by R. D. Brady
“We could have ended all of this before people lost their lives! You could have stopped Samyaza in her tracks.”
“That was not your call. It was ours. Things are supposed to play out a certain way. We have kept the Tome safe for centuries. And your lack of gratitude is insulting. We will speak again when you are more appreciative of our sacrifice.” He stood up as if he was going to leave.
“Stop,” Laney commanded as more wind tore through the room, slamming the doors shut. Clouds shifted in the sky, darkening the room. Thunder growled.
She stormed toward the cardinal. “You speak of sacrifice. You know nothing of it. The Followers of the Great Mother have risked their lives for eons to keep that book safe. You could have helped them, offered them and the book refuge, but you didn’t.”
She stood in front of him now, barely able to keep herself from reaching out and shaking the man. “You talk of being a man of knowledge, but you have known of the Great Mother for thousands of years, and you locked that knowledge away. What scared you the most? That Lilith was the equal of man or that she was the one chosen to protect humanity?”
Lightning flashed, bathing the room in flashes of light. Thunder caused the building to tremble.
Moretti’s eyes bulged.
Laney held out her hand. “That book was meant to be shared. It was meant to break the cycle. It was not meant for you. It belongs to the Followers.”
“It belongs to me.”
“Hand. It. Over.”
Moretti backed up until his back hit the door behind him. Laney followed him, not allowing him any escape. “Now.”
He glared at her, and Laney thought for a moment he would refuse. She pictured breaking his fingers one by one to get him to talk. She should probably have been revolted at the idea of using torture to get what she wanted. But she was way past that now. She pulled back her fist and slammed it into the door less than an inch from Moretti’s head.
He let out a yelp and stumbled to the side. He hustled over to another painting, swinging it wide to reveal another safe.
“Paranoid bugger,” Drake murmured.
Laney followed Moretti over. He keyed in the code, then grabbing the Tome, thrust it at her. “Take it. Take it.”
Wind roared through the room, tossing plates and chairs. The men scrambled back from the table. Laney stepped back, releasing her hold on the wind, and immediately it died down. The clouds dissipated from in front of the sun.
Moretti scrounged back into the corner. The rest stayed huddled together on the other side of the room, staying as far from Moretti as possible.
Bas stepped to her side. “That was . . . impressive.”
Drake grinned. “You should see her when she’s really mad. Do you want to look at it here?”
Laney grimaced. “I think I’ve had enough of Rome hospitality. I’ll look at it when we’re on the plane.”
Bas nodded. “Of course. But Moretti, he does not represent all of us in the Church. Most of us want to do what is right.”
Laney immediately pictured her uncle and the other priests who had been constants in her young life. “Of that I have no doubt.”
“I will go get some rope. We can tie them up so they do not warn anyone we are in the country.”
Moretti straightened his shoulders, reclaiming his spot at the head of the table. “We will not be tied up like—”
Drake blurred across the room and was back at Laney’s side before she could blink. Moretti was now facedown on the table.
Bas looked stricken. “Is he—”
“Unconscious. Better see to that rope, so I don’t have to do the same to the rest.” Drake smiled at the men in the corner. They all shrank away from him.
“Um, all right.” Bas disappeared out the door.
“Picking up another stray, I see,” Drake drawled.
“Bas is not a stray.”
“No, he is a man in need of a purpose. And you have given him one. Like you have the rest of us.” He extended his arm. “So, General, I’d like to treat you to some gelato before we leave. I think you’ve earned it.”
“Not sure we’ll be able to find any.”
“Oh, I have my ways.”
“Then I think that sounds perfect.” But her smile didn’t last long. She clutched the book closer to her chest, the weight suddenly seeming greater as she thought of all the women who had given their lives so that the book might land in her arms at this moment.
And she prayed that she was worthy of their sacrifice.
Chapter 37
Cardinal John Moretti came to twenty minutes after the ring bearer left. Ezekiel buzzed around him. “Oh, thank God. We thought we’d have to call the doctor. But how would we have explained it?”
Moretti put his hand to the back of his head. There was a tender spot, and it ached like the world’s worst headache. “What happened?”
“God’s soldier hit you.”
Moretti closed his eyes. He did not remember that. “Where is everyone?”
“They thought it best if they head back to the Vatican. It is more secure. But I stayed.”
Moretti grunted. Cowards. “Bring me the surveillance footage.”
“Um, yes, sir. Right away.” Ezekiel hustled out of the room.
Moretti got to his feet, swaying for a moment as the room swam. Gripping the edge of the table, he waited for the dizziness to pass before gingerly making his way down the table. He grabbed a wine glass that miraculously had not been destroyed and filled it from a wine bottle that had tipped over but hadn’t been completely emptied. That bitch.
Ezekiel reappeared, a large tablet in his hard. He set it up on the table as Moretti retook his seat. In silence, he watched the ring bearer storm into the room. He felt his face burn as he remembered the fear that had coursed through him when she’d punched the door. He watched himself pitch forward into the table. Then, after tying up the rest of the men, he watched the woman walk down the hall, God’s soldier walking beside her, clear in whose side he was on. He rolled his hands into fists as his anger boiled.
Francisco had slipped in while they watched the recording. Now John met his gaze.
But Ezekiel burst out before he could speak. “We can’t let her take the book! If she learns that—”
“Silence!” John roared.
Ezekiel stumbled back, his shaking hand flying to his throat.
No one else spoke for a beat. Then Cardinal Francisco stepped forward. “Are we sure it is wise to follow this course of action? Should we not have brought him to our side?”
John shook his head. “The time is not right. Besides, we do not want to be nearby when he is awoken.”
“But without the book, how will we be able to awaken him?” Francisco asked.
John turned toward him, raising an eyebrow. “How foolish do you think I am? Do you not think I took precautions for just this occasion? The woman coming here is not a surprise. Her coming for the book, that was always going to happen.”
“And Bas?”
John frowned. “That I will admit I did not foresee. But it makes no difference. He knows nothing that can harm us.”
“If he goes to the Pope . . .”
John smiled. “Our brothers will make sure that never happens.”
Francisco nodded toward the front door. “And the ring bearer? What are we to do about her? And about God’s soldier?”
John’s words lashed out. “She is not the ring bearer. Call her by her real title. She is the antichrist.”
Francisco inclined his head. “You are right, of course.”
John pictured the woman. So arrogant. So full of herself. “We have taken on a solemn oath to protect the Papacy from all threats. There is no greater threat to the Papacy and the world than that woman. And we will defeat her.”
“With the aid of God’s soldier? Because he did not seem to be on our side,” Ezekiel said.
John glared at him. “You dare question the loyalty of God’s soldier?”
; Ezekiel squirmed under his gaze. He shifted his own gaze to the floor, burying his hands in his pockets. “No, I . . . it’s just, well, he seems to like her a great deal.”
John waved away his words. “That matters not. Once he knows who he is, he will do his duty.”
“So he will be victorious over her?” Ezekiel asked.
John scoffed. “He will be more than victorious. He is God’s greatest soldier. He will destroy her.”
Chapter 38
Havenville
Laney stepped into Havenville, the Tome clutched in her hands. Drake slipped in behind her. “Ah, home sweet home,” Drake said sarcastically.
Laney smiled. “Actually, I kind of like this place.”
Laney meant it. The trip back had taken twenty-two hours. On land, they’d had to constantly keep their guard up. The flight offered little respite from the stress. Every time Laney started to fall asleep, she recalled moments from her last flight with David. Needless to say, she hadn’t slept much.
Again.
He kissed her forehead. “Then I love it. Ah, the welcoming committee.”
Laney looked up, seeing Gina heading toward them. “Hi, guys.”
“Hey. How’s everything going?”
“Good, good.” Gina gave her a distracted smile. “We got about twelve more people on Matt and Jordan’s last run.”
Laney winced. “That’s a lot.”
“Yeah. We’re going to need to talk resources soon. Food’s an issue, and some people are beginning to go a little stir crazy. The withdrawal from modern life is really getting to them.”
Laney blew out a breath. She wasn’t surprised. People were so used to technology that not having it was an adjustment for everybody. She’d even lugged in a set of encyclopedias to help people with their “Google” searches. But she was just as bad. Whose day wasn’t made a little better by a ridiculously cute puppy video?
“Any chance people could maybe step outside for a little technology hit? I could set up a schedule.”
Laney clucked her tongue, trying to think of all the potential problems. “Let me run it by Danny. The site’s deserted at night, but I just want to make sure that a sudden explosion of online activity from a deserted spot can be hidden.”
Gina’s shoulders dropped. “That’s great. I’m sure he’ll be able to come up with something. That boy is scary smart.”
“Yes, he is. How’s everything else?”
“Good.” Gina fell in step with them as they headed toward Laney’s home. Gina updated them on the new arrivals, the few sicknesses they had, and a few interpersonal issues that required keeping certain people apart or at least really busy.
Laney listened to it all but became distracted by the sound of Jake’s voice somewhere off to her right.
“Ready, aim, fire!” The echo of gunshots rang out through the air.
“What the hell?” Laney whirled around.
Gina winced. “Oh, right. Jake and Jen started a new program.”
Drake took the Tome out of Laney’s hands. “I think I’ll take this to Patrick and Cain while you figure out what he’s up to.”
Laney released the Tome to him without an argument before striding toward the sound of Jake’s voice. These people had been through enough. They did not need to hear gunfire. What the heck were Jen and Jake thinking?
Gina’s long-legged stride had no problem keeping up with her. “It’s a good idea, Laney. You should hear them out.”
She was spared answering Gina because they came to the end of the road. In the field to the right, dozens of people had been separated into groups. Some engaged in hand-to-hand combat. Others were stripping and putting guns back together. Still others were going through an obstacle course. And some were just jogging around the edge of the field.
“What is this?”
Jake looked up and caught sight of Laney. He said something to Fricano and headed toward her. “You’re back. I take it it was successful?”
“Yeah. Jake, what are you doing?”
Gina nodded at Jake. “I’m going to let you handle this one.” Gina turned on her heel.
“Chicken,” Jake said.
“Bok-bok,” Gina called over her shoulder.
“Jake.” Laney gestured to the field. “These people need peace. They need calm. Why would you set this up?”
“I agree they need both. But right now, it’s just an illusion. The governments of the world are still looking for all of them, for their families, for their children. This place is great. But one day, someone is going to find us. These people, they have no training. Some have abilities, but if they go against a Fallen with training, they will lose. Heck, some of them will go against a person without abilities and still lose. They need to learn how to defend themselves.”
Laney looked over the group. Jen was showing a group of humans basic self-defense takedowns. Lou was leading a group through an obstacle course. “I was hoping we could keep all of them out of it.”
“I know. We’re safe for now. But I think you know it’s only a matter of time before we’re found or before we need to leave.”
“You don’t know that.”
“No, and neither do you. We need to prepare, just in case.”
Laney wanted to argue with him. She wanted to tell him it would never come to that. But the truth was, things were not getting better. Susan was telling them of more and more individuals forced to leave their lives and hide. Only a fraction were here. Even here, if Gina was right, people were getting antsy. Maybe in the not-too-distant future they would want to leave.
Laney nodded, looking over the group. “You’re right. What can I do to help?”
He nodded toward where Jen was instructing a group of people on an over-the-hip throw. “We could use another hand-to-hand expert.”
She saluted him. “All right. I’ll do what I can.”
Laney spent two hours on the field instructing people on some basic, effective takedowns. Nothing fancy, just stuff they could hopefully commit to muscle memory and use without even thinking. Wrist locks, arm bars, off-balance moves. She had to admit, she could see the determination in each person’s face, even though some had equal parts nervousness. Jake was right. They needed this. Not just in case they had to leave but to feel like they had some stand in this fight. To not feel powerless in the face of all that was arrayed against them.
Jake’s voice rang out across the field. “Okay, everybody. That’s it for today. We’ll meet back here tomorrow morning.”
Laney smiled as each person passed. More than one said thank you. Molly McAdams had been in Laney’s group and waited until everyone left. Laney smiled down at her. “You did really well, especially with the off-balance moves.”
“Having brothers has to be good for something, right?”
Laney laughed. “That is true.”
Zaria and Cleo appeared from the trees. They’d been checking in on them throughout the training. Now Zaria fell in step next to Molly while Cleo stayed next to Laney. Molly ran a hand through Zaria’s fur. “Do you think a fight is coming?”
Laney thought about lying to her. She was so young. And still fragile after what she’d experienced at the hands of the CEI. But there was also a maturity in her eyes now. Molly knew what evil the world held, better than some adults. Preparing her for it would better serve her than letting her be surprised if it came to it. “I think eventually it will. But I’m hoping none of you will be part of it.”
“Because you’ll fight for us.”
“Not just me. It’s never just me.”
Molly nodded. “Will Jake fight?”
Laney studied her. “I’m sure he will.”
Molly took a deep breath. “Will he be okay?”
“Jake’s better trained than almost anyone here. And he’s gone toe to toe with Fallen before.”
Molly looked up at her. “That’s not an answer.”
“No, I suppose it’s not. I won’t promise something I can’t deliver, but I will tell
you to never count Jake out. He’s one of the toughest people I know.”
Molly’s gaze shifted to Jen, who was walking with another group of people. “Yeah, no, Jen’s the toughest.”
Laney laughed. “Yes, I think you’re right on that one.”
Drake blurred into view in front of them. “Hello, ladies.”
Laney stumbled back. “Geez, Drake, give a girl a heart attack, why don’t you?”
Drake reached out a hand to steady her. “Hey, just keeping you on your toes. Hi, Molly.”
Molly blushed as Drake smiled at her. “Um, hi.”
Laney bit back the smile at Molly’s crush. She couldn’t blame the girl. She had a rather big crush on the man as well.
Molly shuffled her feet. “I need to get going. I promised to help Mom with dinner.”
“I’ll see you later,” Laney said.
Drake took Molly’s hand and bowed deeply, placing a kiss on the back of it. “Until we meet again, mademoiselle.”
“Uh, bye.” Her face now almost matching her hair, Molly all but fled, Zaria loyally by her side.
Cleo bumped him hard in the thigh.
He glared down at her. “Hey, what was that for?”
Don’t tease. Cleo headed for the front entrance.
“She doesn’t like you teasing Molly.”
“I’m not teasing her. She’s been through a lot. I’m just trying to make her smile.”
“I know. She seems to be better, right?”
“Yes, she does. Now, what’s your plan?”
“I thought I’d swing by Cain’s cottage and see how it’s going.”
He raised an eyebrow. “It’s only been a few hours.”
“I know, but I . . .” She shrugged.
He threw an arm over her shoulders. “Ah, that’s why I love you. You are ridiculously obsessed, focused, and optimistic.”
“Um, thanks?”
He kissed her on the forehead. “Let me accompany you, my lady.”
She slipped her arm through his. “Thank you, kind sir.”
Her smiled faded as they proceeded down the road. She knew it was too soon for Cain to have found anything. But Drake was right, she was obsessed. And focused. But optimistic? She sadly was not suffering from that particular characteristic. In fact, right now she was intensely worried. Because if Cain didn’t find something that could help them, she had no idea what to do next.
