CHAPTER 10
The Spirit Wranglers readied the battlefield, which would
take place in the Fergusons' great room. An almost complete circle of sulfurous
salt, the demon's soon-to-be prison, lay in the center of the room. It would
take only one quick pour to complete the circle. In the center of it lay a
device that, once activated, should draw all of the demon's attention. If it
didn't … well, Wallace didn't want to think about that possibility. Also within
grabbing distance were the hand cannon ready to shoot out holy water, and the
banishing device. If all went to plan, once the demon entered the circle,
Wallace would pour the rest of the salt, Joshua would blast the evil with holy
water, and Nessy would banish it back to whatever realm it came from.
Of course, before any of that could happen, Molly Ferguson's
soul had to be freed from the demon. To do that, she had to die. Judging by how
much fight the two elder Fergusons had given the Wranglers every step of the
way, they wouldn't be too keen on this plan.
"All set except for the last piece," Nessy said.
"Can you sense it?" Joshua asked. "I wonder
why it let us set everything up without attacking."
The Fergusons, who were huddled around Molly, perked up at
the question and gave Wallace their undivided attention.
"It's close, but still biding its time. I doubt it
wants to attack when we're on high alert."
"Good point," Joshua said. "This one isn't
one of the geniuses from the demon world, but it's no dummy, either."
"No doubt it'll wait for a moment of weakness from us.
It's practically a game for it."
"Some game," Rachel muttered.
"Indeed," Wallace said. "Nessy, hook Molly up
to the final piece of equipment."
"What's all this, then?" Bart said, eying the
cords which Nessy would paste to Molly's skin.
Joshua saved Wallace the explanation. "When the demon
dove through her and caused the coma, it didn't devour her soul, but rather
tethered itself to her. If we banish it with her soul attached, she'll go with
it, and there will be no way of getting her back. She won't be simply dead, but
eradicated. Therefore, we need to snap their connection, and the only way to do
that is to stop her heart for a moment."
"But that will kill her, won't it?" Rachel said,
going even more pale than she already was.
"Now see here!" said Bart.
This time Abel jumped into the conversation.
"Would you two shut up? We have experts here risking
their own souls to help us, and you refuse to so much as listen to them. If you
hadn't followed your own greed, Molly wouldn't be in this danger. Both of you
swallow your stupid pride and let them save your daughter, my sister."
Wallace hid a smile behind his hand at the look of utter
shock and disbelief on both of his parents' faces. He was even more surprised
Nessy didn't chime in with a comment. He might have to give her a bit of a
bonus for that when this was over. If they made it out alive, anyway.
Bart nodded first at Abel, and then at Wallace and the
Wranglers.
"Save our family," Rachel said.
"We will. Nessy, get Molly ready." He hoped his
voice carried more optimism than he felt.
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