"How did you manage to escape when you encountered it?"
"A number of ways, really," Cora said. "For one, it didn't seem to appreciate my silver bullets. I shot it full in the face half a dozen times and made it bleed some black molasses. It carried on a good deal about it, but it didn't roll over and die like it should have. Seemed right scared of fire and sunlight, too, from what I could see."
"Most creatures of the darkness are."
Cora nodded. "One thing was funny, though. I tried to cut it up with my saber, the one I have a blessing on, but it was like trying to cut through a cannon. Blade just bounced right off."
"The blessing was still good?"
"Yep. Had Father Brown over in Dodge see to it not four weeks ago."
Cora's news troubled the little priest. What sort of evil creature could defend against a blessing placed by a servant of the Most High? Unless she had crossed paths with Lucifer himself, he didn't see how it was possible.
The priest looked at Cora and spread his hands out. "Well, I'm sorry, my dear, but I really don't know what it could be."
Cora's shoulders slumped. "Not even a hint?"
"I'm afraid not," he replied. "It is clearly a powerful creature, and very dangerous, but beyond that, I can't say much."
"All right, then," she said. "Ain't sure what I'm going to do now, though."
"Not to worry, my child," the old man said, patting her hand. "I will send telegraphs to some of my friends back East. They have a lot more experience dealing with these sorts of things than I do. I'll send it first thing in the morning, so it should only take a couple of days to find your answer."
Cora smiled. "My thanks, Father."
He smiled back at her, then his face grew serious again. "Have the years been hard since our last meeting?"
"Oh, ain't got much to complain about," she said. "Still living with my virtues and building on my vices, just like always."
"It's been a long time since you fought the vampires here," Father Baez said. "Have you found your peace with it?"
"I reckon so," Cora said, finding the question strange. "I ain't the type to let myself get all in a sulk on account of shooting a few monsters, Father."
"No, I suppose not," the priest replied. "I'm glad to hear you say that."
"Me too." Cora stood to her feet and offered her hand. Father Baez accepted it and accompanied her to the front door.
"Well, as I said, I expect to hear back from New York or Philadelphia within a day or two, so stop by tomorrow evening." He patted her on the back and smiled. "Maybe I'll even have time for a confession."
"The good Lord knows I need one," she replied, "but I don't think it does any good if you ain't looking to change your ways. If I didn't have whiskey and poker, why, I'd have to take up reading like Ben does just to pass the time."
A shadow passed over the priest's face, but it cleared within the span of a breath. "Well, if you change your mind, I will be here to listen."
Cora nodded, smiling as she pulled the door open. Father Baez watched her saunter down the front walk, a prayer coming to his lips.
"Heavenly Father, lover of all and defender of the weak, bless Cora in Your love. Accept her offering of dedication and service, and help her to give You praise, to pray for Your church and the world, and to serve Your people in peace and joy. I ask this grace through Christ my Brother and my Lord, amen."
Jack Evans lowered his head as he walked by the Pioneer. Despite the powerful thirst in his throat, he kept his eyes pointed straight ahead down the dark street. He could hear the piano plinking away at some classic tune, accompanied by a chorus of miners well past their first drinks. Picturing a row of glistening beards on either side of the old upright, Jack broke into a grin. He longed to toss his arm around the shoulders of the last man in line and sing along, all his worries of monsters in the woods forgotten.
His boots slowed down as his thirst began overpowering his will. He came to a stop and had started to turn back when he heard a tinkling crash and a stream of shouting. More voices rose in answer, drowning out the piano in an avalanche