And in the firmament, the Total Being knew He had been right, choosing well.
Balon said: 'Very well. That choice is entirely up to you.'
Jane Ann felt Balon's presence fade. Once more, she was alone, looking down at her tormentors from her nailed position of pain and faith. She gazed at the assembled throng of Satanists, and many looked back at her, most with open hatred and defiance, but a few with concern and pity. Her eyes touched those, holding for a few seconds. When Jane Ann had their attention firm, she said, 'I can promise you nothing except what help I might be able to give … offering my prayers for you. The rest is up to you.'
'What the fuck are you mouthing about now, bitch?' Jake yelled up at her. He laughed hoarsely. 'The silly cunt is losing her mind.'
But a few among the many knew better. About thirty moved to the base of the pain-wracked tower. The numbers equally divided between men and women. They stood defiantly before the crowd, many of whom were old friends and lifelong acquaintances. The few looked at one another, then began to sing, softly at first, then with gathering power as the faith they had lost once more filled them with the strength they knew they would soon need. Many openly wept as their love of God returned to them, overwhelming them with the feeling that at last, at long last, they were doing something worthy with their lives.
No one among the large crowd watching them attempted to interfere, for those gathered under the bloody, starkly vivid cross were all armed.
'Throw down your guns,' Jane Ann told them.
All but one did. He walked back into the crowd that encircled the Cross of Faith and the few who, at the last, had seen the True Way.
The powerful strains of 'Faith Of Our Fathers' rang over the site of rape and defilement and slow, agonizing death.
Shouting profanities, the Coven members surged forward, with Jean shouting orders to build more crosses, and do it quickly.
Sam darted across the grounds, toward the mansion, only faintly defined in the growing darkness. No lights showing. Dark windows like evil, watching eyes. Stopping at the back door, he paused to catch his breath and to ponder his sanity at doing this. Putting an ear to the door, he listened, but could detect no sound from within. He drew back, extending his arm to the door knob. Just before his hand touched the brass, the door swung open, and Falcon stood smiling at him, his fanged teeth glistening wetly in the darkness of the room.
'My dear Mr. King,' the warlock said, his smile hideous. 'So good to see you. Please come in. We've been waiting.'
'Stay away from me,' Janet warned the older girl. '1 mean it. I don't trust you,' she whispered.
Linda smiled, her smile both evil and wanting. She returned the whisper. 'Why don't you scream? Nydia will come to your aid.'
'I will if you don't leave me alone.' Nydia lay on the couch before the fire, deep in sleep. Her stomach was hurting. She moaned in her sleep.
Linda was steadily backing the child into a corner, her face holding a strange look, eyes burning. 'Really thought you could get away with it, didn't you?'
'I don't know what you mean,' Janet whispered. 'I thought you were my friend.'
'I am your friend, and you know what I mean.'
Janet's hand closed around a poker, her back to a wall. 'Leave me alone.'
'Open your shirt,' Linda commanded. 'I want to see if you're marked.'
'You're bananas!' the child hissed her fear.
'I want to see if you're marked!'
'Marked?' the girl questioned. 'Is that all?'
Linda nodded, running her tongue over her lips and teeth.
'All right,' Janet said. 'But I still think you're nuts.' She fumbled with the buttons of her shirt. Her breasts were bare, the buds tipped with tiny nipples.
Linda's tongue snaked out of her mouth, wetting her lips. Her tongue was unusually red. 'I knew you were one of us.'
'I'm not one of anybody! I'm not marked.' The child pressed her back against the wall.
'I can see it in your eyes. You're really one of us.' She held out her arms. 'Come to me.'
'You touch me and I'll bop you with this.' Janet lifted the poker.
'Don't be afraid, child of ours, our God understands,' Linda said.
Janet raised the poker. 'Don't take another step,' she warned.
Linda moved toward her, eyes shining, lips wet.
The poker swung. A dull splatting sound filled the room.
Nydia awakened to screaming.
* * *
'It's good,' Jean spoke to the Coven. 'We have been assured a long, exciting life on this earth. This act
