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Chapter 403
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Leesa felr so refreshed and reinvigorated that she almost forgot about the weakening of her magic—almost, but not quite. She still worried about their lack of magical protection, but so far the forest certainly did not seem out to harm them. Now if it would just turn out that it could help them with more than just her thirst, she would be one very happy girl.
Despite her renewed energy and her optimism about these woods being friendly, she and Rave maintained a careful pace, not taking their safety for granted. They knew something dangerous could appear as abruptly and easily as the spring had.
They had gone less than a mile from the spring when Rave stopped again.
“What is it?” Leesa asked quietly.
“I think I hear birds.”
Leesa listened hard, but heard nothing. Her hearing was no match for Rave’s.
“Are you sure?” she asked. Birds would be a hopeful sign, she thought.
Rave shrugged. &ldq
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Leesa's Advent Chapter 404
We trek down the hill from the portal, maintaining a moderate pace and following as direct a route as possible as we weave our way among the many boulders. Kai makes sure to give a wide birth to the dangerous gray ones. We stay bunched close together in the order he suggested, with one exception. To the surprise or concern of no one, Jordy has taken his usual place beside Radar, right behind Kai and me. Plush and Lights follow behind them, with Doc and Rerun coming next. Sneak walks by himself, with Dad and Sergeant Moss bringing up the rear. The two of them should provide enough protection to the back of our small column.As we hike down the slope, Kai’s head seems to be on a swivel, constantly moving back and forth, his keen eyes alert for any sign of danger on the ground or in the air above. Thankfully, we reach the cover of the woods without incident.Close up, the trees look even more gnarled than they did from atop the hill. Even the tallest of them rises n
Leesa's Advent Chapter 405
I’m surprised to hear that. I had imagined this entire world would be filled with dangerous creatures. I’m curious why these woods are not, especially with the abundance of delicious fruit hanging from the trees. I’m not about to question Kai about it, though, since Dad is obviously keen to be on our way. Maybe the poisonous vines are enough of a nuisance to keep most creatures away. Or more likely, perhaps the deadly beasts that inhabit this world prefer flesh to fruit. Whatever the reason, Kai will tell us everything we need to know, I have no doubt about that. It’s nice to learn we’re in a relatively safe part of his world, though.The conversation done, Kai leads us deeper into the forest. We travel in the same formation we used earlier, so I get to walk beside him again. I can tell that he’s still alert, but he seems less anxious than when we were exposed out on the hillside.The woods change little as we move silently through t
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We head out through the trees again, in the same formation as before. Raj drifts back behind our small column to serve as a one man rear guard. As I watch Doc’s eyes follow him, I smile. She’s probably feeling the same way I always feel when Kai disappears on one of his scouting forays. I want to warn her it will probably grow even worse if she gets to know him like I’ve gotten to know Kai, but that’s not my place. Besides, we’ll be leaving tomorrow, and Raj will just become a fading memory.We walk for maybe an hour before we’re forced to a halt by a thick wall of the poisonous vines that reaches almost down to the ground. I glance to the left and then to the right, but the tangled mass of vines stretches as far as I can see in both directions.I look at Kai. He doesn’t seem surprised or upset, but I don’t understand why he’s not. Our way is most definitely blocked.Raj joins us at the head of the colu
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Kai pulls back the skin covering the doorway so we can step into the hut. Dad ducks his head and enters first, and I follow. It’s quite dim inside. A narrow column of daylight streams in through a round hole in the center of the thatched roof. The only other light leaks in through countless tiny cracks in the stick walls.Kai was partly right about not expecting much, but what he should have said was not to expect anything. There’s absolutely nothing in here except two large, furry animal hides that cover half the dirt floor. From their size and the thick brown fur with its distinctive black speckles, I realize they’re werebear hides. Having seen Kai in action, I’m only a little surprised to see that his people hunt the fearsome beasts.Kai follows the rest of us inside.“I told you it wasn’t much,” he says, smiling. “But it will keep you dry if it happens to rain, and the werebear skins are quite comfortable to li
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Moving only her eyes, Leesa shifted her gaze slowly from one giant snarling cat to the next. The six sabre-tooths all looked remarkably similar—identical, in fact, as far as she could see. She could find no identifying markers to individualize them anywhere on their sleek, golden-brown coats. The beasts had obviously come from the same litter, but Leesa had seen plenty of litters of cats, and none looked even close to as similar as these creatures did. She felt Rave’s arm tighten slightly around her lower back. Had he somehow sensed that the cats were about to attack? Leesa had detected no change in their posture, but volkaanes were far more in tune with animals than humans were. Her already rapid heartbeat ratcheted up another level. “They will not harm you,” said a female voice from behind them. Leesa’s first impulse was to spin around at the sound of the unexpected voice, but she still didn’t trust the intentions of the cats. Instead, she slowly twisted he
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“Ralin told us you needed help,” Leesa said to Ariandre. “Is that what you need—help getting something back? What is it? And where is it?”Ariandre considered Leesa’s questions for a moment. “The answers to your questions are both simple and complex,” she said finally. “The Seven and their companions should be here soon. Can we wait until they arrive so I can explain matters to all of you at once?”Leesa didn’t really want to wait, but she realized nothing was likely to happen until after the Miracles arrived. After all, they were the ones Ariandre had intentionally brought into this world to aid her. Leesa was glad to hear they were expected soon—she was curious to meet them. She had been a lot like them a few years ago—a teenager with magical powers. She hoped her experiences might prove useful for them.“I guess we can wait…as long as it’s not too long.&rdqu
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We set out from Kai's village early in the morning, after enjoying a quick breakfast of kookiya fruit. Each of us has found room in our packs for one or two more of the delicious fruit. They’re not all that big or heavy, and they’ll provide a very nice change from our canned rations.The size of our company has increased by one—Raj is coming with us. Whether it’s to help his brother on the quest or to give himself the chance to get to know Doc better, I’m not sure. Judging by the way he and Doc smile whenever they’re near each other, I’m guessing it’s probably some of both. I find myself wondering if Kai and I smile that much when we’re together—I’m pretty sure I do, but I’m going to have to start checking whether he does.Raj and Kai take turns leading us through the tangled, vine-infested woods, so I get more time with Kai than usual, which is just fine with me. And he does seem to be smiling a l
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It begins with a yelp of pain from behind me, and then a thud as one of my friends falls to the ground. I spin around to see Lights crumpled on his side, grasping his ankle with both hands and groaning in pain. Plush quickly crouches over him, her face filled with anguished concern, while the rest of us hurry back to check on him.Lights’ ankle is bent at such an impossible angle that I begin to feel queasy in my stomach. There’s no doubt in my mind that his ankle is badly broken, probably from a misstep on one of the loose rocks which have been so difficult to navigate in the dimness.Doc pushes her way to Plush’s side.“Give me some room,” she says as she kneels next to Lights and reaches for his injured ankle.Plush edges a foot or two to the side, but remains close. She reaches out and lays her hand softly on Lights’ shoulder, lending him support.As Doc wraps her hands around Lights’ grotesquely twiste
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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
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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
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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
