The Guardian

by ROBBIE CHEUVRONT

  He opened the drawer again, took another pull from the flask, setting the scroll beside it. He unbuttoned his collar, kicked his feet onto his desk, tilted his head back, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.

  He had barely drifted off when he could feel the warmth of breath on his cheek. He half opened his eyes to see the man towering over him, bent down only a half inch from his face.

  “Wake up, little monkey,” the voice sang.

  Wickham fully opened his eyes and sat up. “Hello, my lord. I didn’t see you come in.”

  “It’s a talent of mine, Louis. If I wanted you to see me, you would have. Anyway, where’s my scroll? I hear you have it.”

  “It’s safe.”

  Lucifer’s face grew red. “Did I ask you if it was safe? No! I asked you where it is!”

  After their last meeting Wickham was terrified. His hands began to shake. “It’s … it’s right here, my lord.” He opened the drawer. “But … but … I don’t understand it.”

  Lucifer grabbed the scroll out of his hand. “What do you mean you don’t understand it, Wickham? Are you an idiot? Did you finally become the monkey that you really are?”

  “No … I … I mean I can understand it; I just can’t decipher it.

  It’s some kind of riddle.”

  Lucifer unrolled the scroll and held it in his hand. A thin grin creased his lips. “He who has ears, let him hear.”

  “So you know what it means?”

  “Yes, Louis, I do.”

  Wickham’s face brightened. “Then we win! We know what it means! Tell me! Tell me! What does it mean?”

  Lucifer rolled the scroll up and put it in his pocket. He smiled, patted Wickham on the shoulder, and said, “It doesn’t matter.”

  Wickham looked confused. “What do you mean, it doesn’t matter? You said that if I got you that scroll, then we win. That I would be given power unlike anything seen on this earth.”

  “Don’t worry, Louis, you’re going to get everything you deserve.”

  Wickham looked blankly at Lucifer. “I did everything you asked. I gave my life to looking for this stupid thing. You know that. I promised you I would get it. And I did. You told me that I would be a king. That I would rule over millions!”

  Lucifer’s eyes grew fiery red. He walked over and grabbed Wickham by the throat. His long fingernails dug into Wickham’s flesh. When he spoke his voice was twisted and pure evil. “This is my world. I rule over it. I do what I want when I want. You are nothing to me. You served a purpose. You were a means to an end. And now I have that end. I told you you’d get what you deserve, and so you will. You will be paid exactly what the going rate for betraying your Creator is.” He continued to squeeze Wickham’s throat. With the other hand, he reached into one of his pockets and pulled out a small velvet bag. He opened it with his thumb and forefinger.

  Wickham’s vision was blurring. His brain was losing oxygen and he was getting weak. He could feel his life ending. Somewhere

  from deep inside his soul, a tiny voice cried out in sorrow and pain, showing him the vile, corrupt man he’d become. He’d sold his soul for a lie. He wanted to cry out to God for forgiveness but couldn’t. Whether it was pride, guilt, or the fact that God had hardened his heart as he had Pharaoh’s, he just couldn’t.

  “Look at me, Louis …” Lucifer toyed with him, dangling the velvet bag in front of him. “Here’s your payment.” He turned the bag over and smiled. A single tear ran down Wickham’s face, as he watched the bag empty itself.

  As the last of its contents hit the floor, Lucifer placed his free hand over Wickham’s heart and dug his fingernails into his chest. Wickham would have screamed if he could have. The talons sank deeper.

  Lucifer pulled Wickham close to whisper directly into his ear. “And now that you’ve been paid, I’ll take what you owe me. Your life.” Without another word, Lucifer crushed Cardinal Louis Wickham’s larynx. He ripped open his chest and tore out his heart and walked out of the office.

  Wickham’s dead body lay in a heap on the floor. Beside him was an empty velvet bag and thirty pieces of silver.

  CHAPTER 70

  London, the Safe House

  Jason ran to the top of the stairs and into his room. He grabbed his Bible off the nightstand and flipped it open. He thumbed through the pages until he found what he was looking for: the book of Revelation. He perused the text until he found the verse that mattered. This had to be it, what Thomas had spent his life trying to find. And all this time, it was right in front of them. Jesus had always said, “He who has ears, let him hear!” Understanding Jesus wasn’t about your physical ears. It was about spiritual discernment. Jason realized that the same held true for the scroll. But in this case, it was more a metaphor than a parable.

  He threw some clothes in his bag, grabbed his Bible, put it in the front pocket, and zipped it up. He woke Anna up and told her to be ready to leave in the next half hour. He then ran downstairs into the study and gathered a few maps, Thomas’s journal, and the notebook that he’d been taking notes in. In his haste, he accidentally knocked over a porcelain lamp on one of the small tables. It fell to the floor and shattered. Jason moved to clean it

  up. When he stooped down, he noticed that inside the lamp was hidden a roll of papers rubber-banded together, along with a small electronic device. He picked up the papers and pushed the power button on the device. The small screen came to life. Jason laughed out loud and lifted his face upward. “Thank you.”

  Anna walked into the study. She was rubbing her eyes and looked like she was still asleep. “Okay, I’m up. What’s going on?”

  He held up the bundle of papers. “I figured it out!”

  Anna was awake instantly. “What! You did? Well, tell me!”

  “I will. On the way. Get dressed. We’re leaving.”

  “And where are we going?”

  “Where’s who going?” Patrice stuck her head in the room. “Me and Anna,” Jason answered. “We’re going to the airport.” “Not without me.” Patrice left the room to gather her belongings.

  “Hey!” Anna shouted. “Someone tell me what’s going on!”

  But Jason was too hurried to reply. There was time to explain, but not now. He grinned. He looked forward to telling her everything.

  The plane was in the air thirty minutes later. Anna appeared ready to burst. “Explain. Now.”

  Yeah, it was time. He took out his Bible. “You know what a parable is?”

  “Yeah, I guess.”

  “You mean like Jesus’ parables?” Patrice asked. “Exactly!” Jason said. “He who has ears, let him hear!” Anna slumped. “I’m confused.”

  “Anna, when Jesus taught, he used stories that would convey His message to the people. He told His disciples that the god of this age, Satan, had blinded unbelievers from seeing the truth. Therefore, if anyone was going to understand Jesus’ message, the Father would draw them and they would need to seek it. It wouldn’t just be obvious to them.”

  “Okay,” she said, shrugging her shoulders, “I still don’t get it.”

  “Jesus said, ‘He who has ears, let him hear.’ That meant that anyone whom God was drawing to Him could hear His voice and receive His message. They just had to look deeper. That’s what I did, Anna. I looked deeper. And I found it!” He slapped his leg. “The scroll, it’s Jesus’ words, too. Remember?”

  “Yeah, I guess so …”

  “Anna, there is no ‘key.’ There is no ‘temple.’“

  Anna looked at him as if he were an idiot. “What are you talking about? The scroll said in black and white that the key is found in the temple. There is a key, Jason. And we don’t have it, nor do we know where the temple is.”

  Jason’s face softened a little. “Don’t get mad at me when I tell you this. I don’t mean it condescendingly.”

  Anna looked on with anticipation.

  “Technically, there is a key and a temple. Just not what you think. And I have it. Actually, millions of people have the key. Unf
ortunately, you don’t. Not yet. But you can. And when you have the key, you’ll know where the temple is.”

  Anna looked sourly at him. “I don’t know what you are talking about. But I really have to tell you, you’re making me awfully mad. Would you stop talking in riddles and just say it straight out?”

  “Anna,” he said softly, “the key is salvation. It’s Jesus.”

  Anna leaned back in her chair. Her breath came in little pants, and her face was sickly pale.

  “Anna,” Jason said worriedly, “what’s wrong? Are you all right?”

  “I … it feels like someone has punched me in the stomach.”

  Jason grabbed her wrist. “Your pulse is racing. Are you feeling sick?”

  She shook her head. “No.” She gasped for air. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  She gripped his hand. “You didn’t. I mean … you did. But I’m okay. I believe you. I know it’s true, but I feel so … strange.” She started fidgeting with her seat belt. “I need to use the lavatory.”

  The latch flopped open and her belt fell to the sides of the chair. She staggered to the back of the plane where the restroom was. Jason and Patrice just watched as she left the cabin.

  “You think she knows what you meant?” Patrice asked.

  “Judging by the expression on her face,” he said, “I’d say she knows exactly what I meant.”

  “I felt the same way when I was called, you know,” Patrice said matter-of-factly.

  “Me, too,” Jason nodded.

  The door to the cockpit opened up and the copilot stepped into the cabin. “Just received a news wire you might be interested in,” he said. “Seems a new pope has been elected.”

  “Fascinating,” Patrice said.

  “There’s more,” the copilot said. “Cardinal Louis Wickham was found dead just a little while ago. The entire Vatican is under lockdown.”

  Jason’s eyes grew wide. “That’s the man from the airport yesterday! He’s dead? What about the scroll?”

  The copilot shook his head. “I only have a contact inside. He didn’t mention anything about a scroll. But he did say that Wickham’s death was very brutal. His larynx was crushed and his heart was ripped out.”

  Jason’s stomach lurched. “Who do they think killed him?”

  “They don’t know. No one saw anyone coming or going. His secretary was right outside the door. She saw him go in and didn’t see anyone come out. She only found him because the new pope

  was trying to get him on the phone. When she buzzed him, there was no answer. She went inside the office to get him, and there he was.”

  “That doesn’t make any sense,” Patrice said.

  “Here’s the weird thing,” the copilot said. “My contact says they found an empty bag and thirty pieces of silver next to the body.”

  Jason stood up. The hair on the back of his neck was tingling. Horror slid in icy drops down his spine. “Quick! Go tell the pilot he needs to hurry! We have to get there as fast as we can!”

  Patrice stood up. “Jason, what’s wrong?”

  Jason turned to her. “Just tell him to go faster. We have to get—”

  “Why?” Patrice interrupted him. “What’s going on?”

  Jason looked at her with desperation. “Please, Patrice, tell the pilot to floor it. I’m pretty sure we’re not the only ones who know where we’re going.”

  CHAPTER 71

  The Vatican

  Pope Joseph I sat at his desk in the papal apartment. His things would be brought over in the next few days. But for now, the office was empty, save the desk, a few chairs, and a couch.

  Word of Wickham’s death surprised him. He never liked the man, but at the same time, he wasn’t sure he felt safe having a cold-blooded murderer running around. He shouldn’t have to worry though. Next to the president of the United States of America, he was the most protected man on the planet. That reminded him: he needed to call the president. Wish him well.

  He hadn’t heard the door open or anyone announce themselves coming in, so the footsteps he heard behind him caused his heart to skip. He swung his chair around to face his guest. “Oh, it’s you.”

  “Hello, Joseph.”

  “You shouldn’t be here. In case you haven’t heard, Wickham is dead. Murdered. Brutally, from what I’m told. The whole place is under lockdown.”

  “Yes, I heard. And to be honest with you, it wasn’t that brutal.

  I barely touched him.” He smiled a sneaky grin.

  Joseph felt suddenly faint. “You … you did that?”

  Lucifer placed his hand on Joseph’s shoulder. “Joseph, do you know who I am?”

  Joseph nodded slowly.

  “Then you know that I make the rules. I do what I want. This is my world, Joseph. It was given to me. Louis was a worker bee. You, Joseph, you are a prince! You will be my son. I will be your father. I will give you all of my authority. You will do great things in my name. The people of this world will worship me through you.”

  “How,” Joseph asked. “Why?”

  Lucifer pulled the scroll out of his pocket. “Because I have this.”

  “Yes, Wickham showed it to me, but it’s just a riddle.” “I’m very good at riddles, my son.” “What does it mean?”

  “It reveals the location of a very special place. And how to get there.”

  “Where?”

  “To the place where your original parents first broke His heart.

  Awww, isn’t that sweet?” “The Garden of Eden?”

  “Yes. I suspect that He decided that if one of His little monkeys could figure out how to get back there, He’d let them back in. And then that little carpenter boy would be free to come back here and finish what He started.”

  “Is that really how it was supposed to go?” Joseph asked, glued to Lucifer’s words.

  “It doesn’t matter. It won’t happen now.”

  “What about the girl?”

  “I’ll make sure that they don’t get there.”

  “What if they do?”

  Lucifer slammed his fist on the desk. “They won’t! And as soon as I stop them, this world will be mine forever. I will be the god that these people pray to!”

  Joseph lowered his eyes and said, “Father, I don’t mean to question you, but how can you be sure?”

  Joseph could see Lucifer liked the sound of that word, Father. He would have to use it often. Anything to keep this dangerous being happy.

  Lucifer smiled. “If none of you monkeys ever find this place, I will rule this world forever.”

  CHAPTER 72

  Al-Basrah International Airport, Iraq

  Anna stood beside Jason in the hangar, waiting on their ride. She’d spent the last half hour of the flight alone. After coming out of the restroom, she’d taken a seat in the back of the plane. Jason and Patrice had kindly left her alone.

  The camouflage-painted Jeep pulled into the hangar. Its driver got out and handed Jason the keys. “Your ride.” His English was broken but understandable.

  “Thank you,” Jason said. He threw his backpack into the back of the Jeep. Anna did the same.

  Patrice was standing at the rear of the plane, taking the remainder of the bags from the pilot as he handed them down from the baggage compartment. She walked over to Jason and said, “I need to talk to you. Alone.”

  “Sure. Let’s talk.”

  They walked to the end of the hangar. Patrice handed Jason a 9mm pistol and a TEC-9 semiautomatic rifle. “You’re on your own for this.”

  “Yeah, I figured you’d say that.”

  “Hey,” she said, holding up her hands, “it’s not that I wouldn’t want to see the Garden of Eden …. It’s just, well, you know … Adam and Eve … you and Anna … me the third wheel …”

  “No,” Jason said, “I get it. It’s okay. We’ll be fine. I won’t let anything happen to her.”

  “I know that, love.” Patrice scratched her chin and said, “Tell you what. I’ll stick around here
and see if I can find out about anyone looking for you two. If I’m needed, I’ll find you.”

  Jason smiled, gave Patrice a hug, and said, “Thank you. We’ll be careful. I promise.”

  Jason joined Anna, who was already seated in the Jeep, still as silent as she’d been on the plane. Jason reached behind him and pulled his backpack into the front seat and handed it to Anna. “There’s a map in there. I drew it while you were in the … you know … I drew it on the plane.”

  It felt awkward sitting there with her. He wanted to say something about their earlier conversation, but he didn’t want to press the issue. It was Anna who brought it up a few minutes later as he drove away from the airport.

  “So, I was thinking,” she said, “what makes you so different from me?”

  Jason could already hear the accusatory tone. He let it pass. If things went the way he thought they would, this would be the best conversation he and Anna would ever have in their entire existence. He sent up a silent prayer for wisdom.

  Anna stared at him. “Well?”

  “Anna, do you believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for real, actual sin? And that God raised him again on the third day?” “Yeah, I guess so.”

  “Well, so do demons. That doesn’t mean that they are saved.

  Believing that up here”—he tapped on the side of his head—”doesn’t make someone right with God. It doesn’t save them from their sin.”

  Anna rolled her eyes. “See, there it is! I don’t get the whole ‘saved’ thing. Why can’t I just say I believe and be done with it?”

  Jason took a deep breath and let it out. “Anna, it’s possible to believe in things that we don’t care about. People do it every day. People believe that there is hunger around the world and lack of clean water, but they don’t care. If they did, they would do something to change it. However, it is impossible to care about something you don’t believe in. In other words, our lives will demonstrate what we care about and believe in. Simply believing in something doesn’t mean that you’ll ever care about it. You follow me?”