The Exorcist Case Files by Benjamin Black

Author:Benjamin Black
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Koehler Books
Published: 2023-04-25T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 7

To Seek Out a Cult

In the spirit of full disclosure, I think it only fair to further explain my brief stint in Her Majesty’s army. I actively fought in England’s Second Afghan War, which left a lasting impression upon me and whereby I acquired a suitable repertoire of skills in combat, firearms, survival, and, most valuable in this instance, the ability to move unseen behind suitable cover.

The other talents I picked up as a member of Her Majesty’s Highlanders would come in handy later.

As I hunkered down in a hedge row at the edge of the Vauxhall Gardens’ entryway, I was relatively confident I had not been seen making my approach. The coach had dropped me a block away after passing over Vauxhall Bridge. I crept to the gardens on foot from there, taking every precaution to stay tight to the shadows.

Already I had witnessed too much activity for my comfort. Over a dozen personal carriages had come in from the road and traveled down the cobblestone walkway leading deep into Vauxhall Gardens proper. There was no attempt to conceal the carriages’ arrival. I could only deduce that this brazenness was due to the remote location and late hour—although possibly the arrogance of the Thirteenth Pentacle as well. From the looks of the private coaches, the group’s membership consisted of the gentry or other people of means.

I strained to see where the carriages were heading but failed to discern much in the darkness over that great distance.

I had to draw nearer.

Discovering an evenly spaced line of fir trees to my right, I darted low and fast to the nearest, then to the next and the next, following the tree column across the expansive tract of the gardens. Fortunately, the tree line stretched parallel to the cobblestone road on which the carriages traveled, making it painless to track the cult members.

After traversing quite a distance, I arrived at a château illuminated from within by dozens of candles. Their yellow light glowed from high-arched windows on three levels.

From my vantage behind a sagging fir tree, I could just make out each carriage driving up to the covered entry of the great house. What appeared to be a steward, adorned in black and wearing a mask, opened each carriage door to let one or several passengers out. Every passenger was covered in a hooded, black, velvety cloak that completely hid their identities. They all wore similar masks, smooth and white with only black holes for their eyes. The steward aided them in disembarking.

These guests made their way inside without delay.

I pulled my pocket watch from my waistcoat. In the dim evening light, I perceived it was almost midnight.

As I put away my watch, a flicker of movement to my left caught my eye. I ducked low and peered at the line of fir trees I had just used as cover across the gardens. For a moment, nothing stirred, and I believed myself to be imagining things in my state of heightened alertness.

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