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Chapter 171
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Dominic reached into his back pocket and pulled out his old leather wallet. Holding it in front of him, it looked much too large to have fit in his pocket, but Leesa knew the wallet was magic. Not only did it fit in places it shouldn’t, but it somehow held more stuff inside than a good-sized suitcase. She had seen Dominic pull stacks of cash and handfuls of jewels out of it. She wondered what he was going to take out now.
Dominic unclipped the brass fastener that held the walled closed and reached inside. His hand disappeared halfway up to his elbow as he rummaged around inside the magic container. When he drew his hand out, he was holding a thick, leather-bound book the size of a small dictionary. The book was much larger than the wallet that had just contained it. Leesa wondered if things shrank when they went inside, or if there was just more space in there than the normal laws of physics would allow. She guessed it didn’t really matter—magic was magic. T
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Leesa's Advent Chapter 172
“It means that I will have to keep on the move—buses and trains again, I’m afraid—trying to stay a few steps ahead of my foes. I will be going everywhere, but staying nowhere.”“Are you sure you’ll be all right?” Leesa asked.“I hope so. I eluded my black brethren a hundred years ago—I do not see why I cannot do it again. This time, I am actually glad they will be able to track me so easily, for it will allow me to draw them away from here without actually seeming to. They will expect me to flee after using my magic. They will think I am running from them, rather than leading them away from you.”Dominic put his hands on Leesa’s shoulder and looked into her eyes.“If you sense any danger at all to you, Leesa, leave immediately. It doesn’t matter where you go—go anywhere, but go quickly. As long as you wear my ring, I will be able to find you when the time is right.&r
Leesa's Advent Chapter 173
Thousands of miles away from where Leesa and Rave said their goodbyes to Dominic, five shadowy figures sat in a large, dimly lit room, gathered around a dark, round table at least ten feet in diameter. The table’s smooth surface was fashioned out of a special, highly polished material that looked almost like black glass. Candles flickered in brass sconces on the chamber’s stone walls, but strangely, none of the light reflected off the top of the table. The dark surface seemed to swallow any illumination that struck it. In addition to the five occupied chairs, four more sat vacant.One of the seated men was significantly larger than his fellows, in girth more so than height. His high-backed chair—more of a throne, really—was larger and more ornate than the others as well. Intricate carved runes covered much of the chair’s dark wood surface. The special chair left little doubt that this man was the leader of the group.His body seemed almost
Leesa's Advent Chapter 174
Leesa breathed out a soft sigh as she and Rave neared the edge of the trees. She wasn’t ready for her wonderful ride in his strong arms to end. The ride had been all too short—Rave had covered almost a mile in little more than two minutes, and she knew he could have done it faster had he needed to. Once they reached the road where they could be seen, he would put her down and they would walk the rest of the way like normal people. And that was not nearly as much fun. She thought about asking him to circle back to make the ride last longer, but she didn’t think it very wise to return the vicinity of the battle. It was best to put as much distance from that place as possible. She would just have to be satisfied with the ride she had gotten.So she was totally surprised when Rave slowed his pace at the wood’s edge but did not stop to put her down. Instead, he kept her cradled in his arms and began walking east along the road.Leesa pulled her cheek
Leesa's Advent Chapter 175
Finally, Leesa’s classes were over for the day. She had thought English with The Great Gatsby had been slow, but that was before she had to slog through equation after complex equation in Chemistry. Somehow she survived, though, and now she was heading back to her dorm with Rave and his volkaane friends.The first thing she noticed when they neared the dorm was that the damaged Blazer was gone. She had been planning to call about it when she got home, but Security must have decided the wreck wasn’t going anywhere unless they towed it themselves. Leesa was pleased—it was one less thing she had to worry about, and she hadn’t needed to involve herself at all in its removal. Whatever happened to the car now was between Security and the guy she and Dominic had bought it from. And if the black waziri could sense any magic remaining on the Blazer from Dominic’s shield spell, at least the car wasn’t sitting right in front of her dorm like a big sig
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The wizard said he had ordered the spells in the book by ease of learning and usefulness. The air shield thing definitely failed the easy test, but she guessed Dominic had placed it second because she had already tried it. She decided she would give it another try or two today, but first she wanted to try something new and easier, so the flipped the page to the third spell.This one was an illumination spell, used primarily for lighting one’s way in the dark, but with a notation that used at full power, it could be employed to distract and even repel light sensitive creatures such as vampires. Leesa read the page carefully several times, making sure to miss no detail. When she was certain she understood the spell and its incantation completely, she closed the book.“So, what’s next?” Rave asked.“An illumination spell. I need a visual first, though. Could you grab that candle from my desk, please?” She pointed to a thick red c
Leesa's Advent Chapter 177
Kristi Brolen’s eyelids fluttered open. As her vision slowly came into focus, she found herself looking up into the bare, tangled branches of tall trees. Through the leafless branches, she could see pieces of blue sky. It took her a moment to realize she was lying on her back on the ground. She had no memory of how she had gotten here. As a matter of fact, she suddenly realized, she had no memory of anything, not even her name.She tried to turn her head, but found she could not. Her arms and legs seemed paralyzed as well. She was able to move her eyes from side to side, but that was it. Even her mouth was frozen shut. There would be no calling out for help, or even screaming in fear or frustration. Strangely, none of this bothered her.Her clothes were wet, but she did not feel the cold, even though she could see small patches of snow on the ground around her out of the corner of her eyes and knew it must be winter. This did not bother her either.Kristi
Leesa's Advent Chapter 178
Tuesday, Leesa had only two classes, and despite each being half an hour longer than her Monday classes, they seemed to go by faster. Leesa thought it was a combination of the subjects being more interesting—psychology was really fun and sociology was pretty good, too—and her not being quite so eager to get to work with Dominic’s book as she had been the day before. Yesterday, she couldn’t wait to use the book for the first time. Now that she’d worked a little with the spell book—and successfully, too!—she was not quite as anxious to get to it.That wasn’t to say her eagerness was gone, just that it wasn’t quite so keen. When Professor Moody—Leesa thought Moody was a wonderful name for a psychology professor—brought class to a close, Leesa was the first one out the door.A cold front had moved in overnight, bringing with it clear blue skies but biting cold. If it wasn’t below freezing out here, Lee
Leesa's Advent Chapter 179
The three black waziri moved slowly through the trees, observing every detail like forensic experts examining a crime scene. The remnants of magical vibrations were everywhere—the wizards would have found this place easily even without the trail left by Dominic’s passage that they had followed out here from the college. The battle between Dominic and their brother Josef had clearly been a mighty one.They still found it hard to accept that Dominic had defeated Josef, but the evidence could not be denied. Nothing at all remained of Josef’s essence. Only the vibrations of his expended magic showed that he had ever been here. Dominic had obviously destroyed all traces of Josef’s being—making sure there was no chance his essence could ever be reanimated.Nor was there anything here to tell them exactly how Dominic had managed to defeat Josef. They knew Dominic was a mighty wizard—he had been more powerful than any of them until they gave
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Serena awoke to the sound of birds chirping and the smell of fresh coffee brewing. She rolled over lazily, reaching out for Raphael, but the space was empty. With eyes still closed, she frowned. Where is that man? That man had probably been out of bed since the crack of dawn, beside himself with nerves for today’s big event, she thought regretfully. They were to be married today. Their lives intertwined for all of eternity. What man wouldn’t have cold feet at the prospect? And they’d known each other such a short time, too. She opened her eyes and blinked a few times, and frowned again. She had awakened in the safe house. Last night, she’d killed a man in her own home, and knew she could never go back there ever again. She didn’t care how good the Brethren’s cleanup crew could restore her home. It would never erase the vivid memories and horrors of what had happened there. She and Raphael would have to find themselves a new home, together. Until such time, this place would be it, th
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It’s going to be a long day without Raphael, Serena thought, as she washed and dressed. But she carried on. With so many loose ends to tie up, final checks to be made, people and places to coordinate, she scarcely had time to think about anything else. Except for her father. In the quiet moments between the bedlam of planning a wedding, she reflected upon him and her heart ached. She had arranged for a nursing home staffer to drive him and his wheelchair to the Chapel of the Holy Cross for the wedding. They didn’t usually allow weddings there, but somehow, Raphael swayed their decision. Kemuel promised to wheel her father down the aisle beside her, and she loved him instantly for that. But her dream was to have him walk her down that aisle. A sob caught in her throat, and she quickly shook her head to whisk it away. None of that nonsense, Serena. Don’t be greedy. At least he is alive and here to be a part of it all. As the day waxed on to evening, Serena felt unsettled. She hadn’t s
Leesa's Advent Chapter 725
Raphael spent the next few days cloistered with Serena, away from everyone and everything, like a honeymoon before the wedding. But every morning he made creative excuses to tear himself away from her for a little while and work with Fred. To make sure she didn’t visit her father, he dropped her off at her shop first so she could plan a small wedding with Callie and catch up on the mountains of paperwork.The healing sessions with Serena’s father went spectacularly, and with Raphael’s charisma, he convinced the nursing home staff to keep any improvements secret from her. They thought it romantic that he came to help with his fiancée’s father’s rehabilitation. Everyone there rooted for him, amazed at his miraculous awakening. All of the therapists worked their tails off during his therapy sessions, wanting to see their severely stroke-damaged patient beat the odds and walk his daughter down the aisle.On the morning of the fifth day, Raphael got Fred walking without any assistance.“Co
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Raphael grabbed her hands. “Do it!” he demanded. He placed them on his temples and spoke to her through their bonded connection. She felt every thought he had had of Sirona over the years straight to the present down their threaded connection. She heard every thought he’d had of her, including every word he had spoken while holding her in his arms at Dr. Chappo’s estate. He sent her everything that filled his heart and soul about her, and finally, at last, she knew.She knew. And knowing was everything to her. He gently brought her hands away from his face, kissing her fingertips as he eased them down, and she took a few steps backward, looking at him as if for the first time. No one before had ever felt about her the way he felt about her, let alone express so strongly all he’d expressed when she’d lain dying in his arms.“You’re in love with me.” She gasped, astonished. Tears welled again in her eyes, but this time, for a very different reason.“Yes.” He took a bold step toward her.
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A bundle of nerves, that’s what she’d turned into. Since leaving her father’s, Serena had been nothing but a bundle of nerves, rehearsing over and over again what she would say to Raphael up on the Rock. Looking all around her now, frightening memories kept popping into her mind, making her think that at any moment, Steve or Wheezer were going to jump out and nab her. Unfortunately, she had gotten to the summit way too early, and now paced like a caged bobcat. It had to stop. The bad guys are dead, Serena. Think positive, and let go the past. So, finding a suitable rock to sit on, Serena decided to do a little meditation to soothe her worried heart. “When I see him, I’ll know the right words to say,” she notified the birds. It may sting for a bit, but it’s for the best.****Raphael showed up at the base of the mountain with time to spare, and noticed Serena’s Jeep already parked. Perfect, he thought. He checked his pocket for the millionth time, making sure the ring box hadn’t fallen
Leesa's Advent Chapter 722
Raphael watched Serena leave the nursing home from behind one of the bushes in the front. She seems in good spirits, he thought. Only when he saw her disappear down the street did he dare to venture out of his hiding place. He walked into the nursing home and headed straight to the reception desk.“Hello, I’m here to see Mr. Sikes.” He smiled amiably at the receptionist.“Wow, two visitors in one day. Fred’s a lucky guy. Sign in right here, please. You’ll sign out before you leave. Take this badge so we know you belong here. Room 103 is down the hall, make a left, and he’s at the end on the left.”He looked at her name tag, and winked. “Thanks so much, Judy.”Walking down the hall, he found himself fidgeting with the badge in his hand. Am I actually nervous? Hell yeah! Raphael, the man, is about to meet the father of the woman he loves. Raphael, the man, is about to ask for this guy’s daugh
Leesa's Advent Chapter 721
Great! Just great! There’s a leak in my bedroom ceiling. Wait a minute, that’s not right. I’m not in my bedroom. I’m locked away in Dr. Chappo’s house. She remembered more. Being bound to a gurney, her body broken and dying. But I’m not lying on a gurney now, and I actually feel great. How could she be dying and still feel great? And what’s with the rain shower on my face? Slowly her eyes fluttered open, and she gasped.It was raining. Angel’s tears. Raphael’s tears, to be exact.She lay in his arms, and from the way he shuddered and sobbed, she thought maybe he didn’t know she lived. To be honest with herself, she’d only realized this fact just a few moments before. Iridescent wings were outstretched and trembling though no breeze made them flutter so.She gently raised her hand to caress his cheek and whispered softly. “Shh…there now, Raphael, shh. It’s all right. I’m ok
Leesa's Advent Chapter 720
Raphael noticed a knob on the box. It made sense to dial it to its lowest setting. He followed the tubing to its clamp on Serena’s side and decided to completely clamp it off. Now, no more blood could flow. But he still needed to get the needle out of her arm. He found gauze and tape on the tray stand and proceeded to extrude the catheter from her arm carefully so as not to injure her. He replaced it securely with the gauze and tape. His hands shook. I can’t fall apart like this right now! He quickly shrugged off the threat of paralyzing fear.“Hey, Raphael, this guy says his name is Steve. Isn’t that the name of one of guys who assaulted Serena?” Gabriel asked.“Yes, yes it is,” he said through gnashed teeth. Rage filled him and he clenched his fists, trying to gain some semblance of control. “Bind him, tightly. Make sure he can see Dr. Chappo. I’d like him to see what happens to assholes like him when they choose
Leesa's Advent Chapter 719
Searing hot pain shot like lightning throughout every inch of Serena’s body. Well, every inch she could feel, which left her very disturbed indeed, because she couldn’t feel anything past her waist. She could barely breathe without severe pain ripping through her chest and back. She knew what that meant—broken ribs. But what about her legs? Where were they? And why did her wrists feel shackled? Oh, dear God! What’s become of me? Her shallow breaths quickened. Her heart raced and fought for freedom behind her aching chest. Tears burst through her closed eyes and flowed untapped down the sides of her face.A voice sliced through the whooshing sound in her ears. A voice she knew all too well, and had come to despise with every molecule in her being.“Uh, Doc, I think she’s coming ’round. What do you want me to do?” Steve asked.“Hmm? Oh, nuffin. Nuffin, Seeve. Jus’ keep watchin’,” Dr. Chappo sl
