Ghost Light

Could a bird have become trapped inside the church?  The shadowy form rushed back and forth past colored glass, flying closer to a brass light fixture with each pass.  The jerky pacing looked frenzied and I worried that the bird would harm itself trying to find a way to escape.  Its movement appeared abnormal from my vantage point.  Hopefully it hadn’t already injured a wing.

I squinted, trying to get a better look as it flew closer to the wall sconce and into the dim light.  As if sensing my gaze, the creature stopped mid-flight and turned to face me.  I froze, jaw dropping open.

That was no bird.

The faerie, for it was definitely fae, appeared similar to a small, three-legged lamb—if lambs could fly.  Tiny wings sprouted from its sides like a chimeric My Little Pony.  At least it didn’t have butterflies or rainbows tattooed on its butt.

“Um, you do know you have a faerie flying around up there, don’t you?” I asked.

I pointed toward the ceiling where the lamb-like creature had begun jumping through the rafters.  The faerie seemed content now that it had been seen.  It bleated happily as it leapt over a large, beautifully carved beam.  I’d never seen anything like it, and I’ve seen a lot.

“What?” Father Michael asked.  “Galliel is our only resident fae…Oh.”

The priest’s face paled and perspiration beaded on his upper lip.

“A Grim,” Ceff said, in hushed tones.

“You guys can see it?” I asked.

“Unfortunately, yes,” Father Michael said.  He sagged, his robes suddenly seeming too heavy for his thin frame.  “I can see it clearly.”

Father Michael turned to me, eyes wide and watery.  Hair prickled on the back of my neck.  Something was definitely wrong.

“What?” I asked.  “What’s wrong?  Is it dangerous?”

I stroked the outline of my knives, still hidden beneath the sleeves of my leather jacket, and widened my stance.  I kept an eye on the faerie as it played in the shadows.  It was smaller than a real lamb, about the size of a large housecat, and covered in crimped wool the color of milk.  The feathers covering its wings were a pale shade of blue.

The thing was adorable, but I knew better than to trust appearances.  Some of the deadliest fae were cute as a baby panda bear.

“No, it’s not dangerous,” he said.  “At least, not to us.”

“Then why the long faces?” I asked.  “You guys look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Ceff winced, eyes haunted as they followed the faerie.

“A church grim is not predatory,” Father Michael said.  “They are guardians, attached to a particular church, who watch over our flock.  But to see a grim means that one of my flock is in danger.  They are harbingers of death…the death of a child.”

I staggered backward, shaking my head.

“No, that can’t be,” I said.  “I won’t let anything happen to those kids.  We’re going to find them.”  I took a shaky breath and whispered.  “We have to find them.”

I had promised all of the children’s parents that I would bring their kids home safe.

Galliel pressed against me, nuzzling his face under my arm until I stroked his head.  Running my fingers through his mane helped me focus.  The appearance of the church grim was upsetting, but I wasn’t ready to give up on those kids.

The future isn’t written in stone.  Omens and portents have been wrong before.  I had to believe that we had the power to make things right.

“I will continue to search through my library,” Father Michael said.  “Perhaps there is something in one of my books that can help.  In the meantime, ask the vampires about The Pied Piper of Hamelin and the Danse Macabre.  There is a chance that the undead may be able to deduce his whereabouts.”

I glanced up to see that the stained glass windows had grown dark.  The sun had finally set.  It was time to interrogate some vamps.

Chapter 14

I sighed and pressed the doorbell.  It was beginning to look less and less like vampires were involved in the kidnappings, but I hadn’t ruled them out.  I could get the measure of them inside their lair.  But most of all, I was here to follow up on the priest’s theory.  If The Piper was using some demon instrument that raised the dead, then the vamps, experts on animating the dead, may have some insights.

I tapped my foot and pressed the doorbell, again.  I lifted my gloved hand to knock and nearly fell as the heavy door swung inward.

I’d been expecting Stinky, the vamp boss’s rotting ghoul servant, but instead the door was held open by a tall vampire in a tailored suit.  The vampire was bent slightly at the waist, arm outstretched.  I didn’t like having strange vamps at my back, but it would be rude to insist he walk ahead of us.  I angled my body to keep one eye on the bowing vamp as I stepped inside.  The vampire straightened as we walked past, but froze when he raised his eyes to mine.