“But how can you do that? He’s immortal like you, right? I thought immortal meant living forever.”
“Yes, he’s immortal, too, and we can live virtually forever; however, there is a way to kill us, for good. Since I am a Protector, I was given the key to that knowledge.” He paused. Something occurred to him. He sat up. “You know, I always wondered why E.L. didn’t give the key to Gabriel and Urie, too. I’d thought maybe he didn’t feel they were ready yet. But now that I’m supposed to be this ‘Great Protector’, it makes sense somehow that they don’t know. I am the ultimate Protector, and I alone hold the key to life or death for the Brethren. Lord Almighty, he really socked it to me, didn’t he!” He shook his head in disbelief, and worried the whiskers on his cheeks with his hands.
Emma sat up as well, faced him squarely, and took his hands in hers.
“It is quite an a
She gave him a hearty hug and kiss as well. Then she wriggled out of his hands and started gathering up the pictures. “These pictures are scary, Mama, so if you don’t want to look, that’s okay. I’ll put them away until later.”Emma tried her best to stifle her laughter. “That’s okay, honey. I think I can handle it. Why don’t you tell us about them over breakfast?”“Okay. But it’s a scary story, too. I just wanted you to know.”As they made their way to the kitchen, the Brethren were coming in from their overnight watch. They were loud, they were brash, they were hungry, and their very presence filled up every ounce of space available. One might be claustrophobic at such a time, but not Emma. She was safe, secure, and comfortable. As the men washed up and changed clothes, she and Michael got breakfast ready. Hannah fiddled with her pictures. It looked to Emma as though she was putting them in
The heat of the Arizona summer came on early and strong. By mid-morning, the warriors were drenched from training with swords and mixed martial arts, and had come inside to tackle the training of Hannah’s mind. Raphael and the other Saviors worked with Emma at the intermediate level of their healing arts, and then she practiced the meditation required to help her call upon her powers at will.Michael, Gabriel, and Urie required a more intense meditative session. They needed to be in perfect condition, and meditation enabled them to check, repair, and enhance their powers. Eventually all the Brethren would need to go through the same process. Manifesting and staying in human form had one drawback, the necessity to monitor and keep their corporeal bodies working in synch with their immortal powers. When facing battle, meditating was crucial to keeping both in harmony. Luckily though, while in human form, their bodies were impervious to injury. That is, any injury that could be inflicted
Agremon approached the boundaries of Emma’s property very carefully. He would stay on the outskirts until opportunity presented itself, then go inside and snatch the girl right from under the bastard angel’s nose. Talisman, be damned! He itched to win this battle over Michael, just like he had done so many years ago. Rubbing salt in that wound would give him orgasmic pleasure. Hunkering down in the protection of the trees beyond the property line, he waited. He was a patient demon. He’d been patient for six months. He could be patient for a few hours more.Emma, determined to keep as much normalcy for her daughter as possible, ushered everyone out back to witness the sun’s spectacular descent. Given the monumental task set before them all in the next few days, no one spoke, but all looked at the ever-changing colors of the twilight sky.“Remember, the sun also rises,” Hannah whispered vehemently. “And we shall rise to this latest challenge and be victorious. Am I right, my Warriors?”
Resolve clear in Michael’s head, he turned his attention to the unsettling feeling that wouldn’t go away. Since making love with Emma didn’t seem to dampen it, he knew better than to disregard it any longer and figured it had something to do with Agremon. He hadn’t shown his face for a long while, and that bothered him. What was he up to? There had been no sign of him around the property, no threaded signature to give him away. Michael was confident that the Brethren guarding the property would be able to smoke him out with the smallest of indicators of his existence.He got up from bed, and she immediately reached out in her sleep. Instantly deprived of what had become so essential, her, he grimaced, tucked his wings away, and got dressed. He had a job to do that he mustn’t forget; protect the Great Savior Mother and the Great Warrior Child.So, he skulked around the house, scanning for anything unusual. Maybe cruising about would help hi
Hannah stood stone still. She was finally face to face with Mr. Namirha. “Come to me, child. Don’t be afraid. I am to be your father come your birthday. Oh, and what a birthday it will be, my dear! We’ll have ourselves such a party to end all parties.” He clasped his hands together and smiled. “Would you like that? I’m sure you would. Come, give your father a hug.” He entreated with all the adulation and warmth a parent would bestow on his only child. He reached his arms out to her and waited.The child that was Hannah froze with fear, and the soul that was the Ancient Warrior took over, gently pushing the terrified child back into a safe little corner of her mind.The Ancient Warrior soul knew exactly what to do and began to weave a story to save the little girl’s life. She spoke in a thin, wavering voice.“I’ve always missed having a father. My mother has kept me away from him against both of our wish
Raphael put a gentle hand on Emma’s back. Her pain was so acute, that even with his mighty strength, he had to fight to keep his hand upon her. “Emma, it’s Raphael. Let me help you.” He placed his other hand on her head and stroked her hair, all the while releasing his own healing energy. He gave her all he could without jeopardizing his own safety. But she needed more. She had released all of her energies with that blast and was completely tapped out.“Emma, can you hear me?” Raphael urged.“Yes,” she whispered back weakly.“You need more than I can give. And your protections are blown to bits. You are vulnerable. Cassiel can complete the healing, but you will need Michael to repair your protection.”She slowly turned her face up, her bloodshot eyes still swimming with tears. Soft as a whisper, yet strong with conviction she ordered, “Get someone else.”“You don’t
Michael sat down and gripped her arms harshly. She grimaced and he loosened his hold.“Emma, there is nothing for me to forgive. You have every right not to trust me. What have I done to gain your trust? Huh? I’ve told you a crazy story about who you are and brought you into this otherworldly realm of angels and immortals. I’ve let Agremon get to you not once but three times now. I’m the failure here. E.L. never should have picked me for the Trinity. I’m too ashamed to even ask for your forgiveness.” He tore away from her and stood by the small window facing the mountains, pounding a fist against the window frame. She was shocked. He didn’t despise her? He feels ashamed? And he’s asked for my forgiveness? This isn’t right. She rose to stand beside him and leaned her head against his shoulder.“Your guilt complex seems to be as immovable as those damn mountains.” She pointed out the window.&
Namirha was in his temporary office, a glorified tent at Headquarters, putting the finishing touches on his sermon for this morning’s service and could feel the masses lining up at the registration desks in front of the enormous tent-like sanctuary. It could easily seat about a thousand people, and by the looks of it, would wind up being standing room only for this, the first of three separate services: one for morning, one for the afternoon, and one for the evening. By then, he figured he’d have all the followers he needed to press forward with his plans to destroy his enemies and rule the world. Yes, his people were coming. He knew they would. How weak of faith these mortals were to their Gods.Last night, surprisingly, Agremon had come through and given him Hannah. Just how he had escaped to do Namirha’s bidding still gnawed at him. He obviously had powers he’d kept hidden. Namirha would be wise to keep a closer eye on him.And there Hannah s