Page 98 of Deck of Scarlets
Chapter Forty
The mission was simple. Meet with the former priest named Abraham and have him help decipher the prophecy. So why did we need a backup plan? According to Father Benedict, we were exiting blessed lands placed on the school grounds to protect staff and the students. Anything beyond the perimeter became dangerous and unpredictable, especially demon activity. Since we were still in training and leaving without supervision, it all came down to the skills Josh provided from his years of experience and my measly four days.
Baron and Chloe were on standby, the only other two allowed to know about the mission. Josh fought with Father about it, stating he trusted them more than any other member, but Father wanted it contained, especially from Captain Harrison, so I understood his hesitation.
We did receive word that Emilia made a full recovery but no other information on how the two other members died.
Josh voiced his suspicion with Father while getting ready. “I don’t care how well he’s trained or the years of experience he’s given the Order. Having two others die with him as leader doesn’t sit right with me.”
“I advise you to pay close attention to Cillian,” said Father.
Collin returned with my polished dagger. “Thanks,” I said. “I had a hard time removing the Magidoz residue.”
“A little pure acetone does the trick,” he stated.
Who would’ve thought?
Father wrote the prophecy on a piece of paper, giving Josh the job of keeping it safe. “I will pray for safe travels, and keep close to one another.”
Leaving the comfort of campus grounds, all we had was a prophecy and a hunch as Josh and I concealed ourselves, walking through a sea of people who had no clue we walked among them.
116th Street had the closest MTA, so the walk gave us some time to prepare and ease my stupid nerves. “Is he expecting us?”
“I assume so. I’m sure Father Benedict gave him the heads up,” said Josh.
“If not?”
“Then we’ll find out, won’t we?”
From the outside, it looked rather quaint, but upon entering, we noticed rather quickly that wasn’t the case.
A few lights were dim, flickering, trying to stay on for dear life. Josh took the lead, weaving through dusty furniture and debris from the ceiling. The living room was eerie, creating goosebumps underneath my cape and sending shivers down my spine. Dust covered every piece of furniture, right down to the silverware in the kitchen. Judging by the amount built up, nobody had lived there in months.
“I don’t get it. Father said he would be here,” I said, swiping a finger over the coffee table, a lump of dust on the tip of my finger.
“And yet,” Josh paused, blowing a heap of dust off the top shelf of a bookcase, a cloud of it filling the air, “nobody’s home.”
Patting the couch cushions, more dust puffed in the air, filling my lungs and making me cough. “You don’t say.”
Rolling his eyes, Josh motioned for me to follow, bow raised, arrow in position. I unsheathed my dagger, keeping a firm grip on the pommel, tagging closely behind his tall stature.
The further we moved through the house, the darker it became. Dust floated in the air from our steps on the carpet, tickling the back of my throat. “I don’t think Father Benedict told him we were coming.”
“Yes, I’m beginning to think that as well.” His tone dipped in sarcasm almost making me step on the back of his shoe.
Circling back to the front, we decided to ascend the stairs, taking our time and making sure no ounce of noise was made in the process. The walls were empty, just ugly wallpaper covering every inch of the second floor. Reaching the top, Josh leaned against the railing, lowering his bow, his brows furrowed in confusion. “I don’t get it. Everything is here. The furniture… even the dishes are stacked neatly, but the person who lives here is missing.”
From where we stood, the hall extended further down, showing a single window at the end, fading sunlight trickling in.
Suddenly, my dagger began to glow that same golden hue around the blade.
That was when the glass shattered, a body tumbling inside.
Weapons at the ready, before us stood something of human form, only its skin sagged, yellow eyes wild with rage, and blood dripping from its revolting set of teeth.
Drarkoth muttered Josh.
Patches of hair were missing on its scalp, bruises tatted spots along the cheeks, and its clothes were shredded and muddy from wherever it came from, bare feet stepping on glass from the window.