Crowns and Cabals

by Dina Rae

  I chuckled at Raphael’s prediction. “You were way off, man. Wooooo, it’s a bull. No way!”

  “You okay?” Camden asked. “You sound weird. Listen, I don’t know what the hell is going on, but maybe you should quietly exit.”

  “What? The show of the century, no, I mean the show of an entirely new timeline of history is about to start. My prince, owls, and a bull? This is the bull’s eye of New World Order! I got this. Just keep yourself tuned in. Keep making sure this shit is recorded.”

  The drums abruptly stopped and twelve musicians playing flutes, violins, and mandolins walked in and stood behind the stools and the throne. The two flutists, one boy and one girl, were at the beginning and end of the procession. I guessed them to be around eight or nine years old.

  The tune they played sounded unlike anything I ever heard. The dissonance in the notes hurt my ears. It sounded like baroque mixed with Middle Eastern elements, yet I found myself tapping to the beat.

  “Sai just got here. She has a mic. Brick met her at the other side of the building. Let us help get you out before it’s too late. You sound wasted and could compromise yourself,” Camden said.

  Sai chimed in the radio conversation and yelled, “Jaxie, be careful! I got eyes on the front door of your building! Just say the word…”

  “I got us this far. Now I really gotta go,” I interrupted. My Patriots were too protective, but their concern and proximity filled me with courage. Doctor Stephen Laurie was about to get crowned Prince of Peace. Out of nowhere, someone lit a series of candle chandeliers above the owls’ cage. I counted twelve birds. Twelve was definitely a theme-twelve months, twelve disciples, twelve hours, twelve Olympians, Twelfth Night, twelve color hues, twelve days of Christmas, twelve tribes of Israel…There was more, but my mind drew a blank as I inhaled the dusty white powder that clung in the air. My Patriots’ words echoed in my head. Even if I wanted, there was no way that I could slip out the back.

  One of the musicians switched instruments, or maybe he was playing the trumpet the whole time. Details of everything got fuzzy. He held up his trumpet and played a solo. The notes sounded like a tribute or an announcement. In walked eleven of the Peace Elders with the general at the back of the line. Everyone sat down on a stool except him.

  General Ramirez yelled, “Good evening, our distinguished guests. The coronation has begun. I ask you all to form three circles. Relatives, spouses, and significant others will stand in the inner circle. Everyone else must stand in the outer rings.”

  The musicians changed tunes, this time the music sounded like a carnival overture. I didn’t know where to stand. As a casual date, my place among this crowd had yet to be determined. Max’s dark brown eyes stared me down. I shrugged as everyone moved around. He signaled that I should stay where I was, front row center inside of the inner circle of spectators. Many of the guests glared at me. Now was not the time to talk into the mic, yet I heard Sai’s and Raphael’s blabbering in my ear. I shifted my purse so they could see I was in no position to answer. This movement shut them up.

  The general raised his hand to silence the music. “We are ready to proceed.” The general and the other ten Peace Elders chanted in unison something I could not understand. In spite of speaking four languages and being familiar with another four, the words were still a mystery. I didn’t recognize any of the roots or dialect. It could have been Swahili, Aramaic, Babylonian, or a hundred more.

  The owls were upset about something. A constant hoot from the direction of the aviary caused me to freeze. I almost forgot about the bull standing in the back of the room. The animal made a grunting noise that only added to the terror.

  One of the robed drummers took the bull’s lead rope and pulled him inside the three circles and closer to the stone table. The bull appeared to be as gentle as a lamb. Was the table an altar? The hair on the back of my neck stood up. My shoulders trembled, and I suddenly became uncontrollably chilled.

  The musicians and the drummers played a primitive song in a minor key. My heart beat doubled and the taste of bile overpowered my mouth. After the eleven Peace Elders finished chanting, one of the robed men presented each of them with a golden crown set upon a fancy, fringed pillow. Everyone set the pillows and crowns on their laps. The pieces glinted in the dim light. I could tell they were gold and encrusted with plenty of gemstones. Each crown was distinct yet shared the same bull horns and winged-beings that were etched, molded, or embossed as part of its design. I thought of Raphael’s newly acquired crown. His target was part of this. Maybe she was even here as a guest. I casually tilted my purse upward, hoping that would be enough for my Patriots to see these amazing pieces.

  The drummers picked up their beats and the musicians repeated the same note over and over. The doctor walked past his throne and stood behind the table or altar. He stroked the bull’s face like a child would stroke a puppy. The animal remained incredibly calm in spite of the crowd, the owl hoots, and the music. Maybe the bull was drugged up like the rest of us.

  One of the robed men set up two round, stone fire pits on each side of the table. Within seconds, there were two small bonfires blazing. The light allowed me to see even more details in each of the crowns. They were stunning, too stunning, as if they had a power from within. The bull remained calm. I thought of Spain and a bullfight I once saw long ago when I was a kid on vacation with Aysa and my parents. That bull was wild and angry. This bull could work in a petting zoo.

  The music stopped and the drummers unstrapped their drums. Again, another chant in the same ancient language was recited by the Twelve. Two robed men ducked out of the room and then returned with a fancy, large royal blue and gold enameled box. Once opened, three sharp, metal weapons were revealed. They glinted from the fire light. There lay a sword that looked more like a decoration. The hilt was encrusted with dozens of jewels. The second weapon was a plain dagger with an iron handle. The third weapon was a long butcher knife.

  I looked at the soft, sweet, dark eyes of the bull and felt sick. Nausea and dizziness made me stumble, but I quickly caught my balance. A cup of vomit filled my mouth. I took in a deep breath and swallowed it. I could not afford to look weak among these monsters.

  More chanting. The two robed men walked over to the aviary and opened the gate. They each held out a wooden doll. Two owls perched on one of the man’s doll and one owl perched on the other man’s doll. They walked back over to the stone table and the bull. The other owls stayed inside of the aviary and hooted in distress.

  My head ached. Stephen Laurie pointed to the boy playing the flute. One of the robed men walked over with the box of sharp weapons. His owl calmly perched on the doll. The boy looked at the owl and smiled. He then pointed to the jeweled sword. The robed man nodded and the boy took the sword out of the case. They both approached Stephen. Chanting continued. Finally, the doctor switched over to English. The other robed man with two owls stepped behind Stephen.

  “Moloch, you are our king. We honor you tonight.”

  A single drummer pounded out a monotone beat over and over. Three more owls flew out and joined the original three, finding room on the dolls. The remainder of owls still refused to exit their cage.

  Stephen nodded at the boy. He laid his upper torso onto the low marble alter. Stephen took the sword and, with one full swing, sliced the boy’s head off. He continued to dismember the rest of the boy’s body. One by one, each limb roasted in the fire, and one by one, each limb was fed to the hungry, docile bull. The boy’s torso still remained on the table. More owls flew from the cage and landed onto the table, pecking away at the scraps.

  I tried to grab my purse, wanting desperately to give my Patriots footage of this horror scene, but terror paralyzed me. I hoped my purse was pointed in the right direction. Raphael yelled in my ear, and then Camden yelled. I couldn’t speak. The doctor took the sword and opened up the boy’s torso, easily cutting out his heart. He didn’t bother roasting the organ. Instead, he took a bite.

  Laur
ie’s face was smeared with blood. He shouted, “I am the blood of life. Through me, you shall live forever!”

  “Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, hail Lucifer, amen, amen, amen…” was chanted by everyone within the room except me. Laurie then took the small heart and passed it on to each of his Peace Elders. They, too, tore into the organ until it was gone.

  Moloch, Moloch, Moloch, Lucifer, Lucifer, Lucifer, and more chants in the ancient language were chanted in unison. Did they all learn this for tonight? Or was this ceremony performed before? I already knew the answer. These people had been pure evil for some time. From what I could decipher, Moloch was some intermediary for Lucifer.

  “Jaxie, I can’t see anything. But we heard Moloch and Lucifer a dozen times or so. Sai looked it up on her disposable phone. Was that a child sacrifice? Satanic shit. Murder. Get out now,” Raphael said into my mic.

  “No,” I managed to squeak out. “I’m in a very noticeable position. I can’t talk.”

  I wanted to go home, not to my shitty apartment, but my old home that I was forced to leave. I wanted to call my sister or go to dinner with my parents or check out single men online. My boring, insignificant life was the best life I could have asked for. Now it was gone. These crazy fuckers made sure of that. Running was not an option.

  Two more owls flew out of the cage and joined the rest of them on the marble table, finishing up what was left of the dead boy. The bull finished eating and then was peacefully led out of the room by the robed men. Drummers picked up their beat and the musicians played a new song. The music sounded more modern. I thought of jazz and ragtime.

  The general took a step out of the line of Elders and proclaimed, “I now want to introduce Stephen Laurie as our Prince of Peace. Hail, Prince. May you reign in this world. Hail, Prince Laurie.”

  Everyone repeated the general. I joined in with the crowd. “Hail, Prince Laurie.” We said this a total of three times and then the general motioned for us to stop. The musicians continued to play.

  I looked over at the box only a few feet away. The dagger and the butcher knife remained. I could end this all right now. But then they would just elect another prince or princess and another and another. I had to be smart.

  Another robed man came out from the door with a royal blue velvet pillow and a large gold crown. It was much more ornate than the other crowns. The shape was oblong, like a big hat and made out of gold. It reminded me of a papal mitre. Bands of golden laurel ropes streamed down from the pointy top of the crown to the diamond studded band. Two horns, presumably from a bull, stuck out on each side. Stamped bulls were placed between the laurel ropes. Dozens of huge gemstones studded the piece throughout.

  The general took the crown from the pillow and placed it upon the doctor’s head. Everyone kneeled. I immediately followed the crowd.

  “We pledge our allegiance to you, Prince Laurie. May Moloch bless your reign. May Moloch give you the wisdom to keep us in peace and prosperity. May Lucifer grant you the power to change this world in his image.”

  “I accept this responsibility. Moloch will guide me in my rule.” The only Barred owl within the cage flew out, as if on cue, and landed upon the doctor’s shoulder.

  The general stood up and motioned with his hands for all of us to stand back up. The Barred owl flew onto the marble table and joined all of the other owls that fiercely pecked away at the body remains. Another chant or prayer in some archaic language was recited. The remaining eleven of the Twelve placed their crowns on top of their heads. The jewels set in the crowns cast off enough light to illuminate the entire room.

  “Lucifer’s gemstones shine brighter than ever. It’s been centuries since so many of his gemstones were reunited in one room. Tonight he is smiling. Moloch is smiling. Our king and queen ancestors are smiling. They pledged their souls to Lucifer for this moment. Tonight, we complete the plans made since the dawn of civilization and conquer the world. Lucifer’s fall from the garden is now his return to earth. Hail, Lucifer, and welcome back.”

  The gemstones set in the twelve crowns pulsated a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors. The light danced as if it were a room full of alive and breathing beings. The horror scene that I just witnessed was forgotten as I watched this hypnotic light show that must have originated from another world. Drums began to play, and I slowly came out of my dream-like state. This ceremony was far from over. I still had a part to play.

  The general carefully removed Stephen’s jacket. Then he took off Stephen’s shirt, his pants, and his shoes. With exception of his new crown, the doctor stood in front of everyone naked. He had the body of a Greek god and the facial expression of a hungry bull. Did he want a public fornication? Or was I the next sacrifice? I smelt the rancid sweet smell of fresh blood that soiled the table. The light wouldn’t stop flashing from the crowns. My head spun. The drugs fogged up my brain.

  The general walked over to me, bowed, and then stood back up without making eye contact. I was trapped. He played with the silver straps of my dress. The hidden microphone was sewn into my collar. Would he be able to feel it? I shook uncontrollably.

  “It’s alright, Ms. Nottingham,” the general whispered. “He chose you. You. Of everyone else available, he wants you to be his bride. This is an honor. Please calm down.” He touched my arm like a loving father. Calm down my ass! But he was right. My sheer terror could give me away. I took in a few deep breaths. The general had one of my dress straps pulled down to my waist, revealing my black, lacy strapless bra. I scanned the doors around the room in spite of my captivity. Boom! My legs buckled, but my hands broke my fall. Boom! What the hell?

  The floor shook like an earthquake. Flames erupted by the same door the robed men kept entering and exiting. The candelabras fell to the ground and a small fire broke out. I heard the bellow of the bull not too far away. The owls screeched and frantically flapped around. What was happening?

  There were screams. Boom! My ears almost popped. Boom! Smoke made it almost impossible to see. I heard the scurrying of footsteps and scuffles and sheer panic coming from every direction. Pops of massive gun fire echoed from all four corners of the room. Was that Raphael? Camden, Sai, and Brick? I tripped over a body. A dead body? I hoped it was dead. I wanted everyone in the room to die, even if it meant that I would die with them.

  “Run, Jaxie!” Raphael yelled inside of my ear. “Run like the wind!”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Raphael

  We threw some hand grenades at the far end of the building to cause a distraction. The Peacekeepers scrambled to find the point of origin. A self-driving cab plodded along a side street and I jumped in.

  Camden and Brick sprayed the front of the building with machine guns. At least a dozen soldiers crumpled to the ground, but dozens more sprang out of nowhere, taking their place. Camden and Brick stayed in hiding. Their guns’ ranges were spectacular. If we had more time to train, we could have opened fire off of the highway and hit our targets.

  Sai awaited across the street in an eight-story parking garage. Using a mini missile launcher, she shot at the side of the building where most of the cars were parked. A few of them exploded. We currently had the upper-hand due to the element of surprise, but that wouldn’t last. Scouts had to be combing the area for us. If only Jaxie wasn’t inside! We could level the place and everyone in it. I shoved my murderous thoughts aside.

  “Raphael, I’m done screwing around.”

  Camden brought two small drones that each held three Pyros IV mini-bombs. Each bomb was the size of a tennis ball. Earlier in the afternoon we had no idea what they even were, but thanks to Brick and a covert dark web search, we learned the magnitude of damage these small weapons could make.

  Unfortunately, that was all we knew. The stolen munitions didn’t come with a set of instructions. We were like middle school geeks who desperately wanted to figure out a calculus problem without the teacher’s help. None of us had any idea how the so-called bombs worked, so we guessed. Each bomb securely clicked
in a compartment above the two drones’ engines. We deduced they detonated in air-to-surface strikes.

  Sai got on the mic and yelled, “Hey boys, I’m moving onto bigger and better things. I brought a couple of standard-sized rocket launchers with me. Jaxie, if you can hear me, stay away from the west side entrance!”

  “I’m still in the basement. Go for it!” Jaxie yelled.

  Sai’s first two launches blew out a few windows in a high rise building a block away from the hall. She quickly adjusted her aim, and blasted away eight guards running to the side entrance. A large corner chunk of the building collapsed and set afire.

  Somehow, we had them all on the run. Could we actually pull this mission off? Were the Peacekeepers really this arrogant and stupid? We still didn’t have Jaxie.

  I watched one of the drones buzz up, above the building. The other drone followed suit, but hovered above a nearby building. “Damn it!” yelled Camden into his mic. We heard a blast as did everyone within a mile’s distance. A garage across the alleyway evaporated.

  “You missed,” I said snidely into the mic from my self-driving cab.

  “Don’t get much practice, smart ass. I think I got it now.” He dropped another bomb from the same drone. This one landed on the back of the building. Boom! “Jaxie, can you still hear us? You okay?”

  “I crawled up a set of stairs. All I can see is a chair. I think I’m in the lobby on the main floor. It’s so smoky and hot. Can’t even see. They aren’t letting anyone leave through the front entrance…”

  “Yeah, that’s because of us. My dad’s got…Shit! His drone was shot down. We don’t have any more time. Hurry. The east side of the building is most clear. Copy that?” Brick said.

  “Copy,” I replied. “En route one block away. Cover her once she gets outside. Jaxie, can you hear us?”

  “What is happening?” she replied. I could barely hear her against the screams in the background.