6. Demons at the Altar
Chapter six
Demons at the Altar
Monique
Getting out of the restaurant was easy.
Once I stepped through the huge circle, I went left, rushed down the hallway, and pushed through a metal door. As I hurried, Leo’s heavy cross lifted and tapped against my chest.
I stepped outside on a busy street corner.
Chilly wind hit me.
Thunder boomed.
Walking forward, I looked up at the darkening sky and kept the briefcase close to me.
Everything is going to be alright. Thank God.
I wouldn’t lie. There was a few minutes of the walk to the church where I considered keeping the money for myself, turning around, and rushing to Paradise to grab my sisters.
$75,000 could change our lives.
Rubbing the handle with my thumb, I forced myself to stay on the mission.
No way. We would be on the run from Dutch forever.
I crossed the street.
I don’t want to constantly look over my shoulder. And this isn’t my money.
Up ahead, St. Paul of the Cross Church loomed high over Glory. The black brick gave it a menacing look. All the large windows were stained glass, depicting biblical stories. The church’s spire pointed to heaven.
Lightning crackled near it.
School history books claimed that Zachariah Glory brought his parents, pregnant wife, and other family members to an abandoned land. God had told him to come. When he arrived, he claimed the land for himself and called it Glory.
That night, Zachariah forbid everyone to build any homes, until the church was built. It took them thirty days. Together, they didn’t sleep or eat. They only built, brick by brick. They nailed and hammered. They sawed and painted.
God kept them strong through their faith.
Once the church was done, Zachariah named it St. Paul of the Cross.
I always thought the story was bullshit propaganda. History teachers loved to spoon feed the lies about the Glory family—their faith in God and great Christian deeds for the world.
Every middle school class took a field trip to Zachariah Glory’s huge statue, then to the church, and ended it at his massive estate. It was all brainwashing garbage.
Meanwhile, the teachers never talked about how the Glory’s slaves were the ones who actually built the Church, their homes, court houses, and the rest of this town. They’d even done the statue.
The town’s schools didn’t teach the Glory Family’s atrocities. In fact, there was never any mention of Glory having slaves. One had to research and discover the information on their own.
Meanwhile, renowned archaeologists found thousands upon thousands of dismembered bones of slaves in the back of the estates. The town kept Zachariah’s journal private too. In it, he discussed his weekly slave sacrifices to God and his unnatural obsession for his baby sister.
Mom was always about researching stuff for herself and not letting the schools be the only person teaching us. Additionally, Mom thought Zachariah’s church was evil. She never signed off on any of our field trips related to the Glory Family. She didn’t want our feet stepping on wicked land. She believed the negative energy could stick to our feet and follow us—that we could breathe demon darkness in.
I hope you were wrong, Mom. I must go to the church now. I’ve got a promise to keep.
Nervousness rose within me. Yet, Leo’s asking me to pray for his soul was a simple task— one that I would do immediately.
Here we go.
I approached the steps, hurried up them, and opened the door.
I expected a warm feeling to come over me, but the inside of the church was colder than outside.
They don’t have heat?
I closed the jacket around me and slowly walked ahead, not wanting to make any loud noise.
While no one sat in the rows of pews, five older women were inside, but up in front. Four of the older women kneeled at the altar. The fifth one lit three candles on the side, whispered something, and then walked over to the altar.
Okay. So. . .I can light candles, I guess.
Soon, that same woman left the candles, went around the communion rail with the other women and lowered to her knees. She pulled out rosary beads and placed her hands on the wooden rail before them. The communion rail was two feet high with a padded step at the bottom. The woman placed her elbows on the rail and put her hands in prayer.
Alright. Light a candle and then pray over there.
I took in more of the place, making sure I wasn’t walking in and disturbing a ceremony.
Further in front of the praying women, I spotted a lectern where a huge Bible rested on top. Then, there was the space where the priest probably delivered sermons. A traditional organ was nearby as well. Two enclosed stalls were further away. I figured that was the confessional.
A huge cross with Jesus hung on the wall.
I passed the front row of pews and went to the candles.
Only a few were lit.
Footsteps sounded to my right.
I looked that way.
A priest walked up to me with a stern expression. He came close and kept his voice at a whisper. “I’m sorry, but we only give out food for Thanksgiving.”
I know he didn’t think I came in here to beg for food! Do I look that crazy today?
I stifled my annoyance. I did rush out of the apartment, wearing a Cookie Monster pajama shirt and jeans.
The priest continued, “You must be looking for Glory Baptist Church. If you go out and head south—”
“I know where it’s at.” I gestured to the candles. “I was told that the Church is open for prayer.”
He frowned. “It is.”
“I came here to pray for a friend. Is that okay or can I only do that at Glory Baptist?”
“All are welcome in the Lord’s house.” His frown didn’t leave as he walked away.
Well. . .no need to offer any Godly counsel or anything. See you later.
I returned my view to the candles. The small flames brought a natural hallowed glow to the church’s dark shadowed interior.
Someone cleared their throat on my left.
I turned.
Where did she come from?
“Excuse me, child.” A nun leaned my way. “Can I help you?”
Do they think I’m going to steal a cross or something? Can a sister get some privacy?
I sighed. “I’m just here to pray.”
She gave me a warm smile. “Have you ever done so at St. Paul?”
“No.”
“Good. Then, I can help you.” She gestured in front of me. “First, you will light a candle.”
I turned back to the rows and rows of lit and unlit candles. “Why do I that?”
“The light signifies our prayer, which is offered in faith. It also shows our desire to remain present in prayer even as we continue on our day.”
“I like that.” I gestured to the basket next to the candles. Quarters, dimes, and dollars stuffed it. “Are we supposed to leave money before we pray too?”
“That’s for the faithful to leave donations so that we can pay for more candles.” She placed her hand on my shoulder. “However, this isn’t expected of the poor.”
Embarrassment came.
I probably shouldn’t have, but I stuffed my hand in my jeans, took out three crumbled dollars, and put them in the basket.
I won’t have bus fare to get back home, but God will see a way.
“Bless you, child.” She nodded at my crumbled dollars and pointed to a jar of matches that were at least five inches long. “When you light a candle for someone, you strengthen the prayer.”
I turned to her. “It adds some sort of spiritual magic?”
“It does.”
The nun whispered, “Make sure you say the names in your mind. All the names of everyone you’re praying for.”
“Thank you.”
“And bless you.” She gave me a gentle pat and strolled away.
I picked up a match and struck it on the end of the jar. The flame came. Slowly, I lit the candle in front of me.
This is for Mom. I hope you’re up there with God, flying around with pretty wings. I hope you’re catching up with Grandma and Grandpa. . . and you all aren’t arguing up there and upsetting Jesus.
Grinning, I lit the next candle.
This is for Leo. Thank you for choosing me. I needed your help. You were right. Maybe, God did lead me to you.
I blew out the match.
In fact, now that I’m standing in this church, I know for a fact that God led me to you.
I put the match in the small trash can on the side and walked over to the altar.
So far, so good.
I didn’t want to pray next to all of the other women. Instead, I headed over to the right where no one prayed.
Sighing, I stopped at the communion rail, lowered, and placed my knees on the padded step. I put the briefcase in between the railing and me, making sure I didn’t lose it.
Alright. More prayers for Leo. According to him, he has a lot of sin in his soul.
I heard the church’s door open, but didn’t look back. There was no need to fear Dutch or Snow here. First of all, I had their money. Second, this was supposed to be the house of God. If I wasn’t safe here, then I might as well give up with life altogether.
I let out a long breath and put my elbows on the rail.
Footsteps sounded.
The older women whispered on my far left. I hoped they weren’t talking about me or was worried that I might take their purses or something.
Ignore these crazy people.
The whispering rose.
Ignoring them, I pressed my palms together and closed my eyes.
Hey. . .God. Thank you for all you’ve done for me.
For some reason, a deep sadness filled my chest.
I come here to ask you for your forgiveness for a really kind man named Leo. I doubt he’s done anything too bad. He’s such a good guy. However, he begs you to forgive him of his sins and—
Hard metal pushed at my side.
What is that?
I opened my eyes and looked to my left.
An Asian man held a gun at my side. Although most of his hair was silver, he had streaks of black. All the strands went up in a knot at the top of his head.
And nothing about his face said that he played any games.
I shivered. “Umm. . .can I. . .help you in any way?”
He didn’t speak or smile. The neutral expression remained on his face. It was in that moment I noticed a silver collar covering most of his throat.
Where the hell is he from?
I tried to talk to him again. “W-what. . .do you want me to do?”
He simply stared.
Alright. Where’s the priest or nun to deal with this?
I checked the space to see if anybody could help me with this psycho.
On the other side of the altar, the women who’d been praying earlier, now whimpered and clung to each other in a group.
What the fuck?
Three other Asian men surrounded them with guns. They were dressed in dark blue and had similar silver collars around their necks.
Meanwhile, the nun was parked in the front pew and sitting between two huge scary guys in blue.
What the fuck? This is a church! What is going on today?!
“Excuse me. . .sir. . .” I swallowed. “Have I done something?”
With his free hand, he placed one finger to the front of his lips.
I shut my mouth.
Then, he moved the finger from his lips and pointed to the space on my right side.
I stayed frozen, unsure if I was supposed to turn around.
Frowning, he pressed the tip of the gun harder to my side.
Okay. Okay. You want me to look that way.
Slowly, I turned my head and glanced over my shoulder.
Who the hell is this?
Another Asian man kneeled right next to me at the communion rail. He had his hands together in prayer and his eyes closed.
Okay. . .This must deal with Leo.
I assumed all the gun-wielding men were Chinese. I’d just been in Chinatown with Leo and his monks. We were so close to the area. And Leo had been running from people.
Plus, this man behind me resembled Leo a little. He surely could have been a younger, taller version of Leo.
The other guy with silver hair finally moved his gun from my side.
Guessing that the praying man was the leader, I stayed on my knees but turned my body his way.
This damn day. . .Why did I even get out of bed?
I took in his face, trying to assess the amount of danger I could be in.
He’s praying. That could be a good thing.
Even with his eyes closed, I could tell that he was a good-looking man. The view of him almost rendered me motionless.
He wore a black trench coat. However, his pants and shirt were dark blue, just like Leo and his monks.
That can’t be a coincidence.
I leaned a little forward and spotted a long sword handle poking up from the side.
The man whispered something to himself.
Who is he praying to? What is he praying for?
Suddenly, he opened his eyes and snapped his view to me.
I froze.
Death filled those eyes, shifting his gorgeous face to lethal.
I trembled in fear.
A dark voice left those lips. “Did you pray for your soul?”
“N-no.”
“Why not?”
“I had someone else to pray for.”
“I bet you did.” He sneered. “How long have you worked for him ?”
I widened my eyes. “Who?”
Fast, he rose and yanked the sword out. It was a blur of motion. The trench waved back and forth. One of the women shrieked.
So caught off guard, I fell to the side.
Holy shit!!
Mr. Dangerous Trench Coat towered over me and must’ve been at least 6’2. The trench opened wider, displaying two silver and blue Glocks on his waist.
Scowling at me, he stepped forward. “Do you think I came here to fuck around with you?”
“No way. Not at all.” I hurried to get up and stumbled a little. “I just. . .I don’t know who you’re talking about. . .I have my guesses, but it’s been a really long day. If you can just give me a minute, I’m sure we can figure out something—”
“Silence!” he roared.
I froze.
In a blur, he whipped the sword down and did some sort of twist by his trench. Somehow the sword remained hooked in. The trench’s flaps rippled, revealing daggers hooked into the material.
Hey! How many weapons do you need?
And although the sword was gone, I didn’t feel any safer.
Mr. Trench Coat growled, “What’s your name?”
“Monique.”
He slowly walked around me, assessing and looking me up and down. He got back in front of me again and opened my jacket. “Take this off.”
I did and let the jacket fall to the floor.
Instantly, I felt everyone’s eyes on me.
He took in the Cookie Monster pajama shirt and walked around me again. This time he stopped behind me, raised the bottom of my shirt in the back, and lifted the handgun from my waist—the gun that Song had given to me earlier.
Then, he grabbed TT’s wooden dagger from my back pocket. I’d only brought it to keep part of her with me.
A dark chuckle left him.
He walked around, stopped in front of me, and held the gun and dagger between us. He looked at the dagger. “Why do you have this?”
“It came from West Paradise Museum.”
“I know where it came from.” He glared at me. “Why do you have this?”
“My younger sister likes it and—”
“Do you have family in West Paradise?”
“No. They’re in the South.”
He exchanged glances with another man. Then, he handed me back the dagger and studied the gun. “You’re a gangster?”
“I’m not.”
“Yet, this is a really nice gun. Chinese engravings.” He took the safety off, checked the bullets, and then closed it back. “Perhaps, this will be what I kill you with.”
“What?” My heart seized in my chest.
“Alright.” Another Chinese man stepped up to me in a dark blue suit, white shirt, and blue tie. He had a neat, short haircut. That odd silver collar was around his neck too. He extended his hand as if to shake mine. “I’m sorry about this. Hello, my name is Chen.”
Remembering what Song did in the alley with our handshake, I backed up and raised my hands like they were the cops. “Nice to meet you, Chen, but I swear this has to be a misunderstanding.”
“For your sake, I hope so.” Chen placed his hands in his pockets. “Do you know Leo?”
My stomach twisted. “Well. . .yes.”
Mr. Dangerous Trench Coat pointed the gun my way. “Where is he now?!”
My nerves flared. I heard a door open. “I-I don’t know where Leo is.”
Not happy, Mr. Trench Coat rushed for me.
Ah!
Chen got between us. “As you can see, my cousin, Lei isn’t in the best mood right now.”
“I’ll tell you both anything you want.” I stepped back and lowered my hands. “Just don’t hurt me.”
“Excellent.” Chen smiled. “You seem very logical.”
“Super logical.”
“Did you hear that, Lei?” Chen moved to the side. “She’s super logical. Perhaps, you should calm down.”
Yeah. Listen to Chen. He’s making sense.
Lei handed another man the gun.
An army of footsteps sounded behind me. I checked. It must’ve been twenty Asian men in blue marching forward and carrying guns.
Jesus Christ!
This clearly was why Leo and the monks rushed out of the restaurant.
Damn, Leo. You could have warned a sister.
I cleared my throat. “I’m not sure what’s going on here. I just came to pray for Leo’s sins.”
“Then, you’re wasting your prayers.” Lei stalked my way. “Leo is definitely going to hell.”
I gulped down fear. “He. . .asked me to do it.”
Lei stopped right in front of me. “Why?”
“It was a trade for him helping me.”
Looking impatient, Lei spoke through clenched teeth, “What help did you need?”
“M-my father took a lot of money from some bad guys and Leo gave me the money and some. . .um. . .buns and we ate them in a garden with birds and a koi pond. . .And then all of these circles opened up in the walls and he told me to go left and he and his monks went right—”
“What is this?!” The priest from earlier came from some door in the back and stomped toward us with a Bible in his hand. “This is the house of God. You will not bring violence to this sacred space—”
“Shut up,” Lei growled at him, yet kept his view to me. “Finish talking.”
Not backing down, the priest got close to Lei and raised his Bible in the air. “Get thee back, Satan! For it is written. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only—”
Lei slapped the shit out of him. So hard, the priest fell back and then crashed to the ground. So hard, the slap echoed up to the high ceilings. So hard, that I touched my own face and swore I felt the pain too.
Man. . .I need to get the hell out of here.
Sitting on the floor, the priest stared up at Lei in shock.
The Bible dropped from his hand.
Lei glared back at me. “How long have you known Leo?”
“T-today. I met him today.”
“When?”
I cleared my throat and focused. “I was walking in front of Buddha Park in Chinatown. He was sitting under a tree meditating. He stopped me with these guys in blue monk robes—”
“How many were with him?”
“M-monks?”
“Yes!”
“Umm.” I thought back to earlier today. “At least four or five monks along with Song.”
Lei’s angry face cracked. “Song?”
Chen stepped closer. “The man told you his name was Song or you heard Leo say the name?”
“Song told me his name.”
For some reason, Lei and Chen exchanged looks.
What’s going on? Song doesn’t usually tell people his name or something? Somebody fill me in. Is that important? Am I helping so you’ll let me go?
The silver and black-haired guy was still by the altar. He picked up the briefcase and carried it over. “This must be the money. It looks like it belongs to Huang.”
They’re going to take the money.
Sadness poured over me.
Now. . .I’m back to square one.
Chen took the briefcase and opened it. “How much did Leo give you?”
“$75,000.” I sank into gloom. “I was supposed to pray for Leo’s sins and then go give the money to Dutch and Snow.”
“Interesting.” Chen shut the briefcase, carried it over, and handed it to me. “Then, what were you going to do after you gave them the money?”
So. . .they’re letting me keep the money or what?
I quickly took the briefcase back and widened my eyes. “I. . .umm. . .after I made sure my sisters and I were out of hot water with Dutch, then. . .”
Everyone stared at me.
Racking my brain for a decent answer, I shrugged. “I don’t know what I was going to do after that. Maybe, take a shower and have a drink or something. I hadn’t thought passed the horror of it all.”
They gave me the money back. Holy shit! God, thank you!
Chen turned to Lei. “She’s the key to finding Leo. I just don’t know how.”
I’m going to be able to get out of here.
“He definitely thought she was important.” Lei studied me. “There’s something you’re leaving out.”
Tightening my grip on the briefcase, I shrugged. “I could show you how to get to the restaurant where we had lunch.”
“We already went there.” Lei closed the distance between us. I gasped and gazed up at him. He was too close. So close, I could feel the heat of his rage and the power radiating off him.
It made me shiver.
“And tell me, Monique.” Lei scowled. “What did you two have for lunch?”
“Duck and dumplings.”
In a blur, he raised his hand to my neck.
I jerked away, thinking he was about to choke me.
Instead, he grabbed Leo’s cross and snatched the necklace off me. The chain broke apart. Pieces of it fell to the ground.
I shook, but didn’t move away.
Lei looked down at the locket. “Somehow my father knew the tracker was there. That’s why he put it on her.”
“Oh shit,” I blurted out. “There’s a tracker in it?”
What the hell?
Lei looked at me. “What did he say, when he gave this to you?”
I touched my empty neck. “Leo told me to wear the cross, until it was snatched off.”
Chen chuckled.
Lei glared at him.
Chen coughed and then cleared his throat.
Lei put the cross in his pocket. “What else did he say?”
“Leo was very serious about my not taking the necklace off or leaving it anywhere.”
Lei frowned and ran his fingers through his hair. “What else?”
“The second promise was that I had to pray that his sacrifices had been received as atonement for his sins.”
Lei hissed, “Sacrifices?”
Rage blazed in his eyes.
I stepped back.
Chen got to Lei’s side. “Leo likes the number three. Did he give you a third promise?”
I bobbed my head. “I’m supposed to name my firstborn son after him.”
Confusion hit Lei’s face. “What?”
“He said no matter what my husband says, I must do it.”
“Very interesting.” Chen grabbed his chin and walked off.
No one else spoke.
By now the other men had ushered the older women to pews. They now sat by the nun. And the priest remained on the ground, quiet and obedient next to the Bible.
Chen paced in front of the altar. Every few steps, he rubbed his chin.
The silver and black-haired guy leaned against the communion railing. The whole time, he watched me and twisted a knife in his hand.
Lei’s gaze stayed on me too. It was terrifying to be the focus of his attention. If he were the type of man to slap a priest, surely, he wouldn’t have a problem with doing the same to me.
Lei spoke, “Were there any moments when Leo wasn’t calm or relaxed?”
I quirked my brows. “Well. . .he was chill most of the time. It was just this one moment while we were eating, he slammed his teacup on the table.”
Chen stopped pacing and looked up at me. “Why did he do that?”
“I had just mentioned that if I didn’t give Dutch and Snow the money, then they planned to put my little sisters and me into prostitution.”
On the floor, the priest gasped in horror.
“That’s it.” Excited, Chen walked over to us. “Where are Dutch and Snow?”
Utterly confused, I muttered, “Their headquarters is a penthouse at Victory Casino and Hotel.”
Lei stormed off. “Let’s go.”
Chen followed.
The men by the pew left the nun and women and headed away.
The poor nun sighed.
Okay. . .that’s that. . .I guess. . .
I would have said goodbye, but I didn’t want them to remember me.
Peace. Enjoy your journey, crazy motherfuckers.
Then, the black and silver-haired guy left the communion rail. Still twisting his knife, he whistled and stopped next to me. “Why are you still standing here?”
“Oh.” I gave him a nervous smile. “I didn’t want to get in everyone’s way as you all left.”
“You’re coming with us.”
I touched my chest. “Me?”
Silent, he put the knife in a shoulder holster next to a silver gun.
What is up with armed men bothering me today?
“I have a lot of stuff I need to do.” I held my free hand out. “I could just give you all the address.”
Scowling, he pointed to the door.
Here we go again.
I kept the briefcase close to me and walked off.
Apparently, everybody is celebrating Try to Kidnap Moni Day! Will I at least get a piece of cake or something? Maybe a damn present!
Getting to my side, the man whistled and kept my pace.
Maybe I could. . .build a repertoire with this guy or something. . .like with Leo.
It took me several feet down the aisle to gather the confidence.
When we came close to the door, I glanced at him. “So. . .”
He quirked his brows at me.
“What’s. . .um. . .” I cleared my throat. “What’s your name?”
He stopped in front of the door and opened it. “Duck.”
Okay. I can work with that.
I smiled. “Why do they call you Duck?”
“Because a duck has a corkscrew penis.”
My mouth dropped open in shock.
What the hell am I supposed to say to that?
He held the door for me. “Go.”
But. . .corkscrew penis though? Can we elaborate?