Angels of the Knights

by Valerie Zambito

  “Do what you think is right, Father. I will not judge you.”

  He nodded once more, and she swallowed back her scream as Father Tomas plunged the broken glass into the artery on his neck. Blood gushed from the wound as he sank down beside her.

  It took several agonizing moments for him to die. Unable to touch him or comfort him, Fallon continued to murmur words of prayer over his body until he drew his last breath.

  Almost immediately, the familiar black tunnel appeared in the room and a white light twinkled in the distance. This time, however, the light approached them through the tunnel, growing larger as it drew near.

  Fallon sobbed tears of joy as Father Tomas’ spirit lifted from the corpse on the ground and he was free at last. The wide smile on the priest’s face, in such contrast to the torment of moments before, spoke to the true miracle of death. Father Tomas beamed as he looked around the room in wonder that he had crossed over.

  A white-robed Sentinel appeared at the entrance of the tunnel, and Fallon noted with a smile that it was Josiah. Father Tomas was getting his own personal escort to Emperica and, as far as she was concerned, there was nobody better for the task.

  “Over here, Father! Quickly now!” Josiah shouted with the same enthusiasm Fallon remembered. “There are many people coming home today!”

  The Sentinel looked over at her with a cringe. “Oh, dear. I am so sorry, Knight, that I cannot help you. The affairs of earth are not something I can get involved in.”

  “I know. It’s okay, Josiah.”

  Josiah’s face softened. “Fallon?”

  “Yes. I am honored that you remembered,” she said with a slight bow of her head.

  The Sentinel smiled. “Of course I remember. I cannot do anything for you now, but I promise you this. I will be waiting for you when you return home.”

  “I will be looking forward to it.”

  Fallon watched Father Tomas glide toward the waiting guide. After a lifetime of devotional service, the euphoria on his face was contagious, and even the Sentinel could not help but laugh out loud.

  “Yes, it is a wonderful day for you, Father. I have been doing this for so long that sometimes I forget the pure ecstasy of the moment.” He gestured. “Come now. We will talk along the way. A special welcome is in store for you.”

  Father Tomas burst into tears, but looked back at Fallon one more time and whispered, “I’m sorry.” Then, he was gone. The tunnel disappeared behind him and she was alone.

  Fallon hung her head in fearful exhaustion. Although overjoyed for Father Tomas, she realized that she did not want to die tonight.

  She had always known that she would die again in service of the Knights, but because of Kade Royce, she only hoped that it would not be tonight.

  CHAPTER 17

  The Pawn

  Fallon did not die last night. The Kjin never returned that evening and she was left alone, hanging by her shackles with Father Tomas’ body next to her. Every once in awhile, she would fall into fitful sleep, but she would soon awaken from the pain and the nightmares.

  It had to be morning now although there were no windows to confirm her suspicion.

  She looked up when the door banged open and Anthony barged in.

  The young altar boy seemed so innocent to Fallon all those times she met him at the church, but with the pretense of goodness stripped away and his features screwed up in malice, he looked anything but.

  The focus of his hatred was not her, though. It was the body lying at her feet.

  “What a filthy coward!”

  She really did not want to speak to the boy, but refused to let this harborer of evil desecrate the Emissier’s memory. “Coward? Father Tomas was one of the bravest men I ever knew!”

  “Taking your own life is brave?” he scoffed.

  “Yes, when the alternative is to live as a Kjin.”

  “Kjin? What are you talking about?”

  So, he did not yet know that he was dealing with the supernatural. This kid had no idea what he had gotten himself into. What then was his motive?

  “Why do you hate Father Tomas so much, Anthony?”

  The boy glared at her as if the answer should have been obvious. “Why? Because he’s a child killer, that’s why. You saw the article I dropped at your feet, didn’t you?”

  Fallon knew there had to be more. Something personal.

  “And, you just took it upon yourself to seek justice for this child? After fifteen years?”

  He strode directly to where she was tethered and stared down at her with a sneer. “Don’t be stupid. I hate the priest for what he did to my brother.”

  “Your brother?”

  “Yeah, he witnessed with his own eyes Father Tomas murder that little girl, Lilly, and he was never the same again after that with all of the members of the church ganging up on him and calling him a liar. My parents had to send him away to a mental institution.” He kicked Father Tomas’ body. “This murderer killed two kids that day. A boy and a girl.”

  A boy and a girl. Suddenly, it dawned on her. “The kidnapped kids? It wasn’t Marc Ellis, it was you.”

  “Of course it was me! Haven’t you been listening to me? I had it all planned out to kidnap the kids and frame Father Tomas for it. I wasn’t going to let this jerk get away with what he did! As soon as he saw the lilies I left at the rectory, he should have known his days were numbered.” He stared at the body on the floor with venom in his eyes. “But, it looks like the coward got away with it anyway. He deserved to suffer for what he did.”

  Fallon could not believe that Father Tomas never saw how depraved this young man was. But, he fooled her, too.

  “Where is Marc now?” she asked him, wondering just how much time she had left.

  “Getting ready.”

  “For what?”

  “Are you that thick? Really?”

  Anthony began moving the few furniture items in the room against the walls, leaving the center clear.

  “How did you get involved with Marc Ellis?” If she was going to return to Emperica today, at least she would bring back as much information to Darius as she could. While the Elders were able to see some things in this world, they were not omnipresent. They could not see everything. And, this fight would continue long after Fallon returned home.

  He shrugged. “Somehow he found out I had a grudge with the priest and offered to help me with my plans to kidnap the kids and hide them.” He shrugged. “He said he was trying to lure someone here, and the crimes had to be pretty major. He also said Father Tomas was on to him. Whatever that meant.”

  “What did he promise you?” Fallon asked, remembering Marc Ellis’ comment that it was easy to sway humans to his side.

  “Money.”

  “That’s all?”

  “What else is there?”

  “You would give up your soul for a little bit of cash?”

  “What are you some kind of born-again Christian? It’s a no-brainer. Marc is going to pay me some serious cash to do things for him. Easy stuff at first, like bringing Father Tomas here, but later he said I’ll get to do more.”

  “Your soul is worth more than that.”

  “Why did you keep talking about my soul? Jeez.”

  “Because any minute now, one of Marc’s friends is going to come in here and take it. He is going to come in here and forcefully take possession of your body by unleashing a demon spirit into you. After the possession is complete, your soul will be locked away in tormented witness to all the acts you will commit beyond your control.”

  Anthony backed away from her with his hands in the air. “Whoa! Those drugs must have really messed you up.”

  “No, it’s the truth.”

  “Even if what you’re talking about wasn’t a made-up fairytale, Marc wouldn’t betray me to anybody.”

  “Marc Ellis is a demon, Anthony. Tell me. How many of his friends have gathered here?”

  “I think there’s ten of them.”

  “And, one is sick w
ith disease. He will seek out your body and for years and years, you will be nothing but a mute passenger to the rest of your life. Then, when, your body finally dies, your soul will be sent to the fiery hell of Mordeaux.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous…”

  “You had eternal life in heaven!” she exploded. “And, you threw it all way for some cash. The sad thing is, you aren’t even going to get a chance to spend it. You’re going to die here today, just like I am.”

  “I don’t believe you. Plus, why should I care about trying to get into heaven. Everybody knows it doesn’t really exist. It’s just a made up place to get everybody to stay in line.”

  “It does exist, Anthony. I promise you that.”

  “I knew it! You are a born-again Christian!”

  “No. I’m an angel.”

  “Oh, I’ve heard it all now! Angels and demons?” His threw his head back and laughed, but it was cut off abruptly when the door opened and Marc Ellis walked in with another man a bit older and with a sickly, yellow pallor.

  “Marc! I’m glad you’re here. You wouldn’t believe the stuff this girl is saying.”

  “What would that be, Anthony?”

  “She actually wants me to believe that she is an angel and you’re a demon. And, get this. You’re going to try and steal my body.” He walked over to Marc and patted him on the shoulder with a grin.

  Marc appeared to be thinking about it and then nodded. “That pretty much sums it up.”

  The grin faded from the boy’s face. “Cut it out, Marc. This is not funny.”

  “Humor is the farthest thing from my mind at the moment, Anthony.”

  “So, you want me to believe that you were just using me to bring Father Tomas here and now you’re going to give my…my body to one of your friends? Come on! What’s going on here?”

  “I was actually going to take your body for myself, but Brent here needs it more than I do. Besides, I have another picked out for me.” He looked skyward. “I always did love a hero’s welcome.”

  Fallon screamed at him in fury.

  Anthony backed away in horror. “No! Get away from me!”

  Fallon closed her eyes, not wanting to witness what was about to happen. But, when Anthony sprinted to her and collapsed beside her on the floor, she opened them again.

  “Save me!”

  “I wish I could,” she whispered. She knew it was useless but tried anyway. “Marc, let him go. He’s just a boy.”

  Marc ignored her plea as Brent advanced toward them. When Anthony realized she could provide no assistance, he got up and ran. More agile than she thought possible, the old man tackled Anthony around the waist and brought him to the floor.

  “No!” The bloodcurdling cry felt like a physical blow to Fallon’s heart.

  “Marc, hold him for me!” Brent demanded.

  Marc Ellis walked over to the struggling duo and lifted Anthony from the ground and held him still by his elbows.

  “Stop! Please! I want to live.” The last words were a murmured whimper.

  Brent put both of his hands on either side of Anthony’s face, hovered his mouth over the boy’s mouth and inhaled deeply. A human would not be able to see what was happening, but Fallon saw every grotesque detail.

  At first, nothing happened, but then a stream of white mist flowed from Anthony’s mouth into Brent’s. The boy’s eyes bulged, but the rest of his body went rigid, paralyzed now in the sorcerous grip of an ancient dark magic that once started, could not be broken.

  As Anthony’s soul surged out of his body, Fallon thought of this happening to Kade and she turned to the side and retched.

  “I have it,” Brent said hoarsely and Fallon could not help herself. She looked back up.

  With a violent cough, Brent breathed the now black vapor back into Anthony’s body. The sinister torrent seemed to flood endlessly into the young boy, and when the last sinuous tendril finally disappeared into his mouth, both bodies collapsed to the ground.

  A moment later, the body of Anthony stood, but not a trace of the boy remained.

  “Much better,” Brent said through Anthony’s mouth.

  “Oh, to be sixteen again,” Marc laughed.

  Fallon felt sick again. “I have had enough of your disgusting evil,” she told him. “Get your ten in here and get on with this. I don’t want to be in your presence another second longer!”

  “My thoughts exactly. But, you will have to wait until this evening. For what we have planned for you, darkness is best.”

  CHAPTER 18

  The Devil

  One by one, the Kjin blackcoats entered the room, and Fallon watched them come with resigned acceptance. They looked remarkably normal. Fathers, grandfathers, young men, and even a soldier in his military uniform.

  With ordered efficiency, they removed the two bodies lying on the floor and formed a circle in the center of the room.

  Fallon bowed her head to pray and almost instantly, she felt a sense of peace flow through her mind and body. When at last she lifted her eyes to her ten executioners, she found that she was no longer afraid. The ache in her arms, the hunger and thirst, and even the weariness seemed lessened.

  Marc Ellis approached and stood before her. “Fallon Angell, Knight of Emperica, the all mighty Tyras, King of Mordeaux, has declared you an enemy of the Kjin. In his wisdom, he has ordered the Ha’Basin to expel you from this world to snivel at the feet of your master for all time.”

  She smiled. “Can’t wait.”

  He pulled his glasses from his face and began to clean them with the hem of his shirt. “I don’t think you would be so excited, my dear, if you knew the truth.”

  “What would you know about truth, Kjin?”

  “I know the truth of this because I experienced it firsthand when I came to earth. Let me just say that the Ha’Basin is not pleasant.”

  “No?” she asked with feigned disinterest.

  He leaned down close to her and she could feel his breath on her face. “As soon as you pass through the eye of the magic, the first thing you will feel is a scorching burn. It will progressively grow worse until your skin begins to bubble like molten lava. After that, all of the bones in your body will feel like they are breaking. One by one. And, finally, just before you meet your Creator for the second time, your brain will explode with the pain of a hundred needles plunging into your temples.” He straightened and put his glasses back on his face. “Of course, the pain will fall away as soon as you enter Emperica, but until that time, you will wish I had sent you to Mordeaux instead.”

  Fallon gave him an icy glare. “Never.”

  Marc simply shrugged. “I’ll never know in any case. Goodbye, my dear.” He turned back to the other Kjin in the room. “Let us begin the ritual.” Taking his place in the circle, he lifted his arms and his voice filled the room. “Mighty Tyras! Your faithful have come together to carry out the Ha’Basin. With this power you grant to us, we will cast your adversary, the Knight, Fallon Angell, back to Emperica!”

  Fallon could only look on helplessly as in unison the other Kjin joined Marc Ellis in their dark chant. “With souls forged from the fires beyond, darkness and chaos seal our bond. Oh, King Tyras, show us your might, sever the life of this enemy Knight.”

  All of a sudden, Marc Ellis cut off the chant and his hands flew to his throat as a gurgling sound erupted from his mouth. His eyes widened in terror as his body began convulsing in spasms so violent that Fallon was surprised he could remain on his feet. Several of the other Kjin cried out and shrank back from their trembling leader.

  It seemed she was not the only one shocked by what was happening.

  Marc Ellis’ eyes rolled up into his head until only the whites were showing, and then he stopped moving and the room went silent.

  Fallon felt a cold shiver run up her spine.

  After another powerful shudder raked his entire body, Marc’s mouth opened abnormally wide, and a guttural, sinister laugh echoed throughout the room.

  Fallon
cringed. The countenance on Marc Ellis’ face was evil personified.

  It was the devil.

  “My faithful,” purred the voice that now emanated from Marc, and the rest of the Kjin immediately dropped to their knees in submission.

  Fallon heard their scared whispers.

  “Tyras!”

  “How can that be? It’s Tyras.”

  The voice spoke again, silencing the room. “You have done well, my faithful, and you will be rewarded for your efforts when you join me in Mordeaux. Until then, we have much work to do.” The white eyes turned toward Fallon and it took every bit of strength she possessed not to cower from him.

  He began walking to her haltingly with stilted, unnatural steps. It seemed the devil had control not only of Marc Ellis’ mind, but his body as well. Fallon wondered how it was possible that was able to exert that much power here on earth. His seal should have prevented this from happening.

  “Fallon Angell.” The sibilant sound of her name on the tongue of the devil enraged her, but she found that she could not turn her head away from him. Somehow, he was holding her fast in his invisible, wicked grasp. “My words to you will be brief by necessity. While the seal to Mordeaux is weakening, it confines me still. You are here today at this Ha’Basin so you can relay a message back to your Creator.”

  She wanted to scream at him, kick out at his whiteeyed gaze, but she could do neither, paralyzed by the curse of his presence.

  “You will tell him that Tyras has declared war on Emperica! For thousands of years, the Knights of Emperica have hunted the Kjin, but from this day forward, the Kjin will hunt the Knights! Our powers are growing. A portal is opening. Earth will soon be mine, Fallon Angell! Tell your Creator that earth is mine!”

  Marc Ellis’ body fell to the ground in a heap, and Fallon let out a gasp as the unseen bond that held her disappeared and she could breathe normally again.

  The Anthony Kjin walked over and helped his disoriented leader back to his feet. “I didn’t know that Tyras could enter this world,” he commented with a slight tremor in his voice.