Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
I’d never cared for the visitors that ventured here from the mainland, but I wouldn’t deprive the Isle of the benefits they brought. Their curiosity ensured a steady influx of revenue, funds that helped maintain the Isle’s daily operations and provided ample profit.
Outsiders paid a premium for the experience of visiting what to them was a mysterious place. Each person unaffiliated with our society was extensively screened and vetted before being granted a durational pass.
On the rare occasion someone decided to disregard our policies and the clauses they agreed to before their arrival, they and whoever was unfortunate enough to be with them simply disappeared through our disposal system.
We didn’t give warnings or second chances, nor did we discriminate based on age or gender. That would require a semblance of mercy I and many others found hard to possess when our society was potentially put at risk.
I checked my phone, shooting off a few emails and replying to my brother’s last text asking for an ETA.
Ambrose passed the street where the original chapel had been located and drove away from town, taking a final left turn a few miles out onto the access road. This part of the Isle wasn’t open to tourists, and if anyone foolishly tried their luck they’d be met with armed guards, watchdogs, and a twelve-foot fence topped with electrified razor wire that were an additional measure to what would await them on the other side. It was all to guarantee the sanctity of the grounds was never compromised.
Ambrose slowed behind two vehicles in front of us that were currently passing through inspection. One belonged to an older Tenebrarius that once served my father, and the other was my cousin Bishop. The latter I knew without needing to look. His shitty choice of music was a dead giveaway. He was waved through the gates ahead and then the next car moved forward.
I pocketed my phone and watched as the guards verified the necessary credentials before giving the green light for the gates to open again. With permission to skip the checkpoint, Ambrose followed right after.
The private tarmac wound through a portion of the Isle’s densely populated woodland. A healthy amount of greenery served as an extra barrier against prying eyes. Our current place of worship had been constructed back here a few years ago exactly for that reason
She loomed just up ahead. Black as a starless midnight sky and ornately crafted with blood and sin.
Stygian Chapel.
My home away from home.
As our vehicles went their respective ways at the fork in the road, Bishop wound up directly in front of us. Ambrose pulled around the gargoyle fountain to drop me at the walkway leading to the chapel’s entrance.
I gathered my things and let myself out once he came to a stop, checking how I was for time while I waited for Bishop on the sidewalk.
“Not a scratch, Jimmy,” he playfully warned the disciple on duty as a parking attendant, tossing him his Corvette’s key fob.
“That man’s name is Peter.”
“Is it? Looks like he’s Jimmy today.” He transferred his briefcase from one hand to the other and adjusted his tie. “Good morning, by the way. I’m surprised to see you here.”
“Why? I see you almost every morning.”
“True, but I was expecting you to take some time off. How did our little princess settle in?”
“I plan to, just not today. She was just waking before I left, but thus far she’s handling it better than expected.”
“That’s great news. You owe me four hundred dollars, by the way.”
“I owe you nothing,” I replied, acknowledging a few people that bowed their heads to us as we walked.
“Emilio bet me you’d still show up. I swore you would be too busy.”
“Your piss-poor decisions very much sound like a personal problem.”
“You make it seem as if I have a list of them.”
“I listen to your shitty mumble rappers every morning, so I’d say you do.”
His grin flashed in my peripheral “That’s awful pretentious coming from a man too good to drive himself around.”
“I drive myself plenty.”
“That’s a lie. Actually, I’ve been curious for some time now. Does Rosie wipe your ass for you too?”
I laughed and started up the second set of wide set stairs. “If he did, I can guarantee wiping my shit would be preferable to hearing your playlist.”
“Damn, you got me,” he conceded, entering the Chapel’s lobby alongside me.
Straight ahead, on either side of the arched double doors that led into the heart of the chapel stood two masked disciples. Both bowed their heads respectfully and gave their greetings.
“Diabolus. Magistri, Bishop.”
“Gentleman,” I returned, moving towards the door on the right where the staircase that led to the office floor was located.
“What’s on our agenda today?” Bishop asked as he followed behind me.
“We need to finalize numbers for the shipments being placed next week and confirm the details of tomorrow’s ceremony.”