Alik continued his slow approach.
Williams gave up trying for the weapon and stood abruptly. Bloody sweat droplets had formed on the sporadic chunks of intact flesh. His eyes shifted, angling to look around Alik’s imposing figure as he tried to see Meg. Alik bristled protectively and glanced over his shoulder at his sister. Out of respect, the soldiers of 17th Company created a human shield around Creed, Meg and Margo as they hustled toward the truck parked twenty-five yards away. Alik narrowed his gaze back at Williams. The monster couldn’t do anything to his sister anymore, but he didn’t deserve to see her either.
“I might not be able to shoot you, but you can’t hurt me either. My daughter was very specific. Her edict included you.”
“The words she spoke didn’t come from her, but through her. She was fulfilling God’s will.”
“God?” he scoffed. “Your God killed her! I would rather you credit the girl herself for the ability I gave her. If anyone was her ‘god’ it was me!”
Alik shook his head slowly forcing himself to breathe through the surge of anger the demon’s words sparked in him.
“She gave her life to save us from the brutality and violence you were forcing us to commit. Her faith saved us from ourselves—from you.” Alik raised an accusatory finger at the devil who stood just an arm’s length away.
“She was weak—an emotional fool!”
“Her empathy saved lives—even yours. My sister lived and died with courage, humility and honor.”
“How blinded you are!” he shook his head in disgust. “Your sister came to me today to start the bloodshed. Your little martyr oozed arrogance as she sauntered into my camp. She thought herself better than you, Alik.” He stepped up Alik’s face, challenging him. “I do believe pride is one of your ‘Seven Deadly Sins,’ is it not? Where do you think your sister’s soul is now?” He shrugged self-righteously. “That is, if she even had a soul.”
Viper fast, Evan was on him. The needle pierced the rancid flesh at his neck and the plunger depressed in one quick movement.
Williams had been too caught up in his evil splendor to notice Evan’s approach from behind.
He leaped back clutching his neck.
“What? What did you just do?”
“I gave you two small gifts. Meg would have wanted you to have them.”
“But,” confusion was clear on his bloody face. “But you can’t harm me!” he blurt stupidly.
“These small gifts won’t harm you, unless you harm someone else.”
“What?” he spun to look at Alik.
“We couldn’t do anything to hurt you, but she didn’t say anything about you hurting yourself. If you perform even one act of violence against anyone, you will have killed yourself. It’s really very simple.” Alik crossed his thick arms. Evan stood beside his brother mirroring his mannerisms. The brothers glared at Williams.
“Leave this place with your sorry life, but know you just won the lottery with my sister’s compassion. Only she could have shown forgiveness to a wretch like you.”
The camp was nearly deserted of the former enemy.
A sniveling Percival Chaunders peeked from behind the plastic tarp-like flap of the base tent where he’d been hiding. He blinked stupidly behind his thick glasses at the scene.
“We’re done with you,” Evan narrowed his eyes at his family’s tormentor before looking over at his big brother. He nodded once and turned to walk away. Alik nodded once as he looked around the space feeling the retro-cognition of his sister’s presence in that space. Absently, he rubbed his chest where his aching heart stammered painfully. The brothers turned their backs on a still ranting Williams and picked up the pace. Maze growled angrily at the brothers for walking away.
“C’mon Maze. Let’s go to Meg.”
At the mention of her name, Maze whined loudly and galloped away from his enemy.
Harley Yu pulled up in a Jeep. “Rhett thought you’d need a ride.” He called as he left the keys in the ignition and hopped into the back seat.
75 Salt of the Earth
Theo was in deep conversation with Nate Townsend. Their heads leaned in toward one another and spoke in hushed tones. Danny knew something serious was happening, but no one would tell him anything.
Sloan and Kylie were supposed to be watching him, but he’d slipped away while they were distracted exploring the lab. Danny had gone in search of his Dad when he felt Meg’s presence.
Just as he was nearing the end of the hall, he froze, one ear tipped listening carefully to a whispered message. With each second, his blue eyes widened.
He had to hurry.