
"Maybe, we should take a break-." Kayla began to suggest, but Reid cut her off.
"No." He said his voice fierce. "I'm not going to take a break. I'm not stopping until we find a way to stop this from happening to you anymore." He finished with a glare at the book that had lain open in front him since before he began using the computer.
"… You okay, dude?" Tyler asked his eyes looking at the couple from over his book he'd been reading through.
"I'm- I'm fine." Reid snapped. "Just need some air." He finished huffing as he stood and walked out of the library. Kayla watched him through the glass walking down the hall and out the building.
"Kayls… What's wrong? I mean I get that this is a problem but- I mean as far as we know this isn't life-threatening…" Tyler questioned as he laid his book flat on the table. Kayla sighed running her hand through her mane of long red hair.
"It- it's beginning to look that way…" She sighed out stressfully.
"What d'you mean?" Tyler asked now alarmed.
"Ear-earlier when I'd fallen asleep I'd gone back to- to…" Kayla paused unable to find words.
"Madame D'heur." Tyler supplied simply wanting her to get to the point.
"Yes. Yes. Her." Kayla nodded. "Well, when I'd gone back… I- I felt her. I was her, as she was being burned at the stake." She finished looking around and lowering her voice.
Tyler's face showed shock and confusion as he leaned back against his seat, "Are- are you…?" He started only to trail off leaving an air of awkwardness between them.
"Uhm. Well, that's thing. I- I felt as though I'd literally been burned at the stake and while I may not have physically been there… My brain reacted as though I were."
"That must've been terrifying…" Tyler breathed out spacing out.
"It was." She answered. "Mostly for Reid." She added thinking out loud now. "He had to watch me react to the pain. He had to watch me practically die."
Tyler remained silent now turned to the door that Reid had just waltzed through. He was headed back in with a determined expression on his face. "Hey man. You good?" Tyler asked him.
"So, I've realized we've been going about this wrong. This Amnixiel isn't history. It's like we're researching history- looking through these all these books and websites is useless. We need to go to a church." He explained diving right back into the problem at hand.
"Uhh…" Kayla said as she and Tyler spared a glance at one another.
"You kinda have a valid point there." Tyler agreed. "That might be the best idea yet." He shrugged as he closed his book.
"I'm a genius. I know." Reid grinned his usual cockiness was back and in full swing. Kayla rolled her eyes with a laugh as she closed hers. She began to pile all the books on the table until Reid grabbed her arm gently.
"No. C'mon we don't have time for that."
"Reid. I am not going to just leave all these books about the occult for someone else to put away. Can you imagine what that person would think."
"Who cares? We don't even go here…" Reid asked with a scoff. "That's what the librarians are for anyways."
"I got it, guys," Tyler said as he splayed his hand across the pile of books. "You two need to go." Kayla looked up to Reid as he gave a slight tug on her arm.
"Thank you, Ty," Kayla said with a grateful look in his direction as she allowed Reid to pull her away, and out to the hall.
"Do you even know where a church is…?" Kayla muttered as they'd exited the building.
"Actually I do, smart ass. All four of us had our communion at the same church."
"I'm surprised it's still standing." She mused as she gripped his hand in hers and they turned towards the parking lot to her Accord.
Reid and Kayla pulled into parking lot of the First Congregational Church. It was a short building made of brick- a tall white tower stretched up towards the heavens. A golden rooster weather vane astride the tower gleaming in the lowering sunset.
"C'mon. This is gonna be awkward- so let's just get this over with." Reid muttered pulling the keys from the ignition as he pushed the door open. His hangriness was in full swing now. Kayla checked her Motorola Razor from her jeans and checked the time, 5:42. She sighed as she stood to her full height and stretched before following Reid over to the doors at the foot of the white pointed tower.
The church was darkened and quiet empty- given that it was the middle of the week and dinner time that didn't surprise Kayla much. The doors closed loudly behind them. A priest stood at the other end of the long walkway between two rows, and rows of pews that took up the majority of the room. "Oh, hello." He smiled warmly at them.
Reid cleared his throat before responding appropriately.
"I'm father Michaelson. How can I help you?" The man asked as he put out his match he'd been using to light a few candles.
"We- uh. We… had some questions." Reid started as the pair walked further into the church.
"About…?" The man asked as he met us in the middle.
"Uhm…" Reid began. Kayla could feel the awkwardness around him. She could see Reid's hesitation- she really didn't want to barge into the building of holiness and strike up a conversation about demons with a man of god- but honestly? What other choice did they have?
"Demons," Kayla answered quickly wanting to rip it off like a band-aid.
The Priest was visibly taken aback, "Uh… oh. Oh-kay." He paused. "Ar-are you two in some sort of trouble?"
Kayla chuckled trying to dispel the awkwardness seeping in more, and more. "No, sir. We- we're just experiencing some… unexplainable situations- and I've been trying to tell my boyfriend that there are forces out there that are out of our control, but… he's more than a bit of a skeptic."
"Ah." The priest nodded as he relaxed a bit more. "Ar-are you saying you're experiencing demonic activity?" He asked now more alarmed with their safety.
"We- we were watching these paranormal investigative shows one night and we-." Kayla began to explain with a wave of her hand- but the father cut her off. A newfound fierceness in his voice.
"Those shows are nothing but, trouble. They glorify the tangling with demons. I can tell you, my dear… it is very dangerous. Especially if you aren't taking the necessary precautions." The man explained as he turned and walked back up to the altar.
"Come on, please." He said over his shoulder to the pair of teenagers. Kayla and Reid followed quickly. The man stood before a bowl of water- Kayla could guess what it contained.
The man dipped his fingers in and moved over in front of Kayla. "In the name of he father, and of the son, and of the holy spirit." He'd said as he made a cross starting at Kayla's forehead and moving down to her sternum then from shoulder to shoulder. "May God, who through water and the Holy Spirit has given us a new birth in Christ, be with you."
"Amen," Kayla muttered feeling unsure as far as what else to say. She wasn't ever religious- she couldn't even tell you if she was baptized. She couldn't remember much of her biological parents- but her foster parents hadn't ever made any sort of comments concerning religion. Not that she'd go to church religiously anyways. (Haha. See what I did there?)
"Your turn son." The Priest said moving on to Reid now. Kayla could start to feel an uncomfortable tightness in her stomach now. A chill ran down her spine only for the mark to begin to itch and warm under her shirt. She shifted her shoulders rolling them back. She knew it was a response from the blessing she'd just received- it was causing her pain- which she knew was not a good sign.
Reid saying, Amen broke her of her worrying though before she knew it she was turning around and heading for the door. She could feel her weariness creeping up on her as her head began to ache.
"Kayls…?" Reid asked turning and watching her retreating form. He knew she'd felt awkward the moment they'd began talking to the man. He knew her visions of the past must've been flashing
"Young lady-?" The priest began only to have the door close for an answer. Reid locked eyes with the religious man and he could see worry written all over his face.
"Wherever you two went. I can assure you that something has latched on to that young woman. She should be exorcised to be on the safe side. I can get you in touch with a specialist."
"No- not you?" Reid asked as he watched the man whip around to the other side of the open bible on its stand. He took out pad and pen that was hidden somewhere amongst his billowy robes. "Call this number. Tell him Father Michaelson sent you for an intervention," he said ignoring Reid's question entirely
"Uh… oh-kay." Reid shrugged feeling unsure of what to say.
"You may be a skeptic, young man. However, I've been doing this a long time. I know how to follow my instincts. She needs help."
Reid listened to the man's warning and full-heartedly agreed there was something wrong with Kayla, but he didn't know what to do about it.
"What? Uh… what can I-?" He began.
"Nothing." The priest shrugged. "It's out of your hands- unless you can force the spirit- or god forbid demon to release whatever kind of hold it has on her. There isn't much to do. Contact Bishop Chad. He will be happy to help."
Reid just nodded as he slid the slip of paper in his pocket, "Sir, have- have you heard of the name Amnixiel?"
The priest stared at Reid hard. He could visibly see the holy man tense at the name. "I have." He answered.
"How do you know that name? It isn't one mentioned in any of the scripture texts."
Red shrugged in response not sure what he could think of on the spot. The Priest sighed heavily realizing he wasn't going to get an answer. "Amnixiel is a fallen angel. He fell following in Lucifer's footsteps. He rules over one of the twenty-eight houses of the moon. Whatever her afflictions- if they've not started yet. Will start at night."
Reid recounted all of the previous visits to the past and realized they'd been at night- all but, the last one.
"Please, son. Don't wait. It's in both of your interests to call him soon." The Priest said taking Reid's hand in both of his and giving it a shake bringing his drifting mind back to the conversation. Reid stared at the Priest unsure of what else to do.
"I- I should probably be getting-."
"Oh, yes. My apologies." The Priest said quickly dropping his hand. Reid turned and walked down the vacant ally between pews. The Priest watched him go his alarm for the couple growing with every step he took out of the church.
"Well, that was fun- thanks for that," Reid said as he took a seat on the driver side and slammed the door behind him.
"S- sorry…" Kayla muttered as she put her feet down from having them up on the seat. Her knees had been up by her chest, and her head was facing down. Reid could see that she looked shaken.
"Hey…" Reid said gently his hand going to her thigh.
Kayla shoved his hand away with a growl of, "Don't touch me." Reid pulled back just staring. His shock coursed through him.
"Ka-Kayla?" He asked his eyes were scanning her up and down. "Babe? What's wrong?" He added at her silence.
She still didn't answer, but Reid could see that her whole demeanor had changed. She finally turned to face him- only Reid's eyes met ones he wasn't familiar with. The golden orbs that encircled her pupils sent a cold fear through him.
"Whoa." Was all he managed to get out before she pounced. Shifting her body she wound up in his lap preventing him from moving much.
"Well, hello there." She grinned at him slyly.
"Who're you?" He gritted out as his arms were pinned down to the armrests.
"Aww… c'mon. You can't guess?" She smiled at him wickedly.
"Amnixiel…" He muttered as he tried to reach down to the power coiled within him.
He watched as whatever was now controlling Kayla titled her head back with a giggle, "Oh no. No, no Cheri." He felt her hands resting on his chest and Reid tried to move his arms to push her away- but, found he couldn't move. He tried using to push her hands off him but he couldn't connect with his power. His power was beyond his reach it was useless, which made him helpless.
"Ah, ah, ah… Did you really think I was going to make it that easy?" She smirked at him as she leaned her body against his. Reid tried to make his mind think of something- anything else other than his girlfriend's body pressed against his. "What's the matter mon amant? Not in the mood, are you?" She asked, her head hanging low following the movement of her hands.
"Adrienne…" He grunted as Kayla's hands slid down his chest slowly. She looked up at him from under her lashes and smirked coyly.
"There we go." She practically purred. Reid knew it was gonna be hard for anyone to see inside the car considering the driveway into the church was far from the road. The darkness cloaked the car from any surrounding people- not that there was any of those anyways.
"What d'you want?" He asked trying to distract himself from her feathery light touches to his torso.
"Hmm… nothing much. To be alive again, I suppose." She mumbled as her hand slid up his chest and to his neck. Her eyes followed along hungrily almost. "I was there you know…" She began, her words were met with silence. "The other morning." She finished.
It clicked in Reid's mind. The yellow eyes. "I'm around a lot. Ever since her trip to Montbeliard. She'd walked right up to where they'd had the burnings. Where I'd died. She walked the hallowed halls that I'd walked. The prison still stands today, you know." Her hands continued running over him as she spoke, " I knew then that she was a descendant- her power called to me. It belonged to me- I began our line of witches. I knew then that she was my way back to the world of the living."
"Yeah? You think so?" Reid asked wearing a smirk. "We'll find a way to get rid of you." He promised.
"Oh? You and your precious covenant?" She laughed out. "Good luck, mon amant. I have more power backing me than you'd think. Time will only make it stronger, and that is all I have left." She laughed out. Reid opened his mouth with a snarky retort only to be silenced with her mouth pressed against his. Her hand went around his neck sliding into his hair as she grabbed fistfuls and pulled him closer to her. He heard her groan-felt it reverberated against his lips. Reid closed his eyes determined not to respond. He focused all of his energy on his power. He felt it faintly- it took all his energy to grasp it. His eyes opened flooding black and he felt his power tangling with hers- only it wasn't Kayla's. This one was faint- he could sense it but, barely. All he knew was that it was old magic. Dark magic more specifically. The shock threw Adrienne off of whatever hold she'd had and as Kayla gasped the yellow in her eyes faded. She suddenly slumped against Reid, her head resting on his shoulder. Reid was left there breathing heavily in the darkness of the car.
His worry rose until he felt Kayla gasp in a deep breath- her eyes still closed. Reid sighed running a hand through his head stressfully. He knew the situation they were in just became more grave as the moments passed. If a centuries-old witch could posses Kayla at will- with whatever dark power she brought with her there was no telling what she would do.
Reid's uncertainty in everyone's future terrified him. He knew he had to tell the other's, but he was unsure what their reactions would be towards Kayla. His arms went around her as he moved her into the passenger seat. The possession must've drained what little energy she'd had. His mind was racing as to how this could've happened and then it hit him. It's night. The spirit of this witch must be feeding off of the demon's power. Reid knew the danger that everyone was in- more particularly Kayla. A cold fear shot through him as he pulled his phone out after buckling his girlfriend up. He turned the engine over in the car and peeled out of the parking lot.
"Hey man, you guys find anything out at the church?" Tyler's voice greeted him after the first ring.
"Yeah… we need to all meet at the old Danver's house. Now." Reid said into the phone as he maneuvered the car around the road expertly.
"Whoa. Okay, everything alr-?" Tyler began. He could hear the alarm rising.
"Just call the guys and meet me there, Ty. Please." Reid could hear the sound of his own voice and knew his tone made Tyler jump into action.
"Alright. See you in 15." With that, he hung up, and his focus was back on the road. His eyes glanced at his girlfriend's unconscious form in the seat next to him. I'm gonna stop this. I promise Kayls. He thought as his foot stepped on the gas heavily racing through the back roads towards the older parts of Ipswich.
Thank you all!
XXTigerXEyesXX