Dark Rite

Chapter 21

The orange glow of lanterns set in carved niches cast long shadows as Grant passed from the light of one into the next. He navigated a series of twists and turns, sometimes being forced to scoot along on his belly until, finally, the pass curved slowly to the left and opened up into a huge cavern.

Grant stifled a gasp. Lanterns and candles all around the walls and floor lit the cavern, but still it was so tall that the roof was lost in flickering shadows like squirming ink. Dozens of people stood around the uneven cavern floor, the murmur of low conversation imparting a sense of tense excitement.

Cassie lay on a stone slab in the middle of the floor. She was naked and bound, arms and legs splayed out. Grant ground his teeth, rage boiling inside him at the sight of these sickos looking upon her with undisguised animal longing. Men and women, young and old, it seemed like half the town was here, and dressed in their Sunday best. Cassie looked petrified, tears dripping from the corners of her eyes. Her father stood beside her, his face a mask of zealous pride.

Voices carried along the corridor from behind and Grant hurried behind a rock outcrop at the side of the path, before it descended into the cavern.

“What do you mean hurt?”

“We heard you holler out that Jesse was hurt.”

“I did no such thing. You're hearing things.”

“Both of us?”

“Well, maybe not. But it don't matter now. Where’s Clay?”

“Dunno. He was supposed to stay there, but he must’ve gone looking for me. Guess it might be that damn Shipman boy.”

A bark of harsh laughter. “What is he gonna do?” Grant recognized Jesse Stallard’s voice. “Now stand back at your post and if anybody does come by, shoot them in the face. Get on with you, now. It's time.”

Moments later, Jed and Jesse Stallard emerged from the passage and strode down into the cavern, passing within less than a yard of where Grant crouched, heart hammering.

“It looks like it's about time,” Jesse called out.

Giving her son an approving smile, Mary Ann Stallard broke away from a group of women and moved to her husband's side. They joined hands and moved toward the middle of the cavern, along with Brunswick. Cassie's father smiled at the pastor and nodded, seemingly unbothered by the imminent demise of his only daughter.

Edwin Stallard raised his hands and, slowly, those assembled grew quiet. Unlike the others, he wore a robe like those Grant had seen in his father’s book. “Folks, if I might have your attention please. The time of conjunction is upon us and all has been prepared as it needs to be! It's been fifty years since we last had this chance and some of us were just children then, like the next generation here to witness tonight.”

He gestured to one side and Grant craned his neck to see, stunned to spot twenty or more children gathered in the back of the cavern, watching with wide eyes. What kind of thing was this to put in front of kids? Some of them looked as young as two or three. Even the two little girls Cassie minded were there, their faces open and expectant.

“Some of our number were fortunate enough to be involved last time,” Edwin went on. He held out one hand to indicate a gathering of old-timers, some being supported by family and friends, too old and infirm to stand unaided. “Brother Jack there stood in my stead last time, blessed with the honor of welcoming Kaletherex into our world. We thank you, Jack.”

The old man indicated bowed his head and smiled at the polite smattering of applause.

What the hell was wrong with these people? Grant felt like he'd walked in on a church picnic, not a cult's dark rite.

“And thanks must go to Graham Brunswick,” Edwin said, laying a hand on Cassie's father's shoulder. “For it is by his faithfulness that now we have the vessel we require.” Brunswick beamed like a praised schoolboy as Edwin Stallard indicated Cassie, tied and terrified beside them. “Ain't she a picture, there,” Stallard said.

Cassie stared up at them with terror-filled eyes. “You sick bastards!” she screamed and Grant was proud of the strength in her voice even as his heart swelled fit to crack at her predicament. “Daddy? Why are you doing this to me?” Suddenly, the little girl was so clear in her eyes, even through her terror, that Grant had to look away.

“Now, at long last, the time of the conjunction is once again upon us!” Edwin Stallard cried, reigniting the crowd’s zeal. The murmur of voices rose and excitement filled the air again. “All is ready,” Stallard went on. “The time has come to draw the blood that shall summon Kaletherex to grace us with his presence and bestow upon us the bounty of his blessings!”

Cheers and applause boomed in the cavern. Grant looked frantically around as the sounds pounded his ears. What could he do? How could he do anything to save Cassie against so many. Several people around the cave had guns in plain sight, rifles and shotguns hanging casually in their arms. He was sure that several more would have small arms concealed on themselves.

“Brothers and sisters, I must now caution you to exercise restraint during this ritual. The life that Brother Brunswick has so generously provided us belongs, not to us, but to Kaletherex. We draw only her blood. He draws forth her life. Only in the desecration of the body may the soul be released to him, and once that gift is given, then shall Kaletherex reward us with his blessing. Remember, do no harm to the vessel, for she is Kaletherex's and his alone. And do not come between them, lest you be consumed.”

Now everyone did fall silent. A few children inched closer to their parents. Grant felt no sympathy for any of them. They spared not a thought for Cassie, but feared only for themselves.

Cliff Stallard stepped forward, holding a watch high above his head. “Conjunction!”

“At last!” The reverend drew a large, shining knife from his belt and retrieved the tan leather book so familiar to Grant. He held the book open in one hand, his blade in the other.

Grant almost stood from cover, his mind a whirl of indecision. He'd have to kill the pastor first, then figure it out from there.

Wait, son. Something, somewhere, seemed to speak to him, a voice distant and ethereal. It is the demon we must fight, not the people.

We? Grant thought, and he knew Josiah Brunswick was with him. In some manner, the spirit of the old warlock hovered nearby.

Aye, lad, we. When Kaletherex is near, so am I.

Edwin Stallard stood behind Cassie's head, the knife raised high. Somewhere in the depths of the cavern a deep, a sonorous drum beat began, echoing back and forth around the huge space. Every person gathered fell to their knees and began to chant, a rhythmic, repetitive sequence of ugly words. Cassie screamed, and Stallard spoke strange and broken phrases as he read from the book. He drew his knife slowly along her body, raising a line of blood from her navel up between her breasts.

As Cassie's screams rose, the drum beat louder, the people chanted more fervently and a scouring heat swept through the cavern. The air some five yards from Cassie's feet shimmered and flexed, colors danced across each other like sunlight refracted through a lens and a stench of sulphur filled the air. With a crack like lightning and a shock wave pulse of searing wind, something huge, black and terrible stepped into the world.