Raphael put a gentle hand on Emma’s back. Her pain was so acute, that even with his mighty strength, he had to fight to keep his hand upon her. “Emma, it’s Raphael. Let me help you.” He placed his other hand on her head and stroked her hair, all the while releasing his own healing energy. He gave her all he could without jeopardizing his own safety. But she needed more. She had released all of her energies with that blast and was completely tapped out.“Emma, can you hear me?” Raphael urged.“Yes,” she whispered back weakly.“You need more than I can give. And your protections are blown to bits. You are vulnerable. Cassiel can complete the healing, but you will need Michael to repair your protection.”She slowly turned her face up, her bloodshot eyes still swimming with tears. Soft as a whisper, yet strong with conviction she ordered, “Get someone else.”“You don’t

Namirha was in his temporary office, a glorified tent at Headquarters, putting the finishing touches on his sermon for this morning’s service and could feel the masses lining up at the registration desks in front of the enormous tent-like sanctuary. It could easily seat about a thousand people, and by the looks of it, would wind up being standing room only for this, the first of three separate services: one for morning, one for the afternoon, and one for the evening. By then, he figured he’d have all the followers he needed to press forward with his plans to destroy his enemies and rule the world. Yes, his people were coming. He knew they would. How weak of faith these mortals were to their Gods.Last night, surprisingly, Agremon had come through and given him Hannah. Just how he had escaped to do Namirha’s bidding still gnawed at him. He obviously had powers he’d kept hidden. Namirha would be wise to keep a closer eye on him.And there Hannah s

The coast was clear. Michael waved Emma to come forward as he watched for any signs of Agremon or other henchmen that Namirha probably had nearby. But the place seemed deserted. He listened by the tent’s opening as she scurried next to him. He heard voices. One was definitely Hannah’s, the other a woman’s.He put his finger to his lips to make sure she stayed silent and motioned that he was going in, alone. She nodded. His Brethren speed assured a quick and silent entrance. He immediately put the woman to sleep with the touch of his hand to her forehead. Hannah remained quiet while he whispered for Emma to come in.She rushed inside and scooped Hannah up into her arms before Michael could even blink. Hannah clung to her mother. Her smile reached her contented eyes, and she showered Emma with kisses, receiving just as many back.“Oh, my dear angel, I’m so glad you’re okay. I’ve been worried sick about you. We had no idea

The six members of the Inner Sanctum had taken Namirha to his tent, where they sat him upon his chair.“Are you okay, my Lord?” asked one of the members, still wearing his robe.“Yes, Robert, I’m fine now. My powers sometimes even overwhelm me. All of you should leave me so I can meditate and prepare for the other services.”“Of course, my Lord. If there is more we can do, we will,” he replied. He and the rest of the Inner Sanctum left the tent to tend to their duties around the camp.“Hannah! Helena! Where are you?” Namirha called out. “Here, Father, here. We are in the corner.”“Whatever are you doing there? Why are you hiding from me?” he asked, his cheeks puffed out and reddened.“I couldn’t get Hannah out from the corner, my Lord, so I stayed with her, as you commanded,” Helena simpered, crawling out of their hiding spot.“I was

“Oh God, Michael, please say something!” Emma was frantic. Why wasn’t he responding to her? And how could she undo what she’d done? She needed Raphael. He would know what to do. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to get Raphael. He’ll know how to fix the mess I’ve made. Stay right there. Don’t move,” she whispered as calmly as she could, but on the inside she was absolutely torn apart. She had this dreadful feeling she’d done something irreparable.She turned to go when suddenly, his arm shot out and his hand grabbed at her leg.“Don’t go, please,” he begged.“Michael! Honey, are you all right?” She captured his face in her shaking hands.He lifted his own to steady hers. “I feel…I feel free,” he professed incredulously.“Lord Almighty!” Emma gushed. “I thought I had…well, you don’t want to know what I