Unconcerned, Michael said, “And how are the vaccinations going?”
“All who might be of consequence have had the gene disrupted,” Otto offered. “The masses will be neutralized within the year, minus a few isolated strays.”
Michael smiled in approval and the Inner Circle finally relaxed. “There is little that Mantrella can do. Who would turn down a cure from the AIDS pandemic? Already hundreds of millions have perished. If the religious strife were not enough, few will refuse the opportunity to be spared from the mutated virus. They fear the plague more than the clergy.”
“Lord,” Brathmore said, “we are losing much in this turmoil.”
Michael turned on the man, eyes blazing. Brathmore fell to his knees in maddening pain. The others moved back from their comrade in fear of touching Michael’s anger.
“You know nothing of losing,” Michael whispered. As he spoke his eyes cooled and the pain in every molecule of Brathmore began to subside. Michael felt absolute contempt for the petty desires of humans. He needed them, but he also hated them. The thought that he once bowed before the archetype, an event he vowed never to repeat, turned his stomach.
Regaining his wits, Brathmore uttered, “I am sorry, my Lord. You have always done us well. I did not mean to doubt. Forgive me.” Brathmore prostrated himself before Michael, who smiled at the supplication.
“Fear not for your worldly treasures,” Michael insisted. “I will soon reveal the Joshua Tree.”
Otto and the others were shocked by the Archangel’s announcement.
“How did you get the Priory to reveal the name of the Joshua Tree?” Otto questioned.
“They have been betrayed,” Michael answered evenly. “I have had an insider since the beginning. He will be making the announcement. He will use DNA from Mary to prove beyond any doubt that David is of the lineage of Jesus. The world is ready to buy into just about anything that will offer some hope of salvation from these terrible times. And who better than the next Secretary General of the United Nations?”
“Does Mantrella know?” asked Giovanni.
“He will learn of it shortly in the news, along with the rest of the world,” Michael promised, erupting into bitter laughter. Although uneasy, the Inner Circle joined in the jubilation.
They had no choice.
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