The old woman nodded in acknowledgment. “I’ve given you her history, so you’ll understand what you’re dealing with. She’s been through so much and still lives in fear that the cult may find her and force her to go back.”
“Not on my watch,” the boy said with great determination.
“There’s a brave lad.” She patted his arm approvingly. “Always remember that you need to move slowly with Hannah. Things that you and I take for granted are new and strange to her. Computers, television, cell phones.” The old woman smiled as a new thought struck her. “This may turn out to be an educational experience for both of you. She’ll learn how the world works and you’ll learn patience. Patience is, after all, a virtue.”
Zach rolled his eyes. “As far as I’m concerned patience is one of the seven deadly sins. It ranks right up there with punctuality and square dancing.”
“Nevertheless, it’s a useful trait in my line of work.”
“And just exactly what is your line of work?” the boy asked, attempting to sound casual.
The old woman didn’t rise to the bait. “You won’t find that out until you’ve proven yourself to me. Consider this assignment with Hannah as your first test. There will be others, but each time you succeed, I will reward you by revealing more about what my organization does and why. Are you ready for the challenge?”
Zach’s eyes gleamed. “Game on!”
Chapter 25 – In Plane Sight
As Daniel exited the airplane which had carried him from Crete to Malta, it occurred to him that this was the first time he had flown by himself—no Leroy Hunt to offer annoying in-flight conversation or dog his every move. When he entered the gate area, there was nobody to greet him either. Another first. He had left his last Nephilim contact back on Crete. Brother Nikos had been his companion while he went through the motions of searching Mount Ida for more clues. The young convert didn’t question anything the scion did, so Daniel had spent his time in Greece quite pleasantly. Nothing marred his enjoyment except the routine calls he was compelled to make advising his father of his progress. With each lackluster telephone update, the diviner grew more impatient for results. Daniel decided it was time to move to another location in the hopes that his father might equate a geographic change with headway. Since the riddle hinted at westward travel, the scion targeted the island of Malta as his next destination. The archipelago contained heathen temples to a goddess whose name was so ancient that it had never been recorded in the histories of men. As Daniel had learned, the trail to the Bones of the Mother invariably followed in the footsteps of goddesses.
He wondered what his father’s God would have to say about that. The commandments clearly stated, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” The relics themselves constituted graven images. His father coveted them to such a degree that it qualified as a form of idol worship. Daniel thought uncomfortably of God’s promise to punish anyone to the fourth generation who indulged in such profane practices. Surely the scion would be visited with the penalty for his father’s crimes. That is if one believed that the commandments were the literal word of God in the first place. Daniel’s recent exposure to other religions made him question if that were so. He gasped inwardly at the blasphemous notion.
The scion made his way outside the terminal and stood on the sidewalk for a few moments to savor the experience of being completely independent on this trip. After a surreptitious glance around to see if anyone was watching, he removed his black suit jacket, folded it neatly and stuffed it into his overnight bag. He hesitated only a moment before removing his black tie as well, placing it in the bag alongside his jacket. Then he straightened up and unbuttoned the collar of his shirt. After that, he did something even more extraordinary. He rolled up his sleeves to the forearm. Given all the days he’d spent in the hot Mediterranean sun, it had never occurred to him that he might have done this sooner. He felt a mixture of guilt and exhilaration at his slight costume adjustment. Now he could almost pass for one of the Fallen. Should he be shocked at his own behavior? Had his contact with the outside world corrupted his morals? He didn’t feel particularly sinful, merely a bit less constricted.
He hoisted his bag over his shoulder and made his way toward a cab stand. Daniel congratulated himself on his ability to navigate his way through the Fallen Lands so easily now. He knew what a cab was and how to get one—knew how to book a hotel room for himself and how to pay for it with a credit card online. He wondered if he might move among them soon as a native instead of an oddity. Surely his father would view his newfound ease among the Fallen as an abomination. But there was nobody around to tell him about it, was there?
Something caught Daniel’s attention out of the corner of his eye. He hadn’t consciously noticed any of the other passengers moving in and out of the airport, but he felt an urge to stop dead in his tracks and look over his shoulder. A trio of travelers had just passed him and walked through the glass doors of the terminal. Even though he had only snatched a glimpse, there was something vaguely familiar about them.
Daniel felt an irrational desire to follow them back inside. Why should any of the Fallen look familiar to him? He was completely unknown in this place. The impulse refused to go away. Daniel turned around and retraced his steps. He scanned the ticket counters, but there were too many people milling about. He didn’t see them. Still mentally castigating himself for this silly whim,
