Joshua Graham - Terminus

“Well, no, but…”

“You are loved with an everlasting love, my son.”

Nick glanced over to Tamara—she’d told him that, the day he resigned. Or thought he’d resigned.

“I know your character,” Father said. “After all, I created you. I knew the path you would take given the settings and conflicts in which I set you. And you have developed just as I hoped.”

“Have I? Then why did you—why did I have to become human?”

“Ah, that is the question, isn’t it?” Another of those brilliant smiles. “You were destined, Dear Nikolai, to be a champion of my children, the humans. That is why you overcame your limitations and sacrificed everything to save them from that nuclear blast. And that is why you could never serve the purposes of the Dark Dominion. You love the humans.”

Nick raised an eyebrow.

“Well, you may have gotten a bit too close to them, but I’ll overlook it. I have the authority to do that, you know.”

“Of course,” Nick said, unsure if he should smile.

“You were allowed to become human so you could learn compassion for those you protect, empathize with their struggles.” He leaned down to Nick’s ear and whispered. “I’ve done it too, you know.”

He straightened up and resumed speaking in what Nick perceived as his normal voice.

“And now, having been a human, you can understand them, see them as I do. My son, it takes more than might and power to be their guardian. You need my spirit.” He touched Nick’s forehead and he immediately felt his strength return. Stronger than ever before. “And now, you have it.”

“Father,” Nick bowed his head. “I am not worthy.”

“You have been made worthy. Behold, I make all things new.” He placed his hand under Nick’s chin and lifted his head. “Well done, good and faithful guardian.”

“Did you say guardian ?”

“Supreme Guardian, in fact. You have proven faithful in lesser things, I will put you in command of much greater things.” He nodded toward the gate, which still yawned open. “Enter now and partake of my joy.”

As he walked through, there was no way to describe what he was seeing without diminish its beauty, its glory.

Taking it all in, Nick couldn’t stop the tear that fell from his eye. He’d not only been reinstated as an angel, he’d been promoted.

Tamara came over and embraced him. “Congratulations, Nick.”

“Thank you, but all along, you were there—the dark vapor, Johann?”

“ And the harbor porpoise who helped you with that pendant.”

“That was you?” Nick said, laughing incredulously. But the mirth didn’t last. He remembered the pain and suffering Hope had experienced in her last moments. “Alas…”

“That term does not exist here,” Tamara said. “Look over there.”

“Hope!”

Beaming with joy, she ran into his arms. She was whole, not a scratch or blemish. In fact, she seemed a bit younger than he remembered. Nick lifted her off the ground and spun around, his heart filled with unspeakable joy. They kissed for as long as it took—time was irrelevant.

“Humans and angels,” Tamara said. “What will the neighbors say?”

More laughter.

But then Nick’s jubilant expression turned somber. He touched Hope’s face tenderly.

“Did you suffer, love? You know, before you…”

“You mean before I died? What an odd concept.” She gave him that smile. “My entire mortal life was like a dream I barely remember. Now, it’s as if I just woke up and am back in the real world.”

“That’s how most humans describe it when they get here,” Tamara said.

“To tell you the truth,” Hope said, “Nick is the one who helped me understand all this.”

“Me?”

“You see, mortal life is all just a construct of this, the true reality.”

“Not a very good one,” Nick said, taking her hand. “But I see what you mean.”

“There are a couple of people who’d very much like to speak with you,” Tamara said.

From behind her, a radiant young woman came up to him.

“I’m so happy to see you again!”

“I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage,” he said. But something about her eyes seemed more than familiar.

“Thank you for taking care of my mother.”

“ Chloe ?”

She nodded. “You were so kind when you brought me here, I’ll always be grateful.”

Before he could fully grasp it all, another beautiful young woman approached.

This time, he knew right away. As she ran into his open arms, he didn’t even try to hold back the tears.

“Daddy!”

“Clara!” He held her for a long time, both of them crying softly in each other’s arms. Nick finally released his grown daughter and turned to Tamara. “So all along, you knew?”

“The rules were there for a reason. Had you healed her back in Victoria Station, she would have turned out like Lena.”

“I can never thank you enough, Tamara.” He took her hands in his. “You’ve done so much for me.”

“And I’d do it again.”

A deep thundering sound approached and caused them to turn their heads. It was Michael, mounted on a war horse, another one at its side.

“Don’t get too comfortable just yet,” he said. “Your work as a Supreme Guardian is just beginning. There’s a whole world that needs our help, and I’ve just gotten word that the Dark Dominion is gearing up for a heavy offensive. We have to go now.”

“I see.” He turned back to Hope, Chloe, and Clara. “Seems I just got here.”

Hope kissed him. “Duty calls.”

“I’m afraid so.”

“Go on, then. We’ll be waiting.”

“It could take some time,” he said.

“We’ve got all the time in—well, you know.”

“Indeed.” Nick mounted his steed. “I’ll see you soon.”

Drawing his sword with a blazing flourish, he rode off at Michael’s side, the entire First and Second Legions in all their supernal glory following them out of the city gates and off to the ongoing war.

The Dark Dominion was a formidable enemy. And although he had fought many battles in the natural realm, direct conflict in the spiritual realm would be far more deadly. But Nick had faith all would end well.

It was only a matter of time.

There are so many people who supported me and contributed to the completion of this book that I fear I will not be able to mention each one by name. For that, I ask your forgiveness and that you know just how much I value and appreciate your presence in my life.

First off, I would like to thank Renni Browne, editor extraordinaire, whose unparalleled gift for helping me tighten up the manuscript with the necessary surgical cuts have—in this author’s opinion—made this book fit the Hitchcockian criteria of a great story: Life, without the boring parts.

I would also like to thank my fellow writers Susan Wingate and Michael Angel, who both encouraged me early on with Terminus to press ahead with this genre.

Of course, I could not do anything without the love and prayers of my friends and family, especially those in my connect group: Tom and Trish Vesneski, Farshid and Marisol Farokhi, Charles and Toni Covello, and many others in my church, as well as William and Ckristina Sutjiadi and Michael and Patricia Goh.

A special shout out to the fantastic members of Team Graham for your constant support and encouragement. You’re a secret society and you know who you are

Of course, I wish to thank my awesome kids Alex and Maddi for your patience and understanding whenever Daddy is on a deadline. Your willingness to set hamsters and RC jets aside and wait for me to have time again to play with you again really helped.