The world grew dim. In the distance, a man was calling her name.
The face of Josef Goldstein flickered before her eyes.
And then all was black.
The Voice filled her mind, drowning out all else. You have done well but your journey has only begun. There are many in this city and this world that need judgment.
Charity opened her eyes. She was resting on her knees, in a brightly lit room. The walls were decorated by a soft floral pattern and the floor was lined with lush carpet. She wore her Gravedigger uniform, though with her hood thrown back and her mask resting on the floor beside her.
Directly in front of her was an elaborate fountain, one that was shaped like a mountain, with a waterfall gently cascading down its surface. The entire display was nearly six feet high and half that across. The craftsmanship was so amazing that Charity felt that she could almost feel the cool breeze wafting off the water and hear the clip-clop of a mountain goat’s hooves.
Tearing her gaze away from the work of art, she looked around in hopes of finding the source of The Voice. “Where am I?” she asked.
You are Outside.
Charity blinked in confusion. “Did I die again?”
You still live but you have been gravely injured. Your friends shall heal you so that your campaign may continue. We are pleased that you have formed these attachments, they speak well of you. You inspire others to greatness, just as you inspire terror in the hearts of criminals.
Charity looked down, taking a deep breath. “Josef… when he died, what became of his spirit?”
He had long ago atoned for his sins. He has joined The Multitude.
So many confusing words and concepts, Charity thought. Will it ever make sense? Or am I doomed to not understanding — clarity only coming when I’m dead like Josef?
“What should I do next?” she asked.
Go back to your friends and continue the good work. The final member of your group is soon to arrive and then all will be in readiness. But know that every Gravedigger has an opposite and that you will recognize them when they are near. The Opposite will pose the greatest threat to you and the world.
“The opposite?” she asked aloud.
The room around her began to shimmer and the sounds of the fountain began to fade. Charity tried to stand up, not wanting to leave yet, not wanting to return without knowing about this ‘opposite’ or what new member of her group was soon to appear. Dizziness washed over her and she was unable to make it to her feet….
The words of The Voice came to her, as if from a great distance: Stay true to your mission. The time for final judgment will come and when it does, you must not be found wanting.
Charity opened her eyes, finding herself staring at the ceiling of her bedroom in Hendry Hall. For a moment, she wondered why she was here and then she remembered the group’s decision to move their base of operations from Josef’s house to Cedric’s. It startled her to think about how she missed the other home — but this was both larger and safer.
She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, slipping her feet into a pair of comfy slippers. She wore only a nightshirt and she wondered with some amusement who had stripped her — hopefully it was Li, though she wouldn’t have put it past Mitchell to do so. He was too much of a gentleman to have taken any liberties with her body but she still hoped that he hadn’t seen her in that condition.
Memories of her final battle with the Horseman came rushing back but she pushed them aside after checking the bandage over her wound. It felt sore to the touch but she could tell it was healing already.
Of greater concern to her were the things that The Voice had said — words like The Multitude and The Opposite filled her with curiosity. She desperately wished that she could have spent more time Outside. Was that the home place of The Voice? Was it Heaven or some equivalent?
Charity got dressed while she contemplated these things. There were voices drifting up from down below and after putting on a soft blue dress and calf-high boots, she headed to join them.
Mitchell and Cedric were seated in front of the fireplace, engaged in a competitive game of chess, while Li was flipping through a French fashion magazine. The young beauty was on the couch, her long legs tucked beneath her.
“Miss me?” Charity asked as she entered the study.
Li sprang from the couch and gave her a hug. “Sleeping beauty awakes!” she shouted happily.
Charity laughed and squeezed her friend. “How long was I out?”
“Not long. A week. Maybe a month.”
Mitchell and Cedric approached, equally happy to see her back on her feet.
“It wasn’t that long, luv. About eighteen hours.”
“Who dressed my wound?”
“That was me,” Li confirmed. “Dressed the wound, undressed the girl.”
“Lucky you,” Cedric muttered with a playful grin.
Mitchell gave him a nudge with his elbow and Cedric pretended to have taken a much larger blow, staggering back.
Li glanced at Charity and rolled her eyes in mock annoyance. “So, Chief, what’s next?”
Charity took a deep breath before answering. “I think… I think we should all go out for a nice dinner.”
“You’re leaving your crypt, my dead friend?” Li teased. “I don’t think you’ve been out without your mask for any length of time since you were buried in the dirt!”
“Did I ever tell you how I love your ability to frame a scene, Li?”
“No.”
“That’s because you don’t have one.” Charity shook her head. “We’ve done a good job. Let’s celebrate. Josef left me enough money that I probably won’t ever spend it so we might as well enjoy it from time to time.”
Cedric nodded. “As long as I can pick up the gratuity.”
“Mr. Moneybags likes to spend money, too,” Li pointed out.
Mitchell noticed that Charity’s expression was one of distraction. “Something bothering you?” he asked.
“I heard The Voice again,” she admitted. “It told me a few things that didn’t make much sense… it warned me that I had an enemy out there that it called The Opposite. And it also made it sound like there was going to be one more member of our group.”
“Can’t say that I consider either of those things to be good news,” Cedric said. “Last thing we need is another enemy — and I quite like the group as it’s currently constituted.”
“We liked the group before you were added,” Mitchell countered, “but we’ve warmed to you. We shouldn’t dismiss more help out of hand.”
A knocking from the front door made everyone pause. Since Cedric had yet to replace the help, he gave a smile and said, “I’ll be right back.”
“No.” Charity stopped him with a touch to his arm. “Let me.”
Cedric’s eyes narrowed. “Expecting someone?”
“Could be our newest friend.” Or enemy, she thought.
Charity left the room, aware of her friends’ gaze upon her. Most acutely, she felt the burning stare of Mitchell. She wondered if it was wise to pursue any kind of relationship with him. The problems that his race presented couldn’t be easily ignored, though she had no qualms about it personally. Others would, however, and that warranted concern. Additionally, there was the fact that they would be working very closely together — what if things turned south? How would it impact their ability to function as a unit?
She tensed as she reached the front door, readying herself for anything. Yanking the door open, she was prepared for any potential threat.
What she saw, however, gave her pause. There was a man standing there, evidently in his mid-thirties from the look of him. He was tall and well formed, with a rangy build that was quite pleasing in appearance. His eyes reflected a dark humor and ample intelligence.