stone.
He’d found the wall.
But where was the door?
He got down on his hands and feet, holstering his piece for just a moment while he tried to see under any cracks. There had to be some light spilling out from the other side. Curran doubted Darius could see in the dark.
He caught a flicker of light and zeroed in on it.
Candles?
Made sense. Weren’t they used in magical ceremonies?
Curran thought so.
He traced his way up from where he saw the light on the floor. He ran his fingers over the wall.
And found a lip.
The edge of the door ran right in front of him.
Curran traced the entire outline with his hands until he stopped at a tiny knob.
A doorknob.
At last.
There were no hinges on this side, which meant the door would open inward. That was good. Curran could rush in faster.
He drew his gun.
He took a breath.
Settled his hand on the doorknob and started turning it.
It clicked.
Loudly.
Curran rammed it open and rushed inside, his gun up.
The voice bombarded his ears, loud.
Images exploded in his eyes.
The red pentagram on the floor. The black candles burnings, dripping wax everywhere. The vat in the center of the room.
And a sarcophagus.
Lauren inside the sarcophagus.
What th-?
Where was Darius?
Curran turned -
And felt something slam into the back of his head.
Blackness rushed up for him.
And he heard the voice no more.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
“Wake up!”
The water hit his face, cold and hard, snapping him back to consciousness. Curran opened his eyes, trying to clear them. He tried to move, but he was bound to a wooden chair with his hands behind him. He flexed his wrists but the knots seemed sound. His feet were at least free and he stretched his legs some.
Darius stood before him, draped in long black robes covered with archaic symbols stitched in red thread. “Did you sleep well?”
Curran spat some of the water out. “How long have I been out?”
“A few hours.”
Curran frowned. “What time is it?”
“Eleven-thirty.”
Curran glanced around. He could still see the sarcophagus. Was Lauren still inside it?
“So, you’re ready at last, is that it?”
Darius nodded. “It’s been a long time coming. I’m looking forward to seeing all my work come to fruition.” He moved closer to Curran. “Aren’t you?”
“Not particularly.”
“Just the sort of sentiment I’d expect from someone who has no idea what I’ve been working to accomplish.”
“I know what you want to accomplish,” said Curran. “You want to bring the Devil back to life.”
“No. Not back to life. He’s never been dead, don’t you see? He just can’t physically exist on this plane. I will change that.”
“So, what, you’ll have the Devil walking around in public? What kind of plan is that?” Keep him talking, thought Curran. Maybe he could figure something out.
“He will return to take control of this pitiful human existence.”
“Oh great, just we need: another leader who doesn’t know how to lead.”
“Humor is not one of your strengths, Curran.”
“Really? Shucks. I was hoping for a spot on the Late Show.”
Darius leaned closer, his foul breath making Curran wince. “Do you know how long I’ve followed your progress?”
“No. But I assume you’re going to tell me.”
“Don’t you remember our conversation from the other night? His smile widened.
He’s enjoying this, thought Curran. But at the same time, he couldn’t stop the deja vu washing over him again. Something did seem familiar.
Darius didn’t wait for him. “Ever since Dallas. About a year in to the investigation. Remember that? You were so obsessed with me. You tried so hard. Worked so long. All for nothing, wasn’t it?”
“Not for nothing, no. I did my job.”
“If you’d truly done your job, you would have caught me.” Darius chuckled. “I remember watching you right after you got bumped out of the Bureau. I watched you loaf around for those six months following your termination. You hung out in bars, in strip clubs, depressed. Lonely. And yet you never succumbed all the way to the basest form of human existence.”
“No.”
“And then you came north. Back home. To Boston. I was surprised they hired you on at the Boston Police Department, but then I suppose a resume that includes work for the FBI looks pretty impressive to a lot of people, huh?”
“Something like that.”
“When I learned from my master that Boston would be our final city, I could scarcely contain my delight. Seeing you again outside the nightclub a week ago was like a homecoming for me. We’re like family, you and I.”
“Darius, you’d be the side of the family I’d try to deny existed.”
“I’m sure I would be.” He smiled. “It might make for some interesting holiday dinners, though, wouldn’t you think?”
“Oh yeah. Especially before you ate everyone.” Curran struggled against his knots.
Darius pointed at the chair. “You are exactly where you’re supposed to be. Do you know that?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Darius shook his head. “Still so unaware.” He sighed. “I’ve been baiting you ever since I came to Boston. You didn’t see any of it, though apparently. The button? Our conversation in my store? None of that led you to believe I knew exactly how to play you?”
Curran hated to admit it. “No.”
“Amazing.” Darius rubbed his hands together. “I thought for sure you would have seen through
