The Angel's Covenant (The Covenant series) (11 page)

Fourteen

Jake sleeps on the flight to Montana. This time the dreams leave him alone. He wakes four hours into his flight feeling refreshed and excited about seeing Elina again. From the scene at the hospital she is a powerful keeper, and he has a million questions. Maybe she will be able to help him find Beth.

Stepping off the plane, Jake carries his backpack and heads to luggage claim to pickup his duffel bag.
 After retrieving his bag he is surprised to see an older man wearing a black Stetson hat, walking towards him. "Jake?” he asks.

"Yes sir" J
ake replies offering his hand. "My name is Ron, Elina sent me to bring you back to the ranch," he replies with a hand shake. "Nice to meet you sir, how far is it to the ranch?" he asks following the man’s quick footsteps.

"
It’s bout forty minutes. How is it that you know my Lina?" Ron asks him. "We'll sir," Jake says tossing his duffel bag into the back of the Ford pickup. "That is a strange story. I don't really know her," he says climbing into the truck.

Starting the truck Ron turns to him stating "Well now that is an evasive answer. You’re ex-military Jake?"
he asks. "Yes sir, Air Force Pararescue until last week." Jake looks at the beauty of Montana outside the window, glad for the heat inside the cab.

“Jake let’s get something clear, my Elina trusts you and as long as she does I will. But if I feel for a second that you are putting my family at risk, you will need every skill you possess to climb out of the hole I will bury you in
," he states looking at Jake. "Welcome to Montana," he continues pulling out.

"Sir, I am no threat to your family. I am hoping Elina can help me find my sister. She disappeared over a week ago after a car accident." Startled Ronnie looks quickly at J
ake and back towards the road.  "The police are closing the case, because of the animal tracks found. Not enough resources to keep looking. I am hoping with her skill set, she will be able to help me find my sister," Jake states.

"I am sorry about your sister, I am sure Elina will help in any way she can. She has a heart for others" Ronnie says thinking of the younger girl at home. Sending a prayer for guidance, Ronnie contin
ues the drive in silence.

The truck turns onto a long dirt road in the middle of a valley, surrounded by large trees. Driving along the gravel road, Jake is in awe of the house and barn. The soft glow from the windows and simplicity of the home welcomes Jake and gives him a sense of peace he hasn't felt in a long time. Stepping out of the truck, Jake stops to take in the beauty. Elina comes walking out
of the screen door, in a pair of jeans, purple sweater, and cowboy boots with a smile to match her radiant beauty.
"Wow" Jake says openly staring.

"Easy trigger" Uncle Ronnie says from the other side o
f the truck slamming his door.  "Ignore him he's a sourpuss" Elina says walking down the steps, she takes his hand and looks into his eyes "Hi Jake."

Reaching up with his free hand Jake touches her cheek gently as if afraid she will disappear in a cloud of mist. Elina smiles saying softl
y "It's nice to see you again."

"I thought I dreamed you, Elina. Thank you for saving my l
ife," he replies. "A favor returned is thanks enough Jake,” she replies softly.  “Besides, you saved a little girl who was scared and afraid. Now come in and meet the rest of my family," she says stepping gently out of reach.

"Lina, we need to talk," Uncl
e Ronnie calls from behind. "Now Ronnie, let Elina's friend come in first. It's late, I made coffee," Aunt Ruby says from the door.
"Thank you, Ma'am. I would love some coffee,” Jake replies. Swinging his backpack over his shoulder and grabbing his duffel bag out of the truck.

He walks over to Elina and looks into her beautiful eyes
"Lead the way gorgeous."  Grumbling "Showboat" under his breath Uncle Ronnie stomps into the house and kisses his wife hard on the mouth "I need to see you in the kitchen," he says walking ahead.
    Stepping through the door of the cabin, Jake sees an open room with a fire burning in the fireplace and his soul sighs. "I guess he doesn't like me very much," Jake says turning to look at Elina.

In the soft glow of the light he can't help but stare at her. Standing with her blue black hair flowing free around her shoulder, her bright blue eyes are highlighted even more by the radiance shining from them. "Elina I really did think you were an Angel, or that I imagined you. To think, you were here all along," Jake says dropping
his bags by the front room.

"We have a lot to talk about Jake," Elina responds drawing him into the living room. "I will get you some c
offee, and then we will talk," she says moving off to the kitchen.

Walking into the kitchen she looks at her Uncle Ronnie saying "Why are you being so rude? You are embarrassing me." She stops speaking when she sees the stricken look on Ruby's face.
"What wrong?" She asks crossing to her quickly.
"He's her brother," Ronnie says.  "What are you talking about?" Elina asks quietly. Knowing they would not joke about something this important.

"On the way here he told me he was looking for his sister, who disappeared in a car crash last week. He is hoping you can help with the search" Ronnie says.
Stunned Elina doesn't know what to think. "Of course," she whispers. “When I was little I followed two golden lights, Jake was one, and she was the other. That's why she's here. He has to be told!" Turning to go, she pauses at the sound of her name.

"Lina, you always think the best of others. What if he blames you?" Aunt Ruby asks.
"You have to realize what he's been through, thinking the worst. Not knowing if she is dead or alive. He's bound to wonder why we didn't come forward immediately," Uncle Ronnie tells her.

"I know my mission is to reunite the lost ones, what if they are the first? Don't you see? I have to trust my instincts in this? Will you trust in me, as I once did
you?" she asks with teary eyes.

Wrapping her in a family hug, they nod and Uncle Ronnie says "Let’s not keep Romeo waiting."
Laughing they walk into the living room.
 

Smiling at the sound of them together, Jake turns as they walk in the room. His smile fades when he takes in th
e serious look on their faces.  "Jake I need to show you something. I am going to ask you to trust me again. Will you?" Elina says stepping towards him.  "One thing I learned during combat is always trust your instincts," Jake replies meeting her halfway. Looking down into her eyes, he says "I trust you Elina."

Humbled Elina simply takes his hand and leads him through the house to a back bedroom. Walking through the bedroom door, Jake does not see her at first. Glancing to the right he sees a figure in a bed. "Beth?”
he whispers. Confused he steps forward rushing to her side and drops to his knees saying louder this time "Elsbeth!" Taking her hand in his, he feels how cold it is.
Looking at Elina he asks "What's wrong with her? Why won't she respond?"

"I don't know Jake, when I got to the car this is how she was. I was able to port her out and bring her here. She has not responded," Elina responds softly.
"I don't understand why she is not in the hospital?" Jake asks standing up."I need my bag." Thinking quickly; he runs from the room, grabbing his duffel he returns. He digs through pulling out his medical kit. Jake begins to examine Elsbeth. He notes that her eyes do not dilate. Her blood pressure is normal, pulse is normal, but she does not respond.  Ruby steps toward Jake and says, "We had a doctor check her, they could not find any physical trauma to cause this."

"I promise y
ou this is not a physical issue" Elina says. "She sleeps and eats, but she will not speak to us. I am sorry but I did not get to her in time."

"What are you talking about? How did you find her? Tell me what you know?" Jake demands
his anger rising.

"Jake, I was doing a search, and found some videos she made. I offered to help her, but I did not know who she was until today. We made plans to meet to talk about what was happening, but they attacked her before I could get
to her," Elina says frustrated.

"Who attacked her, Elin
a?" Jake asks calm and lethal.  "The demons Jake; the same ones you have been seeing all your life" Elina responds.
Ronnie walks in and says "I will sit with her and you two can go talk. Let her rest." Kissing his sister on the head Jake says to her "We will figure this out Beth. I promise you."  Elina leads him back to the kitchen, where Ruby is making coffee. She takes the phone, saying “I will go call my sister” and leaves giving them some privacy.

Standing with Jake she begins to feel nervous. "I don't know where to start, so I will keep it simple. Your sister put some video links on her website for Galeena’s Treasures, her company. When I watched them and realized what was happening, I offered to meet her to help. We were meeting Friday at a rest stop, but the attacks increased. I tried to get to her in time Jake." Sighing she says "I know it sounds crazy, but they forced her to crash and got to her first. I was able to get her body out, Jake but I do not
know how to help her now."

Jake sits down and says "I can't believe this! First Afghanistan, now this! What the hell is going on? I thought I was losing my mind, honestly. Now I am not sure of anything or anyone." Frustrated he rubs the back of his neck.
"Tell me about Afghanistan Jake," she asks.
Shaking his head no, he demands "You first. Who and What are you?”

"I was born in the past, Jake in a village of watchers. We were the chosen children of God. He gifted the watchers and chose them to protect and guide humanity. We were a peaceful people, guiding and helping when we could. One day all of that changed..." Elina tells Jake her story
and waits for his response.

Standing up Jake paces in the kitchen, “give me a minute here.” Trying to process all that she has told him; he knows her story is true. For the things he has
seen cannot be explained away.

Walking in, Aunt Ruby says "I'm sorry to interrupt but I have some information that may help Elsbeth.
” Turning to Jake she hesitates saying “We are asking so much of you...”

Jake interrupts her "You have filled in some blanks for me today, and given me my sister back. I am not going to start doubting you now. Just tell me what to
do to bring Elsbeth back."

Elina and Jake follow Ruby
into the room where Beth is. Ronnie is sitting quietly reading in a corner chair. "Ron, Polly suggested we try something that our ancestors used to do, this technique is ancient but it might help" Ruby says.

"Your sister may be old, but she knows
our history. Tell us what to do" Ronnie says smiling confidently.

Ruby walks to the foot of the bed speaking softly. "Polly believes we are dealing with imps, or lesser demons. They like to leach off a person’s soul draining them of the essence, and if allowed to they will possess the body.
"

"I've heard of these during my training.
 They are reckless, and like to cause trouble by torturing people. They feed off a person’s fear, growing larger as the fear grows," Elina tells the group.

"How do we defeat them?" Jake questions.
Ruby stares at Jake and says "You must wipe away all fear, Jake. Your conviction will cause it to release her. No matter what you see, do not give into the fear."

Taking his hand Elina says "Family is the key. I believe that we are part of the same family, that Elsbeth and you belong to one of the lost tribes Jake. Today I fol
lowed a golden thread and it led me to you; it is the same golden thread that drew me to you as a child."

Stepping forward Uncle Ronnie t
akes Ruby's hand and Elina's asking "The question is; Do you believe it Jake?"

"I'm beginning to," he says looking at
Elsbeth. "Tell me what to do." Standing close to the bed, they form a circle over her. Ruby says firmly "Do not break the circle."
Closing her eyes Elina prays,

"Father we ask you to protect us as we free your daughter from this evil. Protect us with your love, protect us with your light, free your daughter and help us guide her back."

Jake feels a vibration as he leaves his body. Looking down from above, he sees the others below holding hands. One by one they join him. Turning they look, and see silver threads floating on a sea of stars, and one golden thread faint and flickering. Jake follows the thread down, leaving the beauty and light of the galaxies above him. Down, he goes following the thread into a misty, dark, frigid place. A place that smothers the golden light until it fights with every heart beat to maintain its luminosity.

Elina, Ron, and Ruby join him, as they travel deep into an abysmal world. Into a world where the skies are blue black and void of any light save the flash of lightening. Deeper they go staying close to one another, following the faint flickering of the golden thread. In the distance a volcano spewing ash and rock provides an amber light with which to see.