As they pulled into the parking lot, Father Donovan emerged from the side door.

            “Hello, my child.” He welcomed Lady with open arms. She went up to him and accepted his hug. Stepping back, he eyed her from top to bottom. “Are you okay?”

            “I’m fine, Father. Fortunately, Boothe saved me in time.”

            The priest turned to Boothe and also gave him a critical eye. “Praise God this ended successfully. Come in.” He waved for them to follow and opened the door. “I was expecting you much later.”

            Boothe caught the sly grin Lady cast him and shook his head. He knew what she was insinuating. We could’ve had more time together. Sadly, he’d thought the same thing.

            “Father, I need to catch up with my reports to the Cardinal. Mind if I use your computer?”

            The priest turned to show his surprised expression. “You report directly to a Cardinal?”

            “Cardinal Lopeski, yes. He’s in charge of—”

            “I’m familiar with the name,” Father Donovan told him.

            “Father?”

            The priest turned to Lady. “Yes?”

            “It’s Wednesday. Do you still take confessions on Wednesdays? I have a few years to catch up on. And after what I’ve been through these past twenty-four hours, and since I’m here…”

            The man looked over at Boothe as he replied. “I believe I can take one more parishioner. Go take your place at the confessional. I’ll be with you shortly.”

            He headed across the nave, toward the alcove on the other side of the church where his office was located. After giving Lady a raised eyebrow, Boothe followed him. The priest led him into the office where he picked up the pile of clothing left there and set it on the seat of a nearby chair. “Let me turn it on and enter the password.”

            “Thank you, Father.”

            Boothe took a seat in the office chair as the priest went to hear Lady’s confession. He wondered if she was going to mention the two of them, then brushed it off. If she did, what did it matter?

            He was almost finished when Father Donovan returned. The priest sat himself in the only other available chair to wait. After sending the email, he pushed himself away from the desk. He knew there was the chance that the man would bring up the report to read for himself. Boothe wouldn’t blame him if he did.

            “Want me to shut it down?”

            Father Donovan waved a hand. “Go ahead.”

            Shutting the laptop’s lid, Boothe started to get up but the priest gestured for him to remain sitting.

            “After what Lady just told me, I’m surprised she’s as cool-headed as she appears,” the man commented. “Is it true? Do you think there’s a nest of them around here?”

            “Yes, I do.”

            “Even though it was just the Tonner boy who was possessed.”

            “Don’t forget the guy who went into the bar and confronted her last night,” Boothe noted. Seeing the priest’s shocked expression, he chuckled. “She forgot to tell you about him?”

            “She did, but she glossed over it.”

            “That’s two in less than twenty-four hours,” Boothe continued. “That’s not a coincidence.”

            “Where do you think this nest is located?”

            “I’m thinking somewhere in or around Valsally. That’s where the demon possessing the Tonner boy was making her go.”

            “Is Lady safe?”

            The question made him wince. “I hope so. You might want to bless her again before she leaves here tomorrow morning.”

            “So you think there still might be a chance she could be targeted.”

            “I’m not ruling out anything at this point.”

            “Why did the Tonner boy go after her? Do you have any idea?”

            “It started with the stranger who showed up at the tavern in Pendletown last night,” Boothe informed him. “Why it was in town in the first place, I haven’t a clue. Maybe it was on its way to Valsally and got sidetracked.”

            “Sidetracked?”

              “I’m pretty sure it sensed me at the bar, which is why it came in in the first place. Lady and I had been conversing for a while, so some of my aura must’ve still been around her, which is why it challenged her.”

              “And the Tonner boy? It travelled all the way from here to Pendletown to go after her because of your ‘aura’?”

              Boothe knew what the man was insinuating and decided to put the kibosh on the speculation. But, as he had before, he didn’t tell the whole truth.

              “During our talk, I asked her to recommend a local motel where I could spend the night. After what she witnessed, she was spooked. She came over to the motel because she felt safe with me.” Boothe nodded. “Yes, she spent the night, but nothing happened between us. Unfortunately, that close contact only reinforced my aura around her. The next morning, she left for her apartment, and I came here. 

              “After Chuck Tonner ran his friend off the road and nearly had him killed, he fled. Since he was already on the highway to Pendletown, he must’ve picked up my aura from her and followed her. That’s why he wrecked out next to the tavern, and why he kidnapped her to take him to Valsally.” He waggled a thumb over his shoulder. “I believe the demon was heading to that town to join up with its nest. Same for the guy who came into the bar last night. They were both going there.”

              “But why would they kidnap her? Why didn’t they attack her? Or try to take possession of her?”

              Boothe took a deep breath. “Because I think they intended to sacrifice her after they got there.”

              He wasn’t surprised when Father Donovan’s face turned several shades paler. “A s-sacrifice?”

              “We’re talking demons here, Padre. What else do you expect them to do when they gather? Have a picnic?”

              A soft knock sounded on the door. Lady opened it and stuck her head inside. Father Donovan waved for her to enter but addressed Boothe.

              “I offered her a bedroom over in the rectory, but she prefers to stay inside the church.”

              “I don’t blame her. So do I.”

              The priest got to his feet. “I’ll have Connie bring some more blankets and a pillow. Is there anything else I can do?” He gave Boothe an expectant look.

              “No, thank you. Lady will be returning to Pendletown in the morning, and I’ll also be on my way.”

              “Back to Valsally?”

              “Yes. Oh, and while I’m thinking of it, is there a Catholic church there?”

              “St. Daniel is the only one within a thirty-mile radius.”

              “Well, then, you might be seeing me again,” Boothe said with a smile.

              Walking up to him, Father Donovan made the sign of the cross on Boothe’s forehead. “Good luck and God’s blessing on you, my son,” he solemnly said. As he turned to leave the office, he stopped in front of Lady and also gave her his blessing. “I’ll be praying for both your safety.” After one more look back at Boothe, the man left, shutting the door behind him.