He paused. “For quite a long time. I first encountered them in Europe, but that’s a story that we don’t have time for now, and it may not be relevant.”

“Getting back to the whole ‘stakes’ thing,” I said. “These jokers tried to use them on me.” I described the general size and design. “Each one has the same thing written on it. It’s Latin, so bear with me.” I pulled the stake from my belt. “Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in proelio; contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium—”

“Ah,” interrupted Circe, “it’s the prayer to Saint Michael created by Pope Leo XIII in the late nineteenth century. The whole translation is, ‘Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle, be our safeguard and protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil: May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.’” She paused. “An interesting choice, considering the scope of this situation.”

“Interesting in what way?” Rudy asked, beating me to the question.

“The archangel Michael has a dual nature. His name is a symbol of humility before God and at the same time he is regarded as the field commander of the Army of God.”

“Ah, so we’re talking militant psycho vampire hunters,” I said. “Groovy.”

Church added, “Michael is also one of the very few angels venerated by Jews, Christians, and Muslims.”

“Did Michael have problems with vampires? If so, I missed that in Sunday School.”

“Not likely,” answered Circe, “but as the leader of God’s army he would naturally be the enemy of all evil. Going on the assumption that vampires are evil.”

“The Red Knights get my vote for being evil. So are these vampire hunters,” I reminded her. “Krystos and his asswipes tortured innocent people and were quite willing to kill me. Oh, and here’s another thing to throw into the mix. Krystos said that he was with the Holy Inquisition. Even had their motto tattooed on his forearm.”

There was a silence.

“No,” I said, “that wasn’t a joke. Say something.”

“How does one respond to that? I … thought that had been disbanded a couple of hundred years ago,” said Rudy.

“Sure, and vampires were myths,” I pointed out.

“Ah,” he conceded.

“It’s always good to keep an open mind,” Church said quietly.

“Are we tracking any groups whose symbology includes a vampire motif?” I asked. “Some weird cult? Anything like that?”

“Only two,” said Church. “The Red Knights and another group that may be the same as your Inquisitors.”

“Let me guess … the Saturday People?”

“What?” asked Circe. “They’re Sabbatarians?”

I said, “According to Krystos.”

“Sabbatarians,” she repeated, “are people born on Saturday.”