by Summer Lee
She felt the presence of someone else in the garden. It was not a Sentinel, because she would have sensed them. It was someone that raised her guard though.
It was the second time that she felt uneasy while in the Garden of Gethsemane, and she was frustrated. Was there no place that she could consistently feel at peace? Was she always to be on guard? She figured out the answer to those questions as she saw a blur by one of the olive trees a few hundred feet ahead of her.
She never dismissed things that most people would. If she saw something out of the corner of her eye, she would investigate until she knew that what she saw was just a trick of the eye or if it was real. She had seen too many things that mortals would call supernatural, or unexplained. She knew that there were things that transcended the human understanding. Things that she had to be aware of so she could protect those who did not have her ability to see into another dimension.
She had to accept a certain amount of paranoia with her position as guardian and protector of God’s chosen property. It came with the job. The key was not being consumed by it. There was more of a danger that she would get busy someplace else, and demonic spirits would upset neighboring states and start a war. But on this day, all was at peace in Israel.
She walked casually toward the blur, as she pretended to admire the garden. She didn’t want to give whatever or whoever it was any indication that she suspected that they were there.
Achava was so good at playing ignorant, that it was second nature to her. She hated to do it, but there were times that made it easier for her to sneak up on her enemies, or just avoid trouble altogether.
As she got closer, her stomach tightened. She knew that it wasn’t a figment of her imagination. Something/someone was there and it was watching her.
It was a slightly chilly day, but the sun was shining bright. She looked up at the clear skies and preferred to get lost in the beauty that surrounded her. Taking a deep breath, she smiled, as she made her way to the olive tree where she saw the blur.
Before she could act, Achava had her feet swept out from under her. She landed hard on the ground. She had never been caught off guard before like that, considering she was ready for a confrontation. It was more of a surprise than anything else. She slowly rose to her feet and rubbed her bottom. “Is that the best you can do?” she asked, while looking for someone to direct her words to.
“Actually, I can do a lot better.”
The familiar female voice came from just behind Achava. She sighed and turned to greet... Anthea. Her half-sister.
Anthea stood a good foot taller than her older sister. Her long, blonde hair was tied in a ponytail. She wore her trademarked beige shorts with her black tank top. She had on sandals. Tattoos of every kind covered wherever she showed skin. “Hi sister. I’m sure you expect me to be hateful and full of vengeance, but I’m not.”
Achava forced a smile as she embraced her sibling. “You have added a few more tattoos since we last saw each other.” She pulled away while still holding Anthea’s hands. It could have misinterpreted as a loving gesture, but Achava meant it more to keep Anthea’s hands where she could see them.
“You are simply amazing, Achava,” she said, while showing her pride. “You are the only one who has been able to keep up with my body art. I’ll bet that you could even name all of them by heart.”
Achava’s glare turned serious. “I could, but what would that accomplish? What do you want, Anthea?”
“Is that any way to treat your only living relative,” Anthea responded, with an air of condescension.
“My mother still lives, even though she has slowed down.”
“She was not my mother.”
“That is because your mother was my father’s mistress.”
“Whatever.”
“Or a prostitute.”
That brought an angry look to Anthea’s face.
Achava looked around at the once peaceful garden. “Everywhere you go, you bring nothing but chaos. Do you intend to continue to avoid my questions?”
“I don’t have to answer to you, big sis. I just came here to let you know that I’m back. I’m sure your little man friend told you already, though.” Anthea grinned sarcastically.
Achava knew what her sister was attempting to do. Anthea was trying to use Sam as someone against her. “He told me as soon as he saw you. He did not know who you were, but told me nonetheless.”
“Did you tell him who I was?” Anthea interrogated.
“Your interest in Sam is of no concern to me,” Achava snapped. “Leave this place of peace at once.”
Anthea lost what was left of her smile. “You dare order me to do anything? Hah! You call this a place of peace and yet every time you’re here, there is anything but peace. How much peace have you had recently? I think you should find someplace not so cluttered with old things.”
Achava knew what Anthea was doing. She was trying to anger Achava, who wasn’t about to let Anthea get to her. “You are one of those old things that I am trying to distance myself from, Anthea. I have no quarrel with you.”
Anthea tilted her head and grimaced. “I found out that your little boy toy has been digging into things he shouldn’t be. Even now, he conspires with the brother of Itai to retrieve Gideon’s Fleece.”
Achava’s eyes widened. She was surprised to hear talk of the fleece coming from Anthea. She assumed that the place for it in Itai’s museum would remain empty. She wondered what possessed Sam to go after that particular artifact now. She needed to come up with some kind of communication between them, so that he could let her know when he needed her. “I will deal with the situation myself.”
“If you had learned to lie, Achava, then you wouldn’t have to tell me exactly what you and Sam are planning.” She got in Achava’s face. “Don’t get in my way on this one, sis.”
“I have no desire to take you on.”
“Let’s see who gets to the fleece first. Shall we?” Anthea disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Achava was not happy to have Anthea back in her life.
Anthea obviously knows how to Soul Merge! But no worries! thought Achava. I will ask God for wisdom.
Achava wondered what other new things her sister learned in the time they were apart. She knew she would see Anthea again, but first she had to talk with Sam.
Achava was in Israel and Sam was in Texas. Communications would be impossible under normal conditions. But Achava was not a normal person. There were only two people on earth who had her DNA—she and her mother. Anthea did not have the same genes. Their father was a brilliant man, but Anthea’s mother was a pagan.
Achava walked out of the garden and down the nearby street. She needed time to think, just to clear her head. Her mind instinctively went to thoughts of Sam. He was her best friend. She wondered why he could not just leave it that way. Instead, he had to propose and ruin everything between them.
She felt fortunate to have met Sam. He was kind and had potential. “I’m taking a moment now to thank You for Sam, Lord.”
It is because of sex. Men always think about sex, she thought. Yet he did not ask her to sleep with him. He wanted to get engaged. She could have worn his ring for five years without life changing. Instead, she blew it.
She looked down the street. Some kids were playing street ball. The boys were good-looking, and could easily be sons of Sam. He probably wanted a son—or a daughter. Maybe that was why he wanted to get married. He just wanted a wife and kids, like any normal family. “But I’m not a normal woman.”
Chapter the Sixth
SAM HAD JUST SAT DOWN IN HIS RECLINER.
There was a loud knock on his front door. He had said goodbye to Aharon and then sat down. Now he had to get up again. He was concerned that it might be someone who wanted to hurt him. That always followed when a new expedition started. He felt that it was a prerequisite to be attacked before a mission. He hoped that this time would be different.
Sam opened the door. He closed his eye
s, blocking his face with his arm.
“I will not hit you, Sam.” It was a voice he knew.
He opened his eyes and saw Achava standing before him, with a surprised look. “I’m sorry, Achava. I was kind of expecting to be struck. Bad things keep happening nowadays.” He moved to one side. “Come in, please.” He eyed her as she entered his house. Gorgeous as usual. He noticed that she looked around the room as if she expected to see someone. “He’s gone.”
She looked at Sam suspiciously. “You’re sure?”
“Aharon is gone now.”
She looked unnerved. “You obviously summoned Aharon? Was it through the website?”
“Yeah, that is how it ended up,” he said, carefully. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No, Sam.” She sighed. “I am more frustrated with myself than anything else. I need to come up with a way for you to communicate with me when you need me. It will prevent others from getting involved. Did anyone else pay you a visit?”
“No!” he said, making a hissing noise. “I didn’t know I was in demand.” He looked out the window and down the street. “In answer to your question, no one else. Just you and Aharon. Is there someone else I should be expecting?”
She glanced at him, then walked into the kitchen and continued to look around. “Not yet, but she will attempt to make contact with you. I am sure of it.”
“Your sister?” Sam gulped.
“Yes.” She made a face, tightening her lips. “Again, I underestimate your intelligence. Forgive me, Sam. It is my sister. She is going after the Fleece of Gideon. I am positive that she will keep watch, while we do all of the work. She will then swoop in like a bird of prey and steal it from us.”
“I don’t want to live this way.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize, Achava,” he said in soft tones.
“You need to set boundaries, Sam, or that woman will destroy you.” She spoke gently.
He frowned. “I can handle myself.”
“Remember, she has evil powers.”
“Why are the two of you so different?”
“We have different mothers—just the same father. Our mothers were pregnant at the same time. I am a few months older.”
“I hope there is no squabble. I hate bickering.”
“I’ll do my best to behave when she comes around.”
“I need to move forward, and I want to show you something.” He then took her over to the kitchen table where he had placed the notes and moved them around, like a jigsaw puzzle, covering the top of the table. It looked like a treasure map. “I have a theory about what it’s going to take to retrieve the fleece.”
“You sure?”
“Yes,” he said. “I still want to find it, even though Aharon said it wasn’t a good idea.”
“Some say the fleece does not exist,” she said confidently. “I tend to believe them. It is only mentioned in the Bible in the Book of Judges when God fought for Israel. God wanted them to return to him. Gideon was the chosen warrior to assist Israel, but he doubted God and asked for a sign. The fleece was involved in the sign.”
“I know. I read about it. What I want to know is, why is the fleece so important to Aharon.” Sam felt frustrated, but he could not let it go.
“I don’t know.” She opened her hands and shook her head. “Aharon was probably trying to stop you, because he knew we were close to it when we were trapped in the underwater cave. If he scared you away, he could look for it himself.”
“I know!” Sam declared. “I believe you are right. So why can’t you see it?”
“I trust your instincts, Sam,” she said. “I will support you.”
“I know this is your field of expertise, but I need you to hear me out. I strongly believe that we need to find two artifacts, before we find the fleece. I think we need to go back to Herod’s treasure within Mt. Nebo to look for other artifacts.”
“But they were buried, along with...” She stopped short when she realized that the body of Professor Salinger was buried there as well.
Sam lowered his head. “I know, but this is serious. We have to find the ram’s horn that belonged to Joshua.”
“Does it have power?”
“It must,” he said. “We also need to get some trumpets, clay jars and torches that Gideon used; at least one of each. I don’t know why that is, but we need them.”
“I do not know where to look for clay jars,” she said. “The Bible does not say much about them.”
“The clay jars that I am referring to are the ones Gideon used to carry the torches.” Sam tightened his lips. “They contain some kind of a secret.”
“You expect to find a clue there,” she announced in surprise.
“Yes.” Sam looked desperate. “I read the Bible. I read those scriptures over and over again. I can’t make heads or tails out of the meaning behind the jars. I feel so stupid! It appears that they put the torches inside the jars to hide the light, so that the Midianites wouldn’t see them coming. I am really unfamiliar with those particular scriptures.”
She nodded. “Yes. The torches were hidden inside of the clay jars. At just the right time, the light from within would be exposed to aid Gideon’s army.”
Sam saw Achava’s face turn pale as she looked to have a realization about something. “What is it? Do you have something?”
Her mouth dropped, as she appeared to choose her words carefully. “In the Book of Job, in chapter ten, verse nine is a clue. In the modern version of the Bible, it states, ‘Remember that you molded me like clay. Will you now turn me to dust again?’ Sam. I believe I know now why no one has ever looked for the fleece. It is unachievable.”
When she said the word, ‘unachievable,’ it reminded him of the lack of faith exhibited by Gideon. “Achava. I need you to tell me exactly what you are talking about.”
“First, you must tell me how much of this you told Aharon Malka,” she replied, with a serious look.
“I did not have to tell him.” Sam started to feel embarrassed. “He knows... everything.”
She shook her head. “Then he knows what I know. And what I know may prevent you from wanting to pursue the fleece.”
“Would you please tell me why?” he asked, impatiently. “I need you to give me a little credit. I promise I won’t freak out.”
She sighed. “Our bodies are sometimes referred to as clay vessels in the Bible. I have heard that sometime the soul or spirit is compared to a fire within the body. We need to purify our souls, and when we do, we’ll attract people to Jesus, because they will see the light of the Holy Spirit in us.”
Sam thought about that for a moment. “Okay. I can see that. So the soul burns brightly within the body when it is purified by the Holy Spirit. That makes sense. So what’s the problem?”
She tried to force a smile. “The problem, Sam, is the scripture that contains Gideon putting a torch into a clay pot may have supernatural meaning. If your theory about needing the two items is correct...”
“Are you saying,” Sam’s face dropped as he said, “that we have to put someone’s soul into a body?”
“No,” she added, snarling. “We have to put someone’s soul back into their body.”
“Who?”
“Salinger.”
Salinger?
Chapter the Seventh
ACHAVA WANTED TO WAIT until morning, before she and Sam returned to Mt. Nebo. So she spent the night on the couch. She had no idea what they would find, considering that the last time they were there, she destroyed pillars, causing a wall to cave into Herod’s treasure room. The fact that she was no stranger to producing more than one cave-in, within her lifetime, did not escape her attention.
She awakened to the aroma of breakfast cooking. She had slept in her clothes, so she did not need to dress before breakfast. Joining Sam at the table, she took a bite of toast.
She looked up from her eggs, to see Sam finish his breakfast in record time. She pushed her plate in
front of him. “Please finish my breakfast. And thank you for preparing such a good meal.”
His eyes widened as he smiled at the extra nourishment sitting in front of him. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“You need your strength.”
“What about your strength?”
“You have to help me. Your intelligence and strength will help me grow.” Her mind wandered as she responded. “I am strong in the Lord, and I eat well. I have more than enough energy to keep me going for a while, but thank you for your concern.”
Sam nodded as he finished her breakfast, as quickly as he did his own. “Feel free to use whatever you need around here,” he said, wiping his mouth with a napkin. She laughed as he patted his stomach. “Don’t usually eat so much.”
Achava said, “You’ll need it today.”
“I guess we’ll be busy.”
“I would like to shower,” she said. “After I finish, we must leave for Mt. Nebo. We have to make sure to arrive before any sight seers do. The entrance to Herod’s treasure room should still be operational, and I don’t want to be seen when we enter.”
“As you like.”
“We may get hungry. Perhaps you can make a couple of sandwiches and stick them in your pocket. I suggest you bring a couple of bottles of water as well. I won’t Soul Merge us there, because it takes up too much of my energy. Plus, you have to digest some of that breakfast before a trip like that.”
“Why?” He looked surprised. “Is it like having to wait an hour before swimming after you eat?”
She thought about it for a moment and laughed. “It is similar, but think of leaving pieces of your breakfast all over the world. It is something that I would not want to share with anyone.”
“Oh! Maybe I’ll just skip lunch,” he replied.
“No need.” She tossed her clothes into the dryer with some perfumed laundry sheets, and then went to the guest powder room for a shower. After putting the refreshed, same clothes back on, she returned to where Sam was sitting on the couch. She leaned over and kissed the top of his head.
