Read Unholy Empire: Chronicles of the Host, Vol 2: Chronicles of the Host, Book 2 for Free Online Page A

continued. “Ah, Michael. Of all the angels in Heaven, Michael is the most feared by us. And for good reason. His loyalty to the Most High can never be compromised. And for that I envy him and hate him all the more. “
    “I dread the day of confrontation with him,” said Sellus.
    “As does every angel on earth,” admitted Kara.
    “Except for me,” came a rough voice.
    “Oh yes, Rugio,” said Kara, not looking up. “I had forgotten how the sting of being bested by Michael has inflamed you.” He smirked as Rugio appeared before them. “Given you a sense of motivation, hmm?”
    “Don’t test me, Kara,” said Rugio, the chief of Lucifer’s warrior angels. “I had Michael’s sword once. I shall have it again.”
    “Perhaps this time you’ll learn how to handle it,” purred Kara. The other angels remained uncomfortably silent or slowly eased back into the darkness of cover. They all turned as Cain walked across the field, carrying a large stone to the side. Kara laughed as Cain threw the rock down on a pile of similar-sized stones.
    “I honestly believe Cain is a bigger threat to the promise than we are,” said Kara. “If
that
is the best the Most High can muster, we have little to fear.”
    “That is what brought me to you,” said Rugio, as they watched Cain sit down on the side of the field on a fallen tree, wiping his brow. “Even beasts like Cain can change.”
    Kara looked at Rugio suspiciously. “What have you heard?” he asked.
    Rugio smiled. “Apparently your teams are not as thorough as you believed,” said Rugio with an acid tone, “or else you would know that both Cain and Abel will begin bringing offerings to the Lord very soon. Fortunately for our side we are not completely dependent upon your little spies for all of our intelligence. I have some ‘ears’ of my own, so to speak.” Rugio enjoyed the effect of his words on Kara, who glared at Sellus and the others.
    “Congratulations,” said Kara. “Yes, my angels are still learning the craft of subtlety and spying,” he said with forced good nature. “Just as your warriors are still learning the art of war.” He looked at Sellus with icy eyes. “I see that I need to discipline my charges a bit more.” Sellus slowly vanished into the darkness. Kara turned back to Rugio. “So, it’s come to offerings to the Lord?”
    “Yes,” said Rugio. “That can only mean that they are growing closer to Him…”
    “And the closer they grow to the Most High, the greater the chance for the Seed to emerge,” Kara mused. “Interesting assumption, but it makes sense.”
    “Lucifer has assigned me personally to see that Cain doesn’t become too close to the Lord,” said Rugio. “I’ll make sure his worship doesn’t create any problems for us. He’ll mourn the day he was born to Eve.”
    “Cain is a fool,” said Kara. “All he needs is a little encouragement and he becomes enraged. A stone in a field can bring him down as easily as one of your warriors. I prefer the more subtle approach, something that requires thought and contests their minds—such as we are using with the parents. You know, ongoing accusations that keep them steeped in guilt and bitterness and consequently, alone.”
    “Do as you like with his parents,” said Rugio. “And with Abel. But leave Cain to me. He’ll be my first trophy of the war.”
    “And your last, I hope,” said Kara. “Lucifer wants these passionate feelings for the Most High dampened before they become troublesome. Then we can be done with it once and for all. Offerings from the children of Eve are not a good sign.” He glanced over at Sellus, barely perceptible to the side. “We are all depending upon you. It’s your game now—to win or to lose.”
    “I will see to it,” said Rugio.
    He gave Kara a resolute look, then vanished. Sellus emerged from the darkness, with a curious expression on his face. Kara smirked at Sellus.
    “Rugio will never be clever enough to handle this