23. Chapter 23 #2
Hold on, Ines. I whisper internally, trying to give myself a pep of encouragement to distract me from the agony ricocheting through my body.
My arms begin to tremble, and my knees weaken.
Shit, I thought my core was stronger than this.
My toes and the tips of my fingers are going numb.
Silently, I will myself to keep still and to stay quiet, lest the guards look up and notice me.
The Red Guards are directly below me, so I take a deep, steadying breath and wait.
My only true saving grace is the patrol marches with a purpose, and I give them no reason to glance upward.
As they pass my location, I don't dare test my luck by breathing and wait, poised like a statue, until they reach the end of the block and cut to the left, disappearing from sight.
I let loose the breath I was holding, and a tear slips down my cheek from the excruciating pain tremoring through my limbs. Now that I can finish my descent, I attempt to, but my body refuses to obey. I'm stuck and know that falling is the only step that comes next.
"Vibora?" Remus slips from his hiding spot, daggers nowhere to be seen. "Jump," he instructs, arms open wide like a mother coaxing her child to trust her. "I'll catch you."
I want to argue with him or at least deny his offer of aid. I don't have the strength or willpower to descend gracefully, and I don't know if another patrol might be upon us soon, so although reluctantly, I nod my head in compliance.
"I swear if you drop me –"
"I won't drop you. Trust me."
"What other choice do I have?" I offer sarcastically, rolling my eyes, preparing to let go of the wall.
"You could fall and take your chances," he shoots back, a twinge of teasing in his tone.
"Ass," I mutter.
"I heard that, Vibora. Now, jump. We don't have all night."
I draw one last breath before I let go of the wall and fall. Thankfully, Remus keeps his word and catches me with a grunt.
"Are you alright?" His eyes scan me, searching for signs of injury.
"I'm fine." I assure him, wiggling free from his arms, planting my boots firmly on the street beneath me. Once I'm sure my knees won't buckle, I say, "Let's go before another patrol comes through. I'd rather not press my luck twice this evening."
Remus places his hand against my waist, guiding me closer to the side of the street as he scours up and down the avenue, before slipping his hand in mine and tugging me across the plaza.
This is where we could be seen easily if anyone was around to watch.
It's a wide-open space with no chance of darkness to mask our presence.
With lightning speed, we dart across the square and up the steps leading to the main entrance of the church and duck behind the stone columns.
Our breathing is heavy, and we wait, listening for an alarm to sound because our sprint was noticed, but when none arise, Remus steps up to the wooden door and raps a rhythmic knock only a secret society would recognize.
Within seconds a bolt unlatches from the other side and the enormous door opens just enough for Remus and I to shimmy inside before the entrance is sealed back in place.
"Took you two long enough." Olli fusses, his scarlet clergy robes a stark contrast from the suit he sported at the opera house hours ago. "The Minister of Saints is asleep but there are a few brothers up late studying in the annexes. We must be quick and quiet."
Dozens of questions swarm in my mind but I keep them all to myself and obediently follow Olli through the foyer and deeper into the cathedral.
Hundreds of polished mahogany pews line the sanctuary and whisper in vain for me to sit and stay awhile.
As I pad down the stone tile aisle to the altar, I soak in the arched ceiling and the stained-glass windows from the inside rather than admiring them from the exterior.
Remus was right. Iglesia de los Santos is far more impressive inside.
The men stride forward, unbothered by the sights around us, but I linger because I know I might never have the opportunity to be inside these walls ever again.
I've spent a lifetime being told I was unfit and unworthy of stepping foot over the threshold, but now I'm here, and there's a small quiet voice deep inside my bruised and battered heart begging me to stay.
As if the Saints themselves are offering me a shred of hope that even my tattered soul might be worth salvaging.
Along the aisle there are twelve pillars of stone stretching all the way to the ceiling and etched into the base of each one are the likenesses of each of the twelve Saints.
Each Saint is known for being the patron of something different like trade, fertility, love, harvest, and on and on it goes.
I never believed in the Saints or their power, but being here in this sacred space, I pause.
I'm not sure what will happen once life is snuffed from me, but I'd like to think maybe I can do better in the next life.
I press my palm against the foot of one of the Saints.
The marker at the base reads Santa Viviana, Patron of Life and Protection.
Ironic hers would be the statue I permit myself to touch, but if there's any truth in the belief she can grant me some form of safety, I'll take it.
Glancing upward at her stoic but kind face, I wonder if she could hear me would she listen to a sinner's prayer.
Olli whistles lowly, startling me from my thoughts. He and Remus are at the front of the church where a large square tile has been lifted revealing a staircase leading below ground.
"Come on," Olli motions me forward before descending.
I spare Santa Viviana one last look before hustling to rejoin them, darting down the steps without question. Remus slides the stone above us back into place as Olli lights a torch perched along the wall to guide our path.
"Where are we going?" I dare ask.
"The Purification Chambers," he says without looking back at me, clearly on a time crunch. "This is where we prepare bodies for burial. Come on, it's not much further."
Olli leads us down a damp corridor that smells like death and decay.
I pinch my nose closed to avoid inhaling the putrid smells more than need be and marvel at the thousands of skulls lining the walls.
Built alongside the skulls, are crypts housing the remains of the wealthy who can afford to be buried beneath the church.
If I were a wise woman, I would heed the dead's ominous welcome and resurface, leaving this ancient place behind me, but alas, I'm a fool and care not for superstitions, and trek onward.
There are only three doors along the hall and when we reach the last one, Olli grabs a key chained to his belt and twists it in an iron lock, opening the door. Carmen, Shaw and Cassius are already inside waiting.
"It's about damn time," Cassius smiles warmly, though I don't miss the true worry marring his face. "I like the matching outfits," he teases as Remus strips his mask from his face, spurring me to do the same.
"Apologies for our delay. We had a brief run in with the Red Guard." Remus calls the meeting to order as Olli locks us all inside.
My eyes fall to the enormous wooden box running the length of the table in the center of the room. It appears to be a cheaply constructed coffin, but an unease settles in my stomach. "What's in the box?"