The Light of His Sword (15 page)

“No!” Alyssa struggled in his arms; tears
streamed down her face.

“Well it’s
going
to happen if you
don’t open your eyes and make a choice Alyssa.” Mike growled.

Suddenly in a blur of movement, Mike flew
across the kitchen and slammed into the sink. Gabe stood between
them facing Mike. “Leave her alone!” He shouted standing his ground
as Mike slowly rose from the floor his face flushed with anger.

“It has to be done.” Mike growled.

“Not like this.” Gabe’s voice was
deadly.

Mike’s face turned deep red with rage, but
he turned and walked from the kitchen leaving them in silence.

Gabe spun and took Alyssa in his arms. She
clung to him sobbing as her life at the compound flashed before
her. “Emily!” She gasped, “They took her one night! Only one night
and she never returned! I knew! I knew they did something awful to
her. So I snuck into the sanctuary the next time the elders took
the others. I snuck in and watched from the top of the stairs. It
smelled so bad; the stench was overwhelming. It felt like death was
climbing into my nose and mouth. I watched as they summoned the
black creatures. They had dark red eyes, short bodies and long
clawed arms. A woman was tied to the altar. She looked like she’s
been there for days. She was naked and filthy; all covered in
blood. She was still alive. There were small cages beside the altar
filled with children. Emily was there! She was as white as a ghost.
She looked like she’d been there forever. Her little dress was
covered in her own urine and feces. Then Walton spoke strange words
that stung my ears and the demons began to move about. First they
descended on the cages. The children screamed as the demons
attacked, biting and clawing at them. It lasted for only a moment.
When it was over the children were left bloodied and weak, but
alive. The demons moved to the woman. They ripped the flesh from
her bones and feasted on it! I was paralyzed with horror and began
to vomit. The elders heard and found me. They took me to Walton.
That was my first night with him!”

Gabe held her allowing the horrors to spill
from her lips. “I’m sorry, Alyssa, I’m so sorry.” He whispered
until she collapsed in his arms.

When Alyssa woke she was lying on the sofa
with Cora at her side. Cora helped her sit up and offered her a cup
of steaming liquid. “Have some tea sweetie, it will help calm
you.”

Alyssa glanced around, but they were alone.
“Mike told me we are in danger.” She whispered accepting the cup
from Cora.

“They will protect us.” Cora smiled and
stroked her long hair.

“Where’s Samantha?” Alyssa sat up straight
in alarm.

Cora patted her arm, “She’s with Gabe and
Rafi they are loading the trailer with supplies. We are going to do
some quick repairs to the chapel. Mike thinks it’s the best
location to make a stand. Just take a deep breath and calm down,
sweetheart. You’ve had quite a shock. You scared the dickens out of
Gabe.”

Alyssa set the cup on tea down on the end
table and hugged her grandmother. “Grandma, I’ve been dealing with
the horror of the compound for a long time. I tried so desperately
to block it all from my mind. I told Samantha they weren’t real.
You don’t know how adamant I’ve been grandma. I’ve forsaken
religion completely in order to survive in a world of demon
worship. She’ll think I’ve gone mad if I suddenly start believing
in miracles?”

Cora hugged her back and brushed a stray
hair from her face. “Darling, but that’s exactly what you have
here. Gabe is your miracle. I’ve prayed for a miracle for so long.
When you wrote me that your mama passed I cried for three solid
days. I cried for the loss of my daughter; I cried because I didn’t
get to say goodbye; I cried for you and Samantha left all alone in
that evil place, but mostly I cried because I failed to save your
mother. I was afraid I was going to fail you too.” Cora reached
out, took hold of Alyssa’s hand, and said, “When I finally realized
that my lying around crying all day was not going to help you. I
got up and came up with a plan to get you out. I decided the battle
had been lost, but the war wasn’t over. I wasn’t going to let evil
win. Now Gabe and Rafi are loading the trailer. They are heading to
the chapel to get ready. Mike says it’s the only place we can
safely make a stand. But, we are running out of time; everyone has
to pitch in. We have to stay together. We have to help them with
this battle Alyssa. They are fighting for us. Do you think you are
strong enough? Strong enough to stop evil from winning?”

Alyssa smiled and squeezed Cora’s hand.
“Let’s get to work.”

Mike walked into the barn to find Samantha
sitting on the tractor seat. “Hey kid, get outta my seat.” He
challenged in a gruff tone moving slowly into the barn. He glanced
around for Rafi and Gabe neither were anywhere in sight. “What are
you doing in here alone?”

“I’m going to drive.” Samantha said
cheerfully gripping the steering wheel as if she’d never let go. “I
watched my mom drive the car. It looks easy.”

“You licensed to drive?” He asked stopping
to look up at her.

“No, and neither is mommy.” She stared down
at him.

“Well I can’t argue with that wisdom.” Mike
grinned, “How about you sit on my knee, and I help you drive?”

Samantha rose from the small round seat and
allowed him to sit down. He lifted her up onto one knee and turned
the key in the ignition. Samantha jumped as the tractor roared to
life.

Alyssa walked slowly down the porch steps as
Mike backed an old tractor up to a flatbed trailer. The faded red
tractor looked to be held together by rust alone. Samantha sat
proudly on Mike’s lap, which Alyssa found extremely disturbing
given her growing dislike for the overbearing brute. Samantha had
clearly taken a shine to the obnoxious biker. She was laughing and
barking instructions to him as he attempted to maneuver the tractor
into place. Alyssa grimaced and looked at Gabe as he walked around
the side of the barn and with a few short strides, leapt onto the
back of the trailer to grab hold of a shifting piece of wood. He
glanced down at Alyssa in silence, his face taunt with concern.

She smiled at him, and his face relaxed. He
flashed a brilliant smile and jumped down to help Rafi lift the
final load of lumber onto the trailer. Alyssa watched as they
lifted the sheets of plywood and set them down on the trailer.
Despite the cool weather, both men wore only jeans and a long
sleeve shirt. Alyssa admired how the flannel material did nothing
to hide their sculptured arms and actually enhanced their broad
shoulders. All three men had perfect bodies, firm and muscular;
they were built for battle. All three were extremely attractive
with chiseled features and silky hair. However, Gabe and Rafi had
kind eyes filled with compassion, not Mike. The large man’s eyes
were full of challenge perhaps even rebellion. Danger oozed out of
every pore. Yes, he was definitely dangerous.

She turned to stare at Mike. Grimacing, she
recalled his words in the kitchen that seemed so harsh and hurtful.
Despite his gruff attitude, she had to admit he forced her see the
truth. Demons were real, and if demons were real then Hell was
real. If Hell was real, then Heaven was real and if Heaven was real
then angels were real. She was looking at three of them.

It was then that Alyssa realized all three
men had their swords strapped firmly to their backs. They were
definitely worried something was going to happen soon. She grabbed
a bucket of nails and struggled to lift them onto the trailer. Gabe
appeared at her side and lifted the bucket from her hands saying,
“Mike has to head around the trees and follow the edge of the field
to get to the chapel. The trailer is too wide for the trail. If
it’s okay with you, we will meet them at the chapel. Samantha is
determined to help Mike drive the tractor. She’s stuck to him like
glue, but he’s handling it well.”

“Are you sure it’s safe?” Alyssa glanced at
the brute not sure she wanted her daughter exposed to Mike’s gruff
demeanor and angry attitude. Samantha had too many angry men in her
past. She didn’t need another one in her life now.

Gabe followed her gaze and smiled, “She
couldn’t be safer. Mike is the most fierce and experienced warrior
among us. If I had a daughter, I’d want her to sit exactly where
Samantha is when trouble starts.”

Alyssa tried to smile as she watched Mike
drive into the plowed over cornfield. Gabe took hold of Alyssa’s
hand, and they walked past the chicken coop toward the woods beyond
heading for the narrow dirt trail. Rafi went to meet Cora as she
stepped off the porch carrying a large picnic basket and a blanket.
He took the basket from her and offered his arm. They followed Gabe
and Alyssa into the woods.

Fall was clearly in the air. The brisk wind
swirled the red and amber leaves along the trail in front of them.
The tall grass of the woods held a scattering of large trees just
dense enough to keep the trailer from passing through.

Cora called ahead to Alyssa and Gabe,
“Alyssa, do you remember this trail? We used to picnic at the
chapel when you were just a small child. We’d bring fried chicken
and potato salad. Your father always had to have deviled eggs; it
was such a bother to keep them chilled, but he loved them so. The
Albrights would meet us on occasion with their young girl Sally.
The two of you would race around the clearing all day. Finally when
it was time to go home, you’d be so exhausted your father would
carry you on his shoulders all the way back to the house.” Gabe and
Alyssa stopped to wait for Cora and Rafi They were still holding
hands. Gabe met Rafi’s eyes as they neared. His gaze clearly stated
he would accept no further challenge regarding his affection toward
Alyssa.

Alyssa laughed and gazed up at the cloudy
sky above. “I remember those picnics, grandma. You always managed
to bring hot food and cold drinks. I remember your wonderful
brownies covered in powdered sugar and those scrumptious
snickerdoodles.”

“Oh yes, those were your mom’s favorite. You
loved the devil’s food cake with chocolate icing.” Cora laughed.
“Does Samantha like chocolate cake?”

Alyssa’s smile vanished, “I don’t know.”

Cora hugged her and added, “Well, we will
just have to find out. By the way, Sally Albright married a local
boy Brad Thompson, and they have a son of their own. He’s a few
years younger than Samantha. They come up to visit nearly every
weekend. Mary Albright is in a nursing home now. Her husband George
was left to fend for himself. Sally brings him a week’s worth of
dinners every Saturday. She’s a good daughter.”

Alyssa smiled and turned to head back down
the trail, “Sally Thompson, that sounds nice.” She glanced at the
trail up ahead. It snaked through the trees and over a small
rise.

Mike drove along the tree-line at the edge
of the field. He glanced over his shoulder occasionally to insure
their cargo was still intact. Samantha sat proudly on his lap
helping him steer. Suddenly Mike caught a flash of movement out of
the corner of his eye. He released the gas and reached for his
blade, wrapping one arm around Samantha as he turned to face
it.

A large buck burst from the trees and dove
into the field. Samantha gasped in pleased surprise as they watched
the deer run across the open field. Samantha bounced with glee on
Mike’s knee and asked, “Did you see that! It was so pretty!”

Mike grinned releasing his blade. “A six
point buck. That’s fine eating.”

“You can’t eat a deer.” Samantha declared
with prejudice.

“Sure you can, I’ve eaten a lot of wild
game.” Mike studied her expression. “I’ve eaten deer, bear,
mountain lion, goat, elk, rattlesnake, crocodile, rabbit and
squirrel.” Mike announced with a wicked grin. “They are delicious.
Some of the best food I’ve ever eaten. What do you say I take you
hunting after we’re finished here? We can shoot that deer and Cora
can cook him for dinner?”

“Yuck!” Samantha’s face screwed into a tight
knot. “You aren’t eating
my
deer! You leave him alone!
Grandma has plenty of food at her house. She would never eat a
deer. Promise me you won’t eat anymore deer!”

Mike chuckled and glanced after the deer.
“Simmer down, I promise I won’t eat your deer. But, tell me this,
what would you want me to do if a big hungry mountain lion jumped
out of the woods and started chasing after you. Do you think it
would stop when it saw you and say to itself
I’m not going to
eat that little girl because she’s so cute
?”

Samantha frowned at him and answered
hesitantly, “No...”

“And if I were with you, what would you want
me to do at that point?” Mike asked softly.

“Shoo it away!” Samantha’s lower lip started
to pucker.

Mike cupped her little chin in his large
hand and said, “I would certainly try, but if that didn’t work. If
I had to, I would kill it to keep it from eating you.”

“Only if you had to,” Samantha agreed with a
tiny sniffle.

Samantha sprang up and hugged his neck.
Mike’s smile vanished. He glanced down at Samantha as a hint of
tenderness shot across his face. “Okay, now I’ve got something I
want you to have.”

He sat her back down on his knee and dug
into his pocket producing a small red pocketknife. He handed it to
her and said, “This is not a toy. It’s a knife. It’s small like
you. Promise me you will only use it in an emergency like with the
mountain lion.”

He showed her how to release the blade and
close it safely. Samantha handled it gingerly then slid it into the
front pocket of her jeans.

“Only in an emergency,” Mike repeated.

Samantha met his gaze and answered, “Only in
an emergency.”

It wasn’t long before the trail opened into
a small clearing. A tiny log cabin with a small steeple sat in the
center of the clearing. An open field of tall grass ran past the
chapel toward an empty field. Mike and Samantha were pulling up a
small incline as Alyssa and the others arrived. Samantha waved; she
was so excited.