by Deena Remiel
“Whoa, there! Steady, steady. Here, breathe through this.” Roberta stuck a straw in Serena’s mouth, and she immediately calmed down. “Okay, Serena, you want to tell me what just happened? Did you remember something? Should I go get Dr. Chappo for you?”
“No! I mean, no, that’s all right. I’m in no condition to be seen by anyone right now. Thank you, Roberta. Why don’t we get me to the shower? I think that will do me a world of good.”
Serena assumed she had been drugged, weakness still being a big issue, But she managed to make it to the shower and sat on a chair as Roberta handled the rest. She had thrown modesty out the window when she realized she couldn’t even stand on her own securely. As the shower washed away the dirt and grime, her emotions were all over the place. Angry as hell one moment, scared to holy hell the next.
What did Chappo have in store for her? She didn’t know, and to top matters off nicely, she couldn’t remember for sure if she had left cookie crumbs behind her to follow. She had a feeling she didn’t. How stupid could she have been? She never went out without telling someone her plans or at least leaving a note of some kind. But today, she allowed her mess of a life to distract her and had dropped the ball. Now she paid the price.
She prayed that the price wouldn’t ultimately be her life.
Roberta toweled Serena’s body dry, walked her to the dressing area, and sat her down on a hassock. Serena learned that Dr. Chappo’s estate, at least the bedroom suite he put her in, dwarfed her house and left nothing to be desired.
“Here now, put these on first.” Roberta gave her lace bikini panties the color of a green Irish meadow. “We’ll put this lovely gown on you and you can return to your bed or sit up on the couch if you feel strong enough.” Serena’s eyes were drawn to the emerald-colored chiffon gown hanging on a closet door, a flowing piece of magic really, simply exquisite, and downright creepy.
When she had looked up information about Sirona, not only did she find text on her, but images as well. And she’d be damned if the gown wasn’t a replica of one she had seen in one of those images. Her suspicions were correct. He thought her to be Sirona, the Goddess of Healing, reincarnated. Damn it all!
“I guess my other clothes wouldn’t do now that I’m all clean, huh?”
“Oh no, ma’am! Strict instructions. You are to wear the gown. Your other clothes are to be taken and thrown out. They’re all shredded, anyway, so there’s no sense in keeping them. I think you made out better in the deal. This gown is gorgeous!” Roberta gushed.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Serena muttered and rolled her eyes. “Okay, let’s put the thing on me.” She stood a tad stronger than just a few minutes ago. Good news.
Roberta expertly tossed the gown over Serena’s head and secured the many buttons along the side. Serena had to admit she felt phenomenal in the gown. It left one shoulder bare and draped seductively over the other. The bodice fit snuggly, accentuating her cleavage and small waist. It cascaded down the length of her like a waterfall to the floor. Surprisingly, the dress fit her petite frame. But she suspected Dr. Chappo of being a stickler for details and figured he’d researched everything he needed to know about her while planning her seizure. Sick bastard! As she walked over to the vanity table, it swished deliciously around her legs. Okay, so the gown is gorgeous and feels fabulous, but it’s still creepy.
It took Roberta nearly half an hour to deal with Serena’s voluminous mane of hair. She dried it, curled it, and gave it free reign to fall against her shoulders. When Serena gazed into the mirror, her reflection stunned her. She saw Sirona staring back. Turning away from the mirror in disgust, she grumbled. Damn her! Why do I have to be her spitting image?
“Why, don’t you look beautiful, ma’am! You sure do. Like a goddess,” Roberta sighed dreamily.
“Oh, can it, would ya?” Serena prickled, and blew out an exasperated breath. “I’m no freakin’ goddess, all right? I’m me. Serena Sikes.”
Serena shot up from the vanity seat, swayed dizzily for a moment, and stalked out of the dressing area. Where she thought she could go, she didn’t know, but she knew she couldn’t stand to be near a mirror nor in that room for another minute.
She marched over to the bedroom door and looked for a door handle. None.
“Roberta, let me out of this room, please.” She stood facing the door, arms crossed over her chest, foot tapping furiously, fully expecting the nurse to comply. She didn’t.
“I said, let me out of this room, now, before I lose my mind,” Serena demanded.
“I don’t take kindly to being ordered about in such a manner, Miss Sikes. Not at all. Now I’ve been nothing but helpful and patient with you since you came here. But if you’re going to behave in a manner unbecoming of a guest of Dr. Chappo, you’ll leave me no choice but to get severe with you. I can be very unpleasant when pushed. Don’t test me. Now move away from the door. There’s nothing for you out there. All you could want or need is right here in this very room. Dr. Chappo will visit with you tomorrow. I suggest you thank him for all he’s done for you when he comes.”
Serena swung around, ready to spew everything she wanted to thank Dr. Chappo for, but when she saw Roberta’s threatening stance and demon-possessed glare, she thought better of it. This woman had more going on than met the eye. She cooled down and put on a repentant face. “I’m sorry, Roberta. Please forgive my rude behavior. I’m a bit on edge. Considering what I apparently have been through, it’s no wonder. Right? Of course, I’ll be thanking Dr. Chappo when I see him. He’s been so gracious to save me and bring me here to his home. And thank you for seeing me through such a terrible time. You know, I’m starting to feel poorly again, so I think I’ll go lie down for now.”
Serena took a couple of unsteady steps, and would have fallen had Roberta not been there to grab her. She begrudgingly leaned on Roberta the rest of the way to the bed, infuriated that she still needed to rely on her. As she smoothed out the sheets around Serena, Roberta turned to peaches and cream again.
“Oh I know you meant nothing by yelling at me. You’re just a little confused. But people need a stern reminding of their place and manners every now and again. Now, you can rest a little for now. Don’t quite know what those men did to you, but I don’t want you slipping into a coma. So sleep if you must, but I’ll be bugging you to wake up quite often. Every hour on the hour.”
“Understood,” Serena replied. That certainly doesn’t give me a lot of time to look for a way out, but I’ll take what I can get.
Roberta said no more and left the suite. Serena’s headache waned, but she felt as though during this first hour, maybe she should rest, and try to sleep off whatever Steve had put on that rag. She punched her pillow in frustration. As she closed her eyes, her thoughts traveled to Raphael. Shit. What a mess! She had a strong feeling there would be no heroic rescue by him looming over the horizon. She had gotten lucky three times. He happened to be in the right place at the right time. No, she would have to rely on her own wits to get herself out of this jam and back to safety.
Raphael. She never got to go back and tell him that she’d forgiven him. She never got the chance to tell him that she loved him either. Well, that part is for the best. No sense in telling him so when the point is moot. She knew better than to think he loved her. He can’t. He’s too wrapped up in the idea of his wife returning to him through her. How’s that for a kick in the pants?
What’s more, the rest of the men in her life right now, all degenerates unfortunately, wanted her, too. But they didn’t really want her for her, either. Nobody wanted her. Everybody wanted Sirona. And she is just a convenient vessel for the soul of an ancient goddess to reside in, a fifth wheel or tag-along.
Maybe I should give in to her. Maybe I should give up my soul and let Sirona’s take over. Everyone would be happy. Dr. Chappo would get what he wanted—a goddess who could heal him. Raphael would get what he wanted—his dead wife back from oblivion, alive and well. And I, in some small way, I would fina
lly matter.
She closed her eyes and hot tears flowed down her face. As she lay on the bed, her thoughts drifted back to Raphael. Through her weeping she found her voice and spoke in quiet desperation. “Raphael, my love, I know I’m not meant for you. But please hear me, find me, save me. Save Sirona!”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“Success, gentlemen! Success!” Kemuel shouted as he, Gabriel, and Michael came bursting through the front door.
“Shh!” Emma hissed. “Come on! We’re so close to a full night’s sleep from the twins!”
“Sorry, I forgot.” A wail suddenly arose from down the hall. She sprang into action, throwing a glare toward Kemuel and ran down the hall, hoping to avoid a double whammy.
“Brother, you are in the doghouse tonight!” Michael ribbed.
“Come on in, Kem. There’s plenty of room for the both of us,” Raphael muttered sourly.
“I won’t be in for long. She likes me,” Kemuel boasted as he sat down next to Raphael. “So, we went, we saw, and we got out. We are ready to roll. Gabriel, give up the goods, my brother.”
Gabriel described the lay of the land surrounding Dr. Chappo’s mansion in detail. “As predicted, there’s a full complement of security in the manner of men, lots of them. There are twenty guards surrounding the actual perimeter of the house, while another twenty walk the grounds. We can’t tell how many men are within the house, but we suspect there are probably similar numbers. Michael detected lasers, motion detectors, thermal imaging cameras, and electrified fencing. When we return, he’ll take care of those and shield us from detection. There are only three visible exits: the front door, the garage door, and the servant’s entry. All are linked to an alarm system. There are windows, of course, also rigged up to an alarm, but it’s a bit of a drop if someone chooses to escape that way. It looks as though there might be a secret basement, given the fact that the foundation rises about ten to fifteen feet from the ground, and there are no doors or windows at that level.”
“Good work.”
“I figured we’d make quick work of the guards. Michael will deactivate the alarms on all the exits. We can break in after that, find Serena, take care of the crazy doctor, and get out,” Kemuel explained.
Emma came back with a squirming baby Asher in her arms. “Here, Kemuel, hold him while I get his bottle ready.” She handed over the unsettled little fellow to Kemuel, who looked none too happy to be holding such a tiny creature in his giant hands.
“Well,” he muttered, “at least it’s not the doghouse.” The others laughed. “Man! This guy won’t stop moving!”
“Here, give him to me. Now you owe me, too,” Michael ribbed, taking the unwieldy Asher from Kemuel’s arms. He immediately calmed down for his father. Emma appeared with the bottle, took Asher from Michael, and headed back to his bedroom. She stopped short and turned around.
“Be safe, gentlemen, and bring Serena home.”
“That’s a promise,” Raphael vowed. She smiled and continued toward the bedroom.
“Before we leave, I have something to say.” His stance changed to that of a warrior. “Just so we are clear, you need to know there will be no saving of souls tonight on my part. I fight alongside you, Warriors. I believe I’ve earned that right. Anyone who tries to stop me…well, don’t.”
“Don’t be an ass, Raphael,” Gabriel chided. “There’s no need for threats around us. I don’t think anyone here would deny you the right to fight for the safe return of your woman. We’ve seen you wield your sword, my brother, and have no doubt you can do some serious damage. So if you’re ready, let’s do this.” Gabriel turned to leave and the rest followed, taking flight as soon as they cleared the doorway.
***
Roberta entered the bedroom. “I see you’re awake.”
“Yes, I am, and I’d really like to know what time it is. I feel like it’s been forever since I arrived here.”
“Oh, don’t you worry about that.” Roberta gave her some broth and crackers to eat. “You just focus on getting stronger.” Serena had to admit the food was welcomed. She hadn’t realized how hungry she’d gotten over the past few hours and eagerly dipped her spoon in the bowl, making quick work of the meal.
Earlier, Serena had checked out her rooms. There were no visible doors other than the one she had seen Roberta come and go through. She thought there may have been windows, but came to learn the window treatments were a clever designing disguise. I’m good and stuck, at least until Dr. Chappo makes an appearance. She continued praying for a miracle; Raphael would somehow figure out where to find her. A little niggle in the back of her mind caused some concern. Now that she knew Sirona had been kidnapped and murdered, all without Raphael knowing until it was too late, she worried that history may be repeating itself.
Roberta checked her blood pressure for the hundredth time, and appeared pleased with her numbers. “You’re coming around just fine, Serena, just fine. In fact, I think you are ready for Dr. Chappo’s visit. He wanted me to alert him as soon as you were well enough, and I shall do so. He’s been so anxious to speak with you, and there really is no reason for delay.”
“Before you go, you said you are his private nurse. Why would he need a nurse, if I may be so bold as to ask?”
“Dr. Chappo has a terminal illness. The disease turns muscles and tendons to bone, poor dear. You know, he is an archeologist, a bone digger, and he’s turning to bone himself.” Roberta shook her head with chagrin. “It’s one of life’s cruel ironies, I guess.”
“Wow, that’s pretty terrible, to slowly turn to stone, basically, must be a nightmare for him. Has he explored every avenue available to him to find a cure, or at least a way to slow down the progression?”
“Oh, he’s tried everything, but nothing has worked. Although he mentioned to me the other day that he has found a possible cure, and that’s exciting. I don’t know what it is, though. He hasn’t shared that much with me. When he’s ready, I’m sure he will. After all, I am his nurse. If there’s anything to be done medically, I would certainly be involved.”
Things had gone from bad to worse in a heartbeat. What the hell does the lunatic have in mind for me? And if Roberta’s involved, I’m definitely screwed.
***
The evening called for stealth, not shock and awe, so the Brethren descended from the sky shielded from detection. As they alighted on the ground, Michael made quick work of the electrified fencing, lasers, and thermal imaging cameras. One by one the barriers came down, and one by one the Brethren infiltrated Dr. Chappo’s estate. With their specially forged swords at the ready, they spread out to eliminate the guards walking the grounds. Just as Kemuel’s sword had dealt justice swiftly and permanently upon Bull, so did the Brethren’s this night as well, and so too, did their swords absorb the blood of the fallen men. One by one, the guards were shepherded to concealed areas where they never saw their deaths coming.
When the Brethren came upon the mansion itself, they split up the guards, four per person. For Kemuel and Nathanael, the Warriors, the numbers were a walk in the park. For Michael and Gabriel, the Protectors, it proved slightly more challenging; however, they had experienced much more warfare than Raphael. Raphael surprised them all, though. He stalked toward his targets, and with grace and a good dose of ferocity, cut them down, only to move on and cut down more than his share. His kills had been as skilled as any Brethren Warrior. The others couldn’t help but notice that tonight his powerful aura didn’t glow with the typical Savior’s golden hue, but rather the Warrior’s reddish hue.
It gave the other Brethren pause, and Gabriel took note since nothing like this had ever happened before. He hoped it was only a temporary condition, since he knew how E.L. would take Raphael’s crossing the line of duty. Not well. He didn’t allow any Brethren to absorb powers that belonged to another Brethren group. To each his own powers. That was the law. Finally, with the outside guards out of the way, they broke into the mansion.
“Raphael, do you feel he
r yet?” questioned Gabriel, as the Brethren met up by the side of the house.
“No, damn it. Why do I get the strange feeling E.L. is putting his nose into things again?”
“Well, I hope that’s the reason you’re not sensing her anymore. I’d hate to think of the alternative.”
“She’s not dead, Gabriel. She’s not. She can’t be. And that’s final. So let’s get on with things, shall we?” Raphael pressed. Naturally, he led the way. As if anyone would dare to make him wait. The rest of the Brethren fell in place next to and behind him. He motioned for Michael to disarm the front door locks. He stepped forward, and with a mere wave of his hand over the door handle, he unlocked the myriad of mechanisms installed to dissuade others from entering without permission. But he held his arms out straight so no one could pass. Raphael gave him a warning glance.
“Let me pass, brother.”
“Wait!” Michael whispered fiercely. “Something’s not right. I’m detecting some pretty intricate, hi-tech security measures right at this threshold. Give me a minute. We don’t need anyone getting injured and halting our plans right now.”
Michael’s all-powerful status as the Great Protector enabled him unprecedented abilities in the varieties of protection. That meant he could also dismantle all manner of protection as well. He stood silent and still like a statue for a moment. When he finished the sweep, he did not look happy. “All right, ladies, it’s a good thing we didn’t all go barreling in there. This lunatic has trip wires and motion detectors rigged to poison darts, Chinese stars, and machine guns. And that’s just at the threshold. Give me a moment, and I’ll disable them. But I’m sure there will be more, and that troubles me. So, stay behind me whenever we walk into a new room. I’ll search, detect, and disable anything more we find as we go. We’ve got to make this place safe for Serena to walk out of here.”
“I thought we’d split up, though, Michael.” Raphael raked his hands through his hair, immediately annoyed over this latest development. He felt a slow, suffocating squeeze around his gut. “If we split up, we can find Serena sooner.”