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Chapter 331
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Rave wasted no time. He knew Dral’s actions were merely defensive and would not stop the beast. And once the creature finished with Dominic, Rave knew Leesa would be its next target.
With a running leap, he threw himself up onto the dragon’s back as it swerved away from Dral and Dominic. Leesa looked on in horror as Rave wrapped his powerful legs around the beast’s neck to hold himself in place as he rode the dragon. He struck downward onto the top of the monster’s head with one of his spikes, hoping to pierce its brain, but the scales atop the creature’s head were too thick and hard, even for Rave’s volkaane strength. Changing his strategy, Rave plunged the spike down through the top of the dragon’s snout, where the scales were much thinner. This time, the weapon sank deep into the beast’s head. With his other hand, Rave stabbed upward into the fleshy bottom of the monster’s jaw, impaling it from beneath with his second s
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Leesa's Advent Chapter 332
“I can help you lift it with a spell,” Jenna told them, “but I’m going to need you to drop it on top of the pool.”The two volkaanes positioned themselves on opposite sides of the square while Jenna wove her lifting spell. The frozen hunk of ground tore itself loose from the earth and rose a few feet into the air. Halee and Bain grabbed the edges and heaved it atop the pool. Their aim was perfect. The frozen square landed without a splash, completely covering the black pool.“Quickly, now,” Jenna said. “Pile some gravestones on top.”Halee and Bain ripped a dozen headstones from the earth and tossed them into place.“Can you melt them?” she asked. “And then let the stone harden, like concrete?”The two volkaanes set to work with their blue fire, doing exactly as Jenna instructed. When they finished, the effect was as if the pool had been capped in stone. The whole enterpr
Leesa's Advent Chapter 333
Leesa had never been happier. She stood in one of her favorite places in the world—on a ledge near the top of a tall ridge overlooking the Moodus River, not too far from the volkaane settlement. Rave held her hand loosely, and despite the warmth of the beautiful October morning, she could feel his magical heat flowing into her. She loved this special spot at all times of the year, but it was especially beautiful right now. The foliage of the trees surrounding the rocky ledge was beginning to explode with reds, golds and yellows. Colorful wildflowers poked up through the soil, filling the air with sweet perfume. Above them, cottony clouds dotted the powder blue sky, and the nearby stream, widened by a recent rainy spell, flowed musically over its rocky bed as it tumbled down the slope. For the first time since she and Rave had begun coming here, they were not alone. She thought back to that first afternoon when she had asked Rave to take her to some special place because there was som
Leesa's Advent Chapter 334
Their guests had all gone back to their homes and in their place Leesa and Rave enjoyed the naked silence of the summer night. Darkness stretched its arms from one horizon to the other, making Leesa feel somehow alone and in a crowd at the same time. She and Rave stood hand in hand at the apex of the universe, almost as if they were about to embark on a flight through the bejeweled canopy of stars above. Leesa's eyes gravitated toward the Big Dipper, but almost immediately the constellation fell out of focus as Rave stepped in front of her. She looked up into his eyes and it was almost as if she were seeing him for the very first time. Her heart pounded in her chest and she found she could scarcely breathe.Rave had recognized the wonder in her eyes as she marveled at the night sky. When her eyes moved slightly toward the Dipper, her expression changed. With her lips parted and eyes wide with wonder, she looked breathtakingly beautiful. All he wanted to do was kiss her. The pull betwe
Leesa's Advent Chapter 335
When Leesa awoke the next morning, she sensed right away that something had changed. Yes, she was married now, but that wasn’t it. And yes, she was no longer a virgin—she felt herself blushing as memories of last night’s torrid lovemaking came back to her—but that wasn’t it either. No, it was something much different.She lay snuggled against Rave in a spooning position, her back against the smooth flesh of his muscular stomach and chest. They were in their magical honeymoon bed, and when Leesa opened her eyes she could see a carpet of red, yellow and white wildflowers stretched out before her. Rave’s right arm hung loosely across her side. She could feel his volkaane heat seeping into her body. She knew he was probably awake and watching her—he required very little real sleep, but had always been happy to lie beside her while she slept, no matter how many hours it was.She rolled over to face him. As she had expected, his beau
Leesa's Advent Chapter 336
Balin straightened up and brushed some loose soil from the knees of his pants and then from his hands. He stood an inch or two taller than Rave, but was not quite so muscular. His long, lead-colored hair retained only small streaks of the customary volkaane dark copper. All in all, he looked amazingly good for someone who had lived more than five centuries, Leesa thought. She imagined Rave would look just as good as the centuries passed—she just hoped her wizard magic would allow her to remain equally as attractive.“So, are you two just passing by,” Balin asked, “or do I detect in your manner that you have something more on your minds?”Leesa was not surprised by Balin’s perceptiveness. He had always been able to read Rave quite easily, and as he had gotten to know Leesa better and better, he was getting pretty good at reading her as well.“Well, there is something we want to ask you about,” Rave replied.&
Leesa's Advent Chapter 337
Leesa glanced at Rave and then turned back to Balin. “Only that they’re taken from their mothers and raised communally. I hope no one expects me to go along with that.”“No, of course not.”“Good.” Leesa leaned back until she was resting against the wall behind her. So far, she hadn’t learned anything overly worrisome. If their child’s fire was weak, she and Rave would protect him, especially when another Destiratu arose. “So, what do I need to know about volkaane babies?”“First, volkaane pregnancies always last exactly six cycles of the moon,” Balin replied. “Again, I don’t know what effect your human and wizard natures will have on that, but you should be prepared for a shorter pregnancy, just in case. Volkaanes grow fast.”Leesa wasn’t at all worried about that. Being pregnant for six months instead of nine didn’t sound like a bad thing at all.
Leesa's Advent Chapter 338
After defeating the necromancer and his minions — and losing Dominic in the process — Leesa had seen no reason to return to Weston College for the fall semester. The only book she was interested in now was the book of magic Dominic had given her. It contained all the lessons she needed, and she spent at least several hours with it every day, learning and practicing spells and magic. She was the last of the waziri now, and she was determined to become the very best wizard she could.Progress was slow without Dominic here to guide her, but she had vowed that she was going to make him proud, even if he wasn’t around to see it. Jenna came by now and then to help, but witch magic and wizard magic were very different, so the amount of assistance she could provide was limited. Rave usually watched Leesa practice, lending encouragement and support. For the most part, though, she was having to learn it all on her own.Just because she hadn’t enrolled at Weston didn’t mean she never visited the
Leesa's Advent Chapter 339
Leesa never practiced her magic in the vicinity of the volkaane settlement. To do so risked awakening the fell power that slumbered beneath the earth there, a magic so powerful Dominic said it dwarfed anything he had ever experienced. “Let sleeping magic lie” was a fitting switch on a familiar old saying.While inconvenient, the need to travel to work on her magic had its benefits. Pretty much every day, Leesa got to enjoy a ten or fifteen mile ride in Rave’s arms, cradled snug against his muscular chest and feeling his inner warmth soaking into her body. Being carried by Rave as he raced swiftly through the trees was still far and away her favorite way to travel.She had a few favorite places to practice, most of them spots where she had trained with Dominic. She varied them so she wouldn’t become too accustomed to wielding her powers in any one place. For the same reason, she and Rave occasionally tried a new spot. Almost all of them were deep in the woods somewhere, hidden from sig
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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
