The Kingdom Come Series
Book One
The Kingdom Come Series
Book One
by
Brandy Ange
Copyright © 2017 by Brandy C Ange
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction.
Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Artwork by Phil Thomas.
Printed in the United States of America
First Printing, 2017
ISBN 978-1-947992-00-9 (paperback)
ISBN 978-1-947992-02-3 (ebook)
Marturia Publications
For Distribution Inquiries:
Itasca Books
Attn: Customer Service
5120 Cedar Lake Rd
Minneapolis, MN 55416
www.brandyange.me
For Beth Kraft
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank all of my friends and family who listened to endless hours of idea vomit. Huge thanks to those who sacrificed their time to give me feedback and a second pair of eyes, my sister Candice Ange, my dearest friend (and adoptive sister) Jo Beth Elliott, Alistair Crompton, Debbie Broyles, and Shari Stalls. A special shout out to those who encouraged me to push through doubt and self-criticism and finish the project, Teri Woolard, Mollee Holloman, my mom and dad, Debbie and Michael Calvino, and Christina Cison. The encouragement I received from classmates in college when I first started writing was invaluable. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to three specific teachers, professors, and role models I looked up to and who not only encouraged my writing, but who helped me to develop as a person, Beth Kraft, Bob Ebert, and Rafael Rodriguez, I couldn’t have done any of this without you. I would also like to thank Phil Thomas for all of his artistic contributions as well as brainstorming conversations. Finally, a special shout out to Marshall Rushe, see you in Penance!
Praise and glory and wisdom
and thanks and honor and power
and strength be to our God
for ever and ever. Amen!
Revelation 12:7
Prologue
“How you have fallen from Heaven,
Morning star, son of the dawn!”
Isaiah 14:12
The moon hung high in the sky, the color of parchment. A lazy cloud hovered before it, blurring the view of its bright edges, not unlike the bugs on the windshield of Shael’s BMW. The people of Washington DC swarmed the city, like fireflies and mosquitos. The humidity that summer weighed down on the evening’s meanderers. Anna’s hair especially felt its effect.
“I step outside and it’s as if there’s been an explosion, and the only thing affected by that explosion is my head. I look like hell smacked me in the face.”
Shael covered a wince with a laugh. Anna didn’t notice, as she fussed with the passenger-side sun visor.
“And don’t you try to tell me otherwise either, ‘cause I can see for myself.”
“Alright, I won’t. You look terrible, horrific really– If I’m being honest. I mean I’ve seen amputees–”
“Okay, I don’t want your opinion.” Anna said abandoning the mirror and flipping up the visor.
“Really?” Shael asked. “Because, it’s just that it doesn’t matter what you look like. You’re the only senator in the country’s history with an approval rating as high as yours… Despite that rat’s nest of yours, the people love you.” Shael grinned and turned at the stop light.
“Well, yeah, it’s got to be for my brains because this,” she pulled out a chunk of her expanded, frizzy, red curls, “isn’t attractive. How far have we got to go?”
“Eight blocks.”
Anna let out a groan. “I have to do something with this.”
Shael’s eyes didn’t leave the road as he maneuvered through the city traffic toward the gala. He knew without looking that his wife was performing what he liked to call “Anna-magic” on her hair. By the time they reached the gala, she would look incredible and all the other women would look on with envy.
For Shael the gala invitation acted more as a mandate. He hated politics. Unfortunately, in Shael’s line of work he couldn’t escape them. As one of the Nephilim, you didn’t get to choose your Charge– they were chosen for you, and you protected them at all costs.
Shael, recognized as one of the best, had never lost a Charge. With that sort of track record, he usually found himself assigned to the most important of humans. Anna occupied a role of significance. Not just to Shael, but to the world. She endeavored to do great things– Shael’s duty was to keep her alive so she could do them.
Shael had never met anyone as positive as Anna. She loved everyone. Everyone loved her. He had fallen for her almost immediately. Even being an angel, Shael had never met anyone more passionate, more caring, more– he hated admitting it– Christ-like.
Sure enough, as he pulled up to the curb Anna sighed, “It’ll have to do.” Her hair was pulled back as tiny ringlets fell around her temples, drawing attention to her piercing eyes. She leaned back against her seat to unbuckle herself. “I hope she wasn’t cursed with my hair.” She smiled a weak dainty smile over at her husband.
Shael knew she meant Achaia, Anna hated leaving their baby-girl at home; she wanted to show her off to the world. Achaia had a fire, in place of her mother’s gentleness, that was all Shael. He knew that was the Nephilim blood at work. But she already had a bushy little bundle of red curls atop her head, just like her mother.
“What are you talking about? With the way you look tonight, anyone would count it a blessing.” Shael could still see a flicker of worry in Anna’s eyes and smiled, “She’ll be fine.” He brushed his hand along her cheek. Her lips parted into a nervous grin. “You look great.” He winked at her before opening his door to get out.
As if he had wiped away all of her worries, Anna shook her head and opened her own door as Shael stepped out into the street. He reached out his hand with the keys to the valet and stopped short, recognizing the familiar face, “Naphtali?”
“Shael.” Naphtali was a tall broad shouldered man with maple skin. Though it had been hundreds of years, he still looked exactly as he had when he and Shael had fought together in Egypt.
“What are you doing here?” Shael asked recovering from his shock and cocking an eyebrow.
Naphtali was the Seraphim assigned as Shael’s sort-of probation officer. He didn’t usually show up just to shoot the breeze.
“He’s stirring.” The hint of a smile from before had vanished and his tone had turned serious. “Tonight, keep your eyes open. He’s going to make a move.” He looked grim.
Shael felt like a stone had dropped in his gut. “There’s no way I’m going to let anything happen to her. I’ve got this under control.”
Naphtali shook his head, looking at the ground. When he looked back up Shael could see the doubt in his eyes. “You were never supposed to fall for her.” Naphtali gripped the door handle and swung himself up into the driver’s seat. “I have a really bad feeling about this. You’re judgement has been skewed ever since you married her. You’re overconfident,” he sounded frustrated, then sighed. “Humility friend.” Naphtali spoke gently his pleading reminder.
“She is safe with me. I’ve never lost anyone.” Shael said defensively, feeling as if Naphtali had smacked him in the face.
“Yeah, and do you want tonight to be your first?” Naphtali looked around. When he spo
ke again his voice softened as he leaned in, “This is a risky business. In order to save them you have to be willing to lose them. You’re too emotionally invested if you ask me. You have to be willing to gamble to win–”
“You’re trying to tell me how to win?” Shael’s voice turned cold. His face shook in anger. He searched for the right words to convince his old friend, but came up empty. “She’s waiting.” He nodded toward Anna who was standing on the other side of the car, looking through the passenger window.
Naphtali looked Shael hard in the face before giving up hope and taking the keys from his hand. “Just expect the unexpected.” He started the car.
“I always do.” Shael’s throat relaxed easing the tension in his voice.
Naphtali put a hand on Shael’s chest, stopping him in his tracks. “Which is why when I say it to you, I mean expect the obvious.” Naphtali dropped his hand, he had Shael’s attention. “Maybe it’s been a while, but he knows you. You’re smart, but you’re cocky. He can, and will, use both against you.” Naphtali put the SUV into drive.
Shael, ignoring him, slammed the door and crossed to the sidewalk where he took his wife up toward the gala. The tranquilizing classical music flowing from inside waged war with his mood.
Anna wrapped her arm up into her husband’s. The hardness in his face worried her. Although he smiled, she could see the lines of tension set in his jaw. “What’s wrong?” she asked, giving his arm a slight squeeze.
“What? Nothing,” Shael said, placing his free hand over hers on his arm. His brown eyes looked black.
“You’ve always been an awful liar. You would’ve never made it in politics.” She beamed at her husband and tried to be pleased with the slight increase in his smile.
“It’s a good thing you’re the politician then.” Even though he joked with her, there was still something unsettling about his tone.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” This time she stopped walking altogether.
“I’m fine. I just hope he doesn’t do anything stupid.”
“The valet? I’m sure they wouldn’t have hired him tonight if he was a bad driver.” Anna’s hope dissipated, all of her attempts just about wasted. She watched the tension set further into his jaw and spread to his forehead.
“Come on, we’ve got to get in there. Everyone is waiting for you.” He tugged her gently toward the wide double doors leading into a ballroom.
Anna gave up, hoping maybe once he got to mingling with people he would forget about the valet. He always worried too much. He had a protective tendency toward everything they had.
Anna allowed him to lead her through the doorway and into the ballroom where hundreds of people stood huddled in groups around tables, chatting politely and enjoying champagne.
“Ah! Anna!” a short, round man exclaimed with a tipsy joy, making his way over to her. “Anna, you look as lovely as ever. Doesn’t she?” he said casting a bleary-eyed smile at Shael.
“Indeed. That’s what I tell her every morning,” Shael agreed. The tension in his jaw faded.
The man looked taken aback, a little confused. Sometimes Shael sounded sarcastic, even when serious, and he would never bother to explain himself to people.
“He really does,” Anna confirmed. The man looked pleased once more.
“You know, you may very well be the luckiest bastard in the world. If I were twenty years younger…”
“Twenty years wouldn’t be enough, Ira.” Shael laughed, patting the old man on the shoulder.
The old man looked half serious and nodded his head. “You’re probably right,” he smiled. He stood a good foot and a half shorter than Shael, and a few inches shorter than Anna, but Anna found him adorable with his jovial disposition.
Ira was one of Anna’s favorites. He had retired from politics, but still paid attention to everything, remaining full of good advice. Sometimes she’d take it, sometimes she wouldn’t, but he always offered it whenever he came around.
“She’s going to do great things, you know!” As one of the catering staff walked by with a tray of champagne, Ira snatched up another glass almost tipping over the rest.
“Oh, I know that better than anyone,” Shael said putting an arm around Anna’s shoulders. She leaned into it, happy to see that most of the tension had disappeared.
Her husband had astounding strength; sometimes it still surprised her to feel the muscles, like stone, under his skin. She always envied his confidence, and wished she could borrow some in her career.
Shael had a right to be confident; he held the prize for ‘Most Beautiful Man’ she had ever seen. When they had first met, Anna thought she had seen an angel. He towered over most men, and was far more fit, even then. He had brown hair with brown eyes, which sometimes held a hue of honey. His voice was low and soothing whenever she had needed calming down; but when he was angry, it was terrifying. He had never been that way with her, though– only when he felt compelled to “defend her honor.” He had an unwavering sense of chivalry.
“We should let her make the rounds; don’t need to piss off a bunch of politicians by hogging her all night.” Shael smiled down at the old man, a gentle and genuine smile. Anna knew that Ira meant a lot to Shael, too. He often suggested inviting him over for dinner, especially after Ira’s wife Emily had passed. Shael always had compassion for him after that. She sometimes got the feeling that he could relate to loss better than most. He didn’t like to talk about it, but Anna knew that Shael didn’t have any family—at least none that came to their wedding. He only had one close friend, and he was a bit secretive and odd…
“Right. I should get on with the mingling,” Anna said, giving Ira a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“Don’t get jealous now, sonny, but I think she’s flirting.” Ira laughed, the wrinkles in his face accentuated by his smile.
“Well, then I best take her away from you now! See ya later, Ira. It was good talking to you.”
“Always a pleasure. More because of her than you.” Ira laughed again, winking at Shael.
“Oh, of course,” Shael said as he turned to lead Anna to all the right people.
A lot of Anna’s political success, she owed to introductions Shael had made, and she knew it. She did alright on her own, but it always seemed like Shael knew exactly who she needed to talk to and would even keep the conversation going in the right direction. Sometimes she thought she had married her guardian angel.
The night felt as though it had the intentions of dragging on forever. Shael became more and more agitated with the small talk and niceties, especially being on guard the way the night called for. His eyes grew weary from constantly prowling the room, analyzing every person and the level of threat they posed.
Anna seemed like she had grown tired too. Her eyes looked heavier, and her smile less vibrant; her hair fell out of its up-do and into her face in less elegant ringlets. As the Vice President walked away after a polite but brief conversation, Anna leaned her head against Shael’s chest.
“My head is killing me,” She said, placing a couple fingertips on her right temple. “Do you think my approval rating would drop if we made an early exit?”
“I think you have some room to fudge,” Shael said placing a gentle hand on her back, relieved that he wasn’t the only one ready to leave.
They walked slowly to the door, mumbling polite goodbyes as they passed familiar faces. They stood close on the sidewalk, Anna leaning her fatigued body against Shael’s as they waited for the car to be brought around. A lanky boy, who looked barely old enough to drive, returned with the car, handed them the keys and wished them a good evening. Shael wished him one as well and opened the door for his wife.
Getting in behind the wheel, Shael started the car. Before taking off, he looked over at Anna; she looked completely drained. “I think we’re out of pain medicine at home. We need to stop at the drugstore on our way back.” She leaned her head up against the window and closed her eyes.
“Alright,” Shael reach
ed over, resting his hand on Anna’s leg, which she took hold of sleepily. He drove down the road in silence trying to give Anna’s head a rest. It looked as though she had fallen asleep. Shael located an ATM across the street from a department store and pulled into the parking lot of a gas station. Anna’s eyes fluttered. “Are we home?”
“No, just at the ATM.” Shael got out of the car, put the card into the machine and typed in his PIN number. Just as he punched in the amount for withdraw, he heard a low grumbling sound. He looked around. It rumbled again, just as a faulty pipe would before a burst. He knew perfectly well, though, that the sound hadn’t come from a pipe at all.
He listened closely letting his angelic senses take over. He stood perfectly still, his eyes darting around aggressively for the source of the sound, the creature growling. The sound came again, closer. Shael saw the reflective eyes just beyond the corner of the building. The store’s closed sign dangled in the window, the only dim light filtering into the parking lot, but Shael could see just fine in the dark.
“Anna stay here, I’ll be right back.”
“What? Where are you going?” Anna asked, getting out of the car.
“I’ll be right back. Just stay in the car,” Shael said, following the demon behind the building.
Anna watched her husband run behind the wall, wondering what in the world he could possibly be doing. He acted so strange sometimes. She walked over to the ATM to get the money out of the slot where it sat fluttering in the wind. She held the money in one hand and hit the return card button. As she tugged the card out of the slot, she felt something cold against her aching temple.
Shael cornered the demon between the store and the dumpster. He pinned it to the brick with a kick to the gut, and drew a dagger out of the back of his belt. The creature began to choke. At least it sounded like someone choking, but in reality the beast was laughing.
Transgression Page 1
