The Belial War

by R. D. Brady

  Mustafa led the way to the Osiris shaft. “Are you sure this is where it was hidden?”

  Gerard nodded, growing more certain as they approached. “Osiris was associated with immortality, albeit after he was resurrected. And he was guarded by the Sphinx, a being whose true face was hidden from the world.”

  Gerard looked at each of them but realized they did not get the reference.

  “In our search for the Omni, Helen and I came across the minotaur on Crete. He appeared to have the head of a bull and the body of a man. But it was only a mask. His true face was also that of a man.” Gerard looked back toward the Sphinx. “Just like the Sphinx’s true face has been hidden. I would have liked the idea of the Sphinx guarding this hiding spot. It would have been a clue for Helen, or Laney, I guess.”

  Gerard yanked open the gate covering the entrance. The padlock crashed to the ground, and he hurried inside. The entryway was only about ten feet long, and then there was a ladder leading down. Mustafa pulled a light stick and cracked it on, dropping it down the hole. It illuminated the long passageway on its way down, the two offshoots and the metal ladder bolted into the rock wall.

  Gerard grasped the ladder, swinging himself over. “I’ll meet you guys at the bottom.” And before they could reply, he leaped.

  Gerard grabbed the ladder, slowing his fall as he approached the bottom. It would take Mustafa and Noriko a while to join him, but he was too impatient to wait. He touched down and only had a few feet before the water began. The sarcophagus lid was suspended above the water on heavy metal cables.

  He slipped his pack off his shoulders and pulled out two light sticks. Snapping them to life, he tossed them into the water. As they sank to the bottom, they illuminated the sarcophagus resting six feet below the water.

  He paused, closing his eyes. Where are you? He knew it was here, but he wouldn’t have simply placed it in the sarcophagus, would he?

  Closing his eyes, he slowed his breathing, emptying his mind of thoughts. It was silent. Then a picture of the shaft, completely dry with only the sarcophagus appeared in his mind. His eyes flew open. He looked around, spying a crowbar left amongst some other tools left behind. Grabbing the tool, he jumped into the water.

  It was shockingly cold compared to the outside desert. But then with each foot below the surface he went, the temperature dropped. He bet it was probably only around forty degrees Fahrenheit. He swam his way to the bottom, wedging the crowbar underneath. Pushing down with all his might, he got little traction. The buoyancy of the water was nullifying his strength. This wasn’t going to work.

  He tried for another minute before growling and heading up. Breaking the surface, he took in a few deep breaths while he studied the underwater space. The sarcophagus sat under ten feet of water in a pit that was only about four feet wider on the ends and six feet on the longer sides. Hieroglyphs covered the walls surrounding it, Anubis prominently displayed.

  Taking a breath, he dove back in, heading for the narrower end. Bracing his feet against the wall, he propped his shoulder against the sarcophagus and pushed. It gave an inch. Using his legs, he pushed harder. Slowly, inch by inch, it moved. He began to see spots and resurfaced, taking in large gulps of air before diving back under. Quickly getting back into position, he pushed again. Six inches, eight.

  Come on. Come on. Spots began to swim before his eyes. He felt pressure in his head. But he continued to push until he’d moved the sarcophagus eighteen inches. Then he burst from the water, breathing heavily.

  “Gerard? Are you all right?” Noriko called from up the ladder.

  “I’m good. Almost there.” He waited until the spots in his eyes and the ache in his chest disappeared before diving again. He grabbed the crowbar from where he’d discarded it on the bottom. Wiping the silt away, he saw the stone he had placed there eons ago. He hitched the crowbar into the small groove along the side of the stone and plunged the other end to the ground. The stone tablet popped up an inch. Discarding the crowbar, he worked his fingers under the edge and yanked. The stone gave way, revealing a small hole underneath. He smiled.

  Found you.

  Chapter 60

  An hour after finding the Omni in the Temple of Osiris, Noriko was taxiing down the runway in Gerard’s plane. This time, Mustafa was accompanying them as well.

  Mustafa sat next to her, his gaze on Gerard, who was just entering the cockpit.

  Noriko followed the SIA agent’s gaze. “What’s wrong?”

  “I don’t trust him.”

  “But you agreed with his reasoning when he said we shouldn’t contact anyone about what we found. That Elisabeta would be monitoring our communications and anyone we called.”

  “Yeah, it’s just convenient.”

  “Convenient?”

  “We found a weapon that could help us in the fight, but we can’t tell anyone about it.”

  “Not yet. But we found the Omni, and now we’re returning to Laney with it, just like Gerard said we would.”

  “Why won’t he let us see what’s in the sack?”

  “Well, he said that was for Laney, not us. I mean, she is the ring bearer.”

  Mustafa glanced at her. “That doesn’t seem a little odd?”

  “Odd?”

  “You lead Gerard to Egypt, help him find something that’s been buried for thousands of years, and he doesn’t show it to you?”

  Noriko shrugged, but Mustafa’s skepticism was making her a little nervous. “Not really. I mean, I trust him.”

  “Why?”

  Noriko opened her mouth, then closed it. She couldn’t explain it, not in any way that would make Mustafa understand. She just knew that Gerard would never hurt her.

  “He worked with Elisabeta for years. You really think he was willing to turn on her just like that?” Mustafa said forcefully, making Noriko jump. “Samyaza plays the long game. And what better long game than to get one of her people in with us, get us to trust them, and then have them betray us.”

  “He . . . he wouldn’t.”

  “You sure?”

  Noriko once again found herself without anything to say, so she just stared out the window. Neither she nor Mustafa spoke as the plane continued to ascend and then leveled off. But while outwardly she was silent as a mouse, inside, her mind was whirling. It wasn’t possible, was it? Gerard wouldn’t betray them, would he?

  She knew he’d been with Elisabeta for years, since he was a teenager, in fact. But he hated her now, didn’t he? Now that he knew who she really was? Now that she knew who he really was?

  But wouldn’t he have seen who she was at some point over the years? Noriko knew everyone thought she was incredibly naive. And she was the first to admit they were right. But even she realized Gerard had to have helped Elisabeta in some of the horrible things that she had done.

  She jumped as the cockpit door opened. Gerard’s gaze latched onto her. “You all right?”

  “Yeah, just, I don’t know. Everything okay?”

  “Yes and no. I spoke with Laney to let her know we are heading back. But we are about to hit some bad weather, and the pilot says that our cells and TV reception is shot. So we won’t be able to make any calls or get any service until we land.”

  Mustafa narrowed his eyes. “Is that so?”

  “On the bright side, we should all be able to take a nice long sleep without any disruptions.”

  Mustafa crossed his arms over his chest. “I think I’ll stay awake.”

  Gerard shrugged. “Suit yourself.” He turned to Noriko. “The bedroom’s yours if you want it.”

  “Uh . . .” Norio looked at Mustafa, who did not take his gaze from Gerard. “Actually, sleeping sounds good. I’m a little wiped out.”

  Concern immediately crossed Gerard’s face. “Do you need anything? Juice or something to eat?”

  “No, I just, uh, need some sleep.”

  “Okay. Pleasant dreams.”

  She nodded, scooting past Mustafa and heading to the bedroom. She turned to clos
e the door and found Gerard watching her. Chills ran across her skin. She told herself they were the good kind of chills, the ones she normally felt when Gerard was around.

  But even she wasn’t naive enough to believe that one.

  Chapter 61

  Baltimore, Maryland

  The bomb shelter was abuzz with activity. Patrick and Jen, who each had their own rooms in the full medical suite, weren’t the only new additions. The furniture in the living area was being moved out to make room for bunk beds and hammocks. After watching Elisabeta’s recording, they were going to stuff as many people into the shelter as possible.

  Jake pulled out his phone to call Mary Jane, then put it away. He’d already spoken with her. She was fine. She didn’t need him calling her every hour, although that’s what he wanted to do.

  “Coming through,” a voice called behind him.

  Jake stepped to the side as a staff member with a dolly full of dried milk headed past him toward one of Dom’s storerooms. They were stocking Dom with as much as they could manage, in case one of the bombs went off somewhere around the shelter. Being they all had been a thorn in Elisabeta’s side, Jake would not be surprised if they were the first target.

  This section of the shelter would be off limits to everyone but their immediate unofficial family. Patrick, Cain, and Nyssa were given Dom’s bedroom. As Jake passed, Snow looked up from where she was curled up with Nyssa on a rug on the floor. Patrick was sleeping, and Cain was reading. Jake passed by without disturbing them.

  Dom would be bunking with Lou, Rolly, and Danny in Dom’s office across the hall. Right now, the teenagers were all helping haul in supplies. It was good for them to have something useful to do. They were all still reeling from Zach’s death.

  Sascha was in the other guest room. Max was with her and Dov, although Patrick wanted Max with him. Once he was a little stronger, they’d make sure he was moved over. But right now, Max needed someone who could focus on him, and Sascha had volunteered to be that person.

  Jen was in the last guest bedroom down the hall. Henry was just stepping out of the room as Jake approached. He closed the door softly behind him.

  “How is she?” Jake asked quietly.

  “She says she’s fine, but she’s not. She’s worried about the baby.”

  Jake still found it unreal that the two of them had a little one on the way. And for there to be a chance that they might lose that child? It was just wrong on so many levels. “Have you decided on surgery?”

  “The doctor wants to wait a few days, see if maybe the shrapnel shifts out on its own.”

  “Is that likely?”

  “Possible, but they’ll be monitoring it twice a day to make sure. Her mom’s sitting with her now. Her brothers and dad are helping move supplies in.”

  “Yeah, I saw them.” He paused. “You saw the recording?”

  Henry’s mouth tightened to a thin line. “Yes.”

  “She’s going to hand herself over.”

  “I know.”

  “Any chance we can stop her?”

  Henry gave a bitter laugh. “What do you think?”

  “It can’t have come to this. There has to be another angle we can try.”

  Henry leaned back against the wall. Jake had never seen him look so defeated. “If there is, I don’t know what it is.”

  “She’ll kill her.”

  Henry’s eyes held a world of pain. “I know.”

  Chapter 62

  As Maldonado pulled up to the gates, Laney got her first glimpse of the damage Elisabeta had done. She gasped at the gaping hole that had once been the front gates. Cars were lined along the front, waiting to get in.

  “You want me to get in line?”

  “No. I’ll get out here.” She placed her hand on the handle.

  “Dr. McPhearson.”

  Laney stopped.

  “If Elisabeta attacks, do you have any advice?”

  Laney looked back at the woman, thinking about all she’d done to hide who she was. But this was a new world they were about to enter. “Save as many as you can as fast as you can. Our time of hiding is over. If you need help, you can contact the SIA. And you can contact me here, at least for a little while longer.”

  Maldonado nodded. “Good luck.”

  “You too.” Laney stepped from the car and began to walk toward the gate. People caught sight of her, whispering comments as she passed.

  “It’s her. She’s here.”

  “She caused all of this. How dare she.”

  Laney kept her head high. She knew she was not responsible for Elisabeta’s actions, but scared people weren’t always rational.

  People stepped out of her way. A cry went up from the front of the line. Laney smiled as Cleo raced toward her. Laney stopped, and Cleo leaped up, placing her paws on Laney’s shoulders. Laney hugged her tight.

  Cleo licked her cheek before dropping to all fours. She leaned against Laney, and Laney ran a hand through her fur.

  It is good to see you, too, sweetheart.

  Together they made their way to the front of the line.

  Fricano glanced up from where he was checking people in. He grinned. “Hey, look what the cat dragged in.”

  Laney groaned. “Oh, that was bad.”

  “And yet accurate.” Dylan Jenkins walked over from where the gatehouse used to be.

  “I’m glad to see you guys are okay.”

  “It’s been a little rough around here,” Fricano said.

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “Everybody’s at the bunker,” Jenkins said.

  Laney nodded. “Let them know I’m coming?”

  “Will do,” Fricano said.

  She paused. “Is Drake here?”

  Jenkins shook his head. “We haven’t seen him.”

  “Okay. Thanks.” She patted Fricano’s shoulder as she passed. She straightened her shoulders, pushing her thoughts of Drake aside.

  Time to get to work.

  And that’s what she did. Henry, Jake, and Matt had already begun preparations, so Laney pitched in where she could. Cats were doled out to varying teams of SIA agents. The President had quietly broadened the agency’s mandate. The agents and cats were being stationed across the globe to address any uprising. But it would not be enough. They all knew that. The governments of the world had gone on high alert. Military troops were moving into the streets across the globe to counter any threat. There were food runs, bank runs, huge lines at gas stations. The whole planet had collectively gone mad. Gun sales were going through the roof, as most states had just given up on the waiting period due to the demand.

  Everyone was bracing for the worst. Laney arranged all the animal transports, coordinating with Matt. Through Matt, she learned that the United States was leading a coordinated strike against Elisabeta. While Laney prayed they were successful, she planned like they were going to fail.

  Henry had stuffed as many people into the bomb shelter as possible. Now Laney sat outside with Cleo, watching the agents who were going to be outside the bunker when the deadline hit. They were saying goodbye to their families, who would be riding out the storm several stories below ground. Cleo stood up from where she had been lying with a deep stretch. Cleo had refused to leave her side for most of the afternoon. Laney knew she was afraid to let Laney out of her sight.

  “Going for a run?”

  Yes. Be back soon.

  “Take your time.”

  Cleo stared at her. Be back soon.

  “Okay, okay.”

  She slipped between the trees, disappearing from sight.

  A man caught her attention from the corner of her eye. She whirled around. Drake? But he was a little too short, his shoulders not quite as broad. The hurt pierced through her again.

  She looked at her watch. Time was getting tight. She stood and headed into the shelter. With the crowd of people, it took longer than usual to get down to the shelter itself.

  She was actually happy for the delay. It let her put off th
e conversation that she needed to but absolutely did not want to have.

  This might be tougher than facing Elisabeta, she thought as she stepped through the blast door and headed for Patrick’s room.

  Chapter 63

  Laney stood outside the room Patrick was resting in. The bomb shelter was a hub of activity. Cots, hammocks, and sleeping bags littered almost every open space, reminding Laney of hurricane emergency shelters. Hopefully it would only be for a short while.

  Unless, of course, the shelter ends up in the blast radius, and then everyone here will be here for life.

  She pushed the thought aside, not wanting to think about that possibility. Taking a steeling breath, she knocked gently on the door.

  “Come in,” Cain called.

  Laney opened the door, peeking her head in. Patrick looked up from the bed, a Sudoku book in his lap. “I was wondering when you’d stop by.”

  Laney winced before crossing the room and kissing his cheek. “Sorry, it’s been a little crazy.”

  Cain sat by the bed, his own Sudoku book in his lap, his sunglasses perched on his nose.

  “Back to the glasses?” Laney asked.

  Cain shrugged. “Well, there are a lot of new faces, and more than one TV commentary is speaking about the end of days. I didn’t think my eyes would help tamp down any of the rising hysteria.”

  “Probably a good call.” She glanced beyond the bed, just noticing the playpen where Nyssa sat happily playing with blocks. “She looks good.”

  “She seems to like all the hubbub.” Cain walked over and picked her up. “But I think I will take her for another stroll around the estate before they lock us in here.” He headed out the door, closing it softly behind him.

  Laney took a seat in the chair Cain had just vacated.

  “You look tired,” Patrick said.

  “Well, thanks. Just what every girl loves to hear.”