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Chapter 451
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2024-10-29 19:42:56“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.”
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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
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“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
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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.
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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
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“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,
Leesa's Advent Chapter 458
Before Leesa could really even get back into her search, Ralin spoke again.“More company is here,” he said, turning around to look toward the doorway to the room.This time, Dominic did not detect any magic. Either Ralin had heard someone approaching with his extra sharp hearing, or he had sensed the one type of magic he was sensitive to. Dominic guessed it might be the latter.“Vampires?” he asked.Ralin nodded. “Yep. Cali and Stefan, to be exact.”A moment later, a knock sounded at the front door.Leesa was surprised. Cali usually just came right in like a member of the household, which she almost was. Leesa wondered if perhaps Cali was being more circumspect now because of her transformation. After all, vampires and volkaanes were not natural companions.“C’mon in, Cali,” Leesa called. “There’s no need to stand on formalities.”A few seconds later, Cali breezed into the room, followed closely by Stefan. Both wore dark pants and black hoodies with the hoods up over their heads. If
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“We do not expect Lamashtu to do anything immediately,” Dominic told all their new guests, “but we do not think it will be all that long, either. In any event, it’s good to be prepared for anything. Would some of you go outside and keep an eye out for anything unusual?”“Dral and I will go patrol the surrounding area,” Bain offered. “We’ll remain out of sight. No one will know we’re watching, but if we see or sense anything out of the ordinary, we’ll let you know immediately.”Dominic nodded. When volkaanes elected to remain hidden, they were nearly invisible, even when moving about. Leesa was glad to have them out there watching as well. Their devotion to Rave would insure their complete concentration on their task.“That’ll be great,” she said. “Thank you.”Dral and Bain nodded their acknowledgment and then melted silently from the room.“I’ll go out and keep watch from above,” Jenna said “I’ll be able to spy a lot of area from up in the sky.” She put a finger up by her face and tap
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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
