The Belial Stone(61)

Gideon sighed. “No, officer. Why don’t you go take a break?”

The man turned around to face Gideon. “Sir, I’m not allowed to…”

He trailed off as Gideon fixed him with a stare. “Sure, sir. I could use a break.” The guard quickly opened the trap door in the floor and descended down the ladder.

“Close the door,” Gideon ordered.

“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.” The man reached back through for the top of the trap door and pulled it shut behind him.

Gideon turned his attention back to the dig site. He breathed in deep. He liked it up here in the tower. The stink of unwashed bodies didn’t rise this high. All he could smell was the crisp, mountain air.

He cast his eyes on the mountains in the distance. He had to admit, the Children had picked an incredible spot to bury the stone. They always did appreciate beauty. He’d gone out to the site in Turkey once he’d heard about the discovery there. That site was barren in comparison to this majestic location. Of course, back when Gobekli Tepe had been created, it had been lush. A veritable Garden of Eden, he though wryly.

If he’d gotten to the Turkish site sooner, maybe he would already have a Belial Stone. He’d heard about it only after the German team had taken control of the site. He could have wormed his way in at that point, but the site was too well known.

But it had inspired him. He knew it would only be a matter of time before another site would emerge. He’d heard rumors, eons ago, that a group of the Children had landed in the Northwest of the Americas. Gideon had inserted himself with powerful people in Oregon, Washington, the Dakotas and, of course, Montana.

He knew, though, down deep, that it would be Montana. He smiled. And Kensington was such a controllable puppet, with endless resources. Kensington’s tunnel vision on gaining power had blinded him to the real danger that was only an arm’s length away.

Gideon glanced quickly down at the site. He thought someone had called his name. He shook his head at his fancy. It was if the stones were calling to him to be found. And he would not disappoint them.





CHAPTER 49



Airborne to Havre, MT



On the plane ride to Montana, Laney had called her uncle to make sure he was all right. She’d only gotten off the phone after repeated assurances that he was fine and that Henry was finding them a safe place to hole up.

She leaned back in her chair. “My uncle and I seem to spend the bulk of our conversations lately assuring each other we’re fine.” She glanced over at Jake. “We are both such big, fat liars.”

“That’s what family does, I guess. Try to make each other feel better.”

She nodded, but deep down she didn’t feel better. Her uncle’s assurances hadn’t touched the ball of fear that had lodged in her stomach ever since she’d heard about the attack in Baltimore. She’d already lost Drew to this madness. She didn’t think she’d survive losing her uncle.

She glanced out the window as the pilot came over the PA to announce that they would be landing. The land was all mountains, green fields, and fluffy white clouds slowly moving overhead. “Well, it certainly is beautiful country out here.”

Jake looked past her, his expression troubled. “Sure is. I hope Yoni’s got some news for us.” Earlier Henry had called to tell them he’d put an operative in the area last night. He’d be meeting them at the airfield.

Laney reached over and took Jake’s hand. “We’ll find Tom.”

He looked into her eyes and her breath caught. They stared, neither one of them speaking. The spell was broken only when the plane's wheels hit the tarmac.

Laney looked away, her heart pounding. Definitely not the time for this.

Laney and Jake gathered their stuff and disembarked from the plane without a word. She got her first glimpse of Yoni Benjamin as Jake wrapped him in a hug at the bottom of the plane’s steps. The man didn’t even reach Jake’s shoulder. Laney, who at 5’4” was no giant, was still a couple inches taller than him.

But what he lacked in height, he made up for in muscle. He was built like a tank. His biceps were the size of Laney’s head and his arms couldn't rest flat against his sides.

When Jake released him, Yoni turned his large brown eyes on Laney. Eyes too small for his face, a giant nose that looked like it had been broken multiple times, and not a drop of hair on his head. Yoni Benjamin would not be anyone’s idea of handsome. But when he smiled, his whole face lit up and you couldn't help but smile back. He grabbed her in a crushing hug, lifting her off her feet.

She let out a laugh. Yoni was one of those people whom you felt like you’d known all your life.