She smiles at him as she says, “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure, I guess. I am tired of being everyone’s punching bag, Jake. When I am with you I always get in trouble?”
“I feel it is the right choice, but I will not force you, Elsbeth. I might point out that you get into trouble without me as well.”
“Touché big brother,” she replies laughing. “I would like to meet more Watchers. I say, let’s do it.” The baby begins to fuss just as Elina brings in coffee.
“My turn” she says clapping her hands together. “You are ready to eat, aren’t you, angel. Let’s go see your Mama.” Elsbeth and Jake finish discussing their travel plans.
Varena hears her coming and smiles through her tears. She can’t seem to stop crying. So much has happened so quickly that her faith is shaken and she fears for her child. Elina walks in and the concern is immediate.
“What’s wrong? Are you in pain?” she asks. Varena gathers her daughter in her arms.
“No, just emotional, I realized that I am finally free but unable to care for her in any way.” She sits in the rocker to nurse her daughter and she calms down immediately.
Elina smiles “Looks like you’re doing exactly what you should be doing.” She sits on the edge of the small bed and asks, “Are you afraid Raphaim will come for you?” The tears increase and Elina apologizes. “I am sorry, Rena. It is going to be okay.”
She tries to calm down; Varena realizes her friend thinks she is upset Raphaim left her. “When he looked at his daughter for the first time he said, ‘It is a shame she is a girl. Boys are more valuable.’ He does not want us, he never did.”
“I am not so sure about that, Varena.” She tells her about how Raphaim saved her and gave her the scroll, then asked for her promise to free Varena. “That sounds like someone who cares a great deal.”
Lifting the baby to her shoulder, she pats her gently and tells her emphatically “We were alone for years, Elina. I can’t tell you what that was like, but I can tell you I do not love him, I never did. I felt sorry for him, compassion for him, and I felt a connection with him because I was isolated for so long. Whatever he thinks he feels for me is only because I showed forgiveness and mercy. He only cares about one thing, Revenge. He wants his father to pay, and now he has the tool to do that.”
“What happens after, Varena?” Hunter asks stepping into the room with Alex behind him. Moving closer he asks her “What happens when he has no one to fixate on?”
Alex stumbles as the vision hits him falling to the ground.
He sees Raphaim screaming in rage when he finds they are missing from Polly’s. Infuriated he lights the house on fire. Raphaim calls on the Fallen and orders them to scour the Earth, “Find my wife and daughter!” he orders.
Releasing the vision, Alex is shaking on his knees.
“He will scour the earth with his army of demons and he will not stop until he finds you. He called you his wife!” Alex tells them as Elina helps him stand.
Varena jumps up clutching the baby to her heart, “I am not his anything! I have to go now!” Fear for her child has her running for the door.
“Wait,” Hunter says blocking the door. “You are in no condition to run from an army of the Fallen. Think, woman! Don’t react, think.”
Elina supports Alex and says, “We will let you two talk. Come on Alex. I know the after effects of the visions. Let’s get some water.”
“I am sorry I scared you, Rena.” Alex says, “That’s never happened before.”
Hunter moves aside and lets Elina care for Alex, knowing he needs to convince her. “I have a proposition for you, if you will hear me out.” Rena listens carefully to Hunter, but her mind can’t comprehend what he is saying.
Sitting down heavily in the chair, she looks up at him and asks quietly “Why? What’s in it for you? Why would you give up your life, job, and friends for us?” Feeling on the verge of hysteria, she is shaking so hard that he takes the baby from her gently.
Aware that what he says could scare her off, he simply says because “God told me too.” Dropping her head into her hands, she sobs and her sobs turn to laughter.
“God told you to?” Standing up she screams “Are you kidding me? I have been locked in a cell most of my life, beaten, raped, impregnated and tossed aside like trash. God has forsaken me!” The pressure in her chest builds, and for the first time ever she lets it. As she looks at Hunter her eyes begins to glow, and she feels a tingling in her arms and hands. “What’s happening to me?” she whispers.
Alex feels the rage and ports into the room followed by Elina. Stunned, Elina looks at her and knows they are almost out of time. Alex steps forward and grabs Rena’s hand reaching for Elina with his other hand, they form a circle. Immediately the power amplifies. Leaping from person to person, it creates a circle of light that radiates peace, not violence.
“God has not forgotten you, Varena. He gifted you with his most precious treasure. Will you honor that gift?” Elina asks quietly.
Feeling ashamed, she nods her head. The glow dims and they release her hands. Her eyes dim, and she walks to Hunter. He hands her daughter to her. Varena and the baby are enveloped in a white light. They all step back from her as she cradles her daughter and the light disappears.
“You are a Keeper” Alex says in awe. Hunter smiles at Varena as a look of wonder crosses her face. Elina
