Page 129 of Eternal Craving

Then I pulled Benjamin over to the casket and forced him inside. I dragged the lid over and rammed it into position, securing the latches.

Benjamin banged on the lid. “Why?” he cried. “Why did you lie?”

“Because, Ben, I’ve had an extremely vexing day.”

Chapter Forty-Two

Inside St. Paul’s Cathedral, a few parishioners were saying their late-night prayers.

The gnarly, wet head had soaked through my coat. I pulled Sunaria past the nave and down into the lower chambers. “This is where I first met Benjamin and Rachel.”

The night of lies and darkest terrors.

“When I found the locket,” Sunaria explained, “I questioned the storekeeper. He didn’t remember Jacob.”

“He needs help remembering.”

“Perhaps Jacob’s living near the store?” She hesitated when she saw the crucifix hanging above the door to the chamber.

I lingered just inside, recalling how Benjamin had reeled me in.

Sunaria waited in the doorway.

I strolled over to the coffin against the far wall and pried open the lid. A corpse lay within, freshly wrapped. There was just enough room for the head. I laid it inside and closed the lid.

“I never want to see that thing again,” Sunaria said.

“I knew you never liked that coat.”

She gave me a wry look.

Easily disguised as two late night parishioners, albeit scruffy ones, we walked up the stairs and back down the aisle. I stopped when we reached the ornate stone font.

She looked irritated. “Now you’re really pushing your luck.”

I leaned over the edge of the fountain. “You once told me that holy water can harm us.”

“That’s what I was told.”

“Where’s your curiosity?”

“Can we go now?”

“When was the last time you saw your reflection?”

“That answer should be obvious.”

“You never told me my hair has a tendency to stick up.”

“I’ll be outside.”

“Humor me.”

Sunaria gave a sigh and stepped closer to the font. She stared into the still water and gasped in surprise.

“See how beautiful you are?” I asked.

“How is it possible? I don’t recognize myself.”