DEATH (The Justice Cycle Book 1) by J Kiefer (best classic books to read TXT) 📗

to die?” Jared asked incredulously. “He was being controlled by a demon and had no idea what he was doing. How could his death be justice? I don’t buy it.”

Sanctuary grimaced. “Jared, not all things are as they seem. To a normal mortal, possession is frightening and incomprehensible. It is the stuff of nightmares and legends, but in reality, it is not so mysterious. To be frank, no one can be possessed if they do not want to be. Yes, it is a process of influences and persuasion that steers a person toward an eventual destination, but in the end, the person must follow willingly.”

Jared fell silent. The situation still seemed wrong to him, but he had to concede that there was much about the universe he did not understand. The fact that he was alive and walking around was confirmation of that. Even so, killing people like this did not sit well with him.

He turned his head slightly and looked at Sanctuary out of the corner of his eye. “And what about what Tzedakah does to me?”

The big man pursed his lips. “That is a different matter entirely and will require a bit more explanation.”

Jared shook his head. “I thought you’d say something like that. Who or what are you, anyway?”

“I have many names, but you may call me Sanctuary.”

“Yeah, of all of God’s minions, he is the one who is the most meddlesome,” Jeremy said. “And you don’t have to take my word for it. You will see for yourself before long. Ask him what happened to the last person he ‘helped.’”

“That is enough, Jeremy,” Sanctuary chastised. “Your problems with me have no bearing on the current situation. You and I both know the severity of what it is he is facing.”

Jared could feel Tzedakah in his head. He had not completely forgiven the sword for its earlier intrusion, but he was beginning to see that it was important that they find a way to work together. Whether he liked it or not, this was his new reality, and he had to find a way to cope.

“I apologize for taking control of your body,” Tzedakah said, sensing how Jared’s mood. “I hope you understand that I had no choice. I know this is difficult for you, but you need to start trusting me.”

Trust you? Jared thought. How can I trust you? It’s not like we are partners or something. It’s funny, really. In the normal world, weapons are instruments to be used by men, but I have the feeling that the roles are reversed when it comes to us. I am the instrument being used by you. You ask me to trust you, but how can I when you keep using me as some kind of tool?

“If you would trust me, then I would not need to ‘use you,’ as you say. But the longer you fight me, the more unpleasant our time together will be.”

“Jared?” Sanctuary inquired, concerned after a few minutes of prolonged silence.

Jared turned his gaze from the sentient sword and looked up at Sanctuary. “Sorry. We were talking.”

Sanctuary nodded. “I know you feel trapped, but what is happening to you is of the utmost importance to the world as a whole. Sometimes what is required of us for the greater good must take priority over our own desires.”

“And there it is, the ‘you need to sacrifice for the greater good’ speech,” said Jeremy getting to his feet. “Well, that didn’t take long. I think this is a new record for you, Sanctuary.”

Jeremy and Sanctuary continued to square off, but Jared was no longer listening. His black eyes were fixed on the horizon.

“You can sense him as well, can’t you?” Tzedakah asked.

Jared nodded and clenched his teeth in rage. His grip tightened on the sword and for the first time since he had been reborn, he allowed Tzedakah in unhindered. At first, he wanted to struggle against the sudden rush of emotions he felt from the sword, but he calmed himself and let the sensations to flood over his mind.

The compulsion to move and act was so intense that it threatened to overwhelm all his human reasoning. He could feel himself being lost to the driving hunger. It was like there was nothing else in the world existed but one thing: justice. For the first time since this had all started, he felt he understood the sword and what it was they were meant to do.

The change in the atmosphere was tangible. Jeremy and Sanctuary turned to look at Jared. Even Jeremy’s human eyes could see the power radiating off him like tongues of blue-black fire. Sanctuary took a step toward him, alarmed by the sudden surge of spiritual power.

“Jared, what’s wrong?” he asked concerned.

Jared glanced back at his two friends, and the darkness that had replaced his eyes danced. Before either man could react, Jared leaped off the rooftop and vanished in a burst of crackling energy.

Thirty-Eight

The woman was beautiful. Her long flaxen hair was pulled up into a ponytail and it bounced provocatively as she ran. Her eyes were an amazing bright blue and her milky white skin glistened with sweat. She was full-figured and curvy but had the tight stomach of a fitness instructor. She was dressed in yoga pants and a hoodie and looked to be in her mid-forties. Doubtless, she could have been a model or actress, and Steve smiled as she jogged up to the intersection where he was waiting and stopped next to him.

Panting, the woman put her hands on her hips as she cooled down. She was oblivious to everything around her, including Steve standing next to her. But he noticed her, and drank in every detail.

When she finally became aware of him standing there, the woman acknowledged him politely yet dismissively. She checked her smartwatch and sighed. She was out for her morning run but had awakened a little later than usual. Now she needed to cut it short to