Confession: A Jonathan Harker Novel: Supernatural Thriller by Christopher Draven

Author:Christopher Draven [Draven, Christopher]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-10-01T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Father Nikolas Thayer, Jesuit Priest, and all-around religious badass knocked on the office door.

“Enter,” the Bishop said. “Ah, Father Nikolas, thank you for coming.”

“Of course,” Nik said, taking the available chair.

“Father,” I said bobbing my head ceremoniously as he sat.

“Mage,” he said in formal response.

“Gentlemen,” the Bishop said. In the same manner as a father addressing two rambunctious sons. “Can we get down to business?”

Nik had taken time to debrief the Bishop with what we found. Members of the Bounty Springs parish were preyed upon, Father Riley was likely murdered, and the confessional was enchanted and somehow involved.

“Am I missing anything?” he asked.

“Marcus is a demon,” I said.

Nik shot me a look and turned in his chair to face me more directly.

“How do you know?”

“When we parted ways this morning, I was attacked by a group of Soul Dead under a demon’s control. They were men from Bounty Springs.”

The Bishop leaned in, concern and skepticism written on his face. My accusations could show some of his parishioners were more directly involved than the Church realized. The situation had grown well beyond dealing with a counterfeit priest.

“This is obviously a Church matter,” the Bishop said. “We appreciate your help, but…”

“Apologies, Your Excellency,” I said, raising my voice slightly to speak over the old man. “A friend and I were attacked by this demon. I will not sit idly by while you calculate your next move.”

The attempt by the Bishop at distancing me from the situation struck me as odd. He had just indicated he felt lucky to have a demon-slaying mage around; and at the first mention of a demon that needed to be slayed, he rebuffed my aid.

“We must protect those we shepherd,” the Bishop stated. “The Church has failed Bounty Springs. We must return these unfortunate victims to the shelter of the Mother Church for healing. If the demon does not interfere, then there is no need to get involved with its schemes.”

“Marcus must be destroyed,” I said flatly. “There isn’t much use cleaning a house if you leave the bugs behind.”

The Bishop looked towards Nik, who was watching me with horror. Was it due to my behavior with a senior member of his church, or was it because that same senior member had just stated that the demon was free to go if it chose?

In my mind, there was no choice. I had offered the local Bishop open lines of communication, and at the first opportunity, the man tried to shut me out. The demon threat in the area had to be addressed. Clover, Momma Dee, and several other people needed my help, and I didn’t intend on letting them down because the Bishop’s feathers had been ruffled.

“Mr. Harker,” the Bishop said. “Do you mind if I speak with Father Nikolas alone?”

“Of course,” I said, raising from my chair. I reached over to shake the Bishop’s hand. The old man obliged. Then I turned to leave, looking down at Nik as I went.

“I’m leaving for Bounty Springs in ten minutes,” I said.

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