As we made our way across the bustling tarmac of the Las Vegas Airport, the golden rays of the morning sun cast a warm glow on the gleaming surface of the private jet awaiting us. Upon entering the luxurious interior, a wave of awe washed over me. The plush furnishings exuded an aura of refinement, each surface adorned with meticulous diligence to every detail. As we settled into our seats, the soft embrace of the leather enveloped us, cocooning us in comfort.

  “Clara?” Jack asked with a look of astonishment and confusion. How could a modest church in the heart of Las Vegas possibly lay claim to such extravagance, the kind that even CEOs might envy?” With a serene smile, she met his gaze, her eyes betraying a hint of mystery veiled behind their depths.

  “Jack I have many things to share with you before we land,” Clara said,

  “Things are not adding up, like a priest with the connections to do a background check on me that surpasses the FBI, having the audacity to cancel all my appointments, and sending me off with a stranger in a plane that is only owned by billionaires-it’s all too surreal.”

  “I understand how you must feel, Jack, the plane is owned by the Vatican and on loan to us for the work we are about to do.” Clara's voice resonated with empathy.

  Looking out the window as the plane lifts off, his thoughts become more incoherent, “Clara, what is going on, why am I here and what is it that we are supposed to be doing? And no bullshit tell me the truth!” He said with a wave of increasing anger. Sitting back in her seat Clara begins to detail the task that we had been assigned,

  “As you know Father Murray has sent us to find the Dybbuk boxes. We are flying to a small town outside of Salem Massachusetts where they were last seen at the auction.”

  “Yes, I already understand that Clara! But why is that the only part of the story that is told, I told you no bullshit this time!”

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  “Okay Jack,” She said in a calm voice “I am working with Father Murray as a special advisor sanctioned by the Vatican. I am a witch trained in the arts of binding, necromancy, and protection magic. We are working together because of your ability and skills to handle, transport, and store cursed objects.”

  “Wait!” He almost yelled, “You are a witch? How does a witch become an advisor to the Catholic Church? Would they not consider you the enemy? None of this is making any sense!”

  She replied softly “I understand how this can be confusing, during the burning times they killed many people most of whom were only healers, midwives, and widows with desirable lands that the church wanted. In those days, the church was ruled by wicked men who saw only personal gain and political influence. Those days are returning, there are powerful people in the shadows who want to bring about the evil of those times to regain their power and position in the world.”

  The mention of the burning times sent a shiver down his spine, the specter of persecution looming large in the recesses of his mind. The atrocities committed in the name of religious zealotry echoed through the annals of history, casting a long shadow over the present.

  Now rubbing his temples, he stated “So we are supposed to collect these boxes from an unknown place, keep them from being taken by unknown people, store them in an unknown location to bring down this unknown evil force, and keep everything known as it is?”

  Clara's lips curled into a wry smile, her eyes alight with a glimmer of amusement amidst the turmoil surrounding them. “Yes Jack that is the mission. However, the clergy we will be going to visit will not be very accommodating as it was their job to hide and protect these boxes.”

  “Hold up,” he said interrupting her, “Both of you have told me these boxes were sold by mistake at an auction, if they were sold and we are trying to find them then why would the priests there be uncooperative.” Breaking eye contact with him and looking out the window she hesitated to reply. “Clara!” He growled.

  “This church has a witch working with them as well, she is the one who ultimately does the workings to trap the demons in the boxes when they find them. It has been brought to our attention that this witch named Gray Raven has fled the area and has not been heard from since the death of Father Timothy, Father Murray feels that she was involved in his untimely death,” Again Jack interrupts,

  “Father Murray told me he died of cancer, he mentioned nothing of a possible murder!”