Divine Hope

by Jo O'Neil

  Chapter Eight

  The Lords of Karma

  I was surprised I had the concentration to orb, in view of the fact that I was so mad. I played out my impending conversation with God in my head. How I was going to demand to know why Hope Harper was being given my precious sapphire, especially as it was at the expense of my relationship with Molly. One does not retract a promise, particularly when expensive, evil repelling amulets are involved. Surely, God knew this was girlfriend code 101.

  Even though God had summoned me, when I arrived back in His realm He was dealing with an emergency involving the dragons and the leprechauns.

  Apparently, the dragons kept setting fire to the leprechauns’ hats as the fire eaters flew overhead. The leprechauns said the dragons should fly higher. The dragons accused the leprechauns of being bossy busybodies, and suggested they didn’t wear such ludicrous hats. The leprechauns retaliated, arguing it was just as well they did wear hats otherwise it would be their hair on fire. The dragons expressed surprise the leprechauns had hair and said they thought the silly hats were to cover up this embarrassment. The leprechauns were outraged at this comment and demanded an immediate official apology. The dragons laughed so wholeheartedly at the leprechauns’ tizzy, they only just adverted burning a whole lot more than the leprechauns’ hats.

  God was holding court between the two parties, acting as judge and jury. Fittingly, His chambers now resembled a high court, complete with a gallery where interested persons, including A.M. and me, watched. Only the sky covered ceiling revealed this was no ordinary court, together with the presence of dragons, leprechauns, and angels. But far from the fluffy white clouds which floated above in the sunlight’s illumination when I was last in God’s company, now the atmosphere danced with the aurora borealis. This spectacular display detracted my attention from the proceedings, and even gave me a temporary reprieve from my angst over the Hope, sapphire amulet, and Molly saga.

  The leprechauns and the dragons finally fell silent alerting me to the sentencing God was due to pass. I had never heard such authoritative and loving words spoken when God decreed He would open a secret ravine which only the dragons would be privy to, ensuring safe passage by all.

  The leprechauns danced in their buckled shoes that curled upwards at the pointed-toe-end. Their smart emerald green jackets and slightly darker waistcoats remained remarkably intact considering the vigour of their jig, which didn’t even unsettle their contentious top hats. As the little bearded men cheered, four-leaf clovers sparkled into existence and whizzed around the rainbow that had formed, despite the absence of rain and sunshine which are customarily required to fashion the colourful archway.

  The various vibrant coloured dragons also celebrated in their unique way. They bared their teeth into almost smiles, while their huge wings and scaly tails flapped causing heavens foundations to rock the leprechauns into involuntary somersaults, yet still the fairy-folk stayed in high-spirits.

  All of the defenders and pursuers kissed God’s heavily ringed hands (mercifully the fire eaters managed not to scorch the Omega), and sang thanks to the Almighty in between mismatched embraces, where the leprechauns could only reach the dragons flaky legs, and the dragons inflexibility meant they couldn’t bend enough to hug the tiny men and keep both parties gravitated.

  Once court was dismissed by A.M. in his capacity as God’s Chief Head of Justice, the room rearranged itself presenting me with the familiar surroundings I had first observed, apart from the sky which to my delight continued to dance in iridescent colours.

  Now faced with the prospect of cross examining the Almighty, I became courtroom shy. The ferocious snow leopard characteristics I easily displayed in my work had unnaturally gone into hibernation, leaving its moggie relation to defend its species survival. But I was forgetting God can hear my every word, and He cares deeply for me to take the time to listen to all of my thoughts. His kindness knows no bounds; so far from leaving me to wallow in my awkwardness God broached the subject for me with the utmost sophistication and decorum.

  ‘My precious Child, I have aggrieved you, and for this I AM earnestly and profoundly sorry. Sometimes to honour right from wrong sacrifices have to be made. Your talisman is one such sacrifice, and regrettably Molly is a casualty here. However, My word is honourable, and I AM not in the habit of framing My children for fraud. You made a promise to Molly that she would become the guardian of your amulet. For reasons unbeknown to you I cannot permit this to happen at the present moment. Please be assured, I will right this wrong, and in due course your last will and testament will name Molly as the beneficiary once again.’

  I formed my mouth ready to ask why Molly had to be the martyr here, and to express my concern that our friendship could be damaged irreparably. Before I could pose any question, God answered my worries.

  ‘The “why” will be discovered when the time for innovation has dawned. For now I would like you to return with Archangel Michael to see for yourself how the pendants ownership will be played out. Only once you are satisfied that your friendship with Molly is intact will you be able to accomplish the assignment I have for you.’

  I managed a, ‘But . . .’ before God responded, ‘I promise you, Serena, all will become clear as soon as you are confident Molly is not indignant at having her custodian rights removed.’

  Aware anymore protests would be an unwise waste of time and energy, I orbed together with A.M. to Harry Goodwin’s office, which although was not as large or plush as mine, and certainly the view was inferior, nevertheless, it was comfortable all the same.

  Harry was bent over some paperwork; oblivious for the second time in as many days’ my spirit was spying over his shoulder. Unsurprisingly, he was riffling through the papers he had prepped my will from. Always efficient, I had handed Harry descriptive pages of my most prized possessions, complete with the name of my beneficiary. He scaled down the list looking for the sapphire pendant I had described as my very old and valuable, Himalayan, Devil and evil spirit banishing, cornflower blue sapphire amulet. Written neatly in my fountain pen, the name Hope Harper was unmistakably recorded.

  I tried to grab the paper from under Harry’s nose so I could hold it to the light to detect the alteration. Frustratingly, my attempts were futile. Fortuitously, after several minutes Harry seemed to subconsciously register what was required, and quite eerily, as if I was controlling him, he held the paper up to the sunlight streaming through the window.

  As far as I could detect there were no signs of foul play, meaning whoever had amended the paperwork had done so meticulously and professionally. I knew God was behind the charade. He had practically admitted it. Still, I refused to believe the Omega could so cruelly interfere, and instead I acted like a sleuth running every possible suspect through my brain for the best probable outcome.

  Harry diligently studied the entry under a magnifying glass, and when it passed the authenticity test he scratched at Hope’s name with his fingernail. In no doubt all was in order, while still being somewhat confounded as he distinctly remembered that Molly was the bequeathed, Harry picked up his phone and dialed both Hope and Molly respectively.

  Moments later the two competitors entered, Molly beating Hope by a fraction and thus was able to secure the best seat next to the radiator, which she pushed at an angle before occupying to get the maximum benefit from the heat.

  ‘That’s better. It’s freezing at my desk,’ Molly enlightened Hope and Harry as she rubbed her hands together over the rising warmth.

  Kicking off her boots, Molly swung her slim, natural tan stocking covered legs so she could tuck her thick socked feet under her person, before very British like she proceeded to talk about the weather.

  ‘Can you believe this weather? I thought I was safe to pack my winter wardrobe away,’ Molly rambled. With Harry’s and Hope’s attention she continued with a comment that couldn’t have been less expected by a reserved English person, ‘Still, at least dea
rly departed Serena is happy and at peace.’

  Harry threw her a look of utter perplexity, prompting Molly to explain further.

  ‘When it rains at a funeral the deceased is crying. If the sun is out the departed is happy. Snow means peace. At Serena’s funeral it was both sunny and snowy, which means Serena is happy as well as being at peace.’

  ‘Pray tell, how do you know such trivia, Molly?’ Harry enquired with the same befuddled expression; although he thought he should have remained silent when Molly replied, ‘The high priestess at the coven I sometimes visit told me.’

  Harry shook his head in disbelief, and avoiding further eye contact with Molly he cleared his throat, as was his habit before a will reading, and announced, ‘Once again, I thank you for your patience. This has been a most unusual turn of events. I’m just grateful you both have an understanding nature and comprehend the thoroughness I was duty bound to display.’

  Harry paused, tickled his tonsils with a purple tinted liquid that occupied his water glass, cleared his throat once more, and continued in his slightly curt pitch that came from living a hermit-style personal-life.

  ‘I’ve scrutinised the relevant documentation, and without a shadow of a doubt Serena left her pendant to Hope.’

  Harry stopped abruptly with a satisfactory smile on his face for a job well done. His eyes darted to Hope who let out a squeal before covering her mouth with her hand, and then he snuck a peak at Molly who to his amazement looked unperturbed. Harry had expected Molly to erupt in a blaze of contempt, though Hope’s reaction had been as he predicted.

  ‘I don’t understand,’ Hope managed to say. ‘Serena and I were never friends, and after Rup . . .’

  ‘Hope, accept the sapphire graciously,’ Molly interrupted as she leant forward in her seat to place her now lukewarm hands over Hope’s.

  Relieved more than bemused Molly was not causing a scene, Harry wasn’t about to ask why she’d had a sudden change of heart in case this triggered the explosion he’d anticipated, or further ramblings about high priestesses.

  To his dismay though, Molly, determined to share her epiphany, offered, ‘It’s rare for me to remember my dreams; a fact that has been frustrating over the years’. Your dreams can give you an insight into your subconsciousness,’ Molly presented an explanation to Harry’s frightfully disconcerted look. ‘Last night, emotionally drained after dear Serena’s funeral, I fell into a deep slumber. Sometime in the early hours of this morning, an angel appeared to me. He called himself Michael.’

  I looked at A.M. for any sign of acknowledgement that he’d been Molly’s dream caller. Verbal or otherwise, A.M. failed to confirm or deny he’d visited Molly.

  Molly went on to say, ‘Michael explained you would declare Hope the pendant’s bequeathed, Harry. He said, and I quote, “God has a plan, Molly. In God’s wisdom He needs you to forgo your claim on Serena’s amulet and allow Hope to have its vital protection. Your loyalty will be rewarded, and once Hope no longer requires the talisman you will be deemed its keeper,”’ she finished with the sparkle that had faded after my death returned to her deep brown eyes.

  Convinced my departure had been a strain too far for Molly, Harry looked at her kindly and said, ‘That must have been reassuring for you, Molly.’

  Hope, unconcerned that Molly was admitting to seeing and hearing angels, was understandably concerned that Molly had said she needed safe guarding.

  ‘What do you mean; I need “vital protection”?’ Hope asked in a tone bordering on hysterics.

  ‘I didn’t say you need “vital protection”, Michael the angel did, and he didn’t stay around long enough for me to ask questions,’ Molly said matter-of-factly.

  Keen to eradicate any further mention of angels from his office, Harry mumbled he would be in touch to arrange delivery of Hope’s gift as he ushered the two girls, giving Molly barely enough time to slip her boots back on, out of the comfy, cream leather chairs they had sunk into, and into the corridor. Shutting his door and turning its key to prevent any further strange confessions, Harry slumped into his chair, his head slowly shaking from side to side as if it were erasing the unsettling events of the past twenty-four hours.

  Furious that Harry was going to hand my sapphire over to Hope, I suddenly had the urge to shake Harry’s world some more. If he was disturbed at the mere mention of high priestesses and angels, what would happen if I whispered ghost like in his ear? I wanted to paint a message on his wall forbidding him to give my property to Hope, but A.M. wouldn’t hear of such antics. As he whisked me back to heaven he reminded me Harry was only the puppet.

  The Northern Lights still played in the sky as A.M. and I orbed in front of God.

  ‘I AM impressed at how well you have mastered the act of orbing, Serena,’ God praised me.

  My expression of annoyance remained faithful to me, refusing to be swayed by the Almighty’s compliment.

  ‘I see you have not yet forgiven Me. Your intelligence accepts Molly has been appeased. She has a kind and receptive soul so I knew she would respond to Archangel Michael.’

  ‘So it was you,’ I said accusingly as I swung to look at A.M.

  A.M. chose not to answer me, leaving silence in which God continued.

  ‘I would have trusted no other than My most loyal angel to deliver such an important message, but this is not the information you seek, Serena. You wish, no you demand to know why I had the audacity to tamper with your will and leave Hope your sapphire. Your anger is preventing the Divine Light of your soul to express love, which is exacerbating your antagonism.’

  I’d had enough. As far as I was concerned I had played along with God’s sham for a sufficient length of time, and He still hadn’t had the decency to explain why it was so important that Hope had my amulet. I didn’t understand why He hadn’t just sent Hope to the Himalayas to buy the pendant herself. I knew her salary wasn’t on the same scale as mine, and the sapphire had been expensive, but as a senior partner her father was wealthy, so why did I have to subsidise Hope Harper’s jewellery collection?

  With my wrath escalating I screamed, ‘GOD, DAM IT. JUST TELL ME! TELL ME WHY I SEEM ETERNALLY CONNECTED TO THAT WOMAN? WHY DID YOU HAVE TO GIVE HER MY PRECIOUS PENDANT? WHY? WHY? WHY?’

  I couldn’t remember the last time I had been in such a rage. I generally was very controlled, as when one is in control of one’s emotions, nasty little defense lawyers cannot penetrate the storm lurking beneath the calm. I needed my thundery passion to fire my closing statement to win the jury’s verdict. But I knew if I lost my composure and allowed a comment from the opposition to burst my fervor, the strength which so often won me a case would retaliate for the years’ I had kept it restrained, and that was likely to put me in contempt of court and would surely lose me any respect I had gained in the world of legality.

  God paused as He surveyed me, and then in contradiction to my outburst He ever so gently stated, ‘I cannot tell you what you wish to know while your heart is full of fury. I had hoped your contact with Archangel Raphael and your cleansing with Archangel Raziel had cured you of your hatred for Hope Harper, even though I appreciate your loathing for her was very deep seated. It certainly appeared you were healed. You glided with an aura of peace and orbed with serenity, tasks which would ordinarily not be possible unless a soul had released pain, for hatred is the cry of a spirit in turmoil. However, I was foolish not to see you still harbour a dislike for the soul I named Hope Harper. This puts your assignment in a very delicate position.’

  I flinched as I desperately wanted to stay angry, but curiosity was waving over me.

  God smiled before announcing, ‘I think we can have one last attempt at eliminating your petulance whenever Hope Harper is mentioned.’ He turned to A.M. and proclaimed, ‘Archangel Michael, you know what to do.’

  In a flash of purple light, A.M. and I vanished from God’s chambers only to reappear moments later in a circular room totally covered in white feath
ers. In the middle of this room was a bed which was also covered in feathers. A.M. invited me to sit down on the bed as he intensely watched me, presumably for any signs of further flare-ups.

  As soon as I rested on the feathers, a feeling of exceptional calm radiated over me. My irritability completely disappeared and I couldn’t dream of throwing a tantrum in this serene place. As I absorbed the love in the room, the healing light of an emerald orb materialised. The shimmering light dissipated to reveal Archangel Raphael dressed in his trademark green robes. The presence of the two Archangels emanated an extra sense of peace which added to my feeling of tranquility.

  As they sat down either side of me, A.M. started to explain.

  ‘This is an exceptionally special place, Serena. I see it has worked its magic on you already.’ A.M. smiled before commenting, ‘Your face looks the most relaxed I have ever seen it.

  ‘The feathers are from every single angel God has ever given wings to. We have all donated a solitary feather with the prayer that this will stay a sacred site, forever seeped in the Divine hope, peace, and love our merciful Father intended for this space. It is impossible to feel anything other than love here.

  ‘In your loving state, God has suggested you approach the Lords of Karma to ask them if you can be freed from your emotional ties to Hope Harper. Do you accept the Omega’s proposal, Serena?’

  ‘OK,’ I answered without any ill feeling towards Hope.

  ‘There are eight Lords of Karma. Eight, the auspicious numeral symbolises perfection and infinity, and brings balance to God’s Cosmos. Each Lord of Karma knows the Divine Plan for every soul, and took a vow before the Almighty to keep safe the Akashic records which lists each spirits destiny. It is their vocation to balance the delicate scale of good versus evil. If a soul has accumulated excessive negative karma, they must address the deficit to maintain equilibrium.

  ‘The Great Karmic Board, as the Lords of Karma are collectively known, serves virtues such as truth, justice, and mercy to humankind to stabilise the Universe. However, there are rules which must be obeyed to maintain order. When you ask the Board to release you from the destructive chains that link you to Hope Harper, only they can calculate your karmic account to determine if this is feasible.’

  ‘OK.’ My reply was seriously lacking enthusiasm, which was terribly inappropriate for the magnitude of the situation. ‘How do I call the Lords of Karma to see if I can rid myself of Hope Harper once and for all?’

  While there was no undertone of hatred in my voice, A.M. looked a little surprised that in this Divinely orchestrated room, I still desired to be purged of Hope. This left Archangel Raphael free to answer me.

  ‘Hold the intention clear in your thoughts that you wish to appear before the Great Karmic Board. If your intent is pure, they will honour your request, and Archangel Michael and I can escort you to their temple.’

  I laid on the bed, which was so large it could comfortably still seat A.M. and Archangel Raphael. As I closed my eyes, I prayed the Lords would grant me an audience.

  I felt myself drift higher and higher into the ether. Still, I kept my eyes firmly shut. When I sensed I had stopped, I peeked through my right eye to see eight giant figures seated in counsel before me.

  They were dressed in a multitude of colours. The predominately female board surprised me as I had most definitely expected it to be a masculine environment. The female Lords wore elegant tiaras which looked Asian in origin. Different coloured, sparkling jewels decorated various positions of their bodies, including their foreheads and the base of their throat. The males had large, pointed, golden hats on, like an Archbishop in his full regalia.

  A.M. and Archangel Raphael sunk back into the shadows the large white pillars threw on the same colour stone floor and walls, courtesy of the moon-like, lightning charged globes which waltzed around the temple. Without my angel guides by my side, I felt vulnerable in the presence of the giants towering frames. Before I could dive any further into a position of helplessness, one of the eight seated on my far left addressed me, as the Lord in the fourth seat ventured into the vast library situated behind the counsel.

  ‘We, the Lords of Karma are very pleased to meet you, Serena Olivia Unity Lewis. God has given each one of us a purpose, which when combined equates to an unstoppable force,’ a booming voice informed me. ‘I am the Great Divine Director. God has entrusted me to view the Divine plan of every soul. Next to me is the Goddess of Liberty and then sits Lady Nada, the Goddess of Love.’

  Lady Nada and the Goddess of Liberty bowed their heads to me as the Great Divine Director rotated in his throne styled chair to point out the remaining five members of the board.

  ‘Cyclopea, who occupy’s the fourth chair and who will return shortly, is blessed with the all seeing eye of God. Pallas Athena, the Goddess of Truth sits to Cyclopea’s left, and then there is Lady Portia, who is the Goddess of Justice, and Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. Completing our panel is Vajratsattva who speaks on behalf of the five Dhyani Buddhas.’

  Just as the Goddesses of Liberty and Love had done, the remaining three Goddesses and Vajratsattva graciously greeted me.

  ‘We have heard your plea, Serena, and we have taken into account the fact God endorses your prayer to enable Him to coordinate His plan. We must above all else balance karma, and even with the Almighty’s support, the very Laws He created cannot be ignored.’

  The Great Divine Director paused, seemingly awaiting instruction, thus giving me time to peruse the scene.

  Angels of an assortment of shapes and sizes gravitated towards the library. Some sat on the top shelves. A few were so small they fitted between the books. The larger angels stood as if on guard at the entrance, as well as at stations throughout the collection, while more still patrolled the perimeter. Their loving vibration could be felt even by a trainee honorary angel like me. Nonetheless, I was under no illusions; if anyone or anything attempted to enter without a consensual loving heart, the angels would defend God’s work with fierce honour and determination.

  The angels had permitted access to the giant Cyclopea, who was running his beaker like index finger along the spines of each book in what looked like the ‘L’ section. Seemingly finding what he was looking for, Cyclopea pulled the intricate designed gold, Goliath sized book, which he made appear infinitely small, from the shelf, and carrying the beast with an air of delicacy he placed it before the Boards Director.

  The Lord’s huge hands fastidiously turned the pages of the leviathan book his colleague had set before him, until resting a good third of the way through he muttered, ‘Hmm . . . I see,’ before he added, ‘You have a strong attachment to the soul which incarnated as Hope Harper. In previous incarnations the two of you accumulated karmic debt which interwoven your souls.’

  He paused once again. This time he and the rest of the counsel closed their eyes and positioned their hands in a palm facing upwards gesture, with the tip of their thumbs connected to the tip of their middle fingers, reminding me of Buddhist Monks in prayer.

  Eight spheres floated towards the Lords, stopping to hover over each counsel-member. The lightning the balls contained sparked to connect each globe horizontally, as they simultaneously shot vertical lightning bolts to infiltrate the crown of the karmic overseers’ heads. When the natural electricity dance stopped some several minutes later, the Director returned to his previous pose to serve my sentence.

  ‘Given the evidence we have no choice but to pass the following ruling. We can release you from your destructive negative feelings towards Hope Harper to leave you free to do God’s work. For all that, we cannot clear the debt which must be paid in full.’

  Before I could ask any questions or secure more approving terms, I was back in the safety of A.M.’s and Archangel Raphael’s hands, travelling, I guessed by the flight of my cloak and the whooshing sound in my ears, downwards at speed. The next time my feet touched a solid surface I was in the room in the clouds w
here I’d had my life review. Present was not only my Archangel guides, but also the Alpha Himself.

  God studied me as if He were reading my soul, before he broadcasted, ‘I could not be happier.’ The replica Old Father Time stretched out His arms high into the sky which emerged as the Leonardo da Vinci painted ceiling parted. As He positioned His head to feel the full force of the suns radiance, He shouted into the upper heavens, ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you,’ before directing His gaze at me once more. ‘The Lords of Karma have been most generous in their judgment to free you from your emotional pain where Hope Harper is concerned, for I can now grant you honorary angelic status.’

  As God crowned me with my halo, a fanfare sounded. As I looked to distinguish the sound, I saw a dozen or so cherubs whose ghostly yet vibrant forms played transparent brass instruments. The shadowy figures began to take more solid form as the crescendo rose, as if the music was literally breathing life into them. When the cherubs finished their relatively short piece, God continued.

  ‘An angel, whether honorary or otherwise, will only display their halo when needed. In My perfect Cosmos, when the need arises your halo will automatically appear.’ He smiled before saying the words I had been longing to hear. ‘Now you have made honorary angelic status, I can brief you on the assignment I have specially chosen you for, Serena.’

  I stood with bated breath, afraid to believe I was finally going to be able to start my task and step closer to my objective of returning home to Mayfair. However, I was not prepared for God’s following words.

  ‘I have chosen you, Serena, to save Hope Harper.’