Chapter 2

           Onemileaway,thehulkingalbinonamedSilaslimpedthroughthefrontgateoftheluxuriousbrownstoneresidenceonRueLaBruyère.Thespikedcilicebeltthatheworearoundhisthighcutintohisflesh,andyethissoulsangwithsatisfactionofservicetotheLord.

           Painisgood.

           Hisredeyesscannedthelobbyasheenteredtheresidence.Empty.Heclimbedthestairsquietly,notwantingtoawakenanyofhisfellownumeraries.Hisbedroomdoorwasopen;lockswereforbiddenhere.Heentered,closingthedoorbehindhim.

           Theroomwasspartan–hardwoodfloors,apinedresser,acanvasmatinthecornerthatservedashisbed.Hewasavisitorherethisweek,andyetformanyyearshehadbeenblessedwithasimilarsanctuaryinNewYorkCity.

           TheLordhasprovidedmeshelterandpurposeinmylife.

           Tonight,atlast,Silasfelthehadbeguntorepayhisdebt.Hurryingtothedresser,hefoundthecellphonehiddeninhisbottomdrawerandplacedacall.

           «Yes?»amalevoiceanswered.«Teacher,Ihavereturned.»«Speak,»thevoicecommanded,soundingpleasedtohearfromhim.

           «Allfouraregone.Thethreesénéchaux…andtheGrandMasterhimself.»

           Therewasamomentarypause,asifforprayer.«ThenIassumeyouhavetheinformation?»«Allfourconcurred.Independently.»«Andyoubelievedthem?»

           «Theiragreementwastoogreatforcoincidence.»

           Anexcitedbreath.«Excellent.Ihadfearedthebrotherhood’sreputationforsecrecymightprevail.»«Theprospectofdeathisstrongmotivation.»«So,mypupil,tellmewhatImustknow.