Sweet Reckoning

by Higgins, Wendy

  I felt Rahab pressing into my mind, and though I fought it, he was too strong. A chilling sense of evil filled me as his words rang out in my head. How does it feel to know you’ll be burning in hell this very night as we bask in your suffering? You chose wrong when you chose against the stronger force.

  I remembered the peace of my mother, Mariantha, and her words of love.

  You’re wrong about the stronger force, I silently said to him. Now, get out of my head! With huge effort I pushed my mind, like moving a brick wall, and I forced him out. His demonic eyes bore into mine, shocked that I was able to extract him. He pulled his soul completely back into his body. Pharzuph was clutching painfully hard around my throat. I grabbed his forearms, trying to pry him away or at least loosen his hold before I suffocated, but he didn’t budge.

  “Your feistiness was endearing at first, but it’s starting to wear thin,” Pharzuph said.

  “Her mind and will are strong,” said Rahab, “but there are ways to disable any person. Everyone has a weakness . . . something that makes them question their Maker.”

  I didn’t like the way he was looking at me. Like he had some knowledge or secret that could “disable” me.

  “Excuse me, Duke Rahab,” called Marek from the doorway.

  All heads spun to him.

  “I apologize for the interruption, but I believe Duke Belial approaches.”

  Just then a loud knock sounded. The faces of the Dukes hardened, and my heart soared high above the summit.

  “By all means,” Rahab said. “Let him in.”

  The door was quickly opened, letting in a wash of sounds from the club, then closed and locked again as my father strode in wearing a navy blue pin-striped suit. His hair was neatly cut and he looked amazing. At his side was Zania in designer jeans and heels. She crossed her arms and glared at the Dukes. Her father, Sonellion, let out a growl.

  “Now you just hurt my feelings,” Dad said in that gloriously deep voice. “I didn’t even get an invitation.”

  “Traitor!” Sonellion yelled. He looked poised to strangle my father, but neither he nor any of the other Dukes made a move to seize him. “You were behind all of this! You stole my daughter!”

  Dad laughed at the ridiculousness of that.

  “You came here to mock us?” Pharzuph demanded, and in his preoccupation with my father, I felt his hold on me loosen. My lungs filled with air, and a surge of energy accompanied the oxygen.

  “I ain’t here to mock you,” my father said. “We got a lot to talk about. ’Cause I know I’m not the only one in this room who knew after the Fall we’d been used like a bunch of fools. Lucifer’s the one who did us wrong—”

  “How dare you!” Rahab said.

  Sonellion reached into his jacket for a gun and my dad pointed at him. “I don’t think you best do that, my man. You see my son-in-law over there?” He nodded toward Kai. “That’s right. He got a damn good aim with that knife, as y’all have seen. And it’s a straight shot to the back of your big ol’ head.”

  Red eyes galore.

  Dad went on like he hadn’t been interrupted. “We served hell all this time out of fear, or maybe our own greed, and it didn’t look like there was no option of anything better. But there is. Y’all know we can’t stay on earth forever. But we don’t have to go back down there either. I don’t know about you, but I’m making the right choice this time.”

  The Dukes showed their frustration and anger as they tried to speak over one another. They didn’t know what to believe. The Neph stood in silence, sidling closer together, farther from the Dukes. Kai had moved forward, getting closer and sizing up the scene. Rahab was shouting, trying to regain control. Pharzuph let go of me with one hand, and I gasped for air through my sore throat. He grasped me only by a wrist now as he stepped toward the mob to better be heard. Fierce arguing ensued, and eyes were bloodred in every direction. Kaidan caught my eye, then looked toward where Pharzuph held me. I could see the gears working in his mind as he tried to figure out how to free me.

  I barely heard my name being called from the other side of the room in a familiar European lilt. When I turned toward Marek’s voice, his hand was behind his back, and then a blur of glimmering metal was soaring into the air. Pharzuph turned at the sight of it, but he was too late. I snatched the hilt from the air with my free hand and felt a jolt go up my arm. Marek winked at me, and I smiled, more grateful than I’d ever been in my life. Kaidan moved into the circle at my side.

  Blinding light shot from the end of the hilt and expanded to reveal a shimmering blade. It was huge, yet virtually weightless. Pharzuph leaped away from me, and rushed to his fellow Dukes. The entire room turned toward the shocking light, and the demons hissed at the memories it invoked. More than six hundred dark spirits stirred in agitated fright above us.

  The twins, Blake, Kopano and his brothers, Marek, Zania, and my father all joined the circle now. I grasped the hilt with both hands.

  “You have thoroughly betrayed me.” Pharzuph was incredulous as he looked at his son.

  “We don’t have to be divided,” Kaidan said. “You were an angel of light once—”

  “I will not return under these conditions to be the laughingstock of the heavenly realm!”

  “Pride was Lucifer’s downfall, too,” my father said.

  A handful of Dukes hissed at him, showing their bright red eyes. As scary as they were, I was happy that the spotlight was off Kaidan.

  “I tried to warn you all about the Nephilim,” Rahab said to the Dukes, though his eyes were on me. “They are the worst kind of beasts, willing to bite the very hands that feed them.”

  “We’re not beasts,” I said. “And we’re tired of being fed lies. We don’t belong to you.”

  While we spoke, my father, Zania, and Marek pulled out weapons and passed them down the row of Neph—several guns and knives, which were now aimed at the Dukes, who only had eyes for the Sword of Righteousness. They wouldn’t go near its glowing blade, but I could see the ideas spinning through their evil eyes about how to take me down.

  “You’ve underestimated us,” Kaidan said, looking at his father.

  Astaroth muttered something about a bloody uprising and spat on the floor.

  Rahab stepped toward us, and I jutted the sword out in response.

  “Now, hold on just a minute,” he said, raising his palms. “That is no mere toy, child. Surely you are not prepared to commit murder here tonight?”

  “That’s not my intention, but I will if you make me. All I want is for everyone to listen.” I spoke as calmly as I could manage. I looked around at the watching Dukes and up at the circling black cloud of spirits above. “You have all been deceived. Again. You don’t have time to think it over. You have to make a decision tonight—”

  “Will we stand here,” interrupted Rahab, with boiling red eyes, “and allow this Nephilim to attempt to separate the ranks of our valiant leader?” His voice cracked with emotion. “Will we tremble in the presence of a solitary flaming sword wielded by a child?”

  More tumultuous shouts sounded.

  “Let’s kill her!” bellowed Thamuz, rushing forward.

  “Let her speak!” Jezebet pushed Thamuz back, stronger than she appeared.

  “It’s blasphemy!” someone cried.

  “But what if it’s true?” asked Melchom.

  “I propose a test,” Rahab said. The room hushed. “She would only be sent to do a task of this magnitude if she were of flawless faith. If we can get her doubts to surface, then she will lose the power of the sword.”

  Doubts? I didn’t like the sound of this.

  “How do you propose to test her faith?” Jezebet asked.

  “I came prepared.” Rahab grinned, and a shiver raced through me. He gave some sort of signal with his arm, and two Neph men entered from a back stairway with the bang of a metal door. The two Neph were holding someone between them. I nearly convulsed when I recognized the pinkish skin and wavy strawberry-blond hair. Her mo
uth was gagged, but her nurturing eyes stabbed at my gut.

  “Mom!”

  At the sound of my voice, love ballooned out from her aura, and when it burst, it was replaced by the lavender of peace. Not her, I begged, please not her!

  The irony was not lost on me that the first time I called her mom could be the last time we’d ever see each other.

  Dad’s eyes grew in dread and surprise.

  Ginger’s hand flew to her mouth to cover a strangled cry.

  “Where’s Jay?” Marna whispered, frantic. I looked around, but Jay definitely hadn’t been brought in.

  I adjusted the hilt in my hand, trying desperately to think of a way to get her out of this. Let her go, I willed to Rahab. His eyes tightened, and he turned.

  “Is that you sending a thought into my mind? That may work on these worthless Nephilim toss-outs, but not me.” His eyes shone at the unfolding of his evil plot. “Some humans are not afraid of death or suffering for themselves,” he said. “But when those same people are forced to watch their loved ones suffer and die, well . . . their faith wavers. Even disappears. I wonder? Are you one of those, Anna? Will you become bitter and angry as you watch us kill this woman? When your glorious savior doesn’t save her?”

  I wanted to scream, to cry. Not Patti! I didn’t want this test. I silently begged for an army of angels to burst in like they’d done before. This atrocity couldn’t be allowed to happen! She didn’t deserve this. It wasn’t fair.

  I felt Kaidan beside me, raising an arm ever so slightly, at the ready.

  No angels were coming. I felt panic welling. I needed to pass this. My faith was my shield. Their torture of Patti would be their flaming arrows at me.

  I would have preferred actual arrows to this.

  “You’re not allowed to kill humans,” I stammered in a last-ditch effort. As far as I knew, it was their only “rule.”

  “My dear, this is war!” Rahab laughed at me. “Normal rules no longer apply.”

  “Be strong, Anna,” my father urged.

  “Oh, shut up, Belial.” Rahab cursed in French then nodded toward Thamuz. “You may do the honors.”

  Thamuz’s black badge grew as he knelt down by the body of Mammon and pulled the knife from his eye. Oh crap. My allies stirred around me with apprehension, but I couldn’t look away. Thamuz stalked toward Patti and grinned as he swiped her from temple to chin with the blade. I screamed in horror. She let out a small cry and slumped forward as blood seeped from her face, down her neck. Her guardian angel circled her in desperation.

  “Stop it!” I screamed, shaking my head side to side. “No more!”

  And then I noticed with amazement that her color never wavered. She was still at peace, so filled with love for me. My gut ached at Patti’s willingness to sacrifice herself. As I looked at the lavender surrounding her, I knew Patti wouldn’t have me choose any other way, but I hated it. I hated myself for not being able to save her.

  “Pray for it to be stopped,” Rahab teased. “See if it happens.”

  “Please, God,” I begged. “Please, make it stop. Save her! Please.”

  The room stilled. I watched the walls, the ceiling. Nobody was coming. My hope fizzled and I felt the beginnings of anger, frustration, and doubt creeping in. For one second the hilt dimmed. When Rahab smiled, I realized his plan was working.

  He was baiting me to lose faith through an unanswered prayer. Patti would not be saved. I had to come to terms with that, and quickly. She was perfect in my eyes, but in the scheme of the world she was one woman. A woman who’d lived a good life and would be revered by all who’d known her. If this was her time to go, I had to find peace with that in order to preserve my faith. I had to believe there was a bigger reason for it all.

  Inhale. Exhale. I smacked away horrid feelings of bitterness and unfairness and loss as they hurled themselves at my heart, threatening to break me.

  It took every bit of my energy to speak. “You can see she’s not afraid to die.” I swallowed hard, trying not to cry. “And I am not afraid for her. I know where her soul will go.”

  “Well then.” Rahab’s eyes were maniacal. “Let’s send her there now! First-class!”

  Ginger shrieked, “Nooo!” She tried to rush forward, but Blake grabbed her tightly around the waist.

  “Don’t watch,” Kaidan warned me, touching my face to try and turn my head to him, but I couldn’t look away. Thamuz stabbed her brutally in the stomach once, twice, three times. Oh God, I begged, make it stop! Take her quickly! I bent slightly at the waist and felt my stomach contracting in a heave, but I forced myself to stand straight again. Kaidan’s arm went around me, holding me. I tried to focus on the freedom Patti would soon have, free of pain and tears. Fighting the urge to dive into a pit of angry vengeance at that moment was the hardest thing I’d ever done.

  “Bastards,” Kaidan whispered in anguish.

  Thamuz lifted the knife again, and I’d had enough. She would die soon from the wounds he’d already inflicted, and anything more was superfluous cruelty.

  “Stop him, Kai,” I begged, which was exactly what he’d been waiting to hear.

  In half a second Kaidan’s knife was through the back of Thamuz’s neck, and his soul was frantically retreating from the body with a screech. His evil spirit sped toward me, and I sliced the flaming blade through the air. He was gone in a bang of black particles.

  “Papa!” hollered one of his sons. I looked at the two of them, both baring their teeth.

  “Do not avenge your father,” I willed to them out loud. “His ways don’t have to be yours.” They stopped, panting with emotion.

  I addressed all of the Nephilim then, before the Dukes tried to retaliate. I knew several of them probably had guns, but none of them tried to reach for their weapons, knowing they were outnumbered and afraid of being turned on. The eyes of the Dukes followed my movements as I pointed the sword at them in turn and spoke to the Neph.

  “For the first time ever, you all have a choice,” I told them. “You can move to the side, or you can join us and fight against the Dukes. But no matter what you choose, your fathers will leave this earth tonight, and you will be free from them. Make your choice now.”

  A frenzy of whispers rose up. Nearly half of the Neph ran for the side of the room, circling around the back of us, out of the reach of the Dukes. I couldn’t blame them for wanting to stay out of it, and I was glad to see the youngest among them, dragged by one of the older women. They pushed against the side wall, behind the bar area, and crouched.

  The other Neph looked around at the Dukes and then at one another before deciding. One by one they moved behind either me or the Dukes. The sons of Thamuz, Caterina, and about twenty others joined the Dukes. At least thirty piled behind me. But at the moment I didn’t feel like cheering about our greater numbers.

  Patti’s body lay in a bloody heap.

  “Daddy,” I whispered.

  Without a word, he moved to Patti. The Dukes glared at him, but didn’t try to stop him as he scooped her into his big arms and brought her to me. Her chest rose and fell in short, fast spurts. I couldn’t let go of the sword, so I bent my head and kissed her damp forehead.

  “I love you, Mom.”

  Her eyes fluttered open, and a faint smile crossed her bloodied lips. She whispered, and I had to lean closer to make out the gurgled words. “Love you, sweet girl.” I kissed her again, my tears falling on her face. Kaidan’s hand was heavy on my shoulder.

  “I could save her,” Dad said in a low, unsure voice.

  My head snapped up to him.

  “I could leave my body and try to heal her—”

  “No!” Patti rasped. She reached a weak hand up to his arm and stuttered her impassioned words. “Don’t you dare. You need . . . your body. To protect Anna.”

  “Please!” I cried, but she only gave her head a stubborn, weak shake.

  “You’re all needed . . . to fight them.”

  I tried to plead with Dad through my eye
s, but he shook his head sadly. He wouldn’t do it without her permission. I lowered my cheek to hers.

  “I’m not scared, honey,” she said to me. “I’m ready.”

  Mom took a wet-sounding, wheezing breath and whispered, “Gin . . .”

  Ginger pushed through to be at Patti’s side. She took her hand, tears streaking down her face. “Miss Patti.”

  “Beautiful girl . . . you will be . . . a good aunt. . . .” And with a shudder, Patti became still.

  “No,” I whispered.

  Her guardian angel gathered her spirit in his arms as it rose from her body, soft and gentle. With a nod at me, the angel shot upward, taking her home. I allowed the tears to fall down my face, making no move to wipe them. Dad stepped to the side and set her body against the wall with great gentleness, closing her eyes before coming to stand by me again.

  “This cannot continue,” Sonellion growled. “Playtime is over. This prophecy is a lie, and you’re all about to pay.” He reached behind his back, making my allies and me tense. If he pulled out a gun, the fighting would begin.

  The spirit Azael flew down and hovered between our two groups, facing the Dukes. He spoke telepathically to the whole room, who were rapt to hear what Lucifer’s messenger had to say.

  The prophecy is real. I myself possessed a human and destroyed the written prophecy at the command of Lucifer. The version given to Rahab was only partial truth. What the girl says is the full truth. We are being offered heaven. Lucifer knows there are those in his army who doubt him, and this prophecy would shrink his ranks even further for the final battle to come. The Nephilim child has proven herself. Let her proceed. I, myself, will choose the Lord of Light.

  The Dukes were stunned. Most appeared outraged, while a few looked in awe.

  I didn’t know how many of the fallen angels in this room would return to heaven, but I did know most would not, and they wouldn’t go down without a fight. They enjoyed earth and the power they held here. They didn’t want to go back to heaven any more than they wanted to return to hell.