by Amy Lignor
Her brain was absolute chaos. “What are you doing?”
But her father didn’t turn. He kept his focus on the laughing man, while shouting his response, “I’m trying to do the right thing for my family this time.”
Leah watched the small piece of wood fly from her father’s hand. Like a dart, it pierced Daniel Bauer’s shoulder. The small twig protruded from his skin like a large splinter. Painful, Leah thought, but not deadly.
Yet, Daniel’s eyes doubled in size as he seemed to struggle, finally wrenching the stick from his flesh and tossing it to the floor of the cave. Gripping his shoulder, he watched in shock as blood cascaded between his fingers from the tiny hole. Pausing for only a moment, his eyes found Leah once again. And as his skin turned a sickly yellow, he ran directly at her bruised and battered body.
Attempting to keep the sword out in front of her, hoping that he would do her a favor and run himself through, Leah suddenly felt a hand on the small of her back. A strong pressure pushed her out of Bauer’s path, allowing the bastard to pass by unscathed.
There’s another. She heard the words clearly as Daniel raced by to freedom.
Slowing slightly, Bauer turned his head and shot her an evil grin. In a strange voice, he called out his parting words: “You will hear me roar.”
CHAPTER 48
Leah felt utter defeat as she watched Bauer disappear from the labyrinth, the crown still swinging from his wrist. But that wasn’t what made her heart break. It was the sight of the shield once again being stolen.
She looked at the knapsack across the room lying under the sign of Taurus. They’d been able to keep Athena’s helmet. And it was clear, with the spear still lying on the floor where it had landed, Daniel had not even registered that the weapon was the one belonging to the goddess. But her frustration was still immense, knowing that she’d once again failed to keep her promise to the Hero’s Companion.
Turning to her father, she registered the strange mixture of relief and guilt on his face. “Why would you do that?” She could barely speak; her vocal chords were battered in a throat that felt like it was on fire.
He looked down at the mystical sword and then returned his gaze to her. “I couldn’t let you be his judge, Leah. It’s not your job. And you would’ve been sent to a far worse place than this if you’d been wrong.”
Leah felt like her brain was melting. It was hard to concentrate on the world around her with her insides blistering. “How could I have been wrong? He’s the Beast. You can’t get worse than him.”
David Tallent shook his head. “He’s using the power he received back in Jericho to become something he was never meant to be. That man is not Satan.” Her father added, “Not yet, anyway.”
Leah pondered the small branch adorned with Bauer’s blood. “What is that thing?”
“There’s one thing that evil will always be afraid of.”
“And that is?”
“The cross.”
She focused on what was nothing more than a twig, as Gareth began to stir from his unconscious state. “That’s not a cross, Dad. It’s a stick.”
“It’s part of the true cross. Jesus’s blood must be in it. It would make sense. Pure good would work as an infection in a soul turning evil.”
Leah looked down the empty tunnel. “I let him get away. Again.”
“Fighting was a choice,” her father interrupted. “But with the power he’s messing with right now, a power you still have trouble believing in, you would’ve lost the battle.”
“But it would have been over.” Leah sighed. “Either way, it would have finally been over.”
___
The scenes that followed played out so fast in Leah’s mind, it felt as if her well-used card catalogue just opened a drawer and collected them all—implanting themselves there for later use.
Gareth found yet another small axe inside the labyrinth and used it to break the iron manacles holding the hostages’ wrists. He and Kathryn greeted their long-lost father with emotions that ranged from excitement to incredulity to awkwardness.
Anippe helped Neith to her feet. Walking slowly, she’d stopped in front of Leah and spoke, “You did all you could. The stone is now destroyed.”
Leah searched for some comfort in her words, but found none. Instead, she pulled Anippe into her arms, grateful that her sister had survived.
Neith’s eyes filled with tears when she had fallen against Leah’s father. It was then, as Neith was wrapping her arms around his neck, Leah found out about Hansen. How he had appeared in the museum and stolen the stone for himself, confident of his personal victory.
“I thought Hansen killed you,” Neith cried.
David Tallent closed his eyes. “When I walked through the doors, I saw Aaron.”
“He’s dead,” Anippe wept.
“No.” David reached for her hand. “He was breathing. So much blood…I took him immediately…he was in surgery when I left. I have no idea if…” his voice trailed off. “But we can pray.”
He continued, “I saw Daniel climb in through the broken window, but I had no choice. If he’d seen me, he would have killed me. I would have had no chance to save you.”
Neith kissed him before turning her gaze back on Leah. “You do have the same power inside you that Bauer retains. He was correct with those words. More, I believe, than he has. Just look at the objects that somehow find you when you need them the most. When you decide to believe, Leah, you will know how to end this.”
Leah noted the blade that remained by her side. She watched as the gilded, pristine, double-edged sword disappeared from sight, back to the protector who awaited its return.
The people around her remained silent at that moment. They seemed to realize, as did she, that some things were impossible to understand or explain. Bending down, she picked up a small chip that’d once been part of an archangel’s wing—a remnant of Satan’s stone—and carried it out of the labyrinth.
When the group walked out of the tunnels to witness a new dawn breaking over the ancient palace, Leah inhaled deep breaths of the cool morning air, trying her best to cool down the fire that still seemed to smoulder inside her lungs.
As Gareth’s strong arm wrapped around her waist, she turned into him, pressing her face against his chest, begging to be held.
“How’s your head?” she asked.
“Still attached.” Gareth kissed her still inflamed cheek and turned her around. “Leah, this is my father, Mark Lowery.”
Shaking the man’s hand, Leah offered him her best attempt at a smile.
CHAPTER 49
After burying all evidence of their journey in the depths of an ancient palace, the group took a flight immediately back to Cairo so the family could be with Aaron. Leah was more than thankful to leave that hell on earth behind.
Now, sitting in this spot, Leah could at least relax. The Hanging Church was blessedly quiet; she could enjoy a peaceful respite before getting on yet another plane and flying back home. She had no choice. Leah had to find a way to somehow inform Skylar’s family that she was gone. Her heart ached over the loss; she wished now that she’d been nicer to the young woman when she was alive, or at least have the chance to apologize to her in death.
Although the pain of what happened weighed heavily on her mind, she couldn’t block out the sounds of a celebration happening outside. Leah could hear the revelers laughing and making toasts to each other. The newly resurrected was most likely amazed to be sitting beside his children once again, trying to catch up on decades of stolen time.
She thought of Alexandros back in Kissamos. Perhaps she’d send him a letter letting him know that she now had even more family. And add a P.S., thanking him for the flower that she still couldn’t explain.
Taking a deep breath, she raised her chin and concentrated on the large screen that was inlaid with a line of ebony and ivory stones. Above, sat a row of seven icons, with the Archangel Michael standing tall amongst the group.
“It’s
beautiful, isn’t it?” Emmanuel’s soft, low voice broke through her thoughts.
Leah smiled at him as he sat down beside her on the pew. But when he handed her the tall glass of water filled with ice, the smile faded quickly, but she said nothing.
“St. Mark founded this church. Of course, you probably knew that already.”
“Actually,” she sighed. “The more we go through, the more I see that I don’t know much about anything.”
“Which I still find hard to believe.”
“Because I’m some sort of chosen protector?”
She could tell from his sudden, slightly disappointed look that he had caught the sarcasm in her tone. “Yes.”
“Boy, did they make a mistake,” she said, as if chastising the statues on the wall.
“I don’t think so,” he said, relaxing against the back of the pew. “You just believe in the more realistic side of life.”
Leah pointed at the black and white stones glittering in the screen. “I think that’s realistic. The way they handed down judgment back then seems easier. Pull the black stone, you’re guilty; white stone, you’re innocent.” Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out the rock she’d taken from Athena’s spot in Pergamon. “See this? I think this is really the only correct one.” She flipped the black rock over and showed him the pure white side.
Emmanuel nodded. “All of us are both.” He elbowed her gently in the arm. “I’d say you were better than most, though. If someone were to ask me.”
“Then you’re a little off, I’d say.” Leah grinned. “I still don’t believe in everything the rest of you have absolute faith in.”
He nodded.
“And worst of all,” she sighed heavily as she stared at Emmanuel’s profile, “I’m now going to have to ask an honest man to lie.”
A long, troubled silence settled between them. Knowing that Emmanuel had been on the phone with his longtime friend at the As-Salam International Hospital, Leah finally spoke, “From the quiet, I would gather I’m right. Test came back positive?”
Leaning forward, Emmanuel aimed his attention at the altar in front of them.
Reaching over, placing her finger under his chin, Leah turned his gaze towards her and looked into eyes that definitely showed the truth. A ball of bitterness immediately welled up in her wounded throat. “I wouldn’t mind being wrong every once in a while. But thank your friend for allowing us to use his lab.”
Emmanuel spoke quickly, “I’m an archaeologist, Leah.”
“But you graduated medical school first…once believing that was your chosen career. I assume you had to actually earn that degree. And you have a license to practice medicine.”
“I know, but,” he struggled to continue, “UNESCO wants me to remain licensed for the safety of the crews, even if I am no more than a digger like everyone else. But I don’t actually have a practice.”
“You know you’re not wrong.”
He took a moment. “Gareth needs to know.”
Leah listened to the deep, familiar laughter coming through the open windows of the church. “Not yet. This needs to stay between us until I can figure out what to do…what to say.” She felt guilty looking at his expression; the truthful man whose authenticity she had always admired was conflicted. She continued on, “We still have a killer out there with absolutely no care for the rest of the world.”
She took a deep breath. “He’s also going after some Gem of Heaven now because he knows it’s the only other stone that can make the crown work.”
“He doesn’t know where it is,” Emmanuel reminded her.
“He’s not the only one.” Resting her head against the pew, she finally took a sip of the water Emmanuel had brought to her and reveled in the second of relief it provided. “But I am surrounded by people who are smarter than Bauer. And with all of us together, I know we can get to it first.” She paused, turning her gaze on him. “Will you help me? Just for a little while?”
From his pocket, Emmanuel pulled out an orange bottle and handed it to her. The small, white pills rattled inside the plastic case. “For as long as I can.”
“I can’t ask for more than that. Thank you.” Leah handed Emmanuel back the glass that had now been drained, and ordered her tears to stay inside. “Now get out there and be with that pregnant wife of yours.”
“Come with me.”
“I just need a second.”
“What should I tell Gareth?”
As if on cue, Lowery’s voice boomed through the house of worship, “Where is the love of my life?”
Standing, she glanced at Emmanuel. “Just for now.”
He nodded, offering his silent promise.
Gareth walked down the aisle wearing a smile so wide that Leah wondered how his head could fit between the pillars holding up the ancient building. He gave Emmanuel a juvenile glare. “Don’t you have a wife who needs tending to?”
Emmanuel struggled with his smile. Unable to find one, he left Leah’s side and walked down the carpet through the open doors. Leah sighed with relief as Gareth missed the anxious expression that passed him by.
Locking his arms around her, they shared a kiss. “What are you doing in here?”
“I was conducting my own prayer session,” she said with a smirk. “You know the drill, having a little talk with Jesus?”
He laughed. “I miss you. Come outside. I want you to get to know my father.” Immediately his hand went to his mouth. “Whoops, I forgot. He’s your dreaded in-law now.”
“Exactly,” she said. “I need time to get myself in top form so that I can win him over.”
“I think saving his life was enough.”
She paused. “I’m sorry about your mom.”
Gareth took a deep breath. “It doesn’t hurt more than it did. After all, Leah, I laid them to rest when I was just a boy. So, instead of being sad, I’m going to celebrate the fact that I got one returned to me.”
“Good,” she said. “Go celebrate. I’ll be out in a minute.”
Snatching one more kiss, he pointed up at the beautiful golden cross suspended in the air. “Say hi to the big guy for me.”
“Will do,” she laughed, watching him disappear through the doors.
Her heart hurt as badly as her lungs. Turning back around, she let her exhausted body collapse onto the red velvet cushion covering the wooden seat. Leaning forward, she put her head in her hands.
“Leah?”
A sigh, louder than any she had ever made, came through her lips.
“I’m sorry. I’ll leave.”
“No,” Leah said, forcing herself to get back up. She turned to face her own long, lost parent who she still had no idea how to deal with. “There’s something I need to tell you. Might as well say it now.”
Neith stood beside a white column. Spine taut, arms held straight down at her sides, Leah wanted to laugh out loud at the posture that made Neith look like a victim standing in front of a firing squad.
But instead of laughing, Leah took a deep breath. “When we were going through this, I had to make a decision to leave Gareth.” Leah fought to say the words that she had once found ridiculous. “Because of something I heard in a dream.”
Neith’s lips parted, but she remained silent.
“It turned out to be the right thing to do, but I shouldn’t have abandoned him.”
“You came back,” Neith joined the conversation quietly.
“Yes.” Her internal struggle grew worse, as Leah tried to speak to the virtual stranger. “And even though I still don’t agree with what you did to our family years ago, I understand more about why you did it. I thought you should know that.”
The black eyes looking back at her gleamed like the onyx crown. “Thank you.”
Nodding, Leah turned away and sat back down on the cushion.
Neith’s soft voice intruded once again. “Do we have time left to get to know each other?”
Leah didn’t turn around. She felt sick at the words being delivered in a
clearly knowledgeable voice. “You already know.”
The pause was brief. “I was hoping I was wrong.”
Leah could feel her sarcasm return. “Runes told you, did they?”
“No.” The reply was instant. “I’m your mother, whether you have accepted that or not. I know you.”
Leah twisted her neck, looking over her shoulder. “You know me? That’s more far-fetched than your little wooden blocks that tell the future.”
“You need to understand that nothing is final,” Neith said. “You are walking a path that can change in a split second. The way the stars work—”
“Oh, please.” Leah raised her hands in the air. “Please spare me the hocus-pocus shop talk. I have a medical condition that doesn’t change. Mercury becomes poisonous when it’s heated. Any doctor or scientist will tell you that.”
Looking straight ahead at the beautiful statues, Leah continued, “I don’t know how. I don’t have any explanation or answers. All I know is Bauer did something; it was like he breathed fire into me.” She laughed at her own outlandish proclamation. “A fire-breathing dragon. Oh, yeah. It’s time to lock me up.”
“What you say is fact.”
“You figure it out then.” Leah rested her head against the pew in front of her. “The mercury was lit, so to speak, and now I’m dying from the inside out.” She swallowed hard, struggling to keep her emotions in check. “Can’t get more final then that, I would say.”
Her voice grew stronger as she moved her gaze back to the woman whose loyalty she still questioned. “I do not want anyone to know about this, Neith. Not my father, not Anippe…not even Gareth.”
“I will tell no one. I am on your side, Leah.”
Trying to read the woman was like attempting to walk a high-wire covered in oil, Leah thought. It was impossible to discover the secrets that she knew Neith owned. “I’m sure I’ll see which side you’re on. Eventually.”
Exiting the church, Neith reiterated her proclamation, “Nothing is ever final.”
