The Belial Stone (The Belial Series #1)(63)

Laney was silent as she stared at the man’s picture on the screen. She knew that a normal, non-fallen angel child with that background wouldn’t have a good chance of living within the law. If he was a fallen angel, she didn’t even want to think about the likely outcomes.

Henry’s voice intruded, as if reading her mind. “I know. It seems impossible. But what if it’s not? What if we underestimate this threat because we can’t wrap our heads around it?”

“Logically, this all fits. And yet, it all seems so fantastical. But the fact is that, deep down, I’ve had this feeling since the attack at my house. I knew there was more underlying all of this. That the stakes were much higher than we were acknowledging. And with the medical examiner’s report, doubting seems to be the height of stupidity.”

“But what do we do with this knowledge? How does this help us?”

“It tells us what we need to prevent. We can’t let Gideon get the stones.”

“What do you think he’ll do if he finds one?”

Laney’s thoughts raced through the Book of Enoch and all the other references to the fallen angels she could recall.

“If the Book of Enoch is accurate, the power contained within the Belial Stones is the power of heaven itself. If Gideon succeeds in acquiring even a single stone, he’ll use it to finally bring about the end of time. He wants to release himself and his brothers from this purgatory of Earth."

She paused, taking a deep breath. “And he’ll destroy all of us to do it.”





CHAPTER 55



Beaver Creek, MT



Laney woke up late the next morning, if the sun streaming through the cracks in the blinds was any indication. She stared at the ceiling for a moment, wishing she could go back to sleep. She felt like she’d been run over by a car. Since all this began, she had yet to wake up without at least three parts of her body aching in pain.

She’d fallen asleep on the couch late last night waiting for Jake and Yoni to return. A blanket had been placed over her, so she knew they were back, even though the house was quiet.

She was surprised she hadn’t woken up when they’d come home. Apparently, she had been so tired that she had slept through not only two men entering the house, but one covering her with a blanket.

Annoyed with her nonexistent sentry skills, she stretched and headed to the kitchen to put on some coffee. After the coffee was set, she started pulling food out of the refrigerator for breakfast. She had bacon grilling and a second egg-white omelet finishing up when Yoni stumbled into the kitchen and took a seat at the table. She sat an omelet in front of him.

“Ah, Laney. If I were not a happily married man, I would propose to you. Perhaps in the next lifetime, hmm?”

She laughed. “Does your wife know how big a flirt you are?”

“Of course she does. That is why she loves me. She knows that as much as I love women, I love her the most.”

Skillfully scooping out the omelet, Laney poured in more egg whites to start the third. Jake walked in just as she was adding the tomato, onion, and spinach. He sat across from Yoni and smiled at Laney as she placed an omelet in front of him.

He raised an eyebrow. “I thought you didn’t cook.”

“I don’t. Breakfast isn’t cooking.”

Jake took a bite. “Well, it tastes great. Thanks.”

Laney smiled. She tried to imagine what it would be like, if it was just her and Jake. A quiet romantic breakfast.

“Hey, you two want to be alone?” Yoni asked.

Laney rolled her eyes at him. Reality: A romantic breakfast with her, Jake, and Yoni, the destroyer of moments.

Jake slapped Yoni on the back of the head and Yoni chuckled.

Jake caught her eyes and gestured to the laptop. “I downloaded the pictures from last night. Take a look.”

Laney started to sit down when a knock sounded at the front door. Jake grabbed her and pulled her behind him, while simultaneously pulling his gun from its holster. Yoni was already positioning himself to the side of one of the front windows with his gun out.

Yoni peered through the blinds. He turned around and smiled. “It looks like we have a few more joining us for breakfast.”

He walked to the door and opened it. Henry and Patrick walked through the front door with large duffle bags slung over their shoulders.

Laney let out the breath she’d unconsciously held when Jake had pressed her against the wall. She forced her heartbeat back to a normal rhythm before crossing the room to envelope her uncle in a warm hug.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jake give Henry that half-handshake, half-hug greeting guys tended to use.

“Not that we mind the company, but couldn’t you guys have given us a heads-up that you were coming?” Jake asked.

“I thought you guys could use the sleep.” Henry replied. He turned to Yoni with a grin. “You need to work on your trip wires a little, Yoni.”

“You’re the only one who’s ever gotten through them.” Yoni grumbled, kicking at the carpet like a kid. “How do you do that?”

Laney released her uncle and looked past the two men. “Did you two come alone? Is Danny with you?”

“Danny’s with Dom. We thought it’d be better for him to stay there.” Henry gestured back towards the front door. “But we did bring along five extra men. They’re setting up a patrol on the perimeter. More will be flying in later today.”