Hidden Thrones

by Scalzo, Russ

  Emily gazed at Jack. It never ceased to amaze her how many different things he knew about. They turned down Kings Street, which was old town Alexandria's Main Street. It was paved in cobblestones, very picturesque and historic. It was a beautiful night to walk under an absolute perfect moonlit sky.

  Jack knew they had a lot to talk about, including the fact that someone very powerful was having he and Frank followed.

  “So, I have something I have to tell you tonight.”

  Emily kept walking, her facial expression unchanging as she enjoyed the scenery. She was beginning to expect the unexpected from Jack considering her brief history with his outlandish adventures.

  “Okay, what is it?” She braced herself.

  “Well...”

  “You know I hate it when you start with well, but go ahead.”

  “Someone is having Frank and I followed. It started a couple of days ago.”

  Emily stopped in her tracks. “I knew it! It was that day in the café, right? I could tell something wasn’t right. I half expected you to say something last night.”

  “I was going to, but we were having such a great night.”

  Emily gave him a sly smile, agreeing with him totally. They stopped right in front of a bench under one of the many trees that lined Kings Street.

  Jack pointed to the bench, “Let’s sit for a minute, okay?”

  Emily looked at him, knowing something big was coming. She sat.

  Jack took her hand and said, “We think it’s Senator Wellsenburg.”

  “Oh, Jack,” Emily gasped, a worried expression crossing her face. “So you guys went and ticked off a U.S. senator? And not just any old senator, but a powerful and influential one? Is that what you’re telling me?”

  Jack looked like a kid who just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “Yeah, I guess so. But there’s more to this than what you might think. There is a good chance the senator is involved in things that could cost him his senate seat and possibly earn him prison time. Remember me telling you about that night when Frank prayed and gave his heart to the Lord?”

  Emily nodded, “Sure, how could I forget that? The night you faced the demon and the angel came and saved you and Frank. That doesn’t happen to everybody, Jack.”

  “Well…” he caught himself. “Sorry. We believe that the senator is somehow connected to the demon we saw that night.”

  “What?” Emily sat straight up, her eyes growing wide. “How can that be? How can a U.S. senator, someone who is supposed to be helping people and protecting our country be connected to a demon? Jack, this is way out there, even for you. I mean, I believe you, but wow! He’s the one keeping tabs on you and Frank?”

  “It looks that way.”

  Emily leaned in, grabbed Jack’s hands, and held them tight. “What are you going to do? Do you think someone is watching us now?”

  Jack wished he had a more comforting answer to give her, but he didn’t. “I don’t know,” came tumbling over his lips. “There is only one guy following us that we know of, so I think he’s probably got his eye on Frank more than me right now. Frank is in D.C. tonight. He might have more information to give me in the morning. He is meeting with an old friend from The Bureau. Hopefully he has some insight.”

  Emily needed more. She wanted to know how all this stuff worked. She always prayed and read her Bible, but this was deep stuff and she needed a more detailed explanation. She had been doing her best to keep up with Jack, and it wasn’t like they hadn’t talked about it, but now this was getting dangerous and personal.

  She pushed her hair back, sat up straight, and said, “Okay, Jack. It’s time. Tell me how and why this kind of thing happens? I know there is evil in the world. That’s easy to see, but this is different. I mean, this is in-your-face New Testament stuff and beyond.”

  Jack smiled and leaned in closer, he was so taken with her. He was amazed the way God had put them together. Here he was sitting next to this smart, incredibly beautiful girl who couldn’t get enough of God, and for some strange reason that he didn’t understand but was truly thankful for, couldn’t get enough of him.

  “Okay, I’ll do my best. Some of this you already know, but I need to start from the beginning for it to make sense.” He took a deep breath before continuing, “The world is racing down a road that will soon end in a great battle called Armageddon. Now just about everyone has heard of that term. To most, it means a lot of different things: the end of the world, an alien invasion, a great catastrophe of some sort, and on and on. But, most do not understand that this coming battle between absolute evil and the Creator of the world was prophesied about thousands of years ago. Satan is now in the final stages of grooming the world powers, including the U.S., to ultimately rebel against Christ. He believes it is possible to defeat God and rule the world and all known creation by himself.”

  Emily’s eyes widened. She was a little familiar with the subject because of teachings she had attended over the past few years, but she had never heard it explained so clearly. Jack had a knack for teaching and explaining things. She could listen to him all day.

  “Where in the Bible does it say that?”

  “In many places, in different ways, but one of the oldest writings may be in the book of Psalms.”

  Jack reached in his pocket and pulled out his phone. It had several Bible apps on it, along with a ton of his favorite research apps and websites. He paged to Psalm chapter two and read it to Emily.

  “ ‘Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. Let us break their chains, they say, and throw off their restraints,’” he read. “The scripture is telling us that in the time before Christ’s return, there is going to be a move away from God and His commandments. Eventually, the devil will convince the world that they can defeat Christ and do away with all his moral laws and teachings.”

  “Is that when the Antichrist will come?” Emily asked.

  “Yes, but first Apostle Paul tells us there will be a falling away, meaning that even Christians who may have followed the Lord at one time will completely fall out of love with God and go back to their old ways, embracing the message of the coming world leader.”

  Jack could sense that all this was beginning to really disturb Emily. He sat back on the bench and put his arm around her. Emily put her head on his shoulder and, looking up Kings Street towards the Capitol Building, said, “Is that why are we seeing more demon activity? Because we are getting close to this great battle?”

  Jack kissed her forehead wishing they didn’t have to have this discussion on such a beautiful evening, but he was well aware how important it was for Emily to understand what was going on.

  “Demons, fallen angels, and evil spirits have always been around. The difference is that there are now seven billion people on the planet and a great number of them are entertaining spirits and inviting them in to their lives - not only individuals, but whole nations as well. Of course many don’t realize it. I mean, the devil doesn’t show up in a red suit with horns and say ‘let’s make a deal.’ It happens when they turn their backs on God and the truth of God’s word. It creates a spiritual vacuum that Satan is more than happy to fill.”

  “I guess I always knew this stuff existed, but it gets a lot scarier when it’s happening to you or someone you love,” Emily said pulling Jack in even closer. “But how can fallen angels and demons materialize as regular people? Is that in the Bible?”

  “Yes, it happened in the days of Noah. Angels came down and took the form of men, took other men’s wives for themselves, and had children with them in an effort to take over and rule the then known earth. That was one of the main reasons for the flood.”

  Emily lifted her head, sat up straight, and with a very concerned look on her face, said in a loud whisper, “So, you and Frank believe that Senator Wellsenburg is working with a demon?”

  Jack looked aroun
d to make sure no one was in earshot. The thought of someone hearing that made him very uneasy. After all, who in their right mind would believe a story like that? If that little piece of information ever got out of their little circle, they would find themselves wearing very tight vests in a padded room somewhere.

  Jack worded his answer carefully, “Not exactly. I’m not sure he knows what or who Dante is, but this much I can say with confidence - he has made a deal with the devil, whether he sees it as that or not. I know he would give or do anything to be President of the United States and his agenda against Biblical Christianity is well known on the hill. Let’s just say it would serve him and the prince of darkness well if he got elected. Frank and I can’t let that happen.”

  Looking a little confused, Emily said, “But didn’t you just say that the Bible has predicted all this? How can we stop it from happening then?”

  “Yes, the Bible is clear that we are in the last days before Jesus returns and that these things will happen, but He also gave us the command to occupy until He comes. In the original Greek, it means to continue or busy oneself. As followers of Christ, we are to continue the work He started. As you know, the Apostle Paul told us that we do not fight against flesh and blood, but with spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. That literally means evil kingdoms and the rulers who sit on those thrones. With the Lord leading the way, that is exactly what we intend to do.”

  Jack could feel the good pleasure of the Lord upon him as he spoke. It was a feeling he cherished and had become somewhat used to, but never took for granted.

  Deep in her soul, Emily could feel it too and that was one of the things she loved about Jack. She stood up and as she did, the wind caught her hair and whirled it around her face. Brushing back her hair from her eyes, she gazed down at Jack, feeling proud and happy.

  She smiled, “You know Jack Bennett, my life sure has changed since I met you. But as scary as all this might be, I want you to know that I love you and I believe God has His hand on you.”

  Jack stood up, put his arms around her waist, and pulled her close as her hair blew gently across his face. He breathed in. He loved the way she smelled. In fact, there wasn’t anything he didn’t love about her. He brushed her hair back out of his face and kissed her. That was another thing he loved about her. She knew how to make him forget about everything else for a while.

  He gently pulled his head back and looked into her big, beautiful eyes. “I love you too, Emily Richardson, and I thank God everyday that He brought you into my life.”

  She curled her arms around his neck and tilted her head to kiss him. Jack loved when she did that. When her lips touched his, they were warm and firm, yet soft. It was a long kiss, one that each would remember because of the things they had shared this night. As they slowly and gently pulled away from each other, Jack said, “What do you say we forget about all this for a while? How about we walk down to Pop’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream? I heard they make an awesome banana split.”

  Emily agreed. Jack reached out and took her hand and the two of them continued their walk down the colonial, red brick sidewalk, both relieved to be thinking and talking about other things.

  Unnoticed by either of them, approximately two hundred feet away, was a man sitting in a late, model-gray Acura sedan. He was smoking a cigar and talking on the phone. He studied them closely as they walked west on Kings Street. He took a puff on his large cigar.

  “Yeah, that’s right. Her name is Emily and she obviously means a great deal to him. Do you want me to hang around?”

  There was a pause and as he listened, he took another drag off his cigar.

  “Okay, then. I’ll head back to D.C.”

  He was ready to put his phone down, but the caller had another question for him.

  He listened intently and replied, “I can’t be sure, but there’s a good chance she knows what he knows. Yes, sir. I’ll wait to hear from you. Thank you, sir.”

  He put the phone down and took one more look. He watched Jack and Emily walk into Pop’s Ice Cream, put the car into drive, and pulled away slowly, proudly knowing that he had once again done the job he was sent to do. He could only imagine what his boss had in mind for the happy couple.

  * * *

  It was eight o’clock when Frank and Jeff stepped out of Old Ebbitt’s onto Fifteenth Street. The traffic was picking up, but there were less people on the sidewalk than before. They turned onto G Street and began their walk back to the FBI building near to where Frank had parked his car. Jeff had left his in the Colonial Parking Garage on Eighth Street. It was a relatively short walk, about a half a mile, so he would have to talk fast because he had lots of questions that he needed answered.

  “Okay, Frank. Lay it out. What is going on?”

  “It’s best if I start with Jack. You’ve heard me mention Jack many times, but you have never met him.” He glanced at Jeff. “He is a different kind of guy.”

  Jeff looked at him funny and asked, “So, what? You mean like he only has one eye and two butts?”

  Frank laughed out loud.

  Jeff talked with his hands most of the time. He liked to use a lot of hand gestures because it helped him make his point.

  He laughed. “Yeah, I know. He’s the consultant/writer that the FBI hired to investigate all that paranormal crap, right?”

  “That’s right, except it’s not crap. It turns out a lot of that stuff is real. You have heard of people performing exorcisms? Well that’s kind of what Jack does… sort of… I guess.” Frank wasn’t really sure himself. When he thought about all the things he had seen God do through Jack, he had to keep reminding himself that it was real. “I know I’m not explaining it well, but it’s hard to describe.”

  Jeff rubbed his forehead. He was searching for a reference, “You mean, like The Exorcist, the movie?” He felt stupid saying it, but that’s all he had.

  Frank laughed. “No, that’s Hollywood’s version or the devil’s version, as Jack would put it. You know those movies where good struggles to overcome evil and the priest or minister gets all beat up and thrown out the window or something. I really don’t know. I never really watched it all the way through. I thought the movie sucked. Anyway, that’s not how it goes down, at least not with Jack. He confronts these demon creature things and sends them on their way.”

  Jeff was not only having a hard time digesting all this. He was also having a difficult time keeping up with Frank’s long strides. “Hey, would you slow down! I feel like I’m having a foot race with an ostrich!” he said, his arms flailing away.

  Frank laughed out loud. Jeff always cracked him up. He slowed his pace.

  “Let me get this straight. You have witnessed this yourself?”

  Frank, still smiling, answered, “Yes, I have seen it with my own eyes.”

  Jeff’s next question was the one he was dying to ask from the beginning. “So what do they look like?”

  “Well one night Jack and I were in this old, empty church investigating some crazy reports of lights going on and off and objects flying around inside the building when we were confronted by a huge, ugly, demon thing. It had wings that looked like they were covered in old, worn, black leather, and eyes that glowed orangey-red. Every time it moved, it left a trail of reddish mist like vapor. It got so close to me that I could feel and hear it wheezing as it breathed in and out. It had legs and feet, but its feet looked more like claws.”

  Jeff’s eyes were as big as saucers. He looked like a little kid listening to someone telling ghost stories around a campfire. “What did Jack do?”

  Frank had to admit to himself that he was enjoying telling this story. He wasn’t sure why, but he felt good all over. It was the same feeling he had the night he prayed in the car.

  “He prayed in the name of Jesus and told the creature to leave, but this one was more powerful than the others he had faced, and it was doing its worst to fight against Jack’s prayer. Jack then called on God the Father to remove the demon from that place.
But this time when Jack prayed, a powerful angel appeared and banished the demon.”

  Frank paused and thought out loud for a second, “I was there and just telling the story gives me chills.”

  At that, Jeff abruptly stopped walking, turned to Frank, and said, “I knew there would be angels! I said it in the restaurant. I said ‘Next you’ll be telling me you saw angels.’ ” Jeff started walking in circles, his arms flying about. “Frank, you are freaking me out right now.” Jeff was hyper to begin with, but this took him to a new level. He started talking faster and faster, “If I didn’t know you, I would think you’d lost your marbles. Let the genie out of the bottle. You know what I’m saying.” He walked around a few feet away and then turned and walked back. “Okay, okay. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I believe you. Somehow, I always knew deep down inside that these things existed, but I guess I never wanted to think about it or admit it.” He took a deep, long breath and tried to refocus, “Okay, I’m ready. What else do I need to know?”

  They resumed their walk at a slower pace, with Jeff focused on every word that came out of Frank’s mouth.

  “There are dark forces at work right here in DC.”

  Jeff interrupted with a chuckle, “That’s not exactly a news bulletin.”

  “No, but what is, is what the Lord has taught me through Jack. There are darker forces at work, greater than what man can muster on his own. Spiritual realms with princes and rulers with an agenda that mortal men are not aware of, and it’s these beings that are the ones who are inspiring and leading them on. Trust me, they are the ones who are really in control and this so-called business man, Dante, is definitely one of them.”