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Chaptr 394
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๋ฐ์ดํธ:
2022-07-06 03:43:37
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Leesa's Adventย ย ย Chapter 395
Leesa and Rave gazed out over the stark, forbidding landscape. This was not a place anyone would visit willingly, that was for sure.โWeโve got two choices, I guess,โ Leesa said finally. โWe can stay right here and hope that the magic somehow undoes itself and we end up back home, or we can start looking for whomever or whatever might have had a part in this and get them to undo it.โโI vote we start searching,โ Rave responded. He looked around them once more. โYouโre the wizardโpick a direction.โWith the pale sun almost directly overhead, there was no way to label any direction. Leesa spun around in a slow circle, surveying their options. There was nothing as far as the eye could see in two directions, and she had no real desire to head any closer to the volcanoes. That left only the woods, if thatโs what the dark outline in the distance was. She raised her arm and pointed toward it.โThat way,โ she said.โWorks for me,โ Rave agreed.She took Raveโs hand, not wanting to chance that
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2022-07-06Leesa's Adventย ย ย Chapter 396
As Leesa and Rave pushed onward across the barren plain, they encountered no more serpents, saw no creatures of any kind. Nonetheless, Leesa kept the invisible shield wrapped around them, protecting them from any more strange and unexpected dangers this place might suddenly throw at them.Another hour of hiking brought them close enough to see that the dark line they had viewed from a distance was indeed the edge of a large wooded area—more of a forest, actually. The trees bore no resemblance at all to the grotesque, stunted trees that dotted the plain, nor did they look at all like any trees Leesa had ever seen.They weren’t all that tall—perhaps thirty-five or forty feet at most—but they were astonishingly lush and beautiful, covered with bright, emerald green leaves edged in a golden hue so bright it almost glowed. The leaves grew so close together they formed curved, mushroom-like caps that blanketed the top half of every tree. So thick was
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2022-07-06Leesa's Adventย ย ย Chapter 397
The surviving wyvwern had now disappeared from view, leaving Leesa and Rave alone at the edge of the forest once more. The attack was already beginning to feel unreal, but the lifeless carcass of the creature stretched out on the ground just a few feet away provided grim evidence that it had been very real indeed.“The sooner we figure out a way to get out of this place and back to where we belong, the happier I’ll be,” Leesa said.“I’ll second that,” Rave agreed.Leesa stared at the virtual wall of plant growth beside them. She didn’t know why, but she had a feeling that the answers they sought lay somewhere inside this forest. She still didn’t see any way she and Rave could enter, however. She was growing more and more tempted to try to blast her way in, but she held herself back. She would save that drastic step as a last resort.“I guess we may as well keep walking and hope we find a path into this
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2022-07-07Leesa's Adventย ย ย Chapter 398
We leave the scene of the motorcycle gang massacre quickly, in case the sound has drawn unwanted attention.As we hurry up the hill on the side road at a rapid march, Kai maneuvers himself alongside me. I hold back a smileโitโs always nice to have him close by. His scouting duties donโt allow this to happen nearly enough for my liking. I almost long for those few days when I had him all to myself, before the others caught up with us back on the California coast. Not that Iโm not thrilled to be reunited with my dad and my friends, of course.โAre you okay?โ he asks.โYeah, Iโm fine,โ I say. โThose guys never even got off a shot.โKai doesnโt say anythingโheโs not the most talkative guy Iโve ever known, for sure. I like being reminded that he cares, though. I struggle to come up with something to keep the conversation going.โYou reacted awfully fast back there,โ I say. โBefore any of the Marines.โKai shrugs. โI was ready. It was pretty clear there was going to be trouble, so I had an
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2022-07-08Leesa's Adventย ย ย Chapter 399
I catch his eye and we exchange smiles, but have no chance to talk before he’s off again.We follow along behind him, but he’s moving at a fast jog and is soon lost to sight around a curve in the road. Once again, I find myself marveling at his physical conditioning. He doesn’t seem to ever get tired even though he’s traveling much faster than the rest of us, and by coming back and forth, he’s covering a whole lot more distance besides. None of the Marines show any signs of fatigue, either. As for me, I’m glad we seem to have left the steepest slopes behind us, though I’m certainly not going to sound like a wimp or a whiner by voicing that thought aloud. I bet my friends feel the same way. We’re all in good shape by now, but we’re for sure not Marines.With the heavy gray cloud cover looming over us, darkness begins to descend early. December twenty-first is already the shortest day of the year, and we’re far
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2022-07-09Leesa's Adventย ย ย Chapter 400
Dawn has barely broken when weโre up and preparing to be on our way. No one is tired or complaining, thoughโweโve gotten used to going to bed early and waking up with or before the sun. We all down a quick, cold breakfast of energy bars and C-rations and then weโre ready to go.Kai is waiting outside for us. His long hair is damp and plastered against his headโwhether from an overnight rain or a heavy mist I donโt knowโbut he looks completely rested and refreshed, even though I doubt he slept much, if at all.As soon as we step out the door, Kai comes directly over to my dad and me. Iโm pretty sure I see excitement in his eyes. And why not? Weโre all pretty sure weโre going to find the portal we are waiting for today. For most of us that means venturing into unknown dangers, but for Kai it means going home. So why wouldnโt he be looking forward to that?โGood morning, Leah,โ he says before turning to my dad. I only have time to smile before he begins giving Dad his report.โEverything
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2022-07-10Leesa's Adventย ย ย Chapter 401
Our wait for the portal to appear is a short one.โAnomaly!โ Radar shouts less than fifteen minutes after we arrived at the edge of the forest. She points to a spot about halfway up the hillside. โUp there.โThereโs no sign of any portal yet, but Radar is never wrong. Weโre all ready to hurry up the slope, but my dad stops us.โNot yet,โ he says. โWe stay here in the trees where itโs safe until we see it begin to open.โDadโs being smart and cautious to the end. Radarโs warnings sometimes come as much as ten minutes before an Anomaly actually occurs. Thereโs no need to expose ourselves just yet.The wait now seems interminably long, but in reality itโs probably only three minutes or so before the air begins to shimmer right where Radar pointed.โOkay,โ Dad says. โLetโs go.โWe hurry up the ridge, being careful not to get too close to where the Anomaly is forming. All the Marines hold their weapons at the readyโthereโs no guarantee this is the portal weโve been waiting for. Itโs possib
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2022-07-11Leesa's Adventย ย ย Chapter 402
There was nothing Leesa and Rave could do about their diminished powers, so they set back out on their trek along the magical path. Always ready and alert, Rave’s keen senses were now extra aware and heightened. He was still supernaturally strong and fast, and with his fire remaining hot inside him, he hoped if it became necessary he could still use it in the way he slew vampires—by using the fire from his mouth. He wasn’t sure if that would work against the kinds of monsters that seemed to dwell in this place, however.For her part, Leesa had never felt quite so anxious. In all the adventures she had survived in the past, Rave had always been beside her at full strength. Usually Dominic had also been there, and she had her own magic to rely on as well, even though her magical abilities were much weaker back in those early days. Now, in what was probably the most dangerous place she had ever found herself short of the Necromancer’s magic table, her mag
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2022-07-12
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Leesa's Adventย ย ย 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 todayโs big event, she thought regretfully. They were to be married today. Their lives intertwined for all of eternity. What man wouldnโt have cold feet at the prospect? And theyโd 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, sheโd killed a man in her own home, and knew she could never go back there ever again. She didnโt care how good the Brethrenโs 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 Adventย ย ย Chapter 726
Itโs 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 didnโt 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. Donโt 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 hadnโt s
Leesa's Adventย ย ย 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 didnโt 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 Serenaโs father went spectacularly, and with Raphaelโs 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 fiancรฉeโs fatherโs 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.โCo
Leesa's Adventย ย ย Chapter 724
Raphael grabbed her hands. โDo it!โ 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 heโd had of her, including every word he had spoken while holding her in his arms at Dr. Chappoโs 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 heโd expressed when sheโd lain dying in his arms.โYouโre in love with me.โ She gasped, astonished. Tears welled again in her eyes, but this time, for a very different reason.โYes.โ He took a bold step toward her.
Leesa's Adventย ย ย Chapter 723
A bundle of nerves, thatโs what sheโd turned into. Since leaving her fatherโs, 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. โWhen I see him, Iโll know the right words to say,โ she notified the birds. It may sting for a bit, but itโs for the best.****Raphael showed up at the base of the mountain with time to spare, and noticed Serenaโs Jeep already parked. Perfect, he thought. He checked his pocket for the millionth time, making sure the ring box hadnโt fallen
Leesa's Adventย ย ย 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 Adventย ย ย 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 Adventย ย ย 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 Adventย ย ย 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
