Thomas chuckled. “So, you’re saying Aali is the devil?”
“I’m saying he’s possessed completely by the devil, yes.”
Suppressing another laugh, Thomas studied Tori. She didn’t look crazy. Her eyes were clear, her voice strong, her tone serious.
“Thomist.” Carla’s sweet voice drew his gaze down to her. “Onafiel says to duck.”
Confused, Thomas noted Tori’s body had gone rigid as she glanced around the room, then fixed her gaze out the window.
“Get down, everyone!” she whispered, sending them all cascading to the carpeted floor.
A flash of bright light brought Thomas's gaze to the window. A huge figure, brighter than the sun stood outside, a massive sword raised in his right hand.
???
No sooner did Arithem receive the Commander’s orders, than he directed the other angels to their posts. He’d seen the enemy coming, but he’d been told to wait, to do naught. Finally, when the evil hellions were nigh upon them, the Commander had given the order to battle.
Onafiel, the only one of them with wings, spread his mighty pinions over the two children.
Anahel stood before their mother, sharp mace in his hand.
Tagas leaned over Sara, who had lain down on the couch, and Zarall, ax in hand, glanced at Arithem. “From whence does the enemy come?”
“From the sky. And quickly!” Arithem sped through the front window and stood outside.
After one glance to make sure Tori was safe, Zarall followed, wanting more information. Before he could ask, the sky turned black as the sound of a thousand wings vibrated the air.
What the humans called drones appeared, but what the sons of Adam could not see were the demons working behind them.
Arithem raised his blade. “To the battle, my friend!”
The hoard of demonic creatures sped toward them. The drones they commanded began firing into the house, their bullets penetrating stucco and brick and shattering windows.
Zarall swung his ax right and left, the blade slicing through the depraved beasts, instantly turning them into dust and sending the drone flying off into space.
Arithem did the same, shouting the Commander’s name with each strike! But there were so many. They could not stop all the shots before they entered the home.
Anahel came out to help, swinging his mace before him, along with Tagas, who with spiked war hammer, pounded the enemy to dust. Among the four of them, they were finally able to stop most of the beasts from firing, and those who remained sped off, leaving vile taunts and a putrid stench behind.
Zarall’s breath came hard and fast. The muscles of his arm ached as he shoved his ax back into his belt. Laughter drew his eyes to the beast standing at the broken window.
“He mocks us!” He started toward him, but Arithem held him back.
“He did this!”
“Aye, but he has been defeated.”
Anahel slid his mace in a holder on his back. “I wasn’t sure we would be victorious, my friends! Why did the Commander wait so long before allowing us to engage?”
Arithem glanced at the retreating swarm before answering. “The Commander wanted your ward to sense the evil, discern its origin before it arrived, but Onafiel”—he gave the winged angel a look of censure—“told the child.”
Onafiel nodded. “Forgive me. I was concerned for the little ones. It won’t happen again, Arithem.”
“’Twould do good to remember we serve at the pleasure of our Commander, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We must not get too involved emotionally with our wards.” Even as Arithem said that, his eyes found Thomas rising to his feet.
Zarall’s sentiments exactly. ’Twas far easier said than done. He glanced at Tori. More than anything, he wished for her to succeed, to pass these tests and fulfill her mission from their Lord, for the alternative was unthinkable.
And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
