by Lynn Landes
“Your desire for Malach?” He urges.
“I made a bad choice, Jake and all of you suffered because of it. I have seen what will happen to this world if the Fallen are given the power of this book. I made a promise to my God to see this through to the end. I have to find the final part, no matter the cost. Any who are near me will be on their own, Jake. I am responsible for more than just our people, my choice will decide if humanity survives or not. ALL of humanity, Jake.”
Jake listens without interruption. “You said final part of the book, Elina. You have the fourth part? Why haven’t you returned it?”
“I..,” she hesitates because she doesn’t know how he will react. She stands slowly, placing her coffee cup on the table and unties the robe, dropping it from her shoulders. Jake watches and stares at her, shocked when she pulls the shirt over her head revealing her naked body. Desire flares and he jumps up.
“Elina!” he says shocked, but he stops talking when she begins to build her power and the first image glimmers to life under her skin. A golden light surrounds her and she begins to glow from the inside and her skin illuminates, revealing the script tattooed into her body.
“I, am the fourth part, Jake,” she says and releases her power, forcing it to fade. She pulls her shirt back on, unable to look at him.
“No…” he says softly at first, then louder, “NO! What the hell do you mean, you are the fourth part! Elina that’s crazy!” He grabs her by her upper arms and pulls her into his arms.
“I made a prom…”
“I don’t care! We will figure this out.” He says, but she shakes her head. Resting her forehead on his large chest, she starts to weep.
“Jake, I need you to listen to me, you and Malach are the only two who know this. He did not take it well, either.” Frustration fuels her next action, “I need you to See…” grabbing his face, she gives him the memories, her experiences from the last few days. Jake falls to his knees trying to stop the memories flooding his mind, but she will not stop. When he drops, she follows him to the floor. He must understand what is at stake.
Finally, she releases him and asks, “Jake, do you see now? Raphaim is dead, but his father will stop at nothing to get the book. When he comes, you can’t let him get to me. Whatever it takes, do you understand me?” she asks sharply.
“You’re asking me to kill you?” he asks incredulous. Dizzy from the flood of images and horrified by all he has seen he stares at her in disbelief.
“If that’s what it takes. God wants you to protect the book Jake, whatever the cost. Trust me, if he captures me, you will wish you had killed me! I don’t want to die, Jake, but I would rather die than live through what he has planned!” Her voice breaks and she begs, “Promise me!”
“Elina, I can’t…” he says, dropping his head.
“You are my last hope, Jake. Malach is too close, if he gets the chance; I am not sure….I’m not sure humanities fate is foremost in his mind. He almost turned when he realized my path. Jake as a Para-rescue man you were trained to save others, regardless of the cost. ‘So that others may live,’ that was the code you lived by. I am asking you to uphold that code here as well!”
“I promise to protect you with all that I am, Elina and I will not let him take you, but that is all I will promise,” he says.
“NO! Promise to keep the Covenant, no matter how bloody, Jake, Promise me!” she pleads with a desperate look in her eyes.
“Okay, Elina, I promise.” He whispers. Elina drops her head and weeps into her hands.
“Thank you, thank you….” she says rocking herself. He wraps her in the robe and gathers her in his arms and holds on tightly.
“I have always wanted to see you naked, but this is not what I had in mind, Elina!” Jake says hoping to lighten the moment.
“I love you, Jake.” She says with a semi-hysterical laugh.
His smile fades, “I love you too, Elina,” he replies thinking of the task he has been given.
Chapter 18
Deep in the domain of the Mocker, pain and rage fills the halls. Today he lost the fallen he had control over and his son, Raphaim! He was showing promise, he thinks as the girl is brought in.
The Mockers abilities have diminished over the centuries, it was only by accident that he discovered the power of the Keepers. He found that he could survive on human blood, but a single heart of a Keeper returned his powers to their full strength. Tonight the blood of this human girl will have to be enough.
Kristen does not scream when he walks toward her. She bravely faces the demon who stalks her and she knows she will be dead soon.
“Really, I may look like a monster, but I like to enjoy my meal.” He was once breathtaking, but now he is bloody, bruised, and broken. His mouth fills with saliva as he looks at the beauty before him.
“Perhaps we can both enjoy this, Kristen?” shock shows on her face when he reads her mind.
“Come to me.”
She tries to run, but her feet won’t move.
“Kristen,” he calls and when her eyes meet his she begins to relax.
“Yes?” she asks the beautiful angel before her. His beauty astounds her, his long blonde hair begs her to run her fingers through it. Her heart begins to beat faster at the thought of touching his firm body. She takes a step towards him.
A smile curves his lips as he shows her the image he used to hold. “Come to me,” he calls holding out his hand.
Kristen licks her lips and smiles flashing her dimples at him. “Of course,” she says and she walks slowly towards him, reaching out for his hand.
He takes her hand and pulls her to him, lengthening a nail he slices her blouse down the front. He slides the blouse off slowly and it drifts to the ground. She moans in anticipation.
“We can enjoy each other, I have all the time in the world.” One hand slides up her skirt, while his sharp nail pinches her erect nipple.
“Yes,” she moans throwing her head back, thrusting her breast toward his mouth. He sucks the pink tip into his mouth and sinks his teeth deep, moaning when her hot blood gushes into his mouth. Suckling her, he pulls her forward and sinks into her hot heat. She rides him screaming in pleasure as she explodes around him. When she slows down, he smiles at her and says “More!”
Her blood is strong, and he intends to take every drop. When she tries to move she finds that he has buried a hand in her curly hair and jerks her neck back. He releases the image of his beauty and shows her what he truly is, a demon, Fallen Angel and Mocker.
Her screams are silenced when he bites her throat and pounds her body with his own need. He sees her memories and sorts through them, but stops when he discovers a connection to a Keeper. When her heart stumbles, he does not stop, he drains her of every ounce and drops her used body to the floor.
Rejuvenated for the moment, he stands, “Time to hunt. I need a Keeper!”
They will pay for killing Raphaim and it begins now. He calls for his remaining sons. “I want you to find this Keeper named Jake. Search for him and don’t come back until you have him!”
Chapter 19
On Christmas Eve, Jake drives down a driveway lined with beautiful palm trees. The sun is shining and Elina is sitting beside him.
“Okay, I should warn you Seth’s family is boisterous. They all work with their father, Makaio in the construction business. His mother’s name is Lelani and he has three brothers.”
“Relax, Jake. I won’t be here long. I have to go after the next part of the book soon. Do you think they will help me?” She crosses her arms over her chest, trying to warm her body feeling chilled and feverish.
He smiles, “You bet.”
He pulls in front of a two story home with double porches and white fans blowing. The house is an olive green color with white trim and lush tropical plantings.
Elina stares in awe at the house after climbing out of the jeep. In the distance she can hear the ocean and feel the breeze, “It’s lovely!” she gasps.
“Thank you,” says Lelani. Elina turns and smiles in greeting while trying not to stare at the tiny woman. At five foot tall, Leilani looks dwarfed by a large man as he steps forward.
“Welcome to our home, Elina. I am Makaio, Seth and Jake have told us many stories about you.”
“Thank you. I am anxious to see Seth and Heather again.” Jake takes her arm and they follow the couple inside.
“You are just in time for breakfast.” Lelani is interrupted by the barking of a dog and deep voices yelling.
Jake smiles and whispers, “Don’t worry, that’s the brothers. They tend to fight over everything.”
Lelani, stomps off and everything gets quiet for a moment.
“She may be tiny but she has a warrior’s heart,” Makaio says with a chuckle.
He leads them through the house out onto a large screened in porch, where she sees Seth and Heather.
“Elina!” Heather rushes around the table and the two women laugh as they greet each other.
Seth smiles in welcome and teases, “Elina, welcome to Hawaii, I hope you are rested after yesterday.”
“You guys are good, but I almost had you.”
“We will have to try that again, we took it easy on you,” Jake says, only half joking.
“I will take you guys up on that, later,” she responds with a laugh.
Heather takes Elina’s arm, “Prepare yourself, Elina. Here they come.”
Three loud voices are arguing and shoving each other as they carry chairs effortlessly into the sun room. They all stop speaking at once, when they see Elina. Jake frowns, as the oldest, Loe is the first to recover.
“Aloha, Nani,” he says, smiling down at her.
Elina steps back into Jake when the three large men crowd into the room. She looks at Lelani and then back at the boys, and then at Seth.
Heather starts to laugh at the look on her face. “I warned you, it’s like living in the land of giants!”
“I’m sorry, it’s just shocking. Lelani?” Elina questions unable to help it, she knows it’s rude to stare but she can’t seem to stop.
Lelani laughs and smiles at Elina, “Our Father gifts us in unique ways. They are my greatest accomplishment. Elina, meet Loe, Kale, and Keahi. Now stop staring at the poor girl and get the tables,” she orders.
“Seth you didn’t tell us she was stunning,” Keahi says taking her hand. “Perhaps you would like to walk to the beach later?” he asks wiggling his eyebrows. Elina laughs and before she can answer Kale shoves him.
“Leave the poor girl be, she just got here.” Kale snaps. “Elina my wife and daughters will be here soon, I would be honored to introduce you to them.”
Loe pushes Keahi and they start arguing in Hawaiian as they hurry out to bring back the tables followed by Seth and Kale.
Elina looks at Jake and he starts laughing. “I will see if they need me. I will just be outside?” he asks as her smile starts to fade.
“I’m okay, Jake. Go on,” she urges him and struggles to ignore the headache and chills rocking her body.
“You are safe here, Elina.” Makaio promises in a deep voice. Elina’s eyes meet his and surprised at the intensity of his stare.
“Thank you for welcoming me,” she replies. “Leilani, Jake tells me you are a nurse, would you mind taking a look at my ankle for me?”
“Of course. What kind of injury am I looking at?” Elina sits in a chair with relief, the claw marks are throbbing. She hesitates as they all stare at her. Leilani moves to the chair in front of her and Elina pulls up her pant leg to reveal the injury.
“Puncture wounds, possible tearing. Jake cleaned it and wrapped it, but it is throbbing.” No one speaks as Elina unwraps her ankle and removes the pads that she has used to soak up the blood. Leilani inhales swiftly, and speaks rapidly in Hawaiian to her husband. He leaves and quickly returns with a first aid kit.
The men return with chairs and tables laughing, but the noise quickly fades when they see Elina’s injury. Jake moves to her side and rests a hand on her shoulder. “Do you think you can help, Leilani?”
“What kind of animal did this to you?” Makaio asks softly. His dark eyes stare from her to Jake.
“Not an animal, a demon.” Elina’s leg trembles as Leilani prods and cleans. Leilani takes note of the flush on Elina’s cheeks and her skin is hot to the touch. She washes away the iodine so she can get a better look.
“You need more than a nurse, Elina. These are becoming infected and you are running a fever.” Her dark eyes meet her husbands and they all fan out surrounding Elina.
Jake smiles at her, “You are going to love this.”
They link hands forming a circle around Elina, all touching or holding hands. Makaio stands with his hands on his wife’s shoulders and the boys all connect, making sure the circle is complete. Leilani begins to chant and they all join in. She lifts her hands to the sky calling on the Father to gift her hands.
When she touches Elina’s ankles, her hands are super-heated. The warmth flows into Elina soothing the pain and she watches in awe as the poison and claws are pushed out and the wounds begin to close. When she removes her hand the wounds are gone, leaving fresh new pink skin!
“Who are you people?” Elina whispers.
Makaio laughs and the circle breaks, “We are Keepers. When Heather came back with Seth they told us of the gift she gave him. After much prayer, we decided that if our Father chose to gift us then we would accept this honor. We have been training with them and Jake has been kind enough to pass on his knowledge as well. Now let’s eat and you can tell us why you have come.”
“No. Today is a day for celebration. Elina needs to rest from her ordeal and we have a celebration to plan. Elina you are just in time for the wedding tomorrow!” Lelani says looking at Heather.
“Oh? Who’s getting married?”
“Seth and Heather are getting married at sunrise, on the beach. We are so excited!”
“Heather? That’s wonderful!” Smiling at her friend.
Heather blushes, “We decided not to wait, after everything that happened. Life is too short.”
Seth kisses her temple and the conversation quickly turns to wedding plans.
Elina and Jake were invited to stay overnight in order to be at the wedding in the morning and help with anything the family needs. The day is busy with excitement. Elina is welcomed into the family and feels a little guilty. She knows that once she asks for their help the joy of the moment will be tainted. She decides to wait until she can get Jake, Seth and his father alone.
Scott watches Elina from the dining room. He felt her when she arrived. The supposed light that everyone is so in awe of.
“So the Keeper returns to us?” he says, stepping into the kitchen. The moment his eyes meet hers, he sees a flash of his wife held in the arms of the demon, Tu’rel. Her lifeless eyes haunt his every waking moment and he relives the demon picking her up by her hair and smelling the scent of death on her.
‘Focus Scott!’ He tells himself.
Elina turns and looks at Scott wondering if he feels she is still to blame for the death of his wife. She was killed by a demon at Heather’s family ranch.
“Scott, it’s good to see you again.”
“This must be a good omen, you’re just in time for the wedding tomorrow.” Scott replies, smiling at her and forcing down the urge to make her pay.
‘Control it!’ He thinks to himself guarding his mind.
“I am happy to be able to attend it, the love they share is beautiful to see.” Elina glances at Heather.
“You are right about that, Elina. Dinner is ready. Ladies, shall we?” he asks, offering his arm to his daughter. They laugh and move outside to share in the family celebration.
Later, Elina walks into the kitchen to help clean up dinner dishes. The men have decided to start a fire pit and are busy dragging supplies onto their private beach, in the backyard.
“What can I do to help, Lelani?” Elina asks.
“Not a thing, why don’t you and Heather catch up? Have her tell you all about the wedding tomorrow. I will go see what the boys are up too? If I know my boys, someone will end up in the ocean before long.”
“You must be excited, they are a wonderful family.” Elina says watching Leilani hurry outside.
Heather turns to look at Elina and a panicked look crosses her face. “Elina tomorrow, I am marrying the man of my dreams and I...I..,”
“You what?” Elina says, stepping closer.
“I wasn’t expecting everything to happen so fast, and I don’t have a dress and my Mom...” Heather turns choking up, “I’m sorry, it’s just that I thought she would be with me.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” She takes her hand to reassure her. “Your mother will be with you in spirit, Heather. I can’t take the pain away, but…” she says with a smile, “but I can do something about the dress. Come with me.” Elina leaves a note and in a blink the girls are gone.
Heather opens her eyes and finds she is standing across the street from the Kona Bridal Boutique in Honolulu. Her mouth drops open in shock and Elina laughs.
“Let’s go!” she drags Heather across traffic and into the shop.
Heather’s stomach drops as a sea of white dresses in every shape and size greets her. The sales lady welcomes them with a smile.
“My name is Emma, welcome to the Kona Bridal Boutique, what can I help you with today.” She asks with a smile.
Elina nudges Heather forward and she starts, “My name is desperate! Oh, I mean Heather!” blushing furiously she turns to Elina and whispers, “I can’t do this, Elina.”
“Yes, you can. Emma we need a dress for Heather. She is marrying the man of her dreams tomorrow, can you help us?” Elina asks hopefully.
“Forgive me, please. It’s just that I had always envisioned my Mother with me…” she starts to say and struggles not to cry.
