The Light of His Sword (14 page)

Mike nodded holding Gabe’s gaze, “Did you
tell her?”

“No,” Gabe glanced down at the table, “Not
directly, I told her Walton was wrong but didn’t force the issue.
We were in the open. I didn’t want to risk being overheard.”

Mike went back to his plate of food,
scooping up large spoonfuls until the plate was empty. Gabe and
Rafi’s plates were left untouched. When Mike was finished, he
looked up at them, “A giant storm is coming, larger than I’ve seen
since the veil was torn. It spirals around us like a hurricane. It
grows stronger by the hour. By the time it reaches us, it will be
stronger than anything we’ve ever faced before. There is a great
evil involved in this. An evil I have not been able to determine.
Nevertheless, the first of the horde of demons will be upon us in a
matter of days. I sent word to the others, but most are too far to
reach us in time. We are on our own. I need to know you’re
ready.”

“As always Michael, I will stand and fight
for the innocent. How can you question my loyalty?” Gabe rose
insulted at Mike’s remark.

“Gabriel,” Mike rose as his gruff voice
softened, “I would never question your loyalty. You are a better
man than I am when it comes to humans. You have never given into
temptation, not once. Rafael and I cannot say the same. But this
time it is different. We all must look deep inside and insure we
are making the right decision. Yes, we do protect the innocent, the
steadfast hearts of the believers. But this time is different. This
time we fight to protect a young woman who has denied God openly
without hesitation. She has no faith to strengthen her, no beliefs
to hold her true to the end. Never before have we fought for an
unbeliever. We need to be sure the path we travel is our true
course. A course that will bring us closer to the triumph that
waits at the end of days.”

“This is our true path.” Gabe stepped around
the table and moved to stand before him.

Rafi rose quickly in alarm.

Mike smiled at Gabe as he answered, “Is it
our
true path or yours?”

Gabe turned to face Rafi, his face twisted
in anger, “You told him?”

“He didn’t have to,” Mike answered calmly,
“You’re dripping with it. You’re in love with her.”

Gabe spun and took hold of Mike’s shirt. He
lifted him from the ground and pulled his hulking form closer as if
he were a small child. “She is an innocent we
must
save her.
My feelings are under control and have no bearing on this
decision.”

Mike’s smile vanished, but he made to move
to free himself from Gabe’s iron grip, “Here’s the real question
Gabe; is our intervention needed at this time? We both know
Samantha is not the child of the prophesy. Alyssa has not conceived
this child yet. If we interfere in her life now are we changing the
course of this prophesy or fulfilling it? What if Alyssa is
destined to conceive a second or third child with Walton? What if
it’s her sixth or seventh born? What if Walton
is
destined
to be the father?”

Gabe glared at him, but lowered him to the
floor, allowing him to continue.

“What I’m hearing you say Gabe, is that we
should risk our time here on earth, perhaps our very existence to
ensure Alyssa has a chance to do what? Fall in love? Lead a normal
life? Gabe, no one, I repeat no one involved in a prophesy such as
this has any chance of living a normal life, innocent or not.”

Gabe shoved Mike roughly from him. His
breath came in ragged gasps as Gabe tried to control his temper.
Rafi moved slowly to place himself between them. Gabe forced his
anger down. He turned and walked into the living room to gaze out
the window. “She was raised within a coven of demon worshippers by
a cruel man who raped her for his own gain. I can’t allow Alyssa
and that innocent little girl to return to that way of life. It’s
our duty to guide and protect the innocent. The only way I know how
to protect them is to destroy Walton and all of his followers.”

“That’s what Archangels do.” Mike said
softly coming up beside him and offering his hand, “So it
begins.”

A few hours later the sound of the front
door closing woke Alyssa with a start. She slid from the bed and
went to the window to watch Mike and Rafi walk across the clearing
and into the barn. Thank goodness, her grandmother had the sense to
insist they sleep in the barn. But where was Gabe? Glancing at
Samantha’s sleeping form, she pulled the covers over her, snatched
her robe from the end of the bed and headed downstairs.

Walking slowly down the steps, she glanced
around the corner into her grandmother’s bedroom. Her grandmother
snored softly in her bed. Moving to the kitchen Alyssa cleared the
dishes off the table and placed them in the sink. She turned off
the light and headed through the living room intending to lock the
front door. She noticed a pair of feet hanging over the edge of the
sofa. Moving slowly toward him, Alyssa peered over the back of the
sofa at Gabe’s sleeping form.

His face was calm and serene. His hair was
mussed and fell across his eyes. He was so beautiful. Alyssa
smiled; she could see why Samantha thought he was an angel. He was
perfect. His silky brown hair, smooth, perfect skin, sexy cleft
chin and those deep blue eyes that made Alyssa’s heart race. Alyssa
moved around the sofa. She reached out to turn off the small light
on the end table near his head. As she touched the light Gabe’s
eyes opened.

Alyssa’s heart stopped as their eyes met.
Gabe didn’t attempt to rise; he simply gazed up at her. The dim
light of the lamp danced across his sapphire eyes turning them a
deeper shade of blue.

He spoke so softly she could barely hear his
words, “I thought one of us should stay inside just in case. I hope
you don’t mind.”

She pulled her hand back from the lamp and
said, “I suppose that is best.”

Gabe shifted his weight and sat up. The
blanket slid from his bare muscular chest as he rose. “Alyssa,
about earlier…”

“I’m sorry,” Alyssa blurted out quickly
stepping back. “I don’t know why I did that.”

“It’s all right,” Gabe added softly. “It’s a
normal reaction to feel an attachment to someone who has been
placed in the position of your protector.” His eyes held a depth of
emotion Alyssa didn’t understand.

“I got carried away, it was nothing.” Alyssa
added quickly without comprehending his words. “I was simply swept
up in the heat of the moment. I’m sorry.”

“You haven’t known a lot kindness in your
life.” Gabe’s voice grew soft with compassion. “In time you’ll
discover there are many kind men in this world who will seek you
out. You’re a very beautiful woman; it’s only natural. But, you
need to be cautious about whom you allow in your life. Not just for
your protection, but Samantha’s as well. There are men who would
take advantage of your affection in the name of love. If I were to
act upon your growing affection for me so soon after your escape, I
would be doing just that. I’d be no better than Walton.”

What was he saying? She stared at him in
confusion. Did he think she was in love with him?

He continued, “It will take some time for
you to adjust to the world outside the compound.”

“Adjust?” Alyssa asked as her anger grew.
How dare he make assumptions? “I don’t need any time to adjust. I’m
here in the safety of my grandmother’s home. There’s no adjusting
to that. What adjustments I have made are learning that I’m much
better off without answering to a man for my every need. I don’t
know what you thought happened in the kitchen, but I can assure you
I am not an innocent young girl that falls in love with every man
who offers her a sweet smile and a kind word.”

Gabe rose from the sofa and reached out
toward her. “That’s not what I meant.”

“I understand what you meant; you think I’m
in love with you.” Alyssa backed further from his reach, “One
innocent kiss, and you think I’m throwing myself at you. Just
because I’m not married and have a child.”

“No, Alyssa,” Gabe stepped closer.

She held out her hands to stop him, “I may
have lost my virginity as a young girl, but I have not lost my
self-worth. I would never throw myself at a man, any man just
because he…” Tears streamed down Alyssa’s face as her words caught
in her throat.

Gabe stepped back and lowered his hands. He
whispered, “I’m sorry, I misunderstood. I didn’t mean to upset you.
Alyssa, I’m only trying to help you, guide you. I’m looking out for
your best interests. The last thing I want is to it hurt you.”

Alyssa turned and ran back up the stairs,
closing the door behind her. She leaned back against the door and
sobbed silently in the darkness oblivious to the source of her
tears.

Chapter Nine

Sunlight floated through the thin lacey
curtains of the attic bedroom and danced across the walls. Alyssa
stretched and rolled over seeking out Samantha’s small form.
Bolting upright when she realized Samantha was not in bed beside
her, Alyssa sprang from the bed. She glanced around the room just
as Samantha’s laughter drifted up the stairs followed by the smell
of bacon and freshly baked biscuits.

Sighing with relief Alyssa smiled at her
foolishness and went to change into the clothing her grandmother
had laid out on the end of the bed. She found blue jeans and a pink
blouse. Pink again? Alyssa smiled and shook her head. The rough
fabric of the jeans surprised her. She frowned at their musty
smell. It’d been a long time since she’s worn pants. She sat on the
bed and pulled up the thick jeans; they were tight, but fit well.
Her legs felt strange covered in fabric. She rose, fastened the
zipper and turned to pick up the blouse.

The pink fabric was soft and smooth. She
lifted it to her cheek and reveled in the sensation of such
delicate material. She slid her arms slowly into the sleeves and
buttoned it. Moving to a small antique dresser by the window, she
gazed into the round mirror that hung above it. She was stunned to
find a lovely young woman staring back at her. They didn’t have
mirrors at the compound. Leaning forward, Alyssa peered into her
large blue eyes and said, “I look like my mother.”

Forcing back the tears, she picked up the
large white bristled brush sitting on the dresser and ran it
through her hair. Glancing around for something to tie her hair
back with Alyssa opened the small drawers of the dresser. Finding
nothing, she glanced at her reflection and decided it was time she
left her hair down for a change.

Samantha met her at the base of the stairs
with a huge hug. “Mommy, grandma let me gather the eggs! Grandma
lifted the chickens off their nests for me, so it was easy. She let
me help her scramble them, we added cheese, ham, salt, and pepper,
and they are so yummy! Come and see!”

Alyssa followed Samantha down the hallway
and into the kitchen. Gabe, Mike and Rafi all sat at the table as
Cora placed a large plate of bacon and eggs on the table before
them. Gabe quickly scooped a plateful of food and rose. “You can
have my seat,” He offered her, “I’m going to take a look at the
tractor in the barn, we’re going to need it. How about giving me a
hand Samantha?” He didn’t wait for her response. Instead, he took
Samantha’s hand and led her out.

Alyssa didn’t give him a second glance;
instead she concentrated on Cora. “Can I help?”

“No sweetheart,” Cora smiled at her, pulled
a plate from the cupboard and waved her toward Gabe’s seat. “Sit
down and have some breakfast we have a lot to do today and not much
time.”

Mike and Rafi exchanged looks as Alyssa sat
down. She frowned at them and asked, “What do we have to do?”

Rafi shoveled his food in his mouth and rose
quickly from the table, “Lots of things.” He answered adding, “I’m
going to head into town and pick up some supplies.” With that, he
was gone.

Alyssa scooped up a spoonful of eggs and
glanced expectantly at Mike. She was pleased his hair was damp from
a fresh shower; it was lighter than she expected. His leather
clothes were gone replaced by jeans and a black t-shirt. He looked
up as he felt her eyes upon him.

“Trouble is coming, we have to prepare.”
Mike said in a gruff, yet matter of fact tone.

“Trouble?” Alyssa stared at him.

Mike put his fork down and leaned forward
over the table, “Alyssa, did you really think that just because you
made it to your grandmother’s farm that Walton would suddenly stop
searching for you?”

Alyssa leaned back unconsciously and
stammered, “But we are supposed to be safe here.”

Cora turned from the kitchen sink and looked
at her. “You are safe dear.” She called.

Mike leaned back in his chair keeping his
eyes locked on Alyssa’s and added, “For now.” He turned and smiled
at Cora asking, “Cora sweetheart, would you mind if Alyssa and I
spoke in private for a moment?”

“Of course,” Cora answered drying her hands
on a dishtowel. “Gabe could use a fresh cup of coffee and I
promised Samantha I’d show her how to feed the pigs.”

Once Cora was gone, Mike continued. “Alyssa,
Gabe called me and Rafi here to end Walton’s reign of terror
because you have a destiny to fulfill, and Walton is interfering
with it. Walton’s evil has been allowed to grow far too strong; his
reach is too wide. He must be stopped. When he offered your father
a job on the compound, he set a path in motion. That path can only
end in his destruction.”

Alyssa stared at him in confusion.

Mike sighed, “Okay, here is a simple
explanation; Walton is evil; he’s going to keep coming until either
you and Samantha are dead, or we kill him. Demons are real; you
know this so stop pretending they don’t exist. Walton has an
alliance with them, and he is sending their forces against us. They
will be here in two days.”

“No,” Alyssa stammered.

Mike rose and moved around the small table.
He took hold of Alyssa’s arm and roughly pulled her to her feet. “I
don’t have time to coddle you like Gabe has done. We are out of
time. Open your eyes! If not for you, for your daughter. Samantha
is not the chosen one and once Walton figures that out he will turn
her over to the elders, and they will take her as Walton took you
and all the other children. Is that what you want?”