Shimmer: The Rephaim Book 3 by Paula Weston Page A

doing.’
    ‘Maybe they should pose for a few less photos and hurry the process along.’
    ‘Yes, panic would be perfect out there right now.’ Daniel turns back to the screen and a second later the guy at the keyboard says: ‘We’re on.’
    ‘There.’ Jude points to the lower right-hand image. A woman in a red coat has turned away from the group, her attention caught by something off screen. Behind me, Magda’s prayer beads clack.
    Zarael, Bel and Leon step into the frame. The three demons stop in the shadow of the trees and look up at the camera. It takes a second for me to register what’s different about them: they’re wearing sunglasses and their swords are hidden under their coats. Nobody is screaming or running, so the hell-beasts haven’t shown themselves.
    Zarael speaks to the woman. The breeze ruffles her short grey hair. She’s about the same age as Mrs Williamson in Pan Beach, though not as fit. The woman turns her head to catch his words. There’s no audio from the security cameras but we all stay quiet anyway.
    The woman seems startled, but then nods and looks over her shoulder at someone we can’t see. I scan the other camera angles, notice a youngish monk—mid-twenties maybe. He sees the three demons and his head jerks towards the camera. He stares at us for a long, agonising moment, eyes wide, pleading. Then he turns and ushers the rest of the group up the chapel steps and into the safety of the Sanctuary walls.
    The woman in the coat has something in her hand now: a phone. She sees the group heading inside, doesn’t follow. Zarael strolls closer. Bel and Leon wait at the tree line. Bel taps the hilt of his sword through his trench coat. My heart climbs my throat.
    ‘You’re going to cower in here and let this happen?’ Mya’s voice cracks on the last word.
    ‘Nothing has happened yet,’ Daniel says. ‘And Nathaniel is watching.’
    ‘If you think I’m going to stand here—’
    ‘You will not leave this room, any of you.’ He says it with force.
    I feel more than see Ez stiffen beside me. God, I hope Daniel knows what he’s doing. Zarael is beside the woman now, towering over her. He puts his arm around her shoulders, and she holds out her phone to take a selfie with him. She’s all nerves, fingers twitching. Her smile falters: she’s seen his scars. The demon’s grin widens, as if posing for photos with tourists is his favourite thing in the world.
    A movement catches my eye. Another monk, much older, is walking towards them. Wispy white hair floating in the breeze.
    ‘Brother Stephen,’ Jude whispers, eyes fixed on the screen. ‘He gets around.’
    ‘What is he doing ?’ Mya’s voice is stretched thin.
    Brother Stephen’s palms are up, as if apologising for interrupting. The woman tries to step away. Zarael pulls her closer, laughing, as if they’re both in on a joke. The monk holds out his hand for her phone. She hesitates and then hands it to him. He steps back to fit her and Zarael in the shot.
    ‘Go closer,’ Daniel says. The Rephaite at the computer in front of him clicks three times and the camera zooms in. Magda’s beads are clacking double-time now, in sync with my heart.
    The demon strokes the woman’s hair so hard her head moves back with his hand. Brother Stephen says something to her. She nods, eager, and pulls away from Zarael. This time he lets her go.
    ‘Don’t…’ Mya whispers.
    But Brother Stephen has already stepped in to take her place. My skin chills.
    The elderly monk and the former head gatekeeper of hell stand side by side, posing for her. Zarael doesn’t put his arm around Brother Stephen: he clamps fingers around his neck. The woman takes a quick snap and then hurries towards the chapel, her red coat stark against the gravel car park. She doesn’t look back.
    Zarael turns so he and Brother Stephen face away from the chapel. He wrenches the monk’s arm behind his back and Brother Stephen’s face contorts.
    ‘Daniel…’ I barely