Namirha jumped back up on stage and spoke to the group of people sitting on the stage with him. They all got up at the same time, took bags from under their chairs, and began to circulate around the audience. Emma leaned side to side, standing on her tiptoes, trying to see what they were passing out, but she was too short. She looked over at Michael, who was having no problem looking over the heads of the congregants.
“They’re passing out hundred dollar bills, along with medallion necklaces; just like the one he gave to Hannah.”
“No wonder these people are going crazy.” She shook her head. “Emma, their minds are being controlled by wearing those amulets of his making. So he’s not as strong as he was the last time we clashed. Very interesting. No wonder he wants Hannah so desperately. He’s losing his powers.”
“Hmmm. Mr. All-Powerful is not so much, eh?” she quipped.
More of his followers cam
The six members of the Inner Sanctum had taken Namirha to his tent, where they sat him upon his chair.“Are you okay, my Lord?” asked one of the members, still wearing his robe.“Yes, Robert, I’m fine now. My powers sometimes even overwhelm me. All of you should leave me so I can meditate and prepare for the other services.”“Of course, my Lord. If there is more we can do, we will,” he replied. He and the rest of the Inner Sanctum left the tent to tend to their duties around the camp.“Hannah! Helena! Where are you?” Namirha called out. “Here, Father, here. We are in the corner.”“Whatever are you doing there? Why are you hiding from me?” he asked, his cheeks puffed out and reddened.“I couldn’t get Hannah out from the corner, my Lord, so I stayed with her, as you commanded,” Helena simpered, crawling out of their hiding spot.“I was
The Brethren were able to free nearly all of the people who showed up for the first prayer service, and they considered it a huge success. Now Gabriel was assessing the population controls they had in place for the next registration and prayer service. While he was out, the rest congregated in the Saviors’ tent.They were going over numbers while Emma linked in to Hannah’s thread to check in on her. Hannah relayed that Namirha had seen the necklace around her neck and looked very pleased. Beyond that, he paid little attention to her. He was preparing for the next prayer service. She was to return to his tent.Gabriel entered with a major scowl on. “Houston, we’ve got a problem,” he disclosed in a hushed tone.“What’s happened, Gabriel?” Michael stood up.“Well, I checked the population controls. All’s in working order and it’s doing a great job. But as I walked down the driveway, I noticed
“Oh God, Michael, please say something!” Emma was frantic. Why wasn’t he responding to her? And how could she undo what she’d done? She needed Raphael. He would know what to do. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to get Raphael. He’ll know how to fix the mess I’ve made. Stay right there. Don’t move,” she whispered as calmly as she could, but on the inside she was absolutely torn apart. She had this dreadful feeling she’d done something irreparable.She turned to go when suddenly, his arm shot out and his hand grabbed at her leg.“Don’t go, please,” he begged.“Michael! Honey, are you all right?” She captured his face in her shaking hands.He lifted his own to steady hers. “I feel…I feel free,” he professed incredulously.“Lord Almighty!” Emma gushed. “I thought I had…well, you don’t want to know what I
Hannah prepared herself for Helena’s return. She was an insufferable woman who smothered and babied, but she was easily pliable, and that worked to the Ancient Warrior’s advantage. Her companion came in and took up residence on a chair by the tent’s entrance.“Well, I see you have your coloring book and crayons all set up. How lovely. Now, I’m going to sit here and read my book, so if you need me, I’m right here.”“Thank you, Helena.” No sooner had she started drawing yet another bunny, a visitor came. Agremon. As he barged into the room he pushed Helena so hard, she slammed against the wall beside her and slumped to the floor unconscious.Why am I not sensing him at all? He broke through her musings with a booming command, “We’re going to a party, Gnat. Come.”“No.” If he was going to call her a gnat, she was going to live up to that name and be a pest.“I&rs
As she stealthily made her way to the Prayer Tent, Emma prayed that she hadn’t completely lost her mind. But her decision to go it alone at this point was fueled by her need to save her daughter by any means necessary. She could not turn away from her mission nor let anyone know or they’d have stopped her for sure, especially Michael. Oh, if she made it through this, he was going to kill her! She’d gladly deal with that later. She was about to turn master and disciple against each other to save her daughter. And may they wipe each other off the face of the earth and leave us alone, she thought.She snuck in the back of the Prayer Tent, not wanting to be seen by Nathanael. She slunk down in a seat and waited for the service to end, occupying herself with looking around. They had indeed done an excellent job of ridding the place of people. Where the first prayer service had standing room only, this one was a quarter filled at best.Namirha appeared quit
“Of course, we have a deal,” Emma responded without a moment’s hesitation. There was never any doubt she’d put Hannah’s life before hers. She hoped Michael would be able to forgive her at some point during his immortal life. She knew better than to expect it while she was alive. “So, now what? Do you know where Agremon could have taken her?” She wasn’t about to give up the fact that she’d already known their last position or had powers of her own. It could very well be the only thing to come in handy when the two evils faced off.“If he’s got her, then he’s taken her to the mountaintop altar. I had it erected as soon as I found this area. We’ll go there now.” Emma started to walk out of the tent. “Uh no, Ms. Livingston. We’ll go my way. It’s quicker.” He grabbed her by the arms. “Hang on tight. It’ll only take a moment.”Emma thought her body ha
From what Emma could see from her vantage point, Agremon had tied Hannah’s hands behind her back. When she shifted a bit to get a better look, she found that he’d also attached a collar around her neck and a leash attached to that. He pulled her like a dog towards the stone slab altar. She couldn’t stop her impulses to run to her daughter, but Namirha’s strong hold settled her back in her spot, silently conveying he had it all under control.“Well, well, well, what have we here? You’re starting the party without me?” Namirha quickly waved his hand to secure Agremon to the very spot where he stood. For all his efforts, he couldn’t pick up his feet, and his arms were sealed to his sides. “Don’t you know how rude that is? In fact this party’s not supposed to happen until Thursday, isn’t that right, Hannah? Your birthday is on Thursday. You must have gotten your dates wrong, Agremon. Tell me you got the dates
Emma dropped to the ground like a lead balloon, right on her behind, and stared in awe at the men. How different they all looked in their leather pants, muscles glistening from sweat, and their wings unfurled. Indestructible and unyielding, an impenetrable wall of immortal flesh now stood solidly before her. Agremon slowed to a stop. Emma gathered her wits, got up, and began searching for Michael. It didn’t take long, and his murderous expression gave her pause. He moved to her and stood protectively by her side.“We know Namirha has Hannah. You will tell me about that later,” Michael demanded pointedly.Emma nodded silently.“Michael! Brethren!” Agremon shouted. “Long time no see. Come for a rumble, have you?”“Come to serve Brethren justice swiftly and permanently, Agremon!” Kemuel answered, walking towards him.“Ha! I look forward to you trying!” Agremon quickly flashed himself of