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In one cataclysmic moment, millions around the globe disappeared. This is the story of those left behind.
The war for the world rages on.
In the aftermath of a global earthquake, survivors search for loved ones as the planet braces for some of the most horrific events of the Tribulation—the seven Trumpet Judgments. Following the great soul harvest prophesied in Scripture, the Tribulation Force begins to stand against Nicolae Carpathia, who mounts his offensive as the wrath of the Almighty descends.
volume II includes Soul Harvest, Apollyon, Assassins.
Discover the series that has become a phenomenon, where biblical prophecy meets current events.
www.leftbehind.com

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DECEIVER'S GAME

Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Chapter One

From across the parched plain he heard the wails and screams of hundreds he wouldn't begin to be able to help. Any prayer of finding his wife alive depended on how quickly he could get to her. But there was no quick here. Only sand. And what about Chloe and Buck in the States? And Tsion?

Desperate, frantic, mad with frustration, he ripped off his natty waistcoat with its yellow braid, heavy epaulettes, and arm patches that identified a senior officer of the Global Community. Rayford did not take the time to unfasten the solid-gold buttons but sent them popping across the desert floor. He let the tailored jacket slide from his shoulders and clutched the collar in his fists. Three, four, five times he raised the garment over his head and slammed it to the ground. Dust billowed and sand kicked up over his patent leather shoes.

Rayford considered abandoning all vestiges of his connection to Nicolae Carpathia's regime, but his attention was drawn again to the luxuriously appointed arm patches. He tore at them, intending to rip them free, as if busting himself from his own rank in the service of the Antichrist. But the craftsmanship allowed not even a fingernail between the stitches, and Rayford slammed the coat to the ground one more time. He stepped and booted it like an extra point, finally aware of what had made it heavier. His phone was in the pocket.

As he knelt to retrieve his coat, Rayford's maddening logic returned-the practicality that made him who he was. Having no idea what he might find in the ruins of his condominium, he couldn't treat as dispensable what might constitute his only remaining set of clothes.

Rayford jammed his arms into the sleeves like a little boy made to wear a jacket on a warm day. He hadn't bothered to shake the grit from it, so as he plunged on toward the skeletal remains of the airport, Rayford's lanky frame was less impressive than usual. He could have been the survivor of a crash, a pilot who'd lost his cap and seen the buttons stripped from his uniform.

Rayford could not remember a chill before sundown in all the months he'd lived in Iraq. Yet something about the earthquake had changed not only the topography, but also the temperature. Rayford had been used to damp shirts and a sticky film on his skin. But now wind, that rare, mysterious draft, chilled him as he speed-dialed Mac McCullum and put the phone to his ear.

At that instant he heard the chug and whir of Mac's chopper behind him. He wondered where they were going.

"Mac here," came McCullum's gravelly voice.

Rayford whirled and watched the copter eclipse the descending sun. "I can't believe this thing works," Rayford said. He had slammed it to the ground and kicked it, but he also assumed the earthquake would have taken out nearby cellular towers.

"Soon as I get out of range, it won't, Ray," Mac said. "Everything's down for as far as I can see. These units act like walkie-talkies when we're close. When you need a cellular boost, you won't find it."

"So any chance of calling the States-"

"Is out of the question," Mac said. "Ray, Potentate Carpathia wants to speak to you, but first-"

"I don't want to talk to him, and you can tell him that."

"But before I give you to him," Mac continued, "I need to remind you that our meeting, yours and mine, is still on for tonight. Right?"

Rayford slowed and stared at the ground, running a hand through his hair. "What? What are you talking about?"

"All right then, very good," Mac said. "We're still meeting tonight then. Now the potentate-"

"I understand you want to talk to me later, Mac, but don't put Carpathia on or I swear I'll-"

"Stand by for the potentate."

Rayford switched the phone to his right hand, ready to smash it on the ground, but he restrained himself. When avenues of communication reopened, he wanted to be able to check on his loved ones.

"Captain Steele," came the emotionless tone of Nicolae Carpathia.

"I'm here," Rayford said, allowing his disgust to come through. He assumed God would forgive anything he said to the Antichrist, but he swallowed what he really wanted to say.

"Though we both know how I could respond to your egregious disrespect and insubordination," Carpathia said, "I choose to forgive you."

Rayford continued walking, clenching his teeth to keep from screaming at the man.

"I can tell you are at a loss for how to express your gratitude," Carpathia continued. "Now listen to me. I have a safe place and provisions where my international ambassadors and staff will join me. You and I both know we need each other, so I suggest-"

"You don't need me," Rayford said. "And I don't need your forgiveness. You have a perfectly capable pilot right next to you, so let me suggest that you forget me."

"Just be ready when he lands," Carpathia said, the first hint of frustration in his voice.

"The only place I would accept a ride to is the airport," Rayford said. "And I'm almost there. Don't have Mac set down any closer to this mess."

"Captain Steele," Carpathia began again, condescendingly, "I admire your irrational belief that you can somehow find your wife, but we both know that is not going to happen."

Rayford said nothing. He feared Carpathia was right, but he would never give him the satisfaction of admitting it. And he would certainly never quit looking until he proved to himself Amanda had not survived.

"Come with us, Captain Steele. Just reboard, and I will treat your outburst as if it never-"

"I'm not going anywhere until I've found my wife! Let me talk to Mac."

"Officer McCullum is busy. I will pass along a message."

"Mac could fly that thing with no hands. Now let me talk to him."

"If there is no message, then, Captain Steele-"

"All right, you win. Just tell Mac-"

"Now is no time to neglect protocol, Captain Steele. A pardoned subordinate is behooved to address his superior-"

"All right, Potentate Carpathia, just tell Mac to come for me if I don't find a way back by 2200 hours."

"And should you find a way back, the shelter is three and a half clicks northeast of the original headquarters. You will need the following password: 'Operation Wrath.'"

"What?" Carpathia knew this was coming?

"You heard me, Captain Steele."

* * *

Cameron "Buck" Williams stepped gingerly through the rubble near the ventilation shaft where he had heard the clear, healthy voice of Rabbi Tsion Ben-Judah, trapped in the underground shelter. Tsion assured him he was unhurt, just scared and claustrophobic. That place was small enough without the church imploding above it. With no way out unless someone tunneled to him, the rabbi, Buck knew, would soon feel like a caged animal.

Had Tsion been in immediate danger, Buck would have dug with his bare hands to free him. But Buck felt like a doctor in triage, having to determine who most urgently needed his help. Assuring Tsion he would return, he headed toward the safe house to find his wife.

To get through the trash that had been the only church home he ever knew, Buck had to again crawl past the...