Amber by Dan-Dwayne Spencer (e book reader .TXT) 📕

“It is for you to find out, slave.”

Jimmy gave a shudder and his voice became an octave higher, “This unwilling servant is my puppet, but don’t forget you’re talking to Calypso, the Mage of Ishtar.”

“I know exactly who I’m talking to.” He reached out to Jimmy and without stepping closer his arm elongated until he grabbed Dugan by the throat.

Jimmy flailed, pulling at the massive hand clutching his neck—cutting off his breath. He gasped for air, helpless against the deformed demon.

The Sheriff growled, “Find it before they do.” He released his grip and his arm shrank to normal size.

Catching his breath, rubbing his throat, and coughing, Jimmy nodded.

The Sheriff got back into the Ford and pulled the light switch on. The sudden blazing glare made Jimmy stagger backward and shield his eyes with his hands. In awkward silence, the demon-sheriff turned the car around and drove away.

The angel reached over his head and made a fist. Supernatural energy electrified the air. It flowed in waves out of the Seraphim, sparking and cracking over the meadow, and Jimmy stood still—frozen. On the road out, the Ford Galaxy’s tail lights also stopped dead still. I exhaled and to my surprise, I could see my breath in a cloud of fog. Whatever the angel did dropped the temperature about fifty-five degrees.

“I will now answer your questions, young Loveless. Be quick. This charm will not last long.” The angel’s voice resonated in harmony like a dozen people speaking at once.

Based on my limited knowledge of the supernatural, there could be only one probable reason for Jimmy’s treacherous actions. I asked, “Has Jimmy been possessed?”

“He is oppressed, not possessed. The boy is being held helpless under Calypso’s charm. Ishtar, the herald, has given her a portion of angelic magic. He will do her bidding until the charm is broken.”

I scratched my head. “How do I break the spell?”

“You cannot. The charm can only be broken by the virtue of the one who wishes to be free of it. Time is growing short—speak quickly.” Reuwel fluttered his beautiful wings, making them glimmer just as Phoenix had done. A powerful whiff of lavender followed a tinkling bell before another wave of power emanated from his fist.

Great, I don’t see Jimmy wanting to break free of his lusty new persona anytime soon. The gravelly voice of Mr. Dark added his lighthearted encouragement to the mix.

I ignored his contemptuousness “Can you hear what my doppelganger is saying?”

“I am aware of your familiar’s presence. What you must remember is that he is an extension of you, and in turn, you are a part of him. You will never be separated; you are bound together. I hear one voice from you. His doubts are your doubts.”

Not knowing how to reply to his statement, I continued with any question popping into my head. “What did it mean when I saw Jimmy wearing armor?”

“These words are for your ears alone, ponder them. Jimmy is marked as surely as you are. His growth and size are not by chance. He has the gift of Samson. He is called to judge with strength, however, he will come into his own only if he can overcome the evil one—and then, only if he survives.”

“How backward can it get? It should have been the other way around. He should get his gift and help you overcome the evil Ishtar.” Mr. Dark was in rare form and as cheery as usual. “Maybe this angel doesn’t want you to make things right. Maybe he’s lying. Maybe he too is a fallen Angel.”

The unnatural cold chilled me, and goosebumps rose on my skin. I shoved my hands deep into my pockets. Then I remembered, the Sheriff had repeated some prophecy in a strange language, and I asked, “Was the Sheriff speaking Latin?”

“Yes.” All six wings made a slight flutter and the angel’s hair glowed. The temperature dropped another five degrees.

“Okay then, what did the Sheriff say in Latin?” Hands in pockets I rocked my weight from one foot to the other trying to warm myself while awaiting my answer.

“The reign of the winged children of God is at hand. He who holds the talisman shall prevail. The touch of it is like the touch of God. Praise to the victor. Burning wings fly into the future.”

“That was as clear as mud. Ask him if he could please make his answers more mysterious.”

Without heeding Dark’s cynicism, I asked, “Where can I find this talisman?”

“The talisman is hidden with the Book of Uriel in a place named after a gifted healer. Young Loveless, my time here draws to an end. Before I leave, I have been charged with a task. A blessing has been bequeathed unto you. What is it you wish for?”

“This is your chance to get anything you ever wanted—riches, or a life without having to listen to your mother’s condemnation. Maybe you could win the lottery.”

As usual, I acted as if old man Dark had said nothing. After what Phoenix said about him, how could I trust anything he would ever say?

“If I asked for Jimmy to be released from his oppression, would you do it?”

“The charm placed on the boy must be broken by the boy himself. I am powerless to change his plight.”

“If I can’t set Dugan free, then help my friends in a different way. They are having a hard time accepting the fact, I have a gift and I have no control over it. They don’t understand. They think I’m doing all this to be better than they are. They don’t see, I have no choice in my calling. Sometimes I feel like I’ve lost who I am, but I don’t want to lose either of them. Could you do something for my friends to make them understand?”

“It shall be done. My Creator