by Tom Howard
Now Wyatt was able to understand the amount of power Damon commanded. It was no wonder seeing as who he was.
“That’s an awfully tempting offer.” Damon replied with a sinister grin. “But human souls are worth far more to my master.”
“If you want it, you’ll have to go through me to get it.” Michelle took a step in front of Wyatt. “But answer me one question, if you don’t want my life, then why have you been torturing me?”
The demon grinned. “I don’t want you dead,” it hissed. “I want your loyalty.”
“And you thought that was the way to do it?”
“With your memory gone, my minions were supposed to bring you to me, instead they decided to have a little fun first.” Damon snickered. “But if you insist on a fight…” Right then others like him began to come out of the forest. “There are fifteen of us and only two of you.” He looked to the sky. “And it looks like your helper has left you.” Damon glared into Michelle’s glowering eyes. “You would figure God would show more love for his creations. However, I’m willing to make you a deal, if you kneel to me, I will spare your life…otherwise, you will lose it! The choice is yours.”
Michelle knew there was nothing she could do to spare Wyatt from what was about to come. Looking back into his eyes, she knew there was only one thing she could do for him…say goodbye. A gut-wrenching pain filled Wyatt’s heart as his eyes met those of the woman he had come to care so much about. All he wanted to do was keep her safe, and to him, it appeared failure surrounded them.
“Wyatt, this is the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do, because I care about you so much. But I have to do this. I only pray you can forgive me for leaving.”
“Michelle I’m not going to let you sacrifice yourself, there has to be another way to beat this guy.” Rage filled Wyatt as he balled up his fists, glancing toward Damon. “God knows I’m good in a fight.”
Michelle put her hand on his cheek to calm the storm within him. “You are…but you’re no match for them, they’ll kill you…and I can’t let that happen. You’re a great friend, and I wish I could stay longer, but this is something I have to do. I’ll miss you, and God willing, I’ll see you again.”
Michelle turned to face Damon, who was still deciding whether or not to kill them both. However, to his surprise and complete amazement, a smile formed on his scarred lips as he watched Michelle fall to her knee and bow. Damon gave the signal for his friends to charge. Wyatt quickly readied for a fight, there was no way he was going out without taking a few of them with him.
“Father, please forgive me for forgetting who I am.” Michelle began to pray. “I know now I was created by your divine hands and if it be your will, restore my strength so I may fight your enemies. To you be the honor and glory. My life is yours. In your Son Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.”
Suddenly from the sky came a bolt of lightning so powerful it not only engulfed Michelle but blew the demons back to the trees. The flash nearly blinded Wyatt for a few seconds, but when he looked up, there was Michelle standing in glorious armor, with swords drawn, ready for a fight. However, what shocked him the most were her outstretched wings! Pure white and massive, they looked magnificent and powerful. She wore what looked like a white dress to her mid thighs with a golden breastplate over top with golden cuffs on her forearms and shins. The breastplate bore as its symbol, a cross with a sash from one side to the other, along with a crown of thorns resting atop the cross, and an open tomb with light shining from above. Her broadswords felt so natural in her hands. The hilts were made of pure gold wrapped with a silver braid from top to bottom, their edges, though they had seen many battles, were still razor sharp. The way she shimmered in the moonlight made her look more gorgeous than anything Wyatt had ever seen.
“You’re a…a…” Wyatt was at a loss for words.
“An Archangel.” Michelle replied as she readied herself. “And I was sent to destroy Damon.”
“You can try, angel!” Damon hissed. “But if you recall, my power far outweighs yours.”
“That was before you were cast down with Lucifer.” Michelle smirked. “And if memory serves, you weren’t the stronger of us, we were evenly matched, but it was I who became Michael’s second in command.”
Michelle could see the rage building in his eyes. “It doesn’t matter anymore…” Damon looked around at his minions. “Kill them! And bring me the angel’s wings!”
Wyatt picked up the closest weapon he could find, a tree branch. With outstretched wings and swords, Michelle launched herself at Damon. Suddenly four demons jumped in between them, but Michelle sliced through them. She was closing in on Damon when a demon leapt onto her back, sending them both rolling on the ground, however, Michelle threw it into a tree, impaling it on a branch. She quickly stood to her feet, however, Damon was nowhere to be seen. Six more demons surrounded her while another three closed in on Wyatt.
The three charged with claws out, slashing and swiping, going for Wyatt’s heart. He dodged every swing but was suddenly knocked into the tree behind him. A claw reached down from above, grabbing him under the chin, trying to rip his head from his neck. The others quickly pinned his limbs down. As he let out a scream, a sword suddenly shot through the air, piercing the demon’s head, lodging in the tree. The others quickly let go, watching as Michelle recalled her weapon. As soon as it touched her hand, she threw it into the ground at Wyatt’s feet. “Take it!” she yelled, fending off an attack. Wyatt yanked it from the dirt and plunged it into the heart of the demon lunging at him. Sharply twisting the sword, he sliced its head off. Suddenly the ground behind Wyatt opened, exposing a fiery pit leading to hell, filled with screams of the tortured. The last of the three demons was smarter than the others, trying to out maneuver Wyatt, swiping at his legs. Wyatt dodged, but the creature grabbed his shoulders while in midair, launching them both into the pit, but at the last second, Wyatt stabbed the sword into the rocky ground. As the demon hung onto his legs, digging its claws in, Wyatt screamed, but managed to kick the creature off, sending it into the fiery abyss.
“Wyatt!” Michelle screamed as the only thing she saw was the sword in the ground. Using her sword and hidden retracting wrist blade, Michelle flipped through the air sending the rest of the demons back to hell. Standing from a crouched position, she quickly ran to the sword only to find Wyatt wasn’t there. Peering down into the inferno, she watched as the poor souls were tortured with endless suffering as they prayed for relief that would never come. “Wyatt.” She whispered, readying herself to go after him when the ground suddenly slammed shut, and an evil laugh filled the night. “Damon! Get out here and face me, you coward!” Michelle yanked the sword from the ground, clutching both in her hands.
Rustling could be heard coming from the trees beside her. Slowly she turned to follow the noise, watching as Damon walked from the shadows, except…he wasn’t alone. He was holding Wyatt as a shield! Michelle clearly saw Damon’s claws at Wyatt’s throat, ready to rip it apart. “You’re better than I remember, angel.” Damon growled. “But you still would pose no challenge for me.”
“Big words coming from a monster with a human shield.” Michelle quipped. “Why don’t you let him go and test that theory!”
“And give up my trophy?”
“Humans aren’t prizes to be won.”
“I wasn’t talking about him,” Damon hissed. “you’re my reward. So put away your swords, you’re coming with me.”
“Don’t do it!” Wyatt yelled, suddenly feeling claws dig slightly deeper into his neck. “I’m not worth it.”
“You do realize as soon as you let him go and take me, I will kill you.” Michelle spoke through her teeth.
Damon grinned. “Who said I was letting him go? You’ll both be made to serve my master. Now put away your swords!”
Michelle saw no other choice. If she didn’t listen, Wyatt was dead, but if she obeyed, there was a chance she could still get him out alive. She slid the swords back into their sheaths.<
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“Now bow!” Damon yelled.
Michelle slowly went down onto one knee, resting her hands on the ground. Wyatt couldn’t believe what he was seeing, not after watching her defeat all of those demons.
“You angels are all alike, so predictable. Humans are your weakness, easily used against you.”
“Damon, you talk too much!” In the blink of an eye, Michelle raised her arm, unleashing her hidden blade into Damon’s chest. Wyatt elbowed the blade further in as he broke free while the beast screamed in agony. Michelle launched herself into the air with her majestic wings spread, unsheathed a sword, and plunged it into Damon, splitting him in half from head to toe.
As Michelle stood up and walked back to her friend, Damon’s body suddenly burst into flames. “Are you ok? She asked, hugging him.
“Yeah.” Wyatt wrapped his arms around her. “You had me worried for a second though.”
“Just needed him thrown off guard. He stepped out from behind you slightly when I went down. Besides, I didn’t feel like shooting through you.”
“Thanks for that.”
Watching Damon’s body burn, Wyatt couldn’t believe his hunt was finally over. Everything he’d ever worked for since joining the force was at an end. All of the long nights and late shifts trying to bring his brother’s killer to justice could finally be laid to rest. “What happens now?”
Michelle glanced to the stars, then back to Wyatt. “I return home.” She replied, feeling an aching in her heart as she didn’t want to leave the one she’d come to care for so much. She knew there was no choice, but that didn’t make matters any easier. “There’s a war raging in the spiritual realm between an army of angels and a massive seven headed dragon. Damon was the one controlling it and giving it the power to stand against us. That’s why I was sent, to destroy him and weaken the beast. But on the way out it clipped me with a talon and sent me crashing to earth. That was when you found me, however, I hit so hard I couldn’t remember anything except my name.” She let out a reluctant sigh. “I’ve done what I came to do and now I have to go back.”
“I really wish you didn’t have to go.” Wyatt said as he stroked her soft blonde hair.
“Don’t worry, this wasn’t the first time we met, and it won’t be the last.”
Wyatt’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean? I’ve never seen you before this week, and believe me, I’d remember you.”
“Not you wouldn’t.” Michelle glanced to Damon’s corpse which was almost completely incinerated. “Damon was the one who brutally attacked and killed your grandparents in their truck in an attempt to collect you and your brother as babies for an army he was bringing up. They gave their lives defending you both but were no match for him. I managed to get there in time to fight him off and get you two to safety.” She looked to Wyatt. “Thinking back, I know why God sent me to you.”
“Yeah, I guess so.” Wyatt said kind of blankly as he tried to wrap his mind around the events of his life.
“But be warned…you’ve just entered a world you’re not prepared for.” The seriousness in Michelle’s voice could be heard loud and clear. “Now that your eyes have been opened to the spiritual realm, demons and those like them will know, and they won’t be happy.”
“I get the feeling my hunt for justice just signed my death warrant.”
“No, you’re going to live a long, full life…as long as you don’t do anything stupid.”
Wyatt grinned. And with a sigh thought how he couldn’t believe he had to let Michelle go. Even though he had only known her for a week, it felt as though they had been friends forever. “I don’t know how to tell you good-bye.” Wyatt said as he caressed her cheek. His heart longed for her to stay.
“Then don’t.” Michelle nuzzled into his hand, closing her eyes, taking in how soft his touch was. There was a part of her that wished she could be human and live the rest of her life with him. But she knew duty called, and when God spoke, she always listened. As much as she didn’t want to leave, she knew there was an army counting on her. Michelle took Wyatt’s hand in hers, gently kissing him on the cheek, “See you around.” She whispered softly. With a single blast from her mighty wings, Michelle sent herself soaring into the air like an eagle. She flew faster and faster the higher she went until finally being engulfed in a bright beam of light, ascending into Heaven.
Still looking to the sky, Wyatt watched as his friend faded from sight. He wondered if what she said was true, was there really a chance they would see one another again? He hoped so. He couldn’t imagine going his entire life without her. Turning to leave, he felt something hard under his foot and as he looked down he saw a silver shimmering object reflecting the moonlight. Upon picking up and examining what appeared to be the handle of a dagger with angelic markings, a three-foot-long, razor sharp, pure silver blade with etchings to match the handle emerged briefly then retracted once more.
From the shadows in the forest, dressed in solid black, stood the FBI agent…he had witnessed everything. “Sir,” he said holding a phone to his ear. “the angel’s gone. However, we have a new threat…the detective has the sword.”
A deep, dark voice growled on the other end of the line… “Pursue him…and bring the blade to me.”
“And if he should resist?”
“Eliminate him, we will not stop now.”
“Yes sir, it will be done.” The agent replied as he hung up and watched Wyatt leave the clearing, sword in hand. “So, it begins.”
Epilogue
The night was cool and crisp with not a hint of a stray cloud in sight. The breeze carried on it sounds of animals frolicking through the woods. And the gleaming of the moon pierced the veil of darkness, landing on a two-story log cabin between the trees. The inside of the home was dimly lit with everyone gathered in the master bedroom. A warm fire blazed by the bedside as Wyatt’s wife, children, and grandchildren surrounded the bed. Between the sheets, resting comfortably, laid Wyatt, a mere shadow of the man he used to be. And though he had grown old, his spirit remained as young as the day he met an angel.
This was the day no one wanted to see. Wyatt didn’t want to spend his final moments in a hospital room hooked up to a bunch of machines, no, he wanted to spend them with his family in a place which held special meaning to him. As he laid there, his mind drifted to the wonderful, adventurous life he had. There wasn’t a thing he would’ve changed, it may not have been an easy life, but as a warrior for God, there was much he was given as a reward.
He could feel himself beginning to slip, and while he was holding his wife’s hand, a light appeared above him, and an old friend made herself known. Wyatt did something no one had seen him do in days – smile.
“You came back.” He said softly.
Michelle smiled back at him as she landed gracefully at the foot of his bed. “I told you I would.”
“Did you beat it?” he inferred about the dragon.
“Beat what daddy?” Wyatt’s daughter asked. None of them could see Michelle except him.
“Yeah, after I left, we managed to slay the beast.” She replied happily. “And we couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Happy to help.” He whispered.
Surrounded by a majestic white light, Michelle walked over next to him and knelt down, placing her hand on his, “Wyatt, it’s time.” Her words were ever so soft.
He looked around at the ones he cared for and loved so much. They meant the world to him, and though he wished he could have more time to see what life had in store for them, he looked back to the angel next to him, “I’m ready to go” he said with whatever strength he had left. And with a tearful kiss to his wife, he took his final breath, and his spirit rose from his body. The young man he once was, he was finally again. Hand in hand, they walked toward the light. However, just before they entered, Wyatt turned to take one more look at his family, and smiled, knowing they would be alright.
Suddenly, as he turned, there was a dark figure standing in the room behin
d everyone, and Michelle was gone. He looked around frantically wondering where she’d gone, then suddenly heard a long, drawn out hiss as the figure spoke… “They will forever be mine!” Wyatt turned to see them all in chains, writhing in agony.
Sharply, he shot up in bed, sweating…it had all been a dream. His heart nearly pounded out of his chest he was in such a panic. It took several minutes before he could calm it. He looked down to the woman lying next to him, beautiful as could be, like a sleeping angel. Gently he kissed her on the cheek, and as he turned to go back to sleep, he saw on his night stand the sword given to him by Michelle, and the blade was extended. That was when he heard it, a low, sadistic, evil laugh coming from the hallway. Glancing over, he watched as a dark figure faded from sight.
Now a brief excerpt from upcoming novel…
Crimson Cage
Cage Series - Book 2
Prologue
The night was cool and relaxing. Wyatt sat alone on the porch of his cabin staring at the stars while gently rocking in a wooden chair. His mind dwelt on Michelle and the brief time he spent with her, going over every moment as if it were yesterday. From their first meeting in the woods to their defeat of Damon only a few days later, he could recall every second – some much better than others. There was a longing in his heart to see her again, to hold her once more. It was amazing he was able to resist her that night he almost gave in to his passion. Aside from the Holy Trinity, an angel is the purist being there is, nearly impossible for a human to resist. However, Wyatt knew he was given strength for a reason, and though he so badly wanted to give into his desire, it was not for angels to do. Somehow, deep down, he knew that to be true.
He never thought he would find love. He wasn’t the kind who had ever been with a woman longer than a month or two, Aimee was the only exception. However, God had other plans for him, Wyatt’s heart was meant for another. As he sat on the front porch of his cabin, letting his mind drift into space, his wife, Jessica, walked up behind him, sliding her hand down his shoulder. She was gorgeous, exactly Wyatt’s type. Tall and thin, light red hair, hazel eyes, and a gentle soul to tame his wild spirit. He never thought he’d settle down, but only a year after meeting Jess, their daughter Natalie was born. She was perfect, ten little fingers, ten little toes, a full head of blonde hair, and the biggest eyes he’d ever seen. Her smile could brighten even the darkest soul.