Dead of Winter Read Online Free PDF

get her to Doc Riley.”
    Lt. Hysmith shouted, “If she’s Indian, take her to the medicine woman across the creek.”
    Anika said, “No, this is Master Lamothe’s daughter, Zoé.”
    Hysmith frowned. “What’s she doing this far from her outpost?”
    Nestled in Tom’s arms, Zoé coughed, hacking up spittle and blood. Tom yelled, “For Christ’s sake, Hysmith, open the damn gate!”
    The lieutenant hesitated a moment. “All right, in you go.”
    The double doors opened inward. The three dogsleds entered the fort.
    9
     
    Father Xavier climbed up from the undercroft of Laroque Asylum, exhausted and hungry. As Warden Paddock approached, Father Xavier said, “Gustave Meraux won’t be disturbing your inmates any longer. I did my best to save the man, but I’m afraid he is dead.”
    The warden’s jaw dropped.
    “What happened?” It was Brother Francois who asked the question. His face was bandaged where he’d clawed his own cheeks. Francois was holding a teacup and a half-eaten biscuit with marmalade. He had crumbs on his cheek.
    Father Xavier directed his report to Warden Paddock. “Gustave Meraux was indeed possessed by a demon. He tried to play games with my head, but finally realized that as long as I live, I was not going to give in to his chicanery. So the demon rammed Gustave’s body into the cell’s door. I heard bones in his face breaking against the bars. Then he dropped and was silent.”
    Paddock grinned. “Bloody good riddance, I say.”
    “You’ll send a doctor down to confirm the death?”
    “Of course.”
    The stagecoach arrived, and Father Xavier and Francois walked across the cobble driveway. As Father Xavier was about to climb into the coach, the warden grabbed his arm. “Is that thing that possessed him gone?”
    The exorcist looked up at the white-walled asylum. The ravens were gone. “From Laroque, oui .”
    Paddock’s eyes turned glossy. “Thank you, Father.” His grubby hand shook Father Xavier’s.
    “Good day.” The Jesuit priest climbed into his stagecoach and sat across from Francois. The novice hung his head, avoiding eye contact.
    The carriage rode off, making its journey to the twin-towered cathedral that loomed at the heart of the city.
    Father Xavier removed his gloves, glaring at the apprentice sitting across from him. “You abandoned me in there.”
    Brother Francois kept his head lowered. “Sorry, Father. I have shamed you.”
    Father Xavier sighed. “No need to feel shame, Francois. Very few Jesuits have what it takes to battle the Devil’s legion.”
    “I promise to be more prepared next time. I’ll train harder.”
    “Exorcising demons is dangerous work.” Father Xavier gazed out the window at the city lights. In the Montréal harbor, fishing vessels and sailboats were tied down for another frosty December night. “I’ve seen many an apprentice lose his faith when the Devil mirrors his own darkness. This work is not for you, Francois. I suggest you return to your mission work with the nuns in Beaupré.”
    The young man nodded. “ Oui , sir.”
    The carriage returned to the Notre-Dame Basilica.
    As Father Xavier headed for his room in hopes of falling asleep, he was intercepted by a clergyman. “Father, the Archbishop wishes to speak with you.”
    He met with Bishop Rousseau in the sacristy. The archbishop was a rotund man in his seventies. His plump face looked eternally agitated.
    Father Xavier gave a full report of the exorcism and the releasing of his apprentice.
    “Are you certain the demon left Laroque?” asked Bishop Rousseau. “There are plenty of other feeble minds there for it to possess.”
    “I’m certain, your holiness. After Gustave died, I exorcised the entire asylum. I felt the presence of evil leave.”
    “But your work is not done.”
    “It never is.”
    The bishop sighed. “Then rest up, Father. I am certain it won’t be long before I need your services again.”
    10
     
    Laroque Asylum
    Warden Paddock marched down the