by Lynn Landes
Amazed Elina watches the twisting, curling movement of the flame around her and exhaustion sets in. Bone tired and unable to keep her eyes open, she leans back into the cushion of the flame and drifts off. She does not see the flame grow, crackling and popping, nor does she see the speed at which it moves.
Reaching its destination the flame begins to twist, and shift. Growing large and taking shape he carries her in the safety of his arms, leaning against the warmth of the glacier wall he wraps them in his indigo wings and sends them both to a deep sleep.
Elina opens her eyes to a galaxy of stars above her. A cool breeze brushes her skin and blinking she stares at the beauty of the night sky. From a distance she can hear the sound of running water. Sitting up slowly, she looks around and realizes she is not outside but in a strange cave. The sky above is a large vaulted ceiling lined in crystals. She is perched on a rock shelf, which is surprisingly warm. The air she feels is cool and welcoming and she sees even the walls are lined in the beautiful crystals. In the center of the room is a fire pit surrounded by larger rocks, and the orange flames bounce off the crystals creating a dance of shooting stars.
"Magical" Elina whispers. Looking and listening for signs of other people she quietly slips off the shelf. She looks for an exit to the room; the cave she is in has three distinct openings. One seems illuminated from within and the other feels dark and cold, the third holds the lure of bright sunshine and running water. She follows the magnetism of the sunshine and stepping through the opening, she is shocked to see a waterfall cascading out of a large opening into a pool below. Beyond the waterfall she can see beautiful greenery, and lush vegetation. The warmth of the sun beckons to her so she carefully makes her way through the cavern toward the falls. As she gets closer she feels the spray of the gentle falls, she realizes it is coming from a cliff above. The falls are small enough that she can maneuver around them. Stepping into the morning sun she closes her eyes for a moment against the bright glare.
Giving her eyes a moment to adjust Elina lifts her face to the sun and drinks in its warmth. A passing shadow overhead blacks out the sun for a moment, drawing her attention. Turning she is startled to see a large winged shape circling overhead. Elina starts to back up tripping over a rock she lands on the ground. Diving fast the shape becomes larger as it snaps out its blue wings, the wind coming off buffets her and with a thump he lands. The diamond pattern of his cobalt blue scales sparkle and shimmer. Magnificent in the morning sun, the Dragon stares at her with emerald green eyes and waits.
Chest heaving, breathing fast, Elina tries not to panic. Oh No, oh no, she chants over and over in her mind, the pressure in her chest begins to build.
Walking in a circle he settles down and wraps his long tail around himself. Sitting proudly like a king on a throne he watches her, his eyes never leave hers. His face is sharp and angular with black triangular plates starting at the top of his head and running down his back to his long tail. They are a striking contrast next to the cobalt blue of his body. A distinct black pattern is imprinted across his chest. It spreads from one shoulder to the other and down to a v.
Standing up slowly her hands begins to tingle as her body readies for the fight to come. Straining for control, Elina begins to back away to the cave. If I can just make it to the cave, maybe ..."Elina," A deep male voice asks in her mind "Are you shadow or light?” freezing, her eyes snap to his.
"Who are you?" she asks softly, as the pressure starts to ease. "You may call me Malach. I am the guardian of the light, Are you Shadow or Light?" he asks with his tail flicking.
"I do not know”, she says her voice growing stronger. "I thought I knew, but I have done things..." her voice trails off and she looks away. "Elina, you did what you were born to do, and what no one else could or would do. You are safe here." Looking back at him she asks, "Why me? Who am I, what am I Malach?"
"We have time to answer your questions, but first you must renew. You have come to your own personal retreat, here you are untouchable.” Staring at the beautiful dragon before her she can't help but be afraid. None of this makes sense. "You must trust in me Elina; it will all be explained with time. Inside you will find everything you need, food, and clothes." Bending his head, he lifts a large claw and begins to clean it with his tongue.
Turning to go back in the cave, Elina pauses and without looking at him says softly, "You know the others thought they had time too. If they had prepared me sooner, many lives could have been spared."
Rushing into the cave, Elina returns to the safety of her cavern. She is surprised to find a bed freshly made with a small table beside it. On the table is a plate of fresh bread, and bowl of fruit. Light is provided by multiple oil lamps and candles throughout. On the other side of the room she sees a pitcher of water and cups for drinking. The cavern is spacious and turning she is surprised to see a stunning hand carved mahogany wardrobe. A beautiful floral design is carved into the doors. Running her hands over the wood, she smiles. She has never seen anything so ornate before. Opening the doors she finds clothing hanging, plus three shelves full of undergarments, sock shoes and all the necessary items she may need.
Wishing for a bath, Elina hear Malach speak in her mind, “whatever you need will be provided, and you only have to ask." A sound behind her has her spinning in shock as she sees a large tub full of steaming water, with soap, fresh towels. A beautiful matching mahogany screen with the same floral pattern stands for privacy.
Amazed Elina decides to enjoy, she has never felt so dirty before. “Thank you Malach”, she thinks in her mind, feeling his hum of response. Sinking into the water Elina is amazed at all that has transpired. Her life will never be the same again. She wonders about her brother, will she ever see him again? Are the villagers safe since she left? Tomorrow I will have many questions to ask, but the day is catching up to her so she finishes her bath, and climbs out of the tub. Wrapped in a soft towel she picks out a night shirt and eat some fruit and bread. Drying her hair near the fire, she stares for a long time, until she is too tired to wait. Climbing into her bed she says softly "Malach, are you still here?"
"You may sleep sound, I will keep the demons away Elina" he replies. Yawning, she says "Thank you" and drifts off to sleep.
Outside Malach shifts from his dragon body to his true form. Stretching his angelic blue wings he paces. His emerald green eyes are filled with concern. Wearing only black pants, his muscular chest bears runic inscriptions from one shoulder down both arms. The tattooed symbols continue over his shoulders and end in a v pattern at a runic cross on his chest. This human child has the weight of the world on her shoulders, how to best train her and prepare her for what is coming?
A wind blows and he smiles as he watches a Golden Eagle flying over head. Just before the large brown raptor lands, he spreads his golden tipped wings and shifts to human form. Standing in the sinking sun, is a large muscular archangel. His chocolate skin and dark hair are stunning next to the golden wings. His wings are brown at the arches with a mix of dark and lighter brown feathers flowing to golden tips at the ends. Smiling from his perch on top of the boulder, the archangel bows slightly from the waist.
Malach says to his friend, "Welcome Goldie" bowing slightly as a sign of respect to his fellow angel. "What brings you here?" Malach asks.
Leaping from his boulder he floats gently to the ground, "Your distress called to me little brother." Simeon replies, greeting his friend with a warriors hand shake. "Is the Keeper well?"
"She is grieving, scared, and her soul is wounded, but her spirit is strong. Even after all she has experienced she was prepared to battle." Pacing Malach continues, "I can see why she was chosen, but I need to go slow with her training in order to let her heal, her anger is growing."
"That kind of power must be reined in. If she is not trained properly, it will destroy her," Simeon remarks. "She is confused and rightly so, her questions will be many, how much will you tell her?"
"I decided to tell her the history of he
r people and the importance of the book of the watchers. Now, I feel she is not ready for that, Raphaim destroyed her family and her trust," Malach said stopping to look up at his large friend. "I chose the form of the dragon so she will have some sense of protection, but that takes time to cultivate.”
Looking at him Simeon shakes his head and says, "I do not envy you; this is a heavy load you carry. However, I know you we're chosen for a purpose and you must trust your instincts. She needs to heal, and her trust in you needs to grow. She needs a haven, and you must be that for her until she is ready."
“Simeon did you see the light in her? It is powerful; I've never seen its equal! Her control is growing, even when she does not know what it is she is controlling,” Malach says obviously impressed.
Simeon steps forward looking closely at his friend, "Be diligent, this power could be used for the wrong purpose, let the Ketuwah choose if she is ready or not. Never forget that the fate of more than just the humans rest on her young shoulders. I will help you any way I can."
A sound has them both turning toward the mouth of the cave. "She dreams of the evil one," Malach says. "Thank you brother, you should go...” he starts to say, but her scream has him shifting into dragon form.
Simeon allows his eagle free, flying gently to a nearby tree and waits. Malach tries to wake her, calling to her with his mind, but she is blocking him. The screams, turn to panic, then he feels her rage.
In their minds they see her brother stepping out of the fire, fully ablaze reaching for her. "Lina, Lina help me!" Senaka cries over and over. From the fire her Father stands, yelling at her "Are you Shadow or Light Elina!" All the while the demons are slashing at her with their razored claws, while Raphaim laughs at her mockingly asking, “Yes Elina, are you shadow or light!"
She wakes in a panic, screaming in pain. Scrambling off the bed she tries to make it out of the cavern, but the pressure is too much. Malach feeling the power building in her roars in frustration trying to get past the barriers in her mind.
The pain in her chest cannot be contained, the power pours from her eyes, her mouth, even the tips of her fingers and she directs it away from her towards the nearest rocky wall. The wave of light hits the wall detonating it in a shower of rocks, dust, and light. Dropping in the debris, Elina's last thought is of Malach, "I'm sorry," she says softly as she passes out.
Desperate to get to her Malach and Simeon work quickly removing the rocks and debris. "She lives!" Malach calls out, thankfully offering a prayer in relief. Lifting the child in his arms he carries her quickly away from the destruction.
Simeon follows closely, "Let me heal her brother." Knowing he is a powerful healer, he allows his friend to help her. Laying her softly in the grass Malach steps back as Simeon kneels. Closing his eyes in prayer lifting his hands to the stars above then begins slowly sweeping them above Elina. Drifting like snow from his hands, a dusting of light covers her in a healing blanket. Her body glows white, then starts to dim as the cuts and bruises fade away. Able to send her into a deep sleep Simeon searches her for more injuries, finding none he then rises to help clean up.
Malach quickly clears the area of rubble and debris, only to stare astonished at the opening of the cave. A once small pear shaped entrance with a small waterfall is now a huge rectangular shaped cavern with a much wider waterfall. After checking the caves for stability Simeon returns.
"You know this changes everything."Simeon says. "This kind of destruction means she is not only a danger to herself but anyone she is around. She has to move on from here quickly. Her rage must be diluted, or she may be tainted."
"Simeon you are my oldest friend, but you are wrong. This is not anger but fear. Fear I can work with, rage can be directed but only time can heal the chasm in her soul. I will give her all the time I can, and I believe once she has the proper training she will have more control," Malach states firmly.
"I hope you are right Malach, her fate is our fate. I will stay close; you know you can call on me to help at anytime,” Simeon responds shifting to his eagle form he soars into the night sky.
"Peace brother" Malach hears in his mind as he flies away.
Sitting close to Elina, Malach covers her in a blanket and closes his eyes seeking the solace of his maker. With prayerful consideration his plan comes together. Watching her sleep, he is surprised at his protectiveness towards her. Shifting to his dragon form, he encircles her body with his own, wrapping his large blue tail around them and rests.
Five
The smell of pumpkin spice drifts slowly through the house, tantalizing Elina's taste buds. A soft tapping on her door has her smiling as her Aunt slips in quietly, like she does every year on her "birth" day.
From her pillow Lina says, "Are you trying to make me fat Aunt Ruby?" Jumping in surprise her adopted Mom says, "Oh Lina you scared me to death!” With a hand to her heart she replies “Are you trying to give me a heart attack? I thought this would be the year I surprised you."
Sitting up laughing Elina sniffs the air responding "It was your cooking that woke me; it smells so good, pumpkin spice cupcakes are my favorite! How could anyone sleep through that?"
Looking at her tall graceful Aunt, Elina offers a silent prayer, thanking God once again for the surrogate family he brought her to.
"I thought you would be sick of these by now," she says handing her a small plate with a large cupcake. Looking at the beautiful young woman who had become her daughter, Ruby thinks back to the Sunday evening when a knock on their farm door changed everything.
Standing at her door was the largest, most beautiful man she had ever seen. He had a glow about him that put her at ease. He stared patiently at her with his intense green eyes waiting for her to speak, finally introducing himself as Malach.
Her husband Ronnie invited him inside and stepped back as he entered. Malach was small for an archangel, but to human standards his seven foot height was massive. He told them he had been sent as a messenger. They listened astounded as he told them they had been chosen to have a daughter. At fifty two years old Ruby thought this was a practical joke, and had almost laughed out loud.
Ronnie her big bear of a man had simply listened with a smile on his face. As Watchers they had prayed for years for a child, but after suffering three miscarriages, the doctors had told them she could not carry a child. They looked at other options but Ruby's heart was not in it, she had given up. As a thirty year teacher her students brought her great joy; she was content, but the void remained.
Malach told them of a young girl who watched as her family and many members of her village were killed in front of her. She was in need of a family of faith to love, guide, and protect her. He looked at them and asked "Are you that family?" Walking over to Ronnie she reached for his hand and said "When can we meet her?"
Her only regret was that the time had gone so fast. Ten years had flown by and Elina had come home to their ranch in Montana, after finishing her degree in biblical archeology. At first they tried to educate her with other watchers, but that proved difficult. The choice to home school her, was not easy but the only option considering her condition.
They found she was gifted and had a love of history and languages, so they encouraged it. As watchers they were able to teach her how to control some of her gifts, like projection and guiding the lost souls, but only Malach was able to teach her to hone her other skills.
Sitting on the edge of the bed watching her lick icing off her fingers Ruby remembers the first day she came to them, and smiling at Elina with tears in her eyes she says, "I will never tell anyone that the secret to your heart is sugar. Your too skinny anyway, graduating early has taken its toll. You should rest; I'm so glad your home."
Elina tosses her long black hair over her shoulder and asks "Me too, Did he leave without me?"
"Now you know better than that!" Ruby says patting her hand. "He's saddling up and waiting for you in the barn."
Blue eyes shining she tosses the cover aside and runs to
the bathroom, grabbing her jeans on the way. Every year on her birthday Uncle Ronnie takes her to see him, her guardian and friend Malach. Sometimes the visit would last hours sometimes days, but Uncle Ronnie never left her alone with him. Time stopped whenever they travel, so the training was able to proceed unhindered. Dropping a quick kiss on Ruby's cheek she calls out; "Love you" as she rushes out the door. "I love you to daughter," Ruby whispers with a hand against her cheek.
Walking to the barn Elina takes in the beauty of Montana. The lush flowing hills, blue sky with a backdrop of amazing mountains had filled her heart almost as much as the people who call this place home.
Watching her walk towards the barn, his breath is taken away at the beauty of his daughter. It is the internal beauty he sees; her spirit is strong and pure. Walking out to meet her he says, "Hey squirt, come give your old man a hug." Wrapping her in a bear hug, he rests his head on top of hers and says, "Welcome home little one."
Listening to his heart beating strong and true, she sighs looking up at him and says, "You do know that I am not short, you are just freakishly tall. At five feet seven some people have to look up to me."
Throwing his hands up in the air he says "If that's what they have been teaching you at that fancy city school of yours then who am I to say otherwise." Laughing together they turn to the barn, stepping through the door Elina is shocked to see only one horse saddled. Stopping in midstride she turns to him and says, "Uncle Ronnie, what's going on? You are going with me, aren't you?"