Arithem growled. “He copies our Commander. Such blasphemy!”
Two people in the control room also fell to their knees. One of them was Scanon’s ward, compelled by a dark spirit pushing him down. Scanon charged to his aid, quickly dispatching the demon with a blade to his gut. More demons swept into the area, stirred by the adoration rising in the hearts of the men and women as they watched with awe the deception of the Beast.
And though Arithem was itching for a fight, he had no authority to engage unless these humans belonged to the Commander and prayed for help. Unfortunately, none of them did, save Scanon’s ward, who had not made a full commitment. At least the man had acknowledged the truth of the Gospel, which was far more than Thomas had done. Arithem glanced at his ward, frozen in place, staring at the screen along with everyone else. At least he had not bowed.
“He is risen!” the reporter exclaimed. “He is risen! The world is saved!”
A gurney pushed by men in doctors’ uniforms rushed toward the Beast and seemed to be trying to get him to accompany them to a hospital.
“No need, my friends. No need.” The Beast smiled. “I must go to Jerusalem right away.”
Scanon returned to stand beside Arithem. “Of course he must.”
Arithem snorted. “How I long to be a part of the warriors who protect God’s chosen as they flee Jerusalem.”
“Indeed, my friend. A privilege that!”
Finally, the doctors convinced the Beast to go to the hospital, and soon the cameras switched to a scene outside the Cathedral where thousands had gathered to wave at the ambulance as it took off down the street, sirens blaring.
Arithem watched as Thomas sank into a chair, his expression unreadable. “I fear for what must come to the humans remaining on Earth.”
“I agree,” Scanon sighed. “We now enter the worst time in human history.”
…and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Chapter 8
Thomas didn’t go to work the next day. Or the day after that. He could hardly think clearly about much of anything. But he finally forced himself to answer his phone, especially when he saw it was Regent Landry calling.
“Are you well, Tom? I understand you haven’t been to work in two days. I know the Premier’s rising has us all out of sorts, but it doesn’t mean we don’t still have jobs to do. Besides, what a miracle, what a great thing for the world!”
“I know, sir. I’m actually feeling under the weather.”
“Well, I suppose that explains why you’ve turned down all the parties celebrating Aali’s return.”
Thomas wondered how he knew about that, but then silently cursed Rodney, who had difficulty keeping his mouth shut.
“Yes, sir, I expect to be back tomorrow.”
“Better yet, I’ll meet you in Jerusalem. I’m leaving D.C. early in the morning. Catch the first flight you can get. Aali is on his way there, and he’s going to make a major announcement.”
A thrill spiraled through Thomas, immediately casting away the dark cloud of confusion that had consumed him these past days. He was still in the game! Still part of the global elite invited to important world events. Nothing had changed. No one knew what he had done. A wide grin stretched his lips. “I’d love to, sir. Thank you.”
“See you there. And Tom? This might be your chance to speak to the Premier personally, so pull yourself together. Take some drugs or do whatever you need to do to get your head in the right space.” His voice turned sinister. “Don’t make a fool out of me, Tom, or you’ll discover just how quickly I can demote you to prison guard. Do I make myself clear?”
The smile slipped from Thomas’s face. “I won’t let you down, Sir.” Clicking off the phone, he set it down, an unsettling mix of elation and fear making him jittery.
“Something wrong?” Tori entered the room, a glass of juice in hand. The shorts and t-shirt she wore looked far better on her than…who was that other woman? He couldn’t remember her name. And why did just thinking about it suddenly make him feel dirty?
In truth, he’d spent a lot of time feeling dirty the past few days with Tori. He couldn’t figure out why. She’d been no saint. When they were teenagers, she’d been the bad influence on him, luring him into bed, introducing him to drugs. And when he’d decided to attend seminary, she’d thrown a fit, telling him he was tossing his life away on a book of myths. Why, then, was there now an aura of innocence and goodness about her?
“I’ve been invited to go to Jerusalem with the Regent.”
“Oh.” She sat cross-legged on the couch, staring at her juice.
