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Chapter 678
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2023-03-27 03:07:09She had reached as far as the time parameters would allow and started back down the dusty trail. But the men blocked her path.
“Uh, guys, we need to head back down toward the Jeep if we’re going to make it back to base on time. So, if you’ll walk back towards the left, please….”
“I don’t think we’re going to make it back in time, Serena,” said the one the others called Steve. “No, I really don’t think so.”
“I’m not following, Steve. Turn around and walk back down, please.” Annoyance clear in her tone, she tried to move past the three of them, but again they blocked her path. “What’s going on here?”
She wasn’t so sure she wanted to know at this point. Her heart thrummed in her chest, and it took all of her fortitude to keep her voice steady. She could kick herself for not stopping the tour earlier when their behavior deteriorated. Now she’d put herself in a vulnerable position.
“It’s called you’re coming with us. Now you can make this real easy
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It’d been a week since Raphael put Serena in the hands of people who could really heal her. Besides having an insatiable curiosity, he also had an onerous task to do. It was long past time to “man up.” He needed to tell her about her brother and be done with it. The hospital staff had been very kind to give him daily updates on her status, something they normally wouldn’t do, but because he used his persuasive Brethren abilities on the staff, they extended the courtesy. After being in critical condition with an assortment of internal injuries, fractured ribs, and a concussion, she was now upgraded to stable. In the beginning, she’d had no shortage of visitors, he’d been told, with friends coming round at all hours, but that had dropped off sharply. He decided to drive back to the hospital before visiting hours were over for the day, with all intentions of telling her the news and saying his farewells. When he saw her, those intentions flew right out the window.
Last Updated : 2023-03-27Leesa's Advent Chapter 680
Serena slept fitfully, at times calling out for his help while jerking and flailing her arms about, and then she’d have full-blown, one-sided conversations in Gaelic. He stayed right there to soothe her with shameless murmurings of love, and stolen feather-light kisses on her worried brow. Through it all, she never awoke. He knew he’d pay dearly for those indulgences later, but he could no more stop a tsunami from wiping out an entire village than stop the desire to touch the one who could somehow be his long-lost love.In the moments of calm, Raphael worked. He called Michael to get the safe-house ready, and Kemuel to help with locating the thug hell-bent on killing this enigmatic woman. He knew his team would act first and ask questions later. To know the why of Serena’s predicament would be the all-important question when she awoke. Then he called E.L.He would surely have some answers for me regarding Sirona. But am I ready for them?****“I’ve been expecting your call.”“Whatever
Last Updated : 2023-03-28Leesa's Advent Chapter 681
Sprawling ranch? Serena gazed out the car window in wonder. Raphael’s home away from home stood as a red rock fortress that seemed to blend into its companion cliffs. They weren’t that far from the heart of Sedona, oddly enough. She recognized the area as being near the Boynton Canyon vortex. Knowing all she did about vortexes, she was pleasantly surprised. Staying here would definitely help put her body and mind back into balance.She knew her uncharacteristic frailty would diminish as her strength returned. Physically, she grew stronger, slowly but surely. Emotionally, however, bouts of depression and anxiety left her an absolute mess. She had to give herself some latitude, though. When she’d first awakened in the hospital, she’d found out she could never have children due to how badly she’d been beaten in the desert. Just one more dream dashed to bits to add to the haunted hallways of her home, along with the husband and menagerie of animals.“This is perfect, Raphael,” she gushed,
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Outskirts of Tortilla Flat, ArizonaDr. Brody Chappo did not wait for anything. Not for his supper, not for the phone to ring, and certainly not for his goons to come with his most prized possession. He’d spent the better part of two months digging in Germany, looking for the ancient Goddess Sirona, and he’d found her, only to have her stolen from his grasp by a no-good sleazeball of a lout. Jared Sikes was his name until he disappeared with her about a year and a half ago. Now, his name was mud.The trail had run cold for a while until his search came up with another name—Serena Sikes, Jared’s sister. Luckily for him, she owned a Jeep tour business and had a website for it, giving him full access to phone numbers and addresses. She couldn’t have made it easier if she’d tried. But then he hit another brick wall when he found out she’d taken some kind of leave from the business.It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that one of his goons saw her in town again. Dr. Chappo had immediately writ
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Serena looked like her name implied, calm and serene. By the time Raphael had cleaned up his shattered mess in the kitchen and returned to the living room, she’d dozed off. He sat in the winged chair opposite the couch and watched her as he would a sunset, with awe and wonder. How could one appear so fragile and yet possess such fortitude? She’s a mystery, a puzzle begging to be solved. But should I be the one to attempt it?There were no easy answers, except to take each day one at a time. He would first let her heal and get to know her. Serena, that is. After all, he didn’t have a clue into her life. What he did understand, he was drawn to her like no other. He suspected a part of that had to do with how closely she resembled Sirona. But Serena didn’t know it, and everything she said, every move she made, he supposed, was uniquely hers, uniquely Serena. Or was it? Maybe her very essence was inexorably tied to Sirona’s soul, so that the two coexisted without knowing one from the othe
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“If you think this is best, okay. Oh, about your home, Serena; you don’t have to worry. Everyone from work spent time over there fixing up the place since we knew you’d be coming home soon. We felt you shouldn’t have to come home and see any reminders of the attack.”“God bless you! I want you to know that if the big man upstairs hears me at all, you and everyone at work are the most blessed people on the planet! I’ll see you soon.”Callie laughed heartily while Serena tried not to. It hurt too much.She dreaded the confrontation once Raphael got wind of her change of plans. If he wasn’t in the foulest mood right now, this would surely do it. But this is my life, my decision. If there is danger to be had, I will face it alone and deal with the consequences. I’ve taken care of myself and others for so long that alone is what I’m used to anyway. And besides, I’m pretty good at it. She’d
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Serena watched dumbfounded as Callie shoved the gorgeous behemoth out of the way to get to the guest bedroom.“Saucy wench! I think I’m in love, Raf,” Kemuel retorted with a wicked grin.Before she left, Callie winked at her and smiled. Raphael rushed over to help ease her onto a kitchen chair. He took the phone from her grasp. “Hey, how are you feeling? I hope we didn’t disturb you.”At first, she sat there in shock, numb. Raphael is here? Why is he here? And my girlfriend is not only safe, but has literally scolded two mammoth-sized men in my kitchen.“I’m just curious,” Raphael said while waving her phone around. “How exactly did you plan on using this to save Callie, and in your condition?”“Well, I thought I’d….” She tried to justify her actions and raised her hands instead in defeat. “Jesus, Raphael, I don’t know. I don’t know what I&r
Last Updated : 2023-03-29Leesa's Advent Chapter 686
People were idiots. Given the right incentive, Bull knew they’d sell out their families. It just so happened that Gertrude McFadden, volunteer at the information desk of the hospital, was in dire need of a new tire for her car. How did Bull know this? Well, he’d done some research and found out the name of said volunteer on duty. He watched her arrive for her shift and slashed one of them for her. Then, he walked into the hospital and up to the information desk, with a wig, mustache, and false teeth as a disguise. He poured on the charm he never knew he had.“Excuse me, ma’am. I parked next to a car in the lot out front and noticed one of the tires is slashed. I wrote down the license plate number. I thought maybe you could get the word out to whoever owns the vehicle. Here it is.” Bull handed the slip of paper to her.“Why thank you, sir. How kind of you to take time out to do this. Let me take a look here and I’ll…. Wa
Last Updated : 2023-03-29
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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
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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.
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
