The crowds parted ahead of him: mothers, seeing the figures in yellow that were hot on the boy’s heels and sensing the danger, pulled their children out of his way as he ran at them. Behind him, Gabriel could hear shouts and screams. He knew that there would be others pursuing Rachel, but felt fairly sure that Adam had made it away unseen. That had always been the plan: create enough chaos and confusion to give Adam the time and space to get away with the relic. Gabriel could hear the men gaining on him, but he did nothing to quicken his pace. He knew where he was going and was happy to let them think they had him trapped. He took the stone steps up to the church three at a time, stumbling at the top and quickly picking himself up. He could hear them panting, their firebrands crackling just a few steps behind. “Diablo!” he heard one shout. “Monstruo.” Devil. Monster. Gabriel crashed through the heavy, wooden doors and turned, waiting. He watched the four of them as they stepped inside after him, the cascades of fireworks lighting up the night sky behind them.
