A Temporary Refuge

The sun had barely risen over the Lamberts' new house, a spacious and modern residence on the outskirts of California where they had moved after the initial events at their previous home. Cassian parked his Jeep in front of the entrance, his bag loaded with ritual tools: Vatican salt, holy blood, consecrated candles, and the papal cross he had used against the demonic choir the night before. Renai, Josh, Dalton, and the two younger children, still nervous but relieved by Dalton's return, greeted him on the porch, their faces reflecting gratitude and an exhaustion that refused to fade.

Renai approached first, hugging Cassian tightly.

"Thank you, Cassian. I don't know how to repay you for what you did for Dalton and Josh. Are you sure that thing won't come back?"

Cassian returned the hug briefly before stepping back, his tone firm but warm.

"There's nothing to repay, Renai. I did what I had to do. And no, I can't promise it won't return, but I'll do everything I can to protect this house and all of you. Let's go inside—I need to start the rituals."

Josh, holding Dalton in his arms, nodded, his voice still hoarse from the tension of the night.

"Do whatever you need, Cassian. After what I saw—the demon, the old woman—I don't want my kids to go through that again."

Cassian entered, setting his bag down in the main living room, a spacious area with large windows letting in the morning light. He took out the salt and began tracing a circle around the interior perimeter, reciting softly:

"Domine meus, sanctifica hunc locum, claude portas ab omnibus malis."

Renai watched, her hands clenched as the younger children hid behind her.

"What exactly are you doing, Cassian? Will that keep those things out?"

"It's a basic seal," he explained, not stopping. "The Vatican salt is pure, blessed in Rome. I'm creating a barrier that malevolent spirits and demons can't easily cross. It's not foolproof, but it will buy you time if something tries to enter. Then I'll add protection for each of you."

Dalton, still pale but curious, spoke from Josh's arms:

"Like what you did last night? When I floated… I felt something pulling me, but then I came back."

Cassian looked at him, his expression softening.

"Yes, Dalton. Last night, I sealed your body so the demon couldn't drag you back. Today, I'll do something stronger—for you and your family. Stay close, little one."

He finished the circle in the living room and moved to the bedrooms, sprinkling holy blood in the corners while reciting:

"Sanguis Christi, protege hunc domum, expelle omnia tenebrae."

Josh followed him, his tone heavy with questions:

"How long will this last, Cassian? Will we have to do this forever?"

"It lasts months, maybe a year, if there's no direct attack," Cassian replied, lighting candles at each window. "But if the demon or the Black Woman returns with force, you'll know. I'll leave you salt and simple prayers, but if anything happens, call me immediately. I work with the Vatican—I have resources to return quickly."

Renai sighed, relieved but tense.

"Thank you… I don't know what we would've done without you and Elise. Will she come too?"

"Not today," Cassian said, finishing the ritual in the kitchen. "She's exhausted after entering the astral plane. She'll come in a few days to check, but for now, you're safe."

Finally, he gathered the family in the living room, tracing a small circle of salt around each of them and marking their foreheads with a cross of holy blood, reciting:

"In nomine Domini, vos protegam, ab omni malo defendam."

Dalton laughed nervously, touching his forehead.

"It feels weird… Does this mean I won't dream about that place again?"

Cassian smiled faintly, packing away his tools.

"I can't stop your dreams, Dalton, but this will ensure nothing drags you back. Rest, all of you. I'm leaving, but I'll be close if you need me."

Josh shook his hand, his gaze serious.

"You're a strange man, Cassian, but I don't know how to thank you. If you ever need anything…"

"Just keep your family safe," Cassian interrupted, picking up his bag. "That's enough for me."

With the house and the Lamberts protected, Cassian got into the Jeep and drove toward the church where he had left Susie, a short but peaceful drive under the morning sun.

The church was silent when Cassian arrived, Father Malone waiting at the entrance with Susie by his side. She ran to him, her eyes bright with relief at seeing him safe and sound.

"Cassian!" she said, hugging him. "I was so worried. What happened? Are they okay?"

Cassian returned the hug, guiding her toward the Jeep.

"They're fine, Susie. Dalton and Josh are back, and I protected them. Get in—I'll tell you everything, but first, let's go somewhere better. The Vatican gives me resources; we don't need cheap motels. I booked a suite at the Regency Hotel, close by. We'll rest properly."

Malone smiled, waving goodbye.

"Take care of her, Cassian. The Vatican trusts you."

They got into the Jeep, and as he drove toward the luxurious hotel, Cassian began recounting, his voice calm but detailed:

"It was a tough night, Susie. Josh entered the astral plane to pull Dalton out, and he succeeded, but the Black Woman trapped him before he could return. Elise had to go after him—she used a special flashlight to blind her. Here, in the physical world, the red-faced demon tried to cross over: a choir of voices chanting blasphemous Latin, like an army of demons, shaking the house. I had to use the Pope's cross to stop them. It was a fight, but we won—for now."

Susie listened, her hands clenched in her lap, her voice trembling slightly:

"That sounds terrifying, Cassian. How do you do it? I was so scared just seeing the Black Woman and feeling those things… I don't know how you keep going."

Cassian sighed, stopping the Jeep in front of the Regency, an elegant building with white columns and a valet waiting.

"I do it because I have to, Susie. But with you… I think I was too harsh. I threw you into this world headfirst, straight into the Lambert case, without preparing you properly. I should've explained things slowly, given you time before putting you in something like that. I'm sorry."

Susie looked at him as they got out, the valet taking the Jeep. They entered the marble lobby, and she spoke, her tone soft but firm:

"Don't apologize, Cassian. Yes, I was very scared, more than I've ever been. But when you told me about Dalton, I knew my gift could help, that I could save someone. I don't want to hide from this, even though it scares me. If I can do good, like you, I want to try again."

Cassian looked at her, surprised by her bravery, and smiled as they rode the elevator to the suite.

"That goodness of yours, Susie—it's pure, more than I've seen in years, even among the nuns in Rome. It reminds me why I fight. Alright, if you want to continue, I'll guide you—but carefully this time."

The suite was a discreet luxury: large windows with ocean views, white leather furniture, and a table with fresh fruit left by a hotel attendant. Susie sat on a sofa, looking at Cassian with bright eyes.

"Thank you, Cassian. I feel safer with you. What do we do now?"

He sat across from her, relaxing for the first time in days.

"Rest today, Susie. We didn't sleep well last night, and this place is for that: comfortable beds, good food, peace. I still have a month of vacation, and in that time, I'll teach you how to use your gift. How to sense without being overwhelmed, how to distinguish the benign from the malignant, how to protect yourself. Step by step, as I should've done from the beginning."

Susie smiled, leaning back on the sofa with a sigh.

"That sounds nice… a whole month with you, learning. I like this place—I've never been anywhere so beautiful. Do you always live like this?"

Cassian laughed, a rare and genuine laugh.

"Not always, but the Vatican pays well for what I do. We can afford luxuries when we rest. Order whatever you want from room service, eat, sleep. We'll start tomorrow, alright?"

"Alright," she replied, closing her eyes. "Thank you, Cassian… for everything."

He nodded, looking out the window at the ocean, his mind still caught on the echo of "he is coming" that he hadn't shared.