Laina took a shaky step into the luminous circle around the pillar candle on the floor. The amulet lay just beyond the light puddle. The flame’s reflection flickered in its emerald stone. “Why isn’t it over?” She bent and stretched her hand toward the medallion.
“Don’t touch that.” Arden fetched a bar rag from the counter. He mumbled something as he used the cloth to pick up the amulet. When he turned it over, murky ooze bled across the fabric. “Best not to get their muck on you. There’s a certain way to dispose of this properly. I’ll take care of it.”
He carried the tarry jewelry behind the counter. Laina followed in the wake of his whispered prayers. She strained her ears to discern the name of Jesus among language she didn’t recognize. He spread the rag open on the floor. After searching the counter’s open shelves for a moment, he wielded a rusty hammer with a grin.
Laina squinted at the paint-splattered handle of his tool. “Is that supposed to be some kind of sacred curse remover?”
“It is now.” Arden closed his eyes and lifted the hammer in his right hand. “In the name of Jesus, I bind all evil and send it immediately to the feet of the throne of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.”
He raised the weapon over his shoulder and bludgeoned the amulet. With continued prayers in the unintelligible language, he repeated the blows. Medallion fragments drifted among the ooze. He wiped the rusty head on a corner of the cloth and looked up at Laina. “I just need to deposit these in spots where nobody’ll get ’em to try to reactivate this thing.”
“Like a cemetery?”
He shook his head. “First place the occultists would look. They’re kinda fond of graves, in fact.” He folded the bar cloth’s edges over the amulet carcass. “Don’t worry, I’ve got a few spots in mind.”
As he picked up the hammer to replace it, she said, “You didn’t answer my question.”
“About this?” He waved the tool and laid it on the shelf.” Spiritual warfare’s more about relying on the power of Christ in faith. Not so much about magic tools. In fact, Second Timothy says believers are the holy instruments.”
“I’m more concerned about the first question. Why isn’t this over?” She folded her arms.
“Oh, that. I should tell you.” Arden’s grin wilted and his lips flattened to a somber line. He laid a hand on her shoulder and gazed into her eyes. “The evil spirits retreated, but only for now. The enemy is persistent. And he’ll come after you again. With a vengeance.”
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith “(1 Peter 5:8-9).