The Hidden Deep (18 page)

“Where did you meet him?” Tamaes asked. “When?”

She thought back and replied, “In town. This past summer. It was before Koji moved in.”

“I would have seen him,” her Guardian argued. “I would have known.”

She shook her head. “We’ve talked a bunch of times.”

Tamaes rocked back on his heels. “How is that possible?”

Koji sat on the edge of Prissie’s mattress and took her
other hand in both of his. “How many times, Prissie? Can you remember where and when?”

“Th-the gazebo in town. At the mall. And outside the caves.”

“During the field trip?” the boy prodded.

“Yes,” Prissie replied. “He stopped by the bakery during Halloween. Oh, and he was here.”

“
Here
?” Tamaes croaked.

“Y-yes,” she admitted in a small voice, truly frightened now. “We talked on the folly bridge.”

As her Guardian’s hand tightened around hers, Koji quietly pointed out, “Halloween was
after
you promised not to go anywhere without me.”

“I kept my promise,” she hastily replied. “Adin came to the back door and invited me out, but I told him I really
shouldn’t
…”

Her sentence was cut off when Tamaes cradled her close, as if belatedly trying to snatch her out of danger. Gazing toward the ceiling, he lifted his voice in a broken song of thanks for God’s abundant mercies. Koji softly hummed along, adding a descant to his teammate’s solemn offering.

When they finished, Prissie stared dazedly into his scarred face and whispered, “Why are you so upset?”

“I
know
Adin, little one,” Tamaes replied gravely, showing no sign of letting her go. “He is
not
one of the Faithful.”

“Does that mean …?”

“Adin is one of the Fallen, Prissie,” Koji clarified. “He is a demon.”

The story continues in Book 3:
The Broken Window….

THRESHOLD SERIES

ORDER OF ANGELS

Orders of Angels.
They’re variously called the hosts of heaven (Neh. 9:6), powers and principalities (Rom. 8:38), thrones and dominions (Col. 1:16), angels and authorities (1 Pet. 3:22), and ministering spirits (Heb. 1:14). Throughout the
Threshold Series
and its various companion stories, I’ve divided these servants of God into distinct orders. While their characteristics are inspired by the Scriptures, bear in mind that these varieties are the author’s invention. Each of their proper names is spun from a Hebrew word related to the order’s unique role … and parallels those of the two kinds of angels specified in the Bible — cherubim (Ex. 25:22) and seraphim (Is. 6:2).

Protectors.
In the Bible, cherubim are protectors of God’s name and image. They’re usually described as beings who devote themselves to blessing, praising, and adoring
Him. In my stories, Protectors fight the Fallen. Taller than humanly possible, these muscular warriors are well-equipped for battle.

Guardians.
The hadarim watch over the lives of individuals. The Guardians’ name is taken from
haderes
, which means “hedge of protection.” In the
Threshold Series
, members of this order are famously bashful and show incredible fierceness when defending their charges.

Messengers.
Malakim comes from
malak
, which means “messenger.” They’re responsible for communication within the ranks of heaven, and they’re known for being outgoing and talkative. Language poses no barrier for Messengers. Members of this order are skilled at drawing others into dreams and visions.

Worshipers.
The zamarim derive their name from
zamar
, “sing with instruments.” Although all angels express themselves through song, Worshipers truly live to praise God with everything they have. One thing that sets apart this order of musically inclined angels is their wings, which are designed more for beauty than for flight.

Observers.
The archivists of heaven are adahim. They get their name from
adah
, “to witness, to testify.” Observers watch the intricate plans and purposes of God unfold throughout history. Writers, thinkers, artists, poets — the adahim ponder all they’ve seen and heard and record their thoughts in books.

Caretakers.
Earth-movers and storm-bringers, the samayim were granted cataclysmic power in order to care for the created universe. There’s very little a Caretaker cannot do, but at the same time, they’re limited in what they’re
allowed to do. In the
Threshold Series
, the samayim show an affinity for nature, minister to the injured, change the physical appearances of people, and tend flocks of yahavim. Their name means “heavens.”

Manna-makers.
Despite their diminutive size and playful nature, all the hosts of heaven depend heavily upon the yahavim. This lowest order of angels is responsible for producing manna, the food of angels. Their name comes from
yahav
, which means “provide.” They’re drawn to those in need.

ANGELIC TERMS

Angelic Jargon.
Several terms come up over the course of the
Threshold Series
, and while the angels take them for granted, maybe you’d like a little more explanation.

The First.
In this storyline, not all angels were created at the same time. Some have been around for millennia, but others are newly formed. When an angel is described as one of the First, it means that he was alive before Time began. First Ones remember the rift that divided the Fallen from the Faithful, and they witnessed creation of the heavens and earth as described in Genesis 1.

Faithful.
An angel who lives to serve God.

Fallen.
An angel who has set himself against God. Fallen angels are demons.

Mentor.
When an older, wiser angel is given a newbie to train, he becomes their mentor. A small, silvery cuff on the shell of the left ear indicates their rank. Mentors may train several apprentices over their lifetime, but only one at a time.

Apprentice.
When angels are Sent out of heaven to serve, they always go in pairs. Sometimes, these two-angel teams involve partners on equal footing, but more often, a newer angel is apprenticed to a mentor. Some apprentices end up partnering with several different mentors before their training is considered complete.

Legion.
For the purposes of this storyline, one Legion is a company of 12,000 angels.

Flight.
The Faithful are organized into twelve-angel teams that are headed up by a captain. That means a Legion is comprised of 1,000 Flights.

Hedge.
A group of Guardians serving together in one area is called a Hedge. The hadarim form a perimeter around individual homes, but also in crowded places — schools, apartment buildings, businesses, shopping centers, concerts, sporting events, etc. Because guardian angels come and go whenever their charges do, Hedges are in a constant state of flux.

Graft.
When an angel takes on human guise and becomes a part of society, he’s said to be grafted in.

Raiment.
The Faithful wear raiment, clothing said to have a light and life of its own. The woven fabric is beige, faintly luminous, and resistant to spot and wrinkle. Design varies slightly depending on the needs of the wearer, and the patterns stitched on the collar and cuffs indicate flight, rank, and order.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

 1. In the first chapter of
The Hidden Deep
, Prissie admits to herself that overlooking Koji’s bizarreness is easy because she knows he’s an angel. But what if he’d been a regular boy? Do you avoid people who are different? Do you consider yourself one of the different ones?

 2. What makes someone trustworthy?

 3. What does your name mean? Do you have a nickname? Would you like a new name? In Revelation 2:17, one of the promises God makes to the one who overcomes is, “I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” If you have a Bible and you’re curious, what
other
very special thing is promised in this verse?

 4. Prissie’s afraid of heights. Is there something that frightens you? Makes you nervous?

 5. In Chapter 3, Prissie shows admirable courage in standing up to a bully. Why is that so hard to do?

 6. Do you know what it’s like to be lonely in a crowd?

 7. Family traditions can be big or small. Grandpa Pete and Aunt Ida planned and planted a garden together. The Pomeroys always attend Neil’s home games. The town’s fall festival has become a family tradition. So is the annual preparation for the Christmas production of Handel’s
Messiah.
Does your family do things that have become your traditions?

 8. Do you enjoy dressing up in a costume? What makes a masquerade fun? What’s your ideal costume?

 
9. Have you ever said something you wished you could take back? Is there any excuse for hurting someone with your words? Do we make excuses anyhow? Do they make you feel any better? Can anything make it better?

10. When Tad’s looking for the missing thingamabob for his car, he points out that his missing thingamabob isn’t any more important than the rest. “I need them
all
in the right place if this old thing is ever going to make it out of the shed.” Are you part of something bigger? Who’s important to you? Who are you important to?

11. Prissie’s apology at the end of Chapter 11 is rejected. The next time she says she’s sorry, Ransom believes her. What changed?

12. What makes Koji’s friendship with Prissie so unusual?

CHRISTA KINDE
Head in the clouds. Feet on the ground. Heart in the story. Christa Kinde is a cheerful homebody whose imagination takes her to new places with every passing day. Making her home between misty mornings and brimming bookshelves in Southern California, she keeps her lively family close and her trusty laptop closer. Christa has been writing for more than a decade, producing numerous workbooks and study guides for Max Lucado, John MacArthur, and
Women of Faith
.

Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins author.

THRESHOLD SERIES

BOOK THREE

I
n the small bedroom tucked under one of the dormers in the Pomeroy’s farmhouse, a burst of silver light heralded the arrival of an angel. It was as if a door opened in the middle of the room, and when it closed, Abner stood on the braided rug. He absentmindedly poked the bridge of his nose, trying to adjust glasses he wasn’t wearing at the moment. Long, silver hair swished as he turned and inspected the snug space. The ceiling sloped so dramatically that the top corner of the bedroom door was cut at an angle, and a wide seat stretched under a stained-glass window, its pattern of multicolored diamonds shining faintly in the moonlight.

“So this is where you’ve been holed up,” Abner said. Cool, gray eyes fixed upon Tamaes. The Guardian sat in the corner,
his arms folded stubbornly over his chest. “Jedrick said it might take heaven and earth to move you, so he sent me.”

“This is where I am needed,” protested Tamaes in a low voice.

Nodding at the girl asleep on her bed, the Caretaker said, “You cannot protect her from the inevitable.”

The Guardian’s gaze slid sideways. “She can hear my voice.”

“Hearing and listening are two
very
different things, and there is
another
voice she must learn to heed.” Crouching before Tamaes, Abner firmly said, “I’m sending you out to stretch your wings.”

“And if I decline?”

“You won’t, but if you
did
, I’d simply have the rest of the Hedge carry you off.”

With a sigh, Tamaes begged for understanding. “She is my responsibility.”

“While that’s true, you’re not alone,” Abner reminded. “Taweel is on the roof, and Koji is down the hall. Even Omri would fly to her defense if the need were great.”

“This is not the first time I have been asked to show more faith in my teammates.”

“Then the lesson has yet to be learned.” Standing, the silver-haired angel arranged himself on Prissie’s windowseat. “I’ll remain here until your return. I may not be a Guardian, but few are foolish enough to threaten a Caretaker.”

“That is not true,” Tamaes said, an ironic smile tugging at the long scar running down the side of his face. At Abner’s quirked brow, he flatly added, “
No one
would dare.”

Prissie leaned her forehead against a green diamond in the stained glass window so she could peer through a peach one. Although a little better, she still had a fever, so the cold glass felt good against her flushed face. School was out for the day, and she was watching her brothers in the snow-filled yard below. Fat, sticky flakes drifted over their whole farm, blanketing everything under several inches of white stuff. It was the first big snow of the season, and it was perfect for packing.

Grandpa Pete was clearing the driveway with one of the tractors while the boys shoveled the walks. Well, that’s what they were
supposed
to be doing. Instead, they were goofing off, and Prissie had to admit, it looked like fun.

Neil’s red Warriors stocking cap was pulled low over his blond hair as he threw snowballs as fast as he could make them. Since he played quarterback on their high school’s football team, his aim was deadly. Tad retaliated by pitching whole shovelfuls of snow in his younger brother’s direction as he worked his way along the path.

Gently tracing the edges of a blue diamond, Prissie shifted so she could watch Beau through a soft yellow pane. Until her birthday in January, Prissie and Beau were the same age — fourteen. Her almost-twin was showing Koji how to roll a huge snowball, the kind you need for building snowmen. They must have had big plans, because they called Neil over to help them push the monster boulder back across the lawn. Koji paused long enough in his play to look up at her window and wave one mittened hand. Even from a distance, Prissie could tell he was happy. She pressed her palm against her window, an answering smile creeping onto her lips.

Just then, the rumble of an engine and squeak of air breaks sounded from the direction of the road. The elementary
school bus had arrived in the turnaround at the end of Orchard Lane, and if Prissie leaned a little, she could just see her other two brothers chasing one another up the driveway. Zeke was already scooping handfuls of snow, eager to join Neil’s battle. Jude trotted after him, and Prissie knew that her youngest sibling would go to Tad first, then check on the chickens. But then the little boy suddenly wheeled and ran back the other way. Zeke also turned and charged after him, and a moment later, another figure came into view. Milo Leggett waded toward the house, a package tucked under his arm, and two little boys wrapped around his long legs.

At the sight of their mailman, Prissie’s heart beat a little faster. Milo’s blue eyes lifted to her bedroom window, and she jerked backwards, hoping the stained glass hid her from view. Prissie’s fondness for the Messenger had changed shape in recent months, but that didn’t mean she wanted him to see her like this. “I must be a mess,” she mumbled, pushing unhappily at honey-colored hair that probably looked as limp as she felt.

The boys crowded around the mailman, who gestured broadly while he talked. Before long, Milo had her brothers laughing, and Prissie was feeling more than a little left out. It wasn’t fair that she was the only one still struggling to get better.

With a sigh, she glanced down at the notebook propped on her knees. It was the nearly December, so she was making her list and checking it twice. There were several new people she wanted to give a present to this year. Christmas was Prissie’s favorite holiday, and she loved the decorations and the baking, the secrets and the presents. Grandpa Pete had begun humming snatches of Handle’s
Messiah
while he worked, and Zeke had already been laboring over a mile-long
wish list. Prissie could hardly wait for the tree to go up in the family room or for the flood of holiday deliveries that would bring Milo to their door almost every afternoon.

At this time of the year, Prissie dearly missed Aunt Ida, who used to fill the house with carols from the piano in the corner of the family room. Her Dad’s younger sister had always been her best secret-keeper during Christmastime. Aunt Ida knew how to add bits of dough to gingerbread men so that they each had their own personality and how to cut apples so they looked like bunnies. Prissie could do these things for herself now, but it wasn’t quite as much fun without her bubbly aunt.

She stole another peek out the window in time to see Milo bend down to say something to Koji, who nodded seriously and hurried to the door. Glancing up over his shoulder, the mailman caught her watching and winked. Then, her brothers dragged him over to inspect their giant snowball, which Zeke promptly scaled.

By the time Koji opened her bedroom door, Prissie had worked up a good sulk. “You’re not supposed to come in here without permission,” she grumbled.

He studied her face and politely inquired, “Should I leave?”

“No,” she said grudgingly, pulling up her quilt to hide her flaming cheeks. She was as tired of being alone as she was of being sick.

Koji stepped into the room and padded over on stocking feet. “There are messages for you!” he announced, clearly pleased to be entrusted with their delivery.

The postcard was from Aunt Ida, and Prissie smiled as she skimmed its brief note. “She and Uncle Lo are in Africa now,” she said. “And she hopes we have snow.”

“We do,” he answered seriously.

“Obviously.”

“There is
another
message,” Koji said.

Prissie eyed his empty hands and asked, “From whom?”

“Milo.”

“Really?” she asked, stealing another glance outside. Koji climbed onto the opposite end of the window seat and let one foot swing while he watched the activity in the yard below. When he took the time to scan the sky as well, she asked, “Is everything all right?”

“There is nothing to fear,” Koji replied. Then he relayed the Messenger’s request. “If you would not mind, Milo will come for you in dreams tonight. Jedrick has called a meeting.”

Prissie took the time to comb and braid her hair, but she didn’t go downstairs when the dinner bell rang. Naomi came to check on her, pressing a cool hand to her daughter’s forehead. “You could join us,” she invited. “If you’re up to it?”

“Is Milo staying for supper?” Prissie asked suspiciously.

“Yes.”

“I don’t want to get him sick.”

She only asked, “Are you sure?”

Prissie’s chin lifted stubbornly. “Yes.”

“Get some rest, then,” her mother encouraged. “My folks are going along to the rehearsal tonight, so once the house is quiet, I’ll bring up a tray. Sound good?”

“I guess,” Prissie sighed. “Thanks, Momma.”

Her maternal grandparents had been visiting since just before Thanksgiving. Grandpa Carl and Grammie Esme’s RV was parked next to the apple barn, and they were staying in
the guest room at Grandpa Pete and Grandma Nell’s house. According to Grandpa Carl, the Olsens would stick around until West Edinton’s annual production of Handel’s
Messiah
before following the snowbirds south for the winter.

The Christmas concert was only a couple weeks away, and excitement was building. This year, the decision had been made to mix things up a bit by doing a modern twist on the classic. Grandpa Pete, who’d been singing with the bass section for forty years, had been suspicious about the introduction of drums and electric guitars to the orchestra, but it cheered him immensely that two of his grandsons had joined the choir this year.

Prissie was actually just as excited about the upcoming concert, mostly because Milo was taking part for the first time. He’d been coaxed into it by his good friend Baird, another angel-in-disguise who led worship at a church down in Harper.

At some point, Prissie drifted off because she was roused from a fitful doze by the rattle of dishes and shuffle of feet. Lifting her head from her pillow, she squinted at the light pouring in from the hallway while Koji carefully maneuvered through the door with a tray of food. “Why didn’t you go to rehearsal?” she asked in surprise.

“Your mother says this goes on your lap,” the boy announced, putting off his answer. “Sit up, please.”

Prissie reached across to flick on her bedside lamp, then did as she was bidden. Koji set the tray before her, then sat down on the foot of the bed. “This is the first time I have prepared food for someone. Please, eat it.”

“You cooked?”

Koji’s happiness came through loud and clear. “I did!”

“Did you have fun?”

“Your mother was very encouraging,” he replied seriously. “I hope it will be satisfying.”

Prissie dutifully picked up her fork and tasted the scrambled eggs, then took a bite of cinnamon toast. “It’s good,” she assured with a small smile. “Thank you.”

He nodded, then addressed her initial question. “I remained behind because you are here.”

“You shouldn’t have to miss out just because I’m sick,” Prissie said. “Rehearsals are one of the only times you get to see Harken, Baird, and Kester!”

Dark eyes gazed steadily into hers, as if he was trying to figure out what she
meant
by what she said. Finally, Koji asked, “Have you forgotten your promise?”

Nibbling at her toast, Prissie replied, “No, of course I remember.” Back in October, the young angel had been given permission to secure a promise from her. She’d given her word not to wander off by herself. It was almost as if the young Observer was trying to be her second guardian angel. “I’ve kept my promise, too!”

“You have,” he agreed. “In a covenant of this nature, we
both
have a promise to keep.”

That hadn’t occurred to her. “So when I promised to stay with you, you were also promising to stay with me?”

“Indeed.”

Prissie poked at her dinner and murmured, “I’m sorry.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re stuck with me, I guess.”

Koji blinked. “This is where I want to be.”

“But what if you wanted to do something else?”

His eyes took on a shine as he calmly replied, “There is nothing else I wish to do.”

“But if you
did
!”

“Do you still not understand?” he asked, the hint of a smile twitching at the corner of his lips.

“I guess not,” she grumbled, but at the same time, she was very glad. It was completely like Koji to take a promise seriously. He’d been a faithful friend from the very beginning, a fact that warmed her heart. “But that’s okay, right?”

With a smile that lived up to the description
angelic
, Koji repeated, “Indeed.”

“It is late,” Koji whispered. The rest of the household was completely still when he tiptoed back to her room. “You need to sleep.”

“I slept all day,” Prissie complained. “I’m not tired.”

With a soft hum, he knelt beside her bed, and his fingers brushed across the back of her hand. “What does sickness feel like?”

“Bad.”

“I can see that you are uncomfortable.” He gently fitted his hand into hers and asked, “What else?”

Prissie sighed, but at least Koji’s curiosity provided a distraction. Staring up at the ceiling, she replied, “When you’re sick, it’s like everything goes wrong. I felt weak, dizzy, achy. One minute, I was too hot, and the next, I was shivering. Now, I just feel
blah.
”

“What does
blah
mean?” he asked curiously.

“Bored, restless, and very tired of being sick,” she replied moodily.

“Tired, but not sleepy,” he mused aloud. “You long for rest and cannot find it.”

“Yes,” she confirmed. “And it doesn’t help knowing that everyone’s waiting for me to fall asleep.”

“Time is of no consequence.” Koji tipped his head to one side and said, “I am permitted to offer a suggestion.”

“Permitted?” she echoed, rolling onto her side to face him. It still struck her as strange that he sometimes received instructions directly from heaven … or from his teammates.

Koji nodded. “Harken says that Marcus says that you are forgetting something he already told you.”

Prissie blinked at the relayed message, then frowned. Marcus might be an angel, but he annoyed her more often than not. “I have no idea what he means,” she retorted huffily.