Page 32 of Chillingham Castle

“Fuck,” Haunt exclaimed.

The two ghosts tore into each other. They moved from room to room, uncaring what damage they were doing.

“They’ll tear the castle down,” Reaver murmured.

“Neither is backing down; there’s so much hate there,” Cammie whispered, pale.

Sage was thrown into the courtyard, and he landed and rose. “Burned you, savage! I danced on your bones. Ravished your children and bathed in their blood.”

“Holy crap,” I whispered.

An unholy shriek sounded as if it came from the bowels of the earth. La Llorona flew through the walls and took John Sage to the ground. He fought her off, but she tore handfuls of him away. Dancing back, La Llorona raised the writhing essence to her mouth.

“No, oh no,” Lynnie gasped. La Llorona shoved it in and gulped it. “Feeding on other spirits strengthens her.”

“We’re so fucked. How the hell do we exorcise that?” Lucky demanded.

La Llorona swallowed another handful as Sage roared in anger. He leapt to his feet and, in a move a wrestler would envy, speared her, and she flew backwards into a wall. Chillingham shuddered under the impact, and we turned our heads towards the noise.

La Llorona attacked in return, but a sinking feeling settled in us. “She’s not realised yet,” Haunt muttered.

“But when she understands she can physically affect the castle…” Jack shook his head.

“She’ll tear it down around everyone’s ears,” I finished.

“We need to end her,” Haunt stated. “I have sympathy for her. What happened to her and her possible children is a tragedy, but we can’t let her murder innocents.”

“I’ve had an idea…” Cammie began, but a flicker on the screens took our attention.

We gazed at the Pink Bedroom as Lady Mary fully appeared. She was transparent, but clearly there. Lady Mary kept shooting worried glances towards the courtyard as she ushered a girl child into the Pink Room. The ghost of a boy dressed in blue appeared, and Lady Mary grasped both children closer. Around her, several more youngsters materialised, and then adults appeared. They stood surrounding the children, a protection against what was happening outside.

“The ghosts of Chillingham Castle are protecting the innocents,” Cammie whispered with tears in her eyes.

“And we’re helpless against those two,” Haunt said.

“Maybe not. I did some research…” Cammie started to say, and was cut off by an inhuman bellow.

Gazes flicked to the courtyard. La Llorona had Sage pinned down and had torn more pieces off him.

“I wish I could say I was happy that was occurring, but I’m not. It’s weakening him but making her stronger,” I complained.

“A Spirit Trap,” Cammie blurted, capturing our attention.

“What?” Haunt said, raising a hand. The sun was coming up, and we hoped this might end what was happening. In the Pink Room, the ghosts faded, but the two in the courtyard kept fighting. Sage wasn’t as strong; it was clear, and La Llorona played, taunting him. Every time he lunged for her, she ripped another piece of him away.

“She’s beaten him. La Llorona beat the monster of Chillingham Castle,” Lynnie said.

On camera, Sage vanished as the sunlight hit La Llorona and distracted her for a moment. He flicked out from under her hands, and she screamed her frustration at the sun. Moments later, La Llorona disappeared.

“Right, grab what you need; we’re leaving. We need to text Evie and make sure she keeps everyone out. Send her that footage if you have to, but keep anyone human out,” Haunt ordered.

“It’s a good thing the family is away,” Reaver muttered.

I gathered up my laptop and things, and then we set off.

“Meet back at the hotel. We’ll discuss your idea there, Cammie,” Haunt said. We headed out silently. Tonight had been an eye-opener for more than one reason. Talk about biting off more than we could chew.

Cammie