Gabriel shook his head again. “You really don’t see it, do you? I couldn’t care less about the Apocalypse. This has and always will be about the fall of the angelic army. I’ll see them all burn, Alan. If you burn with them, so be it.”
Alan let Gabriel’s words sink in as he considered his options. It sounded as though Gabriel was telling the truth. The side of Light was in shambles. Even if they somehow managed to beat back Sodom’s army, the deed would be done. The angelic army would be only a shadow of their former selves with a fraction of the power.
“You know what I say is true,” Gabriel said with a smirk. “Whatever you do now, if and when you are able to unite the paranormal plane with the human plane again, the day of angels watching over the earth is over. How many warriors do you think will be left?”
Alan straightened his posture as resolve took hold. “As long as I am alive, there will be enough of us to watch over humankind. If you decide you have any information of use, shout for the guards. Other than that, I hope you enjoy your stay.”
Alan felt disgusted. He looked at Gabriel’s grinning face one last time as he turned to go. “These chains will not hold me for ever, Horseman,” Gabriel shouted at Alan’s back. “I’ll find a way out. I always do. And when I’m free, there will be no one powerful enough to oppose me!”
Alan walked from the cell motioning for the guards to close the door. Gabriel continued to scream as the steel doors began to close. “I’ll come for you then! I’ll come for everyone you love and the human race will bow under my rule! You can’t hold me forever!”
---
Alan stumbled more so than walked to his quarters. Too tired to think, he hardly noticed Seraphim waiting for him in his room when he arrived. Her red hair fell over her scar. Alan smiled at her, wondering why she had come to him yet at the same time glad she had, whatever the reason.
Seraphim motioned to a plate of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that stood on a small wooden table. “Artemis left those for you. You’d think she was your mother. She had a stern talking to both Cratos and your three hounds about giving you time to rest. You should have seen her berate Cratos, her head was tilted up almost to the ceiling as she lectured him.”
Alan smiled at the thought and sat on his bed. He wasn’t sure what he felt more; tired, hungry or dirty.
“I know you must be exhausted,” Seraphim said as she took a seat next to him, “however, I feel like I need to explain something to you before I lose the nerve and retreat back into myself like I always do.”
Alan’s hand was halfway to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich but in the wake of Seraphim’s words, he retracted his attempt and forced his stomach to submit.
“I uh—I …” Seraphim looked into Alan’s eyes as she struggled to find the words.
“Just tell me,” Alan said taking both her hands in his own. “I can accept it.”
Seraphim took a deep breath, “There are things that you don’t know about me. The reason why we can’t—shouldn’t be—together is not only due to the difference in age between us. There are things that I have done that would effect the way you feel about me if you knew … I …”
Alan kissed her, cutting of any other words that may or may not have come out. Releasing his lips from hers, Alan gave her a smile, “It doesn’t matter. I don’t care. All I know is that I learned to love and respect this Sera, the woman I know now. Nothing else is important.”
Seraphim flushed, her jaw moved up and down as she struggled for the words. Both their attention was drawn to the still-open door as Danielle walked in on them. Her eyes looked from Seraphim to Alan, then to their interlaced hands. “Oh,” Danielle’s face turned a bright shade of red, “I didn’t mean to—the door was open—I just came into see how your wounds were …”
“It’s okay,” Alan said rising from the bed.
“No,” Danielle averted her eyes and backed out of the room, “Uh—I should go.”
“Danielle,” Alan said walking towards his oldest friend.
“No, I’m fine,” Danielle left but not before Alan could see the tears form in her eyes.
“She loves you, Alan.”
Alan turned back to Seraphim and shook his head. “No, we’re just friends. She’ll understand.”
“Is there such a thing as ‘just friends’?” Seraphim asked.
Alan was about to respond when Cratos walked into the room followed by Artemis who shook a stern finger at the bull-like man. “I told you, he needs to rest.”
Cratos looked at Alan then Seraphim. “My apologies, Horseman. However, it is my duty to my nation and Queen to see that you are safe. What’s more, we require a plan to find out what happened to Michael and wake Raphael from his state if it is possible.”
Alan looked at Seraphim wishing above all else to continue their conversation. In turn, Seraphim smiled and moved towards the door. “I should report to Esther and see if she requires assistance.”
“You don’t have to go,” Alan said.
“I’ll see you soon.”
Alan watched as Seraphim left. He collapsed back onto his bed massaging his temples and trying to figure out what Michael would do in his current dilemma. A small arm crossed over his shoulders as Artemis took a seat beside him. “We’ll figure this out together.”
Alan looked up at Artemis then Cratos. He had their support. All he needed to do was give them orders and they would obey. Alan knew they were all in this together. The thought of everyone putting so much faith in him gave Alan strength. “We’re going to find a way to wake Raphael and find out what happened to Michael,” Alan said, “Then we are going to rescue Kassidy and defeat Sodom’s forces.”
“Esther is only waiting for you word,” Artemis said, “And your dogs have been begging for a fight.”
Cratos shot Alan a toothy grin, “I like it, little brother. You’ve proven yourself a sound warrior. I’m sure the Minotaur Nation, as well as others, will stand by your side.”
END BOOK THREE
Alan Price will be back in the fourth installment of the Nephilim Chronicles,Alan Price and the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, coming soon. Until then, stay informed by visiting www.jonathan-yanez.com. Be sure to signup for the newsletter, which will keep you updated on new releases, provide discounts on books, and allow you to preorder upcoming titles.
Jonathan Yanezis also the author of The Elite Series, Steam and Shadows, Thrive and Bad Land. His books have been optioned for films and are available in ebook, print and audio book. He would love you to leave a review after you finish reading Alan Price and the Statue of Zeus.
Alan Price and the Statue of Zeus (The Nephilim Chronicles Book 3) Page 19