by Avril Sabine
“This isn’t a game. We need to be at the church before Mass starts. We can’t walk in there with our swords when people start arriving. They need to be stashed before then. Now get in the car. It’s going to be a long night. I’m sure you’ll have more than enough time to give me the third degree.”
Alyssa’s lips thinned. “Fine.” She pulled the car door open and glared at Riley who moved across the back seat and pulled the other door shut. She slammed her door and stared out the window. She sat silent throughout the drive. Her eyes focused on the window, even though most of what she saw was little more than a blur. What she did see, and far too clearly, was the demon. It didn’t matter if her eyes were open or closed.
Chapter Twelve
When the car eventually came to a stop, Alyssa blinked and glanced around to get her bearings. Alex opened her door and waited patiently for her to climb out. Alyssa hopped out in time to see Scarlett put the swords into a rectangular case with a handle, and latched it shut. Riley took the case from her and strode to the church. Alyssa silently followed him and Scarlett, Alex at her side.
She watched as they dipped their fingers into the bowl of water just inside the church and touch their forehead, chest and both shoulders. She glanced questioningly towards Alex who shook his head. Relieved, she entered the church and looked around. This was the first time she’d been in a church. To her it seemed full of shadows and dark timber. The stained glass did little to brighten things. Her eyes shied away from the cross behind the altar and she watched as both Scarlett and Riley half knelt, crossed themselves again and sat in the last pew. Riley put the case with the swords under their seat.
Alyssa glanced to Alex who looked like he was about to smile. “What?” Her word came out as a whisper. Anything louder would have seemed out of place.
Alex shook his head, gesturing towards where Riley and Scarlett sat. “Take a seat, Alyssa. No need to pay respect for what you don’t believe in. But I will ask you to kneel when everyone else does during Mass. It’s the least you can do for the sanctuary you’ve accepted.”
Unable to meet his eyes, Alyssa looked at the ground. She hurried to the pew, sat beside Riley and dropped her backpack near her feet like she’d seen Riley and Scarlett do. Alex did the same half kneel and crossed himself before he entered the pew to sit on her left. He was barely seated when he slid forward to kneel on the wooden board that ran the length of the pew. He rested his arms on the pew in front, and bowed his head. Alyssa glanced at Riley and Scarlett who continued to remain seated.
She sat there quietly, with nothing to distract her when she desperately needed something to take her mind off the rapidly approaching night. The hard timber of the pew made her shift as she tried to get more comfortable. She glanced towards Alex who still knelt in prayer. She turned her eyes to Riley and Scarlett on her other side and then frowned. Frowning, she looked back to Alex and then Riley and Scarlett again.
“Riley. It’s nearly summer.”
“So?”
“You’re all wearing long sleeve shirts. Aren’t you melting?”
Riley shrugged.
“That isn’t an answer.”
Scarlett leaned in front of Riley. “Of course we’re hot, Allie. That should be obvious to anyone.”
Alyssa took a deep breath and pushed away the angry retort that came to her lips. She turned back to Riley. “Why?”
Riley grinned. “Why are we hot? Because we’re wearing long sleeve shirts in late spring.”
“Riley.” Alyssa said his name through clenched teeth. She nearly jumped as Alex tugged on her arm to get her attention.
“Do you mind?” Alex’s eyes travelled from Alyssa to Riley. “You should know better.” He looked at Alyssa again. “People get the wrong idea about the demon marks when we go out as a group. They usually think it’s a gang tattoo.” He turned away and bowed his head in prayer again.
Alyssa stared straight ahead and tried to ignore the heat in her cheeks.
Riley leaned near and bent his head close to her ear. “Sorry.” He shifted away again.
Alyssa ignored him. A sound in the direction of the altar made Alyssa look over as her heart rate sped up. She sagged slightly when she saw it was a priest. She watched him walk down the aisle. As he drew close, Alex crossed himself and sat back in the pew. The priest stopped with a smile of welcome.
Alyssa was surprised at how young he looked. She guessed he was about thirty. When she noticed how good-looking he was, she had the fleeting thought of, what a waste. She glanced apologetically towards the cross at the front of the church.
“Father Joe.” Alex said.
“How are you, Alex?” Father Joe looked towards the rest of them. “And you Scarlett and Riley.” He smiled at Alyssa. “Nice to see a new face in my church.”
They all murmured greetings except Alyssa, who quickly looked away. She felt like she was there under false pretences.
“Do you have a minute, Father?” Alex rose to his feet. “For confession?”
“How many sins could you have committed in three days, Alex? My congregation will start arriving in about five minutes. Are you sure your sins can’t be absolved during Mass?”
“It won’t take long, Father.”
Father Joe’s smile evaporated. He shifted enough to be able to look under the pew. He looked first at Alyssa and then at Riley and Scarlett. “And you two?”
“Just your blessing, Father,” Riley said.
“Always,” Father Joe said solemnly. “Come on then, Alex.”
As soon as the two had moved away, Alyssa turned to Riley. “What was that all about?”
“I don’t think we have time for Religion 101.”
“How about you give me the highlights then?” Alyssa glared at Riley.
“You can be so dense at times, Alyssa,” Scarlett said.
Alyssa’s mouth opened. She stared at Scarlett who sat back so Riley blocked Alyssa’s view of her.
Riley took Alyssa’s hand and patted it. “Mass will start shortly. There’s no time for this discussion.”
Alyssa tugged her hand out of his grasp. “But you won’t tell me later, will you? You all tell me as little as possible.”
“You have a tendency to freak when we tell you too much,” Riley said.
Angry words rose to her lips. She even opened her mouth to speak them. Then she recalled where she was. She reached down to her backpack and pulled out the book by Patrick Hunter and opened it. She ignored the quiet chuckle from Riley and barely glanced up when Alex returned to sit beside her. She became so immersed in the book she was startled to see how many people filled the church when Alex tugged on her elbow to make her rise like the rest of the congregation.
The sounds of an organ filled the church and all around her people began to sing. Some held books they sang from, others had no need, for they obviously knew the songs well. Alyssa glanced at the demon hunters, their hands clasped before them, eyes forward as they sang.
Typical, Alyssa thought in annoyance. Someone should make them saints. She looked around and wished she could go back to her book. She needed to learn as much as possible about demons and Patrick had a way with words that made him able to impart information without the reader’s eyes glazing in boredom.
Alyssa’s mouth dropped open as her eyes drifted over the congregation. In the last pew, across the aisle from them, stood Nathan. When Alyssa tried to run, Alex grabbed her by one arm, Riley by the other.
“Nathan,” Alyssa hissed and tried to pull her arms from their grips.
“We’re in a crowded church. You’re safe for now.” Alex tugged her down as everyone began to sit.
“We can’t stay here.”
“Don’t make a scene.”
Alyssa stared at Alex, surprised at the tone of his voice. “I-”
“Quiet. These people have come together to worship. Show some respect.”
Alyssa glared at Alex before she faced forward. She seethed all through the Mass. She sent occasio
nal glances towards Nathan and he caught her twice. Both times he winked at her. After the second time, she forced herself not to look at him again.
When the last hymn was sung and people started to leave the church, Alyssa tried to rise only to be pressed back in her seat by both Alex and Riley.
Alyssa leaned close to Alex. “Let go of me.”
“You can’t leave.”
“Alex-”
“No. Trust me on this. Remember what I promised you?”
“Only to stand between me and the demon. Nathan’s a man.”
“Please, Alyssa. Don’t fight us on this. We’ve been protecting people for years. We know what we’re doing.”
“You’re the same age as me. How much experience could you have?”
“The first time I faced a demon I was ten.”
Alyssa stared at him, speechless. She shook her head, trying to order her thoughts. “Is that… normal? I mean, normal in your family?”
Alex smiled fleetingly. “No.” He rose abruptly and stepped out of the pew as Father Joe walked inside after seeing his parishioners off.
Father Joe looked between the five people left in the church. He walked towards Nathan. “Can I help you?”
Nathan’s lips twisted into a humourless smile. “Not at all, Father. I need to talk to the kids.”
“I’m afraid I need to lock up,” Father Joe said.
“I’ll just wait for the kids to head out then.” Nathan glanced towards Alyssa.
“It’s okay, Father Joe,” Alex said.
“Are you sure?” Father Joe glanced towards Nathan who continued to lean back in the pew, an arm propped negligently along the backrest, a foot on the pew in front of him.
“As well as can be expected.” Alex reached out to him with his left hand. Father Joe automatically did the same and they clasped hand to forearm so their wrists touched.
“May God watch over you,” Father Joe said.
“Pray for us.” Alex released Father Joe’s arm.
Riley moved to stand near Alex. “The streets won’t be safe tonight for those who see.”
Scarlet pulled the case from under the pew and unlatched it. She took out her sword and slipped her arm and head through the strap so it hung on her back. She picked up the other two swords and stood next to Alex and Riley. “We’ll be fine, Uncle Joe.”
Alyssa’s mouth dropped open with an audible sound. “How many of you are there?”
Father Joe chuckled. “We can be rather overwhelming all together. But I’ve filled the church with only family before. Usually for a baptism, wedding or funeral.”
Alyssa glanced around the spacious interior of the church, unable to comprehend a family large enough to fill it. Or a family that kept in close contact with each other.
Nathan rose to his feet. “Family. That puts a different slant on things. I don’t think you should be going anywhere, Father.”
Chapter Thirteen
“This is between us, Nathan. Father Joe has no part in it.” Alex took his sword from Scarlett as Riley reached for his.
“Wrong. This is between Allie and myself. You’re the one pushing yourself in where you don’t belong.”
Alex slung his sword on his back and continued to meet Nathan’s eyes. “You’re wrong. You called up a demon, that makes it our business.”
Alyssa moved closer to Alex to stand behind him. She noticed Father Joe, Riley and Scarlett spread out a little. Nathan ignored them, pulling a gun from his jacket.
“And this says it’s none of your business.” Nathan waved with his gun towards the door. “Now get out of here and stay out of things that don’t concern you.”
“This is a house of God,” Father Joe said.
Nathan laughed. “I’m sure he’s seen guns before.”
“Where’s your father, Nathan? How come he’s left you to do the dirty work for him?” Alex asked.
“He has a charity function he has to attend. He’d be missed if he didn’t turn up. Nice try, but you won’t get us to turn on each other.”
“How did you find us?” Riley asked.
“Where else could you hide other than a church? I know the demon’s level of power. It had to be an old church. You’d have been better off leaving the city if you hoped to keep me off your trail. Now quit stalling. I want Allie.”
Scarlett moved closer to Nathan, coming in from his left. “Hell isn’t a pleasant place. I hope you realise that’s where you’re headed.”
“Back off, little girl. And keep your bible crap for someone else.” Nathan turned the gun towards her.
It all happened in a split second. The moment the gun was off him, Alex launched himself at Nathan. Scarlett dropped to the ground as she saw the gun come her way and Riley attacked Nathan a moment after Alex. The gun skittered across the floor and Alyssa raced forward to grab it.
“Looks like you’re a little outnumbered there, Nathan.” Alyssa held the gun on him.
Alex was immediately on his feet. Riley was left to grapple with Nathan. Alex stood in front of Alyssa.
“Get out of the way, Alex.” Alyssa held the gun steadily pointed straight ahead.
“Let it go, Alyssa,” Alex said softly.
“No.”
“We’re in a church.” Scarlett got to her feet.
“So? He started waving a gun at me first.” Alyssa kept her eyes on Nathan who’d broken free of Riley and now backed away from him. Alyssa stepped sideways to have a clear view.
“Don’t do this.” Alex came to stand beside her. “Give me the gun.”
“Get away from me, Alex.”
“It’s not in you to be able to kill him and live with yourself.” Alex held out his hand.
“It’s not in me to let him go after all he’s put me through.”
“Alyssa, is it?” Father Joe came to stand on her other side.
“Don’t you start on me, Father. I don’t believe in all this stuff.” Alyssa gestured towards the altar with her left hand.
“We’ve got it under control, Father Joe,” Riley said.
Father Joe looked steadily at each of them in turn. “Lock up when you’re done.” He began to walk towards the altar.
Alyssa started to laugh. She glanced at Alex, not wanting to take her eyes off Nathan for more than a second. “Your family’s insane.”
Alex smiled fleetingly. “So we’ve been told before.” He sighed. “Can I have the gun please, Alyssa?”
She shook her head. She glanced towards the altar and saw Father Joe disappear through a door she hadn’t noticed in the shadows before. She looked around at the faces that watched her.
“Ask him why he’s in here. I bet he hasn’t stepped in a church for years, if ever,” Alex said. “And I bet it isn’t just because you’re in here.”
“Ask him what’s out there waiting for him,” Scarlett said. “He has no circle of power to protect him now. And his friend’s waiting to be paid. I bet he’s getting impatient after the taste he had when he was called.”
“What’s out there, Nathan?” Alyssa smiled, one as equally mirthless as many of Nathan’s had been. “You have a friend waiting for you? I’ve just finished reading something about what happens to those who try and trick demons. I wonder what he thinks about not getting the sacrifice you promised him?”
“Oh it won’t be me, Princess. You’re the one who’s going to go out there.” Nathan pulled out another gun.
“Aw hell!” Riley groaned. “Who carts around two guns?”
“Riley!” Scarlett glared at him.
Riley glanced towards the altar and briefly closed his eyes. He then looked at Scarlett, an eyebrow raised momentarily.
Scarlett slowly shook her head in answer before she turned to face Nathan. “You can’t shoot her. He want’s a living sacrifice.”
“Maiming will be just as painful,” Nathan warned.
“How many of us do you think you’ll be able to shoot before we reach you?” Alex stepped away from Alyssa.
“You better start deciding what you’re going to do now before it’s too late to do anything.” Riley took a step towards Nathan.
“All of you freeze. She doesn’t need to live.” Nathan moved the gun so it was pointed at Scarlett.
“Same holds true for you, Nathan. I don’t have to kill, just maim.” Alyssa lowered the gun so it was pointed towards his legs.
“Have you ever used a gun before?” Nathan asked.
“Guess we’ll soon find out if you don’t put your gun down.” Alyssa grinned. “Don’t put the gun down, Nathan. I really, really want to pull this trigger.”
“Please, Alyssa.” Alex moved closer to his sister. “Don’t shed his blood in a church.”
“Well I don’t think he’s about to step outside so I can shoot him.”
Nathan laughed. “Still making jokes I see. You’re on the wrong team, Princess. You’d have done much better by my side.”
“I’m giving you till the count of five. And we never would have suited. I don’t hang out with scum.”
“You could have fooled me.” Nathan glanced briefly towards Riley. “Don’t move boy. Your friend here won’t last long if you don’t stay still.”
“One.”
“I don’t believe you’ve ever held a gun in your life.” Nathan took a step forward. “Come on, Princess. I dare you.”
Alyssa took a step towards Nathan. “Two… three.”
Nathan looked towards Riley again, his gun moved to aim at him instead. “I don’t like to repeat myself.”
Alex launched himself at the same time Riley dropped to the ground. The gun fired and the sound echoed in the church. Alyssa ran forward and stomped on Nathan’s hand that Alex pressed against the floor. As soon as he let go of the gun she kicked it towards Riley who picked himself up off the floor.
“Throw him outside,” Alyssa snarled.
“No.” Riley put the safety on before he tucked the gun into the back of his jeans. He waved Scarlett away who’d run to his side to check he was alive. “We won’t have a hand in his death.”
“Are you lot mad? He’d do that to us.” Alyssa swore as she stared at each of them in turn. “He’d do worse.”