Der Schädelring: Thriller (German Edition)

he molested me.”
    Dr. Forrest laughed, a sound as sinister as the whipping of the rattlesnake’s tail. “Douglas Stone couldn’t molest a lamb, much less a living human being. Your mother was the strong one, the one willing to sacrifice everything. Then, when it came time to deliver you unto the master, Douglas stole you.”
    Dr. Forrest’s face grew dark and her eyebrows made arrow tips. "But nobody runs away from the Brotherhood. And the Master doesn't suffer fools.”
    “What did you do to him?” Julia fought against her bonds, but now, just like 23 years ago, she couldn’t break free. She was angry at these monsters, a rage that almost drove the colors of her mind from black to red. But she was even angrier at herself, to think she could have let someone else build false memories in her head, to have allowed someone to own her so completely.
    “He’s in a better place now,” Dr. Forrest said, a vacant smile on her face. “The master surely saved one of the hottest pits of hell for that pathetic worm. I was one of those who came for you that night. Douglas had called the cops, and we could hear the sirens. If Snead hadn't been there to protect us—"
    Dr. Forrest closed her eyes as if to control her rage. After a moment, she opened them and continued. "Your father broke the window and tried to shove you through. Your belly was cut on the glass. There was so much blood, so much magic. And Douglas wasted it.”
    The scars on Julia's abdomen. They weren’t the beginnings of a pentagram after all. They were wounds, not the brand of a possessor.
    She knew Dr. Forrest couldn’t resist talking, so she decided to learn as much as she could. “Why me?”
    “Your mother believed enough to offer her own flesh and blood and breath. But Douglas betrayed us. A Judas among Judases. You must come to Satan to pay for your father’s betrayal.”
    Julia’s eyes filled with tears. “Wasn’t killing him payment enough?”
    Dr. Forrest had returned to the soothing tones she’d used in their therapy sessions, adopting her familiar role. “You’re still so confused, Julia. Don’t fight the truth. Just giving your life isn’t enough. You have to give him everything. You have to believe .”
    Believe. In a belief system crafted to teach morality, but also offering an alternative to those who didn’t want to wait a lifetime before receiving eternal rewards. Satan wasn’t a snake, a silver ring, or anything that wore flesh. It was only a symbol for the naked human lust for power. For selfish gratification and twisted indulgence, no matter the ultimate cost.
    And she had paid all her life in their sick coin. Now Walter had cashed out, too.
    “We wanted you to come unto Satan in willing innocence. After all these years, the only way to do that was to make you see his power and accept it. Satan demands a total surrender from his whores.” Dr. Forrest gave a leering grin. “That’s how I serve him.”
    Someone shouted in the forest, and another shot rang out. Julia’s heart leapt with hope. Walter must still be alive!
    And if he were willing to keep fighting, so was she. She didn’t have a gun, but she had a different weapon. Dr. Forrest craved one thing greater than an imaginary master’s blessing.
    For years, people have tried to make me someone I'm not. So maybe it's time to 'become' that person. Let's see what Judas Stone can do.
    “I . . . I was willing,” Julia said. “You’re right. I was confused. But you and Dr. Danner have helped me so much.”
    Dr. Forrest beamed with approval. “Lance thought it was best that we get you away from Mitchell. Lucius thought so, too. I’m glad they sent you to me. I feel that I understand you. We’re the same.”
    “Yes,” Julia said. “I couldn’t have made it without you. I would still be so lost.”
    “The truth will set you free.”
    “I want to be free.”
    The doctor's eyes shone with a manic gleam. “Embrace him, then. Surrender yourself.”
    More shouting came from the high rocks. The wind was roaring now, clouds colliding like the ragged sails of warships, the sky nearly solid black in the late afternoon. One of the hooded Satanists emerged from the trees and came into the clearing. It was Hartley.
    “Bring the whore,” he said, anger in his voice.
    “What’s wrong?” Dr. Forrest asked.
    “Triplett has a gun. We have to hurry. Bring her to the altar.”
    Hartley disappeared into the forest again. Julia fought an urge to scream, “If