Buried Within: The Trinitarian Knights Collection, #3

By Kevin Mansoor

Not all is as it has seemed. . .

 

Buried within David are seeds of truth. Buried within angels are seeds of humanity. Buried within demons are seeds of angels. Buried within children are seeds of greatness.

 

The thrilling conclusion to the trilogy reveals secrets, unknown alliances, and a truth that will change the course of everything.

And the last seven words, well, they may just stop your heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kevin Mansoor
• Release date: Apr 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223121060

Book preview

Chapter 1

Michael sat on a large rock on the bank of the river. Dewdrops glistened on the leaves, and the crisp morning air was sharp in his lungs. Light peered over the horizon, alluding to the rising of the sun. A cascading waterfall covered the area in a light blanket of sound as the water tumbled gently over the rocks. He could hear birds in the trees above as they welcomed the new dawn. The trees glowed almost fluorescent green as their bright moss-covered trunks soaked up the first rays of light.

As he sat, an overwhelming joy overtook him. He looked around, peering deep into the surrounding trees. Nothing. He sat back down on the rock and watched the river flow, the warmth of the joy spreading through his body. The smells in the air, the cool breeze across his face, and the sound of the tumbling water all seemed new to him as a human. The sense of pure, uncontrollable joy was almost too much to bear as if it were his first day in creation all over again.

From behind, Michael heard a voice.

Mikhail?

And at that moment, Michael knew. Michael knew he was in love. A smile covered his face as he turned to see Anastasia, with shock on her face at his return, walking toward him. Yet, there was more than shock. Anastasia’s face was a mask of conflicting emotions that Michael had never seen before. Worry? Michael studied Anastasia’s face, trying to make sense of the strange new feelings stirring within him.

Anastasia ran to Michael and embraced him. I thought I would never see you again, she said. She clung to him, her embrace warm and protective, as if she never wanted to let go. Her body trembled as they embraced.

Michael’s heart was soaring. His stomach was in knots, an uncomfortable ache beat in his chest, and his cheeks burned. His heart was pounding as he embraced her in his arms. His enormous smile made his cheeks ache as he grinned from ear to ear. Holding her as a human differed distinctly from holding her as an angel. He hugged her as if for the first time all over again. The intense emotions and sensations engulfed his entire being as the tingles of pins and needles covered him.

Anastasia pulled back and looked into his eyes. Mikhail, something is different. What has changed? You don’t feel to me as you did before you left.

Michael looked down, breaking their eye contact. A wave of a new emotion ran through him, and his shoulders dropped in response. A sense of unease settled in his chest, and a bead of sweat formed on his brow. His gaze fixated down. Anastasia, I am different. I am not the same as I once was. Michael shuffled his feet nervously and refused to look her in the eye.

She placed her hand flat on his chest. Your heart has not changed. I feel you the same here. That is all I have ever cared about. How, Mikhail? What is different?

I. . . Michael trembled as he tried to speak. . . . I have fallen from Heaven. I am human now. I am no longer an angel. I am sorry. I have disappointed you.

Disappointed? Anastasia reached over and lifted Michael’s chin. She looked into his eyes. I don’t understand. How could you ever disappoint me? Mikhail, your heart has not changed. Why would anything besides your heart matter to me?

Michael studied her face and stared deep into her eyes. He smiled. My friend David has often told me what he sees in his wife’s eyes when she looks at him. What he sees is the most important thing in his life, and I have longed to understand his emotions. Yet, as an angel, his emotions were impossible for me to understand. Anastasia, now I am understanding what David sees and what David feels. He is right. Nothing could ever be more valuable than what I see in your eyes.

Anastasia smiled. Mikhail, how did this happen? How did you, as you say, fall from Heaven? Did you do something wrong?

How? I am not really sure. I did what I had to do to save my friends. I did what I thought I was asked. And then I fell from Heaven. I thought I was doing the right thing. Yet, until now, until I looked into your eyes, I was unsure of that. Now, I am sure I did the right thing.

Is being human bad? she asked.

No, it is not bad. In fact, right now, it is quite amazing. There is a joy to it that differs from the joy of Heaven. His eyes twinkled as he looked into hers. Holding you as a human feels new to me. It feels amazing. I can’t imagine anything feeling bad with you in my arms. Yet, it feels different. Everything feels new to me and, well, strange. he said.

Do I feel strange to you? She pressed her head into his chest and pulled him closer.

Your presence fills me with a comforting feeling. It is a distinctly different feeling than when I was an angel, but even more amazing now. Yet, you seem different. Are you worried about something? I think I see worry on your face. I have never seen this expression before, but I may not yet understand my human emotions. He pulled back and studied her face. Her chin was quivering, and her eyes blinked faster as she tried to force a smile. She attempted, but her tears betrayed her.

Anastasia buried her face in Michael’s chest. Her sobbing was uncontrollable. Michael held her close to him instinctively, but inside, he struggled to understand what to do next. He could feel the sensation of fighting building within his heart. Trying to speak. . . nothing came out. He closed his eyes and held her while she cried. His fingers curled into tight balls as his body yearned to battle, yet he had no idea who or what to fight. Finally, he whispered, Anastasia, what’s wrong?

Married, Mikhail. I am to be married. Her tears soaked Michael’s shirt.

Michael’s chest seized as if it was being squeezed shut while he struggled to take a breath. An unrecognizable agonizing pain coursed through his body. With his eyes closed, he shuddered as the pain filled his body with emotions too powerful to comprehend. His face went blank as he held back the sobs rising in his throat. Angels don’t cry, he heard in his mind. I am not an angel! So many thoughts raced through his mind, each sounding familiar and foreign, that he struggled to have a single coherent one. His fists clenched again as the urge to fight raged through his body. He had no foe. I want to fight . . . screamed through his mind.

Michael longed to have Satan’s talons tearing into his flesh at that moment. He yearned for the sight of a thousand demons, swords drawn, charging toward him. Even the opportunity to be back in Hell, fighting Satan’s hordes with no possibility of victory, was preferable to Michael’s current agony. The pain of his flesh being torn, he understood. He understood the pain of watching Davids and Sarahs die. The pain of his chest aching, of feeling helpless, of loss, and of despair, of wanting to fight but having no foe. . . Michael simply didn’t understand.

The two stood holding each other. The water tumbling on its path provided a backdrop for Michael’s desperate gasps and Anastasia’s weeping, creating an eerie harmony. As the breeze died, the birds stopped chirping, creating a strange stillness. Finally, Michael broke the silence. Anastasia, please tell me everything. I haven’t been gone that long. When I was last here, you told me your father had been looking for a husband for you, but there were no takers. How could this have happened so quickly?

Anastasia slowly composed herself to the point of being able to speak. I don’t know what changed. The village to the south is different somehow. There are new leaders and warriors now. Everything changed when the sky turned black. Mikhail, everything has changed. Anastasia looked into Michael’s eyes. And you, Mikhail, no longer an angel. I don’t understand. Is this all from the cloud?

Michael tilted his head back to see the enormous, black, cloud-like structure suspended in the sky. Even since his arrival, it had changed. It appeared to be coming down now and spreading out even more. Yes, Anastasia, this is all being brought by the cloud. Yet, the actual battle started millennia ago. It appears now might be the time it is to be finished. But, Anastasia, we must get you away from the cloud. We have to get you out of here.

No, Mikhail, I can’t. The other leader has demanded me in marriage. If my village doesn’t comply, there will be war. They will slaughter my village. We have no warriors. We cannot fight them. I must marry. She started crying anew. Mikhail, if I don’t, the first to die will be my father. The leader promised it is me or him. I cannot let that happen. I will marry if I must.

No, Anastasia, you will not marry. We will find another way.

Mikhail, will not God help us? Surely, He can help us.

Michael shook his head. I don’t think so, Anastasia. I cannot summon an army of angels like I once could. I fear that even my human friends won’t be here in time to help. The cloud will touch down soon, and they won’t be able to get in. So we are on our own. This fight is personal. Anastasia, the cloud is here for me. He pulled her in tight. I will take care of you. I promise, Anastasia, I will keep you safe no matter what.

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she hugged him. Mikhail, they are thousands. You are one. You cannot fight them.

No, no, I can’t. But maybe Anastasia, I can fight one.

I have a foe. . . echoed through Michael’s mind. This I understand. . .

Chapter 2

A nything new on the news, Mark? David asked.

Mark walked into the kitchen from the living room. Michael was right. The cloud has stopped right over Siberia. Whatever is going to happen, it appears it will happen there.

Sarah looked over at David. She leaned in closer and tilted her head. David, as much as I tried to encourage Michael so he felt ready, I am not sure that I believe he is. He doesn’t understand his feelings and maybe not even his body right now. He is in love, which has to be incredibly confusing to him, so he likely isn’t thinking straight. You showed him he doesn’t even know how to defend himself against a simple slap. How on earth can he possibly fight Satan?

When David looked into Sarah’s eyes, he saw their glossy luster and placed his hand on top of hers. Sarah, if anyone in this family has a breath left, Michael will never be alone. We will be there for him. Somehow, someway, we will be there. Michael will not stand alone. We’ve got Michael’s back, just as he has always had ours.

Saraphiss looked at David. Count me in. I am not sure how much help I can be, but I need to be there and do what I can. I can never make up for all the horrible things I have done, but I won’t walk away from Michael again.

You know my arm is ready! Tommy said.

David smiled as he looked around the table at the faces of his family. Despite everything they had been through, they were determined to march back into the fight. Then, his eyes stopped on Mark, and he noticed a trance-like strain on the Father’s face. Mark, you don’t have to come.

Mark’s eyes widened as David’s voice jarred him out of his trance. Come? David, you know I will be wherever I am needed. There is no question that fighting for God or Michael or against any force of evil is my heart’s desire. I have been a part of these events since that scroll came to me decades ago, and I will see them through to the best of my ability. It’s just that there is more about the cloud and Michael.

David studied his friend’s face. He didn’t like the concern he saw there. Mark, what else is there?

The cloud, David. It is more than a cloud. It looks like a cloud, but apparently, it is impenetrable. A fighter jet tried to fly through and exploded on impact. The Russian military fired rockets at it, and they just exploded, leaving no mark or damage behind.

Well, pure evil, I suppose, has its own type of strength, Sarah said.

Yes, I suppose it does, Mark replied. However, strength is only part of the issue. It appears the sides are moving down toward the ground. It is taking the shape of a dome. David, Sarah, if that dome touches down before you guys get there, there will probably be no way in.

David was already on the move. Well, we better get moving. We will head to the Air Force Base and hope my friend has the arrangements to get us there taken care of.

David, wait, Sarah said. We need to know what else Mark knows about Michael.

All eyes turned to Mark.

Mark reached into his pocket, his hand trembling slightly, and pulled out a delicate feather, which he laid on the table. He stared at it but said nothing.

Michael’s? Saraphiss said.

Mark nodded his head. David watched as Saraphiss’s face became ashen, with a look of stunned disbelief.

David looked at Mark and Saraphiss and then down at the feather. I don’t understand. So, it’s his feather. He gave me one before I went into Hell to save Sarah. I don’t think he needs them now as a human.

David, when we met in the church basement before the fight in Europe, I saw a few feathers on the floor Emmy had been playing with. I didn’t think much of it then or realize they were even Michael’s. But after you all left, I was walking through the church and saw a stranger sitting in a pew. I felt his countenance and knew it was Michael in human form, so I went to him. Mark paused.

David, he was in distress and very shaken by what was happening. I asked him about the feather, and he told me not to worry about him. Instead, he said to worry about you guys and to take care of you. Then he ascended out of the church in angel form. As he rose, feathers fell. It was almost beautiful until a sense of such fear overtook me that I fell to the floor, convulsing and vomiting. I passed out right there on the floor of the church.

David looked at Saraphiss’ blank expression. Saraphiss, what does it mean?

Saraphiss looked down at the feather and picked it up. He handed it to David. David, look closely at the shaft. Hold it up to the light.

David raised the feather toward the light and studied the shaft. Is it moving inside? It looks red and like there is movement inside the shaft.

David, that is the essence of an angel. It is effectively what you would call his DNA. But David, angels don’t lose feathers. It’s impossible. Angels simply can’t lose their essence.

Cut to the chase. What does it mean? David’s words were punctuated with tightness in his face, the tension palpable in his voice.

I am not entirely sure, David. However, demons don’t have feathers. We lost them all during the revolt because we gave up our angelic essence. So if Michael lost feathers before Europe, then Michael was falling before Europe. His crying may have been the tipping point, but something was in progress before that.

Sarah’s hand wrapped tightly around his, her grip warm and reassuring. David?

This changes nothing. First, we really don’t know what it means. Second, it doesn’t matter what it means. It makes no difference when Michael fell, whether it was his tear or something before that. Our friend is in a battle as big as the fight in Hell. He was there for us. We will be there for him. We will stand by his side no matter what. We will stand by his side and fight; if necessary, we will die by his side. No matter what.

Sarah leaned in and gave David a kiss. Of course, we will. My guy isn’t capable of doing anything less. Walking into battle, we follow your lead.

David smiled as he looked at little David and little Sarah. They acted as if nothing was happening, even though he knew they understood everything. I will call my friend John and see if he has made the arrangements. The rest of you, get ready, please.

David walked back into his office as each of the others scattered. He picked up his phone and called his friend. John, David, any luck with that travel request. . .

Chapter 3

David walked out of his office and into the kitchen. The aroma of coffee drew him to the pot. He filled his cup and sat at the table with his shoulders slumped forward. He stared into his coffee, enjoying the aroma.

Sarah heard the faint sound of his footsteps as he left the office and peeked down the hall. She could tell from his demeanor that something was wrong. Sweetie, what is it? What’s wrong? She headed toward him.

David looked at her and smiled. Not great news. You better get everyone in here. We need to talk. He took a sip of coffee.

One by one, the group reassembled in the kitchen. All eyes were on David.

Well, there is a plane leaving in about two hours full of scientists headed to Siberia to see what they can figure out about the cloud, David told the group.

Mark looked at David’s face. I sense a ‘but’ coming.

Remind me not to play poker with anyone in this group. David smiled. Yes, there is a ‘but’. There are only five seats available. And there is . . . David hesitated, there is no way that Duke and Addy can come. David refused to look at the dogs, as he could sense their stares burning into his head.

No puppies, Daddy? little Sarah said.

No, sweetie, no puppies, David replied.

Well, we just need a different way to get there. So what’s our Plan B? Tommy said with his usual enthusiasm. He tossed a baseball in the air, playing catch with himself.

David looked at him. Tommy, there is no Plan B. If we miss this flight, it may be more than a week before another opportunity arises to get there. By then, the dome will surely be down, and we won’t make it in.

But we won’t all fit, so we must find another way, Tommy said.

Look, guys, John will keep trying. He will call Mark if anything at all opens up. But right now, all commercial flights to Russia are being canceled. The airspace within several hundred miles of the cloud is being shut down to all commercial flights. Nothing is going in or out until somebody figures out something about the cloud. They are treating the cloud as a possible worldwide threat.

If they only knew the truth, Saraphiss said.

Exactly. We all know their precautions are useless but well warranted. So, Sarah, the kids, Saraphiss, and I will catch this plane. Tommy, you and Mark will need to stay behind and take care of the dogs until something changes. David looked at Tommy’s sad face. I am sorry, Tommy. I do not see any other way.

The stare on Tommy’s face was matched only by those from the dogs. He held his baseball up and rolled it in his hand. I really wanted to hit Satan in the face with a beanball.

Mark looked over at Tommy. Our turn will come. When they need us, somehow, we will find a way there. He patted Tommy on the back. Mark’s left hand found his crucifix.

I guess we have no choice. I am supposed to meet with my baseball coach in a few days anyway. Tommy said. But if you need my arm, somebody better get me there. That is one beanball I don’t want to miss a chance to throw.

You have my word, Tommy. David looked over at Sarah. Are our camping backpacks ready to go? David asked.

Our backpacks? Do you think we need those? And yes, they are always ready to go. They are hanging in the garage, fully stocked.

I knew you would have them ready. I am not sure what we will or might need. We are heading into Siberia and may have a trek to get where we are going. We better be prepared for everything. The backpacks are exactly what we need. David looked over at Mark. Can you drive us? We should get going ready or not.

Of course. Ready when you are. Mark replied.

David walked to the hall closet and felt the door knob cool beneath his fingers. A wave of apprehension washed over him when he looked inside. Then he grabbed Sarah’s sword for her and brought it out. Hmm…Michael has my sword. I think I am going to feel naked on this trip. He offered a forced, weak smile to Sarah.

Silly, we are just going to fight all the forces of evil the world has ever known. I doubt you will even miss it. Sarah blew him a kiss. And besides, you fight pretty good naked.

Little David walked out of the room, and when he came back, he was carrying the Honjo Masamune, the revered samurai sword. Satan’s story returned to his mind as he waved the polished blade in the air, watching the light reflect off the gleaming surface. He remembered Satan had said he had put his skill and effort into forging the blade, making it the sharpest sword ever known. He walked over to David and held it out. Dad, you can have mine.

Sarah’s chin quivered as a few tears rolled down her face. She bit her lower lip as she watched the expression on her son’s face.

David kneeled and looked his son in the eyes. "Thank you, David. It would be my honor to fight with your sword. However, why don’t