Genesis of a Hero by Chris Smith Read Free Book Online

mane that hung over his back and down his powerful legs. Next came two females with an eight month old cub between them.
    The man squealed and scampered for the nearest cage.
    “Faith,” Denise said and caught him by the arm. “Daniel survived the lion’s den because of his faith. You can as well. They’re not just stories. The Bible is God’s word to man.”
    “But, what does faith have to do with anything? I… can’t.”
    “Watch and see,” John said and let his right hand reach out to pet the mane of the large male. The Spirit wrapped around the predator, invisible to the trembling man, but for John it was as bright as the sun. No harshness thrived in the light. Only peace and love and the grace of God.
    A deep, content ed rumble growled from the lion’s throat. The big cat could almost look eye to eye with John, but he held no fear - for the Spirit was on his side. Slowly, the lion knelt then rolled onto his wide, tawny back. John playfully scratched a furry belly.
    “How are you doing that?” the man said and stepped behind Denise. “Brutus is usually really aggressive when he’s hungry. I’ve never…”
    “You’ve already heard how,” John said softly. “Faith. Trust in God and reach out. Believe in him; and you shall be saved. Try it. Say a prayer. Ask the Lord to protect you and take a leap of faith.”
    For almost a full minute, the man’s eyes closed and his lips moved wordlessly. Tentatively, his left hand rose towards one of the females. As his hand touched her head and ran down her back, a wonderful smile crossed his face. No more was the agony of all the missed time with his family evident. None of the driving desire to “get one more step ahead” in life existed.
    “Thank you,” he said in a whisper. “I need to go. I have to get to my family. But the lions…”
    “We’ll get them back outside,” Denise assured.
    He nodded and hit the door at a jog without another look back.
    “Out with you,” John la ughed and the Spirit touched the lions. The male jumped to his feet and followed the others into the paddock continuing with his deep, relaxed growl.
    “That went wel l,” Denise said happily after John closed the metal doors.
    “I suppose so,” he smiled. “But I’m leaving the feeding up to you.”
    Without another word, she slid forward and her lips came to his. An electric pulse shot down his s pine at the softness of her touch. The bundle of flowers pressed into the back of his neck where her hands were latched. He wrapped his arms around her and drew her close. For ten seconds, John felt as though the Earth was falling below his feet.
    “That soul was mine,” a voice echoed in the small room and made John and Denise jump in surprise. He’d been so absorbed by Denise; the presence of two people coming into the room had gone unnoticed.
    Near the employee entrance stood a rather portly man with hardly any neck. A stubby cigar hung from the corner of his mouth. His skin looked greasy ; and matted hair clumped on top of his head. Beside him was a woman of the same make. Her longer hair was ratty and tangled. A very crooked smile was spread across her pimply face.
    John immediately called on the Spirit and brought forth a magnificent shield as he yanked his scepter from the strap under his shirt. The shield shimmered and hovered in front of his left a rm. Reaching over his head, he pulled the sword that had materialized when he caught sight of the pair.
    “Charles,” Denise hissed. “ What are you doing here?”
    “Spreading the good word,” Charles chuckled and peered around the room with his beady eyes. Stubbly, black hair grew on his cheeks and chin. If ever Lucifer could make his own angels, this was the template. Terrible and powerful in the deceiver’s vile powers. “I’ve been working on that guy for a long time. I could have harvested him months ago, but it was fun to watch him whine and cry. Now, you’ve ruined all our fun. Haven’t they, Christy?” He