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Chapter 417
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Leesa stepped around Kai and Rave, moving toward the door in front to examine it. Rave and Kai followed close behind her. The others also crept closer.
The panel revealed by Leesa’s magic glow was breathtakingly beautiful, made of some metal that shone under the light like polished silver. Intricate etchings of dragons, mountains, trees and flowers covered the entire surface. Whoever had fashioned this door had taken great pains in the craftsmanship.
Unfortunately, Leesa could see neither a handle nor hinges on this side. And the edges of the panel fit seamlessly against the rock on all sides.
“This is gnome work, by the look of it,” Kai said from behind her shoulder. “Very ancient, I should guess.”
Leesa looked at the panel again. To her, the metal did not seem aged at all—the surface was still shiny and the details of the etchings remained as clear and sharp as if they had been carved yesterday. Shielded as it was fro
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Leesa's Advent Chapter 418
Rave was the first to move through the now open passageway, wrapping Leesa in a warm hug and kissing her on the forehead.“Nice job,” he said.“Mmmmm,” Leesa sighed as she returned his embrace. “I almost hope we come across a couple more sealed doors I can open.” Reluctantly, she let go of him. “I guess we should be getting back on our way, though.”“We need to be even more careful now,” Kai said. “There may be more booby-traps ahead. Fiona, you go lead the way now. Check the ground VERY carefully for us.”Fiona chirped a short acknowledgement and floated slowly off down the tunnel, staying just a few inches above the ground. She flew in a zigzag pattern, allowing her to examine every bit of the stone from close up. The company followed behind her, staying as close to the center of the passage as they could. They traveled much more slowly this way, but they needed to be cautious.
Leesa's Advent Chapter 419
“Well, it's good to know we’re getting close,” Rerun said after Ariandre’s voice disappeared.“I could have done without that ‘grave danger’ part, though,” Doc added.“What, did you think we were following this tunnel down to a picnic in a park?” Sneak teased lightheartedly.Doc shoved him playfully on the shoulder. “Shut up, you.”Leah felt buoyed by the cheerful spirits of her friends. She was glad they were all here with her, and were taking this so well. She lifted her chin toward Dolph.“What are we going to do with him?” she asked no one in particular.“I can maintain the shield for awhile if we leave him,” Leesa said, “but eventually distance will end the spell and he’ll be free.”The gnome watched them with interest, but just like they could no longer hear his spellbinding voice, he could not hear theirs. He could tell they were talking about him, though.“I don’t like the idea of having him loose somewhere behind us,” Kai said. “I think we should bring him along.”“I agree,”
Leesa's Advent Chapter 420
When they exited the tunnel, most of the company looked down over the side of the ledge to view the bubbling lava far below. They didn’t look long, though. Not only was the heat greater without the ledge to shield their faces, but the molten lava was a reminder of the grisly fate that awaited them if something went wrong.They weren’t all that much happier when they turned their gazes to the nearly two hundred foot long bridge they needed to cross. More than four feet thick in most places, it appeared sturdy enough, but it seemed awfully narrow to provide a safe crossing. At the far end they spotted the dark entrances to three more lava tubes. How they would choose which one to follow they didn’t know—but before they decided that, they first had to get across to the other side.Their misgivings heightened as they drew nearer to the foot of the bridge. From here, they could see that the rock span was never more than twelve inches wide, and in som
Leesa's Advent Chapter 421
Leesa stared in mute horror at the spot where the love of her life had just disappeared. Her entire body felt limp, empty, drained of all life, all vitality. This simply could not have happened. She and Rave were supposed to have hundreds of years together, blissful centuries to enjoy their love. She knew not even Rave could survive the fiery heat of the molten lava. Somehow, she should have been able to save him. What good was her magic if it had failed her when she needed it most? The guilt and the heavy weight of her failure added to her sorrow.Tears streamed unnoticed down her cheeks. All her dreams for their future had just vanished in this one terrible, horrifying moment. She continued to stare blankly down at the lava, waiting for what, she had no idea.Suddenly, Rave and Lights burst up through the bubbling surface of the lava, flying upward in a twisting, tumbling manner so awkward it appeared unreal. The motion was so impossible she thought she must be imagi
Leesa's Advent Chapter 422
They set off into the tunnel Dolph had indicated, with Rave and Kai once again leading the way and Fiona flying between them. As usual, Leesa and Leah followed close behind the two men.The trek through this new passage was far shorter than the previous one. The lava-filled chamber they had just crossed told them they must be getting near to the center of the mountain, and in less than fifteen minutes they reached it.As before, they stopped a few paces from the end of the lava tube, remaining sheltered within its dim confines. Ahead of them the air was awash with the flickering, bright red and orange light of reflected lava. Leesa noticed that Fiona’s glow had dimmed considerably in the last few minutes and wondered why.The faerie twittered quietly to Rave and Kai.“Fiona can sense the presence of Ariandre’s horn,” Kai explained to the others. “It’s not far away.”Fiona chirped again.“She al
Leesa's Advent Chapter 423
Leesa and Plush needed to keep their eyes glued to the magical yellow mark and to the horn as they continued pulling Sneak back toward the cave, but everyone else looked down and saw Baalgur lift his huge scaly head, shaking it slowly back and forth as if to wake himself from a deep slumber. A moment later, he unfurled his leathery, membranous wings. A cloud of flame snuffed from his mouth as he readied his dragon fire for attack.With one flap of his enormous wings he spiraled upward, using the rising currents of hot air from the molten lava below to add speed to his climb.Leah watched anxiously, measuring the dragon’s speed against the pace of the shining white horn drawing ever nearer to them. The race was going to be a close one—it could go either way. She had a decision to make, and not much time to make it in.Baalgur opened his massive jaws. Leah could see a ball of orange fire rising from his throat.“Run, everyone!” she c
Leesa's Advent Chapter 424
The company headed up the tunnel at a brisk trot, maintaining a pace that would put distance behind them without exhausting their lungs and muscles too quickly. Once again, Leesa, Lights and Fiona illuminated the way, risking slightly brighter lights than before because of their accelerated pace.When they came upon a second lava tube branching off to the right, Kai led them into it. Simply retracing their steps as they fled was not an option—it would have only brought them to a dead end in the chamber where the rock bridge had collapsed. They needed to find a new way out of the volcano, and any tube that angled upward was a possible exit. They just had to hope the new tunnel did not come to an abrupt end in a wall of rock somewhere.Plush was the first to feel the effects of their extended run up from the depths of the mountain. Using her Power to carry Dolph and then to help lift Sneak had depleted her energy reserves.“I need a rest,” she hu
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“Do you have something in mind, Sergeant?” Colonel Gallway asked.“This tunnel offers some protection,” the sergeant replied, “but it also limits our field of fire. I don’t know if our bullets will affect that beast at all, but our best chance to find out is from below, where we can aim at its belly. You and me and Jordy can slip a short way down the slope and find some rocks to shelter us. When Baalgur confronts Leah, we can shoot up at it from down there.”“Okay, we’ll do as you suggest,” Colonel Gallway said. He looked to the others. “Any other suggestions?”“I’ll stand with Leah,” Leesa said, “and add my magic to her Power. Perhaps it will help make the difference.” From her recent close call with Baalgur’s fire, she wasn’t at all certain her hope would prove true. She kept that thought to herself, though.“There’s one other th
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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
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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
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
