The Messenger by T. Davis Bunn

angels gather nigh,” he prayed, and the vista behind his closed eyelids became brilliant with a light from beyond. “Love of God, rich and pure, fill us now. Bring us home, Lord. Bring us home.”
    The words were spoken by a human voice, yet joined by a chorus of song and light and power. His eyes still closed, he felt as though the chamber had suddenly grown so crowded with unseen hosts that there was scarcely room left to draw breath.
    Yet breathe he did, and with the air drew in a power so overwhelming that he felt lifted beyond the room. Beyond the world. “Saints and angels gather nigh,” he intoned once more, the words carrying a shimmering brilliance he both felt and saw with his outpouring heart. “Love of God, rich and pure, fill us now. Bring us home, Lord. Bring us home.”
    He opened his eyes to find all others raising their heads, drawn back by the chiming of a distant silver bell.
    Ariel had clearly heard it too. For when she rose to her feet, her eyes shone with the same illumination that filled the room. “I have to go,” she said, her voice singing with unmistakable joy. “It is time.”
    She looked from one face to the other. “Thank you,” she said. “Thank you all.”
    The room watched her cross to where Manny sat, reached in her pocket, and came out with the slender card. “I want you to have this.”
    He drew back in genuine fear. “Not me. Not ever.”
    â€œGo ahead,” she urged. “It’s been changed. It’s yours now. No one will ever try to take it from you.”
    Hesitantly Manny reached out, took it, looked with widening eyes as he held it up. The card was now perfectly clear, save for silver letters scrolled across the surface. Manny read quietly, “Jude 20 and 21. ‘Dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith, and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.’”
    As Ariel walked toward the door, Clarice asked, “But what about you?”
    â€œOh, I don’t need the card anymore. I’ve learned the lesson now. The way to heaven is paved with prayer.” She looked down at Clarice, her smile as soft and pure as faith. “Thanks to you, my newfound teacher and friend.”
    Clarice raised one hand, half in farewell, half in entreaty for her to stay. “I will miss you, Ariel.”
    Ariel grasped the hand with both of hers and replied, “Not for long.”

DAVIS BUNN, a professional novelist for over twenty years, is the author of numerous national bestsellers with sales totaling more than six million copies. His work has been published in sixteen languages, and his critical acclaim includes three Christy Awards for excellence in fiction. Formerly an international business executive working in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, Bunn is now a lecturer in creative writing and Writer in Residence at Regent’s Park College, Oxford University. He and his wife, Isabella, divide their time between the English countryside and the coast of Florida.

Books by
    Davis Bunn
    The Book of Hours
The Great Divide
Winner Take All
The Lazarus Trap
Elixir
Imposter
    Lion of Babylon
Rare Earth
All Through the Night
My Soul to Keep
    A CTS OF F AITH *
The Centurion’s Wife   •   The Hidden Flame
The Damascus Way
    S ONG OF A CADIA *
The Meeting Place   •   The Sacred Shore
The Birthright   •   The Distant Beacon
The Beloved Land
    H EIRS OF A CADIA †
The Solitary Envoy   •   The Innocent Libertine
The Noble Fugitive   •   The Night Angel
Falconer’s Quest
    *with Janette Oke     †with Isabella Bunn