The Gift of Empathy (The Gifts Book 3)

by Jen Gentry

  “What do you mean Ethan’s not coming home?” Emily’s elation of learning that Ethan had been found safe was quickly being replaced by the irritation of learning that he was not coming home.

  Bradley tried to convince Emily that Ethan staying in the Netherlands was best for everyone including Jewel. He and Ethan agreed given they knew who had Jewel and an approximate location, that Ethan would stay in Amsterdam and scope out the island coordinates that had been given to Bradley by the Merchandizers.

  “Emily, I understand your need to be with Ethan right now, but I have more to tell you, if you’ll just listen. Then when I am done talking you and I will decide where we go from here.”

  Emily sat down and put her face in her hands. She was completely on edge. Dear Father, please forgive me. I have not listened and I have not trusted you. Please forgive me and help me to get through this. I will remember that you are still my God and you still have my loved one in your hands.Give me peace and strength In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

  Peace fell over Emily for the first time since Jewel had been kidnapped. She sat back and looked at Bradley. “OK, Bradley, tell me what else do I need to know.”

  Bradley spent the next hour updating Emily on the information he’d gotten and how Ethan had escaped the Dutch gang in Amsterdam. He shared with her how he’d been looking for Bathomet for the last several months and why. As the Lord led him, he shared with Emily what he knew of the Demonic council known as the Ba al’.

  Emily took it all in. She’d never thought the day would come when she would need to share with Bradley about her and Aunt Gemma’s gifts, but it seemed the time had finally come. “Bradley, I need to tell you something, but I can’t do it alone because it’s not just my story to tell. Let me get my Aunt. She needs to be with me when I tell you this, I’ll be right back. Emily left Bradley in the front room and went to kitchen to get Gemma. When she opened the swinging doors to the kitchen, she was met with the most wonderful sight. It seemed all the angels of Perry House had gathered to help Emily and Gemma make a difficult decision. Liam stood so tall the kitchen could hardly contain him. At Liam’s side was an angel Emily had seen but never actually met before.

  “Greetings, Emily, we bring you good tidings from our Heavenly Father.” Emily fell to her knees at Liam’s words, and Gemma kneeled down beside her. Staniel, Gemma’s guardian angel stood at Gemma’s side and Terrence Emily’s personal guardian stood beside Emily.

  “Liam, please tell me, is Jewel all right? Is she alive?”

  “Yes, Emily your sister lives.” Emily heaved a great sigh of relief as she leaned forward and placed her face on the floor.

  “Oh praise God” She sobbed.

  “This is Samuel he has watched over Jewel since the day she was born. He is now one of the guardians of the Saints of Perry House as well.”

  Emily sat up and nodded her head. “Liam, what does the Lord want us to do now?”

  “The Lord says it is time to draw the saint Bradley Steel into the fold.”

  Emily now had her answer. The time had come to share with Bradley about her and her Aunt Gemma’s gifts. Emily had no trepidation it was well with her soul that she share this information here and now.

  In the front room Bradley waited for Emily to bring Gemma in. He felt the Holy Spirit moving in his own spirit. Whatever these women were about to share with him it was from the Lord and Bradley prepared himself to receive it.

  Emily spoke first. “Bradley, I know of the Ba al`. They are a demonic council and they were heavily involved with your father during his campaign for the presidency.” Emily took a breath and let Bradley take it in. When Bradley only nodded as she continued.

  “I know this because on the day the police rescued you and Marta from your father’s house in D.C. I was there. The Lord sent me to pray over you both and to bring in the angels who rid your father’s house of the demons who held you and Marta captive there. You see, Aunt Gemma and I can see angels and demons and they can talk to us.”

  Bradley stood still for a moment and then went across the room to take Gemma’s hand in his own. He just looked in her eyes for a few seconds before he signed to her, his sign language was rusty but clear.

  “Gemma, I knew that you had prayed for me. I knew you sent the angels to protect me when I was just a boy. I want you to know that I have never forgotten that. I have always known that there was something special about you. Thank you, Gemma, for using your gifts to save my life and bring me to Jesus.” Bradley then pulled Gemma into a long embrace.

  With no dry eyes in the room Emily broke the silence. “So, Bradley, do you understand what I just told you?”

  “Emily, of course I understand and how can I not believe you given everything that has happened to me? How blessed I have been by the prayers I know you and your Aunt sent up for me?”

  A feeling of release and peace settled over the room as the three of them gave praise and worship to the Lord. Afterwards, Bradley sat across from Emily to resume their previous conversation.

  “OK, Emily this is what I know that you do not. Ethan saw Jewel as she was being loaded off a plane at the airport in Amsterdam. The Ba al’ and their cult have Jewel and we are going in to get her back. I am leaving tonight on my jet to join Ethan and some of my other associates in Amsterdam to help.

  “You know that I am going with you, right?”

  “Emily, there was never any doubt in my mind that you would be making this trip with me. Now which one of us is breaking the news to Marta?”

  Emily laughed out loud. “I think that it’s your turn to do the honors. She’s not going to be happy about both of us leaving the country without her you know.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  ****

  Jewel’s head was pounding. She’d tried several times to rouse herself. She was disoriented and foggy, but at least she felt warm and comfortable in a soft bed. She could be thankful that she was no longer tied and bound inside a metal box. It slowly dawned on her that she was no longer in the air as well. That was another thing she could be thankful for.

  As her eyes fluttered open, Jewel looked around and slowly took in her surroundings. She was in a small but well-furnished room and lying on a comfortable bed piled high with soft pillows and plush red comforter. There were no windows but the room was brightly lit by several lamps carefully placed around on small tables. There was only one door and quick tug on it confirmed what she already knew. She was locked in. It appeared she was stuck inside a gilded cage.

  Jewel wondered why she wasn’t afraid, but she knew her Lord was with her and she began to quote the scriptures Aunt Gemma had helped her to memorize. Jewel envisioned herself putting on the armor of God. She prayed with the scriptures in her mind out loud as they had been burned on her soul.

  "First, I place the helmet of salvation on my head. Protect my mind and imagination. Guard my eyes, allowing no sin to creep in. Focus my thoughts on the things of God. Let the breastplate of righteousness keep my heart and emotions safe. I pray that I won't be governed by my feelings, but by truth. Wrap Your Word around me like a belt. And safeguard me from error. I put on the sandals of peace to guide my steps. Plant my feet in Your truth. Empower me to stand firm against attack.

  "Next, I take up the shield of faith. Protect me from Satan's fiery arrows. Place me shoulder to shoulder with Your army to oppose the Devil's schemes. Finally, I take up the sword of the Spirit, Your Word. Help me to read the Bible in a fresh, exciting way so I will always be ready to deflect attacks and pierce hearts with Your truth. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

  When she was done she started over again. Jewel was thankful again for the time Aunt Gemma had spent with her teaching her not only the words of the scriptures but the meaning behind them as well.

  ****

  After rushing through packing for a trip overseas, Emily waited in the front room for Bradley. She didn’t envy him in relaying their plans to Marta. Emily could easily predict her best friend’s reaction. Marta wouldn’t
hold them back. She would want to go with them, but her children needed her. Emily didn’t want Marta to be separated from her children and could only hope that Bradley would be able to convince Marta of that and prayed the Lord would intervene.

  Dear Heavenly Father, Please give Marta peace and go before all of us and protect us as we enter foreign territory, and please keep Jewel safe and let her know we love her and we’re coming for her. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

  And now having prayed all Emily knew to do was stand. She longed to call Ethan but since he’d lost his cell phone she had no idea how to reach him. She made a mental note to ask Bradley to help her talk to him since Bradley seemed to have connections to Ethan she herself didn’t right at the moment. Oh, she was thankful Ethan was found, but she couldn’t wait to hear his voice. There was no doubt in her mind how much she loved Ethan and just as soon as she could she intended to let him know without any uncertainty.

  Marta and Gemma saw Emily with Bradley off. Marta made it clear to Emily if not for her children she would be accompanying them. But Marta told Emily she was glad that Bradley had been able to help locate Jewel and that her thoughts and prayers would be going with them instead.

  Bradley loaded their bags in his car and the two of them headed off to meet with Bradley’s private jet at the local airport. Emily felt she was one step closer to having her little family back.

  ****

  Lucius presented himself as a victor to the Ba al`. He’d done it. Only Lucius had been able to out manipulate, out deceive, out torment and outright bully to achieve the impossible. Where countless other demons had failed to deliver the empath girl Lucius alone delivered. He preened like a great peacock as he strode with his chest out onto the castle grounds.

  Bowing dramatically before the great council Lucius touted himself. “See, oh Great ones, Lucius has brought you your prize.”

  Voices murmured assent from the ranks of all the demons gathered together. “Yes, you have done well Lucius. What is it you desire from the council?” Lucius could not tell exactly which of the great ones spoke but no matter he knew what he wanted.

  “I wish to possess the girl.” He stated matter of fact.

  The room exploded with words of outrage “Insolence!” “You fool.” “How dare you!” Lucius had expected as much.

  “My Lords,I beg you to remember who brought you this girl. I did. Who better to take the girl’s mind from her than I, Lucius, your finest and most loyal.”

  Lucius remained bowed as the council conferred and then agreed. Lucius had proven himself.

  “Your request is granted. You shall attempt to possess the girl. Go to the servant Bathomet and present yourself as Joaquin long lost soul-mate to the girl.

  ****

  Hushed whispers in a dialect strange to Jewel woke her from a fitful sleep. It took a few seconds to orient herself to her dimly lit surroundings. Some of the lamps in her room had been turned down on a table in the center of the room. A platter of fresh fruit, bread, and cheese waited for her along with what appeared to be a cold picture of water.

  Jewel’s stomach rumbled but after so many hours without food and the headache and nausea that followed being heavily drugged, she was loath to eat anything. Besides, what if the food were laced with more drugs?

  Something inside her told her No if they were going to drug you again they’d just do it by force. After all, whoever took her had every opportunity to kill her or drug her if necessary.

  In an effort to keep her strength and wits about her Jewel sat down at the table and ate. The food was delicious and went a long way towards clearing her head. The thought she’d had earlier about living in a gilded cage came back to her. When her appetite was sated Jewel began to wonder why her captures had gone to so much trouble to take her then lock her up but feed her and keep her well.

  Jewel shuddered to think what all this might mean. She remembered what Samuel told her back in New York; the human trafficking gang called the Merchandizers was looking for her. For some unfathomable reason, they had used Jake to lure in so they could what? Kidnap her.

  Jewel wasn’t so naive she didn’t know what sex slaves were and why the gang of Merchandizers would want a girl like her, but this all seemed a little extreme even for them. No, there had to be another reason they wanted her so badly. She couldn’t figure it out so she just sat and prayed as she waited for some answer to come.

  It wasn’t long before Jewel heard the whispers in the hallway like the ones that awakened her earlier. Then a scraping sound came from outside her door like an ancient lock being turned and her door creaked open. Light flooded the room blinding Jewel for a moment by the brightness of it.

  When her eyes adjusted Jewel could see two red robed men standing in front of her. One of them bowed to her with his hands clasped in front of him. Then he began to speak to her in perfect English but with a stilted accent of someone from the Middle East.

  “Salutations, dear sister, welcome. We have been waiting for one such as you to come to us for many years now. I hope your accommodations are comfortable, yes?”

  Jewel didn’t know what to say, but felt she should play it cool. There was no telling what these men would do to her. Her street smart ability to remain calm and work her way out of a tight spot was going to come in handy in this situation.

  “Well, the bed is comfortable, at least more comfortable than being drugged tied up and tossed into a metal box.” There let them deal with that.

  “Yes, Miss, that is most disconcerting to hear, but sometimes we must suffer on our journey to become the enlightened creatures our masters would have us to be.” With that statement both of the men bowed low.

  Jewel almost laughed out loud, “Masters?”

  “Yes, the masters who control the universe and all that is in it including time and space. You will learn to trust the masters and learn that we are all one with the cosmic universe. We were told by the masters you would come. The masters say that you are very special, Jewel Bell, and that your gifts will bring great signs and wonders to the ones who serve the masters on this island. I have been sent to be your personal guide and companion. I am called Bathomet.”

  “Uh yeah, so Bathomet, what if I just turned down your offer to; do what here, serve your masters? And just say thanks, but no thanks. I would really like to go home now.”

  “Ah, I see, the masters said you would not understand at first and that it would be necessary to keep you safely locked away until all the lies you’ve been told can be washed from your mind and soul. Then the masters can serve as spiritual guides to lead you on the path to true enlightenment. We will leave you now and let you rest, have you any other requirements for the night?”

  Jewel decided she’d had enough. She stood up and threw the platter from the table at the retreating figures. “You tell your masters that I am a child of the one true God and they will never enlighten me.”

  The door slammed shut and Jewel was again left alone. “Well, Father, it looks like this is gonna be a whole lot of fun.”

  Jewel let herself in to a bathroom connected to the room and washed up. She’d closed the door to the tiny bath but noticed there was only a lock on the outside. After she finished washing, she was startled by a clicking of the lock on the door outside the bathroom.

  “Oh no, please don’t lock me in here. Please.” Jewel started to panic just as a steam started pouring out from jets in the walls. She started to get dizzy and realized the steam was some kind of gas just before she passed out on the bathroom floor.

  ****

  Fuzzy red robed figures danced in front of her. The figures changed shapes continuously, going from tall thin streams of light to twisted and hideous beings from her worst nightmares. She floated on clouds then suddenly she was back on the soft bed drifting off to sleep in the land of shifting shapes and strange lights. In her dreams she seemed wide awake, though shrouded in a fog.

  She walked through a great forest with fire flies lighting her way. A great fai
ry tale world came to life before her eyes. The trees glittered and tiny fairies danced in front of her. It was the things she dreamed about as a little girl the fantasy world she had always wanted. And she was dressed in the most beautiful magical gown that changed colors depending on which way she turned. Soft music seemed to flow from out of nowhere. Butterflies and birds filled the air. Everything in this vivid and colorful fantasy world captured and held Jewel’s attention. It was like a dream come true for a lost little girl trying to find her way in the world.

  A sense of excitement and warmth overtook her—like she had felt when Jake had held her. It was as a sweet wine that dulled her senses and pulled her in. This was a place she could stay and never be bothered by other people’s pain ever again.

  ****

  Bradley and Emily were in the air when Emily felt the strong need to pray for Jewel. A chill went down her spine and Emily hit the floor next to her seat on the jet. Dear Heavenly father, Wherever Jewel is now I ask that you would send her strength. Do not let her be deceived, Father. She is your child help her to remember that. In Jesus’ Name Amen.

  ****

  Jake was strapped to his hospital bed and under guard. Two police officers sat outside his room. But, strangely enough, a beautiful woman he’d not seen before sat in a chair at his bedside and right next to her sat another woman who was older but still lovely in a prim sort of way. From the looks of it, the two of them had been waiting for him to wake up. The younger woman saw he was awake and came to stand next to him.

  “Hello, sleeping beauty, my name is Marta Steel. Now, Jake, I don’t believe in beating around the bush. So let me just say that you have somehow gotten yourself involved with certain people who have intended harm to people who are very close to me, and I want you to tell me everything you know. If you help me I will in turn help you. Because it looks like you’re going to need a lot of prayer, and not to mention a good lawyer to get yourself out of the mess you’re in. So what do you say? Are we going to be friends or not, Jake?”