Calan was dead.
And Thomas had killed him. Maybe not directly, but he had not fought to stop it, had not tried to help him escape like he had Tori. But how could he have? It would have been a death sentence for him as well.
Yet the look on Calan’s face as he approached his own death! Such peace and joy. Joy! At being executed, at being tortured! And his confident words, his statement of faith in Jesus, and his forgiveness of all of them. The scene mimicked Daniel’s execution, along with so many others Thomas had witnessed.
What was it about these Deviants that gave them such faith, such assurance of their life after death? Sure, their God could do miracles. Thomas had witnessed that. But He was a bully, a God full of anger and wrath who thought nothing of murdering thousands who didn’t obey Him. Those stories were in their precious Bible, after all! And they played out in all the current disasters He’d unleashed on the world. So, why would they trust Him to be kind to them after death?
No, it was better to trust Lucifer, the light bearer, the one who had more than proven he loved mankind by not putting any rules and restrictions on them, by working to create a utopia here on earth, and by also offering them eternal life. Not some pie in the sky dream of it, but the real thing with this new quantum tattoo of his. Or his son, Immu Aali’s tattoo, for that is what Aali was calling himself now—Lucifer’s son.
Yet…those loud angelic voices thundering down from the skies above Atlanta, warning people not to take the Mark or they’d end up in the lake of fire.
Why would a bully God give such a warning? Why not just let everyone be destroyed?
Thomas raked back his hair, unclipped his gold cufflinks from his shirt, tossed them to the sand, and rolled up his sleeves. For some reason, he no longer cared whether he got sand on his expensive suits, no longer cared that his hair wasn’t perfect, and his nails were dirty, and he needed a shower. Maybe Landry was right. Hehadchanged. But soft? No. If anything, Thomas had grown strong.
Tori.He missed her so. Even though she had betrayed him in the end. Just like his father, whom he could never please, and Daniel who abandoned him. And Aaron. Though the man turned out being evil, he’d left a gaping wound on Thomas's heart. Perhapsbecausehe was evil. Thomas had thought him good, a father figure who understood Thomas and praised his accomplishments.
Yet now all those accomplishments seemed rather empty.
Down the beach to his left, theclinkof glass, laughter, and music told him a party ensued. The powerful wealthy enjoying the fruits of their obedience to the NWU. Yet not all who obeyed the NWU had privileges, like he’d once believed. Most lived in insufferable conditions.
He cursed. Had those Deviants brainwashed him? Everything he’d ever wanted was finally within his grasp. He’d not only been reinstated in his position of power and wealth, but Landry had assured him he could eventually become part of Aali’s personal spirit guides. He would have all the power and money and women he wanted.
Except the only woman he wanted was Tori.
You will forget her soon enough. She betrayed you. You deserve better. There are many women far more beautiful, far more pleasing than she.
The thoughts came from outside him, but they rang true. How could he ever trust her again? Besides, she was at this hideout now, and he had no way to contact her.
Then why was he so confused? There were two gods, Lucifer and the God of the Bible. Which one was the real God? Thomas had a feeling that the answer to that question was the most important thing he could ever know.
???
Arithem stood, blade drawn, staring at the dark spirits circling around Thomas. He could not touch them until Thomas called upon the name of the Lord. And, of course, they knew that as they sneered, leered, and hissed at him, mocking the warrior of the Most High.
But they would have their day.
Arithem would remind them of that, except at the moment, he was more concerned for his ward. Thomas was clearly troubled, clearly distraught, not only at what had happened to Calan, but at everything he’d witnessed.
Now was the moment of decision—the moment every minute in his life up until this time had led him to. Would he choose to follow the light or the darkness?
Arithem now understood what humans went through when they stood helpless watching a loved one make a life-threatening decision. He almost wished the Father of Spirits had not granted angels emotions, for then he’d merely be standing guard, calmly awaiting orders.
Not feeling every inch of him strung tight in anticipation. And fear.
He’d had other wards before this one. Some had chosen well, others had not. Yet, for some reason, he’d grown attached to this particular son of Adam, something for which the Commander would surely chastise him.
Yet Thomas had suffered much, had come close to the light more than once, only to believe the enemy’s lies and retreat again. This time, however, Arithem sensed he was closer to the light than he’d ever been.
Hence, he stood, waiting, hoping, watching as more demons crowded around Thomas, choking him with their lies.
He glanced above, beyond the starry skies, sensing that all of heaven awaited in great anticipation for this one son of Adam’s choice.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 10:13
Chapter 32
