Chapter: 9

“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.

Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home--these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings. But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"

Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals--these are the very things that destroy them.”

Jude 1:10

Marco DeCorsia was a man of the old school of the criminal persuasion. At 45, he was the most prominent man in Las Vegas and the leader of the most ruthless organization in the underworld of crime. By day, his business activities included investing in the stock market, acquiring large contracts for newly developed housing areas and his most famous legal casino business on South Casino Center Boulevard called the “Twenty-One Club”.

By night, his moneymaking adventures included illegal gambling, prostitution, drug trafficking and profits from all his other shares in the other illegitimate dealings in Las Vegas. As the saying went in Las Vegas, “Marco owned everything that the eye could see in Vegas and some of things that you could not”.

DeCorsia had built his empire with blood, sweat and tears. Of course, they were not his own. He did not become who he was by using his own resources. He created his fortune on the dead carcasses of his competitors and in this way he could afford risky business decisions without inheriting any lost from the outcome of a deal gone bad.

As he sat at his desk, signing agreements for his next business adventure, a knock came at the door.

“Come in!”

A young tall African-American woman dressed in a black satin shirt and pants came sauntering into the office. She smiled devilishly at DeCorsia, her light hazel eyes beaming with mischief. She walked over to the desk and slid gracefully on to the edge of the desk, her deep seeing eyes capturing DeCorsia completely.

DeCorsia licked his lips, wondering what her mouth would taste like against his, what his white skin would feel like against her brown one.

But he knew it would not be possible, not with this one. She was different than the others. She was what was known as untouchable.

Not because of her place within the Las Vegas organized crime family. Not because she was once married to the one of the toughest, meanest and vindictive man in Las Vegas, but because she was considered evil incarnate by any man in the Las Vegas vicinity.

It was known throughout the society of the Las Vegas Strip that Nadia Diaz was the most deadly woman that ever existed on the face of the earth.

To everyone who knew her, she was considered a very strong and intelligent woman. Her knowledge of weapons and martial arts surpassed the men within the organization. She was versed in the ways of seduction and was skilled at killing a man in twenty different ways. Her vices numbered almost nil as far as anyone knew.

But Marco DeCorsia knew more than the average felonious individual. Before hiring Nadia as one of his leading lieutenants within the organized family, he did research on her background. He was not interested in her qualifications as much as he was interested in what he could use against her.

And he finally found it in the body of Archangel Michael Christopher Larabee, his number one nemesis. It seemed that Nadia and Archangel Michael had an old relationship that seemed to have never gone cold for Nadia. When she found out that Chris Larabee was in Las Vegas and a very close associate of Marco DeCorsia, she took the job he had offered without hesitation.

She would not explain to DeCorsia what was her interest in Chris Larabee, only that she had one and that he was lucky that he had found the incentive that would entice her.

“Well, my dear, what brings you here?” he asked signing another contractual agreement.

“Archangel Michael has disappeared from Vegas.”

DeCorsia head snapped up from his paperwork to stare at her in shock.

“That’s impossible! I would have heard about it.”

“Sorry to burst your bubble, darling. But you’re informed as much as the rest of your group of cockroaches.”

“Listen, Nadia, my dear. I put up with a lot of your insolence and disrespect for a long time now. But I will not take it much longer.”

“I’d watch that animosity there, Marco. You need me more than I need you,” replied Nadia with a smirk on her face. She knew she had Marco by the balls and she knew Marco knew it too.

“I need Chris Larabee, too, Nadia. And I need him alive.”

“I never said I wanted him dead.”

“But you never said you wanted him alive either.”

Nadia smiled deviously. “But I never said anything. You are just making your usual assumptions, Marco,” she said leaning closer, her voice low and almost purring. “And you know what happens when you make assumptions, don’t you.” Nadia touched his chin lightly with the tip of her nail and then backed away.

If it were in his power, Nadia would have been his a long time ago. But right now, all he wanted was one Archangel who went by the name of Michael. And if he had disappeared, so had his plan to merge his wealth into his. Currently he was literally watching his dream go down the drain and he had one nasty bitch laughing at him while he drowned with it.

“Marco, Marco, Marco. You know, I always thought you were an intelligent, bright man. But now I see you just use your head to carry the mush you call a brain around in. We still have a link to getting Archangel Michael.”

DeCorsia looked at her in confusion. He did not understand what Nadia Diaz was implying.

Nadia saw the daze look on DeCorsia’s face and knew he did not grasp the situation.

“Listen up, DeCorsia. We still know where Archangel Gabriel is.”

“Huh?”

“Archangel Gabriel. Vincent Gabriel Tanner. Archangel Michael’s right hand man.”

Suddenly DeCorsia’s blue eyes brightened with clarity. “Yes,” he thought to himself. “They knew where Vin Tanner was currently staying. He was their link to Archangel Michael. If they had him…”

“Yes, Marco,” said Nadia interrupting his thoughts. “He is the bait to catch an angel.”

She had read his mind.

“Then what are you waiting for, my dear. Bring him to me, I mean to us.”

Nadia nodded, stood up and walked quickly out of the room. As she closed the door behind her, she heard DeCorsia say, “And do not harm him in any way, Nadia. I know how hard you like to play.”

Nadia only laughed as she walked down the hall to the elevators that would take her downstairs to the lobby. “This is going to be fun,” she said to no one in particular, as the elevator door opened and stepped in.

Vin Tanner slowly became aware of a radiating pain behind his eyes. The sunlight coming through the bedroom window was too bright as far as he was concerned, so he groaned and tried to turn his face into the pillow behind his head.

Unfortunately as soon as he tried to move, he wished he had not as soon as he felt a sharp pain stab him in the side. He could not remember what happened and why he hurt so much.

Suddenly he found himself looking into the deep brown eyes of Nathan Jackson.

“You awake there, Vin?”

“Nathan, what happened? Why am I in Chris’ bed?”

Then a thought came to him all of a sudden. “Chris? Is Chris alright, Nate? Where is he?” He struggled to get up out the bed and found Nathan’s strong hands restraining him.

“Now, calm down, Vin. Take it easy. You took a bad hit on the head and I think you got some cracked ribs.” The healer then turned towards the door. “Buck! Ezra! Get in here! He’s awake!”

“Nathan, can ya keep it down. My head already feels like it’s ready to come off and you yellin’ ain’t making it any better.”

“Here,” said the tall black man, handing him two white pills. “This should take the edge off some.”

The young sharpshooter took the pills reluctantly, staring at them.

“Go on, Vin. They’re not going to hurt you.”

“They ain’t the same thing Chris was takin’, are they?” questioned Vin, eyeing the pills suspiciously.

“Vin. Take the damn pills. You know, you boys are constantly trying my patience!”

“Okay, Nathan, okay. Take it easy,” he replied, downing them swiftly.

“Here,” said Nathan passing him a glass of water. Vin downed it quickly.

At that moment Buck and Ezra came walking into the room.

“I assume he’s awake?” questioned Ezra as he and Buck moved closer to the bed.

“Yep! And as ornery as ever!” exclaimed Nathan frustrated by Vin’s uncooperative demeanor. He knew that Vin was not well himself and although they were all worried about Larabee, he knew unless Vin took it easy, he would be another casualty to the list.

“Buck. Ezra. What’s going on?”

Buck and Ezra looked at each other, both realizing that each did not know how to explain to the brown-haired young man about the disappearance of their friend and leader.

“He was gone when we found you,” explained Buck.

“And we need you to tell us what happened, Mr. Tanner. Mr. Larabee’s freedom and life depends on it.”

Vin stared at them, confused by the statement Ezra had made.

“Tell me.”

“We came in and found you unconscious on the floor and Chris gone. The window was open. How many were there, Pard?”

“What are you talkin’ about?”

“How many of them came in and attacked you and Chris?”

“Buck. There was no one.”

“What?!”

“There was no one. It was Chris.”

“What do you mean, Mr. Tanner?”

“It was Chris who hit me with the vase and kicked me in the ribs when I was down.”

“That’s not possible!” yelled Buck as he started pacing the room. “Chris would never…”

“Buck! It wasn’t Chris. Not the Chris we know,” replied Vin, struggling to his elbows.

“But both of Chris’ cars are still here,” said the tall moustache man.

“I know, Buck.”

“I think you had better elaborate, Mr. Tanner. Mr. Wilmington here seems to be getting irritated by your commentary.”

“Ezra, I think JD and Josiah need to hear this also,” voiced the tall healer.

“I believe you are correct, Mr. Jackson. I do not like the malodor of Mr. Tanner’s narrative.”

“What did he say?” queried Buck as he gaped at Ezra open-mouthed.

“Close your mouth, Buck,” started Nathan. “He says that Vin’s story doesn’t smell right.”

“Oh.”

“Listen. Ezra go get the others and I’ll ‘splain things. In the meantime, Nate, I could use something to drink. Preferably cold.”

“I’ll be right back with the others and your drink, Mr. Tanner,” replied Ezra, walking quickly out of the room.

Vin then looked at Buck and Nathan and saw the concern and fear in their eyes. He knew it was not for him though.

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Chapter: 10

Lucien Caymen

The Fallen Archangel

Lucifer

“The name "Lucifer" means "Light Giver" or "Light Bearer". Light giver referring to the morning or evening star, Venus. Actually the name meant to mean the "Brightest Star".

That later was translated to "Eosphorus" (Greek word for Morning Star) and finally to Lucifer. In mythology he is the son of Aurora (the Roman personification of dawn) and the father Ceyx (Greek). Contrary to popular belief, Satan and Lucifer are two separate fallen angels. His banishment was because of his complete egotism and pure malice -- his sin, pride. This then indicates that Lucifer, not Satan was indeed the first angel to have sinned. Lucifer has been equated to Satan due to the misreading of the passage Isaiah 14:12 that was applied to the King of Babylon

..."How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! ...

Lucifer was a "great" Archangel, Prince, and the anointed Cherub (7th Dimension - Cherubim). Even after his fall he still seems to retain some of his power and ancient title. There are many different variations of stories and legends on Lucifer.

WHO IS HE?

Is Lucifer the opposite of God?

Lucifer cannot be God's opposite because he was created by God.

Lucifer is the opposite of Michael. (the Head Archangel)”.

http://www.steliart.com/angelology_fallen_heavens_war.html

Archangel Christopher Michael Larabee awoke, sweaty and hot. His head was pounding with the thumping of his heart. His body was trembling but it was not from being cold. He knew it was one of the signs of withdrawal. He did not remember where he was or how he got there. The last thing he remembered was Vin telling him to get some rest. The next thing, he awoke here, in a room, scarcely furnished and dark, lying on his back on a filthy sagging mattress bed.

By the little he could make out within the darkened area, he could tell that he was in a motel room and a bad motel at that. He also noticed that he was only dressed in black jeans and a black shirt, which was torn on one side. He had no shoes or socks or coat to speak of and although the weather was not quite too cool, he knew it was out of his character to go anywhere without his favorite his duster. Considering his condition, he knew things were not good.

He slowly raised himself up on shaky legs and stumbled over to the one shade-covered window in the tiny room. Broken floorboards and debris creaked and crunched beneath his naked feet as he finally made his way to it. His trembling hands pulled on the shade string, sending it up into it’s housing.

Although the haziness of the sky had diminished the light from the sun coming in through the window, his eyes squinted in reflex. He guessed that it was only approximately one hour before full sun up. The shivering blond agent peered out through the dirty window and saw that it faced an alley filled with garbage and refuse.

Chris recognized the area. It was in the not so affluent section of Las Vegas. In fact, most the residents categorized it as a slum. Most of the buildings were boarded up and the ones not, were being utilized as prostitution establishments, illegal gambling facilities, drug dens and housing for the homeless.

The tall, thin, blond Archangel shook his head. He did not know how he had ended up here. This was the type of area he had sworn that he would never end up in again and yet, here he was.

He was about to walk back over to the makeshift bed, when the door to the small room opened and a young blond hair man with blue eyes entered the room. He was carrying a bag of groceries and when he saw Chris he placed them gently onto the floor and stood there staring at Chris hard.

“Lucien? What are you doing here?” asked the blond leader of the Archangels as he limped towards the young man.

“No thank you?”

“And just why should I thank you?”

“Don’t you remember what happened?”

“If I could remember what happened I probably wouldn’t be asking you, now would I?” stated Chris, now frustrated.

“You haven’t changed one bit, Michael,” replied Lucien, picking up the groceries and walking over to what looked like it was the bathroom.

“You know, you’re the only one who can get away with calling me that name. Now, you want to tell me what the hell’s going on, or do I have to shoot you to find out?”

“You called me,” explained Lucien from the bathroom.

“I did? When was this?” Chris was shocked by this information. He did not remember calling the ex-Celestial agent. In fact, they had not spoken since before the death of his wife and son. He had always known where the young man was, but he knew how hard it was for both of them to talk about the night his wife and son died. Lucien Caymen had blamed himself, much like Chris did for their deaths. Lucien had left Celestial three years before the incident, deciding there was not much he could do to change the way things were and when he found out about the death of Chris’ wife and son, he knew he was right. Life was never fair.

“Last night. You told me that Vin and the others were holding you captive and you needed me to break you out. So I did.”

“I don’t understand,” said Chris, running his hand through his ruffled blond hair. “I don’t remember calling you.” He started pacing the room. “I haven’t talked to you since before Sarah’s and Adam’s funeral.”

“Yeah, I know,” said Lucien, walking out of the bathroom. “That’s why I was surprised when you asked me to come get you. When I got there, you didn’t even wait for me to come to the door. You came bounding out the window, dressed like that. Told me to get us the hell out of there, which I still can’t understand why you didn’t just take your own car. What’s going on with you and the others? I thought things were going well with the organization.”

“Yeah, so did I,” answered the blond with a confused look on his face.

“Are you in some kind of trouble, Michael?”

“Um, Lucien. I need to ask another favor.”

“Sure, Michael, for you anything.”

“I need you to go to my house…and get a bag for me. It’s black with a brass sigil with letters in Latin. It’s in the hall closet near the entrance and I need you to bring it here.”

“S…sure, Michael, but I don’t understand why you can’t go? Is there someone after you? What about Vin, and Buck, and the boys? Won’t they help? ” Lucien confused by the Archangel’s behavior about his men.

“The others? Oh, yeah, yeah, the others. Um, I don’t know. I think it better that you go. In fact, if the others ask, don’t tell them you know where I am. Matter of fact, where are we anyway?”

“On the south side of town.”

Chris glared at him. “Tell me something I don’t know. No, I mean exactly where?”

“We’re in the Motel 6 on Waverly Street and South Side. You pointed out this place and said you knew it always had a room available.”

“I did? Oh, yeah, I did.”

“Michael, why don’t you want the boys to know where you are?”

Lucien watched as Chris’ eyes turned to one of fear and then quickly into disgust. Memories in pieces flashed in his mind. One memory was waking to find Vin fast asleep in chair next to his bed. The next was of raising a glass vase and using it against the back of Vin’s head, followed by a boot into the chest. He could not believe that he had just attacked his closest friend. In fact, he did not even know if he was still alive.

“I had a little argument with them, that’s all. I need some time to myself and I can’t get it at home,” the blond agent simply explained.

“Can you go do that for me, Lucien? Okay?” Chris pleaded.

“You know the boys ain’t gonna let it go that easily. Especially Vin and Buck.”

Lucien noticed that Chris did not respond to his statement.

“Michael? Is something wrong?”

“Vin.”

“Yeah. What about Vin?”

“Lucien, I think… I think…” Chris stood there shivering even more.

“What Michael? What about Vin?”

Chris did not answer. He shuffled towards the makeshift bed and threw himself bodily onto it. Covering his eyes with his arm, he fell silent.

Lucien walked to the bed and sat down on it next to Chris. “Listen, Michael. Whatever it is, we can pull through it. We have before, remember? You, me and the boys?” Lucien was only met with silence.

“Don’t shut me out, Michael. You did that once before.”

“And you betrayed us, Lucien. You betrayed your own.”

“Not that again!” exclaimed Lucien standing up and walking over to the window. He gazed out of it, remembering the day in a place just like this, he had lost the trust of not only Archangel Michael, but of all the other Archangels and the Celestial Organization.

“Listen, Michael. I paid my dues. I spent my life in hell for the past three years. Remember, I’m Lucifer to the organization.”

“Yeah, I remember, Lucien. I also remember that I had protected you from them, even at the expense of my own life. And how do you repay me?” Chris lowered his arm from his face. “You owe me, Lucien. Without question.”

Lucien sighed and turned to face Christopher Michael Larabee, who looked at him pleadingly.

“I don’t know why I am agreeing to this considering how much right about now I am not on the boys list of favorites.”

“Don’t exaggerate so much.”

“I don’t call someone trying to put a bullet in my back an exaggeration!”

“He only knocked your hat off.”

“And almost my head with it!”

“Vin was only playing with you.”

“Well, you boys sure do have a strange way of having fun. Especially since it was my heart that almost stopped.”

“Lucien, please.”

“Stop begging. I hate it when you beg. Even Sarah said…” Lucien looked sadly at Chris. He never meant to broach the subject. At least not this soon or in the condition Archangel Michael was currently in.

“I’m sorry, Michael.”

“Yeah. Forget it,” replied Chris. “Now, go and do what I asked you to?”

“You know you’re not my boss anymore,” said Lucien snidely.

“Yeah, yeah. Now go. And don’t forget my duster either.”

Lucien rolled his eyes up towards the ceiling. He knew he was heading for trouble. As he walked towards the door, he said, “There’s some food in those bags in there, if you get hungry. I also brought some juice and bottled water in case you get thirsty. I don’t think you should drink anything that comes out of that bathroom sink. Yuk! I’ll be back soon. And don’t open the door for anyone except me.”

“Yeah, yeah. Just go. And, one more thing.”

Lucien turned back towards the blond man on the bed and perked his eyebrows up in a questioning motion. “And that being…?”

“Bring Lightening with you too.” Lightening was Chris’ gun. It was named after the name of Archangel Michael’s sword, “The Blue Sword of Lightening”.

“Now how am I gonna find it?”

“It was in my bedroom, under my pillow.”

“And you think Vin and Buck or any of the others are gonna let me walk out of the door with it, right?”

“Lucien, you were always good acquiring things without consent. Make it work,” retorted Chris, closing his eyes and turning his back towards the young man.

“Listen, Mickey. You’re starting to get on my last nerve.”

“Well, then you better hurry up before it pops, now shouldn’t you?”

Lucien growled under his breath. He knew Christopher Michael Larabee could be one of the meanest, sons of bitches that ever walked the Earth. But today, it seemed he was way beyond that and Lucien did not like it one bit. But he knew Michael was right about one thing. He did owe him without question and he would do whatever Michael asked of him. He walked quickly through the door wondering how he was going to get past not only Ariel, but the other six guard dogs that probably were stationed at Larabee’s too.

“Well,” he thought to himself as he closed the door. “It was a good life, while it lasted.”

This is the Sigil of Archangel Michael in the Latin alphabet.

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Chapter: 11

Nadia Diaz

The Archangel Israfel

The "Angel of Song"

"Burning One"

Patron Angel of Entertainers

“Archangel Israfel is the "Angel of Song" and it is said that he has the sweetest voice of all God’s creatures. Israfel sings praises of God in a thousand different tongues. This celestial being holds dominion over music, inspiring music and feelings of new hope and embodying the creative word of God. It is written that the Archangel Israfel, at the end of the world, will descend to the earth and stand upon the holy rock in Jerusalem, and blow the awesome trumpet that will awaken the dead from their slumber and summon all who have ever lived to come forth and be judged.

It is said that Israfel looks three times each day and three times each night into the depths of Hell, and is so stricken with horror and grief at the plight of the damned souls that he weep so that his tears would flood the earth, if God did not prevent them from flowing.”

http://www.steliart.com/angelology_archangels_israfel.html

Archangel Vincent Gabriel Tanner sat gingerly on the couch in the house of Chris Larabee with his fellow associates. His ribs did not hurt, as long as he did not breathe. Of course, that was difficult not to do.

Nathan sat directly across from him in the rocking chair, his eyes moving back and forth between Vin and the tromping Buck. Nathan was waiting for the stubborn sharpshooter to fold and give up the couch for the bed he had just left. He did not know that he would have to wait until hell froze over for the young agent to do so.

JD sat silently on the other side of the couch from Vin, watching the tall boisterous man walk down the beige carpeting of the living room. He did not understand why everyone was so upset about Chris being gone. He also did not understand what Vin meant when he said that Chris was the one who had attacked him.

Ezra was getting feed up with all the yelling and screaming that had been coming from the moustache man for the last three hours. He knew this would not accomplish anything and it would not help in the search for Larabee.

Buck had walked the length of the room for the hundredth time and Josiah’s patience was about to burst from watching. He was confused with Vin’s explanation of what happened earlier. He could not believe that Chris would intentionally hurt them.