Spectr 2, tome 3 : Drinker of Blood

“All right,” John said the next day, as he shut the door to the exorcism room behind him. “Everyone ready?”

“Ready!” Zahira chirped. After she had seen the footage of Gray fully manifested during the battle at Fort Sumter, John and Caleb had both expected her to react as badly as the rest of the agents. Instead, her enthusiasm had drawn out Gray, who ordinarily ignored everyone but John. He’d agreed to answer whatever questions she might have for him. The outbreak of possessions across Charleston had meant they hadn’t had an opportunity for the interview until now.

Just because Gray had agreed to the interview didn’t mean Caleb was entirely happy about it. “Do we have to do this in an exorcism room, Starkweather?” Caleb asked. He rubbed the toe of one heavy black boot against the silver circle set into the floor around the lone chair. The chair itself was made of solid steel, bolted to the floor and equipped with attachment points for chains. “It’s not really making me feel all that comfortable, got to say.”

Zahira clasped her hands together nervously. “We could go to one of the conference rooms instead.”

“If we’re doing this, we should get all the data we can. We chose this room because it’s set up to record video, barometric pressure, and temperature,” John said. “And because no one will disturb us in here, no matter what.” He stepped closer to Caleb and ran a hand lightly down the back of his thick leather coat. “But if it bothers Gray…”

“Gray doesn’t give a damn,” Caleb muttered. He glanced at John, then sighed. “Fine. Let’s get on with it. At least you could have brought us a pillow for the chair.”