“Jake, we have to go! Get us out of here. They are here, Jake. Help me Damnit!!!” Snapping out of his shock, he realizes she followed him inside. Jake jumps up and grabs her hand, and heads for the front door but a shadow kicks it shut.
“Going so soon, don’t you like my welcome gift?” a demonic voice asks from the shadows. Holding Elsbeth close, Jake closes his eyes and ports out. His intention is to take them back to Polly’s, but he doesn’t make it that far. Elsbeth is ripped from his arms and she does the only thing she can think to do. She calls her protector.
“Simeon!!!!” she screams. Plucked midair by an unseen enemy she feels his claws dig into her shoulder and she begins to fight. Elsbeth screams as she tries to break free, Jake uses his whip and explodes the demon holding her into dust. They land hard in the yard behind Lucas’s house.
With a shield of protection around them, Jake watches as a large man approaches them. He doesn’t look like what Jake expected the Mocker to look like. His rage and grief over Lucas causes his enemy to smile.
“Yes, feed the hatred, Jake. It feels good, powerful and right! Join me, help me destroy the Keeper and I will let your sister live.” Glancing at Elsbeth weeping on the ground he knows he can’t let her be taken again.
“Jake, don’t you listen to him. He is the Father of Lies!” taking his hand she adds her strength to his and the shield strengthens.
The Mocker growls in fury, and says, “I see Asa did not teach you any manners. I will take my time with you!” Leaning his head back, he quickly sheds the form of the man. Standing before them is a beautiful blonde haired, blue eyed man. In his true form he wears only a white wrap and golden belt around his muscular waist. All that is missing are his wings.
Bleeding from her shoulder wounds, Elsbeth starts to laugh. She pushes up to a sitting position and sneers, “I expected more, didn’t you Jake? What is it about us, that you want so badly, Mocker?”
He screams, “I want the Keeper, and you are the bait!!!” In an instant, he is before them swinging a large sword and he attacks the shield. The force of the blow is intense, forcing Jake to his knees and causing Elsbeth to scream in pain.
Jake drops to the ground and pulls his sister into his arms. “Elina said our faith is tied to the power of our shield. Hold onto that faith and it will not fail us.” Jake applies pressure to her shoulder wound to slow the bleeding, and Elsbeth tries not to scream.
The Mocker moves closer and begins to pummel the shield. Repeatedly, his mighty blows strike the shield. With every clash of his sword, Jake flinches in pain and Elsbeth writhes in agony.
“Simeon, I need you,” she whispers.
Moving closer, he looks at the two of them and smiles. The blows cease as he laughs. “Will your shield hold in the midst of Hell, Watchers? I will drive you into the fires below, and then we will see who is stronger!” With next hit, Jake feels the earth beneath their feet begin to tremble.
Twenty_Two
Simeon, Nameed, and Malach all stare in disgust at the demon prisoner they are now responsible for. Raphaim sleeps, as his fate is being discussed by three powerful archangels.
“Let me get rid of him!” Malach says drawing his large sword.
Nameed looks at him and considers the possibility as he nudges the prone body on the floor with his foot. Anger fills his soul when he thinks of his offer to kill Polly.
Simeon sees he will have to be the voice of reason here. “We do not know the role he is to play, yet. Put your weapon away, brother.” Simeon commands with a laugh.
Her scream rips through Simeon’s soul, and he does not hesitate to leave. He follows the sound. Malach and Nameed look at Raphaim, knowing Simeon may need them.
“He should be out for at least another five days. Let’s go!” Nameed says looking to Malach. Hearing Elsbeth’s weakened cry for help, Malach and Nameed follow it.
The first thing Simeon sees is Jake holding Elsbeth, and the scent of her blood fills his senses. He does not fight the rage, but absorbs it, allowing it to fill his soul as he strikes at the Mocker from behind. The blow sends him tumbling away from the shield. With every breath he takes, Simeon grows larger. His beautiful golden wings are stretched out to shield Jake and Elsbeth and his body begins to glow from inside. His wings illuminate, spreading down his shoulders into his trunk and every inch of him and bursting with the power of the sun.
The Mocker knows he cannot fight an arch at his full power, but with help from his fallen warriors he can weaken him. The shadows pour out of the ground and attack Simeon, slicing at him. Upon contact they scream as the heat pouring from him burns them and Simeon smiles.
“You are mine, Mocker. I will make sure you never harm her again.”
Malach and Nameed land on the ground flanking Simeon. The Mocker stands up and with a hand reaches to the earth cracking it open between them causing a deep rift. Steam pours out along with twenty fallen angels, ready to do as their master commands.
Malach steps back and rushes to Jake. Quickly looking Elsbeth over, he lifts her and tells Jake to follow him. They port out, and head back to Polly’s.
Nameed stays to
