Fire and Sword Read Free Page A

in and around the area of the building in Jerusalem where the group of loyal Christ followers gathered. It had been weeks since the dramatic events at Calvary had taken place, and now something new was brewing…something unsettling.
    “The last time so many of the enemy began gathering at Jerusalem was when the Most High met in that same room to break bread with them the final time,” mused Berenius. “Now they meet without Him in prayer—but in His name.”
    “Jesus,” Drachus muttered derisively. “Jesus.”
    “That name!” boomed a voice from above. “That name.”
    Berenius looked up to see Kara, one of Lucifer’s commanding angels. Kara’s short, mixed blond-and-brown hair and dark green-blue eyes suited his double-minded and often erratic nature. It was his tendency to make decisions based on the current situation rather than on a core philosophy that brought him to his current situation. His ambition had gotten the better of him when he threw in with Lucifer, but it was too late to turn back once defeat was evident—and thus he was cast out of Heaven with the others. He sometimes longed for those days when he was an elder in the Kingdom; now he was merely one of Lucifer’s commanders in the greatest gamble in history.
    Kara was responsible for gathering intelligence on the enemy and ascertaining the Most High’s next area of attack. His network of spies was legendary among the angels, and he was regarded with weary respect. Most also thought him a fool.
    “They continue in the upper room of a house, my lord,” said Berenius, who was Kara’s chief aide and skilled in fomenting murder and intrigue among humans. “They pray continually. Otherwise nothing new to report. They pray.”
    “And wait,” added another voice. It was Pellecus, another of Lucifer’s closest counselors. “They pray and wait.”
    Kara looked disdainfully at Pellecus; he regarded him as an academic who knew nothing of practical intrigue. Having been one of the greatest teachers in the Kingdom, Pellecus was a bitter and very willing participant in Lucifer’s bid for power. He had taught at the Academy of the Host, but when he had been disgraced because of his unorthodox teaching, he swore allegiance to Lucifer. He now acted as Lucifer’s voice to the other angels who had fallen—a prophetic puppet who gave explanation for his leader’s strategy of war against the Most High.
    “Then let them pray,” sniffed Kara. “So long as they keep waiting. My contention is that with Jesus out of the way the rest shall follow in short order.”
    Pellecus shook his head at his comrade’s ignorance.
    “If we have learned anything in this war, it is the fact that the Most High does not make idle threats,” said Pellecus, as the angels gathered together for the meeting that would shortly take place. Pellecus loved an audience, even a captive one. “No, my brothers, He intends to continue the war through these people—not despite them.”
    “Nevertheless, He has departed,” said Kara with little real comfort. “For now.”
    “Take no pleasure in His absence, Kara,” came the familiar voice of Lucifer.
    Everyone’s attention turned to the figure who now emerged from a corner of the room in which they met—the house of a Jewish noble. Lucifer greeted his council with gregarious nods and bid them to come to order. They had not seen him since the Lord’s dramatic victory at the tomb. But they didn’t anticipate his return in such vigorous, even humorous disposition. He had discarded the purple robe of his previous office in Heaven for a simpler white robe with a grey mantle. As always, his steel-grey eyes housed a keen and cunning mind. Pellecus was the first to speak.
    “You are looking well, my lord,” he said with a bit of timidity. “In light of our current circumstances…”
    Lucifer laughed aloud. “How diplomatic of you, Pellecus,” he said. “Come! Sit! All of you. It is time we spoke of the future—however grim it