The Chronicles of the 8th Dimension - Limited Edition Box Set (4 Books): A Supernatural Thriller Box Set

by Carissa Andrews

  Braham smiles, running his hand along my shoulder and down my side. As we walk into the small kitchen, Jesus is wandering the space, eyeing the various photos on the walls.

  “This is you, yes?” he asks, pointing at a picture of me as a little girl.

  “Yes, that was me. I think I was about twelve there,” I say, grinning at him.

  “And this one? Is this the two of you?” he asks, pointing to our wedding picture.

  “The very same duo,” Braham beams. “This house is your—er, Cassidy’s grandparent’s.”

  “Oh, will they be back? I’d like to meet them,” Jesus says.

  “No, they’re not with us anymore. They’ve both passed on a few years back, but they left Braham and me this cabin,” I say, walking to the sink and filling up three glasses of water.

  “It is beautiful here,” Jesus says, his gaze drifting to the windows. “There are many trees.”

  I tip my head in acknowledgment, “There are—and it is. It’s part of the reason Braham, and I chose to come here. We wanted to raise our child away from all of the…”

  I sway in my spot, blinking back the haze taking over my vision. Leaning against the counter, I set the three drinks down before I drop them.

  “What is it, Cass?” Braham says, suddenly at my side.

  “I don’t know… I just feel really… out of sorts, I guess,” I say, trying to shake the cobwebs from my mind.

  “Maybe you should lay down. Things will make more sense after you do,” he offers.

  “Yes,” I nod, “yes, I think you’re right.”

  Passing a glass of water to both Jesus and Braham, I leave mine at the kitchen sink.

  “Thank you,” Jesus says, standing up. “Would you like some help?”

  “Sit, sit… I can manage. I’m just going to rest for a few moments,” I say, waving my hand at him.

  Jesus does as he’s told, returning to his seat and picking up the glass of water. He holds it high in front of him, inspecting the liquid like he’s never seen water before.

  Chuckling softly to myself, I continue away from the kitchen, through the small sitting room, and into the hallway leading to both bedrooms. Braham follows after me, his presence a warm comfort at I sit at the edge of the bed.

  “Is it okay if I lay with you?” he asks.

  “What about Jesus?”

  “He’ll be okay. He wants to see the area anyway,” Braham says, kicking off his boots.

  “Well, if you’re sure…” I begin.

  “I am,” he says, patting the bed. I lay down, resting my head on the pillow and closing my eyes.

  Braham scoots closer, pulling my body into him until we’re cocooned together.

  “Mmmm,” I say, sighing blissfully. “I’ve missed your arms around me.”

  “Not as much as I’ve missed having you in my arms,” he whispers, snuggling into the nape of my neck. “This is absolute heaven.”

  Contentment floods my being, and I can’t help but ease into it. For the first time in what feels like forever, things feel right again.

  Chapter 24

  Bea

  After all we’ve been through, the only thing I need right now is a big, steaming cup of hot peppermint tea. I don’t know what it is, I just love the stuff.

  Wonder if I can get one of those big burly men to make another one for me…

  I tip forward in my outdoor rocker and crane my neck to see if I can flag any of them down.

  Alas, the sanctuary is deserted. They’re all likely recouping from the past few days’ test.

  I can’t say I blame them.

  Smiling to myself, I lean back and gently nudge the chair forward and back. The garden behind the sanctuary is more beautiful than I remember. The flowers are abuzz with activity, birds and bees alike zipping in and out. It’s like an airport, only it smells way better. All of the aromas mix together in a potent, relaxing mixture that even puts me in awe.

  Sometimes you don’t realize just how perfect something is until you’ve had time to stand back and admire it. Then you wonder how you ever came up with it in the first place.

  I’ve been around an awful long time. I can confidently say I’ve seen and experienced more than most. And yet I’m still enthralled by all there is to witness. I want to see more, do more, be more. It’s like being a kid all over again and being cut loose to explore for the first time. You just simply can’t get enough. You’re drunk with the power and excitement of it all, as you should be. There is so much beauty in this vast universe to explore. Too much for one being, that’s for sure.

  That’s the whole point, isn’t it?

  Now, we came damn close tonight. I was on the edge of my seat for a helluva lot of it—bated breath and all. I could have gone either way when it came to the outcome. Yet I’m happily satisfied with this particular group of angelic misfits.

  When I set up the multiverse, I didn’t know just how difficult it would be to keep it going for any significant length of time. As it turns out, the evolution of life can take some interesting, albeit unusual, turns.

  Humanity, for the first couple of realities, was exceptionally boring. We’re talking full-on snooze-fest here. I’m not proud of it, but how was I supposed to know?

  Without the polarities of light and dark, good and evil, people had the tendency to waffle through life from start to finish. Kind of like a teen left to their own devices—nothing of over-importance ever occurred to drive them to greatness. In the end, it always ended the same, fizzling out due to complacency.

  Booooring.

  However, I did gain valuable insight from the experiment. And I saw something in humans that I hadn’t seen in my other creations—a spark of more.

  I wasn’t wrong. Yet don’t get me wrong; it certainly took some prodding.

  Damn kids, anyway.

  Reaching for my cane, I press down on the arm of the rocker to make my own damn cup of tea. On either side of me, the empty seats are suddenly filled.

  “And you two ladies couldn’t have come a minute or two before, could you? Gotta wait until an old lady is trying to get her momentum and running,” I snort to myself.

  At least now, maybe I can coax someone into getting me that tea…

  Both Turtledove and Melissa look at me with curious, confused eyes.

  Letting go, I plunk back down in my seat.

  “So, what can I do for the two of you?” I ask, swiveling my head between the two of them.

  “Everything is still here,” Turtledove declares.

  I nod. “So it is.”

  “Did we do well?” Melissa asks, her eyes twinkling as she turns her gaze out onto the garden. “Did we do what you needed us to do?”

  Restarting my forward and backward momentum, I can’t help but smile broadly.

  “Yes, Melissa, darling—you both did good,” I say, patting her hand.

  “I must admit, I didn’t know what you saw in Braham when it came to this journey,” Turtledove says, tapping the armrest with her middle finger. “He was exceptionally ordinary.”

  “Ah, but he had greatness in him. I knew it from the moment I laid eyes on him,” I say, remembering back. “I knew if he was chosen to manifest his gifts, he would rise to the task.”

  “Hmmm,” she says, smiling, “he certainly did in the end. I am very proud of him.”

  “You were his guide for how long? I would have thought you’d have seen it as well,” I say, quirking an eyebrow. “Perhaps I should have asked his Guardian Liam.”

  “Liam’s vision is limited—even more than mine. There were moments, but honestly, until you pointed him out as special, he was simply one of my charges. I cared for him no better or worse than any other,” she says, shrugging. “After all, how does one pick their favorite flower in a garden?”

  “Indeed.” I say, casting my eyes out over the flurry of activity and bursts of color.

  “The countdown worked just as you had planned,” Melissa says, chuckling to herself. “It was exceptio
nally brilliant, if you ask me.”

  “Oh, did it ever. I could see it was going to take a bit more nudge than I originally anticipated. Humans and angels alike, bless them both. They are extraordinary in a pinch, but when you give them an open end, they flop around like fish out of water. They need an added push to make miracles happen.”

  “Is that why you created the demons?” Turtledove asks, raising one of her black eyebrows at me. The braids on the side of her head jostle in the motion.

  I smirk in response.

  Of course it was.

  “You did what?” Melissa says, shock written across her dainty features.

  “Don’t tell me you didn’t know,” Turtledove says, her mouth popping open. Then she jabs a thumb my direction. “This one has thought of it all. It’s an extraordinary web woven together, to be sure. I honestly don’t know how you do it. The tapestry is extensive—and far more clever than my intellect can comprehend.”

  I stare out into the sea of flowers, until my eyes drift to the apple tree in full bloom. It reminds me how far humans really have come from their origin.

  “How long have the two of you been walking alongside me?” I finally say, sighing.

  “I couldn’t even wager a guess,” Melissa says, laughing. “It’s been… quite a while.”

  “I would have thought after all we’ve been through, you’d have a better grasp on the bigger picture by now,” I chuckle.

  There are so many nuances to consider—so many angels, guides, and prophets. But these two, they are among my favorites.

  “I kinda like seeing it all unfold. If I knew too much, it would take the surprises out of it all,” Melissa offers.

  “A very wise woman,” I say, tapping the armchair with my index finger. “I don’t suppose either one of you would want to get me a cup of peppermint tea, would you?”

  Both of them move to stand, but Melissa holds her hands outright, patting Turtledove on the arm.

  “Sit, darling, I got this,” she says, walking beyond the two of us and into the open door of the building.

  “You’re still drinking the tea I made for you?” Turtledove says, her lips curling into a smile.

  “As if you didn’t know,” I chuckle. “It calms my nerves and helps me see more clearly.”

  “It was meant to help with that human vessel’s upset tummy, you silly old woman,” Turtledove responds, her shoulders bouncing with her giggles.

  “Oh, well that, too,” I laugh.

  “How long will you maintain this body before you move on to the next?” she asks, her voice a soft hum in the background of the afternoon garden symphony.

  I tug in my eyebrows and drop my gaze to my lap. Clasping my hands, I shove them between my knees.

  “Hmmm… I’m not sure. I’d like to see things unfold a bit before I move on,” I say reflectively.

  There’s so much to witness now—so much I want to be a part of. But, as always, this vessel grows weary.

  “Do the others know you will not remain in this vessel the way they will?” she asks, leaning forward in her seat.

  “Of course not. They’re still settling into their new reality. When the time is right, I will have the talk,” I say.

  Melissa walks out of the sanctuary with a steaming cup in hand. She offers it to me with a smile and sits back down.

  “Thank you, Melissa, dear,” I say, pulling the cup under my nose.

  She grins and tips her head. “You are most welcome.”

  “How is your stomach these days?” Turtledove asks.

  “Much better, thank you. I’m still getting used to how these bodies fade so quickly,” I mutter, taking a sip.

  “After all these years, you’re still getting used to them?” she says indignantly. “Well, if you still haven’t, what chance do the humans have?”

  “That’s what we’re here to find out, Turtledove, dear,” I grin.

  “Do you have any more messages for these children? Or are you letting them lie low for a bit?” Melissa asks, casting her gaze out over the garden.

  “No messages just yet. They need some time to reap the benefits of their hard work. These ones have been able to avert the oncoming darkness, but I can’t say it will be forever. Only for now. They should have some time to bask in that a bit. Don’t you think?”

  “I, for one, would like that. It means more time to engross myself in their art and music,” Melissa offers.

  I close my eyes. “Mmmm, yes. That is truly a spectacle, is it not? They have such a capacity for the creative. I had no idea that inclination was even there—it sprang from their own innate drive. But I marvel at it often.”

  “If they will be left to find their new place in existence, what next for the rest of us? What do you need from us?” Turtledove asks.

  The ever-pragmatic one.

  I reach over, patting her knee. “I need you to be ready. Nothing more, nothing less.”

  She bows her head, appeased with my answer.

  “You’ll know when the time has come, just like you always do. In the meantime, just continue on with your charges. Guide them as you see their paths unfold. They all play their roles.”

  “All of them?” Melissa asks.

  “Yes, every single one of them. They’re all here for a reason. As my awareness expands, so does theirs. One cannot exist without the other. They are my eyes and ears—as are all sentient creatures in my realities. Without their uniqueness—what insights would I gain?”

  Melissa’s eyebrows tug in and her eyes go distant.

  I take another sip of my tea. The warm mintiness of it lingers on my tongue and tickles my nose.

  There’s only so much one can do in terms of enlightenment. At a certain point, the recipient has to take the steps on his or her own. Sometimes, the person is simply not ready.

  “Speaking of which, duty calls,” Turtledove says, standing up.

  The Nez Perce attire from a few hundred years ago is still her outfit of choice. It suits her in the form she has chosen to appear in. Of course, she—as well as Melissa—have gone by many different names, faces, and bodies. But when they find one they like, just like the angels, they can sustain it.

  Not that the Final Five know that yet. But they will.

  “All right, sweetie,” I begin. “Be sure to stop by again soon. We’ll have proper tea and gossip about work.”

  I reach my hands up and she places hers inside my clasped hands.

  “Of course. See you soon,” she says, bending in and kissing me on the cheek.

  With a soft pop, she vanishes, heading to whichever charge, reality, or time was calling her.

  Melissa sighs heavily. “I should get going as well. I suppose my human life needs attention—children and whatnot.”

  I smile. “You would be lost without those two children of yours.”

  “Absolutely,” she grins back. “See you soon.”

  “That you will,” I say with a nod.

  Melissa takes less of a dramatic exit, choosing instead to walk out into the garden before fading away. The sunlight catches her just right, and she looks almost ghostly as she shifts from this plane to the next.

  Taking a final swig from my teacup, I set it on the small glass table behind my seat. Gearing myself up to move, I rock back and forth and creak to a stand.

  Lordy—a body that gets old sucks. And yet, again, a necessary evil. Without it, there is no appreciation. No retrospection. No reverence.

  But I can tell you, it’s certainly not my favorite part about a vessel.

  Reaching for my cane, I step away from the safety of the chair and make my way to the blooming flowers and afternoon commotion. The cobbled stones are a bit much for these weathered joints, but if I go slowly enough, I can admire the beauty without causing too much of a spectacle.

  Making my way to the tree, I inhale deeply. The scent of apple blossoms is one of my absolute favorites in the whole of existence. Above, the bees and hummingbirds are in a flurry, each aiming to be the f
irst to get the sweet nectar they’ve been programmed to desire.

  The sound is nothing short of melodious, and I could stand there listening to it for hours—if my hips would let me, that is.

  I curl my lips upward as I contemplate the future and all the various realities set into motion. I knew there was something special about these humans—these angels—about this particular timeline. Every other one ended in annihilation.

  Darkness.

  But not this one. If I wanted to continue to gain knowledge in the expansion of this beautiful multiverse, then I needed to fan the flame of the reality that would continue onward. I can’t say the same for the others. They might fade out and die off. But perhaps with Braham and Gabe walking between the veils, we stand a better chance. Only time will tell.

  Everything is still unfolding, leading in its own unique way to become what it was meant to.

  There’s much to explore. Much to anticipate. I need to set up the dominoes and see where they lie.

  Now, while everyone is calm and content, it is time to initiate the next stage in human evolution. With Jesus in the new world, this enhanced version of reality, as it were…things are ripe to continue onward. We can unleash his teachings, his charisma, his essence all over again. We’ve set the stage and left those little Easter eggs throughout the millennia, and it’s finally time to bring it about.

  They’ll know it when it hits—just like a big old bucket of ice water.

  Phase two… the Parousia.

  The End

  Love is a Merciless God

  Chapter 1

  The Joys of Being Heard

  If the Guild ever finds out I’m in love with my human charge, it will be the end of me. They’d try me for treason and send me to Purgatory so I could become a wraith.

  Yet, no matter how hard I try—no matter how much these truths are ingrained—I can’t help it.

  Sitting upon the upper portion of Liam’s sofa, I lean forward, pulling my long hair into a twisted ponytail as I watch the argument unfold between him and his latest fling. I know full well it will end in one of two ways, as it always does—he’ll either give in or he’ll have his heart broken all over again. Meanwhile, I will continue to wish the same thing I always do in these circumstances—I wish it were me. Even if we were fighting, it would mean I was an ordinary woman. Someone he could hold, touch, kiss…