"You claim you have faith, Momma . . . and every time something kicks off on the news, you holler, 'Girl, just look at how these folks act-it must assuredly be like pastorsays, the end of days.' But now, when Scripture comes to life, when it is as real and tangible and up in your face as a live demon, a true spiritual battle between good and evil that's not some theoretical future-tense possibility, when it boils down to what are you gonna do and what are you willing to sacrifice-you want out." Inez stepped back. "It don't work like that, Momma."
Mrs. Filgueiras wrapped her arms around herself and swallowed hard, seeming too stricken to even cry.
"You always talking about how you living in the world but not of it . . . how you believe in angels and the power of the Word. Yeah, okay. Well, it's show time. Here's how it works, Mom. If youtruly believe and you have on whatever is the symbol of your faith-in a firefight, you might be able to hold that up and back the demon up. But if you've got what we call up in here, 'Sunday morning faith,'" Inez said, making little quote signs in the air with her fingers, "that demon will laugh at you and snatch your lungs out. It's a lotta differentfaiths on this team, a lot of different races and cultures, but we're allone family and the glue is, we all believe in good winning over evil.Period."
Inez walked away and lifted her braids off her neck, perspiring. "Make a choice now and tonight, Momma. We have to reinforce these busted-out windows, get you and Ayana in a safe room down the hall in a guest suite, and, because Carlos is injured, we can't just whisk things in here. We have to do it the old-fashioned way . . . lean on the Covenant to have construction crews in here, drop off groceries and ammo, along with clothes for you and the baby."
"I didn't choose this," her mother whispered.
"You think any of these people here did? Look around. You think anybody in here is having fun tonight? Poor Dan's got a mom and dad outside of here. My brother-that's right, I saidbrother, because he is . . . white, Jewish, and all, he's my brother, my team tight-he's worried about his people, this I know. It's a privilege to be here, Momma. Everybody's parents ain't so lucky." Inez glanced at Dan. "I'm sorry I rubbed a sore spot, but she gotta know the truth."
"I'm good, Inez. Thanks," Dan said, his eyes holding hers with a private bond. "When we took Father Pat in, I told Rabbi Zeitloff how worried we all were . . . they sent a team to scoop them, to bring them in till this blows over."
"They coming in, Danny boy?" Berkfield asked. "We can make room. You're the only other kid on this team that's got parents alive, and I'd hate to see anybody have to go through a funeral caused by the darkside."
Dan shook his head. "They think that they're being put in temporary protective custody because of my supposed job in White House security." He smiled a sad smile. "GeneralRivera saying that I worked high up will give Mom bragging rights. They have her and Dad secured and prayer-barriered in the equivalent of the Ritz-Carlton, so they'll be fine."
"Well as long as they're cool with it, and you're cool with it, man," Jose said. "But if you need to bring 'em home, let us know. We allfam , and I've lost my moms . . . so I know."
"This is my point," Inez said in a gentler tone, staring at her mother. "No one here chose for this to be their life. Every person you see here came in here, just like you, Mom. They were chased into this family . . . scared, alone, seeing things that made them think they were crazy. Leaving the life they knew. Leaving normalcy, whatever that is. Leaving dreams, sometimes, and having to come up with new ones here because the old ones just didn't fit anymore. Lord knows, my best friend and team sister, Damali, did . . . you wanna hear a tale of woe, talk toher . Then you go sit with Carlos, and if that brother's stories don't turn your hair white, I don't know what will. He lostall his people.All of 'em, Mom."
"Damn sure did," Marlene muttered. "When you come to sit with me, I got some for you, too . . . and can bring them with images and sound effects. Huh . . . don't get me started."
Inez nodded. "So you're gonna have to learn to fit into a new reality, gonna have to learn to fight, pray from that real place down in your soul-not just for show-carry a weapon, and learn protocols to keep you and the baby safe from demon attacks. . . ." Inez let out a weary breath. "There's so much that I can't evenbegin to go over it all in one night."
"Demon what?" her mother whispered in a squeak.
"Yeah, ma'am, like not opening the window for vampires, and such. I'm with Shabazz," Rider said, rubbing his palms down his face. "Starting tomorrow, you go through basics because we cannot have you mess around and accidentally get a team member hurt or killed. That cannot happen again." He looked atTara . "Maybe you seers can help speed up her and Val's process. Justdo a mind dump and then we can run 'em through ammo skills. My patience is real short right now, but the knowledge needs to get embedded stat."
Taranodded her chin toward Valkyrie who had remained silent, just watching the fray. "Val, welcome, too. You don't need formal combat training, as you fight like a true seasoned warrior. I'd be proud to have you on my flank."
"Thank you," Val said, crossing her forearm over her chest.
"But we're gonna have to get you up to speed on new weapon technology, how this house is wired, and do some heavy cultural immersion so you don't sound so much like a foreigner."
"I stand at the ready," Val said. "I stand with great pride."
"Cool. Then I'll get her phony docs," Dan said, "everything from birth certificate to passport, so she can travel with us.New identity."
"You da man," Shabazz said, giving Dan a nod.
"Me, J.L., and Dan, with some wizard help from Bobby, can get the windows blue-energy wired hot till the Covenant crews get here to replace them in the morning." Shabazz looked around. "Better tell them that this room got jacked up, too, J.L."
"I'm on it," J.L. said. "I'm also up with Phat G-he told me about some new photo technology they had up in the Big Apple, so I can add that to our security cameras."
"Like 'Bazz said," Juanita threw in, "you da man."
"Okay," Marlene finally interjected in a weary tone. "Everybody needs a hot white bath, needs some rest. 'Nez, just tell your mom how to bathe herself and the baby for security, and I'll explain why to her later. One of you ladiesget Val square and in a room with bath stuff. We'll just have to pray they don't come at us again tonight. But you can rest assured they won't, because the house is tight."
"Val, I'll help you," Jasmine offered with a smile. "You might also want to tag your weapons on your dresser, so you can find them in the morning."
"Bless you," Val said, and bowed.
"But that thing just came in, plus the panther," Mrs. Filgueiras gasped. She looked around clutching her heart.
"Jaguar," Shabazz muttered. "And I was on your side. Don't forget that."
Inez's mother looked at Shabazz and then her daughter. "Then, then, the snake . . ."