Father Xavier sat in his car, waiting. He knew that the High Priest's assistant was inside, but could do nothing until all witnesses were gone. Xavier needed time alone to discover their state of mind. He suspected that they knew little of what had been happening. Once a person was under the influence of one of the Old Gods it wasn't unusual for the mind and soul to bifurcate; half continuing life as normal, the other half completely belonging to evil. Xavier needed to get the pagan on their own. There was a chance that he would be able to exorcise the evil and save the fallen one's soul. It was a slim chance, but he had to try.

After long hours waiting, a car left the car park and drove off down the road. Xavier pulled out and followed it, keeping his distance but confident that his quarry suspected nothing. The car in front pulled up onto a drive and the occupant got out and entered the house. Xavier sat for a while, reviewing everything he knew, all that he'd seen. Then, crossing himself, Father Xavier steeled himself and walked up the path to the door.

The bell rang and Sam looked up from her newspaper. The front page was devoted to the story of Holly's disappearance and Sam was worried that it was probably getting too late to save the girl, presuming that she was still alive anyway. She opened the door and smiled when she saw the handsome civil servant who had called the day before.

"Oh hello. I wasn't expecting you back so quickly."

"There's a few things I'd like to go over with you."

"Okay. Come on in." Sam showed Xavier to the lounge and he sat down. "Would you like a juice?"

"Uh... No thank you."

With a silent prayer, Xavier took a deep breath and began. "I'd like to start out by talking about your brother."

Sam looked confused, "My brother? But I don't have one... I was a... a..."

"A foundling? I know. You spent your whole childhood in orphanages. But you do have a brother. In fact you know him."

Sam's brain was whirling. It was impossible, she couldn't have a brother. She'd always been alone. "Now that's enough! You can't come in here with your stupid stories!"

"You mean you have never heard the name Cernunnos?"

Sam gasped and bent forward, her arms around her middle as if she had been kicked in the stomach. Xavier sat, silently watching as Sam's two halves battled between themselves. She was groaning and whimpering as she rocked back and forth. Slowly she looked up at Xavier, her eyes like twin maelstroms in the blankness of her face.

"What do you want of me?" It was a voice deeper than Sam's deep and tortured.

"I want you to leave this woman alone! Depart!"

"NOooo!" A long drawn out wail. "Cernunnos commands me, not you!"

Xavier could see that the possession was strong. Stronger than anything he had battled before.

"Samantha! Samantha! Can you hear me!"

Samantha's features writhed as her bifurcated soul fought for control. Finally, she managed to gasp. "Y... Yes..."

"Samantha. You have to fight this devil that has you. You alone can defeat it."

"ANGEL FUCKER! SHIT EATING CUNT!" With that Artio sprang from the chair and at the priest. Hands looked around his throat but Xavier stood firm, his soul burning with Gods light. He gripped the wrists of his attacker and slowly forced them away from his throat. This close Xavier could see the monumental battle going on within the frail flesh of the tortured woman. First Artio would gain ascendancy and the grip on his throat would tighten, next Sam would wrest back control over her body and her grip would loosen. Xavier stood, simply holding Sam's wrists, watching and waiting. Slowly she took over, the gaps when Artio held sway growing fewer and shorter. Finally she went limp and, with an anguished cry, slumped against Xavier's powerful body.

Xavier bent and swung the unconscious Samantha into his arms and walked with her to the door. With a struggle he opened the door and carried her out to his car. The first stage of his battle was complete, but, for Sam to banish Artio for ever, she would have to confront her brother and break his power.....(cont)