by R. D. Brady
Laney nodded. “Edgar Cayce actually mentions Enoch. He believed Enoch had lived many lives.”
"And what?” Jake asked. “He shacks up?"
"Jake," Laney said, shock on her face.
Victoria's eyes went cold. "When he’s here, Enoch doesn’t know who he is until he’s a teenager. And it’s actually his job to have children."
"Why?"
Victoria's eyes dropped from Jake’s. "Enoch's children are special."
Laney joined the conversation. "You mean they can read his writings."
Victoria nodded. "Sometimes. But Enoch’s children always have gifts.” She stared at Laney as if trying to convey something deeper to her.
"What type of gifts?" Laney asked.
Victoria shrugged. "It depends. Henry obviously has the strength, the height."
"What about Enochian? Can he read it?"
Victoria’s face was tight. "Yes.”
Jake felt his temper rear up. "Does Henry know who his father actually was? Who he actually is?"
Victoria shook her head. "No. His father and I agreed-"
Jake's words lashed out. "You let him walk around with a target on his back and didn't even warn him? You let him wonder who he was, what he was?"
Victoria's words were just as angry. "You don't get to judge me. You haven’t lived the lives I have. You don’t get to sit there thinking you know better. It was possible he would never need to know. That his life would go on unencumbered by the truth."
"You could have prepared him-"
Victoria stood up. "I did! I prepared him as best I could without having him spend his life looking over his shoulder, feeling like he had to hide away from people."
Tears shone in Victoria’s eyes, but her tone was angry. "I died so he could live a normal life. What would you have had me do, Jake? Tell him he was different, that he wasn't human? Tell him people may come looking for him? Deny him any chance of having a normal life? Tell him he's the son of the most powerful angel ever? What kind of life would that give him?"
Laney grabbed Jake's hand, keeping him silent. He looked over at her and she shook her head. "Jake . . ."
He took a breath, pulling back the anger. Tears and anger flashed across Victoria’s eyes. Damn. "Victoria, I shouldn't have said those things. Henry’s like a brother to me. Him being in danger is obviously not bringing out the best in me."
Victoria nodded tersely.
Laney leaned forward. "Why are you telling us this? You died twenty years ago. And no one has any clue you exist. Why reveal yourself to us? Why reveal who Henry is to us?”
Victoria took a deep breath. “Henry was grabbed because of who his father was. Because of the gift his father gave him. If Henry reveals that gift, he can probably save himself.”
Laney felt her chest tighten. But revealing that gift would mean helping the people who’d slaughtered hundreds in their quest. “Henry won’t help them.”
“No. He won’t.” Victoria said quietly. “And why am I revealing this to you two? Because you need to know the rest of the story. You need to know how Flourent knew about Henry. You need to know about the Council.”
CHAPTER 77
Las Vegas, NV
Hugo went through the book, page-by-page, demanding Henry translate the symbols. Henry said nothing. And with every turn of the page, Henry tensed, knowing the pain was coming. Hugo never disappointed him.
Henry healed fast, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t feel pain. He could feel it. Every last inch. He glanced down to the floor, sticky with his blood. He knew he would die before telling them anything the books said. He didn’t care why they wanted the knowledge. He wasn’t going to help them.
He just hoped he could hold out. But it was getting harder with each slice of Hugo’s knife.
The only blessing was that he had one distraction. The book. He could read every word. The tome was about a peace treaty between the Children of the Law of One and the Sons of Belial. In exchange for peace, the Children had agreed to share with the Sons what they knew of the Belial Stone. A small note at the end indicated that, years later, the Sons killed Alian, the author of the work, when he refused to tell them how to turn the stone into a weapon.
When the final page was turned, Sebastian stood up. “You’re a disappointment, Mr. Chandler.” He peered into Henry’s face. “But I’m not convinced yet that you’re being entirely honest with us.”
Sebastian sat back down, his head resting on the spires of his fingers. “Perhaps you need more incentive. It seems clear you were never told who your father was. I find that peculiar. You must have noticed something odd about him.”
Henry stared at the old man. What was he expecting? An Oprah moment? Did he want Henry to break down and beg him to tell him what he knew? Not going to happen. He clamped his mouth shut.
But, he had to admit, Sebastian’s words were having an effect. Why hadn’t his mother ever told him who his father was? Why hadn’t she warned him?
Henry struggled to remember everything he could about him. His father died when he was only six. Even now, almost thirty years later, the memory of that night was difficult.
He shied away from the emotions and focused on the details he could remember about him. His Dad was tall, but not nearly as tall as Henry. Henry remembered thinking his Dad was Batman and Superman rolled into one. But didn’t every kid at that age think his Dad was a superhero?
Looking back at his father through adult eyes, though, he was just a normal dad. The only odd thing was that one world trip they’d taken the summer before his father died. They’d been gone for six months and they’d visited everywhere: Asia, Africa, South America, Europe. And everywhere they went, his father could speak the language. It didn’t matter if they were in the remote regions of China or sub-Saharan Africa, whatever people they came across, his father could speak with them. But what did that mean? Who was he?
Frustration coursed through Henry. He wanted to rail, scream, throw things. But he was still bound to the damn cross. He swallowed down the emotions, tasting their bitterness. Closing his eyes, he locked his frustration away. It was a practice he was all too familiar with.
He blew out a breath. He needed to focus on now. He needed to keep up his resolve.
He opened his eyes and started. They’d all left. He must have passed out. Or maybe even fallen asleep. No matter. He was alone. He reveled in the silence.
They’d left the book propped up on the table in front of him. The electric tingle that had run over his body at the first sight of the book had turned into a warmth, as if his body was enveloped in a soft blanket.
But now a ball of cold began to form in his chest. How did he know how to read the book? He’d never in his life seen Enochian, never mind read it. Yet he’d known as soon as he’d seen it that it was the language of the angels.
A memory flashed at the back of his mind. It had something to do with his Mother.
Henry stumbled down the stairs, wiping the sleep from his eyes. He’d been up late studying for his algebra test. He stifled a yawn as he walked into the kitchen.
His mother stood at the kitchen island, red hair pulled back in a ponytail, her green robe wrapped around her, a cup of coffee in her hands. She pointed to the table. “I’ve put out your breakfast. Eat quick. Ralph’s waiting to take you to school.”
Henry slumped into his seat. Only fourteen, he was already six-foot-eight. “Can’t I just take the bus?”
“We’ve had this conversation. I agreed you could go to public school, but Ralph drives you there and back.” She glanced at the clock above the stove. “Actually, never mind breakfast. You don’t have time.”
Henry grabbed the bagel on his plate, dumping the eggs and bacon in between the two halves. “Breakfast to go.”
Victoria smiled. “Your books are over by the door.”
Henry walked over and kissed her cheek. “Love you, Mom.”
“You, too, sweetie.”
He held his sandwich in one
hand and went to grab his books on the counter. He didn’t recognize the book on the top of the pile. “Mom, this one’s not mine.”
She looked over. “Oh? What’s the title?”
He glanced down, a warmth enveloping him. The letters seemed to swim before him. He squeezed his eyes shut and then opened them again. “The Fall of Man. It’s in Greek, I think.”
She nodded. “Oh. That’s mine. Just leave it. Have a good day.”
The cold from his chest spread throughout his body. She’d been testing him. He’d never read Greek, but he could read that book title. She wanted to see if he could read it. How had she known he had that ability?
An image of his father floated into his mind. His father was good at languages and apparently so was he. But why? Who was his Dad?
The door opened and Hugo entered, followed by two other guards. They took their spot beside the door.
Hugo swaggered over to the table where he kept his tools. “Well, I had a great lunch. And a good lunch like that always makes me feel energized.” He swiped a six-inch serrated knife from the table, turning to Henry. “Let’s start back at the top, shall we?”
CHAPTER 78
Baltimore, MD
Laney was practically dizzy from all the information Victoria had shared with them. Henry was the son of Enoch and he was taken because he could read the books.
Now Laney understood Victoria’s little smile when Laney had asked if Henry could read Enochian. It was a language literally named after Henry’s father. But that still didn’t explain how the people who’d taken Henry had known about his parentage.
The black Escalade pulled back into the parking lot. Victoria waved for the two men to stay where they were. She turned back to Laney and Jake. “Have either of you heard of the Council?”
Laney nodded, explaining what Dom had told them.
“What does this have to do with Flourent? How does he know about Henry?” Jake asked.
“The last Flourent who was a member of the Council was Sebastian’s father. The Flourents believed themselves to be the true leaders of the group. They wouldn’t listen to other members. Sebastian was denied membership after his father’s death. Allegedly all of his father’s Council notes burned in a fire at Flourent’s house.”
“But you don’t believe that, do you?” Jake asked.
Victoria shook her head. “It’s too convenient. I believe Sebastian has all of his father’s notes on the Council’s activities. The reports date back centuries.”
“Okay. But how does any of this relate to Henry’s father?”
“Victor Flourent was the Council member who sent men to take Henry’s father. They failed. And James was killed protecting us.”
“They knew the identity of Henry's father?"
“Yes. But I thought that information was contained. Victor was known for keeping his secrets. He wouldn’t have revealed a prize like James.”
“Couldn’t he have told someone after the botched attempt?”
“Unlikely. He was monitored and he didn’t have time. He died the next day.”
“Well, that was a stroke of luck,” Jake said.
Victoria looked him straight on. “There was nothing lucky about it. I killed him.”
Laney struggled to keep the shock off her face. Victoria had had Sebastian Flourent’s father killed? And the way she said it. She’d admitted to murder with the same level of emotion as ordering a cup of coffee.
“I can see you’re surprised,” Victoria said to her.
So much for my poker face, Laney thought.
Victoria looked into Laney’s eyes, not flinching. “I don’t regret taking his life. He targeted my family. He killed my husband. It was only going to be a matter of time before he came for Henry. I always protect my family.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Laney noticed Jake nod. Oh good. They’ve finally found something to bond over.
But even though her thoughts were sarcastic, would she really have done any different? If someone targeted someone she loved? Weren’t they rushing to save Henry right now? And the cargo compartment of the plane sure wasn’t being filled with flowers.
Victoria reached down to her bag and pulled out a manila envelope. “In here is a listing of all the Flourent family’s holdings. A few months ago, they purchased a warehouse in Vegas. It would be big enough to hold the Shuar collection.”
Jake took the file. “How’d you find this? We have people searching for everything they can find on Flourent and no one’s come up with this.”
“I trade in information, Mr. Rogan. If it’s out there, I can find it. My son’s resources and contacts don’t even come close to touching mine.”
Jake looked over at Laney.
She shrugged. “It’s a lead.”
He nodded. “I’m going to put some people on it. You okay for a minute?”
“Yeah.” Laney watched Jake walk over to his truck and pull out his phone. She turned back to Victoria, struggling with how to react to this woman. It was obvious she loved Henry, but Laney couldn’t help but wonder about her sudden appearance.
“Henry spoke about you,” Victoria said. “He thinks very highly of you. And your Uncle.”
“We care a great deal about him as well.”
“It makes me feel good to know Henry has had such people in his life.”
Laney tamped down her irritation. Who the hell was this woman? She’d disappeared from Henry’s life and now she was saying she approved of the people in it? She doesn’t get an opinion. Laney nodded abruptly, turning her eyes back to Jake.
“I get the feeling you're angry at me.”
Laney looked up at Victoria, and Henry's eyes stared back at her. Screw being polite. “You show up after being in hiding for almost twenty years and in spite of what you say, I can’t help but think that maybe your situation has something to do with Henry’s abduction.”
“It doesn’t.”
“How do you know? In fact, how did you know Henry was missing? If you haven’t seen him in twenty years, how-”
Victoria put up her hands. “I never said I hadn’t seen him in twenty years. I said the world was told I died. Henry has always known the truth. We talk almost every day. Seeing each other’s more complicated, but we manage it a few times a year. Always different locations, different times of the year. I love my son, Laney.” Victoria’s voice cracked on the last sentence.
“And now what? You tell us all of this and then just leave?”
“It’s a risk for me to be here. And I won’t further endanger Henry’s rescue by my presence. There’ll be enough to worry about without what I bring.”
Laney shook her head, blowing out a breath. How much more cryptic could this woman be?
Victoria reached out and took Laney’s hand. “I know this all seems incredible, but I promise you, I have always had Henry’s best interest at heart. Whatever you think of me, please believe that any child of mine will always be my priority. I would have much rather spent my life at his side. But that was a sacrifice I had to make to keep him safe.”
“I don’t understand that. What were you keeping him safe from?”
Victoria sighed, releasing Laney’s hand. “There were people after me. I managed to stay a step ahead of them for years, but they were getting close. I had to disappear to protect Henry. And those people are still looking for me.”
“The Council?”
“Not just them. I didn’t want Henry’s death on my hands as well and I also wanted him to have a real life. Not one in hiding. So I died. And Henry got to live a normal life.”
“But how can you be sure Henry’s abduction doesn’t have anything to do with you?”
“I am good at hiding. Very, very good. No one knows I’m alive. No one knows who I really am.”
Laney leaned back against the counter. 'No one know who I really am.' An interesting choice of words, but Laney let it pass. There were more critical questions at the moment. “How did you know Henry was in trouble?”<
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Victoria smiled. “I have a bug in Henry’s communications system. I had it added when Henry first set up the system. He doesn’t know it’s there. I was in D.C. when it alerted me to the search for Henry.”
“What were you doing in D.C.?”
“I had some business to attend to. And that’s all you get from me, Laney. It’s safer if you don’t know anything about me.”
Laney struggled with the questions plaguing her. “Aren’t you worried that the people looking for you will track you now that you’ve shown up here?”
Victoria glanced up, her voice filled with conviction. “It’s worth the risk. Henry’s worth any risk.”
CHAPTER 79
Laney buckled her seatbelt on the Gulfstream. Her head fell back as the pilot taxied down the runway.
Victoria had left just after Jake returned from his phone call. The warehouse checked out. Jake had Yoni recon it, but it looked like that would be their destination once they hit Vegas.
Once the plane leveled off, she glanced toward the back of the plane. Jake was on the phone, coordinating for the op. The plane was filled to capacity, every seat filled. Another, larger plane had taken off earlier with more personnel.
Victoria had promised to arrange to clear their way through the airport. Jake had planned on having them all stay in a nearby warehouse, but Victoria said she’d arrange lodging.
And Laney and Jake were both sure she would come through. She might be mysterious as hell, but it was also clear getting Henry back was her priority.
Laney rested her chin on her hand, staring out the window. The visit from Victoria still seemed unreal. Who the hell was she? If she was just some ‘normal’ human being, she wouldn’t have had to go into hiding for twenty years. Laney didn’t doubt how much Victoria loved Henry. Unless she was one heck of a good actress, those emotions were real. But was the rest? Was it possible Henry was the son of Enoch?