Rise of the Beast (21 page)

It was a fact that had Leland glancing at his watch about every three minutes for the past 15. The service was set to begin in five minutes. “Come on, Grandma,” he whispered, “I really need you here.”

As if on cue, the back door of the sanctuary opened and in strolled Claire. Leland was surprised to discover that she was being helped along by a young man and woman. They were members of Lusan’s youth ministry team. Leland was particularly surprised to discover that the young man on her left was Julio Mendoza. How was it that he was with his grandmother? They were talking and smiling like they were old friends. It was curious. Leland didn’t remember the name of the young woman on his grandmother’s right. However, he did recall that she too was a former gang member. She seemed more reserved, almost frightened. He’d have to ask his grandmother about this later. They all came up to the front row, and after some discussion with the usher, all sat down together.

Claire looked over at her grandson and waved, smiling from ear to ear. Yes, Leland was sure that she had some story to tell.

Leland glanced over at Lusan. For a moment, he was certain that he discerned a look of surprise—and maybe even anger?—upon his countenance, though it quickly passed. He had little time to contemplate these curiosities. A moment later, the wedding march began to play and the procession of the bridesmaids commenced. It was several minutes before the bride appeared at the rear of the church, accompanied by Mr. Pagoni.

Leland turned to his grandmother, who was smiling broadly. Her smile encouraged him. He was ready to go.

The wedding was picture perfect, from the giving away of the bride to the photos of the wedding party. Lusan said nothing controversial, as he sometimes did, which was a relief to Leland. Perhaps his grandmother would be less critical of him.

The reception following the wedding was enormous, held in the grand
ballroom at one of Manhattan’s most exclusive hotels. It was here that the inevitable confrontation between Claire and Lusan was bound to occur.

Leland noted how the two young people who had come with his grandmother followed her around. It was almost as if they were afraid to wander more than a few steps from her. Others from the youth group tried to lure them away, but they resisted.

Leland also discovered, rather quickly, that the events of this day had not swayed his grandmother’s opinion in the least. Indeed, she was more negative regarding Lusan than ever before. She declined to discuss the reasons, at least not here. She claimed that she needed to gather more evidence. Yes, those were her very words. Had she taken up detective work during the past few days?

It was almost two hours before Claire and Lusan finally came face to face. Leland made the introduction and then awaited the fireworks.

“It was so nice of you to send over Julio and Karina to assist me,” she began. “They are such wonderful young people, and we have had such a nice chat. I know so much more about your organization now, so much more.”

For a moment, Lusan seemed at a loss for words. “It was no trouble,” he finally said.

“You know, I thought I might be angry with you at our first meeting,” admitted Claire, “especially after this morning. But I’m not. I do have a word for you, though, a word from the Lord. You can do nothing beyond what He has permitted. You have no power beyond that which He has given you. Your destiny was written down from before the world began, ordained before your creation. I’ll not stand in your way. However, you’ll need to accomplish those ends minus these nice young people here. They are fellow inheritors with Christ. Just leave them in peace, and I won’t trouble you anymore.”

Lusan looked positively stunned. “I’m sure I don’t have the slightest idea as to what you’re talking about.”

“Whatever,” said Claire, turning to her grandson and his new wife. “Leland, I just want you to be happy with your new bride. Krissie seems like such a wonderful young woman. I’m glad you found her. He who finds a good wife finds a good thing.” She focused upon Krissie. “Dear, you are a good woman. Never let anyone tell you different.”

“Thank you,” said Krissie, who also seemed at a loss for words.

“I would like to urge you two to run away as far as you can, while you still can,” continued Claire. “Go to Italy. Find a new life there, if you can. Mr. Pagoni seems like such a nice man. I truly believe that he will help you when the time comes. Still, it will be more important for you to place your hand in the hand of the man who calmed the waters. He won’t let you down. He never does. Still, you are both adults, you need to make your own decisions. The Lord will make clear the path for you, both of you. You will know it when you see it. Don’t hesitate when that day comes.”

“I won’t hesitate,” promised Leland, though he had no idea what he had just promised her.

Claire glanced at her watch, then at her two young escorts. “I really need to be going. It has been a wonderful wedding, a wonderful reception. Please, give my best to Mr. Pagoni.”

“I will,” said Leland.

Claire hugged Krissie, then Leland. She didn’t let go for a long time. “I love you dear, don’t forget that.”

“I’ll see you the week after next,” said Leland.

“If the good Lord wills it,” said Claire. She hesitated then walked away, with Julio and Katrina in tow. She disappeared into the crowd.

It was Lusan who spoke first, though his comments were brief. “Wow.”

“I’m sorry,” said Leland, his voice quivering and uncertain. “I didn’t expect that. I think I might have something to confess to. I think I made a mistake.”

“Like telling her how you met me?” said Lusan.

“Yes,” said Leland. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have done it.”

Lusan smiled, a somewhat frigid smile. “It’s all right, Leland. I figured as much. I’m not angry with you. How could I be? You have been indispensable to me, both you and Krissie. Life is a learning experience. I suspect that you have just had one of those learning moments.”

“Yeah,” confirmed Leland.

“I’m not even angry with your grandmother,” continued Lusan, glancing out into the crowded ballroom. “I’m just concerned. I think this trip to Italy is
coming at a good time. You’ve been working nonstop for months. Don’t worry, your job will be waiting for you when you return. This incident changes nothing. I assure you, even angels make mistakes. Let us speak no further of it.”

Leland nodded. No doubt, he’d made a mistake telling his grandmother the story. He was thankful that Lusan had been so understanding about it all. Then again, this was the nature of angels. It had to be if they were going to put up with humans. This mistake would not be repeated.

Claire and her two escorts moved quickly through the crowded room toward the exit and the parking lot where their limo awaited them. It had been difficult for Claire to keep her cool, but she’d managed it. “He’s a slimy one, that one,” she finally said.

“I can’t believe how you handled him,” remarked Julio. “Weren’t you afraid?”

“No, not really,” replied Claire. “Maybe it comes with age. Maybe I was just too angry to be afraid. I don’t know.”

“But he’s the Devil, Satan,” said Karina.

“I’m not going to address him as sir, if that’s what you mean,” replied Claire.

Karina looked at Claire with a look of amazement and fear, only to see her gaze returned by one of mirth.

“He’s just the Devil,” said Claire. “I met Clark Gable in person when I was just a kid, got to talk to him. Now that was an experience.”

“Clark who?” asked Karina.

“Oh you know,” said Julio. “He was the lead guitarist for that hard rock band, The Flaming Skulls. They broke up about three years ago when their lead singer overdosed on meth.”

“Oh yeah,” replied Karina.

Claire shook her head. These kids had so much to learn about true American culture. “But even more important, I’ve met my Lord face to face.
I’ve been in the arms of Jesus.”

“When you were there on the bed this afternoon,” deduced Julio.

“Yes, Julio, that’s right,” confirmed Claire. “Eventually, I need to return to Him.”

“No time soon, I hope,” said Julio. “We’re going to need you.”

“No you won’t,” said Claire. “There is this friend of mine; I’m going to take you to him. He has a wonderful church not far from where the two of you live. He’ll look after you, see to it that you get solid scriptural teaching.”

“Won’t we have to go into hiding or something?” asked Karina.

“Why?” asked Claire, as they stepped into the limo.

“Well, I mean, Satan’s demons are going to come after us,” said Karina.

“God has His hand of protection on both of you. He will never forsake or leave you. Go on about your lives. You were both going to school. Don’t stop just because your demons left you. Surely, you’ve absorbed something from the classroom. Turn it to good. Julio, you were going into criminal justice; keep going. Become a police officer, maybe a detective. Work against Satan and his demons; expose his evil plans. Karina, you were studying business. Well, keep going. There is still a place in our society for good, Christian businesswomen. Satan won’t bother you further, so long as you remain faithful to Christ. He wouldn’t dare. He’s been warned. There are certain lines that he just won’t cross. This is one of them.”

The kids would continue their lives at home as they had been these past months. But this time they would be in control. They would decide their destinies, not one of Satan’s minions.

In the days that followed, Karina and Julio frequently visited their new friend. They helped her around the house, went shopping with her, and studied the Bible together. Claire was in her glory. How she loved these two gifts from God. Would that she could have had more time with them, but she knew her time was short.

It was on a Friday night, the night before Leland and Krissie were due to return. Claire sat in front of her old, venerable computer. She sent off a dozen or more emails to friends and family before falling asleep right there in her chair.

She was awakened by the sound of her name being spoken, even as she felt a hand upon her shoulder. She turned to see Jesus standing there at her side, a broad smile on his face.

“It’s time, isn’t it?” she asked.

“Yes, Claire, it is,” confirmed Jesus. “Are you ready?”

“Yes, I guess so,” said Claire, rising from her chair, literally rising out of her body. She looked back. It seemed so strange to be looking at herself from this vantage point. Yet, she looked so peaceful, like she was simply asleep. “I wish I could have seen my grandson one more time.”

“You will,” assured Jesus. “But for now, I need you more than he does. The Father needs you. We will be going there presently.” Jesus motioned to the great glowing vortex that seemed to extend straight through the back wall and into eternity. It seemed so bright, so inviting. Jesus extended His hand and Claire accepted it. They walked together into the luminous gateway and vanished, after which the gateway too dissolved.

It was a chilly afternoon for so late in the spring as Leland and Krissie walked away from his grandmother’s graveside service. If only he could have seen her one more time before her passing. He felt guilty to have been away when she died, when she might have needed him.

The turnout had been huge, over a hundred people. Her pastor had delivered a stirring eulogy for her. Normally, it would be a pastor’s job to make the deceased appear larger in death than they had in life. With Claire that wasn’t necessary.

Her young friends, Karina and Julio, had been at the service as well. Julio had been one of the pallbearers. They had sat together through the service in the very front row. Karina in particular had been almost inconsolable. That seemed strange to Leland. She and Claire could not have known each other for more than a few weeks. How could such a strong bond have formed between them during so brief a time? Indeed, how had they met at all? Word was that they had left the organization rather suddenly two weeks ago. What had been behind that? Right now, there were more questions than answers, and Leland wasn’t in the frame of mind to seek them out, at least, not right now.

Lusan and Duras were conspicuously absent from the funeral. Maybe it was just as well. Lusan had seemed truly shocked to hear of Claire’s passing. That in itself was strange. Nothing much seemed to shake Lusan, but that did.