Kevin shrugged. “I don’t know what to tell you, Finbar. This is definitely not the same atmosphere as when I was here the other time.”
Finn scanned the room. “Where is Carmen?”
“I don’t know,” Kevin hissed. “She went somewhere with that Anton guy.” Kevin pointed to the rolling bar. “Let’s get a drink.”
One shot and two beers later, Kevin heard a familiar voice. “Hey baby, did you miss me?” Carmen was back on Kevin’s arm, working her magic.
“Where did you go, sweetie?” Kevin was fully under her spell.
“I ran into Aamon, and we had to discuss my role later.”
“Later?” Kevin recoiled. “What’s later?”
“After the changeover, baby.” Carmen sensually rubbed Kevin’s back. He had no more questions, but Finn had a few.
“What is this changeover your talking about?”
“It’s when Aamon’s group takes over the room.”
“What?” Finn was confused.
Carmen stopped massaging Kevin and put her and over her mouth. “Oh, I’m sorry. I guess you didn’t realize these are two different churches.”
Finn turned his head slightly and leaned in closer to Carmen. “I’m sorry, Carmen. Say that again about two different churches.”
“Anton rents the building,” she explained. “He has the traditional Church of Satan. At 9PM Anton sublets the space to Aamon and his Theistic Satanism Church.”
“And just what is theistic Satanism?” Finn asked.
Carmen smiled. “In about fifteen minutes, you’ll see.” She began massaging Kevin’s back again. “You know what it is, baby. The time you were here we walked in right after Aamon was beginning a ceremony. Don’t you remember?”
“How could I forget,” Kevin blurted.
“I’m so excited,” Carmen gushed. “Tonight is an evocation ceremony and I’m Aamon’s assistant.”
“That’s fantastic!” Kevin exclaimed.
Carmen reached up and cupped Kevin’s chin, pulling his face down to her level. “You wait right here for me baby, OK. Don’t run away this time. I really want to spend time with you later.” She placed her mouth on his for a deep, soulful kiss. Carmen playfully winked and waved as she walked away.
Kevin returned the wave. “Don’t worry, sweetie, I’ll be here.”
Finn shook his head. “This is disgusting.”
Kevin shrugged. “Hey, like I always say – chicks dig me. That’s the cross I bear.”
Finn looked to one corner of the room where preparations were being made for the theistic ceremony. A huge statue was being wheeled in from an adjacent room.
“I’m not sure referencing a cross is a good thing in this environment.” Finn pointed to the large statue that had been set up behind a makeshift altar. “What the hell is that?”
Finn was startled by a voice to his right. “That is the symbol of Baphomet.” Finn turned to see a tall man in a black robe and hood. “Through the ages this symbol has been called by many different names – The Goat of Mendes, the Goat of a Thousand Young, the Black Goat, The Judas Goat, and perhaps most appropriately, The Scapegoat.”
“Well,” Finn reflected, “It certainly does look like a goat.”
The hooded figure continued. “Baphomet represents the powers of darkness combined with the generative fertility of the goat.”
“I didn’t realize goats were horny,” Kevin snickered.
The hooded man did not laugh. “In its pure form the pentagram is shown encompassing the figure of a man in the five points of the star - three points up, two pointing down - symbolizing man's spiritual nature. In Satanism the pentagram is also used, but since Satanism represents the carnal instincts of man, or the opposite of spiritual nature, the pentagram is inverted to perfectly accommodate the head of the goat - its horns, representing duality, thrust upwards in defiance; the other three points inverted, or the trinity denied. The Hebraic figures around the outer circle of the symbol which stem from the magical teachings of the Kabala, spell out Leviathan, the serpent of the watery abyss, and identified with Satan. These figures correspond to the five points of the inverted star.”
“That’s very interesting,” Finn whispered.
Kevin pointed at the statue. “I gotta tell you – that thing looks nothing like Batman, even the George Clooney Batman.”
“Not Batman, you idiot!” Finn snapped. “Baphomet!”
The hooded man reached into a large bag he was carrying. “I hope you find the ceremony equally as interesting.” He handed Finn and Kevin masks, nodded his head slightly and departed.
Kevin studied his mask. “This is the same demented goat head they gave me last time. What do you have?”
Finn looked at what he could best describe as the face of an angry dog or wolf.
“Want to trade?” Kevin offered.
“No thanks,” Finn said as he put on his dog face.” You can keep your demented goat. By the way, you were just gushing with excitement when your girlfriend said she was going to be part of an evocation ceremony. What’s that all about?”
Kevin shrugged. “How should I know?”
Finn turned and stared his dog face at Kevin. “Well, you sounded so thrilled for the girl. I just assumed you knew what was going on.”
“Hey,” Kevin stated as he got comfortable in his goat mask. “She’s excited, so I’m excited. I just hope she stays excited when we’re alone later. Did you see that body? She is hot!”
Finn had already stopped listening to Kevin’s editorial comments and was concentrating on his phone. He performed a google search for evocation and was now staring at the results:
An Evocation is the calling forth of demons. It is the magical act of commanding, forcing, and threatening the spiritual entity through fear, restriction, and forceful domination based on negative emotions.
Finn handed his phone to Kevin. “Take a look at this, goat boy.”
“Oh shit!” Kevin stammered. “Here’s where people start floating all over the room. Let’s get out of here, Finbar.”
“Hold on there, Batman.” Finn was enjoying Kevin’s sudden anxiety. “What about your plans for Carmen later?”
“Screw her! Come on. Let’s go!”
“Calm yourself,” Finn soothed. “Go if you want, but I came this far and I’m not leaving until I get a chance to speak with this Aamon guy.” Finn nodded toward the altar. “It’s too late now. It’s starting and that guy must be Aamon.”
The goat statue stood watch behind the ten by ten raised wood platform. The folding table serving as the altar was draped with a black table cloth that hung down to the platform. The audience of masked worshippers formed a semicircle around the platform and altar, the only area of the room illuminated with light. Out of the darkness, a figure in a black robe and hood ascended the altar. The figure carried a long staff and wore a mask similar to the huge goat head. He stood behind the altar, raised the staff, and began to chant.
Kevin leaned into Finn and whispered, “See, this is the Klingon singing I told you about.”
The goat priest and audience went back and forth for about ten minutes with chants and responses. Finally, goat priest thumped his staff three times resulting in complete silence. The still air was interrupted by a forceful cold breeze that blew through the room. As quickly as the breeze appeared, it dissipated, leaving only the stillness.
“This is creepy,” Kevin whispered. “If people start floating, I’m out of here!”
“Shhh,” Finn cautioned.
Again, the staff thumped three times, prompting the appearance of another hooded figure on the platform. This figure did not appear to be wearing a mask, but with the hood pulled so far down on the face, Finn could not tell if this person was a man or a woman. The new arrival stood next to the goat priest behind the altar. Once more the staff made it’s sound. On the third thump, the hood was thrown back.
“Hey, Kevin said in a voice slightly louder than a whisper. “It’s Carmen. What’s
she doing?”
“Well, “Finn responded in a much lower voice.” She said she was assisting in this ceremony, didn’t she?”
The rhythm of the staff sounded three more times. This time Carmen threw off her robe. Kevin gasped. She was naked. “What the fuck?” he blurted.
Finn turned his dog face toward Kevin and nodded. “You were right, buddy. She does have a great body.”
Before Kevin could spit out anymore words, the goat priest was chanting again. He had put down his staff and was waving his hands above the altar. Goat priest waved his right hand toward Carmen, and she gracefully laid on her back on the altar in all her naked splendor.
The goat priest backed away from the altar and disappeared into the darkness behind the platform.
“Where did he go?” Finn asked.
“I don’t know,” Kevin responded, “but why is she still laying up there naked?”
“Why don’t you ask her?” Finn chided.
The chanting resumed again as the goat priest emerged out of the shadows. He stood in front of the beautiful body and continued chanting.
“What’s he carrying?” Finn whispered.
“I don’t know?” Kevin answered.
The goat priest raised both hands high above his head. His chant was gaining in volume and intensity.”
“What the hell is that?” Finn reiterated. “It looks like it’s moving. Oh, my God?” Finn declared. “That’s a live chicken.”
The instant Finn made his declaration the knife came down and cut open the chicken’s throat. The high-pitched squeal was silenced, and all that was left was the blood – blood the goat priest poured all over Carmen’s voluptuous body. Kevin and Finn were stunned, their eyes fixed on the surreal scene playing out on the altar. The scene transitioned from surreal to bizarre when the goat priest calmly and quietly disrobed and climbed on top of the altar and his bloody, naked assistant.
The goat priest started slowly, but soon his pelvic thrusts were gaining in both speed and intensity.
“What are they doing?” Kevin asked.
Finn turned, a look of astonishment under his dog face. “Are you kidding? They’re having sex.!”
“What!” Kevin cried.
“That’s right, pal. And you have plans for her later,” Finn snickered. “You just gave a whole new meaning to the term sloppy seconds.”
The groans of ecstasy from both parties on the altar indicated that the ritual was near completion. Kevin stood in stunned silence behind his goat mask, as the goat priest dismounted the altar and dismissed the congregation.
“I’m surprised he didn’t smoke a cigarette,” Finn opined.
Kevin’s trance was broken. “This isn’t funny. This is a lot of sick shit. Let’s get out of here.”
Finn grabbed Kevin’s arm. “Relax! I told you I’m not leaving until I talk to the goat priest.”
Kevin’s response was preempted by a commotion from across the room. “Hey baby! Did you see me? Did you see me?” Carmen sounded like a proud schoolgirl running to her parents after performing in the school play.
Finn was very curious how Kevin was going to respond to Carmen’s performance, but before he had the chance, another voice weighed in. “As usual, she performed brilliantly.”
“Aw, you’re sweet, Aamon,.” Carmen gushed.
Finn spun around and recoiled. Oh, my God, he thought, with the Dracula haircut, pointy eyebrows, and sinister goatee, this guy really did look like the devil.
“Aamon Lasalle,” He extended his hand to Finn.
Finn reflexively accepted the handshake. Kevin exhibited no such reflex. Finn focused on Aamon's dangling hand before turning his attention to his friend. With Kevin's red hair and light complexion, his face always had a red hue, but now, his face was the color of an over-ripe tomato, red as a brick, eyes squinting meanly, fists clenched. Finn placed his hand on Kevin's shoulder. "Relax, buddy!"
Kevin looked at Finn, Aaamon, Carmen, and then back to Finn. "Later!" he declared, tossing the goat mask to the floor as he reached the door.
"Where are you going, baby?" Carmen cried. "What the matter with him?" she asked Finn.
Finn rolled his eyes. "I can't imagine."
“I’m going to see if he’s still outside,” Carmen cried.
Finn and Aamon faced each other for a brief, but uncomfortable moment of silence until Aamon broke the stalemate. “I didn’t catch your name.”
“Daniels – Finn Daniels,” Finn lied, using the name he had listed on the church application.
“What brings you too my church, Mr. Daniels?”
“Curiosity,” Finn answered.
Aamon’s face remained expressionless. “Curiosity can be dangerous.”
“It can also be educational,” Finn countered.
“So, you’re looking for an education, Mr. Daniels?”
“I guess you could say that,” Finn shrugged. “I’d like to be educated on what went on here. I understand this was an evocation.”
“That’s correct, Mr. Daniels. Do you believe demons are real?”
Finn shrugged again. “I keep an open mind about things I don’t understand.”
Just a tinge of a smile appeared on Aamon’s face. “That’s a refreshing attitude. Mr. Daniels. Most people just shut out what they don’t understand.”
“Well, that’s why I’m here. I want to understand.” Finn pointed to the platform and altar. “For instance, what is that all about – and the masks and robes?”
“What religion are you, Mr. Daniels?”
“Catholic.”
Aamon raised a pointy eyebrow. “And you don’t find the rituals and priest’s vestments in your church unusual?
“I never really thought about it,” Finn shrugged.
“Of course, you haven’t. You’ve been brainwashed to believe that what goes on inside a Catholic church is normal.” Aamon grabbed his robe with his right hand. “As for my vestments, black robes are worn by the male participants. The robes may be hooded, and if desired may cover the face. The purpose of the masks is to allow the participant freedom to express emotion in the face, without concern. It also lessens distraction on the part of one participant towards another. Female participants wear garments which are sexually suggestive.” Aamon raised both eyebrows and slightly smiled. “Robes are donned by men before entering the ritual chamber, and are worn throughout the ritual. Black is chosen for the attire in the ritual chamber because it is symbolic of the powers of darkness. Sexually appealing clothing is worn by women for the purpose of stimulating the emotions of the male participants, and thereby intensifying the outpouring of adrenal or bio-electrical energy which will insure a more powerful working.” Aamon studied Finn’s reaction to his speech. “You also were curious about the altar, correct?”
“Yes,” Finn nodded.
“Man's earliest altars were living flesh and blood; and man's natural instincts were the foundation on which his religions were based. Later religions, in making man's natural inclinations sinful, perverted his living altars into slabs of stone and lumps of metal. Satanism is a religion of the flesh, rather than of the spirit; therefore, an altar of flesh is used in Satanic ceremonies. The purpose of an altar is to serve as a focal point towards which all attention is focused during a ceremony. A nude woman is used as the altar in Satanic rituals because woman is the natural passive receptor, and represents the earth mother.”
“Well,” Finn rolled his eyes. “Your altar did a little more than just lay there.”
“Your Catholic fear is coming through. The most natural act that a man and woman perform frightens you.”
“I guess you’re right,” Finn jabbed. “I would be scared to be having sex on stage in front of an audience.”
“You must remember, Mr. Daniels, there are thousands of demons. They decide to present themselves. We can only invite them. Some demons favor copulation, thus tonight’s ritual was appropriate to summon demons like Agares, Beelzebub, Gorgon, Mormo, and Sabnock.”
Finn stopped processing information with the mention of one word – Mormo.
“Is there anything else I can help you with, Mr. Daniels?”
Finn broke out of his trance. “Yes, Was Charles Mills ever a member of your church?”
Aamon stroked his chin. “Charles Mills. I don’t believe I know the name.”
“Let me help you,” Finn replied. “Do you remember a couple of years ago the murders in a park in Queens – the newspapers called it the Demon Murders.”
“Are you a police officer?” Aamon snapped.
“No.”
“Then what’s your interest?”
“I’m a private investigator hired by Mr. Mills mother to look into the case.”
Aamon pointed a long finger at Finn. “Well, Mr. Daniels, I’ll tell you what I told the police two years ago. I don’t know if Mills or any of the dead men came to my church. We don’t keep membership rolls that way. I do know that what occurred in that park was a crime, and I certainly don’t endorse it.”
Finn slightly snickered. “I guess your ethics stops with killing chickens, right?”
Aamon sneered. “Be very careful with what is unknown to you, Mr. Daniels.”
Finn glanced around the room and gulped. It suddenly occurred to him that everyone else had departed.
Aamon’s sneer continued. “Demons are a very real and powerful force. To harness their power, the rituals have to be looked on favorably, and demons favor sacrifice.”
Finn was getting increasingly anxious as Aamon’s eyes widened. “And the most favorable form of sacrifice is human sacrifice.”
Aamon could detect the fear in Finn’s face. “Don’t be afraid, Mr. Daniels. I’m civilized. The best I can do is sacrifice a chicken.” Aamon took a step forward and brought his face to within six inches of Finn. “Frankly, I would have loved to have opened the throat of that beautiful creature on my altar.” Aamon stepped back to his original position. “But I had to settle for opening her legs.”
Finn felt a cold chill when Aamon reached forward and placed his right hand on his shoulder. “Trust me, Mr. Daniels, you don’t want to fool with the demonic underworld. It will end badly for you. Just ask those boys in that park.”
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