The Rise of the Fallen (The Angelic Wars Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

thing is doing.”
    “ Apparently they
do,” Chef said in a dry tone. “Or it wouldn't be on our
tail, would it?” He looked at the judge. “Obviously our
lovely flight attendant told them where to find us. I'm guessing
there's a GPS transmitter hidden on the plane somewhere.”
    “ Sound guess, Mario.
No reason to look for it now though. Even if we found it, our
mysterious pursuer would already have caught up to us by then.”
    None of them spoke for a
moment and Chris took a minute to admire how easily and casually Chef
was flying the plane. He was flicking switches, checking the panels
and screens and listening in on whatever broadcasts were coming
through his headset all at the same time. And he was doing it
effortlessly, without a trace of concern on his face. Chris was very
reassured by his manner.
    The door opened and
Beatrice stuck her head in.
    “ The woman is
conscious, your honor,” she said to the judge.
    He thanked her and she
withdrew.
    “ Well, we have a few
minutes before we have to face whatever is coming. I'm sure that this
is a waste of time, but we may as well ask her a few questions in the
interim. Mario, let me know if anything pops up, would you?”
    “ You'll be the
first, judge. Right after me.” He grinned and went back to
scanning the panel in front of him.
    “ Come along, you
two. You may as well hear whatever it is that this woman has to say.”
    The three of them left the
cockpit and walked back to where Margaret was tied up. She watched
them approach, her expression calm and still. The madness still
gleamed in her eyes, but it was merely hinted at now.
    Judge Hawkes stopped a few
feet away and met Margaret's eyes. “Why?” he asked
simply.
    “ Why?” she
replied and laughed. “Oh come now. You know why, Ethan Hawkes.
Yes, I know you. As I know little Chris Wright. And Natalie. Sweet
little Natalie. Stuffed full with glory, aren't you?” She
laughed again. “Or should I say, stuffed full of Gloriel. Yes,
I know you all. As does my master.”
    Now her face twisted, the
look of hatred so complete and malicious that Chris took a step back.
    “ Why weren't you in
your little hole when we attacked, eh? Why couldn't you fall with the
rest of your pathetic band of weaklings? Where were you?”
    “ That's really none
of your concern, Margaret. Or whatever your name is.” The judge
rubbed the tip of his nose as he stared at the woman. “So tell
me, since you seem so full of knowledge. What exactly is chasing us?
What did your 'master', as you call him, send down upon us?”
    She hooted with pleasure.
“Oh, you don't know, do you? How interesting. Should I tell
you? Should I?” She chuckled and looked at each of them, her
eyes bright with wild humor.
    “ You vicious...”
Beatrice stepped forward with her hand raised but the judge shook his
head.
    “ Don't bother. She's
just trying to bait us. A low-level minion like this would have no
idea of the plans of her betters, anyway. We're wasting our time.”
    “ Oh, is that so?”
Margaret's gleeful expression was replaced with a look of sulky
irritation. “Well, that's how much you know. You've attracted
the attention of one of the great ones. Although why they would stir
themselves just for the likes of you, I cannot understand.”
    “ One of the great
ones?” The judge raised an eyebrow. “You mean one of
Hell's generals, like Lilith?”
    Margaret laughed loudly
again. “The generals? That really is funny. Lilith may be
powerful, but she's still only an angel. No, I mean one of the Four.
Second only to the Lord of Hell himself in power. I don't know which
one it is; all have great power after all. But one of them is surely
on his way. And you are doomed, doomed, doomed!” And she
giggled to herself with pleasure.
    Judge Hawkes glanced at
Beatrice and nodded toward Margaret. “Shut her up, would you
please?”
    “ With pleasure, your
honor,” she replied with a grim smile and, grabbing a doily off
of a nearby tray, she