Elina is honored to share this moment and she watches the couple exchange leis. The holy man ties their hands together with a maile lei and all sounds fade. Elina thinks back over the last few weeks. It is odd that she has seen what will happen to humanity if she fails, yet life continues. Humanities strength is in their ability to never give up and always hope. Hope is what keeps them going no matter the odds.
They know life is not easy, but they hope that hand in hand they will find the ability to face whatever life throws at them. Seth slides the ring on her finger as they exchange vows and laughter and joy greets the sun as they kiss and start the new day, as husband and wife.
Chapter 22
Hatred is a funny thing. It grows in one’s soul like a tender seed planted and nurtured by fear, greed, envy, and lust.
She laughs and dances all night, enjoying the evening as though she had the right to life! Scott watches drinking and seething as Elina is passed from man to man like the whore she is.
Scott has become a master at disguising his feelings. He has gifted the newlyweds a night at a beautiful private cottage overlooking a waterfall.
Heather and Seth leave for their honeymoon night with the intention of returning in the morning.
Soon the Keeper will pay for letting them kill his wife and destroying his life. He tosses his empty bottle on the sand and turns in for the night. He will wait for them to all retire, then his plan will be put into action.
The family pitches in to help clean up after the wedding. While the men move furniture, Elina and Leilani clean up trash. They walk around laughing at the antics of the men as they fill their trash bags.
Elina is smiling when she walks toward a glass bottle on the beach. The moment her hands touch the glass, the vision takes hold.
Tu’rel the tattooed hairless demon and son of the Mocker is talking to someone in a library.
“Bring me the information I need and your family will be protected, human. I seek a much greater treasure than your family. I want the Keeper! She has killed my brothers and she must pay. Do not think for a moment that you can run from us. We are many.”
“I will do whatever it takes to protect my family.” Scott says drinking another glass of whiskey and trying not to look into the eyes of hell.
“Excellent, though I am tempted to taste your daughter. She is… sweet.” he says, laughing at Scott’s reaction.
His eyes meet the black eyes of the demon. “No! I will do what you ask, but only if you promise not to hurt my family.” Scott demands….
Elina’s startled scream grabs Jake, and he runs towards her just as she drops to the sand. When he touches her arm, Elina feels him with her and shares the vision with him.
Fury fills his face, as he says “Betrayer!”
The vision fades and she looks up at Jake, “I guess my vacation is over.” Makaio and Leilani with their sons all stare at them, expectantly.
Jake pulls her to her feet, “Change of plans. Tonight we hunt.”
Jake and Elina say goodbye making sure to be loud enough for Scott to hear and head back to Jakes house. Scott watches them climb into Jake’s truck and ports to the woods behind Jake’s house, waiting.
“Jake this doesn’t make sense. Scott blames me for the death of his wife, but it was his choice to betray us all. Why would he risk Heather’s safety, now that she is happy? He loves his family.” she asks as they drive back to the house.
“What I picked up from the vision was madness, Elina. Rage, Fury, and guilt. He feels guilty for the death of his wife. He is sick. I can’t believe no one picked up on this until now. I mean I knew he was struggling with alcohol, but we all thought he was getting better.”
“I felt that too, but there is more. He has lost his grasp on reality, he is determined to make me pay at any cost. Even the loss of his only living child? I can’t risk the safety of everyone because of him. His abilities must not be discounted, he is still a keeper, Jake.”
Jake cuts the engine as they pull into his driveway. “Are you ready?”
“Yes. Let’s go.” They get out walking inside.
Hidden in the woods, Scott ignores the sounds of the bugs, frogs and other creatures of the forest and hides being sure to stay out of sight. He uses his Keepers ability to call the demons just as he did when he betrayed his family. Lights fill the windows as they move deeper into the house and Scott smiles. Sure, they will remain inside for the night, he moves back into the forest.
The Lua warriors are spiritual warriors who have been highly trained in martial arts, weapons, and stealth. Like the ninja’s of old, Lua warriors have the ability to blend into the night and not be seen or heard.
Makaio had summoned the strongest of his brothers and they answered the call. His strike force ghosts through the forest, hidden by the thick brush, they edge up the side of the small mountain, readying themselves in silence.
Scott turns at a sound behind him and stares in horror at the demon looking at him. It steps through the brush into the open on all fours. His skin is translucent and long white hair hangs around its face. Black beady eyes and an overlarge mouth, lined with rotting needle sharp teeth. It’s muscular, hairless body has long skinny arms that end
