“How often have you gone to hell, Alex?” she asks.
“Only a few times before this. Mostly I just watch. I have been trying to figure out how to save some of the children from the Mocker.” He drops his eyes and then asks, “Raphaim could have killed dad if he chose to. Why didn’t he?”
Elina sighs deep, “Who knows the mind of a demon? I think the shock of seeing Varena probably stunned him. Don’t mistake his moment of weakness for anything else, he was truly evil, Alex.”
“I thought he was going to kill me… when he was choking me. If you hadn’t come back… I,” he stutters.
She pulls him into a hug, “You did the best you could, Alex. Our parents would have been so proud of you today!” she presses a kiss to his head and smiles when she hears Hunter behind her.
“This parent sure is!” Hunter tells him.
“Thanks Dad.”
“Alex, could you go get Simeon for me? He’s with Elsbeth. Ask him to help repair the hole in the house. Can’t believe I just said that?” she says with a small laugh.
After Alex hurries away, she turns to Hunter and lowers her voice, “This was just the beginning, the Mocker will come after us and he will not stop until we are all dead and the book is his. You must take them and leave.”
“No, I must help you fight him, it is what I was born to do.” Hunter snaps.
“I believe our God is tasking you with something else. Alex was put into your safekeeping, and now Varena and the baby. I can’t be everywhere, Hunter. I have to find the parts of the book and return them to the light. How can I do that and protect my brother? Please say you will help me!” she asks.
Before Hunter can speak, Alex answers from behind them as he jumps from the porch stairs, “I will not leave you!”
Frustrated, she turns to look at him. “Lexy will be the ultimate prize for the Mocker. He has spent his lifetime trying to create the perfect weapon. He failed, all of his children are monsters! Every one of them, including Raphaim. I have seen what Alexandria will be capable of. If he gets his hands on her, all of humanity will pay. He will not stop until we are all dead. Not just our family, Alex but all of Humankind. I know what it is I am asking of you, but I need you to trust me. Go with Hunter, train. Learn to control your powers, then you can fight with me.” Her blue eyes beg him for understanding.
“What will she become?” Varena asks, stepping into the small group holding the baby.
“Unstoppable. With an unquenchable desire for pain, misery and blood.” Elina does not hold back as she tells them the truth. “Alexandria is the child of a demon and a keeper. Gifted with traits from both. Her grandfather is an Archangel, who fell to Earth to destroy us all. She may be the Anti-Christ, or she may be the answer to all our problems. Only time will tell, but she must be protected.”
Hunter bows his head, “Elina is right, about one thing,” Hunter says, “We need to go. We can protect them until the time comes for you to join your sister. I promise when you feel ready, I will not stop you.”
“Alright, but I want you to promise to call me, Elina, if you need my help?” Alex stresses.
“I will call for you when the time is right,” she promises. She turns to Varena, “I believe if you take her and go with Hunter you will be safe.”
“I will go pack. I will see you in the morning, Hunter.” She moves softly into the house with the baby.
“Alex go back to our house to pack, I will follow. We will return first thing in the morning.” Elina watches as they leave and sighs. Hunter turns back to her with a glare.
“Tell me what you have seen.” Hunter demands.
“I have seen what may happen, not what will happen,” she says avoiding his eyes.
Hunter steps closer to her and lowers his voice, “I expect more from you Keeper! Tell me the truth!”
“I can’t tell you what I do not know for sure, Gunskaliski!” she fires back.
“Then tell me how am I to keep them safe if I do not know what I am dealing with?” Hunter begins to pace back and forth.
“Lexy may be completely normal, Hunter, or she may develop a taste for blood.” She says watching him closely.
Hunter stops moving, “What?”
Moving closer she explains, “Her Grandfather and Father used blood to strengthen their physical bodies. It is also possible that she will NOT need it. Only time will tell. The path I was shown was what she would become if the Mocker gets her. That is why she must be protected.”
“Okay, I understand. I will go pack and leave first thing in the morning.” He responds in a hoarse voice. He walks away thinking of the newborn child who has so much against her. Determined to protect her he clears his throat and says, “Thank you.”
A nod to Hunter’s thanks and Elina turns back towards the house planning her next move. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, she hopes they will all enjoy the day together, she will not be here to join in the celebration.
Chapter 14
Elina hurries to her bedroom to get everything together for Hunter and Alex. The bag she prepared for them is ready. Hunter will do the rest. Simeon works on repairing the front of the house and everyone returns to rest after the battle. Malach has taken Lucas’s soul home, and Hunter has gone home with Alex. Varena and the baby are resting. Elina seeks out Ronnie.
Ronnie is in the living room looking at the repairs Simeon made to the wall. “Amazing, isn’t it?
