The Agent in the Dark

was for Lily. She had to do it. The "rites," the "joining," the "examination" – they were just words

id, her voice hoa

little too bright. "I k

a frantic rhythm against her ribs. Jess picked her up in her beat-up sedan. The drive was long, hour

ing, loomed ahead. Beyond them, a sprawling plantation house, its architecture gothic and

massive front door. Ashley could feel the

man stood there, Mr. Silas Blackwood. He was dressed in a se

id, his voice dry as old pape

ic," Jess said, her usual co

s. Eleanor Blackwood emerged from a shadowed doorway. She was smaller than her husband, draped in dark,

ed, dabbing her eyes with a lace h

asked, his gaze fixed on Ashley. "The vigil. The rites. Your... pre

ded, unabl

nor added, her voice trembling. "It is merely

"Thirty thousand dollars. As agre

stantial. A wave of relief, sharp and dizzying, washed

his hand. "To maintain the sanctity

anded it over. It felt l

's arm with a surprisingly strong g