by Lynn Landes
Jake warily walks to the edge of the cliff to look over and he is hit full force in the chest by the creature. It lands behind the others after flattening Jake to the ground in a heap of dust. He rolls and moans grabbing his chest from the impact.
Elina does not hesitate and leaps onto the back of the demon sinking the sharp edge of her dagger into its chest, where his heart should be.
It screams in agony tossing her from his back and spinning, like a prize bull in a rodeo. He leaps straight at her screaming when he lands on the empty dirt.
She ports away smiling and taunting the creature. “You’re not as fast as your brother are you?”
He leaps at her faster this time to the same effect. Some of the Lua warriors have reached the cliff side by now, along with Makaio’s sons.
They surround the area chanting prayers and cutting off any chance of escape for the creature. Each time he almost catches her, but she ports away slicing him with her dagger.
Elina notices his skin begins to change. The hair on his head starts to change, shifting to coal black. His beady black eyes, begin to lighten and turn turquoise. He stands up on bare legs and soon she is looking at an image of herself.
Stunned the warriors fall silent as the two Elina’s crouch to fight one another. The false Elina leaps this time to the left since she favors that direction and grabs a handful of her opponent’s hair slinging her into the line of circling warriors.
They catch her in a heap of bodies from the impact.
When Elina lifts her head she sees herself port, landing near Scotts bleeding body, she smashes a startled Makaio away from the injured man.
The demon mocking as Elina, bends down to grab Scott by his bloody shirt, and ports away mimicking her abilities and taking a dying Scott with him.
Jake moans and catches Elina’s attention. She rushes to his side to check him for injuries.
“Did he get away?” Jakes asks sitting up. Elina sits back not finding any significant injuries.
“Yes and he took Scott! Damn! This is bad!” She jumps to her feet, “The Mocker will destroy him and take all the information he can! I can’t wait any longer. I will have to leave now!”
Elina watches as Jake slowly gets up, a groan escaping him, and walks away to talk to Makaio and the other warriors. They agree to scan the woods and surrounding area for more creatures. Silently, they fade into the woods, leaving Jake and Elina alone.
She feels him before he lands, behind her. “Oh no,” she thinks and turns slowly, Malach.
“Perhaps if you had trusted in me, this battle would have been won, Elina.” Malach says staring at her with hard green eyes. He drinks in the sight of her and she steps backward remembering how close he was to falling.
“Malach, are you Shadow or Light?” Jake questions as he pulls Elina behind him.
Shocked by the sight of him, Elina is speechless for a moment.
Malach snaps his enormous wings out and snarls at Jake’s protective stance.
“You dare to ask me that, human?! Shall I show you what I am?” he snarls.
In a flash, Elina is in front of Jake. She presses a hand on Malach’s chest and quickly jerks it back as the contact shocks her hand. “Malach! He is helping me. Truly. Why have you come?”
“Elina, we have much to discuss and I would prefer to do it, alone.” He snaps through gritted teeth looking at Jake.
“No. Whatever you wish to say, must wait. Malach, things have escalated and I will be leaving soon.”
When Elina turns to look at Jake, Malach seeks her mind. “Elina, have I failed you somehow? You trust this human more than me? I will not leave you again, let me help you!”
Jake sees the broken look in her eyes before she turns to look at Malach, and his anger builds. “Enough. The demons have Scott and it will not be long before they know everything. Seth’s family is no longer safe here. We must move them, Elina.”
She nods her head before looking back at Malach. “Malach, if you wish to help, find a safe place for this family,” she drinks in his face, his beautiful eyes, whole now and his wings unbroken and she smiles through a tear. “Thank you for coming.”
Without a word, Jake grabs her around her waist and ports back to the house. Elina is trembling when she glances at Jake.
With a laugh, she tells him, “You certainly should not antagonize an archangel, Jake.”
“Yeah, but he’s so easy.” Releasing her, he steps back, “Okay, so how soon do we leave?”
“Jake I need to think. The plan was to get to the family before the demons, and I don’t think that can change. What I can do is go early to observe, and make sure nothing gets in the way of Maeling finding the pen. I only know the moment that the demons hunt them, and that is when I have to be there.”
Jake and Elina both turn when they hear Makaio enter the room.
“To blend into a culture without being seen, will take the skills of a ninja, and the mastery of a Lua Warrior.” Makaio comments quietly. “We will stick to our plan, and could one of you tell me why a large, angry, dragon just landed on my beach?”
“I will go to him. Jake stay here. Malach can be very difficult when he gets like this!” She disappears and lands ten feet from, Malach, her feet sinking into the warm sand.
Makaio looks at Jake, and smiles. “She does not know you very well does she, my friend? We will all go. The Keeper will be protected.” Makaio turns to leave while he sends a call to his Lua to meet him down by the ocean.
The group of warriors gather together as Jake and Makaio walk to the beach. They can hear the dragons’ pain filled roar, mixed with the sound of the ocean waves crashing on the soft sand. The Lua begin to chant prayers as they cross the last sand hill.
Even the calm and collected Lua stumble in their prayers for a second upon cresting the top of the hill and seeing Malach in all of his dragon glory on the beach.
He is immense and his dark blue dragon scales glint in the light like the finest armor. His wings are massive and as they move and thrash around. Sand blows in all directions from the force of the air currents created by them. His head and mouth are big enough to swallow a man whole, as long as he makes it past the foot long teeth without being torn to pieces.
In front of this tormented beautiful beast stands Elina, unmoving. Tears can be seen streaming down her face and she is crying with heart wrenching sobs.
Makaio, Jake and the Lua continue down the sand hill surrounding the Dragon and the Light on the beach. They know she will need the help of all to tame the beast tonight.
Malach throws his head back and roars in agony at the sky. He has fought this for so long, and now she comes to him with fear, hurt, and doubt.
Elina stands in tears watching Malach struggle and every time they are together, the struggle grows harder. Leilani’s words echo in her mind, “We must each walk this path alone.” Afraid to stay any longer, she speaks to Jake.
“Jake, do you remember what I told you? That no matter what happens, I must keep my covenant? With the other Keepers, you can tame his beast. Hold him here until he calms and do not release him before that!”
Jake feels Elina’s pain as she softly says, “I love you, Malach, but I must keep the Covenant!” She turns away and leaves throwing a dome of protection around Malach.
In a blink, she moves through time and space alone once more. “Makaio, your family needs you. Seek me when it is safe and I will guide you to the past.” Elina shutters at the roar of outrage in Malach’s mind. The Lua surround the shimmering dome, and hold him trapped for the time being.
“Elina!” he roars as he strikes the shield with a crash of his massive tail. She blocks the sound, unable to take it anymore. Her heart is breaking, but she will not risk his soul again.
Unsure where she is going, she pictures the little girl Maeling. She holds the image tightly in her mind and moves quickly, landing in a dark alleyway.
The smell of fish floats along the air and she hears voices coming her way. Qu
ickly she looks around and dashes to a doorway. Elina prays for guidance as she tries the door and finds it unlocked. She lifts the bronze latch and pushes inside and closes it swiftly, leaning against the wood she waits for the voices to pass the door. On the inside wall Elina finds a hook with an oil lantern already lit.
After a quick look, she realizes she is in a dust covered storage room. Crates are scattered and covered with thick tarps. She needs to rest and regroup, in the morning she will find Maeling. Elina looks under the tarps and finds they hold glass bottles in various sizes.
Determined not to draw any attention she makes her way through the room, seeking a safe place to rest. With the lantern held close she pushes one of the crates away from the corner of a wall, leaving enough space for her to fit behind. She tosses a tarp across two crates, covering the area and she crawls inside.
Sinking to the floor, she tries not to think about what the future could hold. Today they lost Scott and the demon escaped, but Malach lives! He’s alive! Better he is angry than the alternative.
Elina bows her head and prays, “Father, guard my heart and mind, please, guide my choices so the path I walk fulfills the Covenant. Amen.” Elina sleeps and dreams.
Scott’s lifeless body lies in a bloody heap at the feet of the Mocker. The creature he calls son rests panting, on all fours like an animal. The blood dripping down his chin and body tells the Mocker all he needs to know. Unable to stand the sight of it any longer, he yells for his guards.
“Take it and chain it up. He is of no further use to me!” he orders.
The demon clicks and grunts and holds up one long hand. He dangles his treasure in front of his father and smiles. In his hand he holds Scott’s heart. Before the Mocker can move he takes a large bloody bite ignoring the scream of rage from his Master. He leaps backwards and runs around the room holding his treasure and finishes his treat while the other demons try to capture him.
“Stop!” the Mocker screams. Amazed, he watches the creature transform in front of his eyes. The curved fingers that caused him to walk around on his knuckles straighten. His hooved back legs shift into muscular calves and he stands tall and strong. It glares at his father and speaks for the first time saying, “My name is Dominion, Father. I will rule…”
Before he can complete the sentence the Mocker strikes hard and fast. He plunges his hand into Dominions chest and jerks his heart free. “You have no rule here! I am the only Dominion here!” He shoves his body over and calls upon dark lightening burning his corpse to ash.
With the power of the keepers blood pumping through the still beating heart, the Mocker smiles. As he devours the heart battle images flood his mind. He sees the Keeper and her warriors, they think they are strong. Enjoying the metallic taste as he finishes the last bite.
“Your time is up Keeper, I am coming for the pen.” He says smiling into Elina’s eyes.
She jerks awake shaking.
Chapter 23
Seth and Heather return the next morning to an empty house. They walk hand in hand down the path leading to the beach and they feel it, the spiritual energy. The chanting of his brothers calls to Seth’s soul and he drops Heather’s hand and begins to run. Cresting the hill he skids to a stop. His eyes must be deceiving him!
“A dragon?”
He rushes to his family and joins his voice to the chorus and takes his seat next to his father. Heather looks around and takes in the scene.
A shimmering dome surrounds the large blue dragon and he struggles to free himself. He digs in the sand roaring out his anger, rage, and pain to the sky. His agony calls to her. Fear, frustration, and fury.
In her mind’s eye she sees the eyes of heaven watching him, wondering at his fate. Heather walks forward and steps through the ring of warriors.
“When you pass through the waters,” she quotes from the bible, “HE will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. You are not alone!”
She places her palm against the dome and his eyes seek hers. He feels relief as her words soothe his beast. Intense images flood Heather’s mind and she finds she can’t pull her hand free.
The images swirl slowly, until they stop on her Father. Scott, touches her cheek and begs for mercy. She understands, he is gone. Heather screams as the image of a demon holding her dead father fills her mind. Seth leaps to his feet, reaching for her, but Malach flattens him to the sand with a flash of power.
He shifts back to his angel form, placing his palm against hers and the dome fades.
HE is free. “Heather,” Malach calls to her and she looks into the emerald eyes of the angel. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. This I promise you.” Malach wipes her tears from her cheeks and releases Seth.
Seth yells her name and sprints to her. He pulls her weeping form into his arms.
“LUA!” Malach yells looking around at the ring of warriors, “Face me!” He flares his enormous wings, stretching them out to their full strength. His eyes are full of fury as all the warriors face him, unflinching they are ready to battle if needed.
Jake looks around the circle of warriors seeing their strength through the fierceness of their eyes and bodies. He steps forward unblinking, becoming the focus of Malach’s rage. Staring into the eyes of a dragon warrior Jakes says simply, “I am ready.”
Simeon and Nameed appear, flanking Jake protectively. “You will not touch the Lua, Malach.”
“They will tell me where Elina is, brothers. One way or another!” he states drawing his sword with the sound of ringing steel as it clears the scabbard.
The surrounding Lua all go into a defensive stance, drawing their weapons and tightening the circle around the angel and Jake.
Simeon’s eyes flash in disgust, “Are you so close to falling that you would draw against your own!”
“Perhaps you ask the wrong questions, Brother. Why is it that all of you have lost faith in me?” he steps forward and drops to his knees in front of the Lua and Jake. With a bowed head, he offers his sword to Jake. “I am indebted to you. My weakness has brought shame to my brothers. Forgive me and show no mercy.”
Jake sighs, deeply affected by the angel’s words.
“There is no shame in showing weakness, it teaches us to be humble,” Makaio states simply, stepping beside Jake. The Lua drop to their knees in a show of solidarity. “We are all brothers in this battle you fight. You do not have to do this alone.”
Jakes watches the look of shock on Malach’s face at Makaio’s words.
“Clearly, I have much to learn. Thank you for your kindness, brothers.” Malach says as he rises and puts his sword away. Nameed and Simeon step beside Malach.
“Do not mistake our kindness for fear, angel. We will do what must be done to keep the Covenant.” Jake promises.
Malach nods his head in understanding and finds he has a new respect for these humans.
“Jake you will help me move this family to safety, then tell me where Elina is. She must not continue alone,” Nameed states.
“What is going on?” Seth asks Jake interrupts the conversation. “I go away for one night and all of hell breaks loose!?”
Jake moves away with Seth and Heather to explain and the angels walk further down the beach. Nameed turns to Malach and finds him glaring at them.
“Surely, you know me better than this, Nameed. Have you not walked the very same line as I, between shadow and light? What of you Simeon? Did your human not bring you back from the very brink, not long ago?”
“She is not mine, it is forbidden and I know it Malach, and therein lies the difference. Everything about you, claims her as yours. Can you honestly look at her, smell her and not want her?” Simeon demands.
Nameed listens in silence, watching the interaction between the two angels. How much they
do not know, maybe it is time for that to change? “We must move the humans to safety and get to Elina. First, though, I think it’s time to renew our covenant to our creator and to each other. We must not let discord enter our hearts.” He bows his head and lifts his voice in prayer.
Jake watches while Seth takes Heather away to comfort her. How many people can say they have seen archangels pray? Or a dragon for that matter. If Malach is going to be anywhere near Elina, then he must be there to keep the promise he made to her.
Thinking of the images Elina showed him, reminds him of the fine line they are all walking. Feeling overwhelmed and afraid for all of humanity, Jake drops to his knees to bow his head to pray for the first time in fifteen years. The angels pause to listen.
“Father, your word says that when I seek you, I will find you. I am seeking you now. Please calm my fearful heart and mind. I know we can’t do this alone, I seek your hand. Father, I am trusting you to keep your promise, I am seeking only you. I give you all the worry, stress and fear, I release it to you.”
Jake feels the Archangels surround him and wing tip to wing tip they surround him, lifting his prayer to heaven, they join his voice with their own. Malach calls out to his maker…
“My heart is yours, you are my hope and my strength. I am hopeless and powerless on my own. Father craft your will and direction into it. Still our troubled hearts. Calm our willful minds, and help us to seek only your will, we await your voice, In Jesus name, Amen.”
Chapter 24
Elina smiles from her hiding spot in China when she feels it, the unanimous voices of human and angels. She laughs out loud when she feels the Mockers rage. She calls to Nameed and tells him of her plan.
Nameed smiles and turns to the others, “The Keeper calls, time to move.” Malach pulls him aside and asks for a few moments alone with her before the main force shows up.