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Chapter 449
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Leesa's Advent Chapter 450
After all this time, Rave still had not grown tired of watching Leesa sleep. Curled up on her right side in a fetal position, her head was thrown back against the satin pillow, making it almost look like she might be afraid of something, but in her usual stubborn way was ready to face whatever it was head on. That pretty much summed her up, he thought as he gazed down upon her lovely face. A lock of her soft blond hair had come loose and lay curled across her cheek and over one eye. Careful not to wake her, Rave reached over and brushed it tenderly aside.The thought of something to fear sent his mind drifting off to the oddities they had discovered up on the ridge. He wondered about the timing of it all—had the place been calling to them somehow? Such a thing did not really seem possible, but even before he met Leesa he had experienced enough in his long life to know not to rule anything out. He felt his lips curve into a grin—since he and Leesa had been together
Leesa's Advent Chapter 451
“He's gone,” Leesa said to Dominic without turning around. “Something’s wrong, I know it. Something is terribly wrong.”Dominic laid his hand gently on Leesa’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, we’ll find him.”Leesa turned and looked at the wizard hopefully. “How? Do you have a tracking spell or something you haven’t taught me? Volkaanes can be pretty stealthy. They do not leave tracks.”Dominic shook his head. “No. There is no tracking spell. Waziri are only good at tracking each other’s magic. And since there are no more of us left, that is now a somewhat useless skill. But I’m pretty sure Ralin can track him.”“Did someone mention my name?” Ralin asked, coming up behind them. He looked wide awake as he joined them out on the stoop. “Who am I tracking?”“Your father,” Leesa replied. “He’s disappeared.”
Leesa's Advent Chapter 452
They quickly crossed the highway and set off into the woods. Once inside the trees little light from the moon or the stars penetrated the thick summer foliage, so Leesa and Dominic floated golden illumination orbs in front of them to keep from tripping over any roots or being poked in the face by unseen branches. They kept their lights dim enough to not interfere with whatever trace of his father Ralin was following.Ralin moved through the forest silently, as was his wont, but Leesa could hear her footsteps and Dominic’s rustling through the still darkness. No matter, though—she did not see any need for silence, at least not yet.“What is it that you are actually following, Ralin?” she asked after a few minutes. She did not doubt that he was on his father’s trail; she was just curious what kind of trail he saw, or sensed.“Volkaanes leave a very faint blue afterglow behind them,” Ralin replied without turning around. &l
Leesa's Advent Chapter 453
Leesa stared down at the spot Ralin indicated. The dead weeds somehow looked more ominous than ever now. “Well, Rave’s the only one of us who can’t levitate, so unless he has suddenly developed a new power, where the hell did he go?” Leesa found herself gazing skyward despite her words. The first pale orange rays of dawn were painting the edges of the eastern horizon. Only the brightest stars remained visible in the purpling sky, and soon even those would wink out. If not for the current situation, she would have found the sight quite beautiful. “No, he cannot levitate,” Dominic agreed. “But he can jump pretty far and pretty high.” He turned toward the woods at the end of the ledge. “Ralin, do you think your father could jump into any of the trees back there from here?” Ralin measured the distance with his eyes. “Yeah, no problem. But he didn’t jump. I would see it if he had. It’s not like following footprints on the ground. He leaves a trail of blue in the a
Leesa's Advent Chapter 454
“Don’t get too close to anything she has killed,” she instructed them. “I think that’s how she got Rave.” “Avoid my powers all you want for now,” Lamashtu taunted. “Soon, you will not be able to escape them, no matter where you go. My destruction will be everywhere.” “We’re going to stop you,” Leesa said determinedly. “Stop me?” Lamashtu said, her voice filled with disdain. “There is no longer anything here that can stop me. But I grow weary of this meaningless talk. Be gone from here, while you still can. Your time will come soon enough.” “We’re not going anywhere,” Leesa said. “Not without Rave.” “Oh, yes you are.” Rave’s image raised its arm toward the brightening sky. Leesa, Ralin and Dominic stared off into the distance and saw a dark cloud speeding toward the ridge. The outer edges of the thing undulated rhythmically, reminding Leesa of a video she had seen of a huge school of tiny fish swirling around each other, moving through
Leesa's Advent Chapter 455
As soon as Leesa, Ralin and Dominic dropped below the level of the ledge, the crows ended their aerial assault, winging away en masse to some unknown destination. Dominic kept his shield in place until they reached the ground though, just in case the birds decided to return, or some other unexpected danger appeared. They alighted at the base of the ridge without a sound. All three carefully scanned their surroundings for any sign of imminent threat, but saw nothing. Dominic finally dropped his shield, but remained wary. Leesa glanced wistfully back up the hillside, the image of Rave’s translucent form still sharp in her mind. “So, what do we do now?” Ralin asked. Leesa turned to her son. Her tone came out sharper than she intended. “What we do now is figure out some way to destroy that demon and to bring your father back to us.” “Not to be flippant, Mom, but I kind of knew that. What I meant is HOW are we going to do it?” Leesa sighed.
Leesa's Advent Chapter 456
Leesa, Ralin and Dominic drove home together, with Ralin once again wrapped in an air shield to protect the car from his volkaane energy. Balin had promised that as soon as they departed he would head to the archives, and armed with the new information they had provided him, resume his search. Leesa was just as anxious to get started on her own research.As soon as they arrived home, she headed straight to her computer. Ralin stood behind her, a safe distance away from the electronics, so he could read the screen over her shoulder. Dominic retreated to his room, but said he would rejoin them shortly.Leesa was a bit surprised at how many results a Google search for “Lamashtu” turned up. She scrolled down, reading the two and three line summaries, trying to decide which might be most useful for further investigation. They all seemed to mention she was Mesopotamian and/or Sumerian. Many called her a demon/goddess and “mother of misshapen creatures,” which fit with the creatures that had
Leesa's Advent Chapter 457
“That sounds like her, all right,” Dominic agreed.“Dead foliage, infested rivers and streams—that’s what we saw in our dreams,” Ralin said, seconding Dominic’s opinion.“There’s not much else here,” Leesa said, “except for a description of how she was often portrayed: a female figure with the head of a lion or a bird.” She turned her head back to Dominic and Ralin. “At least we seem to be on the right track. Let me see what else I can dig up.”Leesa returned to her search listings and clicked on the Wikipedia entry. It contained a lot of similar information, but was a bit longer and more detailed. It ended with a long incantation that was supposed to help protect against the demon. Leesa did not put much stock in that, but she made a mental note to come back to it if necessary. Like the Britannica site, it made no mention of anyone or anything that could defeat her.Next,
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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
