The Belial Stone(75)

In fact, one of the books that provided the greatest detail about angels, the Book of Enoch, had been banned by both Judaism and Christianity. Despite its huge popularity among early Christians, it was pronounced heretical by the Council of Nicea. Similarly, within Judaism, Rabbi Simeon bai Jochan cursed all those who read it in the second century AD.

And there simply wasn’t much that was considered academically credible that addressed the role of angels in modern times. Within religion, the belief that angels had visited mankind in antiquity was well-supported and accepted. Yet somehow, the idea of an angel being around today was received with great skepticism. Most reports of angel sightings or interactions in modern times were met with disbelief or derision.

She headed down a trail that led away from the house to the northwest, her body moving on automatic pilot while her mind churned. The fact was, there was no reason to think that if angels existed at the beginning of time, they would then simply disappear. Today, however, belief in angel visitations was relegated to the New Age loonies. And in this science-driven world, if it couldn’t be scientifically proven, it couldn’t be true. With the M.E.’s report, though, didn’t they have proof?

Laney ran her hands through her hair. Everything in religion supported the existence of angels and everything in her faith accepted the idea. Early religious works from various sources spoke of how fallen angels were doomed to walk the earth until its end, suggesting they were still here. From that standpoint, Gideon as an angel was credible. And if he was, what did that mean going up against him?

She couldn’t help but still struggle with the idea, in spite of everything she’d seen and experienced. She had a million questions she wanted to ask. Did angels retain their special abilities? Could they have children, and did these children have abilities? Would God truly allow the fallen angels back into heaven after destroying billions of people? Were all two hundred fallen angels still on Earth, and were they reborn together? Were all the fallen angels evil or were some good?

There had been no time to research all of the questions save one: the powers of angels. It still wasn’t clear how many powers Gideon brought to the table. In literature, the powers of angels remained a mystery. She knew that within the Bible, angels were never described as winged creatures. That was a bit of creative license taken by artists.

In the biblical text, they were often described as giants. Compared to Henry, however, Gideon was no giant. Some scholars argued that the term “giant” was misinterpreted and that it did not refer simply to physical size, but to gigantic abilities such as strength or fighting skills.

With five of them fighting two, they had almost lost. And it had taken quite a toll. Would this upcoming battle be any less dangerous? Could it be any less dangerous. A branch snapped behind her and she whirled around, her heart in her throat.

Jake walked towards her. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”

Laney’s heart pounded as he approached, only in part because of the scare he’d given her. How could she have fallen for him so quickly? Was it only the situation? Or was there more here?

Jake stopped when he was only a foot away. “You okay? You look lost in thought.”

“I was. I’m trying to make sense of everything that’s happened so far.”

“Any answers?”

“None that seem credible.”

Jake stepped closer and reached up to brush his thumb across her cheek. “Sometimes it’s not about evidence, Laney. Sometimes you have to just go on faith or, in my world, your gut.”

“So I guess you've lost your doubts about Gideon as an angel?”

“Seems a little stubborn to still be doubting at this point, doesn’t it?”

She stared into his eyes. Was he talking about this situation or what was happening between them? All hell was going to break loose tomorrow, so for today, she was going to take Jake’s advice and go with her gut.

She leaned up until her lips were just an inch away from his. “I think that’s great advice.”

Jake lowered his lips to hers and pulled her up against him. Wrapping her arms around him, Laney gave up thinking. For right now, she was just going to feel.





CHAPTER 60



The assault on the compound was going to take place tomorrow morning before dawn. Henry had arranged to fly in an additional ten men, as well as more weaponry, from Baltimore. He and Jake had left about an hour before to pick them up. With the extra men that had flown in with Patrick and Henry earlier today, they would have a total of twenty-four in their assault force.

Hoping it would be enough, Laney studied the map Yoni had drawn of the compound. She looked up when her uncle placed a cup of tea in front of her.