[Chapter 299: Mr. Cross, I Saw You Too]
Daniel leaned back in his chair, not agreeing immediately.
Valak. This demon was a level above the Red-Faced Demon. Although he was now a Supreme Anointed of Higher Ascendant Order, he couldn't afford to be careless when facing a projection of a demon god this powerful.
He leaned against the back of the chair, his fingers ceasing their tapping. Valak. Daniel silently repeated the name in his mind, his gaze sweeping over the couple.
"Ed, Lorraine, you're experts -- you must know just how powerful the entity you've encountered really is."
Ed nodded grimly. "This is no ordinary vengeful spirit. Its power far exceeds anything we've faced. That's exactly why we came to find you."
Daniel picked up his teacup but didn't drink, setting it back down. "Sorry, I can't take this job."
Ed grew anxious. "Mr. Cross, we can discuss the price! Though we don't have much savings, we'd sell everything to save our lives..."
"It's not about the money," Daniel interrupted, waving off the offer. The Ram Cult, Valak, the Devil -- the forces behind this ran too deep, and the cause and effect involved was immense.
Though he was already a Supreme Anointed of Higher Ascendant Order, just one step away from the next higher Order, facing a legendary demon god posed an enormous risk. There was no reason to gamble his own life for the sake of others.
However... Annabelle from before, and the Red-Faced Demon from Insidious, had already appeared. Would Valak really let him walk away this time?
Daniel shifted his gaze to Lorraine. Sure enough, he noticed a shadow hidden on her face. Her pale eyes were fixed intently on him.
He asked quietly, "Did you see something else?"
"Yes, Mr. Cross." Lorraine's voice was ethereal, like it came from a distant place. "Mr. Cross, I saw you too."
Daniel paused, narrowing his eyes. "What did you say?"
"In that prophecy, on that rainy night," Lorraine's body trembled. Her hands gripped the skirt tightly, knuckles whitening. "I didn't just see Ed's chest pierced by a piece of dead wood... I saw you as well."
Daniel turned, his gaze sharp as a blade, piercing straight through Lorraine. "What did you see?"
Lorraine took a deep breath, recalling the memory that left her breathless. "You were standing atop the ruins, covered in blood. That nun... she was behind you, holding a black spear. It pierced your heart and nailed you to a cross. She was laughing... she said..."
Lorraine paused, a sob caught in her voice. "She said, 'You can't escape either. This is the will of the Ram.'"
"The Ram." Daniel repeated the word, his face darkening instantly. A cold killing intent surged from him. The temperature in the room dropped sharply. Francia shuddered, staring at him in fear.
He knew. He had long been targeted by the Ram Cult ever since he had eliminated Annabelle. This time, Valak coming for Ed and his wife was likely just a distraction.
Its true target was very likely him.
If he refused to take the challenge, that thing would come knocking on his door after killing Ed and his wife. And it wouldn't come openly. It would strike when he was his weakest, most defenseless.
Since he couldn't hide, he would strike first.
"Very well." Daniel stood, his aura like a blade unsheathed. "Since it wants to play, I'll play with it to the end."
He looked at the trembling Warrens. His voice was steady, powerful. "I'll take this job. I understand your situation as well."
Daniel eyed the awkward couple. "The fee this time is $500,000 total. A $100,000 deposit upfront, with the remainder paid upon completion. If it fails, the deposit is refundable."
For Daniel, this amount was modest. But Ed and Lorraine weren't like him. Though they often performed exorcisms, their fees were far lower. Still, compared to most, they were comfortably well off. Half a million dollars would be difficult -- but not ruinous.
"Thank you... thank you for your understanding, Mr. Cross."
Ed sighed with relief and without hesitation wrote a check for $100,000.
Daniel put away the check and stood. He instructed Francia, who was wiping down the counter, "Watch the shop. Call me immediately if anything happens."
"Yes, Boss," Francia replied obediently.
...
Daniel drove the Cadillac, following the Warrens' old Volvo north.
A few hours later, the cars stopped in front of a white detached villa.
"Mr. Cross, please come in," Ed said, opening the door. A Golden Retriever ran over, wagging its tail.
Then a little girl, about ten years old, peeked out from the stairs.
"Daddy, Mommy, you're back?"
The girl had blonde hair and looked well-behaved and sweet, holding a ragdoll.
"Judy, come down quickly." Lorraine smiled gently. "This is Mr. Cross; he's a... special consultant Daddy and Mommy invited."
Judy ran downstairs and looked at Daniel curiously.
Daniel returned the look, fondness flashing in his eyes. He could sense that the child had inherited Lorraine's Spirituality -- weak, but already rare among ordinary people.
That also meant she was more likely to attract dark forces.
With a flick of his wrist, Daniel folded a body protection seal into a triangle and held it out.
"Since this is my first time meeting you, here's a small gift." He handed the seal to Judy. "Ask someone to find a red string to wear it around your neck. Keep it dry, and don't take it off, even in the shower."
Ed and Lorraine, both experts, knew the value of Daniel's seal wasn't ordinary.
"This... Mr. Cross, this is too precious," Ed hesitated.
Daniel waved him off. "It's for the child. Just take it."
Judy looked at her parents, and seeing them nod, happily accepted. "Thank you, Uncle Daniel."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Ed led Daniel down to the basement.
...
On a heavy wooden door hung a sign that read, "Danger. Do Not Enter."
Ed pulled out a key and unlocked it solemnly.
"This is our collection room."
The door opened and a complex, cold, chaotic aura spilled out.
Even suppressed by the smell of holy water, Daniel frowned slightly.
The room was filled with all kinds of objects -- samurai armor, a broken mirror, an old piano...
Each item was wrapped in either thick or faint dark energy.
"It's a powder keg," Daniel muttered, stepping inside and sweeping his gaze over the shelves. "You've gathered so many cursed objects together. Relying on a priest's weekly blessing alone isn't enough."
Ed explained, "These are all items attached to evil spirits or curses. We brought them back here to keep them from harming others."
Daniel walked to an empty glass case where Annabelle was meant to be kept.
"The intention is good," he said bluntly, "but your abilities aren't enough. You're relying on that pile of sacred artifacts, and Lorraine's clairvoyance. If the things in this room ever rose up together, you two, plus the child upstairs, wouldn't last ten minutes."
*****
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