CHAPTER 15
Armaros decided to find Thane. He couldn't put his personal feelings above the needs of the greater good. Perhaps it was Cane's brutal death, or his own attack, that helped him to realize the gravity of the events that were starting to unfold. He had to use every resource available to him in order to keep the boy alive and help him to succeed. The First Magic was one such resource.
All he had to do was summon it, and it was there. It had never left him. He could feel it just beneath his skin.
The Magic wanted out. He had kept it hidden away inside of himself, suppressed and forgotten, for a very long time. Now it rushed throughout his body, heating his blood and looking for a way to escape. It felt like tiny bubbles of lava flowing within his veins. He loved the feeling. He had missed it. It was difficult admitting that to himself, but it was the truth. The sensation threatened to overwhelm him now; the potency of the Magic had grown and it took much restraint from Armaros to rein it in. Still, he realized that the Magic completed him, and he should have never forsworn its use. He was looking forward to testing its limits, and seeing how it had matured after all these years.
You're not the only one who has become more powerful Azazel.
He only wished to look. He needed to see if Thane was in danger. To do so should be simple. There would be neither words spoken, nor any tokens used, if the Magic still submitted to his will. He supposed that it would.
He closed his eyes and thought of Thane. He could see the boy clearly in his mind—a handsome man with striking olive green eyes. His face stretched into an affectionate smile as he envisioned his young charge. He was proud of Thane, and although he was never really a father himself, he understood how men must feel about their own sons when he looked at the boy. If only he could save him, then at least he would have a chance to try and convince Thane of what must be done. There was but one way to do that.
I will tell him everything, and I will tell him the truth. There is no other way. But I must find him first, find him and keep him safe.
He pushed the Magic for an answer, and he got one in record time. He could see Thane standing in what looked like a hospital room. The young deputy was surrounded by patients, and there was also a priest standing within the walls of the institution. Thane looked frightened. Armaros knew immediately that something was very wrong. He recognized the patients quickly for what they really were-minions of Azazel.
The arch fiend had sent his demons to possess the convicts who, in their weakened states and with their already compromised morality, were easy targets. Still, he could not believe that Azazel could manipulate so many. Possession was not easy, and possession on this large of a scale was unheard of. He was sure that no devil, anywhere, had ever done anything like this before. For the first time since he learned of Azazel's escape, his confidence began to waver, and he wondered if he could defeat the monster alone.
Just how powerful have you become brother?
One of the patients struck Thane in the shoulder as he was looking down at something. Armaros watched as the young man tensed from the blow. He made the decision in that very instant to go to Thane's aid. The boy looked hurt and confused. His eyes told the story—he had no idea what was happening to him or what he was up against. At the speed of thought, Armaros moved himself to where Thane was.
He wasted no time studying his surroundings. He began his attack as soon as he appeared in the room. There would be no saving these men. They were too far gone to be brought back, and Azazel would continue to use them again and again unless he did something.
The minion nearest to Thane was destroyed in seconds. Armaros was a blur of violence as he moved on to the next, and then the next. He could have used the First Magic again and destroyed all of the possessed at once, but these things were trying to kill Thane, and he wanted them to feel his blade. It was more personal and satisfying that way. He looked about for his next target.
Something changed just as he was about to destroy his fourth or fifth minion. A new and powerful energy flooded the room. The creature nearest him, along with all the other convicts, dropped to the ground like dead birds. Thane also lay motionless near the center of the long aisle that divided the room in half. Only the priest, with his right arm extended before him, remained upright. A soft, warming light emanated from the man and filled the dormitory, spilling into the other side of the gate where the police officers lay. A perfect silence accompanied the light. Armaros paused and breathed in this new environment. This man was no ordinary priest.
The padre had cast a spell. It was an ancient spell of binding, powerful in nature, and one that Armaros recognized immediately. He recognized it because he had spent great effort ushering it into existence many, many years before. Not only was the priest using the First Magic, but he was using a spell designed and developed exclusively by Armaros. He was surprised. He didn't know how the man knew of the First Magic, but he aimed to find out.
Armaros sheathed his sword and stepped over one of the fallen convicts as he walked towards the very ordinary looking priest. The man had lowered his outstretched arm and seemed agreeable to Armaros' approach. He wore an expression of kindness and wonder on his face. Armaros did not mince words.
"Who are you priest? Where did you learn that invocation?"
"Are you Armaros? You've come for the boy haven't you?" the priest answered with a question of his own.
"I asked you first priest," Armaros reminded him. He hadn't heard his name said aloud since the last time that he saw Mikhael. That visit had taken place almost twenty-five years ago. This priest was full of surprises.
"My name is Father Lucas Mundy. I think we had the same teacher."
"Well Father Lucas Mundy, I am Armaros, and although I seriously doubt that you and I share a common teacher, the fact is that somehow, someway, you know of the First Magic and I want to know how you came by that knowledge. I also want to know what you're doing here and how you know my name. So talk priest."
Even though he looked prepared to burst with questions of his own, Father Lucas took a deep breath and seemed resigned to Armaros' request. The big angel had told him what was expected of him, and the priest appeared ready to comply. It would be foolish not to.
"I'll do as you say," Father Lucas announced. "I'm here to help. I've always been here to help. I'll tell you my story, and hope that you accept my service. I just can't do it right now."
Another surprise. Armaros waited.
"The boy is hurt Armaros, and my spell is waning. Others will be here any moment. You should take Thane and go. Let me deal with what's left behind. I'll find you soon, and then I will tell you all there is to know about me. Perhaps you will even let me help you, because I know of the prophecy Armaros, and your task is a daunting one. But there is no time for stories now."
Armaros knew the priest was right, but he didn't like it one iota. Father Lucas had aroused his curiosity, something not easily done, and now the man was dismissing him with a promise of answers at a later time. Still, the man had helped with the convicts, and did appear to have Thane's best interests at heart. Besides that, he couldn't sense any dishonesty in the man, and the big angel was a perfect judge of character.
"I'll take him back to his brother Cane's house. That one didn't make it, and I don't think Azazel will bother revisiting the place for some time. Which is good, because I have much to tell young Thane here."
Armaros bent over and scooped up Thane into his arms like he would a sleeping child. He paused for a moment and let his gaze rest upon Father Lucas.
"Do you know who Azazel is priest?"
"I do."
"And still you would offer me your help."
"Yes, I do."
"Then you're moonstruck priest. And help from a lunatic is the last thing I need." Armaros took a step forward, his powerful arms still cradling the young deputy, and both he and Thane vanished from the room.