Beyond the Veil Read Online Free PDF Page B

supposedly seen the truth and repented at the last.
That must have chapped Jesus’ hide knowing the truth of what happened and how
misunderstood it had all been.
    “I’m sure you do…Maximus. I’m sure you do,
but those days are behind us.” Jesus smiled, clearing the gloom. “What you’ve
stolen has long since been replaced. Three days of discomfort and done. It was
as though it never happened.”
    “But it most certainly did, Christ. I’ll
not forget the moment, but I’m afraid I have no time to reminisce.” He started
to turn away. The squad of angels shifted as though to stop him.
    “You might not feel the desire to twist the
knife in deeper, old friend, and I’m fine with that, but unfortunately for us
both, my Father wishes to have a word with you before you gallivant about the
realm.”
    Longinus shook his head. “Tell God I’m
humbled by his request, but I’ll pass.”
    “I think you might want to reconsider. He
was insistent that you honor his request; quite insistent, I must say.”
    There it was: the pissing match to end all
pissing matches. Christ versus former Anti-Christ; both empowered with the same
energies, and each absolutely despising the other. And here I stood, right
smack dab in the fucking middle of it. I took a half step away while smiling at
the angels. Didn’t want them to get antsy, thinking I was trying to run. Though
judging by the looks on their faces, that was probably the wise choice. If
Jesus and Longinus threw down, I was gonna catch a hell of an ass beating
before their scrap was done. And for once, I hadn’t done anything to deserve it.
    “Come on, fellas. Can’t we all just get
along?” I asked, hoping to defuse things before they got out of hand. It worked
for Rodney King.
    Jesus didn’t even look at me, but Longinus
snuck a furtive glance. Fury and impatience lined his features, mixing with
what I hoped was the burgeoning appearance of reason. He looked back to the Son
and drew a deep breath before letting it out with glacial slowness. “I did not
come to banter with you, Christ, nor did I come to heed the beck and call of
your master.”
    And
here we go, I thought in my best Mike Goldberg impression.
I could feel the angels’ magic welling up as they readied to enforce their
Lord’s edict. My hands shifted toward my guns. This was gonna hurt, but they
weren’t gonna stop me from hunting for Karra.
    Longinus surprised me. “Offer me and
Triggaltheron your word of free passage, Christ, that you or your Father will
do nothing to retard our purpose here, and I will meet with Him.”
    “I’d be a fool to give you such free rein.”
    “Perhaps, but you’d be more of a fool if
you believed the Almighty would want you placed at risk given the current
climate of hostility you find yourselves in.” Longinus grinned. “I’ve no stake in
your war, nor any interest in it, truth be told, but I have no problem
depriving your Father of his assets should they—should you —choose to stand in my way.” He took a short step closer to
Jesus as the angels tensed. “Treat fair with me, so we can each be about our
business and be done with one another.”
    Jesus nodded. There was no fear in his
eyes, but I could see him weighing his options. He might get a sliver of
satisfaction going after Longinus, and he would probably even win, but there
was no way he was walking away unhurt. Given that God needed him to wage war
against the rebellious universes, he couldn’t afford to take himself out of the
fight let alone risk the lives of the angels who stood at his side.
    “What is your purpose here, then?”
    Longinus grunted at his apparent victory.
“I’ve come to rescue my daughter who’s been kidnapped and dragged into this
realm. My only desire is to return her home, whole and healthy.” He met
Christ’s eyes. “Do you intend to stand in my way?”
    Jesus shook his head. “I cannot speak for
my Father, not in matters such as this, but I give you my word. Barring