The Lie (The Seekers Book 2) Read online

Quark stopped reading and sat down next to her, she watched him steeple his fingers, tapping them together. He looked deep into her eyes and she could feel his anguish. “Ah, yes. That is why I have come.”

  M ichael paced the full length of the Council floor, shaking his head in disbelief, “How could he do that? Why did no-one see this coming?”

  He reached the table and sent the golden goblets flying with a sweep of his arm, “Fools! They had it all and now they have given it to him.” A sneer accompanied this last thought. The Great Rebellion had sent a third of the Host to the Second Heavens and now their enemy had achieved his goal, the man and his companion were out of Eden.

  “Always with lies ... he is truly the father of lies.” He shook his head again, exasperated by the whole thing. “We should have known when he refused to accept they were made in the Image. I was the first to bow the knee, but, oh no, not him!”

  Gabriel poured a glass of wine into one of the goblets that had escaped the wrath of Michael, “Here. Calm yourself. What is done is done, we cannot change that now.”

  Michael stopped pacing and flopped down on his throne, raising the goblet in Gabriel’s direction, he took a huge gulp and looked miserably at the rest of the bright burgundy liquid, swirling it irritably.

  “So what now?”

  “The Cherubim have been placed in the East as guards so the humans cannot return and the Sword will bar any who try to enter now. We had to act quickly, of course, for if they had also eaten from the Tree of Life their separation would have been eternal.”

  Michael nodded, but that’s not what he meant, he was thinking about the original plan, would it be fulfilled? Did He really expect these mortals to love Him now? Life would be hard outside the Garden. Especially now their enemy had gained the upper hand. The Council would be told in due time, he supposed. Michael had always thought it an amazing risk to take. Now - they would see.

  O liver didn’t know what was taking so long. The pretty, young optician had asked him to wait here for a few minutes, but that was at least half an hour ago. At last, Mr Johnson, the manager arrived and Oliver followed him into his tiny office. The walls were covered in charts and staff rotas and Oliver found himself looking at an enormous image of the inside of the eye.

  Mr Johnson looked nervous and he coughed before speaking, “Thank you for waiting Oliver, how’s the family?”

  Oliver was puzzled, they had been coming here for check-ups since they were eleven, but he’d never spoken to the manager before. “Fine, thank you.”

  Mr Johnson nodded, but he wasn’t looking at Oliver, he was studying the papers in front of him.

  “Mum and dad both working today are they?”

  “Mum’s shift finishes soon but dad has late night opening today.”

  “I see, yes, well look I’m going to give you a card for your mum and it’s important she contacts me as soon as she gets in. Don’t leave it lying around, there’s a good lad.”

  Oliver looked at the tick in the box which said “further referral”. Great. Guess that means I need glasses.

  Mr Johnson stood up hastily and escorted Oliver to the door and shook his hand before saying goodbye. How weird is that, Oliver thought, what some people will do to get a sale.

  M illie waited patiently while Quark seemed to hesitate. She did not remember him being so indecisive. Unpredictable – definitely, but that was part of his charm. Outside she could now hear her next door neighbour sorting out the recycling, bottles and tins clanking as they hit the green bin. Suddenly, Quark leaned forward and grabbed Millie’s hand, “I really need you to come with me, Your Highness, immediately.”

  Millie was a little stunned but she remembered that Quark could transport her anywhere and still have her home without her being missed. “Are we going to a portal?”

  “Not exactly ... unless you think of it as the very first portal,” Quark smiled at his own little joke.

  “What about Oliver?” Millie knew her twin brother would be upset if she went without him; previously they had done everything together with Quark.

  Quark was solemn, “It is for Oliver’s sake that we must make haste.”

  Now Millie’s heart skipped a beat, Quark would not say something like that unless it was urgent. “Right, you can explain on the way.”

  Quark picked up her crystal from the floor and handed it to her with that inscrutable expression she knew and loved. Millie smiled back as she tucked it in her pocket, now she was ready for anything. Or so she thought.

  Chapter 4

  S arah struggled to get her keys out of her overflowing handbag while holding all her supermarket bags in the other hand. She had tried the doorbell but obviously no- one was coming to her rescue. She sighed, eventually managing to unlock the door, and stumbled along to the kitchen. There was no note, so where was everyone? Ah well, just time for a quick cup of tea then before they all piled in for dinner.

  She automatically turned on the radio and filled the kettle to the sound of Radio 2, a “golden oldie” taking her back to her university days. She was just sorting through the fruit and vegetables when Oliver walked in. “Hello sweetheart, you okay?”

  “Fine mum, how was your day?”

  Sarah took the milk from the fridge and put the rest of the fresh stuff on an empty shelf, “Yeah, not too bad. That ward is always busy, but at least it means the day flies by. What have you been up to?”

  Oliver reached in his pocket for the card, “Mr Johnson told me to give you this straightaway.”

  Sarah finished dunking her tea bag and read the card slowly, taking it all in. “Well, did he say anything else?”

  “Only that you had to contact him as soon as you got in.”

  Sarah looked at the kitchen clock, “But its half past five now, do you think he will still be there?”

  Oliver shrugged and started opening the cupboards, “Do we have any of that cake left?”

  “Bottom left, I’ve hidden it from your dad, so only a small piece mind before tea. I’ll just give them a quick ring then.” Sarah waved the card around vaguely, but Oliver noticed she went to use the phone in her bedroom, and she shut the door.

  “T

  hat’s the plan?” Michael was incredulous. He looked frantically at the other members of the Council for their opinions, but they all looked dazed. Some shook their heads, others looked away and a few were too stunned to do anything. Gabriel waited for Michael to calm down as he too studied the assembled members of the Domains, they would come round eventually, but it did take some getting used to.

  Michael broke into his thoughts, “And you could not persuade Him otherwise?”

  Gabriel smiled at the very thought, “I would not even try.”

  Michael nodded, resigned to what he had heard. “And when exactly is all this supposed to happen?”

  Gabriel lifted his hands in a small gesture of confusion, “It will be many generations yet. The Times are only known to Him of course. He will assign the angelic host to watch over them, but discreetly. No matter how many they become, we will always be more. Except for extreme cases, they will not see us.”

  Michael got up from the large oval table and began to pace up and down, “But what about the enemy? He will surely take advantage of this and deceive the man even further.”

  There was a murmuring of assent.

  Gabriel was saddened at the thought too, “Yes, but you know how important it is that they have the choice. The freedom to choose is paramount. It would not be free will if He controlled them.”

  Michael was horrified, “Do you give children free will to play with fire? We have a responsibility to teach them.”

  “And it will be done, old friend, but for now the plan is to watch over them until they are ready to receive Him in person.”

  Michael gasped again at the audacity of it. That He would carry out his plan to rescue them in such a manner. But he could see it was the only way now, they would then each be able to make their own choice, to take their own s
tand. Somebody had to pay the price of course - but would it work?

  T he journey to the opticians had been a nightmare but it was nothing compared to what faced her now. Mr. Johnson was blustering badly and he knew it, but he had never in all his years had to do anything like this, and he realised he was not explaining himself very well. Sarah waited impatiently, her foot tapping nervously. She found her medical training had deserted her as soon as the words had come out of his mouth. She was listening with a mother’s heart and fear gripped her in its icy claws.

  “... So you can see how important it is that you take Oliver immediately to your GP and arrange for a referral.” Sarah realised he had finally stopped talking and she gazed helplessly at this messenger of doom. She was glad she had come alone initially, but now she needed help. “Is there nothing more you can tell me at this point?

  Mr Johnson shook his head, grateful that his awful part was over, but with obvious concern for Oliver he leaned towards Sarah and spoke more softly.

  “Until we know for definite what we are dealing with it would be wrong for me to speculate. What you need to know now is the exact location and size of any possible ... er, problem. Only a specialist can advise you of that.”

  Sarah could hear the words spinning around her mind but she could not quite grasp their meaning. How ironic, she was able to empathise with the suffering of others but could find no solace for herself. She stood up suddenly, “I must go home, they will be wondering where I am.”

  “Of course. I am so sorry Mrs Freeman; I know this is a shock for you.” Sarah was already heading out of the door and into the busy shopping arcade. She looked straight ahead and kept her composure all the way to the car. Then, and only then, she burst into tears.

  M illie suddenly realised she had stopped breathing and took in a big gulp of air, if that’s what it was. Some kind of warm mist swirled around her, and she could barely see Quark up ahead as he confidently navigated his way through. His sturdy little legs shimmered as he walked. “It’s like he has some secret homing signal.” Millie muttered to herself. She looked behind her, as soon as you had passed through it the mist closed around you, so how could he possibly know which way to go? There was also no sound so she hurried to get closer to Quark.

  “Ah – here we are,” said Quark at last, bending down to pick up a small, flat, emerald object about the size of a credit card.

  Millie was about to ask how on earth he knew where it was but before she could say anything he was off again into the mist.

  “Come on Millie; keep up, none of your time to lose.”

  “Where are we going? What is that thing?”

  Quark strode on purposefully, ignoring her questions. Within seconds they had reached a colossal door. Millie could not even see the top, it was so big. She reckoned it was at least thirty metres across. It stood alone in the mist, which was a little thinner here. The door was olive-brown and the rough, ancient wood looked like it had been simply fashioned out of one tree, but her mind could not comprehend such a possibility. “That’s amazing! How is it standing up?”

  Quark smiled, pleased with her appreciation. “Indeed Your Highness, it is truly very special.”

  Millie went to touch it but Quark grabbed her hand, “I am sorry, Your Highness, but it is not permitted for you to do so. I shall open it.”

  Millie laughed, “Yeah right, I suppose you’re going to stand on my shoulders to reach the handle.”

  Quark simply bowed and produced the emerald card, “That won’t be necessary. As in all things, little keys open big doors.”

  Millie sat down and watched as Quark walked up and down in front of the giant door, when he got to the end he turned round and did it again.

  “Why don’t we just go round it? Millie suggested, “After all I can see the other side from here so it can’t lead anywhere.”

  By the time Quark had done three trips Millie was becoming increasingly sceptical and could no longer contain herself, “This is ridiculous ...”

  Quark was on his fourth attempt when he disappeared from view. Millie stopped mid-sentence and found her frustration replaced by panic, she sprang to her feet and rushed over to where Quark had been. To her great relief he popped up again looking very pleased with himself.

  He pointed to the door, “Shall we go?”

  “I thought you said I couldn’t touch it.” Millie remembered travelling before using trees, but she didn’t see how she could do that here if she wasn’t allowed to go near it.

  Quark nodded, “Indeed. But the door is not here.”

  Millie looked closely at where Quark was pointing but it looked exactly like the rest of the door.

  “You’re sure about that?”

  “Indeed.”

  Millie had learnt not to trust her senses with Quark but this was a tall order – literally!

  “Okay –shall I go first or you?”

  Quark put out his hand, “I think ladies first, don’t you?”

  Millie looked at the door again, it looked as solid as any door she had ever seen, but she trusted Quark more than the evidence of her own eyes, so she took his hand and stepped right through.

  J amie Freeman whistled happily as he walked home and his Highland Terrier shuffled alongside, trying to keep pace. As they passed the shops Jamie wondered again if he should get a take-away for tea. Oliver had been rather vague about when Sarah would be home and she wasn’t answering her mobile, which was most unusual.

  “Ah well, she will ring me if she needs anything, I suppose.”

  Winston looked up to see if the comment was for him, decided it wasn’t and went to sniff at another streetlamp. Jamie watched the evening commuters making their way home slowly as the rush hour traffic collected at the lights. He was glad he didn’t have to do all that, ten more minutes and he could relax.

  “Come on boy, let’s go. I’m starving!”

  Jamie could sense the atmosphere as soon as he walked in the door. The house was too quiet and, rather disappointingly, there was the conspicuous lack of the smell of home cooking which usually greeted him. “Well at least I can feed you.”

  Winston hurried to his bowls and Jamie tipped in rather more food than usual, absent-mindedly making up for his own hunger and he went in search of everyone else.

  Sarah was sitting on the bed. He knew that look, something was very wrong. “Hey, you can’t transform the hospital in one shift you know.”

  Sarah tried a half smile, “It’s not work. I wish it was.”

  And that was that. Two minutes later his whole world had fallen apart and he couldn’t see how to put it back together.

  “He’s sure this Mr Johnson?”

  “Well it’s the first time he’s come across it personally, but yes the eye examination definitely points to it.”

  Jamie marched up and down the room, “Have you told Oliver? Where is he?”

  “He’s in his room. I told him he needs to see the doctor but that’s all. I didn’t want to start him worrying until we know exactly what we are dealing with here.”

  “Why does he think you’re hiding in here then?”

  “I told him I had a headache, which is true now. I guess it’s all the tension.”

  Chapter 5

  M illie didn’t understand how this cavernous space could be inside such a narrow door but she knew better than to ask. At least the mist had gone. It looked like a large reception area and reminded Millie of some huge railway station but, of course, there were no trains and no people. Quark, as usual, was bustling along as fast as he could go, so Millie chased after him. Her footsteps clattered on the marble floor as she caught up with him, “So, where are we going?”

  Quark pointed with his short index finger, “Well ... up, Your Highness.”

  Quark placed the emerald card into a small metal unit and a glass cubicle materialised through the wall. Millie wondered how on earth he knew which one to pick as the wall was covered with hundreds of small openings that all looked exactly the same.
Before she could ask, however, the door slid open and Quark gestured for her to go inside. Millie gave him a quizzical look but nevertheless went along with it. As soon as Quark entered, the door closed with a satisfying thud and the cubicle shot up like a rocket.

  Millie had never liked lifts but this one seemed sturdy, despite the horrendous speed they seemed to be travelling. Even though it was made of glass she couldn’t actually see anything; in fact, she seemed to be looking at a wooden surface similar to the door they had just entered. How could that be? She was about to ask Quark again where they were going but the lift stopped suddenly and Quark hopped out, so she followed him and the cubicle continued its upward journey. The ceiling closing around it and Millie watched it disappear.

  They were left in an empty room with six small doors. Millie looked at them closely; they were about half her size, but each one was hexagonal in shape. In appearance though, they were all completely different.

  Millie waited.

  Quark waited.

  “Well?”

  Quark shrugged, “It’s up to you now, Your Highness.”

  Millie was exasperated by his answer, “What do you mean it’s up to me? I don’t know what’s going on here.”

  He smiled sympathetically, “This time you are not seeking. You are finding.”

  Millie threw her hands in the air, “What does that mean? Where are we? Why are we here?”

  Quark didn’t hesitate, his deep eyes drilled into Millie’s and he bowed respectfully, “You will have to find The Way.” And he disappeared.

  “D on’t be ridiculous.” Eve kicked the dry, dusty soil, “Nothing is growing here.”

  The strong, midday sun was beating down on Adam’s head and he was also feeling increasingly frustrated with his surroundings, but something had to be done.