Purge: Book Three: Last Days Trilogy Read online

  “All was well and fine ‘till the dude called James showed up,” Buzz said. “Him and his ‘Marcus dying’ speech made the guys think. Why should we fight? Maybe die. It’ll be over in a few days. They just want to hang back and wait.” Buzz saw it, Michael didn’t, the raise in Reggie’s eyes.

  Eliza gasped. “You’re going to abandon my son?”

  “Eliza,” Aunt Rose spoke up. “Think about it. I love Marcus, but it’s his chance to end this. We should just pray for the ending.”

  “I can’t believe you’re saying that,” Eliza protested. “Michael, you came here to cast Devante from our world.”

  “Yes.” Michael nodded. “And he shall be cast out. When Marcus dies, so shall Devante.” Michael turned to face Buzz. “Tell the men, I understand. Tell them I will request prayers of them when…”

  Reggie’s loud “What?!” sent a jolt of surprise through the room. “You can’t be serious. Michael? You’ll get them together. You’ll go after Marcus. And you’ll do it now.”

  “Reggie,” Michael said. “I will try.”

  “Try? Try? What is this try?” She looked at Buzz. “Buzz, come on, you’ll go, right?”

  “Reg, in all honesty, it’s not worth it. It really isn’t. Why fight this grand battle when there’s really no need? The guy called James said Marcus wants to die. Maybe we should let him do that. Maybe Marcus feels like this is his chance to make up for what he did.”

  “What he did!?” Reggie shouted. “Marcus did nothing!”

  “Reg, uh…” Buzz cleared his throat. “He created the anti-Christ.”

  “No, asshole…” She flung the covers away and swung her legs over the bed. “He created a goddamn clone. The stupid idiots of this world made the anti-Christ. You’re really not going to help, Buzz?”

  “Sorry.” Buzz shook his head.

  “Fuck you.” Reggie jumped from the bed. “And fuck you, too, Michael, for going along with it.” She stormed across the room.

  “Reggie.” Michael stood up. “Where do you go?”

  She grabbed the bedroom door. “Getting my shit together. If I have to go get Marcus alone, then I will. He’s my entire life now. And I’ll be damned if I’m gonna lose him.” She stomped out.

  Michael smiled at Buzz.

  Fort Knox, Kentucky

  “His weight has dropped,” Leonard explained. “He hasn’t eaten in four days. We cleaned his wounds but they aren’t going to heal if he has no strength.”

  Devante turned slowly. “He’s dying.”

  “Yes. He’s dying.”

  “How much time do we have?” Devante asked.

  “Days, at the most. There is a way to feed him. We can strap him down, run a tube through his nose and pump in liquid nourishment.”

  Devante gave a hint of a smile. “Sounds torturous.”

  “Yeah, it is. But it works.”

  “Then that is what we must do. He must not die. We will hold off for another day. Right now, you and I need to finalize the strategy for when they come. If they come.” Devante paced to the window. “Damn it.” He pounded his fist against the wall as he stared out. “Where are they?”

  Seville, Ohio

  “Michael,” Reggie breathed out. “No.”

  “Yes.” Michael dropped to the ground behind Kyle’s home. “Yes, Reggie.”

  Next to the embedded tire tracks of Kyle’s fatal drive, Reggie dropped to her knees before the flat stone.

  “You, Reggie, are the greatest of warriors.” He lifted the stone from the hole. “Pull your sword.”

  She shook her head.

  “Believe with your heart. Your soul. You have earned what no other on God’s earth has earned. Pull your sword.” Michael grabbed her hand. “You are chosen.”

  Reggie reached in slowly. Her eyes closed, her shoulders dropped, her body trembled and she let out a single sob. A subtle thunder rolled across the sky, and a breeze swept up. When she lifted her arm free, she held a long golden sword. She raised it high and flung back her head, her neck muscles tensed, her face reddened. She fought back tears.

  Michael grabbed her hand, helping her weakening body hold up the sword. He placed his face close to hers. “Keep this high. This sword is like no other. It is yours. And this will be your victory.” He stared at her closed eyes, waiting for them to open; when they did, he gave her a look of pride and honor. “Yours.”

  Fort Knox, Kentucky

  It was his room, a safe room. Devante stood looking out the window. Leonard was in the room, also, and did not expect to see what he did when Devante turned around.

  A peaceful smile crossed Devante’s face. He walked across the room. “Prepare. They come.”

  Seville, Ohio

  The soldiers gathered together on the lawn of Kyle’s property. Michael stood before them. “We have trained for this moment. We have prepared. But things will be a little different. I need you to listen to a man they call James.” He watched the confusion when James emerged from the back of the group.

  “The final battle,” James spoke softly. “We will not be able to face it without the efforts and heart of each and every one of you. You have fought for your world and you have earned the right to keep it. To make it a better place. The final battle you envision, a ‘man-against-beast confrontation,’ will not go down as such. Aside from Michael and Reggie, only ten of you will be chosen to go. The strongest ten. The rest of you will stay behind. In the event we fail, you will be the warriors of this earth. Now...” James let out a breath. “The whole purpose behind the final battle is to cast out Satan. So why risk lives?”

  The warriors listened, watching James as he paced and spoke.

  “I once was blocked from knowing all,” James said. “But just as Devante was able to penetrate us when Lillian and Todd came, now that they have taken Marcus, I am able to see and hear everything they plan. He was the doorway we needed. For each step they have, we will counteract. We will have a well-laid plan. Every detail will be set in stone; every word spoken will be action taken. Every move we make will be fine-tuned. Tomorrow at nightfall, you will face your new world. Because… by that point, we will have won.” He stepped back. “God be with you all.” He raised a clenched fist. “Victory.”

  The warriors shouted out “Victory!” holding up their swords.

  James walked to Reggie. He glanced down at her sword and smiled. He grabbed both of her hands and wrapped them tightly around its handle. “Bring it home. I’ll be watching.” He winked and kissed her on the cheek. “With pride.” He nodded only once to Michael, who bowed his head. Then James moved on.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Fort Knox, Kentucky

  It was the first time since they’d arrived that the ground of the base could be seen. No longer did it swarm with dervan and demonlings. Decomposing human remains were scattered about the torn-up earth. Demons, dervan and demonlings encircled the compound. They stood forty deep, waiting, creating an unbreakable wall that Michael and his soldiers would be unable to pass though.

  In the largest room of the compound, Devante, Leonard and Lillian waited.

  Peering out the window, Leonard saw it first. He stumbled back. “We have problems. Clouds. Look at the clouds.”

  “What!?” Devante raced to the window. He slammed his fist against the glass. A huge cloud was speeding their way, white against the dark sky. It billowed out, lined by sparks of lightning. He knew they were coming. He expected their entrance. But he prepared to stop them when they charged. He never thought that they’d literally drop in on them.

  The steady thumping above their heads was the only warning.

  Devante spun in anger. “They are here! Lillian, you stay put. Leonard, with me. We must move ahead with the plan. Now!” He stormed out. “Before they gain too much ground.”

  Michael rammed his sword into the top of the flat roof. The moment it dug into the hard surface, an opening formed for them to enter. “Be prepared. We know what lies ahead. You know the plan. Herbie and the
others will come with me to seek out Devante. Reggie, you and Buzz...”

  “Get Marcus. Yes.” She nodded.

  “God speed.” Michael leaped into the opening. He waited and helped the others down. As the last of them dropped in, the noise level outside the building grew. Michael faced them. “You know what must be done. Disperse.” Out of the room they flew. Michael, Herbie, Earl and eight others ran one way down the hallway, Reggie and Buzz the other.

  Marcus raised his head upon hearing a loud thump nearby. Then he heard the sound of metal clanking against metal, and his door flew open.

  Reggie barreled in and shrieked when she saw Marcus. She slid to the floor, landing right before him. “Oh God.” She laid her hands on his face. “Buzz, free him. Oh, God.” She kissed Marcus over and over.

  “Reg,” he spoke weakly. “Leave me.”

  “What?” Reggie laughed. “No way.” Buzz sliced the binding around Marcus’ hands. “Hold me.” She moved her body into his.

  Marcus hesitated, then wrapped his arms around her. “Reg, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

  “No. No.” Reggie pulled back. “No apologies. None. You hear me? We have to get you out of here.”

  “But if I die...”

  “My life is nothing. Nothing. I love you, Marcus. You’re all I have to live for. I’ll be damned if I’m going to live without you. Don’t even ask me to.” She ran her hand down his face. “But we have to hurry. Buzz, the bag.”

  Buzz handed Reggie the small knapsack. “Here.”

  Reggie pulled out a tee shirt. She placed it over Marcus’ head. “James told us they had you in your drawers.” She grabbed the jeans and handed them to him. “We have to get you out.”

  Marcus smiled and grabbed the jeans. Quickly, with Reggie’s help, he put them on. As he stood, his legs wobbled. “Reg, I can’t walk.”

  “We’ll help.” She wrapped an arm around him. Buzz took the other side. They took no more than three steps when Devante and Leonard walked in.

  Devante smirked. “Going somewhere?”

  Reggie reached for her sword, but Leonard aimed his revolver at her head. “Don’t even think about it. I won’t hesitate to drop you, little lady.”

  Reggie released her grip. Her head fell forward in defeat.

  “This way,” Michael called. “He’s supposed to be in here.”

  “What are the chances?” Herbie asked.

  Michael smiled and flew into the room. He stopped. Empty. His face went red with anger when Lillian stood from the sofa. Michael walked to her. The other nine men moved into the room.

  “I...” Lillian backed up. “I don’t know where he is. So don’t ask.”

  “I did not plan on it.” Michael pulled back his sword, and, with a loud growl, swooped down and beheaded her. Her head rolled away, and her body dropped to the floor. Michael grinned and spoke to his men. “Now we must find where he is...”

  “Looking for me, Angel?” Devante entered.

  Michael didn’t hesitate. Sword extended, he leaped forward to seize his opportunity. He stopped when Leonard stepped forward with a gun to Reggie’s head.

  “Kill me,” Devante taunted. “Go on. And then you will watch your love die.”

  Michael held the sword at a threatening angle, but his eyes stayed on Reggie.

  “No, Michael,” Reggie said. “No. Kill him.”

  Devante locked eyes with Michael. “Her life or yours, Archangel. Which is more important? Surrender to me.”

  “Michael, no,” Reggie pleaded.

  Michael looked at the gun pressed against Reggie’s head.

  “Surrender.”

  Just as Michael began to swoop down at Devante, his hand was grabbed.

  “Now!” Devante cried out. The walls of the room crumbled, and dervans began to barrel in. Michael and his soldiers were quickly outnumbered, and taken before they could respond.

  <><><><>

  A clearing had been formed. An entourage of demons encircled the twelve of them and Marcus.

  Reggie knelt on the burnt earth, hands gripping the soil. Her eyes moved to the pile of weapons that Devante had collected, where she could see her sword.

  “Reg.” Marcus staggered and dropped to his knees beside her. “We have to do something.”

  “Save him, Marcus.” She looked at him with sad eyes. “We have to save him.”

  Marcus had been there. But it was in a dream. He peered up. Ten high wooden crosses were spread across the ground. Michael was at the center. He was the only one whose wrists were nailed to the wood. His ankles were bound as well, a spike driven through them.

  Michael lifted his head, and his green eyes met Marcus’. Blood dripped from his wrists, pouring down his arms and chest, saturating the cloth he wore.

  Devante laughed. “I could have killed you, angel. You know that? But I’d rather watch you suffer. Before you die...” Devante snatched Reggie by her hair and yanked her to her feet. “You will watch your other half die.”

  Marcus tried to charge forward, but was stopped by Leonard. Reggie dangled above the ground, holding onto Devante’s hand so her hair wouldn’t rip from her scalp.

  Michael spoke weakly. “Put her down.”

  “Right away.” Devante scoffed and secured his huge hand in a grip behind her neck. “Shall I break it or slice it?”

  Marcus was trapped. Though he fought, he made no ground.

  Michael made eye contact with Reggie. “Reggie. Are you willing to die for your world? Are you willing to make the sacrifice to save your earth?”

  Reggie took a deep breath. “Yes.”

  “No!” Marcus screamed. “Sacrifice? It’s not a sacrifice for her to die. Not when she lost all that she did. A sacrifice is for her to live her life. Stay here and fight through her pain. How can you do it, Michael? How! How can you ask that of her? I thought you loved her! I thought you were Michael the almighty Archangel. Damn it! If you are who you say you are, prove it! Get off that cross! Save her. Defeat him like you’re supposed to instead of bailing out and allowing him to kill his mother!”

  Devante’s hand released Reggie. He spun to Marcus. “Let him go,” he ordered.

  Marcus swung out his arms and headed to Reggie.

  Devante held Reggie’s arms. “She is what?”

  “Your mother.” Marcus’ head dropped.

  “Damn you, Marcus!” Buzz cried out. “You dick.”

  “No!” Marcus shook his head. “I’m not gonna let her die. No! I’d rather die myself. She is your mother. Her egg is what you were created from. Look at her eyes. They are the same as yours. You questioned your connection, that is why. She is a stronger doorway for you than I would ever be.”

  Devante, stunned, turned Reggie to face him. His eyes caught hers. His body started to shudder. “My brother. I have killed my brother.” Holding on to Reggie’s arms, Devante dropped to a knee before her. “You shall be the queen your name claims you to be. Do you still want to see the slaughter of yet another one of your children?”

  Reggie closed her eyes. “No.”

  “Then end this,” Devante said. “All it takes is for you to denounce the angel.”

  “Reg, no,” Marcus pleaded. “She never will.”

  “Denounce him. I am your son.” Devante grabbed her hand, holding it tight. “Your last son.”

  Reggie raised her head to Michael.

  “Reggie,” Michael whispered. “No.”

  Reggie looked back to Devante and his blue eyes, then up to Michael. “I’m sorry. I denounce you, Michael.”

  Devante roared with laughter as Michael cried out “No!”

  In the midst of Michael’s long scream, a thunder rose up, loud and powerful. The cross that bound Michael burst into an explosion of flames, smoke and sparks.

  Devante rose to his feet and looked at Leonard. “Finish off the rest of these pitiful souls.” As he turned to give the men an antagonizing look, he saw Michael emerge from the smoke and flames, swooping his sword from the pile. Shocked,
he turned to Reggie. “You denounced him.”

  Reggie grinned. “I lied.”

  Before Devante could react, Michael lunged upon him, knocking the bigger man back twenty feet.

  Reggie screamed and dove to the pile for her sword. She rolled to a stand, spun around and swung her sword, beheading Leonard. She prepared for the ensuing dervan.

  Lifting his body in flight, Michael brought Devante with him. He tossed him to a clearing as if the towering devil weighed nothing. He flew upon Devante’s back. The impact embedded Devante into the soil. Holding his sword with two hands, he raised it high. “In the name of God, I cast you...” Foot securing his neck, Michael looked to Reggie, so close, who readied to battle the oncoming demons. “Reggie!”

  Reggie stopped and looked. “Kill him!”

  “Yours, Reggie. For your world. Your father. Your son. You, Reggie, are the warrior who does this. Cast him out.”

  Filled with visions of her father and Seth, Reggie raced forward, lunged at Devante’s back and drove the sword into his head.

  “Cast him out!” Michael ordered, placing his hand over Reggie’s hands. “Cast him out forever!”

  Reggie closed her eyes and screamed, using her entire body to drive the sword further. It slipped deep into the Earth. With a chorus of demonic moans, the body of Devante began to disintegrate. The ground surrounding the sword swallowed the liquefying remains, bringing him in fast and furious, till not a drop was left.

  Slowly pulling her hand from the sword, Reggie flung her head back in relief. As she began to call out a victory scream, the ground trembled beneath her feet.

  Michael grabbed hold of her arms and smiled. The ground beyond them opened wide. A thick tar-like smoke poured out. It formed a whirlwind that engulfed the multitudes of dervan and demonlings and pulled them back into the earth. When it sucked back into the hole, it brought with it every single ounce of evil that remained in the world.