by Michael Todd
The trainee scowled at his clothes and brushed at a stray twig. “I suppose you’re right, at least on that. I feel strange out of my uniform. I haven’t worn civilian clothes in ages, and wasn’t even sure they would fit.”
Damian smiled as he removed his cross from his jacket pocket and stuck it carefully behind the seat. He knew that arming himself would make the Wise Men nervous, and that wasn’t what he wanted to do. He retained only his bible; it would be a mistake to not bring it into the meeting. He had done that once a long time before, and it ended in a three-hour lecture of how the church fathers should always have bibles in hand.
Max finally relented but huffed as he plopped back in his seat. Damian smiled broadly and stepped onto the sidewalk, depressed the lock button, and closed the door. He could feel Max’s gaze as he hurried up the eight steps to the entrance. The doors were locked. Damian groaned and headed back down the steps and turned toward the rear of the building.
He stepped over a large puddle and grumbled. Of course, they have to meet in the dungeon. I don’t think I’ve ever seen any of them out and about in the air.
Ravi giggled. Maybe they are the reality of Twilight. Like middle-aged Twilight.
Damian tried to hold the laughter back by pressing his lips together. That would definitely not be a winner at the box office.
The demon sighed as they approached the basement door. I don’t get it. Those three are fucking creepy. I feel like they lurk in dark basements having circle jerks and deciding who is the toughest. When no one is around, they sit around bare-chested like Russian fighters.
His laughter erupted, stopping him in his tracks. He drew a breath, pushed the amusement down, and reminded himself that those men were his bosses. Despite what he thought, he had to at least attempt to act professionally. Damian squared his shoulders and descended the staircase. He entered the narrow door and let it shut behind him before starting down the long hall. At the first doorway, he poked his head around the corner and smiled.
The three Wise Men sat at a large wooden table, dressed in their normal black robes. Damian cleared his throat nervously and stepped inside, clasping his hands in front of him. He quickly took a seat in the empty chair in front of them, not sure if he should speak first.
In the short silence that followed, he looked from one priest to the next. They were not at all fazed by his arrival. Ravi coughed. Okay, this is like a stare showdown. Why does it have to be in some creepy-ass basement? And why do they get robes? I want to wear a robe everywhere.
Damian slowed his breathing and clasped his hands in his lap. Me too, Ravi. Me too. We could have it made from the same material as that shirt-tent thing you had me try on. It could be a cape and a rain jacket. Boom. Multitasking.
The demon laughed. I think you might be onto something there. They could become all the rage for creepy priests, superheroes, and the weird guy who likes to wear one around the house with nothing but his underwear.
Before Damian could respond, Father Judah cleared his throat, catching his attention. “Damian, thank you for making a detour to meet us. We know your schedule is usually busy, but we believe this is of grave importance.”
Father Christoff spoke next, tapping his fingers on the table beneath the long sleeves of his robes. “You did a good job dispatching that ghost to the next life. The people of Castle Combe will be very grateful that they can once again visit the graves of their loved ones without being tormented or injured, though I must point out that again you did little to preserve the historic surroundings.”
Damian lifted a finger and opened his mouth, ready to defend himself. The spirit was responsible for the destruction, not him and Max. He wasn’t sure it was the right time or setting to protest, though, so he lowered his hand and waited. It was best to take their thanks and act dumb.
Ravi sniffed. I wonder what they hide in there?
He glanced at the robes. Probably snacks, a Gutenberg Bible, and extra robes. You know, the normal stuff.
Yeah, right. They probably have at least a dozen choir boys, the souls of redheaded children, and a Cerberus in their pocket.
Damian managed to keep a straight face. And a Cup of Noodles in their left pocket. You know, in case hunger strikes in an inopportune basement or shadowy parking lot.
I wonder if they carry vampire spray and garlic with them? By day, they are the Wise Men. By night, they are the three vampire-slaying babes of Orange County.
His lips twitched as he struggled to hold back the laugh. Knock it off if you want to get out of here soon.
Father Judah slid a folder across the table. Damian took it and opened it to a page that seemed to be about Scotland. “Am I going on some sort of vacation?”
The wise man smirked. “No, but we do have a new mission for you. This one is top secret, and you are the first to know about it outside our circle. Even the Secretary won’t be briefed before you are. I hope you understand the need to keep these things secret. The public has suffered enough anguish in this war. If we can maintain silence and deal with it, there is no reason to incite any more fear.”
Damian nodded. “I agree. On top of that, people often get injured trying to be heroes in a situation they don’t fully understand.”
Father Judah nodded. “I agree. We want to keep the casualties to a minimum, and it’s encouraging that you’re on the same page as us. You’ll be able to tell Max, of course, but that’s it. On that note, let’s talk specifics.”
Damian looked at the file as Father Judah spoke in a low, steady tone. “Your destination is Scotland, but the exact location is not important at this moment. A large group of infected worshipers is wreaking havoc there. The demons grab the innocent, infect them, and either force them into this ragtag army or sacrifice them to the demon leader, Moloch. From what I’ve heard, that is not a new name to you.”
The priest snorted and shook his head. “No, Father. He caused trouble for my old team and continues to do so on a regular basis. Will there be mercenaries present as well?”
Father Christoff nodded but gave a loud grunt of derision. “We don’t like to involve them, but this is a massive scene, so yes. We’re not sure which ones, but they’ll expect you and Max. They know your main objective is to exorcise, but I can’t promise they will respect that.”
“Not to worry. I have more than enough experience with mercs to deal with this.”
Father Judah provided more details as Damian leaned back in his chair and flipped through the file. A glance at the three priests revealed faces devoid of expression. They always looked serious and worried, and it creeped him out. Not only had these men been with the church for a very long time, but they also kept secrets. The things they had seen over the years were preserved inside them, locked away from the world.
Damian rubbed his chin as the entry from the journal came to mind. The cardinal had spent a lot of time with the Wise Men in the past—even in the recent past. Damian knew that they knew more about the missing priest than met the eye, and it took everything in him to focus his attention on Father Judah. He wanted to find the cardinal because he could feel in the pit of his stomach that the man was involved in the chaos around them. Asking this team, though, would only cause problems.
Ravi clicked her tongue, bored. Why do they act all cryptic about this shit? I mean, seriously, it’s an incursion. They happen like every other day now. These guys watch way too many dramas on television. Just send us out there so we can start kicking some fucking ass already.
He glanced at Father Christoff, who was staring daggers at him. He knew he couldn’t see him talking to Ravi, but it was like he harbored some personal vendetta—and for all Damian knew, the other fathers were in on it too. He merely had to figure out exactly what it was.
Chapter Ten
Damian closed the file and focused his attention on Father Judah so he could ignore the stares of the other two. “So, we go to this undisclosed location and exorcise as many demons as possible while cooperating as best w
e can with the mercs on the scene?”
Father Judah nodded his head. “Yes, precisely. We need you to leave tomorrow. Of course, return to London first, rest today, and pack for the trip. When you leave here, I will brief the Secretary. She will make all the arrangements and contact you with that information as soon as it is available.”
Damian chewed the inside of his cheek as Father Christoff released another snort of derision. “Make sure you keep Max safe. There will be many demons, and a significant number won’t have human bodies to exorcise.”
“At the same time,” Father Judah added, “we believe this would be a very good time for him to be fully involved in exorcisms on site.”
Damian frowned. “We are already at that point. He is involved in every case. I stand with him and make sure that he executes the correct sequence of prayers and understands the risks involved.”
Father Judah glanced at his colleagues. “I don’t think you fully understand. We want him on the ground doing his own work. Think of him as your partner in this upcoming assignment rather than your trainee.”
He was slightly taken back. “With all due respect, Fathers, Max has only been on a handful of assignments. He’s not ready to handle a situation of this magnitude on his own. He has never been involved with anything this large. He has no idea how the mercs work and isn’t physically prepared to fight demons off with no protection. The best thing for his safety is to keep him close and help him through it. By assisting me, he learns valuable lessons each time we work. What you suggest would bring undue stress and possibly cause serious injury, if not death.”
Father Christoff leaned forward. “You won’t let that happen. You will allow him to work on his own while keeping an eye on him at all times. This is what we believe is best at this point.”
Damian balled his fist in his lap. “I am only one man. Watching him from a distance will leave me open to attacks. This is highly irregular, and I don’t believe—”
“It is not up for discussion,” Father Judah interrupted. “Full exorcisms during the incursion. Are you able to do this or do we need to transfer him to someone more capable?”
He gritted his teeth and nodded, knowing there was no point in a continued argument. Father Judah nodded happily and retrieved the file. “Then we look forward to hearing your report when you both return. Good luck, and may God be with you.”
Damian stood and bowed his head. “And with you, Fathers.”
He shuffled awkwardly out the doorway and down the hall, his teeth clenched tightly and his fists balled at his sides. He was more than a little bit pissed at how the meeting had gone. Not only were they sending them into a massive incursion with little information, but they had also told him how to train Max. They were choosing to put the young priest in harm’s way, and it wasn’t acceptable.
When he reached the top of the steps, he paused to take a deep breath and relax his tense muscles. The last thing he needed was to send Max out there to start exorcising with the thought in his head that he wasn’t ready for it. At the same time, Damian wouldn’t let the Wise Men compromise Max’s safety. He had been tasked to train the kid and keep him safe in the process. No matter what the repercussions were in the end, he would continue to do it his way.
He knew his place in the ranks and always tried to stay as respectful as possible. That said, he would not stand back and accept decisions that easily could—and most likely would—cost his trainee and friend his life. If Max were to die out there, it would fall on Damian’s head and heart. He could not endure that. At the same time, though, they worked the same way any business did, and he took orders from the higher-ups in the church. There was a ranking system among them, but the Wise Men had to understand that Damian worked for an even higher power. He knew that God would not lead him down the wrong road, and he would make sure the church leadership didn’t either.
The priest walked slowly toward the SUV. He would protect Max against all evil, even if it came in the form of those who should lead and protect them. One thing he’d learned from many years in the merc service was the fact that things weren’t always what they seemed. Sometimes, evil disguised itself in familiar skin—or robes, in this case.
Damian opened the drivers-side door and climbed inside. He looked straight ahead and immediately put the car in drive, not saying a word to his passenger. They drove silently through the town, more slowly this time since there were now more people out and about, dawn having broken while he was in the meeting. The trainee glanced at him every few minutes, but he avoided eye contact and tried to calm his mind.
Max watched the early-morning activity and thoughts of easier times floated through his mind. By the time they reached the edge of town, though, he had tired of the silent treatment.
He looked at his mentor, chewing on his lip. “So, did they, like, fire you or something? If you’re going rogue, we should talk, because I may want to get out.”
Damian chuckled. “Wouldn’t you like that? No, we have a mission. We leave for Scotland tomorrow.”
“Scotland. Wow.”
“Apparently, there is a cell kidnapping innocents, turning them, and sacrificing them to Moloch. On top of that, a portal was opened, and demons are mingled with the Damned, although they aren’t hard to spot. We will meet mercs at the scene and exorcise as many Damned as we can. I’m not sure how many of each there are, but we will rely heavily on the mercs to eliminate the demons. Of course, I won’t let us walk in without some sort of protection, but I gotta figure out how to get it there if we fly.”
Max looked away for a moment. “So, this is a full-on incursion? Like, we roll up with mercs who take the demons down?”
Damian smiled. “That’s right. This will be your first big incursion. Don’t worry, I’ll be with you the whole time. We’ll do what we did before, only with a lot more help. Think about it—if we’d had mercs at the church, we would have been a lot safer. That is what we’ll have in Scotland.”
Max clutched his hands together in his lap. Damian noticed but didn’t comment. “Well, I guess I had to pop that cherry at some point, right?” the young man said with false bravado. “But I’m glad I’ll be there with you, learning what to do.”
Damian didn’t respond, and definitely wouldn’t tell him that the orders were for him to go out on his own. He could tell from Max’s reaction that he wasn’t ready. The Wise Men had no idea how to train. They had some sort of agenda, but Damian didn’t give a damn. He would keep his mentee safe, no matter what he had to do.
It was almost noon when they arrived at the house. Max helped unload the SUV and went quietly to his bedroom. Damian listened outside his door and heard him climb into bed. That was a good thing, since the exorcism had exhausted him and the young priest needed to rest so he could be at full strength for the things ahead in the coming days. For once, Damian couldn’t indulge his own weariness. So many things floated around in his head that he could barely keep one thought straight.
He changed into his pajamas and stared at his bed for several moments, anger tensing his muscles. Still pissed about his meeting, he knew if he laid down he would simply stare at the ceiling while the anger festered. He flipped the light off and walked to the small bar, where he selected a rocks glass. Tracing the different bottle tops with his finger, he selected a subtle and chill whiskey. Damian poured two fingers into his glass and swished it before taking a sip.
Ravi perked up as soon as the whiskey hit his tongue. It’s about fucking time. Seriously, I started to think that with all the stress we’re under, our heads would explode. This was exactly what we needed. Hell, we needed it back in that room with the three Wise Douches.
Damian laughed as he eased into his chair. I can agree wholeheartedly with you on that one. It took everything I had to not flip out on them, although the last thing I want is to end up on some crazy security duty in the Amazon because I pissed them off.
The demon grimaced. Yeah, I don’t like snakes or furry creatures or insects, so le
t’s stay away from there.
I thought you demons loved those things? Especially as a late-afternoon snack.
She made a gagging sound. Some of us, believe it or not, actually have a modicum of class. I know, it’s nuts, right?
Damian shook his head as he stood and threw some logs in the fireplace. He squatted and started the blaze, using the poker to stoke it. His thoughts jumped from the upcoming trip to the mysteries that faced him, and he stared gloomily into the flames. There was so much going on, and he longed to relax. Thoughts of the cardinal constantly nagged in the back of his mind, however, and he had to scratch that itch. Seeing the three Wise Men earlier had ignited that inner burn again, and he couldn’t help but recall the picture of them with the cardinal whenever he saw them. There had to be some connection.
When the fire blazed cheerfully, he opened the hidden safe to retrieve the top journal. He sat with his feet up, took a long sip of whiskey, and breathed deep, pulling the throw over his shoulders against the chill in the air.
Damian opened the journal to the second page. “Okay, Cardinal, let’s figure out what secrets you’re hiding.”
October 31, 1965
After my last journal entry, things were quiet. The night air held a calm I had not known since I was a young boy playing in the courtyard of the monastery. The trees looked beautiful in their vibrant fall colors, the children laughed wildly, and the birds seemed to sing to me again. When I prayed, I felt my words were heard. When I lit the candles of worship, they glowed with a power I had not sensed before. The presence of God was all around me.
I went to bed last night tired from the day’s work. The people of the parish had been blessed with plenty, but it took work to reap. It was good work, though, the kind that helped you remember exactly why you did what you did every day. I knew that All Hallows Eve lurked, but I suppose I hoped I could escape it without issues. After laying my head on the pillow, I stared at the clock. The time seemed to tick by faster than normal, and the clicks the hands made echoed like a drum through my chambers.
