Page 22 of The Penitentiary

“Holy crap,” Levi gasped and then stiffened.

“Brother?”

“Someone just grabbed my dick!”

Chapter Five.

Levi

Did that really just happen? A ghostly hand had caressed my junk. “You didn’t mention randy ghosts!” I spluttered and saw Callie’s lips twitch. I sent her a glower, and she wiped the amusement from her face.

“What are you feeling?” Callie questioned.

“Apart from violated? There’s a sense of…” I paused, searching for the right word.

“Levi?” Callie asked, concerned.

“Prey. I feel like we’re prey,” Sunny added, and I nodded. Two seconds ago, Sunny had looked amused, but now he seemed worried.

“It feels hard to breathe. As though something is pressing down on my chest,” I said, and Sunny nodded.

“And we’re done. If you’re having issues breathing, then we don’t put anyone at risk,” Callie stated. I nodded but was too busy concentrating on drawing air into my lungs to reply.

Sunny let out a gasp and sucked in oxygen. He looked worried, and I could understand why. It was getting harder to breathe.

“Out, now!” Callie ordered and began dragging Sunny towards the exit. I staggered behind them and felt myself going lightheaded.

“Levi, come on,” Callie said, appearing and tucking under my shoulder. With her help, I stumbled out into the central hub, where suddenly the weight on my chest lifted, and I sucked in large gulps of air.

“What the hell was that?” I demanded.

“I don’t know. It could be that the emotions overtook you or the ghosts affected you as revenge for being a man. Considering how you and Sunny felt compared to Freddie and me, I’d say the former idea might hold merit.”

“No shit. That was frightening,” I said, not scared of admitting that it had alarmed me.

“I bet. Are you okay now?”

“Yes, Sunny?” I asked, noting my brother appeared quiet.

“Yeah, I’m good. That disturbed me, too. It seemed aimed at men. I think a female exorcist will be needed. If we send a man in there, we’re exposing him to danger,” Sunny replied quietly.

“I agree. I’ll call Michelle; she’ll know what to do. She’ll probably come with Callum,” Callie said.

“Callum? Michelle?” I asked.

“Callum is a priest we use; he’s been successful in most of his exorcisms. Michelle is a female exorcist whom we sometimes use if Callum isn’t available. She’s really good. I’d give her and Callum a first-time ninety-five per cent success rate,” Callie explained.

“Just ninety-five?” I said as a weak joke.

“Yeah. That’s a damn high percentage. You’d be surprised at how many exorcisms fail on their first attempt. Trust me, Levi, there’s a lot that is whitewashed in the paranormal world. Exorcisms are hard work and take a lot out of the personconducting them. That’s why assistants often accompany a priest; they ensure he is fed, watered, and breaks are taken.”

“I do trust you,” I replied and saw surprise in Callie’s eyes and then a look of warmth swept across her face. My words had touched her, and I realised that Callie had needed to hear that.

“Thank you,” she murmured as Sunny clasped her hand and squeezed.

“Callie, if I thought this was all bullshit, smoke and mirrors, I wouldn’t have brought Madi. I believe in what you do, and I’ve sure as shit had my eyes opened so far. I cannot say I fully believed in ghosts, but I was happy knowing something odd existed. No bull, I can’t go back to my previous oblivious state. I just got my junk groped by a spirit!”

Sunny and Callie all burst into laughter with Freddie as they took in my expression. “Blow the lot of you! I’m going to check on Madi from the command centre.”