Hannah left the top off her jeep and drove away from work like a bat out of Hell. It was late, long past dinnertime, and hardly any cars were on the road. She loved how the wind rushed past her face and through her hair. If only she could fly! She snorted and pushed the pedal to the floor without a care. She knew all the highway patrolmen personally, thanks to her lead foot as a teenager. Her father, Michael, a Brethren Protector, would only bail her out so much. She’d used up her “saves” a long time ago, so she’d been careful to drive the speed limit ever since. But tonight begged for speed.
“Whoo hoo!” Pure exhilaration coursed through every fiber of her body. It’d been a long, busy day, and this capped it off well. First, Gabriel had let her help out on a case, and it turned into a lucrative field operation. Then, she managed to keep all three of his afternoon meetings on schedule. Finally, her In-box was empty! She could really use some of that champagne Tony had offered right about now. Instead, she headed for Rick’s house for a night of unwinding, which meant hot and heavy sex. She’d called and told him to be ready for her. He had no complaints.
If this is how Gabriel’s staff felt after a day out in the field, she wanted more. She should be doing more. Six weeks from today and she’d be a full-fledged Brethren angel, wings and all. How can any of them expect her to do her job if she never got field experience?
If she were honest with herself, she wasn’t even sure how she felt about it. When she was a little girl, it’s all she dreamed of. She’d finally be immortal like her parents and her siblings. She’d finally fit in with all the people she loved most. But as she’d grown, misgivings and apprehensions grew as well and filled her with dread. Yes, she’d fit in with her family, but how would she be received by friends who’d known her a lifetime and friends who’d she’d only met recently? And what about having a love life? She suspected her circles would shrink dramatically and Rick would be the last boyfriend she’d ever have. In the past few years, she’d gained some perspective back and settled into a tenuous balancing act of ambivalence.
That indecision led her down a path of adventure, exploration, and risk. She loved rock climbing, and challenged herself nearly every weekend while the weather held out. She tried creative endeavors, and found photography and drawing to be therapeutic as well as a strong suit. With immortality and responsibility creeping ever closer, she made a conscious choice to try everything, to risk everything, and enjoy life to the fullest.
Part of that risk included allowing herself to get involved with men. Rick and she had been together for about a year. They met at a singles’ rock-climbing event where he was the instructor. When they reached the top of the rock at the same time, they decided a celebratory drink together was in order. Once back down the cliff, they went to a bar, drank a shitload, and wound up in her apartment having marathon sex all night long. And that’s how their relationship rolled-risky pursuits followed up by hot, sweaty sex.
She parked the Jeep in his driveway and walked up the path to his front door. A note had been taped to the door knob. Come inside. A surprise awaits you. Butterflies fluttered in her belly as she laughed and opened the door. All the lights were off, but one. A faint glow from the back of the house caught her attention. Rick’s bedroom.
“Hello! I’m here! Tossing my keys and shoes in the foyer.” She walked further into the house, listened for a response, and got none. “I’m taking off my shirt. Now off with my pants.” She dropped her clothes on the hallway floor leading to his bedroom. Still no sign that he’d heard her. “Wanna come and help me take off the rest?”
Puzzled by the silence, she padded further on to his bedroom, and that’s where her surprise began. Her favorite music mixed with the heady scent of incense. A trail of rose petals from his bedroom door to the master bath begged her to follow, and she did so without hesitation.
Lit candles filled every corner and crevice, casting a warm glow over the entire space. His spa bath was full and bubbling, but he was still nowhere to be seen. Not one to be shy, she removed her panties and bra and stepped right in. She moaned and leaned back to relax. The jets of hot water instantly found her sore points and worked on soothing the knots away. She closed her eyes, took a breath, and went under.
The space around her filled, and a shadow formed above her head. As she came up for air, she opened her eyes to find Rick’s smoldering, and watched as his mouth set in a devilish grin. He lowered his naked body into the water and scooped her up to straddle his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and freed his shoulder-length, blonde curls so she could play.
“Hey, you,” she said, raising a brow. “Is that a banana in the tub or are you happy to see me?”
“Hey, yourself. I’m definitely happy to see you.” She felt his stomach muscles clench as he leaned in with a direct assault on her lips.
She didn’t put up the least bit of a fight and kissed him right back. Years of rock climbing had created hills and valleys of power on him that dared her to run hands teasingly up and over every single one.
He released her lips and rocked against her, and her breath hitched. “You’re ready for me, aren’t you?”
“Mmm, I’m so ready.” She raked her hands through his hair and grabbed a fierce fistful. “I was ready on the drive over here.”
“Here I am, baby. All yours.”
“Door’s open, come inside.” He lifted her gently and eased her back down, filling her with a hot pulsing that fueled her desire for fast and furious.
She immediately took control and rode him hard and wild, sending surges of water spilling over the edge of the tub. He stole control back and stood with her ass cradled in his hands. Turning her back to the tiled wall, he pressed her against it and thrust deeply over and over until she bucked in his hands and screamed. He roared as he climaxed, and then pressed his mouth to hers, moaning along with her as she came down off her high.
Slowly, he brought them back down to rest in the warm, jetted water. Still nestled in his arms, she cooed her contentment. “So, what’s my surprise?”
She giggled and he laughed right along with her. “This wasn’t enough?”
“As amazing as it was, somehow I don’t believe this is all there is to it. You’re still too keyed up. I can feel it.”
“I made dinner?”
“Uh, no, I don’t think so.”
“Dang, woman. You’re hard to fool.”
“It’s all that investigative training I get every day, you know.” She started tickling him in the ribs, his most vulnerable spot.
“All right. All right! I give! But we gotta get outta the tub first and dry off.”
“Are you serious? You can get out if you want. I still need a few minutes to make sure my legs work.”
Abruptly, he stood with her in his arms and then just as he was about to lower her completely, he dropped her the last inch or so into the tub. She went under and came up sputtering.
“Oh, you suck! Paybacks! Payback’s a bitch, Rick!”
He ran off with a towel, laughing all the way, before she could even see straight. One thing for certain, life was never boring with him around.
Dried off and comfortable, in borrowed clothes, Hannah nestled in the deep cushions of Rick’s sofa. He’d told her to sit there and wait while he got the final part of the surprise. He came back with a box the size of a TV in his hands.
“You did not get me a TV, did you? You know I don’t like watching it.”
“Nope. Not a TV. Whoa! It’s a little challenging to hold. Let me put it down so you can open it.” He rested it right at her feet. “Okay. Go ahead. I don’t know how much longer I can wait.”
“Rick, there are holes in the top of this box. You didn’t. You didn’t!” She tore into the box and out jumped a puppy of unknown origin right into her lap. “You did. Oh, my God!” The frisky bugger licked and pawed at her. “Whoa! He’s insane. Ha ha! Down.”
The puppy obeyed her tone and finger right away. “Smart one, this is. Oh, Rick. I can’t believe you got me a puppy. Whatever made you think to do this?”
“Mother and three pups were found on a hiking path by one of my co-workers the other day. Only this one survived. She’s keeping the mother, but needed a home for him. She’s pretty sure the mother is a King Shepherd. No idea about the dad. I couldn’t say no to that face, and figured you’d feel the same. If you don’t want him, I’ll keep him here.”
“He’s so fluffy! How can I resist?” She paused, bit her lip, and looked into the eyes of a man smitten by a dog. It was an easy decision. “But I must. I’m sorry. I work so late, five days a week. Sometimes, even on the weekends. I can’t keep this beauty locked up in a kennel all day. It wouldn’t be fair to him at all. Your schedule is much more flexible than mine, and since you’re always outdoors, it’s perfect for this cutie who will soon be a giant.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure I love him already, but I’m also sure he belongs here with you.” She leaned over and kissed him gently on the cheek. “Thank you. He’s an amazing surprise, and you’re even more amazing for saving him from an unknown fate. So, what will you call him?”
“I thought you’d be naming him, but I have been thinking.” His eyes brightened like a child on Christmas morning.
“And?” She cocked a brow.
“I think he should be called Warrior. He made it through tough times and fought to stay alive.”
“That’s perfect. It suits him. I think you two will be fast friends. You know, I bet you had this planned to turn out this way from the start. Hey, your phone’s been buzzing off the wall. Somebody must really want to talk to you. Aren’t you gonna get it?”
Warrior gnawed on his shoe, and Rick quickly replaced it with something more appropriate for a dog—a toy shoe. “My phone? I have the sound off. Didn’t want us to be disturbed.”
“You may have thought you turned the sound off, but it’s on. I hear it plain as day. Go answer it or turn it off before it drives me nuts.”
“I honestly don’t know what you’re talking about, but I’ll humor ya.” She rolled her eyes and played with the puppy as he went to the kitchen. He came marching back into the living room, looking victorious, and showed her his phone. “Look. I haven’t touched a thing. The sound is off. Oddly enough, though, I got three calls. Do you have supernatural hearing or something?”
“Maybe I do, but you’ll never know.” She wiggled her brow and wagged a finger at him. “So watch what you say when you think I can’t hear ya. Oh, and the sound was on.” She squealed, jumped off the couch and raced into the bedroom, hoping he would follow. Warrior beat him there and peed on the wood floor. “Rick! Time to engage in puppyhood duties. Warrior just peed on your floor. He is your dog, you know. Time to start training the little dude.”
“What? Are you kidding me?” He appeared, annoyed, in the doorway. “Great. Come on Warrior. To the kennel with you.” He pick up the pup and came back a few moments later. “Listen, babe. It’s gonna be a long night. Lucky for me, I don’t work tomorrow. But you do, and need your sleep. It’s only a couple of days until the weekend. Why don’t you head back to your place and I’ll call you tomorrow?”
“Are you sure you don’t need me here to help?”
“You don’t need Mr. Boss Man firing you for sleeping on the job. Nope. I’m good.”
“Well, I guess I’ll get my things, and see you Friday night. Good luck with your new best friend.”
Before she could get up off the bed, he pounced on her, pinning her down on the bed for a long, deep kiss. Warrior cried and whimpered. Hannah sighed and patted Rick’s shoulder as he slumped onto the bed.
“Sorry, honey. It’s the nature of the beast. I’ve had dogs before, and training a puppy is not easy.”
“Don’t I know it! I had dogs, too, growing up. Lord help me.” He lifted himself and then her off the bed and walked her to the front door. “If you don’t hear from me by Friday afternoon, send in the troops.”
“Got it. See ya later, Pops.” She winked and hopped in her Jeep to head for home.
She didn’t feel much like listening to music, so turned her radio off. Music still thrummed in her ears. She turned the stereo on and off again. The music played on. She looked around. Not a soul but she on the road, except for a faint glow of headlights from a car way off in the distance ahead of her. What the hell is going on?
The music got louder and louder as the oncoming car approached. What’s this guy doing, having the volume turned up to ear-splitting at this time of night? As he zoomed past her, she reflexively covered her ears, but it didn’t make a difference. It wasn’t until she couldn’t see his tail lights any longer that she couldn’t hear his music either. First Rick’s phone, now this. Weird. She shrugged it off and concentrated on staying awake for the rest of the trip.
“Mama, I had a bad dream. Can I sleep with you?”
“When are you gonna ask your boss for a raise already? You told me you’d do it last week.”
“Put down the gun man, I swear I didn’t sleep with her.”
Hannah swerved back and forth on the road, trying to control the uncontrollable, and drove off to the side, coming to an abrupt stop on the shoulder. She put the car in park and covered her ears again while looking frantically about. Was she going mad? Where were these voices coming from?
“I’m telling Mom!”
“I hate you, you cheating bastard. Get out.”
Hannah jumped out of the Jeep and paced around it. “Stop it! Get out of my head!”
As sudden as the voices surrounded her, they were gone. All was silent but for chirping crickets and rustling palm fronds. Removing her hands from her ears, she pivoted to the right and left. Still no cars or people to be seen or heard. She’d put in a full day and a robust evening. Being overtired could have driven her senses into hyperawareness, making sounds that weren’t there. But these weren’t just sounds. They were bits and pieces of conversations.
Hopping back in her vehicle, she drove the rest of the way at a much safer speed and arrived home without further incident or whispers from unknown voices. Too tired to care about her nightly beauty routine, she collapsed on her bed and fell asleep, entering into a recurring dream that she’d had since she was six years old. A dream that promised much to her, expected all from her, and gave little comfort whenever she awoke.
She stood before the council of seven ancient souls, sitting on a golden dais, in a chamber whose very walls glowed golden with energy and radiated soothing warmth. There was no ceiling above them, just a murky mist. Beneath her lay a smooth marble tile that cooled her bare feet. She didn’t fear these council members, but had the utmost of respect for them. They talked in whispers to each other and then turned to stare pointedly at her.
One finally spoke. “We, the Council of Ancient Souls, have brought you here because it has been ordained. Hannah, daughter of Emma, granddaughter of Mica, great granddaughter of Sima, you are one part of the Trinity ushering in a new era of peace. We have given you gifts that will lead us to lasting victory over the darkness that threatens to expand its hold over our world.”
Another stood at his seat and spoke, “The first gift you have already received as a child. The Ancient Warrior soul resided within you until Evil was vanquished by the Trinity and the Brethren.”
“The second gift is the gift of immortality. You were a child when you first came to us, and you have grown to reach your thirty-sixth year. As it is written, you shall assume your immortal state and become one of the Brethren, as the leader of the Warriors.
“The third and final gift is that you, alone, will then possess the power to create or annihilate. Although your intuition will never steer you wrong, use this power with extreme discretion. And take care, for Evil is insidious and will try to usurp your powers yet again.”
Questions fomented and begged to be answered. “How do I prepare? How do I control these powers? What if I make a mistake? What if Satan succeeds in taking my powers?”
“Then the world as you know it shall end. All that you love will be destroyed, to be replaced by darkness and depravity. Hell will come to earth.”
“Don’t you think that’s a lot to ask of one person? I mean, it sounds like I’m about to become almost God-like. I can create and annihilate? That frightens me. Maybe when I was a kid, it seemed fun and cool, but now that I’m a grown woman, I’m not at all comfortable with the idea. Can I do a gift exchange? Maybe you can give me something that’s not so ominous? Like the power to talk to animals. Now, that would be great.”
“The prophecy is unchangeable. You have the strength within to handle what lies ahead. Do not doubt your abilities or think yourself unworthy of the power bestowed upon you. You are only given what you can handle, even when you cannot see that for yourself. Rest easy, child. You will know what to do when the time comes.”
Chimes on her phone alarm awakened her far too soon from sleep. “I’ll know when the time comes? What a load of crap!” Hannah grumbled as she stretched and twisted in bed, forcing sleepy muscles to obey the directive; get the hell up. Normally, she’d spring out of bed to start her day. Not this morning. Of course, she had to have one of those dreams that exhausted and frustrated her. It blended perfectly with the weirdness of her trip home last night.
Her phone buzzed. “I heard you the first time, you damnable alarm!” She picked it up and saw Gabriel had sent her a message. “Oh….” She needed to be casual chic today. Meaning wear jeans and stilettos. And she needed to meet him at a particular address in an hour. The delivery was happening today! It would take her about ten minutes to get there from her house, as it was located in Prophet’s Point, too. She needed to hustle, though, so ran a quick shower, secured her wet hair in a severe chignon, and after dressing, did her best to replicate the makeup artistry from yesterday.
Do I look all right for him? Why did she care? She brushed off the odd musing and smiled broadly in the foyer mirror, using a finger to wipe lipstick off her front teeth. Her hands tingled. Nerves. In less than an hour she’d be purchasing two kids with the false intent of using them as sex slaves. Fifteen years at Seeker Investigations, and she’d seen it all. On paper. Now, she was about to be a part of the action. More than her hands felt the adrenaline surging. Her heart thrummed as loudly as her revving Jeep engine. A random thought flitted across her mind as she roared down the road. I think I need a motorcycle.
The street she turned down, the neighborhood of Rancho Demonico, was unfamiliar to her, and a study of meticulous lawn grooming and artistic desert landscape design. Houses were set on what she estimated to be about an acre of property, giving homeowners room to breathe. Each house was structurally different from the next, straying from the usual cookie-cutter style homes in most Arizona towns. The further in she drove, the more she sensed this neighborhood was more than met the eye. Wealth lived here. People who maybe had something to hide and drove straight into their garages without so much as a hello lived here.
She needed 1999 East Kayenta Street. She found it, innocuously nestled in a cul-de-sac, set back on a much larger, fenced in parcel of land than the other homes. Where was Gabriel’s car? It wasn’t in the circular drive. It probably sat in the garage. She messaged Gabriel and told him to unlock it so she could park in there, too.
“Great. No room for mine. Okay, Plan B.” She sat and thought about it. If she walked up to the front door, she’d look like a guest. So, she parked in front of the garage door and told Gabriel to open it. This way, she could walk right in there and not draw any suspicion.
He greeted her at the door leading to the kitchen and handed her a mug of coffee. “Good morning. For you. Hope you like.”
“Good morning. Who’s the assistant to whom? Thanks so much for this, though.” She took a long sip and sighed. “I hope you didn’t need anything from the office. I only had time to get ready and drive here.”
“I have everything we need right here.” He patted his briefcase and smiled fiendishly.
“Ooh, that must be the money, huh?”
He nodded. “Ever see or feel $70,000?”
“I can say with most assuredness, no.”
“Come, take a look.” He sat it down on the granite kitchen table and opened it.
“Wow, impressive. That’s a hell of a lot of bills there. How on earth were you able to acquire so much so quickly?”
“To be honest, I keep crazy stashes of it for times such as this, secured in safes at my homes. And that information is extremely classified.”
“I’m honored that you’d share that with me. And I will make sure to forget you told me anything about…what were we talking about just now?” She took a minute to look around. “Where are we, by the way? Whose house is this?”
“It’s one of mine, actually. I keep it in rotation for business. It’s my favorite, to be honest. You know, the truck isn’t due to arrive until ten. Would you like a tour?”
“I’d love one.” She hung her purse on a kitchen chair. “Lead on!”
“As you can see, this is the kitchen. Next, we’re going into the dining and living rooms. I’ve furnished them with the finest money can buy.”
“I expected nothing less.” She walked up close to a framed piece of art over a baby grand piano. “I think I recognize this. Isn’t it from one of your art galleries?”
“Damn, you’re sharp. I’m impressed, again. It, and all the others you’ll see, are “on loan” for a year. Then I’ll switch them out for new ones to keep the place looking fresh.”
“Amazing. I love how the artist captured the positive and negative space on the bridge. Hmm. Spectacular, really.” She meandered through the rooms and headed up the stairs. He followed. “You know, photography is a hobby of mine.”
“I do indeed. I remember the first real, professional camera your parents gave you. It was for your high school graduation. You wouldn’t put that thing down for love nor money.”
“Wow. You remember that? I still have it, you know. It takes damn good pictures. I wouldn’t use anything else.”
“I also still have this.” He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out his wallet. He opened it and revealed a picture she’d taken years ago.
“My Lord, Gabriel. You still have that? To say I’m touched is putting it mildly.”
“Best picture of the Superstition Mountains I’ve ever seen. And you signed it. It’ll be worth a fortune someday. I guarantee it.”
“Now, go on with you,” she chided. They reached the landing and she scooted about the bedrooms. Each one more beautifully appointed than the next in a European styling, like downstairs. She reached the master bedroom—a room unlike any other. She stood at the threshold, in awe. He stepped beside her and put a hand around her shoulder.
“You have a gift, Hannah, beyond what the Ancient Ones have given you. A gift that you cultivated all on your own. You should do something with it.”
“You’re right. I should. I’ll work on it. I promise.” She put an arm around his waist and squeezed. “Thank you for believing in me.” She paused as her eyes swept the room. “Gabriel, did you design this room? It’s so beautiful, I almost want to cry.”
“I did. Thank you.”
She took a few steps inside and twirled around slowly to take everything in. “It’s so romantic and comforting. So lush and sensual with all the gold, deep blues, and browns in the fabrics. I feel as though I’m being made love to by this room. Talk about a talent! I don’t know how I’ll ever walk into my own bedroom and not feel it dreadfully inadequate.”
He blushed and his eyes glinted. He looked down at the floor like a sheepish boy and quickly regained his composure. She wished she’d had her camera to capture the magnificence of not only the room, but the moment his spectacular silver-gray eyes shone brilliantly.
The doorbell rang, saving them both from an excruciatingly awkward silence she’d inadvertently caused. “Why don’t you answer the door while I retrieve my foot from my mouth?”
“Good idea. About answering the door, I mean. Not about your foot. It’s still firmly attached to your leg.” He winked and left her to regain her own composure.