He grunted what she assumed was a yes and moved a few steps back into the church.
With a last look at John, she entered the sanctuary. The white plaster walls and Stations of the Cross seemed in good repair, although the handsome wood floor was in desperate need of polishing. Dust draped most of the pews and much of the ornate interior, but a bank of vigil candles flickered at one side of the altar. The area there looked well used. The floor even had a little shine to it.
The door shut behind her.
She turned at the sound, very aware at being closed in with a creature who might actually kill her. Her heart began racing anew. She exhaled, the breath much less steady than she’d wished for. “I suppose you know I’m nervous, being able to hear my heartbeat as you can.”
He kept a little distance between them, watching her like she was the dangerous one. “I can.” A few steps closer and he stopped. “So you’re the mayor.”
“Yes.” Did that help or hurt? His face revealed nothing.
“Julia told me that.” He studied her hard.
What else had Julia told him?
“I suppose you think you’re brave to come here. Stupid might be a better word. How do you know I won’t hurt you?”
She wanted to retreat but forced herself to stand firm. “You gave your word.”
The distant candle flames reflected in his eyes like tiny stars. “And you believe the word of a vampire?”
A bead of sweat trickled down her rib cage. “You’re the father of my grandchild. That makes us blood.” Ay Dios mios, why had she used that word?
He snorted. It sounded almost like a laugh. “You might be as crazy as I am, lady.”
“Lola, please.”
“Lola.” He slipped the knife back into its sheath on his belt. “They call me Preacher.”
“So I’ve heard. Is that what you prefer?”
“It suits.” He walked past her, up the main aisle and toward the altar. She followed. At the first pew, he genuflected, then sat. He tipped his head toward the open space beside him.
She bent and crossed herself as well, then took a seat on the same pew with a little distance between them.
“You’re a religious woman?” he asked.
“I don’t get to Mass as often as I used to, but yes.”
He nodded slowly. Approvingly.
Desperate to fill the silence, she blurted out, “You live here.”
“You know that already or you wouldn’t have come looking for me here.”
“Yes,” she answered. He slung his arm over the back of the pew. If he stretched out his fingers, he probably could have touched her shoulder. She forced herself not to slide away. “Did you love my Julia?”
“Yes. I married her.”
Lola’s mouth opened. “You did?”
“Right here in this church.” He lifted his head toward the altar. “Mariela was born here, too.”
“Mar-Mariela?” Lola stuttered around a knot in her throat. “That was my mother’s name. So Julia had a little girl?” Tears burned her eyes. She looked upward and blinked, letting out a long breath and, with it, a silent prayer that her grandchild was safe, wherever she was.
“Beautiful baby.” Preacher’s voice cracked.
She glanced at him, caught him wiping his eyes. “I’m so sorry for what we’ve both been through. I’m sorry Julia didn’t feel like she could come to me when she found out she was pregnant. I tried to be a good mother, I did, but—”
“She wanted to. I stopped her.” He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “I couldn’t picture a scenario where it ended well.”
Lola folded her hands in her lap and studied the gold and onyx ring on her pinky.
He straightened. “I effed up. I’m sorry.”
She shook her head, barely believing she was having this conversation and who she was having it with. “Actually, you didn’t. I can’t picture a scenario that would have ended well either. Not then. Now, with what I know, maybe.” She shrugged. “The past is passed. I want to focus on the future.”
“Is that why you came?”
“Yes. I know the child, Mariela, was taken from you. I know that the beings who now possess her are far more powerful than any human.”
Anger flared in his eyes. “You know who has her? Tell me and I’ll hunt them down.”
“I don’t think it’s that simple. I’m told the ancient ones have her. The creators of your race.”
The anger spread from his eyes to settle onto his face. “Don’t ever lump me in with any of them, understand? I’m not like them. Vampires disgust me. They’re parasites in need of the kind of cleansing only a stake through the heart can bring.”
Confusion swept her. “But you are one.”
He snarled. “I never meant to be. If I’d known what I was doing, I would have gladly died instead.” He stood and paced toward the altar. “Now I live with this curse every day, trying to do God’s will by cleansing those who kill humans. The only good being a vampire has brought me is the power to protect my mortal brothers.”
It felt like a sign. With renewed courage, she spoke. “Then you’ll understand why I’m here. As a human, I’m vulnerable. Weak. Outmatched by those I must go up against.” With Willamette’s and her abuela’s words chiming in her head, Lola rose and said another silent prayer, this time that John’s and Luke’s hearing didn’t extend into the sanctuary. “I want you to help me get Mariela back.”