“What about witnesses?”Taz asks.“Though it is pretty dark.”
“HQ managed to clear out this town.”Necia turns to look at him.“It’s protocol to move out the mortals when we can.Sometimes they don’t listen to our little white lies about tornado warnings.”
“But I don’t see anyone here,” I say as I park.“The cultists are probably in that church up ahead.”After cutting my headlights, I notice a faint glow in the meso-American-style church up ahead.
“Well, let’s face the music,” Taz says.
“Whoa, you’re staying back,” I say after shutting the door.
“Pardon?”
Even in the darkening dusk sky, I can see his incredulous look.“You’re a consultant, not an agent.You’re here to help break hexes.I can’t put you in the line of danger.”
Taz laughs and looks away.“And how exactly can I assist you if I’m waiting in the car?”He puts his hands on his hips as Necia joins my side.“I’m not some dainty porcelain doll.I can wield my magic, too.”
“Let him follow you,” Cleo says over the earpiece.“This is a three-person mission, now.”
Necia shoots me a smug grin, and I huff.“Fine.But stay sharp, Devries.Remain behind us at all times.”
“Aye aye, Captain,” he says with a smirk.
I turn on my flashlight and reply, “That’sagentto you.”
Five minutes later, we walk into the church.Rows of wooden pews are illuminated by standing metal candelabras.The stained glass is hard to see, and the walls are distinctly made of black stone.It’s creepy, for sure, but that’s par for the course for working at SPELL.
This whole part of the desert town is supposed to be cleared out.Then how are all these candles lit?
Necia seems to read my mind as she nods at me, then approaches a candle.“These are freshly lit,” she says.
“What do you see?”Cleo asks.
I touch the earpiece and say, “Nothing.An old church, some candles.You sure this is the right place?”
“I’m picking up dark magic spikes in that geolocation.According to Max, the Cult of the Unheard uses organized religion as a veneer for their meeting spots,” Cleo says.
“But here in New Mexico?”I ask, quietly.Our steps are the only sound in this medium-sized church.I snake through a left-wing pew with Necia walking to the far right.As we approach the altar, the fear in my gut grows.What are we facing here?
“My ley line reports show the latest spike of dark magic wasn’t even a few hours ago,” Cleo explains.
“I have no visuals of anyone, cult or otherwise,” I whisper.
“Psst.”Taz’s voice pulls my attention.He’s standing in the center aisle, and his gaze is fixed on the altar.He subtly points to the front and puts his hands in his pockets, no doubt grasping his geo arcanum, readying his magic.
I nod and walk closer to him, and Necia joins me.The three of us slowly approach the altar, each step more nerve-wracking than the last.The candlelight doesn’t reach there, so I put my flashlight back on, all while holding my geo in my pocket.
When I move the light to the table, I spot…a person?A black-robed figure with short, dark hair stands staring towards the back of the altar.A priest!
“Hello?”
No response.
Necia nods and says, “Good evening, Father.”The man doesn’t even move.
Okay, things are getting realResident Evilup in here.I exchange nervous glances with Taz and Necia as we continue to get closer to the altar.
The slender priest is staring at the wall.When I walk to his side, I spot his hands together; if I didn’t know any better, I’d say he was praying.But his lips remain still, and my every instinct is telling me that foul magic is at play.
He’s not moving.And I don’t sense him casting any spell.
