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Chapter 456
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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,
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
Leesa's Advent Chapter 459
“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
Leesa's Advent Chapter 460
“Maybe Lamashtu is a bit worried about us after all,” Leesa said after Ralin had related the brief incident. “Why else would she send one of her crows to spy on us if she’s not at least a little concerned?”“If it was spying, Mom, it sure wasn’t very sneaky,” Ralin said. “It landed right there on my windowsill.”“Maybe the demon was sending us a message, then,” Leesa replied. “Telling us that she knows where to find us.”“How DID she know how to find us, anyhow?” Ralin asked. “Do you think she can track us somehow? Like I can track Dad?”Dominic shook his head. “I do not think so. More likely, since she has possessed Rave, she has access to all the information inside his head.”“I don’t like the sound of that,” Leesa said, her heart once again feeling heavy at the thought of Rave in the thrall of that horri
Leesa's Advent Chapter 461
Filled with renewed enery, Leesa quickly followed Dominic outside. A nearly full moon bathed the yard with enough pale light for them to see with relative clarity. As they descended the steps, they watched Ralin levitate rapidly up into the air, propelled by the glowing green spiral beneath his feet that they had seen once before. He turned his head toward them when he heard their footsteps on the stairs. The green spiral vanished and he stopped rising.“Hi, Mom,” he called down from a height of about twenty-five feet. “I’m starting to get the hang of this thing. Pretty cool, huh?”“It’s very nice,” Leesa said. “Now come back down here. Dominic has found something.”Ralin allowed himself to sink rapidly back down to the ground. Cali and Stefan moved closer as well.“What did you find?” Ralin asked Dominic when he alighted upon the grass. “A way to smoke some demon ass, I hope?&r
Leesa's Advent Chapter 462
When the first gray hint of dawn lightened the eastern sky, Leesa, Dominic and Ralin piled in to the SUV and headed toward the Connecticut River. With several more hours of practice under their belts, they felt confident in their ability to perform the possession breaking spell with high efficiency. Whether the magic would work on Lamashtu’s demonic possession of Rave, they could not be sure, but they remained hopeful.Cali, Stefan, Dral and Bain also headed east, traveling as a group under their own power. They were going to meet the others at the base of the ridge. Dominic and Leesa had made it clear that under no circumstances were they to ascend the ridge. Their purpose was to protect the rear, and to be available to carry Dominic and Leesa away from any pursuit at supernatural speed if necessary. Ralin was fast enough on his own, but they had no idea what condition Rave might be in should they be successful in freeing him. It was possible he might need to be carrie
Leesa's Advent Chapter 463
The company gathered at the appointed spot. Moving into the cover of the woods just a short distance from the road, Ralin laid Rave’s limp body gently down on his back upon some soft grasses. Rave’s chest rose and fell in a regular rhythm, but besides that he still showed no other signs of life.Ralin remained kneeling at his father’s side, while Leesa and Dominic joined him. Dral, Bain and Stefan fanned out into the trees to keep watch, just in case. Sensing Leesa’s emotional turmoil, Cali elected to stay close to her best friend. Jenna continued to watch from high above.Leesa bent over and kissed Rave softly on the cheek. “Come back to me, darling,” she whispered. “Come back to all of us.”If Rave heard her plea, he gave no sign.Cali rested her hand on Leesa’s shoulder in a gesture of support. “He’ll be all right, Lees… I know he will. Just give him some time.”&ldqu
Leesa's Advent Chapter 464
With the stardust pendant clutched tightly in her right hand, Leesa uttered a single word. “Ariandre.” At the same time, she visualized an image of the beautiful centaur.For a few moments, nothing happened. Ralin, Dominic and Cali watched her expectantly, wondering what she was trying to do. Only Rave knew about the pendant’s power to summon Ariandre, but even he and Leesa did not know exactly what to expect—only that Ariandre had told Leesa to hold the pendant and say her name, and she would come if she could. How she would appear, and how long it would take, neither had any idea.Less than a minute passed before a low buzz began to fill the air, sounding like an approaching swarm of insects. Next, a small, pulsating silver energy sphere appeared in front of them, brightening slowly as it floated a few feet above the grass. The silver hue was lighter and more vibrant than the flash that accompanied Jenna’s shape changes. It had an otherw
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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
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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
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
