The Belial Sacrifice

by R. D. Brady

Chapter 19

  Washington, D.C.

  They had been going around and around for forty minutes. The generals were arguing for another coordinated military strike on the facility at Beijing along with the other countries of the world. The State Department was arguing that they needed to make inroads diplomatically and see what it was that China actually wanted. The National Security staff wanted to close down the entire country. No one in and no one out.

  The President said nothing, listening to it all, taking it all in and letting it work its way around her mind. But it wasn’t the people in this room her mind kept shifting back to. It was Delaney McPhearson. The woman had faced Elisabeta head on to defend all of them. She had never used her powers for her own personal gain, and according to the reports from David Okafur, had often put her own safety behind that of the strangers she was saving.

  The President knew the Fallen were a threat, but picking out who amongst them were the good guys and who were the bad guys was beyond even the world’s best criminologist. Or at least beyond the time crunch to make the citizens of the United States feel safe. But if Delaney McPhearson and the other enhanced hadn’t been targeted, would she be helping her government against this new threat?

  The President was pretty sure from what she knew of the woman, she would be. But that door was closed to them now. No one had any idea where she was. She’d been spotted across the globe, usually grabbing a family and whisking them away to God knew where. None of those people had been seen again. Her actions had given her a Robin Hood-esque reputation in certain quarters. Others pointed to her hiding as being proof of her guilt. Of course, what she was guilty of they never really identified, just the fact that she was guilty of something.

  Originally, the public had their incident, the smoking gun proving Delaney McPhearson was the evil villain she’d been made out to be with the attack at the U.S. facility in Bluefield, Virginia. But like all the other times McPhearson had been painted as an evildoer, closer inspection revealed the truth.

  In this case, the closer inspection was actually the testimony of a CEI agent, Roger Hennessey. In exchange for immunity, Hennessey admitted that while McPhearson had broken into the lab, it was solely to release Dr. Dominic Radcliffe. Guards had been hurt, but none had been killed. The deaths came at the hands of Hennessey’s partner, Barbara Frankel, and in consultation with Senator Bart Shremp.

  The President had kept Shremp out of the public view, pinning all the blame on Frankel, who had been killed when agents moved in to apprehend her. Shremp had taken an early retirement to spend more time with his family. Putting him in charge had been a mistake. She had underestimated his ambition, and good soldiers had died as a result.

  She felt eyes on her and turned her head to see Bruce Heller studying her. He rarely, if ever, spoke at these meetings unless called upon. But she knew how well his mind worked. And right now he was studying her. For a moment, she had the uneasy feeling that he might be able to read her mind. His eyes widened for just a second, a smirk crossing his face before it returned to his normal placid look.

  “We need to find out what they want,” Nancy Harrigan, the secretary of state, insisted. “We can’t assume the worst.”

  “We can’t wait for that,” the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff insisted just as strongly. “Their response could be enhanced individuals storming our border.”

  Nancy shook her head. “That’s insane. What does that gain them? They are more likely to use this new power as a threat to initiate financial scenarios that benefit them.”

  “You are not seeing the threat. It—”

  Nancy didn’t let him finish. “No, I am acknowledging that threats come in multiple forms, not only physical.”

  The President put up her hand, raising her voice. “Thank you all for your invaluable input. Let’s take a little break, and we’ll reconvene in thirty minutes, all right?”

  “Of course, Madame President,” the Joint Chiefs’ chairman said stiffly.

  Everyone stood and headed toward the door. Bruce was the last to stand, which did not surprise the President and only further supported her view that the man was the most observant person she had ever met.

  “A minute, Bruce.”

  He changed directions and headed around the table toward her. “Of course, Madame President.”

  She kicked out the chair next to her. “Take a seat.” She waited until he had before speaking. “You’ve been awfully quiet.”

  Bruce shrugged. “I tend to find this portion of the decision-making process to be the least effective. I like to save my input for when I think it will be useful and heard.”

  “Very well. You have my undivided attention. What do you think China intends?”

  Bruce linked his hands together. “I think Nancy is right. They will use their new power as leverage in financial dealings. However, I also think that if they do not feel they are receiving their due, they will not hesitate to send their forces out to ensure we understand the power they hold. Unofficially, of course.”

  “Of course.” The President stared at the tabletop. If Bruce was right, it was not as bad as what Elisabeta had planned, but the U.S. would lose its dominance on the world stage. All other countries would as well.

  “There is one other issue that is not being discussed that I believe may be even more pressing.”

  The President frowned. “About China?”

  “No, about Sergei.”

  “What about him?”

  “He held an auction and sold off the Omni to the highest bidder.”

  “Yes . . .”

  “Sergei is a man who looks for opportunities to enrich himself. He has done so through the auction.”

  “Agreed, so why—”

  “Sergei still has the formula. We have not been able to find him. I do not think we can rest on the assumption that he will not sell it to anyone else.”

  The President’s jaw dropped. They had all been so worried about who had won the auction and what they would do that she had never considered that. “And you think he will?”

  Bruce shook his head. “No. I think he already has.”

  Chapter 20

  Tiwanaku, Bolivia

  It had been six long months since she’d last seen her uncle. Laney held on to him, breathing him in and not wanting to let him go. He felt thinner than she remembered, and his shoulders shook as he held her to him. Tears were in his voice as he spoke. “Oh, my dear girl.”

  Laney was content to sit there and just hold him for hours. She’d managed to speak with him only a handful of times in as many months. Not having access to him, it was like part of her was missing.

  A throat cleared behind her. “Any extra hugs for an old friend?”

  Laney choked off a laugh as she turned, tears streaming down her face. David Okafur stood with his arms open wide. Laney launched herself at him, holding him just as tightly. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

  David wrapped his arms around her. “Anything for you.”

  She pulled back, smiling at him. “Did everything go okay?”

  He nodded. “We had some trouble in Spain, but it turned out all right. Everyone’s accounted for.”

  Laney scanned the cars. Most of the faces were children, the orphans from School of the Holy Mother and Home for Children. “We should get moving.”

  David nodded, glancing around. “I saw one of your scouts, so I take it we’re safe for now.”

  Laney smiled. “We should be, although you shouldn’t have been able to spot them.”

  David shrugged. “What can I say? Here.” He placed a set of keys in her hand. “We’ll follow you.”

  She squeezed his hand. “Thank you.”

  Within thirty minutes, they had reached the Gate of the Sun and had everyone through it. Laney’s people were moving the cars so that no one was the wiser. She held hands with the last of the group as she accompanied them through the gate. Father Sebastian Gante stumbled as he stepped into Havenville. Laney gripp
ed him. “It’ll pass.”

  He looked around in wonder. “No wonder no one’s been able to find you.”

  “We call it Havenville.”

  Bas nodded. “It was a hiding place for the Tree of Life, wasn’t it?”

  Surprise flashed through Laney. “How did you—”

  Bas grinned at her. “I can’t take credit for that. It was your uncle who suggested that’s where you might have gone.”

  Her gaze strayed to where her uncle sat, Nyssa in his lap, Cain smiling next to him. “How has he been?”

  “Good.”

  Laney looked at him.

  He patted her hand. “I mean it, Laney. The children, he’s really blossomed with them. It’s been great. He’s been eating well, or at least as well as can be expected with the food shortages. But he does have some things he found out from the Tome.”

  The Tome. Bas was speaking of the Tome of the Great Mother, the written record of Victoria’s incarnations here on Earth. The Followers would document her life as well as they could each time they found her again. Laney couldn’t help but watch as Nyssa reached up and placed her hand on her uncle’s cheek, talking animatedly.

  I wonder who will write her next chapter.

  The idea of it made her tired. She didn’t want Nyssa to have to grow up to the responsibility of being Lilith or Victoria or any of the other names she’d taken throughout her very long existence. She just wanted her to be Nyssa, a little girl who got to live her life like all other little girls. Who made friends, went to parties, went on dates, went to college, chose a path for herself, not one that was preordained thousands of years ago.

  Bas smiled over at Nyssa. “That little girl really seems to love Patrick.”

  Laney kept her voice neutral. Not many knew who Nyssa really was. And that was exactly how it would remain. “Yes. He really cares for her. I worried that because she’s so young that she might not remember him.”

  “Well, that doesn’t seem to have been a problem.”

  “No, it doesn’t.”

  Her uncle looked happy but tired. All of the group that had come with him looked tired. Sylvia and her husband Rosario sat with half a dozen children surrounding them.

  David stood next to a dark-haired man who knelt in front of a little girl, listening as she explained something. That must be his partner, Rahim. Bas’s sister Angelica flitted from group to group, making sure each of the kids were all right, gathering them together.

  Laney frowned as she looked over the group. “Were all these kids at the school when Drake and I were there? I don’t remember there being so many.”

  “No, there weren’t.” Sadness laced each of his words. “In the last two months, eighteen children joined the school. Most lost their parents to violence, but some, their parents just left them there.”

  Laney gasped. “What?”

  “You have to understand, food is a problem. With all the borders shut, supplies are really low. I think their parents thought we might be able to better care for them. They were desperate people making desperate choices.”

  Laney’s heart felt heavy. So much pain. “Well let’s get everyone settled. Our first crops were actually picked just last week. Foodwise, we’re doing all right, so we’ll get everyone fed.”

  Bas nodded. “That would be wonderful. And then I’m sure Patrick will want to explain what he’s found.”

  Laney watched her uncle. Cain rested a hand on his shoulder, a smile on his face. Nyssa was snuggled into his chest. A few of the kids were watching Cleo and Tiger with wide eyes, but most just looked exhausted. “You know what? We can hold off on the debriefs. You guys have all been through enough. Let’s let everyone get a good night’s sleep. It can wait until tomorrow.”

  “You sure?”

  Laney scanned the group again. They looked like refugees, scared, uncertain. Which was exactly what they were. “Yes. Everything can wait. Let’s just help them all feel safe.”

  Chapter 21

  Laney had helped get all the kids settled, then Drake had shown up with a box of stuffed animals. Laney had no idea where he’d managed to find those, but more than one little child had held on to their stuffed animal as if it were their only friend in the world. Even a few of the older kids had clutched stuffed animals to their chests, while Sylvia, Angelica, and Cristela bustled around, making all of the kids feel loved. They really were doing God’s work.

  Laney stepped out of the cottage they were staying at. For tonight, they’d all sleep in the same one. Angelica thought it would be best to not split them between cottages until they felt a little more secure. Henry had organized it, moving beds and sleeping bags in to accommodate all of them. Rahim, Bas, and David were in the cottage next door, although Laney had a feeling they too would be bunking in with the kids tonight.

  Laney had brought Cleo around to meet each of the kids and explain that they didn’t have to worry about the cats, that they were the protectors of the camp. Cleo had disappeared for a little while and then reappeared with two other cats in tow—Snow, the all-white leopard who was Lou’s companion, and Frisky, an almost completely black leopard like Cleo. Frisky was the youngest leopard in the pack.

  Frisky and Snow went around greeting each child and then curled up in the rooms where the kids were. Sister Cristela had made the sign of the cross at the sight of them, but the kids collectively seemed to relax when they realized the cats were staying with them.

  Now, Laney and Cleo walked down the street toward Cain’s cottage. Laney reached a hand down, running it through Cleo’s fur. “That was a good idea, bringing Snow and Frisky.”

  Kids scared.

  “Yeah, they’ve been through a lot.”

  Safe now.

  Laney let out a breath. “I hope so. I really hope so.”

  Up ahead, light shone through the window of Cain’s cottage. The front door opened, and Drake stepped out. He spied Laney and headed for her. Drake nodded at Cleo as he reached them. “Furball.”

  Cleo nodded back before walking past him. Archangel.

  Laney stopped, sliding her arms around Drake’s waist and leaning against his chest. “Hey.”

  Drake wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her head. “Hey back. How are you?”

  “Good. Better now that they’re all here.”

  “Kids settled in?”

  “Yeah. Snow and Frisky are staying with them.”

  She could feel Drake’s grin. “How’s Cristela liking that?”

  “She’s giving them a wide berth, but the kids seem to like them being there.” She paused. “How’s my uncle?”

  “Tired, but he’s good. I put ramps in the front and back so he can get in and out easily. And Cain already had the bedroom on the first floor set up for him.”

  “I think he may have missed him more than me.”

  “You might be right. Cain has been hovering over him. Can’t say I’ve ever seen the immortal so nervous.”

  Laney smiled. “My uncle means the world to him. Cain hasn’t had that kind of bond with a lot of people.”

  Drake kissed her on the forehead. “Well, go in. I’m going to do a supply run with Mustafa. Go see your uncle.”

  Laney took a breath, looking at the little cottage.

  Drake frowned. “Why are you hesitating?”

  Laney shook her head. She wasn’t sure. These six months, she’d wanted nothing more than to see him. And now he was only a few dozen feet away, and she was having trouble getting her own feet to move. “He’s okay, right?” she asked quietly.

  “Laney, look at me.”

  Laney looked up into his eyes.

  “He is doing well. No worse than the last time you saw him and no better. There will be a time when he is gone. But it is not soon. Now go.”

  She leaned up and kissed him. “Hurry back.”

  “I always do.” He strode pass her. “Keep the bed warm,” he called back over his shoulder.

  She rolled her eyes even as she felt her cheeks fl
ame. God, he was incorrigible. And he’s all mine, she thought with a smile. She turned and headed toward Cain’s, all of a sudden desperate to see her uncle. She opened the door, and Patrick was just rolling himself out from his bedroom. His smile widened, the corner of his eyes crinkling. “There she is.”

  She flew across the hall, wrapping her arms around him, tears pressing against the back of her eyes. “Here I am.”

  Chapter 22

  Laney sat with her uncle and Cain for two hours, just catching up. For the first hour, she didn’t think she let go of his hand. Cain seemed just as relieved to have him back. Nyssa wandered in and out with Tiger. But after two hours, Laney could tell he was tiring. Nyssa had crawled onto his lap and was struggling to keep her own eyes open.

  “I think maybe you need a little sleep,” she said.

  “No, no, I’m fine,” he said even as he swallowed a yawn.

  “Patrick, we have plenty of time,” Cain said. “We’re all together again. That’s all that matters. So sleep, and tomorrow we will all spend the day together.”

  “I suppose.” Patrick focused on Laney. “But there are things that I’ve discovered. We need to speak about them.”

  “I know. But it can wait until morning.”

  “Laney, it involves the Tome.”

  “The stories in the Tome are thousands of years old,” she said. “They will keep for another night. Cain’s right. You need to sleep, and so do I. I thought I’d bunk in here tonight.”

  “Drake’s all right with that?” Patrick asked.

  “I didn’t ask his permission. Besides, he’ll find me. He always does.”

  “You look tired, too.” He squeezed her hand.

  “It’s been a long six months,” she said lightly.

  “Somehow I think you’re underselling it. But I am tired, so I’ll let it pass. But tomorrow, you tell me how you’re really doing.”

  “Agreed.”

  He looked down at Nyssa. “How about you, little one? Are you ready to sleep?”