Masque

by Lexi Post

  After taking a few sips, she looked around for Synn and found him behind the bars, dropping a wet hand towel on a side table. He picked up a white robe from a nearby chair and held it out for her. It reminded her of the robes in the hotels her old company put her up at on business trips. This robe was soft and comfy as he slipped it over her shoulders. Then he crossed the front for her and tied the belt. He kept her in his arms for a moment before he stepped away, but fear penetrated her sluggish brain. “No.”

  She grabbed his arm and pulled him toward her.

  His smile was indulgent. “You want more of me already.”

  She grasped him about the waist. “No, I…” At his wounded look, she rephrased her answer. “Well, yes, but in private.”

  He gazed down at her, his eyes searching hers. He sighed and pressed her against him. “I think I—”

  Bong.

  Rena pulled her head back as Synn stiffened.

  Bong.

  She focused her gaze on the old grandfather clock. The pendulum was moving!

  Bong.

  She looked up at Synn. His face was in shock, but slowly changed.

  Bong.

  He threw his head back and laughed, his whole body vibrating against hers.

  Bong.

  When he looked down at her, tears were in his eyes. They had done it!

  Bong.

  He took her face in his hands and kissed her.

  Bong.

  It was a kiss of joy and love and yearning all rolled into one.

  Bong.

  As he lifted his head, she told herself he was just thrilled they had done it.

  Bong.

  He pulled her tight against him and watched the clock.

  Bong.

  She worried the edge of her robe as she glanced at Chantal.

  Bong.

  The woman was frozen in place, mouth open, hand on her chest.

  Bong.

  As the last reverberation of the deep-toned clock faded to nothingness, there was a hushed silence.

  Tick.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chantal screamed, and cheers erupted throughout the Abbey, the noise a stark contrast to but a moment ago.

  Synn turned her to face him. Two tears made their way down his cheeks before he whipped off his mask. “Thank you.” His voice was rough and he swallowed. “We could not have done this without you. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

  “Will they all go now?” She couldn’t help the wistfulness in her voice. She didn’t want them to leave.

  He gently untied her mask, pushing her hair back. “Yes, they will.”

  “When?”

  He held both her shoulders. “I don’t know. All I know is that I will remain here.” He smiled at her with such confidence.

  She grinned. “We did it.”

  Synn nodded, but she was suddenly spun around by her feisty French friend who threw her arms around her neck. “Mon ami. Merci! Merci! You have gained a place in heaven tonight. You take care of Synn for us. Oui?”

  Rena nodded, too choked up to do much of anything else. When Chantal finally released her, tears were streaming down the woman’s face.

  Rena reached for her hand. “Chantal, are you not happy?”

  “Mais oui, of course. My tears are tears of joy. Some day you too will know such happiness.”

  Lightning flashed, turning the room a bright red. Rena jumped, the sight reminded her of an ambulance light and her heart raced with adrenaline.

  Chantal touched her arm, soothing her. “It is nothing, chérie. The nature, it celebrates with us, oui?”

  She nodded. She couldn’t even hear the thunder with the noisy celebration in the next rooms. Still, she hoped any tears of joy she shed someday would not be brought about by being dead for over a century and then finally crossing over. “Synn, do you—”

  Synn scooped her up in his arms and, naked as usual, carried her out of the room.

  She laid her head against his shoulder, completely content to be in his arms, a place she planned to be all night if she had her way.

  As they stepped into the Violet Toy Room, Gwen stopped them and insisted on a hug goodbye from Synn. Rena squashed the tinge of jealousy that threatened. These people were Synn’s friends, of course they would want to say goodbye. He set her down and acquiesced to the hug.

  Rena found herself the recipient of hugs and hearty handshakes from the others in the room as well. They were all so grateful. Her own eyes began to mist.

  Finally, they were allowed to move to the White Delicious Sex Room, but were once again stopped. Lightning flashed again and she heard a rumble of thunder, but it was its normal color and she dismissed it.

  After that, they walked through each room hand in hand. In the Orange Orgy Room it was Beth and Mary who approached first. In the Green Threesome Room it was Annette and Byron. In the Purple Exhibitionist Room they came upon Eve and Jonathan, who walked with them as they said their goodbyes. Luckily, someone had thought to give Synn a pair of pantaloons because when they reached the Blue Voyeur Room they found Mrs. McMurray. Rena held on to the older woman and cried. “I will miss you.”

  The woman gave her a squeeze. “I know.”

  Smiling through her tears, she gazed at Synn. He had watched over all these souls, made it his quest to discover a way to release them to their resting place. He was their hero.

  As he turned from the last person, their eyes met and Rena caught her breath. His gaze took her breath away. Her gut tightened. She loved him. She had to tell him.

  Before she could utter a word, he once again lifted her into his arms and walked into the entryway. People followed them, people she had grown to love. She winked at them from over his shoulder.

  “I’ll take her now.”

  The tenor-pitched voice froze Synn in his tracks. He looked up to find Eric, or rather what looked like Eric, blocking the stairs. Holy Mother of God, the thing on the stairs didn’t even remain a stable image. Eric was twice as tall as Father Richard had been the one time Synn had seen the man angry, and he’d learned how powerful the priest was. Eric’s features, however, appeared to have lost all flesh and his face was mere skin upon a skull and no more. The rest of his body followed suit except it morphed between a blue-green iridescent color and an almost invisible silver. As lightning struck nearby and flashed through the windows, the ghost went transparent. It was as if he was caught between solidness and invisibility, or perhaps between earth and hell.

  Synn felt a shiver run through Rena’s body when she looked at Eric, her stifled gasp heard by no one but himself. There was no bloody chance he would let Eric have her. Slowly, he let her legs down and tugged her close to his side. He had to subdue the thing on the stairs.

  Eric’s elongated mouth opened. “Give her to me, Synn. I have need of her.” His voice vibrated against the walls of the entryway, almost as loud as the thunder rolling over the Abbey.

  “No. She is staying with me.”

  Eric descended a couple stairs. “But that’s what a Pleasure Palace is all about, Synn. To share and enjoy each other.”

  Synn wanted to rush Eric, but Rena was too close. He couldn’t risk it. He moved Rena behind him. “No. You know that a Pleasure Palace is about what people want for pleasure, not about being forced. I’m sure that Rena has no interest in what you offer.”

  “No, I don’t.” Rena’s voice was scratchy with fear.

  Eric moved down two more steps. Four more and he’d be at the base of the stairs.

  Bloody hell!

  “The chapel.” The quiet whisper in his ear surprised him, but he didn’t turn to see who said it. However, he did glance out the corner of his eye to see many of his friends had joined them.

  Eric raised his voice. “Give her to me!”

  He had to get Rena to the chapel and hope Father Richard was within hearing distance. Seeing Trent step up on his right, it had to be now. Without warning, he turned, grabbed Rena, threw her over his shoulder and ra
n for the dining room door. Behind him he heard his friends yelling and Eric screaming at them to get away.

  Once through the kitchen, he put Rena down, her face as pale as any ghost. “Can you run?”

  She nodded and they sped for the chapel. Inside, Synn slammed the door as much to alert the good father as to throw the bar across it, though it wouldn’t stop a ghost. His heart pounded as he turned.

  “Synn, look.” Rena pointed up the aisle even as her own chest rose and fell rapidly.

  He tore his gaze from her and looked at the altar. It almost glowed. “It’s the lightning reflecting off the white marble.”

  She shook her head and started toward it. “No, it isn’t.”

  He followed close behind her. He needed help. Anything to save her. God, the thought of what Eric might do to her had his body turning cold. “Father Richard! Father Richard, we need your help. Eric plans to use Rena to stop from crossing over!”

  A boom of thunder clapped overhead as Rena approached the altar. She placed her hand on it. “Please, Father Richard, we need you.”

  Synn stopped and stared. She was right. The altar glowed, or rather pulsed subtly. “Is it your electricity that makes it do that?”

  She looked at him, then pointed behind the altar against the back wall. “No, that’s the electricity. Jamie left his work lamp and tools over there. To turn it on, a button needs to be pushed or turned and there would have to be a cord from there to here, but there isn’t.”

  He glanced at the white round object surrounded by a metal cage, a “drop light”, Jamie called it, was lying on the floor, but no cord traveled from it to the altar. He pressed his hand to the glowing marble. It vibrated with some kind of power and he doubted it was of this Earth. Earth. Wait! That was it.

  He grabbed her hand. “Come. You have to leave.”

  “What?” She pulled away. “I can’t leave. Eric might hurt you.”

  He grabbed both her arms and made her face him. “Listen. He wants you to block his crossover. He’s figured out how and it has to be you because you are alive, but you can leave.”

  Her eyes widened. “But what about you?”

  Yelling could be heard in the servants’ corridor and a loud roar like a lion vibrated the earth beneath their feet.

  He held out his hand. “Don’t you understand? If you are not safe, I have no reason to continue to exist. Please, come.”

  She hesitated as she glanced at the door of the chapel.

  “Rena, please.”

  She turned back toward him and grasped his hand. They ran to the side door. Just as Synn placed his hand on the door, something hit it from outside. Lifting the latch, he tried to push it open, but though he was able to move it, it wasn’t enough. Frustrated, he stepped back and rammed the door. It opened enough for a body to squeeze through. Rubbing his shoulder, he pulled her forward. “No matter what you hear, stay outside. Promise me.”

  “I can’t.” Her words were barely discernible above the din of the thunder and the pounding of Eric’s approach.

  He grabbed her by the shoulders just as the chapel door burst inward and slid halfway up the aisle.

  “Go!”

  His panic eased as Rena squeezed herself through the small opening, but was quickly replaced by pain from the high-pitched scream directly behind him.

  Spinning, he found Eric towering over him, his vacillating skull just beneath the ceiling. “What have you done? Bring her back! Now!” The loud raspy voice filled the small chapel.

  Synn looked for a way to take Eric down, but the man’s legs were nothing but floating particles. Eric’s skeletal hand picked him up and the piercing chill that went through him was far worse than the bone-shattering hit he took as Eric threw him into the pews. He lay still for a moment, the pain in his left arm assuring him he’d broken it in at least one place. It would right itself in a moment, but that didn’t relieve the pain now. He sucked in a deep breath as he looked around for something to fight with. He glared at the ceiling, the Archangel Raphael’s perpetual disapproval irritating him. “You aren’t helping.”

  Eric floated over, his face a mask of fury. “I needed her. Only by inhabiting a live host can I avoid the cross. I can’t cross!” Eric’s hand came at him.

  Synn rolled into the aisle, but the cold came through him again and he found himself hurled through the air. He slammed into the altar and a shooting pain pierced his head. He grasped the altar to keep from blacking out and the pain evaporated. What the devil was going on?

  Eric advanced on him again. What did he expect to accomplish? It wasn’t as if he could die. Could he? “Father Richard, now would be a good time to make an appearance.”

  “I would agree.”

  Synn looked up to find Father Richard standing next to him. “About bl—uh, time.”

  “Nice to see you too. Now if you will excuse me, I have the devil’s spawn to take care of.” Father Richard grew and glowed a bright white. Synn shaded his eyes as the father flew toward Eric.

  The chapel shook as they met. Eric’s cold fury and Father Richard’s strange happiness sent purple sparks flying across the small space, cutting into the pews. As one dug a hole into the marble near his shoulder, Synn scrambled up and stepped behind the altar, a place he’d never thought to venture, but seemed the safest place at the moment. And it was, until Father Richard barreled into him and laid him out flat. Lightning lit the priest’s face and it was clear the man was furious.

  As soon as Father Richard rose to rejoin the fight, Synn stood himself. He backed farther away from them, not sure how the purple shards would feel if they struck him. He glanced toward the door where Rena had left and prayed she stayed outside until Eric crossed over, even though he could hear the rain pouring on the roof. She’d be soaked soon in that robe.

  The chapel shook again, bringing Synn back to the issue at hand. Eric had grown larger and Father Richard was on the floor, back to his normal size. This was not good. Lightning filled the chapel with red-and-white light, making Eric look like an inhabitant of hell itself. He bent over the priest. Blast it. Could he harm the father? Synn didn’t plan to find out. “Eric!”

  The thing that used to be Eric turned at the sound of his voice.

  “I think the devil is calling. Shouldn’t you do his bidding?”

  “You!” Eric floated up the aisle. “This is your fault! I need a living soul. You will have to do.”

  Synn backed up, aware that Father Richard had risen and was gaining strength. Eric made a wide berth around the altar. Interesting.

  Synn grabbed Jamie’s work light and felt for the button that would make it glow. He just hoped that the electricity worked or he may very well cease to exist. He darted a glance toward the door. Bloody hell! Rena was peeking in.

  Eric was almost upon him and he glanced behind the apparition at Father Richard, who nodded.

  Bringing the light in front of him, Synn turned on the glow.

  Eric covered his face and fell back, hitting the altar just as Father Richard grabbed him from behind him and held him down. The high-pitched scream that rent the air had Synn dropping the light to cover his ears before a burst of white light filled the church and Synn closed his eyes.

  A hand on his shoulder made him pull away, but it was only Father Richard at normal size.

  “It’s over, my son.”

  Synn looked to where Eric had been, but there was nothing. “He crossed over?”

  Father Richard nodded. “I don’t blame him for not wanting to. It’s not a pleasant place he goes to.”

  Synn remembered the coldness of Eric’s touch. “Is that where I will go if I ever die?”

  Father Richard laughed. “You still think you are to blame?”

  “Synn!” Rena ran up to the altar and threw her arms around him. She felt good. So alive. So wet. He held her tight before tilting her head and kissing her.

  “Ahem.” Father Richard cleared his throat. “I am still here.”

  Synn reluctantly r
eleased Rena’s lips, but he held her tight to him. The thought of how close Eric came to taking her still chilled his bones.

  She examined Father Richard. “What happened? One second Eric was on the altar and the next, he disappeared. Did he dematerialize?” She glanced around the church.

  Father Richard shook his head. “No, he was forced to cross over. You won’t see any more of him now, or many others either. It will be pretty quiet for you two now.”

  “What about Synn?” Rena’s question caught Synn by surprise. He knew she wanted his curse lifted, but his gut told him the only reprieve he might receive was from his own guilt. Still, her concern for him made his chest tighten.

  Father Richard dusted off his sleeves. “Synn’s fate is not the same as the spirits who are free, thanks to you two. I fear I would not have been able to persuade Eric to cross if Synn had not thought to shock him with that light. Well done.”

  Synn nodded acceptance of the praise. “We were fortunate Rena decided to have electricity put into the chapel. I did not see the need as candles always made this space glow. Luckily, Eric was unaware of electricity. I think it was the surprise that stopped him.”

  Father Richard raised one brow. “Yes, it would seem the pair of you make a good team. But if you will excuse me, there are a lot of souls crossing over and I should be there to help them with the adjustment. And since you two have no further need of me?”

  Synn loosened his hold on Rena and stretched out his hand. “Thank you, Father, for all your help.”

  Father Richard grinned as he shook hands. “Oh, believe me, it was my pleasure.”

  By time the good father had finished speaking, he disappeared.

  “He doesn’t stay long, does he?” Rena stared at the empty space.

  Synn pulled her back into his arms. “No he doesn’t, but he is there when we really need him and that’s all that counts.” A whiff of incense had Synn wondering if he would regret having said that, but right now he didn’t care. He needed to get Rena dry and into bed because it was almost dawn and as a living human being, she needed her rest. Scooping her up in his arms, he strode down the aisle and out the chapel door, her arms securely around his neck.