Behold ! Page 17
This acknowledgement strengthened his resolve, and he pulled out all the stops.
“I don’t know about everybody else, but I’m tired of your mouth,” Ham said. “Put up or shut up.”
He unleashed the full spectrum of light, power, and energy God had given him to wield with his servant’s heart. A coruscating deluge of brilliant silver light engulfed the struggling form of the Archdemon for a moment, and then the room went dark.
As the dazzle from the fireworks wore off and they began to see again in the dim light, Raquel turned her chair to the others and said, “It is finished.”
THIRTY-TWO
“THE HIGHWAY PATROL reports they fired on a bear which attacked one of their checkpoints from out of the woods, but they were unable to find it after it ran back in,” Cassiel told the gathered assembly. “I’m guessing they didn’t really look that hard, because some of the troopers said it was the wrong color for a bear, and others say it didn’t sound or move like a bear.”
They had lost God’s Lion Ariel and the Archangels Camael and Uriel, leaving them with three fatalities of human form to deal with. One could have been explained away to the local authorities, but three were going to be problematic. Fortunately, only one was a local resident, so that made it easier to only report one fatality. The fact he was in his 50s and out on an escaped animal hunt lent credence to the story of his falling off a ledge to his death. Jason and Carl’s bodies would be buried in a nearby cemetery long-forgotten by history, in unmarked graves.
“As much as I don’t like it, telling the department Jason decided to move on after the injuries he suffered in the assault on my house will have to do,” Frank said sullenly. “He deserves a hero’s funeral, with full police honors.”
“I agree, but the autopsy required by state and local statute would produce results that he was crushed, and that would open an investigation,” the General replied. “Add to it, his body would be completely through rigor, and livor mortis would show we moved it. Too many questions we can’t answer,” he concluded.
“With that said, I’d like to offer a memorial service at our compound for those in the know who would like to attend,” the General continued after a moment’s thought. “We’ll set it up for a week or so from now; give you a chance to get settled back in Oklahoma. He’ll have full honors of our own making, but it’ll be something to see, I promise you.”
“What about Carl?” Sariel asked.
“Because Uriel used both of us as vessels, whenever I got near Carl it was almost like I could read his mind, or at least be more familiar with him, is closer to accurate,” Azrael offered. “As far as I can tell, he had no family and no close friends. He didn’t socialize much, and had only worked at the hospital for a couple of years.”
She smiled softly before adding, “Being on the night shift by request made him almost invisible. The only reason Dr. Pashteen knew him was because the good doctor preferred the late shift as well. I’m sure some of the nursing staff might recognize him, but I doubt if any will miss him. That’s kind of sad, you know?” Azrael finished, shaking her head.
Hofniel walked in from the woods, followed by Hemah and Arariel, who were walking very close together. He stopped at the perimeter of the group, as if silently seeking permission to speak. The other two continued on into the privacy of the foundry.
“How are we looking out there?” Frank asked Hofniel.
“There have been a few more sightings, but I believe we have tracked down and eliminated the majority of them,” he replied.
“So, what happens to the ones we don’t track down,” Frank wanted to know.
“They are not of this realm,” Raquel replied for Hofniel. “Without a host vessel, they will perish within a matter of hours.”
“So even if we don’t find them, as long as they don’t find a vessel, they die?” Frank clarified.
“Indeed,” Sariel interjected. “Without a vessel from this plane, none of us can survive more than a handful of hours.”
“When will we return to the airport?” Hofniel asked quietly.
For once, Frank didn’t have an answer. “There are too many variables yet for me to answer that,” he hedged. “I’ll need to confer with the Colonel and you, General, to get a better idea.” They walked off to find Colonel Goldsmith.
THE COLONEL WAS CONFERRING with his two platoon leaders when they found him.
“I have one dead and two wounded, one seriously,” one of the subordinates was saying as they approached.
Goldsmith nodded and looked to the other leader who said, “I have two missing, presumed dead. They’re not responding to radio contact, and their beacons are inactive.”
“Continue the search,” the Colonel replied. Looking to the first leader, he added, “Send every available man to the search area, and establish a grid search pattern. I want a definite status of some sort by nightfall. I’ll contact the local authorities and report the man killed by the wild animal attack.”
“Yes, sir,” they both responded, standing at attention and whipping a salute.
After their leader snapped to attention and returned the motion, the two moved off at a jog. Turning to the General, Goldsmith offered a salute of his own in respect of his superior rank. General Martin braced to attention and returned it crisply.
“Unless you need us for anything further from my squad, we need to RTB, Jeremiah,” Hiram informed him.
“General, I believe we’ve got this,” he replied. “I appreciate you bringing the key players in, and the support of your specialists,” he finished with a wry grin.
“They were just doing what they’ve been trained to do,” the General replied. “And to tell the God’s honest truth, I haven’t seen them this excited and happy since Desert Storm II.”
During the search for the remaining demons, the four-man Marine Whitehorse Recon team had successfully tracked and eliminated no less than two dozen creatures from Hell.
“My guys were pretty jazzed to have just been able to follow them around,” Jeremiah replied. “Seems as though they’ve picked up a few new skills.”
“Then we’ll be leaving,” Hiram said. He extended his hand to Jeremiah, and grinned. “Good hunting,” he said.
ANGEL VESSELS SURROUNDED Ham and the two remaining Archangels when Frank and Hiram returned to the foundry. As they approached, Hemah and Arariel were coming out of the building, and they were holding hands.
“I wonder what that’s all about,” Frank remarked to Hiram.
Having overheard them, Raquel replied as if the question had been directed at her. “As we are strictly energy beings, we do not experience the wide array of physical stimulation humans do,” she said. “When given the opportunity, and only with the willing concurrence of the host vessels, we like to experience as many of these physical sensations as possible.”
Frank looked startled; in fact, he and Hiram were both taken aback.
Sariel laughed outright. “If you two could see you’re faces,” she chortled.
“I...that is to say...didn’t realize you could,” Frank stammered.
“Be intimate?” Raquel finished politely. “Do you think I just close my eyes and cover my ears when you and Clara make love?”
“Oh, that’s just wrong,” Frank exclaimed, reddening at the sudden realization.
“Why do you think I said we both love you,” she responded, clearly enjoying his discomfort.
“Well, I thought it was because I’m a generally nice guy, you know, and love Clara with all my heart,” he replied.
“Well, that too,” she replied, giggling.
Blushing even brighter, Frank turned and walked quickly out of sight around the foundry.
“I think you enjoy embarrassing him, Sister,” Sariel commented.
“Perhaps just a little, Sister,” Raquel replied.
Apparently, both the Archangels were letting their hair down a little now that the threat of a demonic conflagration had passed. Until this point, Ham had
said very little since the defeat of Astaroth. He now cleared his throat and turned his chair to face Sariel squarely.
“I need to speak with Pris,” he said quietly.
The light dimmed in her eyes, and Priscilla looked at Ham quizzically. “What’s up?” she asked. “You do know I can experience everything that happens while Sariel is in control, right?”
“Yes, but Sariel left herself out of the loop intentionally for the discussion we’ve just had,” he replied.
Pris’ face grew solemn, then hardened slightly. “When Sariel leaves, will I go back to my crippled form?”
“No, it’s nothing like that,” Raquel interjected.
“So, you’re part of this too?” Pris asked, rounding on her teacher.
“We all are,” Azrael replied. “It had to be a joint decision, and we all agreed,” she finished.
“Agreed to what?” Pris asked, now a little frightened.
“There was a human being once, who lived as a prophet named Elijah,” Ham explained. “He was so important to God, that when he died, God made him an angel, and named him Metatron. He had a twin brother who was also elevated, named Sandalphon. They’re the only two humans ever selected for elevation to that level of communion with God, and both eventually became Archangels.” He paused to ensure she was following.
“So, what has that got to do with any of us?” Pris asked curiously.
“Father has asked Ham to become a watcher,” Raquel said, and then hurried on. “It is the first step toward becoming one of our cousins.”
“But, how can you be a watcher and still be in...you won’t still be in human from, will you?” Pris asked; tears and sudden realization springing simultaneously onto her face.
“It doesn’t mean I won’t be with you anymore,” Ham replied. “I’ll just be around ... differently,” he finished lamely.
Throwing her hands up over her face, Pris turned and ran out of sight around the building.
“Oh, that went well,” Ham said dejectedly.
THIRTY-THREE
“I’D BE GLAD FOR THE company,” Kristine told Marston and Angela. “And most of the training is OJT, you know. I’m sure I’ll be busy around her for a while with stragglers.”
The pair, as their human personas, had asked their riders for control to approach Kristine as to whether she needed any more hunters, or would be willing to train them.
“In fact, let me see if I can find two of my junior hunters and introduce you right now,” she continued as she turned and walked away, beckoning them over her shoulder.
Two of Colonel Goldsmith’s troops who had been wounded were resting in the rear of an SUV in which the rear seat had been folded down to create a makeshift ambulance. Hammocks had been tied at one end to the shoulder strap mounts for the seatbelts to provide a reclining position for them.
Marston and Angela, meet Michael and Joshua,” she said, indicating first one then the other citizen-soldiers.
How’s it going?” Michael asked.
“A lot better for me than you, apparently,” Angela grinned.
Joshua barked out a short laugh before grabbing his side, wincing. “It’s okay, it only hurts when I laugh,” he said, then laughed again.
Michael gently punched him in the shoulder and said, “Stop, I’ll open my field stitches again.”
“What happened to you two?” Marston asked.
“Zigged when we should have zagged,” Michael replied pan-faced. Then he laughed again, holding his bandaged shoulder.
“We tangled with a demon the size of a moose,” Joshua said.
“It was more the size of an elephant,” Michael corrected.
“Well, it looked more like a moose, even if it was the biggest damn moose I’ve ever seen,” Joshua allowed.
“Did you end it?” Angela asked with what looked like a gleam in her eye.
“It was touch and go for a minute, but yeah, we ended it alright,” Joshua said straight-faced. Then he laughed out loud again, holding his wounded side. Michael was chortling, trying hard not to laugh along with his friend.
Turning to Kristine, Marston asked, “Are these guys on pain meds? Because they’re way too happy for a couple of guys who tangled with a super moose demon.”
“Ahhhh,” Joshua hissed, laughing even harder despite the pain. “Super moose demon, I’ve got to write that down.”
“What is so stinking funny about this whole episode?” Angela inquired. “I can imagine being happy to be alive, but you guys are ecstatic.”
“Girlie, if you’d just killed, and I do mean killed, a super moose demon - I love that name - you’d be ecstatic just to have survived the situation,” Michael crowed. “Oh, the stories we shall tell, and the beers which shall be bought in our honor,” he exclaimed.
“How did you kill it?” Marston inquired.
Both injured men burst into mirthful chuckles again, causing Angela and Marston to look at Kristine. “If this is what your junior hunters act like, I may have to rescind my request,” Marston said seriously.
“Guys, out with it or I’ll tell them myself,” Kristine ordered playfully.
“This monster comes thrashing out of the underbrush right on top of us,” Joshua began.
“Hooked Josh under the arm and flung him over its shoulder,” Michael added. “Must have gone ten feet in the air.”
“He opens up on it with his puny 556, and the beastie turns and whacks Mikey right in the shoulder,” Joshua continued. “Knocked him tail-over-teakettle down the game trail we were on.”
“Josh has only one shot, and it’s from behind,” Michael continues, emphasizing the last word. “And he’s got 300 Blackout in his AR. Pops the demon in the backside five times before it can fart.” Again, the two dissolve into laughter.
“The beast drops to its knees, but immediately tries to get up,” Michael says. “So I cross-draw my machete with my good arm and go for the throat.”
“I come out of the woods bent over double, and Mike’s slashing away at this gargantuan’s neck like he’s cutting firewood,” Joshua finished.
“So, why is all that so hilarious?” Angela insisted.
“Because two of Josh’s bullets went straight up the demon’s butt-hole,” Michael cried.
And both men spiraled back into gasping fits of laughter again. “We really did end it,”
Michael almost screamed.
“Juveniles,” Marston muttered under his breath.
“I like them,” Angela countered.
PRIS WAS CRESTFALLEN at the idea of Ham effectively being dead. She couldn’t reconcile herself to his becoming a Watcher, and decided she had to have it out with him. As she turned to go find him, Kristine was standing next to her. Startled, Pris stepped back.
“I saw you standing over here alone and came over to offer my condolences,” Kristine said. “I thought at first you had lost someone to a demon. But then I realized; you’re one of the angel vessels. I remember seeing you all come in early this morning.”
“Yes, I’m Sariel’s vessel, but right now, I’m just Priscilla Benton,” she said, offering her hand.
“Kristine Tomlinson, local Game Warden, and Ghost Buster extraordinaire,” she replied, taking Pris’ hand and holding it warmly. “Are you okay?”
“No, I’m not, not even close,” Pris replied. “I’ve just learned my boyfriend, whom I love desperately, is going to become a Watcher. Which means, for all practical purposes, he’s going to die today.”
“How’s that again?” Kristine asked, befuddled. Once Pris had explained what she thought she knew, Kristine stood thinking for a moment.
“So, you’re going back to Oklahoma alone?”
“No, I live with my mom,” Pris replied. “Although that’s going to be interesting, because before I accepted Sariel into my body, I was a quadriplegic. That’s going to be difficult to explain.”
“So don’t,” Kristine countered.
“Huh?” Pris replied. “What do you mean; don’t?”
Now it was Pris’ turn to be bewildered. “What are you talking about?”
Once Kristine had explained it all, it made perfect sense. Starting a new life in Hellam Township under Kristine’s tutelage, using the fighting and perception skills she already had, all eliminated her need to explain her miraculous change to anyone.
And so it was agreed.
THIRTY-FOUR
SHE FOUND HAM SITTING in his chair, alone, near the entrance to the foundry.
“Where is everyone?” Pris asked casually, walking up behind him.
Startled, Ham relaxed and replied, “They’re all doing whatever it takes to get ready for you and your mom to go back to Chickasha with Frank and Clara. The General has offered to drop y’all off at Chickasha Municipal before returning to Lubbock.”
“Ham, I love you, you know that, right?” Pris said, jumping straight in.
“Sure, and I love you,” he replied readily.
“Then how can you leave me like this?” she wailed. “Is it because I’m not in a wheelchair anymore? Because if that’s it, I’ll ask Sariel...”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Ham exclaimed, cutting her off. “You’ll do no such thing,” he shouted. Seeing her swell up to counter his statement, he hurried on. “It has nothing to do with that, and it makes my souls sing just knowing you’d even consider giving up your freedom to keep me here. But, let me explain everything first, before you go ballistic on me; please?” he begged.