Page 188 of Shadow

“Old bitch,” Church muttered, pushing his messed-up blond hair away from his face with his black leather glove.

“Should have drugged her first,” Asylum chuckled, lifting her over his shoulder.

“I like when they struggle,” Church answered.

“Me too.” Asylum whistled and hauled Sister Esther out the church's back door and to the woods, us following.

We didn’t speak the entire walk.

Asylum dropped her into its center when we reached the clearing and stepped back.

“She’ll be waking any moment,” Church said softly.

He was right. A few minutes later, she stirred, clawing at the bag on her head. Church snatched it off, and she stared up at him.

“What is this? What are you doing?” she demanded.

“Did you have my sister taken?” I asked, moving to stand before her as she swayed on her knees, her graying hair a wild mess, and her habit gone.

My guys created a circle around us, all wordless in their all-black clothes and white masks.

“Who are you?” Sister Esther called out, her voice trembling.

I pulled my mask off and stared her down.

“Miss Lawrence.” She licked her cracked lips. “You’re talking.”

“I’m punishing,” I whispered. “Answer my question.”

She looked wildly around the dark clearing, taking in my guys in their menacing forms. I could easily pick them out, but she couldn’t. However, if she were smart enough, she’d know it was the watchers with me. She’d already gotten Church’s name right.

“It is our job to punish the wicked,” she said. “Your sister is a whore, Miss Lawrence. A sinner. Our job here?—”

She didn’t get to finish her sentence. I cracked her so hard across her face that she fell sideways. A cry from her rang out as she held her face where I’d struck her.

“Did you have my sister taken?” I repeated.

“I-I was following orders. It is our divine right to punish the wicked. To treat them so they are better suited for the world?—”

I kicked her hard in the ribs, sending her to the ground in a crumpled heap, gasping for air.

“Who else helped you?” I kicked her again. “Who?” Another kick.

She wept, clutching herself, her rosary in her hand. She started praying. I ripped the rosary away and wrapped it around her neck, twisting it so tight her eyes bulged and she clung to my hands.

“Who fucking helped you?” I said in a dark, low voice. “Give me a name before I send you to meet the fucking devil.”

“F-Father V-Vance. H-He always h-h-helps me.”

I released the rosary, and she went to all fours, choking in air.

I grabbed my hatchet from Sin, who had been holding it for me, and stood over her.

“I’m going to give you something more than what was ever given to your victims,” I said softly. She stared from the hatchet glimmering in the moonlight to my face, understanding dawning on her.

“Your last rights,” I whispered.

“Y-You’re a monster,” she cried out. “Filth! A w-whore like your sister! You deserve to die just like she will!”

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