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  Michael sat down and gripped her arms harshly. She grimaced and he loosened his hold.

  “Emma, there is nothing for me to forgive. You have every right not to trust me. What have I done to gain your trust? Huh? I’ve told you a crazy story about who you are and brought you into this otherworldly realm of angels and immortals. I’ve let Agremon get to you not once but three times now. I’m the failure here. E.L. never should have picked me for the Trinity. I’m too ashamed to even ask for your forgiveness.” He tore away from her and stood by the small window facing the mountains, pounding a fist against the window frame. She was shocked. He didn’t despise her? He feels ashamed? And he’s asked for my forgiveness? This isn’t right. She rose to stand beside him and leaned her head against his shoulder.

  “Your guilt complex seems to be as immovable as those damn mountains.” She pointed out the window.

  “Michael, you did what was right. At first, I was too consumed by grief and fear to see it, as any mother would be having her child stolen from her. But Raphael helped me see the bigger picture, and I’ve had time to think on it and understand the implications of your choice. By choosing me over Hannah, you saved us both. You saved us both. I was so wrong to have said what I said. And you should know better than me that things happen for a reason. All the choices we make, all the roads we take are meant to lead us to an ultimate end which we may not know ‘til we’re there. I forgive you for your negatively skewed perception of yourself. Can you forgive me my hasty, judgmental, neurotic tendencies and scathing tongue?”

  There was a dreadful silence. She was alarmed. They were finished. The first relationship she’d had since her divorce, and it was over before it really had a chance to begin.

  And then he spoke. And his voice was beautiful and kind and light. “I think I can manage that, as long as you let me power up your protections,” he bargained with a gleam in his eyes as he caressed her cheeks with the pads of his thumbs.

  She laughed. “I think I can live with that, too.”

  “Let me hold you, Emma, and we’ll both get what we want.” She couldn’t deny the longing in his voice and hope in his eyes.

  She wrapped her arms around his waist. She sunk into him as he embraced her with his strong arms, and they both sighed. As he enclosed her in his protective aura she shared some of her healing energy with him. Guilt and shame, grief and fear melted away to be replaced with strength and faith, harmony and love. Time paused as they renewed and strengthened their bond.

  “You need to rest now.” Michael took his talisman that he had woven extra-strong with his protection and placed it gently around her neck. “It’s about five-thirty in the morning. We leave for the Homecoming at nine. The Brethren will do some readjusting to our plans while you sleep. Remember, your strength is needed for all of us to succeed. So sleep.” He rested her on her bed, kissing her forehead and eyes, her lips, and whispered, “I love you. I don’t deserve you, but I can’t help loving you.”

  ***

  Emma awoke with a jolt. She didn’t know how long she’d been asleep, but she woke up with a racing heart and an urgent need to share what she knew about Agremon. She hurried out of bed, opened the door, and raced to the family room.

  “Agremon’s not Agremon!” she sputtered out as she came slamming into a wall, otherwise known as Kemuel. “Oof!” He caught her as she rebounded off of his chest and just before she would have fallen back on her ass. She gave him an embarrassed yet grateful smile as she righted herself and made her way more slowly into the family room.

  “Emma?” Raphael bristled. “What are you doing up and running around? You should be sleeping and replenishing your powers.”

  “Raphael, everyone, you have to listen.” As she sat down on the coffee table she noticed Cassiel meditating on the far corner of the couch. “Wake up, Cassiel. Everyone needs to hear this.” She waited for someone to nudge Cassiel awake before she said anything further. Zadkiel took the honors and gave him a hard shove.

  “Hey, easy does it, brother. I’m awake, I’m awake,” Cassiel grunted. “Hey there, Emma. Feeling better?”

  “A bit, thanks. Listen, Agremon is not Agremon. What I mean is, he sounds like Agremon and behaves like Agremon, but he doesn’t look like Agremon. When he came to me, he looked like a young man, kind of scrawny, stringy blond hair, blue eyes, about six-foot tall with a bad case of acne. I don’t know how Agremon did it, but he’s possessed a mortal’s body. He said that possessing a mortal made Michael’s talismans and shields useless. That’s how he got to me and stole Hannah away.”

  The Brethren were silent. She looked to each of them, wondering if this new turn of events had them stymied. She nibbled on her bottom lip, again. Nasty habit, but it was better than smoking. Finally someone spoke up. It was Gabriel.

  “He can’t stay in that body forever. In fact, if I remember correctly, I don’t think he can stay longer than twenty-four hours.”

  “Where does this guy get all his info?” Cassiel marveled.

  “Just call me the information guru,” Gabriel threw back at him. “During one of my searches regarding fallen angels and their powers, I remember reading that a fallen angel can possess a mortal, but for a short period of time, and then the host body rejects the possessor. Unfortunately, the host body dies once the possessor leaves it. Agremon’s able to get past Michael’s shields and walk around undetected right now because his soul is, in essence, disguised. What we’ve got to figure out is how to protect ourselves against him until he returns to his own body.”

  “You know what I’m thinking?” Kemuel asked. “We find a way to protect ourselves, call him out in the open, and kill him right then and there.”

  “As much as I would like to see him dead, my brother, Agremon’s death would surely put Namirha on alert. With Hannah at his mercy, I’m not willing to risk that, are you?” Nathanael replied.

  “No, no, I’m not, but I’m sick and tired of Agremon’s crap! I want the asshole dead and gone already,” Kemuel grumbled.

  “Whoa! We’re going to have to stay cool if we’re going to think things through properly. Michael, you got anything we can use to shield us from him in his current state?” Nathanael asked.

  “Yeah, I do actually. Everyone, stand up and make a circle. Lock your arms together with the person next to you. I’m going to weave an ancient incantation that has saved priests from possession during an exorcism. If I weave it just right, it will protect all of us from anything Agremon tries to do against us.” Everyone did as Michael asked, eager to be as prepared as possible.

  Michael began a low, slow chant in an unfamiliar language. Given the quizzical looks passing between the other Protectors, Emma figured this was something way out of their league. As he chanted he walked around the circle. Glowing wisps of threads appeared above the circle, woven into intricate patterns that she thought were breathtakingly beautiful in their delicate artistry. And yet, she could tell there was a strength there that was unshakable.

  The woven tapestry enshrouded the Brethren and her alike and gently faded as though melting into the very fibers of their clothing. At the same instant, a surge of energy, warm and strong, penetrated her body. Michael dropped to one knee, but was quick to get up, reassuring all that he was fine.

  It was time to prepare for the Homecoming infiltration. Gabriel had called his assistant to purchase and deliver the equipment the Brethren would need. They loaded up their trucks with a few tents, sleeping bags and cots, and food.

  This certainly isn’t going to be a typical family camping trip, Emma mused darkly as she saw swords and amulets being tossed in the Brethren’s duffle bags. And then she saw what she had unwittingly placed in hers—a picture of Hannah.

  “I’m coming for you, Hannah,” she vowed, touching the picture, before she hugged it to her. “Don’t be afraid; let your Ancient Warrior soul fight for you. We’re all coming, my sweet angel, and we will all end this together.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Namirha
was in his temporary office, a glorified tent at Headquarters, putting the finishing touches on his sermon for this morning’s service and could feel the masses lining up at the registration desks in front of the enormous tent-like sanctuary. It could easily seat about a thousand people, and by the looks of it, would wind up being standing room only for this, the first of three separate services: one for morning, one for the afternoon, and one for the evening. By then, Namirha figured he’d have all the followers he needed to press forward with his plans to destroy his enemies and rule the world. Yes, his people were coming. He knew they would. How weak of faith these mortals were to their Gods.

  Last night, surprisingly, Agremon had come through and given him Hannah. Just how he had escaped to do Namirha’s bidding still gnawed at him. Agremon obviously had powers he’d kept hidden. Namirha would be wise to keep a closer eye on him.

  And there Hannah sat, at her own desk, drawing pictures of flowers and bunnies. He watched her for a few minutes, amazed that after all this time of hunting her down, he finally had her in his grasp. And the best part was that she had no clue how important her role would be on her birthday. She looked up to find him staring at her. If she sensed it, she didn’t let on.

  “What are you doing, Father?”

  “I’m writing my sermon for this morning’s service. You know, I am a religious leader, the head of The Source, my child. I must write a speech that speaks to what people need to ease their suffering and pain, to make them see that The Source can and will provide for all their desires.”

  “You can do that for everyone? How?” she asked, head cocking to one side.

  “All you need to know is that I have a special gift that I wish to share with the world. Now, how is your drawing going, my dear?”

  “Well, I think my flowers are okay, but my bunnies look more like little fuzzy devils. Oh well. So will I go to the services, too, Father?”

  “Oh no, my precious. You will stay here. There will be a special service on your birthday, though, that you can definitely attend. In fact, I’ve bought you the most marvelous dress for it. But you’ll have to wait until your birthday to see it and wear it. Although, I do have a little gift for you that you may open now. It’s hidden somewhere in this tent. Now, I must get going to the morning service, so you stay put. I believe Helena will see to your needs until I return."

  He gently patted her head and rubbed her hair between his fingers before he turned and left the room.

  ***

  Just that small caress allowed the Ancient Warrior to weave a thread connecting Hannah to Namirha’s mind. She needed to know if his plans had changed since her abduction. Somehow, she would need to get that information to the Brethren when they came today. She briefly thought of her mother and what she must be going through since her abduction, but quickly pushed it out of her head. Emotions were the last thing she needed to trip her up right now.

  Helena showed no signs of entering the tent so the Ancient Warrior directed Hannah to lie down as though she was taking a nap. She closed her eyes, breathed in deeply and began her journey along the threaded connection to Namirha. This would be tricky, but she had done very well at masking her presence during practice and was confident that she could do it now. Her breaths were admittedly shaky at first. After all, she was about to enter the mind of the Devil himself. The Ancient Warrior’s soul took control at that moment of realization, and made sure that little Hannah was safely tucked away in her little corner of her mind. She knew all too well the horrors yet to come; and one so innocent as she should never witness pure evil unleashed.

  The thread she traveled was more like a tunnel, dark and slimy, with unadulterated evil thought and intent dripping down the curved sides to the floor below. The Ancient Warrior was able to stay centered throughout the tunnel, narrowly missing touching the evil ooze at points. As she made her way through, getting closer and closer to her goal, she could feel threads of doubt and fear trying to encircle her.

  Had Namirha detected her? Could she defend herself if he had? She strengthened her shields to mask her presence, reached out to grab hold of the doubt and fear to find that it hadn’t come from Namirha at all, but rather herself. Fine time to white knuckle, she chided herself.

  Finally she reached the thread that held Namirha’s plans. Ever so gently she teased the ideas away from the others so she could get a better look. He plans on using everyone who comes to the Homecoming as his mortal army to keep the Brethren distracted from his goal, to kill me on my birthday with a sacred knife in order to absorb my powers and have supreme domination over the world. Then he would kill the Brethren, as well, ensuring that Namirha would rule for eternity. He had his immortal army ready to take care of that. Suddenly, she felt something. A little niggle at the back of her mind, like an alarm, and she knew she needed to get out of there and fast. Namirha was at the point of recognizing her invasion. She had the briefest of moments to flee back down the tunnel and get out.

  Safely out of Namirha’s mind, she bolted upright from her “sleep”. A strange woman sat in a chair beside her with a vapid look on her face. She patted Hannah’s arm mechanically. “There, there. It’s all right. You fell asleep and must have had a bad dream. Come here and I’ll hug it away.”

  “I-I’m okay, really. Thanks, anyway,” Hannah replied meekly with a small smile. The last thing she wanted was to be touched by that creepy lady. “My father said he hid a gift for me somewhere in this tent. Would you help me find it? Then, I think I’ll go and get some fresh air and maybe some water. Yeah, water would be great, too.”

  “Sure, I’ll help you. Mr. Namirha gave strict orders to watch you and take care of you. I won’t let him down.”

  Great.

  ***

  After Agremon’s triumphant return, he quickly flashed himself to the cell where Jared was being held, having so willingly swapped places with his buddy almost twelve hours ago. Agremon needed to do something and quickly—get his body back before Jared’s rejected him and he found himself forever floating around like dust particles.

  “Hey, Jared! I’m home!” Agremon was met with silence from his body that hung limp in the shackles. “What, no hello?”

  He walked closer and smacked his face. A faint grunt escaped from the barely conscious Jared. “Hey, why the long face? No one said it was easy being me. I guess it’s true, our experiences shape who we are, and I’m one helluva creature, ain’t I? Well, you’re in luck, my friend! You don’t need to be me anymore! And, did you notice the flaying stopped?”

  Another grunt and a whimper. “Are those tears of joy I see? Aw, you don’t have to thank me. Don’t say a word. I know how you feel. Unfortunately for you, you’re not going to be feeling much of anything anymore.” Agremon gave him a hearty slap on the back. “Thanks for being a pal, my man. It was fun while it lasted.”

  Although Jared was trapped in his immortal’s body, Agremon took demonic pleasure in knowing his mortal soul had felt all the torture and he was near death’s door. He unchained Jared’s arms and legs and watched as his body flopped to the floor. He grabbed both of his hands and chanted an incantation similar to the one he had said earlier. “I was you and you were me, and now I set my damned soul free.”

  Their two souls departed their host bodies and returned to their rightful places. Agremon immediately got up. Jared did not, nor would he ever again. Agremon didn’t give him a second glance and flashed to Headquarters to do his cultish duties for Namirha. Agremon was back on top, and just where he wanted to be.

  ***

  “Hi, and welcome to The Source. Please sign in. My name’s Shandy. If you are interested in a longer stay with us, I can help you with that.” The girl taking care of Michael’s and Emma’s registration looked to be about twenty-years old, with washed-out blonde hair, no makeup, and an overall bland appearance. Although she smiled, Emma saw dilated pupils, and for a bright Arizona morning, they should have been pinholes. She was under some kind of mind control.

  As
she glanced at the other people helping with registration, she found the same to be true about them. All of their eyes were vacuous and lifeless. She wondered if other people registering had noticed like she did, but apparently, they were too busy filling out forms to waste time with that kind of triviality.

  “Yes.” Michael hooked his arm around Emma’s waist. “We were interested in staying a little longer than the service. In fact, we brought stuff to set up camp. Would you be able to show us where we can do that, Shandy? My wife and I would be really grateful.” She looked up at him and gave her sweetest smile.

  “Yes, we would be so grateful, Shandy. I know coming here was the right thing to do,” she declared brightly. “I can feel it down to my very soul. It’s the only choice we have left. But enough of that. We’re here and we’d like to stay.”

  “Okay then, I’ll get Jeff over here to show you to a vacant spot. Jeff! Please show these people where to set up camp. They’re here to become one with The Source.”

  “Sure. Right this way, please.” He led them to the campsite where they could set up their tent and park their car.

  The other Brethren spaced themselves inconspicuously amongst the other lines that had formed to speed up registration. Slowly but surely they all made their way to the same campsite where Michael and Emma had been brought, and were placed ‘coincidentally’ near each other. Everyone was busily setting up their tents and stowing their gear when a voice suddenly could be heard emanating from the surrounding trees. It was Agremon!