The Emmerson Witches♥Chapter Fifteen

                                    

                                          
        
                          
The secret operation had to be planned carefully around the hospital staff.
                          
Evie, Angel and Nim kept a vigilant eye on Dr. Reeves, while Emir, Raphael and Mrs. Regan cautiously transported my body on a gurney to an ambulance.
                          
The others had gone on ahead to prepare. Raphael sat close as he could without actually getting in the bed with me. Since Nurse Rollins insisted on my medical supervision, it was her mind I watched through, to see how I was holding up tonight.
                          
I only caught a glimpse of Raphael's face, staring lovingly down at mine, when Emir glanced over her seat to check everything was secure in the back. I wished I could see from inside of Raphael's thoughts, but I felt his heat as he stroked my arms, my hands. And though I was blinded to the sight of him, I felt his energy radiate more powerful than anyone else's.
                          
I was able to trust him again, open my heart and let the love surge through. If my family and friends could tow me out of this in one piece, I would lock myself in Raphael's embrace and never let him go. I would promise the rest of my life to him, no matter what he was. Inside, I smiled at the thought of our future. A Pranic Vampire and telekinetic telepath. We'd probably have super-heroes for children. Or unstoppable villains.
                          
I would have romantically mused a while longer, but Nurse Rollins' irritated thoughts were becoming disruptive.
                          
Thought my days of magic were over... worked hard to make science my religion. But here I am, in the dead of the night, stealing a patient! AND heading toward a graveyard to perform an exorcism! Damn that girl Virginia! I should send the Demon back her way! Provided this all works out okay...
                          
"And I can add grand theft auto to the list of tonight's illegal activities," she cursed out loud.
                          
Mrs. Regan, riding up front with her, stared ahead bemused.
                          
"Did you know my father was a witchdoctor in my village?" Emir snapped as though she were annoyed by the fact.
                          
"Yes," Mrs. Regan calmly answered. "A Mambo Priest, wasn't he?"
                          
"No, Mambo is priestess in Vodun. A male, high-priest is called a Hougan. His task was to maintain a harmonious relationship between the spirits and the community. And to perform exorcisms."
                          
They drove a while without talking, until Mrs. Regan's smoky voice interrupted the silence.
                          
"I come from the Appalachians, West Virginia. I grew up with alternate beliefs too. Similar to yours, but then completely different. Appalachian Magick – heard of it?"
                          
Nurse Rollins nodded.
                          
Leona continued. "My great aunt had an entity inside her. She lived in a secluded area, high in the mountains – so the majority of the meat her family ate were rabbit and deer. My aunt swore she had the spirit of a huntress inside her, and all she had to do was stare at an animal, and they'd fall down on the spot, dead. No hunting, no traps – I saw it happen with my own eyes. Appalachian Magick is very secretive, but very much a daily part of life back home."
                          
"How does your husband feel about that?" Emir asked Mrs. Regan.
                          
"He ignores it and hopes it will go away," she gave a throaty laugh. "My past is a sore point against his Christian beliefs. If he knew about tonight, he'd probably allow his church to burn me as a heretic!"
                          
I wouldn't joke, Mrs. Regan. If he were privy to this party, he'd light the first match himself.
                          
"Did you ever see an exorcism performed?" Nurse Rollins suddenly asked.