Divine Evil

about this place lately. This house, the town, the people. So here I am.” Abruptly she smiled and changed the mood. “I had an incredible crush on you when I was fourteen.”
    He grinned back at her. “I know.”
    “Bull.” She snatched the Pepsi from him. When he continued to grin, her eyes narrowed. “Blair told you. That weasely creep.”
    “He didn't have to.” Surprising them both, he stepped forward and laid his hands beside her hips on the counter. Her head was above his so that his eyes were level with her mouth. “You used to watch me-and waste a lot of energy pretending like you weren't watching me. Whenever I'd talk to you, you'd blush. I thought it was real cute.”
    Cautious, she studied him as she tipped the bottle back and drank. She resisted the urge to squirm. She wasn't fourteen anymore. “At that age, girls think hoods are exciting. Then they grow up.”
    “I've still got a motorcycle.”
    She had to smile. “I'll bet you do.”
    “Why don't I take you for a ride on Sunday?”
    She considered, polished off the brownie. “Why don't you?”

Chapter 5
    T HE COVEN OF THIRTEEN met at moonrise. Thunder grunted in the distance. In twos and threes they stood, chatting, gossiping, smoking tobacco or marijuana as the ceremonial candles were lit. Black wax softened and pooled. In the pit the fire caught and crackled and began to climb, digging greedy fingers into the dry wood. Hoods shadowed unmasked faces.
    The bell was rung. Instantly voices were hushed, cigarettes extinguished. The circle was formed.
    In the center the high priest stood, clad in his robe and his goat mask. Though they knew who he was, he never revealed his face during a rite. No one had the nerve to demand it.
    He had brought them three whores, knowing they required the release of sex to remain faithful-and silent. But that feasting would wait.
    It was a time of baptism and beginnings. Tonight, two members who had proven themselves worthy would be given the mark of Satan. To brand them and bind them.
    He began, lifting his arms high for the first invocation.The wind carried his call, and the power rushed into him like hot breath. The bell, the fire, the chant. The altar was ripe and lush and naked.
    “Our Lord, our Master is the One. He is the All. We bring our brothers to Him so that they might be joined. We have taken His name into ourselves and so live as the beasts, rejoicing in the flesh. Behold the gods of the pits.
    “Abaddon, the destroyer.
    “Fenriz, Son of Loki.
    “Euronymous, Prince of Death.”
    The flames rose higher. The gong echoed.
    Behind the mask, the priest's eyes glittered, reddened by the light of the flames. “I am the Sayer of the Law. Come forth, those who would learn the Law.”
    Two figures stepped forward as lightning walked across the sky.
    “We do not show our fangs to others. It is Law.” The coven repeated the words, and the bell was rung. “We do not destroy what is ours. It is Law.” The response was chanted.
    “We kill with cunning and with purpose, not with anger. It is Law.”
    “We worship the One.”
    “Satan is the One.”
    “His is the palace of Hell.”
    “Ave
, Satan.”
    “What is His, is ours.”
    “Hail to Him.”
    “He is what we are.”
    “
Ave
, Satan.”
    “We shall know, and what we know is ours. There is no path back but death.” “Blessed be.”
    The Princes of Hell were called. And smoke billowed.There was incense to clog and mystify the air. Tainted holy water in a phallic-shaped shaker was dashed around the circle to purify. The hum of voices rose into one ecstatic song.
    Again the leader raised his arms, and beneath his robe his heart gloated at the followers′ weakness for imagery. “Cast off your robes and kneel before me, for I am your priest and only through me you will reach Him.”
    The initiates cast aside their robes and knelt, sex thrusting, eyes glazed. They had waited twelve months for this night, to belong, to take, and to feast. The altar rubbed her breasts and licked her slick red lips.
    The priest, taking a candle from between the altar's thighs, circled the two, passing the flame before their eyes, their manhood, and the soles of their feet.
    “This is Satan's flame. You have walked in Hell. The Gates have been flung wide for you, and His beasts rejoice. Hell's fire will make you free. We toll the bell in His name.”
    Again the bell rang out, its tone echoing, echoing until there was no sound. All the night creatures were hidden