Vengeful Hearts (Dead Hearts Book 3) by Susanne L. Lambdin

Author:Susanne L. Lambdin [Lambdin, Susanne L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Theogony Books
Published: 2017-03-01T18:30:00+00:00

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Chapter Thirteen

Rain poured on the small church. Blaze used her lighter on several candles, lighting the grainy altar with a warm glow. Cadence scrutinized the humble interior. There were no modern conveniences—no electricity, no heater, and no phones. Many of the hand-crafted wood pews were overturned and broken. Wind and rain intruded through holes in the wall. Cadence attempted to block the larger holes with benches, and was able to secure the entrance with some of the broken wood. Hay and debris littered the floor, and rats were not strangers.

A thread of moonlight appeared on the altar, capturing their attention. Mary, the baby Jesus, Joseph, and the winged archangel, Michael, completed the scene depicted in stained glass watching over the altar.

“There’s a full moon tonight,” Blaze said.

The distant cry of a wolf snapped them from their inactivity. Cadence began closing shutters as Blaze formed a barricade around the altar with the remaining pews. When they finished, Blaze cleaned her gun. Cadence scrounged through a bundle of rags behind the altar and returned with an armful of odorous, tattered clothes. She dumped them beside Blaze and pulled out a faded, green tunic and a frayed tan cloak. These she put aside for Blaze. Cadence chose a large dress made of burlap.

“I’m not wearing this,” Blaze said, lifting up the tunic. “It stinks.”

“It was probably worn by a dead person. We need to look the part if we’re going to pass as villagers. Put those on over your own. A priest may show up here and I don’t want a lot of hassle.”

Blaze stood, clearly disgusted, and put them on. She sat back down, threw the rest of the rags to the floor, and picked up her rifle. A scurry through a pile of nearby rubble caught Cadence’s attention. She lifted her gun, resisting the urge to shoot. A rat. She spotted a Bible in the rubble. Cadence picked it up and sat with Blaze. The Bible was damp and the blue ink inside was smudged for the most part. The date written on the inside cover was legible, however.

“It’s dated 1345,” Cadence said, in awe. “That can’t be right? I can’t remember why, but the date is familiar.”

“Lots of graves. Lots of rats,” Blaze said. She’d been talking a while but Cadence wasn’t listening. “Sound familiar?”

“The Black Plague? Yeah, that makes sense. But that’s not why I remember that date.” Cadence set the Bible aside and took out Mallory’s journal. “I think I read something about 1345 in here. I need more light. Get me a candle, will you?”

“My watch doesn’t work,” Blaze said. She held up her wrist. “Why doesn’t my watch work? If you want a candle, go read by the altar, my lady. I need to take inventory.”

Cadence moved to the altar, while Blaze rummaged through her pockets. She had two pistols, a knife, a flashlight, and a pack of cheese crackers. Opening the crackers, she shoveled one in her mouth and pointed her gun to threaten an approaching rat.

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