I thought about it for a second. I knew that enough of the church had to be in on it to make it work. However, it couldn’t be that many. If too many people knew, someone would blab.
“What happened the kid that confessed to you?” Carl asked.
“I’m afraid that he did not survive. He stayed when I fled. It was as if his feet were frozen in place. The last time I saw him, he was being ripped apart by the beast. I’m ashamed to say that I never even tried to pull him along. My only thoughts in that moment were for myself.”
So much for no man left behind.
“That’s a helluva story, Padre. It doesn’t explain how you got here though, and I’m running short on time and shorter on patience.”
He nodded. “Over the past five years, my field of study has narrowed to inter-dimensional pockets.”
“Rifts,” I said.
He nodded again. “Yes. They go by many names. However, they exist as holes in our reality, holes that allow entities from the other side to pass through into our dimension. I’ve theorized that if I can understand the nature of these Rifts, I can find a way to stop them. If I can stop them, I can find a way to prevent creatures from the other side ever coming to Earth.”
I laughed. I hadn’t meant it to be as mocking as it was, but I didn’t regret it either. “You think you can stop the flow of Evil into this world?” I asked.
“If not stop it, slow the stream to an unfortunate drip. These Rifts occur naturally, allowing Evil into this world.”
“Rifts are random. They pop up all over the world without rhyme or reason. Even if you could predict them, you’ll never stop the waves of morons who scribble sigils on the ground and open a Rift on their own.”
“Artificially created Rifts will always be a problem, this is true. However, what if I were to tell you that the Rifts, while a naturally occurring phenomenon, may not be as random as you think?”
“I’d tell you that you’re drunk on communion wine.”
He smiled. Carl gave me a look that told me I was going to get a talking to later for being rude.
“Did you know that the over the past three years, Northern California and Northern Nevada have had almost four thousand percent increase in Rifts per square mile than anywhere else in the world? Almost forty-five percent of all reported Rifts in the past three years have taken place in Northern California. In the past year alone ten percent of known Rifts have been within a fifty mile radius of where we are standing. That is a two thousand percent increase in this area within a twelve month period.”
I felt an uneasiness creep into the pit of my stomach. Before I’d fled San Francisco, my old boss had been capturing Hellions and selling them on the black market. He’d been able to do it because they’d been showing up in and around the Bay Area in droves. In the year since I’d been in Reno, I’d put down almost a dozen different Hellions. I hated to admit it, but something was going on.
“Wouldn’t an increase of that size indicate that something is causing these Rifts?” Carl asked.
Alastair nodded. “ Statistically speaking, yes. In reality, I don’t know for sure. There are too many things still unknown to me. However, six days ago I finalized an equation, a way to mathematical predict where these Rifts will occur. I told his Holiness of my discovery. That’s when he told me to come to America and see if I was right.”
I spoke, thinking it through out loud. “If you can predict the locations of Rifts with any degree of accuracy, the Venatori could arrive at a Rift before it opened and either stop it or kill whatever piece of trash crawled out of it before they could do any real damage.”
Alastair’s eyes glittered. He looked proud and smug at the same time. Definitely Catholic.
“Exactly. Think of it. We could know exactly when and where a Rift would appear. Think of all the lives we could save.”
It would also mean that I’d be out of the job. I wouldn’t be able to get involved with anything having to do with Hellions. The risk of the Venatori showing up at any moment would be too high. I guess I was going to spend the rest of my life photographing cheating spouses.
“Do you know why there’s been such a high frequency of Rifts in the area?” Carl asked.
“I’m afraid that I do not know for sure. For some reason, the barrier between our world and everything else appears to be weakening in this area. I was hoping to discover the reason for that while I was here. Whether that is a naturally occurring phenomenon or a manmade one, I cannot say.
“The problem I’ve discovered is that while I can work out the Rifts to some degree of accuracy, I have had trouble locating their exact location. So far I’ve been able to narrow it down to a square mile with about an hour long window.”
“That’s a lot of ground to cover, especially in the middle of a city,” I said.
“Indeed. I’m afraid that when we arrived at the church today, we were too late. The creatures had already crossed through, and the Rift was closing.”
“Then they killed your bodyguard.”
He folded his hands. “I couldn’t do anything. As they ripped him apart, all I could do was stand and watch. I wanted to help or run or do anything other than stand, but I could not. It was like that day I let that poor boy be eaten alive.”
“It’s okay,” Carl said. “You couldn’t have done anything.”
I personally begged to differ. He could have picked up a gun and done something. He could have fought instead of cowering like a dog as he watched someone get eaten alive. Even if he couldn’t have killed the Harpies, he could have put a bullet in the poor bastard’s head, so he didn’t have to watch as his guts got pulled out by a demon owl. The guy probably didn’t even have a gun on him. He was going around hunting for Rifts completely unarmed.
Carl looked at me. I could tell that I was about to hate everything he said. “Is there something that we could do to help you?” He asked.
I thought about killing him, right then and there. I could do it. I didn’t even need a gun. I could walk over and beat him to death with my bare hands.
Alastair looked from Carl to me and back. I’m pretty sure he could feel the tension. There wasn’t a way not to unless he was a complete idiot.
“If I’m correct, three more Rifts are opening in this area within the next several days. I’ve lost my only means of protection, and I’m afraid that I cannot search enough of the areas at each of the sites to confidently say I can reach the Rifts before they either close or release a monster into our world.”
Carl ignored me. I willed him to turn my way again so I could glare at him, but nothing happened.
“What if we could help with that?” He asked. “What if we could not only provide you with protection, but also help you significantly narrow down your search area, would that be of use to you?”
Alastair practically jumped off the damn couch.
“Of course! Though, I can’t imagine how you will be able to narrow down my search area. I’ve tried to adjust my work, but I can’t seem to narrow it down any further than a square mile.”
Carl looked at me. I tried to communicate that if he kept talking, I was going to throw him out the window. I’d like to think that he didn’t receive that message, but I’m pretty sure he did and just chose to ignore it.
“We have a way of detecting the Rifts. It’s how we found you today.” Carl said.
“How?”
He looked at me. “Either you tell him or I will.”
I finished the Redbull in my hand, crushed the can and tossed it on the ground.
Carl gave me a look. “Brood all you want. Tell him, or I will.”
Have I mentioned how much I hate having friends? Life was simpler when everyone I knew hated my guts, and I didn’t give a shit about them. Let that be a lesson to everyone. You’re better off alone. Don’t listen to all the hype about friendship.
I stopped glaring at Carl and looked at Alastair. “Let’s just say that I have a gift. I can sense magic. Most of the time I have to be
pretty damn close for it to work. Rifts put off enough magical energy that it’s like a searchlight. All I have to do is follow it back to its source. It’s how we found the Rift today. That and the sound of gunfire.”
“Fascinating.” He looked at me the way a scientist looks at little white mice. “What is the nature of this gift? How did you acquire this ability? Are you one of the Nephilim?”
I laughed in his face. That time, I meant to be as rude as I could. “Not even close.”
Nephilim are the offspring of Angels or Demons with human women. Well, the Angel part is theoretical. To my knowledge, and it’s extensive, there’s never been a Nephilim born who’s Father was an Angel. God has a pretty strict policy on sex outside of marriage that extends to Angels as well as men. Angels are notorious goody-two-shoes when it comes to following rules. Demons on the other hands don’t give a damn about following any rules.
“I have power, but I wasn’t born with it.”
Understanding crossed his face. “You are one of the Unforgiven.”
The name stung a little bit. He was right, but it was still a dick move to bring it up. The Unforgiven is the name given to the poor bastards who sell their souls to Demons. We traded away eternal life for temporary power. It’s a shit deal, trust me.
“Yea.”
“Fascinating,” Alastair said, sitting up on the edge of the couch. “What is the nature of your agreement?”
I clenched my fist. “None of your damn business, buddy boy!”
He looked like he wanted to ask me again but didn’t, luckily for him. My patience was starting to run out.
“That’s understandable. Will you at least elaborate on the nature of your abilities? What exactly are you able to do?”
I went to drink more Redbull and remembered that I’d already finished and tossed the can. My mouth watered, and I wanted a real drink. I’d settle for boxed wine if I had to, but I wanted something, anything that would take the edge off.
“I am immune to all magic,” I said. “My body can absorb and negate it. The absorption process also means that I can detect the presence of magic and magical creatures. The more magic my body is absorbing, the closer I am to it, which is how I was able to find the Rift. I can also detect Hellions as well if there isn’t too much other ambient magic masking them.”
Alastair’s eyes shone in the low lighting. He was excited. A little too enthusiastic for my tastes.
“That much energy must have been a beacon, like a moth to a flame.”
I nodded, not really appreciating the analogy.
“Fascinating.”
He was fond of saying that.
“And there’s no limit on the amount of energy your body can absorb? Is it proportional to your physical mass?”
“Not that I can tell,” I said. “I’ve gotten queasy and tossed my cookies, but that’s about it.”
“That’s…”
“Fascinating?” I said, cutting him off.
He smiled. “Indeed.”
He turned back to Carl.
“And you Mr. Rodriguez, are you able to perform any such amazing feats or miracles?”
Carl smiled, shaking his head. “Not me. I’m just a minister trying to make the world a better place, anyway I can. Also, I wouldn’t call Deckland’s power an amazing feat. He might let it go to his head.”
Alastair smiled broadly, his white teeth a harsh contrast to his dark skin. “A kindred spirit. I knew I was in good company.”
I took a few steps away from the wall. “Look, Padre, I wouldn’t get any ideas. Carl and I are out of here, tonight. It’s only a matter of time before the Venatori shows up. They’ll have to investigate any Hellion activity. Something tells me when they find your Swiss friend. They’re going to start asking lots of questions. Those guys aren’t idiots. They’re going to know something happened, they’re going to find us, and I can’t be here when they come knocking.”
“You’re afraid of them.” He said.
“Damn straight. They may just be some Divinci Code nonsense to you, but I know these people. I’ve seen how they operate, and they’ve already gotten their hands on me once. I don’t plan on ever reliving that experience.”
“You’ve encountered the Venatori before and lived to speak of it?” He asked.
I threw up my hands. “Yes. No, I’m not going to tell you. It’s a long story. Now, unless you’ve got something else to say, Carl and I need to start packing up our stuff and get the hell out of here.”
I moved toward the hallway, trying to make it clear that it was time for him to get to leaving.
“You must help me. With your ability, it could mean the difference in my research. You could help me locate the Rifts before they let something through. You could also protect me from anything that may come out of them. You handled yourself quite well today. Besides, if your description of your abilities is correct, I’m also fairly certain you may be able to collapse the Rifts physically should things get out of control.”
I held up my hand to him. “I don’t work for free.”
Alastair stood up. “There are three Rifts set to open up in the surrounding area in the next three days. Help me, and I’ll pay you a hundred thousand dollars.”
I must have looked skeptical, because he quickly added, “Cash.”
“Lot of tithe money, Padre. You planning on passing around the offering plate to get it?”
He smiled. “You are particularly heretical aren’t you.”
“You have no idea,” Carl muttered.
I shot him a dirty look and flipped them both the bird.
“I am on a mission directly from His Holiness. Money is no issue.”
I was trying to do the odds in my head. Carl and I needed to run. I had a couple hundred bucks from Charlie. If I scrounged every pants pocket and couch cushion, I could probably come up with another grand. That meant at best; I had less than two thousand bucks for Carl and I to go to ground. It was possible, but the money would burn up quickly. We’d have to ditch one of our cars, and I didn’t relish the idea of trying to get new ID’s set up without more cash, not good ones anyway.
A hundred thousand was a game changer. That could set us up comfortably and have plenty of money left over to have a safety net in case we had to run again. I also wouldn’t end up in danger of pawning any of my guns, which I didn’t relish the idea of. However, that meant staying in the city. Every minute I was there was another minute that the Venatori had to find me.
I felt the old ache in my brain and itch in my mouth.
“I want half up front,” I said.
“Twenty thousand up front.” He said. “As a gesture of good faith.”
“Thirty.”
Alastair walked across the room to shake my hand. “I can have it ready first thing in the morning.”
I shook. Thirty grand would be more than enough if I had to cut and run in the middle of all of this.
Three days. I could make it three days. What could possibly happen? It’s not like I was going to spend the three days tracking down portals from Hell and continually looking over my shoulder for the trained killers who would love nothing more than to see me strung up or thrown back in the Void.
What’s the worst that could happen? Right?
11
I opened my eyes and regretted no dying in my sleep. I hear that’s peaceful. Everything hurt. Even blinking was painful. I hadn’t slept well, tossing and turning and every muscle in my back was a knotted mess after being dropped on my ass by the damned Harpy. On top of it, I’d had nightmares of being captured and sent back to the Void. It wasn’t exactly restful.
“ARHG.”I groaned, finding no real words in my stupor. I rolled over and practically crawled out of bed. I wanted to scream as I stood and stretched. Dark bruises stained my arms, and I knew my back couldn’t look any better.
I stumbled into the kitchen, opening a cabinet and pulling out my oatmeal. I opened the container in a fury and stared down into the oats. I took a few
deep breaths. My chest was slick with sweat despite the chill in the air. I put the lid back on and put it in the back of the cabinet. I turned and looked at the coffee thermos. Carl usually left it for me. I unscrewed the cap and took a deep breath of hot coffee steam. My brain synapses started firing for the first time.
I grabbed what I assumed was a mostly clean mug and filled it to the brim. I noticed a post-it stuck to the side of the thermos. I recognized Carl’s strangely refined penmanship.
Come to the coffee shop when you feel up to it. Wanna talk about last night.
I sighed. The bastard was worse than having a wife. At least when I’d had a wife, she put out. Now all that happened was me getting nagged.
I collapsed into the nook and leaned my head back against the wall, hot coffee mug slowly melting the skin on my hands.
“Three days. You can do three days, Deckland. Then, you get the hell out of here. You can find a beach and have native girls bring you drinks with little umbrellas in them. Just three little days. This one’s already started, so if you think about it, that’s basically like two and a half.”
I sipped the coffee tenderly, careful not to burn my mouth. I sat there, drinking and thinking about trying not to dwell on how screwed I was. After a while, I got up to take stock of my gear. I hadn’t had the energy to do it the night before.
I found my trench coat hanging over the shower rod in the bathroom. Carl had hosed the thing down and was leaving it to dry. Maybe I’d been premature in saying that all he did was nag. He’d left my Microtech knife on the counter. He’d washed it and wiped it clean in the sink. I grabbed it and went to the living room. I tossed the knife on the couch and pulled out the plate carrier I’d worn. The 320 was tucked safely into the holster. I pulled that free and inspected the rest of the vest.
There was a long gash on the back. The Harpy had cut through the fabric and scored a deep gouge in the spalling, leaving a scratch on the hardened steel plate beneath. If I hadn’t been wearing the damn thing, that talon would have slashed through my back like butter. I was pretty confident my spine would have been shredded, and I’d either be dead or a cripple. Thank God for body armor.
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