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I was going to say no to Caleb.
I’d almost made up my mind.
Still, that Devil continued to plague me, wrapping long taloned fingers around my throat so he could stare into my eyes. Are you really going to turn your back on your family? Are you going to turn your back on her…the woman you love?
I jerked my wide eyes from the mirror, fixing them instead on the white line that blurred at the edge of the highway as I pushed the car harder, driving back into the city once more. My pulse was booming as I turned, taking the on-ramp deeper into the city, heading for the one place that gave me solace.
St. Sebastian’s.
I turned the car again, took the off-ramp, and dipped low until I caught the glimpse of the bell tower through the trees.
YOUR GOD WON’T SAVE YOU HERE, PRIEST!
London St. James’ roar boomed inside my head. I clenched the wheel, stilling the shakes, and turned into the street, pulling up at the base of the wide stony steps in front of the sandstone building. I sat there for a second, staring at this place of worship. A place that’d given me sanctuary and also the place of my near-death. Shadows hung at the looming bell tower, but the face of it was bright, illuminating the colored stained glass image of Jesus Christ.
It was that image that made me move to open the door and called me to step out. I moved in a trance, hitting the fob on the keyring to lock the car behind me. My boots echoed as I climbed and fixed my collar, buttoning it in place before I slid my jacket on.
I wanted to be present here, to fall to my knees and beg for guidance.
There was a war coming for us. One that wasn’t going to stop until there was no one left to fight. I needed to make sure I was on the right side here. The only side salvation would allow. I gripped the curled black iron handle of the heavy double doors and pulled. Hinges creaked, and softly lit candles flickered at the front in the sanctuary. I pulled the door closed behind me and headed for the light.
This place was more than a haven. It was my one shining light in a world of darkness. Helene’s face rose. I winced, swallowing down the weight of guilt. It should be her, but it wasn’t. It was here amongst the hand-carved pews and the scent of frankincense and myrrh.
This was the first church I’d been assigned to. Father Peters had been hard and relentless. A massive man forced into a small, twisted frame. He’d had Multiple Sclerosis for four years by the time I’d asked to be sent here to be closer to my brothers. He couldn’t walk by then and was confined to a wheelchair. Still, I’d taken care of him, staying in the rectory at the rear of the church. The same rectory I’d sought out after being beaten almost to death. When Father Peters passed, it had sent a shockwave through the community…and me.
He was the one person who’d understood me.
He’d never touched me.
Never talked down to me.
He made me work day and night helping people, until the work helped me. I’d told him about Melody, about the night of her abduction, and now the information my brothers had found. Information that pointed to a place called The Order.
He knew about The Order, knew the men who controlled the power, as well. His last words were a warning to me, they are not men of faith. They were not. But what man truly was now? Was I a man of faith?
I didn’t know.
Not anymore.
“Thomas?”
I jerked my gaze to the confessional booth as a man stepped out. “Father Cassius.”
His brow furrowed with concern. “A little late to be working, son.”
I forced a smile, glancing at the candles. “Not working, Father. Just…seeking guidance.”
“Ah,” he motioned to the front pew. “I was just about to close up, but I have time to sit if you want to talk to me about it?”
I shifted my gaze to the confessional, wrestling with that Devil inside.
Are you ready to hunt?
My knees trembled as I stepped closer, leaving me to grasp the edge of the wooden seat before I sat down. Warmth closed around my hand as thick fingers squeezed mine tightly. I recoiled inside, desperately fighting the need to wrench my hand back, until finally he pulled away.
Shivers raced along my spine. “My soul is in trouble.”
“Trouble? What kind of trouble?”
