Coming over a crest in the road,
I saw it. A Spanish Mission that had been claimed and converted
to
their needs, it seemed smaller than I remembered. Not native of the American Southwest—or this plane of existence for that matter—it was a mystery how the Chithula had gained so much power and influence. Why had they stopped here? Why not rule the world? It was hard for me to fathom that the Chithula
would settle for just a fraction of the power they could have. Still it was comforting that they had. Pulling up to the front gates I saw an armed guard materialize out of the darkness. I'm sure there were many more just out of sight with a bead drawn on my head. Throwing the coupe into park, I placed both hands on the steering wheel in plain sight as a gesture of our peaceful intentions. I nodded for Toby and Karl to do the same.
The guard stopped a few feet from the driver's side of the coupe, an AK-47 cradled in his hands. He was dressed in a drab, tan uniform, the brim of his hat slung low over his brow. No markings or insignia were visible. His face was stern and emotionless. He couldn't have been more than twenty-three. “State your business,” he commanded.
I rolled down my window and sniffed the air. Amongst the pungent smell of sagebrush, I clearly caught his scent. He was human. “We're with the Brimstone Syndicate. We have business with the Chithula." The guard's expression remained unchanged. “Name?" I missed what he said. “What?"
"Your name, Vampire,” the guard barked. “What is your name?" He knew I was a Vampire.Why doesn't that surprise me? “Rose. Rose Webb, Brimstone Seeker." "Yes, ma'am,” the guard answered, a spark of recognition on his face. He eased into parade stance, his feet spread the same distance as his shoulders. He motioned toward an unseen guard on the other side of the gate. “You are expected."
I couldn't help but hide the shock on my face. “Pardon me?" "Yes, ma'am,” he replied. “The Chithula has been awaiting your arrival." I felt a ball of snakes begin to writhe in my guts. Still, all things considered, I shouldn't be too surprised. This was the Chithula we were talking about. I heard a thunderous squeak as the gates ahead of the coupe started to open.
"Do not deviate from the path,” the guard instructed. “Another guard will meet you at the entrance.” He stepped back from my car and nodded. “Have a good evening, ma'am." I wasn't sure if that was an actual sanction, or a warning. Shifting the car back into drive, I gave it a bit of gas and we slowly started into the compound. In the rearview mirror I could see the massive gates closing behind us. I could feel the sizzle of bile creeping up my throat as my worries became deeper. I glanced down at the digital clock on the stereo face. Only a few hours from dawn, we weren't going to make it back to Vegas tonight. I leveled my eyes out the windshield. Forget worrying about sleeping in the trunk, I didn't want to stay here during daylight. The mission's roof reached high into the night sky, the crucifix long since removed from the steeple. Its drab, brown sides matched the desert. To the left of the entrance, I spotted what looked like a used car
their needs, it seemed smaller than I remembered. Not native of the American Southwest—or this plane of existence for that matter—it was a mystery how the Chithula had gained so much power and influence. Why had they stopped here? Why not rule the world? It was hard for me to fathom that the Chithula
would settle for just a fraction of the power they could have. Still it was comforting that they had. Pulling up to the front gates I saw an armed guard materialize out of the darkness. I'm sure there were many more just out of sight with a bead drawn on my head. Throwing the coupe into park, I placed both hands on the steering wheel in plain sight as a gesture of our peaceful intentions. I nodded for Toby and Karl to do the same.
The guard stopped a few feet from the driver's side of the coupe, an AK-47 cradled in his hands. He was dressed in a drab, tan uniform, the brim of his hat slung low over his brow. No markings or insignia were visible. His face was stern and emotionless. He couldn't have been more than twenty-three. “State your business,” he commanded.
I rolled down my window and sniffed the air. Amongst the pungent smell of sagebrush, I clearly caught his scent. He was human. “We're with the Brimstone Syndicate. We have business with the Chithula." The guard's expression remained unchanged. “Name?" I missed what he said. “What?"
"Your name, Vampire,” the guard barked. “What is your name?" He knew I was a Vampire.Why doesn't that surprise me? “Rose. Rose Webb, Brimstone Seeker." "Yes, ma'am,” the guard answered, a spark of recognition on his face. He eased into parade stance, his feet spread the same distance as his shoulders. He motioned toward an unseen guard on the other side of the gate. “You are expected."
I couldn't help but hide the shock on my face. “Pardon me?" "Yes, ma'am,” he replied. “The Chithula has been awaiting your arrival." I felt a ball of snakes begin to writhe in my guts. Still, all things considered, I shouldn't be too surprised. This was the Chithula we were talking about. I heard a thunderous squeak as the gates ahead of the coupe started to open.
"Do not deviate from the path,” the guard instructed. “Another guard will meet you at the entrance.” He stepped back from my car and nodded. “Have a good evening, ma'am." I wasn't sure if that was an actual sanction, or a warning. Shifting the car back into drive, I gave it a bit of gas and we slowly started into the compound. In the rearview mirror I could see the massive gates closing behind us. I could feel the sizzle of bile creeping up my throat as my worries became deeper. I glanced down at the digital clock on the stereo face. Only a few hours from dawn, we weren't going to make it back to Vegas tonight. I leveled my eyes out the windshield. Forget worrying about sleeping in the trunk, I didn't want to stay here during daylight. The mission's roof reached high into the night sky, the crucifix long since removed from the steeple. Its drab, brown sides matched the desert. To the left of the entrance, I spotted what looked like a used car