Free Damned and Cursed (Book 6): Broken Home by Glenn Bullion

kill them?"
    "I'll leave that up to them."
    "They'll kill you," she said.   It was difficult to accept that she was suddenly concerned about Byron's welfare.   But he was her best hope to get her children away from whatever was happening inside the church.   "There are too many of them."
    He paused and stroked his chin in thought.   "Maybe you're right."
    "I am.   They'll overwhelm—"
    "They'll scatter, like roaches.   I might not be able to stomp them all."   He shrugged, as if he didn't have a care in the world.   "Oh well.   I'll give it my best shot."
    Byron opened the door quietly.   Janet followed him closely, and she realized she was holding her breath.   They stepped into the foyer separating the front of the church from the main hall.   Byron stood on one side of the doorway, Janet the other.
    She couldn't believe her eyes.
    At first glance, it seemed like any ordinary evening service.   People she talked to every day were scattered on both sides of the church, laughing and talking amongst themselves.   The more Janet took in, the more she came to understand there wasn't anything ordinary about whatever the people in her town were in to.
    The flickering candles spread throughout the church continued to throw exotic, hypnotic shadows on the wall.   Everyone wore a dark robe, with only their heads exposed.   Occasionally, someone would walk the aisle toward the front to touch the cup, then return to their seat.   Mrs. Dailey, a sweet old lady who always gave away too much candy on Halloween, sat near the back.   She read from a book and mumbled, but it was unlike any prayer Janet ever heard.
    The door to the office opened, and Ed stepped out.   Janet caught a glimpse of Sarah behind him, huddled around the radiator in the back.   Janet wanted nothing more than to march forward, assaulting anyone that got in her way.   She didn't dare, as she had the feeling the robed people in her way were just as dangerous as Byron, and that included her husband.
    Ed wore a robe as well.   Janet couldn't believe it was him.   She thought she'd be sick at any moment.
    "Hello, my friends," Ed said.   "I know we've all been waiting for this day to come.   Tonight, we'll experience true power, and our lives will never be the same."
    Byron rolled his eyes.   "Mortals and their ridiculous speeches."
    Janet gestured for him to be quiet, and turned her attention back to Ed.   It was his voice, his body language, but she saw no trace of her husband before her.
    "We've all had to make sacrifices to get here, but after tonight, we sacrifice no more.   Everything is in place.   We have the talisman, and soon, we'll open the gateway."
    "Oh, wow," Byron whispered.   "Maybe he's not an idiot."
    "What?" Janet said.
    "He's trying to open a gateway.   Maybe summon a demon."
    Ed continued to rally everyone around him.   They cheered and applauded while Ed soaked in their admiration.   Janet focused on Byron.
    "A demon?   What are you talking about?"
    Byron glanced at her sideways.   "A demon.   I'm not sure how much more plain I can be.   You've heard of demons, right?"
    "Demons aren't real!"
    "Sure, Janet.   Whatever helps you sleep at night."
    She pointed to the office door.   "My daughters are back there.   Please, help me."
    "I already told you.   No."
    "You can't just kill everyone."
    "Sure I can."
    Janet felt her options slipping away.   She had no idea what Byron had in mind, but knew he couldn't defend himself against a mob of people.   Perhaps, in the fighting and confusion, she could make her way to the office, get her children outside.   That was all she cared about.   She would deal with her husband later.
    A loud noise caught Janet by surprise.   Looking back to the main hall, she thought she was imagining things when Mary led a goat across the floor.   The animal bleated as Mary brought it to a stop near the front, by Byron's cup.   Everyone, including Ed, began to chant unintelligible words.