by Deena Remiel
Emma watched as she turned her way, and for a brief moment, they locked eyes. Namirha saw the brief exchange between mother and daughter and quickly grabbed hold of Hannah. “Remember our deal, Emma,” he intimated, and thrust Hannah into her arms.
“I remember, Namirha,” she replied bravely, hugging her daughter for the first time in what felt like a lifetime.
“What is he talking about, Mama?” Hannah asked.
“It’s nothing to worry yourself about right now, my angel. Just be happy that you’re out of Agremon’s clutches,” she hedged dismissively.
She quickly untied Hannah’s hands and removed the collar from around her neck, checking all the while for any injuries. Hannah’s neck was red from chafing, as were her wrists. Emma unobtrusively waved her hands over the reddened areas and sent her healing warmth. Since they were minor, it took a fraction of a moment to return her abraded skin to normal.
“I shall not be denied, Namirha!” Agremon snarled. “I shall succeed where you have failed! I shall destroy all and reign over the universe and you will bow down to me!” He struggled against his invisible bindings and tore his arms away from his body, then used both hands to tear his legs from their moorings. Namirha raised an eyebrow at Agremon’s prowess. He’d managed to get one leg free when Namirha spoke.
“My, but you’ve become a bucking bronco, Agremon. You know what they do to broncos, don’t you? They break their spirit! They squeeze the life out of them! Just like what I am going to do to you.” Namirha reached a hand out towards Agremon, and as he did so, it formed into a boa constrictor that slowly made its way up and around the leg still attached to the ground, then circled around Agremon’s waist. “And when I’m finished, you’ll know who is Master and Ruler of the universe. Me!”
Before Namirha could finish what he’d begun, the ground beneath them suddenly shook and pulsed like a heartbeat, or a drum. Everyone froze. Namirha’s arm, distracted by the sound, recoiled back to its normal state.
Looking victorious, Agremon crowed, “Ah! Namirha, do you recognize that sound? It’s the sound of the last few seconds of your life. Your death toll. My minions have arrived!” He pulled his other leg free and loped to the mesa’s edge. “My insurance that Hannah’s blood will be spilled this evening for my own glory has arrived,” Agremon howled.
“Your minions? You must be delirious. I am their ruler and I hold dominion. I called to them, and they came for me not for you, you sorry excuse for a demon.”
“We shall see who they call master in a few short moments,” Agremon taunted.
Namirha and Agremon circled around each other like lions ready to pounce. Emma walked up to the edge with Hannah in tow, only to find a darkness encroaching on the mesa from as far as the eye could see, a darkness teaming with all forms of undead and immortal demon-kind. She shivered and held Hannah close. So it was really happening. The war between Good and Evil was about to begin. Emma wasn’t religious by nature, more spiritual than anything else. But today, that didn’t seem to matter. God help us all, she prayed.
With Hannah temporarily forgotten, Emma and she could inch themselves further away from the two. They daren’t speak aloud, only with their minds.
Agremon has the knife sheathed and strapped to his back, Mama. The scary things down below were called by Agremon, not Namirha. So Namirha is bluffing.
Namirha is going to keep Agremon from slaughtering you, and he isn’t going to murder you either.
The Brethren are coming.
“Crap!” Emma swore aloud. Back inside her mind, she told Hannah of her plans for Namirha and Agremon to annihilate each other before any Brethren showed up. It looked like it was actually working, too, although, the minions below them had Emma’s stomach trembling like a nest of angry bees.
“Hannah, darling, why don’t you come by your father and lay on, I mean sit at the table of honor.”
“I don’t think so, Daddy darling.”
“Oh you do hurt me so, Hannah. After all I’ve done for you since we’ve met,” Namirha scolded icily, “I would have expected a little more obedience.”
“You were expecting this to make me your dog, hmm?” the Ancient Warrior retorted while stripping his amulet from her neck. “Not a chance.”
“Namirha, aren’t you forgetting something? You can’t do the ritual without the knife. Gee, I wonder who has the knife,” Agremon goaded. “Oh yes, I forgot, I do! She’s mine, Namirha, I worked too hard to get her, and no one can stop me from taking what’s mine. Come here, girl. I’m not going to hurt you. I’m just going to…”
“Slice and dice me for your dinner? You really need to take up vegetarianism. It’s much healthier and would improve your disposition.”
Agremon growled and made a grab for Hannah. She countered with her fingernails and dug deep trenches in his arms. He hissed as he took a step back.
“Enough of this!” Emma snapped, stepping forward. She whipped her head around to Namirha. “We have a deal, Namirha. I suggest you tend to it.” Through their threaded connection, she told Hannah to do whatever Namirha told her to do. Hannah’s face flushed a brilliant red.
“What have you done, Mother? What have you done?” she shouted angrily.
“The only thing I could, angel. I saved your life.” Emma reached to caress Hannah’s cheek. She kneeled down and kissed her and whispered, “I love you.” She waited, praying that she would hear those blessed words one last time.
“I love you more,” Hannah choked out.
“I love you most,” Emma said, letting out the breath she’d been holding.
“You win, Mama,” Hannah cried out as she hugged her. Emma agonized. Lord, she knows. I can feel it. She knows what I’ve done. God forgive me.
“Yes, angel, I win.” Emma tenderly and with resolve set Hannah away from her, turned to Namirha, and ordered harshly, “Get her out of here, now.”
With no more than a nod, Namirha grabbed Hannah and flashed her to his mountain dwelling
“No!” Agremon roared, running about frantically, and then he settled his gaze on Emma. “You! You planned this. I’ll kill you with my bare hands and take pleasure in tearing you apart limb from limb!”
He charged towards her, and before she could even think what to do next or flat out run, the Brethren arrived. And how they arrived astonished her. As if flying down from Heaven itself, she saw nine glowing men, with outstretched wings and swords raised in their mighty hands, descend upon the mesa. She thought they were truly magnificent to behold, this army of angels.
Emma dropped to the ground like a lead balloon, right on her behind, and stared in awe at the men. How different they all looked in their leather pants, muscles glistening from sweat, and their wings unfurled. Indestructible and unyielding, an impenetrable wall of immortal flesh now stood solidly before her. Agremon slowed to a stop. Emma gathered her wits, got up, and began searching for Michael. It didn’t take long, and his murderous expression gave her pause. He moved to her and stood protectively by her side.
“We know Namirha has Hannah. You will tell me about that later,” Michael demanded pointedly.
Emma nodded silently.
“Michael! Brethren!” Agremon shouted. “Long time no see. Come for a rumble, have you?”
“Come to serve justice swiftly and permanently, Agremon!” Kemuel answered, walking towards him.
“Ha! I look forward to you trying!” Agremon quickly flashed himself off the mesa to join his minions below.“Agremon has back up,” Emma shared. “Did you see the masses down there?”
“The Brethren have backup, too. Gabriel!” Michael shouted. Gabriel blew his horn, and suddenly, the sky was ablaze. She covered her ears and looked up. The sound of beating wings was deafening.
What she saw defied explanation. Legions of angels swarmed in the air, and descended on Agremon’s minions who were already decimating the towns surrounding the mountain. All the Brethren, save Michael, quickly took flight and joined in the descent. Just like Hannah’s pi
ctures, Emma marveled.
Well, if those pictures were accurate, I wonder what others will be, too.
Michael shook her out of her wonderment. She seemed a little dazed when he yelled, “The war’s begun, Emma! You’re going to be needed down there soon to heal the angels and mortals. That’s your job now. I’ll be with you to protect you. That’s my job. You see, we both have jobs that complement each other. We go hand in hand, not alone, Emma, never alone.”
She caught his message and turned away, ashamed. He trailed his hands from her shoulders down to her hands and held them. “So tell me what you’ve done, Emma. Whatever you’ve done alone, we’ll face it and get through it together. Why did you shield yourself from me? Why did you leave the encampment alone? What were you doing here before us? And why did you let Namirha take Hannah?”
She gazed into his eyes, those dazzling orbs that could see straight into her soul and set her heart on fire. She would miss them. And when she could look no longer, she turned away and found she couldn’t utter one word for fear of losing all the courage she’d built up ‘til now. So she let down her shields and all of her thoughts and images went cascading down the thread she shared with him. She leaned her head against his chest, not wanting to see the inevitable shock and disappointment on his face.
“Oh, my God, Emma. Oh, my God,” he whispered as he stepped back from her. His wings trembled. “I refuse to believe this. This—this is completely unacceptable. You weren’t in your right mind when you struck that deal. You were distraught. Your daughter was going to be brutally murdered. E.L. can work with this. I know he can. I can protect you to the best of my ability, but E.L. has ways. He’s dealt with Namirha personally before. He can fix this. He owes me this much!” His voice took on a grizzly and desperate tone. “I love you, Emma. I refuse to accept this!”
“Michael, listen to me. Listen to me,” she repeated as she stepped back into his arms and caressed his cheek. “This isn’t what’s important right now. What’s important is winning this war and keeping Hannah safe. Namirha saved her just now. He promised he wouldn’t kill her and I have to have faith that he will do as he said. I have to, Michael. And you’re right; I have a job to do.
“I have three days until I need to think about me. That’s three days I know Hannah will be safe, and three days knowing you love me. When it’s all done, and we’ve won, promise me one thing. Promise me that you’ll watch over Hannah. See that she does well in school and has a happy life. I pray you’ll do this for me. Do this so I can go, knowing I did what was right for my daughter.”
He held her tightly in his arms, cradling her head to his chest. “But this isn’t right! She needs you, Emma! I need you!” She heard his heartbeat quicken, and sensed love and fury literally wrap a tight coil around his heart. Her own heart ached and was rent in two. “I must answer your prayer, and as I have done once before, I will do it again.”
***
Begrudgingly, he agreed to the last wishes of the woman he loved. By law, he was bound to them, for a prayer made in desperation wrapped in love for another had to be answered. But inside, shielded from her, he vowed not to be alone at the end of this war. He’d already lost his first family at the hands of Evil; he wouldn’t lose this one, as well. He’d find a way to break her deal with Namirha and make damn sure both Hannah and Emma were still alive and well when this war was over.
There were no other options.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“I’m sorry but I must leave you alone here.” Namirha released Hannah’s arms. “It seems the party back at the mesa just became adult-only. By the way, you should know your mother was a very brave woman. You should also know she traded her life for yours. I plan to be as honorable as can be, given who I am, and hold up my end of the bargain. What a grand birthday you shall have, my dear! We’ll toast your mother and her valiant effort to save you.”
She raised her fists in defiance and shook them fiercely at Namirha. “You’re lying! I don’t believe you! No!” The ground rumbled beneath her. The walls of the mine shook with such force that it began a rippling effect. Moans and groans, as though the mine were crying out with pain, tore through the cavernous room, and then there were snapping sounds, like tree limbs flexed to their limits and beyond. Rocks tumbled one upon another, effectively entombing her in Namirha’s lair. He sneered and disappeared.
Namirha appeared back at the stone altar and found himself alone. Damn it, he needed that knife! As he looked out over the mesa’s edge, he saw the fighting going on in earnest. He had to find Agremon as quickly as possible. He knew those minions were fighting for Agremon, not him. His powers had waned so that he prioritized when and how he used them. Controlling minions wasn’t a priority until after he’d gone through the blood ritual with Hannah.
Right now, his energies were better spent on the impenetrable shield around her, as well as transporting himself wherever he needed to be. That left precious little for anything else, save a few tricks at best. But even those tricks had lost their effectiveness. He needed Hannah’s energy!
He couldn’t sense Agremon’s signature anywhere, and then out of the corner of his eye, Namirha caught sight of him down in the midst of the mêlée. So, he was shielding himself, was he? That took considerable energy. How strong had Agremon really become?
The thought of Agremon being more powerful was unsettling and completely unacceptable. It fueled his anger, and he quickly flashed himself into the fray, far enough from Agremon so as not to be noticed, yet near enough to do what he had to do.
He could tell Agremon was enjoying every minute of the battle, as he watched him rip through mortals and angels alike with his bare hands and needlelike teeth, then laugh maniacally as he tossed the bodies aside.
***
So, Namirha had taken Hannah back to his dwelling. Agremon could feel the powerful shield he had erected to keep him away from her. But he had the knife. Each had a piece of the prize, which without the other rendered them both useless. Agremon snarled as he ripped into another hapless human.
But wait, he thought, he was in the perfect position to bargain. Each had what the other one wanted. Namirha would never give up Hannah, and he would never give up the knife. Perhaps they could, dare he think it, share, and both gain Hannah’s powers? Preposterous! But, he could let Namirha at least think so. He was willing to wager that Namirha was struggling at this point and would yield. And then, when the time came, Agremon would strike and absorb all of Hannah’s powers.
He grabbed another human and sent him to an untimely death. He could sense Namirha’s arrival behind him. He felt a tugging on the sheathed knife, but he had shielded it so it wouldn’t budge. Agremon swiftly turned around and saw Namirha standing there puzzled.
“What, did you think I would leave the knife unshielded? Even your mind is showing signs of deterioration, Namirha,” Agremon jeered. “These foolish angels have already tried to take it from me and found it impossible. I think it’s time we made a deal. I have a proposition for you that will benefit us both in the end. Come, let’s leave the angels and demons to their war, while you and I work out how to reap the mutual benefits.”
“You intrigue me as much as you disappoint me, Agremon. While I admire your audacity to think you can best me, I find your betrayal repugnant. But, I see we are indeed at an impasse, with you holding the knife and I holding the girl. So I will agree to hear your proposition, but understand this. I’d sooner have neither of us win than see you rule. Keep that in mind while you make your proposal.”
“Very well, Namirha. I suggest we go to neutral territory for this discussion.” Agremon grabbed hold of Namirha and flashed them both to, of all places, Hannah’s home.
***
Darkness had long since fallen over the battlefield that had once been the scene of quiet serenity. Emma looked all about her and saw the sturdy cacti dotting the area now neighbored with human remains from the carnage. Pools of coppery-smelling blood that brought bile to the back of h
er throat was quickly absorbed into the parched earth, and Emma had only a moment to wonder if the cacti would eventually turn red. Helpful was it that the usual moonlight and star-filled sky were replaced with the glow of angels. The howling that pierced through Emma’s skull like an arrow was not that of the coyote, but of the demons, as angels sent them back to Hell with swift thrusts of their swords.
The Warriors’ battalions of angels were challenged at every turn—fighting for their own immortal lives while warring against those who attacked the humans. The minions were cutting down hundreds of people as they screamed and ran for their lives. Emma could hear their prayers for someone to come and save them. But she knew no one outside the area had any clue of the devastation being wrought; and she knew, as well, that no one would come, for the Brethren had secured the area with a shield to prohibit the influx of any more innocent people. Protectors flew around the battlefield casting shields around as many groups of innocents as possible. Buildings lay in demolished charred heaps, having previously stood strong against many a sandstorm and monsoon.
Emma, along with the other Saviors, was up to her eyeballs with healing the fallen. As soon as one was healed, two more would fall in their place. The Saviors were tireless immortals, who kept up their lightening pace of healing anyone who had even the slightest thread of life to cling to.
It was grueling work, especially so for Emma, who felt every bit of her mortality coursing through her weary muscles and bones. But she carried on, mustering every ounce of energy she could, hoping, though, there would be a break in the action. She honestly didn’t know how much longer she could keep up the pace. She would look at Michael from time to time, who’d been by her side steadfast and true, sharing his energy with her as she needed. She would pause at those moments, and thoughts would enter her mind. It was Michael, trying to give her hope. She’d pushed every one of those thoughts away and gotten back to work more feverishly than before, giving her no time to think about anything. Thinking was the last thing she wanted to do.