Prey (15 page)

Drake takes the initial lead and scoots Jade behind him as he exits out of the kitchen to investigate. Alex gently takes Jade by her forearm and escorts her to safety behind him. Once she is positioned behind him. Neither Drake nor Alex show any sign of fear at what awaits them in the other room. They’re both willing to protect Jade from whatever it is, and they’ll both do it gallantly at the risk of their own wellbeing.

And while Alex chooses a more cautious path, Drake decides on a more direct approach. Brash and full of zeal, Drake intrepidly saunters into the living room. Alex and Jade proceed after him

Alex enters the living room mentally and physically ready for anything, but the one thing he isn’t prepared for is the one thing he must now face. Jade notices a look in Alex’s eyes that she’s never seen before. For the first time since his return, Alex, the man who’s been powering through demons left and right, all while maintaining a persona of total fearlessness, is now exuding an expression of pure fear.

CHAPTER 17

Comfortably seated on the couch with his feet resting on the coffee table was an older male, who appeared to be in his late-forties—early-fifties. His black, shoulder-length hair is hinted with streaks of gray.

Laughing hardily as he watches The 3 Stooges, the man is aware of the presence of Jade and the two angels that accompany her, but continues to watch the show. Seconds later, the television show goes to commercial. The stranger uses the remote control to turn the television off.

“I forgot how funny those guys were back in their heyday,” the older male said to himself. He turns to Jade, Alex and Drake and says, “It’s been over fifty years since I last watched a TV show. It’s amazing the progress man has made in developing their televisions to look so lifelike, yet they still can’t find their way to creating a less damaging fuel source, or find away to stop killing one another. I tell you, the priorities of the human race baffle me.”

The nature of the older man seems to be anything but threatening, or at least that’s how seems to Jade. To Drake and Alex, this seemingly harmless man is anything but. Alex indiscreetly makes sure Jade is behind him as he keeps a close eye on the uninvited house guest. Foolhardy as usual, Drake wastes no time trying to establish his toughness by confronting the visitor.

“I smell the disgusting odor of another angel,” said Drake, nearing the couch. “I can deal with the odor of one, but now it’s starting to get a little thick in here. I feel like I’m gonna puke.” Standing right in front of the mysterious man, Drake forcefully says, “Why don’t you get the hell out of here? This is a private party.”

The older man remains relaxed. He’s clearly not intimidated by Drake’s aggressive tone. He keeps his feet crossed on the coffee table and stretches his arms across the back of the cozy couch. He stares blankly at Drake for several short seconds before a bright smile spreads across his partially wrinkled face.

“There’s no need for insults, friend. First off, I don’t carry the odor of good or evil. I can move anywhere at any given time without ever being noticed. And second, if you’re insulting me is just your juvenile way of testing my humor”—the older man literally blinks out of sight, reappearing in front of Drake, viciously choking him with one hand. The pupils of his eyes are engulfed in golden-flames, giving off an intense glow—“you’ve succeeded in only testing my patience.

“Don’t make the mistake of thinking I’m some kind of runt just because I can move around without being noticed. If I ever felt the need to make my presence felt everyone would feel my fury,” said the old man, choking Drake out.

Drake’s lack of oxygen causes his legs to give weigh. He’s desperately trying to pry the man’s hand from around his throat, but the attempt if futile.

“Do something,” said Jade to Alex as the two fearfully watch the one-sided demonstration go on.

“Why?” said Alex.

Let down by Alex’s answer, Jade understands that there’s probably little Alex could do anyway. If he and Drake are evenly matched in their strengths, then it’s safe to say the older male would do the exact same thing to Alex.

The older male lifts Drake up so that the two are face-to-face. “You’re lucky I’m here on business. I didn’t travel all this way to kill you, demon. But if you ever speak to me like that again, I’ll take great pleasure in separating your head from your neck and handing it back to you so you can watch me spit down your throat just before you die. Understand?”

Drake begins to black out. With an effortless flick of his arm, the man tosses Drake aside, throwing him out of the living room and into the dining area. Drake violently collides into a china cabinet, destroying it and all of its contents. Following the dwindling noise of shattering glass, the only sound that can be heard now is Drake’s coughing and his abundant gasps for air.

The man regains his friendly composure. He tilts his head to pop his neck, creating a loud crack. He eyes returns back to the original shade. The man turns around to face Jade and Alex.

“I’m sorry you guys had to see that. I hate being so belligerent in front of humans. It’s a bad reflection on Heaven.” The man moves closer to Jade and Alex with an endearing smile. Unsure of his true intent, Jade conceals herself behind Alex. “Alex, don’t be rude. Introduce me to your attractive, young friend.”

Alex unwillingly introduces the two. “Jade, this is Gabriel. I’m sure you’ve guessed it by now…He’s an angel, too.” Gabriel stares at Alex in an unpleasant manner. “Oh, I mean he’s an Archangel.” Gabriel’s objectionable expression goes away.

“I’m sorry about the cabinet, darling. I didn’t plan on being a part of such senseless violence. There’s just something about a disrespectful demon that really pushes my buttons.” Gabriel extends his hand out to Jade. “I hope there aren’t any hard feelings.” Jade doesn’t budge an inch from her spot behind Alex. Gabriel releases a lighthearted laugh. “Darling, I promise I’m not going to hurt you. And trust me, if I wanted to, you’d need a lot more than him to keep you safe. Isn’t that right, Alex?”

“What do you want, Gabriel?” Alex asked.

Gabriel retracts his hand. “Always to the point, huh, Alex? That’s what I like about you most. Well, I guess the time for formalities has passed. The reason I’m here is because it’s time to take you back home. You’ve broken the laws, Alex. You knew there’d be consequences for your actions, and now it’s time to face the music.”

“I had to come back. She could’ve been killed if I stayed,” Alex explained.

“No, you’re right. She definitely would’ve been killed if you hadn’t intervened.”

“Why wasn’t that foreseen?” Alex asked. “Of everything I heard about, I never heard about her facing death on that particular night, on that particular road.”

“That’s because it was a sneak attack. We believe there’s a sinister plot brewing amongst a few of our brethren. In order to prevent the possibility of war, they went behind God’s back and set a hit out on you,” Gabriel said, staring at Jade. “To avoid bringing any attention to themselves they utilized the talents of some probable suspects. The fight Drake had with those thugs that day gave the rogue angels all the opportunity they needed to finish you off.”

“But they had to have known God would’ve found out eventually.”

“Of course they knew. They figured that if they’re plan worked, they’d be looked at as saviors to Heaven and Earth. Unfortunately for them, they were wrong.”

Jade steps from behind Alex and asks, “So it’s true then. The guys who tried to kill me were sent by angels and not demons?”

“They’re not angels anymore. God doesn’t condone that kind of thing. He doesn’t believe an evil deed can bring about a positive resolution. He cast those rogue angels out of Heaven the moment he found out about their misdeeds.”

“And what about the other nine people who shared birthdays with me? What happened to them?”

Gabriel walks over to a large window in the living room that overlooks the Harris’ front yard. “We’ve known about Lucifer’s plans for ages, and we prepared for it as best as we could. Over the decades, we discreetly and strategically organized the ten people all throughout the world. Two of them actually did die because it was simply their time. The other seven…Well, let’s just say that those rogue angels were very good at executing their evil endeavors.”

Jade feels comfortable enough to stop using Alex as a screen and steps out in the open.

Alex asks, “How can seven people be killed before their time and no one in Heaven notice?”

Gabriel turns away from the window and looks at Alex. “Truth-be-told, I can’t answer that question, Alex. But you’re absolutely right. There’s no way that kind of thing should’ve gone unnoticed.”

“I’ll tell you how,” said Drake, slowly heading back into the living room, still a little woozy. “It’s because Heaven’s problems run higher than a group of low-level angels.

“As much as I hate to admit it, the demon is right. The threat of a final war has corruption and betrayal spreading like wildfire up there. We’re not really sure who’s on the up-and-up anymore. Nonetheless, there are laws that we still must follow.” Gabriel walks toward Alex. “You broke those laws, Alex.”

Perplexed, Jade interjects, “He broke the laws? Am I missing something? Didn’t you just tell us about rogue angels who killed seven people and other angels in Heaven that are possibly acting as double agents? Why is Alex being singled out? He’s the only one that seems to be doing something right. Go punish them.”

“You raise a good point, darling. Problem is, those rogue angels have already been cast out. And as for the double agents, God is going to deal with them when He feels the time is right. Don’t you worry your pretty little head,” Gabriel told her, gently tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. “He’ll take care of everything soon enough.” Jade steps back, pulling out of Gabriel’s reach.

After pondering over his next move, Alex reaches a conclusion. “I’m not going back.”

Drake and Jade both look at Alex in bemusement. They stare at Alex in silence, but it’s clear what they’re both thinking. They’re thinking that after what Gabriel did to Drake, it may not be wise of Alex to get into a dispute with him.

“I’m sorry, Alex. I didn’t quite hear you. What did you say?” Gabriel politely asked.

Nervous, but unwilling to back down, Alex repeats, “I said, I’m not going back with you. I’m staying until a decision is reached to send more angels here to protect Jade.”

Gabriel walks up to Alex. “You’ll only make things worse for yourself by not coming back with me. Are you sure you want to risk it?”

Alex boldly faces Gabriel, staring him square in the eyes. “I’m not going back,” he declared one last time. “I don’t care what the consequences are.”

Not caring for Alex’s insubordinate tone, Gabriel aggressively grabs hold of Alex’s arm. In a low, assertive tone, Gabriel tells Alex, “Who do you think you’re talking to? Don’t you forget who I am and what I can do to you, angel. Now I’ll respect your wish and let you to stay, but that’s only because I wasn’t given authorization to forcibly bring you back. You just better remember that by staying here you’re going to get everything you’re asking for.

“If you want to be the lone angel that takes on Hell’s entire army, be my guest. But if I were you, I wouldn’t put too much faith and trust in your demonic friend,” said Gabriel, looking at Drake. “His goals for wanting to help aren’t as pure as they seem. And the second it comes down to either him saving himself or saving one of you, he’ll think of no one but himself. Keep that in mind.”

Gabriel releases Alex’s arm and heads for the front door. After pulling the door open, he stops to look back at Jade, Alex, and Drake. “I hope your parents have insurance on this place. Three demons and one of those rogue angels I was telling you about are closing in at this very moment. You guys have about…” Gabriel pauses to sniff the air, “Fifty seconds until they’re tearing this very nice home apart. Have fun kids.” Gabriel leaves the house, closing the door behind him as he whistles the theme to The Andy Griffith Show.

Dreading the very thought of what Gabriel has just said, Jade utters, “Oh, please tell me he’s joking.”

Drake runs his fingers through his hair to remove any remaining pieces of broken glass. “Speaking from experience, Archangels have no sense of humor whatsoever.”

Alex doesn’t respond to Jade’s question or to Drake’s comment. His mind focus is currently elsewhere. It doesn’t take Jade long to notice Alex’s concern. She calls out to him, but he fails to answer her. Whatever it is, it has his complete concentration.

Jade elevates her voice and tugs on his arm. “Alex! What’s wrong?”

Alex snaps back to reality. “They’re already here.”

“What?!”

“He’s right,” Drake confirmed. “I can feel them, too.”

The three spot a dark figure approaching one of the living room windows. The figure rapidly elevates above the window, disappearing out of sight just as quickly as it appeared. Immediately after the figure jumped above the first-floor window, they hear the simultaneous sounds of breaking glass and something fairly heavy touching down on the upstairs floor. The three tilt their heads up toward the clatter.

“Great,” said Alex. “They’re strategically placing themselves in position for the attack.”

Jade hysterical states, “What are you talking about?! That’s only one of them! Let’s get out of here before the rest of them come!”

Alex clarifies, “They’re trying to lead us into an ambush. I’m picking up on three more them outside. All three are surrounding the house. The one upstairs purposely made all that noise so we’d panic and run outside trying to escape. It’s a setup.”

“So what do we do then?” Jade asked.