by Deena Remiel
Brethren Beginnings
~GABRIEL SEEKER~
Deena Remiel
Brethren Beginnings ~ GABRIEL SEEKER
By Deena Remiel
Smashwords Edition
Copyright ©2011 by Deena Remiel
Brethren Beginnings ~ GABRIEL SEEKER is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher and/or author, except for brief quotations used in critical articles or reviews.
Firewalker Press
Chapter One
Time is eternal, no beginning and no end. And yet as humans we are on a constant mission to find when IT all began, how we came to be, and why we are here. We must have a purpose to this life, so many of us suggest. Some of us have found grand, solid purposes to our lives, while others continue to ponder, wallowing in the muck and mire of a horrid life thrust upon them without their consent. And so, while many of us live out our days finding love, building families and careers, others not as fortunate become predators, sniffing out any excuse to snuff out another’s purposeful life.
When humans began to segregate themselves this way, into people of goodness and people of evil, the Brethren first appeared on Earth. Their arrival was not one of brilliance, nor was it apocalyptic. There were no meteor showers that day. There was no eclipse of the sun. No major earthquakes or other natural disasters were pointed to, heralding their coming.
They simply manifested.
There was a new awareness of being, of having hands to touch, a mouth to speak, eyes to see, and ears to hear, all new, independent and tangible features; yet each was dependent on another to absorb information and paint a complete picture of the world around them.
For all Brethren, there was, too, an immediate understanding of their purpose, and an acknowledgement that here was now their home, to protect, to heal, and to fight for.
They had known of each other, the Brethren did. Before manifesting, before becoming individuals here on earth, they had an awareness of each other, working in concert as a collective against Evil. But Evil was still gaining ground and threatening to put a stranglehold on the entire human race. Each one of the Brethren had agreed to this angelic mission and its terms for reasons all their own. And in time, each of their stories shall unfold.
There were nine angels in all, three Protectors, three Warriors, and three Saviors. Each triad had their own powers and orders, and none could cross over without severe penalty, and possible banishment. Protectors were adept at spinning spells, weaving magic, and creating talismans for the safety and protection of the human race. On the rare occasion, they could wield a sword offensively, however their swords were mostly use for defense. Warriors had brawn and analytical minds for warfare, and used blessed swords as their weapon of choice. And Saviors were meant to heal those with severe injuries and those who held the hand of death far too prematurely. There was just one caveat. They had to be called upon through a desperate plea or a prayer to engage in their angelic duties.
Their mission would span eternity, and it was likely they would see many a war against their foe. Satan had been able to plant his seed deep within the hearts of humans eons ago, and even had time to hijack a wayward Brethren along the way. Evil. It’s a tricky bugger to eradicate, but would be dealt with nonetheless, one demon or possessed human at a time.
The first task was to assimilate into society. Some Brethren turned their abilities into careers, while others carefully cloaked their identities in creative ways. Their lives were singular and without attachments beyond their work. A solitary life was preferred given the dangerous nature of their mission. Spread out across the world, they could be called together at a moment’s notice by their boss, E.L., whose beginnings to this day are shrouded in mystery.
Gabriel, a Protector, was the first to settle in.
Chapter Two
As the sun set behind the mountains of the city of Phoenix, Gabriel Seeker’s corporeal life began, again. He stood at the base of Camelback Mountain, with a hot wind whipping through his charcoal mane, contemplating the last tours of duty he had spent on earth.
All of the Brethren had their own unique reasons for signing up, and Gabriel had been no exception. But his reason was quite simple, really. He yearned to be less than he was. A master at knowing all things, he had become bored, and desired the challenge of not knowing and having to seek out the answers. Manifesting on earth, E.L. guaranteed he would have that chance. Gabriel was the first, then, to manifest and scout things out for the rest. To question and seek answers, to ponder and plunder through his new life using the limited mind of a human, was exhilarating! Omniscience gone, he felt challenged for the first time in his history.
But as with all things, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence. Gabriel and the other Brethren had been sent to ancient Gaul, and quickly, he felt too limited by the constraints of that time period. A challenge is one thing, but having to deal with ignorance, superstition, and war on a daily basis was not what he had in mind. No one and nothing helped him gather truth, only supposition, and he quickly soured to the notion of being on earth. But he knew what he had gotten himself into when he signed the contract, and resigned himself to his eternal fate.
Having done exceedingly well for hundreds of years at keeping Evil shackled and bound, all of the Brethren were offered the opportunity to go home and return to their full angelic forms. Surprised and elated at E.L.’s change to the contract, he took it and ran, while others chose to remain on earth. It wasn’t until a thousand years or so after Christ’s death that he was called back to earth yet again, for the most major of wars between Good and Evil. He arrived hopeful that he would see significant changes after so much time had passed. But it wasn’t meant to be. And once again, having fought back Evil, and with Good remaining sovereign, Gabriel returned home to his full angelic form. Scarred by evil’s depraved hand and disgruntled at having found limitations still existing on earth too vast to overcome, he reveled in his non-corporeal freedom.
He often wondered why the others preferred to stay when it was so much more agreeable to live beyond with their supreme powers. To each his own, he figured, and knew in time he would be called back to earth for yet another major task. And he was right. He only hoped that this time, he would be satisfied with the advances made in the modern era. Manifesting in an Armani suit of the sweetest silver-gray silk, to match the color of his eyes, and briefcase in hand, he walked into Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort.
***
“My name is Gabriel Seeker, and I’d like the finest suite available. Money is no object, and privacy is of the utmost importance. I’ll be staying for a while.” All too ready to oblige, Caleb, a sprite young man in his mid-twenties, quickly accommodated him. This enigmatic man’s god-like stature and demeanor told Caleb in not so many words that if he did his job well, there would be a very nice tip at the end. Spurred on by this notion, Caleb decided to step away from the registration desk to see Gabriel personally to his suite.
“I’m sure you’ll find everything to your taste and requirements, Mr. Seeker. If not, rest assured that I will personally see to it that all is rectified. For a guest such as yourself, I have included complimentary breakfast and dinner for the length of your stay. If there is anything more I can do for you, sir, all you need to do is ask.” Caleb gushed, knowing his boss would be thrilled w
ith the big score.
“Caleb, if you can handle my unusual needs in a timely fashion, I will consider acquiring your talents for my company. I am in need of an assistant, and I can guarantee you, my company pays much better than this one. Let’s call the next few days a test of sorts, shall we? Should you pass, I will offer you the position as my assistant. If you fail, well, you’ll just be Caleb, behind the counter. Sound good?”
“Sounds intriguing, sir. I like challenges and I like money, so fire away. Make your list and see if I don’t accomplish it all for you when you want it done.”
“For starters, while I’m here, I will need the top of the line in computer hardware, including servers, installed by tomorrow afternoon. Here is a list of the software that must be loaded. Then, find me a house to buy, with these features and requirements.” Gabriel handed Caleb two files with all the information needed to execute the tasks. “I’d like to be in a house by the end of the month.”
By the end of the month? This man is nuts! That’s only two weeks away! “No problem, sir. If there isn’t anything else, sir, I’ll be on my way.” Caleb turned to go, but was stalled by a powerful hand on his shoulder.
“Caleb, my name is Gabriel, so call me that. And here, take this. It’s the first and last tip you’ll get from me. Succeed, my friend, in all the tasks I present you with, and you’ll never need to whore yourself for a tip again.” The enigmatic man smiled as he extended a hand with a hundred-dollar bill in it and tucked it neatly into Caleb’s shirt pocket.
He looked away from Gabriel’s punishing stare, ashamed and feeling as though he’d been sucker-punched. But when he heard the word “whore,” he couldn’t deny that Gabriel had spoken his dirty little truth.
“How… how did you know?” Caleb asked in a hushed whisper.
“Never you mind,” Gabriel asserted. “Just understand it’s over. No more, Caleb. You’re better than that. Now go and show me so!”
He nodded, speechless, and left the suite full of hope and determination. He was finally going to have a shot at a better life!
***
Gabriel walked around the palatial suite, shaking his head and laughing. “I don’t even have my equipment set up and already you got me on the job! E.L., you’re something else! And by the way, I think I just may want to stay this time. I love these gadgets and tools to acquire information. This is what I’ve been waiting for all these thousands of years!”
Two weeks. In two weeks, he’d be in a house, and he would be open for business. He already had a name, Seeker Investigations and Security. Being a Brethren Protector, he figured this line of work would guarantee his chances of protecting the most people in need. There were people all over the world being victimized. But he manifested here, so here would be where he started. And Caleb, closet male prostitute, would apparently be his first project.
***
Caleb sat at his post, tapping his pen against the counter and thinking furiously. Where the hell was he going to find a complete state-of-the-art computer system that could be fully installed by tomorrow? Richer still was how he planned on pulling off the purchase of a home in two weeks’ time. Saying yes to whatever Gabriel Seeker wanted was reflexive. He was in the service industry, after all. Truth be told, Manny had trained him to be this agreeable.
Manny, the slave-driving pimp who stole his childhood ten years ago, trained all of his whores to be agreeable to anyone and anything. Caleb became his crowning achievement. Having picked him up off the streets, Manny dangled the promise of riches in front of him. He trained him in the art of man-whoring, and sold him to the rich, depraved people trolling the streets after dark in their Mercedes and Jaguars, looking for boys to fulfill their evil, twisted fantasies.
Although he hated every second of it, he knew there was nothing else for him. His parents were alcoholic losers who spent all their money on liquor instead of on silly things like school clothes, haircuts, and food. At fifteen, having been sufficiently brainwashed to believe he was worthless, he couldn’t stand being near them anymore and left. He’d been on the streets for a few months when Manny scooped him up. His simmering anger and resentment over what his life had become served him well with the scum-sucking men and women he came in contact with, because they liked it rough. And rough is what he gave them. He was so good, in fact, he had repeat customers.
Caleb looked at his watch. One of those repeat customers would be coming by the registration desk in about twenty minutes. Room 333 was always the scheduled meeting place. She liked him to be prompt. Today, he definitely would be. And he’d only stay long enough to say thanks for the memories, but I’m done. On the one hand it felt great, liberating in fact.
On the other, he was scared witless. Manny was unpredictable, and could make trouble for him if he felt like it. Given how much money Caleb had made for him over the past ten years, he figured Manny was not going to be saying congratulations, and giving him a big send-off. He was leaving a major hole in Manny’s secret, illegal enterprise set up at the resort, and now he’d have to put someone in his place. That would be very tricky, since nobody at the resort knew about Manny or his people, and management was extremely diligent and thorough about checking out who they hired. Manny just happened to be better at forging documentation.
Picking up the house phone, he dialed up his friend Mack in the operations department. “Hey Mack, how much do you know about state-of-the-art computer systems?”
“You know me. I’m always up-to-date with the latest news. What do you need?”
He gave him a rundown of Gabriel’s requirements and his installation deadline. “That man is nuts, but I’ll see what I can do. I’m off in ten minutes. I’ll go shopping for you and handle the install myself.”
“You rock, man! Swing by the front desk. There’ll be an envelope with a credit card in it. Mr. Seeker assured me there would be no problem, but left his business card with it just in case. Thanks, man.”
“You owe me a couple a beers when it’s done, though.”
“No problem.” With that task handled, Caleb turned to his next one, his last customer.
“Carla, I’m leaving,” he said, turning to the woman next to him. She nodded to him, completely disinterested as she snapped her gum and spoke on the phone.
***
The elevator doors seemed to take a lifetime to open, and when they finally did, they seemed to take a lifetime to close. In fact, everything seemed to slow down to him. Everything but his heart. That raced like a hummingbird’s. He pushed the button for the third floor and analyzed his reflection. No matter which way he turned, he couldn’t escape it, for the elevator was like a gilded box. Usually, he would close his eyes until the doors opened. It wasn’t easy to look at himself for very long. Shame would creep into his face and he’d have to turn away. But today, he looked at himself for the whole trip. He turned to face every wall, and since no one was in there with him, he said aloud, “No more. You’re better than this. That’s what Gabriel said, and that’s what you have to believe from now on.”
The doors opened, Caleb stepped out and strode down the hall with all the confidence of a… scared little boy. Just a few more steps and he’d be at “her” room. He took in a deep breath and knocked softly.
He heard the click-clack of stilettos on the tile flooring. The door swung open as she let a bare leg peek around it. Sweeping his eyes downward, he saw her slender foot enticingly wrapped in one of those stilettos. Her face peered out from behind the door and she spoke. “Madame believes you are early. Come in.” She turned and let go of the door. Had Caleb not grabbed it himself, it would have closed right in his face. He shook his head. He would not miss this shit at all.
“Sit down on the chair,” she commanded, tapping a flogger against her thigh. He remained standing.
“I said sit down, maggot!” she shrilled. Her jet black hair shivered as she lost her temper, and her delicate hands, fanning her face, belied the viciousness of her blood-red nails.
�
��I can’t stay, Madame. I’m afraid I won’t be… servicing you anymore. I just came up here to tell you.” Caleb clasped his hands in front of him. They were shaking so badly, he quickly moved them behind his back. Madame liked fear, fed off of it every time they were together, and he couldn’t deny that he was bone-chilling scared.
“Who the hell do you think you are? You don’t make that kind of decision. I bought you. You’re mine until I say you’re not, dung beetle! Now strip off those nasty clothes and sit on the God damn chair!”
“No,” he said quietly, and hastily walked to the door. He reached for the handle.
“Just wait until I tell Manny what you’ve done! You’re in for some serious flaying, slave. And when he’s through with you, it’ll be Madame’s turn. You’ll be back, slave-boy. You’ll be back and regret the day you ever turned away from me!”
Caleb turned the handle, opened the door and closed it quietly behind him, never looking back and not saying another word. He winced as a mad shriek emanated from her room and something thudded against the door, but he kept on walking down the hall. He chose to take the stairs this time. He had a lot of pent-up, nervous energy to expend before reaching the lobby. He looked at his watch. Fifteen minutes left of his break. He went down one more flight of stairs, to the basement fitness room. He took off his shirt and started pounding the punching bag, imagining his fist connecting with Madame’s face and Manny’s interchangeably.
Manny was gonna find out, and he wasn’t gonna like it. Caleb paused for a minute, caught his breath, and called Gabriel. It went straight to voicemail. “Hey, Gabriel? This is Caleb. Working on your computer setup. It’s gonna be great. Uh, Gabriel? I, uh, think I’m gonna need your help, sir. I didn’t, you know, work, on my own, and I think I may have just put my life in danger by getting out. No, let me rephrase that. I know my life is in danger. Can you help me? Please? I pray you get this message in time…”
