by Lynn Emery
“Help us what?” Jonah said. He leaned against the wall, a bag of chips in one hand.
“Legion has a team in place to steal three items from the museum tonight. A silver cup, a jewel encrusted cross, and the basket,” Naldo spoke up.
“The cup and cross are worth several million, both said to have been used by St. Francis of Assisi. They were gifts from a sultan who converted after hearing a sermon by St. Francis in 1220. But we know the basket is what they’re really after.” Manuel nodded.
“We didn’t think Legion knew it even existed,” Abril said. She continued to use the small tablet computer in her hand.
“Heck, TEA didn’t know for sure like I said. Bringing the children here tipped us off. So now Legion knows we know. But, couldn’t be helped. We had to rescue the kids,” Frank replied with a grimace.
“Yeah, because you didn’t want us to become more powerful than either of you. They don’t care about us, just stopping Legion.” Jonah spoke to Marissa and Grace.
“We’re pretty good at multi-tasking, son. But I can assure you, you’re wellbeing trumps everything,” Frank replied.
“Besides, they can’t use the relics without any of you,” Cee-Cee wisecracked. She winked at him. “So it’s kinda a package deal—caring about you guys and sticking it to Legion’s plan.”
Jonah grinned back and blushed. When Marissa jabbed him in the side, he jumped. “Cut that out,” he mumbled through gritted teeth.
“Back to our priority, stopping them from robbing the museum,” Val said. She glared at Cee-Cee, who shrugged with a puzzled expression.
Frank, engrossed in the task ahead, plowed on without spotting the exchange. “Right. Only the museum director knows the true value of the basket. It’s kept in a glass enclosed display case with other artifacts used by local priests in the 1700s.”
“Hidden in plain sight,” LaShaun said.
“Exactly, but the glass is reinforced with motion sensors underneath the pedestal the basket sits on. Also if the glass breaks, an alarm sounds. Only the electronic key to the case can open it without the security system going off,” Naldo said. “And we have a key.”
“A key? So there’s more than one,” LaShaun glanced from Naldo to Frank.
“Legion has one. They held the director’s two children at gunpoint until he gave them a copy,” Frank said. His heavy eyebrows pulled together. “I don’t blame him. Legion has a suicide squad who would have gladly killed them even if the police or us had stormed the house.”
“Damn, those dudes are coldblooded,” Jonah murmured, a trace of admiration in his tone.
“Yeah, they’re ruthless and have nothing to lose. They’re minor demons. They won’t die, simply return later. The evil one’s servants aren’t into noble sacrifice,” Jennifer said with a grimace. The bitterness in her voice matched the look of pain she wore.
“So they’ve got a demon suicide squad, hostages, and a key to one of the most power relics on earth. Wonderful. Any more good news, boss?” Cee-Cee rolled her shoulders.
When Frank’s frown deepened, LaShaun’s heart thumped. “What else, Frank?”
Frank glanced at Jennifer. “Take the kids—”
“I’m not a kid, and I’m not going anywhere,” Jonah stood straight. He crumpled the empty chip bag into a ball and tossed it into a nearby trash can.
Jennifer led Marissa, Grace, and Pauline holding Ellie to the door. “Ricardo says you girls can get your nails done for free.”
“Cool,” Grace blurted out, her eyes bright.
They left with Jennifer and Pauline trying to offer cheerful small talk. Marissa hesitated at the open door. She looked at Jonah, at Cee-Cee, and back to her boyfriend. He crossed the room and kissed her lightly on the lips. Her mood brightened at once. Jonah gently guided her out and closed the door.
“Go on.” Jonah stood, legs apart and arms crossed.
“Our information indicates the local head of the police is a Legion recruit,” Manuel said. A look of distaste twisted his mouth into a grimace.
After a few moments of grim silence, LaShaun pulled out her gun. She checked it and slipped it into a pocket again. “Fine, we know what we’re up against. So let’s get moving.”
“Wait a minute. You don’t need to go with us tonight. Your child needs you,” Frank protested.
“They brought the fight to my home, took my child, and shot my husband. If that’s not enough, they’re a threat to the world my daughter will grow up in. I want to deliver some much deserved righteous payback. Besides, Chase is recovered and already on his way here. He’ll be with Ellie while I’m kicking demon ass. Y’all coming or what?” LaShaun strode to the door without waiting for a reply.
Chapter 17
An hour later, they pulled up to the opulent eighteenth century building that was once a palace, the home of Catholic bishops and other prelates. The air felt charged, but LaShaun knew it wasn’t because of the exalted human church officials who had lived there. She glanced at Val to her left. The team leader nodded as if signaling she felt it, too. Cee-Cee stared up at the imposing structure. All of their group paused as though to give a moment of respect to the place.
“This way,” Naldo said quietly and gestured with a nod.
He walked to the east of the building instead of climbing the stone steps up to the front entrance. They went around to a ground floor door of ornate carved wood. Angels, clouds, and figures that were probably saints had been intricately illustrated by a craftsman with great artistry. As if by magic, the heavy door swung open smoothly without so much as a creak. A man with steel gray hair and a bitter scowl stood back as they filed in.
Manuel glanced from the man to the team again. “This is—”
“They do not need to know my name,” the man broke in. “Time is short. This way.”
“Man of few words,” Cee-Cee muttered.
Frank raised both his thick eyebrows at Naldo, but the young man shrugged and gestured for them to follow. “He’s a veteran of this work. His daughters are leading the team guarding the museum director and his family. Two demons were banished back to hell in the fight.”
“Yet we know they’ll return. Los bastardos malignos,” the older man hissed into the darkness. He didn’t slow his pace or look back at them.
“I kinda like him,” Cee-Cee whispered and Jonah snickered.
“There were four in the suicide squad, so we’re still facing a lot of danger,” Manuel said over his shoulder.
“Cheery news,” Val muttered. She held up her Glock, checked the magazine and held it to the side of her thigh.
“Beautiful. “Abril gazed around.
They walked down a dimly lit hallway with crosses and other stone figures carved into the walls. They emerged into a wide room dominated by even larger paintings of bishops from the past three hundred years.
“The next floor up has more paintings of the most prominent bishops since the palace was built. Then there is a room with their vestments.” Naldo spoke quietly, his tone reverent. He continued on without pausing to look at the items he obviously admired.
“Being from the south, I haven’t traveled here before. I’ll take the complete tour when this is over,” Abril said.
“If we survive, you mean,” Cee-Cee retorted.
“Hey, not in front of…” Val gave a slight nod toward Jonah, who walked ahead of their guide.
“I’m not a kid, and I’d be an idiot not to have figured out one or all of us might not make it out alive,” Jonah said in a cool voice. Still he started at every sound.
“Wrong attitude. We go into every foray not only determined that everyone will make it out, but with strong faith that we will,” Cee-Cee replied. Her usual playful tone gave way to an earnest one.
“Amen,” Abril breathed.
Jonah nodded, his blue eyes gazing at Cee-Cee with way too much intensity. LaShaun and Val exchanged a glance. Val heaved a sigh. LaShaun grinned back at the annoyed team leader. Dealing with a school boy crush most certainly hadn�
��t been part of her war with evil training. Suddenly the older man came to a full stop. He held up a hand, his back to them. Then he turned around to face the group.
“We’re coming to the inner chamber. My men moved the glass case down here, but I’m afraid it didn’t escape notice,” the older man rumbled.
“Hell, I’d be shocked if Legion didn’t have eyes on the relics.” Cee-Cee paced in a circle as though looking for someone hiding in the shadows.
“Stay here while I check.” The man didn’t wait for comment, but bounded up a flight of stone steps.
The group members all paced around nervously as minutes ticked by. No one spoke, but the silence didn’t reassure anyone. All of them drew their weapons as time passed. When footfalls echoed on the stone, Val and Cee-Cee aimed at the archway opening. When the man appeared again they relaxed, but only briefly. He panted, sweat rolling down his face, and he leaned against the wall.
“It’s them,” he gasped, then he sagged to his knees.
LaShaun rushed to his side and pulled back the jacket he wore over a shirt. Blood soaked one side of the chest pocket, the circle growing. “He’s been shot or stabbed.”
“We didn’t hear gunfire though.” Cee-Cee went up the steps before Val could stop her. Seconds later she came back. “I don’t see anyone.”
“My men, not sure they’re okay,” the man got out between sucking in air. “Come, I show you.”
“You need medical attention. Abril, get him out of here,” Val ordered.
“But…”
“We need Naldo and Manuel to lead us through the maze of passages in this place. We’ll distract the Legion operatives.” Val gave a curt gesture with her hand to indicate she wouldn’t debate further.
Abril gave a sigh. “Okay.”
But the older man shook his head with vigor. “No, my duty is stay and protect La Reliquia Sagrada. I will not leave my task unfinished.”
“The what?” Jonah blinked at him.
“The Sacred Relic. Three families have guarded it, mine included. For five generations we kept La Reliquia Sagrada away from the evil ones.
“I wouldn’t waste time arguing with him,” Naldo said. He nodded. “See what I mean?”
Indeed, the older man had already gotten to his feet and started up the stairs. He did at least acquiesce when Cee-Cee insisted on going first. Two small recessed lights illuminated the stone stairwell. They climbed up three flights to another hallway. Several yards away, they emerged into a grand central room. Two levels of balconies lined the walls. Massive oil paintings depicting biblical scenes and Mexican history surrounded them. Yet this time, no one, including Abril, stopped to appreciate their beauty. Instead they focused on the scene near what LaShaun thought must have been an altar at one point. Six men stood around a glass case, each holding automatic rifles. A seventh man, at least six feet seven inches tall, took center stage. His shaved bald head, tanned a tawny color by the sun, shone beneath modern lights overhead. He strode toward them unhurried, a smile on his face that scared LaShaun more than if he’d been scowling. The man appeared confident, pleased even to see them. Not an encouraging sign at all.
“Welcome to you all and especially to the latest descendant of a great line of seers.” The man swept hands out as if greeting them for a cocktail party. “But then you’re not the youngest great one. Your daughter, now she is truly a rare jewel. I had high hopes she would join us.”
LaShaun pulled the Glock from one pocket, and a silver knife Cee-Cee had provided from another. She planted her boots firmly on the polished stone surface of the floor. “Like hell.”
“Funny you should mention it, but no time to dwell on pleasantries.” The big man’s smile cracked wider.
The older man who’d led them in gasped. He made the sign of the cross and murmured, “Santos nos protegen.”
“Aside from the big guy and big guns, I’m guessing even worse news,” Cee-Cee said quietly.
Naldo swallowed hard. “That’s Barbatos, an earl of hell. He rules thirty legions of demons. He can locate treasures hidden by supernatural means.”
“He’s also a fighter of great power,” Manuel added.
“Oh yeah, well he’s gonna make one helluva boom when we bring his ass down,” Cee-Cee said. She took aim at the demon’s head.
“The bastard who led Legion scum to my child is mine.” LaShaun pushed past Cee-Cee and pointed her Glock to the spot between his reptilian like eyes.
“Now, now ladies. Is that anyway to treat your gracious host? Besides, I look forward to enjoying both of you. There’s enough of me to go around.” The big man grabbed the prominent bulge at his crotch.
“Keep your funky junk covered or I’ll shoot it off,” Cee-Cee shouted.
Barbatos heaved a melodramatic sigh. “I see we’re not going to play nice. Well, at least I can say I tried.”
“On the bright side, we’re not facing Satanchia tonight.” Manuel wore a grim expression as he hefted his own short automatic rifle.
“Who?” Cee-Cee circled a few steps. Her gaze, like her gun, still trained on the big demon solider.
“He’s the commander-in-chief of Satan’s army. Barbatos’s boss, and the leader of all other legions.” Manuel aimed for one of the fierce looking warriors standing around their general. Two were women.
“I’ll take out the three at nine, ten, and eleven o’clock,” Cee-Cee murmured.
“Three by yourself, eh?” Manuel gave a humorless chuckle. “Leave some action for me.”
“We all know how this is going to end, my friends,” Barbatos said with unsettling calm. He slipped a leather bound book into a pocked of his field jacket.
“Yeah, we do,” LaShaun yelled back.
Barbatos held up a palm. “Before you do anything ill-advised…”
“His fake old world charm act is getting on my damn nerves,” Cee-Cee blurted out.
“Please note.” The demon snapped his fingers. One of the two females pulled out a slim laptop and opened it. The screen images sprang to life as a hologram projection. Gunfire popped as dark figures raced toward a building.
“That’s the safe house where we took your people,” Naldo said, and he muttered curses in Spanish.
“You mean Ellie…” LaShaun stood rooted to the spot, staring at the scene in horror.
“Yes, your husband and child are within. My people were nice enough to wait for them to arrive. You see, Deputy Broussard didn’t trust leaving his precious daughter behind, and needed to fight by your side. This is not the touching family reunion you’d hoped for, but I’m afraid it will have to do. My soldiers should bring them here shortly. Though I must compliment the TEA’s team for putting up a valiant fight.”
“I’m going to enjoy sending you back to hell,” LaShaun spat. “You’ll have even more scars on that ugly hide.”
Barbatos waved a hand as if swatting away her words like annoying gnats. “Since we’re at the end, you might as well know how much you helped us. Observe.”
The hologram image changed to show LaShaun and Dina in the field. Dina hugged LaShaun as if grateful to be found. Yet the image zoomed to her face. A faint evil smile marred her childlike features. The picture changed again, to the team leaving the TEA building in Matamoros. LaShaun detected movement out of the corner of her eye. She darted quick glances in that direction as Frank and Cee-Cee moved in close to her. All the others gazed at the hologram in fascination.
“Someone in our team has been turned. No other way they would know so much,” Cee-Cee spoke before Frank could. He nodded grimly in agreement.
“So I have no idea which one of you to trust. Damn it.” LaShaun looked around at the faces she’d counted on for days. Then she fanned the spark of rage that came from betrayal. The heat roared in her chest, spread to hear arms, and through her body. “Doesn’t matter. Cut off the head of the snake.”
“We never wanted the child.” Barbatos paused and snapped his fingers twice. “Oh what is the urchin’s name?”
“Yes, yes. Dina. We knew you’d follow the trail, drop your guard just enough until the time was right to take Ellie. But we needed you together. Such a strong bloodline right here with the basket to focus its power. My soldiers are bringing her closer. Can you feel it? Ah, yes, I see you understand.” Barbatos clapped his hands as if applauding a performance.
Suddenly the hologram flickered and faded. The soldier holding the laptop grimaced at the device. He tapped the keys and then shook it hard. The lieutenant who had spoken up growled at the woman. She stepped close to her and stared at the device.
“Don’t be a fool. Shaking a high tech instrument like that won’t work.” He entered various keystrokes while the soldier still held the laptop. “Sir, something is blocking our wireless transmission.”
“Could be you’ve underestimated us, again,” Frank called out. Then he muttered, “Let’s hope.”
Barbatos shrugged, though his sharp edged features twisted into a frown. “No matter. The odds are still very much against you.”
“We have to protect Ellie,” Abril called out, so desperate she didn’t care if the Legion soldiers heard.
“Too little and much too late.” Barbatos nodded to the lieutenant.
The big man made a chopping motion with his left hand. Police officers entered the wide room at a trot, like warriors circling for battle. They formed a ring around the TEA team. Proof that the local police commander worked for Legion. Naldo whispered a short prayer in Spanish. Manuel glared at his countrymen with sincere disgust.
Barbatos smiled at them, then turned to LaShaun. “Very efficient, yes?”
A female soldier took out a cell phone and put it to her ear. Then she grinned as she ended the call. “Commander, channels are open again. The signals are getting through. There’s static, but good enough to get messages. They’re almost here.”
Barbatos slapped his massive hands together. The sound echoed in the large chamber. “Our mission is complete. We can draw on your power and reverse the effect of the basket. Your weakling God used it to feed the hungry and convert simpletons to a false religion. We’ll use it to free millions who will hear our message.”