by D. F. Jones
Luc pressed his black cowboy boot into Cole’s face. “But I want you to go to jail. With you in jail, Steele Enterprises will have the green light to proceed with business as usual, and the board will appoint Carson as the new President. Oh, I am the board.” Luc moved to the side and allowed the police officers to come in the door.
Detective Wade proceeded with the reading of Cole’s Miranda rights and escorted Mr. Steele out of the building in handcuffs.
Luc slapped Carson on the back and said, “And just like that, you’re the boss.”
Carson tilted his head and straightened his shoulders. “Well, sir, I’ll do the best I can to make you proud.”
Luc strolled over to the window before glancing over his left shoulder. “I’m sure you’ll do fine. It’s not calculus or physics. Just open your ears and listen. Do what I tell you to do and we won’t have any problems.” He paused and held his hand in the air. “Wait for it—Cole has left the building.” Luc did a fist pump and turned to Walt and then Hammer. “Do either of you have a problem with my decision today?”
“No, sir, damn glad to be here,” replied Walt.
Hammer cracked his knuckles and said, “Makes no difference to me, boss.”
“Great. I’m glad everything can proceed as normal. I have to pop to New York for a few hours before I return to Arrington. Secure the perimeters of the farm’s property. Baldric will come for his missus, and I want to be ready for him.” Luc dematerialized.
* * *
Ruby raced to Anna’s Clinic on Main Street. She burst through the door to find a full waiting room of patients. Anna’s receptionist, Kris, glanced up and said, “Ruby, Dr. McDaniel is with patients. You’re going to have to wait.”
Ruby cocked her head to the side, pursed her lips, and pushed the door open toward the exam rooms. She shouted, “Anna, Anna. Where are you?”
Kris caught up with Ruby as Anna opened the door to the exam room on the right. “Good grief, what’s going on out here?”
In exasperation, Kris said, “I tried to tell her you were with a patient. Like that ever works.”
Ruby touched Kris on the shoulder and said, “Sorry, kiddo, but this can’t wait. A moment, Anna.”
Anna gave Kris a smile and said, “It’s okay, honey. We all know Ruby. She’s a freaking force of nature.” She turned and motioned Ruby into her office. Once inside the private office, Anna closed the door and blew out a breath. “For crying out loud, I have patients. What’s the problem?”
Ruby broke into a sob. Several choppy breaths had escaped her lips before she said, “The Dragon has Sandy. It’s not a dream—it’s freaking for real. I’ve already called Reed and Mom. You have to call Jerry and come to Everglade Farms ASAP.”
Anna grabbed Ruby’s shoulders and said, “Calm down and talk slowly. What do you mean? How do you know?”
Ruby stomped her foot on the ground several times. “Dad-blame it, Anna. I’m not joking. Luc is The Dragon. Sandy is the person in my dream. She’s the one. I told her to come to the store. Sandy should’ve been at the store thirty minutes ago. I had an overwhelming need to check, so I went to her parents’. There was a struggle inside the Cothran’s home. Broken glass and furniture were tossed all over the place. I’d bet my life Luc has her.”
Anna hit her forehead with the palm of her hand. “Have the guardians been notified? And where’s Baldric?”
“How the heck do I know? Mom is summoning the guardians. Let’s go. Call Jerry and I’ll see you at the house.” Ruby left as fast as she came in.
Opening the door to her Jeep, Ruby slid into her seat and cranked the engine. She looked both ways before pulling onto Main Street. She drove straight to Everglade Farms. Little Joe had spent the night with Lee and Harry because she’d been on schedule to open the store. She met Rose, the store manager, and waited for Sandy, but Sandy never showed up. Reed was going to meet her at her parents’ house.
Ruby’s mind raced, and her insides twisted, thinking about Sandy in the dream with Luc. “Seneca, I need you.”
Seneca materialized in the passenger seat. Ruby tossed him a glance and noticed he seemed frazzled. She said, “Oh, it’s bad, I’ve never seen you upset. Tell me like it is. Don’t sugar coat it.”
Seneca leaned back in the seat and turned to face her. “Baldric and Sandy were paired last night by the Spirit of Man.” Simultaneously, Ruby’s mouth dropped open; her brows rose, and her eyes widened. He said, “Don’t interrupt. Listen, Michael summoned Baldric. After their meeting, Michael escorted Baldric to the throne room. There’s no communication with the outside once you enter the holy place.”
He swiveled in the seat and crossed his legs. “Well, while they were still in the waiting room for The Creator, Sandy’s parents’ property was overtaken by an elite demon angel force led by Caiojezeal, their commander. Evidently, Luc developed this new weaponry that blocks our warriors’ powers and any transmittal for help to the AFF control room. We have our research team on the scene to develop a counter weapon. Sometime later, Sandy’s voice broke through the ethereal plane to the AAF command center, screaming for Baldric. Luc’s using Sandy as bait to get Baldric. Our generals are working on an evacuation plan. We’ll meet in the barn later. I’ll be back soon.” Seneca vanished.
Ruby began to hyperventilate. She’d had The Dragon Dream so many times. Why couldn’t she see something, anything to help? What good was her power if she couldn’t stop bad things from happening? “Oh, God, please watch over and protect Sandy. Please.”
An hour later, the wards and the guardians met inside the Everglade Farms barn. Lee set up a banquet table in the center of the barn. Angels sat in the rafters as Erinelle and Ralph spread out a map of Luc’s Arrington Estate to develop a plan for Sandy’s escape.
Erinelle’s voice rose. “Baldric doesn’t know Luc is holding Sandy prisoner. He’ll need restraining until he can get his emotions under control. He’ll be highly volatile. Raizeal and Samian, come forth.”
Raizeal and Samian appeared in front of Erinelle. Each warrior angel was at least Baldric’s size. Ruby doubted two would be enough to subdue Baldric.
Erinelle said, “Wait for Baldric and Michael at the throne room gates. Bring Baldric here. I’ll have the calming chair ready for him in one of the horse stalls.” The two warrior angels disappeared.
Erinelle looked at the wards and the angels. “The rumors are true. Baldric paired with Sandy.” The room erupted in an uproar. She continued, “Please, settle down and listen. He’s meeting with The Creator to plead his case regardless of the outcome, in his heart Sandy is Baldric’s mate for eternity. When he finds out Luc has Sandy, it’ll take all of us to convince him we go into Luc’s compound as a team, or we don’t go at all.”
Ruby had noticed the way Sandy looked at Baldric on several occasions but never fathomed the growing romance between the two. Ruby whispered to Reed, “Just Sandy’s luck to fall in love with an angel.”
Reed nodded and said, “I know, right?” Erinelle narrowed her eyes at Ruby and Reed and frowned. They shut up fast.
Ralph took center stage in the middle of the barn. He threw his arms open wide and said, “Love is what lights our way. Our brother is in love, and we’ll help him. Our ward is in trouble, and we’ll help her. My earth angel contact told me Cole is no longer in charge at the compound. He’ll serve out a sentence in the human jail before Luc sends him to hell. The new human commander is Carson Jones. He’s weak.”
Lee stepped over next to Ralph and asked, “What do you want us to do?”
Jerry raised his hand, and Erinelle nodded approval for him to speak. “Nelson Doune’s farm connects to Luc’s Arrington Estate. I know the layout of the farm well. I’m sure Nelson will cooperate with us if I asked him for help.”
Reed shook his head and said, “Are you sure? I mean, you did jilt his daughter.”
Anna frowned and placed her hands on her hips. “We saved Rachel. She was possessed by three demons. Now she’s engaged to Jack, my
old boss. From what I hear, they’re crazy for each other. I agree with Jerry. We can penetrate Luc’s estate from Nelson’s farm.”
Luwenia pointed to the map on the table and drew a large circle around the house. “Luc has supernatural sensors to detect and track the AAF. The sensors were wired into the estate’s electrical panel box. We need a human to bypass the security panels.”
Ruby walked over to her mom and whispered in her ear, “George can do it. He is a master electrician.”
Lee squeezed Ruby’s hand and said, “Ruby’s right. George is a master electrician. Jerry, any chance Nelson could have one of his men mess around with Luc’s panel box so Arrington Estate needs an electrician?”
“Anna and I will head over to Nelson’s now. Y’all can fill us in on the specifics when we get back.” He grabbed Anna’s hand, and they rushed out the side door.
Walking around the table, Erinelle traced the diagram of the house and the outbuildings. “If you think George will agree to work with us, he needs to be brought into the meeting.” She turned and pointed to Simon, Reed’s combat trainer. “Simon, go to Celina. Tell her to bring George to the barn. I’ll take it from there.”
Lee placed her hand on Erinelle’s forearm. “You must protect George. Bestow a power on him so when he walks into the Lion’s den, he’ll have protection.”
“Of course. As George’s guardian, Celina will gain access to the estate with him. She’ll be our eyes and ears. Luc’s human chef, Estevo, is on our side, too, and he’s working diligently to find the cavern’s entrance. We’ve worked for some time to gain access. We believe Luc has several wards in the caverns in addition to Sandy. Our mission is to rescue Sandy, but if we can help any other wards to escape, we must extricate them, too.”
Ralph said, “The informants, Estevo, George, and Celina, need to get us a head count of the human and demon angel guards on the compound. It’s imperative to find the entrance to the caverns and its layout to carry out any rescue attempt. Baldric is our best weapon. He and Sandy are linked through their pairing. Baldric may reach Sandy through the cords of light and telepathy. However, the AAF uses memory cleansing, and Luc’s army uses the same techniques. Sandy may not remember Baldric, but his DNA link that made his mark the night they paired should lead us directly to her.”
Lee ran her fingers through her hair. “Those assigned to Luc’s compound will face incredible risks to smuggle the captives out safely once we have confirmation of the entrance to the cavern and Sandy’s location. We must confirm everyone is on board with those risks before we proceed.”
Reed placed the tips of his fingers on the table and leaned in toward Erinelle. “I know I’m the new kid on the block, but the military strategy is crucial. I suggest we continue training for battle while the plan is under development. Working together as a team to save Sandy needs to be as seamless as possible to prevent loss of life and injuries. Luc and his Arrington recruits aren’t going to let us just waltz in without a fight.”
Seneca chuckled and said, “Ruby, your husband is as smart as he is good-looking.” The other angels began to laugh.
Reed straightened his shoulders and said, “Not funny. My wife, her mother, her brother, and her best friends could die.”
Ruby wrapped her arm around Reed’s waist. “Seneca was only trying to break the thick cloud of dread in the barn. I’m sure combat training is a part of the plan.”
Erinelle extended her wings and flew up in the air. “Reed’s right. Break into your groups. Let the combat training begin.”
* * *
Baldric stood on the steps of the AAF command center. The Angel Armed Forces headquarters was a massive, rectangular, white structure. Precious gemstones such as bloodstone, topaz, rubies, hiddenite, amber, and amethyst adorned the magnificent building. Enormous fluted columns with rosette necking and ornate moldings went around the building in two rows. AAF Warrior angels guarded the exterior and interior building with weapons developed by The Creator.
The AAF headquarters housed all of the maps and coordinates of the universe. The divisional leaders met with Michael on a weekly basis to develop and hone their military strategy regarding Luc and his army. Baldric entered the building and strode toward Michael’s office. He had worked out his plea for sanction.
The warrior angels standing guard parted, and Michael greeted Baldric at the door.
“Good morning, Baldric. Please come in.” Michael allowed Baldric to enter before closing the door behind them. Michael waved his hands in the air. “Have you completely lost your mind? I pleaded with Seneca to separate you and Sandy, but no, he assured me you had it under control. Now you’ve paired with Sandy and brought the Spirit of Man into the mess.” Michael didn’t sit down, nor did he offer a chair to Baldric. He folded his arms over his chest and raised a brow. “What say you?”
Baldric held his head high and squared his shoulders. “I’m paired with my other half. To the female I love, and she loves me. I’ll not let Sandy go. You may disengage me from her care, but I’ll never leave her side. Assign me to earth, but I demand you sanction this union. I’ve served the AAF faithfully for thousands of years and heaven before that.”
Baldric splayed his fingers out with emphasis. “In my youth, I agree I was unstable. But I’m a warrior who is willing to lay down his life and his last breath for his mate. Sandra Daireann is my partner, my wife. She’s my life, Michael. What say you?” Baldric stood with his feet apart and clasped his hands behind his back.
Michael blew out a breath, making Baldric’s hair stand on end. “I say we go to the throne room. The Creator is the only one who can sanction a human and an angel’s pairing. It’s been nice knowing you. Let’s go.”
The two warriors’ boots slapped loudly and echoed on the white and gray marbled floor along the Great Hall of Moses. Several angels openly stared. The hushed whispers swirled around Baldric as they walked out the side door, down fifty steps, and onto the spring green grass that felt like a soft carpet underfoot.
Baldric and Michael entered the portal to heaven from the In-Between’s Garden of Life, which teemed with new and exotic plants and animal forms of The Creator’s experiments.
Appearing in front of the Palace of Gold, Baldric hesitated. He closed his eyes and said a silent prayer to the Spirit of Man for guidance and for the right words to use to bend The Creator’s ear in his favor.
The palace doors opened automatically, and the Spirit of Man ushered them into the Hall of Light. She said, “Baldric, I stand with you this day, my son.”
Baldric bowed before her, and with reverence, he said, “Thank you, gracious one.”
Bathed in warm golden light, the room and its double-tiered stained glass reflected The Creator’s journey of life and the making of the universe.
The beauty of the room filled Baldric with great peace. He knew once the next doors opened, the answer already waited for him. The Creator had an all-seeing eye. He had a knowledge of everything all at once because everything in existence was of His creation.
Michael let out a sigh and said, “Whatever happens, my old friend, it’s for the best.”
Time stood in the balance as Baldric fidgeted nervously, and he began to pace about the chamber. Baldric thought his beautiful bride and their pairing ceremony. It had been perfect in his eyes. The Throne Room opened, and Baldric took a deep breath before following Michael through the golden doors.
The Throne Room décor was simple in comparison to the exterior. White columns ran the length of the room on both sides. Chandeliers of light hung from a ceiling painted with murals of life in all forms, shapes, and sizes. The high throne was made from the oldest trees of time and space. The Creator watched Baldric approach. Baldric fell to his knees, then prostrated himself on the floor as a sign of humility.
The Creator wore His white tunic and linen pants. His golden sandals laced across His ankles. He reached down and stroked Baldric’s blond hair. “Rise, my son. Come, sit by my side and we’ll talk.”
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Baldric wiped the tears from his eyes and followed The Creator, who motioned for him to sit next to the throne. The Creator said, “Tell me of your great love and why I should sanction a union forbidden for thousands of years.”
Baldric looked into The Creator’s eyes and began to weave his story of great love. “From the moment I looked into Sandy’s, or, well, Sandra’s eyes, I knew she was different. As you know, I have held my position as a guardian for thousands of years and for thousands of humans. But from the first look in her eyes, as an infant, I loved her. When she was a child, my heart broke for her when the human male breached her innocence. I became fiercely protective of Sandy after that incident.”
Baldric fiddled his thumbs and looked at The Creator. “I’ve always loved Sandy’s quirky sense of humor and her tough-as-nails attitude. But underneath all of her steely composure lay a soft and compassionate heart scared to fall in love.”
Baldric cleared his throat and ran his fingers through his hair. He said, “The first time I realized I had a problem was during Sandy’s college years. In front of her friends and family, she tried to be the strong one. But on this day, she danced around and sang some silly human song on the radio then the song changed to a sad tune. Sandy stopped and listened to the words full of longing and despair. Tears rolled down her cheeks, and my pairing scent released. She went into the kitchen and opened a cookie jar and took a sniff. The jar was empty. She’d inhaled my pairing scent and something shifted in my chest.”
Baldric took another deep breath and held onto his knees. “I tried to push the implications of my chemical reaction away, but it seemed every time I witnessed the soft side of Sandy, my scent released, and I couldn’t control it. The smarty pants finally figured it out last summer in Florida while she partied with her friends on the beach. Sandy knew the scent was me. The need to pair with her continued to increase, but I fought against it.”
Baldric closed his eyes in pain, and The Creator placed His hand on his shoulder. Baldric turned to Him and said, “Watching her have sex with other males was the worst. I’d get so jealous and want to kill the men. But she knew my scent. She didn’t look at the men but searched the room for my scent, and she began to perform for me. I’ll tell you it was rough.”