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Chapter 462
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2024-10-29 19:42:56When 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
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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
Leesa's Advent Chapter 465
Leah felot the burn radiating through her thighs as she trudged up the steep wooded slope. A few yards ahead, Kai led the way up the same uneven path, his long dark hair blowing behind him in the warm breeze. He showed no more strain climbing this ridge than if he had been strolling along a flat sidewalk back in San Diego. Of course, if they were strolling along a sidewalk back home they would probably be holding hands or walking arm and arm, but this was neither the time nor the place for such romantic pleasantries.Kai’s bare feet made no sound on the loose dirt of the narrow path, and they gripped the uneven surface even better than Leah’s rubber-soled hiking boots. Behind her, Leah could hear the soft footfalls of the half-dozen Marines her father insisted accompany them on any hunting trips. The squad was led by a veteran sergeant named Watson who had ventured out of the city with them a number of times before.She guessed the soldiers felt little more
Leesa's Advent Chapter 466
Leah noticed that Kai did not seem at all alarmed, so she let herself relax.“There is nothing to worry about,” Kai told the soldiers. “I know what this is. You can lower your weapons.”The Marines looked to Sergeant Watson, who nodded. They let the barrels of their guns drop, but kept their fingers near the triggers, just in case.“Kai, can you hear me?” asked a soft female voice from inside the sphere, which seemed to brighten a little bit with each word and then dim when the voice stopped.Leah recognized the voice instantly, though she had not heard it in months. It belonged to the centaur Ariandre!“I can hear you, yes,” Kai replied.“Leah is there with you?” Ariandre asked. “I believe I sense the remnants of dragon fire nearby,”“Yes, she’s right here at my side.” Kai turned and smiled at Leah. “As always. She fried a werewolf just a
Leesa's Advent Chapter 467
When Leah oprned her eyes, the first pale pink wash of dawn was just beginning to peek over the hills to the east, illuminating the tall barrier fence surrounding San Diego. A twinge of guilt pricked at her conscience about not stopping by her home to tell her parents what she was up to, but she quickly forced it down. Ariandre had said that time was of the essence, so Leah wanted to get to the assigned spot as swiftly as they could. Sergeant Watson would let her parents know what she was doing soon enough.Rather than entering the city, where navigating roads and neighborhoods would slow him down, Kai skirted the boundary fence, remaining out in the open landscape where he could run at full speed. It did not take long to reach the beach a few miles north of their destination. Turning south, he ran on the firm, damp sand along the ocean’s edge. A few minutes later, Leah saw the familiar remains of the pier jutting out into the sea.Kai set her down upon the sand
Leesa's Advent Chapter 468
Leesa watched as Leah and Kai emerged from the portal. As they crossed the boundary of the pulsating sphere their bodies seemed to shimmer for a moment, but they quickly solidified. The pair looked exactly as Leesa remembered them. Kai’s face bore his usual stoic expression, but Leah was smiling in friendly recognition.Behind them, the portal vanished as Ariandre let her magic go.Leesa stepped forward and wrapped her friend in a warm embrace. Leah hugged her back just as tightly.“It’s good to see you both again,” Leesa said when she let go of Leah. “Thank you for coming,”“Of course. Ariandre said it was important, so here we are.” Leah looked to the centaur. “How is it that you find yourself in this world, Ariandre?”“Leesa summoned me. I gave her the means to do so in gratitude for her help in saving my world.”Leesa held the starburst pendant away from her chest. &
Leesa's Advent Chapter 469
The others in the company followed Dominic’s gaze to the east. For a moment, even Rave and Ralin’s keen eyes saw nothing, but then a dark spot appeared in the sky above the ridge inhabited by Lamashtu. It continued to grow and blacken, until it was visible to them all.To Leesa, it appeared to be a dark cloud, but not like any cloud she had ever seen. As it grew, it extended vertically, rather than horizontally, reaching up into the sky, its top widening while the bottom remained a narrow point. From this distance she could not be sure, but it seemed to be spinning. It looked almost like a tornado, though with no other clouds in the sky she knew this could be no natural phenomenon.“What is it?” she asked.“A magical vortex of some kind,” Dominic replied. “I think it’s a gateway.”“It’s hard to make them out against the darkness,” Rave said, “but I think there are shapes spinnin
Leesa's Advent Chapter 470
“Oh, no! You didn’t!” Cali exclaimed as the claws of one of the horned demon’s hands tore through her shirt and scratched into her flesh. The demon sneered and reached for her with its three other arms, but once again Cali was too quick. Before it could grab her with its remaining hands, she pivoted and spun around behind it. With one hand braced on its bony shoulder and the other on its head, she bent its neck back with her vampire strength and sank her fangs into the leathery skin of its thick, gnarled neck. As she held it in the grip of her jaw, the freak batted at her with its arms while violently jerking this way and that, attempting to throw her off. Cali sank her teeth in deeper, feeling the tendons of its neck tighten as she bent its head back until she heard ligaments and sinew ripping and popping.Cali released her bite and spat. “Yuck! You taste as disgusting as you look.”Grabbing the demon with one hand on either side of
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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
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
