Snarling in chains, the Mocker screams, "It is your humanity that weakens you!!"
Raphaim looks down at him with disgust. "That is my point," he says excitedly "My humanity gives me the one thing I need to reign over all, free will! I am a supreme creation, the Alpha and Omega, I am Human and Angel. I am gifted with immortality, with all the gifts of the angels yet none of the weaknesses." He claps his hands together in glee.
"My humanity gives me free will, Father." Pacing excitedly he says, "It is my get out of jail free card! It was during my imprisonment in this very cell that I heard him speaking to me. ‘Are you Shadow or Are you Light?’ I asked myself why? Why is he asking me that?"
Turning his black eyes on his father he whispers, "That's when I understood. The human blood running through my body gives me so much more than I ever dreamed! I am given all the gifts of humanity, free will and forgiveness! It does not matter what I do. The question he asks tells me all I need to know."
"You are insane. You are a mutation, a genetic freak!" He screams raging against the special chains. "She will come for the book and destroy you! Free me and we can work together! You can keep the human to yourself. Release me! I can help destroy the Children of the Light!"
"I do not need your help.” With a wave of his hand he lifts the archangel off the floor, pulling the chains tight. Unable to move, the Mocker watches as Raphaim’s eyes go completely black and his fangs lengthen. Circling slowly he hears him inhale deeply, taking in the scent of fear and adrenaline.
“The power in your blood will give me all I need.” Violently plunging his teeth deep into the Mocker’s throat, he moans with pleasure as the powerful blood explodes into his mouth.
Intoxicated by the rich power of the blood hitting his system, Raphaim almost drains him completely. The moment the blood enters his body a flood gate of memories fill his mind. Raphaim is prepared for this and watches at a distance, taking the knowledge he needs. He drops the withered angel to the floor then turns and walks to the wall as sunken eyes follow him
Slapping a bloody hand on the wall, he lights the entire cell with amber light. All of the Fallen had come to watch.
“Brothers, look at The One now. Pathetic, isn’t he? Once he called me betrayer and forced your obedience. He made many promises, but kept none. Today I make you no promises. YOU ARE FREE!” Raphaim stands facing the army of Fallen and points to the roof. Building his power, he laughs at the look on their faces as a beam explodes from his hand detonating the roof above.
“Go, Brothers!” Like a swarm of bees they burst through the opening, taking to the sky. With a demented laugh, Raphaim leaps to the night sky watching as all of the Fallen on the scroll flee the underworld.
Epilogue
Elina watches as the last car leaves. Ruby, Ronnie and Polly have gone to find other Watchers. Hunter, Varena and Alex have ported to the safe house with a promise from Elina that she would find them when she needs them.
The house is empty now except for Elina. She is grabbing her bag when she sees the scroll on her end table.
“Dad, I almost forgot,” she says with a sigh. She pulls the red ribbon off and then opens the scroll. Immediately the pain hits her. A golden light explodes from the ancient text on the scroll, lifting Elina straight into the air. She screams in aguish as she hears in her mind “Keep them safe until the Ketuwah calls.” The text from the scroll is seared into her body, marking her for all time. The light fades, and Elina finds herself on her hands and knees on the floor. She stands slowly on trembling legs, strips her clothes, and walks to the floor length mirror. Her naked body stares back at her covered from the neck down in ancient Aramaic tattoos, the same tattoos that once flowed on Malach now cover her body. Her eyes fill with understanding. She has found the third part of the book! When she looks in the mirror, Elina watches as the golden light begins to fade from the now empty scroll. As the light fades, her tattoos dim, soon disappearing all together.
With trembling hands, she turns away and pulls her clothes on. Elina rolls the scroll up, securing it once again with the red ribbon. Slipping the scroll into her duffel bag, she looks around the room once more. Elina knows it is time to leave. When the tremor starts, Elina runs for the front door, and watches as Malach hits the earth hard. In full armor, he takes her breath away. Standing with his sword drawn, his emerald eyes meet hers.
“The years of peace have ended, Keeper. Raphaim has freed all the Fallen from the scroll.”
“What does this mean, Malach?” she asks.
“It means the Battles of Annihilation have begun.”
Lynn Landes is the author and independent publisher of The Covenant Series. Her stories span the spectrum of Romantic Fiction from Paranormal, Romantic Suspense to Christian Fantasy. If you like fantasy, temptation, and adventure be sure to check Lynn’s blog for upcoming titles.
www.followlynnsthread.wordpress.com
