“There are a couple of people who’d very much like to speak with you,” Tamara said.
From behind her, a radiant young woman came up to him.
“I’m so happy to see you again!”
“I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage,” he said. But something about her eyes seemed more than familiar.
“Thank you for taking care of my mother.”
“Chloe?”
She nodded. “You were so kind when you brought me here, I’ll always be grateful.”
Before he could fully grasp it all, another beautiful young woman approached.
This time, he knew right away. As she ran into his open arms, he didn’t even try to hold back the tears.
“Daddy!”
“Clara!” He held her for a long time, both of them crying softly in each other’s arms. Nick finally released his grown daughter and turned to Tamara. “So all along, you knew?”
“The rules were there for a reason. Had you healed her back in Victoria Station, she would have turned out like Lena.”
“I can never thank you enough, Tamara.” He took her hands in his. “You’ve done so much for me.”
“And I’d do it again.”
A deep thundering sound approached and caused them to turn their heads. It was Michael, mounted on a war horse, another one at its side.
“Don’t get too comfortable just yet,” he said. “Your work as a Supreme Guardian is just beginning. There’s a whole world that needs our help, and I’ve just gotten word that the Dark Dominion is gearing up for a heavy offensive. We have to go now.”
“I see.” He turned back to Hope, Chloe, and Clara. “Seems I just got here.”
Hope kissed him. “Duty calls.”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Go on, then. We’ll be waiting.”
“It could take some time,” he said.
“We’ve got all the time in—well, you know.”
“Indeed.” Nick mounted his steed. “I’ll see you soon.”
Drawing his sword with a blazing flourish, he rode off at Michael’s side, the entire First and Second Legions in all their supernal glory following them out of the city gates and off to the ongoing war.
The Dark Dominion was a formidable enemy. And although he had fought many battles in the natural realm, direct conflict in the spiritual realm would be far more deadly. But Nick had faith all would end well.
It was only a matter of time.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
There are so many people who supported me and contributed to the completion of this book that I fear I will not be able to mention each one by name. For that, I ask your forgiveness and that you know just how much I value and appreciate your presence in my life.
First off, I would like to thank Renni Browne, editor extraordinaire, whose unparalleled gift for helping me tighten up the manuscript with the necessary surgical cuts have—in this author’s opinion—made this book fit the Hitchcockian criteria of a great story: Life, without the boring parts.
I would also like to thank my fellow writers Susan Wingate and Michael Angel, who both encouraged me early on with Terminus to press ahead with this genre.
Of course, I could not do anything without the love and prayers of my friends and family, especially those in my connect group: Tom and Trish Vesneski, Farshid and Marisol Farokhi, Charles and Toni Covello, and many others in my church, as well as William and Ckristina Sutjiadi and Michael and Patricia Goh.
A special shout out to the fantastic members of Team Graham for your constant support and encouragement. You’re a secret society and you know who you are <cryptic wink.>
Of course, I wish to thank my awesome kids Alex and Maddi for your patience and understanding whenever Daddy is on a deadline. Your willingness to set hamsters and RC jets aside and wait for me to have time again to play with you again really helped.
And finally, my beautiful wife and muse, Katie: I truly could not have written this book without your love, support, perspective, and all those long hours talking about and looking over my work with your unwavering honesty, and affirming words.
A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
Dear friend,
The key thing to remember in any novel is that it is a work of fiction. Axiomatic as that may seem, I think it important that I make the following statements:
First: Terminus, while some of its premise stem from my personal beliefs, is a story, a parable even. It is not to be taken literally as Christian biblical doctrine on the topic of Angels, Heaven, or the afterlife. Rather, like Christ’s analogies of the Kingdom of Heaven being like a fishing net, a mustard seed, yeast, etc., this book’s concepts are for the purpose of illustrating greater truths in a way in which we humans can more readily identify. Like a “construct,” so to speak.
Secondly: though this book is a work of fiction, the issues of despair, suicide, emotional bondage to the past, are real. If you or anyone you know suffers from any of these, I implore you to reach out to trusted friends, qualified counselors or clergy, and by no means try to deal with it alone. Healing and freedom is available to those who seek it. Remember, “You are loved with an everlasting love.” No matter how dire the situation, there is hope. This is one reason I chose to name one of the main characters in this book HOPE. Having someone hear you, understand and/or pray for you can be life-changing. Whatever your lot, don’t give up, and don’t go it alone.
Thank you for taking the time to read Terminus, it means more to me than you can imagine. If you enjoyed it enough, would you kindly spread the word and tell your friends and family about it?
I’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to contact me through my website: www.joshua-graham.com/contact
And while you’re there, please sign up for my occasional newsletter where you can receive updates, exclusive previews and content here: http://joshua-graham.com/newsletter
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Thank you, and until next time, be blessed!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
#1 Bestselling author Joshua Graham has won multiple awards for his thrillers DARKROOM and BEYOND JUSTICE. He holds a Master’s Degree from Juilliard, and a Doctorate from Johns Hopkins University. His books have been called “thought-provoking page-turners.” Many of his readers blame him for sleepless nights, arriving to work late, neglected dishes and family members, and not allowing them to put the book down.
PRAISE FOR TERMINUS
“Joshua Graham’s TERMINUS is a fantastic read in every definition of that word. If Tom Clancy had written a novel of fallen angels and creatures that go bump in the night, this would be it: blisteringly paced, high-tension suspense, characters you bleed with. I can’t wait to read more!”
…A fast paced, adrenaline pumping, spiritual epic…
…Terminus will have you gasping for air, yelling at the characters, and questioning everything you thought you knew about angels…