CHAPTER 86
Laney white-knuckled the ground below her to keep from being flung into one of the crevices that now dotted the landscape.
Gideon stood only fifty feet away in a clearing with a flaming object above his head. She could see his lips moving, but she couldn’t make out the words above the din.
The ground was bucking like a bronco. Her hands ached as she tried to hold on. She wasn't sure how much longer she'd be able to.
Yoni leaned into her, his weight helping keep her from being flung off, but she could see his grip weakening as well. She didn't want to think about what would happen then.
Movement to her left drew her attention. With disbelief, she watched Henry continue doggedly towards Gideon. Somehow he managed to stay on his feet. With all his attention focused on the stone above him, Gideon didn’t notice Henry leaping from shattered ground to shattered ground.
With a final lunge, Henry made it to the clearing behind Gideon and, with a burst of speed, tackled Gideon to the ground. As Gideon lost his hold on the stone, it flew forward, landing at the very edge of the precipice. The ground mercifully quieted.
Laney tried to scramble to her feet, but it took a minute. Her ears rang and her limbs were still shaking. Pulling herself to her knees, Yoni helped pull her fully upright. “We got to go, Doc.”
She nodded, not able to speak quite yet. She stumbled along the edge of the crevice, her balance still off, following behind Yoni. Tom and Jake were getting to their feet behind her.
Across the gaping hole, Henry wrapped his huge arms around Gideon’s legs, keeping him from rushing to the stone. They struggled and Gideon was able to free one of his legs and kick Henry in the face. Henry hung on. Another kick to the face gave Gideon his opportunity, and he squirmed free.
Laney pulled out her Beretta, seeing Jake and Yoni do the same. She dropped to a knee, trying to steady her arms. She didn’t have a shot. After hanging onto the ground, her arms couldn't seem to stay still. Jake and Yoni didn't seem to be in any better a position.
Gideon sprinted for the stone. But, with her heart in her throat, Laney watched her uncle beat him to it. She hadn’t noticed him run into the clearing. Patrick picked up the stone and held it over the crevice.
Oh God no, Laney thought, jumping to her feet. She sprinted along the edge of the crevice, pushing her still wobbly legs to move faster, her eyes never leaving her uncle.
Gideon stopped short. “Do you realize what you hold in your hand, Priest? It could answer all your questions. It could justify all your sacrifices. With it, you wouldn’t have to worship God, you could be one.”
Patrick looked at the stone. Laney couldn’t read his face. Fear stabbed through her. She knew Gideon was right. The power in the stone was the power of the gods. The power of God. Her uncle wouldn’t covet that, would he?
A smile was on the Fallen’s face, a smile of understanding.
Gideon’s smile wavered as Patrick looked back at him, shaking his head. “You think all men are like you. We’re not. This power is not meant for us. This was supposed to be a gift to mankind, but it’s been perverted. And you’re the one who perverted it. Mankind cannot handle this power, and you don’t get to wield it.” Keeping eye contact with Gideon, he dropped the stone into the fissure.
“No,” Gideon screeched, lunging for the edge.
Patrick backed away. Even from her distance, the fury in Gideon was palpable. She cried out as her uncle stumbled over an upturned piece of ground. Righting himself, he turned to run.
Gideon yanked him back, wrapping his fist tightly around the front of Patrick’s shirt. “So self-righteous. So moral. Let’s see your morality save you now.”
Gideon pitched him over the edge.