Sandy's Story (Ditch Lane Diaries Book 3) (23 page)

Luc walked over to the bar and pulled out a bottle of tequila and said, “Drink with me, Daireann. Celebrate who you are. Celebrate with me.” The slight change of her expression and the twitching of her upper lip gave him an indication he was close to sealing the deal.

Sandy stepped over to the bar and drank a shot of tequila. “I used to think that way. The old saying, if it feels good do it. God, it was my motto for years. I’ve slept with many men and satisfied my sexual hunger. I loved the rush of the power I held over the men in my life. It took your thug, Cole, nearly killing my dad before I realized why I used my body.”

Sandy ran her finger around the rim of the shot glass, then sat it down on the bar. “It was because of my child abuse, which you were probably behind anyway. I sat in St. Timothy’s and poured my heart out to The Creator, and Baldric appeared. The Spirit of Man paired us. I know the difference now between sex for the hell of it and what it means to make love to your soul mate. I’d rather have one night with Baldric than years of meaningless sex. Sex without love is like watching two dogs go at it.”

Luc got mad and threw his shot glass into the fireplace, sending shards of glass across the floor. “Damn it, woman. Don’t you think Baldric lusts after you? It’s because of his honor and respect to The Creator he paired with you because he was your guardian. He was sworn to protect you. Do you have any idea how many human females Baldric fucked? If you don’t believe me, ask him. Don’t you see the possiblities we could have together? All that you see and don’t see on earth belongs to me.” Luc grabbed her face between his hands and he leaned in close to her mouth. With barely a whisper, he said, “You’re the first human female since Cleopatra I’ve wanted to mate. I’ve never made love to a human, and I want to make love to you. I desire you.”

Luc caressed her cheek and then rubbed the top of her lip with his thumb while he stared into her hazel green eyes sparkling with specks of gold. He took in her beauty and released a moan of desire. “I’m giving you choices I’ve never offered another human. Mate me, bear my children, and we’ll create a superhuman race.”

Luc released her and went over to stand at the floor-to-ceiling windows. With his back turned to her, he said, “Baldric thinks he loves you, but he’ll never leave The Creator or the AAF, not even for you. Don’t delude yourself. Your one night will have to last an eternity because it’s all you’ll ever get from him.” He turned toward her. “Before you blurt out an answer you’ll live to regret, sleep on my offer tonight.”

Sandy ran her fingers through her hair and walked over to stand in front of Luc. She took in a deep breath and exhaled, then said, “Just so we’re clear, I’m paired with Baldric. He is my soul mate. As miraculous as this trip has been with you, I wouldn’t trade my life with him for anything you have, real or imagined. If I only get the one night with Baldric, it was worth it. You don’t have the capacity to love.”

Sandy opened her arms with her hand’s palms up. “I have no idea why The Creator keeps you alive to wreak havoc on the whole world. The only thing I can fathom is you are His creation. You were once a part of His inner circle. It’s like the prodigal son parable in the Bible. You’re his lost son. He waits for your return to admit and repent your wrongs against him and the earth. He still loves you. But judgment day comes to all, and you’re not the exception to the rule.”

Luc’s eyes glowed red, and his wings extended. He threw his head back and screamed so loud it shattered all of the windows in the penthouse. How dare she speak to him about The Creator. Luc grabbed Sandy by her hair. The next second, they were back in the caverns in Sandy’s chamber. Luc threw her on the floor and yelled, “You have twenty-four hours to submit before me. I want you willingly. But if you feel you can’t, then I will take your soul. You’ll lose everyone you love. Remember this, pretty fades, but stupid lasts forever.” Luc disappeared in a whirlwind, sending Sandy flying against the stone wall.

* * *

Sandy sat on the cold stone floor and cried. Had Baldric slept with many human females? He had lusted after her. She hadn’t read his come-on signals wrong. Had Baldric only paired with her out of respect for The Creator?

Sandy shook with fear and drew her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. By the grace of the Almighty, she’d survived the trip with Luc. She closed her eyes and prayed for help. Sandy prayed for deliverance.

Twenty-four hours to choose between her everlasting soul or the people she loved. The Prince sacrificed himself for humanity. The Prince prayed for deliverance. Sandy complained many times growing up about going to church every Sunday. The countless drills of memorizing Bible verses in Sunday school paid off. On her knees, she closed her eyes and prayed. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup of suffering from me. Yet, I want Your will to be done, not mine.” Sandy repeated the verse aloud several times.

Pain and suffering had plagued Sandy for most of her life. Why did some suffer more than others? Her choice would affect many lives. She thought about her soul. The inner spirit never dies but lives on forever. How could she give up her spirit to live an eternity with Luc?

Luc had many bad qualities, but on the turn of a dime, he oozed charisma. One moment he was tender and the next manic. Sandy thought about the look in Luc’s eyes on Mount Mitchell. If Luc loved anything, it was earth. But his manipulations of humanity were destroying the very thing he held dear. Sandy thought of the legion of angels, including Caiojezeal, who loved Luc so much they pledged allegiance to him and were cast out of heaven. Maybe Caiojezeal found Baldric. Maybe they would rescue her before her soul was damned.

People were clueless to the supernatural warfare waging around them as they went about their lives. The earth was held in a fragile balance of good and evil. Sandy curled into a ball on the floor.

Baldric had committed to her in front of the Spirit of Man. He was her husband whether their union was sanctioned or not. Sandy wouldn’t hold it against Baldric if what Luc told her was true. She’d used enough men in her life. Sandy was a mere blip on the radar of life. As she drifted in and out of sleep, she decided on her answer and would give it to Luc in the morning.

A warm, glowing light filled the cold chamber. “Sandra Daireann, you will not fail The Creator, your husband, family, or friends. You have my inner light within you. Keep your faith and hold it dear. Your divine soul is not yours to give up. Rise, my daughter.”

Sandy opened her eyes. She wasn’t dreaming. The Spirit of Man levitated before her. “He said he would take my soul if I didn’t submit.”

The Spirit of Man waved her hand over the top of Sandy and filled her with great strength. The Spirit of Man said, “Luc’s been using that old chestnut since the beginning of humanity. He cannot take your soul unless you give it to him. Luc also is extremely manipulative when he doesn’t get what he wants. Baldric loves you, dear. He and you share a rare love. Love is the strongest power in the universe. Stand strong and be brave, for I will be with you until the end of an age.”

The light faded, and Sandy knew the spirit was right. Love was the answer, and she would fight for Baldric and their love unto her death.

* * *

Ruby lay in bed with Reed spooning her. She’d set the alarm for three thirty. Reed was still sound asleep as she stared at the digital clock radio on the nightstand next to one of her wedding photos. Behind the wedding picture, a larger silver frame held a picture of Ruby holding Joe with Reed’s arm around her waist. Ruby knew The Creator had blessed her beyond measure with the man of her dreams and their bouncing baby boy. But in a couple of hours, her happy little family might be destroyed in spiritual warfare. Knots twisted in her stomach at the thought of losing Reed.

They’d spent the night with her parents. Anna and Jerry along with the guardians were meeting at four o’clock in the kitchen to launch the SEU rescue mission. Harry was babysitting Joe during the battle. Ruby tried to talk her mom out of fighting, but Lee wouldn’t budge. She explained she’d fought in battles before, and the team needed her experience.

Frightened but determined, Ruby would give her life for her family and friends. She knew they felt the same about her. Love sometimes meant sacrifice. Her heart fluttered wildly as if summer butterflies were having a party. Her mouth was dry as a bone.

Reed stirred and nuzzled her neck. “Were you able to sleep at all?”

Ruby rubbed his hands and flipped around to face him. His beautiful chiseled face and whiskey brown eyes reflected the love he felt for her. Reed volunteered for the mission. Tears welled in her eyes and she said, “I want you to know you’ve made my life.” He started to say something, but she pressed her finger to his lips. “Please let me finish. If I die today, I know my son has the best daddy in the whole world. I know how much you love me, but I want you happy. I want you to celebrate this miracle we call life. I want you to move on and find someone who will love and take care of you. We’ll meet again in a place where there are no tears.”

Reed wiped her tears away and held her face in his hands. “Ruby Jane, I love you more than my life, and I will not let you die today. The guardians trained me well, and, Jellybean, I’m a lethal machine. So get the thought out of your pretty red head.” He kissed her slowly and moved away slightly to kiss each cheek before grazing her lips again. Ruby breathed him in, and as their kiss lengthened, they touched each other’s shoulders, trailing their fingers over each other’s arms until they clasped hands. His soft sensual touch was delicate as a feather, and when he made love to her, it was as close to heaven as she wanted to be.

After they showered and dressed, Ruby and Reed checked on little Joe. Joe slept soundly with drool slipping out of the corner of his lips. Ruby lightly ran her fingers through his curly red hair. She carefully lowered the rail of the baby bed. She bent down and kissed his soft, chubby cheek, and Reed leaned over and kissed Joe, too. She returned the rail to its former position and tucked Joe’s blanket around his body. Ruby straightened her shoulders, lifted her chin, and with an intake of breath, she said, “I’m ready. Let’s go see who’s here.”

Reed held her in his arms again and kissed the top of her head. “Let’s rock, baby.”

They held hands walking down the stairs, past her dad’s den, down the hall, and through the great room into the kitchen. Inside the kitchen, the guardians of Campbell Ridge stood battle ready in full armor, packing a multitude of weapons.

Ruby noticed the love in the air between her parents, and Jerry and Anna. She could only assume everyone took the opportunity to get a little extra loving before they went into battle.

Harry hugged Lee so tight and kissed her like no one was watching. He released her and said, “I’ll hold down the fort. Come back to me, Tootie.” Harry and Lee had called each other Tootie for years as a sign of affection. Ruby fought hard not to cry. She couldn’t eat or drink anything because she didn’t think she’d keep it down.

Seneca stepped over to Ruby and held her arms. “You’re ready, and I’ll be with you. Just remember, when the battle starts, never look back. Go for the kill. I’ll give you armor and weapons at Nelson Doune Farms.” Seneca kissed her forehead and said, “I love you.” He dematerialized.

Ruby glanced at Baldric. She understood why they called him Baldric the Warrior. He looked like a slayer of dragons. He would get Sandy back. Baldric said, “Before I leave, I want to say I owe each of you a debt of gratitude I’ll never be able to pay back.” He bowed and dematerialized.

One by one the guardians left on the ethereal plane to Nelson Doune Farms. Jerry and Anna, Ruby and Reed, Harry and Lee stood together in a circle. Without being told, they grabbed hands and bowed their heads as they recited the King James version of Psalm 23:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Chapter 15

Sledgehammer

Traveling on the astral plane from LA, Lucifer entered the northern border of Arrington Estates shortly after four a.m. Walking past the two aluminum outbuildings, he sensed a change in the air. It prickled his built-in what-the-fuck sensor. Something just didn’t feel quite right. Luc looked at both buildings storing farm equipment along with a varying array of weapons for the human guards in his employ.

Luc strode from the outbuildings to the large barn and went through the main double doors down the center alley. Stalls held his prize-winning Tennessee Walkers. The main barn also had a tack room and grooming area. Luc stepped over to his black beauty, rubbed his nose, and materialized a carrot in his hand. “Good boy. You’re a magnificent beast.” He flew up to the massive loft holding hay bales and straw. Nothing was out of place or seemed out of order.

Luc shook his head as he left the barn and ported across the back lot to his garden. He’d drawn the design from his memory of the Rose Garden in heaven and hired the best landscape developer in the South. It was one of the few areas which gave him contentment. Luc took the side entrance through the state-of-the-art kitchen with black appliances and opened the microwave. Estevo left him a plate of spicy lime chicken with a side of Spanish rice and corn on the cob. The personal chef worked miracles with herbs, sauces, and peppers. Luc had a sophisticated palate that loved spicy food and the hotter, the better, but he wasn’t hungry for food.