Ash Return of the Beast

CHAPTER 67



Interstate 5

“Next exit, then left,” Kane said, gripping the armrest.

Ravenwood’s vehicle sped down the off-ramp, lights flashing, siren blaring. She hung a fast left onto Branson Rd. “How far, now?”

“Not far. Ten minutes. Right, next light.”

Ravenwood ran the stop, took the turn and swerved to miss a truck that was backing out of a driveway.

“Follow this road,” Kane said. “Straight shot for about two miles. I’ll tell you when to turn.”

Kane knew this road well. In the daylight it was a nice drive. A thick forest of towering evergreens lined both sides of the road. Now the trees were a dark blur flying past his window against a black sky.

“Wait a minute,” Ravenwood said. “This is wrong.”

Kane’s brow furrowed. “What?”

Ravenwood shook her head, hit the brakes, and maneuvered the SUV into a one-eighty slide. Before Kane knew what was happening, they were speeding down the road in the opposite direction.

He looked at her as if she’d lost her mind. “You’re going back where we came from? What the hell are you doing?”

“Cowl wouldn’t be going to your father’s house.” She shook her head. “God! How could I have been so stupid!”

“What are you talking about? He’s the ninth target.”

“Exactly. That’s why he’s not going there.”

“What?”

“The ritual. Don’t you get it? Each killing is a ritual sacrifice. Cowl never does it with his own hands. He can’t. He needs––Crowley needs––the Doppelganger to carry out the sacrifice. The Doppelganger is more Crowley than Cowl. Cowl’s just a host, a tool that Crowley is using. The ritual to produce the Doppelganger is always performed at the same place. Cowl’s place. That’s where he’s heading, not your father’s place. Damn it.” Then she added, “Say a prayer that we’re not too late.”

“Yeah. That’ll help. Shit.”

***

The flames of the candles flared wildly as Cowl sat at the center of the Lucifer Seal, projecting the Doppelganger.