Free Seal of the King by Ralph Smith Page A

hand preparing to strike. Aurora did not waste a moment and followed David’s example thrusting her other dagger into Eleanor’s chest. Her scream was even worse. If it had continued, they thought, their ears might have bled. The other orderly was reeling from the blow that would have deprived any normal person of consciousness, but he began to regain his senses. David reached inside his jacket, retrieving another knife, and plunged it into the beast’s heart.
    In a matter of moments , all three of them had shriveled into hideous creatures wailing in torment, and then they exploded into fragments of shadow, and disappeared. Aurora stood, poised to strike, scanning for any more attackers. David reached down, grabbed the knives, handing her two back, and sheathed his own.
    “We have to hurry. Let’s get to the car quickly.” His hands shaking, he pushed his father as fast as he dared , and once at the car, opened the passenger door. “Please sit in the back behind me.” He said to Aurora, who did not question him, but climbed quickly into the car. David easily lifted his father’s frail body, and set him in the seat, fastening the belt to keep him in place. He rushed back around, and in moments they were on the road. His fear for his father and adrenaline were the only things keeping him going.
    “How did you know they were demons?” Asked Aurora .
    “I’ll explain when we arrive. We can’t talk now. We have to hurry.” Aurora didn’t argue. After what just happened, she realized he knew something she didn’t. She put her hands on his shoulders , and her comfort steadied him. She was a hardened warrior while David had never experienced real battle before. If not for her touch he thought he might vomit, but he had to hold it together for his father’s sake.
    David was driving as fast as he dared without risking attention or getting them into an accident. They couldn’t afford a moment’s delay. They finally saw the road to the farm, and when he turned onto it his father began twitching.
    “Hold on Dad we’re almost there.”
    Suddenly his father’s head turned towards him. A hideous growling hissing voice came out of his mouth. “You are too late boy. You will not make it I will finish him.”
    David shouted , “No!” He placed his hand on his father’s chest. It was agony, the pain was threatening to knock him unconscious, but he had to hold on. The voice screamed, and howled as his father’s hands clutched at his arm, trying to pull his hand away while struggling against the seatbelt. It took every ounce of his strength and will power to hold on. It was all he could do to guide the car where he needed it to go. He could see it just moments away, the perimeter of the seal. He braced himself as they crossed it. He barely noticed Aurora, still clutching his shoulders, as an explosion of light and sound filled the vehicle. He could see a wall of light passing through the car as they crossed over the line. As it washed over his father, the beast was thrown back out of him, screeching as it exploded into fragments. He jammed on the brakes, and the car skidded to a halt. His hand fell as the car stalled. He just barely made out the sound of Aurora’s voice as he slipped into unconsciousness.
    ***
    Aurora fumbled with the door trying to get it open until she figured out how to pull the right lever. She did not panic, she never panicked, but she was frightened. Getting out of the car, and pulling open the driver’s door she quickly pushed David’s head back, and put her head on his chest. She could hear the steady beating of his heart, his chest rising and falling, and she knew he would be all right. She quickly went around to the other side and opened the door. David’s father was pale and looked terrible. Again she placed her head on his chest, his heartbeat was extremely faint, and his breathing was weak. She stood up placed a hand on his chest and forehead, and closed her eyes. Shutting off all