The Light of His Sword by Alaina Stanford Read Free Book Online Page B

animals?”
    “They ran off.” Gabe answered quietly.
    “What if they come back?” Alyssa glanced
around, searching the darkness.
    “We’ll be fine if we keep moving." He
reached out and touched her shoulder.
    She looked at the calm expression on his
face and relaxed. “How far is the nearest town?”
    “A road sign a while back said 10 miles. I’d
say we have 3 or 4 miles left.” Gabe answered. Alyssa noticed he
was carrying the long slender case he pulled out from under the
seat.
    “Why didn’t you use your gun?” She asked
leaning forward to gaze at his other hand, carrying the object.
    Gabe adjusted Samantha on his back, and she
laid her head on his shoulder. “Guns don’t work. Why is Walton so
determined to get you and Samantha back? He seems very possessive,
but there was no love in his eyes when he looked at either of
you.”
    “I don’t think Walton knows how to love
anyone, but himself.” Alyssa answered. “He doesn’t care about me.
He only wants Samantha.”
    “Why?” Gabe asked keeping his eyes on the
road before them.
    Alyssa sighed; she didn’t want to tell Gabe
that Walton was not in his right mind. Somehow his followers
believed his stories and did as he bade them. But she did not. She
glanced at Gabe and said, “He thinks Samantha is special.”
    “Special? In what way?” Gabe turned to look
at her.
    Alyssa’s eyes fell to the ground. “What kind
of animals attacked the truck?”
    Gabe fell silent. He turned to gaze as the
last of the clouds disappeared and the sky filled with stars.
Samantha was sound asleep on his shoulder. He stopped and turned to
stare at Alyssa saying, “You know what they were.”
    Alyssa’s breath caught in her throat as
their eyes met. “How did you survive?” She whispered.
    “They were minor demons carelessly called in
a rush of desperation.” Gabe’s voice was harsh with disgust. He
stopped and pulled the leather sheath off his weapon. The silver
metal of the long sword shone in the darkness like a beacon of
hope. “Walton sent them to see what he’s up against. Now he
knows.”
    “Who are you?” Alyssa gasped, gazing at the
perfection of the unblemished blade.
    “I’m here to help you, that’s all you need
to know.”
    “How much do you know?” Alyssa wouldn’t
accept his answer. “You know about Walton’s plan, don’t you? He
believes the apocalypse is approaching. The elders believe Samantha
will receive a divine visitor that will protect her from the chaos
that precedes the end of days. Walton believes anyone who has
possession of Samantha will also be protected.”
    Gabe shook his head and said, “Walton is
insane, but he’s powerful and shouldn’t be taken lightly. We need
to find a car and get you to your grandmothers as soon as
possible.”
    “Who sent you to protect us?” Alyssa
whispered.
    Gabe squeezed Alyssa’s hand. “This is not
the time or place to discuss these things, Alyssa.”
    She stopped and pulled her hand from his. “I
will not be dismissed like a child. I am Samantha’s mother, the
only person in the world who loves her. I will not be kept in the
dark. I’m not taking another step until you tell me why you are
here.”
    Gabe stopped and stared at her amazed at the
fire in her eyes. A smile spread across his handsome face, and he
said, “You’re pretty feisty. I like your spirit. I suppose you
wouldn’t have gotten this far without a bit of moxie inside that
shy, petite form.” He stared at her for a moment. Then he turned to
glance up toward the stars. When he turned back to face her, he
said, “I am here like any decent man would be, to protect you and
Samantha. She is an innocent child. I will not allow her to
be harmed.”
    Alyssa watched his demeanor transform before
her eyes into that of a warrior. He stood taller somehow. His voice
took on a deep commanding tone. His expression hardened, and his
eyes lit up with a spark of challenge and conviction. There was no
doubt in her mind that he