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“WHAT DID YOU MEAN WHEN you said there are demons inhabiting the clones of people?” Pris asked. She had been first to recover from the onslaught of information they had all just received. “Is Mr. Jenkins a clone?”
“If our theory holds true, that’s a very real possibility,” Raquel replied. “And they can replicate numerous clones of the individual who willingly offers their body for service to Lucifer,” she continued. “They’re usually made from organic matter, and are referred to in Jewish religious history as golems.”
“I thought those were made up in the Tolkien stories,” Ham replied.
“Really?” Raquel replied. “Did you not know my Father made the original pair of humanity out of clay?” Looking to the ceiling, she spoke to no one in particular. “What are they teaching children these days?”
“So, the story of creation is true?” Marrisa interjected.
“That portion of the story is true,” Raquel replied. “Much of what mankind has done to the original writings of my Father’s prophets is a sad state of affairs. They’ve taken very simple guidance and twisted it around to fit their narrow-minded, shallow, self-serving need to control everything. Those two were what you today might call Troglodytes, and they were around long before modern man, even before the numerous Ice Ages your scientists are fond of talking about.”
“How long are we talking about?” Frank asked.
“Darling, why on Earth does it matter?” Clara asked through clear blue eyes. “It has no bearing on what we must now focus upon.”
“I suppose that’s true, but it would be interesting to hear from an actual reliable source regarding how long it’s been between creation and now,” he replied.
“If I answer your question, can we drop this discussion and get to work on saving the current residents of the planet?” Raquel asked sarcastically, her eyes flaring.
“Ooh, a sarcastic Archangel; I like it,” Pris exclaimed.
Raquel looked at her and beamed. “I really enjoy the many subtle nuances of your language,” she said. “We don’t speak where my Father resides, we’re all connected eternally.”
Turning to Frank, she added, “Frank, those you refer to as Adam and Eve were created by my Father over six million of your years ago. My brothers and sisters and I were remonstrated at that time to always care for and watch over you. The multitude of them who are present this very moment on the planet would stagger your imagination. But we are charged with not interfering in the daily aspects of your lives. We can only intervene when other angelic forces are at play, or if one who is of great importance stands to be injured or killed.”
“Are any of us of great importance?” Marrisa asked, making air quotes in front of her.
“Unfortunately, I cannot reveal that to anyone, about anyone,” Raquel replied. “And, as I’ve said much more than I should have,” she said, glancing at the ceiling. “We really need to work out what we’re going to do to find out what the Great Deceiver’s plans are.”
“Can Clara see any of them, like when she helped me with cases before?” Frank asked.
“I probably could, but it would be easier if Priscilla did it,” Clara replied, back in control.
“If I did what?” Pris blurted, dumbfounded. “I can’t see where people are.”
“You can’t yet,” Clara reminded her. “We have much to train you on, and it needs to be done quickly. In the meanwhile, it’s getting late.” Turning to Marrisa, Clara said, “I would ask you to consider allowing Priscilla to come here after school every day for the next week at least.”
When Marrisa took a deep breath to object, Clara held a hand up for patience. “I fully understand your reluctance to involve Priscilla in anything dangerous, but we’re all so far beyond that.” Clara’s eyes glowed brightly again, and they could all tell Raquel was back in charge. “If we don’t successfully thwart Lucifer’s plans before they begin creating their armies, we may not ever be able to stop him.”
“I’m sorry, what do you mean; armies, and stopping Lucifer?” Ham posed. “You make it sound like the end of the world, or something.”
“My dear, sweet Ham,” she replied. “That is exactly what I’m talking about.”