Ingress

by Mary Ann Poll

  “You are all we needed to make this bloodbath complete. I can always depend on mortals to be the fools they were created to be.” Iconoclast came forward. “Now we can truly feast.”

  “You first. I still hunger for that lost sweetness you would provide in your death.” He grabbed Kat. Benny lunged and Iconoclast kicked out and caught the dog in the stomach. Benny flew to the other side of the courtyard.

  “Y’shua please help!” The disembodied march resumed. The forest trees vibrated to the increasing clamor of the rhythmic beat.

  The sun’s light tore through the overcast town. A golden staircase appeared, one misty step at a time, and hovered several feet above Old Town. Dots of silver light took on the form of glowing men, dressed in bronze breastplates. Each held a polished sword. Rainbows of light shot to the ground each time a sword reflected the sun’s light. Benny’s gold eyes focused on the warriors. He jumped toward the opening to heaven, wagged his tail and barked a loud greeting.

  “Thank you, O merciful One.” Doc Douglas fell prone on the ground.

  The angel’s leader lifted his sword to the heavens and the doorway disappeared. He advanced into the courtyard. The glowing army followed.

  “Iconoclast drew a graphite-colored saber and held it high. “We will not bow to you or your God!” The demon militia fanned out from behind Iconoclast.

  “So it has been ordained.” The lead angel’s sword sung as it sliced the air.

  Iconoclast’s wings snapped out and he took flight. The lead angel met him in midair. Iconoclast’s eight took to the skies and were met by the awaiting army. The skies rumbled with the thunder of war. Banshee shrieks followed a melodic, metallic hum.

  The small troop of human warriors ran to Doctor Douglas and helped him to his feet. As soon as he was upright, he took off for the courtyard, looped his arm around Wendy and pulled her into the street.

  “Where did you come from?—not that I minded the short winter romp.” Wendy smiled at the vet.

  The clamor above them grew louder. Wendy threw her hands over her ears and looked up. “Odd time of year for thunder.”

  Kat snorted a laugh and threw her arm around Wendy’s shoulders. “Sure is, Winsome. You got here late. Just keep watching.”

  Kat resisted the urge to duck and cover when Trapaneer plummeted to the earth, a foul-smelling mist in his wake. He landed outside the Old Town sign and dissolved into the sidewalk.

  Tears filled Kat’s eyes when a glowing being shot toward the ground, sparked then evaporated against the blue sky.

  Grandma gave her a quick squeeze. “They don’t die, sweet one.”

  “I know. Just made me sad to see one of the good guys go down in flames.”

  Iconoclast somersaulted to the ground in front of Dacoit and touched his blade to the skull-rock. The graphite caught fire.

  The commanding angel swooped low and landed between the small cabin and the boulder.

  Iconoclast sprang from the ground, glowing embers trailing his sword. “Be gone from my home.” He dove at the angel swinging the flaming blade. The golden broadsword met Iconoclast’s weapon in midair.

  “Be gone to your home.” The lead angel held his sword to the sky. A streak of lightening met he weapon. Blue sparks danced down the shaft to the curved handle. They fell to the ground opening a bright hole in the courtyard. He pointed the sword at Iconoclast. Iconoclast shot to the top of the old house. A line of blue fire broke left and up. It looped back on itself and fell over the demon. The misty rope pulled Iconoclast forward until he hovered over the fire. The opaque rope disintegrated and Iconoclast fell into the hole. A blinding fountain of white vapor shot out of the chasm. When the light waned, the angelic beings and the demons were gone.

  “I am really starting to doubt my sanity,” Kat said.

  “We all saw it. Stop doubting just because you can’t touch it, smell or see it,” Josiah said, “and you’ll be fine.”

  “I believe that is the definition of faith.” Alese walked up smiling.

  Mrs. Tellamoot jogged into their midst. “There you are.” Benny came running to her, jumped up and licked her face until her laughter filled the courtyard. Doctor Douglas joined them.

  “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For intervening on behalf of Ravens Cove—and us.”

  “Those bodies are gone,” Bart remarked. “There were two bodies in front of the old house. Or am I losing it?”

  “Buried by the angels, just like the story,” Mrs. Tellamoot said.

  Even Orthell’s body had disappeared. “He was taken and buried, too. God’s mercy is unfathomable.”

  The small troop thanked God for salvation. A group of townspeople had stayed behind.

  “We don’t know how we got here,” Mrs. Orthell said.

  “We do but you may find it hard to believe,” Paul told her.

  “Why don’t we go to my house, Maureen? We’ll explain to you.”

  Maureen Orthell smiled at Alese Bricken. “I’d like that.”

  Epilogue

  Of Cats and Dogs

  Bart and Ken returned to Brandon’s house. They were surprised to find his body in the basement. He lay outside the protective circle, both wrists slit.

  “Suicide, I think.” Sadness overtook Bart. “What a waste of life and soul.”

  Ken nodded. “Brother, I don’t know why we were spared again but I know I believe now.”

  “Me too.”

  They said a prayer over the body and called Dr. Billings for what they hoped was the last time in this capacity.

  They got in Bart’s old truck and went to Grandma’s.

  The laughter that greeted them was like a breath of fresh air. The heaviness of the murders and evil that had almost destroyed Ravens Cove lifted.

  Time to heal, rest, and celebrate life. Ken heard in his head. It seemed Bart heard the same thing.

  Grandma’s house was overflowing with the townspeople. The feeling of joy and the sound of laughter grew.

  “I’ve taken too much for granted in my life, Bart, and thought I had nothing but time. I’m changing that, today.” Ken noticed that Nyna was standing in the hallway watching Bart and Ken come in. Her eyes stayed on Bart.

  “I think you should take that advice, too.” He motioned with his head toward Nyna. Bart saw her and smiled.

  “Think you’re right, good friend, think it’s time to start living for today. Who knows what could happen tomorrow.” Bart walked to Nyna and took the extra coffee she had been holding.

  Kat ran and threw her arms around Ken. A familiar sting hit his leg. “Ouch. BC you have to stop doing that.” He picked him up and cradled the cat like a football. Benny came running out of the kitchen and sat in front of Ken. A low growl issued from BC. His tail swished back and forth and his hair started to stand on end.

  Benny gave BC a wary look and went back into the kitchen. BC relaxed and cuddled close into Ken’s arms.

  Ken put his other arm around Kat’s waist and gave her a squeeze. “I’m thinking we should run off together. How about you?”

  “After the ceremony.” She smiled.

  He leaned down and kissed her gently on the mouth. “Then how about we plan a real party—a wedding reception right here in Ravens Cove?”

  “I’d like that. I’d like that a lot.” She smiled up at him. BC walked off Ken’s arm and into Kat’s and started to purr, emerald green eyes looking into Kat’s of the same color.

  “I think Black Cat agrees, too.”

  “Good thing. I don’t need any more scars from that critter.”

  “Let’s find the group and the pastor and get this party planned.”

  “I already have the party planned.” Wendy had come up behind them, listening in as she was adept at doing.

  “Of course you do, Winsome.” Kat grabbed a handful of auburn curls and tugged.

  “It’s what I do, KittyKat. It’s what I do.”

  Grandma was watching the interaction from the ki
tchen doorway. These were the times she cherished. All was right with her family and all was right with her world.

  Josiah walked up to her. “Should we tell them?”

  “Not now. Let them celebrate and enjoy. There’s time enough to prepare for the next battle.” Grandma slipped her arm through Josiah’s. He gave her hand a squeeze and a pat.

  “And we will be ready for that time.” Josiah said. “Until then, let’s do some celebrating ourselves.” He grabbed Alese Bricken around the waist and swung her into the hall and to her adored family.

  The End