And nearly fell out of his chair.
There before him sat the one girl he had once loved more than any other. His high school sweetheart. “Tori. Tori Griffin.”
And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
Revelation 11:3-10
Chapter 2
Tori smiled at the shock in Thomas's eyes. Man, he looked good. Tall, still boyishly handsome, but no longer the thin, scrawny teenager she’d known. No, this man was fit, powerfully built, with an air of authority about him. Or was it arrogance? An expensive dark blue suit fitted nicely on his muscular frame, complete with pins and various badges displayed across his chest and rows of multi-colored stripes and banners lining the upper shoulders—an odd mix of religious and military emblems—all meant to show his position and power and to render fear and respect in those around him. His blond hair was perfectly slicked back and lay neatly at his collar, and not an ounce of stubble shadowed his stern jaw. He’d always been meticulous about his appearance, but this man before her could sway a crowd just by walking on stage. The eyes were the same, however, still a striking blue, blinking as if he could make her vanish.
“Tori?” His brows scrunched together.
“You remember me.” She smiled again. “Wasn’t sure you would after fifteen years.”
“What are you doing here?” His expression remained twisted.
“You tell me. You’re the interrogator.”
He closed his eyes and snorted. “You’re a Deviant? I don’t get it, Tori. What? How?”
Tori cocked her head as a whiff of his expensive cologne enveloped her, not the cheap stuff he’d worn as a teen. “You’ve never been at a loss for words. Well, except when you were eighteen and you deserted me.”
His jaw instantly stiffened. “Youdeserted me.” He stared down at her file for several minutes, obviously trying to regain his composure. Same old Thomas, never wanting to show emotion, always wanting to be in control.
Shaking his head, he sat back in his chair, returning his gaze to hers. But this time, gone was the shock and confusion, replaced by a sheen of steel. Not only hard and impervious but clouded with hundreds of dark shadows flitting back and forth.Demons. Tori had plenty of personal experience with the heinous beings to spot them instantly.
“This says you were caught proselytizing Christianity, handing out illegal food, running an unsanctioned orphanage, defacing government property with Christian symbols, and causing distress and chaos among the citizens.”
Laughter bubbled up in Tori’s throat, but she did her best to subdue it. Still, a tiny smile escaped.
“You find this amusing?” Thomas's stern voice ricocheted over the white-washed walls of the room no bigger than a prison cell. He leaned forward. “Do you realize I could have you executed within minutes?”
So she’d been informed by her last interrogator. “Would you?”
Pushing his chair out, Thomas stood, his fists clenching and unclenching. “This isn’t high school anymore, Tori. I am Vice Regent of the North American Region. I only interrogate prisoners no one else can break. Your life is in my hands.”
Tori studied him. Past all the pomp, power, and pride, she could still see the insecure boy she had fallen in love with so long ago. “My life is in my Father’s hands.”
“You don’t have a father,” he spat back. “He left your mother twenty years ago.”
“I’m speaking of my Heavenly Father.”
Thomas shook his head, that confused look returning. “What happened to you, Tori? You were the last person in the world who would have fallen for these lies.”
Tori nodded, thinking back to those years so long ago. She hardly recognized that young girl anymore or the woman she’d become afterward. “Let’s just say I found the truth.”
