Allison Brennan - Carnal Sin

Lodging was in the main building, along with their classrooms. The other buildings were off-limits to most people. But it was the deceptively small structure in the back, connected through underground tunnels that extended deep into the mountainside, where Rico brought the tabernacle.

Tobias-one of a set of triplets left at the doors of St. Michael’s as infants twenty-eight years ago-was waiting for Rico when he arrived. He and his identical brothers Darius and Joseph had unusual gifts that made them indispensible to the Order. Rico did not like the term “psychic,” for it felt unholy, but it was the closest to the truth. The triplets could communicate and share information with one another telepathically, which was an invaluable gift when you needed information immediately and there was no access to phone or computers. More so, the triplets could almost see out of their brothers’ eyes. Rico had done extensive testing on the brothers to make sure there was no evil at the core of their gift, and he’d even brought Moira in and had her scour for magic or demonic energy that might be too subtle for Rico to recognize the signs. But it appeared that the gifts were truly heavenly-or at least, natural and not satanic. Sometimes it was hard to discern, but gifts came from within, while magic-witchcraft-came from casting spells and calling on supernatural forces.

Darius and Joseph were on assignment, but Tobias was here, keeping guard. “The storm has worsened,” Tobias said.

“Yes, but I need to go out again.” Rico placed the iron box on the table. Inside was Envy, contained in the tabernacle.

“I’ll secure the beast.”

“Thank you.”

Tobias lifted the heavy chest with ease and took it to the vault.

Rico walked down the wide hall to the small lab. He sat at a sterile table and removed a vial of Moira’s blood. One blood sample he’d hidden at the mission; another he’d placed in the box with Envy. He wasn’t certain why-he was guided by instinct. But if his theory was correct, if there was something in Moira’s blood that killed or harmed demons, then the presence of her blood might keep the demon under better control.

Rico had been asked to obtain only one sample for testing, but he’d learned that being prepared was akin to staying alive.

A ringing phone interrupted these thoughts. He answered it with a generic “Hello.”

“It’s Cardinal DeLucca. Rico?”

“Yes, Cardinal.”

“Is it done?”

“The demon is in the vault.”

“And did you get the sample?”

“Yes.” His stomach felt unusually tight and uncomfortable. Moira had looked at him with such intense betrayal that guilt flooded him even now. He’d done many difficult things in his life in the battle against evil, but every action was required to save a soul. Something as simple as drawing Moira’s blood shouldn’t elicit such turmoil and doubt.

He did not doubt. His faith was what made him strong.

“Have you tested it yet?”

“No.”

“You should have done it as soon as you landed.”

“I had to secure the demon first.”

“Of course.” The cardinal sounded impatient, but Rico wasn’t surprised. That the Seven Deadly Sins were on the earth threatened all of them. And with their recent losses … including Father Philip … Rico’s chest hitched. Philip had been their rock. The human cornerstone of St. Michael’s Order. Now the others looked to him for guidance, and he felt ill-prepared to be anything but the warrior that he was. Philip had been the leader; he’d been the one who led the counsel and who, in his silence, commanded the most respect.

If it weren’t for Father Philip, Moira would have been executed long ago.

“Anthony is on his way,” Rico said. “He’ll be landing in Italy just after noon, your time.” Which was only about nine hours from now. Which meant it was past midnight for the cardinal. “You’re up late, Cardinal.”

“I won’t be able to rest until I know the results.”

He sighed. “I’ll call you within the hour.”

He rose, retrieved a syringe from supplies, and drew out half the blood in the vial. He then stored the remainder in a refrigerator, capped the syringe, and left.

Tobias was dressed for the cold. Rico hadn’t asked him to join him in this assignment, but Tobias knew he was needed. “You had no choice, Rico,” Tobias said.

He nodded. “Let’s do it quickly.”

While Rico had been traveling today, Tobias had located a possessed human. The man was restrained in a demon trap in another building on the far side of the compound. Now they would see if Moira’s blood was what they suspected: poison to demons.

If they were right, then all the other research they’d discovered over the years would be validated. If her blood was poison, the words of the Unknown Martyr would be fulfilled: that only blood that could kill a demon could forever destroy the Conoscenza . Exactly as they had believed for so long.

They would have a powerful weapon in Moira against the demons that walked on earth; though the Seven could be sent back to Hell, there were others. The battle wouldn’t be over until Judgment Day. Moira’s blood would be in demand by everyone in the Order. They would bleed her to save the world, and Rico would be the one to force her to comply. He knew her well enough to know that she’d never agree to be locked here in Olivet for the rest of her life, a prisoner. But they couldn’t let her roam. If the covens knew the power of her blood they would kill her, or use her in far more painful and hideous ways to control the demons they summoned. Renegade groups-unaffiliated with St. Michael’s but whom they had worked with from time to time-would want her for their own plans, many of which went against the creed of St. Michael’s: Protect the innocent .

Many in St. Michael’s had died protecting the innocent lambs of God, but the men of St. Michael’s were preordained to this call. And others had joined them from the outside. Like Moira.

You’re in love with her .

Raphael’s accusation had contained more truth than Rico had known until the words were spoken.

But love didn’t matter when at stake was the fate of humanity.

Moira bit her thumbnail as Rafe turned into Moreno’s church, Grace Harvest, near the Warner Bros. studio. Four years and it hadn’t changed. The trees had grown a bit, and there was a new one growing near the main doors. Long ago, GH had been a Catholic church and it still had the simple Spanish mission facade with tile roofs and mission-style arches, but the stained glass had long ago been replaced by clear windows, and the crucifix replaced with three empty crosses.

GH was an independent church and while Moreno, with his charisma and personal wealth, could have grown the ministry into a powerhouse, he’d chosen to keep it of modest size and scope.

“Are you going to tell me what your problem is with Moreno?” Rafe asked her as he parked in the empty lot near the main church entrance.

She supposed she didn’t really have a choice. “Do you know him?” she asked

“Only by reputation. He’s an authority on witchcraft and has been tracking the dark magic covens, particularly in the western United States. Anthony and Father Philip worked with him many times over the years.”

“You know his oldest daughter disappeared with a coven four years ago.”

Rafe nodded. “It’s what prompted him to devote so much of his time to St. Michael’s and give sanctuary to those who wanted to leave covens.”

“I’m responsible for Courtney’s fall.”

“You.” He stared at her, his dark blue eyes black with anger. “And Courtney had nothing to do with it? You have an inflated ego. You, alone, chased her into practicing black magic.”