Truth Runner (Son of Angels, Jonah Stone) - Softcover

Law, Jerel

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1400322871 ISBN 13: 9781400322879

Publisher: Tommy Nelson, 2013

Synopsis

 

Faced with unparalleled grief, will Jonah return to Elohim?

Parents are looking for fiction that makes Christianity exciting for their kids. This series is the first Christian answer to Percy Jackson, the Kane Chronicles, the Secret Series, and other middle grade series packed with action and adventure. But the message is solidly based in Scripture, conveying that God is always in control.

It has been a trying six months for Jonah, Eliza, and Jeremiah Stone. They have been grieving over the loss of their nephilim mother, who was murdered by Abaddon’s forces. As part angels, the siblings have been in school with other children of nephilim to hone their special powers

In Truth Runner, Jonah has left Angel School and attempts to forget Elohim’s calling by moving back to his hometown and starting high school as a “normal” kid. But Jonah can still see fallen angels—and the evil they’re doing. When Jonah realizes the Fallen are attacking his friends without their knowledge, he is faced with a choice: continue to ignore it and forge his own path, or remember who he really is and fight for his friends.

As Jonah’s story begins to resemble his Biblical character’s namesake, will he turn back to Elohim’s path for his life?

Meets national education standards.

 

About this title

About the Author

Jerel Law is a gifted communicator, pastor, and church planter with over twenty years experience working full-time in ministry. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Seminary and began writing fiction as a way to express his faith and communicate God's love to others. Law lives in North Carolina with his family.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Truth Runner

Son of Angels Jonah Stone Book 4

By JEREL LAW

Thomas Nelson

Copyright © 2013 Jerel Law
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-4003-2287-9

Contents

Prologue...................................................................
ix
PART I: CHOICES............................................................
1
1. Just a Game.............................................................
3
2. Tough Conversations.....................................................
11
3. Moving Truck Escape.....................................................
19
4. The Passing.............................................................
29
5. New Gifts...............................................................
35
6. Craziness in the Cafeteria..............................................
47
7. Pinned Down.............................................................
59
8. A Strange Sight.........................................................
71
PART II: CONSEQUENCES......................................................
85
9. Visit in Darkness.......................................................
87
10. In Pursuit.............................................................
93
11. Back at the Warehouse..................................................
103
12. Center Court...........................................................
107
13. Bus Stop...............................................................
121
14. Below and Alone........................................................
131
15. Camilla and the Cops...................................................
137
16. In the Ravine..........................................................
143
PART III: CONFRONTATIONS...................................................
147
17. The UN.................................................................
149
18. Searching the Streets..................................................
155
19. Eliza's Hunch..........................................................
163
20. A Little Piece of Paper................................................
177
21. No Time for Reunions...................................................
183
22. The Big Boat...........................................................
189
23. Hearing Things.........................................................
199
24. Three Levels Below.....................................................
205
25. Surprise in the Hallway................................................
211
26. Discovery..............................................................
219
27. At the Bottom of the Pool..............................................
227
28. Party on the Deck......................................................
235
Epilogue...................................................................
251
Acknowledgments............................................................
255
About the Author...........................................................
257

CHAPTER 1

Just a Game

Jonah dribbled the basketball across the half-court line, surveyingthe defense. The ball thudded against the hardwood, but hecould barely hear it in the noisy gym. Cheers echoed all around,solely coming from one side of the bleachers. He could hear twowords rise above the rest. Shouts of "Peacefield!" mixed withequally loud screams of his name: "Jonah!"

Hearing his name being yelled by the high-pitched voices ofhigh school girls caused a smile to creep across his lips. He hadexperienced moments like this before—but only in his wildestdaydreams.

A loud series of claps from the sidelines drew his eyes. "Comeon, Jonah! Let's go!"

Coach Marty was still as round as a basketball and somehowhad managed to squeeze his way into the head coaching positionfor the boys' basketball team at Peacefield High. The boys on theteam privately joked that they must have given the job to the guywho shouted the loudest. Coach Marty didn't ever speak in a normalvoice—he yelled.

Jonah looked down at the kid guarding him. The kid wascrouched down, trying to look intimidating, but he couldn't hidethe fear in his eyes as he looked up at Jonah. Jonah wasn't exactlysurprised by that—he towered over everyone on the court now,having grown another three inches in the past six months.

Jonah made his move. In a blast of blazing speed, he faked tothe right. The boy guarding him jumped. Jonah took advantage,pushing past him. The speed he generated with his first two stepsput him inside the three-point line. He was almost a blur. Controlyourself, Jonah.

A quick scan of the rest of the court let him know that two ofhis teammates were covered, but the other two were wanderingfree. Grant Newsome was waving his hands frantically; he wasstanding right underneath the basket. A pass to him would leadto an easy layup.

Jonah instead turned his eyes to the rim. Another defenderhad stepped in front of him, but Jonah turned his back and quicklyspun away as the helpless boy lunged for what he thought was thebasketball, but turned out to be an armful of air.

Ignoring his open teammates, he leaped from just inside thefree throw line, trying to remember not to push himself off toohigh. He had to appear normal—human, like the rest of them. Hissix-foot-six frame soared through the air, and he finally slammedthe ball through the rim with such force that the basket shook,appearing for a second as if it would snap under his force.

Jonah hung on the rim for two seconds longer than he neededto, peering into the stands again, catching glimpses of the fans,who had increased their volume even more now and could barelycontain themselves. For the extra swinging, he earned a technicalfoul from the referee, but he didn't care. It was worth it.

Mercifully, after another two minutes, the game ended.Peacefield High: 103, Ashburn Academy: 54. Jonah's teammatessurrounded him in the middle of the court, ignoring the dejectedplayers from the losing team who wandered their way back intothe visitors' locker room in a daze. Jonah let himself get caught upin the attention, the slaps on his back, the handshakes, and highfives. A couple of little kids from the stands even came up to askhim for his autograph.

One small boy peered up at him with huge eyes. "Jonah, didyou know you scored forty-eight points? And thirty of them wereon slam dunks!"

Jonah grinned, reaching down to tousle the boy's hair."Maybe you can do that one day too, little guy."

He looked back up into the stands, where he spotted two lonefigures standing on the top row of bleachers. One had a hulkingframe, showing off his bulging muscles. The other was smallerand looked more like a teenager. Both wore metallic armor thatglittered underneath the fluorescent lights. The outline of theirwings cut sharp lines along the wall behind them.

Jonah could see their faces, and even from center court, hecould tell they were the only ones in the gym not cheering. In fact,they didn't appear to be very happy at all.

Another kid tugged at Jonah's sleeve, and slowly he pulled hiseyes away from the angels. He listened to the boy sing his praisesfor a minute, and by the time he glanced back up to the standsagain, the angels were gone.

* * *

Jonah was one of the last ones to leave the gym. He had been corneredby a group of girls as soon as he walked out of the lockerroom. They had been so excited to talk to him that he hadn't beenable to get a word in or escape to head home. Luckily, someonestepped in to rescue him. Jonah felt a slap on his back, and heturned to find his friend Tariq, wearing his typical hundred-wattsmile underneath a massive shock of twisty black hair that hisfriend had taken to calling a "Middle Eastern afro."

"Another fantastic performance by the great Jonah Stone!"

"Tariq," Jonah said, high-fiving the boy and glancing backover his shoulder as they walked toward the door. "Thanks forrescuing me. I thought I'd never get away."

"Rescuing?" he asked, glaring at Jonah. "Who needs rescuingfrom pretty girls who want your attention? Are you crazy?"

"Yeah, well ..."

Tariq waved his hand toward the girls, who were watchingJonah leave in disappointment. "Don't worry," he said to themloudly. "I'll call you soon!"

They left the building and headed to the bike rack where theirmountain bikes were chained.

"Just think, next year we'll be able to drive," Jonah said asthey fumbled with their bike locks in the dark.

"The only drive I'm thinking about right now is that last oneyou made on that poor, poor boy guarding you," he said. "Rightbefore you hammered that dunk home!" He stood up and pretendedto jam the ball through an imaginary hoop. "That wasridiculous, man!"

Jonah felt his face redden. It was one thing to talk about hisplay after the game with kids and other people he didn't reallyknow. But Tariq had been his friend since the second grade, andhe probably wasn't going to accept Jonah's new basketball skillswithout asking some questions. "It was okay," Jonah said softly."Not really all that great when you think about it."

"Seriously, Jonah, you don't mean that. I've watched every oneof these last five games, and what you are doing out there is crazy.I don't know what happened to you last year. But you go away tosome special school and come back, and you're, like, ten inchestaller and all of a sudden, have these mad basketball skills ..." Hisvoice trailed off as he shook his head. Jonah was starting to feeleven more uncomfortable. "It's almost like you're not human orsomething."

He swallowed as he pulled his bike out of the rack and swunghis leg over the bar. They'd already had this conversation before,so Jonah was sticking to his story. "Hey—it's just a growth spurt. Imean, my whole family is tall. And once I grew a little, my balancegot better ... Come on, I'll race you home."

Tariq wasn't one to back down from a challenge, but Jonahknew the discussion wasn't over for good.

There's no way he could know, Jonah thought. Surely he wouldn'tever suspect who I really am.

They pedaled the mile and a half home, Jonah having to workhard to back off on his speed and keep his friend in the race. Rightat the end, he pretended he was giving it all he had but getting tired,and just as they got to Tariq's driveway, his friend pulled ahead.

"Good race!" Jonah said, breathing heavily.

"Yeah," mumbled Tariq, riding down his driveway. "But nexttime you want to let me win, make it a little less obvious."

Jonah's mouth hung open, but he didn't say anything as hewatched Tariq pull into his garage and shut the automatic door.

He walked his bike two more blocks down Cranberry Streetto his small, white two-level house. A rusting backboard and rimthat had seen better days still stood at the end of the driveway.

He wanted to tell his friend the truth. But what was he supposedto say? Hey, so I'm not totally human. I'm actually one-quarterangel. It's no big deal, really. I just have some special abilities.

Jonah shook his head. It still sounded crazy enough in Jonah'shead. What level of crazy would he achieve if it came out of hismouth?

Two figures stepped out from behind the willow tree in thefront yard. Jonah froze, his instincts causing him to reach downto his side, preparing to pull his angelblade. He sighed loudlywhen he realized who it was.

"Marcus," he said, eyeing the large one. He glanced at thesmaller angel. "Henry." Jonah's shoulders sagged, and he continuedto push his bike toward the house.

Henry watched Jonah walk past them, placing his hand onMarcus's chest, keeping him from charging forward, as he wasprone to do.

"Camilla sent us here. I guess you realize why, don't you, Jonah?"Henry offered in his normal pleasant voice, without a hint of judgmentor anger.

Jonah wheeled around. "Look," he said, glaring. "I'm not doinganything wrong. I am keeping all of my gifts under control."

"You are taking advantage," Marcus said, pushing Henry'shand down and taking a step forward. "You're using these powersfor ... for ... your own amusement and gain!"

Jonah stepped toward the large angel. As tall as Jonah was,his face met the middle of the angel's chest. But he didn't feel likebacking down this time. "I'm not hurting anybody, Marcus! Andtrust me, I'm not doing nearly what I could do out there ..."

"You're drawing unnecessary attention to yourself," counteredHenry. "People are beginning to notice."

"And that's a bad thing?" Jonah asked. "What's wrong withme having a little fun? So what if I can do things other kids can'tdo?" I deserve it after the year I've been through, he thought. Don'tyou guys get that? Doesn't Elohim understand that?

"You won't be able to contain yourself!" answered Marcus."We saw your little game there tonight. You were barely able tohold yourself back. Your pride is going to get you into some serioustrouble."

Henry stepped between them before Jonah could respond."We all know you have been through so much this year. And takingthis time in Peacefield, well, it is certainly your choice. Wehave kept our distance and given you your space. We are here,on behalf of Camilla, to remind you, though, of who you are.Who you really are, Jonah. You're a quarterling. You are gifted forbattle, battle in the hidden realm, a key player in the fight betweenElohim and Abaddon."

Jonah looked down at his shoes but didn't say anything asHenry continued.

"When your mom was lost, it was awful."

"She was killed, Henry," Jonah erupted. "She wasn't just lost!"

"All of heaven mourned for you and your family," Marcussaid, more steady and quiet. "We are just here to make sure youdon't forget."

"Well, thanks a lot for coming, guys," Jonah answered, "butI think I'm doing just fine right here in Peacefield. You can tellCamilla that when you go back."

He turned and headed for the front door, letting go of his bikeso that it fell in the grass.

"It's okay, Jonah," Henry called out as Jonah stepped onto theporch. "We're here. You're not alone."

Jonah paused for a second but didn't turn around. Just goaway, he thought. He put his hand on the doorknob and turnedthe handle.

CHAPTER 2

Tough Conversations

Jonah slowly turned the doorknob, trying to make the door openas quietly as possible. He hoped that his father was already inbed. Ever since he had decided to stay in Peacefield and not returnto Angel School, Jonah had found himself avoiding his dad. Itwasn't a conscious decision as much as something that had begunslowly and now had become normal. Jonah wasn't even sure why.

His dad seemed to oblige him in this, though, by turning inearly most nights or staying in his office with the door pulled shut.When they did speak, it was more than likely to be an argument.

He shut the door and tiptoed past his dad's study. He heardsome papers rattle and then suddenly stop. Jonah waited for a fewseconds in the hallway. No movement inside, no noise. He knewwhat was happening. His dad was waiting to see if Jonah was goingto come in. But he wasn't calling to him. Jonah imagined himselfwalking into his dad's office and them embracing in a long-overduehug. Then he pictured them having a massive screaming match,ending with him barricading himself in his room.

Jonah sighed. He knew his dad was hurting too. He'd lost hiswife, the love of his life. But I lost someone important to me too.

He pushed aside the impulse to go in, and went to his ownroom, shutting the door behind him.

Falling down on his pillow, he played the game back throughhis head. He couldn't even keep track of all the fast breaks, lay-ups,and slam dunks he made. But then he thought about what theangels had said. Their voices lingered in his mind, even thoughhe forcibly tried to push the thoughts out. Why should they tryto keep him from having some fun and enjoying himself? Hadn'the been through enough this year already? Wasn't it all right toenjoy some popularity for a change? His phone was beeping, andhe reached for it, realizing he had nine text messages from differentfriends at school, congratulating him on the game. He clickedthrough them slowly, savoring the words, and responded to a few.

But Henry's comments wouldn't leave him alone. "You're drawingunnecessary attention to yourself. People are beginning to notice."

He tossed his phone back down on his bed and shifteduncomfortably on his pillow. As much as he tried, he couldn't getaway from it. Why did those angels have to come anyway?

He grabbed the phone again and opened it up to his photos.Locating the folder marked "Mom," he flipped slowly through thepictures. The family portrait they used for Christmas cards threeyears ago; a shot of Eleanor and Benjamin, smiling, holding Jonahwhen he was a baby; one of him and his mom, her arms drapedaround his neck, at the park. He paused on this one for a while,touching the screen softly with his thumb. It was as close as hecould come to touching her now.

He felt the tears well up in his eyes, and he threw the phoneback onto the bed and went to take a shower. He wished his momhad seen him play tonight. He wanted to talk to her again, justhear her voice. He wished she were here.

He made the water as hot as he could stand and coveredhis face with a washcloth, trying to muffle his sobs as he leanedagainst the tile wall.

* * *

"How'd the game go last night?"

His dad was fiddling around in the kitchen, fixing coffee andcereal and opening drawers until he found what he needed. Jonahwatched his dad fumble through the kitchen almost every morning,wondering when he would ever figure out where everythingwas. Mr. Stone finally found a packet of sugar, ripped the top off,and poured the contents into his steaming mug.

"It went okay." Jonah shrugged. "Not that you would know."

It was an open invitation to a fight, and he couldn't resist thebarb, even though he felt bad as soon as he said it. His dad eyed himfrom behind his thick glasses, but pursed his lips and said nothing,suddenly seeming to take great interest in stirring his coffee.

Jonah opened his mouth to say something, perhaps apologize,but then decided against it. He stepped past his father, reachinginto the cabinet to grab a granola bar. Snagging a bottle of waterfrom the refrigerator, he mumbled a good-bye, slung his knapsackon his back, and bolted for the door.

"Good morning, Jonah," came a voice from above. Cassandra,the Stone family guardian angel, was sitting in her usual morningspot, perched in the tree in the front yard.

He glanced up at her but kept walking. "You know I'm tryingto ignore you, right?"

She smiled, waving to him. "Oh, I've gotten that message, loudand clear."

"Well"—he turned around—"why do you keep bugging methen? Can't you guys see I'm doing just fine?"

Cassandra eyed him thoughtfully. "I just want you to knowthat I'm not ignoring you."

He waved her off and picked up his bike out of the yard. "Ineed to go to school. How about not following me, okay?"

Jonah knew he couldn't tell the angels what to do any morethan he could tell Elohim what to do, but maybe she would listentoday. He pushed off on his bike and pedaled himself into thestreet.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Truth Runner by JEREL LAW. Copyright © 2013 Jerel Law. Excerpted by permission of Thomas Nelson.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Edition details

• Publisher: Tommy Nelson
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1400322871
• ISBN 13: 9781400322879
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272