by D. F. Jones
“I hope, for your sake, he doesn’t wait.”
Chapter 12
Live To Tell
After breakfast, Baldric waited impatiently for the AAF soldiers and the Campbell Ridge wards to arrive in the red barn. He worked out feverishly and still had energy to burn. He wanted to sever The Dragon, but The Creator kept waiting for the final battle of the war.
Erinelle appeared behind him and knocked him to his knees. “Thought you were ready, huh? You’re thinking with your heart, not your head, soldier. The Creator waits for Luc to admit defeat. To humble himself and repent. To ask for forgiveness. The irony is Luc waits for the same thing. I can’t imagine what it must’ve felt like to create something so beautiful and have the creation stab you in the back. Admittedly, even before the fall, The Creator saw how Luc treated the other angels.”
Baldric draped an arm around her shoulders. “It’s not our right to ask even though we think it. He’ll end the war when it’s His time, not ours, not the humans, and certainly not Luc’s. Did you find me warriors?”
“Only the best. Me.” She shoved Baldric away. “And more are arriving now.”
The barn filled with warrior angels of varying sizes and shapes armed with weapons of mass destruction, Creator-style. Baldric watched Ruby and Reed, Jerry and Anna, Lee and George enter the area set up for sparring in the barn. The soldiers were ready. The wards were not. Each ward would be spotlighted in the center of the arena to fight an angel who wasn’t their guardian, and the AAF warrior angels didn’t play.
Erinelle walked up to Lee and said, “You up to the challenge?”
Lee placed a hand on her hip and raised a brow. “You asking?” They both laughed. “So, George doesn’t have to go to Luc’s compound?”
Erinelle said, “Yes, he does. Baldric has the vicinity of the captives. I need George to place bugging devices around the interior of the house. Any intel is better than what we have now. We attack at dawn tomorrow.”
Lee stretched and said, “Place me in the arena first. Allow the kids to see what they’re up against. They have to know going into a supernatural battle they may not come out.”
Erinelle nodded and whistled. The roar in the barn became silent. “Lee has volunteered for the arena. Who will be her challenger?”
“I will.” Raizeal stepped forward and bowed in front of Lee.
Lee and Raizeal stepped inside the arena, and the spectators shouted from both sides. Then the lights went out. Flashes of light from the blade on blade contact lit the room. Thumps and bumps, grunts and sighs filtered in the air. The lights came back on. Lee and Raizeal were in full-fledged combat mode. Blood oozed from the side of Lee’s head, and flesh carved out of Raizeal’s leg. Neither Lee nor Raizeal held back. They fought as if their lives depended on it. That was the point.
Baldric watched as Ruby held Reed’s forearm, white-knuckled. He didn’t know if Reed was holding Ruby back or vice versa. Seeing her mom battle for the first time had to be a shock. The AAF had been training the wards, but not like this angel-on-human combat. That was what the wards would face in the morning.
Lee did a back somersault into the air, knocking out two of Raizeal’s teeth, and scissored her legs around his neck while she tried to claw his eyes out. The human was a fierce fighting machine. Lee had seen her share of battles since she was fifteen. Lee held on until Raizeal’s knees hit the straw-and- dirt covered floor.
Erinelle whistled and yelled, “Time. The winner of this battle is Lee.” The wards were jumping up and down. Lee and Raizeal walked to the triage set up by Ralph and Anna. Anna ran to Lee to heal her wounds while Ralph went over to treat Raizeal. Once they cleared the arena, Erinelle turned to the wards and said, “This isn’t a game. This is not practice. You must fight to the death. I will stop the final blow. Your very life tomorrow depends on it. Are you ready?”
Ruby started to step up, but Reed held her back. He said, “Ruby, watch me fight. I’ll use the spheres of light. That’s your best fighting skill.”
The roar went up, and Erinelle said, “In the pasture. I promised Harry not to burn down his barn. Who will challenge Reed?”
Kaduntz, the earth angel, said, “I know I’m party crashing, but my division of warriors wants to fight. We’ve been waiting years to get our shot at our former boss.”
Baldric remembered the look on Kaduntz’s face when the worship angels were cast with Luc out of heaven. She’d broken off with one third of Luc’s army and set up the earth angel division. Her command had worked with the AAF ever since. Most major battles were strictly AAF soldiers, but Baldric could see her point. Why should she miss all the fun?
Baldric shouted, “Let her fight.” The chant went up, and Erinelle relented.
Reed and Kaduntz squared off in the lowland pasture, away from anything flammable. Erinelle had her fire fighter angels ready to douse flames that got out of hand. Each sparring partner had four blue energy spheres. The spheres’ chemicals were altered to give pain, not annihilation. The spectators watched from the split rail fences.
Baldric had watched Reed play baseball years ago. He had a mean left curve.
Erinelle whistled, and the fight began. Reed whizzed his curveball and made contact on Kaduntz’s shoulder that knocked her off balance. He didn’t stop until Kaduntz was on the ground. Reed straightened his shoulders and raised his hands, turning around in victory. The wards shouted and whistled for Reed, but Kaduntz wasn’t down for long. She hit Reed in the middle of the back, propelling him face-first. He nearly landed in a fresh pile of cow dung. She was on Reed in less than a heartbeat, and she pummeled Reed with subsequent hits.
Erinelle whistled and shouted, “The winner of this round goes to Kaduntz, the earth angel.”
Reed rolled over onto his butt and pulled himself off the ground to a standing position. “Man, I thought I knocked you out.” He arched his back and Ruby ran to him.
Kaduntz replied, “And that’s what you get for thinking.”
Reed and Kaduntz suffered minor injuries and went over to the triage in the barn. Reed shrugged and said, “So I got my ass handed to me by a girl.”
“Correction, human, you got your ass handed to you by a female warrior angel.”
Anna raised Reed’s shirt, and he yelped. She said, “Nasty burns. I saw the spheres turn demon angels to ash last summer. You have to make sure your opponent is defeated before you turn your back on them.”
Each ward had their chance to battle a warrior angel. Only Lee and Jerry triumphed during their bouts, but Ruby and Anna fought valiantly. The wards proved to their guardians and themselves they were ready for battle. After the combat training had ended, the wards and the angels met back inside the barn.
With a sweeping motion of her hand, Erinelle said, “Excellent work, everyone. We have a plan ready to execute. If you turn your heads to the barn wall on the other side, I will lay out our plan of action.”
Baldric listened to Erinelle as she laid out their plan of attack. Two divisions along with the wards would attack from the north border near the outbuildings and barn. Once they secured their position, Baldric would take a dozen seasoned, battle-hardened warriors across the field leading to the back entrance of the main house. Luwenia and Jerry along with skilled archers would take out the human guards on the roof.
Once Baldric led the initial charge, two additional AAF divisions would follow in waves, attacking the estate from all angles. In theory, the plan was solid. The AAF warriors selected were the best of the best.
Baldric would approach Caiojezeal on becoming a turncoat later in the evening. Having a warrior on the inside would help keep the trains running on time. If Baldric read Caiojezeal correctly, he’d help him, and his warriors get into the caverns with the least amount of resistance.
The image of Sandy’s hurt expression made his insides twist into knots. Would it be too late?
* * *
George and Celina pulled into the Arrington Estate. Celina said, “Remember, I’m with
you. If you need me, just call out using your mind, and I’ll materialize in seconds.” She disappeared as George parked his work truck next to the detached garage.
George opened the side toolbox and strapped on his tool belt. He grabbed an extra voltage tester. George had obtained several different types of bugs to plant inside the house. Planting the bugs and going unnoticed had him jittery. He took a few deep breaths and said a quick prayer.
George wore a Champion Electric shirt with a pair of khakis and held a clipboard with the call-in form requested by Luc’s house as he walked up to the front door. He rang the doorbell and stepped back. Within minutes, a tall man with brown hair and mustache opened the door. George held back a chuckle because the man could’ve been Magnum, P.I. and he worked undercover.
The man said, “Yeah, whatcha want?”
George handed him the request form. “Someone from this address called about electrical problems.”
The man opened the door and said, “Yeah. Come in. I’ll get the boss. You wait by the door.”
George glanced around the main house while he stood in the large foyer. A winding, white staircase with plush, dark gray carpet led up to the second floor. No signs of life up there. On the left, two men sat in the dining room. Both were packing heat. The great room was empty. George’s blood pounded in his veins. He was ready to lay his life down for his friend, but he just wasn’t in a hurry to do it.
A fierce-looking man walked around the corner of the dining room and into the foyer. He had a handsome face with a long scar running along his jawline. He wore a tan suede jacket with black pants and black Caiman belly boots. He reached out his hand and said, “Hi, I’m Carson Jones. I run the estate. The panel box keeps blowing fuses, and it’s compromised our security system. You think you can fix it?”
George nodded and said, “Well, sir, if you’ll show me the panel, I’ll take a look-see. Oh, I may need to test the outlets, with your permission, of course.”
“Sure, of course. Before I give you access, you have to sign a confidentiality agreement not to disclose anything you may see or hear while on the property. Agreed?”
“All right, where do I sign?” George took out a pen and signed the non-disclosure agreement between Champion Electric and Arrington Estate.
“Great, please follow me.” Carson folded the contract and slid it into his coat pocket.
George made a few mental notes of each room and how many guards and staff were present. He walked down a long hall and passed a den with a pool table and television. It had to be the same room Baldric had referred to in the meeting. In the kitchen, Carson opened the door to a utility room with a washer and dryer unit.
Carson said, “Behind the door is the main panel. The meter base is located at the rear entrance, next to the garage door. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.”
“Okay, I’m going to test the breakers and then test the GFIC outlets. I’ll come find you when I have it repaired.” George watched Carson walk away. George took off the panel and quickly found the burned-out breaker.
George repaired the damage caused by Nelson Doune’s boys. He went through each room of the house planting bugs in the wall outlets. George located the security system in a study next to the den. His fingers trembled while he made some minor tweaks to disengage the alarm along the north perimeter of the property. George wanted to disconnect all the entry points but thought it would raise red flags.
After George had completed his tasks, he walked through the house and overheard a conversation in hushed tones.
“The boss is taking her on a trip tonight.”
“Yeah, where to?”
“Who knows, but my guess is he’ll be banging that piece of ass before midnight.”
“Wanna bet? She’s pretty damn tough.”
“I’ll betcha a hundred dollars and a bottle of Hennessey.”
“You’re on.”
A tap on George’s shoulder made him jump. He turned and started to explain the eavesdropping.
The man said, “I’m Estevo. I’m on your side. Carson sent me to get you. He’s waiting for you in the great room.”
George exhaled, and his knees went weak. “You scared the shit out of me. That’s the room next to the front door, right?”
Estevo nodded and said, “Do you need some water? A drink perhaps?”
Shaking his head, George replied, “No, thank you. I’ll just go on and meet with Carson so that I can get the hell out of here. Have you seen Sandy?”
Estevo had looked both ways before he whispered, “Luc permitted her to go on a walk with Caiojezeal. Physically she looks fine. I didn’t approach. Can’t blow my cover. Best of luck.” Estevo strode past George and went back into the kitchen.
In the great room, George handed Carson the invoice. “I repaired the burned-out receptacle and replaced your breaker. I tested the outlets and didn’t find any tripping the box. So you should be good to go. Here, you can pay me now or mail a check to the address on the invoice. Call me if you have any problems.”
Carson reached into his back pocket and opened his wallet. He peeled off a couple of bills and handed them to George. “This should cover your expenses. Thanks for coming.”
George looked at Carson and said, “I don’t have change.”
“Please keep it.” Carson walked George to the door.
Minutes later, George was hauling ass out of the driveway and heading to Everglade Farms. He had to report his findings to the guardians. George wondered if the men in the dining room had been betting on Sandy sleeping with Luc. He wondered if Luc was taking Sandy on some trip. Celina appeared in the passenger seat of the work truck. Damn, it was going to take some time adjusting to angels and demons popping up out of nowhere.
Celina said, “I counted twenty human guards around the exterior and another dozen or so on the inside. Only a few demon angels were in the main house. I sensed more and assumed they’re with the captives. The ones inside the house watched me carefully. I couldn’t take a chance of porting into the caverns. I pray Baldric has better luck with Caiojezeal.”
George twisted the hair in his eyebrow and then placed both hands on the steering wheel. “As long as nothing trips the back entrance sensors between now and morning, the AAF and the wards should enter the Arrington Estate before anyone knows the alarm’s deactivated.
* * *
Sandy stopped walking and tilted her face to the sun. With her eyes closed, she said, “We take many things in our lives for granted. A simple walk outside and the sun on your face.” She opened her eyes, and Caiojezeal was staring at her. Oh no, not him, too. “Don’t look at me like that, please. I need your friendship. I need you to think clearly. I don’t need you fantasizing about us.” Sandy read his thoughts. He pictured them together, walking on the beach holding hands, and in this dream, he kissed her.
“I hate you reading my thoughts,” Caiojezeal said. “It sucks. Do you have any idea how long it’s been for me to have positive feelings toward anyone or anything? And you burst the bubble.”
Sandy tripped on a loose stone in the pathway and fell into Caiojezeal’s arms. “I’m sorry on both counts.” She straightened up and pushed herself out of his arms. “I have no idea. Do you have any idea how many men have flirted with me for this face without even knowing who I am? I’m sick of it. This face has only caused me pain. I married an angel with it, for crying out loud. Now, the lord of all darkness is taking me on a trip.” She rolled her eyes and kept walking.
A few strides and Caiojezeal caught up to her. “Let’s forget about my fantasy and Baldric for the moment. Luc plays an excellent game of chess, and you’re the pawn in a much larger game. He’ll try to woo you at first, and if it doesn’t work, he’ll torture you. You need to answer his every question with a question. Never admit one way or the other when confronted with a choice he gives you.”
He said, “For example, Luc will play on your success as a reporter. I’ll be Luc and you, well, will be you. Sandy, I can of
fer you the keys to earth’s kingdom. Picture yourself sitting as evening anchor to one of the major networks, or better yet, as owning a major network. You could control the media. You could possess power and influence over the masses. Whip them into a frenzy and bend them to whatever your will chooses. Join me.”
Sandy thought about the implications of Caiojezeal’s statements. The media truly held the keys to the kingdom. She had just read where the National Science Foundation was going to fund a supercomputer network. Opening that can of worms would stretch the media’s hand across the globe. Luc would use the information to help sway her decision. Controlling the media was a beast. “It’s an intriguing prospect. Global domination through the use of media. What else do you have to offer?”
Caiojezeal laughed and then turned serious. “Don’t overplay. But you have the right idea. Keep it simple and move him in another direction after each offer he proposes. Stay sharp. Did you access the cords of light into your memories of Luc’s book? Have a couple of spells in your arsenal and only use them if your life depends on it. Just a reminder, every spell you use propels you into the darkness. Once the darkness gets inside, it’s hard to get rid of it. Darkness is like cancer. It spreads and destroys.”
Sandy walked into the winter garden of the estate and sat down on a wrought-iron bench. Cheery pansies, English daisies, and snapdragons filled the landscape borders. Several containers overflowed with variegated vines and elongated Laurel with white flowers. Southern Living could shoot a cover in Luc’s backyard. She crossed her feet at the ankles and gripped the lip of the bench. “I have a favor to ask.”
“Anything.” Caiojezeal sat down on the bench next to her.
Sandy swiveled around to face him. “If I turn to the darkness…when I return to the estate, if I’m no longer the person you see before you—kill me. I don’t want to help further Luc’s army, and I don’t want to hurt my family and friends. I want you to tell Baldric that he made my life beautiful. Tell him he fills me with joy and happiness and our brief but glorious encounter during our pairing, well, I—I…” She wiped the tears away from her eyes. “Just tell him that I love him.”