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Chapter 268
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Leesa sat on a wooden bench in a riverside park located on the outskirts of a small town about thirty miles from the caverns where she and Rave were staying. At this hour of the night, she and Rave had the park all to themselves. A bright three-quarter moon and a myriad of stars provided more than enough illumination in the deserted park. Rave had carried her here so she could call Dominic—while she could text from up in the mountains, the signal there was much too weak for calls. Of course, that particular inconvenience of their secluded hideaway was of no matter to the volkaanes.
After infusing Leesa with some of his heat to help ward off the cold night air, Rave slid down to the end of the bench, far enough away to be no danger to her phone. As soon as he moved away, Leesa punched in Dominic’s programmed number.
The phone rang a bunch of times. Leesa waited patiently, picturing Dominic rummaging through his magic wallet to find the phone amidst all the o
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Leesa could not remember ever being happier than she had been these last two days alone with Rave in New Hampshire. She had been overjoyed, of course, when her mom had been cured of the grafhym bite and when her brother had been released from the vampire caverns, but those were different. They were momentous events, to be relished and cherished, particularly as both of them recovered from their long traumas and slowly returned to normal. Her joy in both cases was a reaction to the wonderful occurrences.Her time with Rave was happiness of a different kind. So steady and constant was her elation that she felt almost as if someone had opened one of her veins and somehow inserted an intravenous drip of vitamin Joy. Except for hour or two each day when they separated so she could practice her magic and Rave could work on Rammugul, they were together constantly, undistracted by anyone or anything. She fell asleep in his loving arms and awoke the same way. During the day, he carrie
Leesa's Advent Chapter 270
While Leesa enjoyed her idyllic escape with Rave, Smith and Jones continued watching her dorm for her return. At the same time, Rome strolled systematically around the campus, seeking any other signs of magic. In addition to searching the grounds, she wandered through a number of dorms and classroom buildings. Luckily for Leesa, Rome skipped the library, reasoning that the busy place was not a likely spot for anyone to perform magic.She detected no magic in any of the buildings she searched, but did find several very faint traces of vampires and volkaanes in places on the school grounds. The traces were too weak and too old to be of any use, but she filed the information away in her head, just in case.Eventually, her meanderings brought her to Brennan Field. The dormant grass on the large open field located on the edge of campus was just beginning to turn green. With the afternoon temperatures hovering in the mid-fifties, there were plenty of kids here enjoying thems
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The three agents watched her closely, expecting some kind of denial, but looking for signs she could be lying. Judy’s response surprised them.“Why yes, I did. Many years ago. Nobody ever believed me, though. How on earth did you know?”“Just a feeling I had,” Rome said, brushing off her role in detecting the magic. “Tell me about it, please.”“It happened more than eighteen years ago, when I was pregnant with Leesa. I got bitten by a vampire—a one-fanged vampire.”“You were bitten by a grafhym?” Smith asked, surprised.“Yes, by a one-fang, while I was hiking in Sleeping Giant Park. You know about one-fanged vampires?”“I’ve heard of them, yes,” Smith replied. “After all, the supernatural is our business.”Judy smiled a weak smile. “I wish you’d been around back then,” she said. “Maybe someone would
Leesa's Advent Chapter 272
Unaware that her mother and brother had now been drawn into the xenorian web, Leesa continued to enjoy her time alone with Rave in the mountains. The alone time would be ending soon, however, because she had received a message from Dominic yesterday telling her that he would be heading up to New Hampshire by bus today. He had asked her to have Rave pick him up in the nearby town of Lincoln at four o’clock.Despite how much she loved being here with Rave, she was anxious to see Dominic. Her magic had been progressing amazingly well, but she was certain her skill and control would grow even faster with Dominic here to teach her.Leesa was mildly envious that the wizard would be enjoying a ride in Rave’s arms instead of her, but she had been getting plenty of rides lately, so she didn’t really mind missing out on this one. Since she still had an hour or so until Rave had to leave, she decided to make the most of it.She turned to Rave, who was sit
Leesa's Advent Chapter 273
Leesa sat on the cavern floor, her back resting against the rock wall, about twenty-five feet from the cave’s entrance. Normally, she wouldn’t be sitting in the darkness on such a beautiful afternoon, but she needed the dimness right now. Rave had just left to fetch Dominic, so this was the perfect time for her to experiment with a trick she had been thinking about trying for some time. With her magic working so well, she thought she just might be able to pull it off. If she did, she would have a fun surprise in store for Rave when he got back.She warmed up with an ordinary illumination spell. She had gotten so good at this spell that it took her no more effort than flicking the tip of a lighter to create her light. Once the golden glow was hovering above her right palm, she held out her left hand. With a single thought, she made the light leap from her right hand to her left. Technically, it didn’t really leap—she simply replaced the sphere above her
Leesa's Advent Chapter 274
The xenorians waited only one day before acting. When they had not heard from Leesa or her mother by sunset the day after their visit to the Nyland apartment, they decided it was time to change their approach. Once again, Smith drove them to the apartment, parking right out front. He and Jones had half smiles on their faces as Jones knocked on the door, while Rome looked stoic as usual.Judy did not appear very happy to see them, but they did not care. Despite the wary look on her face, she politely invited them inside. After closing the door behind them, she remained standing. The three agents did likewise.“We were in the area,” Smith said, “so we thought we’d stop by to see if you had heard from Leesa. Have you?”Judy shook her head. “No, I haven’t. I’m sure she’s probably too busy having fun. She told me she doesn’t have phone reception where she is, so maybe she doesn’t check her messages eve
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Dominic smiled proudly down at Leesa from his perch up on a rock ledge four feet above the ground, where she had deposited him with her telekinesis just a moment before. Although he had used his levitation spell to lighten his weight by half to increase her chances of succeeding, he was still pleased by Leesa’s performance. His objective had been for her to gain an image of herself lifting a person with her thoughts and then putting him down in a place of her choosing. Leesa’s smile was proof that she had done just that.“Well done,” Dominic said.Leesa’s smile widened. “Thanks. One of these days I’m going to lift you without you having to lighten yourself.” She turned and looked at Rave, who was sitting cross-legged on the ground, watching her practice. “You hear that, mister? Once I master that little trick, you’re going to have to behave yourself, or I’ll be moving you around with just a look.”
Leesa's Advent Chapter 276
Leesa knew in her heart that Dominic was right. Still, she felt she should be doing something—and there was nothing she could do from so far away. She looked up as a solution came to her.“I can stay at Rave’s,” she said. “I’ll be as safe there as anywhere, and I’ll be much closer in case one of us comes up with a plan.”Dominic considered the idea. Leesa would be safe at Rave’s, he knew, but there was still something about it that struck him as the wrong thing to do. He could not put it into words, but the feeling was strong. He grabbed at the only protest he could think of.“If you stay in the volkaane village, you won’t be able to use your magic—not without risking disturbing the powers that sleep beneath the earth there.”Leesa shrugged. “So what? If I stay here, I’ll be too far away for my magic to do any good, anyhow. I may as well be closer, just in case.&rdqu
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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
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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
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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
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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
