Demonic Designs (To Absolve the Fallen) (34 page)

“Then, a strength in numbers is important.”

“Yes,” Marla agreed.

“Why, then, have you split your prophets between the mansion and a university?
 
Would it not be prudent to keep them all together, in hopes of mutual defense?”

“Jeremiah has not made his mind clear to me,” Marla admitted.
 
“It’s a strange thing, the will of a demon.
 
Most of the time, I think he knows what he’s doing, but he’s working with a serious disadvantage.
 
He doesn’t have the resources that his enemies have, as far as money and manpower are concerned.
 
But I guess he has God on his side.
 
That’s got to count for something.
 
Right?”

Lao Shi cocked his head.
 
“We do not believe that ‘God’ is on anyone’s side.
 
What men worship as gods are everywhere, in the hands of everyone.
 
Money, power, prestige, being ‘right,’ love, hate, compassion, suffering—everyone has access to these things and experiences them differently.
 
Jeremiah has no more of a monopoly in any of these areas than Metatron.
 
And neither has more influence in them than the average human being.
 
It is possible that Jeremiah is enlightened, where Metatron is not, but even that I doubt.”

Marla looked shocked.
 
“Then, you don’t believe in God?”

“I must believe in something, if I’m here,” Lao Shi responded.

Marla smiled; she had long since gotten used to cryptic answers, “That isn’t what I asked.”

“True,” the Lama replied.
 
“But the question you asked me was weighted.
 
So much is implied by ‘God.’
 
When you think of God, you think of something completely different than what I think of God; it is different than what orthodox Jews think of as God; it is different than what Jeremiah thinks of when he envisions God; and it is different than what Alex sees as God.
 
If God is an infinite being, with infinite capabilities, He must surely have infinite faces.
 
God would not reveal Himself to everyone in the same manner; it would not suit their needs.”

Marla looked at him perplexed.
 
“How do you know of Alex?”

“I have seen him,” Lao Shi said, “in my dreams.
 
And I have seen the God he speaks to.”

“You’ve dreamt of Alex?”

Lao Shi smiled.
 
“I dream of many things.”

***

“Alex Tanner,” Abbie began.
 
“I have been waiting a long time to meet you, longer than you’ve been alive.”

Matt looked around.
 
“I suppose it’s safe to talk freely in here,” he reasoned.

“Oh, yes, Matt,” Abbie responded, turning to smile on him.
 
“Your people have been all throughout this room, disrupting my privacy.”

He smiled back.
 
“Sorry.”

“No, don’t be.
 
It’s necessary.
 
Right?
 
All for the safety of little Alex, here.”

Alex was a little offended by the condescension.
 
And Abbie sensed it.

“Oh, don’t be upset, Alex,” Abbie insisted.
 
“I’ve lived so long that I’ve learned not to mince words.
 
There isn’t enough time, and I don’t have the energy to be polite.
 
Besides, softening words will only lead to misinformation.
 
Let me be clear; we’re here because you are not capable of defending yourself.
 
We are also here because you don’t know how to help those whom you have been destined to help.
 
You must recognize your own deficiencies before we can continue.”

Alex bowed his head.
 
“I just think that people expect an awful lot of me.”

“You’re right,” Abbie agreed.
 
“You cannot live up to their expectations, but they are not the ones with whom you should concern yourself.”

Alex looked up at her, and concluded, “God.”

“No,” she smiled, “you.”
 
She allowed Alex a moment to look at her, confused, before continuing, “Your path is of your own molding.
 
It is not up to me, Jeremiah, or God to tell you what you will need to do.
 
Any attempts to force you would compromise free will.”

“But I don’t know what to do.”

“I understand that,” Abbie said, “but someday you will.”

“Abbie,” Matt interjected, “you have to understand that Alex has only recently been given the knowledge that he even is a prophet.”

“Matthew Hartley,” she admonished, “I am quite aware of the situation.
 
There are some on the Elder Prophet Council who have been watching Alex since his birth.
 
Admittedly, I’ve been skeptical, but his preparedness is known to me, I assure you.”

Matt’s eyes widened, and he looked away.

“Now,” she continued, “we have some things to go over, Alex.
 
First of all, while you’re in class with me, you are to treat me as you would any other teacher.
 
If you show everyone that we have a relationship outside of school, you will raise concern and questions that you don’t want to have to answer.
 

“Secondly, you are a prophet, and more than that, you’re an easy target.
 
You won’t be able to rely on Jeremiah, Matt, or me to save you if you screw up.
 
Last night, I was attacked by Patheus (I believe Matt is familiar with this demon), and I lived, but I could have easily died.
 
I will try to protect you; however, many things are beyond my capabilities.

“Third, your training begins today.
 
We have a common bond, you and I.
 
We both have the ability to understand and manipulate spirit on a deep level.
 
Animals, including humans, and demons have spirit.
 
It is their connection to God.
 
All creatures are controlled by this essence.
 
But be aware that it’s a dangerous gift.
 
Using it too much can be detrimental to those whom you affect and to yourself.
 
We will discuss this in much more detail in lessons to come.

“Finally, you have been deemed a leader.
 
I imagine that you will run across many different kinds of prophets, demons, and humans before God calls you home.
 
You must learn to understand them before you will be able to command them.
 
Many of them will be more powerful than you, and many of them will never listen.
 
You will need to be responsible in how and when you use your gifts.

“On a related note, you have heard, and will continue to hear the word ‘chosen.’
 
It is most important for you, of all people, to remember that this word does not imply divine right.
 
God, despite what many people may claim, did not choose you.
 
You chose you, and God agreed.
 
God hasn’t given you a mandate to do whatever you’d like, and many prophets have fallen, painfully, as a result of that misconception.
 
Furthermore, you can always choose to step out of this.
 
You must continue as a matter of free will, not because you are being forced.”

She took a deep breath, “Okay.
 
Now, what questions of yours might I answer?”

“Can we win?”

“Of course,” Abbie returned.
 
“But what I think you really mean to ask is:
 
Will we win?
 
And I cannot answer that.
 
However, you should remember that you will never be alone.
 
You have powerful enemies, but you also have powerful allies.
 
Your destiny and the result of this war have not yet been written.”

“Does the fear ever go away?”

“No,” Abbie answered shortly.

“Will I ever live a normal life?”

Abbie smiled, “You never did live a normal life.
 
But I can promise that you will live life in a way that most people cannot fathom.
 
When this is over, if you live to see the end, it will be up to you to determine how you live your life.
 
You could—even now—go back to the life you led, but I don’t think it would fulfill the needs you have, or we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

“I was told that I was coming here to unite prophets,” Alex stated.
 
“From what you say, it sounds like I’m going have to keep a low profile.
 
How can I do both?”

“Ah,” Abbie said, “and there’s the hitch.
 
You are not ready, and we are not ready for you to reveal yourself to the world.
 
But we will be.
 
Surprising as it may seem, you are not here only to learn school subjects or how to be a prophet.
 
You will begin your training as a leader of men.
 
Before you return to the mansion for good, you will begin a following here—a following that will aid you in taking your message to the rest of the world.
 
You see, your goal is not only to unite prophets, but to unite humanity, as well.”

Alex’s face went flush, “I can’t do all that.”

“I admit,” Abbie began, “that it will be difficult, but you won’t have to bear this burden by yourself.
 
Whatever happens, whatever you choose to do, you are part of a family now.”

“What message am I supposed to spread?”

“Peace, love, compassion.
 
These are precepts that we all support.
 
The Elder Prophet Council does what it can, but, before we can be united, we’ll need a reason.
 
Jeremiah believes that you are that reason, and he has support on the Council.”

“You say ‘we.’
 
Who is that?”

“There are prophets who hide, alone, out of fear for their lives.
 
There are prophets, like myself, who stand in the open, exposed.
 
There are, undoubtedly, prophets I don’t even know of, who may exceed me in years.
 
I’ve even heard it said that Jeremiah’s been recruiting demons who have had a change of heart to help us in our time of need.
 
I tell you, Alex, we have only been waiting for someone to rally behind.
 
And, though you cannot be that person yet, you may be our best hope.”

“Where do I go from here?”

“Back to your apartment,” Abbie stated, standing up.
 
“I think we’ve accomplished what I meant to accomplish today.
 
You will need to rest and prepare in whatever way you see fit.
 
If you choose to go on, you’ll need all the strength you can muster.”
 
She looked at Matt, “It was a pleasure seeing you again, Matt.”
 

Matt got up and hugged her.
 
“I’m happy that you’re back, Abbie.
 
I’ve missed our talks.”

“So have I.
 
Oh,” she added, “I like what the two of you have done to your hair.”
 
She walked over to the door and opened it.
 
“I will see you bright and early tomorrow morning, Thomas.”

“Bye,” Alex said, still reeling from the conversation.

They walked out of the office, and Abbie closed the door behind them.
 
Once they were out of the department, Alex turned to look at Matt, wide-eyed.

“What has Jeremiah gotten me into?”

***

Abbie flopped back into her chair.
 
She sighed as she reviewed the conversation she had just had with Alex.
 
Well, she had done most of the talking.
 
Alex had asked a few questions, but mostly he’d just sat there, dumbfounded.
 
She still doubted the boy’s capabilities, but she also reminded herself that he was young—they all three were.
 
Jeremiah was so sure of him, but Abbie couldn’t see it yet.
 
Alex certainly had potential, but he was too scared.
 
He might be able to be molded into something later, but the world needed a savior soon.