“It’s all in the Bible, Kyle…you know, that banned Book that’s been around for thousands of years. Use your head, son. Look around you. Who really is the evil god?”
Kyle didn’t want to look around. He wanted a promotion and the money and power that went with it. He wanted to prove to his parents, his sister, and everyone that he wasn’t some snot-nosed brat hooked on drugs who couldn’t do anything right.
“Where is the Deviant hideout?” he hissed between clenched teeth. “Where is my sister?”
“I can’t tell you that. Iwon’ttell you. But I will tell you this. All you need to do is repent of the evil you’ve done, give your life to Jesus, and follow Him. Then you’ll live forever in a paradise you can’t imagine.” Calan hesitated, staring at Kyle, who looked stunned. “Oh,” he continued, “don’t take the new tattoo Aali requires. If you do, you’ll be damned forever. Listen to me, Kyle.” He reached his hand across the table, the chains on his wrists jangling. “Just ask the God of the Bible if He’s real. Just ask Him and be open for His answer.”
Why Kyle listened to all of that, he couldn’t say, but the look in Calan’s eyes had him mesmerized. It was a look of pity, sorrow, and such love he’d never seen before. It was as if some other person had taken over Calan, a person who loved Kyle more than anything and who wanted to save him.
It was a look he could hardly turn away from.
Don’t be a fool!A whisper filled his ears.Lucifer has saved you, given you everything you want. And there’s so much more he can give you. This man is a liar.
Tearing his gaze from Calan, Kyle rose to his feet, hobbled to his crutch, shoved it under his shoulder, and opened the door.
He turned to face Calan. “I’ll give you an hour to think about it. Then you get one more chance to answer my questions or you’ll be executed immediately.”
???
Anisian crossed arms over his mighty chest and smiled at his ward. “He is brave. He thinks only to spread the Gospel, even when faced with death.”
Zhaviel nodded, his gaze following Kyle as he hobbled out of the room. “I fear for mine. His desire for earthly rewards is great, even obscuring the truth from his eyes.”
Anisian gripped his friend’s shoulder. “There is still hope, my friend. Did you not tell me his sleep was greatly disturbed last night?”
“Aye, more than I have seen.” Zhaviel started after Kyle.
“Then the Father of Spirits lures him, calls to him. Be patient and let us see how the Almighty works a miracle in his heart. After all, many prayers have gone up to the throne for this one.” Anisian nodded toward Kyle.
Zhaviel smiled. “Indeed. ’Tis true. Thank you, my friend. I will see you soon.” And off he went, following close behind his ward, leaving Anisian alone with a rather slimy-looking dark spirit who just appeared behind Calan.
“Begone, vile one!” Anisian commanded, but the spirit merely grinned his way and waved a hand full of sharpened black fingernails through the air.
“He does not want me gone,” he hissed.
Anisian studied his ward. Elbows on the table, Calan dropped his head in his hands and gripped his hair.
“Oh, Lord, am I never to see my child be born? Am I never to see my precious Nyla this side of heaven?” His tone ached with sorrow, regret, and pain.
And with each word of doubt, the hideous demon grew larger and larger.
Anisian drew his long blade and took a step toward him, hoping his ward would overcome this test and call upon the Almighty.
The demon leered at him, revealing two yellowed fangs. His foul scent curled Anisian’s nose.
Huffing, Calan lifted his head and leaned back in his chair. He sat there quietly for several minutes, a pained expression on his face. The dark spirit spun a cyclone of doubt and fear around his head, and Anisian feared Calan would not be able to resist his last and greatest test.
Yet, what could he do?
Naught without permission.
Finally, Calan raised his hands to heaven and smiled. “Not my will, but Yours be done, my King.”
Before the last words had emerged from Calan’s mouth, Anisian swept his blade through the air and severed the demon in two. His shriek faded into silence even as his dark body turned to ash.
Sheathing his sword, Anisian took up a stance by his ward, a huge grin on his face.
???
