Chapter 21

As for Cillian, he privately worked on his own religious beliefs. The Monks had built a church-like room for Father Whalen, which was big enough for them to attend but of course was reserved primarily for humans. When he gave his next sermon, Cillian attended alongside a couple dozen other humans. Under an arched ceiling layered with gold, he listened intently to the speech about giving, the hymns, the prayers, and more. He followed along as best he could, since there was no missal to guide him and the others. Once it came time for communion, he happily received it. He accepted the body of Christ, drank from the chalice, and then crossed himself.

After the service, he helped Whalen clean up the space, since the priest did not have any altar boys to put out the candles. He said he didn’t need any, especially with all of Cillian’s aid. Besides, he preferred Cillian’s company to that of a child.

He asked Cillian how his Bible study was going. “Any passages stick out for you?”