The Prophecy (The Guardians)

Chapter TWENTY-TWO



The light seeped in through a thin opening between the drawn curtains. Gabe watched as it climbed up Rachel’s naked backside. Gently, he traced the path with his fingertips, flashes of the previous night’s passion running through his mind.

He marveled at the fullness of her bottom that peeked out from beneath the blankets. Sweeping her hair from her back and off to the side, Gabe began to unconsciously trace the letters of Rachel’s name on her skin with the lightest of touch.

Gabe closed his eyes, continuing to trace the lines of her body as he did. As he replayed the night, the touches, kisses, and climaxes, Gabe sighed. He had never taken the time with a partner like he had Rachel. He had listened to her moans as he explored her body, changes in pitch and intensity. He learned what drove her crazy, and delighted in delivering all her desires. Rachel had been so eager to please in return, Gabe couldn’t believe that he was going to be able to spend the rest of his life with her. The idea of such happiness was almost too much for him to fathom.

In the back of his mind, though, there was always the thought that he could lose it all, that the prophecy would forever linger over him until it robbed him of this happiness. The safest thing for them to do as husband and wife would be never to have children. He couldn’t see Rachel not being a mother, however, it was more than he could ask of her. He didn’t want Rachel to worry, but he had already decided the best chance they had at a happy life would be if Baal were vanquished. If it meant putting his life on the line, then that was simply something he would have to do.

In fact, he had spent many long hours thinking about how to execute this exact plan recently. A couple days before the wedding, Gabe confided in Uri and Haim, he explained he had a plan. They were less than enthusiastic, at least at first.

Gabe was very persuasive however. He told them about how once Baal was gone, he and Rachel could be truly happy. They would be free to have children; they would be free from the prophecy, free to live out their days happily together. The three men had spent hours in the libraries, researching under the guise that they were only researching safe havens. In fact, the routing only took half of a day, the rest of the time was reading up about interactions with Baal throughout history.

The information Gabe uncovered about the demon that hunted them terrified him even more, but there was no way he could share that with his new wife. He needed her to trust him, to know he would keep her safe no matter what. Telling her that he was scared out of his mind wouldn’t do anyone any good.

One of the things that shook Gabe so tremendously was that Baal, in ancient cultures, had been worshiped as a dark lord of fertility. His aid in the conception of those children, however, always came at a price. Once the child was born, Baal would come to collect. If the parents were unwilling to pay, he would kill the child and then enslave its soul to serve him. Baal often demanded sacrifices from those who worshiped him, he had such disdain for human beings, their mere existence enraged him.

What frightened Gabe the most about Baal, however, was not his relentless torture of mankind, but instead his powers. When Gabe had battled other demons, vanquished them, they had a few magical abilities that made them a nuisance of course, but they always had a clear weakness, something to defeat them. Baal was different; he had powers Gabe couldn’t begin to fight. He controlled the rain, lightning, he could control people’s thoughts. In fact, he loved to toy with men’s minds.

They were not on equal playing fields. Baal had powers like a super hero, and according to legend, no weaknesses. After days of research, hoping and praying to find a loophole, the men were no closer to solving the question of how to vanquish him. Gabe needed answers and he wasn’t sure where to find them. In the back of his mind he considered approaching the Oracle, but based on a history of mistrust, he was reluctant.

Now here they were, they would leave this morning; Rachel would rely completely on Gabe, Uri, and Haim to protect her. But how could they protect her when the being they were fighting seemed indestructible? Gabe lay there, contemplating what his next move would be. He knew he should wake Rachel, and prepare themselves to leave before Uri came and—. A knock at the door jolted him upright.

Slinking out of the bed as if he were a stealthy ninja, Gabe grabbed a nearby robe, throwing it on without much thought. He was determined to answer the door before the visitor woke his sleeping bride.

Grabbing hold of the handle, Gabe threw open the door, growling under his breath, “Yes, what is it?”

Uri stood staring at him, casually looking Gabe’s body up and down before saying with a sly grin, “Well hello to you too, sexy. Does your wife know about this?” Uri then motioned with a dainty fingertip to Gabe’s ensemble.

Looking down, Gabe quickly realized the robe he had grabbed to cover himself with belonged to Rachel, and much to his dismay, was far too sheer for comfort at the moment. Slipping a well laid hand into place, Gabe huffed and looked at his friend in aggravation, secretly trying not to laugh.

“It belongs to Rachel, now what do you want?” he whispered.

“Whatever you say, big boy,” Uri chuckled. “I just came to tell you we’re just about ready to leave.”

“Ok, I’ll wake her, we should be down soon.” Gabe turned and went to shut the door before it was suddenly stopped by Uri. “What? Is there something else?”

“Umm, yeah.” Uri said with hesitation. Glancing over Gabe’s shoulder to ensure certain ears were not listening, Uri leaned in and whispered. “So you know that one thing we have been working on the past few days?”

Gabe also checked to make sure Rachel was still asleep before answering. “Did you find something?”

“Not exactly.”

“Why so cryptic?”

“Well, I may have asked someone to help.” Uri began.

As soon as the words left Uri’s mouth, Gabe knew exactly who he was talking about. “Please, tell me you didn’t.”

“Come on, man, I knew you never would and who is better at research than her?”

“She tried to ruin my wedding, seriously?”

“No, it’s cool, she seems game.”

“I bet. I haven’t told Rachel what we’re trying to do, what if Sophie says something to her?”

Uri looked at the ground nervously, “I don’t think she will.”

“You better hope she doesn’t say a word.” Gabe warned, lifting a finger to Uri’s nose.

Uri grabbed his finger laughing, “What are you going to do, cupcake? Seduce me to death, in all your sexy glory?”

“Just shut up.” Gabe groaned, pushing the door shut in his friend’s face.

With a yawn, Rachel sat up, stretching. She allowed the sheets to fall away from her body. Gabe was pleased to see how much more comfortable she was with him already. “Who was that?” Rachel asked.

“I’m sorry, did I wake you?”

Looking at her husband, Rachel’s eyes widened, “What are you wearing?”

“Like it?” Gabe asked striking a pose, allowing the robe to fall away from his leg.

“Umm,” Rachel began to giggle. “It suits you.”

“Oh yeah?” Gabe asked with a wink, dropping the robe to the ground, and taking off into a sprint before leaping into the bed, all his nude glory exposed. The world would wait just a few more minutes. The world would wait while he enjoyed his wife one more time.