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  She gave me a hard look and wrapped a thick scarf around her neck. "Have you ever heard of a religion that preached getting naked? Don't answer that. They require covering up. So we cover up."

  I had the feeling that I would be the only person under the age of eighty wearing a hat, veil, and gloves, but this was Auntie's show.

  "Whatever," I said, adamantly ignoring the mirror as I walked past it.

  Tens drew on a black trench coat of the softest leather, broken in and worn for years.

  "You're almost as handsome as my Charles in that." Auntie opened the coat closet and pointed to a stack of hatboxes on the top shelf. She was way too short to reach them. "The second to the top will make your outfit."

  Tens reached up and lifted a hatbox down. Auntie removed the lid and peeled back the yellowed tissue paper. She drew out a charcoal fedora with a blue satin band and said to Tens. "Lean down."

  He bent, scrunching his knees until Auntie could reach his head easily. She perched the hat at an angle.

  My heart stuttered and I reminded myself to breathe. Tens towered like one of those black-and-white movie stars—a gangster, dangerous, possessive.

  "You like?" He turned to me.

  I couldn't get words out; I just nodded.

  "Dashing,"' Auntie proclaimed with a clap of her hands. She marched out ahead of us to the Land Rover. "We're going to be late if we don't hurry."

  I tried to glide past Tens rather than trip over my feet. I didn't quite accomplish a glide, but I didn't make an ass of myself.

  "Wanna trade?" he whispered to me.

  I choked back a laugh. The vision of him wearing Auntie's ancient tulle on his head sent giggles fizzing in my stomach. "Absolutely," I said over my shoulder as he locked the dead bolt on the front door.

  Tens turned another corner. Packed parking lots spread out in front of us. In the distance, set against the backdrop of the Sangre de Cristos Mountains, was the enormous structure of cement and chrome we'd driven past the night before. It was a building better suited to a population of ten times what Revelation boasted. "Is that a church or an airport?"

  "Yeah. I always think it looks like it's missing the planes." Tens muttered.

  "Wait till you see inside this monstrosity. I snuck in once to see what the fuss was about." Auntie said, patting my shoulder.

  We turned right and it seemed like the world got brighter, as if the sun came out and this street was happier.

  "I'll drop you off and go park." Tens said, addressing Auntie.

  "You don't have to—"

  "Yes, I do." He weaved his way between pedestrians smiling and laughing like they were heading to a party and not to church. The women's hats, veils, and heels complemented the men's three-piece suits and shined shoes.

  Tens braked in the drop zone and I unbuckled my seat belt. "Brace yourself," he said to me, then glanced away as if he wanted to say more but didn't know how.

  "Come on, child. Let's face this head-on."

  I opened the door and held on to Auntie's arm as she avoided snowdrifts and ice piles along the curb. The hair on the back of my neck bristled.

  Tens met my eyes, but I couldn't read his expression. "I'll be right back."

  I nodded and put my gloved hand over Auntie's.

  "We'll wait here for Tens." she said, patting me.

  Cheerful conversation seemed to cease around us. A man I didn't recognize, in resplendent robes of pure white, stood in the doorway and greeted each person. He leaned toward another man, who whispered and pointed at us.

  "Are they talking about us?" I asked, embarrassment flushing my cheeks.

  "Let's go say hello." Auntie pretended not to notice and marched over.

  "Do we have to?" I muttered.

  "Jack, how nice to see you today. May I introduce you to my niece, Meridian?" Turning to me she said, "Jack and his wife, Nicole, have six beautiful children I helped deliver. The eldest is heading to college next year. How are the kids, Jack?"

  "Fine. I'm glad you came. Merry. We pray for your soul at dinner every night."

  "Isn't that nice." Auntie touched his arm and ignored his wince. "Have you found a job yet?"

  "The Reverend helped me get a position at the high school."

  I pretended not to notice the whispers and stares as people moved around us, giving us a wide berth.

  "If you'll excuse me, I need to welcome the people behind you."' Jack turned away before he'd even finished the sentence.

  "Don't you know all of these people?" I asked Auntie.

  She nodded, not once looking at me. "I used to. They decided knowing me wasn't worth the risk. Or they moved here to rid the town of people like me." she said, answering my unspoken question. "Oh, here comes your young man." She smiled at Tens's approach.

  "Ok he's not—"

  "Of course he is." She chuckled.

  Tens strode up to us in the long trench and debonair hat. I could almost see a smile in his eyes. He presented Auntie with his arm. "Shall we?"

  "Yes, thank you." She took his arm and I could see a flash of the young woman she'd once been with her Charles.

  I started to follow them and realized my hands shook.

  Tens reached over and linked his fingers through mine. "I'm here," he said.

  I nodded, unsure why fear clamped my gut. I had to close my mouth several times while we walked through the spacious hallways. They were lined with stained-glass windows depicting scenes from the Bible, and music from a huge organ filled the space with hymns. This building, and these people, made me feel very small.

  Chapter 20

  The greeter passing out programs ignored us even though Auntie addressed him directly. "Nice to see you, Devlin. I trust your children are healthy?" We didn't pause, but walked right by him.

  I kept my eyes straight ahead as Auntie led us down the center of the sanctuary. It was huge, with gleaming organ pipes and a clear Lucite pulpit that floated above the congregation. I knew my neck would hurt by the end of the service.

  A fly buzzed near my ear for just a minute and then fell silent as it hit the floor behind me. I prayed there were no dying people in the church with us.

  The low hum of whispers and the creaking of people shifting in their pews trailed behind us. It felt as though the entire town was present.

  "I think they're expecting me to go up in flames." Auntie shook her head in admonishment. "Almost everyone I know is here, save a few."

  She stopped at a half-filled pew and gestured for me to enter. I didn't want to let go of Tens's hand, so I didn't. I clung to it as a mother with three small children scooted down to the far end of the pew, then moved several rows back.

  The familiar strains of a Sunday-school song swelled through the amplifiers and camouflaged speakers around us. With every song change, the energy and fervor rose. The congregation sang, clapped, and danced as one. Sweat glazed the faces around us, but the singing continued.

  A roar from the crowd made me turn. Forming an inverted V, Perimo and a gang of robed men with the walk and carriage of bodyguards came down the center aisle.

  Auntie leaned over Tens to say to me, "His twelve quasi disciples."

  The last three, including Perimo, were inhuman in their beauty. They were the After photographs of the best plastic surgeons.

  Reverend Perimo was the point of the V, clearly absorbing the energy around him. He paused to greet people and touch the hands of a lucky few on his march down the aisle. His step didn't falter when he reached our pew; instead he dipped his head to Auntie and gave me a smile that was both sinister and secretive. I didn't know if that was a good thing or a challenge accepted, but I had a feeling I'd find out.

  He spoke into a tiny flesh-colored head mike when the music paused. “‘I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.'"

  He raised his hands like he was blessing the choir and used a conductor's move to shut down the sound. Everyone fell silent. I hung on to Tens's hand and he squeezed back.

  Reverend Per
imo then faced the congregation. "First off, I see new faces in the seats today. We have prayed you'd hear the Almighty's word in your life and join us in this holy place. Can I get an Amen?"

  The people replied as one. "Amen."

  Reverend Perimo continued. “‘When I blow with a trumpet. I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side ...' “He raised his hands, and trumpets sounded as if from everywhere at once.

  "Amen. Amen." Reverend Perimo stepped up to the pulpit. His posse settled in huge, ornate velvet-covered chairs behind him.

  "I am not eloquent ... And the Lord said unto him ... I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shall say.' I have been asked why I use the Bible as the foundation of my ministry. I am but a man, like you, human and fallible. But the Lord's word was given to us at creation. It's a great gift. The answer to every question is in here." He lifted an enormous Bible off the podium in front of him. "Your souls know the truth. You know that like Moses I only speak as the Almighty commands. I have proven this to you time and again. Who told you to watch your cattle?"

  "You did!" a woman shouted.

  "Who warned you that wandering children are the devil's playthings?"

  "You did!" A man raised his fist.

  His voice was mesmerizing. This was the Bible as if delivered from heaven above. The acoustics of the church gave a rich timbre to his voice and absoluteness to the words as he continued quoting the Old Testament.

  Tens nudged me and I surveyed the other impeccably groomed men flanking Perimo. "Those tallest ones came to town right after he got here."

  One of his twelve stood, his gaze gathering in everyone seated below. “‘Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.'"

  The nodding and quiet "Amen's" in the audience unnerved me.

  Reverend Perimo stomped his feet. "And he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord, he shall surely be put to death ..." These are strong words, brother and sisters, but the Almighty does not mince his meaning. There is a tug-of-war going on for your soul. You must make sure your family, your friends, and your neighbors are all helping to tug our way. Better one perish to hell than all of us. Amen?"

  "Amen!" the congregation shouted. A few people stood and clapped. Auntie shifted her position and muttered to herself.

  'If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase. ...' Where is Branson McAfee?"

  A man stood. "Here."

  "Branson, how were your corn yields this season?"

  "Up two hundred percent from last year."

  "What was different?"

  "I was saved last Christmastime."

  "And the Almighty provided for you in abundance."

  "Yes, sir, He did. And my back doesn't hurt none either."

  "And a healing! Praises, Amen!"

  "Amen!"

  "'And if you walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins. I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle. ...' The Lord knows." Perimo motioned to another man in his posse.

  The man stood. "This week little Celia was ripped from us and there were two miscarriages. Before we were saved, who saw the town dying each day? The highway was empty, no one stopped, no one moved here. But now, four families moved in last week—will the Stones, Rogers, Greggs, and Pattersons please stand?"

  Four young families stood and were applauded.

  Reverend Perimo then said, " 'And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and His anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them. ...' I don't know if you've heard or not, but the Lombardos' house caught on fire last night. They escaped, but we must pray for their souls, that they hear this warning from the Lord."

  Auntie gasped.

  "There are people who will tell you God doesn't start fires. That He doesn't increase the crops of believers. That He doesn't care who our friends are or how we treat non-believers." Perimo shook his head. "The Bible tells us differently: And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the Lord thy God. ..."' He never took his eyes off us. Not once. I wasn't sure he even blinked.

  A woman in the audience stood and yelled, "I repent, I repent. Save me, O Lord, save me."

  Tens muttered, "Mrs. Devlin. Wonder how often she had to rehearse that line."

  Reverend Perimo held up a hand for silence and the people quieted. “‘But ye that did cleave unto the Lord your God are alive every one of you this day.' —

  "Now, those who would like a special blessing may stand before me. Who needs the touch of the Lord? Who else repents? Who believes in the Lord our Almighty?" The band started playing a contemporary Christian hymn and Perimo said, “‘Who is on the Lord's side? Let him come unto me.'" Rows of people stood and were ushered single file past the front of the church. Perimo made the sign of the cross and nodded. The organ belched and the choir sang down the rafters.

  "Stand up." Auntie instructed Tens, but when the ushers came to our row, they skipped us. The crowd didn't pause to allow us to join the procession.

  Auntie waved to Perimo. "Excuse me, but we were accidentally skipped."

  I had no idea her voice could carry so clearly or loudly. I prayed I wouldn't faint from embarrassment.

  The ushers glanced toward the pulpit for instruction. Reverend Perimo walked toward us through the parting stragglers.

  "We want a blessing." Auntie said as Perimo approached, towering over us.

  "Blessings are for believers. Do you believe in the Almighty? In His purpose for your life? In His judgments and commandments?" He leaned down until he was eye to eye with Auntie, not blinking once.

  Her chin tipped up, and if her spine could have straightened completely she'd have stood to his full height and then some. "I believe in the Creator," she said in a rich, confident voice that brooked no argument.

  He gave her a half-smile, half-smirk and cocked his head to the side as if pondering a bratty rebuttal from a child. "Do you repent of your evil ways and exorcise the devil that has inhabited your soul?" He leaned into her, his tone lulling and kind.

  "I am a child of the Creator. I am not evil. I have never been evil. I am a child of the light."

  His voice softened even further, as if he were talking to a young and stupid child. "The devil has a strong grip on your heart, doesn't he?"

  "The devil isn't in my heart, Mr. Perimo. I have lived here most of my life and know most of these people. They will tell you I have done nothing evil."

  I knew even as Auntie said it that we wouldn't find anyone here to stand beside us.

  "Unless you repent, the Almighty cannot work on you. I can do nothing for you. You can have the sign of the cross made over you, but it will not be of the Al mighty until you push the devil from your soul." He spoke clearly into the mike again."'For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord.'"

  "I am clean. And you are the devil himself, aren't you?" Auntie whispered to him, but the mike caught it.

  The congregation gasped in unison, and Tens moved as if to protect Auntie.

  "I'll escort them out?"' Jack appeared at Perimo's elbow.

  "No. they stay. Perhaps we can work on their souls and save them yet. Before they leave us for good." Perimo walked back to the pulpit and continued the service as if nothing had happened. "And ye said, behold, the Lord our God hath shewed us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice out of the midst of the fire. ... Go thou near, and hear all that the Lord our God shall say ...and do it.'"

  His twelve henchmen rose as one and said, "Amen unto the Lord." The congregation repeated the words while trumpets blared in the background.

 
; Leers were aimed at us from every direction.

  "Let's get the hell out of here." Tens gripped my hand and all but carried Auntie and me up the aisle. I don't think we stopped to breathe until we were in the Land Rover and the church was nowhere in sight.

  * * *

  By the time we got home. Auntie had dozed off. She was pale and her skin looked paper-thin, as if she'd sunken into herself. The phone was ringing when we walked in the door. I wasn't sure we should answer it. Before I could voice my concern, though. Auntie picked up the phone. She grew more and more agitated, until finally she replaced the receiver.

  "What's wrong?" I asked, not sure I could handle one more thing.

  "How are you feeling?" She cupped my face in her hands and peered into my eyes.

  "Okay?"

  "I think it's time you went with me."

  "Who was that?"

  "An old friend. There's no time to change. He hasn't got long."

  "Where are we going?" I shrugged my coat back on.

  "To get you your next lesson."

  "What's that?"

  "How to let a willing but strong soul through your window."

  "Who?"

  "My Charlie's best friend. Jasper Lodge. His granddaughter's asking for me. He won't mind if you're there too."

  "For what?"

  "For his death, little one. For his death."

  Chapter 21

  December 21, 1974

  There is no gender. No male or female. There is do singular. No plural. The few humans who use more than three percent of their brain know this. Think of Einstein, He knew things few people can comprehend even with visual aids. So while most people can't wrap their heads around the idea of no gender and no quantity when it comes to Creators, as Fenestras we have to try. So I try. I don't always succeed, but that's my path.

  —Linea M. Wynn, b. 1900-d. 1975 (Killed by Aternocti, never proven, death declared accidental drowning)—her cousin Meridian Fulbright, March 3, 1975

  We braked in front of an ancient clapboard rambler. A couple of cats slinked over to us and a dog barked in the distance. Hay was scattered over the thick mud and slush, but I still picked my way carefully up the walkway to the expansive porch. The cats meowed and escorted us inside when Auntie entered.