Bone Dance Read Online Free PDF Page A

been the Voice of Prophecy, but once Lex had seen the possibilities in Loretta, Charlene had been relegated to the role of the Crippled Boy’s Mother. At the same time, Loretta had also replaced Charlene in Lex’s bed. Lex knew that both decisions still rankled with Charlene.
    He sighed inwardly. One day, he’d have to let Charlene go. He could see that writing on the wall. But, right now, he just hoped that no one in the crowd was aware of her.
    Loretta slowly raised her arms so that the flowing sleeves of her tunic fell back like wings behind her and raised her face towards the roof of the auditorium. Six hundred or more souls fell silent in breathless anticipation. The only sounds were afew stifled sobs and the soft throb of the organ’s bass notes.
    â€œThus saith the Lord,” she began. “I have poured out my blessings on my people . . .”
    â€œAmen! Hallelujah! Tell it, Sister. Yes, Lord! Praise God.” The soft incantations began to rise from the crowd.
    â€œBut my people have not heeded my word. They have sinned and sinned mightily . . .”
    â€œYes, Lord. Sinned, Lord . . .”
    Loretta’s voice rose a notch. “Sinned! Sins of the flesh . . . fornication, adultery, unclean acts . . .” She seemed to hesitate for a moment, and Lex could see her eyes flick to the tall man in front of them. “Yes, sin . . .” she continued.
    â€œAmen, Lord. Yes, God . . .”
    Slowly, Loretta let her arms fall and then, with a swift movement, began to point to various people in the audience, raising first one arm and then the other. As she did so, it seemed to them that bolts of lightning shot out from between her fingers, illuminating them and their dark sins. Lex smiled. The small narrow-beam high intensity flashlights sewn into the skin-toned surgical gloves she wore really did the trick. “I know you and I know your sins. I know what you do in the dark of the night. I know what evil thoughts linger in your mind . . .”
    People screamed and cried as the light flashed on them. Gloria changed the musical accompaniment, dropping into the deep sonorous chords of the Death March, letting the sound echo and reverberate around the room, until every person felt the noise and thunder pounding in his brain.
    â€œI know you and your secret sins. I know what you lust after . . .” Loretta suddenly whirled and pointed at the man in front of her. “I know your hatreds and your false pieties . . .”
    An expression of exultation lit up the man’s face, and he looked, not at Loretta, but beyond her into the shadows at theback of the stage. He spread out his arms and jerked spasmodically, then seemed to fold in on himself until he was just another crumpled heap on the floor in front of the platform. Joe stepped forward, straightened his legs out and folded his arms across his chest.
    Lex was impressed. He hadn’t thought Loretta had that kind of power. His mind played with the idea of having Loretta do this as part of the act. While not as dramatic as his own laying on of hands, it was pretty effective. He wondered if she could do it again, or if this was just some kind of lucky fluke.
    â€œBut I, the Lord your God, forgive you, each and every one of you. I know you are tempted by Satan.”
    Again, the enthusiasm of the crowd began to rise, “Yes, tempted, Lord. Not our fault . . . Amen, Sister.”
    â€œThus saith the Lord . . .” Loretta let her arms fall to her sides. She bowed her head as if in absolute weariness and stood silent in the golden glow of the spotlight.
    â€œTell us, Sister,” the audience begged.
    Lex stepped forward. “Sister,” he said. “If the Lord has a Word for all of these sinners, then speak it now.”
    â€œYes, speak it!” the crowd shouted.
    Loretta raised her head, looked