“The demon was a banshee. It infested quietly inside her that was why the girl was just sleeping the whole time of the possession, but anymore longer than yesterday, she wouldn’t have been able to return to her normal life even if I exorcise the demon,” Father Azrael stated in a grim voice. He stood in front of the Bishop’s office desk refusing to sit in a reserved seat for him.

Father Daniels comfortably sat on the other though, but intently watched his counterpart do all the talking. It took him overnight to grasp the entirety of what had happened inside Jessa’s room. He already expected the demon possession side, Father Azrael’s unorthodox way of exorcising was another matter however. He still couldn’t believe that electricity flowed out from his body, along with the inhuman change of his iris color. It was all out of the ordinary.

Thinking about it, there was only one answer that he could finalize: Father Azrael has divine powers coming from God himself. That was probably why the Holy Pope always gives him a defined special treatment and by mean special, he was referring to the mansion that Father Azrael owns, the mansion that he called “home” last night at dinner.

He didn’t comment about the conversation last night because he thought that it was improper. Now, he understood why, and could probably say that the mansion the priest owned befitted him rightfully. There was no jealousy in that. He was a priest himself in the first place, so jealousy was never an issue.

“Then, it was a good thing you were just in time Father,” the Bishop commented while he held a hard copy of the report about the last day. Father Azrael had made it to send to the Pope. It was imperative that it would be sent as soon as possible to the Apostolic Palace mainly for the Pope’s comfort of knowing that nothing bad has happened.

Father Azrael strolled across the room and stopped near an open casement window. This side of the Palace, he could see a different angle of the charity house. It showed a much better view of the backyard where there stood a small chapel.

“I have studied all of the demonic possessions here in your city and found that it is random. However, the fact that the charity house is a favorite target, I need to investigate more. I want to know if there is a pattern on it; if there is anything about the house that smells savory to these vile creatures.”

“Ahum, I think I might be able to help you with that Father Azrael,” Father Daniels finally butted in. He glanced at the Bishop as if he was mentally asking for his permission. Bishop Elliot nodded promptly with a grave expression on his face.

“I have been in almost all demon exorcisms here Father, as you may know,” Father Daniels continued. He eyed the standing priest and gestured for him to sit down. The latter however declined.

“Go on,” Father Azrael ordered.

Shifting slightly in his seat, he started again.

“In my exorcisms, I have noticed these demons uttering the same thing. It could be just a mumble, or just a simple word, or maybe a sentence, I don’t know. I don’t understand demon language — well, if they do have one.” He calmed his nerves by clasping his hands together against his protruding belly, and then looked grimly at Father Azrael again. “I have heard it again yesterday actually, before you exorcised the banshee. I do know you heard it too, but knowing it was your first time yesterday on exorcising in this place, I thought that it might mean nothing to you, but I do think that it has something to do with the frequent possessions here.”

Father Azrael was all ears with the telling. If he could feel an emotion now, it would be anger. Pure anger directed to the demons that plagued this place. Father Daniels was all accurate with his theory, but he most certainly doesn’t know of a few truths.

One. The banshee was the only demon that possessed the girl, but Father Daniels had no idea there was a second demon that appeared during the exorcism. Father Azrael was the only one who could see and hear it.

Two. He clearly understands what the banshee had spoken. One word it was and it meant key.

Three. Demons have a language. An archaic one. And he is the only one in a handful of exorcists of the Vatican community who understands it unfortunately.

“I see.” It was a poor word to suffice a chaos of words in Father Azrael’s mind. His eyes didn’t leave the charity house until such time he saw a woman exit the backdoor and gracefully entered the chapel. Her glorious hair glimmered under the morning sunlight, cascading down her naked neck.

Ah. Yes.

She wasn’t wearing the bothersome apparel this time, but she had one in hand. It was a shame he couldn’t see that brown mark in the spot where he stood. Such a shame it was. Truly a disadvantage.

“Bishop Elliot does think so too, Father,” Father Daniels continued, successfully slicing Father Azrael’s attention into two. He watched both of his fellow priests on their seats and saw Father Daniels looking at the Bishop with an acknowledging nod.

“Me, Father Eshamael and Father Winslard have already highlighted it in all our exorcisms here. There’s got to be some connection.”

“Then I will try and find it,” Father Azrael abruptly said with a huff. “I will stay here until this is solved. That is what the Holy Pope had instructed me, but I feel responsible for it anyway.”

“Oh, thank heavens!” Bishop Elliot expressed in delight as if his austere appearance wasn’t even present a while ago. He threw his hands in the air and looked skyward, exactly in a priestly manner. ”Please Father Azrael. You are our only hope!”

“It will take some time though, that is why I need to ask your help Bishop,” Father Azrael stated.

“Whatever it is Father, just say the word. I am ready to help you for the sake of the people of Soren,” the Bishop replied.

“I will need to investigate all of the demon possessions in the city, so I would need a chaperon with me for that. I need you to grant me access to all the records in the local city library. I also need you to grant me unbound access to the St. Therese Charity House whenever and wherever, since the house is a favorite of the demons. I might be staying there overnight to investigate during unholy hours, so I need you to inform the nuns beforehand.”

“Done, done, done, and done,” the Bishop excitedly answered. “You don’t need to worry Father. It is all settled before you even asked. The nuns in the orphanage are very open with that and they are very much willing to help. They are used to having visitors every day, so it is not a problem. Although, the room arrangement during your overnight stay there would be an issue since they are short on space, but I’m sure we can do something about that!”

“Good. I am glad to hear that Bishop,” Father Azrael answered, feeling already impatient to get started right away.

“Now, what I need to do is to talk to someone who is exactly the right person for the job to chaperon you around the city,” Bishop Elliot stated eyeing the traditional phone in his desk.

“I might need the chaperon now Bishop because I don’t intend on wasting time.”

“True. True. I can call for Aurora right now,” he said, reaching for the telephone on his desk.

By the mention of Aurora’s name, Father Azrael quickly tensed.

“What? Right now Bishop?” Aurora’s stunned voice rang on earpiece.

“Yes, right now. Father Azrael needs to go to the first attack today,” Bishop Elliot explained, holding the phone in his ear.

“But, Bishop. You know I have work today!”

“Don’t worry about that. I will tell Mrs. Ester to give you leave. Anyway, it is just a part-time job Aurora. So there is no problem with it.”

“I’m really sorry for asking Bishop, but... are there no other persons you can find to help him?”

Aurora was hesitant. She didn’t want to accompany the exorcist priest on his investigation mainly because she herself was afraid of what she might see. She had witnessed almost all of the demon possessions inside the charity house and it was more than enough for her.

“I do have a sacristan boy to go with him, but you still need to guide Father Azrael since the boy doesn’t know much of the streets and sidewalks of the city. Don’t you want to help him Aurora? For the sake of the children?”

Father Azrael’s eyebrows flinched briefly when he heard it. He adjusted his stance to a more comfortable position against the casement window, clearing his throat at the same time. He saw Aurora pace the chapel entrance, holding a cellphone in her ear.

It was seconds before she could reply again. She hesitated at first, but finally she gave in.

Afraid, yes, she was. Very. But she realized that this was already a chance for her to do something... something to help the poor children in the orphanage. Whatever humanely possible it was, she would do it, just so that the demon attacks would stop.

“Very well... Should I go there now?”

“No. Father Azrael will get you in a few minutes. I will have Mr. Sherd drive you to the location. Then, you will go from there.”

“Oh, all right. I will wait here then.”

“Ah! Thank you Aurora.” Bishop Elliot’s eyes beamed with gratitude.

“You’re welcome, Bishop,” Aurora replied.

“There, it is settled. Aurora will wait for you at the charity house,” the Bishop informed, putting the telephone handle on its stand. “Don’t you want to eat breakfast first, Father?”

Father Azrael straightened, and then crossed the room towards the front door. “No, I had one already in my room Bishop. I asked Sir Theodore for it early this morning.”

“Oh, well then... good luck today and may God bless you.”

“Thank you, Bishop,” he replied and left his office with a smirk on his face.

Father Azrael arrived at the charity house ten minutes later. What greeted him inside the courtyard was the same liveliness as yesterday. Preschool children were running and playing hide-and-seek with so much enthusiasm they didn’t even notice the priest coming in. The same nun as yesterday opened the gate for him, wearing the same-colored habit.

“Bishop Elliot had informed us that you will come today Father Azrael. Sister Cene went to the market an hour ago with Sister Clarice, she might be back by this time. Aurora is upstairs in Jessa’s room. Do you want me to call for her, Father?”

“No, that’s not necessary Sister. I will go there anyway to check on Jessa’s condition.”

“All right, Father. Make yourself comfortable here,” the old nun replied.

“Thank you Sister Rhea.”

After a nod, he entered the house and climbed up the stairs to the second floor in haste. When he reached the corridor, it was the same silence that greeted him as yesterday. Of course, it was a school day still, so all teenage occupants were absent.

The door was slightly open when he reached Jessa’s room. Before he could knock on the door, he heard a child’s sweet voice from the inside.

“Would you be gone too long Big Sis?”

He slightly peeked on the opening and found Aurora sitting beside Jessa at the edge of the bed. The child was upright now, with pillows propped up behind her.

A little tug in the corner of his lips appeared, pleased with the scene, but as he continued on watching them, a thought crossed his mind out-of-the-blue.

Damn. She is wearing a scarf now. Too late to know what that scarf hides.

A nun sitting in a chair across them noticed him and immediately stood up and bowed her head. Both Aurora and Jessa saw it and turned to see who was in the doorway.

“No, I wouldn’t be gone too long, little Jessa,” Aurora replied, ignoring Father Azrael’s presence who was now a step inside the room. “Now, be a good girl and rest okay? Sister Margaret here will take care of you for the time being.”

She patted the pillows on her back, and then guided Jessa to rest back against it.

“Okay,” she muttered softly. Staring at Father Azrael’s direction, she gestured Aurora to lean in closer so that she could whisper something in her ear.

Aurora obliged.

The girl eyed the priest conspicuously as she covered her mouth close to Aurora’s ear. Father Azrael noticed a modest curve appearing on the latter’s lips as she listened attentively to the girl.

“Oh really?” Aurora remarked as soon as the girl backed away.

Jessa nodded visibly with a big smile on her face as she looked at him.

“Well, I should introduce both of you then,” announced Aurora as soon as she stood up.

“Good morning Father.” She nodded, looking at his way.

Father Azrael took a step closer to the bed and smiled slightly. “Good morning Sister, Aurora and little Jessa.”

“Jessa, this is Father Azrael, your savior and your guardian angel,” Aurora said to which the priest raised an eyebrow.

Angel. That was a weird name for an introduction on him.

“Hello little Jessa, how are you feeling today?” he asked.

“Good morning Father. I was feeling tired a while ago, but you are here now, so I am happy!” the girl cheerfully answered.

“Oh. That’s good to hear,” Father Azrael said while stealing a quick glance at the smiling woman across the bed.

“All right, you heard your Big Sis earlier. You should rest more okay? So that you would be strong again, and you can play with little Jennie.”

The girl’s eyes beamed with excitement upon hearing her friend’s name.

“Okay Father!” she exclaimed with full volume.

“We better go Sister Margaret. Please do take care of little Jessa here,” Father Azrael stated.

“Yes, I will do Father, thank you.” The nun accepted and bowed her head.

Along the corridor, they both walked side by side. Aurora’s expression still showed the residue of delight she had inside Jessa’s room: smiling to herself with not a care that Father Azrael gazed at her way.

“What did Jessa whisper to you awhile ago?” he finally asked, unable to hold back his curiosity.

“I don’t know if I should tell you Father.” She grinned, embracing her handbag against her chest.

Father Azrael’s brow flinched. “Do confess, Aurora.”

“Well, uhm, Jessa was just telling me that you looked exactly like her guardian angel in her dream except for the angel’s hair that is.”

“Why? What is the angel’s hair color? I assume it is a brilliant gold,” he teasingly commented.

“No, not really Father,” she replied as they descended the stairs. “She told me the angel’s hair was a long silver color, with streaks of red on its loose locks.”

She looked at his profile to get his reaction, but what she expected as a jaunty one was so much more the opposite. His face looked stiff, almost to the point of displeasure. She saw his flinty stare and it gave her instant goosebumps. He didn’t reply anymore. He just stayed silent and so did she until they reached the courtyard.

For a priest like him, it must be a common thing.

She felt herself unexpectedly left hanging in an untimely way once again. It was the same as last night. It was almost like he had a case of bipolar personality; changing from one mood to the other.

What is with him? She shouted in her mind as he strode past her speedily towards the gate.

“We should hurry, Aurora. I don’t want to waste precious time,” he snapped when he opened the door to the passenger’s seat for her. She didn’t reply a word, but she nodded her acknowledgement. When she slid inside the car, a slim boy of sixteen years old greeted her with a smile.

“Oh! Marcus! It’s good to see you again!” Aurora in surprise, blurted out, dismissing the feeling of dejection amassing within her.

“You know each other?” Father Azrael queried, looking at them from the front seat once he slipped inside.

“Ye—ah,” Aurora hesitantly answered. “Marcus here was a resident in the charity house until Bishop Elliot adopted him and was accepted in the sacristan scholarship program a year ago. Since then, he had been living inside the Palace.”

Drawing her attention back on the boy, she hooked an arm around him in a sisterly fashion and messed up his neatly-combed hair and the crisp collar of his white long-sleeved shirt.

“Ahhh! Big sis! Stop messing my hair!” he squealed in alarm. Marcus’ voice was raspy and undeveloped for his age. He had an Adam’s apple that was shyly sheltering itself under his chin. His face was tanned, but almost all of his skin was, owing to the rigorous training the Program submitted him to.

“That’s good,” Father Azrael spoke in a calm voice. He left the two to their own world as he turned to the driver and gestured him to proceed to their destination.