Kyle nodded, wanting to step away from Jura, but was somehow unable to.
“Our lord will reward you greatly for your service. He will be a father to you.” He drew his face closer to Kyle’s. “As I am, son.”
The approval in Jura’s tone, the look of care in his eyes, immediately dried Kyle’s tears and sent a wave of peace through him. “Thank you, my liege.”
Jura gave Kyle’s shoulder a squeeze, then glanced back at the scene.
Kyle almost felt sorry for them. They looked so tired, hungry, and dirty, so discouraged and without hope. And to think that the ragged man following behind Tori was once the Vice Regent of the New World Faith North American Region. “Is there hope for Thomas?” he asked.
“Aye, he has not yet surrendered his life to the enemy. There will be a chance for him to make the right choice soon.” Jura glanced around Kyle’s office. “I will see Landry now. He must give you an office more suitable to your position and power.”
Pride swelled in Kyle’s heart, washing away the last traces of his pain. “I’m only a sergeant, your liege.”
“Not for long.” Jura gave him that alluring smile again. “If you continue with your obedience and good work, a grand future awaits you, my son.”
Tears nearly filled Kyle’s eyes again at Jura’s kindness and approval. Finally, he’d found his place, his purpose, a family that accepted and loved him.
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
2 Thessalonians 2:11-12
Chapter 16
Even after three days, Thomas still could not make sense of Aaron’s foot being healed. He’d asked the man several times about it…whether he’d just been faking the injury or maybe it hadn’t been as bad as he’d thought. At first Aaron had unequivocally stated that he’d not been able to walk on his foot for a year, and that God had healed him, but after a few days, he’d confided in Thomas that maybe his foot had been healing on its own, and Tori’s touch had merely encouraged him to use it again. In fact, he still used his cane to get around.
Just as Thomas had thought.
Still, despite the fact that Aaron had drunk the God Kool-Aid like the rest of them, he liked the man. He was funny, witty, had led an interesting life, and he sort of took Thomas under his wing.
On the third day, they crossed what used to be the border of Georgia, though Tori still would not disclose the location of their final destination. Thomas got the feeling she didn’t completely trust him. Which hurt a little, though he couldn’t blame her. In all honesty, his respect—andlovefor her—grew by the day. He’d known many women in his past, but none with the strength, intelligence, and kindness that Tori Griffin possessed. Who knew that the flighty, live-for-the-moment teenager he’d loved so long ago would become such an incredible woman? Here she was, leading a pack of misfits to God knew where through enemy territory, hunted, hungry, and afraid. And without a complaint or even so much as a grumble. Most women he’d dated would cry if they broke a fingernail, but Tori’s concern was always for everyone else, not herself.
Sara was feeling better, walking on her own at least, though she still got the shakes now and then and had trouble keeping food down.
Not that they had any food to eat. They’d found scraps here and there, in trash dumpsters, on abandoned farms. Not much, but it was always enough to go around. And always, Tori blessed it with a prayer before they ate.
Oddly, Carla ceased holding Thomas's hand, though he didn’t know why. And if he admitted it, he missed the feel of her soft little fingers and the sound of her gentle happy humming beside him. One time, he even held out his hand for her, but her gaze shifted to Aaron walking beside him and she shook her head.
Tori glanced at him over her shoulder. “There’s a home up ahead where we can wait out the heat.”
Thomas wiped the sweat from his forehead and nodded. It had to be well over ninety degrees out here and ninety percent humidity. Worse in the blazing sun. You’d think he’d be used to the filth, heat, and hunger after a week on the run, but in truth, he longed to go back to his mansion on the beach and pretend none of this had happened. Many mornings when he woke up after very little sleep, for a few brief, blissful seconds, he thought he was on his soft mattress about to get up and enjoy a cup of fresh-brewed coffee.
Before the realization struck him that his life was over.
Sara inched up beside him. “I never thanked you for all your help when I was…” She took a deep breath, unable to continue.
“No problem,” Thomas said. “Not long before we found you, I was in the same boat, so I get it.”
She gestured at Tori just a few yards ahead of them, talking with Brianna. “She’s saved my life more than once.”
Thomas rubbed sweat from the back of his neck. “Yeah, I’m hearing that a lot.” He smiled. “How’d you get hooked?”
Despite her blue hair and the sleeve of ink on her arm, the color had returned to her skin, and her eyes were a bit clearer. She couldn’t be older than twenty-two, he’d guess. “Took up with the wrong gang, especially after my parents were raptured.”
Thomas withheld a snort. Aaron said nothing from his other side.
“Not that I was a good girl before then.” She expelled a deep sigh. “I was a rebellious kid, caused my poor parents a lot of pain.” Her eyes glistened with tears. “I was actually glad when they left. Can you believe that? I thought they’d be rehabilitated in one of those reformation centers and then come back all cool, you know?”
