Mine begin.
“My faithful flock.” Reverend Statton’s voice draws mygazeaway from the slow swinging of Alesia’s lifeless body. “Things are more dire than I realized. It is time for us to ascend, together. Join me in the church for an emergency sermon. I have much to tell you.”
Church? At this time of night? I don’t want a lecture on morals and religion right now. I need to get away from the crowdand back to the silence of my own space. I can’t think clearly with the energy of so many others pressing in around me.
But there’s no way I can miss an emergency sermon. What would the others think—what would be said?
The crowd speaks in whispers as we cram into the pews. It’s not usually dark when we attend service. The candlelight casts shadows upon the stained glass, twisting its usual beauty in something…other. Truths become all too obvious if you’re willing to open your eyes and see through the darkness of lies.
I have a feeling we’re about to be fed a lie so grand, our stomachs will burst.
How is it every ounce of my faith has been stripped away in one night? When that noose pulled tight around Alesia’s neck, it ripped my blindfold off. Something is very wrong with our town.
“A shocking eve.” Reverend Statton shakes his head as he addresses the group. “But in this time of fear and confusion, I offer you clarity. Divine clarity.”
“Show us the way!” someone shouts.
My eyes are swollen from crying. I squint in the darkness, trying to decipher which faithful fool has called out.
Reverend Statton smiles, but something about the set of his jaw, the tightness of his cheeks, makes my skin crawl. “Some months ago I was visited by a being.”
My whole bodygoes rigid. He’s going to admit his part in this. If he tells us of his demon, the church will turn their backs on him.
“An angel has reached out its holy hand to me. Not fallen or cast out like Lucifer. This angel has chosen to leave the blinding white of heaven behind and walk among us sinners, with the sole wish of guiding humanity toward a righteous path. His name isItrimort.”
I’ve never heard of an angel called Itrimort. The name is echoed in whispers around the church.
“I have gifted him my body as a vessel these past couple of months.”
Months? The chatter around the church increases.
Reverend Statton raises a hand to quiet us. “I wanted to tell you the moment Itrimort entered our world, but it is only now that I was given permission to share his name and purpose.”
My thoughts turn back to Alesia. What angel would encourage the murder of an innocent woman? Certainly not the angels I’ve read about. Not the ones we’ve been taught to idolize our entire lives.
“He says now, you are ready to ascend.”
An excited buzz spreads through the pews. What is going on? How can people believe this as truth?
“With Itrimort guiding our path, we will cast those with dark energies out of Sleepy Hollow. Finding and removing witches is our first step toward cleansing our great town. Will you help me in this most holy task?”
Hands lift high as people murmur their agreements. Some are crying with smiles on their faces. Others openly pray.
“In Itrimort’s name!” Reverend Statton raises his fist in the air.
“In Itrimort’s name,” the crowd repeats.
His speech ends with the familiar singsong “amen” that always concludes our services.
What in the world did I just witness?
Chapter Three
Emeline
There’s a ringing in my ears. It grows in pitch, needling into my brain like a hot iron as Leed guides me back home.
Our fire is still out, depriving me of the most basic comfort in these confusing moments. The cold darkness of our house hides within it a great many eyes.Look what you’ve done, something whispers.This is your fault.
