Earth's Last Angel by Leon Castle Read Free Book Online Page B

your lovely wife Lady Sheona,’ rising his full 102 cm frame up to stand in front of the throne, trying to create the illusion of grandeur. Flicking back his scarlet cloak, he descends the steps to stand eye level with Bill. He extends his hand to be kissed, instead Bill grabs his hand and shakes it. An evil smile creases The Word’s veiled scarred face. It will be a pleasure eradicating this vermin. The Word turns and ascends the steps and seats himself back on the throne.
    Bill glances around him, in the gloom he senses the presence of someone concealed behind the pillars. With a feeling of foreboding he squeezes Sheona’s hand to reassure her.
    â€˜My counsel is curious about you, Ambassador William and Lady Sheona. You seem to have popped out of nowhere. Step forward children of the Almighty.’
    At his command six people appear from behind the pillars and step up to the edge of the light ring, each wears the same dark blue hooded cloak completely hiding their facial features.
    â€˜Ambassador William, we know nothing about you, what did you do before becoming Ambassador for your country?’ asks a tall male voiced figure.
    â€˜Well, we export and import produce for my province.’
    â€˜So you have a large board of directors on your company, how many executives?’ asks a smaller Mazuban.
    â€˜We don’t have a board of directors, our company is a privately owned one.’
    â€˜So how did you manage to finance such a large venture on your own?’ asks a female’s voice.
    Bill shifts his feet. ‘This is turning into an interrogation and I can’t lie about the origins of our wealth, not to this lot, they’ll see straight through it.’ he thinks.
    â€˜I, err…we received it as a reward from our former employer.’
    â€˜Who is?’ she pressed him.
    â€˜The Croc of the United Kingdom of Sobektar.’
    â€˜Didn’t they go off planet years ago? around the year…2600 perhaps?’
    â€˜Yes that would be correct,’ swallows a now concerned Bill.
    â€˜Where in the hell are they going with this?’ he wonders. He shoots a nervous smile to Sheona who is gradually losing the color in her face.
    The female starts to go after Bill like a rabid dog, it soon becomes very clear where this is going.
    â€˜Considering it’s now 2689, that’s 89 years ago Mr. Ambassador,’ her pitch and volume of her over-righteous voice rising slightly.
    â€˜Can you please tell us where were you born?’
    â€˜I was born in the western province of the Great Southern Land.’
    â€˜And now if you please, when exactly where you born?’ she asks in a low hiss.
    So this is what they are up to, they want to know how old we are, and how we’ve done it!
    The atmosphere hangs like a hot, wet blanket over them sucking the air from their very lungs, after what seems like an eternity, with everyone except Sheona, who has turned very pale, leaning forward in suspense.
    The Word hangs forward on his throne like a half starved vulture licking his lips in anticipation.
    â€˜I was born on the third of July, 2116.’
    â€˜That’s 573 years old! Yet you both look no older than 30!’ explodes the female.
    Raising his claw-like hand The Word restrains further outbursts from the female.
    â€˜Go and get Lady Sheona some water,’ he commands the female. She sulks off out of the room.
    â€˜So Ambassador, how did you and your lady, manage to extend your lives for so long?’ he croons, trying to sound like a gentle father speaking with a naughty child.
    â€˜I cannot answer that question. I will not endanger the lives of my friends.’
    The Word leaps off the throne bounds down to the bottom step, thrusting his veiled face into Bill’s. ‘Your friend the Devil you mean, you are in league with him! Take them away!’ he shrieks.
    Suddenly out of the gloom directly behind them step four figures dressed in black