I barely heard my name being called from the other side of the room in a familiar European lilt. When I turned toward Marek’s voice, his hand was behind his back, and then a blur of glimmering metal was soaring into the air. Pharzuph turned at the sight of it, but he was too late. I snatched the hilt from the air with my free hand and felt a jolt go up my arm. Marek winked at me, and I smiled, more grateful than I’d ever been in my life. Kaidan moved into the circle at my side.
Blinding light shot from the end of the hilt and expanded to reveal a shimmering blade. It was huge, yet virtually weightless. Pharzuph leaped away from me, and rushed to his fellow Dukes. The entire room turned toward the shocking light, and the demons hissed at the memories it invoked. More than six hundred dark spirits stirred in agitated fright above us.
The twins, Blake, Kopano and his brothers, Marek, Zania, and my father all joined the circle now. I grasped the hilt with both hands.
“You have thoroughly betrayed me.” Pharzuph was incredulous as he looked at his son.
“We don’t have to be divided,” Kaidan said. “You were an angel of light once—”
“I will not return under these conditions to be the laughingstock of the heavenly realm!”
“Pride was Lucifer’s downfall, too,” my father said.
A handful of Dukes hissed at him, showing their bright red eyes. As scary as they were, I was happy that the spotlight was off Kaidan.
“I tried to warn you all about the Nephilim,” Rahab said to the Dukes, though his eyes were on me. “They are the worst kind of beasts, willing to bite the very hands that feed them.”
“We’re not beasts,” I said. “And we’re tired of being fed lies. We don’t belong to you.”
While we spoke, my father, Zania, and Marek pulled out weapons and passed them down the row of Neph—several guns and knives, which were now aimed at the Dukes, who only had eyes for the Sword of Righteousness. They wouldn’t go near its glowing blade, but I could see the ideas spinning through their evil eyes about how to take me down.
“You’ve underestimated us,” Kaidan said, looking at his father.
Astaroth muttered something about a bloody uprising and spat on the floor.
Rahab stepped toward us, and I jutted the sword out in response.
“Now, hold on just a minute,” he said, raising his palms. “That is no mere toy, child. Surely you are not prepared to commit murder here tonight?”
“That’s not my intention, but I will if you make me. All I want is for everyone to listen.” I spoke as calmly as I could manage. I looked around at the watching Dukes and up at the circling black cloud of spirits above. “You have all been deceived. Again. You don’t have time to think it over. You have to make a decision tonight—”
“Will we stand here,” interrupted Rahab, with boiling red eyes, “and allow this Nephilim to attempt to separate the ranks of our valiant leader?” His voice cracked with emotion. “Will we tremble in the presence of a solitary flaming sword wielded by a child?”
More tumultuous shouts sounded.
“Let’s kill her!” bellowed Thamuz, rushing forward.
“Let her speak!” Jezebet pushed Thamuz back, stronger than she appeared.
“It’s blasphemy!” someone cried.
“But what if it’s true?” asked Melchom.
“I propose a test,” Rahab said. The room hushed. “She would only be sent to do a task of this magnitude if she were of flawless faith. If we can get her doubts to surface, then she will lose the power of the sword.”
Doubts? I didn’t like the sound of this.
“How do you propose to test her faith?” Jezebet asked.
“I came prepared.” Rahab grinned, and a shiver raced through me. He gave some sort of signal with his arm, and two Neph men entered from a back stairway with the bang of a metal door. The two Neph were holding someone between them. I nearly convulsed when I recognized the pinkish skin and wavy strawberry-blond hair. Her mouth was gagged, but her nurturing eyes stabbed at my gut.
“Mom!”
At the sound of my voice, love ballooned out from her aura, and when it burst, it was replaced by the lavender of peace. Not her, I begged, please not her!
The irony was not lost on me that the first time I called her mom could be the last time we’d ever see each other.
Dad’s eyes grew in dread and surprise.
Ginger’s hand flew to her mouth to cover a strangled cry.
“Where’s Jay?” Marna whispered, frantic. I looked around, but Jay definitely hadn’t been brought in.
I adjusted the hilt in my hand, trying desperately to think of a way to get her out of this. Let her go, I willed to Rahab. His eyes tightened, and he turned.
“Is that you sending a thought into my mind? That may work on these worthless Nephilim toss-outs, but not me.” His eyes shone at the unfolding of his evil plot. “Some humans are not afraid of death or suffering for themselves,” he said. “But when those same people are forced to watch their loved ones suffer and die, well . . . their faith wavers. Even disappears. I wonder? Are you one of those, Anna? Will you become bitter and angry as you watch us kill this woman? When your glorious savior doesn’t save her?”
I wanted to scream, to cry. Not Patti! I didn’t want this test. I silently begged for an army of angels to burst in like they’d done before. This atrocity couldn’t be allowed to happen! She didn’t deserve this. It wasn’t fair.
I felt Kaidan beside me, raising an arm ever so slightly, at the ready.
No angels were coming. I felt panic welling. I needed to pass this. My faith was my shield. Their torture of Patti would be their flaming arrows at me.
I would have preferred actual arrows to this.
“You’re not allowed to kill humans,” I stammered in a last-ditch effort. As far as I knew, it was their only “rule.”
“My dear, this is war!” Rahab laughed at me. “Normal rules no longer apply.”
“Be strong, Anna,” my father urged.
“Oh, shut up, Belial.” Rahab cursed in French then nodded toward Thamuz. “You may do the honors.”
Thamuz’s black badge grew as he knelt down by the body of Mammon and pulled the knife from his eye. Oh crap. My allies stirred around me with apprehension, but I couldn’t look away. Thamuz stalked toward Patti and grinned as he swiped her from temple to chin with the blade. I screamed in horror. She let out a small cry and slumped forward as blood seeped from her face, down her neck. Her guardian angel circled her in desperation.
“Stop it!” I screamed, shaking my head side to side. “No more!”