Portals Arizona Crystals

Prologue

May 10, 2004, 5:30 p.m.

Leaning back in the hospital bed, Joseph began to meditate, to communicate

with the Other Side as his last few hours of life on earth

dissipated. His battle with cancer had been long and grueling. Never

will he again repeat this experience in his next life here on earth.

The pain had been excruciating, along with the sickness that came

with the chemotherapy. He just finished his letter to Alexandria, his

daughter, simply written but with a hidden message. How do you tell

someone that his or her life is about to change in a way that no one

would believe? How he wished that he had been given custody over

her when he and her mother had divorced; then she would have been

trained properly to replace him.

But then, no one ever knows what actions the Dark Ones will

take since no one from the Other Side can monitor them. The Dark

Ones create their own paths as they move forward in the bodies they

have stolen from other souls who were to enter into this world.

“You call, Joseph?” Lachlan smiled as he appeared before Joseph.

Never had he seen his friend look so weak and awful. It would sadden

him if he felt human emotions, but on the Other Side, only happiness

is felt. Only through his own past life experiences did he know

how he would have felt.

“Yes, my friend, I did. I would like to talk about Alex and what

has and will transpire. You know as well as I she doesn’t know her

position or the powers that she has here on earth. I’m worried, to be

honest.” Joseph frowned at the letter in his hand, then looked up to

his friend for understanding.

“Ah, yes. But she knows she has something. She has used her

powers in anger. She only had to turn to you to have the answers. But

of course, she didn’t, out of fear that everyone would think her crazy.”

Lachlan moved closer to the hospital bed and poured water into a

cup of crushed ice for Joseph to sip on. He could hear the dryness in

his friend’s voice.

“Thank you, old friend.” Joseph took the plastic cup and sipped,

savoring the wetness and coolness of the water as it caressed his dry

mouth and throat.

“I believe you worry for naught, friend. She will have us, including

you, from the Other Side to guide her, and of course, do not

forget she will also have her Protector. Yes, my friend, she will learn

quickly. You are still in human form and, therefore, feel these worries.”

Having said this, he moved to sit in a chair near the window

where he studied the picture of Joseph and his daughter. It was taken

at the Grand Canyon. Joseph noticed that Lachlan was transfixed on

the photo.

“She sure has grown into a beautiful woman, hasn’t she?”

“That she has, and a strong woman also, don’t forget that.”

Lachlan tried to project his thought to Joseph.

“Don’t do that. I know. You don’t have to force your thought

upon me.” Pain gripped Joseph, and he closed his eyes, trying to relax

his mind from worry.

“I will visit her if you like. She is still in the hospital and doing

fine, and so is the baby, though he was early. While you are being

cleansed on the Other Side, I shall watch over her. She has already

sensed she is being watched by something dark. She has felt his presence.”

He stood, preparing to leave, and moved closer to the bed. He

took the cup from Joseph’s hand and placed it on the stand next to

the bed.

“Worry not, my friend. I will be there to guide her and make

sure the Dark One does not get to her.” He placed his hand on

Joseph’s forearm to ease the pain.

“Rest, your journey to return home has begun. I will be waiting

for you.” With that said, Lachlan faded away as the nurse walked in.

Hearing Joseph’s death rattle, she hurried out of the room to get the

priest and call the doctor. Finally, his pain would end, she thought.

Peace was a short time away for Joseph Wolf.

1

May 8, 2004

The pain was excruciating as Alexandria sat up in bed and placed her

hand on her abdomen. How long had she been asleep? Alex turned

to look at the clock on the nightstand; it read 12:20 p.m. Just twenty

minutes was all she had slept. Alex’s hand shook as she reached for

the phone to call her mother. As she started to dial the number, she

was gripped with another contraction. The baby can’t be coming now.

It’s too early, seven weeks too early, she thought.

“Hello, this is—”

“Mom, it’s me. I think I’m in labor. The pain is so bad I think I

need to go to the hospital, but I don’t have a way to get there. I don’t

think I could drive myself there even if my car was working.” Alex

started to cry even though she knew it would make her mother angry

at her, but she could not help herself, she was just too scared. Her

first baby was a C-section, so she had no idea what to expect being

in labor.

“Look, honey, I don’t have time for premature labor, false labor,

or whatever they call it nowadays. You ain’t the first woman to give

birth, so call your doctor and grow up and be responsible. Look, I

gotta go. We’re gettin’ busy. Call me later, and let me know what’s

happenin’. Bye, hon.” Alexandria’s mother, Dot, hung up the phone.

Oh no! Suddenly, she felt a whole lot of water wet the bed. Is that

me? Did I wet myself? My water just broke! Alex picked up the phone

to call her doctor before she became hysterical and couldn’t accomplish

anything, like having a baby right. Answer! Come on, answer!

“Hello, Dr. Mercer’s office. This is Pat,” answered the receptionist

all chirpy.

“Hey, Pat, this is Alex Wolf, and my water just broke.”

“Oh, hold on, Alex. Let me get Dr. Mercer on the phone real

quick.” Alex was placed on hold on the phone line. Please hurry! Alex

thought as another contraction started. But as the contraction subsided,

the hair on the back of her neck began to rise. She felt as

though someone had just entered her room. With eyes wide, she

searched the room, focusing on the cracked door to her room but

couldn’t see anyone there.

When Dr. Mercer answered the phone, she asked, “Alex, how

far apart are your contractions?”

“I don’t know for sure, oohhh…but I believe this is the third…

one…in…ten minutes. I started hurting yesterday in my back,” Alex

told Dr. Mercer while she was having another contraction.

“It’s okay. You’re going to be fine. I’m going to go ahead and call

an ambulance to pick you up, and I’ll meet you at the hospital. Now,

do you have anyone to watch Kimmy while you’re in the hospital?”

Dr. Mercer listened for an answer; there was nothing but silence.

“Alex, are you there?”

“Yes, I’m here. And yes, I have someone to watch her. Dr.

Mercer, these contractions are getting closer. Ooohhh! I’ll call…my…

neighbor…now!” Alex hung up the phone and dialed the number to

Shirley so she could come and get Kimmy. It was a good thing she

thought to give Shirley the spare key to her apartment. She didn’t

believe she could walk to the front door to open it by herself. After

she hung up the phone, Alex stood and peered at the door, hoping

she wasn’t really being watched. It was really weird how lately she

kept feeling that someone dark lurked in her home.

* * * * * *

Two hours later…

While Alex was being examined, she thought, I hope I’m placed into a

room with wallpaper or painted wall. Anything’s better than white walls.

“Well, kiddo, you’ve dilated eight centimeters. Sweetie, you better

get ready. This baby boy is coming into the world in about fifteen

minutes or less.” Dr. Mercer stepped back to pull her gloves off and

told one of the nurses to get the monitor ready for the baby.

“Get the headband ready so we can hook it to the baby’s head

and keep track of his heart rate and oxygen level.”

“Is he going to be okay being early and all?” asked a drowsy

Alex. She had just received a shot of medicine to help ease the pain

of the contractions.

“Yes, he’ll be just fine. Tell me, did you call your mother and

husband to let them know you were coming to the hospital?” the

doctor asked even though she knew the answer. Alexandria’s family

had never been very supportive unless there was something in it for

them. It was more like they were the children, and Alex was the parent.

The doctor had been planning to give Alex some self-help books

but kept forgetting. Maybe the books would help to break the cycle

that had started with Alex’s mother and grandmother, and she would

give her children a better life than she had experienced herself.

“I called Mama to let her know, but she said they were busy

and to call you. As for calling my soon-to-be ex-husband, I figured I

could bring this baby into the world without him since I’ll be raising

my children by myself anyhow. Oohh!”

Alex managed to say as another contraction started. “Okay,

enough talking. This baby is coming, and there is no stopping him

now. It’s time to work. When I say push, you give it all you got.

Okay?” Doc looked at Alex and got a nod for her answer.

“Push now!” Dr. Mercer said excitedly. Oh, how she loved bringing

new life into the world. There was nothing in this world to beat

the rush she got when seeing a new life begin. Their little souls are so

clean and pure, untainted as yet by the cruel world they had entered.

* * * * * *

Steven Harvey Davidson III was brought into this world weighing

six pounds ten ounces with fluid in his lungs, so he was placed in

premature ICU for four days. The doctor said everything would be

okay, but Alex couldn’t help but feel worried over him. This was all

new to her, having natural birth and a premature one at that.

Alexandria’s husband, soon-to-be ex-husband, Steven, arrived

about seven hours after the baby was born. He was drunk from celebrating

the birth of his baby boy, so the doctor had the nurses call

security to escort him out before he had the chance to make it to

Alex’s room.

The poor woman had already had an argument with her mother.

Not only could the mother not be supportive, she had to fuss at her

daughter for not carrying her baby full term. For the life of her, Dr.

Mercer could not fathom a mother being so cold and selfish as this

woman had been throughout Alex’s life. At least she had the decency

to come to visit sober this time. She guessed she learned her lesson

when the first baby was born. It’s a shame that the same thing could

not be said for Alex’s husband.

At about eight fifteen, the third night in the hospital, Alex

started to shiver and feel really cold. She began to feel as though she

were leaving her body; it was such a weird sensation. She pushed the

call button for a nurse to come to her room before she had some kind

of panic attack. What was happening to her?

When the nurse came into the room, she noticed right away

that her patient was extremely pale and called for Dr. Mercer to come

to the room immediately. Luckily, the doctor had just arrived for

another patient in labor.

The nurse was taking Alex’s temperature when Dr. Mercer came

in.

“Her temperature is 95.9 degrees. What do you want to do?”

The nurse could feel the coldness in Alex’s hand as she timed her

pulse.

“Alex, can you tell me how you are feeling right now?” asked

Dr. Mercer, looking into eyes that appeared almost empty. Alex lay

there, unresponsive, which couldn’t have been more than a minute,

but it was long enough to make the doctor worry that something had

really gone wrong.

Then Alex weakly whispered, “You need to tuck the tag to your

jacket in. It’s sticking out.”

“What?” Doc reached behind her and felt for the tag, found it,

and tucked it in. She looked back at her patient and asked, “How did

you know that?”

The nurse noticed that Alex’s hand was getting warmer and

took her temperature again. She looked at the doctor and said, “Her

temperature is 98.5 degrees now. Don’t that take all? Look, her color

is even coming back too.”

“Maybe she was in shock. I want to order some blood work and

also check for infection. Is she taking any pain medicine? I know she

has had allergic reactions before to antibiotics.”

The doctor was thinking out loud. She turned to look at the

nurse and asked her, “Would you please go get her chart? I want to

check it.”

As the nurse left, Alex spoke. “I could have sworn I was just in

the corner of this room and could see the back of your jacket. Your

tag was sticking out, and then I heard my father’s voice saying, ’I love

you, Blossom. You take care. That sure is a handsome boy you got

there.’ It was so weird, sort of like I could feel him, but not see him.”

Alex noticed the doctor was looking at her kinda funny like. “What?”

“I think you just had an out-of-body experience.”

“A what?”

“Never mind. Let’s get you something to help you relax so you’ll

rest better. I’ll see if there is some information about what I told you

just now. Not too many people believe in it, but when you’ve seen life

and death as much as a doctor has, you can almost believe anything

in the hereafter. Oh, ignore me. I’m rambling on.”

She heard the nurse enter, turned to take the chart, and asked,

“Good, here’s your chart. What time is it?” Dr. Mercer looked at the

nurse for an answer.

“It’s eight thirty.” The nurse looked at Alex and asked, “You

feelin’ better?”

“It’s the strangest thing, but yeah, I feel better now. Maybe I

should call my daddy and see if everything is okay.”

“You know what, Alex? I believe it would be better if you got

some rest before we bring your baby in here later for you to nurse.

I’m sure everything will be just fine. If you start to feel like this again,

call the nurse. Okay?”

Dr. Mercer took Alex’s hand and gave it an affectionate squeeze.

Alex nodded and said, “Okay, I do feel sleepy.”

The doctor and nurse turned the lights down to dim and left

the room. As soon as they were outside of the room, the nurse turned

to Dr. Mercer and said, “You think you know what happened in

there, don’t you?”

“Yes, but you’re gonna think I’m crazy.” She took a deep breath

and continued, “I believe she had an out-of-body experience. Her

soul and her father’s soul met before he left to go to heaven. I have

read a little about situations like this but had never had a patient of

mine experience it before. This fascinates me. I’m sorry, that is cruel.

That poor child has been through more hell than any person has a

right to. It’s time some good came to her.”

“You know, I heard talk about you. Some say you have a gift,

and others say you are just plain crazy. But I believe you do have

a gift, and most folks find it easier to live in denial instead of just

accepting what really is happening around us. I think I sound as

crazy as you, and I’ve only been working with you for about two

months now. Lord, help, what will I be like in a year from now?” The

nurse laughed and walked to the racks that held the other patients’

charts to replace Alex’s.

“Well, I hope I don’t damage your reputation too bad. But on

a serious note, I’m going to get her some information about what

might have just happened to her tonight. You know, her grandfather

was an Indian shaman. She might have inherited his abilities to heal

and see ahead.” Before the nurse could respond, Dr. Mercer’s pager

went off.

“Oh well, it’s back to bringing life into the world. I’ll talk to you

later. I’m off to the delivery room.”

As Alex entered into the first stage of sleep, a dark mist slithered

out from the closed curtains in the hospital room. Slowly, it took the

form of an old man in a black cloak. He glided to the bed and stood

beside her, watching Alex sleep. He contemplated taking her at that

moment, but there were too many people around. What he planned

to do could not be revealed to the world yet.

Oh! But how he wanted to just touch her. He knew he couldn’t;

he might not stop. Just one touch of her warmth—he had been too

cold far too long. He reached his hand out—gnarled, bony, and

gray—to touch her shoulder, but he was blinded by a flash of light.

The old man lifted his cloaked arm to ward off the piercing

light before it penetrated his mind. He was not fooled; he knew who

had come to stop him.

“One from the Other Side, who do I have the pleasure of meeting?”

the old man asked.

“I am Lachlan. Do not play your games with me, Dark One.

Leave her now. I know what you are about.”

“And who are you to command me? Fool. I can take her now,

and you cannot do a thing to stop me. But not to worry, the time

is not here, but soon.” A dark mist rose and enveloped him as he

disappeared.

Lachlan sighed. He almost had not made it in time. He gazed at

Alex’s sleeping form. Maybe his old friend was right, and her lack of

knowledge might be a danger to her. Alex lifted her head and stared

at the man in her hospital room.

“Who are you, and who was that? Is he who is stalking me? He

feels so evil.” Still groggy from the medicine the doctor had ordered

for her to take, her words were slightly slurred.

“Sleep, you will need your strength. Joseph will see you soon.”

Lachlan left also. Alex did as she was commanded and slept.

While Alex was lost in deep thought about the strange dream

she had experienced the night before, one of the nurses entered to tell

Alex that her baby would be going home, which would have made

for an absolutely wonderful day except for the phone call she was to

receive from her uncle about her father.

“Hi, hon. How’s that baby boy?” asked Uncle Jack.

“He’s doing good now. We get to go home tonight at six thirty,

and Kimmy will get to see little Stevy for the first time.”

“You mean to tell me that neither your mother nor husband

brought Kimmy to see her brother and you?” It was more of a statement

than a question. It amazed him at how thoughtless some people

were.

“No. But tell me, how is Daddy? He’s been on my mind. I know

he can’t wait to see his grandboy. I was hoping to go to Arizona to see

him before the baby was born, but I guess I’ll just bring him along

for the ride, which is really good because Daddy and I were planning

on me moving out to Arizona anyhow. We plan to finish fixing up

that old house he bought. I think it’ll be great to raise the kids out

there, away from the mess here—you know, with how Mom and

Steven are.” She tried to stay in control of her emotions and rambled

on to fill in the silence. She knew something had happened. She felt

it, especially after last night’s dream. That was the way it was with

her and her father; they always felt each other’s happiness, sadness,

or pain.

Uncle Jack took a deep breath and said, “Alex, I’m sorry to be

the one to have to bring you bad news when you should be rejoicing

in the birth of your baby.”

“Spit it out, Uncle Jack. I’m not a little girl anymore. Has Daddy

taken a turn for the worse?” she asked, turning cold with fear.

“Alex, your daddy died last night at eight thirty. I’m so sorry,

baby. I know you and your daddy had big plans. But the doctor said

that the cancer started spreading fast, and there was nothing that

could be done.”

Silence.

“Alex? Are you okay, hon?” He knew her heart was breaking.

This girl had gone through so much with no support from her

mother or that sorry husband of hers.

“Yeah, I’m fine. We knew it could be anytime. You just never

know with cancer. When you think one person will die, he lives,

and the one you believe will live, he dies. How is Sally taking it?

She and Daddy had been seein’ each other for quite some time.”

Suddenly, Alex felt cold and pulled the baby-blue-colored blanket up

around her.

“Don’t you be a worryin’ over Sally. She’s a tough ol’ gal. You

need to be thinking about them babies. Now, your daddy left you

the house and a life insurance policy worth 150,000 dollars. I don’t

want you telling your mama or Steve. I want you to get packed and

bring those babies to Arizona as soon as you can. I’m gonna take care

of everything here. Okay?”

Old Jack wanted to give her something to look forward to. He

wanted her to see she could have a good life here with the kids and

know that he’s there to help her. The nurse came in with the baby,

and Alex motioned her to bring her the baby. When she had Stevy in

her arms, she continued talking with her uncle, “That’s all great, but

the nurse just brought my baby in, and I want to just hold him. I feel

real cold and lonely.” Alex kissed the top of her baby’s head, full with

dark hair like her father’s.

“Sure thing, hon. Go take care of that baby boy of yours. He

needs you now. I’ve got a lot to take care of here. The funeral will

probably be on Friday.”

“I won’t be able to come.”

“I know, baby. It’s okay, your daddy would understand. That

little baby of yours is more important now. I’ll call you later. I love

you, sweetheart. Bye now.”

“Thank you, Uncle Jack, and I love you too. Bye.” Alex handed

the nurse the phone and tried to pull her baby even closer to her,

making him agitated.

“Everything okay, honey? You look a little pale,” the nurse asked

with concern, as she handed Alex a tissue.

“No. My daddy died last night, and I feel so damned lonely.

If you don’t mind, I’d like to be by myself with my baby.” A silent

tear started to slide down her cheek as she turned her head to look

at the beautiful flowers her father had delivered to her the day after

she had given birth to Stevy. Sick and dying with cancer, he still

thought enough about her to send flowers. How she was going to

miss her father.

The nurse left the room with her heart in her throat, thinking

that the poor child had suffered enough with that sorry husband of

hers and her mama to boot. Neither one had been in for three days

to see her or the baby. Always some excuse about having to work late,

probably out having a good time barhopping. As long as she could

remember, the Davidson men had always put their booze and motorcycles

first, and their women on the sidelines. It was just not normal

to be so mistreated by one’s own family. And then, her father died,

the only one who really loved the poor dear. Such a shame he hadn’t

been the one to raise her.

As soon as the nurse had left, Alex made a fist and slammed it

down on the mattress. She felt angry that life had been so hard on

her. She had been too passive, and it was time to fight back. She no

longer had her father there to fight her battles with her.

These things that had been happening to her were getting stronger,

more powerful, and she should have talked to her father about

it, but it was too late for that now. The nurse had left the door open,

and Alex willed it to slowly shut, but instead, it slammed with the

force of anger she felt.

2

After a couple of hours had passed, Alex decided to call her mother

and tell her about her father. She no longer wanted to put it off, so

she picked up the phone to call her mother, only to find out that her

mother wasn’t at work; she had left early.

Where could she be at this time of day? She never took off

early. So Alex called her mother’s house. On the fourth ring, a man

answered the phone. “Hello.”

“Umm, yes. Is Dorothy there?”

“Hey, Dot! Ya gotta call. Come and get it!” the man who

answered the phone yelled to her mother. Alex heard mumbling and

then what sounded like kissing.

“Hello, this is Dorothy.”

“Mom, why aren’t you at work? Are you sick or something?”

“Since when do I have to answer to you? Oh, never mind.

How’s the baby?” Even though she asked, Alex could tell her mother

was not sincere by the tone of her voice. It was more likely that she

was upset over Alex calling and disturbing her.

“The baby is fine, and he has a name. Listen, I don’t want to

argue with you. I was calling to see if you could come and get me and

Lil’ Stevy tonight at six thirty. We get to go home.”

“You’ll have to call that husband of yours to come and get you.

I have plans, and I’ll be headin’ in the opposite direction. Sorry.” Her

mother took great pleasure in causing her pain.

“You know he’s not going to come. He’s probably still drunk

from the other night. Please, Mama, I really need to talk with you.”

There was a pause, and Alex began to think that her mother would

change her mind. Alex didn’t want to tell her mother about her father

dying over the phone. But instead, she heard, “How dare you! You

never want me to have any happiness. Every man I have ever had ran

off. Not anymore. You have your life. You take care of those kids.

I’m not raising those kids for you. I’m living my life now!” She finished

by yelling at the end and then asked, “Anything else?” Did her

mother hate her that much?

“Yes, Dorothy, one more thing. My father died last night. I just

thought I would tell you in person instead of over the phone. But I

should have known better when you don’t even care if—”

“Why, you ungrateful bit—”

Click.

Alex had never hung up on her mother before. It felt good, but

it still hurt that her mother could be so cruel at times. Next call was

to the soon-to-be ex-husband Steve. Let’s see if this call goes over

better than the call with mother dear.

“Joe’s pool hall, what can I get cha?” Steven answered the phone

with the same line he has used for four years. Is he so dense that he

doesn’t realize how stupid it sounds for a grown man to answer the

phone that way all the time? What did I see in this guy? Attention. That

had to be it. He made me feel special for a while.

“Don’t you think that line is getting a little old? You should

really try something new.”

“I did, and she’s layin’ right here beside me. Look, what do you

want? I’m busy,” Steven asked with his typical cocky attitude.

What a bastard! How dare he lay up with another woman while I’m still

in the hospital after having his baby.

“You know, Steve, I called to ask if you could come and get me

and Lil’ Stevy, but—”

“Oh! So you named the little brat after me.”

“Not for long. As soon as I get off the phone, I’m calling the

birth certificate department and changing his name to Joseph, after

my daddy!” Alex yelled back into the phone at him.

“You would do something as dirty as that, wouldn’t you? Go

ahead and see if I ever help with those kids or pay child support.

What d’ya think about that?” That should make him look tough

in front of his new girlfriend, Steven thought. This way she’ll know

he won’t take shit off nobody. But instead, she started putting on

her clothes.

He asked, “Where do you think you’re going?”

“I have kids, and if that’s your attitude about your own kids, I

don’t want to take a chance on you with my kids.” She grabbed her

purse and walked out in her disheveled state. Steven sat there for a

few seconds in shock. A woman just walked out on him. He remembered

that he was still on the phone with Alex and started to blame

her for what just happened.

“See what you did? You done gone and screwed up everything.”

“Oh no, you don’t. You’re not blaming me for your screwups.

By the way, I called to let you know that Daddy died last night. I just

wanted you to know because you and Daddy were close at one time.

Goodbye, Steve.”

“Go to hell, Alex!” He yelled into the phone, but she had already

hung up. My god, I should not pity him, but I do, she thought. Alex

started to turn over in the bed and noticed the nurse standing there,

watching her. I hope she didn’t hear all that. She looked her in the eyes

and knew that she had heard it all. “So, how do you plan on getting

home?” The nurse had a kind and understanding smile on her face as

she asked the question.

“I guess I’ll call a friend or a taxi.” Yeah, with what money?

“I’ll get the paperwork for you to change your baby’s name.

Joseph is a good, strong name. You won’t regret it.” The nurse left

without another word. She planned on asking the other nurses to

donate some money to pay for a taxi so this young lady and her baby

could go home.

“Hi! You want some company?” Shirley, one of her neighbors

and a dear friend, walked in with balloons, flowers, and most importantly,

Kimberly.

“Yes! I would love some company. You are a godsend for coming

and bringing my little girl. Come here, sweetheart, crawl up here on

the bed with me and see your baby brother.”

Alex pulled Kimberly onto the bed and gave her a hug and kiss.

As she adjusted everyone to fit on the bed, she asked Shirley, “Do you

think you could hang around a little while? I need a ride home. We’re

being released tonight at six o’clock or so.”

“You betcha! Now let’s shampoo that head o’ hair of yours and

get you all dolled up. Then you can tell me everything in detail—

how the birth went…what’s the matter, honey?”

Shirley saw the tears start to fall, walked over to Alex, placed her

arms around her, and said, “Go ahead, honey. You let it out first and

then tell me everything.”

Later, after everything was packed up, and she waited to be dismissed

so they could finally go home, the nurse who was in her room

earlier returned. “Alex, I gathered forty dollars for you to get a taxi

to go home in.”

“Oh, thank you, but I have a ride home.”

“I—we—still want you to have the money. Buy diapers or

whatever you see fit to buy.”

Alex smiled at the lady as more tears started to flow and said,

“Thank you.” That was about all she could get out. These people

were doing more for her than her own family. Her family must be

extremely dysfunctional, and she started to cry even harder.

Later that evening.

Alexandria opened the front door to her apartment only to find

a disaster. Who had been to her apartment and had a party? She

walked to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator, knowing without

a doubt that the food was all gone. Alex sat the baby down on the

floor, still in his carryall, turned to Shirley, and asked, “What happened,

and who did this to my apartment? Who could be so disrespectful

as to leave such a mess and then take all the food?”

Shirley sat down on the pleather sofa and asked rather bitterly,

“Who else? Your husband had a party here, and I called the police on

him. I tried to clean up some. The mess was bigger than this.”

“That was a pretty stupid question to ask. I knew who had done

this. I was just having a moment of denial.”

As Alex walked over to the rocking chair by the window, she

brought Lil’ Joseph with her, set him down again, and picked up

Kimmy. “You know anybody who wants furniture? I don’t want any

reminders of here going with me to Arizona. I want a clean new slate

in life and real leather furniture, not this pleather stuff. I really appreciate

you helping me so much. It’s like I’m more sad to be leaving you

than to be leaving my mother and soon to be ex.”

She kissed Kimmy on the top of her head, took a deep, slow

breath inhaling her sweet baby smell, exhaled, and continued, “I’m

happy and sad all at the same time. Maybe it’s normal to feel this way.

Dr. Mercer gave me some of those self-help books and said when I

was settled in Arizona to start reading them.” Alex leaned over to

make sure her baby was still breathing. She had read about the disease

SIDS and had a terrible fear of one of her babies dying from it.

“He’s still breathing. Quit being so paranoid. You’re starting to

make me nervous. I’ll be up all night checking on my little ones,”

Shirley said as she got up and walked over to the kitchen table to get

the mail to give to Alex.

“Noticed a letter from one of those publishing companies you

been sending your children’s stories to. How long has it been since

you sent out those copies?” Shirley handed the mail to Alex and

reached down to pick up the baby. Alex rummaged through the letters

until she found the one from the publishing company. She didn’t

miss the one behind it—a letter from her father. Shaking from the

anticipation of what they had to say, she ripped open the envelope.

“Oh my…oh my…” Alex looked up at Shirley and said, “I don’t

believe it. They want to publish my stories. They want me to call

them to discuss the details, and they want to know if I have an e-mail

address. Ha! If they only knew how broke I was when I was writing

my stories, you know, I would never have sent the stories in if Daddy

had not kept pushing for me to do it.” At that moment, she looked

down at the letter in her lap, picked it up, and began opening it.

“What’s that letter? Who’s it from? Another publishing company?”

Shirley noticed that the happy expression on Alex’s face was

fading fast.

“It’s a letter from my father. It’s postmarked the day he died.”

Then she began to read it out loud to her friend. Shirley, she thought.

Who better to share it with? At least she understood love, family, and

real friendship.

Hello, Blossom,

Do you know why I gave you that nickname?

When you were a little girl and would come to

visit in the spring, we would always take walks

through my rose garden. One day, you asked me

why I always smiled so much when we took these

walks. Maybe you remember my answer. “I love

the smell of roses and the fresh blooms of the

new spring.” And you said, “Well, I wish I could

make you smile like that all the time.” Then I

told you, “Hon, you will always be a blossom in

my life and make me smile.” How innocent you

were then. But we all must grow up and see how

ugly this world can be at times.

I feel as though the end is here, the cancer has

won. But I will live on in you and my grandbabies.

I left that big old house for you and the

babies to live in. I also left you a life insurance

policy, some money in the bank, and asked Sally’s

grandson to help you out with some of the repairs

on that old house.

I don’t want you to worry about the funeral and

not being able to come. Those babies come first,

not this ol’ goat. Your Uncle Jack is going to take

care of everything and send you some money, so

you can move here as soon as possible.

Don’t let your mama or that sorry excuse of a husband

of yours know what you got now. They’ll

rob you blind.

This is for you and my grandbabies. I wish I

could know what becomes of those stories you

wrote. You got talent, Blossom, and don’t you

ever let anyone tell you different.

You dedicate that first book to me and keep my

legend going. You got that!

I’m not going to make this mushy and all. Be

strong like the wild roses; they can grow and

blossom anywhere. Use the thorns to protect that

sweet heart of yours, so it won’t get broken again.

And smile that sunshine smile of yours, and your

life will grow. I love you, Alexandria Wolf, for

just being you. And kiss my grandbabies and tell

them how much I would have spoiled them if

I were still there. I’m going home now, to rest.

Remember, get those books published.

There are many things I never got the chance to

talk to you about or teach you in this life. There

are many surprises coming your way, but you

have the strength to handle them, you’ll see.

The rose garden is a special place, and remember

that pool? It’s really special. Go there. You might

be surprised about the secret hidden there, but

you’ll sure like it.

Love and sunshine always,

Joseph Wolf

Silence.

“That’s the best farewell letter I have ever heard.” Shirley blew

her nose with the napkin she had in her pocket, a habit of keeping

something at hand to clean a child’s face when needed.

“Actually, that’s the only farewell letter I’ve ever had read to me.”

She blew her nose again.

Alex wiped off the tears that slid down her cheeks and laughed

as she said, “You always know how to break the tension, don’t you,

Shirl?”

Alexandria looked at her daughter and asked, “Well, Kimmy, you

ready to start packing and head to Arizona by the end of next week?”

Kimberly looked at her mother all serious and said, “Don’t cry,

Mommy. Granddaddy said we gonna be happy in Aritona, and me

and Jo will help you.”

“I know you will, my baby.” Alex gave Kimmy’s sweet fat cheeks

a big kiss.

“But I’m not the baby no more. You said I had to be a big fifter

now.” Kimberly smiled. She thought she was being cute, not really

understanding why Shirley and her mama laughed.

“Sister, sweetheart,” corrected Alex.

“I’m going to miss you, Alex. But this is what life is all about,

changes. Look, I gotta go and get the kids to bed. I’ll be back tomorrow

to help you clean up this mess and help you start packing.”

Shirley put Joseph in his carryall then leaned over and kissed Alex on

her forehead. “Don’t worry so much. I just know you’re going to find

true love in Arizona.”

“Woman, you say the darndest things sometimes. Tell that old

man of yours I said hey and thank you for letting me have you for a

while to help me.” Alex set Kimberly down in her chair and walked

Shirley to the door. “Good night, Shirley.”

After closing the door and locking it, she turned back to her

children and said, “Well, little ones, it looks like we have a new home

in Arizona, and that’s some distance between Georgia and Arizona.

But you know what, Lil’ Jo and Kimmy? I’m looking forward to a

new life there. And I just can’t believe that company wants to publish

my books. I guess Daddy was right. Thank you, Daddy, wherever

you are in the heavens.”

Alex picked up Kimberly and Joseph, then headed toward the

stairs to get ready for bed. Just as she rounded the corner to go up

the stairs, she felt a coldness engulf her. The hairs on her arms stood

straight up.

“That’s right. Protect those little ones,” the disembodied

voice whispered.

Suddenly, a bright light exploded before her, and she shielded

her daughter’s face with her head and closed her eyes.

Slowly lifting her head, she opened her eyes to see nothing but

the hall light on.

Whatever had been there was gone now. She ran up the stairs,

ignoring the pain her body felt from giving birth a few days before.

Alex slammed the door shut and got the children ready for bed. She

left her clothes on, jumped into the bed with her kids, and pulled

the covers up. Still shaken, she tried to remember what her father

had once said about protecting herself. Something about a bubble

and mirrors—that’s it! Picture a bubble surrounding her and mirrors

reflecting outward to ward off anything evil. So she formed the image

in her head and fell asleep while holding that picture in her mind.

She had no idea that it would really work, but she slept peacefully.

3

Beautiful was the first word Alex could think of to describe what she

was seeing before her. This had to be paradise. Had she possibly died

and gone to heaven?

She reached out to move the large, leafy foliage, and there lay a

path of large Spanish clay tiles. The path led up a few steps made of

the same clay tiles. As she reached the top step, she could see a wicker

sofa with matching chairs and a man who looked to be in his thirties

with a very dark tan. Alex thought that he looked familiar but could

not place where she had seen him before. Then he turned around,

and she felt a chill run through her whole body, making her feel

excited or scared—she really wasn’t sure what she felt.

She began to walk toward the man who was standing there,

smiling at her, and holding his arms out for her to walk into. He

embraced her and took deep breaths, inhaling her scent.

“Oh, Daddy, I just knew it had to be a bad dream that you had

died. It feels so good to hug you and see you.” Alex cried onto her

father’s shoulder as he held her.

“Blossom, my darling, it’s great to see you too. But honey, I did

die, and I’ve come to see you in your dreams.”

Alex looked up into her father’s face, searching for some truth

in what he just said. “It’s true. Come, let’s sit and talk for a while and

drink some fresh-squeezed lemonade. I have very little time according

to the earth’s time to tell you so much. Plus, the little ones will

wake soon.” Joseph led her to the wicker sofa and sat down, pulling

her down to sit beside him.

“But how can this be? This seems so real and…how?” Alex

looked at her father with pleading eyes, wanting to understand what

was happening, but he just smiled that sweet smile that always said,

Relax, enjoy.

“Normally, there are things as a human you are not to understand,

but you see, you are special. I need you to listen good because

it might be some time, maybe a week or two, before I see you again

in your dreams.”

He placed her hands between his and lightly massaged them

then continued. “Alex, you need to know some things about where

you will be living. I should have told you years ago and prepared you

for what lies ahead, but I had hoped against all odds that I would

beat the cancer. But since I didn’t, it is imperative I explain to you

about that old house.” He looked deeply and intently into her eyes

to help her become more focused and to transfer his powers and

knowledge to her. He had to pass on all that he had known and his

father before him and so on back through the many generations of

the past. Alex became transfixed and could not pull away from her

father’s trancelike stare. Then it started—visions of people, blood,

fighting, knowledge of languages she had never heard yet she could

suddenly understand, sounds of drums, a gray wolf crying into the

night; the feeling of dancing, anger, sadness; feeling cold then hot

then sleepy. Just sleep—that was all she suddenly wanted to do. She

felt overwhelmed with it all.

Joseph knew his daughter had reached her physical limit from

all that she had observed and absorbed. He kissed her on the forehead

and said, “Alex, love, you are strong, and it is time you guarded

the doorway that so many will pass through. Some humans get lost

when they die and need to be led to the light. There are many reasons

why their souls get lost, and that, my dear, is the simplest job

you have. Your toughest job is protecting the doorway that’s here to

help the lost ones from those who have sought for years, and I mean

thousands of years, for control of the doorway, wanting to use it for

their own evil purposes. These people are dark and evil, known as the

Dark Ones. They can fool you with kindness and trick you and can

even be in your own family. I know I should have trained you, but

every time I wanted to tell you, there seemed to be someone around

I did not trust, or your mother would pop up out of nowhere. Don’t

trust her. I feel the evil reeking from her. She wasn’t like this when

we first met, but then she changed after she became pregnant with

you. I know that is harsh, but listen to your first instincts. They are

always true.

“When you have questions, go to the garden and speak the old

language—you know it now—and one of the old fathers will appear

to help you. Oh yes, and you can trust Sally’s grandson. He is the

Protector of the Guardian.

“That’s all for now, Blossom. Sleep and rest well. You have just

embarked on an amazing journey and adventure.”

Alex awakened and sat up in bed, recalling the dream she had.

She noticed she was drenched in sweat, and her hair was completely

wet. She eased out of the bed, trying not to disturb her children,

to take a quick shower and get dressed. As the water washed over

her body, she felt the tension release a little. She began taking deep

breaths in and blowing out slowly as she released more tension.

Her eyes began to ache as she tried not to cry over her father.

She didn’t know if it was because she had a chance to talk with him

or from the knowledge that all his responsibilities had now become

hers.

To be honest, she was really becoming irked that her life was

being changed, and it was not what was in her life plan. She leaned

her head against the wall of the shower. The more she thought about

it, the more pissed off she got. This is not what she wanted to do.

Who was she that she had to save a bunch of dead people?

Why?

Alex reached down to cut the water off, sliding the shower curtain

back as she stepped out and grabbed a towel. When the towel

touched her face, she realized that she had become more sensitive to

the touch of everything. Smells were stronger too. It was almost as

though she had never really lived before now. She put her clothes on

and wrapped her hair in a towel. She turned to wipe the mirror off

with another towel. Looking at herself in the mirror, she noticed that

she now had the same mark on her neck that her father had when

he was alive—a small birthmark shaped like a quarter moon on the

right side of her neck.

The tears began to flow, and there was no holding back. If she

could just have a good, long, hard cry, maybe, just maybe, she could

move forward and handle all the responsibility of children, a home,

and helping people who were lost to find their way home. Alex actually

started to laugh, trying to make sense of it all.

Follow the flow. Don’t fight it. You will know what to do when the

time is right. Remember, trust your first instinct. Where did that come

from? Did I hear a voice in my head, or did someone just speak out

loud? Oh, I’m really going crazy now!

The bathroom door opened, and Alex almost jumped out of her

skin. Then she realized it was Kimberly coming in to go potty.

“Hi, Mommy, I got to potty.”

“You go right ahead. I’ll go check on Joseph. Did you notice if

he is awake yet?”

“He’s still asleep. Mommy, how much longer before we get to

Granddaddy’s old house? I don’t like riding all day.”

“Not much longer, maybe in four or five hours. We’ll be

there. Depends on how many stops we have to make between here

and there.”

Alex went back into the room to check on Joseph and found

him lying there, looking at the ceiling. “What a big boy you are. I

do believe you are going to be a big man like your granddaddy and

probably just as smart.”

Alex packed everything, got the kids together, and loaded up

the car. As she was fastening the car seats and buckling them in, she

felt the hairs stand up on her neck as though she sensed danger. She

tried to act normal and moved the seat back in place then stood up

to look around. She didn’t see anyone or anything, but she could

sure feel it. The best thing to do was to get moving, and that’s exactly

what she did.

Crank the car, reverse, drive. Okay, take a deep breath, remember to

release, don’t hold your breath, give it some gas and go.

After pulling out of the motel parking lot, the sense of danger

started to ebb. What on earth was happening? Are the people Daddy was

talking about already looking for me? My goodness, and I haven’t even

known about everything but for just a few hours.

Kimberly piped up in the back. “Hey, Mommy, can you turn on

the radio? And I’m hungry, and me and Lil’ Jo have decided we want

a jelly biscuit this morning.” Things felt normal again, if you want

to call her new life normal, so she tried to relax and enjoy the ride.

4

Alex played with the stations on the radio, trying to find a more

upbeat song as she passed the sign Black Canyon City 18 Miles.

Well, it wouldn’t be much longer, and they would be home, their

home. She felt her eyes begin to ache and tried to hold back crying,

at least for now.

Boom! Alex felt the car jerk and then heard a slapping noise as

she slowed down, assuming that she had a flat tire, no doubt. At the

last stop, when she had fueled up and inspected her tires, she had

noticed it was low and had a nail in it. She pulled over and got out

to look at the tire. Sure enough, the back driver’s side tire had blown.

Standing there with her hands on her hips, she shook her head,

thinking, Please, nothing else. Please! Oh no! What if there’s no jack? I’ve

never changed a tire. Alex walked around the car, looking, not even

knowing what she was looking for, hoping for an answer maybe?

She got the keys out to open the trunk of her ’98 Honda, hoping

to find a jack. There was a spare tire—she made sure she had that

before she left—and it had air in it. She took out the suitcases and

moved some things around in the trunk. She actually found a jack

and some wood blocks about six inches long. Alex took everything

out and set it all beside the tire so she could get started.

She placed the blocks in front of the tires on the other side

of the car and checked on the kids as she passed by the window.

Kimberly was awake, but Joseph was still asleep. Well, here goes, Alex

thought. It’s not much further to Black Canyon City, and this shouldn’t

take too long.

While she attempted to get the jack out of the trunk to raise

the car up, a truck pulled up. She felt no danger from the man, but

oh my! What she did feel was a complete surprise—pure lust! What

is happening to me? Maybe this person is a rapist or something. Alex’s

motherly instincts kicked into high gear. She picked up the bar she

was using to try to pump the jack and waited for the stranger to come

closer.

A shadow fell across her, and she looked up into the most handsome

face she had ever seen. She just knew her chin hit her knee as

her mouth dropped open in surprise. By the smug look on his face,

she could tell he knew what she was thinking. That just made her

mad, so she decided to try and ignore him and act as though she was

not bothered by his strikingly handsome appearance.

He pushed his hat back and asked, “Do you need some help

there? That is, with changing the tire.” Then he crossed his arms

across his chest and waited for her to answer. Alex looked up to see

sexy, muscular, almost hairless arms and gulped. She had lost all train

of thought. What did he ask? Oh yeah! “Well, if you have to ask, it

must look as though I’m doing a right fine job of it here. What do

you think?” She remembered she was supposed to be angry or at least

pretending to be angry.

“Normally, it’s called being polite, especially when a woman is

holding on to some kind of deadly tool.”

“Hey, Mommy, it’s hot in here!” cried Kimberly as she stuck her

head out of the car window.

“You go take care of your daughter while I change the tire.” Jake

reached down, took the bar from her hand, and as they both stood

up together, he saw the quarter moon birthmark on her neck and

knew this was Joseph’s daughter. What a hell of a way to start things

off!

Alex lifted Joseph out of the car seat and cradled him in her

arms. She took Kimberly by the hand and walked to the other side of

the car where the man worked on changing the tire. Standing there,

watching him, she realized she didn’t feel any sense of danger, but she

sure felt the sexuality flooding out of his pores. I must be going crazy!

Here I am with my kids, and I’m thinking of how sexy a stranger looks.

“I’m almost finished here. Are you headin’ to Black Canyon

City?” He looked up as he asked the question, and she confirmed

with a nod. “Well, I can follow you if you like to make sure you get

there okay. Are you coming to visit family?” He looked back at Alex

again and waited for an answer to his question.

“Look, I really appreciate your help and all, but I really don’t

care to get friendly. I don’t know you, and you scare me.” She looked

him directly in the eyes as she spoke, and boy, was that a mistake.

Jake threw his head back and laughed then looked her straight

in the eyes and said, “I know you’re feeling many things right now,

but scared is not one of them. As a matter of fact, it should be me

who is scared. But don’t worry, I’ll load all this back in the trunk, and

you can be on your way. Oh, and don’t worry about thanking me, it

was my pleasure helping a damsel in distress,” he said all this while

loading everything back into the trunk of her car. He started walking

to his truck and turned to say, “Hope you have a nice visit, Alex.” He

cranked his truck and drove off, leaving Alex standing there with the

kids.

It took her a few minutes to come back to earth and to start

loading the kids back in the car. She grabbed a diaper to change

Joseph, and it dawned on her that the man knew her name. There

were too many strange things that had happened in her life lately.

How on earth did he know her name?

After getting everyone settled back in the car, she got behind

the wheel and started heading in the same direction the stranger had

gone. She should have been nicer, and at least, she might have gotten

his name. Maybe she’ll run into him in town soon, or maybe

Uncle Jack would know him. She looked up into the sky and asked,

“Daddy, is this someone I should know? If so, I sure wouldn’t mind

knowing in advance about the next person I should know. It gives

me the creeps for someone to know my name, and I have never met

the person before.”

She is absolutely beautiful. Brown hair with some blonde

highlights and gray-green eyes; her skin color isn’t quite as dark as

Joseph’s, but it showed her Native American blood. Lips made for

kissing. What am I thinking? He had watched her lean into the car

and decided he would be better off not to watch her nice-shaped

bottom too long. It spelled trouble for him.

Well, later, he would have a chance to talk with her, work with

her, smell her…oh man! This was not what he had wanted. Why

couldn’t she be ugly and stink or something? Jake ran his hand down

his face, lifted the cap off his head, wiped his forearm across his forehead,

and swore. Shit! He couldn’t afford to be attracted to her. Too

much was at stake here.

Thirty minutes later, Alex pulled up in front of a store in the

older part of town. Sally’s Alterations wasn’t all that hard to find.

Putting the car into park and shutting the engine off, she looked at

the front of the store and thought it sure had an antique look about

it.

“We’re here, guys! Let’s unload and go meet Uncle Jack and

Sally.” She opened the car door to get out, and at the same time, Jack

and Sally came out the door of the alteration shop, all smiles and

talking ninety miles an hour.

“Lord, help, child, I have been worried sick. I’m so glad you’re

here safe and sound. Did you run into any problems on the way

here?” Sally finally stopped to take a breath, and Uncle Jack started

in.

“Come here, Alex, give your Uncle Jack a big hug. My, you have

grown into such a beautiful woman.” Jack hugged Alex, and as soon

as he released her, he turned to look inside the car and said, “And

where are those kids?” Moving the front seat forward, he reached

in to undo Joseph’s seatbelt and brought him out for Sally to have a

look.

Kimberly unbuckled her seatbelt, crawled out to take her mother’s

hand, and in her sweet angelic voice, she asked, “Mommy, is this

our new family?”

“Oh, what a sweetheart! You betcha we’re your new family,

and you can call me Nanna if you would like, that is, if your mama

doesn’t mind.” Sally looked at Alex with such sincerity and kindness.

How could she say no?

“I think that would be wonderful, Kimmy,” Alex said, reaching

out to place her hand on Sally’s shoulder to give it a gentle squeeze

and receiving a pat on her hand of acceptance. It made Alex want to

choke up and cry, but she held everything in check.

“That will be just grand, don’t you think?” Sally looked to

Kimberly for acceptance of hers and Alex’s agreement. Not only did

Sally get an agreement, she had a little girl jump into her arms. “Let’s

get inside and out of this heat. I bet you would like a root beer and

sucker now, wouldn’t ya?” Sally led the way in, and everyone else

followed.

Lordy be I feel twenty years younger!

After going inside the shop, Uncle Jack grabbed the diaper bag

and was digging in it, trying to find a bottle. Joseph was getting fussy,

and he figured the boy was hungry. His granddaddy sure would be

proud of Lil’ Joseph, if he were still alive.

“Here, let me do that. I usually nurse him, but being on the

road, it’s been a little difficult.” Alex tried to explain without hurting

her uncle’s feelings as he was trying so hard to help out.

“You just think this old goat can’t feed a baby since I ain’t never

had any of my own? Well, let me tell you, just give me the bottle,

and I’ll show you, missy, and then I want you to go over there and

talk with Sally and rest.” He took the bottle from her. “Thank you.”

Motioning her to go away with his hand, he turned his attention to

the baby and started talking baby talk.

Alex turned around, started walking toward Sally and Kimberly,

and thought, I wonder how many people have ever seen this side of my

six-feet-three-inches-tall uncle? He might look big and mean, but he’s a

big teddy bear. She shook her head and smiled to herself as she walked

to where Sally and Kimberly were seated. Alex thought maybe she

had about seen it all when it came to old goats here lately.

“What are you all smiles about?” asked Sally.

“I believe I’m getting the meaning of ‘old goats’ and the relationship

between men and stubbornness, or at least why they use the

phrase…just to get their way, just like an old goat.”

“I get your meaning. Now enough about these old goats. Have

a seat and an old-fashioned root beer in a bottle, mind ya. So, you

didn’t run into any problems on the way here?” Sally asked as she set

the bottle of root beer in front of Alex on the table.

“Not until I passed the sign that said how many miles were left

to get here. Then I had a flat tire. Some man stopped and helped me

change the tire. He left without me finding out what his name was,

but the strange thing was he knew my name. I figured that you or

Uncle Jack would know him if he was a local.”

“Well, can you tell me what he looked like?”

Alex raised her left eyebrow then said, “Besides being rude in

the beginning, and I shouldn’t say this, but he was probably the most

beautiful man I have ever seen. He would probably hate hearing me

say that. It seemed as though the whole time we were talking that he

knew my thoughts…and that was very unnerving, but woo!” Then

she lowered her chin, suddenly flushing with embarrassment that she

had revealed her thoughts about this man whom she might never

see again.

“My, he must have made some impression. Well, you know we

have a lot of single, very handsome young men around here. Why,

I believe that you will have your choice of men around here, young

lady,” said Sally. “What, as beautiful as you are? Nope, there will be

no problem there.”

“Oh no! The last thing I want is a man in my life right now. I

need to think about the house, and my first book is just getting published.

Writing is what I want to be able to make a living at, especially

since I know Steven isn’t going to help with the kids. And I doubt very

seriously that I can farm or raise horses though I might give a shot

at Daddy’s roses he grew. I would like to keep that alive and going.”

Alex looked with earnest at Sally, hoping to make her understand.

“Understood. Now, why don’t you and Jack take a ride out to

see your daddy’s grave and pay your respects. I’ll watch the little ones.

Nope, don’t want to hear it.” Sally raised her hand to stop Alex from

protesting. “You go. You need to clear it out so you can move forward.

Your heart is too heavy with burdens you don’t need to be a

carryin’.” She looked at Jack and asked, “Are you ready to take her to

see Joseph’s grave, old man?”

Jack gave one last pat to little Joseph’s back as though he was

satisfied with the baby’s burp. He looked up and said, “Yes, ma’am, I

sure am. This boy sure has got a hearty appetite. I sure hope you can

cook good ’cause this little man is going to eat you out of house and

home.” Jack walked over to give the baby to Sally and said to Alex,

“Well, let’s hit the road. We need to be back soon so it won’t be dark

when you get home. And if you don’t mind, we’ll just ride in my old

pickup.”

Alex kissed both her children on the head and asked Sally, “Are

you sure?”

“Honey, we’re your family now. It will always be okay,” Sally

reassured her.

Her hand rested on the fresh grave, and it was the final straw to

break the camel’s back for Alex. She broke down and had the hard

cry she had so needed to have. It was as though the world had disappeared

and only she was here with her father’s grave.

“Daddy, I know different and that you are probably watching,

but it’s hard to change the way I have believed for so long. I know

there is a much simpler and nicer way to think of a loved one who

has passed and left this earth.”

She rubbed her hand back and forth on the ground as if she

were caressing her father’s arm. “I’m scared, Daddy. You’ve given me

more responsibility than I know what to do with. But I trust you

know what you were doing when you decided to pass this on to me.

I’m assuming that it goes to one of my children when the time is

right. Well, you said you would see me in my dreams, and I’m going

to hold you to that. It feels good to know this part is finished, and

I can move on. You know, Sally is a right smart lady. Now I know

why you loved her so much, but it’s still a shame you two didn’t get

married. I’m probably not making much sense, jumping from one

subject to the next. There’s just so much to say, and I can’t seem to

find a way to say it all. I guess Uncle Jack is about ready to go, so I’ll

say goodbye to you for now. I love you.”

She stood but had one last thing she needed to get off her chest,

“Sorry, but I am a little pissed you didn’t fight harder for me. Maybe

I wouldn’t have been blindsided by all this. It really scares the hell out

of me.” Then she walked to the truck and got in.

Jack’s heart was absolutely breaking, watching this young

woman go through this alone. But he knew about his brother’s powers,

and that Alexandria now possessed those same abilities to do

what Joseph, their father, their grandfather, their great-grandfather,

and so on had been able to do for hundreds of years. But Alex was the

first woman in 350 years to take control.

From what he could remember about the story, one of the offspring

from three hundred years or so ago became jealous and angry

because he was not chosen to be the Guardian. He swore that one

day, one of his offspring would come back to take his or her rightful

place. Unfortunately, Jack was beginning to believe he might

see this come to pass during his lifetime. He had been blessed with

insight into people’s souls, and very few people knew he had that gift.

Eventually, he would need to tell Alex about his special gift.

“Do you feel better now?” Jack asked as Alex slid into the passenger

side of the truck.

“Well, considering everything that has happened in the past

three weeks, yes. I just hope I’m up for the job after tending to a

newborn baby all through the night. I always knew Daddy was special,

but I didn’t realize just how special he was until now. I sense that

you’re pretty special too. You don’t want just anyone to know your

secret, do you now?” She put on her best smile to let him know she

was going to be okay.

“You know what, young lady, I believe we will get along just

fine. Yes, sirree, just fine,” Uncle Jack answered back with just as

much sass and pride.

He cranked up the old truck and headed back to Sally’s shop.

Sally was putting Joseph down to sleep when she heard the bell

ring on the door as it opened. She looked up to see her grandson

walk in. Jake was one handsome man, almost beautiful, some would

say, but he had been through a lot, and it had toughened him. She

was pretty sure that it was Jake who had come along and helped Alex,

but she didn’t want to say anything. It’s best to let some things work

themselves out in their own time and conditions.

“Look what the cat brought home. I see you made it back from

the big city without any scratches. Did your business deal go good?”

Jake walked over to his grandmother and gave her a kiss on

the forehead and said, “Yes, it did. With all the new technology and

wireless communications, I should be able to better manage my business,

renting my bulls and horses for the rodeo. I see you have some

company.” He nodded at the kids. “Did they go to the gravesight?”

“Hey! You’re the man who change the tire on my mommy’s car.”

Kimberly had walked up to Jake while he was talking.

“Yes, ma’am, I sure am. Has my grandma been treating you real

nice with all kinds of candy and soda?” Jake asked.

“Yeah. My mommy would have a fit. But I won’t tell if you

won’t.” She looked up to give an impish smile, hoping she had made

a friend. She liked him. She could tell he was a nice man.

“Sounds to me like your mommy has her hands full with you,

young lady. Why don’t you come here and sit with me while I catch

up with my grandma on some things?”

Jake helped Kimberly get settled in the chair next to him and

opened a bag of chips. After dividing the chips between them, he

began to catch up on what had been happening at home while he

was gone for two weeks.

“So, what have my kids done since school has been out?”

“The usual, swimming in the pond or river, fishing, climbing

trees, and riding horses. A few little spats, but nothing we couldn’t

work out.” Sally handed Kimberly a napkin and motioned for her to

wipe her mouth. Chocolate was on her lips like lipstick.

“I ran into their mother while in Phoenix. She’s lost a lot of

weight, and her boyfriend kicked her out. She also asked for money,

so I gave her one hundred dollars. I don’t know what she’ll do, and I

really don’t care. Just so long as she doesn’t come here and mess with

the kids’ heads and play her ‘feel sorry for me’ games with them.”

“You can only be responsible for your own journey in life, not

everyone else’s. Even your kids will grow up and learn the hard way.

You did.” She reached over to pat his hand and gave it a squeeze. He

returned the squeeze to her hand, finding comfort as he always had

with her.

Just then, Jack and Alex walked in. Sally and Jake looked at

the door to see who came in. Kimberly recognized her mother and

hopped down to run to her, shouting the whole way, “Look who’s

here, Mommy, the man who changed the tire.”

Alex looked at him and felt the same impact of sexual lust,

almost animal-like, hit her again. She waited for his reaction to her;

she had a feeling he felt it too. She decided to take control of the

situation before it got out of hand.

“I’m glad to see you again because I didn’t get a chance to get

your name. You left in a hurry.”

Aha! Challenging my actions, Jake thought. “I apologize. That

was rather rude.” He walked over to her and stuck his hand out

to shake her hand. “I’m Jake Blue, Sally’s grandson.” As she slowly

reached for his hand to shake it, she heard a voice say to her, “He is

the Protector. You will work together…a lot!”

The moment their hands touched, sparks of hot fire shot

through her body, filling her with energy and an indescribable desire.

Jake jerked his hand back quickly; he had felt the exact same thing.

He leaned closer to look into her eyes and knew she had felt it too.

What was going on here? Sally and Jack watched the two young people

with interest, noticing that the two started to glow with a soft

light when they touched.

“Mommy, you got bright. Does he got magic like Grandpa?”

Kimberly asked.

Everybody stood motionless and speechless for a few seconds,

which seemed like minutes. Trying to break the silence, Jake said,

“You were pretty threatening with a tool bar in your hand. Thought

I’d like to keep my head attached to my shoulders. So I forgot my

manners. Sorry about that.”

“No problem. It’s a good thing you came along when you did.”

“Alex, how about us headin’ on over to your new home and gettin’

you and the kids settled in? And tomorrow, you can take a look

around town and see where everything is,” Uncle Jack asked.

“That sounds like a good idea. Thank you for watching my little

ones while I paid respect to Daddy, Sally. And thanks, Jake. Come

on, Kimmy, let’s head over to our new home. I guess I’ll follow you,

Uncle Jack.” Alex picked up the carryall with Joseph sound asleep in

it and handed Jack the diaper bag. The small group headed out after

saying their goodbyes. Jake turned to his grandmother and said, “I’m

in big trouble with this one.”

“It’s meant to be. She’s the one. You and her together will make

it pure again. But you gonna have a hard time convincing her of that.

She claims she doesn’t want another man in her life any time soon. At

least you two are attracted to each other. And more, maybe?”

“The more is what scares me! I haven’t ever felt this strongly

attracted to anyone, even my ex-wife.” Jake stood there watching

them load the car and leave. He turned back to his grandmother

and said, “I’m heading home to see the kids. You want me to wait

for you?”

“No. You go. Your kids have missed you. Go spend some time

with them. I got a feeling you’re fixin’ to be real busy.”

“Okay. I’ll start super, and you be careful coming home.” Jake

gave her a hug and headed home.

5

Alex stopped at the end of the driveway, staring at the old country-

style house with a wraparound porch and, of all things, a white

picket fence. Surely she was in a dream. This only happened in

fantasies.

Breaking her from her reverie, Uncle Jack said, “Your father

wanted you to have a dream home, so mostly he and Jake, and sometimes

me too, when I got finished early on the ranch, worked on the

house to repair and restore it. Wait till you see the inside,” he said

excitedly as he got out, unpacked their stuff, and started walking

toward the house with a load of suitcases.

Alex picked up the carryall and held Kimberly’s hand as she

headed into the house.

Walking into the house was like taking a step back into time.

The foyer had a hat tree and a place to hang your coats. The stairs,

leading to the second floor, were right there in front of you. To the

left was a room with a sofa and chairs and a piano, of all things. The

room to the right had a desk and chairs and all kinds of books.

Alex walked into the room on the right, over to the chairs, and

she could smell the scent of the leather. She ran her hands across the

back of the chair to feel the cool smoothness of the leather. The room

seemed very business orientated, painted in colors that reminded her

of the Grand Canyon—brown and orange with some red thrown

in there.

“Go take a look at the rest of the house, and I will unload the

car. I just know you gonna like the rooms upstairs. You each have a

bedroom, and there is one guest room but only one bathroom up

there. We added another full bath and a half bath downstairs. Your

daddy figured with you having so many youngens and all, you were

gonna need extra bathrooms.”

When they reached the top of the stairs, he opened a door that

lead to Alex’s new room.

“What do you mean? Daddy thought I was gonna have more

kids? Somebody better help me get sane real quick then.”

Alex looked at her uncle with a big smile before entering the

room. She immediately forgot about everything they were talking

about as she stared at the strange yet familiar room. There before

her eyes was the room she had described in the children’s book she

had written. The softest of yellow walls with oak trim, a queen-size

oak bed, hardwood floors covered in places with some of the Navajo

hand-woven rugs. Alex took a deep breath and released it with a sigh.

“You’re right, Uncle Jack. I really have come home to a dream

come true.” She turned and gave Jack a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

“You men have outdone yourselves. Let’s get the kids settled, and

we can unload the car. And you know what? This Sunday, I’d like

to cook my first family dinner, and you and Sally can come and eat

with us.”

“That will be just dandy, but don’t you think that Jake and his

kids should join us?”

“You mean to say he has kids? Shouldn’t his wife join us too?”

If he has kids, he’s married, she thought. That’s safe. I can drop all fantasies

about him now.

“No. She ran out on him and the kids when they were little

tots. For about ten or so years, he and Sally been raisin’ them kids.

Ramona is thirteen, soon to be fourteen, but we call her Rommy.

Blake is eleven. Good kids, though.” Jack led the way down the stairs

to the family room where the piano sat. “Let the kids sit here while

we go get your things unloaded.”

“Kimmy, you keep an eye on your brother while we bring in

everything.” She followed Jack out the door to the car and said,

“There’s only clothes, a playpen, and a stroller. I gave everything else

away. I didn’t want any reminders of what I had there in Snellville,

Georgia, of Steven and me. If that makes any sense at all?”

“Alex, you never have to explain your actions when you’re doing

the right thing.”

She nodded in acceptance of what he said. “Well, I hope you

didn’t get the wrong meaning about Jake, me not inviting him, that

is. I’d be glad to have him and his children join us. It’s just, well, he

made me feel weird and different when I met him.”

“You better get used to it because you two have a job to do

together.” Before setting the bags on the floor, he asked, “What goes

upstairs, and whose stuff is whose? I’ll take them on up, and you can

unpack later.” Alex told him what belonged in each room, and he

headed up the stairs. She headed to the kitchen.

The kitchen was another surprise. It had Spanish clay tiles, a

large refrigerator, and a stone arch over the stove. It was comfy and

inviting. A very big window faced the rose garden. Kimberly walked

in and was in as much awe as her mother.

“There’s the rose garden you always talked about, Mommy. Do

we get to go out there to play?”

“There are areas you cannot go to, but yes, sweetheart, you get

to enjoy the garden too.”

Jack walked in, holding Joseph in his arms. He walked over to

the fridge, opened it, and said, “Sally went to the store yesterday and

bought groceries and put it all up. Check and see if there’s anything

you might need, and I can go to the store and get it.”

“Oh no, Uncle Jack, you have done plenty. I’ll look over everything.

I’m sure she got more than I need. You know what? I’m thirsty

and would like something to drink. How about you, guys? Stay and

have a drink with me and Kimberly.”

Taking a seat at the table, he said, “I think Sally made her

famous lemonade and left it in the fridge for you. Now, I will take a

glass of it.”

“Well, do you happen to know which cabinet holds the glasses?”

Alex laughed out loud and walked to the counter. She started opening

the cabinet doors till she found the glasses, joined the rest of the

crew at the table, set the glasses down, and as she poured the lemonade,

she thought, This is home.

Later that night, Alex walked out onto the front porch to watch

the final part of the orange sunset, and the nighttime settled in. With

the kids in bed and a moment to herself, she sat in one of the rocking

chairs to analyze the events of the day.

So much in her life had changed since her father’s death. It was

almost scary, but she felt more numb to everything than scared.

Except when she felt she was being watched, like now. Now

where did that come from? She had not thought about that all day,

and now here it was. Did I bring it here with me? Alex slowly turned

her head, looking from side to side, but she didn’t see anyone there.

But she couldn’t get over the feeling that something or someone was

lurking close to her. Actually, she felt its breath—icy cold and smelling

of decay. She leaned forward to see if there was something in the

shadows out by her car but didn’t see anything there either.

“What do you want? You need to go away and leave my family

alone!” she shouted into the darkness as she got up and walked to the

edge of the top step of the porch.

“Never! I am your family!” came the chilling reply.

Suddenly, a swift, dark wind swept onto the porch, almost

knocking Alex down. It swirled around her, and as it left, she heard

it say, “In time, dear, in time.” Then it was gone.

Alex ran into the house and locked the doors. She shouted to

the ceiling, “Joseph Wolf, why did you put me and my kids in such

danger? I am not meant for this life, and you have thrown this on me,

and I don’t want it. Damn it!”

She ran up the stairs as fast as she could. She had to be sure that

her children were okay.

Sunday came all too soon. Putting things together for the dinner

was no problem. It was seeing Jake again that had Alexandria on

edge. There was more to the situation than a mutual attraction; it

was too strong as though they would consume each other.

The past few days had been strange also—sounds of children

running in the hallway, a man’s laughter, doors opening when she

knew for a fact she had shut and locked them. She knew that Jake

had the answers and knew it was time to get them. She also knew

she needed to tell Jake about her sensing something dark lingering

around her and the fact that it started in Georgia.

As she placed the plates on the table along with the napkins and

silverware, she contemplated how to bring up the subject. Maybe he

would initiate it.

Alex had cooked a simple dinner consisting of fried chicken,

potato salad, broccoli with melted cheese, corn bread, and a homemade

pound cake for dessert. It’s not that she wanted to impress

Jake—oh yes, it was. She liked him and knew it. He was the first guy

she had noticed since she started dating Steve who was her world in

the beginning of their relationship. But all the same, she had always

heard and read, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” I

guess we’ll just have to see.

“Hey, Mommy, do you need help?” Kimberly came running

into the dining room, excited that they were going to have company

today.

“Shh! Kimmy, your brother is asleep. And yes, I could use some

help. Why don’t you go get the glasses on the table in the kitchen and

bring them here? Carry only one at a time,” Alex said as she followed

Kimberly to the kitchen.

“Hello! We’re here, and I smell something good. Where are you

at, Alex?” Sally was walking through the foyer to the kitchen with her

grandchildren in tow.

“Hi, Sally.” Alex stopped in midstride when she saw the children

following in Sally’s footsteps. Realizing that these were Jake’s

children, she pulled herself together, hoping to make them feel welcome

since she was sure she would be seeing them a lot. “Well, hello

there. You two must be Sally’s grandchildren?” Setting the two bowls

down that she was in the process of taking to the dining room, she

walked up to the young girl first, held out her hand, and introduced

herself and Kimberly. “I’m Alex, and this is my daughter Kimmy, and

Joseph is in the playpen, sleeping. He doesn’t do much more than

eat, sleep, and poop right now.”

Rommy reached for her hand and shook it. “I’m Rommy, and

this is my brother Blake.” The two were sizing each other up. Finally,

Rommy decided she liked Alex; she wasn’t fake like the other girls

she had met that her father had dated on occasion. Yep! She has a sincere

heart, thought Rommy. So to throw in the test of trust, Rommy

asked, “Could I hold your baby when he wakes up? I love little babies.

I even babysit for some of the couples on barn dance night.”

Sally knew what Rommy was up to and decided to step in, but

before she had a chance, Alex said, “I would love for you to. I could

use your help sometimes, if you think your father wouldn’t mind.

When we get a chance, after dinner maybe, you can tell me your

prices, and maybe we can negotiate a deal. Now, do you think you

could give Kimmy a hand, Rommy? I sure would appreciate it.”

Alex looked at Sally after Rommy had left the room to help

Kimmy and gave her a wink. Sally nodded, picked up a bowl and

the pitcher of tea, and then followed Alex to the dining room. Sally

thought, Smart gal.

Alex was not prepared for the jolt of electricity that hit her when

she saw Jake. Even though his back was to her, something strong was

going on between them, and they needed to talk as soon as possible.

He knew the moment she had entered the room he wanted

her. He felt as if he could breathe her in and never let go. What was

happening to him? He never had any woman exert this kind of power

over him. Not even the ones who were trying to get in the ring of

the roses, here or in Iceland. Uncle Jack broke the silence that had

gripped the room and said, “I swear that boy has grown an inch in

just a few days.”

It was just enough distraction to break Jake’s thoughts, and he

walked over to Sally, took the bowl out of her hands, and placed it on

the table. He couldn’t go to Alex. If he touched her, he didn’t know

what would happen.

“Alex would like to use my babysitting services. We’re gonna

negotiate after dinner. What do you think about that, Daddy?”

Rommy asked.

“Sounds like you are growing up too fast. Before you know it,

you’re going to be a grown woman.” Jake walked over to his daughter,

placed his hand on her shoulder, and added, “I’m going to have to

make sure that my guns are fine-tuned when you start dating so those

young hucabucks know they had better behave.”

“Stop it, Daddy, you’re always teasing me.” Even though she

scolded her father, she reached her arm around his waist to hug him.

“You’ll do no such thing, and you know it.”

“Yeah! You keep thinking that.” He turned around to walk

back to the playpen and ran right into Alex. They both stopped and

righted themselves. “Sorry about that. How are you settling in, Alex?

Your father sure made a nice place here for you and the kids. You

should have seen it before.”

Pleasantries. Okay, we can do that. “We’re getting organized. I

really like it here. But I did see the house before Daddy, you, and

Uncle Jack fixed it up. It was rough looking. Ya’ll did a beautiful job.”

“Thank you.” That was all he could say. He could drown in

her eyes.

“Well, I believe everything is ready. Why don’t we have a seat

and say thanks for our food and bless it. Maybe I can get a few bites

in before Joseph wakes up. He has a tendency to wake up every time

I sit down to eat.”

Uncle Jack said grace, and the meal passed without incident

except for the looks Blake kept giving Alex and his dad. Now he

knew why his dad put on cologne and kept looking in the mirror,

checking his hair on the way over here. He’s got a crush on the lady,

which he really couldn’t blame his dad for feeling attracted to Alex;

she’s a real looker like his friends would say. But since she’s a lady and

nice too, he guessed he should say pretty instead. She can cook too.

A pound cake for dessert, and she cut him a big slice, bigger than his

dad’s. Yeah! He liked her.

Joseph woke up during dessert. Jack got up to get him from the

playpen and said, “Don’t you go a fussin’, young man. When you get

a little older, we’ll let you gnaw on the chicken bones.” He looked at

Alex and asked, “Where’s a bottle, or are you nursing today?”

Knowing her face turned red from such a blunt question, she

said, “I keep some frozen for when we go places, I’ll go heat a bottle

for you.” Alex headed for the kitchen.

“Did you have to go and embarrass the child like that? She’s not

used to us yet,” Sally said while giving that raised eyebrow that meant

she was ticked at him.

Jake stood, interrupted what looked to be the beginning of an

argument, and said, “I think I’ll go and help clean the kitchen. Do

you think you two can entertain the kids while Alex and I talk? I

can feel the house filling up, and I need to show her something in

the rose garden that she needs to know about.” He stood there a

moment, waiting for them to agree, and then headed to the kitchen.

“Alex, I thought I would give you a hand with cleaning the

kitchen; and after we are finished, maybe we could take a walk

through the rose garden. The house is filling up with the lost souls,

and we need to show them where to go.” Jake walked over to the sink

and started running water for the dishes.

Alex nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard his voice.

“Show who where to go?”

“Haven’t you noticed strange things happening around the

house? Voices? People laughing? Maybe children playing?”

“Yes. Kimberly now has an imaginary friend, which she didn’t

have before. I’m not used to this kind of stuff, these things happening—

ghost, spirits or whatever you wish to call them, you know,

coming and going. Are any of them the kind to hurt us?”

“Sometimes. But you won’t have to worry about that. You and

your children are protected. I’ll show you in the garden. If the bottle’s

ready, go ahead and give it to Jack. I already talked with him and

Sally, and they’re going to keep an eye on the kids for us.” He looked

up from watching his hands in the dishwater, noticed the expression

on her face, and asked, “What?”

“I believe you are the second man I have ever seen do dishes. My

daddy was the first.” She left the kitchen to take the bottle to Uncle

Jack.

It took her a little longer than she expected as she had to change

a diaper and make sure the kids had something to entertain them

while she and Jake took their walk.

When she walked back into the kitchen, he was sitting at the

table, gazing out the window into the rose garden. She stopped to

take a minute to look at him without him knowing, as she figured

he was in deep thought and had not heard her return. Straight black

hair, about shoulder length, pulled back and tied with a braided piece

of leather. He was so good looking with distinctive eyes that could

read your soul. She had felt that the first time she had met him. And

his lips! She had dreams at night about kissing those lips.

My, it’s getting hot in here. I need to change my train of thought.

Oh, he’s so sexy!

“Have you had your fill?” Jake slid the chair back, stood, and

walked over to where Alex was standing. He took her hand into his.

Her hand was soft and firm. An electric bolt hit him hard and fast.

“It’s time we took care of what’s happening here.” He started pulling

her toward the door.

“You mean you knew I was watching you?” How embarrassing

was that!

“I knew the minute you entered the kitchen. I don’t know what

is happening between us, but I’m sure we are going to have an answer

today.” He went down the steps and headed toward the maze, tugging

Alex along with him. If he didn’t get to the circle soon, he was

going to ravish the woman right now.

“Stop! You don’t have to drag me. I’ll follow you.” She tried to

pull her hand from his, but instead, he turned to face her, jerked her

into his arms and lowered his head to kiss her lips. Sweet. Softly sucking

her bottom lip and prodding her with his tongue to open to him,

he could taste the pound cake she had eaten earlier. His soul seemed

to leave his body and begin to intertwine with hers. What the hell is

happening to me? I can’t control my passion.

Hot pudding—that’s what she felt like in his arms. She was

melting into the pot of Jake’s arms. Then she was leaving her body.

6

Suddenly, a light flashed, and the two separated, falling to the

ground. They looked at each other and knew it was best that they

were separated.

“Are you okay?” Jake stood, brushed his jeans off, and reached

for her hand.

“I’m not touching you until we have some answers. I have never

lost control over myself like I just did.” Alex pushed herself up and

stood, knocking the dirt off her bottom.

“Neither have I, but you have to admit that was one hell of a

kiss. We’ll have to try that again…later, that is.”

“This is not funny, Jake. It was almost as though we were leaving

our bodies and our souls were…”

“Having sex?” He stopped abruptly to look at her, and she ran

into him. “I really like your self-righteous innocence, but sex is normal

for humans.” The sexual energy between them was starting to

flare up again. Alex literally jumped back, feeling aroused again.

“Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“You know what. That feeling you make me feel.”

“No, I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me more about that feeling,”

he said as he took a step closer to her.

“Stop, Jake. Focus. You’re supposed to be taking me somewhere

to show me what I need to learn. And stop looking at me as though

you are about to…”

“Ravish you?” he asked, then turned away from her and headed

for the center of the maze where the crystals waited to give them

answers. “Try to keep up, Alex, I’m sure you don’t want me to touch

you again before we reach our destination.”

She stayed just close enough to keep up but not touch him.

As they were walking through the maze, she couldn’t help but

notice that he had a very nice, muscular butt. Actually, he had a great

everything. He even walked, or it was more like he strutted, like a

man who knew what he wanted. Not at all like Steve’s swagger, his

was more like a snake trying to slink away. No, this man knew what

power he had over women and how to control any situation.

“Except you,” Jake interrupted her musings.

“What?”

Jake kept walking as he continued, “You make me lose control

over this situation.” He looked over his shoulder to see if she got his

meaning. “The closer we get to the crystals, the more we can read

each other’s thoughts. So try to keep it under control, your thoughts,

I mean. And thanks for the compliment. Do you really think I have

a nice butt?”

“Oh, shut up! Yes!” She grinned to herself and asked, “When

will I be able to read your thoughts?”

If you hear me now, you are actually reading my thoughts!

No way!

Cool, huh?

And there it was, roses of every color imaginable.

In the very center sat a small pool with a golden-rimmed edge.

It looked so cool and inviting. Jake was walking right toward it.

“Where are you going?” Alex asked.

“To the pool. Follow me and don’t talk. Just learn for now. I’ll

answer your questions later.” He didn’t need to look to see if she followed;

he was too in tune to her body. He knew she followed.

Raising his hands toward the sky, he began to speak in an

ancient tongue, yet she could understand it all.

Walking to his left and then to his right, he continued to pray to

the gods, father and mother, and the archangels for them to open the

crystals for communication from their side to the Other Side. Then

the water started to ripple, and something greenish blue began to

emerge out of the water. It was a cluster of giant crystals rising out of

the water. There were a total of eight large crystals in different shapes

pointing toward the sky. The dominant one was white surrounded

by aqua green, rose, gold, pink, and blue crystals. There seemed to

be a calmness that radiated from them and permeated through Alex’s

body, mind, and soul.

Jake took Alex by the hand and said, “We’re going to walk into

the crystals and follow a bright light that will guide us to the Other

Side. You will feel very warm at first, and then calmness will flow

through you. Are you ready?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“No. We must step in at the same time. Come closer, right foot

first. Now!”

Both stepped into the rose crystal. Their bodies seemed to be

frozen in time as they stood, their bodies motionless, seemingly

trapped in the crystal. If anyone had passed by at that moment, they

would think that they had come upon an ice glacier with bodies

frozen in it.

Alex realized that she could see her body still in the crystal as her

soul left her body and moved away from it.

What is going on here?

I told you I’ll explain more later and answer your questions, but

for now, watch, listen, and learn. But most of all, enjoy. Jake communicated

telepathically to Alex.

Suddenly, a blinding, bright, white light appeared, followed by

colors so extraordinarily clear, then smells so sweet and intoxicating,

and people! She saw people coming toward them as though they

knew who they were.

I know these people. Why, I believe they are my family. How is

this? Alex was thinking, not realizing that everyone could read her

thoughts. A woman walked toward her, placed her arm around her,

and told her telepathically, You are home now. Come, we have much to

talk about and very little time to go over everything.

Alex’s eyes widened in surprise, but she followed the woman

who was leading her. People were reaching out to touch her and say-

ing hello. Their touch was so full of love and sincerity, she felt like

crying for joy; this was a new experience for her.

They walked into a room that should have been located in the

tropics. “We figured this setting would be more comfortable for you

since we have so many things to communicate to you. By the way,

I am Arlene, your spirit guide. I have been there for you, but your

channels were not clear before now, but from here on out, we should

not have any problems communicating, whether you’re here or on

earth.” Arlene lead Alex to a wicker chair filled with overstuffed pillows

and motioned for her to have a seat.

Taking in the setting before her, she realized this was her fantasy

of the beach house she wanted to have one day. She heard a man’s

cough as though to interrupt her thoughts, and she turned, seeing

Jake first and then her father following behind him. She jumped up

and ran into his open arms.

“Come, Alex, we have much to discuss, and your soul can only

stay out of your body for so long. Later, we will be able to talk more

of personal matters.” Joseph stopped to look at Alex with pride shining

in his eyes. “I am so proud of you. But for now, we must prepare

you for your work on earth.”

Alex felt as if everything was moving too fast. So many things

were happening that made perfect sense yet were still confusing to

her based on her previous level of knowledge. Maybe as she started

to put what she was learning into action and saw it, it would all come

together.

Another man joined them in the room and took a seat on the

sofa with Arlene. He looked to be about thirty-five. As a matter of

fact, noted Alex, everyone seems to be in their thirties. How strange?

The man who had just entered began to speak. “Alex, I am

Lachlan. I need to explain our plans and why these things we are

asking you to do are so important in accomplishing our goal. So I’m

asking you to be very open-minded, and please hold all questions or

objections until I finish.”

Lachlan hesitated, waiting for Alex to acknowledge her agreement

to his request.

She nodded. What else could she say?

“Very well, first, you know that Jake is your Protector, but what

you don’t know is that your two children and his two children are

to be the future Protectors of the Guardians you and Jake will produce.”

He stopped a moment to let her absorb this then proceeded

to answer the question she was thinking, “Yes, you are to marry him

and produce children together—”

Arlene interrupted, “Oh, Lachlan, don’t be so all business about

it.” She turned to look at Alex then said, “Alex, these children will be

stronger than any of the previous Guardians. We are now preparing

their souls for the challenges that will lie ahead for them in the next

few years to come, which will be the beginning of the end. You two

will need to produce two Guardians to train and prepare for the work

ahead for them when the two of you return home.

“As time moves forward, we must become stronger on earth,

and there are so few who know that their purpose on earth is to

perfect their souls. Greediness and self-worshiping seem to take over.

Some go gray, unable to make the choice of totally giving up the

desires of the earthly plane, and others go to the Dark Side, embracing

all the evils of the world and desiring nothing more than to gain

complete control over all that is. The Dark Ones are the ones who

wish to enter into our world here. That is your job, and it is a hard

one, mind you, to keep the Dark Ones out. There are three other

Portals on earth that Jake will show you. They each have a Guardian

and Protector watching over them who must perform the same tasks

as you.” She stopped to let Lachlan take over.

“Joseph has given you everything he knows, but there is more for

you to learn on your own. This will perfect your soul and enlighten

you. Each Guardian acquires more knowledge and passes that total

knowledge on for the next to have, and so on. There is much you

already know, but you have yet to use it. First, we need to explain the

purpose of the Portal. It is for those who have passed on from earth

and have yet to enter into the light. Some have no idea that they are

dead. You are to contact and lead them to the Portal. You will notice

that the children will play with your children, or you will have lights

blinking. Things will move. Some of these passed souls like to play

jokes, while others are very serious. But what you have to watch out

for are the Dark Ones. They are never to pass through the Portal.

They are to remain on earth. Their punishment will come in due

time.”

The next to speak was Joseph. He stood and walked over to the

window. He placed his hands into his pockets, took a deep breath,

and then released it with a sigh as he returned to his chair. “Alex,

there is no way to break this part to you gently, but I want you to

know that what I tell you is true, and we have proof. The worst part is

that it will take time for you to come to terms with what I am about

to reveal to you, but you will need to be quick about it. There is no

telling how much time we have. We cannot read into the future of

the Dark Ones.”

Alex looked at her father and willed her mind to be open to

what he was about to tell her. She had always trusted him, and there

was no reason to doubt him now.

“There is a story to be told, and I will let Jake tell you later,

but this is to be told now. Your mother is of the Dark Side. She

descended from the generation back 350 years ago, where a son ran

away and swore his revenge for not being chosen to be Guardian.

He has been working his way closer and closer to the Portal by reincarnating

into the bodies born of the successive generations of his

family. Your mother is his daughter, and I am the one who fell into

her hands. Like a fool, I thought I had found a strong woman to help

me bring what had been planned into action. But instead, I had only

brought the Dark Ones closer to the Portal. Luckily, your spirit is

pure, and you have survived her cruel and selfish ways. I could not let

her know that I knew what and who she was for fear of endangering

you. But now, unfortunately, you will have a battle with your mother.

Even as we speak, she is making plans to come here uninvited with

Steven in tow to try to take your place as Guardian. She has him

convinced that he has a right to your inheritance. She is going to

help him get it, and he is going to split it with her for helping him.

I would ask that you and Jake marry tomorrow to keep Steven out of

the house and make your mother stay at a motel in town. You will

have to understand that we are all responsible for our own actions.

No one makes us do anything that we don’t want to.”

Alex was stunned. Marry Jake tomorrow? “That is, if you don’t

have a gun to your head, forcing a marriage on you. You know, we

really don’t have to get married to have kids, and that way, I don’t

have to clean up after him. To be honest, I really don’t have plans to

marry again,” Alex said sarcastically.

“Surely there is another way,” she added while she picked at

imaginary lint on her pants.

“Well, don’t think I’m exactly all that thrilled to get married

again either, but we do have a duty to fulfil, and we chose these lives

and their responsibilities before we entered into this world. So put

human emotions aside, and let’s do our job,” Jake answered Alex.

He actually felt rejected that she seemed not to want him. Maybe all

those sparks weren’t sparks after all.

“That, my dear, is the least of your worries. Your mother will be

trying to convince you to come to her side. It will take you and Jake

together to fight her off mentally. She will even try to manipulate you

to go against each other, possibly using a play between your children.

You two will have to be very strong.” Joseph had continued without

missing a beat as if he never heard Alex’s objections. He hated to be

so matter of fact, but she needed to know the truth, and unfortunately,

that hurts sometimes, but she would heal.

Everyone sat motionless, each so wrapped up in their own

thoughts that they each jumped when Jake spoke. “It’s time we

return, Alex.”

“How much time has passed? It’s probably late by now.”

“No. We are on a different dimension here, so maybe only fifteen

minutes has passed in our time.” Jake took her hand and pulled

her up. “Come on. Let’s head back.” Facing the others, he said,

“Thank you.”

“Wait, Alex, remember you can now communicate with me.

Just meditate. Jake can show you how,” Arlene said as she walked to

Alex and gave her a hug.

Joseph walked back with Alex and Jake while Arlene and

Lachlan went to study some files on Alex’s mother, hoping to better

prepare her when needed.

“All will be well. We are working together to help you. You,

young man, take care of her.” Joseph kissed Alex on her forehead and

then turned her toward the light.

The light became bright once again, but this time, instead of

warmth, she felt cold. Then suddenly, she was falling backward fast,

but Jake caught her before she landed in her body hard. He gently

pulled her into his arms, and she rested her head on his shoulder.

Exhausted from everything that had just transpired, she held onto

Jake and began to cry. Here was a man she couldn’t really know, yet

she did seem to know everything about him—his needs and wants,

the things that made him happy, even what made him angry—in

a flash.

But what she knew most of all was what he made her feel—

secure, protected, wanted, and maybe loved?

They stepped out of the crystals, and she felt the earth’s gravity

pulling on her. It felt like she weighed five hundred pounds.

“You’ll get used to it soon. It can be very overwhelming.” He ran

his hands up and down her back, lightly massaging the tension out of

her muscles. He felt himself getting all worked up again. This woman

makes me lose control of my senses.

“Hey, it’s time we head back inside. Ready?”

“Yes. Do you think we should tell them we are to wed?”

“You mean you want to marry me? Even though it’s under such

strange circumstances?”

“No, Jake. I don’t, but what can I to do to stop it? So I guess I

will have to. Not only do we have a responsibility, but I do think you

have a cute butt. At least there’s some benefits to this deal.”

“Oh, I see how it is now. You’re only going to use me to satisfy

your lustful thoughts and urges. Women!”

Alex pulled away, lifting her head from his shoulder to look at

him. He sounded so serious. Then she saw the laughter in his eyes.

“Oh! You are bad, teasing me like that. Well, I do lust after you, but

at least I’m not in love with you, and you’re not in love with me. So

maybe a marriage will work better using logic and not emotions.

We’ve both had bad relationships that ended in divorce.”

“Is that a good bad or a bad bad?” Then he leaned forward and

kissed her, softly at first, and then that uncontrollable passion started

to unleash again. He pushed her arm’s length away from him, like

that did much to quell his emotions, and said, “Why don’t we marry

in three days? Say, on Wednesday. That way, Sally can invite some

townsfolk, and we can plan something nice. I don’t want another

courthouse wedding. How about maybe six o’clock that evening? If

that’s okay with you?” Jake didn’t want her to see that what she had

said really stung his ego and pride. Why wouldn’t she want to fall in

love with me?

“Okay. It sounds great. Let’s go tell everyone.”

“Okay? Just like that? You agree to get married. Oh, I’m sorry, I

forgot, it’s only logical.” Shaking his head, he decided to change the

subject. “Well, first, I need to show you how to close the Portal, and

next, we have some lost spirits that need to be led home and into the

light. Come here.” Leading Alex to the crystals, he started to chant

and motioned for her to chant along with him. He walked to the left

then to the right and back around again.

Slowly, the crystals started to sink back into the water and

disappear.

He walked over to the pool that held the crystals, pulling Alex

along with him. Reaching the edge of pool, he knelt down onto his

knees, and she copied him. He picked up a gold chest, which was

about six inches long, three inches high, and five inches wide—not

very big. He opened the lid, pulled a black silk bag out, and emptied

the contents onto the grass. The exact replica of the large crystals in

the pool appeared in miniature size.

“This is where you will come each morning and night. Take

these crystals and place them here on the grass and begin to meditate.

Then the prayer, spoken in the ancient language, will be repeated

three times. During that time, all those passed souls that have made

it here to the Portal will then pass to the Other Side. The hard part is

to make sure that none of the Dark Ones cross over. But you’ll catch

on soon enough.” Jake moved around to face her, smiled, then said,

“Don’t worry, you’ll do just fine. Remember, I had to learn all this

also. You’ll know. As a matter of fact, there are two Dark Ones here

now, so you’ll learn now.”

“You know, I haven’t had much choice in anything that has

happened here lately, so I guess I’m game.”

“Attagirl!”

The ritual began. Alex had not realized that the dark souls could

move so fast. They even fooled her into thinking that they were a little

child a few times. Thank goodness that Jake was there to help her,

though his presence did interfere with her concentration quite often.

What was she to do with a husband she didn’t even know? Yeah,

he was damn sexy, but that still didn’t make it right. They had to

have sex to create babies, but would the lust they felt for each other

be enough to build a marriage? Her life sure had not been fair lately.

Thrown in this direction and then another, just when she thought

she was getting her bearings on things, off she went in another direction.

In just a few days, she would be married again. Again! Whoops,

there one went again. The other Dark One just slid by her. See how

distracted I am?

Jake caught it and sent it into the crystal so it would return to

the Other Side to be cleansed. Maybe she would eventually get that

ability down pat too.

Jake had quietly listened to her thoughts long enough, but he

understood some of what she was feeling. Marriage was not on his

list either, but it wasn’t like he had some disease either. Didn’t they

feel some kind of attraction?

“I can hear your thoughts,” Alex said out loud.

“Oh! And you think I haven’t been listening to yours for the

past fifteen minutes? Let’s see, ‘We have to have sex to create babies.’

What did you think we would do? Have them pop out of thin air?”

Jake tried to calm down before his anger and hurt got the best of him.

What is wrong with me? I never felt anything before when a woman

rejected me. Why her?

“We’re done here for now. Let’s head back.” He began to head

back to the house.

“Wait a minute, Jake, I’m sorry. I forgot you could read my

thoughts. Just…I’ve been pushed into this too soon. I don’t mean to

hurt your male pride for not wanting you, but we are strangers.” Alex

tried to make him understand.

“Is that what you think? You hurt my male pride.” Jake laughed

hard and bent over. “Hon, you didn’t hurt my pride.

“You put a dent in my attraction for you.”

Tempers were just about to fly when Jake came to his senses and

knew he needed to make amends. “Look, we know this is going to

be hard, but the least we can do is put on an act for our family and

pretend to like each other. Though we are attracted to each other sexually,

it doesn’t mean we can’t perform our duties and be civilized.”

“Okay, I see. A business marriage. I can do that, I think. So does

that mean you stay at your place, or are you moving in here?”

“Here!” Jake walked over to Alex, and before she knew what was

happening, he grabbed her by the waist, pulled her body tight against

his, and kissed her lips hard, making hot fire run through her veins.

It was a good thing he had a good grip on her because she knew she

would have fallen flat on her face if he let go. But instead of resisting,

she released pent-up passion she had held in for too long. Now that

knocked Jake off his high horse of always being the one in control.

He felt himself drowning in her passion, so he quickly set her down

and stepped away from her a few steps to regain control of himself.

“That was the signing of our contract. So don’t fight it. Now,

let’s go and put on a show and make it believable. Be happy about

our marriage. And I can’t wait to get out of this garden so I can’t hear

your thoughts.” He turned to face her.

“No, don’t finish that thought. No, don’t. Naaee…stop, or I

will finish what I started.”

Her thoughts stopped abruptly. Both put on a happy face, trying

to get in the mood for the show they needed to playact for their

families who would soon become one big family.

They walked back into the kitchen, holding hands and laughing.

You would have thought they had been seeing each other for

some time. Sally turned to look at them and knew right away that the

two were in love even if they had not realized it yet.

“I see everything went well,” Sally said.

The two looked at each other and started laughing. Then Jake

walked up to Sally, picked her up, and swung her around in a bear

hug. “We’re getting married on Wednesday in the church on Main.

Figured around six o’clock would be a good time. Are you up to

helping plan a wedding?”

“What’s all the ruckus in here?” Jack came in from the family

room with Joseph in his arms.

“You won’t believe it. They’re getting married,” Sally said, a little

breathless after being swung around like a teenager.

Jake smiled at Jack and said, “Let’s go into the family room, and

we will explain everything to the whole family at once.”

“I got a feelin’ this is gonna be a great story to tell around the

fire one day. I knew you two were attracted to each other, but I didn’t

expect it this soon. Well, Lil’ Joe, looks like you got a right big family

real quick like.” Smiling from ear to ear, Jack was really happy for the

young couple even though he knew that there were going be some

hard times ahead. He started whistling as he walked into the family

room to hear this story.

Sally sat back and watched the two very carefully. Something

was going on, all right. She just didn’t know what. Both were trying

harder than necessary to convince everyone that they were happy

with the situation. She knew both had been through bad marriages

and hurt deeply, but she had a gut feeling that neither really wanted

this marriage, now that she got a second look at the two.

Alex would tense when Jake touched her, and while he touched

her, his brow would crinkle as though he was trying to control something.

But what? But what Sally didn’t know was that an uncontrollable

fire of desire was flowing through them, and it was making both

Jake and Alex very pissed off.

7

Alex stood in front of the mirror, looking at the gown she was wearing.

She felt as though she was trapped in a dream she never wanted

to wake up from. Knowing the life she left behind and anticipating

the life ahead of her made her insides quiver.

She was wearing a cream-colored wedding gown with faux

pearls sewn into the design of roses, and inside each rose lay four

tiny rose quartz crystals. The cream-colored satin gown had a lowcut

back, was sleeveless, and fell to the floor, swirling around Alex’s

legs. Never had she worn anything so lovely, and never had she felt

so beautiful. But today she felt all that and more. Alex really hoped

to make a nice impression on the townsfolk, especially since they had

been friends of her father.

Since Sunday, she and Jake had covered so much about helping

the lost souls find the light. She even had another experience with a

dark soul trying to get past her into the light. Jake had caught it and

pushed it into the crystal real quick. Hopefully, she would get all this

down pat real soon, but since Jake would be around all the time now,

she knew he’d be there to help.

At last night’s supper put together by the folks of Black Canyon

City, Jake had made her turn five shades of red by actually proposing

on bended knee and placing a diamond ring on her finger. The

ring had been passed down through his family, starting with Sally’s

mother, Jake’s great-grandmother, and now she would have the blessing

of wearing that same ring. They would carry on the tradition and

pass it along to the first of their children to marry. They had settled

on the fact that all the children would be accepted as their own even

though they each had previous marriages. They were to be a true

family and would be called Mom and Dad by all the kids. Some folks

might think she was crazy, but this was her dream—to have a real

family and a big one at that.

“Whatcha about, gal? My, ain’t you pretty. Sally outdid herself

with this dress.” Jack had walked in to get Alex. It was time to walk

down the aisle.

Sally followed behind Jack, looked at Alex, and knew that she

was pleased with her gown. “Are you woolgatherin’, Alex? And with a

wedding waiting on you. Boy, my Jake is going to be beside himself.

You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen.” Sally was trying

to smile and keep from crying, but it was hard for her not to cry at a

wedding, especially when it was a family wedding.

Alex lifted the gown to keep the hem from dragging on the floor

and walked over to the chair in the corner beside the screen that had

been set up for her to dress behind. She picked up her veil from the

chair, walked back over to the mirror, and positioned the veil on her

head. Sally walked up behind her to help. As Sally finished helping

with the veil, she moved in front of Alex. Taking Alex’s hands in hers,

she said, “Most of us plan our lives, but yours was planned for you

and for Jake. No matter how hard the things might be that you will

have to do and deal with, if you stand beside each other in your decisions,

you will find a strength no one can destroy. I believe you two

will find a very strong love and a family with strength. I want you to

know I bless this marriage, and I will be here for you for as long as

I’m here on this earth. Welcome to our family, Alex.”

Alex gave Sally a hug and was too moved to say more than,

“Thank you.”

“It’s time, Alex.” Jack had placed a hand on her shoulder, and

he said it again, “It’s time.” The three walked out of the room usually

used as a nursery during services on Sunday and headed to the center

of the double doors leading into the sanctuary.

Sally opened the doors and went to her seat in the front, nodding

at the lady to start playing the piano. She looked at Jake to see

how he was holding up; nervous, that’s how he looked. Smiling to

herself, she pulled out her hankie, preparing for the tears that were

sure to come.

As the wedding march music began, Jack and Alex began walking

down the aisle to where Jake awaited them.

My, how handsome he looks!

Alex forgot about all the people watching her walk down the

aisle. Dressed in a black tuxedo, he had his hair pulled back with a

black velvet ribbon. He had no idea he looked as if he belonged on

the front cover of a magazine. As they made eye contact, she felt her

heart drop, and the butterflies in her stomach began to flutter. Jake

smiled at her, and she knew without a doubt that she was doing the

right thing. Once they were at the altar, Uncle Jack placed her hand

in Jake’s, hesitating for a moment. He held both of their hands, giving

them an affectionate squeeze full of love. Alex and Jake proceeded up

the two steps where the preacher stood waiting. The music stopped,

and the vows were exchanged. Alex knew what vows she said, but

she was so wrapped up in the feelings that Jake made her feel that

she could barely get through the ceremony. The heat in the look he

gave her was full of promises to be fulfilled, and her imagination was

going wild with fantasies she should not be having in a church.

As Jake lifted the veil to kiss Alex and seal the marriage, he

feared he would lose control right there in the church in front of all

the people he knew. Never had he had such trouble at restraining his

lustful urges for a woman. What Jake and Alex didn’t realize was that

everyone in the church was seeing the couple surrounded by a soft

yellow glowing light. They were awestruck at the vision they were

seeing. When Jake pulled back from kissing Alex, he realized that

there was an eerie silence, almost deafening to the ears. The preacher

broke the silence by saying with a chuckle,

“Well, we know this marriage has been blessed. Now off with

you two, and let’s go to the fellowship hall for that wonderful meal

waiting for us.”

The newly married couple ran up the aisle to the double doors,

and the townsfolk followed after them. They went first to the rooms

held for Sunday school and for the nursery to change clothes and

would then head to the fellowship hall. Later at the dance, someone

had spiked the punch, but no one commented about it; everyone

just kept drinking that wonderful punch. There was clogging and

square dances. There were slow songs for the romantic young ones

and a whole lot of line dancing. Only a few times a year were there

festivities with dancing, so everyone was having the time of their

life. It had already been decided that Sally and Jack would take all

four children with them to give the young couple one night together

alone for their short honeymoon. Around about ten o’clock, it was

time for them to go to the house. Everyone gathered at the walkway

to throw birdseeds to wish them luck and happiness for their future.

Of course, the dancing would go on ’til midnight.

Alex stood at the door, holding Jake’s hand. “Are you ready to

make a run for the truck?”

“Let’s give them a show. Kiss me.” And what a kiss it was! They

both had to force themselves away from each other for fear of losing

their control. “Now, let’s make a dash for the truck.” Everyone

saw the kiss and started yelling and whooping as the couple ran to

the truck. Lace bags filled with birdseed were opened, and the seeds

thrown into the air as the newlyweds passed by.

The truck pulled up in the driveway, and Alex realized this

would be the first night that she wouldn’t have Lil’ Joseph with her

since he was born. Jake put the truck in park and shut the engine off.

Looking over at Alex, he realized for the first time that she looked sad.

“Are you regretting our hasty marriage, Alexandria?”

“No. I just realize this is the first time I have been without Joseph

since he was born. You called me Alexandria. I like the way you say

my name.” She smiled and reached for his hand, willing for him to

know she was willing to accept what had transpired in their lives.

“Good, I’m right pleased myself. Come on, let’s go in, but at

the steps, I’ll carry you over the threshold. We wouldn’t want any

bad luck coming our way.” They got out of the truck and stopped

in front of the house. Both stared up at the door as though waiting

for something grand to happen. So far, Alex had not heard anything

from her guide, Arlene, or from her father.

Maybe they’re giving us time to adjust to everything that is happening.

Jake turned to Alex, put his arm around her shoulders, and

asked, “Are you ready? I don’t think I will strain myself too much

picking you up. I started working out with weights last week, so I

think I can carry you without dropping you.”

Alex pushed away a little, burst out laughing, and said, “Do

you always find humor in everything? Well, come on, Hercules, carry

me onward.”

That was all the prodding Jake needed. He reached down,

swooped Alex up into his arms, and up the steps he went. Alex

reached down to open the door, and Jake kicked the door shut after

they were inside. He gave Alex a big grin and started jogging up the

stairs to the bedroom. Once in the bedroom, he slowly let her slide

gently out of his arms so she could stand and said, “Is it too soon for

you to…?” He left the unfinished question hanging in the air.

“You mean to tell me you are bashful when talking about sex?

Ha!” She walked over to the bed, sat down, and reached down to pull

off her shoes. Then she started to unfasten the buttons on the front

of her shirt. Alex felt for the first time that she had control over the

situation and had no doubt she was going to have the time of her life

making love with this man.

As she finished undoing her shirt and stood to remove it, Jake

rushed to her and pulled her into his arms, kissing her neck gently

below her ear. She tilted her head back as he kissed her throat and

bit her softly. Helping her to slide the shirt off her arms, he reached

around her back to unhook her bra. Feeling his passions taking control,

he ripped the buttons off the front of his shirt, too impatient

and excited to undo the buttons. He wanted to feel her breast against

his chest—skin to skin, flesh feeling flesh. They stepped away from

each other just long enough to hurriedly take their pants off then

crushed their bodies together, falling, locked in embrace, together

on the bed.

Feeling the heat of their bare bodies touching only ignited the

passion between them even more. Jake looked into Alex’s eyes and

said, “We have all night, so we can go slow if you want to. I don’t

want to hurt you so soon after having a baby.”

Breathless, Alex replied, “If you, so help me, make me wait

another minute to feel you inside me, I’ll scream.”

“Not a bad idea!”

As Jake slid into Alex, he felt what he never thought he would

experience while here on this earth—completeness.

As the lovemaking escalated, they felt their souls leave their bodies.

It seemed as if they were everything; they felt and knew everything.

The sensation was so intense that Alex started to cry from the

intensity and beauty of it. As their souls hovered just above their

bodies, an explosion of stars and colors surrounded them, marking

their spiritual and physical union.

After both experienced the release they had been waiting for,

they found themselves falling back into their bodies with a crash.

Lying exhausted and covered in sweat with arms and legs intertwined,

they slept hard and deep.

Later, Alex was awakened by a noise. At first, Alex thought she

heard Joseph crying and was trying to pull herself from the deep

sleep that had wrapped around her mind, making it foggy and hard

to focus. But the sound turned to a little girl, whimpering and saying

that she was sorry over and over again. As she sat up in the bed,

Jake woke, looked at her, then realized that there was a soul lost, and

by the sound of it, it was a little girl crying. Even though the child

was deceased, it was always hard to deal with the loss, especially if

the child had died as a result of child abuse. She eased herself out of

bed and walked to the corner of the room where the rocking chair

that she rocked Joseph to sleep in each night was sitting. The sound

seemed to be coming from behind the rocker. Bending down to the

ghost child, she reached her hand out to caress the little girl’s back.

The child flinched as if touched, but Alex’s hand passed through the

child. Puzzled for a moment, she pulled her hand back, stared at

it, then realized that she had forgotten to meditate and let her soul

release itself from her body so she could make actual contact with the

other soul that needed guiding.

“I’m sorry, Daddy. I promise I won’t do it again. I didn’t mean

to walk in front of the TV. I’m sorry.” The little girl started to cry

even harder. Alex felt the tears sliding down her own cheeks as she

watched this child repeat what had happened, reliving how she had

died, not knowing that she had already passed on and her body carried

no life.

“Wait, Alex, let me help you. Come and let’s prepare ourselves

for the release of our souls. Looks like our honeymoon is over for

now. Never know, it might be a busy night.” Reading the thoughts in

her eyes, he added, “It never gets easier with the children, but once

you have come to terms with the fact that they are going home to

love and happiness, the sadness you feel doesn’t last as long.” Jake

reached over, placed a soft kiss on her lips, took her hands into his as

they sat together and went into deep meditation.

Their souls lifted, and Alex felt the same weightlessness she had

experienced the previous times, but she could feel that she had more

control of her movements and was able to float or walk to where she

wanted to go. She glided over to the child, reached down, and picked

the little girl up in her arms. She sat in the rocking chair with her and

began to sing the lullaby she sang to her children. The child settled

down, stopped crying, and began to play with the ends of her hair,

twirling it through her fingers as if she was listening to the voice of

an angel sing.

“Did I die, and you are my new mommy?” The child looked up

into Alex’s eyes with open curiosity and asked a simple but appropriate

question considering the situation.

“Why do you ask that, sweetheart?” Alex asked.

“Because I feel different now, not scared, and you have the voice

of an angel—the kind of voice a mommy should have.”

Looking into the eyes of the translucent child, Alex simply said,

“Let me take you home, where your family is. Okay?”

The child nodded. Alex put her down so she could walk and led

her down the stairs and out to the garden. Jake was already prepared

when they arrived and had the crystals open.

Alex picked up the girl, stepped into the crystal, then began

walking into the light with the little girl. Right before she reached

the Other Side, she set the girl down to stand and said, “It’s time to

go home. You have nothing to fear now. Your family is waiting for

your arrival. Go and follow the light.” Watching the child start to run

and laughing the whole way into the light lifted her spirits. She felt

good to be able to do what she was blessed to do. She turned back,

stepped out of the crystal, and returned to Jake to see what else they

might have in store for the night. She smiled to herself and thought

that they made a great team together. As she had stepped out of the

crystal, he had reached up to take her hand, and she could feel the

force of his attraction for her, and it felt good. No, it felt great.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

“She started running and laughing. She knew when we got

there. I can’t wait to see her when we go for a visit.”

“Come on, we have some work in store for us tonight.”

Jake placed a kiss on her hand and pulled her into his arms.

“Oh no, we are starting to think alike. I just thought that as I

was heading back,” Alex said as she caressed Jake’s cheek.

“Oh, I’m sure we are bound to think a lot of things alike, such

as, ’Let’s get finished so I can have you to myself again before the kids

get here.’”

This may not be a love marriage, but it could grow. Alex considered

opening up to Jake, but she was still too raw inside from the

hurt her ex-husband had dealt her. But Jake had not made any comments

about how he felt. It was really too soon. Only time would tell.

With a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, she reached her hand around

and pulled his head down for a very passionate kiss. There were a few

observers just a little more than bewildered at what they were walking

in on, but quite a few had big smiles on their faces.

8

Hours later and after another bout of lovemaking, Alex and Jake lay

sleeping together, wrapped in a sheet with their arms and legs entangled.

Exhausted from a night of helping lost souls find their way to

the light to go home and loving each other slowly, very slowly, they

were each in a deep sleep.

But then the nightmare began. Alex dreamt of being chased and

fighting for her life, feeling as though she was lost in a land that no

one knew. She started to jerk and lash out at something she could

not touch, but she could feel the cold and evil coming from it. She

seemed to know this person, but it was not the same; it was as though

they were not real yet they were.

What’s going on here? I need to wake up. I’m asleep!

“Alex! Alex! Wake up!” Jake was fighting her punches and trying

to wake her without hurting her.

She opened her eyes but couldn’t see Jake. “I’m awake, but I

can’t see you. What’s happening? There’s someone trying to make me

think that you are him.” Trying not to panic, she rubbed her hands

into her eyes, trying to clean away the vision that she was still seeing.

“Wait, don’t move. I’m going to get a wet washcloth and see if

that will help.” Jake jumped to the floor and ran to the bathroom.

But while he was gone, the entity became stronger and began

to talk with her. “Alexandria, come out of your body and meet me

with your soul. I am your grandfather, your mother’s father. You will

return to your body. It’s not time yet to battle, and we need to talk.”

Alex’s vision began to clear as she started to meditate and

released her soul. As she left her body, his image became clear, and

she could see the grandfather she had only heard of.

“What do you want? I now know of the evil you wish to create

along with my mother’s help.” She spoke in anger that was built up

inside of her from the way her mother had been.

All she could see was the selfish person this man had caused her

mother to become.

“I wish to make you understand the seriousness of what will

happen if you do not cooperate with what I want you to do.” He

walked toward her and reached a hand out to take her hand, but she

quickly pulled away from him.

“Don’t touch me. There’s not anything you can do or say that

will stop me from protecting the Portal. It’s your greed that controls

you, not your heart.”

“Child, you are blind!” the Dark One yelled. “You do not know

what power you even hold. I can help you understand and use your

powers. I do not wish to manipulate you. I want us to be powerful

together.” Alex’s grandfather walked closer to her again, trying to lock

his gaze in contact with her eyes. This was the only way he could

receive the information from her about the Portal.

“Lies. It’s all lies—just like my mother. There is no talking.” She

began to go back into her body.

“No…” But it was too late. He had lost the contact he had made

and was exhausted from it. He was an old man and needed to get

control soon, or he would have to start over with the birth of another

child.

When Jake walked back into the room with a wet cloth, he

saw that Alex was in meditation and sat patiently waiting for her to

come back.

“Alex, I’m here. Be strong.” He placed the cool cloth on her

eyes, softly rubbing them while praying to the spirit guides to protect

her. He knew who was here, her grandfather. It was time she knew

the whole story and what was going to happen.

“Arlene, you need to help me here. I know she hasn’t asked for

your help, but I am. So please, help bring her back.”

He kept touching her and rubbing the cloth over her eyes, praying

hard. Slowly, her eyes started to flutter open, and it took everything

in him not to grab her and pull her into his arms.

She opened her eyes and looked Jake straight in the eyes and

said, “That was my grandfather. He came to warn me against fighting

him, of what the consequences will be if we do, but I wouldn’t

listen. I probably should have, but he kept trying to look into my

eyes, and I felt as though I would pass out each time he got close to

me. It made me sick, Jake. He even wanted me to side with him and

us work together.”

“It’s okay, hon. I think it’s time you knew the whole story so you

will know what to expect.” Jake stood and walked to the bathroom

to put the cloth back on the sink. He walked back into the room and

asked Alex, “Will you come with me and sit outside by the roses so

we can talk and be protected? What I am about to tell you is something

I don’t want them to know.” Jake waved his hand around in a

broad sweep of the room, meaning the souls seeking the light.

She nodded, got off the bed, and walked over to Jake where he

was waiting in the doorway. He took her hand and led the way down

the stairs. Sitting down with some iced tea they had gotten in the

kitchen as they passed through, they both began to relax. It was time

for Alex to know it all. Stretching out his legs and inhaling deeply, he

turned to look at Alex. He knew that what he was about to tell her

would hurt her in the beginning but would also help her understand

why they were here on earth in the first place.

They had a job to do just like everyone else here; it’s just that

theirs is, well, profound in thought, action, strength, and love.

Sensing his hesitation, she looked at Jake and nodded to begin.

“Okay, and where do I start?” Jake asked this more to himself

than to her. “Well, you know some of what has been done by your

grandfather—how he has manipulated the souls that entered into

the bodies of your family and how he has been able to take over

their bodies again and again. You see, what we don’t understand is

how he does this, and we need to stop him. We believe your mother

knows how he does this because he has used her soul multiple times

to come back.”

Jake waited for Alex to absorb this and watched her reaction to

what she had learned. She looked like she was totally lost, with her

head bowed, and sad.

Slowly, she raised her head, looked at him, and whispered, “You

need me to make contact with her, and somehow, I need to make her

think I’m on her side to find out what her father is doing.”

“Yes.”

“She’s coming here, you know.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“I always tried so hard to please her, so maybe that would work,

you know, the always-trying-to-make-her-happy-and-never-could

attitude. So, I was like a puppy always wanting love.”

She looked at him and knew she could do this. It would hurt

to be hateful and mean to Jake, but she could do it. He could deal

with it.

“I would have to say and do some hateful things toward you

and the rest of our family. But if we can stop this…”

“There’s more. He has somehow stopped some souls from

returning home, and we need to find them. That’s where the council

on the Other Side believes you will be helpful in freeing them. Your

power is stronger than his. You just have never been trained to use

it. And we have very little time to train you, so we will begin today.”

Picking up her hand, he felt coldness of her skin, and it made him

realize just how scared she was. He wanted to protect her with everything

inside him.

“I sure hope you like to read a lot because there is this big, big,

thick book you got to read and study.” He waited for her response.

She looked at him like he was crazy. Surely, he wasn’t serious. She

didn’t know what to make of that big grin on his face.

“Are you serious?”

“Yeah, you don’t trust me?”

“Not with that grin on your face. It’s a mischievous kind of grin.”

“Oh, really?”

“Maybe I was thinking about last night.”

“No, you weren’t. You’re just teasing me about the book.

Aren’t you?”

“Nope.”

“Nope?”

“Nope.”

“Would you stop already? Okay, so where’s this book?”

Alex asked as she stood up and brushed the grass and dirt off

the back of her pants. She hated losing the physical contact with him,

but she was ready to get the boat a rocking and stop these evil people.

“So show me the book, big boy.” She gave him her sassy grin

and shook her butt at him.

“Don’t tempt me. It’s over here, follow me.”

Alex followed him to the ring where the crystals were hidden,

watching how he walked, and she realized that he had a slight dip

when he walked. How cute, she thought. My, how he makes me feel—

so alive, I just want to become one with him.

Jake turned to look at her, their eyes met, and he felt it again—

drowning, that’s what he’s doing, drowning.

In her eyes, he could see the love that was hidden there for the

taking, and oh, how he wanted that love. And he planned to have it

one day. Turning his head away before he took her in his arms and

started kissing her, he raised his hand, holding it over a rock that

had risen up out of the ground. As it was rising, the rock turned to

crystal, and in the middle of the crystal, there was a book about three

inches thick. He reached into the crystal and removed the book.

Alex’s eyes were huge. “You expect me to read that and know it

all in one or two days?”

“Scared of a little challenge? But no, to answer your question,

I expect you to read it and know it in about four hours. Think you

can handle it?” Smiling, he walked to her, took her hand, and placed

the book in it. Then he leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek. Jake

knew he shouldn’t tease her about this, so he decided to let her know

how she would remember it all. “You will enter the crystals and read.

That way, you are protected and can retain it all. The negative energy

here is too strong and will interfere. There is no way that you can

absorb this information out here alone and without protection. It

would draw the attention of all the negative energies. So follow me,

madam, and I shall show you the way.”

“But what about the kids? They’re coming back in about two

hours,” she asked Jake.

“Why, if I didn’t know better, I would think that you’re trying

to get out of studying, Alex.”

“No, I just thought that…”

“What? That I can’t babysit a bunch of kids. Oh please, I’m a

man. I can do it all.” Jake winked at her, making her smile.

“I wasn’t questioning your manhood, just your ability to watch

kids, that’s all.”

“Maybe it’s your ability to learn that’s in question here.”

He raised one eyebrow and looked at her as though he was

scolding a child.

She walked to where the crystals lay hidden, began to chant, and

the waters started to ripple as the crystals began to appear. Once they

were completely out of the water, she looked back at Jake, giving him

a smug, I-knew-I-could-do-it look. Then she entered the crystals.

Sitting down on the crystal bench that was inside, she opened the

book and started to read. Then the strangest thing began to happen.

Instead of actually reading the words in the book, holographic

images appeared before her. She was being told the story through the

images. She reached out her hand to touch the picture before her, but

her hand passed through it. Pulling back her hand, she took a deep

breath and told herself to absorb what she was being shown and to

not be scared. This only happens on TV, she thought.

Outside the crystal chamber, Jake felt the crystals start to hum.

Yes, sir, she’s in for a treat now. He headed to the house to wait for the

kids to come home.

A few hours later, Alex walked into the living room, not knowing

what to make of her mixture of emotions. There sat the children,

Uncle Jack, and Sally—a real family, her family. This is so overwhelming.

Where is Jake? She scanned the room, but he was nowhere to be

seen. She voiced her question out loud, “Where is Jake?”

“He went to get the kids clothes to bring here. Are you okay,

Alex? Jake said you might feel drained.” Sally stood and walked over

to Alex, placed her hand on Alex’s arm, and guided her to a chair.

“I don’t know how I feel right now, but I would sure like to hold

my son.” Needing to feel contact with her family, she reached out for

Joseph as Ramona brought him to her. Alex kissed his forehead, and

she breathed in his scent with her lips still touching his velvety skin,

so sweet and innocent.

Kimberly went to her mother, not realizing what she had been

through, and began to chat about all the things that they had been

doing with Jack and Sally. Only being able to retain some of what

Kimberly was saying, Alex just nodded, looking at her daughter and

thanking God for her sweetness and beauty.

“…and the horses are so big. Uncle Jack says I can ride ’em one

day. Do you think you will let me?” Kimberly stopped and took a

breath. She looked at her mother, anticipating her answer.

“Wow! That was a mouthful, young lady. You had a good time,

I see. But I think I will have to have a look first. You may have to wait

’til you’re older to ride them if they are too big.”

“Oh! That’s okay, Mama, I can wait. But you just gotta see ’em.

They are so beautiful.” Kimberly kept rambling on about the horses

to her mother, not realizing that her mother had other things on

her mind.

Alex tried to focus on what her daughter said again, but she had

too many questions going through her head about what she had just

learned, and she needed answers. About that time, Jake walked in,

and everyone turned to see him. He hesitated a moment, looking at

Alex and trying to read how she was faring, but there was too much

energy in the house for him to focus on just her.

So he decided to put on a happy face and give it his all ’til later

when they were alone.

“Hey, guys, I’m back. How about you two big kids come help

me out with bringing in our clothes. Jack, do you know why women

have so many clothes and shoes? It just blows me away. Why do

they have to have a pair of shoes for every outfit?” Smiling as he

said this, he winked at Ramona, teasing her like he always did about

her clothes.

“Personally, I believe it’s the fault of men. You guys always want

us to look beautiful, and then you never notice,” Ramona said with

sass as she passed her dad. Widening his eyes as though that was a

new revelation, he laughed out loud and said, “That’s the easy way

out, just blame us men.”

“I will,” she said as she headed to the car.

“How are you, Alex? Have you got a headache? When I came

out the first time from all that reading, which isn’t really reading, I

felt like I had a hangover,” Jake said as he walked to where Alex was

seated and squatted down in front of her.

“I’m okay, overwhelmed mostly.”

“We can talk later.” He reached out his hand, took hers, lifted it

to his lips, and kissed her hand tenderly. Then he headed back outside

to help the kids unload their things.

9

Meanwhile, in Georgia, plans were being made to go to Black Canyon

City, Arizona. Dorothy felt a deep sense of satisfaction that she had

managed to make Steven, the self-centered man, think that it was his

idea that Alex had stolen his share of the money that Alex’s father had

left her when he had died. Idiot. He doesn’t realize that there’s no way

he can touch that money, but she had to have his help, and if making

him think he was going to get that money accomplished her goals,

that’s all she cared about.

It was amazing how stroking the egos of men could get her anything

she wanted from them. Smiling smugly to herself, she was very

adept at keeping the fire of anger burning in him. She walked over

to where she kept the liquor and poured him a shot of Jack Daniels.

Her father had instructed her well on how to manipulate the

weak. They are always blinded by what they want and easily controlled

by always making them want more. Ha!

“Here, Steven, let this help calm you.” She walked to him and

handed him the shot glass. She knew she had the upper hand with

this one. Steven took the glass and threw his head back, swallowing

the shot of liquor and relishing in the burning sensation as it went to

his stomach. He closed his eyes, feeling the warmth from the liquor

spread over his body and began to picture his meeting with Alex,

imagining the fear in her eyes when she realized that he would gain

some control over her life—again.

At first, he felt relieved that he was done with her and the baggage

she carried, but he had been too quick in signing the divorce

papers. She knew she had a book that was going to be published, but

she withheld that information from him.

She wanted to cut him out of it all and take all the glory and

money for herself. He had paid the bills, taken care of her and that

brat that probably wasn’t even his. Alex owed him something, and he

planned on getting it. But what bothered him most was, why was her

mother trying to screw Alex over? There was something more there,

but why delve into it more than necessary? She had her reasons, and

he wanted some of the money that Alex had inherited. Dorothy

would lead him to it, then he would be on his merry way once he

had gotten what he wanted and to hell with what she wanted.

“So when do you want to begin this little expedition, Dot?”

Steven asked, putting the ball in her hand.

“When can you be ready? We want to keep the element of surprise

on our side. So it would be best if we flew over and rented a

car.” Smiling, she walked over to the sofa, sat down, and waited for

Steven’s response.

“How much are the tickets? I don’t have any money right now.

Or are you going to pay for this trip?” Both were trying to manipulate

each other. Steven thought. Damn, we need to work together if

this is to work. “We need to stop trying to fight over who is going

to control this visit to Alex. Working together and not against each

other would help with the success of our little trip,” he said.

“Why do you think that? If I was working against you, I would

not have asked you to join me and get what you deserve.”

“I can’t help but ask, why? Why are you out to hurt Alex? I

wasn’t going to worry about it, you got your reasons, but I would like

to know what is ticking up there in that brain of yours.”

Dorothy stood, walked over to the window, and looked outside.

She began to reminisce about her father and the conversations

they had over the years. Even she couldn’t fathom why she hated her

daughter so much.

But she knew the power that Alex was blessed with was something

she desperately wanted.

“Some people seem to always be blessed with luck, and she has

had more than any one person should have. She never appreciated

what I did for her as a child by giving up what I wanted to do most

so I could provide for her. You may think me selfish, but I don’t care

what people think. She has something I want that you could never

understand as a mortal.”

She stiffened at her slip of the tongue, but she hoped he missed

the remark about being mortal. He didn’t miss the remark, but he

always knew that Dot was into witchcraft of some kind, so he surmised

that she must have gotten deeper into that Wicca clan she goes

to, supernatural and all that jumbo. Whatever!

“Suit yourself, just so long as I get my money.”

He stood and stretched his long body out after sitting for so

long in the chair. Noticing the tenseness of Dorothy’s shoulders, he

figured it would be best to leave. “Well, I think I’ll go and pack.

When do we leave?”

“I have already purchased round-trip tickets. We leave in the

morning at seven, so be ready. I don’t like to be kept waiting.”

Steven saluted her with his right hand to his head as he mocked

a Heil Hitler stance and said, “Yes, ma’am!”

Then he turned to the door, marching out, kicking out his legs

and keeping them straight, imitating the goose walk of the Nazi soldiers.

He didn’t bother to shut the door behind him. She narrowed

her eyes as she glared at his back, wishing she could shoot daggers

at him. She also wished she didn’t need his help. He was such a jerk

and fool; Steven always acted stupid in some way. He could not compare

to Jake who would eat Steven up in a heartbeat. But maybe she

would let him, then she wouldn’t have to worry about any witnesses

to the crime she was about to commit.

The next morning, he was on time, surprisingly. He threw on

a good one last night and reeked of the alcohol he had consumed.

Dorothy wished the shower he had taken would have at least washed

away the sour smell, but oh well, guess he forgot to use soap. She

reached into her purse, pulled out a bottle of perfume, pretending to

spray herself, but as he passed beside her, she sprayed it on the back

of his shirt. Maybe, just maybe, she could tolerate sitting next to him

for the next four hours.

“Come on, Steven. We need to get going to the airport in

Atlanta so we will be on time to check in our luggage. You don’t have

a pocketknife or anything they may consider a weapon, do you?” She

stressed the “do you” with a look that said, I hope you’re not that stupid.

Steven took offense and was ready to say the hell with this, but he

stopped to think about the money that was waiting for him. Breathe

and calm down, boy. It’s just like a woman to want to have control.

“No, Dot, I don’t have any knives or anything else that might be

considered a weapon. Thank you very much for insulting my intelligence,”

Steven replied sarcastically as he headed to her car with his

suitcase. He knew he should offer to help her with her suitcases, but

she had pissed him off, and they weren’t even on the plane yet.

Dot stood there realizing that he had an attitude already and

didn’t even offer to help her load her luggage. She knew this was

not going to be an easy trip. She walked over to the car, pushed the

button on her keychain to open the trunk, then turned to Steven

and very sweetly said, “This is going to be a long trip, so let’s try not

to get on each other’s nerves. On the way there, I have some things

to discuss with you about the plan. I have to get Alex to cooperate,

and just to let you know now, it involves kidnapping your son.” She

stopped to let him absorb this and waited for a reaction.

Closing the trunk, she went to the driver’s side, opened her car

door, stopped, and looked at Steven again, waiting for him to make

the next move.

“I knew you were a conniving bitch, but I didn’t realize just how

far you would go to get what you wanted. You want me to kidnap

my own kid? And what? Hold him for ransom?” Even though he

seemed to be balking at the idea of her plan, funny thing was he still

walked over to the passenger side of the car and got in. He knew he

was crazy for letting this woman have control, but maybe he could

change things and come up with a better plan than what she had

crafted. Both of them now in the car, he asked, “So what’s the plan?

Maybe we won’t have to include the kidnapping part.”

She smiled to herself. She knew she had won—again. Dot

started the car and backed out while she began to explain her plan.

“They are on the way here,” Alex said when she woke up, lying

in the bed next to Jake.

Staring at the ceiling, he asked, “How do you know? Did you

dream it?”

“No, Arlene just told me. You know, that’s the first time she

has talked to me since we were on the Other Side. Cool, huh?” Alex

laughed out with a snort.

Jake turned his head to gaze at Alex. Damn, she was beautiful,

and the more time he spent with her, the more he wanted her.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Jake smiled even bigger and teased her with, “Just thought I was

looking at a perfect picture and…thinking how alive that picture is.”

Rolling over on top of her, he began to kiss her and breathed her scent in.

“Someone is at the door,” mumbled Alex around the kissing.

“What?”

“The door.”

“Oh, the door, maybe they’ll go away,” Jake said as he started to

kiss her neck.

“No, I don’t think they will. Here, let me up.”

“I’ll get it.” Hating to leave the warmth of Alex’s body, he

answered the door, and there stood two girls with rumpled hair, still

in their pajamas.

“She wants her mama, Daddy, so I brought her up. Said she

had a bad dream,” Ramona explained as she walked Kimberly to her

mother’s side of the bed. “We were eating cereal, but she insisted she

needed to talk to you.”

Alex reached out to help her daughter into the bed. She asked,

“What did you dream, sweetheart?” Sniffling, she balled up her

chubby fist and rubbed her eyes as they filled with tears, “That

Grandma and Daddy came here to kidnap Lil’ Joseph. And they tried

to hurt you and my new daddy.”

Looking over the top of Kimberly’s head, she met Jake’s eyes,

and they both knew what her daughter had dreamt was true. Alex

had already been told that her daughter would be a Dreamer, able to

dream the future, and she would know what would happen before it

ever did.

“Oh, honey, well, let’s hope that doesn’t happen. Here, let

Mommy get up, and you can tell me all about your dream in detail.

Okay?” Kimberly nodded, and Alex added, “But I need some coffee

first, so let’s go to the kitchen.”

She helped Kimberly down and then slid out from under the

covers. Alex walked over toward the rocking chair where her housecoat

lay to put it on. After she heard the bedroom door shut, she

turned to Jake and met his eyes.

“You know we need to prepare for what is about to happen, but

can I really fight the woman who is my mother?” Sitting down on

the bed with her shoulders slumped and her head down, Alex sighed.

“I don’t know. If she were to hurt one of my children, yes, but just to

make her leave or to have to be physical with her…I just don’t know,

Jake. It scares the hell out of me just to think that I will have to make

the decision to keep her out of my life forever.”

Jake kneeled down in front of Alex, took her hands in his, and

lifted his right hand to her chin so he could get her to look him in the

eyes. “Alex, the one thing that is hardest to remember, and we both

know this, is that the body is only borrowed here on earth temporarily

by your soul. The average Joe doesn’t know that. They are all here

to grow spiritually and to learn. Then they go home. You, me, and

the others like us at the other Portals here on earth are here to protect

those Portals from evil souls like your mother and grandfather.”

Alex tried to turn her head away from Jake. “Don’t look away. You

know what I say is true. It’s just hard to separate the truth from your

past beliefs when you have lived believing differently for so long.”

Standing, he kissed her forehead and pulled her to her feet. “Let’s go

get some coffee before I change my mind and finish what I started

just a few minutes ago.”

That pulled a smile from Alex, and she followed him to the

kitchen. Kimberly ran up to her mother as she came into the kitchen

and excitedly shouted, “Look, Mommy, me and my siser fix food for

Joseph, and he is eatin’ it.”

“Sister?”

“What?”

“Oh, sweetheart, I’m so proud of you and your sister. She does

have a name you know. Ramona.” Alex ruffled her daughter’s hair

and walked over to where Ramona and Joseph were sitting and said,

“I see I have a wonderful helper here.” Looking over at Jake as he

opened the refrigerator, she continued, “I think I got the better end

of this marriage, built in babysitting and a hunk of a man to protect

me. What did you get, Jake?”

In unison, three kids and Jake said, “You!”

Everyone stopped for a split second, and then they all started

laughing. Alex had felt insecure her whole life and wanted a family.

She felt the tears start. She had only been teasing Jake, and then the

reality of it hit her. She really had a family. How many more times was

it going to take before she quit having these shocks of reality checks?

Jokingly, she responded with, “Well, I sure feel loved.” As she

walked over to the coffee maker, she could feel Jake’s eyes boring

into her back, but she refused to acknowledge him. After preparing

the coffee maker to brew their coffee, Alex sat down at the table to

help Blake who had taken over the job of holding a bottle for Joseph.

He looked up at her and smiled that crooked smile he had inherited

from his father. What a handsome man he will be when he grows up,

Alex thought.

“Would you like some help here, my dear sir? I can take over

if you would like to go get dressed. I do believe we have a busy day

ahead of us.”

“No, ma’am, I want to hear Kimberly’s dream first. She’s been

going on an’ on about it,” Blake replied very seriously.

“Maybe I can help interpret her dream. I been studying dreams,

and sometimes, a dream you have is not really what it actually is.”

“Wow! That is some serious wisdom there, Blake.” Alex was

shocked at the maturity Blake suddenly expressed. She decided not

to draw attention to the fact that she had not expected him to be so

observant about what was going on. But then, come to think of it,

they had been raised to be open to this type of knowledge their whole

life—unlike her. Alex lifted Joseph out of his seat to burp him, and

she asked Kimberly to repeat her story about her dream. “So, sweetie,

tell us this dream that upset you so.”

Kimberly took her cue, realizing that she was about to be the

center of attention and could talk about her dream. She would tell it

good. “Okay.” She stood up in the chair so everyone would have to

look up at her when she realized that Jake was not sitting. “Daddy

Jake, you have to sit.” She placed her hands on her hips like a disgruntled

teacher, watching him as he pulled out a chair from the

kitchen table and sat down. Satisfied, she began.

“There was a storm outside, and it was dark in the house. I

think the lights were out because of the storm. I was at the top of the

stairs and heard people talking. The man was Daddy, and he wanted

to know which room was Joseph’s. And then there were two women,

and one was Grandma, and the other I don’t know who she was. But

she did have long black hair and a tattoo on her hand. I saw that

when the lightning flashed, and her hand was on the stairs. Then

someone put their hand over my mouth and pulled me back away

from the stairs.” She stopped to take a deep breath and released it.

“Whew! Now that scared me.” Smiling that mischievous way she had

about her, she continued. “But when I looked up and saw…”

Someone was knocking at the door. Jake stood and told

Kimberly, “Continue, sweetheart, with your dream. I’ll go answer

the door.” As Jake entered the living room, his skin began to tingle, a

sign that what was about to happen was not going to be good. When

he opened the door, he stood transfixed, totally dumbfounded by the

person standing at the door. This was the last person on earth that

he would expect to show up at his doorstep. Finally, he realized that

his mouth was probably hanging open. He unlatched the screen door

and started to step outside.

“Why, what’s wrong, honey, you not going to invite a family

member in? I thought you always was a stickler for manners.” She

smiled and sashayed into the house before Jake could stop her.

Damn, what the hell could she want? Jake thought and followed

her in.

10

Needing to get gas in the piece of junk that had brought her back

home, Lena pulled into the gas station. As she was getting out of her

car, the station attendant came out to pump her gas.

“Hello, ma’am, what it’ll be today?” asked the attendant.

“Well, looka here, Bobby, is that you? It’s Lena, Jake’s ex-wife.

Remember?” It always seemed that no one ever remembered her

unless she mentioned she was Jake’s ex.

Who could forget Lena? Bobby walked around her and checked

her out from head to toe. Damn, she was on the skinny side but still

looked hot as ever. Long dark hair with a nice dark tan, and who

could forget those eyes that were the color of the ocean?

As he checked out her body, she was giving him the twice over

too. Tall, blonde, and still slim built, just the same as he was in high

school, with those cool blue eyes. Never could really tell what he

was thinking. She always thought there might be a little evil lurking

behind those eyes.

“Well, don’t just stand there looking at me, come and give me

a hug, you handsome devil,” Lena said as she reached out her arms

to hug him.

“With pleasure.”

“How have you been? You working here now?”

“Yeah, but I own the place now. Bought it back about three

years ago. So, what you doing in town?” Bobby eased back from her

before she could feel the erection he was getting from hugging her.

“Just come to visit my kids a bit. Then I’m heading to Texas.”

Lena checked out his hand, noticed he wasn’t wearing a wedding

band, and started to think about how to get him to pay for a motel

for her. Hell, maybe have a little fun in the process. “You not married,

Bobby?”

Taken aback by the direct question and then realizing where

this might just lead, he smiled and said, “No, Lena I’m not. I stay

right across the street there at the Motel Inn so I don’t have to stay

with my folks. Why you ask?” He knew the whole time she needed

a place to stay. He also needed a piece of ass; it had been too long.

“Well, I just thought maybe I could crash at your place for a

while, if I didn’t get in your way. It would only be for a few days.” She

walked over closer to Bobby, putting on her best pout with her index

finger in her mouth lightly biting her nail. Then she puckered her

lips as though to give the effect of kissing and sucking her finger. She

ran her other hand down the front of his shirt, letting it slide down

to his crotch and grabbing the hard-on he was carrying. “Maybe you

would like a little excitement after all?”

Clearing his throat, he moved her hand away from his erection

and said huskily, “You know, I think that would be a great idea, but

not here in public. How about I give you the key, and you can go rest

up and fix yourself something to eat. I’ll be finished here in about

two more hours.”

Replacing the gas nozzle back on the pump, he reached into his

pocket, took his key off a keychain, and gave it to her.

As he placed the key in her hand, he squeezed her hand, pulling

her close so he could whisper in her ear, “Make sure you are ready

for me when I get there. And the gas is on the house.” Dropping

her hand, he walked to her car door and opened it for her with the

flourish of a gentleman.

Playing games was her specialty, so she put on the air of class,

thanking him with a nod as though he were below her.

This is going to be fun, she thought.

When Bobby entered his room at the Motel Inn, there sat Lena

with dinner on the table in the small kitchen. She was wearing his

suspenders and a pair of crotchless panties. Looking first at the table

and then at her, he decided dessert would be first. Since he needed

a shower, he decided she could help him out there too and give him

dessert. He walked over to her, reached down and picked her up with

a growl, lifted her over his shoulder and headed to the shower.

“This is the only motel in town? It’s a dump. No cable or room

service. I’ll never know how anyone can stay in a small town.”

With a roll of her eyes, Dorothy got out of the car, slammed the

door shut, pushed the button on her keys, popped the trunk, then

snapped at Steven to get out and help.

“Things would go a lot smoother if I didn’t have to tell you to

do everything. Can’t you see what needs to be done and just do it? Or

do you always have to be told what to do like a child?”

“You’re are such a bitch, Dot,” Steven grumbled. He grabbed

his suitcase and walked to the door of the motel, leaving Dorothy

standing there to get her own suitcases. Once inside, he asked for a

single room, commenting that the lady outside would take care of

her own room. Sensing the friction going on between the two, the

man running the front desk figured it would be best to set up two

rooms now instead of waiting for the lady to come in. She looked

madder than a wet cat right now.

“Yes, sir. Do you know how long you’ll be staying?” inquired

the man.

“Nope, it could be two days, or it could be a month. Not really

sure yet.” Steven scratched his head, realizing he hadn’t thought about

how long it would take to do this.

As Dot walked in, he asked her, “How long are we staying?”

“As long as it takes, you imbecile.” She turned her attention to

the clerk and asked very sweetly, “You do have two rooms available

right next to each other?”

“Yes, ma’am, I do.” The clerk thought that she must be really

nice, and the jerk that was with her was the one making her mad.

“I’m here to visit my daughter. You might know her,

Alexandria Wolf?”

The clerk nodded and said without hesitation, “She lives at her

dad’s old place and just got married to Jake. They sure make a nice

couple. She’s a pretty gal, your daughter.” He never looked up, so he

missed seeing the storm building in both of his customers’ eyes. He

completed the transaction and then handed them the receipt and

keys to their room.

Dorothy pulled herself together and asked, “Married? Oh my!”

The tears came on queue. “I thought it was this week. I got the dates

all messed up. Steven, what will we do? She doesn’t even know she is

still married to you. Her marriage to this man is not valid, sir.”

Damn, she’s good. Steven smiled, shook his head, then threw on

the devastated face of a man shunned.

“You see, she left right after the divorce and did not get the

papers, thinking all was final, but you see, it wasn’t.” Dot watched

the expression as it changed on the clerk’s face; she knew she had

done the damage needed to get Jake away from Alex. In a small town

like this, “sinning” just didn’t go over very well. But the gossip, now

that was a different story altogether. What would a town be without

its gossip?

Taking the keys and receipt, she left to go to her room with

Steven following on her heels just like a trained puppy. He snickered

all the way into his room over the fact that the clerk really believed

Dot’s story.

The next day, Lena figured it was best to go and show herself to

Jake and see her children. But as she headed to her car, she was distracted

by one hunk of a man leaning against the pole of the motel.

Seems to be a lot more excitement going on nowadays in Black Canyon

City besides people disappearing in the mountains.

She got into her car and turned the key, but not good enough

to make the car start, so she could pretend to have car trouble. Sure

enough, he came a runnin’, the hunk, to save the damsel in distress.

Lena licked her lips. She checked herself in the mirror and turned

back to look up at him just as he got to her car.

“Got a problem?”

“Sure do, sug’.”

“I see you can’t get the car to crank. Why don’t you pop the

hood so I can take a look? That is, if you’d like for me to look…”

He stared the woman directly in the eyes, and Steven knew he wasn’t

going to be bored for long. He had an appetite to appease—sexually—

and this woman looked hot.

“You can look all you like, that is if you know what you’re doing.”

Purposely, she looked at the man’s crotch and then looked him in the

eyes, daring him to say different with an arch of her eyebrow.

Instead, he lifted the hood of her car and began looking everything

over. He didn’t see any sparkplug wires loose, so he made sure

the battery cables were tight. Then it struck him, she purposely made

her car not start. She wants me. Game time. Yep, he will get laid while

here. Damn Dot and her rules. Steven lowered the hood, pushing it

down hard to make it latch so he could flex his muscles. He knew she

was observing him. He walked back to her car door, squatted down,

and leaned his arms on the door.

Gazing into her eyes, he could see the laughter there, and that

she was aware that he was on to her playing.

“Why don’t you go ahead and try to crank it now? And let’s see

what happens.”

She did. The car started effortlessly. Lena looked up at him

again with a sly smile, leaned over toward him, she said, “I’m Lena,

and you are a visitor here. What’s your name?”

“Steven. You got a man?” He leaned in a little closer so he

could see further down the shirt she was wearing that already gave a

nice view.

“No, staying with a friend for a few days while visiting family.

I’m headin’ for Texas in a few days.” She wiggled to reposition herself

so he could look down her shirt, knowing that’s what he was doing.

“What a shame, I was hoping we might could hook up for a

bit of fun.” Steven lowered his hand down to slowly trace a finger

over the top edge of her shirt and dip his finger into her cleavage.

Spreading his fingers over her breast, he firmly squeezed it and

moaned. Lena arched her back slightly, lowered her eyelids, then

realizing she needed to go, she pulled back.

“I have an appointment to keep. Will you be out later? Say

about two to three hours from now.”

“Yep,” Steven said as he stood up.

Lena put her car in reverse then said, “Watch for me. I’ll be back

in a few.”

She drove off from the Motel Inn, her thoughts moving back to

Jake and how he would be surprised to see her. She paid no attention

that Bobby had witnessed what had just transpired between her and

the man.

Whore. Jake had been right. Well, she can go stay with the man she

was just talking to. He had gotten what he wanted, and it wasn’t that

good either. But sex is sex, and no woman in this town will give it up

without marriage. And he just wasn’t ready yet.

Making herself comfortable on the sofa, Lena looked at Jake

and asked, “So where are my kids? I hear you got married and

moved here.”

Jake did not answer, and Lena continued, “Don’t worry. I’m

just passing through and need a little cash, and then I’m gone again.”

As Lena finished speaking, Alex walked in and saw her. Alex,

recognizing her from pictures, asked, “What is it you want? You are

not welcome in our home.”

“Ah, so I see you know who I am. They show you a picture of

me? Probably was a bad one.” Lena smiled sweetly.

“No, they didn’t.” Alex stared at her, trying to push her feeling

of anger at Lena so she would feel that she was not welcome. Lena

felt the hairs on the back of her neck as they rose up. For no specific

reason she knew of, she felt that this woman Jake had married was a

witch, and he didn’t know it. He had married a kindred soul to her.

Ha! What a joke. Jake hated Wicca.

She thought she could use that knowledge to her advantage,

and then she noticed Jake was shaking the woman’s arm and telling

her to stop. What was this? He knew?

No. That can’t be possible. Squinting her eyes at Alex, Lena

placed her hands on her knees to study Alex a little closer while she

and Jake were busy with their own conversation. Something was not

right here, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

As Jake and Alex continued to talk, they began to glow. Lena

leaned her head to one side, watching the transformation. The kids

entered the living room and stopped abruptly at the doorway, taking

in the situation before them. Ramona was the first to speak.

“What are you doing here? I thought you said that you wouldn’t

come back after the last time that Daddy gave you money. Well, I can

tell you now that he won’t be giving you anything mainly because

I won’t let him.” She walked over to hand Joseph to Alex who was

sitting with her mouth gaping in shock. Then she returned to stand

in front of her mother with her hands on her hips, glaring at Lena.

Silence followed that scene.

It took Lena a few seconds to register what she had just heard

before she got angry and reacted.

“Well, I see your father has turned you against me.” She stood

and glared at Jake.

“Oh no, you don’t. You will not blame someone else for your

actions. You left, remember? We cramped your style. Or has that

slipped your mind while you were off with some other man instead

of with your children?”

She stormed to the screen door, and Ramona held it open for

Lena to leave.

“Well, I can see who she takes after.” Heading toward the door,

she stopped just a moment to look at her son, but he turned his back

to her. Fine, she thought. Let them all rot in hell for all I care.

Brushing past her daughter, she felt the sadness as it began to

well up within her, but she hardened herself against the pain.

“One day, you will regret this. You just might need me.”

“Never, now leave!”

Lena walked out to the car and left. After making sure the

woman who had brought her into this world was gone from sight,

Ramona let go of the door, ran upstairs to her bedroom, threw herself

across the bed, and cried hard. It was a mourning cry. She had finally

had the chance to tell her mother to get out of her life. But it still

hurt all the same. Feeling a hand on her head brushing her hair, she

looked up to see her spirit guide smiling at her. Ramona closed her

eyes to let herself be healed by her guide’s touch while listening to her

soothing words of encouragement and approval.

As Ramona ran up the stairs, Alex placed a hand on Jake’s arm

to stop him from following his daughter.

“Let her go. She needs time to grieve now. She’ll be okay,

I promise.”

Jake looked at Alex and hoped that she was right. He walked

over to his son and asked, “You okay?”

Blake nodded yes and then threw his little body up against his

dad and said, “I’m so proud she stood up to that woman. She’s not

good enough to be our mom.”

Looking over to meet Alex’s eyes, he hoped things would only

get better after the storm that was brewing passed. Jake picked up

his son and went into the kitchen. Alex took Kimberly’s hand and

followed Jake to the kitchen with Joseph in her arms.

“Think you can finish telling us about that dream of yours?”

Alex tried to lighten up the situation with a small smile on her lips.

“But, Mommy, she’s the lady with the tattoo on her hand in my

dream,” Kimberly whispered to her mother. Alex and Jake gave each

other a look that said they would talk later.

Upstairs, Ramona started to dream.

Why was she just walking around and not picking her up?

Again, she passed by. Her mother looked at her and made a face of

disgust at the child on the floor. Hearing the wailing of the other

child in the living room, the little girl walked over to the sofa and

placed the pacifier in the baby’s mouth. “Shh, shh. No cry,” cooed the

little girl as she tried to soothe the baby. “I can’t take this anymore.

I’ve got to have a life for me—not a bunch of kids who don’t know

nothin’,” said the woman. She walked to another room in the trailer,

grabbed a backpack, and threw some clothes in it along with her

favorite perfume then headed back to the living room where the kids

were and stopped long enough to pick up a pack of cigarettes. As she

went out the door, she turned and looked at the little girl and said,

“I didn’t ask for this, you or him. I’m better off without you. You will

understand when you are older.” Slamming the door, the woman was

gone. Running to the door, the little girl yelled, “Mommy, Mommy,

come.” But all she could see was the dirt flying around and the car

leaving. Alone, sitting on the floor with the baby was how Jake found

his daughter and son the day Lena left.

Waking with a start and covered with sweat, Ramona sat up in

her bed. That was the first time she had thought or dreamt about that

day. She might have only been four years old, but she could remember

it as clearly as though it were yesterday.

Yes, she had done the right thing when she told Lena to leave,

and she refused to feel any guilt over it. She felt better now, and it was

time to go and face her father and her new mother, whom she was

beginning to care for as though she were her real mother. Yes, things

were to get better soon.

Sitting in the kitchen, no one had much to say to each other.

Each was lost in their thoughts about what had happened earlier.

That was what Ramona felt and saw as she entered the kitchen.

Walking over to the table, she sat down with a loud, heavy sigh.

Turning her big expressive eyes to her father, she was trying to will

him to read her mind, so she wouldn’t have to talk it out all along

knowing it was not possible. But it didn’t hurt to dream that he could

read her mind.

“I’m sorry I was so disrespectful to her. But I sure feel better,”

Ramona said as she reached over for her glass of tea that Alex had

placed before her. After taking a swallow, she continued, “Well, you

don’t have to all talk at once.”

Everyone burst out laughing. Jake walked over to his daughter,

squatting down in front of her. He took her small hands into his

rough ones and spoke in a gentle tone.

“Honey, you have nothing to apologize for. You spoke what you

felt, and I’m very proud of you.”

“You did what you felt was right, Ramona, and you should

never say you’re sorry when you haven’t hurt someone or done something

selfishly so you gain from it, and no one else does. You did

right, sweetheart.” Alex tried to help along with Jake to make the

young girl who had become her daughter feel okay.

It’s not every day a child tells their mother to get out of their life.

11

Dot sat in the car, waiting for the woman who was talking to Steven

earlier to return. She was making plans to use this woman to her

advantage against Alex. She had learned that she was Jake’s ex-wife

and a tramp to boot. One, she would use her to distract Steven, and

second, she could get the information she needed to know about Jake.

Everyone had weaknesses, and this woman knew how to hurt

and break Jake; she just was not willing to do it herself. But maybe,

just maybe, she could be controlled by money and greed. Everyone

had a price they could be bought at. Hers probably wouldn’t be

much. Dorothy reached for her cigarettes and lit one, took a long

drag, contemplating the plan she had laid out. Kidnapping the baby

would be the best way to get Alex to cooperate, but getting Steven

to go along with her plans to do this was a little tougher. He thinks

this is all about ransom money, but what she really wanted was to get

inside the crystals and gain control of the power that Alex wielded.

Her father had worked too long over the years getting closer to the

Guardian and not to have the control to enter the other side and

return when he wants. Having her soul going to the cold, empty

darkness instead of the warmth and joy of the light is something she

would much prefer to not experience again. Once she gained control

of Alex’s power, from that point on, she wouldn’t have to worry about

following the light, for then she would have it in her and her father’s

control. And finally, no more death, eternity would be theirs.

Seeing the woman returning, Dorothy flicked out her cigarette

and opened her car door to meet the woman before she had a chance

to get out of her car.

Damn them, damn them all. Trying not to cry, she flew down

the road at a reckless pace, not caring if she made it to the motel or

not. They just don’t understand what she had been through, and they

never will. She did them a favor by leaving them. I don’t want to love

or take care of anyone else but myself, if nothing else but because of how I

feel now. The confused state she stayed in was making her crazy; one

minute she cared too much, and then the next minute, she didn’t care

at all. Almost like she was two different people. It was better not to

care, she decided.

Never getting love in return, everyone always saying she was

selfish and only thinking about her needs. Ha! She gave it her all just

bringing those two brats in the world, and look how they showed

their appreciation—by slamming a door in her face. She’d show

them. She just needed a “hit” to get through all this, then she would

come up with a plan to get the money she needed and then disappear

for good.

But she still hurt because deep down, she knew she really loved

those kids. Lena pulled into the parking space and watched as the

woman approached her. Now what!

“Hey, sug’, you don’t know me, but I think we could become

real good friends. We have a common interest.”

Dorothy stopped and waited for that to sink in before she continued.

She smiled at the woman and continued, “Alex and Jake.”

Lena leaned forward on the car door, raised her left eyebrow,

and asked, “And how is that?”

“Well, Alex is my daughter, and her husband is your ex. And

that fine young man you were talking to earlier is Alex’s ex. Makes

a fine triangle, don’t you think?” Dorothy opened the car door for

Lena to get out and asked, “Why don’t you join me and Steven, and

we can tell you all about what we want to accomplish here, and I

promise you, you won’t leave empty-handed. Even start yourself a

new life somewhere else if you like.” That was all the convincing that

Lena had to hear. Lena followed the woman into her motel room,

and there sat that hunk of a man she was talking to earlier. This was

getting better by the minute.

At the gas station, Bobby watched Lena follow the woman who

had been going around town asking a lot of questions about Jake and

his new wife. Something was not right here. The woman claimed to

be Alex’s mother. So, why didn’t she go on over to their house and

see them? No. Something was not right, and Bobby decided to give

Jake a call when he finished up here for the day just to give him a

heads-up.

Later in the evening while the kids were watching TV, Alex and

Jake went into the garden to visit the crystals. It was time for them to

communicate with the Other Side. Things had begun to move faster

here, and Alex sensed that her grandfather was getting ready to make

his move. And Jake knew that somehow, his ex-wife was going to get

involved in what was about to transpire, and he needed answers. The

only thing he could think of that would get her to do anything was

the promise of money.

After getting that call from his buddy Bobby, he had been on

pins and needles. Thank goodness, a piece of ass didn’t come between

their friendship. Bobby had always had the hots for Lena back in

high school. Actually, so did every other guy in high school. Stopping

and catching hold of Alex’s hand, Jake pulled her into his arms and

started to kiss her with a passion he couldn’t conceal. Feeling herself

go weak in the knees, she was glad Jake held on to her when he

stopped kissing her. “What was that for?” She was still feeling a little

dazed from the passion he started to build in her.

“Do you really have to ask? I would think you would know by

now.” Jake raised his eyebrows up and down, flirting with her.

“Flirt!” Alex pushed herself out of his arms before she decided

to start something they couldn’t really finish here. She looked back

over her shoulder at him and asked, “Coming?”

“Yeah, but not the kind of coming I was thinking about. Guess

I have to save that for later.” As he caught up with her, he smacked

her on the bottom and winked at her.

“You are so bad.”

“And you love it.”

“Just wait ’til we get back. I will think up a good punishment

for you.”

As they placed their hands on the crystals, he looked at her with

passion in his eyes. “And I can’t wait to see where your imagination

takes me, love.”

They stepped into the crystals and relaxed. The separation of

body and soul began, feeling light at first and then floating. Alex was

beginning to get the hang of things, but it still triggered some fear to

feel her soul leaving her body, like in death.

Once she was released from her human form, all the fears left,

and all she felt was strength and happiness, even an accelerated intelligence.

Jake took Alex’s hand, and they walked through the light to

the Other Side. Greeted by family and friends, it was as though there

was a party going on. Even though this was her third time here, it still

amazed her how the colors were ten times brighter and more vibrant

than on earth, as though you could feel life itself in the colors.

As she looked around and saw the people playing games that

children played on earth, laughter bubbled up. Hopscotch, kickball,

volleyball, and a group sat around tables playing chess. She covered

her mouth with her hand, trying not to make everyone think she

was laughing at the games they were playing. She felt a happiness she

could not begin to explain.

She had been infused with the knowledge that no one here

needed to eat food, but a king’s feast was set out before everyone.

There were beautiful salads she could only dream of preparing on

earth. Oh, and look at those ribs. There surely had to be some chocolate

here somewhere. She would make sure she had a taste before

she left. Alex already knew it would be divine. Her father walked up

to her and embraced her with a fierce hug.

Leaning back away from her, he said, “We are celebrating for

the fun of it. You can do that here. And don’t worry, we have chocolate.

Chocolate ice cream, chocolate pie, and of course, your favorite

chocolate coconut cake.”

Alex laughed and replied, “Well, I’m always game for that.”

“You know you should call on me more often. There is a lot

I can help you with when you don’t understanding things that are

happening.” Arlene was standing behind Alex, waiting to be noticed.

“Arlene, I have been ignoring you, haven’t I? I’m sorry, I’m

learning. I’m so used to depending on myself. It’s not every day a

woman can have another woman at her beck and call to talk things

over with. I promise to call on you more for guidance.”

Leaning toward Arlene, Alex kissed her cheek. “Well, I will forgive

you since this is all new to you. But don’t let it happen often. You

might hurt my feelings.” She winked at Alex as she reprimanded her.

“Come, ladies, we have much to plan and discuss before they

have to return.” Joseph placed his hand at Alex’s back and then

guided them to a table set up for a king’s feast upon it. At the table

Jake sat beside Alex and placed food on her plate then proceeded to

place food on his. “I wish food on earth could taste this great. Maybe

you could change Alex’s chart a little to give her great cooking skills.”

Everyone laughed at his remark.

“And what? Make you fat? No, I like you just the way you are.

Besides, if you get too fat, who’s going to protect me?” Alex punched

him on his arm, and he acted as though he was being knocked off

the seat.

“I hate to interrupt all this fun, but we need to discuss some

things. Now, as we speak, Lena is in the motel room with Dorothy

and Steven planning a kidnapping of the baby. The good news is that

Steven doesn’t want to do that. He does keep objecting and prodding

her for a different plan. Dorothy has made them believe that they are

holding the baby for ransom money only, but that’s not all she wants.

Dorothy wants you to take her to the crystals, of course. Steven and

Lena know nothing about them at this time.

“Don’t look so panic-stricken. The Archetypes will be sent to

protect the child, and you must let her get to the child, or we will

not be able to stop her. She will be thrown into the darkness, never

to return again, along with her father, as he will be there too on

the night of the abduction. He knows we speak now, but he thinks

we know nothing of his plans. We have blocked him reading any

thoughts that might be projected from us to you or Jake. The White

Light of our Father will surround you when you speak with Arlene

and shield your thoughts from him.”

“What of the other children? Will there be any harm to them?

Steven can be very forceful at times. I know he will scare them,” Alex

asked with concern.

“Not to worry, the children are strong. Remember, they are the

next Protectors of the new Guardians you and Jake will produce.”

Joseph looked at Jake then requested, “Jake, walk with me. Let

the ladies talk and enjoy the festivities. There is something I’ve been

working on, and I would like your opinion.”

“Now that is a very sly way to go discuss things you do not wish

me to hear,” Alex’s said to Joseph as he and Jake took their leave. He

only smiled back at her and left.

“Alex, I want us to go over some things you can do to communicate

with me without your grandfather intercepting our communications.

It is very important he does not know we have found

out their plans. We want them to succeed to a certain point, but not

completely.”

As she waited for her reply, Arlene poured more lemonade for

them to drink. “I do love this concoction though we do not need

it here.”

“Chocolate is my weakness.”

“And a man with passion in his eyes every time he looks at you,”

Arlene teased Alex.

“So tell me what you want me to know.” Alex blushed at the

comment about her and Jake and wanted to change the subject.

Suddenly, she wondered just how much Arlene had seen and heard.

“Not to worry. We respect your privacy,” Arlene answered Alex’s

thoughts, then she continued, “What you two have on earth is beautiful.

So few will find it there, only when they return home do they

feel love again. But they are on earth to learn and grow spiritually, so

do not feel sad for them. It is written in their charts, and they all have

guides who try to help them. Unfortunately, most refuse to listen to

their guides. But neither here nor there, we need to work on a few

things, so we can communicate better. Ready?” Standing up, Arlene

began to walk toward a beautiful silver building, and Alex stood to

follow. Alex was soon to gain another stepping-stone in all that she

needed to learn.

“Well, I hate to put a dent in what you think, but Jake and I

aren’t in love, just sex craved for each other. Really, sometimes, I’d

like to pound him over his head for being so demanding.”

“Yes, Alex, I know.” Arlene kept walking, but the smile on her

face said that she knew different.

“We are going to the Hall of Knowledge, right? I have thought

of coming here to read about my past lives. Do you think it would

help me to read about Dorothy and her father? You know, I don’t

even know his name, come to think of it. How strange?” Looking

somewhat taken aback, she looked at Arlene for an answer.

“We do not say his name here, but I will mention it to Jake

to tell you. Most have forgotten his name. The spoken name has

power, and he can perceive that power. This makes him harder to

trace because he reacts and changes when he senses his name, but

on earth, it is different. This is a trick he has perfected on earth. He

can speak with people, and when he has acquired the information

he wants from them, he erases all memory of their meeting from the

person’s mind. You will need to be careful, for he can do the same

to you. You are still learning, but I know you will be fine.” Arlene

reached out to touch Alex’s arm to reassure her.

“I hope you are right.” Looking up at the Hall of Knowledge,

Alex asked, “How tall is this building? I can’t see the top.”

“The growth of knowledge is never-ending. There is no beginning,

and there is no end. We thrive on knowledge here. We even

hunger for it. Do you understand? I know that even though you are

here now, your human feelings are still a part of you because you are

still attached to the earthly plane of existence. But one day, you will

come home, all will be fine again, and we will help your earth children

to protect the Portals.”

“Can you show me where the other Portals are located?”

Alex asked.

“Yes, follow me. We will do that first. It is very important for

you to know where they are located and to meet the people who are

protecting the other Portals. Sometimes, you may need their help, or

they may need yours.” As Arlene glided away, Alex followed her to a

massive white marble table.

Jake followed Joseph into the garden, admiring the size and

color of all the different plants and flowers. Everything was so pure

and beautiful here. One day, he would return here and hopefully not

to have to return to earth again with all its negativity.

As he sat down on a gold-and-silver chair, which conformed to

the shape of his body, Jake relaxed and waited for Joseph to begin

discussing what was about to take place back on earth.

“I see you have made Alex a happy woman. For so long, she was

mentally abused by Dorothy and then that boy she married. I know

I should have been training her all along, but when I found out who

I had married, I couldn’t take the chance that her mother might be

manipulating Alex. Then all would have been lost to Dorothy and

her father.

“It’s difficult to know what to expect sometimes when we are

there on earth. The choices we make can change our life’s course, and

then it takes time to get back on track. We are so sure of our strength

and knowledge here.”

Pausing, Joseph looked into Jake’s eyes as a crystalline shield

descended around them and telepathically relayed to him what was

about to transpire. Without missing a beat, Jake relaxed and let the

communication begin.

Someone will die during all this. It will not be what you expect, but your

decision will determine who will give their life to save Alex. A kidnapping is

being planned for the baby, but he will be safe in the end.

Even though the kids do not remember what transpires in their sleep, your

son’s and daughter’s souls are astral, travelling now while they are sleeping. They

are subconsciously storing the information they are acquiring in preparation for

the time of the kidnapping. They will know exactly what to do without thinking

in their conscious state.

“How is Alex coming along with her ability to move things

with her mind?” Joseph stopped, spoke aloud, and waited for

Jake’s response.

“She can close doors and blinds and open the blinds. Just last

night, she made the TV come on. I don’t know how well she will do

under pressure, but you know some people in a stressed situation

simply react and accomplish things they never thought they could

do. She is becoming very good at making people think what she

wants them too. But then you know all this. Why do you ask?” Jake

shifted his position, and the chair moved with him. I need a chair like

this on earth. It is so comfortable. Laughing, Joseph moved in his chair

as though to lie back, and his chair moved to accommodate him.

Nothing like being home. Well, Jake, all we can do is wait and pray. I

want you to encourage Alex to call upon her guide, no matter how trivial she may

think the situation is. Arlene chose to be there for Alex, and she does not mind

being called on.

The shield disappeared, and Jake could hear everyone around

them laughing and singing. Sensing he was being watched, he turned

to see Alex and Arlene standing there, smiling at him.

Standing up and walking over to her, he placed his arm around

her and asked, “Are you ready to head to the house, love?”

“Love? Please! Yes, I am.”

Everyone said their goodbyes, and Alex promised to call on

Arlene more for guidance and help in understanding things she was

confused about. They both felt very sad leaving the happiness and

peace they had there on the Other Side.

“Shhh! You don’t want to be heard while we are here scoping the

place out,” Steven said to Dot.

Rolling her eyes, she replied angrily, “You are making more

noise than me, Steve. Now which room is the baby staying in, or can

you not tell after going up there?”

“It’s the one with the two windows on the corner. It looks like

one of the other kids shares a room with him.” He turned his face

away from Dot because he didn’t want her to see how upset he was

about Alex being with another man so soon after him. He could

smell her scent when he was in her room. It shouldn’t be so easy for

her; it’s not like she had needs like a man. Damn!

“What’s up with you, Steve? Are you getting cold feet?” Walking

toward the car, Dorothy was steaming mad as she thought what a

coward he was. She stopped and turned around to look at Steve.

Then she realized that he really loved Alex and didn’t know it ’til now.

“You’re still in love with her, aren’t you?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Steven answered

defensively.

“Well, I don’t give a damn about your second thoughts about

Alex now. You screwed that up all by yourself. What’s important is

that we are successful in getting Alex to give up that money that is

rightfully yours and mine. And we can use that bitch you’re screwing

to help us. There is more at stake here than you know, so don’t screw

it up.”

Steven followed Dot to the car like a wounded puppy. With

his head held down, he flashed back on something his mother had

always said. Blood is thicker than water, and you never screw your family

over. If you do, I’ll beat your ass as long as I carry breath in this body. It

was a shame she was not here now.

Getting in the car, he realized that he had let his feelings of

rejection and jealousy take control of him. No, never again would

that happen. Alex deserved what she was getting. She had left him.

Standing at the window, Kimberly watched her daddy drive

away with her grandmother. She waved, but they didn’t see her. She

ran downstairs to tell Rommy when she heard her mother in the

house, and she started talking excitedly about whom she had seen.

“Wait a minute, Kimmy, you’re talking so fast I can’t understand

what you’re saying, sweetie,” Alex said as she took her daughter’s

hand.

“Okay, I saw Daddy and Grandma just drive off. I waved at

them, but they didn’t see me.”

“Really?” Alex stood up and looked at Jake.

He could see anger and surprise in her eyes. “Well, I wonder

why they didn’t come on in to visit.”

“Daddy did. I heard noise up in my room and thought it was

my friend wanting to play again. Then I saw him going out of the

window in the boy’s room.”

Rommy walked over to Kimberly and asked, “You ready for

that bubble bath we were talking about earlier?” She sensed that her

mom and dad needed to talk.

Taking the queue, Alex said, “That is a wonderful idea.”

She saw that Rommy understood that she and her father needed

to talk in private.

Later that night at the motel, Steven and Lena were lying

together after a rough bout of sex, and that was exactly what it was,

pure sex. Steven had fantasized that he was with Alex the whole time,

and Lena was picturing herself with Jake. Not knowing where these

actions were eventually leading to about the kidnapping, they were

hoping that no one would get hurt in the process. But they were both

too greedy for the money to stop what they had started. They also

feared what Dorothy might do if they changed their minds.

“Do you regret coming here with this crazy plan that Dot has

come up with?” Lena asked as she traced the outline of a scar on

Steven’s shoulder. “Where did you get this from?”

“Motorcycle wreck. And no, but sometimes yeah, I don’t know

what to think, but I’m here, and it’s started. I need the money, and

Alex should have given me something after I took her in and helped

her when her mother kicked her out all those years ago.”

Steven felt that she owed him more than just money. She owed

him respect and the love she had promised when they were married,

and she had never obeyed him. Lena watched him, realizing that he

was a self-centered bastard, and all he knew how to do was take. She

really couldn’t blame Alex for leaving him. She would leave too, but

she needed that money too bad to start a new life.

12

Trying to get back to his normal work routine, Jake had returned to

the ranch to manage his books and make sure the guys had everything

they needed. He was lucky to have such good men for the

summer. There was a lot of work that needed to be done for the

upcoming rodeos, and one of his barrel racing horses had gone lame

from a stone stuck in his shoe. It felt good doing some physical work

and working out tension that had built up in his muscles.

The ranch had been in his family for generations, and he was

proud of what he and his ancestors had accomplished. Jake had

decided to keep his son with him at the ranch when he was working.

It would be good for Blake to learn all the things that were necessary

in order to run the ranch so when he was grown, it would come natural

to him.

Walking into the house after a long, hot day, Jake smelled something

good cooking in the kitchen. Thinking back to the conversation

with Joseph on the Other Side, Maybe they fixed it where Alex

could do some good cooking. Laughing at the thought, he walked into

the kitchen and found Alex and Rommy at the table decorating a

cake.

“What are you two up to in here?” Jake asked as he got a glass

out of the cabinet to pour himself some iced tea.

“I forgot to tell you, it’s Kimberly’s birthday. So much has been

happening, and when I was balancing the checkbook, it dawned on

me. I felt so bad. So I went to town, got a couple of presents for her,

and asked Sally and Jack to come over for some hotdogs and cake.”

Alex didn’t miss a beat and continued, “I hope you don’t mind.”

“Why would I mind if you did that? Now, I would mind if you

don’t let me lick that bowl with the icing when you’re done.”

Leaning over Alex’s shoulder, he dipped his finger in the bowl for

a taste of the icing. Alex swatted his hand. “Later, you can have some

after you eat all your supper. Now be a good boy and go clean up.”

“Yes, ma’am, Mom. You don’t gotta be so tough on a hardworking

man.” Jake walked out of the room and pretended to sulk as he

went around the corner. Passing by Jake on her way to the kitchen,

Kimberly asked her mom, “Why Daddy so sad?”

Helping her daughter up to the table, she replied, “Honey, he’s

not sad. He was just playing with me and trying to get me to give

him some of your cake before supper. So I sent him to his room to

clean up.”

Finding that funny, Kimberly sat on the edge of the table and

tried to dip her finger in the same bowl, but Alex was quick to move

the bowl out of her reach. Alex took the bowl over to the sink to

wash it out. She glanced behind her, saw her Kimmy standing on

the table, and said, “Sit down, young lady, before you don’t get any

cake tonight.”

Immediately, Kimberly sat down hard with a thud and a squish

right down in the middle of the cake that Rommy and Alex had

just made! They were dumbfounded and just stood there, staring

at Kimmy and the edges of the cake sticking out from under

Kimmy’s bottom.

“No, no, no, Kimberly, not on your cake!” Alex shouted as she

ran to get her daughter off the cake.

She lifted Kimmy up off the cake, holding her arm’s length out,

then she started to laugh. “And I was worried about the cake falling in

the middle,” she managed to squeak out between bouts of laughter.

“So much for us having to be quiet today.” Rommy leaned sideways

to see how far down the cake went. Looking back up at Alex,

she asked, “Is there a name for this kind of cake?”

Blake came in about this time to see what all the laughter was

about. When he saw the cake and Kimmy’s bottom, he broke out

into a loud round of laughter.

“Watch it, bud, or you’re going to eat the middle piece.”

“Ain’t no different than when I drop food on the ground and

still eat it. At least she’s clean,” Blake said between bouts of laughter

he couldn’t contain.

“Here, Rommy, take her on upstairs and change her while I try

to salvage my masterpiece.”

“What happened?” Jake tried to seriously review the scene before

him, but he started to laugh a little and then harder and louder. It

was contagious, and soon, everyone was laughing except Kimberly.

She couldn’t understand what was so funny. She was messy, and

her pretty cake was sunk in the middle. Staring to cry, she said, “I

want down. My cake is broke, and no one is going to want to eat it.”

Everyone laughed even harder. Trying to comfort her daughter,

Alex said, “Oh no, sweetie, it’s okay. Go up with your sister, and I will

fix it like new.” Kimberly sniffled, took Rommy’s hand, and went up

the stairs to clean up.

“Well, what kind of magic you got up your sleeve for this one,

love?” He walked over to Alex, massaged her shoulders, and kissed

her on the cheek.

“Out of all the things I’ve learned in those books I’m reading,

there was no special magic for sat-on cakes.”

Turning the plate around to better see the damage that was

done, Alex began to try to repair the center.

By the time Sally and Jack got there, the cake had been repaired

enough to look as though it had only sunk in the middle. Alex was

still debating whether or not to tell them the story about what had

happened, but knowing they would enjoy the story, she figured, why

not? It would liven the party up.

Sally had brought gifts for Kimberly, some old-time wooden

puzzles that most kids loved and a baby doll in a dress she had made

herself. Ol’ Jack brought a rocking horse just to get the desire of

wanting to ride horses in Kimberly more, as he had put it on their

way there. He might be an old gizzard, but he sure loved doing the

family thing. No qualms about it. Jake was turning over the hotdogs

and adding the buns to the grill for softening when Jack came over

to have a talk.

“I hear you went back to work at the ranch. How’d it feel to

get back?”

“Missed it, really. It felt good to get dirty and sweaty. I can think

better then. Make decisions faster, and then I sleep good at night.”

Jack took a sip of the lemonade that Sally had brought, and he

gazed out at the mountains, thinking about all the battles and struggles

people had overcome trying to get to this side of the country,

wanting to tame it, something no one would ever do.

“What’s on your mind, Jack?”

“Dot’s been going around town, asking a lot of questions. She

even went to the mercantile store and bought a present for a little girl

and had it wrapped.”

“So I guess before the night is over, they should finally make

their appearance.”

“Yep, I’d say so.”

“Well, I believe you better get your acting hat on because we

don’t want them to suspect that we know they been in town.” Picking

up the plate, Jake put the hotdogs and buns on it. Each man was lost

in his own thoughts. Men could do that—communicate with few

words and understand what needed to be done.

“Well, let’s head in so we can eat this and the sat-on cake.”

“I bet that was hilarious. I would have loved to have seen the

faces of Alex and Rommy. That’s what you call a Kodak moment.”

Jack smiled and shook his head as he grabbed the other plate

with the hamburgers on it. In the house, everyone was sitting at the

dining room table, waiting for the food. Laughter and chatter about

the books each one of them had been reading was abruptly interrupted

when suddenly, Kimberly made a page turn without using

her hands. Jack and Jake walked into complete silence. Then, all of a

sudden, everyone was talking at once.

“What’s going on here?” Jake asked. Everyone at once started

telling Jake what had just happened.

“Who! What! You’re kidding me.”

“No!” Everyone said at once.

“How did you learn that, Kimmy?” Alex walked over to where

her daughter was seated.

“My friend said it was my birfday gift. I can move things. She

said later, I will be better at it.”

Sally leaned forward on the table and asked, “And who is

your friend?”

“Her spirit guide, of course,” said matter-of-factly by Rommy

with the attitude of “why everyone should know that.”

“Well, Miss Know-It-All. How do you know that?” Sally asked.

“I have been reading about it in the books that are in the study.

And I’ll have you know, it is called telekinesis, the gift that was given

to Kimmy. She can move objects with her mind or manipulate them.

It’s really cool. I wish I would be so lucky as to have that ability.”

“Well, I’ll be damned. Now, if that isn’t something. Gal, you

gonna grow up and be real smart.” Jack reached over to give Rommy

a hug.

“Let’s get this party started. I been out there slaving over that

grill, and all my hard work is going to get cold. Let’s dig in, and then

we can talk more about this while we eat. I worked up an appetite

today.”

Jake put the plates of food on the table, picked up a hotdog, and

tore into it to demonstrate just how hungry he was.

While everyone in the house was filling their plates, eating,

talking, and laughing, a car drove up silently into the driveway. Dot

had gone into a store, bought a present for her granddaughter, and

got another for Steven to give to Kimberly. The idiot didn’t even think

about getting a present for her on his own. Whatever did Alex see in

this moron? Looking in the mirror to check her hair and putting on

some lipstick, she wanted to look her best for her grand entrance. She

winked at herself and smiled, thinking she sure hadn’t aged badly this

time. In her last life, she had looked old before she knew it.

“How many times are you going to put that lipstick on? Ain’t

nothing going to help any. You are what you are,” Steven told Dot

with a smirk written on his face.

“Oh, shut up, and let’s go.” They got out of the car and headed

toward the front door. Dot didn’t even care if he was there when she

knocked. Damn idiot that he was. He’ll probably screw everything

up before it’s over with. After all the hard work she had done, if she

got this close and didn’t gain entry to the Portal, it would really piss

her and her father off. Steven had to run to catch up with the bitch.

Man, he hated the way she was. How did Alex ever live with a bitch

such as this woman?

“You know, you could slow down and let me get my breath

before you knock on the door.” Steven was breathing hard by the

time he got to her at the first step of the front porch. Steven wanted

to look his best also, but while he was looking in the mirror, Dot

had gotten out of the car and was headed for the front door of Alex’s

house before he knew it. Why was this woman so impatient with

everything he did? No matter what he did, she always seemed to find

fault with his actions.

He had put his best Jack Daniel’s T-shirt and jeans on for the

reunion with his wife. Damn, he had already started thinking of her

as his wife again. Ex-wife. He even felt a little excitement in seeing

her again. He was wondering how she was going to take the

news that they were still married, and that he could forgive her all

her transgressions. Hell, he just might could for the money she was

holding out on him. But the little hottie waiting for him back at the

motel would be hard to let go of right now especially since he knew

Alex wouldn’t be puttin’ out for him.

“What are you standing there thinking about?”

“Nothing that you would understand, Dot. Let’s go.”

Both proceeded up the stairs to begin the scene that they had

been rehearsing for the past few days.

Kimmy was asking about her presents when suddenly, she

stopped, looked at her mother, turned her head sideways as though

listening for something, looked straight at the front door, and said,

“They’re here.”

“Who’s here, sweetie?” Alex looked at the door also.

“Daddy and Grandma,” she said, sounding very positive

of herself.

This child was really becoming very powerful with her ability to

know things before everyone else did. Alex felt pride over her daughter’s

abilities and scared at the same time. The child must be able to

do so much because her mind was still free and not cluttered with all

the things that an adult life brought with it. How wonderful it would

be to just live life without all the drama and strife that is created here

on this earth. But then, how would we learn any lessons if it was all

easy?

Rommy walked into the room with the book from Joseph’s

library that he had built and stocked with collected books from

all over the world, ready to explain telekinesis, when suddenly, she

stopped and looked at the door to see what Alex was looking at. “Are

you looking for something?”

“It’s more like someone or persons.”

Then the knock came. Glancing over at her daughter, she felt

the hair stand on the back of her neck. Uncanny. Leaning down

to her daughter, Alex took her little hands in hers and whispered,

“Sweetie, I need you not to say anything about you knowing that

your daddy was here the other night, and that you have these special

little gifts. Okay?”

“I understand, Mommy.”

Alex looked at Jake and then nodded for him to go ahead and

answer the door. As he approached the door, Jake could feel the evil

reeking off his visitors right through the door. What was in store for

them tonight? This would be the first time he would meet Alex’s ex,

and he just didn’t know how he felt about that, knowing how he hurt

her and just threw her to the curb without a thought about her or

these wonderful children.

Reaching the screen door, he looked at them in surprise as

though they were not expected and said, “Hello. How can I help

you?”

Oh, don’t think I don’t know that you know who I am. Putting on

a smile, Dot hoped her eyes were not showing what she was thinking.

“Hi, I’m Dorothy, Alex’s mother.” She pulled Steven in front of her

saying, “This is Alex’s husband. We came to see her and the kids.

Today is Kimmy’s birthday, and we have never missed a birthday of

hers.” Smooth.

Jake just stood there and stared at Steven, willing himself to be

calm. So this was the story. They’re not divorced. Jake took his time

before he opened the door to look Steven up and down. He noticed

Steven was dressed like a bum with just a drinking T-shirt on and

jeans, a little fleshy in the midsection, and it looked as though the

guy was already heading toward being bald. Ha! The guy didn’t even

begin to have a chance against him.

I could squash him like a fly. Steven was giving Jake a rundown

too. Sizing up his competition for Alex’s affection. Damn, did his eyes

just glow golden? He shook his head slightly, trying to put up a bravado

he really didn’t feel.

Before Steven could speak, Jake turned around and called to

Alex, “Hey, hon, we have company. It’s your mom and a man who

claims to be your husband.” Jake smiled the whole time as he spoke.

But as he opened the screen door, he quickly removed the smile and

replaced it with a disapproving look. Alex walked toward the door

and stopped to size up the situation. Well, Mother looked her usual,

fake self; and Steven, believe it or not, looked uncomfortable. Ha!

Now, that was unusual for a man who claimed to always have skin as

tough as an alligator.

“Well, hello, Mother. I don’t know what to think. This is a surprise.”

Calmly walking to her mother, she gave her a half-hearted

hug. Alex looked at Steven and continued, “And I really was not

expecting to see you.” Alex turned and walked away.

“Kimberly, come and give your grandmother a hug. I brought

you a present.” Dot poured out the sweetness. “And your dad has a

gift for you too.”

Kimmy liked the playacting, ran over to her grandmother, and

jumped into her arms. Dot felt such tenderness and a surge of emotions

toward the child that she wondered if she and Kimmy were

kindred souls, and her father had placed Kimmy here to help them.

Surely, he would have told her if that were true.

After Dot set Kimmy down, Kimmy went to her father and

waited for him to pick her up and hug her. But he was too mesmerized

at the change in Alexandria and didn’t even notice Kimmy

waiting at his feet for his attention. Somehow, she had changed and

become damn sexy. She held herself different. Her eyes were filled

with a knowledge he had never noticed before. What had happened

to her to bring on this change? It couldn’t be this man. Maybe it was

the money? Money had a way of changing people, making them feel

powerful. Yeah, that’s what it was because she couldn’t be over him

that easy. She had always clung to him like a shadow. Half the time

he couldn’t shake her off so he could go off with the guys. Feeling a

tug on his shirt, he looked down at Kimberly. Oh yeah, right. The

kid, birthday. What was he doing being distracted by Alex?

“Hey, baby! Happy birthday.” Steven picked her up, tossed her

into the air, and received a squeal of laughter, breaking the silence

that had enveloped the room while he was studying Alex.

“Come and eat some of my cake. It’s real good. The middle is

the best,” Kimberly said, smiling as she led her father to the table

in the dining room. If anyone had been watching Alex, they would

have seen her mouth literally fall open and shut really fast and then

open again. Then she barked out a laugh, which did draw everyone’s

attention.

“Well, aren’t we the hostess?” Alex looked at her daughter and

wondered just how old her soul really was to come up with such a

scheme as to give her father a piece of cake that Kimmy herself had

sat on. Ha! Maybe she does have a little of her father in her.

“Let me get a plate for you and Mother.” While reaching for the

plates, she asked, “Do you want some also, Mother?”

Why did she sound so formal? Not formal, but cold, that’s what it was.

“Sure, I’ll have some. If there was anything you could do, it

was cook.” Aha! So the real Dot was still there. She could never give

a straight-out compliment, always had to throw something negative

into it.

Jack was sizing the woman up. He hadn’t seen Dorothy in about

fifteen years. She had lost that innocent look she had had when she

was younger. He could feel the coldness, just like darkness emanating

from her. How did she ever fool his brother into thinking she was

different? But he remembered that Joseph said it was written before

he ever came to earth for them to hook up.

Maybe he was hoping to change her path because hers wasn’t

written before she incarnated; it just happened as she lived her life

and affected everyone around her. That was what happened when

the Dark Ones pushed souls out of a body and entered it themselves.

Who knows where the other real soul went. Age showed on her now,

proving she had lived a fast life. What a pity because she was a real

looker when she was younger. Still was, if you could look past the

coldness in her eyes. Guess some people were just blind to it. Anxious

to get things rolling, Jack picked up the presents for Kimberly and

brought them to the table.

“Little gal, let’s take a look and see what you got.”

“Oh, goody! I like this part the best.” Kimberly reached for

the biggest box there, ripped open the paper, and saw a beautiful

doll from Sally. Picking up the doll, hugging it tight, and squealing

with delight, she looked at Sally. “She is so beautiful. I will love

her forever.”

“I know you will,” replied Sally tearfully. As Kimberly was opening

her presents, Dot moved over to where Alex was standing, leaned

over, and whispered, “We need to talk. Can we go out back while she

finishes opening her presents?” Nodding to her mother, Alex handed

Jake the camera she had been taking pictures with and told him, “I’ll

be right back.”

Dot started to walk toward the kitchen, and Alex, knowing full

well where she was heading was the backyard, linked her arm with

Dot’s and gently but firmly guided her toward the front door. “Let’s

go onto the front porch. It has a nice breeze there.”

Dorothy squinted her eyes at first as anger started to well up

inside her, and then she forced herself to relax. Adding a smooth

smile, she let Alex lead her outside to the front of the house. That

answered any questions Dot had about whether or not Alex knew

what she was up to. Now she knew she had her work cut out for

her trying to convince her daughter to join sides with her and her

father. Alex was the key to getting to the Other Side and controlling

the Portal. Now the question was how she should go about winning

Alex’s trust or how to just force her to Dorothy’s will. The latter

would have to be implemented if she could not persuade Alex with

kindness and a little brainwashing to come to her side.

As they sat in the rocking chairs on the front porch, Dot recollected

how Joseph always loved to sit in these chairs and watch

the sunset. He was always giving praise to all the beautiful colors

displayed by each different sunset. “So peaceful,” he would say. The

man had been so boring with all his chakras and soul-searching bull.

Never wanted to go to the big city and live it up. He had been content

to just sit here and play with those damn roses of his. Breaking into

Dot’s reminiscing, Alex asked, “Okay, Mother, what is it you want?”

“My, my, aren’t we rude? Don’t worry, hon. We really just came

to visit.”

“Dot, we both know you didn’t just come to visit. So why don’t

you just come out with it.”

“Okay. I’ll just be straight up with you.”

Alex flashed her a look that said, Yeah! Right! Ignoring Alex’s

sarcastic look, Dot started with the divorce story. “Well, I was going

to try and break it to you gently, but since you’re being such a hard

ass about it and acting like you don’t want me here, I’ll just treat you

with the same courtesy.

“You and Steven ain’t divorced. You still had some papers to

sign, and you took off and never looked back. You know you should

make sure your business is all straight before you decide to hightail

it out of town again.” Stopping to see how Alex was taking the news

about the divorce not being final, Dot could see her nostrils flaring,

and fire starting to burn in Alex’s eyes. She had never seen this side of

Alex before. Maybe she does have some fire in her after all.

“Well, that’s not all. It seems that you got some more mail about

that book you wrote. Steven’s got it in that shit for no brain he’s got

that you owe him some money from that book since you two are still

married. He’s figuring that if you give him about 150,000, he would

sign the rest of the papers and leave you be.”

Hesitating a moment to let that sink in, Dot peeked a glance at

Alex then looked away. She continued to rock back and forth in the

wooden rocking chair. Damn thing is making my ass go numb here,

she thought.

So this was it.

Looking at her mother, Alex noticed how comfortable she was

with the lies she had just told. Now was the time to bring back the

old Alex. The weak one who had always wished to please everybody

and keep peace. It’s the only way to get her mother to open up and

talk to her about the Portal. She just hoped that no one got hurt in

this ordeal.

Inside the house, the tension was building between Jake and

Steven. That little act he was doing on Kimberly was not going over

very well with Jake. The child was so starved for her father’s attention.

He was petting her hair, kissing the top of her head, and then

telling her how much he had missed her since she had left home.

Jake moved a little closer so he could hear the conversation better

between Steven and Kimmy. Jake joined in the conversation and

manage to manipulate it to get Steven to start talking to him about

why he was really there even though he would prefer to punch him

in the nose and kick him out. But being civil right now would probably

get him the answers he really wanted. He could wait just a little

longer to kick the guy’s ass.

“Hey, Steven, why don’t we have a talk about that comment that

Alex’s mother made when you first got here? You know, you being

her husband and all.” Jake just stood there and waited for Steven to

make the next move.

Hesitantly, he started to move Kimmy from his lap, not liking

the tone of voice that this man was using with him. After telling his

daughter to go and play with her new toys, he stood and straightened

to his full height, but he still was not as tall as Jake.

Crossing his arms over his chest, Jake smiled knowingly at

Steven, one of those I-know-what-you’re-up-to smiles.

“There’s not much to discuss except that we are still married

because the divorce papers were not all signed. So, I decided to come

and join my family. You got a problem with that?” Steven was hoping

he sounded tough and threatening.

“As a matter of fact, I do. You see, she is married to me now,”

Jake said as he rocked back and forth from heel to toe and continued

his cocky smile at Steven. Steven tried to act as though he was

shocked at this fact, but he didn’t fool Jake.

He said, “It can be annulled. That’s no problem. I just want

her back.”

“Why? Why now?”

Steven was nervous from Jake staring him down, and he was

forgetting what he was supposed to tell Jake, and Jake loved every

minute of it.

Starting to stutter, Steven looked around and wondered where

the hell Dot was. She was much better at answering these questions.

“Follow me to the kitchen so we can talk in private, and by the

way, do you have those papers with you? I’d like to have a look at

’em.”

Heading toward the kitchen without looking back, Jake knew

that Steven would obediently follow. Even though Steven did follow

without question, he was still very vigilant of Jake and his body

actions, which, at this point, were telling him this might be a mistake.

He could tell that this man was not one to play games with. It

will be a fight to the end, if not death, with Jake.

Once in the kitchen, Steven studied his surroundings. Noticing

the layout of the kitchen, which had all the modern conveniences

yet had the effect of stepping back in time. There was the old-fashioned-

looking stove that worked with modern technology. The curtains

were checkered, red and white, and tied back. Yes, this was a

home made for a family.

Pulling the chair out to sit down, Steven looked out and admired

the rose garden, contemplating how best to handle Jake’s questions,

he was sure to fire at him any minute now.

Watching Steven take a seat and stare out the window, Jake wondered

if the man had any idea what was really on the other side of the

glass panes he relentlessly stared through. Watching Steven intensely,

Jake could almost visualize the man’s thought process. Nervous, not

knowing actually how to handle this and exactly what he should say,

Dot was most definitely the brains behind this scheme.

Breaking the silence, Jake began with, “Do you have the papers

with you?” Jake waited patiently for Steven to produce the evidence

or answer, knowing the next one to speak would lose the battle of

wills. Knowing it would not be him, he waited for Steven’s answer.

Finally, Steven responded, “No, I don’t have the divorce papers

with me. Dot has them.” Twisting a napkin in his hands, Steven

decided he had better get control of his emotions and faced Jake.

Mistake.

He could swear that Jake’s eyes glowed a golden color, that of

a tiger, when he was staring at him, almost as though he could see

through the front that Steven was putting up and look right into

his soul. He seemed to be finding humor in it all, especially the part

about making him uncomfortable, as if he knew the truth. But how

could he know? Maybe someone told him that Dot was asking questions

about Alex back in town. Yes, that had to be it. How else could

he know? Besides, they had already spent almost a week in town,

so anyone could have easily said something to one person and then

another and so on. These things spread like wildfire in a small town

like this.

“So you say.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“That means I don’t believe a damn thing you are telling me.

What I do believe is that you want money and are trying to use Alex

to get it. And by the way, I read the original divorce papers Alex

brought with her, and everything is in order. It’s final. There’s not a

thing you can do about it.”

“Don’t be so sure of yourself. I have proof, and I’ll show it to

you as soon as Dot gets back from talking to Alex.” He stood to go

back into the living room, but as Steven started to pass Jake, he was

stopped by a hand that moved as fast as a cobra strike, grabbing

his arm.

“She’s using you for all the wrong reasons. Dot is.” Jake waited

for that to sink in before he continued. “It’s not about the money, but

something far beyond your knowledge. Someone could die from all

this, and it won’t be Alex or myself.”

A bolt of fear seared through his whole body, something he had

never felt before. Was it just this man, or was it the depth of the truth

he spoke? Surely, it was no more than the money, but people killed

for money, though. What more could there be to it? What the hell

has Dot got him into? He was really beginning to believe this man.

But as usual, instead of listening to his soul’s voice, he let his

greed control his actions and continued along with the plan, he

needed that money.

“I’ll go get the papers from Dot.” Steven shook his arm loose

from the grip that Jake had on it, and he hurriedly left the kitchen.

“So, Mother, what is it that I have to do to get the divorce

finalized? I want to be with Jake. I’m finished with my life back in

Georgia. Just tell me what you want, and I’ll work with you.” Trying

to look as though her mother had won, Alex displayed a pleading

look on her face.

How weak was her daughter? She didn’t even put up a fight.

Wondering if she should take a chance or if it was too soon to bring

up the Portal, Dot looked at Alex deeply, trying to figure out just

how far she could go. Deciding to take the chance, she began with,

“There is one other thing we need to discuss.”

So here it was. Looking perplexed, Alex asked, “There’s more?”

“Well, it’s not much. But you see, you know that old rose garden

your father always tended to? Well, it was something he and I

shared, and I was hoping that he had told you about the secrets it

carried. And if it was possible, that you and I could take a walk there

and talk about it?”

Faking stupidity and surprise, Alex asked, “You know about it?

I just recently found out myself.”

Surprised that her daughter admitted to her knowledge of the

Portal so quickly, Dot knew she needed to push forward and work

on Alex’s vulnerability, especially without her “guard dog” around, or

she could lose the chance to get back into the garden.

“Would you like to take a walk there now?” Dot asked.

“I don’t know if we should right now.”

“Why not?”

Looking at her mother with uncertainty, Alex replied, “Well,

for one thing, there are too many people here right now. We should

do it at another time. You know, without everybody around.”

Thinking that Alex was meaning that she didn’t want Jake

around, Dot said, “I understand, hon. You need the “watchdog” out

of the picture when we go to the garden. That’s okay. When will he

not be here?”

It had taken a second for Alex to realize her mother had meant

Jake was “the watchdog.”

She almost laughed out loud, but that would have ruined everything.

“Yes, I do think that would be better.”

Before anything else could be said, the women were interrupted

by a crashing bang from the screen door as Steven came bursting out

onto the front porch.

“There you are. I need the divorce papers. That man in there is

hounding me for ’em. He doesn’t believe anything I said to him, so it

might be better for you to answer his questions. You understand this

stuff a hell of a lot better than me.”

Steven stopped before reentering the house, looked at Alex, and

asked, “How could you do this to me?” then waited for Dot to take

over.

As Dot stood, she took her purse and walked over to console

Steven then whispering in his ear, “Good job.” Dot did not wait for

Alex to respond to Steven. She felt she had control over her now. She

told Alex, “Let’s go in and get this settled before you’re charged with

bigamy.”

As Dorothy entered the house, she missed the stunned look

Alex had on her face. Surely her mother wasn’t serious? This was

getting crazy. It was totally insane. Alex followed the two inside. She

had begun to feel as though she was on one of those hidden camera

shows. This was the most ridiculous thing she had ever seen transpire

before her eyes.

As she entered the living room, she could read the wariness

on Jack and Sally’s face. She knew that as old as they were, they

were strong, but she hoped that this didn’t break their hearts. She

was about to turn her back on them and Jake and take her mother’s

side—at least it would seem that way. They knew who and what she

really was, but sometimes, people’s feelings got so mixed up between

the truth and the lies that before you knew it, it all seemed like the

truth. Or you got so confused that you didn’t know what the truth

was anymore.

Walking in and heading toward the kitchen, Dot stopped long

enough to see that everyone was following her. Once she had confirmed

that they were, she continued to the kitchen. This time, she

made it. And what met her eyes was the view of the garden that

could be seen through the kitchen window. It took her breath away

to know that she was so close to the prize. She felt her heart beat with

excitement and her blood warm.

Gaining control of herself, Dot placed her purse on the table

and began to dig through the papers she carried around with her,

looking for the fake documents. Ah, there it was! Taking the papers

out of the envelope, she handed them to Jake. Then she crossed her

arms under her breasts, pushing them up, causing a slight bulge over

the top of her shirt. Jake looked at her breasts then smirked at her

trying to distract him with a peek at her breasts. He let out a deep

sigh and sat down at the table to read the documents.

Alex joined him, standing behind him and placing a hand on

his broad shoulders. Leaning over, she also scanned the documents.

After reading the papers for a few minutes, he leaned back in the

chair, causing it to creak, and told Dot without ever looking at her,

“I’ll keep these and call the lawyer in the morning to see what exactly

happened that caused him to screw this up like this. Honestly, I don’t

believe you.”

Without losing a beat, Dot only smiled and asked, “Why

should I leave them with you? This has nothing to do with you now.

You have to move out until this is settled. And in the meantime, I

can come and live here with Alex. Steven can take his rightful place

as her husband.”

“No, I don’t think so,” Jake calmly replied.

Damn, damn, and damn, was all she could think of.

“You don’t think that would work, Jake, hon? I mean, could I

be charged with bigamy? Mother said something to that effect out on

the front porch,” Alex asked a little too sweetly.

“I think she should be worrying that she might go to jail for

forgery rather than you committing a crime such as bigamy.” Finally,

looking deeply into Dorothy’s eyes, Jake took the time to read her

and see what he could make of her plans. Only he found that she was

adept at blocking his attempt at reading her mind. But what really

surprised him was the way Alex was acting. It was as though she really

feared this woman and believed her. Did she really think he would

move out because Dorothy said so? Ha! It wouldn’t be that easy. Alex

needed him here. Her powers were not strong enough for her to repel

her mother’s powers alone.

“I think it’s time you leave. You both came here uninvited, and

I need to investigate these documents.”

Dropping her facade, Dot lost her temper and yelled at Jake,

“You can’t make us leave! It’s not your house. It’s Alex’s. She needs to

tell me to leave.”

“Until I have some answers about these papers you brought here

claiming that she is still married to that jackass over there, I will stay

here, and you will not.” Standing up, prepared for battle, he continued

a little louder with, “Now get out of our home.”

With one last attempt, Dot tried to reach for the papers to take

them away from Jake, but she was too slow, and Jake snatched them

back. Both stood there glaring at each other, trying to gain control

over the other’s will, but at last, Dorothy gave in and grabbed Steven’s

arm and dragged him out of the house. You could hear them slam

the front door, dirt and rocks flying as she spun tires leaving the yard.

Alex looked at Jake and sank down in the chair.

With sadness in her eyes, she said, “I felt her exerting her power

over me, and I had no control. I thought I could. It’s like I could

think about what I wanted to do, but my actions came out different

than what I intended. I didn’t realize it until just now, without her

around. Does that make sense?”

Kneeling down in front of his wife, he took her hands in his

and said, “That’s why I decided that we needed a new plan. She can

get to you too easily. It’s not because you are weak, but because you

are good, and she is evil. Your powers are not strong enough yet. And

besides, you still have an emotional connection with her that she

doesn’t have with you.”

“I know.” That’s all Alex could say as she stood for Jake to

embrace her in his strength. It felt good to know for once, she had

someone she could depend on. It really was better that he stayed. She

knew she was not ready to confront her mother alone. If only things

had been different. Here was another topsy-turvy situation in her

life. The emotions that flowed through her were overwhelming, and

sometimes, she felt pushed to the edge. She thought she was thinking

all this, not realizing that she had actually spoken the words for Jake

to hear.

“Why did you not prepare me for this, Dad? It’s so unfair,” she

said in a whisper.

13

He’s smarter than I gave him credit for. But at least I paid the lawyer

off just in case something like this did happen. He will tell Jake or

Alex that their marriage is not legit.” Dot was talking more to herself

than Steven as she drove back to the motel.

“I’ll give it two more days, and if we’re not in that house, we are

going to move on to our second plan.”

“You know, Dot, I got a feeling that Jake is not going to be as

easy to handle as you thought.”

“What the hell do you know? You couldn’t even answer a question

without freezing up. That’s why I am in charge of this plan.

But you are in too deep now, so don’t think you are going to drop

out because it’s getting a little sticky. And you need to let that little

piece of yours waiting back at the motel know we need her help for

sure now.”

Too mad to talk anymore, they both rode back to town in

silence. Dot pissed at Steven’s incompetence and Steven at Dot’s

high-handedness.

Closing herself off in her room and shutting the curtains, Dot

prepared for astral travel to communicate with her father. Lighting

nine blood-red candles, she began to chant the old language, calling

for her father to come forward and speak with her about what happened

at Alex’s today. She felt her soul leave her body and travelled

to meet her father.

There was the ever-present intense darkness and chilling coldness

that he liked to surround himself in. She could never figure out

why he liked it that way. Even when he was on earth, he always kept

the rooms he was in dark. She could remember as a child that he

would make her cut the lights off in her room when he entered.

As she adjusted to the darkness, she could see him sitting,

wrapped in a black cape with the hood pulled over his head. He had

begun to wither away to practically nothing. He was not the man

he used to be. His hair was now long and gray, and he stooped over.

His skin had also aged dramatically since the last time she had seen

him. This must be what the darkness did to him. But his powers were

stronger than ever before.

“Do I offend you that much now? The speed of my aging is why

we need to move fast to gain control over the Portal, or I will need

to return soon to earth again to take on a human form to keep this

from happening to me.”

The Dark One motioned for her to sit, and he continued, “So

tell me what you have found out, and are you any closer to the Portal?”

After explaining what had transpired at Alex’s today and how it

had not ended well, she asked her father, “Do you think we should be

worried about Jake? He is very powerful. I almost couldn’t stop him

from reading my mind. Of course, Alex doesn’t even know yet what

powers she has. I’m sure she comprehends most of what is going on,

but she is not yet aware of the extent of control she could have over

the two dimensions. She has gained more strength now, and fire had

shown in her eyes like I had never seen before.”

“I agree with that buffoon that is your accomplice—Jake needs

watching. He is not dumb and knows what we plan. He has also been

trained since childhood to be prepared for this and more. Did you

gain access to the garden at all?”

She lowered then shook her head. “No, I did not, but I did see

it. When we went into the kitchen to look at the divorce papers, I

was struck with the beauty of it, just viewing it through the kitchen

window. I could feel the power emanating from it. This is the closest

I have been to it since I was with Joseph.”

Reaching above his head, her father began to wave his hand

around in circles, creating a swirling cloud that began to show a

vision of Alex’s house. He focused the cloud to show the inside of

the house where Alex and Jake now sat, talking to each other about

Dorothy and Steven.

Through the misty cloud, they could not be seen clearly, but

they could be heard, which was more important now.

“I know that she still upsets you, Alex. But you need to be strong and

fight the power she can exert over you.”

“It’s not that simple,” she cried out. “What if we could change her,

and she would let go of this idea of taking control of the Portal? She has

been under his control for so long, maybe, just maybe she could learn to

love again. See the light and move forward and be healed on the Other

Side.”

Jake stood and ran his hand through his hair, suddenly feeling the

hairs stand on his neck. Looking around the room, he checked to see if

anyone was there or had entered the kitchen while they were talking.

Walking over to Alex, he bent his head down and whispered,

“Someone is listening to us talk.”

He placed a finger over his lips and made a motion to be quiet,

“Ssshhh.”

Waving his hand, Dot’s father made the cloud disappear. “He is

even more powerful now that they have united. They seem to have

love. It will be hard to separate them only because he knows not to

let her be in your company alone.”

He rose and floated to where Dorothy sat. He reached down

and pulled her hair, forcing her to lean her head back. As he pressed

his face to hers, he stared deep into her eyes, and his breath carried

the odor of death. She barely had time to hold her breath to keep

from inhaling the stench.

Menacingly, he said, “Do not disappoint me this time. You have

failed me many times over the centuries, and this will be the last. I

will cast you into darkness forever, and you will know nothing of

existence ever again.” He jerked her head back farther, causing more

pain, making sure he got his point across. “Do I make myself clear?”

After releasing her head, he glided back to where he had been

sitting to await her response.

“You know I have done everything to make this work, and now

you threaten me instead of appreciating my help. I have done nothing

but love you and show you complete loyalty when all the others

went into the light and left you.”

“Ha! Love is a weak emotion. Anger and hate is what gives us

our strength, not a childish dream.”

Holding out his hand, he commanded a box to float to him

through midair. Taking it, he opened the lid and looked up at Dot,

silently commanding her to come to him.

As she reached him, he turned the box to face her, motioning

her to look inside it. As she gazed into the box, she realized that he

was trying to maintain control over her by erasing the emotions she

had begun to feel. He was draining her emotions out of her and putting

them in this box, this oubliette, where they were trapped. She

could see her emotions as they left her, writhing and shimmering,

like a kaleidoscope of colors with twisted shapes, as they entered the

box with the trapdoor on top.

Returning to her body, she felt drained of any energy she might

have had left. Too exhausted to move, she lay where she was and slept

for hours before being awakened by a knock on her door.

Jake stood and looked around. They were gone. Did Alex not

feel the presence of her mother and grandfather? Somehow, they

had control over her, and he needed to get her to the crystals to

be cleansed.

“They are gone.” Voicing his thoughts aloud, he continued,

“Didn’t you feel them here?”

“Not until you mentioned that we were being watched. Oh,

Jake, I don’t know if I can do this. I know I have learned about everything,

but I don’t know how to implement my powers yet. What if I

really screw up everything? All because I have a soft heart.” Lowering

her head, she felt the tears begin.

“And because I still love my mother. It’s so hard to separate the

human emotions from all this and be purely logical.”

Feeling helpless and unable to change Alex’s state of mind, he

decided to do what he knew was best—take her to the crystals and

heal her broken heart.

Reaching his hand out to take Alex’s, he tried to console her.

“Let’s go to the crystals. You will think more clearly after you have

been cleansed, and then we will make another plan. You could call on

Arlene to help you with what actions you should take.”

“That’s a great idea, I will do that, but for now, the crystals will

help me.”

Placing her hand in his, she stood and said, “Let’s go while the

kids are asleep and before we have work to do. Besides, I saw the

rocking horse that Jack gave Kimberly rocking by itself a little while

ago. There is another child here that was abused, needing help to get

to the light.”

Leaving the kitchen, they walked hand in hand to the crystals,

which held the secrets to the universe.

After just a few minutes passed in earthly time, Jake and Alex

returned to the house, refreshed and ready to begin their work guiding

the lost souls to the light. So many tonight were from senseless

killings and even more who just didn’t wish to leave yet, believing

that they had unfinished business still on earth.

There were children who had died from starvation, and even

knowing that they were here to grow spiritually using that situation

to learn from did not ease the pain she felt for their death. Maybe

one day, she would grow used to it. But for now, she would focus on

helping those who lost their way to the light and return them home.

By two in the morning, they were both exhausted, collapsing

onto the bed, too tired to do more than hug one another and fall

asleep in each other’s arms. But as sleep drew Alex into its depth, a

vision started unfolding to her. She knew this was not a dream; this

was really happening.

Dot was pacing the floors, yelling at Steven, “You are so incompetent.

I don’t know what to do with you. I told you we would give her two

days, but I have changed my mind. Tomorrow night, we will take action

if she does not come around.”

“What has happened to you, Dot? You seem to be so cold now as

though you don’t have any feelings toward Alex. I believe you need to

explain to me what’s really going on before we continue with this little

escapade.”

Steven was tired of her bullshit and was ready to make a move himself.

The hell with the money. Dot walked over to him and pulled him

up by the shirt with strength he never anticipated she could have, and

the depth of evilness that radiated from her eyes put fear in him he never

thought to feel in his life. What was she becoming? Her eyes had changed,

becoming deep pools of black, not the dark brown they usually were.

Grinding out the words between clenched teeth, she spat in his face

as she spoke. “The day you agreed to come here with me, you sold yourself

to the Dark One, and now, there is no return. You will finish what we

have started, or I can end your miserable life now. You chose, or shall I?”

Ending with that, she dropped him back into the chair.

“You can try, but I doubt you would be able to do it.” Whirling

around to face him, she pulled a gun out and pointed it at his heart. “Try

me, if you please. I would love nothing more than to be done with you.”

Fear was etched on his face. He couldn’t believe she actually was capable

of doing this. What had he done? “Okay, you win. For now.”

“No! It’s permanent. When you chose, you didn’t know there was

no going back. Tomorrow night, we will make our move if she does not

cooperate with us”—she added for his benefit and lowered the gun—“in

giving us the money.” She smiled an evil and foreboding smile as he had

never before seen on anyone.

Waking and bolting upright in bed, her movements awakened

Jake. She was covered in sweat and breathing heavily as she tried to

get control over her emotions.

“They are going to make their move tomorrow night. She wants

me to agree to join her but has Steven thinking that it is all for the

money. He wants to back out, but she pulled a gun on him. He still

stands with her.”

Lying back down, she felt Jake roll to his side and start to massage

her arm. He was trying to comfort her, yet he knew there was

nothing he could do to help.

“It’s time for me to meditate and speak with Arlene. I’m sure

she probably knows what’s happening, but I need her guidance now.”

Placing a hand to his cheek and looking into his eyes, she felt the

admiration he held for her, or was it love? The warmth that radiated

from him was comforting, and she regretted that she must leave

him now.

Rolling off the bed, she walked to a place in front of the window.

She sat and began her chant, going into a deep trance so she

could communicate with Arlene on the Other Side.

Arlene had been waiting for Alex and was beside her in seconds.

“I was waiting for you. She has had contact with him, and he has

taken any and all emotions she was starting to feel and trapped them

in a box. She is death itself now.”

“What am I to do? I will have to leave all behind and try to

make her believe that I am with her. Jake will be here with the kids

alone. I don’t know if I’m ready for this.”

“Yes, you are. We are here for you. It’s your fear that he thrives

on. Don’t show it. Show yourself the way you were before—humble—

that is what she expects. Go to her. Tell her that you realize that

she knows about the garden, and that it holds the Portal. Tell her that

you were hoping that she could help you.”

“Why? Doesn’t that make it too easy for them?”

“They are overconfident that you will give in to them. So give

them what they want. When you return with her to the garden, he

will appear, and then we will be there with help to overcome him. If

you do not gain their trust, then she will kidnap the little one, and

then we will need to do more. But there is no stopping the death of

one of them. Someone will sacrifice his or her life for you, knowing

that what is transpiring is wrong.”

Feeling overwhelmed by what she had to do and knowing that

there was nothing different she could do, Alex nodded in acceptance

of what she must do.

Returning from the Other Side and feeling drained from all

that had happened in less than twenty-four hours, she stood and

joined Jake in bed.

“Love me. Love me as though there is no tomorrow. Please.

I want to feel you deep in me with all the love you make me feel.”

Without any prompting, Jake rolled over on top of Alex and began

to make love to her like a hungry animal. His hands roamed her body

as though there were hunger in his fingertips, tasting her with each

caress. He kissed and nibbled her neck, slowly working his way to her

breast, which was already aching for his touch. Taking her rose-colored

nipple into his mouth, he sucked and pulled back, gently pulling

her breast before releasing it.

She arched her back, begging for more of the sweet torture he

had only begun to tease her with. Nipping at her other breast, he slid

his hand down to firmly hold her ass, slowly licking down her stomach,

feeling the trembling of her muscles as he travelled further down

to the mound that held her sweet juices. Darting his tongue out to

lightly lick the lips of paradise and hearing her moan with pleasure

only brought him more pleasure. He kissed her mound and suckled

’til she was crying and begging him to enter her.

“Please, Jake, come inside me. I need you.” Raising himself

above her, he spread her legs apart and placed his shaft against the

hot wetness of her, slowly sliding into a perfect fit. He enjoyed the

hot feel of her wrapping around him, ready to squeeze his juices out.

Moving faster and harder, she begged for more.

“Harder, Jake, deeper. I need you. I want to be one with

you always.”

Then the explosion began, and her body rocked with the

eruption of her orgasm, sending her spiraling down to earth again.

Feeling the contractions of her muscles squeezing his cock, he felt his

release approaching and growled out at the beautiful pain he felt as

he released his seed in her. Lowering himself down on top of her, he

could not help the weakness he felt. Sliding to the side of her body,

he gathered her in his arms, and both fell into an exhausted deep

sleep. Neither dreamed after that. Both had found peace for the time

being.

While they slept, on the Other Side, there was a powwow taking

place. Joseph and Arlene were sitting, discussing what would be

done when everything began to transpire. Everyone that was to participate

was sitting around, listening, excited with the anticipation

of finally stopping at least one of the entities of the Dark Ones from

trying to enter the Portals.

Joseph had been fighting, feeling the excitement of believing

that they may finally be successful in stopping this monster from

the destruction and havoc he had created on earth for so long. The

memory still burned fresh in his mind how one of their higher-level

friends had been pulled into the deception of greed while there to

protect the Portal and had to be rescued. It had taken a long time to

heal his soul from the torment he had experienced. But not this time.

He would do everything in his power with the help of everyone here

to make sure Alex and Jake were successful. It was time to put the

wheels in motion. Alex had no idea how much help was being rallied

from the Other Side and put into place, but he knew she would

appreciate it in the end.

Picking up the aged, golden-edged scroll and placing it before

him, he began to read the instructions of each one’s duties they were

to carry out.

Feeling the warmth of the sun on her face, she pulled herself

from the deep sleep she was in. The day had begun, and Alex couldn’t

help but wonder how she was ever going to pull this off. The fear she

felt from last night was gone, but it had been replaced with the fear

of today.

Looking around the bedroom, she saw that she was alone and

decided to just lie there and relax in meditation. Then she would do

what Arlene said—go to Dorothy and tell her that she knew about

the Portal and to come with her to the garden. But for a few precious

moments, she relaxed, still feeling the afterglow of lovemaking.

After telling the kids she would see them later and discussing

with Jake one more time what she should say to Dorothy, she left and

headed into town. It felt good to just have a few minutes alone and

contemplate what her emotions were. She was torn between loving

her mother and wanting nothing more than to scorn her at the same

time. If only she had the ability to reject the caring and sympathy

she felt.

As for Steven, that was another matter altogether. Thinking

back to the beginning of their relationship, she thought that she

must have been really desperate for love to have thought she really

cared for a moron like him—really now that she could see him for

what he is. But then, being young and blind to the ways of cruelty

and the selfishness of people, she had actually thought he really loved

her. Now she knew he would never love anyone but himself. If it

wasn’t a new bike or car or truck, it was his friends. He always needed

something or someone but her. It’s not like he didn’t tell her that with

his actions.

“We’ll never have anything together,” he would say.

“What’s mine stays mine,” or “It’s not my responsibility. You

need to do something besides thinking raisin’ a kid is a job.”

Oh well, can’t change the past. But at least she could take control

of the future. She hoped so anyway. But then, it always depended

on the reaction of others as to what she did. Deciding that there was

enough thinking done, Alex decided to just enjoy the scenery as she

drove to town. It would be nice to stop by and see Sally and have a

chat, but that would have to wait for another day.

Since she had arrived here, she had not had much time to just

be by herself and think things through and, of course, drink in the

beauty of the hills and historical land she now lived on. Just imagine,

all the people that at one time were here, how they moved to an

untamed land that only the Native Americans roamed freely upon at

one time. Such a shame about the tragic history that was created, but

the people have come around after a century has passed. Realizing

she was coming to the outskirts of town, she knew it was time to

focus on what she could say to Dorothy without causing Dorothy to

catch on to her. She passed by Sally’s, wishing she were going there

instead, and headed on over to the motel.

Answering the door, Dot tried to act as surprised as she could at

seeing Alex standing there yet knowing that her daughter had come

to take her to the garden, which held the Portal in its grasp, protected

from the world. An excitement swirled in her stomach like never

before. Close, oh, so close.

“Why, Alex, hon, I wasn’t expecting you to come so soon. Come

on in. Do you want something to drink?” Dorothy gestured for Alex

to take a seat in the chair at the table in the room.

“No, you know I didn’t come here for that—to socialize, that

is. I don’t know how to go about this with you. One minute you are

so warm, and the next you’re extremely cold. Why don’t you tell me

what’s going on and the whole truth?” Alex could not believe she just

said that. Where did it even come from? With her heart beating hard

and fast, she continued, “I know what you told me at the house, but

surely there is more to it than just control.”

“Whatever are you talking about? This has nothing to do with

control. It’s the power, the adrenaline-rushing-through-your-veins

kind of power. Do you know what it feels like? Nevermind, I can

answer that for you.”

Dot’s facial features were changing, revealing an evilness that

made Alex’s skin crawl. Her eyes were blacker, and her skin seemed to

age right before Alex’s eyes. “No!” she shouted at Alex. Turning away

so she could regain control, Dot stepped in front of the mirror and

was horrified at what she saw before her. What had just happened

to her? Closing her eyes, she took a few deep breaths, trying to calm

her rapid heartbeat. She began to feel herself relax and felt some normalcy

again.

Alex sat and studied her mother. She now realized that she had

gone about this the wrong way. Taunting her mother would not get

the job done, but pretending to be played with like a hand full of

modelling clay would coax her mother in the right direction.

“Alex, I believe we both really want the same thing here. It’s

not as though I want complete power over the Portal, and don’t give

me that look. I know you know more about what I have been doing

than you let on. So let’s cut the bullshit and get down to the real issue

here.” Dot stopped to let that sink in, and apparently, it did by the

look on her daughter’s face.

“I want access to the Portal with no stunts, no traps. Don’t

think I don’t know that you and that precious half-breed have been

up to something. And I also know you don’t realize the extent of your

powers yet. You know it could be dangerous for you and the children

if you try to do things you’re not sure about yet.”

“I give it to you, Mother, you’re good. So there is no beating

around the bush with you, just straightforward talk.” Alex stood,

walking toward her mother. She felt her powers grow with her anger,

but Alex had been warned to watch herself when that happened.

Be angry for the right things, and by golly, this was one of them. “I

didn’t know what kind of game you were going to play in coaxing

me into taking you to the Portal, but it’s no biggy to me, so let’s go.”

Stunned, Dot just stood there with eyes wide with shock, and

then it sunk in. “Then before hell freezes over, let’s go.” Dorothy

grabbed her purse and followed Alex out the door, saying, “I’ll follow

you there in my car. That way, you don’t have to bring me back to

town later.”

“Fine.”

“Let’s go then.”

“What about Steven? Isn’t he coming?”

“Why? So he can muck this up too? No, I don’t think he needs

to be there for this. Do you?”

“No.” Walking away toward her car, Alex figured the less she

said, the better.

Dorothy went to her car, got in, and realized she was absolutely

giddy with excitement that she was finally getting what she had

worked so hard for. Damn Steven and his money. After today, she

might never see him again.

Be careful. There could always be a trap, came the voice of

her father.

He would have to put a damper on my excitement.

But he was right, as always. She would need to keep her guard

up and be watchful of what was transpiring around her.

Alex was feeling so nervous that it made her feel sick to her

stomach. How she hoped this all turned out right, and in the end, no

one would be hurt, especially her children.

Both women were lost in their thoughts as they continued their

drive to Alex’s house, both anticipating different outcomes to this

fiasco.

As Alex pulled into the driveway, Jake walked out onto the

porch with his arms crossed over his broad chest. What a fierce and

handsome sight he made. Butterflies danced in her stomach; whether

from the nervousness or the excitement he created in her, she couldn’t

tell. Mainly, she thought it was because this would be the first argument

they have even if faked. They were about to say some nasty

things to each other.

Parking her car, she watched as Dot pulled up and parked. Well,

here goes everything, she thought as she stepped out of her car. Dot

watched Jake like a hawk as he walked down the steps toward them.

He was there, waiting as they rounded the front of the cars, not looking

very happy either. He started with Alex first.

“I thought we had discussed this, and I told you I didn’t want

her here and going into the garden?”

“And I thought I told you that since I’m the Guardian and she

is my mother, it would be okay for her to know more about it.” Alex

ended with a statement to his question.

“You know damn well no one is to go to the crystals that is not

a Protector or a Guardian. Why are you doing this, Alex?”

“What harm could there be? She doesn’t have the powers that

we have. I can control her if she starts to do anything fishy.”

“She may not, but he does.”

Dorothy stood there and watched what was unfolding before

her. Did Alex really think that she had no powers? Ha! Maybe not

as much as her daughter has, but enough to control Alex, especially

since she didn’t even know how to use half of her knowledge and

power yet.

Jake decided it was time to give Dot a piece of his mind now

before the show began.

“I just wanted you to know what kind of a fool lawyer you have.

I called today to check out your little story, and your lawyer broke

down over the phone. The divorce is final, and my marriage is secure.

So advise your sidekick that I better not see him ever come here again

without an invitation.”

“Why don’t you tell him yourself?” Dot sneered at Jake.

“And one more warning before you go do this fool thing you

are trying to accomplish. Walk away now, and don’t ever come back

again. It might be the wisest thing you ever do.”

“Oh, jolly, advice from a half-breed. Don’t worry, I know what

I am. Do you?”

“Stop it! Now, Jake, you know I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t

think I could control things. And Mother, how dare you lie to me

about my divorce? Why have you always done things my whole life

to hurt me? Maybe Jake is right. I can’t trust you. If this is the way

things are to be between us all the time, maybe I shouldn’t show you

the garden after all.”

Dot’s first reaction was anger, then catching control of herself,

she knew how to coax Alex back into taking her there. Sugar and

honey—it always worked with Alex.

“Now, honey, you know it was Steven who had the idea to do

that. I think you are much better off without that lout and always

did. All he’s after is your money from that book you gonna have published.

I just want to see the garden that your father and I worked on

for all those years.”

Pouring it on a little thicker, she continued, “I knew the power

it had then. I just want to see it again and feel the power and hoping,

just a little, that maybe you and I could work together in the garden.

Just think what we could do, Alex. It would be great to do something

together. I know I haven’t been that close to you lately, but this could

finally be something we could share together.”

Leaning toward Alex, Dorothy placed her arm around her

shoulder, trying to show a loving embrace, but it turned out awkward

at best. Jake rolled his eyes. Did this woman not know how phony

she sounded? Surely, Alex wouldn’t buy into this. Really! But it sure

looked like she did.

Alex reached up and embraced her mother with such a bear hug

that it shocked Dot. At first, she just stood there, not knowing what

to do, then she finally raised her arms up and hugged her daughter

for the first time in years.

Suddenly, she was jerked away with a fierce ripping sensation,

as though being pulled away by some force unknown to her. Dazed

and feeling a little strange afterward, she had to think a moment to

remember what she had been talking about to Alex. Both Alex and

Jake had not missed the expression of confusion on Dorothy’s face.

Something had gotten to her during that hug. Softness had existed on

her face even if for a second. But now, she wore the cold mask again.

“You’re right, Mother. I’m taking her to the garden, Jake. You

can wait out here if you like, or you can join us. It doesn’t matter

to me.”

“No!” Dorothy shouted, then she calmed her voice. “I mean,

let’s you and I have some time there first, and then he can join us in

an hour or two. We can reminisce about the time when we were all

together, first.”

“How about this? I can sit in the kitchen and watch to make

sure no monkey business starts. You know, like no one else appearing

or lights flashing, that kind of thing. Wouldn’t want you to get scared

out there in the garden.”

“Whatever are you talking about, Jake? Nothing like that ever

happens out there,” Alex added, feigning stupidity.

Exasperated, Dot grabbed Alex’s hand and began to pull her

toward the house. “Let’s go. This is getting ridiculous.”

14

Once inside the kitchen, Dot could sense the humming of energy

that was flowing into the kitchen even stronger than ever. Oh, at

last, it will be finally over. There it sat, right in front of her, the door

to end all the problems that have existed for so long. Walking to the

door that would lead her to the prize that awaited her, she placed her

hand on the glass and felt the warmth—not coldness but warmth.

“Alex, let’s go. I can’t wait any longer.” Not waiting for Alex to

respond, Dot opened the door and was met with a bright blinding

light as she stepped out of the house. What was happening? Dot

walked toward the garden without waiting for Alex. She seemed to

be in a trance as she moved toward the center of the garden. Was it

her father that had control of her, or was there some greater force that

was moving her?

Alex headed to the door, but Jake grabbed her hand and beckoned

with his eyes for her to wait. Then the show began. Multicolored

lights began flashing, and the energy that was activated was so strong

that it was rumbling and vibrating the house. Thank goodness, the

kids weren’t there. Jake had driven them to his ranch, where Sally and

Jack would keep an eye on them.

Closing the curtain back, Steven looked over at the woman

lying in the bed after a romp of lovemaking and decided it was time

he made his move now.

“Get up! We’re going to Alex and Jake’s. It seems that bitch

Dorothy has taken matters into her own hands and has left following

Alex and didn’t even bother to tell us.” Damn, that woman knew

how to piss him off.

“What do you mean ‘she left’?”

“That’s what I just said, didn’t I? Now get dressed, and let’s go

in your car. I don’t have any other way to get there.”

“I don’t know about this. I have a bad feeling about all this.

That woman is evil, and personally, she scares the hell out of me.

Why don’t we just let it go and leave?”

“Because I need that money. If you don’t want to go, then give

me your keys, and I’ll go by myself.”

“Like hell you will. That’s my car.” Sitting up in bed, Lena

reached over and grabbed her clothes on the floor and started to

get dressed.

Pacing the floor like a panther preparing for an attack, Steven’s

anger began to boil even more as he thought back on the conversation

he had with Dot. She was always saying that there was more to

this than he would understand, and now he believed that something

was really wrong. No one was supposed to get hurt, and now he

sensed that they would. But how can he stop this? He needed that

money, but at the same time…

“What’s taking you so long? We need to hurry!” Steven yelled

across the room. “I’m ready. Man, you need to calm down. I haven’t

seen you get this way over Dot and the shit she does. Are you thinking

she might be doing more here than just trying to get money? If

so, I could have told you that.”

Lena said as she grabbed her keys, “Well, let’s move it since

you’re in such a hurry, bud.”

In the car, Steven was thinking hard about the little bits of conversation

he had with Dot. She always seemed to think he wouldn’t

understand what was going on. He might not have a high education,

but he wasn’t stupid either.

Now that he thought about it, she seemed to be dabbling with

her witchcraft. He had seen the blood-red candles in her car along

with a few things he could not even begin to describe. Maybe she was

putting one of those spells or whatever you called it on Alex. Damn!

Why didn’t he pay more attention to the crap she was doing. But it

was hard, it was like sometimes she would stare into his eyes, and

he would forget what he was thinking especially when he wanted to

contradict her about the plans. Maybe she does have some kind of

powers.

Becoming more impatient, he turned his frustration on Lena.

“Can’t this damn thing go any faster?”

“No!” she yelled back at him.

Throwing his head back against the headrest in frustration,

Steven released a growl and closed his eyes to think some more. They

needed to form a plan, but what?

Turning his head toward Lena, he asked, “You have any idea

what we should be planning? I don’t think it would be smart to just

walk into the lion’s den without some kind of plan.”

“You know more what’s going on here than I do. So you tell me.

I’m just a tagalong.”

As the car came around the curve just before Alex’s house,

Steven could not believe what he saw. Lightning and loud thunder

were clashing as though a war were transpiring in the heavens.

What is going on?

It seemed to be a mix of dark gray and black clouds swirling

around mixed with white, slightly blue, and golden clouds. Lightning

would strike, and it was so close he could feel the vibration of the

crack of the ensuing thunderclap. Some of the clouds took on the

form of angels, and others were in the form of human faces.

They continued toward the house, but Lena slowed down some

as she watched with fascination and fear. This was way over her head,

and she didn’t like where she was headed. She decided that the best

thing for her to do was drop Steven off and leave, get as far away as

she could from these mad people before she got killed. But then, her

kids were right in the middle of this. For once, her selfishness was not

a priority. Even though they had never been close, she still did not

wish harm to come to her children.

While Sally was out in her garden, Ramona had gotten Blake

and Kimberly together in the beat-up pickup out back. She knew

that with hers, Blake’s and Kimberly’s powers, together they could

help Alex and her dad. But for now, she had to give Blake a quick

lesson on what she had read in the library at home.

“Now, Blake, for once, I don’t want you to argue with me. I

have been reading and learning more about our powers and how to

strengthen ourselves, mainly so we could help Mom and Dad. Are

you willing to work with me? And let me know now before Sally

knows we’re gone.” Eyes wide with the thrill of an adventure, all

Blake could do was nod.

“No! You are not getting it. I’m serious here,” she emphasized

as she looked her brother in the eyes, trying to make him understand

this was not fun but life and death here.

“You could die, I could die, and Mom and Dad could die.”

The smile faded, and sadness was replaced in his eyes. “Yeah,

I’ll do whatever it takes. But how is Kimberly going to help? She’s

just a baby.”

“She can move more than just pages. She can close doors and

make furniture slide across a room. Cool, don’t you think?” she

said, smiling because of her secret she had kept about working with

Kimberly to make her stronger with her telekinesis. “Now it’s time

to discuss what we will do when we get there, and it’s very important

that we hold hands or keep some type of body contact the entire

time, or one of the Dark Ones could break through our barrier and

enter us. And then only God knows what will happen to us.” She

drew in a deep breath at what she knew could happen, not even

wanting to imagine living in such hell.

As the kids drove off, Sally smiled to herself and called Jack

to let him know that the kids were off and for him to get to Alex’s

quick. Jack had suggested that the book be placed where Rommy

would find it, and that she did. Smart kid that she was, she went

right to work on finding a solution to protecting themselves and the

others. Turning around to head into the house to tend to the baby,

she said prayers to the heavens and all to protect this family from the

dangers ahead.

When the storm erupted, it knocked Alex on her butt. Jake ran

to her and helped her stand and shut the door.

“It’s not time yet. Let them see if they can cleanse her and take

her home first to heal.” Jake cradled her head against his chest while

the storm got stronger. Then, out of nowhere, a black, swirling smoke

began to rise from the floor; and as it rose and whipped around

with winds strong enough to knock the two down, they watched

as he appeared for the first time in Alex’s life—her grandfather, the

Dark One.

Sweeping his cape around, he set a gold-and-red ruby jewelled

box on the ground, looking at the two with contempt. Raising his

arms first above his head then bringing them down in front of his

face, he became younger and handsome, his whole body transformed

to warrior form. Moving toward the couple who were still embraced,

he stopped and smiled a smile of pure evil.

“Hello, Granddaughter. I see you are against me in what should

have been mine all along. I should have been the Guardian, and now

I shall be. It does not matter what you and your friends and family

do. No one can stop me now.”

Looking out into the garden, he studied the storm that was

now howling with winds the strength of a hurricane and holding

Dorothy in midair. Ha! She always was weak, and now she will be

cleansed. Well, he got to where he wanted, so the hell with her, for

he never intended to let her live. Returning to retrieve his box as his

cape swirled around his legs, he bent down to caress the box he had

set on the floor.

Looking up at Alex, he smiled; and just before he opened the

box, he told her, “These are my toy soldiers I have collected over the

years, and now they will fight my battle and win. There are men in

here that are from the strongest armies over the years, some with

powers, others only human, but I have trained them well.”

Opening the box, he laughed out loud and shouted to the heavens,

“Let the battle begin!” Misty smoke of all colors—red, green,

blue, violet, orange, purple, gray, black, and white—began rising

from the box. There was a tremendous wind and vibration that

shook the house. The windows shattered, and glass flew everywhere.

The soldiers began to form and marched out to the garden. All were

dressed in their time, magnificently so. No fear showed. No emotion

whatsoever was on their faces as they left to fight her loved ones.

Alex knew it was time for her to pull it together. She was now

over the shock of meeting her grandfather for the first time. It was

time. Raising her arms above her head, she began the chant that

would forever change her. She spoke the words in Latin that were

forever ingrained in her; she felt her soul begin to separate and had

to control her mind to stay as one.

Jake began his ritual now that Alex had decided to open to all

her powers. A white mist formed around both of them and began to

swirl up and over their bodies, transforming them into the warriors

they were always meant to be. Alex’s clothing changed to a whiteand-

gold silk robe with braided gold chains across her breast, and

flowing scarves encircled her legs. As she brought her hands down,

she held within her grasp the power of the Sword of Life to fight

her grandfather with and the demons he had created. She looked as

though she had just stepped out of a movie from Sinbad.

Flexing her wrist, she tested the feel of the sword, swinging it in

circles around her head and back toward the ground. She turned to

look for Jake, and there he was, standing in all his glory, watching her

hair flare out from around her face. He could not believe the beauty

she was in warrior form. It took his breath away to see her, and right

now, he needed to keep control of his desire for her. But the love

showed in his eyes to the very depths of his soul.

Checking to see that his weapons were in place, he did not see

the flare of emotions cross Alex’s face. She drank in the sight of him

dressed as an Indian warrior from the past with moccasin boots that

hugged masculine calves. Her eyes roamed further up to a leather

flap that barely covered the treasure he owned. Tattoos that were not

there before appeared on his biceps and were of an eagle and pyramid

with an eye in the center if it. His hair was falling wildly around his

face.

Raising her left eyebrow with appreciation in her eyes, she

thought, Now that’s a man!

Jake reached his hand out to take hers and asked, “Ready for

this, love?” Searching her face for acknowledgment, he continued,

“I’ll be by your side through it all.”

“I know you will.” Then she focused all her attention on the

warriors still spilling out of the box her grandfather had opened.

During their transformation, more than a hundred soldiers from

over the centuries had gone into the garden. She raised her sword and

sliced through the next soldier rising from the box and watched him

turn to a pile of colorful dust on her kitchen floor. Overcoming her

shock, she raised her sword for the next soldier stepping out of the

box. Removing the deer-horn-handled knives from his moccasins,

Jake began his attack on the soldiers already in the garden, never

letting Alex out of his sight. He was proud she held her own so well.

Rommy parked the truck at the side of the house. With sweaty

palms, she opened her door and turned back to pick up Kimberly,

bracing the child on her hip. Blake got out and stood with his face

raised toward the sky, watching with amazement the battle going

on above his home. Never in his life did he believe that such power

existed.

Blake walked over to where his sister stood, placed his hand on

her shoulder, and softly said, “I hope we are strong enough to help

our parents in this.” Walking beside each other with the baby in tow,

they reached the steps to find glass shattered and covering the front

porch. Both inhaled deeply before they proceeded up the stairs and

into the house with the anticipation of what they would find inside.

When they opened the door, swords clashing could be heard

over the wind, which was swirling around twisting the curtains

violently. Entering further into the living room and following the

sounds of battle transpiring within the kitchen, they both froze in

place and watched with awe and fear as they saw their new mother

battling with giant warriors as each appeared out of a chest on the

floor. Kimberly began to squirm her way down out of Rommy’s arms

and so politely walked over to the chest and closed the lid with her

chubby little hand.

Alex stopped in midair and laughed out loud. “Now why didn’t

I think of that?” Laughing with tears glistening in her eyes, she

sheathed her sword, grabbed up her child, and held her close as Blake

and Rommy ran and embraced her.

With her head against Alex’s chest, Rommy asked, “What is

going on here besides a war?”

Separating herself from the two older kids, Alex explained, “It

seems my grandfather has come to try and enter the Portal and take

control. He is a crazed man, and it saddens me that someone could

be so obsessed with power. But he is purely dark, and there is no

return for him, just the abyss.”

Looking at the kids, a plan began to form in her mind that

might just help finish this battle once and for all, then she asked,

“How did you get here, and why are you here? You’re supposed to be

with Sally.”

“Well, we borrowed the truck, and I drove here.” Rommy lowered

her eyes to the floor then looked up with bright eyes and continued

with enthusiasm, “Since we already knew what was to sort of

happen here, we were worried and decided to come and see if with

our strengths, us three together, could help.”

She rushed on in her explanation. “I’m stronger, and Blake

can see more of what will happen and could help prevent it, and

Kimberly can move things with her mind, and therefore, I thought

that with our help, you know…”

Placing her free hand on her new daughter’s shoulder, Alex

smiled gently down at the child and whispered, “Then what are we

standing here for while your father is kicking butt all by himself and

claiming all the glory?” She stopped and looked in the direction of

her husband to find him in the midst of battle. Reassured that he was

fine, she turned back to the kids to tell them, “I have a plan.”

After placing Kimberly on the floor, she began to position the

children in a circle, having them hold each other’s hand.

“Now listen to me, good kids. It’s very important that you don’t

break the circle. I want you to walk together and follow me outside.

Once I have surrounded you with the holy white light, you will each

begin your personal chants that you have learned and use your powers

in any way to help us.

“Do you think you can do that for Mommy, Kimberly? I know

it’s a lot to ask for someone so young.”

“What do you want me to do, Mommy?” The child asked with

such faith in her mother.

“I want you to stop whatever you can from harming your new

father and myself and anything that might break your circle with

your brother and sister. Okay?”

Nodding, she gripped her new brother’s and sister’s hands more

firmly. “Do you guys have any questions?” Alex waited for their confirmation—

nervous nods and weak smiles—then she unsheathed her

sword, began walking around the children, and chanted the words of

protection. “May the holy light protect and guide that which is evil

away from this circle of strength and love. Surround these children

with your holy strength and power.”

Satisfied with the glowing bright light and the children each

chanting their special phrases they had been taught, she gave them

one more piece of direction. “You might need your eyes open for this

job.” When all three looked up at her, she winked and walked into

battle to stand beside her husband.

Lena parked the car right in front of the house. Fear etched on

her face, she sat frozen in place as she looked at the house her children

and Jake lived in.

What the hell is going on? Steven started to get out, looked back

at Lena, and saw the fear on her face.

“What the hell is stopping you? Fear? Your kids are in there and

need your help.”

She slowly turned her head toward Steven and asked, “What the

hell have you and that woman gotten my kids into?”

“Not me, her. I don’t even know what we are walking into.”

Leaning back into the seat, he reached over to hold her hand to

reassure her. “Look, I’m scared shitless and have no idea what we are

going to find in there, but I do know that my kids and ex-wife are in

there and need my help. I’ve been a bastard to her, and the least I can

do is try to help and stop what that monster of a mother has done to

her. That woman is pure evil. Something in her eyes really spooked

me the last time I talked with her. She looked pure evil as though she

had no soul. I don’t know, I really can’t explain it, but I know I didn’t

like what I saw and heard.”

Squeezing her hand one more time before he removed his own,

he asked, “Are you with me in this or what?”

With a nod, she got out of her car the same time Steven did,

and together, they walked across the shattered glass on the front

porch and entered the house. Wow, wow, and wow! was all the two

of them could each think about the destruction that was in front

of them—broken glass, tables toppled over, furniture moved out of

place, and wind blowing the curtains up in the air.

Yells of pain and the sound of metal hitting metal could be

heard coming from the back of the house. Steven looked at Lena and

motioned for her to follow him. As he walked in the direction of the

kitchen, he took a sword down from the wall in the hallway.

“Do you know how to use that thing?” Lena whispered as she

leaned closer to Steven. Then she started looking for something she

could use for protection also. She spotted a dagger in a casing on the

floor that had been knocked down off a table now lying in the floor.

She began to stomp on the glass case, but it wouldn’t give, so she

reached for the sword that Steven held in his hands and bashed the

case with the handle. The glass shattered, and she took the dagger

out, all the while admiring the jewels embedded on the handle.

“Are you crazy? You could have damaged the sword!” Steven

yelled as he jerked the sword away from her.

Lena paid no attention to what he was saying to her. She could

literally feel the heat and humming of the dagger in her hands. What

power did this thing have? No wonder it was sealed. She looked up

at Steven and then at the sword he was carrying, but he didn’t seem

to be acting as if the sword had any kind of power.

Looking at her hands, Lena felt the warmth flowing all through

her body. She felt herself changing—a good kind of feeling with

strength and a resolve she had never felt before.

Where the hell did that come from? she thought. Never before

had she felt—what was it she was looking for—confidence! Steven

noticed she was staring at her hands and seemed to change right

before his eyes, yet she looked the same. Looking at the dagger, he

thought maybe it had some kind of power and decided to switch his

sword for her dagger.

“Here, you take the sword and give me the dagger. It will give

me freedom for my other hand to fight,” he said over the wind as he

took the dagger from her. Lena took the sword but felt nothing and

wanted the dagger back.

Then she heard Steven yell in pain and watched in amazement

as he dropped the dagger from his hand. She saw him grab

his hand, and she noticed that it had been burned. Angered that she

had touched the dagger first, he said, “It must be evil. That’s why it

was encased.”

“No,” Lena replied. “It hums when I hold it in my hands.” Lena

picked it up with awe.

“Who gives a shit, let’s go!” Steven left her standing there and

headed for the kitchen.

Lena was on Steven’s heels and ran right into his back as he

came to an abrupt stop at the kitchen door. Peering around him,

she gasped at the scene before her. There seemed to be hundreds of

soldiers fighting what looked to be Angels of War, just like the ones

she had seen in books she had read. And right in the middle of it all

were her children, in a circle, chanting as though nothing was going

on around them.

Alex and Jake were standing back to back, fighting off the

warriors as they ran toward their own doom. As Lena stood there

watching, Jake turned to Alex, kissed her, said something that Lena

couldn’t quite hear, and then returned to wielding his sword, warding

off the men who were dressed in clothing from different centuries.

Then out of nowhere, Steven let out a yell and ran into the

skirmish with his sword above his head, striking the warriors with

a vengeance. He felt pleased to be releasing the anger he had held

within for so long.

Turning in the direction of the children, Lena figured that she

would be more help to them than anyone; she was not exactly a

fighter. Taking a step in that direction, she was suddenly blocked by

a giant of a man with a grizzly beard that reminded her of a Viking.

Actually, he was, now that she had taken a good look at him. A tingling

sensation started in her hand where she held the dagger.

Slowly, her hand began to rise on its own accord, as if to challenge

the giant. With eyes wide and staring at her hand, Lena realized

that she actually knew how to handle the dagger, as though she and

it had become one, a team, to fight off the demon that stood before

her. With each slash of his sword, she found she was able to reflect

each deadly blow with strength beyond her imagination. She could

see out of the corner of her eye that the children were being threatened

by other forces that were surrounding them, and she realized

that she needed to finish this brute of a man off and go to them.

Maneuvering herself into another position to better keep an

eye on the children, she lowered the dagger to swipe upward toward

his heart. Hitting her mark, she was met with an electric shock that

flowed through her arms and all the way down to her feet. Watching

with reverence as the warrior disintegrated into a million particles of

colorful dust, she did not know whether to be revolted by the death

that had just occurred or the fact she had it in her to kill someone.

Lena ran to the circle that the children had formed and began to

oscillate the dagger from one demon warrior to the next. She felt

someone take up position at her back but only glanced at the person

to see who was helping her—Jake. He too knew the children needed

their help.

With sweat running down her face, she continued to battle with

fierce determination.

Jake couldn’t believe what he was witnessing, such a conversion

in Lena as though she no longer cared for her needs only but the

children’s welfare also. Then he saw the dagger—the Dagger of the

Soul—the very dagger that chooses only one person to wield its powers,

and for as long as that person lived, it would protect and defend

them. But why would the dagger choose her?

Why?

Who gives a damn, man! She is here to help.

A black mist was coming toward them, and he knew it was

none other than the culprit who had caused this chaos to begin with.

But Jake was entangled with too many warriors where he was to stop

fighting and get to Alex’s side. And he knew that Alex was in trouble.

As Alex’s grandfather took human form, he move steadily across the

demolished garden toward her. Raising one hand to take control of

the sword she held and to move her in his direction, he lowered his

other hand, raising her from the ground and levitating her toward

him.

Everyone and everything that was fighting instantly came to a

halt, mesmerized by what was about to take place. He now had the

Guardian to the Portal in his control. The demon warriors began

to move to his side, leaving the fighting that had been taking place.

The children stopped chanting. The Angels of War halted to await

orders on what to do next. Everyone seemed frozen, but not Jake and

Steven. Both centered in on Alex. Coming from two different directions,

they both were trying to get between Alex and her grandfather.

The old buzzard only had two hands, and both were preoccupied

with controlling Alex.

Looking at each other and acknowledging each other’s thoughts,

they began to run full speed toward Alex to intercept the trance she

was under. Then the Angels of War, having received new orders,

swept down upon the Dark One, stopping only a few feet from him

in midair and awaited the right moment to strike. Then everything

exploded at once.

“Now!” Jake yelled at Steven. As each jumped in front of Alex,

a deluge of arrows filled with poisonous minerals flew from the fingertips

of the Dark One. Her own grandfather wished to kill her!

But instead reaching their intended target, Jake had managed to

deflect each lethal arrow that went in her direction with his sword,

but Steven had been hit by two of the first to fly in his direction, as

he was unaware of what to do.

Shrieking with rage, Alex’s grandfather brought his hands down

and around up above his head, and with all his energy, he threw a

fireball in Jake’s direction. But instead of Jake absorbing the impact,

Steven had twisted around and purposely fell in Jake’s direction,

catching the full force of the fireball with his body. He felt the intense

heat from the fireball as it seared throughout every cell of his body.

Knowing he was dying, he looked up at Jake and choked out between

clenched teeth, “Take care of Alex. You’re the one she loves. I never

had her look at me the way she looks at you.” He fell limp in Jake’s

arms with his eyes open, staring at nothingness. Slowly, Jake placed

his hand over Steven’s eyes and closed them.

In that stunned moment, the Angels of War swooped down

upon the Dark One, dropping ropes of gold the size of a stout man’s

arms that snaked through and around Alex’s grandfather’s body, putting

a halt to all the magic he could create. He writhed in anger,

screaming and cursing those around him, but to no avail. His powers

were being returned to the Creator. The golden ropes belonged to

none other than the Father himself.

As the ropes entwined and tightened around his form, shocks

of pure, white light burst through, shooting out like rays of the sun.

The sound of sizzling skin was the only thing heard in the utter

silence. With amazed eyes transfixed on the scene, they watched as

the golden ropes began to rise upward into the sky that was now clear

of darkness and filled with a blue sky.

The Dark One was returned to his Creator, once and for all, to

never return in soul form again. As the light absorbed him, peacefulness

settled in all who were left below. The Angels of War flew into

action, capturing the warriors of times past to return them to the

Other Side for healing, at least those who were not of the darkness.

Many would return home, and the others would be returned to the

Creator.

Alex ran to where Jake was standing there where her ex lay

dead from taking a blow that would surely have killed Jake instead.

Stepping into his embrace, she felt a calmness come over her, one

she would have for the rest of her earthly life. Releasing herself from

the security of Jake’s arms, she leaned down to caress the brow of

Steven, the father of her children. How he looked so peaceful now—

no frown, no anger there to be seen. Now he can go home, find rest,

and cleanse himself.

Reaching down for her, Jake pulled her up and into his arms.

Kissing her forehead, he whispered, “He has peace now.” He nodded

toward the light. “He returns home now.”

“Though I know that, it is always still hard to let go.”

Scanning the area, she looked up in surprise at Jake.

“Where is Dorothy?”

She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to face her father,

Joseph, “She is cleansing. It will take a while, but she will be fine.

Hers will take a few human months, but she will return to us a new

soul. All the evil she has accumulated will be erased.”

As the tears ran down her cheeks, those of joy, she reached her

hand out to her father. “I’m so glad. Is it over now? The warriors are

returned to the Other Side?”

“This is over, but on the other side of the earth, there is more

trouble brewing, and it seems your new helper is to be the next one

to help the Other Side. She does not know this yet, but she will soon.

The Dagger has chosen.”

He bowed his head, then Joseph released Alex’s hand and walked

away, leaving them to think about what he had just said. Looking

at Jake, she raised her shoulders and shook her head in confusion.

“Who?”

“Lena.”

“No. No way,” she said, stunned, not believing him.

“Yes.” Jake smiled back at her. “When I saw her fighting with

me to protect the kids, I couldn’t believe it at first either. But, yes, the

Dagger of the Soul has chosen.”

The children came running up to Alex and Jake, each trying

to get a hug, and they tried to embrace all the children as best they

could. Everyone was talking at the same time, and nothing could

be understood.

Finally, Jake got everyone to quiet down to listen to him.

“Let’s go inside and talk. Maybe we can find a seat in the destruction

somewhere.”

“Good idea,” Alex said.

Rommy looked at Lena and asked, “Are you coming with us?”

Trying to overcome the shock of what had just happened, she

smiled at her daughter and said, “You bet I am.”

Then she walked over to her daughter and placed an arm

around her shoulders. Rommy did not push her away this time, and

they walked together toward the house.

15

Once inside the house, everyone was stunned at how much damage

had been done. The large window that faced the garden was blown

out, the chairs and table were demolished, and broken glass was

everywhere. Everyone jumped in together and began cleaning, trying

to make some semblance of order so that they might find something

to eat and drink. After such a battle, which none had ever participated

in before, they were all quite hungry. Once they were seated

and full of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with milk and lemonade,

they discussed some of what had taken place.

“You guys were wonderful out there, holding the circle together

like that. Not many could have done that. That took strength and

courage, you know.” Jake praised the kids as he got up and moved to

the counter, looking back to ask, “You ladies want any coffee?”

“Now that sounds good. I believe I need something hot to drink

and to help me sleep,” Lena said as she winked at the kids.

“You know that isn’t true, or we would get to drink it,” Blake

said laughingly.

“Well, it’s just you who it makes bounce off the walls, not me.

That’s for sure. And I don’t load it down with sugar like you either.

I like the cream,” Rommy announced with a sophisticated tone of

voice.

Alex laughed at the antics about the coffee. “Well, I believe now

is a good time to go to bed. I’d say you guys have had a very long and

adventurous day, wouldn’t you?”

“Aawww! Do we gotta?” Blake grumbled.

“Yes, young man. We have a lot of work ahead of us tomorrow

and the days that will follow. Not just the mess in the house but the

garden too. So, why don’t you and Rommy head upstairs with me?

I’ll check things out, and you both can get a shower. Then get a good

night’s rest.” Without waiting for an answer, Jake headed out of the

kitchen for the stairs.

Rommy and Blake both stood and took their dishes to the sink

then returned to the table and gave Alex a hug. Then with a little

hesitation, both hugged their mother with a fierce embrace and ran

out of the room.

Dumbfounded by what had just happened, Lena teared up and

then began to cry hard as she buried her head in her hands. Alex sat

there watching the change in the woman who had earlier come to her

home and been so arrogant and angry. Had the Dagger of the Soul

actually changed her?

Getting up, Alex walked over to Lena, embracing and trying to

comfort her. It was easier than she thought. It actually felt right to

accept this woman into her home now. Alex could feel the change in

Lena. The negativity was gone.

“I’m so sorry for being such a bitch in the beginning. I don’t

know what has been wrong with me for so long, but I believe this

dagger has something to do with me feeling so…”

Wailing out again, Lena hugged Alex fiercely and began again.

“Enlightened, if that is even the right word to use.”

Taking a deep breath, Alex stood and returned to her seat.

“Maybe you should be thanking the Dagger of the Soul for choosing

you. Now that you have faced the past and the present and accepted

the responsibility to change now, next is dealing with the future. It is

with you for life, and—”

Lena looked up at Alex questioningly. “What?”

“It’s alive. It lives through you now and will be with you until

your last day. The power with which you have been given is special,

and those who learn you have it will want to kill you or control you.

I just hope you have it in you to choose the side of good. The Dagger

will teach you goodness, but the lure of greed can be much stronger.

The temptation to do evil will be…powerful.”

“I see. I have been given a second chance.”

Pulling the Dagger of the Soul out of its sheath, Lena felt it

begin to hum in her hands. “You know it hums and fills me with

energy, a positive energy—something I have never had in my life.”

She looked up at Alex with eyes full of questions, looking for answers.

“But why me?”

“That is a question you will have to ask the Dagger. Only it can

answer,” Jake answered as he entered the kitchen.

“It sings to me, I think. Yeah, it does. It’s warm and vibrates with

its humming. It seems to control my moods.” Looking up in confusion,

Lena held the dagger in front of her, turning it from one angle

to another. “I wonder what it is called, or do I just call it Dagger?”

Suddenly, the Dagger of the Soul began to glow in her hands,

and everyone there could hear it sing out a name, “Chiia.”

“Oh my. Did you hear that?”

Everyone nodded as Jake sat at the table with the women who

were all hypnotized by the glowing light surrounding it. The Dagger

had a way of calming the people around it and bringing peacefulness.

Lena slowly lowered the Dagger and placed it in its sheath, now

feeling a connection with these two people before her. The Dagger

had brought them closer and, at the same time, removed all animosities

that were there before. Interrupting her thoughts, she heard

Jake talking.

“We should get some sleep, ladies—well, at least wash up. You

gals really look…aahhh…dirty. No delicate way to say it. Sorry,” he

said with a teasing smile.

Looking rather shy at Alex, Lena asked, “Um, where do I sleep?”

“Why don’t you go and take a shower in the bathroom in

Rommy’s room and sleep with her? I’m sure she wouldn’t mind. She

has a queen-size bed, so I’m sure you two skinnies can fit.”

Surprised at first, she looked at Alex, trying to determine if she

was testing her or what. But not seeing any hint of sarcasm but only

kindness, Lena smiled. “That is a great idea. I’ll head on upstairs…

to clean up,” the last said with sarcasm at Jake and a cheeky smile to

boot.

“The towels are in the closet in the hallway as you round the

corner toward Rommy’s room. Make sure you rest up good. I’m calling

some guys over from the ranch in the morning to come over and

start repairs and clean up. We need every helping hand,” said Jake.

Lena looked at Jake and replied, “It will be a pleasure to help

clean up. Just have some strong coffee.” With that, she headed for

the stairs. Left alone at last, the two quickly embraced, sharing a

very passionate kiss. Feeling breathless, Alex pushed Jake back and

became a little nervous in her actions. “What’s the matter, hon?” He

reluctantly released her.

“It’s just overwhelming. Just sort of hitting me now, I guess. I

feel a little disturbed, and I don’t know…”

“Well, I think you have held up rather well, and you looked

damned sexy out there in that outfit.” He reappraised her as she sat

covered with dirt and still wearing the sexy gold-and-white outfit

made for a warrior.

“I completely forgot I was still wearing this thing. But look

at you, there in your cloth that barely conceals your family jewels.”

Laughing at their antics, Alex returned to his arms.

“Let’s go clean up and rest. We have a lot to be done here, and

I know Joseph wants to talk with us. Remember he said that Lena

now had a job to do now that the Dagger of Souls had chosen her. It’s

going to be interesting to hear the explanation, and I want to be very

alert. Most definitely strong coffee in the morning.”

Looking down at the kitchen floor, Alex saw the chest that her

grandfather had brought that had carried the trapped souls of the

warriors. Were there any souls left in there? Rather than chance it

now, she decided to wait and return it when she and Jake went to the

Other Side later. Noticing what she was looking at and understanding

her thoughts, he just nodded and guided her toward the stairs

and their room. The chest could be dealt with later.

After Lena finished her shower, she awkwardly approached the

bed that her daughter lay sleeping in. Look at that face—a serenely,

peaceful sleep. If only she herself could have that. Gently pulling the

covers back so as not to disturb her daughter, Lena crawled into bed.

She felt Rommy shift slightly, then she moved closer so as to cradle

her daughter closer to her. Inhaling the scent of the shampoo she

had used, Lena began to stroke her daughter’s hair, moving it away

from her face. Gently placing a kiss on the top of Rommy’s head, she

started to hum a lullaby she hadn’t sung since leaving her children.

As she drifted off to sleep, Lena began to dream the oddest things—

about people she had never seen and places too. And yet, these people

were familiar to her. Somewhere from the past.

There was a Chinese man who kept beckoning her to follow

him into this cave. He was tall and of slim build. He would stop,

look back at her, smile an encouraging smile, and turn to head off in

another direction. It was discerning the way he would leave her and

then come back again, almost like he was trying to tell her something

with his actions. Then there was this cave with walls covered in glowing

jade. It was so bright from the glow of the jade no matches or

other light was needed. Reaching out to touch the walls of green jade,

Lena felt the dagger as it began to vibrate on her hip.

Pulling it out, she heard the word home. For the first time ever,

she saw the jewels on the handle begin to glow fiercely, like waves

of fire.

“You have come home at last. Many past lives we have shared

in this land. This time, you chose a different one, but I promised to

find you if you could not find your way home.”

Startled, Lena turned to look at the man. He had raised his hand

as though to touch her and halted in midair. “Ahh…I see you do not

remember. In time, you will. You will remember this…” He pulled

her swiftly into an embrace and softly touched his lips to hers. The

passion that ignited through her was astonishing and comforting.

Home! Wasn’t that what her Dagger had said. Then she fell into

a deep sleep, a very deep sleep.

Rommy had only awakened slightly when she felt her mother

get in bed with her, but when her mother began to hum the lullaby,

she opened her eyes. She thought about it for a moment and then

relaxed, accepting the comfort of her mother who had left her but

now returned, hopefully to make peace with herself and her children.

She did not hate her mother; she was only emotionally hurt, but the

wounds could heal.

Luckily for Blake, he was too young to remember their mother

when she walked out of their lives. But she did leave, yet Rommy,

being young of heart, had no bitterness to carry and was willing to

put the past behind her. She was open to starting a new relationship

with her mother.

Today, she had seen a side of Lena that she did not ever expect

to see. She exhibited a strength that was never before displayed. She

felt her mother tense in her sleep and then sigh, as though relaxing.

Her mother was home, and she would welcome her. Closing her

eyes, Rommy placed her hand over her mother’s as she drifted off to

sleep once again, later to awaken to sunshine illuminating the room

with the songs of birds singing to a new day. And a new life.

16

The next morning was as busy as a beehive. Sally was cooking flapjacks

with Jack irritating her at every turn, thinking he could cook

faster and better than her. Really, he just wanted to be doing something.

Old age was not settling well with him. He was accustomed to

doing everything, and now he was slowed down by arthritis.

With most of the men from the ranch there running around

cleaning and replacing doors and windows, Jack really wanted to be

a part of it, but he knew he would be more in the way than a help.

“Why don’t you go and see if the men need you to help unload

or something? You’re just getting in the way of my cooking. You know,

you’d rather be out there with them,” Sally said matter-of-factly.

“No. I would just get in the way. Can’t move as fast since this

arthritis has gotten in my hip.”

“Oh! Pishposh! I don’t believe that. You just got it in that mind

of yours that you’re gettin’ old, and you know it’s not all that true.

They’d love to have you help them. You know as much as they do and

more. So go out there and leave me be. Not that I don’t want your

company, but well, I can see it in your eyes and the way you’ve been

acting all morning it’s out there you want to be.”

“Umm.”

“Go!” Sally ordered.

He stood, walked out to the garden, and sure enough, the men

all started teasing him and telling him it was about time he got out of

the kitchen and left the cooking to the women, all in good-natured

joking and teasing, as men do. But it was exactly what he needed—to

feel wanted and helpful. Sally was right; it was just him. Now that

his brother was gone, he had a lot of time to himself and found he

felt depressed quite often. Just then, Blake and his father came up

to him.

“Was wondering when she would run you out of the kitchen.

Are the flapjacks about ready? I have worked up an appetite from

all the work we’ve been doing this morn.” Jake slapped Jack on the

shoulder with affection.

“Yeah, me too. And she brought some maple syrup to go with

’em.” Rubbing his stomach with his hand in a circle, Blake looked

in the direction of the kitchen window that they had fixed earlier

that morning.

Alex had retrieved the chest with the warrior souls in it earlier

that morning. She left it by the crystals to protect it from anyone

getting near it. She planned to return it to the Other Side for the

warriors to be cleansed. She was really surprised at the amount of

work that had been accomplished throughout the day. Just one more

day, and the house repairs would be complete.

The men had really jumped in and worked hard without the

slightest hesitation, sweatin’ and cursin’ when things didn’t go exactly

the way it should, but then Uncle Jack would come along and give

advice. Funny how these men never argued with him, just did exactly

what he said needed to be done. Alex knew that her uncle really

missed his brother and felt lost at times. Maybe keeping busy was

just what the doctor ordered. The man had a way with people, and

everyone seemed to respect his opinion on things.

What was really surprising was the fact that Lena had jumped

in and helped without any complaints. It was wonderful how she

and Rommy worked side by side with each other. She noticed that

Rommy had a glow about her, laughing at what Lena was saying

and watching her mother with awe and wonder. Alex felt just a little

tickle of jealousy pop up, but she pushed that aside very quickly. She

knew it was wonderful that Lena was back in her kids’ lives. All kids

need their mother. She just hoped that these two knew that they were

lucky enough to have acquired two mothers who loved them dearly.

Sitting at the kitchen table watching the Arizona sun set and

drinking some of Sally’s famous lemonade, Alex put the day into perspective,

analyzing the changes that had occurred in everyone from

the negative to the positive to the closeness that even she and Lena

had begun.

Lena even asked Alex about the things she had learned and

if she was scared of her responsibilities. Then she confided in Alex

about her dream the previous night, telling her how natural it felt to

be with this man when he kissed her. “He had kissed me many times

this way before,” Lena had told her earlier.

Alex planned to ask what was going on with Lena and her

dreaming of being in China when she went to the Other Side later.

She remembered these types of dreams that were more than dreams;

she had had too many of them herself.

Well, well, well, and here he comes. Jake could make her body

sing even without touching her, and she melted when he did. Even

after a long day of work, all sweaty and dirty, probably not smelling

too good either, he was one hell of a handsome man. He was

walking toward the kitchen with two other men, and he outshined

them both. Or maybe she was just prejudiced. Tall and lean, with his

hair down past his shoulders, his shirt was unbuttoned down to the

middle of his chest, and those tight jeans he wore, they should make

it a sin for a man to look so good. She started laughing at the direction

her thoughts were going. This was the way men thought about

women. Women weren’t supposed to think about them this way.

She barked out a laugh as he opened the door. Lost in her

thoughts, she didn’t see the expression on his face. He didn’t make

any comment yet. Oh, but he would.

Letting the guys with him come in, he offered them something

to drink, but they declined, saying they were going to head to the

ranch and be back tomorrow. After saying their goodbyes to Alex and

Jake, they headed out. Not wasting any time, he turned to Alex with

his hands on his hips and bore down on her. “And what, may I ask,

was that bark of a laugh about?”

“I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about,” she said with

as much of a cheeky grin she could give him.

Eyes narrowing in on her, Jake pulled out a chair, turning it

around so he could straddle it, and faced Alex to get the gist of what

was going through her mind. She could be a very complicated woman

when she set her mind to it.

“You know, we could take a walk through the garden, if you like.”

“And what, let you read my thoughts? Oh no! I don’t think that

will be necessary. I might be just as easily convinced to tell you for,

let’s say, a…kiss. But only if you can handle it. I know you’ve had a

very long day and are probably too tired for much more work. And

I just—”

Before she could finish her sentence, he leaned forward, pulled

her close to him, and stopping just a quarter of an inch from her lips,

he whispered, “I am never too tired for you, and you, Madame, are

not work. You are pleasure. Never confuse the two again.”

Then Jake pressed his lips to hers and began making love to

them, sucking and teasing her lips with his tongue. Once she opened

her lips to him, he dove in, never letting up. Before she realized it,

she was enclosed in his arms, his hands roaming all over her, and her

hands were in his hair, pulling him in deeper to her. Where did the

chairs go? Oh, who cares, and she gave in, relishing his kisses. That

was the scene Lena walked in on.

“You know, you two do have a room.”

Jake pulled himself together enough to place his forehead on

Alex’s then twisted his head around enough to see Lena. “Since when

do you walk so quietly?” He teased her back. They had come to have

a friendship that he had never anticipated having with her.

“When the kids are all still asleep. You never kissed me that way,

but I had a dream about a man kissing me that way last night. Did

Alex tell you about it?”

“No, I didn’t. We never got around to that,” Alex said as she

separated herself from Jake’s embrace.

“Oh! I wonder why.” Lena winked at her as she went to the

cabinets to get a glass to fix herself something to drink.

“Yeah, well, we have to go to the Portal tonight to return the

chest, and I plan on getting answers there.” Looking into Jake’s confused

expression, she said, “Why don’t we go get cleaned up, and I

can tell you about her dream? Then we can make our little trip.”

Without any further encouragement, he took Alex’s hand and

started to head out the kitchen, saying in his wake, “I’ll hear your

story in a bit.”

Then he and Alex were gone to their room to “clean up.”

Later, after “cleaning up” and talking with Lena, Alex and Jake

walked through the garden holding hands. Feeling satisfied and with

a smile on her face, Alex began to hum a tune.

“Why so happy, love?” Pulling her close and kissing her soundly,

Jake smiled into her eyes.

“Oh! I wonder why.”

“Wouldn’t have anything to do with me lovin’ you, would it? I’d

say I did a pretty good job of it.”

Giving him a punch in the shoulder, Alex laughed that deep,

throaty, full-of-love laugh for the man next to her. “Well, if it does,

I’m not going to tell you now.”

On a more serious note, Jake asked, “What do you think about

the dream Lena had? Seems to me she is seeing what is about to happen

in her life and our kids’ lives.”

“I agree with you there. But this man in her dreams is from her

past, and he talked of her taking a different path and him finding her

if she got lost.”

“Well, he did that all right.”

“We’re here. Let’s go get some answers.” Alex reached down for

the chest, but Jake took it from her to carry it into the crystals. As

usual, they had a crowd there to meet them, all with happy faces

and full of hugs. After finishing greeting as many as they could, they

continued up the path to find Joseph seated at a table made of blue

marble. He looked up with a smile, but he still had a worried look in

his eyes. He stood to greet Alex and Jake.

“I see you two are here at last. We have much to discuss but can

only cover so much of it now. The rest will have to just play out, and

who knows where that will lead?” Joseph motioned for one of the

guards standing close by; he took the chest from Jake and handed it

to the guard.

“Take this to the cleansing tower. They have their work cut out

for them.”

Taking a moment to look Alex over, Joseph embraced her

gently. “You have worked well together. But now, we have to help

another Portal.” Releasing her, he reached for Jake’s hand to grasp it

and pulled him into a bear hug, the manly kind.

“What’s this all about?” Jake asked after Joseph released him.

“That was a big battle we fought down there, and I just needed

to release my emotions in a hug,” he said laughingly and a little

embarrassed.

“Now if you please, follow me to the map, and we will discuss

what is occurring and what will transpire.” Joseph led the way to the

never-ending library.

Once inside, he waved his hand over the white marble table,

and the hologram map appeared. As it rotated, Joseph zoomed it in

closer to China to pinpoint an area.

“There, that is the Jaded Cave. No others exist there on earth.

A sacred and enchanted cave, it is full of mystical powers. It has been

protected for thousands of years by the same men and women who

take turns reincarnating on earth, going back to protect it. Also,

other beings help guard it…none other than the Yeti.”

He paused for a moment and waited for a response. “I’d say

they really like their job. Wouldn’t you?” He tried to at least put a

little humor in a very serious situation. He grinned meekly then had

the map zoom in closer to the reveal the opening of the cave.

“This is where Lena comes in.” Joseph paused to wait for

a confirmation.

“This is what her dream was about. She belongs there,” Alex

said as she leaned in closer to the hologram. “Can we see inside?”

“Of course you can.” Placing both hands over the opening of

the cave, Joseph closed his eyes and focused on that area to open. The

hologram opened up, and the three found themselves standing in the

cave, surrounded by glowing jade. Amazing! This beauty that was

hidden away from the world, but it was for a good reason—greed.

Humans would suck the cave dry of its minerals and everything else

possible in order to get rich. Such a shame.

“No wonder she was so amazed by her dream. She was in absolute

awe of what she had dreamed about. So tell us, what does she

have to do with this cave exactly?” Alex asked.

“Ah, yes. She has been one of the many Protectors to the

Guardian. But it seems this time around, she wanted to have a new

experience and chose a very difficult life to experience. But she set

herself up to be with Jake, to be close to home, just in case she got

lost, which she did. But her Dagger of the Souls found her, and she

will regain her memory and be who and what she is supposed to be,

though it is the first time she ever gave birth in all the thousands of

years she has been to earth. I think she wanted to feel maternal,”

Joseph said laughingly.

“And what is wrong with that?” Alex asked in defense of Lena.

Holding his hands up, Joseph laughed. “I was only teasing,

knowing how maternal you are. She had never had the chance to

experience childbirth, and if I recall correctly, she had a very difficult

time giving birth and hated it very much.” He looked at Jake for

confirmation. “Correct me if I’m wrong.”

“Oh yeah, you have it right. She cursed me for everything she

could, and then some.”

“Okay, I get it. Sorry, there’s nothing wrong with childbirth. I

loved it myself. So what are we to do, you know, to help her?” Alex

said as she took a good look at the cave that surrounded her.

But before she could really take in all of the cave, Joseph closed

the hologram.

“Follow me. I believe Arlene can explain it more clearly. Besides,

I think she would love to have some girl time with you, Alex. She

wants to check you out for herself.”

“Really?”

“Well, she is your spirit guide whom you seem to ignore a lot.

You should really talk to her more. And ask her about things you’re

not understanding, or at least let her feel she is helping you,” Joseph

replied as the three entered another building, which was displaying

a tropical air, clay tile floors, and wicker woven seating with palm

plants scattered here and there. Even the smell of the ocean on a gentle

breeze passed among them.

“I heard that. I hope Alex knows she can’t pretend with me, like

someone else seems to think he can.” She walked over to Alex to place

a gentle, motherly kiss on her cheek. “And we know who I’m talking

about,” this said with a wink to Alex.

“Hello, handsome. Come sit and let’s talk.” Arlene placed her

elegant hand on the inside of Jake’s arm and led him to a wicker sofa

for two.

Once settled and everyone had a glass of something to drink,

all, of course, tropical and with an umbrella, Arlene prepared herself

to tell her story.

“Well, it seems that your earth grandfather found the time to

learn a very foreign and ancient language, one that released the power

of a stone statue of Bong-Jun Yang.” She paused, letting that settle in.

“No way. But we don’t even know that language. It’s so old, left

to the underground elves, was it not?”

Jake was leaning forward now. “Tell us more.”

“As it appears, he is just beginning to realize he is in another

time and has been a statue for over six hundred years. He is learning

this time, and the next step, I’m sure, will be to build the army he

needs to go against the Guardian and Protector of the Jaded Ground.

Lena is the Protector of the man in her dream. He is the Guardian

Eric Lu. Now he needs her, but it is your job to train her and open

her mind to remember what and who she is.”

Waiting a moment for that to be absorbed, she continued,

“That is where the two of you come in. You will need to work with

her and cleanse her in the crystals.”

Everyone sat motionless, deep in thought, trying to absorb and

understand what had just been explained, hesitant to speak just yet.

Alex was the first. “Wow!”

“Are you for real?” Jake asked.

“Never thought,” Alex said aloud.

“I know,” replied Jake.

“What now?” asked Alex.

“Teaching time.” Jake smiled.

“I know.” Alex smiled back.

“Are you two through yet? Good thing I can read your thoughts,

or I would be totally confused by now,” Arlene said with a tinkle of

a laugh.

“Okay! Now it’s my turn.” Joseph stood and opened a cabinet

to retrieve a tome that was at least fourteen inches thick. Walking

back to his seat, Joseph laughed at the expression on his two favorite

peoples’ faces.

Setting the grotesquely gigantic book on the glass top table

between them, he picked up his drink and sat back, waiting.

“What are we to do with this…mmmmm…book?” Alex

asked very weakly with eyes opened wide, looking shocked by the

book’s size.

“Read it?” Jake looked like a lost little boy who didn’t know

what to make of the situation.

Clapping his hands together, Joseph snapped the two out of

their reverie. Both popped their heads up to look at him.

“Now here is the beginning of what we will do, more for you

two than us for now. Anyway, the training will take some time, a year

or more, maybe two. And…the two, Lena’s and your children”—

Joseph nodded at Jake—“will go with her to China.”

Jake began to protest, but Joseph held his hand up to stop him.

“You know they are needed, and it is their destiny. So I advise you

to teach them well. What they know will make a difference in how

well the China Portal is protected. This I should not have to explain

to you.”

“But they are so young and have so much to learn.” Jake protested.

“True.” He nodded at the book before them. “This will teach

them everything they need to know, and you two will learn even

more. Sit in the crystals, open the Book of the Ancients, and you

shall acquire the knowledge in but a few hours. They cannot receive

the information in the same manner as you will. It will have to be

taught to them.”

“Well then, let’s go. We have a lot to do tonight and need some

human sleep.” Alex tried to lighten the discussion.

“You need to be careful, for you are breeding also,” Joseph

told Alex.

“Really, Joseph, you could have been more diplomatic about it.”

Arlene scolded him as she crossed to where Alex stood.

“Really?” Both Alex and Jake exclaimed at the same time.

“Yes. Twins, the first in three hundred years. But this time, they

are more prepared for the work ahead of them. There will be no

greed. But you have available to you what none before you has had

to teach with, the Book of the Ancients.”

Embracing Alex, Arlene continued, “Go, you have much to do,

and as you say, you humans need sleep.”

At 3:00 a.m., Alex lay in her bed with her hands behind her

head, listening to Jake’s steady breathing.

It was amazing to her that she would have so much more to

learn; she had thought that she knew so much already. This knowledge

dated way back before the time of the Egyptians; it was certainly

beyond even the time of Atlantis. Languages that had been

dead and gone from the human race, she and Jake now possessed full

knowledge and use of; what they could reveal by translating the new

historical findings that were sitting in museums right now, currently

unable to be translated by the scientists.

“What’s the matter, hon? You can’t sleep?” Mumbling into her

arm, Jake snuggled closer to her.

“Actually, no, I can’t. Don’t you feel overwhelmed by what we

learned today? I mean, look at what we know. It could help so much

with translating and understanding history. But…I know it has to be

kept to ourselves.” She sighed and blew out a long breath. “But now

I can read those tablets in the museums, know what they mean. That

is, like, so cool. Don’t you think?”

“Yes, I do. Get some sleep. We have to get up at six, and that’s

only three hours away. Or we could make love ’til then.”

Alex grabbed the pillow and hit him in the head with it.

“You would think of that, wouldn’t you? Go to sleep. You

already had dessert. Besides, we have to talk with everyone tomorrow

night and get things going.”

“Yeah, I know, but just one kiss.”

She gave him a look of yeah, right then shook her head.

“What? Just one!”

“Go to sleep. I know where your kisses lead. Sleep.” Alex rolled

over, placing her back toward Jake. He just laughed, spooned her

with his body, placed his hand on her belly with a smile on his lips,

and both fell into a deep sleep.

17

After a long day finishing the repairs at the house, everyone had gathered

around the table after the ranch hands had gone. Sally and Jack

had stayed to eat. Since Sally cooked a hearty meal for all, he wasn’t

going to miss out. The smell of fresh paint and fresh cut wood still

lingered in the kitchen, but the smell of good home cooking was

stronger and made some stomachs growl in anticipation. The smell

from the paint and wood was strong, but it didn’t stop eight and a

half people from digging in. All had worked hard that day, finishing

the work to put the house back together. All had helped by doing

what they could. It didn’t matter if it was painting, cutting, hauling,

cleaning, even cooking, everyone had pulled their weight. No one

had slacked off. Though the house now had some different colors,

different style of windows and doors, it was still the house her father

had rebuilt. It still carried his style, his character. Even the leather

scent carried through the house. The colors were brighter with some

green and yellow thrown in, but the homey feeling had not been

taken away by what had transpired just a few days before.

Everyone was enjoying their time together, laughing and teasing

each other about things that had happened in the past.

They talked about the stunts Jake used to try and pull as a young

teenager, sneaking out and swearing he wasn’t drunk when he came

in even though he rode in backward on his horse.

Blake was all ears, taking in everything that was said about his

father and not knowing what to think since his dad had always been

such a straight arrow about everything, at least, all that he could

recall. No wonder his dad always knew what he was thinking. He had

probably already tried it himself when he was younger. It was really

cool that his dad, Alex, and his mother all sat talking together like

they had been friends all their lives. No animosity, no jealousy, petty

arguing or games between them.

Yeah, this was a good family.

“Hey! Blake, where were you at? Are you tuning us out already?”

Jake teased his son, poking him in the ribs.

“What?” Blinking his eyes, his focus coming back to the room.

Blake realized that everyone was looking at him funny. There had

been a breeze in the room, and it was dying down now. What had

been happening while he was lost in thought? Turning a little red in

the face, he studied each person sitting at the table, and all seem to

be either amused or amazed. What did he do?

“What? Why are you all looking at me like that?” Blake

asked defensively.

“Well, son, it seems that a wind mysteriously started up in the

kitchen. It was like a light breeze. Care to explain what’s going on

in that mind of yours? Or did you not realize what was happening?”

Jake asked.

Everyone sat expectantly waiting for an answer from Blake.

“Aerokinesis!” shouted Rommy, getting all excited.

“He carries the power of aerokinesis. Oh, Blake, you have to

learn to master it.”

“What are you talking about? I was just thinking about what

everyone was talking about, Dad. I didn’t do anything,” he said,

sounding confused about what his sister said.

“And what is aeroki…ever?”

“It is the mastering of wind. You can control it or make it.”

Rommy retorted, a little sassy. “I’m jealous. How I would love to

have what you have especially on a hot day.” Sighing, she leaned back

in her chair and crossed her arms, almost in a childlike position, but

then sat quickly forward, acting again like the teenager she was. It

was rather comical to the adults there.

“Do it again,” his father ordered.

“What? I don’t even know what I did do, much less how, Dad.”

“Do it. Concentrate on moving the air with strings attached to

your fingers. Silly, I know, but do it.”

Holding his hand up, Blake began to wave it slowly back and

forth, picturing the strings pulling the air. He continued to do this for

a few minutes as everyone watched, and sure enough, a breeze began

to move in the kitchen, changing direction every time he moved his

hand in a different direction.

“Wow! I’m doing it!” Excited that he was really doing it, he

looked at his sister and said, “I’m not such a dunce after all. You

may have more than me in powers and knowledge, but I can do this.

Cool!”

“What are you talking about? I only have knowledge. I absorb

everything I read. But you…you have this,” Rommy said with a

sweep of her hand. And as she did this, the liquids in the glasses on

the table responded by sloshing out some. Everyone stared at the

glasses, waiting for the liquids to stop rocking back and forth.

“Did I do that? Well, did I?” She looked totally astonished at

the wet tablecloth.

“Move your hand again, Ramona. I do believe you do have

something too. I’m just not sure if it’s control of the water or the

objects.” Alex placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder for comfort.

“Yeah! Do it ’gain, do it ’gain.” Kimmy clapped her hands

together in excitement.

“Wait a minute. Let me get a larger bowl of water and put it on

the table.” Alex went to the cabinets and pulled out a medium-sized

casserole dish and filled it halfway with water and returned to the

table. Sally had already cleared the spot in front of Rommy.

“Now do whatever it was you just did,” Alex encouraged.

Before Rommy even started, the bowl slid closer to her. All eyes

turned to focus on Kimberly. Laughing out loud and clapping her

hands over her head, Kimmy leaned forward on the table, resting her

angelic face in her chubby little hands and said, “We play together.

You turn.” Her eyes were bright and glowing with excitement that

she could share in the fun with Rommy, her favorite person of late.

Rommy focused on the water, saying in her head, Move, move,

over and over again. Then it started to happen. Not only did the

water start to move, it was becoming slushy. Ice was forming in the

bowl. Stopping to look up at everyone, she said, “Cryokinesis! I have

cryokinesis. Oh! Oh! I can control water and turn it into ice.” Taking

a breath, she looked at Alex and her dad very seriously and asked,

“What is going on?”

“Yeah, well, I think we may have this talk sooner than I thought.

It seems that yours, Blake, and Lena’s abilities to do…ah…special

things are coming to a head. You three are going to be working with

us.” He motioned toward Alex.

“Well, actually, it’s a little more complicated than that. You see,

you two will be working with Lena…ah…when she goes to China,

and we are to train all of you. There’s really too much to go over right

now, and we were going to wait a few more days to get into it. But it

seems that just won’t do now.”

Alex felt empathy for all three as she sat there.

“You don’t have to look like it’s the end of the world,” Blake said.

“It’s not. It’s just the beginning. Mainly I feel that you are too

young for so much knowledge and responsibility, though you did

come here prepared for this.” Watching the excitement in his son’s

eyes, Jake winked at him.

“I believe this is our cue to head on home, Sally. I believe that

they have things to talk about that are better done without us here.”

Jack stood then continued, “That was some mighty fine cooking

there, or maybe I was just starving. I’ll drive you home. Let me

get your hat and sweater.”

“There is one more thing I want to tell everyone while you’re

here…I’m pregnant with twins.” Alex waited for that to sink in.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” Jack exclaimed with a hearty laugh.

“That’s good news.”

Lena sat there for a minute in deep thought while everyone else

gave good wishes and congratulated Alex and Jake. Then she sat up

straight and said, “Wait a minute! There hasn’t been a set of twins

born to be Guardian and Protector for over three hundred years.

Why now?”

“How did you know that?” Alex probed.

“I don’t know, but I just do, if that makes any sense.” She was

confused at her thoughts, or was it her Dagger of the Souls awakening

something. Home.

Jake looked at Alex first. Both had understanding written on

their faces.

“I’m here for whatever you need, Alex. I need to get busy and

make some baby blankets, so we will leave all of you to the big discussion

you’re about to have.” Sally went around to everyone and gave

kisses and hugs. She stopped at Lena last. Pulling her up to stand,

Sally said, “Welcome to our little family and back to the one you lost

for a while.”

She then placed a kiss on Lena’s cheek, ending with a bear hug.

Returning the hug, Lena felt her eyes water with happiness at the

acceptance this little woman just gave her and the warm welcoming.

After that scene, Sally and Jack made their exit.

Laughing and wiping away the tears, Lena said, “She might be

little, but she has a fiercely strong embrace, and can say some very

meaningful words.” All laughed with her, knowing exactly what she

meant about Sally. She always said the right thing at the right time.

Then on a more serious note, Jake began to talk about what

had happened the night before when he and Alex had travelled to the

Other Side. He had everyone’s rapt attention.

The next day proved to be a busy time for everyone. Much had

to be taught in such a short time even if it did take a year or more,

maybe two. And Lena had another dream about the China man, an

even more detailed dream than the one before.

Sitting outside in the garden watching the kids play, relaxing

after a strenuous day of exercising and studying, Lena and Alex discussed

Lena’s latest dream—the China man. He had returned to tell

her something, this time of great importance.

“I know it must have some meaning, but he told me to call him

if ever I saw a Chinese man with a tattoo of a dragon with its tail waving

in the air and its head moving back and forth. He said I would see

it moving as though it were alive. Then he said I would know it’s time

to come home. This man can be very dangerous and that I should

not fight him alone. Urhm! Me? I thought this man knew me.” Lena

shook her head, not believing that someone could think of her as a

fighter. Maybe with the dagger, but not alone.

“Oh, you will be. Don’t doubt that. After Jake gets done with

you and the kids, you will be amazed at what you will be able to do,”

Alex answered, listening but a little distracted.

She had not had a chance to go through her mail and was

reading a letter from the publishing company about the book she

had written.

“What is that you’re reading?”

“Oh, it’s just about a kid’s book I wrote. Got a contract here

I need to go over. I have quite a few books I have written, and my

dad had always encouraged me to get them published. Guess they’re

good enough. This company wants me to do more.” She put the

contract aside. “Okay, back to about you and this Eric. Did he kiss

you again?”

“Are you serious? You just flip-flop from talking about your talent

and what you are doing. That is so cool. I didn’t know you wrote.”

“Yeah, well. Did he?” Alex asked again.

Laughingly, Lena smiled. “Yes, he did, but softer this time. I

could feel all the emotions that he was feeling.” Shaking her head,

Lena tried to focus on what was important. “But this man with the

dragon tattoo, do you know who it is?”

“Yes, we do. Bong-Jun Yang. Very strong in the ancient powers.

He has been cursed to be a living stone statue until someone could

read what was inscribed on the casing on which he stood. It seems

that my grandfather learned the ancient language, read what was

written on the casing out loud, and woke Bong-Jun Yang. I believe

he hoped to bring their forces together and gain control of one of the

Portals or maybe all of them. The other Guardians have been called

and updated on everything that has transpired here. They’ve been

instructed to keep their eyes and senses sharp on everything around

them and to inform the Other Side of any changes around them,”

Alex explained.

“Wow! Never thought to see sci-fi come to life. This really is

happening, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Pretty scary when you think about it—daggers that sing, children

who can control water and air and move things with their mind,

and you and Jake helping the souls that can’t find their way to the

light—almost overwhelming.” Pulling her legs up to hug them with

her arms, Lena continued, “Actually, it is overwhelming, but the

funny thing is that I don’t feel scared…I feel invigorated, alive…

special…like I have something to live for that gives me passion for

life. Crazy, huh?”

“You were meant for this. It has always been your past lives

and is to be your future lives. It will all come back to you in time.

Just don’t decide you want to experiment again.” Alex teased Lena,

reached over, and placed her hand on Lena’s forearm. “Did you get

the desire to have babies out of your system?” she asked Lena.

“Oh yes! You don’t have to worry about that again. It was

enough for me. Though I would never give them up again. I believe

I now know why I felt so helpless, so incompetent. If what you say is

true, and I believe you that it is”—she held her hand up to stop the

protest on Alex’s lips—“I know fighting and loving, but not having

babies. I can’t believe I just said that.”

Laughing out loud, Lena threw herself backward to lie on her

back and laughed real hard—a good, healthy laugh, the kind that

heals. Alex joined her, and both were laughing like that when Jake

walked up to see what all the cackling was about.

“Thought I heard a bunch of hens out here. Was wondering

where they were coming from, and then I see you two on the ground

laughing your heads off. Wanna tell me what is so funny?” The two

women looked at each other and went into another round of laughter.

“I take that as a no. Well, since you two seem to have so much

energy, we could do another lesson.” Ah, that did it. The giggles had

stopped. “Didn’t think so.”

“Oh, Jake, behave. They can only learn so much. And I need

you to go over this contract with me—you know, the one for the

children’s books I’m writing.”

Just as Alex finished that statement, the kids came over to join

them. Rommy had Lil’ Joseph in her arms, and he was smiling. The

fresh air did him good. He so loved the outdoors. Kimberly just

plopped down in her mother’s lap, and Blake stood by his father

while Rommy sat on the other side of Lena. What a family they had

become in such a short time. And to top it off, Alex carried the next

Guardian and Protector of the Portal. As everyone sat and chattered

about the day, commenting that they were getting hungry—that was

kids for you—Alex recalled something that Lena had said earlier. She

had been so distracted that she forgot to ask the question that had

passed through her thoughts.

“Lena?”

“Yeah.”

“Didn’t you say that Eric had said for you to contact him? Did

he explain how you would do that?” Alex asked.

“Yes, he did. He said the Dagger of Souls would let him know

for me to send my thoughts through it,” Lena answered, sounding a

little bewildered by such a thing happening.

“Ahh…yes, that would be true. Sorry, just didn’t think of it.

You will need to first call his name then send the message, and he

will receive it. Pretty simple, really.” Alex shrugged her shoulders,

answering nonchalantly.

“Well, you make it sound so simple. Just hope it is.”

Rommy placed a hand on her mother’s shoulder and said, “It is

actually. It’s just that all this seems new to you, Mom, and I know you

are overwhelmed by it, but in time, it will become second nature.”

Lena reached for her daughter’s hand and kissed it with tears

in her eyes. “With you and Blake there, I know it will be easier.

Thank you.”

“For what?” She watched her mother’s eyes water.

“For calling me Mom.”

Everyone could feel the emotions spilling out from Lena.

It was the first time in her life that she had known what a family

was all about, and it was hers—completely hers—and not in a selfish

way, a sharing of love.

“So…is supper ready? I’d say we have worked up a hearty appetite.”

Jake rubbed his hand over the top of his son’s head and ruffled

up his hair. Blake swatted at his dad’s hand at first, which led into a

wrestling match.

The girls sat, watching and giggling at all of the tactics Blake

tried to use on his father, but never getting the best of him. Though

he was small, he had more physical strength than most boys his age.

But he got smart and used his ability to make wind, using it to knock

his dad on the ground.

While Jake had stood with triumph written on his face and

arms above his head, Blake flicked his wrist swiftly at knee level and

knocked his dad’s balance off. Crashing down to the ground, Jake

was astonished that he was lying on his back, looking at the sky.

The others tried to stifle their laughter, but it was no use, they

just got louder and louder. But as he continued to lie there, not moving,

they grew silent, not sure if he was hurt or upset that Blake had

used his aerokinesis on his dad. Then Jake turned his head to look

at his son, and with a twinkle in his eyes, he rolled over faster than

the speed of lightening, grabbed his son, and tickled him. Then the

laughter started again, and the girls joined in. First, it was Kimmy,

and then after Rommy passed Lil’ Joseph to Lena, she ran and dove

on top of her dad and brother, making sure she didn’t knock Kimmy

down. Finally, after a few minutes of roughing around, the women

called a halt to the playing, saying it was time to get a bath and to eat.

Everyone stood and headed in.

“What’s for supper?” Blake asked.

“Bat wings for you, but pizza for everyone else,” his dad answered

as they headed in.

“Oh really? And who is cooking it?” Alex asked.

“Why me, of course. What? You don’t believe I can cook? Well,

I guess I have to prove myself again. Man, you women really make it

hard for a man to have an ego. Geeezzz.”

As Jake headed in, he informed the women to go clean up

with the kids. He had the kitchen under control tonight. And that’s

exactly what they did. Though the pizza was great, he left a mess

in the kitchen, and the ladies had a time cleaning dry pizza dough

off the counter and stove. But they did have to admit the pizza was

good—or maybe they were just that hungry. They would never know

until he cooked again.

Later that night, all were lying in bed thinking about the home

they had and the family that shared it. It was just the beginning of

the journey they would travel through in this life and the beginning

of the bond growing between them all.

As Jake and Alex lay in each other’s arms after making love, Alex

raised her eyes to Jake and released the pent-up emotions she had

held in for protection of her heart. “I love you, Jake.” He started to

reply, but she placed a finger on his lips. “I never believed that I could

love this way. Only thought it was a dream I would never have.” Alex

replaced her head on his shoulder again.

Jake waited a few heartbeats and placed a loving kiss on the top

of her head, inhaling the scent only she carried. Exhaling with a sigh,

he whispered, “I love you too.”

187

Epilogue

Two years later…

Sitting outside watching her little daughter and son play, Alex felt

very content. They were now on all fours, rocking back and forth,

sometimes even attempting to sit up on their own.

Life had been very interesting as Rommy and Blake learned

more about their powers and how to control them. There was a major

change in Lena; it was exhilarating to see all three flourish, gaining

strength, beauty, and knowledge. Lena had filled out and now had a

gorgeous body. The dark circles once under her eyes were gone, and

the energy she had developed, well, if it could be bottled, they would

all be very wealthy.

Focusing on her new children’s book that Alex was working on,

she could see where she sort of lost track of her thoughts that flow

in the story. Getting back to work is what she needed to do, but

she seemed so distracted by being intent on analyzing everything

around her.

Alex was writing a new book about babies and their antics. This

time, she decided to use the twins and write a story about an adventure

in the rose garden with butterflies, dragonflies, and fairies. She

had gathered beautiful pictures of the twins but still needed a few

more to complete her book and the last four pages.

Alex had waited patiently to catch Zoey and Zack in just the

right places and with the exact expressions she wanted to represent

her story. After hundreds of pictures, she had only chosen sixteen so

far. After blowing the pictures up, Alex had placed onion paper over

them and traced her children into characters for her book. Now just

a few more were needed.

“Wow! You must be stumped or just doing some very serious

thinking, Alex,” Lena said as she plopped down on the ground next

to Alex.

“Both, I think,” Alex said, never taking her eyes off the twins.

“They are entertaining, aren’t they?” Lena analyzed along

with Alex.

“That they are.”

“I had a dream last night. I think the time has come sooner than

we thought,” Lena said as she lay down on the grass to peer into the

blue sky above.

That got Alex’s attention. “Really? And what happened in your

dream to make you come to that conclusion?”

“Eric came to me. They have been attacked. It seems the One

awakened has worked fast in learning what he can of today’s technology

and is using it to his advantage. They fought him and a small

army off, but they need us to come… now.” Lena ended softly with

pain etched in her voice from the thought of leaving her friends and

family she had become so attached to.

Alex blew out a long breath then joined Lena on the grass, lying

down beside her. “Well?” Alex asked.

“Well what?” Lena asked back.

“When do you and the kids go?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Wow! We have a lot to do.”

Both lay in silence for almost fifteen minutes, so lost in their

own thoughts, both contemplating how to tell Jake.

“Guess we better go tell Jake. He’s not ready to let go of Blake

and Rommy, you know,” Alex pointed out.

“You’re not telling me nothing I don’t know already. Those two

have had to grow up pretty quick, and Jake is rather protective of

them. Maybe just a little too much…but, oh well. Let’s go get this

over with. It’s about the only thing I dread doing at this moment.”

Sitting up, Lena reached over to give Alex a hand to sit upright. Alex’s

belly was ripe, showing her five months of pregnancy.

The woman must be crazy to want to be pregnant so many

times. It just wasn’t for Lena. She liked her two being grown. She had

learned that she was meant to be a warrior. In her next life, she would

not be so foolish as to change her path to try something new again.

Alex called the kids to come in and sit at the dining room table, a

signal that all knew meant “talk time,” even the little ones.

“Where’s Jake?” Lena asked.

“I’m right here. Just had to finish up a few things. What’s up?

Must be important to have us all gather here in the dining room.”

Jake took note that the air felt a little unsettled in the dining room.

Looking from Alex to Lena, he knew it was time. He had tried

to prepare for this, but…

His kids would be leaving him, for how long he didn’t know.

They had all chosen their lives before they incarnated on earth and

belonged to the Creator, but it was still hard to accept the fact they

all must move on and fulfil their destinies.

“Okay. So tell me, when and what happened.” Grabbing the

back of a chair and pulling it out, he sat with a thud and sighed

deeply as he ran his hand over his face, trying to hold back the tears.

“Tomorrow,” Lena said as though there was no changing

the outcome.

“Tomorrow? But we have so much more…” Hanging his head

down, Jake got control of the fear in his gut. “Okay, it’s time to go

into the Crystal, guys.” Moaning loudly, he placed his hand over his

heart as if in pain. Both Rommy and Blake jumped up and ran into

his arms. All were in tears.

“It will be okay, Dad,” Blake mumbled in the crook of Jake’s

neck and shoulder.

“Yeah, Dad, we have our spirit guides, and the Archetypes will

be with us. Remember, we will have surprise on our side too. He is

not expecting us to be kids.” Rommy tried to reassure her father.

“Mmmmmm,” Jake moaned.

“What?” Rommy leaned backed to get a better look at her

father’s face.

“That’s just it. You both are just kids, and you don’t get to live

your lives as normal kids do.”

“We chose this, Father.” Rommy gently wiped her father’s tears

away with her thumbs as she stared deep into his eyes, willing for him

to understand.

“Ahhhh…all right!” Standing, Jake grabbed up both of his children

in a bear hug. “You guys are heavy!” Grunting, he set the two

down. Ramona was like a grown woman at fifteen years old, and

Blake had already hit five feet ten inches tall at thirteen.

Alex and Lena wiped the tears away and joined in on the

group hug.

“What about me?” Kimmy asked, standing there holding Lil’

Joseph’s hand, now two years old following in his sister’s wake.

“Ahhh…come here, honey.” Alex reached down for Kimmy,

and Lena scooped up Lil’ Joseph in her arms.

The night had passed quickly with everyone not getting much

sleep. They were all feeling extremely tired from the long night.

Standing at the airport saying their goodbyes, they couldn’t believe

they had accomplished so much during the night.

It helped that Rommy and Blake were so open-minded and

were able to take in all the knowledge they would need in China to

help ward off the Awakened One.

“Okay, I finally got my dagger through the security check, listed

as an artifact, but Chiia sang a message to me.” Lena leaned in closer

to Jake and Alex. “We are being watched,” she whispered for their

ears only.

No one moved at first, taking a moment to think. Then Jake

bent down to pick up a backpack and asked casually, “Is he Chinese

or is he a she?”

“It’s a he, and yes, he is. He has a tattoo of a dragon on his

neck,” Lena said as she placed her hand on the left side of her neck.

Everyone began to walk toward the entrance gate for boarding

and final check of luggage going on the plane. They didn’t see the

Chinese man with the tattoo on his neck.

“Just be careful and keep your eyes open. And…feel, feel the

energy of everyone around you at all times. Never let your guard

down,” Alex lectured.

“Mom,” both Rommy and Blake said in unison.

Lena added, “And let me know if you sense or see anything I

haven’t, and she is right.”

“Oh, Mom,” both said in unison again, rolling their eyes. Then

everyone laughed at their antics.

Goodbyes were said with hugs, kisses, and tears. The group of

three left Alex and Jake standing at the gate, watching their loved

ones enter into a dangerous dragon’s lair.

As everyone got into their seats and placed their baggage in the

upper compartment, the hair on the back of Lena’s neck began to

rise. The kids looked at her because they felt it too.

“I’ll be right back. I need to go to the restroom before we take

off.” Lena stood and looked at the seats behind them, and sure

enough, there sat the only Chinese man on the plane with a highneck

sweater on, just barely concealing the tattoo of a dragon. Lena

actually saw the dragon swipe its tail.

A tingling sensation ran through her body. If only she had Chiia

with her.

As she passed him on her way to the bathroom, he did not look

up at her, but after a few seconds, he got up and followed her to the

back of the plane.

While in the restroom, Lena called upon Eric to relay, “We are

on the plane, but we are being followed by one of the Awakened

One’s cronies.”

Don’t worry. I have two of my men on board now. They are on to

him. Rest easy. They will get him off the plane, Eric relayed telepathically.

As soon as Lena opened the door, she was grabbed by the neck

and shoved into the men’s restroom, but before he could trap her

in the men’s room, two men appeared and pulled the Chinese man

off Lena.

“What’s the problem here?” the flight attendant asked.

“Butt out!” One of the men shouted at her as he looked her in

the eyes and willed her away.

“Okkkayy….” the flight attendant stammered, turned and

walked away as though she had not seen a thing. One of the men

shut the door and stood in front of it while Lena, the Chinese man,

and the other man were all crammed inside the small restroom.

“Close your eyes now so this does not affect you. It will be

blinding and could destroy you,” the man with Lena said as he held

the Chinese man against the sink and mirror. He pulled out a small,

slim blade with a handle covered in jade stones, and it began to glow

as he pressed it against the Chinese man’s neck. With a fast and accurate

swipe of his blade, he decapitated the Chinese man.

An explosion of lights shot up out of the Chinese man’s neck,

and then his body exploded into millions of colored particles. These

floated in a cascade into the sink with some landing on the floor.

The man turned on the water, rinsed out the sink, bent down, and

scooped up what he could from the floor and rinsed that down the

sink also.

“Okay, you can open your eyes now,” the man ordered.

“Who are you?” Lena asked as she removed her hands from

her face.

“I am York. I have worked beside Eric while he has waited for

your return,” York answered.

“And the other guy out there?”

“My apprentice. He is Sun. We will be travelling with you until

we meet up with Eric,” York explained while opening the door and

stepping aside for her to pass, showing the respect due to someone

of her status.

“Sun, finish cleaning up the evidence and meet us where they

are seated when you are done.” Facing Lena, he said, “We need to

speak of the plan that Eric has put into place.”

York led the way to the seats where Blake and Rommy sat. After

everyone was seated and drinking ginger ale, they discussed what had

been happening the past two days and the plan Eric had already put

into place. They spoke in Mandarin so none of the other passengers

would understand them.

“So you mean to say one of Eric’s men is inside the Awakened

One’s lair? Wow! But how will he be protected?” Blake asked, a little

confused and excited at the same time. “He could become one

of them.”

“He has two Archetypes watching over him. Once he gets what

he wants, he will return to Eric,” Sun explained.

“Okay, guys, enough for now. We need to get some rest—something

we haven’t had much of the past twenty-four hours. Try to get

some sleep. We will need to think clearly when we get to China,”

Lena said as she got a pillow and leaned her chair back to get comfortable.

That was the end of the discussion for all, so all four followed

suit and laid their heads back to rest in their seats. The kids

had blankets and pillows, while Sun and York slept with one eye

open and one eye closed.

Walking through the cave, Lena came up behind Eric. She

watched as he wielded his sword and then jumped to one side.

Another man appeared swinging his sword at Eric, clashing metal

against metal with sparks flying all around.

She heard him shout, “Go back, tell York we are being

invaded!” Lena woke with a start and sat forward. York was watching

her intensely.

“He needs your help. They are being attacked in the cave,” Lena

whispered to York.

“Follow the plan to a tee. We will find you,” York ordered, then

he and Sun stood, walked to the men’s restroom and entered, but

they never came out. They knew for sure that York and Sun were

gone when another man entered the restroom and then returned to

his seat a few minutes later.

Lena took each of her children’s hands and held them. “Let’s

rest. We need our bodies’ strength and minds working at their full

potential. Sleep.” Lena closed her eyes and rested her head back.

Rommy and Blake followed, but all were very restless, and it

was a while before sleep came.

The time had come.