“You know those that are aware of demons attract them.” Kim said this matter-of-factly, making my reality feel twisted. Jared told me a few specifics about the Others during the talk we had on our first date—the moment we affectionately dubbed, ‘The Conversation That Changed Everything’. Kim was the other side; someone I couldn’t tell. I hadn’t shared our secrets from that night with anyone, and Kim repeating part of it verbatim disconcerted me.

“Stay calm, Nina,” Jared said, quiet and smooth. He placed his hand on mine. “They feed on aggression and fear.”

Kim’s body language was casual, but deliberately so. “What we’re talking about is going to bring them here, Nigh. The more upset you are, the more access they will have to this situation, so just take it all in. Don’t try to analyze it, just listen and accept.”

“Listen and accept,” I said, taking a deep breath. I looked to Jared, who offered a small, comforting grin. I returned my attention to Kim. “Okay. Let’s hear it.”

Kim’s mouth turned up infinitesimally. “When I was sixteen I was possessed by a demon.”

It was hard to concentrate. Months of perfecting the art of keeping my emotions under control was the only advantage I had, and I was determined to keep my cool. “You’re kidding.”

Kim continued, “I’m going to make this short if you don’t mind.”

I nodded and Kim rolled her eyes. “The story bores me, so to get to the point, the Pollocks, my family, descend from Crusade Knights. Those Crusade Knights used the Holy Sepulchre as an end point of their pilgrimages…you okay?” Kim asked, pausing.

“Yeah,” I said casually. “Because I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about!” I yelled.

Jared held my hands in my lap, and lowered his chin, looking directly into my eyes. “You need to stay calm. It’s important.”

I looked back to Kim. “Sorry.”

Kim dismissed my apology. “Whatever. You remember learning about the Crusades, Nigh. English knights…Robin Hood…King Richard?” I nodded. “It has nothing to do with that.”

I sighed, and Jared jerked his head to the side in frustration. “You’re not helping.”

Kim laughed once and looked down. “I'm sorry. I just can't describe to you how much I hate telling this story.”

“Try,” Jared seethed.

Kim looked to me. “Templar Knights took their crusades to a very holy place in Jerusalem. It’s called the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It was once the temple of Aphrodite. Christians refer to it as Golgotha…the place where Christ was crucified.