by D. F. Jones
Anna’s eyes widened, and she looked over Rachel’s shoulder. She said, “Luwenia?”
“Hi, Anna.” Luwenia walked around Rachel to stand beside Jerry.
The combination of the two angels’ radiance shot forth the energy of love into the room. Luwenia placed her hand on Jerry’s shoulder and said, “Hello, Jerry. Don’t be afraid because I am with you.” Jerry looked into Luwenia’s eyes, completely dumbfounded. Luwenia turned to Ralph and said, “Do something, Raphael, because my boy’s not going down today.”
Jerry stood up and stared at his angel. Then he looked at Ralph and Anna. He said, “Oh, boy, this is really bad if my angel is showing up.”
Anna never took her eyes off of Rachel’s crazed eyes, but she addressed Jerry, “It’s going to be okay, honey. There’s a reason for everything in life even if we don’t understand it at the time.”
A sense of peace fell over Anna. She wasn’t afraid, and she remembered all of the things Ralph had taught her. She could see Rachel was consumed with demons and felt betrayed, hurt. Anna understood those same feelings. She had felt the same way about Rachel marrying Jerry.
Anna had to take control and the responsibility for her actions. She wouldn’t change the last sixteen hours she’d had with Jerry. He had come back to her. Anna took a deep breath and concentrated on her divine powers. The energy tingled through her every pore, and she had a sharp metallic taste in her mouth.
Anna said, “Rachel, I’m a ward of The Creator. Right now, inside you, eating away at your soul are some pretty nasty demons. They’re the ones pulling your strings like a master puppeteer. But you know what? Demons can’t mess around with a human’s free will. You still have a choice. You still have free will.”
Rachel backhanded Anna with the gun and quickly pulled the hammer back. “Bitch, you can’t have him, period, free will or not.”
Jerry lunged forward, and Rachel’s look stopped him, “Hon, I’m anxious for her to be dead, too. You make one more step, love, and it’s over. I’m debating on shooting her in a few different places, just to watch her slowly bleed to death.”
Blood ran down the side of Anna’s face. The energy within her began to burn, and the light of love surrounded her. Ralph stepped on one side of Anna and Luwenia stepped on the other. Lastly, Baldric, the Warrior, materialized behind Rachel.
Baldric said, “I couldn’t miss the opportunity of sending those demons straight to the Eternal Blackness.” Ralph and Luwenia nodded in agreement.
Angels couldn’t interfere with free will, either. This was Rachel’s decision, her free will. Anna believed that when bad things happened to good people it’s the result of someone’s free will. She was a prime example. Her life was held in the balance by Rachel’s free will.
Anna remembered Ralph’s letter about love having the most power in the universe. Anna forgave Rachel, she forgave Jerry, but more importantly, she forgave herself. Anna’s body hummed with the energy of love like a thousand bees singing in the air around her.
“Rachel, I don’t want to die today. But I will die for Jerry. I’ve been in love with him for over half of my life.” A bolt of light shot out of Anna toward Rachel, rocking Rachel back on her heels.
A demon shot out of Rachel seeking Anna’s light of love. Baldric lifted his sword, and with a flick of his wrist, a ray of light pointed toward the demon. Baldric said, “Come to Daddy.” The demon shrieked with recognition, and Baldric’s sword sliced the demon from belly to nose. The demon disintegrated into black ashes before disappearing into the Eternal Blackness. Baldric looked over to Anna and said, “One down, two more to go.”
Anna said softly, barely a whisper, “Rachel, to see one’s self as we truly are takes strength and courage and sometimes sacrifice. Do not allow these demons to take your soul.”
Rachel’s face suddenly softened and then contorted with a look of intense pain.
Anna reached for Rachel and Jerry shouted, “For the love of God, Anna, stop.”
Anna held Rachel’s gaze and in a low, even tone she said, “Do you know right this minute, in this room, stand three powerful angels, plus your guardian? They can’t interfere with human free will, either. But all you have to do is ask them for help, and those angels will silence the demons within you.” Ralph and Luwenia placed their hands on Anna’s shoulders. Another burst of light energy shot forward from Anna, and Rachel screamed in agony.
Ralph turned his head toward Anna. “That’s the other two demons screaming, not Rachel. Talk to her about her parents.”
Anna took another deep breath and said, “Do you want to get rid of the demons?”
Tears fell from Rachel’s eyes, and she nodded yes but didn’t speak. Suddenly Rachel looked like a frightened little child.
The love of light filled the room with radiance, and Anna smiled and nodded to Rachel. “All right, do you love your father and mother?”
Rachel nodded again.
Anna didn’t move, and she never broke eye contact with Rachel. “Good, that’s really good. Now concentrate on your love for them. Love is the real power. Love is the real magic in the universe. Love is more powerful than all the demons who walk this earth or in hell below. Focus on the love you feel for your mom and dad. Put their faces into your heart and remember, Rachel. Remember your favorite memory with them. Can you tell me about it?”
Rachel began to cry quietly, and her fingers trembled, but the gun was still cocked and ready to fire. “My daddy bought me a pony when I was a little girl. I’m laughing as he picks me up and throws me into the air. My mommy comes over, and I go into her arms. Mommy is kissing me and telling me she loves me. Oh, I love my mama and daddy so much. I love them so much.” Rachel dropped the gun to the floor, and she fell back against the wall. She covered her face with her hands and began to cry so hard her shoulders shook.
Another demon escaped from Rachel, jumped into the air, and drove fast toward Anna’s soul. Baldric did an 180-degree turn at the speed of light and sliced the demon in half. The demon disintegrated into ash before disappearing into the Eternal Blackness. Baldric hopped back on the balls of his feet and readied himself for the last demon.
Ralph’s hand held Anna’s shoulder. He leaned in and said, “Anna, the Demon of Jealousy has possessed Rachel for a long time, long before she moved to Tennessee. This demon is strong within her and will not want to let Rachel go without a fight. Be careful. Tread lightly.”
Anna started walking toward Rachel, but Jerry grabbed her arm. “Anna, please let me. Let me talk to her.”
Anna shook her head slowly and placed her hand on the curve of his face. With sadness, she said, “Jerry, it has to be me. I’m the chosen.” Jerry paled, and she gave him a brief kiss then she stepped over to Rachel. Anna paused and turned to Jack. “If things go badly, take Rachel to the psych ward. The phone is right behind you.”
Jack said, “Anna, I’m calling them now. They’ll be here in ten minutes.”
“Good. But I have to help Rachel be free of this demon or her soul will be lost forever.” She turned back to Rachel and took one step closer.
Rachel sprang from the floor like a gazelle and grabbed Anna by the throat, choking her. Anna couldn’t breathe, and she tried to pry Rachel’s fingers away, digging her fingernails into Rachel’s skin.
Jerry screamed, “Let Anna go, Rachel. Stop it! You’re killing her.” He tried to pull Rachel away from Anna. But the demon had taken control of Rachel and was choking the life out of Anna.
Anna kicked Rachel in the shin several times as she locked eyes with Rachel, but the Demon of Jealousy looked back, and he wanted Anna dead. Anna could see the demon. He had soulless black eyes and inky black hair. Darkness oozed from within the demon and venom dripped from his sharp teeth.
Anna had always heard that your life flashed before your eyes right before you died. It was true. At once, all of her memories from loving her family, Ruby, Sandy, and Jerry flooded her mind. Anna burned bright with their love. The power of love shot f
orth against the demon, and this time, it was Rachel who screamed back with agony. The demon wouldn’t let either of them go. The demon knew Anna was dying.
Ralph’s translucent wings spanned across the room as he threw orbs of light into Anna’s soul to fight the demon. He shouted, “Baelezael, let my ward go.”
In a roar, Baelezael spoke in a demonic language stemming back six millennia from his descent to Earth. “I will not let her go until she breathes her last breath. I know Baldric wants to send me to the Eternal Blackness, and I’m taking this one with me.”
Anna understood the demon’s words. And so did Jerry.
Jerry quit yelling and brushed the back of his hand gently down Rachel’s cheek. The demon flinched. Anna knew she didn’t have a minute left to live as the tears flowed like a river down Jerry’s cheek. He said, “Rachel, I will marry you if that is what you want. We’ll get married as God as my witness and before the angels inside this room, but please let Anna go now. Please, you and I will leave here. I will never contact Anna again. I will give you my life, and I will pledge you my loyalty.”
Rachel abruptly let Anna go, and Anna fell to the floor. Anna’s soul separated from her body. Her spirit looked at Ralph and Jerry. Ralph began reciting a prayer, and he placed his hands on her physical body that lay on the floor.
Anna glanced at the sliding glass doors. Luc hovered outside in the dark storm. Anna could read his thoughts. Luc waited for the moment he could take Anna’s power and Rachel’s soul, which would be as soon as his demon, Baelezael, won the battle.
Anna gave Luc the smile this time because Jerry’s love for her, his sacrifice for her, had doomed Luc’s demon. Jerry’s love allowed Rachel to use her free will to find love and forgiveness in her heart, which rendered Baelezael powerless. Luc turned away from Anna and dematerialized.
Rachel whipped around to look into Jerry’s eyes. “You’ll marry me? You would marry me to save her?”
Jerry held Rachel’s gaze while he caressed Rachel’s cheek with his hand. “Yes, Rachel.”
Jack kneeled beside Anna, hoping to help, but it was too late. Tears welled in the corners of his eyes as he looked at her lifeless body on the floor.
Baldric pulled Jack away and said, “Pray for Anna’s soul, Jack.”
Anna’s spirit reached up to touch Jack’s shoulder and then she floated through the air to Jerry.
Jerry dropped to his knees on the floor, picked Anna up, and cradled her in his arms. “I would do anything to save Anna.” Rachel cried tears of compassion for Jerry, and Anna smiled as the last demon left Rachel’s soul.
Instantaneously, Anna’s soul melted back into her physical body.
Baldric flew into the air, his sword held with both hands over his head, and stabbed the Demon of Jealousy in its chest as soon as it departed Rachel’s soul. Baldric shouted, “The Demon of Jealousy has left the building, thank you very much.” Luwenia rolled her eyes and disappeared, and then Baldric vanished.
Anna opened her eyes, and Jerry let out a half cry, half scream. “You’re alive. Thank you, Jesus, you’re alive.” Anna smiled at him. Ralph had given her a second chance at life, and she intended to make the most out of it. Jerry said, “Do you think you can stand?”
Anna nodded and said, “I think so.” Jerry helped her to her feet. Ralph had completely healed her.
Rachel’s hand went over her mouth and tears fell from her eyes. “Oh, Anna, I’m sorry. I was mad and hurt, and I wanted to hurt you, too. I’m sorry. I lost it.” She looked into Jerry’s eyes and said, “I can see now the love you two share. I was blind and selfish. Anna tried to contact you over the years, and I intercepted the calls on your answering machine and deleted her messages. I threw away her letters, well, all except one. I still have Anna’s last letter. I promise I’ll give it back to you. Jerry, please call my daddy and ask him to come and get me. Tell him I’m at the Marriot on the beach.”
Jerry had his arm around Anna’s waist, and Anna held onto him. He looked at Rachel and said, “I’m sorry, too. I should’ve let you go way before this got so out of hand.”
Rachel sighed heavily and turned to walk out the door when Jack reached out his hand and placed it on her shoulder. Jack said, “I’m sorry, Rachel, but I think you need to go to the hospital. It’s for your safety as well as others. The ambulance is outside. I’ll help you get checked in. I’ll take care of you there.”
Rachel looked up into Jack’s eyes and nodded. “Yes, Jack. You’re right, of course. I’m not thinking straight.”
Jack escorted Rachel to the ambulance waiting outside.
Anna tried to wrap her head around the fact she’d died, or, at least she thought she’d died.
Jerry pulled Anna into his arms and smothered her with kisses. They both trembled with emotion. “Oh, God, Anna. I was freaking scared. I knew something bad was going to happen when we had the earthquake. My divine message said there would be an earthquake, and the chosen would save her soul. But everything happened so fast. It was like a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from.” He turned to Ralph. “Ralph, I’m forever in your debt. Thank you for giving her back to me.”
Anna knew Ralph had healed her, but she had a feeling it was Jerry’s totally unselfish love that had brought her back to life.
Ralph placed Anna’s hand in Jerry’s. The room filled with the light of love. Ralph said, “Jerry, love Anna and cherish her. She is a gift from The Creator, and you’re blessed to have her in your life.” Her cherished guardian angel leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I’ll be back for the wedding.” He smiled and vanished.
Anna leaned her head on Jerry’s shoulder. “Let’s go and sit on the patio for a few minutes. I’m still a little shaken. I was terrified when Rachel pointed the gun at my head, but a kind of peace fell over me. Life doesn’t end, Jerry. My spirit watched everything, and I heard everything. It’s as if my mind was still the same. I just didn’t have a physical body. Love lives and lasts forever.”
* * *
Jack walked around the side of the house to the patio where Anna and Jerry were sitting at a table next to the pool. Jack had called the psychiatric ward at the hospital and pulled a few strings to keep the details of the Rachel incident quiet. Jerry contacted Rachel’s parents, and they secured a private plane to fly into the Destin airport. They would be at the hospital within the next hour or so. Jack would be there when they arrived. He wanted to help Rachel.
Jack shook his head back and forth as he sat down next to Anna. He ran his fingers along his jawline. “Angels and demons—real, honest to God angels and demons?”
Anna held Jerry’s hand while she looked at Jack. “Yes, Jack. They’re real. The lady who hit me in the hospital was possessed by demons, too. But demons can be defeated with love.”
Jack drummed his fingers on the table nervously. “You’ve made me a believer. A real believer. I witnessed a freaking unbelievable miracle.”
Anna leaned over and her free hand squeezed his. “There’s hope for you yet, Jack.”
Jerry ran this thumb back and forth over the back of Anna’s other hand. “Hey, Jack, I know by the way you look at her that you’re kinda sweet on my Anna, but I need a best man on short notice. We’re getting married, and since you live here, I was wondering if you’d stand up with us? So what do you say?”
Jack chuckled and said, “Oh, why the hell not? Or maybe I should say heck?”
Chapter 18
Against All Odds
Later that evening, Rachel sat in her private hospital room pondering the life-changing events of the day. Just a few days ago, she had been leading a seemingly normal life. In fact, Rachel’s life had been pretty great. She had wonderful parents, good friends, and was engaged to a sexy, fun-loving man. Rachel had been on top of the world until Joseph Campbell’s death. Then her life changed overnight. Everything changed.
After pulling a gun on Anna, Rachel had watched three demons depart from her soul. She’d had no clue what had been living inside her. Rach
el had lived with frequent nightmares over the years. Horrible creatures and darkness often plagued her sleep. And she sometimes found herself doing mean and selfish things to certain people for reasons she didn’t always understand. She could only assume the demons had been the cause of her bad dreams and had clouded her judgment in her day-to-day life.
She was glad Jack had called for an ambulance after the debacle with Anna. He discreetly arranged for Rachel’s hospitalization in the psych ward at Hall of Saints. She was left exhausted and overcome by a range of feelings—but for the first time in years, Rachel felt free.
Before the ambulance arrived, Rachel had watched Jerry with Anna. Jerry had always loved Anna. Hell, he’d told her as much, and she had listened to his stories about them as a couple, which only stirred up the jealous anger already lurking inside her. Rachel had convinced herself she could heal his broken heart and make him love her instead. She’d even resorted to sabotaging any attempt Anna made at communicating with him. But Jerry never looked at her the way he looked at Anna. If Rachel ever decided to marry, she wanted her betrothed to look at her with the same kind of intensity and the same kind of love as when Jerry looked at Anna.
Jack walked into her hospital room, and she sucked in a deep breath. Jack was beautiful, and his gaze of concern—and something more—made her want to get well fast. He said, “How do you feel, Rachel? You can tell me the truth, and it will stay between us.”
Rachel sat up in bed and pulled the blanket over her. “I’m exhausted, but better. I don’t feel deranged or want to slash my wrists or anything like that.” She probably looked like hell and wished she had her purse, but the nurses took everything from her, including a vial of coke. God, she’d been addicted to cocaine. Rachel shook her head. She had screwed up too many times to count them all.
Jack stepped to the edge of her bed and placed his hands on the rail. “Good, I’m glad. I trust the counseling session with Dr. Adams went well?”