Cursed Presence (Trilogy of the Chosen Book 2)

by J. M. LeDuc

  “One more thing before we begin. This love and forgiveness must, I repeat must, be real. If you cannot pray in this way, please stand up and move away from the flock. You’re prayers will do us harm. So, please, think twice before you begin.”

  A rustling among the people took place as some stood up and removed themselves. Speaking again, the priest said. “There is no shame, but only honor in what you do. Your honesty will be rewarded.”

  “Pretty impressive, Father,” Brent said as he walked toward him.Stephen wrapped his arms around Brent and hugged him. “Thank God you are all right.”

  “I won’t be if you break my ribs,” Brent said. The priest relaxed his embrace. “This,” Brent said, pointing to the people, “will definitely help, thank you.”

  “It’s the least I can do.” Looking toward the large wooden double doors, he said, “You be careful in there.”

  “I’ll do my best. Just remember everything that happened and that was said in the tabernacle and everything will be all right.” He kissed him on both cheeks and turned to face the task at hand.

  Unclipping his sat phone from his belt, he called the troops. “Charlotte, are you at your destination?”

  “Yes, sir, I have a great view of the altar through the window on the north wall.”

  “Good. Everyone, meet at the front doors.”

  Within seconds, Phantom Squad members and Maddie stood in front of Colonel Venturi, awaiting his orders.

  “This is unlike any mission we’ve undertaken,” he began. “We cannot win with force this time. Your weapons are of no use once we enter those doors. This is a spiritual war, not a physical one.”

  “I’m not sure I understand, Colonel,” Fitz said.

  “The person you successfully drove inside the church is more spirit than human. Satan, The Dark One, is all spirit. He has embedded himself into the body of Jonas McFarland. It’s our mission to drive that evil spirit out of him and send it back where it came from.”

  “And how are we to do that, Colonel?” Jefferson asked.

  “With prayer, as Jesus instructed us over two thousand years ago. We must love our brothers as He loves us—unconditionally.”

  “We’re still a bit confused, Colonel,” Seven said. “Come again?”

  “I need you, all of you,” Brent said as he scanned the faces of his squad, Maddie, Joan and Chloe, “to pray for the soul of Jonas McFarland. Forgive him for everything he has done and ask God to enter into him. Your prayers must be truthful however, or they are of no use. Is that understood?”

  “What will you be doing?” Chloe asked, afraid she already knew what he would answer.

  Brent saw fear in his wife’s eyes. “Your prayers will weaken him, but he still has to be defeated physically. That part’s up to me. It’s the destiny I’ve chosen, the destiny that God chose for me.”

  Tears streamed down Chloe’s face. His words frightened her and that fear was painted on her face.

  Brent held Chloe’s face in his hands. “Do you trust me?”

  “Yes, but…”

  “No buts, Chloe. Do you trust me?”

  “I trust you with my life, you know that.”

  “Then you must pray in the manner I’ve asked and believe with your heart.”

  She nodded. Wrapping her arms around Brent, she whispered, “I love you. When all of this is over, I have a surprise for you.”

  “You know how much I like surprises,” he whispered back. “I love you more.”

  Brent kissed away her tears, then broke from their embrace. His expression returned to that of a stone-cold killer. “Let’s move.” He opened the doors to the small stone church. A strong gust of caustic wind blew the doors wide open. The odor caused them to gag.

  Jonas smiled as Brent entered the church. “It looks like I get to kill two birds with one stone.”

  As the Enlightened One’s identity was at last revealed, the shadow disappeared inside Jonas, thus transforming him into Satan. “At last. The Enlightened One shows his face,” The Dark One growled.

  Everyone else knelt in the last pew and began to pray.

  “Did you think I wouldn’t show up?” Brent asked defiantly. “Unlike your followers, I listen when God speaks.”

  “And what has he told you?” The Dark One asked, drawing his sword and moving towards Brent.

  Brent drew his sword, as well. “He told me that today is the day the Lord has made. It’s time for you to crawl back under that rock from which you came.”

  Brent’s words infuriated him. The Dark One’s eyes turned bright red. He charged forward, unleashing a guttural scream that Charlotte could hear from her post across the street.

  He raised his sword as he ran, bringing it down hard in an attempt to take Brent’s head off. Brent dropped to one knee, holding his sword over his head with both hands.

  Swords clashed, issuing deafening sounds that resembled thunder. Impact from the meeting of metal sparked lightning.

  With blazing speed, Brent flipped backward, landing on his feet. Swords moved with such dexterity and quickness that it was all a blur to those who watched.

  Maddie reminded everyone, “We have to focus on our part of this mission. I know it’s hard but it’s the only way we can help Brent right now. Please avert your attention from what’s taking place and pray in the way Jesus taught. We must love our neighbors, all of them, as Jesus loves us.” They all bowed their heads in prayer once again.

  Chloe reached to her side and took Maddie’s hand. She, in turn, clutched Seven’s hand, and so on down the line, until everyone was connected as one body to make their prayers stronger.

  As they prayed, the duel’s momentum changed. The Dark One, who had been the aggressor, grew tired while Brent gained the upper hand.

  Brent backed The Dark One towards the altar. With a burst of renewed energy, Jonas spun to his left, and swung wildly at Brent, his blade cutting him on the shoulder. The sight and smell of the Enlightened One’s blood revitalized Satan’s energy anew.

  “If you think that little cut is a victory, you are sadly mistaken,” Brent said. He lunged at Jonas, stabbing him in the thigh.

  Jonas squealed in pain as he backed up faster.

  So, there is some human life still in there.

  A look of confidence grew stronger on Brent’s face. He continued to back The Dark One closer to the altar. “Jonas, do you hear me?” Brent grunted between swings.

  “There is no Jonas here,” The Dark One growled in a low, evil rasp.

  “Growl all you want. I know differently. Only Jonas could bleed and feel pain.”

  Brent moved with lightening speed to his left. Swinging his sword, he cut Jonas’ right arm. Once more, the wounded adversary screamed in pain.

  Brent saw his window of opportunity. He moved quickly forward, swinging his sword with blazing dexterity. The Dark One had no choice. He backed up and onto the altar.

  Charlotte watched from her post across the street. At first, she was awash in emotion. Fear and anger built inside her to the point where she had a hard time focusing on the events taking place. She closed her eyes and recalled Brent words, instructing her on how to release her emotions. “Emotion will get you killed,” he’d said a number of times.

  Charlotte went within herself, searching the black hole that Brent had described, and she felt herself drawn deeper and deeper into that abyss. It was a place that calmed her and emptied her of emotion. She was once again able to hold the bow steady, without shaking.

  She opened her eyes, and again spotted Brent and Jonas. She watched them without feeling, but fear began to creep back inside her. Her arms again began to tremble.

  All she could think of was Colonel Venturi telling her that she would only get one shot and it had to be a kill shot.

  She dropped her head in defeat. God, if you are real, if you haven
’t given up on me, I need you now more than ever. If not for me, for my friends. Please come into my heart and give me strength to do your work.

  She heard God call her by the name of Scarlett and he told her that she was always in his heart. That he had never left her side.

  Do as you have been instructed and pour the blood of your Savoir over the head of the arrow.

  As she did so, the love and forgiveness of Christ permeated her every cell. She felt the force of the Holy Spirit dwell inside her. She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer of thanks. Opening her eyes she picked up the bow and pulled the arrow back with a new assurance.

  Inside the church, Brent continued to exhaust Jonas, as The Dark One weakened inside him. “Jonas, you must believe me when I tell you that God forgives those who entrust their lives to Him. Accept Him into your heart and you will live in paradise forever.”

  “NO!” growled The Dark One, gnarling his teeth together. “He’s mine, all mine!”

  Brent watched as confusion swept across Jonas’ face. He no longer knew who he was or where he fit in.

  This may be my only opportunity, Brent thought. With one last burst of strength and speed, he backed Jonas firmly against the wall. With one blindingly fast swing of his sword, he knocked Jonas’ sword onto the floor. Jonas was overcome with fear.

  Brent stepped toward him, his sword pointed at Jonas’ head. At that same moment, the shadow was once again by Jonas’ side.

  Jonas bowed his head, afraid of what was to happen. He felt the cold steel of Brent’s sword under his chin. Brent fixed a piercing gaze on Jonas while he called to Seven, “Bring the ark here and lay it on the top step of the altar.”

  Seven grabbed the ark and jumped over the pew in an effort to reach Brent faster.

  “It’s right behind you, Colonel.”

  “Now open it and take out the book. Open it to the last page and head back to your seat.”

  “But, Col…”

  “No buts. That’s an order!”

  “Yes, sir,” Seven responded.

  Seven backed his way down the middle aisle to where the squad was sitting.

  Jonas, in his normal, soft voice, said, “If you’re going to kill me, do it now. I deserve to die.”

  “Not like this, you don’t,” Brent replied. “Jonas, listen to me. I know you can feel the love and forgiveness here in the house of God. It’s time that you repent your sins and give your life to Him.”

  “It’s too late for me.”

  “It’s never too late. When Christ hung on the cross, the thief hanging beside him repented and accepted Jesus into his heart. Jesus told him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.’”

  “Don’t you quote Him!” screamed The Dark One. The sound no longer came from the mouth of Jonas McFarland. It emanated from every corner of the church. “He is not welcome here. If you’re going to kill him, go ahead and do so. Then you can celebrate your victory.”

  “I may only be human,” Brent said, pushing the point of his sword a little further into Jonas’ skin, “but I’m not naïve. I know that if I kill Jonas, your spirit lives on and will search for another soul to inhabit. I can’t let that happen. This ends now.”

  “And how do you propose to do that?” A huge black shadow floated above the altar.

  Brent backed away from Jonas, lowering his sword as he did so. “With love; that’s the only way to defeat evil.” Just then, Brent laid down his sword and knelt on the top step of the altar, next to the book Seven had laid open at his request.

  Praying out loud, he asked for forgiveness for Jonas’ sins and prayed that he would accept God into his heart.

  Jonas stood against the wall, confused.

  “Pick up the sword and finish this,” The Dark One growled.

  “I…I don’t know what to do,” came the soft effeminate voice of Jonas. “Could I really be forgiven and loved?” His eyes welled with tears.

  “You are loved,” bellowed The Dark One. “I love you. Who was there to take care of you in that cesspool of a prison?”

  “You were.”

  “Jonas, don’t listen to him,” Brent said, lovingly. “He’s the one who put you there.”

  “Quiet,” Satan yelled. “Who held you and comforted you when that quack jolted your brain with electricity?” Before Jonas could reply, Satan answered his own question, “It was me, and it was me who loved you when your mother died and you went to live with your Aunt Peg.”

  “Don’t listen to him, Jonas. He’s manipulating you, just as he has your entire life. Love is not manipulative,” Brent said with authority.

  The Dark One ignored Brent’s comments, replying in a nicer tone, “Now is your chance, my son. We are on the brink of having everything we’ve worked so hard for these many years. Pick up the sword. Kill the Enlightened One. Take your rightful place on the throne.”

  Tears ran unchecked down Jonas’ face. He bent down and picked up the sword.

  With the powerful weapon in his hands, with the command of his father ringing in his ears, he shook with indecision. Brent’s words tore at him. They clashed with the words of The Dark One.

  “Now, pierce his heart and end this with a victory,” Satan yelled, his voice no longer pretending to be nice.

  “Jonas, listen to me,” Brent implored. “I have twice spared your life; today, and eight years ago in that boiler room. I could have put that bullet through your heart, but I didn’t. Do the right thing. Put down the sword and kneel beside me in prayer.”

  “Shut up!” screamed The Dark One. The voice was now Aunt Peg’s. “Do as you were told or accept your punishment.”

  Jonas responded to that familiar voice, and moved towards Brent. As he did, the shadow that circled above him shot back into his body. Brent now knew he had lost the battle for Jonas’ soul, and that he had just one chance to defeat him.

  Jonas, in attack position, lunged toward Brent. Brent threw both arms over his head. It was the signal that Charlotte had been waiting for. Without hesitation, she released the arrow which had been soaked in Christ’s blood. The arrow pierced and shattered the window and landed on target. Jonas’ heart.

  In a state of shock, Jonas dropped the sword and fell to his knees. Instead of the sword falling to the ground, it hovered above it. To those sitting at the back of the church, the sword appeared to float in mid-air.

  It was then that Chloe saw blood drip from Brent’s chest. With an ear-piercing scream, she and everyone else ran toward Brent. In their rush to his side, they heard a different scream. It was so high-pitched that it caused the windows to implode.

  Father Jessup ran into the church just in time to see the spirit of Satan leave the dying body of his host. The Dark One screamed “NO!” again and again, and then disappeared into the pages of the Book of Sufferings. Brent let go of the sword that had pierced his chest long enough to close the book. Placing it back into the Ark, he slammed it shut. In his last breath he gurgled, “It is finished.”

  Chloe held Brent’s head in her arms. “You promised me. Don’t you dare break your promise.”

  Before Seven administered CPR to his best friend, he reached into Brent’s pocket and hit the star key on his sat phone three times.

  “I’m going to take the sword out of him,” Chloe said from her own state of shock.

  “No, leave it in,” Maddie said, and held her friend back. “It’s the only thing slowing down the bleeding.”

  “We all need to pray,” Father Jessup said. “Let’s get down on our knees.”

  Everyone but Seven and Chloe followed Father’s lead.

  “Heavenly Father, Thy chosen one has done the impossible. He has defeated Satan who has now returned to hell. Please reach down and save Brent’s life. Please.”

  While he prayed, they could all hear the sound of a helicopter drawing closer.
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  Through the opening in the shattered window, they saw it land just outside the church. Seconds later, paramedics were at Brent’s side.

  One yelled, “I don’t have a heartbeat.”

  “Transport him now,” said another, and hooked an IV to Brent’s arm.

  “Step back, I’m going to shock him,” said a third, rubbing paddles together.

  The first paramedic ripped Brent’s shirt open while the other paramedic yelled, “Clear.” He jolted Brent with so much electricity that Brent’s entire body seemed to rise up off the floor.

  “I have a heartbeat, but it’s faint. We have to move fast. He’s lost a lot of blood.”

  The paramedics quickly moved Brent, sword and all, to a stretcher, and ran for the copter. Chloe stayed by their side as they ran.

  “You’re going to have to let go, ma’am. We need to transport now!”

  “I’m his wife,” Chloe screamed. “Wherever he goes, I go.”

  The two medics looked at the third. “We have no time to argue.” He grabbed Chloe’s arm and pulled her into the helicopter. Before she was all the way inside, it lifted off and quickly disappeared over the horizon.

  CHAPTER 60

  Five days passed with no word from either Brent or Chloe. Seven kept a round-the-clock vigil in the church, going so far as to sleep there. Charlotte brought Mary Ann home, as Brent promised and returned the same day, not wanting to be away from the squad.

  Maddie opened the door of the church and walked to the first pew where Seven knelt.

  “Honey,” she said, running her fingers through his buzz cut, “you can’t continue to do this to yourself. You have to let go.”

  Seven looked at her through swollen, bloodshot eyes. “It’s the only thing left for me to do,” he said. “I’ve tried every contact I can think of to find out where that ‘hawk’ took them. Nobody knows anything. I don’t get it. They couldn’t have just vanished.”

  Then he had a hopeful thought. “Were you able to get in touch with President Dupree? Has he been able to find them?”