“Artemis, you should be careful,” Danielle said as she moved to take a step closer to the little girl, although another look at the large animal stopped her in her tracks.
“Oh, I’m fine. They’re just playing. Help me take off their collars.”
“What?” Danielle retreated from the animals. “No! Why would we do that? That’s a terrible idea.”
Alan’s face split in a smile as he ruffled his beast’s face with both hands. “Ahhh, come on, Danielle, look at these guys. They’re as harmless as puppies.”
“Yeah, really big monster puppies that could eat us in the matter of minutes. No, thank you. I’m going to cross my name off their menu today.”
Alan reached up to grab the beast’s collar to see if he could unlatch the chain from its neck.
“Alan, if you unhook that thing and it bites you, I’m not healing you.”
“Fair enough,” Alan said as his fingers made contact with the chain-linked collar.
As soon as Alan’s hand wrapped around the chain, with a clank, the harness fell from the creature’s thick, muscled neck.
Alan took a step back as the dog/wolf/sabertooth shook himself, did a happy circle, then returned to Alan’s side and nuzzled against him so hard, Alan almost lost his balance.
Danielle’s head peeked around the edge of the door frame. “You guys are crazy.”
---
Gideon arrived at the Temple entrance, expecting a warm welcome. the four crates he carried his equipment in balanced neatly in a single, long stack. Unfortunately, this made traveling difficult, since he was forced to crane his neck around the boxes to see where he was going. But he made the journey to the Temple from Lower Heaven without a misstep.
Sure, he could have asked a detachment of angels to accompany him, but with Gabriel on the loose, they were needed for more important tasks than helping him transport his belongings.
Gideon touched down in the remains of the old Temple just as the stars were beginning to dance across the dark sky. He wasn’t sure what to expect. Once the Temple entrance was opened, it remained as such, hidden to any beings of human descent, minus the chosen Nephilim, and guarded against the Fallen by Artemis herself. Gideon wasn’t surprised to see the mouth of the Temple had been left open, leading deep into the earth.
He took a look at the height of the tunnel opening, then at the stack of boxes he was carrying, and gave a shake of his head.
The inventor placed three boxes just inside the entrance to the Temple, content they’d be safe from the hands of the Fallen if any were lurking about. Then, with a smile, he traveled down the steps, a single crate in his hands.
Gideon couldn’t remember the last time he felt so excited. Maybe it was his last breakthrough, when he’d stumbled upon the answer to making the repressive collars. But other contenders weighed in their worth—watching the earth dry after the flood, witnessing the construction of the Tower of Babel (although that particular undertaking went poorly for its builders), or maybe the invention of fire. That was a huge accomplishment for mankind, even if they couldn’t claim credit themselves, as Gabriel had secretly left it for them. Gideon decided this visit to the famous Temple could possibly be the most excited he ever felt.
The stairs went down ever deeper until they finally leveled off into a small room opening into an even larger chamber. Gideon stood in awe at the Temple’s beauty.
What sounded like paws running on the stone floor pulled Gideon’s attention away from the wonder of the Temple, into a large hall leading to a fountain.
Laughing shouts followed the running paws, though the voices were none that Gideon recognized. As the sounds grew closer, Gideon set down his crate of equipment and prepared to meet the inhabitants of the Temple, as well as Artemis herself. He smoothed down his white robe, made sure his hair was pushed to the side of his forehead, and stood straight with a welcoming smile.
Three large, wolf-like creatures ran, full-sprint, toward him. At first, he didn’t recognize what he was looking at. But as the three animals caught up to one another and ran side-by-side down the hall, Gideon knew what he was seeing.
Someone had already freed the steeds of the Horseman of War. Gideon flinched as he thought about the animals’ spotty history, though. They served whichever Horseman of War was chosen for that particular thousand year cycle. As the obedient steed of that Horseman, they followed his instructions, whether their orders were for the Light or for the Dark.
As the animals closed in, Gideon knew he needed to decide whether to run or to stay to see if they were friendly. Since they were in Artemis’ Temple and she protected the location from the Darkness, Gideon took a gamble and stood his ground.
And as the three beasts crashed over Gideon, a male voice from somewhere behind the animals yelled out, “It’s okay, it’s okay! They won’t bite. They just want to run. They’ve been cooped up for so long.”
These words were confirmed as Gideon was smothered by huge bodies rubbing against him, the slick, sticky feeling of saliva covering him as the white wolf licked him like he were candy-flavored.
---
Alan ran toward the front of the Temple, following the animals he’d freed. It’d been a risk to release them, yet somehow Alan knew they weren’t a threat to anyone’s safety. Their eyes told him as much—the way they looked to him for affirmation; the feeling they gave him, as though he should instinctively know who they were.
Alan had just released the last animal, the grey one with a serious face and somber demeanor. Funny how being around the three animals for only minutes had already told Alan something about their disposition—the white creature was playful and freely gave out licks; the black coated beast was more comical, with his eye winks and paw high-fives; and the grey one was different, wiser somehow, though far from menacing, and he did show a tinge of wisdom laced with refrain as he judged the situation. Still too early for him to start being playful with people he hardly knew.
Alan was debating whether he should pet the grey animal’s head, when Artemis had looked toward the entrance of their current room with a large smile. “He’s here,” she said to no one in particular. “Let’s go help him with his stuff.”
Without another word, Artemis dashed out of the room. The three dog-like creatures looked at one another, then ran after her. Danielle gave a muffled squeal from her safe spot at the edge of the doorway, her space soon compromised as the animals hurried past her after Artemis.
Alan gave Danielle a playful nudge as he followed the convoy of paws and feet. Mimicking Artemis’ voice, Alan teased her, “Come on, he’s here. We’ve got to go help him.”
Alan slowed his speed for Danielle to keep up, and they followed the animals and Artemis, maneuvering their way back through the Temple toward the entrance.
They entered the main hall just in time to see the three animals collide with an older-looking man wearing a white cloak. Alan shouted out a warning, but wasn’t sure if his voice would carry over the sound of thudding paws on the stone floor.
“Well someone seems to have loosed the dogs of war early,” the man said with a smile. As Alan and Danielle caught up with Artemis, the man was extending a hand and introducing himself to the young girl. “It is such a pleasure to finally meet you and this version of you. I mean, we’ve talked in my head, but it’s still different to see you with my own two eyes.”
Artemis shook the man’s hand as if they were old friends. “It’s nice to meet you, too, Gideon. You did a good job freeing Ardat. You saved all their lives. Gabriel would have killed them if you hadn’t acted.”
Alan was surprised to see the elderly angel blush as he accepted Artemis’ words of praise. “Oh, well, that’s what I’m here for: to help in any way I can.”
Artemis beamed. “I want to introduce you to Alan and Danielle.” She shifted her stance to her friends as she made the introductions. “Alan, Danielle, this is Gideon. He’s a great inventor. His gifts help him in creating inventions and other cool things.�
�
Just as Alan thought the angel couldn’t get any redder, he was proven wrong as Gideon’s blush deepened. Alan shook Gideon’s hand. “It’s great to have you here. Thanks for coming.”
Gideon gave a few quick nods and mumbled a greeting as he shook Danielle’s hand, as well.
“Great, well, do you need help?” Artemis asked, looking at the single crate Gideon had carried down by himself. The three dogs were busy sniffing across the inventor’s box, the red carpets, and whatever else they could press their gigantic noses to.
“Oh, yes,” Gideon said with a smile. His blush was starting to fade to a creamy hue. “That would be very helpful. There are three other crates at the top of the stairs, if you don’t mind.”
“Great,” Alan said as he moved toward the stairwell. “I’ll get them.”
Danielle and Artemis moved to lift the crate that rested on the floor. As the two heaved, Danielle let out a grunt. “Wow, what’s in here? This doesn’t feel like clothes to me.”
Gideon’s mouth dropped open, before he shook his head with an exasperated sigh. “Clothes … I knew I was forgetting something.”
Chapter Eighty-Six
“What’s inside all of these boxes?” Alan asked as he placed the last crate onto the floor of the room Artemis had offered Gideon. The other two were gone now—Artemis, to tell everyone about Gideon’s arrival, as well as to not be frightened about the three dogs running free in the Temple; and Danielle to check in on Angelica and Seraphim. Still no word from Michael, but Alan had a feeling news and a plan would be coming soon.
“I brought everything I’d need from my workshop,” Gideon said chewing his lower lip. “Everything I’d need, except for clothes, apparently. Artemis said to prepare for a long stay at the Temple. I was so excited to be invited, I’d forgotten some of the essentials.”
“I know what you mean,” Alan said, looking down at his own dirty clothes. “If we’re going to stay here much longer, we’re going to need to go shopping, or at the very least, wash our clothes.”
“Do you think they have washing machines and dryers here?” Gideon asked.
Alan raised his eyebrows. “You guys use those, too?”
The angel nodded. “We have to. Supernatural beings or not, we still get our clothes dirty.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. I never thought about it that way.”
Gideon grinned as he began unloading his equipment. “You’re not what I expected, Alan Price. I like you.”
Alan chuckled at the eccentric inventor’s straightforward manner. “What do you mean?”
Metal collars, welding equipment, and other tools Alan didn’t recognize were placed onto Gideon’s bed as he unpacked his workshop. “Oh, you know … Well, no, I guess you wouldn’t know. In the past, the Horsemen who’ve been chosen as War are always brooding, depressed, even angry. You don’t strike me as any of the above.”
“Well, had you met me a few months ago, even a few weeks ago, you wouldn’t have been far from a correct guess.”
“Really?” Gideon paused, turning to give Alan his full attention. “What changed?”
The simple question made Alan pause as he thought back to the events over the past few days. He was still the same person, still the same Alan Price. So what was different?
“I don’t know. I guess there have been answers to my questions, and now other people are relying on me. I suppose it’s easier to be strong for them, than it is to be strong for just myself.”
Alan considered the implications of his words. Events were moving forward at such a frantic pace, he didn’t really have any time to think about his lack of anger or his depression. Plus, he was reminded of Seraphim’s selfless act to ensure his safety. “Other people are sacrificing for me in a way I’ve never known before,” he added.
Alan raised his eyes to catch Gideon nodding. “You are different, Alan, and I mean that in the best kind of way. Hold on to your words. Things will get worse before they get better. Remind yourself of your friends who’ll sacrifice for you, and how much they need you, as well. Thoughts like these will see you through the darkest of times.”
Alan’s respect for the inventor grew. At first, Gideon seemed like a simple yet brilliant designer. Now, after a few minutes of talking with him, Alan realized there was a deeper level of wisdom to the angel.
“Gideon?”
“Yes?”
“You referred to those wolf creatures as they ran toward you. What did you call them?”
Gideon gave Alan a sly grin. “Oh, Artemis didn’t tell you?”
“She couldn’t remember. What are they? Why were they chained in the Temple?”
“Those are your dogs of war, Alan. The Four Horsemen wouldn’t be horsemen at all, if they didn’t have steeds to ride into battle.”
Alan knew he should be picking up the pieces of information Gideon now laid out for him, but he was having trouble seeing the entire picture. “You’re saying each Horseman has a creature to ride into battle?”
Gideon’s eyes sparkled as he nodded. “Why, yes, Alan, of course. The three dogs—and I only call them that because that’s the creature they most resemble—are named Sir, Burgh, and Uhs.”
The slow way Gideon had said the name of each dog told Alan the angelic inventor was waiting for him to put the pieces together. Greek mythology was one of Alan’s favorite things to study both in and outside of school. His high school history class had only just touched on the subject, but Alan had devoted countless hours to studying the Greek myths on his own. A wave of knowledge crashed over him, reminding him of the mythical creature, Cerberus, who guarded the underworld.
“You’re not saying those three animals are Cerberus, are you? Can you?” Alan reeled with the new information. “Can they be?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. They aren’t exactly a three-headed dog. History was, shall we say, manipulated to hide the truth. After all, a three-headed dog creature is easier to discredit than an ancient ancestor of the canine gene pool.”
Alan’s head was starting to hurt with all of the knowledge the Temple held, all of the history shrouded from humanity. “This is just getting crazier and crazier.”
“You have no idea,” Gideon said, and he returned to unpacking his tools. He opened a crate and pulled out large, dark pieces of sheet metal. “For example, I can manipulate this metal into almost anything I need. It’s practically indestructible, and as light as a feather. It’s what I’ve been using to fabricate the collars responsible for obstructing paranormal talents.”
“Hey, guys?” Danielle’s voice interrupted. She was wearing a vexed expression, hands on her hips, standing in the doorway. “I think I’m going to need your help. Seraphim is refusing to stay in and rest. She says she needs some air, but I told her going outside of the Temple is the last thing she should be doing in her state.”
Alan waved off Gideon, motioning him back to his work. “Don’t worry. I’ll go talk to her.”
---
Alan couldn’t imagine what the Death Angel was going through, so he wasn’t even going to try. As he raced up the Temple stairs, he instead tried to piece together something to say. Seraphim was one of the strongest people he knew. Would she even let anyone be there for her in her time of need? Alan would have to wait to find out as he reached the last step, where he stood in the sharp setting light of the sun’s final rays.
Despite the hour and that the sun was yielding its power to the moon, a bright ray caught him off guard. Squinting past the sun, Alan found himself amidst an army of humans.
Visitors to the Temple’s remains still strolled about, snapping pictures and selfies in every direction. Alan froze for a split second before he remembered they couldn’t see him—one of the many supernatural laws shared with him, along with three horse-sized dogs named Sir, Burgh, and Uhs.
It was both exciting and daunting, thinking of all the secrets the Temple held and the supernatural world he was still only beginning to understand.
People walked everywhere over the worn stones of the once-mighty Temple. They weren’t faded like ghosts or dulled like mirages. In fact, their sharp colors and unique features were as clear, or even clearer, than before.
Alan wondered what would happen if he ran into one. Would he hit them, or pass through them?
His blue eyes were fixed on an overweight, bushy-mustached man cleaning his glasses before he pushed that thought out of his mind. He was there to find the woman who’d saved his life. Other things would have to wait.
With one hand shading his line of vision, Alan searched between the crumbling stone pillars. At first, there was nothing, and then one black wing along with only half of Seraphim’s body. Her still nearly whole left wing extended from behind a pillar.
Alan walked to the pillar, making sure that each step landed with an audible strike, warning her of his presence. As he got closer, Seraphim folded her wings into her back. Her red hair was down, still shielding the scar on her face. Alan caught the briefest glimmer of tears down the fair skin of her cheeks before she turned her head and brushed them away with a quick stroke of her hand.
“What do you want?” No tremble in her voice, no hint she was finally showing any kind of emotion other than anger.
“I—” Alan still hadn’t come up with what he wanted to say. “Danielle told me you came up on your own. I just want to make sure—”
“You wanted to make sure I was okay, because I’m weak now.”
“You make it sound like a bad thing. I’m just here to see how you are.”
“Why does everyone keep asking me that? I’m not a child.” Seraphim turned to him and brushed back her hair, revealing her scar. At the same time she extended both wings, showing him just how ruined her right appendage really was. “This is how I am. I’m disfigured, and I’ll never fly again. I’m dealing with it. I don’t need anyone’s pity. You don’t owe me anything. You can leave.”
The Complete Archangel Wars Series: A Shared Universe Series (The Archangel Wars) Page 34