Page 91 of Day of the Demon
“It was too high a cost,” I said. “It might be a victory, but we can’t call it a win?”
“He’ll be okay, Kate,” Eric said, pulling me close as the EMTs loaded Stuart’s stretcher onto the ambulance where Allie and Eddie were already settled with the paramedics. “He’s alive. We’ll figure this out. He’ll be okay.”
I nodded, fighting tears as I thought of my husband, cursed into insanity because he’d survived the blast from the stone. “He saved Allie,” I said. “He doesn’t deserve to fall into madness.”
“Maybe he won’t. Those records are ancient. Before decent medical care. Before drugs.” He pressed his hand to my cheek. “He’ll be okay, Katie-kins. Stuart’s going to be fine.”
I took a deep breath, intending to say that he couldn’t know that. Instead, I asked, “Is that what you want?”
The question came out harsher than I intended, and I saw the flash of pain reflected in Eric’s eyes.
“Do you love him?”
I nodded, tears stinging my cheeks as I wondered how such a simple question could be so fraught. “You know I do.”
“And that’s why I want him to be fine,” Eric said.
I swallowed, only then realizing that my throat was thick with tears.
“Mom! Come on!” Allie’s voice bellowed out from the back of the ambulance.
“Go,” Eric said, and I sprinted that way, climbing in as the EMT started to shut the doors.
I had one last glimpse of Eddie, Cutter and Eric standing beside Jared. I whisperedthank you,the words meant for all of them.
Then the doors closed and the ambulance started to bounce down the rocky trail, leaving one man I loved behind as I leaned forward and took the hand of the other.
He’ll be okay, Eric had said. And though he had no mystical ability to make it so, the mere fact that he’d said it gave me hope. Not just for Stuart, but for our strange, messy extended family.
There were questions ahead, not the least of which was the bloodline that lead from Father Donnelly all the way down to my daughter. And God knew this family harbored secrets and demons and a strangely tainted bloodline. But we also had each other.
And despite everything, I had faith that would be enough.
