Kathy Lutz’s face flushed with a mixture of humiliation and anger when the priest repeated his offer.
“Father Marcus, that’s enough.
Please stop.”
Lucifer immediately understood that whatever Marcus had demanded in exchange for a free exorcism had nothing to do with charity.
The priest, however, continued smiling as though he had done nothing wrong and calmly reminded Kathy that she had already admitted she couldn’t afford his normal fee.
Lucifer coughed deliberately.
“You might want to remember that you’re standing inside a television studio before you keep discussing those ‘conditions.'”
Marcus finally turned toward him.
“This is a private matter between Mrs.
Lutz and me.”
“Not when you’re saying it three feet away from me.”
Marcus’s expression cooled.
He told Lucifer that people were far more likely to trust a priest than an unknown young man making accusations without proof, clearly confident that his collar and position protected him.
Before their argument could escalate further, Williamson hurried across the lobby and stepped between them.
“Gentlemen, please.
We’re all supposed to be here to help the Lutz family.”
Marcus paused when Williamson explained that Lucifer was also claiming to be an exorcist.
His surprise quickly turned into amusement, and he pointed toward Lucifer with an openly dismissive expression.
“Him?”
Lucifer slapped the pointing hand aside.
“Don’t point at me.”
Marcus rubbed the back of his hand, visibly annoyed, but turned toward Williamson instead of continuing the confrontation.
“Fine.
I’ll take the case.”
Williamson looked awkwardly toward Lucifer.
“What about you?”
Lucifer cracked his knuckles and smiled.
“Let Father Marcus perform the exorcism.
I’m still coming along, though.
It might be educational to watch a professional work.”
Marcus clearly heard the mockery but said nothing.
Once the confrontation ended, the group finally left the studio.
Besides Lucifer, Marcus, Kathy, and Williamson, a three-person camera crew accompanied them because the Hell Morning Show intended to turn the exorcism into a major paranormal segment.
Before long, they arrived at the Lutz family’s large suburban Los Angeles house.
Marcus stepped out of the vehicle first and stared at the gloomy property.
“Where is your husband?”
Kathy checked her phone again.
“George isn’t answering.
Billy, Michael, and Chelsea should still be inside with him.”
That was enough for Marcus.
Without waiting for the camera crew to finish setting up, he grabbed his Bible and cross and hurried toward the house.
Lucifer followed at a much calmer pace, but as he looked toward one of the upstairs windows, he noticed a pale little girl watching him.
A bullet wound marked her head.
The girl slowly raised a hand and waved.
Lucifer stopped for a second.
Jodie DeFeo.
Before he could study her further, she disappeared from the window.
The cameramen hurried inside after Marcus, and Lucifer followed with Williamson and Kathy.
Almost as soon as they entered, the clear sky outside darkened and a light rain began tapping against the windows.
The dim interior, falling temperature, and sudden change in weather made the entire house feel increasingly oppressive.
Lucifer glanced toward the windows and frowned.
Whatever remained inside the house was far stronger than the four spirits he had encountered on the plane.
A scream suddenly came from upstairs.
“George!
Put the gun down!”
BANG!
Seconds later, Kathy came rushing back down with Billy, Michael, and Chelsea, followed closely by Williamson and the camera crew.
Her face had gone white with terror.
“Father Marcus was shot!
Something’s controlling George!”
Everyone immediately looked toward Lucifer.
He remained where he was.
“You haven’t hired me.”
Kathy stared at him in disbelief before desperation overtook her expression.
“I told you, we don’t have any money left.”
Lucifer shook his head.
“Payment is required, but I never said how much.
Any amount will do.”
A small voice came from beside Kathy.
“I have money.”
Chelsea opened her hand and held out a one-dollar coin.
Lucifer crouched in front of her and accepted it with a smile.
“Payment received.
Contract formed.”
Chelsea looked relieved.
“Can you help Jodie too?
She says she’s hurting.”
Lucifer’s gaze sharpened slightly.
So Chelsea really could see the ghost girl.
“I’ll help her.”
He stood and turned toward the staircase.
Golden light flashed through his eyes as he activated the last remaining Holy Seal of Justice use for the day, while Blessing of Might raised his Strength by another three points.
[Holy Seal of Justice activated.]
[Blessing of Might activated.]
With his base Strength of seven, Blessing of Might raised him to ten, while Holy Seal of Justice increased it to an effective eleven.
The ordinary oak club appeared in his hand, its surface immediately covered by the golden power of the Seal.
The cameraman standing nearby stared in shock but kept the DV camera pointed toward him.
Lucifer looked back at the others.
“Stay downstairs.”
He began climbing alone.
Behind him, the cameraman whispered excitedly, “I got that.
The light, his eyes, everything.”
Williamson turned toward him.
“You got it on camera?”
“All of it.”
Lucifer heard them and smiled faintly as he continued upward.
Good.
Make sure I look impressive when this airs.
Before he reached the second floor, George’s distorted voice echoed through the hallway.
“God has abandoned you hypocrites!”
Father Marcus had managed to drag himself toward the stairwell.
Blood stained his clothes, and when he saw Lucifer approaching, he weakly reached out.
“Help me…”
Lucifer walked past him without stopping.
George Lutz stood farther down the hall with a handgun raised.
Black energy covered his body, dark veins bulged across his face, and his bloodshot eyes no longer looked entirely human.
He grinned when he saw Lucifer.
“Another one?”
The gun rose.
“Then stay here with me.”
BANG!
At the exact moment George fired, Jodie appeared beside him and knocked the barrel upward.
Lucifer moved instinctively as the shot went wide, then pulled a bottle of Junior High-Concentration Holy Water from System Space and hurled it straight at George.
The bottle shattered against his chest.
Golden liquid splashed across the black energy surrounding him, and Holy flames erupted immediately.
George screamed in a voice that no longer sounded human as the possession burned around his body without harming the man beneath it.
Jodie disappeared through the wall.
The black spirit twisted violently before being consumed completely.
[E-rank Evil Spirit eliminated.]
[Reward: 3 Holiness Points.]
[Reward: 15 EXP.]
George collapsed onto the floor, unconscious but alive.
Lucifer looked down at him long enough to confirm that the possession was gone.
Behind him, Father Marcus released a weak breath of relief.
“Thank…
you.”
Lucifer slowly turned toward the wounded priest.
His expression was calm.
“No need to thank me.”
He walked back toward Marcus.
“You and I still have unfinished business.”
[Chapter Rewards]