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Chapter 320
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Leesa's Advent Chapter 321
Located about ten miles of Boston, the city of Lynn boasts the largest cemetery in the entire state of Massachusetts. The Pine Grove Cemetery covers more than two hundred and fifty acres, all of which are enclosed by a stone wall said to be the second longest continuous stone wall in the world, trailing only the Great Wall of China. Slightly more than eighty acres are currently used as graveyard, containing almost ninety thousand graves. The entire population of Lynn is about ninety thousand people, making it one of the few towns of any size containing as many deceased people as live ones. The number of dead plus the size of the surrounding population made it the perfect place for the next stage of the Necromancer’s plan.Having made the short drive from Woburn, his oversized RV eased to a stop on a quiet street along one edge of the cemetery shortly before midnight. Viktor emerged from the vehicle, almost invisible in his black cloak. He crossed to the head-high rock w
Leesa's Advent Chapter 322
With Cali providing directions called up on her smartphone, Leesa piloted the SUV through the tree-lined outskirts of Woburn toward the ballpark. To make it easier for Cali to guide her, Cali had taken the front passenger seat instead of Dominic. The wizard and Jenna sat in the back, with Dominic behind Leesa. As usual, Cali had done most of the talking during the two-hour ride. Leesa didn’t mind—Cali’s chatter helped make the time go by more quickly.From nearly a mile away, they could see the bright glow of the ball field’s towering light stanchions illuminating the night sky. A few blocks later, they found themselves at the back of a long line of red brake lights.“Looks like everyone has the same idea we do,” Cali said as the car inched forward in the stop and go traffic. “They all want to see the place where the zombies attacked.”“We need to see it for a very different reason, though,” Dominic said.“Well, we’re not going to see it going this way,” Leesa said glumly. “Look up ah
Leesa's Advent Chapter 323
A layer of wispy clouds drifted across the glowing face of the full moon above Pine Grove Cemetery, further darkening the night. The place was awash with black magic now, but the darkness and the stone wall prevented anyone who might be passing by at this late hour from noticing what was going on within its confines. Hundreds of black ribbons now snaked silently from the dark whirlpool created by the Necromancer’s magic, each one seeking out a separate grave. When they found one, the magic fingers penetrated down through the soil until they reached the caskets buried below.Whether the coffins were fashioned of rotting wood or impervious metal did not matter—the black magic simply dissolved the casings away and then enveloped the remains that had been contained inside, bathing them in a powerful reanimation spell. In mere seconds after the contact, long dead eyes winked open as the corpses blinked to life and began slowly clawing their way to the surface, pushing aside the layers of d
Leesa's Advent Chapter 324
DOMINIC SAT BESIDE LEESA in the front of the SUV now, giving him a better view through the windshield to follow the trail of magic. Jenna had not yet returned, so Cali was alone in the back, playing with maps and Google on her phone to see if she could figure out where the black wizards might be heading.The invisible trail led them steadily eastward through several suburban towns whose edges seemed to blend in with one another. For the most part the route they followed was lined with old houses and thick, leafy trees, though now and then it took them through small commercial sections. Leesa thought that Rave and his friends were probably able to make pretty good speed through the mostly dark residential areas, but knew they would have to slow their pace in the more open and well-lit commercial blocks, especially those containing bars or all night markets. She just prayed the volkaanes weren’t delayed too badly. Since she was obeying the posted speed limit of thirty miles per hour, sh
Leesa's Advent Chapter 325
Before he could even take a step toward the wall, the five volkaanes leaped easily up onto the top of the thick barrier. Rave reached down and grabbed Leesa by the wrists and hoisted her effortlessly up onto the wall. Bain lifted Dominic the same way, and Halee pulled Cali up.“Girl power,” Halee said with a smile as Cali alighted atop the wall.The three volkaanes lifted their charges into their arms and jumped lightly down to the ground inside the cemetery. Leesa took advantage of the moment to plant a kiss on Rave’s cheek before he set her down.“Thanks for the lift, big guy,” she said.Dominic was already peering out into the dark cemetery, which seemed to stretch endlessly before them. He pointed to the south.“The magic is that way,” he said.Leesa followed his finger, but saw nothing but uneven rows of graves that faded into the darkness. She had no doubt, though, that their foes were where Do
Leesa's Advent Chapter 326
Dominic led the party deeper into the graveyard. Most of the markers they passed were standard stone or marble rectangles with rounded tops, but scattered among them were monuments of other types—mostly obelisks, statues and pointy steeple shapes.They walked close together, except for Dral and Bain, who had flanked out to either side. Leesa walked on Dominic’s right, a half pace behind him. Rave marched beside her, his two metal spikes gripped in his hands. Cali followed a few steps behind Leesa, and Ulric and Halee brought up the rear.Dominic extended his arm to the side, palm facing backward, signaling everyone to halt. Caught unawares, Leesa bumped into the wizard’s outstretched arm. She gazed ahead, trying to see what had caused Dominic to stop.As she peered into the darkness in front of them, the answer was abundantly clear—they had reached the area of the cemetery affected by the black magic.Even here at the far edges, dozens of rope-like black strands twisted through the ai
Leesa's Advent Chapter 327
LEESA WATCHED DOMINIC GO for just a moment. Cali took advantage of the pause to place her hand on Leesa’s hip. At the same time, she raised her other hand to the rear and concentrated hard, imagining a beam of yellow magic shooting from her palm just like she had done in the woods with Leesa and Dominic. Somewhat to her surprise, a pale beam immediately shot forward from her hand in a continuous, laser-like stream. She kept the beam aimed head high, sweeping it across the ranks of zombies. She watched the magic blast into nearly a dozen zombie skulls before it abruptly shut off. The creatures all collapsed to the ground.“That’s what I’m talking about,” Cali said, more to herself than to anyone else.Dral acknowledged her help with a quick wave of his hand, then continued darting into and around the pursuing zombies, plunging his spikes into their heads as he passed.“Let’s go,” Leesa said.She trotted forwa
Leesa's Advent Chapter 328
Dominic kept his magic focused on the spot where his foe had disappeared for another few seconds, making certain that Viktor’s magical essence could never be regenerated. When he was satisfied that Viktor was destroyed forever, Dominic turned his attention to the oncoming zombies, who were no longer held in check by Viktor’s magic.“To my side, Halee,” he yelled, wanting the volkaane out of the way.Halee bounded to Dominic’s side as the wizard unleashed a wide swath of magic, instantly incinerating more than a hundred of the nearest creatures. There were still plenty more zombies behind them, but they were far enough away to give Dominic and Halee some breathing room.When Dominic finally let his power subside, the surviving owl had landed on the ground beside its fallen mate. A silver flash briefly lit up the night. A moment later, a man Dominic had never seen before stood in its place. The wizard was pretty sure he knew who the m
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Leesa's Advent Chapter 727
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
Leesa's Advent Chapter 726
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
Leesa's Advent Chapter 724
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.
Leesa's Advent Chapter 723
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
