by Deena Remiel
A harsh knock preempted his full disclosure. Emma scowled. He shrugged. She walked to the front door and checked through the sidelight. She turned back to him. “The cavalry’s arrived, and I’d better get my answers, soon.” She swung the door open with authority and greeted her guests.
***
“Hello, gentlemen. Won’t you come in? We’ve been expecting you.” Massive walls of hardened flesh stood at attention by her doorway. Emma waved them in and quickly stepped back to allow them entry. One of the Brethren spoke first.
“Thank you. My name is Kemuel.” As he walked through the door, he bent his head down so as not to hit the doorframe. “This is Seraphiel, and that’s Nathanael. We are the Warrior Generals of the Brethren. We are honored to be here in the presence of such an ancient and powerful family. To train and fight evil beside the Great Warrior Child is humbling.”
She escorted them to the family room. “Yeah, right. You must be joking. Did you know my daughter is only about six years old?”
She laughed. He didn’t. She stopped.
“You’re not serious, are you? He’s not serious, Michael?” She turned to him in near hysterics as his words seeped into her brain. But he wasn’t looking at her. He was glaring at Kemuel. “Is this what you’ve been avoiding telling me? Is it?”
She was engulfed by a fiery flush. Her maternal instinct to protect her daughter had kicked into high gear, and the house’s energy vibrated in tune with her own surging energy. The men seemed shocked by her outrage. But she only saw frustration on Michael’s furrowed brow.
“Not exactly avoiding, Emma. We just keep getting interrupted. Hey, can you give me a few minutes alone with her, please? I didn’t get a chance to tell her much yet,” he pleaded, rubbing his hands over his face and escorted Emma to the kitchen. “Emma, I’m so sorry. I thought we would have more time before they arrived. I….” He reached for her arms.
She shrugged him off, not wanting to be calmed or comforted at the moment. “Don’t you give me that bullshit, Michael! You’ve had plenty of time to tell me everything. It was one thing when you said we were ‘from an ancient line of powerful women. ’ Even a little cool that we can do some nifty magic. Now you want me to believe and allow my daughter to be some kind of warrior against evil? It’s preposterous, absurd, and absolutely out of the question. She’s a child. A baby, my baby. I won’t have it, I tell you. I won’t! There is no way that Hannah is going to get near any more evil than she’s already had contact with. You’re a Protector, you say. Well, protect her, then, damn it. Don’t get her involved in this. For God’s sake, Michael! She’s all I’ve got!”
Her eyes welled with tears as she grabbed furiously at his shirt sleeves. He wrapped himself around her and drew her towards him. Emma felt her mind being teased with calmness. She swiped angrily at tears that spilled down her cheeks and ripped away from his hold.
“No! I don’t want to be soothed. Not while you’re all scheming to send my daughter to a senseless death.”
“It’s not like that, really. I know you’re scared. But that’s because you haven’t seen what Hannah is capable of. She’s your daughter, yes, but she’s so much more. Inside her is the soul and power of a great ancient warrior. Your little girl is the only one who can lead us to victory against evil. There is no dou—” Suddenly they heard metal clashing against metal, and a girl’s hearty laughter coming from the living room.
“What the hell? I told her to stay in the playroom.” Emma dashed back to the family room where she stopped dead in her tracks. There, in the middle of the family room, was Hannah, wielding a sword against Nathanael.
“Stop it! Stop it this instant! What do you think you’re doing?” Hannah spun around, getting in a quick parry.
“Oh, hi, Mama! I was peeking in to see who was here, and all these big guys bowed down like I was a princess or something. They asked if I wanted to play with them. Nathanael is the evil guy, and I’m the Great Warrior Child. Isn’t that cool? I’m gonna get him, too, Mama, watch me!”
And with that, she spun back around to face Nathanael, trading swordplay as though she’d been doing it for years. She wasn’t playing around with a plastic sword either. She was actually holding one of the Warrior’s swords. Without any problem whatsoever. Emma was stunned into silence as she watched Hannah shower blow after blow against him. Nathanael was kneeling on the floor, blocking all of her attacks.
As the swordplay progressed, Emma’s stomach clenched into a tight knot while dreadful thoughts of mutilation, severed limbs, and a gruesome early death of her daughter swirled in her mind. It was all too much for her to take in. She charged at her daughter, grabbed the sword from her, and threw it aside. Then she picked Hannah up and whisked her away to her bedroom. Once there, she dropped to the bed and held onto her baby girl with every fiber of her being. She rocked and soothed and petted her precious daughter.
“Mama, what’s the matter? Are you okay? ‘Cause I’m fine.” Hannah pulled back after a moment. “I was having fun. Those guys told me they’re my brothers and they’re going to help me learn my powers and get Agremon and Mr. Namirha out of here once and for all. They said I am the Great Warrior Child. I feel so much better now that they’re here, Mama, don’t you?”
“Oh, honey,” Emma sighed. “They’re not your brothers. They are called the Brethren, and I really don’t know how I feel about them being here. I don’t like seeing you with a sword in your hand at all, to think of you fighting, putting yourself in such incredible danger. You’re my little girl, my angel. I can’t imagine anything bad happening to you. I would die first. I want this evil Agremon to go away, but I can’t have you fighting. You’re just a child. My baby. If anyone is going to fight, it’s going to be me.”
Hannah took her tiny hands and touched Emma’s cheeks while looking intently into her mother’s eyes. “It’s not only Agremon, Mama. It’s Mr. Namirha, too. He’s the one who really wants me. But don’t be afraid, Mama. I will fight against Agremon and Mr. Namirha and win, because I’ll have an army with me. And if I need saving, you can save me, just like you always do.” She gave her a big squeeze.
How could a girl who had been so very frightened for the past six months be so very brave now? She has an ancient, powerful soul inside her. Her powers are awakening.
Emma reconciled herself to the fact that she had lost all control over their destinies. It did nothing to ease the pain in her heart or loosen the ball of tension in her belly. She prayed that the good guys would win without any casualties. There was a light tap on the door.
“Can I come in?” called a voice softly from outside the bedroom door.
“Yes, Michael,” Emma answered, resigned. He’d really screwed up with her, and she could tell by his tentativeness that he knew it, too. Would they be able to get through this and come out the other side intact? She didn’t know. What she did know was her heart was in definite turmoil. But this was no time to analyze a budding relationship that was already on the rocks. Her daughter, her baby, had a soul that was actually older than she living inside her, with skills and powers that were sure to amaze her. She had no choice but to see this all the way through at her daughter’s side. She stood up and held Hannah’s hand.
“Hey. The Warriors are getting restless and would like to get to work with her. There’s so much to do and very little time. Will you agree to this, all of this, whatever may come? If you don’t, I understand. Hell, if I had my choice, I wouldn’t want to see her involved in any of this either. But honestly, we can’t do this without her. As crazy as it sounds, I know we can destroy Namirha and Agremon with her leading us.”
“Crazy doesn’t even begin to describe this whole mess. You know, as a parent I’d always hoped that one day my child would grow up happy, have lots of friends, and be successful. The key phrases here are, grows up and one day. I’ve just learned that our one day is now. Hannah’s sixth birthday is in six days, and instead of celebrating with friends and balloons and laughter, we’re lookin
g at going to war against Evil. It’s a lot to take in, a lot to commit to. You’re asking me to take a huge risk with our lives. If I agree to this, do we get our lives back when it’s over? Can we go back to normal?”
“Truthfully, you can never go back to the way things were. Normal will have to look a bit different for you and Hannah. It does for me.”
“Of course it does. What am I thinking? You’re immortal! What does all of this make us, then? What are we, Michael?”
“That’s a good question, and right now, I don’t have the answer, except that you and your daughter seem to be the key to Good defeating Evil in this latest battle for world domination. Do you have an answer for me, then? Are you agreeing to move forward with Hannah? With the Brethren?”
“Oh please, Mama! I can do this, I know I can. And I need to. I can feel it deep inside. I’ve been scared for so long, but ever since I got this necklace, I’ve been feeling things and thinking things like I was somebody else, somebody more than me. I’ve been getting stronger inside. I have to do this, Mama. Do this with me.”
Such maturity from one so young. But not so young, after all.
It pained her so to say it, but she agreed. “Yes, we’ll do this, together. But if anything should happen to this one,” she threatened, pointing to Hannah, “Agremon’s schemes will seem like child’s play when I’m through with all of you.”
“Spoken like a Savior, through and through.” Michael’s voice was filled with respect.
“No, spoken like a mother. I’d bet you my maternal instincts are far more powerful than my ability to heal any day of the week.”
“Why don’t we get to work on that then? Hannah, you’re going to be training with Kemuel, Nathanael, and Seraphiel. They are your generals and will teach you everything you need to know about using your powers.” They walked out to the living room. The three men immediately stood, all raising a questioning brow.
“Well, Kemuel, why don’t you begin your training?” Michael suggested.
“Excellent. We’ll use the backyard. It’s the perfect place for this kind of training.”
“Can I ask, please,” Emma interrupted, “Why swords?”
“These aren’t just any swords. On the blades are inscriptions from an ancient incantation book. All warriors have one, as will our Great Warrior Child,” Nathanael explained.
“Ah, just make sure there’s not a scratch on my child when you’re done training today,” she demanded.
“These swords will kill only those who have sided with Evil, mortal and immortal alike. As for her training sessions, keeping her scratch-free might be a little hard to do. If she were to get injured from training though, it would be the smallest of nicks or scrapes, and not from any of our swords. They can’t harm us. And besides, Savior Mother, you are here to heal her,” Kemuel reminded her.
“Well, I’m her mother first, and Mother says train safely, that’s all. Oh, and her bedtime is nine now that school’s over.” She heard a groan come from the group of men. “Don’t give me that nonsense. Even warriors need a good night’s sleep.” Kemuel shot a look at Michael. He returned a placating glance and assured Emma that her daughter would be fine. As the Warriors got down to training, the doorbell rang.
“That must be the rest of our teams.”
As Emma answered the door, she was speechless. The men standing before her were as massive as the Warriors, with shoulders so wide they almost had to turn sideways to walk through the doorway. Each had long, beautiful hair of varying shades from blonde to black. And their eyes reminded her of precious jewels.
As they entered the foyer, squeezing into every available space, Emma pondered how they were all going to fit into her tiny ranch home. She had to laugh at that point. Was she really worrying about crowd control? Never mind about the part where a six-year-old would be leading grown men, immortals, into a life and death battle against Evil!
Chapter Thirteen
“Ms. Livingston, we are honored to be in your presence and in the presence of the Great Warrior Child. I am Raphael, Lead Savior, and this is Cassiel and Zadkiel, Saviors as well.” They each nodded in turn, and she marveled at how they were so similar in stature and mannerism, yet each had their own individual style. From suit pants to jeans, dress shirts to T-shirts. Combined, they hurt her eyes with their handsomeness.
If these guys don’t stop being so formal, I’m going to puke. What’s the deal with the royal treatment?
“Well, hello, and please call me Emma,” she insisted. “We don’t stand on ceremony around here.” Raphael grabbed her hand in a firm handshake and immediately gasped, frowned, and let go abruptly. He turned to Michael.
“Listen, Ms. Livingston, Emma, is in seriously bad shape, as is this house. I’ve gotta take care of these things first before we’re able to move forward with our plans. Gabriel has filled us in on everything so we won’t be wasting time.”
“What do you mean I’m in serious shape? I mean I know I’ve been getting some terrifying images swimming in my head, but Michael saw to that with this necklace. Right?” She held the talisman in her hands for all to see and stood tall before Raphael.
“The talisman I gave you dampens the effects of the terror Agremon planted inside you. It doesn’t take it away,” Michael tried to reassure her. “Raphael will see to that.”
“And what’s wrong with the house?”
“Well, what we’re feeling is a dark energy, very strong. Without our shields to protect us, it would be like wading through a tar pit walking into your home. And like that muck, it is suffocating the life essence, the positive energies that exist in this home from all the people who’ve lived here before you, as well as you and your daughter. Once your home and you are cleansed, we can continue the training you’ve begun. I’m going to deal with the house first. That will allow our men to put their shields down. Michael, get everyone out of the house. You too, Emma. I must be alone in the house. And stand as far away as possible.”
The two rounded up the men and joined Hannah and her Warriors out back. They all worked their way toward the line where landscaped precision met nature’s design. As they watched the house, twilight descended with its exquisite hues of orange, red, purple and gold. Emma glanced at the Brethren who stood in silence and awe of such beauty, then turned back to face her home, wondering what exactly was happening inside. Whatever it was, she hoped it helped.
A flash, like lightning, appeared from inside. And another. Suddenly, the ground under their feet began to vibrate and rumble, and Hannah grabbed onto her mother’s leg. The house visibly shook.
“Mama, are we having an earthquake?”
“I don’t think so, sweetie.” Emma picked up her frightened daughter.
“What’s happening, Mama?” she asked in a hushed, high-pitched voice, and flung her arms around her neck like a vice.
“Don’t worry, baby,” she soothed, and rubbed her back. “Raphael, is taking all the bad feelings out of the house so we can be happy again.” She hoped she was speaking the truth.
Michael walked over to her and reached for Emma’s hand. She glanced up, surprised to see what she dared not ever hope for from any man—affection, in his eyes. She met it tentatively with a squeeze. Gently, she peeled Hannah away to stand between them.
The rumbling of the Earth had ceased and flashes of light could no longer be seen. The back door opened, and Raphael appeared. He waved them back in, but then dropped his hand on his head and his jaw dropped. Michael and Emma looked at each other with concern, and then scanned the others’ faces for anything that would explain Raphael’s odd behavior. Their faces held perplexed expressions as well.
“What’s going on? Are we being attacked?” she cried out. Michael grabbed her and Hannah and held onto them in a defensive maneuver.
“Brothers! What’s going on?” he shouted.
It was Urie who spoke up first.
“Brother, it’s okay. We’re all a bit taken aback right now, that’s all. We didn’t k
now.”
“What the hell are you talking about, Urie?” he bristled.
Raphael had finally made his way over to the group of awed immortals. “Michael, we had no idea about this. Why didn’t you tell us? This is most interesting. Most interesting indeed.”
“All right, enough. What am I supposed to have an idea about that is most interesting?” Michael pressed, his anger simmering. “What gives?”
Gabriel stepped forward and spoke. “Relax. Guys, it’s not his fault. He doesn’t know. I thought he knew everything since he was dead on with identifying the Warrior Child and Savior Mother.” He turned to Michael and continued. “You see, the prophecy we spoke of earlier, well, there is actually a bit more to it. The prophecy reveals that to defeat evil in this generation, it would require the powers of the Great Warrior child to fight against evil, the Great Savior Mother to save the many fallen victims, and the powers of the Great Protector to keep Evil away once defeated. The power of the Trinity—the Great Warrior Child, the Great Savior Mother, and the Great Protector, is what will allow Good to continue to reign over the world.”
“Okay,” Michael said. “But I still don’t see why you’re all looking at the three of us so strangely.”
“The prophecy states that the Trinity would be made known when a pure white aura glows around the three chosen ones. Hannah’s the Great Warrior Child. Emma here is the Great Savior Mother. And you, my brother, are the Great Protector.” Gabriel gave him a shit-eating grin.
“Where the hell did you come up with that load of crap?”
What’s the matter with him? Emma wondered. Why was this revelation pissing him off so much?
“You apparently can’t see it, but there is an aura surrounding you, Emma, and Hannah that is undeniable. You three are the Trinity, for sure.”
“What aura? What are you talking about?” asked Emma.
“Okay, so you’re all holding hands. There’s a pure white aura surrounding all three of you providing a sphere of protection right now. You can’t see it, but we can, and it’s nearly blinding. This is mighty incredible. Way to go, brother. Congratulations!”
