The Belial Sacrifice (The Belial Series Book 14)

by R. D. Brady

  “There may be a weapon mentioned in the Tome. Something that could remove the powers of all the Fallen.”

  “All the Fallen?”

  Laney nodded.

  David let out a low whistle. “Well, now that information would be well worth the trip. You said three? You, me, and Bas?”

  “No, I was thinking you, me, and Drake.”

  David’s gaze cut to her. “Drake?”

  “Of course.”

  “I’m all for you getting the Tome. I think Bas should come, though. He’d know where we need to go and how to get in. That intel will be hard to get without communications.”

  Laney nodded, seeing the wisdom of the suggestion. “Okay.”

  “And I don’t think Drake should come.”

  “What? Why?”

  “There are some things about Drake you don’t know. And I just think—”

  “Wait, what don’t I know? Because Drake would never do anything to harm me. In fact, he’d do everything in his considerable power to protect me. We are safer if he’s with us.”

  “That might not be entirely true.” He wouldn’t meet her gaze.

  “David, what aren’t you telling me?”

  He looked around before nodding toward his house. “Do you mind? You may trust everyone here, but old habits die hard, and I think maybe a little privacy might be best. And I think it would be best if Bas was part of this conversation.”

  Laney frowned but didn’t argue. “So this isn’t a CIA thing?”

  “No.”

  “All right.” She and David headed back toward his house. “Speaking of the CIA, though, what exactly are they up to with all of this?”

  David cringed. “I’m afraid I’m a bit out of the loop. I’ve been in Italy for the last month, and we’ve been traveling here for two weeks. Bruce actually helped arrange the transport for us, but the modes of communication were not secure enough for him to reveal anything.”

  Laney nodded. “Well, thank you. For taking care of all of them, but especially for my uncle.”

  David held open the door, his tone light. “I’d like to think you would have done the same for Rahim if necessary.”

  Laney grabbed his arm. “I would, David. Rahim, you, you’re part of us now. We protect one another to the best of our abilities.”

  David stared into her eyes. “You are an unusual creature, Delaney McPhearson. I am glad you’re the one who wields that ring. Some of the others with that power would not be so altruistic.”

  “He is not wrong,” Bas said, stepping out of the kitchen.

  “Oh, I don’t know. People tend to have a habit of surprising me.”

  “I told Laney we needed to speak with her.” David held Bas’s gaze. “She needs to know.”

  Bas nodded as he stepped back into the kitchen to allow them entrance. “Yes. Let’s take a seat.”

  Laney looked between the two of them as she sat down. “What exactly do I need to know?”

  “The Brotherhood—they are still very interested in you.”

  Laney waved her hands. “They are the absolute last concern on my mind right now.”

  “I know,” Bas said quickly. “But you are not the only one they are interested in. They are interested in Drake as well.”

  Laney frowned. “They know he’s an archangel?”

  David nodded. “Yes. But he’s more than just an archangel.”

  Laney flashed back on the conversation she’d had with David at the school as they’d watched Drake play with the children. “You said once that he was different than the other archangels.”

  “He is. He is the archangel the prophecy speaks of when they mention the end of days. His emergence at this point is what has convinced the Brotherhood that the end of days are near and that you are the one who will bring it about.”

  Laney shook her head. “I don’t care about any of that. I have people to keep safe. That is all I care about right now.”

  “I understand that. And we wouldn’t bring it up if we didn’t think there may be reason to worry.”

  “Worry? About Drake?”

  Both men nodded back at her.

  “Guys, I appreciate the concern, but Drake would never hurt me. Not in any way. I have no doubts about that.”

  “Drake probably wouldn’t, if given the choice. But he may not always have the choice.”

  Laney looked between the two of them, identical expressions of concern on each of their faces. “I’m not getting this. Lay it out for me, because to be honest, right now I’m just getting annoyed that you’re doubting him after all he’s done.”

  Bas glanced at David, who nodded back at him. He turned to Laney. “You are familiar with the end-of-days concept, right? Well, there are different views on what it will entail, but in broad strokes, it involves the end of humanity’s time on Earth. At that point, there will be a judgment. The good will be spared, the bad will not.

  “The Book of Daniel speaks about the end of days. It says an archangel will herald in the end of days. He will be the one who judges others for their sins.”

  Laney was vaguely familiar with the idea of an archangel playing judge, but why on earth would they think it had anything to do with Drake? “Have you met Drake? He’s not the judgmental type unless it comes to fashion. And there are plenty of archangels. He may be the first one you’ve met, but he’s the third I’ve met.”

  Bas licked his lips, only meeting Laney’s gaze for a moment before looking away. “We think that there may be a reason for that. He’s forgotten who he really is. The burden of that responsibility is not on him—not yet. But once he realizes who he really is, the Brotherhood believes it will all come back. And he will become the judge they have been waiting for.”

  A chill ran over Laney. “You keep saying who he really is. Who exactly do you think he is?”

  “He is God’s most loyal soldier.”

  Laney stared at the two of them before shaking her head, a tremor working through her body. They can’t mean . . . “No. You’re wrong. He’s an archangel, but not that one.”

  Bas reached for her hand. “Laney—”

  She stood up, yanking her hands behind her back. “No. It’s not possible. He’s Drake. Yes, he’s a good fighter, an exceptionally good one. But nothing else fits.”

  “Haven’t you noticed that the rules for the archangels don’t seem to apply to him? He was allowed to be a human for a lifetime. No other archangel was granted that.” Bas extended his hands. “He created this. He was given access to this. Who else could have done that? Most archangels are messengers or guardians. But when their mission is over, they do not get to stay. They return to the Father.”

  Laney stared at them, but it wasn’t the two men in front of her she saw. It was Ralph as he lay at Heaven’s Gate after Victoria had sacrificed herself. His mission was complete, and he had disappeared as if he had never been. “It can’t be.”

  David stood, taking her arms. “You don’t want it to be because you love him. But you are not someone who hides from the truth. No matter how difficult.”

  Laney looked at Bas, who nodded back at her, his eyes filled with compassion. “I’m sorry, Laney, but it’s true. He’s there, in the Tome. It explains his role.”

  Laney shook her head, even as the truth hit her right in the heart. “No.”

  “Yes,” said Bas. “And when the time comes, he will be called. And he will judge all of us.”

  The truth of his words slammed through her. Drake had been Achilles. He had created Havenville. And then she remembered what Father Ezekiel had said in Rome: Do not kill God’s soldier. She’d thought he was talking about her. But he had been talking about Drake.

  “Say it, Laney. You need to say it,” David said quietly.

  She looked up at him, her heart breaking, knowing that she and Drake were now on borrowed time. “Drake . . . He’s the archangel Michael. He is God’s sword.”

  Chapter 31

  The archangel Michael. Drake is the archangel Mic
hael. Laney shook her head. She always pictured Michael as being so serious. But Drake, he found a laugh or a smile in everything.

  “No. Look, Drake is a lot of things, but he is not Michael.”

  Laney knew some about the archangel, the highest ranked among all the angels. He had even spoken through Edgar Cayce at times. Her head popped up. “Drake can’t be Michael. Michael spoke though Edgar Cayce on at least three separate occasions. But Drake was alive and well during those times, so it can’t be him.”

  “Drake is alive, but Michael is sleeping. He is waiting to wake up.”

  Laney threw up her hands. “What does that even mean?”

  “He is without his responsibilities,” Bas said.

  “But I don’t understand how that is even possible.” Laney looked between the two men. “How is he here? How is he always here?”

  “It is talked about in the Tome. When Samyaza fell and took the angels with him, Michael was bereft. He was heartbroken. He was given a choice: to serve as he always had or to become the guardian of the tree while his heart healed. He chose the tree.”

  “But why wouldn’t he remember who he is?” Laney asked.

  “For a long time, he did. But then he asked to become human. And something about that life made him forget his old life, made him want to forget his old life.” Bas went quiet, but his gaze spoke volumes.

  “Me. I’m the reason he forgot.”

  Bas nodded. “I think that is true. His love for you overrode all those old memories. His love for you filled the parts of his heart broken by his brothers.”

  “But what if he never remembers?” Laney asked.

  “I suppose it’s possible. But Michael does play a role in the end of days. And if that is what is upon us, then something will bring his memories back. I don’t know what, but something will.”

  “Even if he remembers, that’s not a danger to us. I mean, Drake would never—”

  “No,” David said quietly. “Drake would never do anything to hurt you. Even if it meant his own death. But Michael is God’s most trusted. Duty always came first for him, before all. He fought his brothers, whom he loved with all his heart, at God’s request. It nearly broke him, but he did it. If he remembers that duty, he will play the role of judge, jury, and executioner. And when an archangel judges, there are only two options: life or death.”

  “Can an archangel be stopped?”

  Bas and David exchanged a look.

  “What?” Laney demanded.

  “There is only one person who would stand a chance against an archangel. Only one person who would have the tools at her disposal to put up any resistance.”

  Laney’s gaze snapped to David as his meaning became clear. “No.”

  “I’m sorry, Laney. But if it becomes necessary, you will be the only one who can defeat him.”

  Chapter 32

  Laney stood up. “No. I don’t know why you think Drake is Michael, but he is not. If Michael shows up for some reason, I will handle him, but he is not Drake.”

  David reached out a hand for her. “Laney, you don’t know—”

  “No, I don’t, and neither do you!” She took a breath. “I appreciate your concern. I do. But this is not helping. I need to get to Italy and get the Tome. Can you help me with that?”

  “Yes,” David said.

  “And Drake will be coming with us.”

  Bas’s voice was pleading. “Laney . . .”

  “That is not negotiable. If that is a deal breaker for you, then I will find another way.”

  “It’s not a deal breaker,” David said quietly. “I just want you to be prepared.”

  Laney studied the two men before her. She didn’t doubt that they were simply looking out for her. But she also knew they were wrong. When she had met Drake, he was the entertainer of the year in Las Vegas. The idea of him being Michael was ludicrous. “I know. I appreciate you two looking out for me, but I don’t believe you are correct. So let’s just drop this, okay?”

  Bas and David exchanged another look before Bas nodded. “All right.”

  “When do you want to leave?” David asked.

  Laney took a breath, trying to tamp down her annoyance and her fear. She understood why they were concerned, but just because Drake was an archangel didn’t mean he was Michael. “As soon as possible.”

  “Okay. Nightfall is in twelve hours. Be ready to go,” David said.

  “Will do.” Laney turned and headed out of the cottage, not wanting to say anything more. She kept her gaze down, her thoughts churning. She pictured Drake’s face when he saw the statue of Michael atop the Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome.

  No, it’s not him.

  Her mind churned, trying to remember everything she knew of Michael from the Bible. There wasn’t much. He was only mentioned three times in the Old Testament, all in the Book of Daniel. And what David and Bas said was correct: He was mentioned as rising during the end of days.

  In the Book of Revelation, he led God’s armies against the forces of Satan. But right there, even if he was Michael, he would be on their side, right?

  “Ah, there is my beautiful woman.”

  Laney’s head snapped up at Drake’s voice as he walked down the street toward her. The sun shone on his hair, highlighting the blond streaks that had developed. His blue eyes lighted on her, and the joy in them warmed her heart. Her pulse ticked up and butterflies rolled through her stomach. God, she loved this man.

  He reached her and pulled her into his arms before dipping her low and kissing her like the world was ending. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back just as fiercely. Giggles broke into their interlude, and she opened her eyes.

  “Get lost, brats,” Drake growled good-naturedly against her lips before lifting Laney and scowling at the kids. “No interrupting adult time.”

  The kids squealed and took off like a shot down the road, their laughter trailing behind them.

  Drake turned back to Laney with a grin. “Disrespectful punks.”

  Laney reached up, cupping his face with her hand. “I love you.”

  He stilled, his brows quirking. “I love you too. But what brought that declaration on in the middle of the street?”

  She shook herself from her thoughts. “Just wanted to make sure you knew. I love seeing you with kids.”

  He looped his arm over her shoulders. “Well, when all this is over, maybe we should talk about having a few of our own.”

  A pit opened in her stomach even as joy surged through her at the image. “I think that is a great idea.”

  He pulled her to a stop, wrapping his arms around her and looking into her eyes. “Whatever has got you thinking about the future, especially a future with me, has my undying thanks.”

  She smiled up at him. “How would you like to take a little trip?”

  He wiggled his eyebrows. “Just you and me?”

  “And David and Bas.”

  He sighed deeply. “So not a romantic getaway.”

  “No. We need to go get the Tome.”

  His grin returned. “We’re stealing it from the Brotherhood?”

  “We’re taking it. Technically it would be considered robbery, because I’m planning on them being present when we take it.”

  “Ahh, every time I think I can’t love you more . . .” He leaned down and kissed her again.

  Laney focused on kissing him back, shoving all her thoughts of Michael aside. Drake was Drake, and he was hers. Nothing was going to change that.

  Chapter 33

  Jen crossed her arms over her chest. “I do not like this plan.”

  Laney sighed. “I know losing your abilities is—”

  “I don’t care about my damn abilities! I don’t like you walking into Rome after they tried to kill you the last time you were there.”

  “Well, to be fair, everybody’s pretty much been trying to kill me every time I’ve gone anywhere for the last few months.”

  Jen glared at her, even though she knew Laney was tel
ling the truth. Laney had had a target on her back for months, even longer, really. But right now, Jen just had such a bad feeling about her leaving. She rested a hand on her baby bump. Maybe it was the pregnancy making her more emotional than usual. “I know. It’s just . . . I need you here. We need you here.”

  “And I will be.” Laney’s gaze shifted away.

  Jen frowned. “What was that?”

  “What?”

  “That you-looked-at-me-and-looked-away thing.”

  “What? Nothing. That’s how I look.”

  Jen studied her friend. They’d been friends since college, long before destiny had come calling for either of them. “Something’s wrong. What is it?”

  Laney bit her bottom lip, a sure sign that something was up.

  “Spill it,” Jen ordered.

  “It’s nothing. Something David and Bas said. But it’s nothing.”

  “Okay, well, if it’s nothing, tell me, and I’ll confirm it’s nothing.”

  Laney sighed. “It’s crazy. They think Drake is the archangel Michael.”

  Jen listened in growing concern as Laney laid out David and Bas’s argument. When Laney finished, she asked. “Why do you think they’re wrong?”

  “Because it’s Drake! Does he seem like someone who takes orders?”

  “No, but they said he doesn’t remember who he is. That he’s forgotten.”

  “Then why does it matter? If he doesn’t remember, then he’s not that person. He’s just Drake.”

  Jen frowned, not sure what to think. She didn’t know either David or Bas very well. Bas she’d met on the estate when he was pretending to be a Vatican representative. Or he was actually one, but either way, she’d met him under false pretenses as far as she was concerned. That didn’t exactly earn him her trust.

  But there was something about this tale that rang true. Religion had never been her strong suit, though, so beyond what she’d picked up here and there along the way, she really did not know much about archangels. “But you’re still worried, aren’t you?”

  “Maybe just a small, tiny bit. But it’s like seeing a horror movie and checking all the closets in your house when you get home. It’s not a rational fear. It’s just because someone put the idea in your head.” Laney zipped up her bag. “It’s nothing. First off, it’s not the end of days, so Michael won’t be called forth. Second, Drake’s not Michael, so it doesn’t matter.”