Free Pursuit of the Zodiacs by Nathan Walsh Page A

coffee when an intern found him. “Don’t forget your 6:30 meeting with Mr. Alexandrov.”
    Distracted by all the press, he completely forgot about his meeting. With the FBI on his back, a meeting with an underboss for the Russian mob would prove unwise. “Tell Mr. Alexandrov something has come up and we have to cancel. I’m sure he’ll understand, considering the current circumstances.”
    She left with the unwanted task, words she was certain that the Russian underboss seldom heard and was never pleased to hear.
    Taurus and his entourage avoided the media circus by exiting through a secret door. Thunder, followed by blinding rain, pelted the streets, quickening everyone’s pace. Members of his entourage pulled out umbrellas vying to be the first to cover the Zodiac’s head and shelter him from the rain.
    Mr. Alexandrov was an underboss for one of the most notorious Russian mobs in New York. Since his Father’s incarceration, war had broken out between variousNew York crime families, each of whom hoped to capitalize on their opportunity to take over some of his Father’s territory. Mr. Alexandrov sought retribution. He felt insulted by their total disregard for his Father’s territory.
    Until his Father’s release from prison, more bloodshed would continue to paint the streets of New York City. His Son must earn the respect of the other crime families by successfully defending his family’s territory. The FBI was unable to link the Mayor’s connection with the underboss; but the investigation still stood, attention neither side wanted.

    Abdeen is alive, but badly wounded. The arrow in his back had broken in half during the impact of the crash. His golden Chariot lay half-buried in sand on a beach. Both of his Lions of Fire had perished, one dead before the crash, and one dead after the crash.
    The neigh of a huge solid black animal resembling a horse awakened him. Twice the size of an average horse, it proved that this Earth was indeed foreign to his eyes.
    Another horse entity appeared, this one having an all white coating. Their beauty added ecstasy to the scenery on the seaside where he rested. The animals played with each other, running in the sand along the shoreline of the ocean. He couldn’t help but notice the trees hissing and lurching in response to the sudden increase in winds. They were dangerously taller than any tree he’d remembered. Over the horizon, he witnessed three Moons in the sky on a partially cloudy afternoon.
    Abdeen sat up to check on his wounds. He twisted around, trying to reach the arrow lodged in his back. The bleeding had stopped, so he left the arrow alone. It didn’t seem like the arrow had pierced any vital organs, so he left it up to fate. But he still was in need of medical care.
    In case of friendly fire, he feared using his gift in the Judgment Realm, but that left him defenseless. The mysterious horse entities scurried off as the loud footsteps of something immense headed towards the shore. Sensing the danger and too injured for conflict, Abdeen hid behind a tree. Unbeknownst to him, he trekked in the forbidden, elusive, winged Planet of the Giants, the Nephilim. He remained calm, still, and as silent as he could be.
    The Giant settled down to make a meal of his Lions of Fire. He had loved them like Brothers, but he could do nothing about it. Honorable companions, his Lions of Fire served their purpose. In time, he will have the strength to summon another pair who will be even stronger.
    The Egyptians would’ve taken months to build something close to this Giant’s size. Its elongated skull complemented its overall mass. The Giant’s razor-sharp teeth easily ripped through the Lions of Fire. Abdeen heard slushing entrails and crushing bone. It could hold at least three men in each hand; and his footprint, threatening enough to clear a battlefield. The multiple scars all over its body marked him a lone wolf, a banished outcast.
    While the Giant feasted, Abdeen took his