"Thank you, Madam Elana, and thank you, Simona. But most of all, thank you, my sister. I shall see all of you when I come again."
Then she closed her eyes and thought only about Lake Georgina.
* * *
When she next opened her eyes, Arlene realized she was in a hospital bed. There appeared to be just one other person in the room. Arlene managed to croak out, "Father Paul?"
The priest, sitting in a chair next to the bed, had appeared to be praying. When Arlene spoke his name, he raised his head, smiled, and stood up.
"Welcome back, Madam Arlene," he said. Handing her a large plastic cup from a meal service table, he said, "Here, take a drink of this cool water."
"Thank you," Arlene said after taking a long sip from the cup. "I needed that. My throat was so dry. How are you feeling, Father?"
"Fine, although I'm still in awe. I'm not sure what happened in that clearing outside of town, and I may never be sure, but I do know it certainly wasn't a natural phenomenon that can be explained by any science I've seen, or heard of, in my lifetime. God has granted me a great honor by permitting me to observe something so very— unique— and I shall never again be so ready to dismiss something that sounds outlandish as being a mere fabrication of someone's imagination. God has indeed given you much more than the special gifts you told me about previously— and I would be most grateful for any further elucidation regarding the event on the knoll."
Arlene smiled before saying, "You know, of course, our stated goal was to send the demon Kamet back to the Underworld where he belongs, and that our determined research efforts turned up a recorded reference to another time in history where a group of villagers had the same task before them. That reportedly occurred during the second century A.D. During a nine-month period back then, a number of grisly murders near Naples were committed by an unknown person or persons. After a priest, with blood still dripping from his hands, was found standing over the body of a just-murdered villager, he was taken to the village elder. The priest claimed to have no knowledge of the murder and stated that he must have been possessed. Believing in the piety of that particular priest, the village elder agreed that a demon must have been summoned forth during a pagan ritual the previous fall to celebrate a bountiful harvest. Why he jumped to that conclusion wasn't stated, but the text did say he contacted all the elders of the surrounding villages who had participated in the original ritual. They all agreed to meet on a hillside after dark to perform an exorcism of the priest. They didn't know at the time that the demon had already left the priest's body. The rest happened in a manner similar to our efforts.
"I'm sure the Church has documentation regarding that event somewhere in the Vatican Apostolic Library, since the library is renowned to contain over seventy-five thousand codices from throughout history. As I've previously mentioned, we knew we wouldn't have been permitted access, so we didn't even try. But I'm confident the Vatican must surely have an account of the event. They may not admit it or want to give credence to the story, but I'm sure they know. The rest you know."
"I'd love to know where that blinding light came from. It seemed to emanate from your body and that of Madam Elana."
"The same phenomenon was witnessed in the exorcism I just spoke of, but the account made no attempt to answer that question. I'm sure they were quite bewildered back in the second century. I believe that the initial light which appeared just above my hands resulted from my efforts to focus my internal ethereal energy. As I concentrated further, I could actually feel the energy of everyone in the ring and I worked to draw that to me. I also tapped into the energy of nature I felt all around us."
"Uh, can you do it other than when you're performing an exorcism?"
"You mean such as now?"
"Yes."
"I don't know. I still feel very fatigued. I don't think I could do it right now."
"I understand. Thank you."
"Father, where are we?"
"At the Lake Georgina Hospital. We brought you here after you collapsed. The doctors have said you'll be fine. No broken bones, no concussion or anything they could find. They said you just had a few light abrasions on your throat, and you appeared to be suffering from extreme exhaustion and needed bed rest."
"How is everyone else?"
A troubled look came over the priest's face.
"I already know about Madam Elana," Arlene said, "if that's the reason for your hesitation."
"You know? How could you know?"
"I just left her a few minutes ago."
"No, my dear lady, you've been asleep for almost two days."
"I've actually been gone for what seemed like many months, but time has no relevance there. A century on Earth can seem like the blink of an eye on the other side, or what seems like a century there can occur in the blink of an eye here."
"And just where do you think you've been?"
"I know where I've been, but I also know you won't believe me, despite your recent statement about never again being so ready to dismiss something that sounds outlandish as being the mere fabrication of someone's imagination."
"Please tell me anyway."
"Okay. I've been where all decent people go when they've left this mortal existence."
"You're saying you've been in heaven?"
"Is that so unreasonable? The Church has been promoting the existence of heaven for countless centuries."
"But we've never suggested that anyone can return."
"Father, after Jesus died on the cross, where did his soul go? I mean, his corporeal remains were dead, so his soul had to go somewhere during the three days before it was time for him to arise again and bodily ascend to heaven."
"I'm afraid the Bible is not— specific— on that subject. There are a number of suggested possibilities."
"But his soul did go somewhere for those three days, right? Why not to heaven? Or at least to that place we call heaven? You know, I think the brown color of Madam Elana's hair was quite becoming. The white color made her appear so old."
Father Paul's face reflected total astonishment as he asked, "How could you possibly know her hair had changed color? You've been unconscious since you fell during the ceremony."
"Father, I just told you. I only left her a few minutes ago. She, Simona, and I had a very long discussion about the exorcism."
When Father Paul still appeared to be skeptical regarding Arlene's explanation, she said, "Father, are you still dismissing my explanations as mere fabrication of my imagination?"
Father Paul smiled sheepishly. "I suppose I am. I guess it will take time for me to fully embrace my new personal philosophy."
"I suppose."
"So, uh, while you were in heaven, Madam Arlene, did you talk to God?"
"No. Everyone there supported the existence of God in that realm, but few actually claimed to have actually seen her. I imagine she's quite busy."
"Her?"
"That's the way all my relatives and friends described God, although I'm sure God could assume any gender or appearance she wishes."
"Your relatives?"
"Yes, mine and those of Amelia Westfield. It took many months to visit everyone, but the reunions were wonderful. I got to see both sets of Amelia's parents, and my children, grandchildren, and everyone I've known from my two lives who have passed on, except my last husband. He's returned to the mortal world by being born again. And the souls I did visit were only a miniscule number of the ones I've known and loved since I was first born on this planet. As Madam Gisela told me, my soul is ancient, but while on the other side I learned that my birth on Earth and the original creation of my soul actually occurred some eighty centuries ago."
"Eighty centuries? Eight millennia?"
"Yes, I was first born about six thousand B.C. Apparently my true age was the critical element in my ability to defeat Kamet. When I needed it, I was able to draw so much more ethereal energy to myself than most other souls on this planet and far more than Kamet truly expected. And I
still might not have succeeded without the help of Simona, who joined with me near the end of the struggle when my strength was waning. I'm something of an outlier, from everything I was told on the other side. I keep choosing to be reborn after my latest body passes on instead of remaining in the immortal world, and with each rebirth, my ethereal energy increases."
"As was mentioned in the rectory, perhaps you're not choosing to return. Perhaps God keeps sending you back for some special mission."
"Perhaps. When I have some time I'm going to visit the immortal world again, and I'm going to make a point of trying to meet with God. If I'm successful, I can ask her."
"I don't understand. Visit the immortal world again? Without dying or performing an exorcism?"
"Certain mortals— just a very select few from what I was told while there— have the ability to cross over to the immortal world for a visit anytime they choose. Apparently, I have that ability."
Father Paul looked at her in silence, his face masked in what Arlene interpreted as doubt.
"It's perfectly fine if you choose not to believe it, Father. I'm quite used to disbelief from the people I know."
"A few days ago, I certainly would not have believed it. But following our time together and our experience in the clearing, I find myself much more open to the unknown. I do believe you. I just haven't decided yet how much I should report to the Church hierarchy."
"I'm confident that whatever you tell them will be met with skepticism, even with corroborating testimony from Bishop Flaherty and Father Fredrik, so perhaps you should limit how much you say. Perhaps you should only tell them what you actually observed and nothing else. You definitely shouldn't say anything I've just told you about my ability to cross over to the immortal world and return while my corporeal body still lives."
"Yes, I think that might be best."
"By the way, where are Bishop Flaherty and Father Fredrik?"
"They've returned to the archdiocese to make their reports. That should be interesting. We were all confused by what we saw." Standing up, Father Paul said, "Your friends have been keeping a vigil in the waiting room. I'll leave you now and inform them you're awake. May God bless you forever for what you've done by banishing Kamet and the risks you took to help all of us here in the mortal world."
"Thank you, Father Paul."
When the door next opened after Father Paul had left, Megan entered and hurried over to the bed.
"Hi, Ar," Megan said in her usual bubbly manner.
"Hi, Meg," Arlene said with a smile. "How is everyone?"
"Everyone is fine. Richard collapsed before you and Madam Elana, but he's fine. He awoke yesterday."
"Yesterday? My sister said I'd only need twenty-four hours to recuperate."
"Your sister? Sarah isn't here. Are you feeling alright?"
Looking away for a second, Arlene mumbled, "Yes, I understand. Thank you."
When she returned her gaze to her friend, Megan said, "What do you mean? What do you understand?"
"I'm sorry Meg. I was talking to my sister for a second."
"Are you alright, Ar? Should I call a doctor?"
Arlene smiled. "I'm fine. My sister had told me that my body would need about twenty-four hours to recover after I visited the immortal world. She just told me that I needed so much more time to recover this time because I was so weakened from my fight with Kamet."
"Sarah's not in the room, Ar. What do you mean about visiting the immortal world?"
"I'm not talking about Sarah. I'm referring to my sister Aleela. She was my first sister, and is the voice I've been hearing in my mind when I perform a tarot reading. I've always referred to her as my spirit guide."
"Your first sister?"
"Yes. She told me I was first born about eighty centuries ago, and we were killed at the same time when soldiers attacked our village. I'll explain later, Meg. Fully. What about the coven?"
"Everyone is fine. The only ones who had a problem were you, Madam Elana, and Richard. Hang on a sec."
Rushing to the door, Megan opened it, stepped into the hallway for a second, and said loudly, "Hey you guys. Come on in. She's fully awake."
Within seconds, people were streaming into the room. Renee led, followed by Erin, Gisela, Oculara, and the remaining members of the coven. It seemed that everyone wanted to speak at once. Arlene held up her hands.
"I know you all want to understand what happened, but it's better if a full discussion waits until we have more privacy than a hospital room permits. For now, I'll only say that Kamet has been returned to where he belongs. Madam Elana ensured that when she made the ultimate sacrifice a person can make for others. She did so without hesitation or remorse. She's gone from us now, but you'll all see her again when you cross over. She…"
Arlene paused when she saw Lt. Bolger, wearing a hospital gown, standing in the doorway. His face reflected the confusion he felt.
"…We'll meet Tuesday night, at the special place," Arlene said, finishing her statement. "We'll have the privacy we need to discuss everything at that time. Thank you for the concern you've all had for me."
The others, aware of Lt. Bolger's presence, nodded and filed out of the room. Only Megan, Renee, and Erin remained behind. Lt. Bolger closed the door as the last of the coven members exited the room.
"Perhaps you can give me a small preview of what will be discussed. I still don't understand what happened. One minute I was sipping a glass of beer alongside Herb Riddell at the firehouse and the next I was out on Madam Elana's woodland, lying flat on the ground, barely able to move."
"You won't believe it."
"You'd be surprised by what I'm willing to believe now. Lay it on me."
Arlene smiled. "Okay, Richard. Have a seat."
Lt. Bolger sat in the chair next to the bed where Father Paul had been sitting, while Megan, Renee, and Erin sat on the bed.
"The demon has been banished back to the Underworld, and the murder rate should again return to average levels for a small, rural county like this, thanks to Madam Elana. She sacrificed herself to banish Kamet back to the Underworld."
"Madam Elana's death has been attributed to heart failure."
"I know."
"How could you know?"
"She told me."
Lt. Bolger scowled, remembering the conversations that Arlene had claimed to have with spirits. "What was the blinding light that emanated from Madam Elana and you?"
"You remember that?"
"Yes. I was barely able to move, but I was able to crawl on my belly to a place where I could see into the circle of people in the clearing." He chuckled. "I couldn't fathom how I got there, but I forgot all about that when I realized you and Madam Elana had begun to glow like powerful searchlights, the glow intensifying until all I could see was blinding light."
"That was energy. Ethereal energy. As we summoned it in anticipation of the fight ahead, it amassed inside our bodies and gave us physical strength. Do you remember driving to the field?"
"Uh, no. And that's bothered me."
"You don't remember because Kamet, the demon, had entered your body. When he realized our attempt to send him back had begun, he needed someone strong enough to stop us. I originally thought he had selected you because of your size and position. He did try to use your physical strength to gain access to me while I was chanting, but he couldn't break through the ring. He apparently didn't know that once the circle has been joined and the chant has begun, it's impossible for a mortal to break through or even harm those in the circle. When he realized he would never be able to enter the circle while he was in your body, he deserted you and entered Madam Elana. She was already within the circle's perimeter and thus had access to me. Besides me, Elana was one of the three other most powerful members of the group attempting to banish Kamet. Her energy, combined with Kamet's, was almost too much for me. Kamet had already been weakened from manipulating your body, or I might not have stood a chance. Even so, Kamet might have been able to destroy me if
Simona hadn't been there."
"Simona was there?"
"Yes. Not being mortal, and thus not constrained by the imperviousness of the ring, she was able to funnel your ethereal energy from outside the ring to me so I could focus it on Kamet. Together, the three of us we were able to defeat him."
"My energy?"
"Your ethereal energy. As I said, I thought Kamet had selected you because of your physical size, but it turns out that you, too, are an ancient, a soul who has consistently returned to Earth to be reborn. You've been doing it since the Battle of Bannockburn."
"Bannockburn?"
"It was a battle between Scottish and English armies in the fourteenth century. The Scottish force of 40,000, under the command of Robert Bruce, met 60,000 English soldiers under the command of King Edward II. The victory by the Scottish forces assured Scottish independence from England, although it wasn't formally recognized for another fourteen years."
"And I was Robert Bruce?"
Arlene smiled. "No, you were just a lowly Scottish pike man who fell to an English sword. The good news is that since you've returned to Earth repeatedly, you're probably not destined to be pulled down to the Underworld at the time of your death. That's not a license to do harm though. You're still judged each and every time your mortal body expires. But if you continue to live as you have through the centuries, I have no doubt you'll cross into the immortal world when this body dies."
"Uh, do I have any powers like you or Gisela?"
"Perhaps. I think Gisela might be able to help you identify them if you do." Arlene grinned. "Richard, you've come a long way from your attitude when we first met. In time, I think you'll progress even further."
* * *
A few hours later, when the coven and Arlene's friends had gone, Katy Neilson dropped by to visit her at the hospital.
"I'm glad you're okay, Madame Arlene. I was worried about you after you turned into a giant firefly. How did you do that, by the way?"
When the Spirit Calls (When the Spirit... series - Book 2) Page 29