Having worshipped at God's feet for the best part of twenty-five years, Father Hendrie should know better - nightmares are only a fabrication of an over-active imagination. But the dreams which haunt him are terrifyingly vivid and all are somehow li...
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Bill was speechless, unable to think of a single word to utter. All he could do was stare at the giant hand encasing his fingers, with its gold rings bearing strange insignias.
Enki gently released his grip and turned to his son, the warrior. "I suggest you spend some time in one of the pods, Marduk. I have no doubt your current appearance is disconcerting for our guest."
"Of course, Highness."
Marduk made to move away, but Enki spoke again. "You know I do not like it when you refer to me by status."
The demon warrior bowed, apologetic. "It was more for the human's benefit, father."
Nodding, Enki smiled, then shooing his son away, he turned back to his guest. "Do not be nervous, holy man; I mean you no harm."
Bill raised his eyes to the towering man. Enki's face appeared serene, for all his black eyes were impossible to read. But his stance bore no threat, and that was one thing for which Bill was grateful.
"No doubt you have many questions," Enki encouraged.
Swallowing back his apprehension, Bill nodded. "Y - yes."
Enki smiled and turned to the female who remained seated during their exchange. "This is my wife, Damkina."
The female inclined her head but did not rise. She looked regal certainly, wearing a simple yet elegant gown of white, her neck, arms and fingers adorned with gold trinkets. Her dark hair was piled high, like a tower of Ferrero Rocher chocolates. Bill could not deny her ethereal beauty, but behind those black eyes was an intelligence not to be underestimated. Tentatively, Bill returned the greeting before Enki gestured for him to walk on.
They strolled through a long pewter-coloured corridor, its strange metal walls issuing a quiet hum from the light which raced, at great speed, along the length and breadth of the passageway. Bill thought it would be somewhat hypnotic, almost calming - if it weren't overridden by a torrent of nerves pulsing through his body.
He was finding it hard to concentrate; his mind was still struggling to come to terms that his gardener was an ancient alien-come-Fallen Angel, as was his neighbour, the delectable Ms Lisa Bellington. And now he was walking side by side with a being who, going by Marduk's interpretation, was the Great Creator, the One. True. God.
"I will be blunt," his host said, drawing Bill's attention. "I do not have time to guess at or answer everything you wish to know, but I will give you a summary."
Bill nodded, accepting his host's forthrightness without debate.
"I do not begin to understand humans' many and varied religions, nor do I judge anyone because of what they believe. But there is no denying that it was my race, the Annunaki, who created you. And you are not alone in the universe; there are many parallels, a multitude of lifeforms on a plethora of planets. Man, and other species like you, were initially created to be our slaves."
