“I gave you freedom,” Vex said proudly. “I kept the other demons away, so you could do what you needed to do in order to stay sane. I hoped you would survive intact. And look at you. You’re authentic, human, perfectly centered.”
“You make me sound like Frankenstein. As if you cooked me up in your basement.”
“Your making was an accident,” Vex said. “But I gave you the chance to survive. Now I’m giving you the truth. I couldn’t until now, for your own good. If anyone found out my plans, they might have preemptively killed you to stop this from happening.”
“I still don’t get why I’m so important in all this,” I said doggedly.
“You’re asking why don’t I simply impersonate another human? Do away with someone and quietly take that person’s place? It’s been tried before, but never very successfully. First, there’s the physical aspect—we never sleep, and it’s difficult at best for us to eat and drink. Think of all the daily habits built around eating and sleeping, Allay. There has to be some explanation for such a drastic change in behavior. But if there’s any disruption in our resurrectee’s life, that could unravel the scrutiny that’s sure to follow.
“And there’s something else. No demon truly understands what it’s like to be human. I’ve surrounded myself with humans for hundreds of years, but there are fundamental motivations that I don’t understand, reactions that are purely based in the physical being of humanity. You still think like a human, though you’re a demon. The way you react, the way you move your body. Those things create energy, a distinctive human energy. That’s why your demon spirit still tastes so human. That’s why you’re able to integrate yourself so well into the lives of those around you. Most demons draw away from people when we aren’t feeding from them; it’s an instinctive thing. But you want to be near them even when you’re not feeding.”
“So that explains it.” Shock hadn’t been nearly as informative.
“Subconsciously, humans sense we’re different. They know on some fundamental level that we’re the
other
. Whenever we’ve tried to replace a human with a demon, the humans around the demon know in their gut that something is different. It makes them uneasy, makes the hair rise on the back of their neck, and it casts doubt over everything. Don’t you remember how it was with your family? And you know how to act human. We can’t have that happening after our Revelation. You’re a known entity; nothing will change after you reveal yourself as immortal. Everyone can vouch you’re exactly the same—except for the important fact that you have proved you can’t die.”
I stuck to the only thing I had. “They’ll say it’s fake, done with mirrors and computer-generated illusions.”
Vex straightened up, lifting his chin. Right before my eyes he transformed in an instant. His clothes remained the same, but the man who wore them was different. His earnest, clean-cut face and neat hair were familiar from old newsreels and photos. “Do you know who I am?”
It was the man who had founded the Fellowship of Truth, young and vibrant even in black-and-white footage. Now he was standing before me in living color, breathing and speaking in that resonant voice. Before Billy Graham and Jerry Falwell, there was the first God-fearing Southern boy.
“Dale Williams,” I said.
“After your resurrection is proved, Allay, and your background is fully investigated and confirmed, then I will reveal myself. Dale Williams has returned to Earth; only now he’s of the spirit. There was extensive proof of my death; we made sure of that. Yet here I am alive, now immortal, bringing the revelation of truth to the people.”
So that was why he didn’t want Dread to be the first demon to out himself. Vex intended to return to the helm of his church. If Dread was in a dominant position, that would be impossible for him to do. No wonder Dread was frustrated—he had tasted what it felt like at the top, and he liked it.
“I’ll doubtless survive a number of assassination attempts,” Vex said, “some of them of our own devising so proof of my immortality will be abundantly clear.”
“But people can’t become immortal. It’s a lie.”
“We’re offering hope—that’s what people need, Allay. They want to live forever, but they know they can’t. Most people can’t stand thinking that when they die, they’re snuffed out as if they never existed. So we give them hope and help lead them down a righteous path. We help them prosper and grow, so humanity prospers and grows, by encouraging people to be more independent, to fulfill their own desires. As the years go by, other demons associated with the church, such as Dread and Zeal, will come out. Even if discrediting information does emerge, we’ll be able to counter it through the groundswell of support for the church.”
“What about the demons like Pique? He’s going to end up getting caught by an ERI somewhere. That’s a nasty association for your church.”
“We can eliminate any problems in that area. I’m already working on that.”
“Does that include Shock?”
“Of course not, Allay. I trust you enough to share with you my greatest endeavor. We’ll shape civilization together. We can make advances as we did during the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and the Industrial Revolution. You’ll be instrumental in helping us take the next giant leap for mankind.”
I stared at him. Was that all I was? A cog in their master plan to control the world? “I don’t want any part in this.”
Vex was still smiling. “I’m sorry, Allay, I thought Dread explained. Glory must be behind the attacks on you. Lash left for a reason, we know that now. She discovered our plans and told Glory. They’ve decided to kill you to stop our Revelation.”
Glory. Now that was one demon I hadn’t suspected yet. “If Glory is out to get me, then why did that demon attack Shock instead of me?”
“The best way to get to you is by removing the demons around you. We’re positive that Pique is a Glory demon, operating under her command. When his frontal assault didn’t work, she sent in a covert team.”
“The stealth demon? The one who killed Malaise? Then you don’t think Dread has anything to do with it?”
“No.” Vex sounded flustered. “He may have killed one or two of our demons, though I don’t have any proof. He says he didn’t. But I know he’s not responsible for the string of recent deaths. Or the attacks on you.”
I wished I could be so sure. “Dread doesn’t want me involved in this,” I reminded him. “And neither do I.”
“You’re the key, Allay. Glory won’t let you hang around on the street now that she knows what you can do. No, you’re either dead—along with Shock—or you’re with me.”
“That sounds like an ultimatum.”
“Not one of my making.” Vex, exactly like the spoiled kid of a wealthy man, gave me an insolent smile. I got the distinct impression he also wouldn’t let me “hang around on the street” any longer. He needed me for his Revelation, but if I wouldn’t cooperate, he might just kill me himself.
“I’d like to think about this.” I put my fingers to my temples. “You’ve given me a lot to consider.”
“You’re free to do whatever you want, though I can’t guarantee your safety if you leave the complex. I’d rather not see you get murdered by Glory after you’ve come this far.” He smiled at me. “Take your time thinking about it. I’m here if you have any questions.”
Theo was on his feet the instant I opened the door. June was nowhere to be seen, and the pile of shopping bags and scattered clothing was gone, as well.
I slammed the door behind me as if I were being chased. My hands splayed back against it as if holding it to ward off intruders.
“What’s wrong?” Theo demanded, running up to join me.
“Nothing.” I moved away from the door. “I was just . . . spooked by something.”
“What?” As I kept on walking to the windows, he stayed with me. “Allay, what did they do to you?”
I pushed the hair off my forehead to cool it. “They didn’t do anything to me.”
“Someone frightened you,” he pressed. “They must want something from you.”
He took my hand and I soaked up his concern and his burning desire to help. I clung to him, trembling. Vex had planned this all along. He would use me to legitimize his religion, then use the truth-speakers to undermine governmental authority, ensuring their allegiance lay solely with the Fellowship of Truth.
By comparison, Dread was merely vain and greedy, wanting to boost his own power with the church. Vex wanted to change the world. He wanted to take control of people’s hearts and minds again, as he had controlled them for centuries through his influence on the Catholic Church and the various rulers of the feudal nations.
Lop off my head, and everything would change. Mysticism would be reborn with a vengeance as people reached for the impossible for themselves.
“It’s too big,” I finally whispered.
Theo put his arm around me. I felt as if I were standing on the edge of a precipice. All of my fear crystallized into my gasping words. “Maybe he means well. . . . Maybe it would help. But it’s a lie. I hate lies. They’re toxic. They ruin everything.”
His head drew back, as if I had hit him. “Let’s get out of here, Allay. You don’t have to stay. You don’t have to do whatever it is they want.”
“You don’t understand. I’m trapped. There’s no way out. They’ll use me and twist me around until they get what they need. I have no choice.”
“Can’t you negotiate with them, mitigate your involvement somehow? Give them a little and get what you need in return?”
“Believe me, this is a one-way street—to hell, if I’m any judge. Once you burn someone on a cross, there’s no going back.”
His arms tightened around me. “Allay! What are you talking about?”
I pushed against his chest, wrenching away from him. “Enough with the questions. You never ask me questions. That’s one of the things I like about you.”
Theo was standing there with his arms open, desperately wanting to hold me again. The pain in his gray eyes made them nearly black. “You don’t have to do what they say, Allay.”
I stared at him, realizing that everything was over. There was no way I could go back to the bar and my cherished routine. That life now looked like a sham, a semblance of normalcy that had hidden the corruption beneath. It was gone, gone because Vex had always intended to use me this way.
“Allay . . . talk to me. Let me help you figure this out.”
I couldn’t. There was no way I could explain it to him. I padded over to the front door and pressed the button on the intercom. When June answered, I said, “I’ve changed my mind. I want to go up to the gardens.”
“
Of course, Ms. Meyers. I’ll come and get you
,”
June replied.
“No, don’t bother. Just tell security to let me through the doors.”
“
Certainly. Hold a moment, please
.”
I glanced over at Theo. “I need some time to think.”
Theo nodded silently, as if he didn’t want to drive me farther away.
June came back online and said, “Ms. Meyers? You’re authorized to go anywhere in the complex. Will there be anything else?”
“No, thanks.”
I took my finger off the button, staring at the intercom. “It appears they trust me.”
Theo nodded again without speaking; he looked upset.
“I’ll be back soon,” I promised as I walked out the door.
12
I could sense Vex on the floor above, at the opposite end of the long building, but there were no other demons in the Prophet’s Center. Dread must have gone off somewhere to sulk.
Instead of using the elevator, I went to the stairwell. The door opened automatically when I looked up at the camera. I had to go up two flights to reach the roof; as I passed the locked door leading to Vex and Dread’s floor, it gave me the shivers.
When I stepped onto the roof, I felt much better. The open sky and evening breeze scattered the cobwebs from my brain.
Time to blow this place.
I had come up to weigh my options, but there were no others. I had to fetch Shock and get the hell out of the city for a while, as far away from Vex as I could get; otherwise he would ensnare me in his megalomaniac schemes.
With one last look at the view from Brooklyn, I knew it was time to test Vex’s word and see whether he would let me walk out of here.
I ran down the stairs, back to the VIP suite, calling out for Theo as I entered. But he wasn’t there. I gave a quick search of the place, noticing that someone had put the clothes away in the closet and drawers in the loft. Where could he be?
I doubted he tried to follow me to the roof; Theo wouldn’t be that intrusive. And he wouldn’t leave without saying good-bye. He couldn’t go anywhere else in the building because of the automated security cameras.
Vex. It had to be Vex. That meant Theo was in danger.
I ran back to the nearest stairwell and dashed up to the next floor. As I burst through the door, I saw two men struggling in the farthest end of the hallway. They disappeared, stumbling into a room.
I gave a piercing scream at the sight of Vex attacking Theo.
They both popped back out into the hall, looking wide-eyed down at me. Theo took advantage of Vex’s surprise, shoving him away so hard that the demon fell back into the room.
I ran toward them, so furious that my sight was tinted red by my aura. Vex was feeding on Theo. How dare he—Theo was mine. But the flaring energy as it flowed out of him was as distinctive as the northern lights.
He had lured Theo up here to get his hooks into him, probably to try to manipulate him so he would help Vex get his slimy mitts on me.
“How stupid are you?” I said to Vex, reaching Theo’s side. Fortunately, he was okay. He stood up, a little shaky on his legs. He put one hand to his head as he glared at Vex. He made a move toward the demon, but I stopped him.