Relic (The Brethren Series) (11 page)

Not until midmorning did Raphael and Serena finally make their way back to the safe house.

“Emma will be coming by later,” he told her while he prepared for the return trip. He set her carefully in the car and closed the door. “She’s our Great Savior Mother. She can heal you, and you’ll be right as rain again.” He jumped in his side and they were off.

“Okay. But you’ve told me you’re a Savior, and you said that Saviors heal people. Why don’t you heal me?”

She had been trying to absorb everything he’d been telling her all morning, but it was a daunting task, to let go of all she thought she knew to be true of this world and simply accept another truth in its place.

There were angels on earth! They were here to fight against evil and protect and heal the human race. Raphael was one of ten immortals, called the Brethren. For the purposes of blending in with society, most had regular jobs that suited their talents. Their cover was Brethren Security, as he’d told her. He worked full time for the company, along with Kemuel, a Warrior and Gabriel, a Protector.

“I can’t,” he grumbled and continued in a more civil tone. “I’m sorry. I’m having issues. Sort of what writers get when they can’t write, you know, like writer’s block. I’m blocked, Serena. I can’t heal worth a damn. I kept you alive long enough to get you to a hospital, but that’s about the extent of my powers right now. I’m basically useless. I’ve been trying to get it back, you know, going on meditative hikes through the different vortexes, but nothing. Nothing is helping. So I called Emma to heal you. I can’t bear to see you in pain when you don’t have to be.”

“Can she heal you, too, and make your powers return?”

“Unfortunately no, we tried. It’s hopeless. They’ll return when they return, is all.”

“I’m sorry. I had no idea what you’ve been burdened with. And now I’ve added more on top of it.”

“You’re not a burden, Serena.” He reached for her hand that rested on her lap. “You’re the light in an otherwise dark world for me right now.”

“You’re too kind, and a big fat liar!” she scoffed. “How can I, a woman being chased by thugs and marked for death, be your light? You’re making no sense.”

“I don’t lie.” He spoke with such seriousness, it gave her pause.

“You know, I saw you outside my window yesterday beating the crap out of a dead cactus and heard you say my name while doing so. I thought you’d had second thoughts about bringing me to the house. That’s why I thought it best I leave. Now I know your frustration probably had nothing to do with me at all.”

“Not one of my better moments, I admit. By now I think you know how I feel about having you near. If not, let me make myself perfectly clear.” He turned to her with a heart-stopping stare that left no question in her mind what his intentions were. “The nearer you are, the better.”

Before she could respond, he brought his attention back to the road. Staggered by the intensity in his cerulean eyes, she was thankful he’d focused on driving them safely back to the house. She didn’t think she could last another moment without jumping his bones, and admittedly, her body really couldn’t handle anything close to what she wanted to do with him. Emma coming to heal her would save her in more ways than one.

The rest of the ride, he seemed engrossed in his thoughts, and Serena chose to let them engulf him. She immersed herself in the incredible vistas of mountains and rock formations that never failed to enthrall her. She was a native to Sedona. Unusual to be so, and unlike those who had grown up around these parts, she never took for granted the beauty and wonders nature provided. She longed to be out there, walking amongst nature, at one and at peace with it all.

“We’re here.”

“Hm?” She tore herself away from the window. “Oh, already?”

“I’ll take you in first and come back out for your things.”

“Oh really, Raphael, I can walk. Not fast enough to win a race, but I can walk. I want to. It’s not in my nature to be fussed over, despite my behavior over the last couple of days.”

“All right. Take it slow and careful,” he conceded, and delicately brushed a stray hair from her cheek. She nearly melted right there in her seat. Thinking every step through, she made her way slowly to the front door. He retrieved her bags from the trunk.

A van came pulling up the long driveway as well and parked next to his two-seater convertible. Serena turned around in time to see the van door slide open and a mass of humanity spill out—two huge, gorgeous men, a stunningly graceful woman, a bouncing girl with pigtails to match, and two baby carriers.

Raphael clasped hands with the men, hugged and kissed the woman, then hoisted the little girl in the air. She produced the sweetest squeal of joy. Serena stood frozen by the front door, taking in the scene. The closeness and familial nature of the exchanges were incredibly ordinary and touching, and tugged at her heart. Her own family had been virtually torn apart over the years by death, illness and bad choices. She held out little hope of ever finding her brother alive at this point, and her soul grieved for what she knew she would never have. These people may not all be related, but they certainly were close. They were family…with children. She took a deep breath, shaking off the melancholy, and waited for him to come and command the door to open.

“You must be Serena. I’m Emma,” the intriguingly beautiful woman called out as she approached her with an outstretched a hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Yes, I’m Serena, and I want to thank you. I know why you’re here, and I’m grateful.” She clammed up, feeling a bit uneasy and unworthy. Raphael had told her all about Emma, her husband Michael and their children while coming back to the house. They were a powerhouse of a family with an incredible story of their own. And they were all immortal, too.

“No thanks necessary. I’m glad to be able to help you. Raphael, would you kindly open the door so this lovely woman can rest her weary bones? And I’m not talking about me here,” Emma joked.

“On my way!” he called out, and hurried to the door. “Door, open!” A small click and the door opened. Everyone filed in, babies in tow, and the young girl ran to parts unknown.

“You seem flustered. All this tumult must be a bit much for you at the moment. Let me try to put you at ease. Michael and I have come here a few times with the children to get away from it all. Our daughter, Hannah, loves the playroom. That’s where she probably ran off to. I’ll introduce her to you later. It’s best that she’s occupied right now. The babies are sleeping, so I suggest we get down to the reason we’re here. Oh, this is Michael, Protector, father and husband extraordinaire,” Emma boasted as she snagged him on his way to the kitchen.

“Hi! Nice to meet you.” Michael planted a passing kiss on his wife’s cheek. “I just want to put these bottles in the fridge, honey. I’ll be right back.”

“And this is Gabriel,” Emma continued with a smile. “He’s another Protector. Gabriel, you can help Michael put the babies in the nursery.”

“Hi,” Serena said as he passed by with the two carriers.

“Hello! I’ll be right back.” Gabriel promptly went to another part of the house Serena hadn’t had the chance to venture to yet.

“I think I’ll have a seat over by the fireplace. All this activity has made me a bit dizzy.” She laughed self-consciously, playing with a lock of her hair.

Raphael quickly escorted her to the couch.
He feels so good, so solid with his arms strong around my waist
. The mere touch of his hand gave her the confidence she needed to maintain her composure, as though it was normal to have angels and immortals as friends.

But how did one carry on a regular conversation? What did one say exactly?
So, how long have you been immortal
?
Who’ve been your picks for the Super Bowl since…its inception
? Lord, but she didn’t have a clue. Things were different with Raphael; they already had a connection, but the others…. She looked at him and squeezed his hand. He gave her a smile that numbed her fears and warmed her heart.

“Relax, sweetheart. I know what you’re thinking. But we’re people, too, with normal lives, as you can see. Forget about what we are for now and concentrate on who we are. We’re people with family and friends and jobs, and we’re here to help you.”

“Okay, okay.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. When she opened her eyes again, she found Emma sitting on the floor in front of her.

“I can tell you’re uneasy. I think if I can heal you now, you can begin the journey back to yourself, to your stronger self that I sense buried deep inside you since being attacked.”

“I’d like that very much. I’m not used to feeling scared all the time. And honestly, the pain in my ribs and stomach is wearing me down. I’m just plain tired.”

“Lie down for me, please, and I will heal your physical pain and your emotional scars. But it will be up to you to bring back the strength of character that makes you who you are. Do you understand?”

“I think so. You’re going to heal me physically and emotionally. But I’m the only one who can bring me back to life.”

“Exactly! Raphael, you didn’t tell me how perceptive and intuitive Serena is,” Emma chided.

“Well I…I didn’t really know myself,” he mumbled awkwardly.

“I’d say you’d better work on that, my friend. Okay, let’s begin. Serena, I want you to close your eyes and relax. That’s all you have to do.”

She did as she was told.  Emma placed hands over Serena’s ribs and slowly moved them over each and every one, tracing their entire length. Breathing became easier instantly. Emma touched Serena’s belly and around to her lower back, sending her healing powers to those internal organs so badly bruised by all the kicks she’d endured. She shook her head and continued, gently waving her hands over Serena’s battered face and neck area. “I’m doing a healing of your mind, now. You should be feeling a slight tingling sensation all over your scalp.” Emma paused. “Hmm. Peculiar. I’m only able to do a surface healing at the moment. I’m detecting secondary brainwaves. Don’t want to go near those. Very peculiar indeed.”

“What’s wrong with me?”

“Nothing is necessarily wrong, Serena. It’s just that you have two very different signatures inside you, one being uniquely yours and the other, I don’t know, but it’s closely attached to…Raphael.” Emma would say no more as she continued her assessment and healing. She left her to ponder the implications on her own.
Secondary brainwaves
?
Attached to Raphael
?
Monica will get to the bottom of this
.

By the time the healing had finished, Serena had a healthy glow to her skin and a radiant smile. The session had only taken about ten minutes. Compared to staying in the hospital for another two weeks, no doubt Raphael made the right decision bringing her here to be healed and protected.

“Well, you’re well on your way to being healed at this point.”

“Oh, Emma! Words can’t begin to describe how great I feel or how grateful I am to you. I don’t know how I can ever thank you enough. Wait, I know. I’m going to give you and your family lifetime passes to Sikes and Sounds of Sedona. Anytime you want a Jeep tour, come on in. It’s on the house, forever!” She shouted with glee, felt her ribs one by one with her fingers, touched her lower back, and laughed heartily. “Nothing hurts anymore. Ha ha! Look, Raphael, nothing hurts!”

“Another job well done, Emma. Thank you,” he offered with sincerity. “And as for you, Serena, you look splendid. You may smell like lilies of the valley, but you look like roses fresh from the garden. I think we need to celebrate, don’t you?”

“Absolutely! What did you have in mind?” she asked, beaming.

“How about a grand lunch, and Emma, you and the family and Gabriel should stay, of course.”

“Of course, that’s why we brought extra bottles for the babies!”

“What’s this I hear about lunch?” Gabriel chimed in as he and Michael came back from the nursery. “I’m always up for food.”

“Raphael invited us to stay for a celebratory lunch. Serena’s pretty much healed.”

“Mama, I’m hungry.” Hannah skipped in from the playroom. “Can we have lunch now?”

“Sure, sweetie. We were just talking about that.”

From a distance, a baby’s cry could be heard. Another baby’s cry, this one higher pitched, joined the first. “Okay, it seems the troops have spoken. Lunch starts now, folks. Time to mobilize. Michael, get the bottles for Asher and Blessing. I’ll join you in a second. Gabriel and Raphael, raid the fridge and come up with something marvelous. Peanut butter and jelly will do for Hannah. Serena, you…hey, Serena, what’s wrong?”

Raphael and the others swung around to see her sitting on the coffee table, tears glistening in her eyes.

“It’s only that…it’s been so long since…since I had anything…resembling…a family meal.” She choked back sobs. “I’m so happy…and thankful…to be a part of yours today.”

“You won’t be so thankful if I’m the one to make lunch! PB and J is my limit of proficiency, so I’ll handle the little one’s lunch. Raphael, looks like you’re the chef today, my brother!”

Gabriel gave him a hearty slap on the back and with Hannah in tow, went to fix her a sandwich. Emma and Michael made a quiet exit to feed the babies.

“Hey, I’ll be there in a minute, Gabe.” Raphael sat beside Serena, who had finally gotten herself under control and was wiping the last few teardrops from her cheeks. He took the tissue from her hand and finished the job. He placed a whisper of a kiss on her lips so soft and sweet, one last sob caught in her throat.

“You know, you’re such a big brawny guy, but you have the most delicate touch and sensibility. It’s quite beguiling,” she pointed out.

“I was shooting for devastating, but beguiling works.” He smiled that dimpled, captivating smile of his that spoke to her heart and sent butterflies some place a bit farther south. He stood, and while grabbing her hands, walked backward. “Come help me in the kitchen, Serena. Something tells me we could whip up something magical in there together.”

Chapter Thirteen