“Stop!” Abraham commanded again, running toward the front of the mob. He gained speed and managed to get ahead of the multitude. Spreading his arms wide, he took a stand before the onslaught and commanded yet again, “I order you to stop! Do not go into the outer world. You will be damned for all eternity!”
For once in his life, his voice carried no authority. He was borne down by the first wave. He cast his eyes wildly about and spied Hannah standing off to the side, watching the frenzied race across the threshold. She was dressed as one of the Fallen. In her hand, she held a large iron key. She smiled slightly when she noticed him being pulled downwards. The smile never wavered as she watched him sink out of sight. The weight of all their bodies pounded down on him as they ran, breaking his rib cage, crushing his lungs. He gasped for one last breath. His heart burst—
Abraham’s eyes flew open in terror. By sheer reflex, he forced himself into an upright position. For the first few seconds, dream and waking merged. He didn’t know where he was or whether he was living or dead. Then his lungs expanded. The question was answered. He was still alive. Shakily, he threw his legs over the side of the bed, drawing in as much life-giving air as he could hold. He rubbed his chest just to make sure his heart was, in fact, beating. A cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
He tottered over to look out the window. It was night. The same night. The moon still blanketed the landscape in its sickly glow. He must have been asleep for only minutes, but it had been long enough. The dream was a warning—a caution from the Lord. It took him the space of a second to interpret its meaning. God was plainly showing him the trouble which lay in store because he had failed to grasp the true nature of his problem.
All this time, he had seen Hannah’s disappearance as a personal affront—an insult from Satan meant only for him. But his nightmare vision had shown him the larger significance of that event. Hannah must be recovered not only because it suited Abraham but because it was necessary to ensure the survival of the brotherhood itself. Where she had gone, others might follow. First one or two but the trickle would become a stream, and the stream would become a flood and the flood a tidal wave that swept around the globe. Every compound in every country was at risk unless the diviner intervened immediately. His power to contain must triumph over Satan’s power to corrupt or else the Blessed Nephilim would be lost to grace forever. The Lord had appointed him as their keeper. No matter what hideous torment awaited them in the afterlife for failing to keep the faith, it was nothing compared to the retribution God would visit on their failed shepherd.
Abraham finally understood the enormity of his dilemma. He had been wrong before. His own eyes could never hope to be vigilant enough to avert disaster. When the sun returned, and reason with it, he would see whether a legion of eyes could do what his own could not.
Chapter 20 – Feast of the Epiphany
“That was an amazing meal!” Cassie pushed away her empty plate and rested her elbows on the table. Since it was her last visit before leaving the country, Faye and Hannah had prepared a special going-away dinner for her. Stuffed pork loin with sage dressing, roasted potatoes, vegetables harvested from the garden and freshly-baked rolls.
“Hannah was a great help in the kitchen.” Faye smiled.
The girl blushed and stared down at the table top. “I didn’t do much.”
“Well, whatever you did, kudos!” the pythia said. “It was spectacular.”
“I don’t think our young friend is used to praise,” the old woman whispered as an aside.
Hannah flushed even more deeply. “Among the Nephilim, there’s a saying. ‘Compliments lead to pride and pride goeth before a fall.’”
“I’ve got a new saying for you,” Cassie countered. “Compliments lead to pride, and pride in a job well done goeth before self-esteem.”
Hannah gave her a puzzled look.
“I guess confidence training will have to wait til I get back,” Cassie said. She paused to note the change in the girl’s appearance. “You got your hair cut.”
“Daniel’s attempt to trim Hannah’s hair needed some correction,” Faye explained. “Yesterday we went to a little salon in the village. I think the style Hannah chose looks very fetching, don’t you?”
The girl had opted for a short, fringed cut that framed her face and made her look much more mature than her fourteen years.
Cassie nodded in agreement. “Très classy.”
The girl smiled. “I like it very much though it takes some getting used to. My head feels cold all the time now.”
They all laughed.
“Tomorrow we venture even deeper into forbidden territory,” Faye said.
At a quizzical glance from Cassie, the old woman elaborated. “I’m taking Hannah to the mall to buy her some more clothes. Winter will be here soon, and she doesn’t even have a coat yet.”
“You’re in for a treat,” Cassie told the girl. “You’re going on a shopping spree. After that, your morals will be completely corrupted.”
“They will?” the girl asked nervously.
Faye chuckled. “Don’t mind her, Hannah. It’s all perfectly proper. Cassie is just having a little joke.”
The pythia tried to explain. “Going to the mall is a rite of passage for every teenage girl in the world. You’re about to learn the true meaning of the word ‘charge!’ It’s a life-changer.”
Hannah’s dubious expression never wavered. Cassie sighed. “Never mind. It’s the sort of thing you need to experience for yourself.”
Faye reached across the table to clear away the dishes, but Hannah was too quick for her.
“Please, let me do that. You’ve been on your feet all day.”
Cassie tried to pick
