Page 133 of Devil Inside

“Get out of her.”

“Are you going to force us out?”

“Lilith...”

“Make us leave, Jordan. Force us out.Exorciseus.”

“Don’t.”

“Cast us out, Jordan. Go on. See if you can do it.”

“You want to fuck around? Fine.” I grab her by the shoulders and spin her around. Now it’s her back against the wall. “I cast thee out. There. Satisfied?”

“No—you need to mean it, Jordan.Believeit. Have somefaith.”

I take my hands and press the palms flat against the wall beside her head, effectively pinning her in place, fencing her in between my arms. “Get out of her.”

“Getting warmer...”

“Get the fuck out!”

“You come out first.” She doesn’t move, her lips so close to mine.

She’s there.

“Show me what you are, Jordan.”

Rightthere.

“What youreallyare.”

There.

“I want to see what you’re—”

I bring my fist up and strike the wall just next to her, inches away from her face. The plaster cracks with this percussive crumble. Maybe it’s just my knuckles.

I don’t move my hand, letting my fist linger next to her head. The hammer of it. Lilith glances at my arm, then back at me. It’s Jenn’s eyes that widen themselves, taking me in.

“Is this what you want?” There are only inches between us, our lips. I could kiss her right now if I wanted to. If I wanted to.

Or strangle her.

Lilith only grins. “Getting warmer.”

I strike the wall again. Same hand as before. Harder this time. The dull thud of knuckles against Sheetrock reverberates through my arm.What am I doing? What is this?

“Is this what you want?”

Lilith doesn’t flinch. “Warmer.”

I hit again. The wall gives, collapsing.

Lilith doesn’t move. “Hotter.”

I hit again. There’s blood on my knuckles now. Blood on the wall. I see the red smear in the dent left behind, the fracture in the plaster looking like what I imagine a crushed skull might resemble after shattering it with a hammer.

“Hottest.” Lilith’s delirious grin sears into me. I want to wipe that smile off her face. Obliterate her lips. Swipe the life right out of—