by L. J. Amodeo
Desine! Armisael, eius adventu venit, the voices proclaimed with a magnified intensity that it nearly shattered my eardrums. Terrified, I cupped my ears to block out the sounds, as a larger- than-life mystical energy erupted, knocking the doctor off his feet and into the wall. Winds inside the room picked up, recklessly tossing furniture and objects across the exam room.
Matthew kicked and slammed his body against the door, trying to force it open, but to no avail. The doctor lay out cold on the floor. Matthew’s cries could be heard from the other side of the locked door. As a vicious wind thrashed about the room, I sat on the bed, unaffected by the heavy gusts or flying furniture.
It was the glow of a soft yellow light that caught my attention through all the mayhem. Like a warm sun caressing my entire body, the core of my belly illuminated with streams of golden rays. Instinctively placing both hands on my belly, I whispered, “Don’t worry, you will be safe. I will always keep you safe.”
“Elizabeth!” Matthew slammed open the door, shouting as if he were distant, but only stood steps away from me, fighting the storm inside the room, his eyes staring wide in bewilderment.
Instantly, the windows around the room shattered, spraying shards of glass in every direction, yet not one touched me. Ethereal light beams pulsated from every window into the room, immediately bringing everything to a complete standstill in midair. The winds halted, and the silence was numbing. Matthew remained paralyzed, staring numbly at the rumpled room. Dr. Magus, slowly rose to his feet, brushing glass and debris from his suit jacket.
The three of us stared dotingly at the streaming rays. Beams of light so beautifully calming, they glittered like specks of golden dust. Unable to utter a word, each could only look at the other when a flicker of light appeared. A different sort of light, a blue and golden mist that softly morphed into an angel, one I’d never seen before. The angel towered over twelve feet tall, forcing us to tilt our heads upward to get a better look at it. Within a moment’s blink, the giant angel diminished to Dr. Magus’ height.
Confounded, I stared at the angel, slowly stepping off the bed onto broken debris. Compelled to stand before it, the angel’s milky skin, flowing golden hair and eyes the color of the sea-foam waters, was neither masculine like Michael nor possessed feminine qualities like Faith. Yet its beauty was so incredibly profound, that something compelled me to reach out and caress its divine face. Matthew and the doctor continued to stare at the being, who filled the room with luminous light. The being placed its hand over my head. I dropped to my knees, trembling all over. Matthew was the first to speak, his mouth opened in a state of shock, “Armisael. It is true then, Elizabeth did hear your name.”
At the sound of its name, I jerked my head up to look at the face of the illuminated being. Matthew slowly made his way over to us.
“I am confounded by your presence. The last time you appeared was almost two thousand years ago. What brings you here, my brother? Freddie, is an earthbound angel, and this is not the first time an angel and a human have conceived. Are there other reasons you’ve come?”
Dr. Magus looked at the divine being, as he lifted me off the floor. “Elizabeth, this is Archangel Armisael, the protector of the womb,” the doctor said, helping me to my feet.
“Yes, but only for the sacred infant.” Matthew interrupted blindly, still confused. Dr. Magus placed a hand on Matthew’s shoulder, announcing the news of the infant. My sacred infant.
“Nephilim, sons of god by the daughter of man,” the doctor whispered breathlessly, bowing his head.
There has to be evil so that good can prove its purity above it.
~ Buddha
THE BARN
Freddie spat blood from his mouth. Charlee rested her shoulder against the wall, waiting for Freddie to speak. “Well, will you help us or not?” she hissed through her red painted lips.
“Not if your life depended on it, Wench!” he sputtered, licking the wound on the side of his mouth.
“That’s too bad. You were so good in the sack—I’d hate to waste you. However, you’re leaving me no choice . . . Oh goody! We have a visitor, Freddie. Someone came to say hello!” She grinned, looking down over the bay.
“Hi, Daddy. Look who I invited for a play date!” She grinned, releasing a sinister howl. Seth Bates slithered into view wearing a vengeful smirk on his pathetic face, giving Freddie a cold dead stare. Charlee nudges Freddie’s foot, “Say hello to daddy. Go on, don’t be rude.” They both laughed, taunting him.
“Has he agreed yet?” Seth asked his daughter.
“Nope. He will, eventually,” she said, casually turning away from both men.
“You’ve really done quite a number on him, sweetheart. Those self-defense courses sure paid off!” Seth gave Charlee a loving look.
“You haven’t seen anything yet, Daddy. I could probably snap his neck with one swift kick. Wanna see?” she said, positioning herself for a roundhouse kick.
“No, no, that won’t be necessary. I’ve seen you do those plenty of times. I’m sure you can do some serious damage with your strength and those long legs of yours,” Seth reminded her.
“Hey! Hey, wake up!” Charlee pokes Freddie with a steel log grabber. Freddie stirs but barely opens his eyes.
“Freddie, a pleasure to see you again.” Seth sneered at the injured angel. “So here’s the deal, son—we’re asking you nicely to cooperate, and if you do, you’ll walk away with only minor cuts and scrapes, and of course the protection of the Shadow Realm as a bonus. Now that’s the deal of the century! Wouldn’t you agree?” He grinned, narrowing his beady eyes at Freddie.
“What is it that you really want, Seth?” Freddie asked in a struggled breath.
“Funny you should ask. Before I begin, have you met my beautiful daughter Charlee?” Freddie looked on expressionless, fighting to keep his head up.
“See, my daughter and I are Trackers, but you already know that,” he snickered.
“Uh, Dad . . . he’s not such a bright one, you know. He had no clue who I was. Right, little Freddie?” She patted his head like a dog. All Freddie could do was weakly nudge her hand away, flaring his nostrils in disgust.
“I’d like to propose a deal. Now that you’ve discovered who Charlee truly is, they’ve taken your little Elizabeth to a secret hideaway. You help us find that special place they’re hiding her, and we’ll let you live, if not, you die. Deal?” Freddie closed his eyes and remained silent. His body hung almost lifeless from the ropes that supported his body weight. Seth and Charlee waited for him to answer.
“What’s it gonna be kid?” Seth asked, growing impatient. Still, Freddie did not move or utter a word.
“He’s useless,” Seth muttered, kicking Freddie’s foot from under him, making the angel sway on the ropes that supported his arms.
“Untie him!” Seth commands his daughter.
“Why? Are you sure that’d be wise, Dad?”
“Look at him! Might as well dump him somewhere, he’s barely alive!”
“I don’t know, Dad. I have a bad feeling and—” Charlee had no time to continue what she was saying when her father snapped at her.
“Do it, damn it! Do not question me! You’ve already screwed things up. You couldn’t resist could ya! You had to cause so much damage that this fool is now completely useless to us! Are you proud of yourself, Charlee?” Seth roared at his now-pouting daughter.
“Fine! I’ll untie him, but if something happens, it’s not my fault!” she pursed her lips, untying the thick rope from his wrists, while struggling to support his body. “Do you think you could help me?” Charlee whined to her father who was going through old farm tools, looking for something.
“Sure, but first he must be branded,” Seth muttered.
The treachery of demons is nothing compared to the betrayal of an angel.
~ Brenna Yovnaoff
I watched Dr. Magus and Matthew gently close the door to the bedroom. For most of the night I lay awake staring at the crescent moo
n. My thoughts replayed the visions of the manifestation that visited me earlier in the day. The angelic being who had come to protect my womb and wrap us in its glorious shield.
Turning to my side, I watched the clouds lap lazily across the moonlight. Darkness . . . then light . . . then darkness, and again light. Slowly I counted the number of times the moon disappeared behind the clouds until I fell asleep.
“I’m sorry . . .” the voice spoke, softly echoing in the room. I knew the voice and immediately sat up, looking around the room for Freddie. There he stood, staring out the window, his bare back, slashed and cut by vicious lashes. Gasping, I threw the comforter off my legs and stood up off the bed. “Freddie! Is that you?” I struggled to see his face in the darkness. “What happened to you? You’re hurt. Let me see your face.” I begged Freddie, who remained with his back to me. “Why won’t you look at me?”
“I failed you,” he breathed.
“I don’t care. I love you and I’m happy to have you back. I was scared to death that you were hurt or worse, dead.” I gulped back tears as I cautiously touched the cuts on his back with my fingers. Without warning, Freddie turned to me, his eyes as pale as the ghostly moon with teeth snarling and salivating a rancid breath. Abruptly, I stepped back horrified, shaking uncontrollably, and letting out a bloodcurdling scream
By the time Matthew woke me up, it was already late morning. “Good morning, Beth.”
Stretching my arms, I struggled to focus on Matthew, who looked at me with doubt. “I’m gathering you didn’t sleep well.”
“Um, yeah. I—um, didn’t fall asleep until late.”
“I know.”
“You do? I mean—did you spend the night in the room with me?” I asked, somewhat embarrassed.
“Yes. My duty is to watch and protect you. Bad dream?”
I wasn’t sure after last night; after that dream I had of Freddie. I wasn’t even sure if it was a dream at all. I didn’t respond to Matthew. Instead, I turned my head away from the sunlight that streamed through the window. My best friend was in trouble. He came to show me and warn me of what was to come. My premonitions didn’t lie. How did I let it get this far? How could I have allowed this to happen to him? Sitting around feeling sorry for myself was not going to save my best friend. I only prayed that it wasn’t too late for him.
“Elizabeth,” Matthew called out to me. “Look, yesterday was . . . well you know what it was. I’m a little confused, however. Armisael doesn’t appear for just any random case. I believe that what you’re about to face is epic. Therefore, you must brace yourself and be strong. You’re going to need all your strength for this. Although, I shouldn’t assume anything, I know it’s not my place.” I only listened still looking away from his stare.
“Anyway, I made some breakfast. Come eat something. I’ll meet you in the kitchen,” Matthew said before leaving me to my thoughts. I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing out tears that mounted in them. “Oh Freddie, where are you?” I wept silently to myself, while Matthew listened quietly by the door.
By the time I made my way into the kitchen, Matthew was cleaning up the dishes. He stopped when he saw me enter the room. “I thought you weren’t coming, so I started cleaning up. Here, sit,” he said, pulling out a seat for me at the table. I sat.
“Tea, juice, coffee, what would you like to drink?”
“Tea.” I whispered looking down at my knees.
“Great. That’s a start.” He smiled nervously. “How’ bout some toast or oatmeal?”
I shook my head no. Seeing Freddie’s face last night had only made my stomach queasy. I was sure that I wouldn’t be able to hold anything down.
“You really should eat,” Matthew insisted, pouring hot water into a large mug. “Sugar?” he asked.
“Yes,” I mumbled. Matthew placed the steaming mug in front of me as I watched the water turn from clear to crimson. “What happens to angels once they’ve been branded?” Thoughts of the magnificent beings resurfaced. Matthew could only stare and wonder what was going through my head.
After some uncomfortable silence, he said, “You run! You never want to be caught in the wake of an angel that is turning. You run while they’re still weak!” His mouth smiled slightly, but his eyes told a different story.
We sat at the table. Neither of us said a word. Matthew only watched me with worry, as I slowly sipped my tea. “If you’re done, I’ll take your mug. Maybe you’d like to take a bath or go for a swim,” he suggested, taking my cup from the table. A bath was exactly what I needed. Slowly I rose off the seat, dragging my feet toward the bathroom.
The rest of the day was spent idly, lying in bed or sitting on the terrace, admiring the blue skies and matching sea. My journal sat open on the patio table, inscribed with visions, premonitions, my intimacy with Michael, the infant and most recently, Archangel Armisael.
After dinner, Matthew and I sat with our feet submerged in the pool, watching the sun settle while talking about the Light Realm. He explained the powers of each of the four portals, or as he referred to them, the Watchtowers, that were each protected by the archangels Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael and my Michael. He explained how the angels, or more specifically the White Knights, had access to come and go through these portals as they so desired.
“Be sure to keep your eyes on the sunset. The flashes of light you’ll see are the White Knights passing through. Their glow is spectacular on this side of the island,” he informed me proudly, removing his feet from the water. “I’m going inside to take a quick shower. You’ll be ok out here by yourself?”
“Yes, I’ll be fine. Thanks,” I replied. “Hey Matt, angels need to shower, too?” I couldn’t resist, as I was feeling a little more playful at the moment.
“Well, we don’t normally shower, but in physical form we have to since body odor is something we’re not immune to,” he laughed out loud. “Keep watching the sunset. Don’t look away or you’ll miss it!”
I turned my attention back to the sunset as he suggested. As day slowly slipped into night, streaks of vibrant colors splattered across the ambient sky in orange, violet and rose, while the gigantic sun sank lazily beyond the borders of the sea. Clouds stretched over the moon’s translucent light, changing the sky’s glow from a crystal aquamarine to a glimmering silver glaze. An angel’s canvas, I thought, smiling to myself.
I wondered if the angels had truly painted the sky with their radiance and wondered still if those angels had found Freddie.
Elisabeth, venit inveire me, I suddenly heard Freddie’s cry again, urging me to help him. I turned behind me, finding no one at all. I stood up and quickly and walked to the edge of the deck staring out to sea. I directed my voice at nothing but the sky. “Freddie, where are you? How can I get to you? Show me the way!” I was instantly frantic.
Sequitur mare, he whispered through the air. I spun on my heels and checked the villa. Matthew was humming a song in the shower. I didn’t have much time, so I started my quick descent down the rocky hills toward the sailboat.
I had no idea what I was doing or how to turn on the boat’s engines. But something inside my head carefully instructed me what to do to get off the island before Matthew noticed I was gone. There was a fleck of something dark in the voice that spoke to me, but I didn’t have time to fret over it. Freddie needed me.
The Calypso’s keys dangled from the key port. I pressed the engine start button and the boat sprang to life. Slowly easing the lever, I steered the boat away from the island, heading toward the sinking sun. My stomach churned and twisted as a charge of energy ran through my veins. Chills coursed my body, but they were not a result of the cool waters spraying my skin with each pouncing wave. I pushed the lever down further as the wind kicked up the nose of the sailboat, making it glide effortlessly across the sea. Sequi sol, his desperate voice instructed me. I continued following the glint of the sinking sun.
Sometime later, land appeared to the East. I steered the boat toward its shores. Cutting off the engine, I jumpe
d into the shallow waters and swam across the crashing waves until I came to shore. The wind had kicked up and the sky turned bleak, with dark shadows of clouds that hung low against the wafting moon. The shore was no more a beach than a sandy fringe of land at the edge of the sea. Broken bottles and paper debris littered the grungy sand. The dunes rose and fell through the wind in ghostly movements. I had no idea where I was running to, but something pushed me toward a road beyond the dunes. Barefooted, I walked the deserted road for several minutes. And yet, the broken glass and sharp rocks did not cut the soles of my feet. Perhaps it was Armesial’s shield around me. Non prohibere, a voice urged. Keep walking. The feeling that crept along my under my skin was a dark one. Inside, my head screamed that this was a terrible idea. Yet, my body forced me to continue my journey for Freddie’s sake.
I perched myself on a stump of a tree along the side of the road. My feet ached. My mouth was parched. I stared at the ghostly sky, illuminated by the glow of the moon. Crickets chirped loudly in every direction. My breathing grew deeper as I concentrated on slowing down my racing heartbeat. I closed my eyes, trying desperately to block out the screaming insects, when a low rumble beneath my feet stirred the pebbles on the ground. Because of the minuscule movements, I focused on the road ahead.
A single beam of light appeared from nowhere, suddenly shifting into two headlights. Unsure of who it was, I crouched down, moving into the darkness of the trees on the side of the road. I wondered if it was Matthew, looking for me. If it were him, he’d probably be irate that he’d bring me back to Eden and chain me to the bedpost. Faith’s orders, I’m sure.
The rattle of a pickup truck came into view. I was debating whether to jump in front of the oncoming vehicle and hitch a ride. But what if it were the angel? I had to take my chances. As the truck neared, I stepped into its path, waving my arms to catch the driver’s attention. “Stop! Stop! Please!” I yelled out.
The truck rolled to a complete stop. The engine rumbled a few feet up ahead. I walked cautiously to the passenger side, peering through the back window. I could make out the back of the driver’s head. He was bald with patches of gray wiry hairs scattered along the bottom of his neckline. He wore a green plaid shirt that appeared smudged and torn.
