Archangel Crusader Read Free Page B

think I'm old enough now. I would really like to see her."
    Michael wasn’t ready for the anger that swirled in his chest. He thought he’d dealt with it long ago, but he still resented the runaway junkie. "Damn! Girl, you never make it easy for your old dad, do you? I don't even know if she wants to see you..." Hell, he didn’t know if she was still alive.
    Jennifer frowned as if the thought of rejection had never occurred to her.
    Michael forced a reassuring smile. “But you’re right. Even though I still want you to be my little girl, you're probably responsible enough now." Jennifer was growing fast. “I’ll tell you what. We’ll make a deal. I'll call Dave and find out where she lives and how she's doing, if that’s so important to you."
    Jennifer broke into a radiant smile. "Oh, Dad... I thought you'd never let me see her. I always wonder about her. Thank you, Dad. I love you." She threw herself in his arms, scaring the cat away.
    “ Wait a minute... I make no promises...but if she’s clean, I let you see her.”
    “ That’s all I ask, Dad." There were tears in her eyes when Jennifer turned and started up the stairs.
    "Sweet dreams, honey. I love you," he called to her retreating back.
    "I never dream."
    "Sure you do, you just don't remember."
    "I love you too, Dad." Jennifer disappeared up the stairs.
    Now she wanted to see her mother, as if his life wasn't complicated enough! How long could he keep his family together without losing his mind? Deciding he had better stop drinking for the night, Michael went straight to bed and promptly fell asleep.
     
     
    Chapter Three
     
     
    The crimson glow of the dying star bloodied the devastated landscape of the red planet. Underground, in the circular sanctum at the heart of the secret city, green flames crackled on the sacred stone in the center of the checkered floor, while the smoke released a bittersweet scent.
    In a quiet shuffle, hooded silhouettes in long silver capes filed in orderly ranks along the smooth white wall to their appointed places in the temple. In unison they struck an eerie tune, high-pitched and punctuated by hisses, rattles, shushes, and clucks.
    As the vibration of the shrill notes intensified, hollow claps paced the harmony of the chorus with dry consonance. In alien words, the chant spoke of Krastinios, son of Lufriec, who would soon fulfill the prophecy and open a new world for his people. An electronic gong reverberated, changing the tone of the unfamiliar music.
    Meanwhile, in a thick rain forest of Central America, concealed by the vines invading every crack of the venerable stones, the ruins of a long lost Mayan city stood among the songs of multicolored birds. There, lurked a threatening presence.
    Oblivious to the tropical stench of rotting vegetation, scaly patches of brown and black slithered up the collapsed steps of the truncated pyramid. The huge anaconda flicked its purple tongue and climbed with purpose, answering the call of the strange symphony. When it reached the sacrificial stone stained with ancient blood, the snake coiled up at its center, basking in a pool of sunlight. Content, the reptile then veiled its eyes.
    When the vibration escalated in intensity, the birds stopped singing. A chilly wind rose, blowing the vegetation away from the gigantic Mayan sculptures. Stone statues of plumed serpent-gods decorated the corners of the temple.
    While the alien chant gathered power, the anaconda smiled in its sleep. Black strands of hair unfolded, smoothed, lengthened and straightened at the head of the sleeping snake. As if obeying the same tide, the green forest cover receded further, revealing more and more of the Mayan architecture.
    The creature on the top platform uncoiled and thickened, changing shape. Extremities grew where there were none before. More swelling and bulging of skin and muscles occurred. Slowly, a roundish head formed under the length of jet hair. Protrusions and depressions appeared under the skin,