The guard instantly stiffened, halting his scan. “Yes, sir.”
“Then I order you to open the gate immediately and let me pass!”
“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir. Wait.” He pressed his ear where no doubt he received further instructions.
Sweat formed on Thomas's brow as he took a deep breath, trying to keep his focus. He revved his engine. The man held up a finger as he listened to the voice in his ear.
A voice that no doubt would put the seal on Thomas's fate.
Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Psalm 103:20
Chapter 5
Zarall took the butt of his ax and struck the scanner in the guard’s hand. It crashed to the ground. He hoped to damage the instrument, but the guard retrieved it, punched a few buttons, and it seemed to be working. He shook his head at Arithem.
“I shall attempt to cloak her.” Arithem moved toward the trunk. A dozen demons scattered at his approach, shrieking and laughing. He ignored them. If the humans could not get past these scanners, as they called them, all would be lost. But losing was not an option. Not when the Commander had ordered them to ensure their escape. ’Twas possible for an angel to cloak a human from spiritual enemies, but from human electronics? Arithem was not sure. But what else could he do? Simply opening the gate—though Arithem could do so—would expose the attempted escape. In addition, they had no authority to harm this son of Adam, especially since a fellow warrior watched over him. The angel had acknowledged their presence but continued watching his ward with concern. Perhaps the innocent guard had a chance for redemption.
From within the car, Thomas shouted at the guard to let him go. He started to obey but then received a call.
Then the real battle began. A dozen of the enemy’s fighters materialized out of the darkness and charged the three angels with weapons drawn. Arithem had his sword raised before they reached him.Clank! Their blades crossed, the sound reverberating into the night. Pushing the foul fallen one back, Arithem glanced at his friend, who was fending off two specters while also shouting in the guard’s ear. Ah, brilliant! ’Twas a well-known tactic oft used by their enemy that if one caused enough noise in the spirit realm, the sons of Adam could not hear in the physical realm.
The guard’s angel must have noticed as well for he fought off the hoard of demons trying to stop Zarall.
A putrid stench filled Arithem’s nose, and he spun to find a short, squat demon charging him from behind. Gripping his blade, he slashed at the creature. The black mass let out a piercing shriek as the force of the blow flung him high in the air where he disappeared into the night.
Another more powerful spirit attacked Arithem from his left, catching him off guard. His light sword flung from his hand and landed on the ground, sending a shock wave through the pavement. Before he could grab another of his many weapons, the demon swung a mace at him clipping the armor on his chest. The evil spirit raised his weapon for another strike that would surely smash through Arithem’s armor.
A whistle drew Arithem’s gaze to his left, where Zarall tossed him a long knife. Catching it by the hilt, he swerved and drove the blade into the demon’s belly.
The mace clattered to the ground. The demon screamed and turned to dust. Quickly retrieving his light sword, Arithem engaged two more advancing demons, dispatching both before rushing to help his friends.
???
A swoosh of night air blasted over Tori, along with the light of a moon and the dark silhouette of a man, hopefully Thomas. Yes,Thomas. His expensive aftershave filled her nose along with air,preciousair. Her fear of small spaces was only surpassed by her fear of crucifixion, both of which she had faced tonight. Yet both times, the presence of the Lord had sustained her.
She took his outstretched hand, allowing him to pull her from the trunk. “Where are we?”
“My home. For now.” His voice was tight, his tone unnerved. He took her arm and hurried her up a set of stairs to a beveled glass door that opened as they approached.
“Wait!” She jerked from his hand and halted at the threshold. “What’s this about, Thomas? One minute I’m waiting to be crucified and the next I’m being escorted to your home.”
“I’m trying to keep you alive,” he ground out, clearly exasperated. Then grabbing her arm again, he attempted to pull her inside.
Struggling against his grip, she kicked him in the shin.
“Ouch.” He released her and bent over to rub his leg. “What was that for?”
She crossed arms over her chest. “Alive for what? Brainwashing, torture? What are you up to?”
He sighed and stared at her. “Nothing nefarious, I assure you. Please, Tori. Will you trust me? At least come in the house before someone sees you.”
“But you’re one of them, a very high-powered one of them from what I can see.” Her gaze took in his two-story mansion. “Why go against your own?”
“Please, Tori. I’ll explain everything once we are inside.”
He looked so pathetic standing there pleading with her like a lost boy who didn’t know his way home.
