“I thought you were a more rational man.” Brandon moved toward the small table and extinguished the still burning candle.
“No, no. As long as it is lit, there is safety.”
“I don’t want safety.” Brandon turned to Orthell, a sneer of pure evil on his face. His black eyes had gone even blacker. His face contorted until Brandon’s features were present but they looked like a see-through mask. Underneath the mask flesh and black swirled. Mayor Orthell backed toward the door, holding up his hands and shaking his head.
“Where is the book?”
“I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“Where is the book of my ancestors; my brothers.” The voice was actually two voices. Brandon’s was present but a lower, deeper one joined it. He walked toward the mayor. His voice changed again. This one the mayor knew.
“Do as I say and all will be well.” It was the voice that had called him with instructions on the Old Town and the one that had sent money to fund the project.
“You? You are the benefactor of Old Town?”
“You did well, Tommy. You built it all to my specifications. I am pleased. The quartz in the courtyard, the arrangement of the buildings, the precious skull. All as I instructed. I am pleased. And, now your task is complete.”
The wall behind the small table began to glow. Tommy Orthell’s eyes widened as the glow grew brighter and became a large, round circle of neon gold, rimmed in lava-red. He saw two beings materialize outside of the light.
“Oh no.” He turned and ran for the stairs. Brandon grabbed him and threw him to Venenose and Bruit. “Here’s the sixth victim.”
“Sixth! We only know of four.”
“You are fools! Do you not know your commander when you see him?”
Brandon McGill’s image melted away and Iconoclast stood glaring at his captains.
“How, O great one? This was unknown to us.”
“How else? He came to me. He begged for revenge. I gave him his wish and, so, he had to give himself to me.” The dagger teeth showed through the stretched black lips. “They never realize that they are signing their own death warrants. It is good these beings never learn.”
By this time the mayor was screaming nonstop.
“Silence that thing.” Venenose grabbed Mayor Orthell’s neck and twisted. It cracked. The Mayor went silent. Iconoclast went over and ate his fill of the last of the terror and the brain that so empowered him.
“Now throw it out so the Kumrande can have their fill.”
“Where are the others?”
“They came through the portals from the other buildings and await your instructions.”
“Where’s Pet?”
“He’s with Gambogian and Caitiff.”
“Bring him to me.”
Venenose bowed and went back through the portal. He appeared a short time later with the small, iridescent ball. It began to pulse and hum.
Venenose placed Pet in Iconoclast’s hand. The clawed fingers curled around the ball.
“What about the others? They have not had the portal opened yet.”
“We will need another victim before our dwellings are complete and the last portal is opened. It is time to introduce the citizens of Ravens Cove to their new home—and new masters.”
He opened his hand, “Soon, Pet, soon.”
Bart dropped Kat and Josiah back at Grandma’s before he and Ken made their way down Main to the mayor’s house.
“He isn’t home yet,” A worried Mrs. Orthell told the sheriff. “I expected him hours ago.”
“Did he say where he was going?”
“Just Old Town and then home for dinner.”
“Maybe he had an appointment he forgot to mention. Did you look at his calendar?
“No. He doesn’t like anyone to snoop. Now I wish I had.”
“Can we take a look around his study?”
“Oh, I don’t know. He gets so mad.”
“I’ll take full responsibility.”
Mrs. Orthell nodded. “But please hurry.”
Bart located the calendar, rounded the desk and sat in one of the guest chairs. He flipped through the schedule. “Nothing here.” He placed it on the edge of the desk. It fell and a loose piece of paper floated to the floor.
“Looks like we found the second page of that list.” Bart scanned it. “Look at this.” He pointed to two of the names.
“Conner and McGill. They were part of the village. And they were related.”
“Why would the mayor want to hide those names?”
“Don’t know. Think we have a few questions for Mr. McGill, too.”
Bart checked his watch. “Library’s closed. I know where he lives, though.”
“Just love a small town.” An insincere tone laced Ken’s words.
A worried Maureen Orthell stood outside the study. “Well?”
“Doesn’t look like he had any late appointments. We’ll go check out a few places and get back with you.”
They arrived at Brandon’s. The lights were on. Bart knocked. He tried the doorknob. It opened.
Ken looked at Bart.
“Wellness check.” Bart answered and walked in.
The entry was immaculate, gleaming wood floors led past a long narrow staircase to the upper floor and a hallway broke off to the side and led to the kitchen.
“Nice digs.”
“This is Anita Conner’s old house. Explains how McGill came to get it so soon after he got to Ravens Cove. Must have been in the family.”
They went to the kitchen. The sink held two dishes. A cold coffeepot sat by the stove.
“McGill, you here?” Bart yelled up to the second floor.
They went to the basement.
“This does not bode well.”
“You are the master of understatement.”
Ken walked forward into the room. There had been a violent struggle. Several books were thrown around the area. A small kettle sat on a cold, electric burner. In the middle of the floor, surrounded by a granular substance, was a five-pointed star.
“That’s what the body formation was mimicking.” Bart pointed to the star.
“You’re right. But what does one have to do with the other?”
“This one’s probably a leftover from Anita.”
“It looks fresher than that. There’s no dust near it or in the star for that matter.”
“I’m calling Lucas. He knows about this stuff.” Bart dialed, talked for a minute, then hung up.
“He’s coming right over.”
They continued to investigate. There were various odd-looking candles, half burnt sitting around the room.
“Found something.” Right outside the circle and in the shadows of the far wall was a small puddle of blood and a button.
“I’ve got my stuff in the truck. I’ll be right back.” Bart darted up the stairs.
Ken opened the small kettle and looked inside. A brown, thick liquid had coagulated on the bottom.
Two sets of footsteps came back down the basement stairs. Paul Lucas held out his hand to Ken.
“Congratulations again.” Ken gave him a smile, having forgotten the joy he had been feeling only a few short hours ago.
Paul spotted the star. His demeanor went all business and very serious. “I pray the blood of Jesus over this house and us. That’s a protection Pentagram. Whoever made it, believed they needed protection from something that was here or coming here. Did you find any evidence of sacrifice?”
“There’s some weird substance in that pot.” Ken took a vial from Bart’s forensic kit that was filled with a clear liquid. He dipped the swab in the congealed liquid and put it in the tube. It turned purple. “There’s human blood present.”
Bart had been retrieving the button and was sampling the blood on the floor. He stood up and walked to Ken and looked at the lavender color on the swab.
“That’s a big yes,” Bart said.
Paul looked around and to the books on the floor. “T
hese are books of spells and incantations.” One lay undisturbed to the far left of the pot.
“This one is open to a spell that is meant to call in a demon. How is it that people so easily turn to the protection of a thing they know is evil and yet they rebuke the living, true God? Can you tell me that?”
Bart laid a hand on Paul’s shoulder. “I don’t know. I wish I knew what made people do what they do to each other.” He patted Paul’s shoulder.
“I don’t know who this blood belongs to, but if it is Brandon’s, then we are looking for another corpse.”
“Didn’t Wendy see him with some odd figures last night?”
“So she said. She is the drama queen, so I wasn’t taking her too seriously.”
“Maybe we should now.”
“Maybe.”
“Let’s get back to the mayor’s and see if he’s shown up yet.”
Chapter 13
Doomsday Comes to the Cove
Mrs. Orthell greeted them. The hope left her eyes when Bart said they had not seen the mayor.
“Tommy said if he wasn’t home by ten, to make sure I gave you this.” She stuck out her hand. Bart took an envelope, opened it and began to read in silence.
We have had our differences, sheriff, but I’ve always believed you put the welfare of Ravens Cove and its citizens above anything else. I respect you because of that.
If you are reading this, then I did not make our appointment. I am more than likely dead and I want to explain what is happening. I did not commit the murders but I made a way for that to happen. I blamed you and the others so close to you for the downfall of the Congregational Alliance and wanted vengeance. That vengeance has now turned on me. I do not know how to stop what I have started. Ask my wife to open the wall safe and hand you the book that is in it. It may help you. God speed and I pray for His forgiveness. And yours.
Bart handed the letter to Ken.
“Your husband asked that you open the wall safe. That note says there is a book in it and he wants me to have it.” Maureen stared at Bart, confused.
Bart did not want Mrs. Orthell to read or hear the part that her husband thought he was dead. But he knew she wasn’t going to let them into the safe unless she was sure it was directed by Tommy himself. Bart handed her the handwritten letter. She read the note, handed it back to Bart and walked to the picture behind Orthell’s desk. It opened and revealed a small safe. She deftly turned the combination lock, removed the book from the safe and handed it to Bart.
“The Book of Fallen Angels,” he read aloud. “Thank you. I don’t know where Tommy is, but I’ll find him.”
“Let’s go to the last place we saw him.” They headed toward Old Town.
Ken dialed. Bart gave him a questioning look.
“Told Kat I’d meet her at Grandma’s. Looks like we’ll be late.”
“Hello,” Grandma answered.
“She’s right here. Hold on.”
“Going to be late. Mayor Orthell hasn’t been home.”
“Paul and Tanya stopped by. Paul told me about Brandon’s house.”
“Yeah. We’re looking for Brandon, too.”
“I don’t think you should go to Old Town. Not from what Josiah and Grandma are saying.”
“What are they saying?”
“Well, Josiah’s saying something about openings to the other world and Iconoclast. Grandma is saying that the town has been set up to attract something like that.”
“We’ll be fine. See you in a bit.”
“Hey, Kat.” He caught her before she hung up.
“Yeah.”
“Does your grandmother have any information on the Book of Fallen Angels?”
“Don’t know. Let me check.” She returned a moment later.
“Bernice Tellamoot talked about that with the legend she was discussing with us. Grandma’s clan was not aware of that book. Mrs. Tellamoot was. You want me to call her?”
“Would you? And ask her what she knows about how this book plays into these recent disappearances and Old Town.”
Kat returned to the table. “Bart and Ken are on their way to Old Town.”
“That is not a good idea. Didn’t you tell them?”
“I did. But, the mayor and Brandon McGill have gone missing and that’s where they think the mayor is.”
The phone rang again.
“Oh, I hope they changed their minds.” Grandma bustled off to the hall.
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Uh huh. I’ll get Kat.” She went to the kitchen.
“Mrs. Tellamoot is on the phone. She says Benny’s missing. She tried Wendy and Doc Douglas and didn’t know who else to call.”
“What next?”
“Kat, he’s still not feeling good. He took off like a shot toward town. Can you see if you can find him?”
“I don’t have a car.”
“I do.” Paul said from the doorway.
“Pastor Lucas says he’ll drive me around. I’ll go looking and call you as soon as I know anything.”
“Please hurry.” Mrs. Tellamoot was in tears.
“I’ll get Wendy and have her come be with you, okay?”
“Thank you.”
Kat called Wendy’s phone number. She answered on the first ring.
“What’s up KittyKat?” Kat explained the situation to Wendy.
“I’ll come get you.”
“No, I think Bernice needs you to be with her. Pastor said he’d help me look for Benny.”
“I’m going right over. Call when you know anything.”
Her cell chirped again. “Oh for goodness sake.”
“Hello.” She sounded pretty angry.
“Doctor Douglas here. I got a call about that white dog.”
“Benny.”
“Right. Anyway, I’m just coming into town from Clayton. I’ll keep an eye out.”
“We’re on our way to do the same.”
“Can Bart get out and scout, too?”
“He’s on his way to Old Town on police business.”
“Too bad. Well, I’ll try to meet you in the middle, as they say.”
Ken and Bart arrived to a dark and misty Old Town. The blue LED lights bounced off the fog. They spotted the mayor’s corpse in front of the log cabin.
“Just like the others.”
They looked around. The place looked the same but then it didn’t. Dark shapes and forms glinted through the mist.
“This does not bode well.”
“Stop saying that.”
Bart gave Ken a quick smile, “Well, it doesn’t.”
“Been taking vocabulary lessons and you’re stuck on that sentence, right?”
The attack came from behind. The Kumrande, two per man, yanked their legs out of under them, sending flashlights skidding across the snow-covered ice.
“Break their legs!”
“Iconoclast ordered they be left whole.” Nihilist and the other three flipped Ken over and laid him down. Two of them held their dagger claws to his neck. Ken watched the one called Nihilist step on a stone near the skull rock. The rock slid open, an entry to a tunnel below. Ken thrashed from side to side.
A sharp sting and Ken lost his strength.
“Do that again and I’ll break your legs. And I’ll make sure you feel every bone snap.” Ken calmed.
“Iconoclast wants this one first.” The Kumrande dragged Bart to the opening.
Ken pulled one hand free. He felt heavy pressure on his right knee. “I’m so happy you don’t heed warnings.” Nihilist held Ken’s knee in place and bent the lower half of his leg outward. Ken screamed. A growl was the only warning Nihilist got before a white blur lunged and dropped him to the ground. It pulled the Kumrande off Ken, flinging them across the courtyard. The remaining Kumrande dropped Bart and charged the intruder. The white dog yelped. A crimson stain saturated the ivory fur.
Bart pushed off the ice and ran for the flashlights. The Kumrande bolted after him. Benny recovered and leaped in front of the pursuers, bare
d his teeth and lunged. The Kumrande screamed as teeth clamped into flesh. Bart pointed the flashlight at the oncoming horde. The screams intensified and they galloped into the cover of the forest.
The white dog lay down whimpering and panting. Bart shone the light on him then Ken.
Bart balanced the flashlight in one hand and the cell in the other. He first dialed Doc Billings, then Doc Douglas. Doc Billings agreed to pick up Ken. Bart dropped Benny at the vet’s and called Kat.
“I found the dog.”
“Oh that’s wonderful news. I’ll let Mrs. Tellamoot know.”
“Kat …”
“Yes.”
“Ken’s hurt.”
Terror gripped Kat. “How hurt?”
“He’s got a bad cut, but more, he is feverish and unconscious. The dog’s hurt too.”
“Where’s Ken?”
“Doc Billings took him to the office.”
“I’ll be there in five minutes.” The phone went dead.
Mrs. Tellamoot and Wendy arrived at Doc Douglas’ ten minutes after Bart. The prognosis wasn’t good.
“That dog has a raging infection—again. Are you sure that wound just happened?”
“I’m sure. My friend is in the same condition.”
“You’re telling me you were attacked by those animals that left the hoof prints?”
“I’m telling you we were attacked by some type of part human thing that left those hoof prints. And, don’t look at me that way. I know how it sounds and I know what I saw. Both Melbourne and the dog passed out within minutes after the attack.”
“I’ll start this dog on more antibiotics. I have never seen such a miraculous recovery as he had within the last two days. I hope he can do it again.” Doc turned to Mrs. Tellamoot. “I’ll call you when I know something.”
“I’m staying.”
“There is nothing you can do for him right now.”
“I’m staying anyway.”
“I’m staying with you, Bernice.”
Bernice Tellamoot smiled up at Wendy. “I’d appreciate that.”
Nyna came through the door. “Wendy said there’s an emergency. What can I do to help?”
Douglas pointed to Benny.
“I’ll get him prepped for the drip.” She headed toward the supply room.
“Thanks for the cookies. They were delicious.” Bart yelled after her. She turned and beamed at him, then hurried toward the back.
Ingress Page 21