Read Apocalypse Cult (Gray Spear Society) for Free Online Page B

said, "but far too cynical."
    He grunted.
    She wore a tailored gray business suit that made her appear sophisticated. He couldn't tell if she carried any concealed weapons. Her soft flat shoes didn't match the formality of the rest of her outfit.
    The coffee smelled wonderful, and its aroma drew him to the small area that served as his kitchen. He had a single counter with a steel sink. There were cabinets beneath, but they only held four plates and two pots. When at home, his diet could be summarized as "packaged, frozen, and microwavable."
    A full cup was waiting for him, and when he took a sip, the flavor made him sigh with pleasure. The coffee was the best he had tasted in a long while. He grabbed a strawberry Danish and took a big bite.
    "Great Danish," he said around a delicious mouthful. He had to admit that for an intruder, she was very gracious.
    She stood up and walked over to a wall where pictures were hung. "Your parents?" She pointed at one photo in particular.
    "That's right. They live in the suburbs, but I bet you know that."
    "Yes." She turned her attention to a picture of Aaron in a police uniform with several other officers.
    "That was taken when I graduated from the police academy," he said.
    "Do you still keep in touch with your old buddies?"
    "We drink beers. Not often. Is that really what you came to talk about?"
    Ethel studied the pictures without responding.
    Aaron went over to his front door and checked for signs of forced entry. He was sure he had locked it last night, but he found no scratches or other marks.
    "Why didn't you just knock instead of picking the lock?" he said. "I would've invited you in."
    "You were asleep. I didn't want to wake you. I was being polite."
    "Breaking into a man's home while he is asleep is not my idea of polite."
    She shrugged.
    "What do you want?" he said.
    "I want to add you to my team. We have an opening. But first I need to know a little more about you."
    He raised his eyebrows. "This is a job interview?"
    "I guess you could call it that."
    "I don't need a new job. I'm doing fine. I have plenty of money." The lie sounded weak even to himself.
    "Let's just skip the posturing and get to the interview. Sit, please."
    He hesitated.
    "I asked you nicely to sit down," she said. Her tone implied the next time she made the request, she would be less kind about it.
    They sat across from each other at the small round table where Aaron ate his lonely meals. He wished he had wiped it off. The plastic surface had grease splatters, sticky spots, and crumbs on it.
    "What are your views on religion?" Ethel said. "Do you believe in God?"
    "Huh?" The odd question startled Aaron. "My parents were Catholic, but they almost never attended church. I didn't get much religion as a child. I'm agnostic, if anything. What about you?"
    "I'm asking the questions here."
    "Does this mystery job have something to do with religion?"
    She sipped her coffee. "In a way. How do you define 'miracle?'"
    "I don't know." He shook his head.
    "The dictionary defines miracle as 'an extraordinary event that surpasses all known natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause.' Do you believe in them?"
    "Miracles? I believe a lot of people use the word 'miracle' when they just don't understand what's going on."
    "You're correct." She nodded. "But that doesn't mean they're always wrong."
    She drew a dagger from a scabbard hidden up her sleeve. The hilt was wrapped with gray cords and the blade was painted black. It was about eight inches long.
    She gave the dagger to him, stood, and moved back a few feet. "Throw it at my face. Hard."
    He stared at her. "Are you crazy?"
    "Throw. I'll be perfectly safe."
    He couldn't throw a knife at a woman, even if she asked for it, so he just tossed it back to her. She easily grabbed the knife out of the air and gave it back.
    "I'm serious," she said.
    He stood up and tossed it harder. She caught it by the handle and returned it.
    "That was pathetic! Try again."
    He really