Holly was still giggling as she waded out of the water with Nalik holding her hand. I watched them leave, and as they walked up the riverbank, something in the distance among the abandoned buildings caught my eye. I thought I’d seen movement, but that was impossible, as I knew that we were the only people and angels there, ‘Am I seeing things?’ I wondered.
“Are you ok, baby,” James asked.
“I thought I saw movement up there where the buildings are,” I told him.
My confusion must have been clearly evident.
“I know it’s impossible, James, but I’m sure of it,” I told him seriously.
James looked at me, just as confused as I felt. I knew he believed me, but he also knew it couldn’t be possible too. I shook my head and shrugged my shoulders.
“Maybe I’m just tired, or I’ve had too much sun today,” I told him, dismissing what I’d thought I’d seen.
Lindaz, Evest and Christik glided down to the water's edge with the two other angels following behind. Both of the angels were using their power to lift and glide the large water-filled containers.
“We are ready when you are to put the dugongs in their containers, Mel,” Christik said.
“Ok, we’re ready,” I told her and holding a thumbs up.
“James, you may want to move back,” Christik told him, “we will need some room, and I do not believe that the dugongs will move far enough away from Mel,” she added.
James nodded his head and moved back to where April, Abigail and Harrison were standing. The kids had been avidly watching the creatures interact with me and obviously found it quite funny. As soon as James reached the kids, Abigail jumped on his back just like she used to when she was little. She carried on watching the dugongs, peering over James’ shoulder.
When I looked back to Christik and her parents, Lindaz and Evest were standing side by side and were beginning to raise their hands with their palms facing towards me. I could see their hands were starting to glow as they tapped into their power. The glow brightened and just as before with the pandas, as soon as their power built up; it burst forward, hitting the water beside me.
As the elder’s power passed through the water and surrounded the dugongs, all I could feel was a tingling on my legs and body. Slowly, the elders raised the creatures, lifting them up while keeping them encased inside huge bubbles of river water. It was so strange to see them so clearly, and as they passed by me and I saw their eyes, there was a deep intelligence there.
The elders floated the dugongs through the air towards the bank, and as they moved them, James, the kids and I followed behind, wading through the water. Just as we reached the water’s edge, the two angels removed the tops of the containers to allow Lindaz and Evest to gently lower the dugongs inside. Water flowed over the tops of the boxes as the creatures sunk down, as their weight and the extra water took up the space.
When the angels placed the tops back on, they nodded before vanishing into thin air. As my swimsuit dried and changed back into a gown, I was thinking how seriously impressed I was at how easy the elders and angels had made it look. I thought what a shame it was that the angels hadn’t been around every time a whale had been stranded on a beach. They would have made it such an easy job, getting the whales back out to sea.
“Mission accomplished,” I said to Christik with a huge grin and feeling full of pride that we’d managed to complete our task.
“I knew you would be back here before long,” said a deep masculine voice from a short distance away.
All of us whipped our heads around to see where the voice had come from.
Chapter 10
All of us whipped our heads around to see where the deep voice had come from. Standing between two palm trees was an angel with the same golden hair and wings as the angels who had reactivated Stonehenge. Only this angel was larger; almost as big as Lindaz and Evest, and he was dressed in a pale sandy-colored smock; and trousers.
“Brother?” Christik asked quietly, her shock clearly evident.
The male angel smiled at her affectionately. Then he raised his hands, and his body began to glow from his golden hair down to his bare toes, and we watched in awe as his smock and trousers vanished. As we watched in wonder, gold wings began to form and grow from behind him, and he opened the newly formed large golden wings, spreading them out in all their glory and bowing in front of us all. He was a magnificent sight to behold.
“I cannot believe you are still alive, my one, my own,” Lindaz said breathlessly, “We thought you might have faded.”
All of us looked from the golden angel to Lindaz and back to the angel. We were all stunned and speechless by the appearance of the angel, and I was confused with Lindaz’s words; especially when Christik had told me that angels couldn’t die. ‘Is fading dying?’ I wondered.
The angel straightened himself up, and he folded his large wings, so they were tucked behind his back once again.
“I hoped that you would all return,” the angel said in his deep masculine voice. “I have waited a very long time; I am only sad that it is under such bad circumstances.”
“We are happy that you are here my one, my own,” Evest told him, “How did you find us?”
“I was dwelling further down the river when I felt you arrive,” the angel explained as he glided towards us, “I was fading, so I was not sure if my mind was playing tricks on me. When you activated the Star passages, the Earth’s energy revived my body,” he added.
“How did you know that we were going to be here, Akhenaten?” Christik asked her brother.
“It was the dugongs,” Akhenaten explained, “I saw them swimming in the river, so I knew that you had started to repopulate the animals here. I just had to be patient and wait for you to come back with more animals. However, I see that you are recapturing them. Why?” He asked.
“The Marilians are coming to try and take Earth,” I said.
The words flowed out of my mouth before I realized what I was doing. Akhenaten looked down to me, and then he looked at James and the kids in turn.
“Forgive me, I forgot my manners,” Akhenaten said apologetically. “I am Akhenaten, son of Lindaz and Evest, of the Angels,” he proudly declared as he bowed his head to us respectfully.
Christik glided closer towards James, the children and I, smiling at us as she moved.
“I would like you to meet our friends, Akhenaten. This is Mel and James,” she told him as she indicated to us both, “and their children Anthony, Abigail, Harrison, April and Holly. Also, Holly’s other half Nalik and Anthony’s other half, Christine,” she added.
Akhenaten nodded his head to us all again in respect.
“It is a great pleasure to meet you all,” he said sincerely.
“My one, we have much to do and so little time. Let us get back to the main craft, so we can all talk,” Lindaz told him affectionately.
Akhenaten nodded his agreement to his parents and Christik.
As my family and I stood there still feeling stunned, Christik and the elders started to glide away towards the small craft. Akhenaten followed behind them, so we all followed too. ‘Wow,’ James mouthed to me as he took my hand in his, “I know, crazy,’ I mouthed back. We were both amazed at the arrival of Christik’s long lost brother. The kids were all looking at each other with raised eyebrows.
One by one, we all boarded the small craft, and Christik took her place at the front as the pilot. Akhenaten took a seat next to Evest and Lindaz. I could see the affection in the elder’s eyes as they looked at their son. Clearly, they were just as surprised to see him as we were.
Many questions were running through my mind, such as where had he been all this time, and what had he been doing? I was pretty sure I wasn’t the only one thinking those things. Everyone was quiet as we lifted off and flew back. The journey was smooth, and I couldn’t keep my eyes open; I felt my eyelids getting heavier and heavier.
I awoke to James gently stroking my cheek.
“
Baby, we’re back. Mel, wake up, baby; we’re back,” James said softly.
I opened my eyes and tried to get my bearings. When I looked across the craft; Anthony and Nalik were gently trying to wake Holly and Christine, so I wasn’t the only one who’d fallen asleep.
“You obviously really needed that sleep, Mel; you were completely out of it,” James told me.
“I do feel better for it,” I said with a smile.
Christik had already detached herself from the ship, and she was opening the door to the craft.
“I think we should all get some much-needed sleep and something to eat,” Christik said warmly, “You should all feel very proud of what we have accomplished. We have saved many animals, and they are now safe,” she added.
“Yes, we did a good job, and I know this little one feels a lot happier and settled now they’re safe,” I said as I stroked my bump.
“We will meet tomorrow in the large meeting room, in the morning,” Christik told us.
“Perfect,” James replied, “Come on, tribe, let’s go!”
We all dipped our heads to the elders and angels before walking away, and as we walked towards our rooms, I could hear my bed calling my name. I was in desperate need of some more sleep, and I was sure that the kids were too. James always seemed to have endless energy, and I envied him. When we walked into our rooms, the small table was laden with food, and the kids didn’t need asking twice. They all began tucking into the food straight away.
I didn’t think I was that hungry, but as I looked at the food before us, my stomach started to growl and talk to everyone, making the kids and James laugh. The food was delicious and was just what we all needed after our animal saving mission. The kids were full of chatter, talking about the animals and how awesome they were. Within an hour or so, Nalik left to take Christine back to the cruiser, and we were all in our beds. I think I was asleep before my head fully hit my pillow.
I thought I was dreaming at first when I heard Christik’s voice in my head. ‘Mel, are you ready for our meeting; we are all here. Mel, where are you?’ It took me a few moments to realize what was happening and to sit up in bed. I quickly scanned the room and our bed. James was still sleeping soundly next to me with a smile on his face. ‘He must be having a nice dream.’ I thought.
‘Mel, where are you?’ Christik asked again.
‘Christik, I’m sorry, we were obviously more tired than we realized; we were all still sleeping,’ I told her apologetically. ‘We’ll be there as quickly as possible.’
I turned to my sleeping husband, suddenly feeling bad that I had to wake him from such a nice dream.
“James, wake up baby, we’re late,” I said as gently as I could.
He must have been close to waking as he turned over straight away with sexy, sleepy eyes.
“You will never guess what I was dreaming about,” he said with a huge grin.
I knew exactly what he’d been dreaming about from his grin, the twinkle in his eye. I tried and failed to keep a straight face.
“We haven’t got time for your shenanigans, husband of mine. We are late for the meeting, and they are all waiting for us,” I told him, “You jump in the shower, and I’ll wake the kids.
“Shit, ok,” he said, as he leapt out of our bed and ran to the bathroom in all his glory, smiling as he went.
I was still laughing as I opened our connecting door between our room and the kids’ room.
“What’s so funny, Mom?” April asked as she raised her sleepy face.
It was the first time that our newly adopted daughter had called me Mom, and it lightened my heart.
“You honestly don’t want to know, honey,” I told her with a smile. “You all need to get up though as we’re late.
As I gently woke the boys, April helped me by waking the girls, and when they were all starting to get up, I left them to it and went back to our room. James was already dressed and was brushing his teeth, so I quickly jumped into the shower myself.
“Looking rather magnificent there, my lady!” James said with a smile as he admired the view.
“Why thank you, kind sir,” I answered with a giggle as he started to leave.
Soon, we were all showered, dressed and ready to go.
“Are you all ready for a brisk walk?” I asked, knowing that we needed to get a move on. After nods and yes’ from everyone; we left our room, and I walked straight into Harrik, Zanika and five other angels.
“For the love of man, you nearly gave me a heart attack,” I told them as I tried to control my racing heart.
“You have a problem with your heart?” Zanika asked as she quickly raised an instantly glowing hand to my chest.
“No, No, I don't have a problem with my heart,” I told her quickly as I raised my own hands up. “I meant that you scared me,” I explained, “we weren't expecting you to be here.”
“Ahh, I understand,” Zanika said as she lowered her hand, the glow disappearing, “We are here to take you to the meeting.”
“Well, that will save us the brisk walk,” James said while grinning.
Each of us reached for an angel, and in seconds, we were appearing in the meeting room where everyone was waiting for us. Christik was sat at the head of the table with Lindaz and Evest on either side of her, and her brother was sat on the other side of Evest. Tracey and John were at the table as well as Beccy, Derek, Andrew and Mimi.
It was great to see everyone, and there were smiles all around, apart from Tracey and John. Neither of them looked happy at all. ’I need to check with them to see if they're ok later,’ I thought. We all took seats around the table, and I could feel the curiosity in the room, and our friends kept looking at Akhenaten. They seemed just as intrigued with him as my family and me.
As soon as we were all seated and the room began to quiet, Christik rose from her seat.
” Good morning, everyone. I am happy to inform you all that the animals we rescued are now settled here on our craft,” she said with pride. “It is reassuring that they are now safe. I would like to introduce you all to my brother, Akhenaten,” she added as she indicated to her brother.
Akhenaten dipped his head to our friends, and he smiled at them. All our friends smiled back at the golden angel, apart from John, who dipped his head with a solemn look on his face. Tracey appeared to have brightened up somewhat, and her eyes were glued to Akhenaten.
“Akhenaten has been here on Earth since the last time we were here,” Christik explained.
“Why did you stay on our planet?” Mimi asked.
The golden angel smiled warmly at her before answering.
“I found my other half while we were in Egypt,” Akhenaten explained. “We were helping your ancient Egyptians with a disease outbreak when I met her. I decided to stay.”
My mind was going over everything I knew and had learned about ancient Egypt.
“Were you the Pharaoh Akhenaten?” I asked hesitantly, not wanting to look stupid if I was wrong.
Akhenaten looked at me with kindness in his eyes.
“Yes, for a while, I was a Pharaoh,” he replied. “I married my other half, and we had children. We tried to keep the balance between humans and your planet. Unfortunately, the lust for power by some hindered our efforts,” he added sadly.
“I read about you, your wife and your family,” I told him with a warm smile.
I could feel sadness and regret coming from him, and so could Christik and the elders. Leaning closer, Lindaz placed a hand on his wrist, and he returned her gesture with another sad smile.
“Your history is not always correct. History is only the traces left behind by those who have the last say,” Akhenaten explained. “Nothing corrupts people more than greed and power.”
‘The angel talks a lot of sense,’ I thought as I absorbed his words. Throughout our planet’s history, we’d witnessed powerful and greedy people do the most horrific acts. What Akhenaten was saying was difficult to refute.
“What happened?” Trac
ey asked with great interest, her eyes studying Akhenaten’s handsome face.
The golden angel’s face appeared strained as the memories flooded through his mind.
“My one and I realized that the Egyptian people did not want to change their ways. After Nefertiti, my one died; I faked my own death. I traveled around your planet, trying to teach anyone who would listen about how to protect the Earth.”
“Why did you go back to Egypt, Akhenaten?” James asked.
“Without the contact of other angels, I started to fade,” Akhenaten told us, “My body was losing its power, and I was fading. I knew that my race would come back eventually, and I hoped that they would come and find me.”
I wanted to ask Akhenaten so many questions, but I knew it wasn’t the time. Every one of us was hanging on every word he spoke. We were all clearly intrigued and fascinated with the golden angel.
“I am happy you found us, my one,” Evest told his son. “We were going to look for you when the Marilian danger had passed.”
“Speaking of the Marilians, how are our preparations coming along?” James asked with a smile.
Everyone seemed put out that James had changed the subject, but we needed to get a move on with our preparations. James was right to try and get us back on course. Sensing the disappointment in the room, Christik rose from her seat again.
“Do not worry; there will be plenty of time to hear of Akhenaten’s story after we have defeated the Marilians.”
“That’s what I like,” Mimi declared, “a positive attitude.”
“Too right, we’re going to kick ass and take names,” Tracey added with a humorous smile.
“I would so love to see you literally kick a Marilian’s ass, Tracey,” I told her. “If anyone had the nerve to do it, it would be you,” I laughed.
All our friends sat there, nodding their heads and laughing, even our angel friends were smiling at the thought. Tracey looked around the table as if to say, ‘What do you mean?’ making us laugh even harder.
The Marilians Page 11
