Then his voice rose, taking on the rhythm of a moving prayer, almost a hymn:
“Lord Jesus, you are our beloved…”
“Drive out the evil one and give him no foothold.
Protect us from every demon on the road…
They fly in the air, and walk boldly on the earth.
Jesus the Lord watches over us in the night…
“From the evil one, great as a bear in his strength.”
Susan’s heart trembled as she clung to Muhammad’s arm. He closed the door silently and whispered with stern urgency,
“Come on… we have to get out of here. Now.”
He went quickly to the window, jumped out first, and Susan followed immediately. Together they set off across the villa’s garden, shadows creeping in from every side. They slipped between the trees, reached the gate, flung it open, and sped out. In a breathless moment, they cl
