“The boy will be placed in custody,” Rose said matter-of-factly. “Don’t you understand, Julianna? Jamie has spoken the truth. Evil is among us. Please don’t let sentimentality compromise your better judgment.”

My mother quickly returned her eyes to Ben. “Of course.”

She would never argue with Rose, but she couldn’t hide her disappointment and I couldn’t fault her. If the boy was Ben’s son, then he was our family.

When I looked back at my father, Bobbie was standing by his bed, arms crossed, looking at me through the glass. I gasped.

“What is it?” Rose asked.

None of them could see Bobbie, but they’d clearly heard me. I went with my gut. “I just remembered something else my father said.”

“And?”

“Eli.” I faced Rose. “The boy’s name is Eli.”

She searched my eyes. “Does that mean anything to you?”

“No. Should it?”

Rose held my gaze for another moment, then turned for the door and left without saying another word.

“Do you trust them, Grace?” Bobbie’s voice reached me through the glass.

I jerked my head to stare at her. Blinked. Should I?

“You should trust no one.”

And then she vanished.

ROSE HURRIED TO THE CHAPEL, DESPERATE FOR counsel. Her children were still in school and the town was distracted by the strangers who’d appeared out of nowhere.

She remembered Ben well. He’d questioned their faith at every opportunity and tried to convince his wife to leave their church, to abandon her belief in what he called nonsense. He was a drunkard with a foul mouth who cursed God openly.

And now he lay comatose inside the very safe haven he’d spoken against. They were keeping him alive, a kindness he hardly deserved but one she would extend in good grace. He had already paid a steep price at his own hand.

Then again, what if he was overtaken by the Fury? How else could he have survived all these years?

She needed to see Sylous. He would know.

Rose unlocked the single door that led to the Chapel’s basement, stepped onto the landing, locked the door behind her, and descended the staircase. She flicked the small light to life and walked to the center of the room.

She’d waited less than ten seconds when the atmosphere of the room shifted. A shift she never tired of. A shift she would never get used to. He had come. Her body tingled with relief and satisfaction.

“Sylous,” Rose whispered.

He moved into the light, his white attire crisp and his face draped in shadows.

“You called for me,” Sylous said.

“Yes,” Rose replied.

“You’re concerned about the trespassers?”

“Yes.”

“You should be.” His eyes were dark. He clasped his arms behind his back and took another step toward Rose. “They don’t belong here.”

“The man is unconscious,” Rose said. “We’re safe.”

“You are never safe from the evil that lurks in darkness.”