The Gift of Knowledge (The Gifts Book 2) (5 page)

     They ate and drank coffee in the car while driving to a sporting goods store to stock up on gear for Emily.  Going off the list they’d made together, Ethan picked out mountain climbing ropes, cinches and a small tent. Rugged boots and khakis along with rain gear, tarps, a small tool kit, first aid supplies, flint, flare gun, and several pairs of socks went into a huge backpack. A simple bottle with a water filtration system was another necessary item. Ethan explained that they would need to pick up a machete and a hunting knife for her in Brazil, as they wouldn’t be able to carry those items on the plane. 

     At a cell phone store, they bought a satellite phone with a personal GPS and tracking program with extra batteries in case she got lost.  As an added precaution, Ethan also bought a high-powered two-way radio system with a handset for both of them. Emily was happy he seemed to not want to lose track of her. It was a bit daunting to be making this trip, and she prayed again for the Lord’s protection over the both of them.

     It was afternoon when they arrived at Marta’s penthouse. Even though they’d just been there the day before, it seemed a lifetime ago to Emily. Her whole life had changed in one night. She wanted nothing more than to get on the plane and get some sleep. Facing Marta to get her passport didn’t top of her list of fun things to do.

      “You’re going to what? Emily, how can you do this? You’re not going to the Lord only knows where in the Amazon wilderness with a man you only met yesterday.” Marta refused to give Emily her passport on those grounds.

      “Geez, Marta, yesterday you called him ‘Dr. Dreamboat,’ and now he’s a monster carrying off a helpless damsel. Give me some credit. I can take care of myself, you know.” The two women argued alone in Marta’s private office space on the second floor of the penthouse. Ethan remained alone downstairs to finish up booking the earliest flights to Brazil.

     No matter what Emily said, Marta stubbornly refused to give over the passport. She would have to try another tactic. Emily knew her friend possessed her own spiritual gifts. Marta was a discerner of spirits. She could tell truth from lies.

     “Marta, let’s pray about this. If you don’t get peace from the Holy Spirit about this I’ll call the whole thing off. I’m telling you I’m led to do this. I wouldn’t be doing this crazy thing under any other circumstances.” Emily pled with Marta until she finally gave in.

     “OK, let’s pray then.” The two of them joined hands and began to pray. It didn’t take long before Marta had her answer. The Holy Spirit descended on both of them. Emily sent a silent thank-you to the Lord for moving her friend to do the right thing.

     “Fine, I’ll get your passport out of the safe downstairs, but I’m still going to give Dr. Dreamboat a fair warning. He better bring you back without so much as a scratch, or I will hunt him down to the most remote corners of the entire world.”

***

     By nightfall, Ethan and Emily were on their way to Brazil. Both of them were so tired they were asleep before the plane rose into the air.

     Liam and his legion saw them off. He was still vigilant, but so far no demonic horde had appeared to try and stop them. There were demons here and there flitting in and out of the airport with the humans, but none paid the angelic legion in the skies over the airport any attention.

     “Commander, Lazar just entered the airport. He is booking a flight to South America,” a warrior named Simon flew up to Liam to report.

     “Stay on his trail and out of his sight. He is a man fully possessed and driven by the dark ones. I want to know his whereabouts at all times.”

     “For the Lamb, who alone is worthy.” The angel crossed his sword over his chest in salute before he disappeared at the speed of light.

     Liam addressed the rest of his legion. “We shall go to Brazil and prepare a clear path for Emily. I do not want any demon to come close enough to strike at her or Dr. McGowan. Their safety is our mission.”

     “For the Lamb, who alone is worthy to be praised.” They all shouted in unison before disappearing into the night, streaking across the sky as great balls of light.

***

     Dr. Carmine Lazar boarded a flight a few hours behind Ethan and Emily. His thoughts were no longer his own. He was under the complete control of a horrid demon.  This demon, Armodius, had one objective, to reach the cave of the lost giants in the Amazon at precisely the same time as Dr. McGowan. All the demonic forces under the command of the great Ba al` were given orders to assist Armodius on his mission, but only he and his superiors knew the exact mission. By tracking Emily’s credit cards the demon knew exactly when the pair headed for the Amazon. An evil smile crossed his face as he reveled in his own genius.

***

     The warrior angel Simon attached himself to a Christian couple in the back of the plane. They were tourists off on a vacation to Brazil. To any spiritual being on the plane, Simon would easily appear as nothing but a guardian of the young couple. Several other spiritual beings traveled on the plane, and the angel took care not to draw the attention of Armodius as he watched the evil creature covertly. He didn’t want to appear as an immediate threat to the demon he was sent to keep an eye on. Armodius appeared to be mostly ignoring the other demons and angels on the plane, as the stench of the great demon filled the angel’s nostrils. It was going to be a long flight for them both.

Chapter Four

Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.

Psalms 40:5
 

     The plane carrying Emily and Ethan touched down in Rio de Janeiro while the pair of them still slept. As they exited the plane, Emily felt the heat coming off the tarmac. She was used to the tangy smell of the ocean, but the humid air combined with the heat was overwhelming.  Fanning her flushed face, she took in the breathtaking view of Sugarloaf Mountain. In the distance she could make out the statue of ‘Christ the Redeemer.’ It was an awesome sight to behold.

     Emily’s awe wasn’t lost on Ethan. He remembered his first view of Rio. The city boasted an intoxicating mix of wild, exotic jungles and beaches, combined with a bustling metropolis. One could easily get lost in the thrill ride that was Rio. He decided to take the time to show her around a bit while waiting for his team to collect them.

     “We could take the tram up to the top of Sugarloaf if you’d like. We need to pick up some more supplies, but my team won’t be here for a few more hours, so we have time for some site-seeing,”  Ethan told Emily as they picked up their backpacks and gear from the baggage terminal.

     “That’d be great. How long will we be staying in Rio?” Emily’s excitement at the prospect of seeing some of the sites around the city showed.

     “We’ll be here for the rest of today and then leave in the morning. My team will meet us at a local motel and cantina where we stay when in the city. It’s not far from the airport. Let’s get checked in and then we can take the tram up the mountain.” Ethan wanted nothing more than to study the photocopies of the Spaniard’s journals on his laptop, but figured that could wait long enough for him to show Emily around a little. Besides, they would need to get to a market and pick up a machete and hunting knife for Emily.

     A couple of hours later, after getting checked in at the motel, Ethan hailed a cab to take Emily to the docking site for the Sugarloaf tram. Once they boarded, Ethan pointed out different sites to Emily on the way up to Urca Hill. The view from the cable car was spellbinding. Emily stared-wide eyed at Guanabara Bay and the islands in it from the air. The ocean water was a deep blue and smooth as glass. When they reached the top of Urca Hill they changed to a different car to continue the ride up to Sugarloaf.  Several other site-seers took pictures from a pavilion overlooking the bay, as Ethan pointed out the Rio-Nitero’ Bridge and Corcovado Hill.  The lush mountains surrounding the city enthralled Emily.

     Ethan held Emily’s hand as they boarded the second tramcar. He was seeing the sites through Emily’s eyes. He’d taken this trip several times with other friends and colleagues but watching and feeling Emily’s rapture gave him a pleasure he’d never known before. He couldn’t resist holding her tight as the tram jerked up the cable suspensions.

    Emily was aware of Ethan’s arms around her but didn’t pull away. His embrace was comforting and she felt safe in his arms. The rest of the ride lasted only twenty minutes, but the view got better the higher they went. All too soon the ride was over. Emily and Ethan made their way back into town to get the rest of her supplies.

     “Feira de Hippie.” Ethan told their cab driver where to go. “We’re going to a little knife shop I know of in a flea market not far from here. You can see Copacabana Beach from the roadway there.” He explained to Emily.

     “Lead the way. I’m just enjoying the ride.” So far this adventure seemed like a vacation to her. She wondered what the Lord planned for the rest of the trip. Knowing there would be some hardships until Ethan reached his goals didn’t bother her. The Lord was with her no matter where she was, but she could not help the feeling that danger lurked close by. She sent a silent prayer to the Heavenly Father to keep her and Ethan safe, as they made their way through crowded streets to the flea market.

***

     Liam and his host of angels kept an eye on Emily and Ethan from the air above the town of Rio. The angel Simon arrived to report Lazar checked into a motel near the airport then started his hunt for Ethan.

    “Stay on Lazar’s trail and keep reporting back to me as you can. There has to be a reason Armodius attached himself to this man. We need to learn of his mission and purpose for following Ethan. I want to know exactly what he is after.”

     “Yes, Commander,” Simon addressed Liam then left to resume his orders to follow Lazar.

     “We must stay close to Emily. The market is full of all manner of demons. I do not want any of them getting close to her or Ethan.” Liam flew down to the market as he spoke, followed by the remaining angles.

     The host of large, warrior angels didn’t go unnoticed by the demons in the market. Most of them skittered away, as Liam walked the street with his long sword drawn. The tourist who packed the market in search of bargains shopped unaware of the Heavenly soldiers.

     Liam and the other angels walked the street, as Emily and Ethan arrived and headed for the knife shop. When Ethan escorted Emily into the shop, a beady-eyed, frog-like demon confronted Liam in the street.

     “You are out of place here, angel. State your business on my grounds.” The horrible looking demon hissed the command in Latin. Having his own horde of rag-tag demons behind him made the creature smug, and he wanted to toy with Liam.

     “My business is the Lord’s business and none of your affair, demon. Now let us pass,” Liam stated flatly in perfect Latin.

     “You are not free to roam on my grounds, angel. I am Grotbod, overseer for this part of Rio. I will not allow your interference here.”  Grotbod pulled his own sword and pointed it at Liam, who was twice his size. The angels formed ranks and prepared for battle.

     Grotbod let out a loud, piercing screech. Within seconds the market flooded with hundreds of demons ready for battle, answering the call of the demonic overseer.

     Before a single blow fell between the opposing forces a dark cloud descended between them. All the demons bowed low. Out of the dark cloud stepped a massive black-winged demon. He looked neither left nor right, but walked straight to Liam.

       “Dicydius.” This creature was not unknown to Liam.

       “Liam, it has been a long time since I last saw your face. Why are you here? You know this is my city.” The demon spoke with a raspy voice.

     “All belongs to our Lord, Dicydius, and we are here in the name of the one who holds power over all Heaven and Earth. You will let us pass.” It was not a question, but statement of fact.

     “Of course you may pass. I trust your business will not keep you here for long?”

     “We will be here as long as the Lord wants us here.” Liam could see the giant demon’s jaw working as he fought to hold his tongue and his temper.