“But I can tell you without a doubt that they're dangerous and the person who sent me after them is very powerful. Indigo, you've got to get out of there. Today. Get your boyfriend and leave.”
I was shocked that he told me to take Jake with me. I suppose a part of me was thinking that Garret was still flirting with me and might use this as a chance to play the white knight. But the fact that he wanted me to take Jake with me made it more real. And terrified me.
“I can't,” I said. “He won't go. He's . . .” I shook my head and looked away. “I can't believe I'm going to tell you this.”
“Hey.” He leaned into my line of sight. “I've seen some crazy shit—things you wouldn't believe. But I will believe anything you tell me, Indigo. Anything. Because I know it's the truth.”
“You don't know what a relief that is to hear.”
“I can imagine.” Garret shook his head and looked out the window. Then he seemed to come to a decision. “I'm going to tell you what I know first. Then I hope you'll feel comfortable enough to share what you've experienced.”
“Okay. That would be great, actually. Thank you.”
“All right.” He glanced around the restaurant, then focused on me. “Silas, the one you mentioned, had another group like the one you're involved with. It was in Spokane.”
“Of course it was,” I muttered.
Garret nodded. “I assume that's how he met Jake.”
“It was Jake's twin sister who brought Silas to Jake. Jake was in the hospital.” I swallowed roughly and said, “Waiting to die.”
“I see.” Garret nodded. “Well, then, she might have been a part of Silas's group in Spokane. They were raided, and Silas was thought to be dead. There was some speculation about that, though, and it looks as if it was correct. Silas survived and fled here.”
“Someone tried to kill Silas?”
“Not specifically. They tried to apprehend him and things went poorly. Silas's group was killing people, Indigo. Drowning them and reanimating them. Silas has some kind of supernatural power. When he brings someone back from the dead, he takes control of them. They function and seem normal, but when it comes down to it, they're slaves.”
“I knew it!” I hissed. “I knew it wasn't just about making them stronger. They're different after he brings them back. I thought it was because they believed with absolute certainty. You know, fact versus faith? But now that you've said that, I can see it. They get this blank look on their faces whenever he tells one of them to do something. It's not just obedience. It's complete submission.”
“So, you've seen it done.” Garret leaned closer. “It hasn't been done to you, has it?”
“No.” I waved at myself. “Do I seem like a slave?”
“No, but I had to ask.”
“Yeah, I get it. I'm treated differently because of Jake. And because I'm not really part of the group. They're trying to convince me, but it just feels off.”
“I'm glad you have good instincts.” He grimaced. “There was another theory that I was hoping was incorrect. It's about Jake.”
“You know about that?” I asked as more weight slid off my shoulders. Garret wasn't just believing me, he was also confirming my suspicions. “You know about Michael?”
“Yes. I know about Michael,” he said grimly. “The theory was that he took Jake's body as his host. As I said, I was hoping that was wrong.” He shook his head. “I'm so sorry, Indigo. Michael is just as bad as Silas. He started this shit. It was just Michael at first, forming an army for God. At least, that's what he told people. He preys on the broken ones. The people who have lost everything and need to blame someone or need something to believe in. To fight for. Michael is great at recruitment. Supposedly, he jumps into his target and convinces them by speaking in their minds.”
“Holy shit,” I whispered and thought about how Jake always came home with someone new. An “angel” taking over my body might convince me too. Especially if I was vulnerable.
“Yeah. It was a good scam. Then Silas suddenly showed up and took over.”
“What are they?” I whispered. “Please, tell me Silas isn't God.” I leaned closer to add, “Or the Devil.”
“He isn't God or the Devil,” Garret said. “And Michael isn't an angel. He's a ghost.”
“He's a what?” I leaned back. I had considered possession, but not by a ghost.
“Michael's a spirit. The soul of a person who has passed on. And a strong one at that. He can possess people and jump from body to body.”
“Silas said all angels are incorporeal and so Michael needs Jake to host him.”
Garret snorted. “Come on. Why would God make angels incorporeal? Wouldn't that hinder them a bit? How would they raze cities and do all the terrible shit that angels do? Spirits can't affect the corporeal world. They'd need to possess a human every time. And that's ridiculous.”
