Free Dark Hunger by Rita Herron Page A

released Erma’s hand, then extended it to the old man. “You’re a godsend, Reverend,” the old man said. “I once was tempted by evil, but I’ve resisted.”
    “In Matthew, even Satan tempted Jesus, but he overcame temptation through the word of God,” Reverend Narius said smoothly. “So many are lost and need salvation. In fact, I’m on my way now to visit the homeless shelter nearby.”
    “You’re a good man,” a young woman with twin toddlers tugging at her legs said. “So kind of you to stop and see them.”
    He shrugged. “It’s my mission to serve.”
    Gratitude and admiration flickered in her eyes, and his chest puffed up. He was the first to admit that he enjoyed the accolades. “I work for the Master,” he said softly. “And I will be an obedient servant to the end.”
    But salvation came at a cost. And the ones who followed him had to earn their way. He smiled.
    So easy to twist their minds and persuade them to follow.

Chapter Nine

    Annabelle had to talk to Quinton. If he had any idea who was behind the bombing or threats and where they might attack next, something had to be done.
    Of course, working with him would be akin to making a deal with the devil, but lives depended on their stopping another attack.
    She flipped on the news while she pulled on a robe, wondering if another station had accessed information she didn’t yet have.
    “Reports that vultures attacked the bombing scene in Savannah are disturbing. Witnesses said they preyed on the humans as if they were animals.
    “Folklore says the vultures are an omen of impending death. Oddly, reports are now flooding the lines from Charleston, South Carolina, saying there have been at least a hundred sightings of the predatory birds hovering above the town. Residents are wary, and veterinarians and environmentalists have been called in to address the problem. Some are worried that the vultures may be a mutant strain that preys on humans, or that they may carry diseases that could be passed to humans.”
    A shudder coursed through her as she remembered the vultures greedily eating human flesh and cleaning the bones.
    A tapping sounded at the French door, and she glanced up, expecting the wind to have rattled it, but a black vulture hovered on her patio, pounding the glass with its sharp, pointed beak.
    Then a shrill screeching sound erupted from the bird, and she jumped backward, terrified it was going to break the glass and attack her.
    Traffic crawled by as Quinton drove across the bridge and into Savannah toward the B and B and his target. The tourist crowd that had been bustling on Halloween now seemed minimal, although some curious souls had ventured out to see the ruins of the ship left after the bombing, and the homemade memorials people had made. Flowers, trinkets, teddy bears, toys, and other memorabilia decorated the area, reminders of the individuals who’d died such violent and needless deaths.
    He turned on the radio news.
    “People in Charleston, South Carolina, are reporting a disturbing number of vultures within the city limits as well as on the outskirts of town.
    “Oddly, the vultures are described as having the bodies and heavy, sturdy feet of old-world vultures, not the more common turkey vultures prevalent in the U.S., which have chickenlike feet for running on the ground. Old-world vultures are normally found in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
    “Also, in South Africa, hundreds of headless vultures have been found. Poachers have been killing the vultures, then removing their heads and putting them through a drying process to sell, because of beliefs that the vulture’s keen eyesight enables it to see into the future. Unscrupulous dealers are selling the heads for up to $1,000. Due to the fact that vultures are an endangered species, bans have been placed on killing the animals.”
    Quinton’s shoulders stiffened, and he flipped off the radio as he parked down the street from the B and B in an alley where he wouldn’t