Chapter 43

 

 

Gaius woke Alexandria gently when they were two hours from their airfield, so they could take charge of the plane. They quietly left the sofa with Cara still curled up in their blankets, and refreshed themselves before relieving Sabina and Rohan. Alex thanked them again for allowing her time to visit with her brother and Emily, and then settled herself in the pilot’s seat.

She made sure her aura was still firmly in place around both planes, and then asked her power to hide them all away. A slow smile spread across her face as she felt the familiar ripple in her shield, which let Alex know they were all just a whisper on the breeze. Gaius reached out to caress her face, and she could not help but lean into his palm.

 

Once they were safely rolling to a stop near their hangar, Alex called to Heath’s mind to verify that all was well with his aircraft. She received his immediate response that, under her watch, they were more than fine. Alex smiled as she turned her attention back to Gaius. He helped her ready the plane for their departure, and then gently pulled her to her feet.

Wallace was shaking his head when they entered the cabin, and Alex angled hers at him.

“I still cannot believe that you know how to fly a plane,” he chuckled softly.

“And I can fly helicopters even better,” Alex grinned.

Wallace laughed a bit louder and turned to gather one of their bags while Alex walked to the sofa to retrieve Cara.

They were all on the ground soon, and Alex’s aura was already reaching out for Dibia before she ever saw him. She laughed with carefree abandon when he found her and swept her up in his strong arms. She heard him laughing along with her as he swung her around a few times. Coming to stop, he cupped her cheek in his hand and they gazed into one another’s eyes.

“Ah, Dibia. I am so glad to see you again,” Alex grinned infectiously.

“As I am happy to see you, too. Come, tell me who our many guests are,” he said, his lyrical accent washing over her ears like a song.

Dibia held her to his side and extended a hand first to Wallace and then to Emily. Alex made the introductions while Dibia kept an arm firmly around her shoulders. She noticed Wallace’s effort to suppress his laughter as he observed Dibia’s reluctance to release his sister. But she chuckled, feeling the happiness and joy radiating from her dear friend’s aura.

It truly was good to be home, Alex thought to herself, feeling at home wherever her brethren happened to be in the moment.

Alex motioned Lauren and Elizabeth forward next, and Nathan took the honor of introducing the two ladies to Dibia. Cara was begging to be included by then, so Alex told Dibia her name. He immediately lifted the puppy and began to talk with her as she sought to lick every inch of his face and neck. Alex apologized as she took Cara from him and placed her on the tarmac, telling her not to stray too far. Dibia chuckled and wrapped his arm back around Alex’s shoulders.

“Alexandria, I like your little friend very much,” Dibia praised.

“So do I, Dibia. So do I,” Alex said quietly, looking up into his eyes.

Gaius came to their side then, and brought Sutherlan and Evander over with him. They, along with fourteen other Nephilim stationed throughout Europe, had flown in for the mission as well, and brought with them the helicopters that would be used for the flight into the Congo. Wallace knew Evander well from the days he had led the immortals guarding over his and Alexandria’s parents, but he had only met Sutherlan briefly at Gaius and Alex’s wedding. Alex formally introduced Sutherlan to her brother, and Dibia finally had to release his hold on her so the two other immortals could embrace her.

Sutherlan asked Alex to walk with him and take a look at the five Boeing HH-47 CSAR-X, or combat, search, and rescue, helicopters that were lined up to the right of their expansive hangar. Gaius gathered her hand in his and led Alex over to see the transports they would use to carry the people out of the mine. The mortals in their group and Nathan joined them for the first viewing and, as they approached the line of machines, Gaius continued to introduce them to the Nephilim already there.

Wallace blew out a heavy breath as he gazed at the military grade helicopters. He looked at Gaius and shook his head slightly.

Gaius understood Wallace’s thoughts completely and his worries. He rested a hand on his brother-in-law’s shoulder and lightly squeezed him in an effort to reassure Wallace with his aura.

“Wallace, we are all quite used to such missions,” Gaius calmly stated. “And modern transportation actually makes our efforts easier on those we are charged to rescue and defend. Those souls within the mine will be removed from the zone quickly and safely in our helicopters, and not have to suffer the discomfort of an evacuation for days on foot or in vehicles.”

“Why don’t you come onboard with me, and we’ll take a look at this machine together?” Alex asked, and looped her arm around her brother’s. She winked slowly at him, trying to reassure Wallace that all was well.

He nodded, drawing strength from her calm state of confidence. Finally, Wallace smiled a more genuine grin and walked by her side to the back of the helicopter. It was designed to load and unload large groups of troops from the rear, and it was easy for the two of them to enter side by side.

Sutherlan and Evander began to describe the HH-47’s various features, which were designed to help them avoid modern radar, nuclear, biological, electronic, and even chemical warfare.

“You know, we have only occasionally needed such protection. But honestly, now that we have Alexandria’s all-encompassing aura at the ready, we probably won’t need all the features each helicopter offers,” Evander laughed, looking over at Wallace.

Alex was committing the helicopter’s every detail to memory while they chatted. And as Dibia led them further in, she got her first glimpse of the cockpit. She blinked twice from the amount of dials, levers, and gauges that lit up the console.

She looked up to meet Jack’s eyes as he came to stand next to her. “Jack did you ever fly in such a helicopter while serving with the Marines?”

He nodded and laughed softly. “Yep, we used Chinook helicopters. But I’ve never been in one that looks as pristine as yours. This thing smells like a new car,” he kidded.

She smiled and moved forward to sit in the pilot’s seat for a moment, getting a feel of the command area.

“Alex, connect to my mind and let me show you a memory of me flying this helicopter,” Evander said, as he took the seat next to her.

Alex mentally observed as Evander took her through the flight, and she quickly felt more at ease with all the controls before her. She knew she was not flying them to the quarry, but they had agreed to let her fly out once their mission was over.

When the memory ran its course, she and Evander exhaled simultaneously as she released his mind and it fell away from hers. She became aware of Gaius’ hand on her shoulder, gently holding her, and Alex leaned back in the seat to smile up at him. He smiled in return and slowly winked at her. She chuckled softly as she stood and thanked Evander for his lesson.

Dibia led them back to the planes then, and the transfer of all the supplies they had purchased began. Each helicopter was assigned a particular catalog of provisions and equipment, and Ahadi coordinated the effort from the lists she and Sabina had compiled while in New York. Alex saw her mortal loved ones falling in line to help, and she tried to dissuade them from lifting anything too heavy. But she only received their humored looks in response, which let Alex know they were not going to heed her request at all.

After an hour, they had successfully prepared the HH-47s and loaded three cargo trucks with additional supplies they brought along for the Darfur camps. Alex knew they were going to bring the Darfur supplies in after the Congo mission, but they still wanted everything at the ready to speed up the multiple relief efforts they were attempting to address with the trip.

With the sun just a little under an hour from rising that Sunday morning, they all took a seat in one of their many Land Rovers and left the airfield, headed for Ahadi’s home. They had planned to rest for the next four hours, and then take flight to begin the rescue mission. Alex knew it would be many, many hours before they could rest again, so she was grateful for the time they needed to ready themselves for the days ahead.

“Oh, man. We’re going to be in big trouble, very soon,” said Wallace from the backseat as they rolled to a stop in Ahadi’s courtyard.

Alex furrowed her brow and looked back at her brother. She noticed his playful expression, and knew he had a smart comment to make instead of voicing a real concern.

“Conner is going to have both of our hides when he learns about Ahadi’s home,” he smirked.

Alex and Gaius laughed with him. “You can always choose Ahadi’s home as the location for one of our family trips,” Gaius answered.

“I like the sound of that,” Emily answered and leaned forward to pat Alex’s shoulder. “Because,” she added playfully, “Helen will be just as put out as Conner when she hears of this place.”

“Yes, she will,” Alex agreed.

After they left their vehicles, Alex stepped back a little with Cara in her arms and watched Ahadi lead all of the mortals in their group into her home and through it on a brief tour. As she had before, Alex let her fingers gently glide across the hieroglyphs which were intricately carved along the stone walls. She smiled as she felt the texture and message of love, hope, and peace which effortlessly flowed through Ahadi’s home.

Gaius took Cara from Alex and walked her around the home for a quick tour. Alex heard him explaining their imminent departure and that she was to stay with Wallace and Emily for food and comfort while they were away. He pointed out her boundaries, and just how far she could venture outside the home. It so touched Alex’s heart to watch the scene. She shelved the memory so she could revisit that day, when she wanted to remember her husband’s gentle heart.

After settling all of their cases in their designated bedrooms, the large gathering moved into the kitchen for a hearty breakfast. Wallace took the seat on Alex’s left, and he held her hand in his while John offered grace. Her right was secured in Gaius’, and she felt both men lightly squeeze her.

Conversation flowed throughout the meal, but once the food was consumed the Nephilim moved into their rooms for the additional rest they would all require with little delay.

“Friends, my home is your home. So whatever you need, or wherever you want to venture, please do not hesitate,” Ahadi said and smiled at her mortal guests.

“I guess that’s my cue, too. I’ll see you guys soon,” said Elizabeth. She naturally wanted to stay with her husband, so she hugged Lauren and Jack, then Wallace and Emily before she walked away with Nathan.

Alex smiled tenderly at them before she took Gaius’ outstretched hand. “And we will see you all soon, too. Love you,” she grinned.

“We’ll see you in a few hours, Alex. Go on and rest while you can, kiddo,” Wallace said softly, as he pulled her in for a brief hug.

She nodded and then took her leave with Gaius. He gathered her hand in his and they walked side by side to the room they had used during their two earlier trips into Africa. Once he closed the door to their space, Alex turned and held him closely to her body while she hugged him tightly. Gaius enfolded her in his arms and slowly rocked her, savoring the moment. Neither moved for several minutes as they soaked up the tranquility from one another’s aura.

It was Alexandria who was the first to move back slightly, when she slowly started to unbutton Gaius’ shirt. Once she had the garment open, she took her time leisurely teasing his skin with her lips. When she eased the shirt off his shoulders and looked up into his eyes, he was smiling down at her. Gaius gently lifted Alex by her waist and placed her on the bed, then stretched out by her side.

“I know we won’t have the opportunity to make love while we’re out on the mission, for their care will be our solitary focus. So I want to share a few moments with you before we sleep,” Alex whispered.

Gaius chuckled as he slowly kissed her neck. “So we are to have only a few moments to share what lies within our hearts, then?” he teased.

She squeezed his shoulders as she laughed softly at his play on her words. “No. We have forever, sweetheart,” Alex promised, then ran her fingers into his hair.

Gaius lifted his head and gazed into her eyes. A light sheen of tears covered his blue and green irises, as his hand gently smoothed her hair back and then moved to cradle her head. He whispered his love and she repeated the vow as he lowered his lips to hers. Alex leaned in to deepen their kiss, and she truly lost herself in their embrace.

 

They slept for a while in one another’s arms after they found fulfillment together, but Gaius stirred and began to pull Alex from her dreams so he could love her just once more. When he whispered to her mind and began to lightly kiss her back, she did not fight the call to wake. Alex sighed and touched his hand draped over her as Gaius began to caress her and bring her body to life. As they became one, Alex felt herself yield almost immediately and he whispered his love into her ear as he felt her find release.

He held her to him and she felt slight tears form in her eyes from the passion, intensity, and tenderness of the love they shared. When at last they were completely fulfilled, Gaius gently ran his fingers along Alex’s spine and played with the skin on her back for a time as their breathing calmed.

“Gaius, I want to stay in your arms to sleep the rest of our time away,” she told him softly.

“I want that as well, sweetheart. Close your eyes and stay right here,” he whispered in return. Gaius smoothed her hair back and then pulled Alex firmly against his chest, drifting off with her there against his heart.

 

Only when Sabina called to his mind did Gaius wake again. He set about rousing Alex gently, so they could shower and dress. It took him several minutes to wake her, but when he mentally reminded her of the innocents calling out for deliverance, Alex surfaced and was fully alert. She rolled over and nuzzled his chest with her nose, inhaling deeply, for one last precious moment.

Alex felt him chuckle softly as he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer. He took a moment for himself as well to inhale her scent before he asked Alex to take a shower with him. Before the world and its atrocities came calling for a time, the likes of which she had never experienced in her young life.

 

While they moved about preparing for the journey, Alex was quiet as she began to meditate and pray. She asked that the Lord use her to fulfill only what He wished to transpire, and she implored Him to give her the words He wanted her to speak. Alex did not want her own emotional response to cloud her focus or the direction of the mission in any way.

She asked Ganymede to be with her in heart, mind, and body as she channeled the Host of angels’ power. Finally, Alexandria asked for tolerance and the fortitude to handle whatever her aura absorbed when it touched the masses later that day.

After dressing in fatigues and boots purchased for the rugged terrain, Alex secured her hair atop her head so it was not an encumbrance, then gently placed her brush to the side and stared at herself in the mirror.

Alex considered how much she had changed during the last year. Sure, she was still Alex at her core and in her mind, but as Ganymede had pointed out when they sat on the bench near the market in India, the mortal she had been before her transition would never have walked into a situation where thieves, murders, and abusers congregated. Now, however, she was about to deliberately face them by the dozens.

And yet despite all the perceived danger, Alex felt no fear. In the stillness of those reflective moments, she felt only warmth, Light, and love within; and it was ready to pour out of her soul in waves over the abused slaves. It was as if everything she had learned up until that one second in time, had prepared her for the rescue of the people in that wretched quarry. A group who Alex was sure cried out for deliverance each and every day of their lives.

“Alex,” Gaius said softly.

Her eyes flickered up to meet his, and she realized then that he stood behind her. His palms gently massaged her shoulders and he smiled at her as he stared at her reflection.

“It’s time to go, love. And from the feel of your aura, I would say that you’re more than ready. Aren’t you, sweetheart?”

“More than ever before,” Alex whispered.

“Then let’s go set them free.”

He winked at her, then bent to place a light kiss on her neck. Gaius clasped one of her hands and led her back to the bedroom. He retrieved their swords and placed Alex’s in her palm. Though they were not permitted to use their blades against humans, they also never traveled without them. He had taught Alexandria to always be at the ready, and she no longer went anywhere without the pure Inonya sword.

As they entered the kitchen, Alex noticed Cara sleeping peacefully on her bed in the corner. It made her smile as she made her way to the refrigerator for a glass of orange juice. Within a few minutes she was seated between Wallace and Gaius again, and listened to the conversations lightly circulating around the table. Elrick, Rohan, Dibia, and Ahadi began to bring food to the table, and Archimedes offered their blessing for the early lunch and events to come.

Throughout the meal, Wallace repeatedly patted Alex’s hand, back, and even her hair. She smiled up at him, but said nothing about his need to stay in contact with her. She just simply leaned into his shoulder and let her aura reassure Wallace. He shivered when he felt the transfer and Alex chuckled as she righted herself in her seat. She continued to eat, and felt him pat her hand again.

No one wanted to tarry after the kitchen had been tidied. The entire assembly took their seats again around the teak table and began the first and most important step in the mission.

They joined hands, and Alex led them in a prayer for success, endurance, guidance, strength, and wisdom. As she had privately, she asked that their words and deeds be not their own, but only what the Lord saw for the souls they were setting free that day. And finally, she asked that those staying behind be held in His hands until they could return to their sides.

Alex opened her eyes and looked to their human family. “Guys,” she said, looking at each one in turn, “we love you all, but you cannot share in what we’re about to witness. It might prove to be too graphic for you. Jack, I know that you saw this during our initial glimpse into the mine, but I don’t want to subject you to that again.”

He nodded his understanding and smiled, giving Alex his unconditional support. Alex nodded in return, then exhaled as her eyes rolled shut again. She connected with each Nephilim’s mind and sent her consciousness directly in a line towards the diamond mine.

Alex’s consciousness slowly traveled and rotated throughout the entire area, giving them the most current picture of what they were dealing with. She imagined that this ability was just one of the many scrolls she could hold at one time in her vast internal Library, and she sectioned off a part of mind and asked it to maintain the view throughout their journey south.

All of the other’s minds fell away from hers as she released them, but because Alex still had a portion of her thoughts concentrated on the quarry, she continued to be aware of people moving to and fro at the site. She saw so many toiling under the oppressive rays of the sun and heat from the region. She whispered again within her heart that their liberation was not far away.

“Friends, if you are all ready, let’s begin moving to the vehicles,” Gaius said, as he stood and pulled Alex’s chair back. No one hesitated, and one and all began to take their leave.

Alex turned to her brother and hugged him before she walked away. “Wallace and Jack, remember that we’ll be in contact through the satellite phones we’ve left with you. Be safe and know that we’ll see you again soon,”

Alex smiled up at the two, watching the humor build in Jack’s eyes.

Jack chuckled softly and shook his head. “Alex, I swear, you’ve got to stop worrying so much. No mortal can get to Ahadi’s home without a Nephilim bringing them here, so we’re in no danger. You just focus on what you guys are about to walk into and know that we’re praying for your safe return. Okay?” he grinned.

“Okay, Jack,” Alex smiled in return. She walked over and gently touched Cara’s little sleeping body before she left, promising her that they would be reunited soon.

Elizabeth and Nathan hung back from the group, quietly talking with one another, as they all walked outside. Alex was glad to see Elizabeth’s confidence and strength as she said good-bye to Nathan for a time. Alex thought to herself that it had been a very good thing indeed for Elizabeth to witness Alex’s artillery training on their property. It had been the final bit of reassurance Elizabeth needed to send her husband off.

After one last round of hugs, Alex and Gaius took their place at the front of a Rover, while Rohan, Sabina, and Heath slid into the back. Gaius rolled away first with all the other vehicles following behind. Alex looked into her door’s rearview mirror and saw just how long their line stretched. She smiled, feeling the positive energy flowing in waves around her.

Once at the airfield, Alex did not wait for Gaius to open her door, as he liked to do. Rather, she quickly left her seat and stood beside the vehicle watching all her brethren do the same. It reminded her of the night they had moved in on what they thought to be Rangor’s location in Edinburgh. But this was a mission of a different sort, and Alex felt her internal oceans of power beginning to still themselves of their own accord. She silently whispered again for the Lord to be in command of her.

She moved forward and boarded an HH-47 beside her husband, taking a seat to his left. Gaius gathered her hand between his, and gently smoothed his palms across her skin as the rest of their group took their seats. Unlike their S-92s, the HH-47s were not built for luxury, but for combat and rescue. They were much more Spartan in design and accommodations, but large enough to carry a sizeable group.

Alex closed her eyes and began to call on her power as they had planned. Thinking outside of three dimensions, she set her mind free and was suddenly looking down on the airfield. She immediately felt all of her brethren and saw their auras appear on the holographic map she liked to create within her consciousness, showing all of their positions. From that vantage point, she could easily protect them all.

Alex asked her waters to still and the Light within her to come to their aid. And come it did.

A bright Light flashed within Alexandria’s soul and she exhaled loudly as she watched her aura flow over all five large helicopters. Their propellers were churning furiously as they warmed up, and her consciousness lowered to study each blade as it whipped by. Alex smiled as she observed her power flow out and cover the individual components of the HH-47s, almost in slow motion, completely snuffing out any sound that they might possibly generate.

Then she asked her Light to hide them away as it had before, so no being could detect them as they traveled. She felt individual casings of her power cocoon her brethren and she tightened each around their bodies, sealing them away. When they were but a whisper on the horizon, Alex felt the first in their line lift off.

John, Archimedes, Benen, and their small group left the Nephilim’s airfield first. They turned away and began the flight southwest that would take them to the government officials, with whom they planned to have a candid conversation. But before they were completely out of sight, Alex allowed her mind to connect with them again, so they could have access to the most current status of the souls within the mine.

Alex felt her group lift off then and Gaius’ arm encircle her shoulders. But she kept her eyes closed and continued to concentrate. Though her aura was already working on multiple fronts, there was no limit now to how much she could wield and no strain with which to contend. Alex mentally watched as her power surged from her chest and traveled in a straight line due south to the quarry of its own accord. She felt the moment it came to hover over the diamond mine, poised to flow over the entire area when Alexandria commanded it to be so.

She remained still and focused as Gaius held her to his side throughout the flight. Rohan was seated to Alex’s left and, after watching her for several minutes, he looked over her head at Gaius.

“Are you seeing all of this?” Rohan whispered, knowing that Gaius was, but still needing to hear his friend confirm that what he was witnessing was true.

Alex’s aura was everywhere. It covered all of them, the interior and exterior of each helicopter, and they could clearly see the massive stream flowing away from her chest.

Gaius smiled and nodded before he said softly, “I am, Rohan. I see and feel it all.”

“My word,” he breathed. Rohan shook his head in quiet wonder, and they both shared a grin before Gaius returned his gaze to his wife.

Rohan looked across the cabin to Sabina, Heath, Ahadi, Dibia, Elrick, Iain, and Nikolaj. They were also observing it all with love and pride painted clearly across their flawless features. He knew they were thinking exactly the same thought as himself in the moment: that their leader was back with them in every way now. And Alex was making him so damn proud, Rohan silently acknowledged.

 

Alexandria felt her aura becoming even more intense as they drew closer to the quarry. She inhaled sharply as the Light became so bright, that she knew those around her were probably having to squint to see inside the cabin. But the cool rush she always associated with Ganymede’s healing waters came over her spirit, and she began to smile broadly as it filled her entire being with peace. Alex tipped her head back slightly and felt her angelic father’s power coursing over her body in intense waves. She had felt such a rush only once before – the night they stood against the Fallen one, Rangor.

She kept them all hidden as she sensed their helicopters touch the ground in the landing zone they had chosen, somewhat removed from the mine. Alex felt Gaius’ fingers trailing gently over her cheek and she knew it was time. Her eyes slowly opened and they silently gazed at one another before he nodded at her.

Gaius said nothing, nor showed any reaction to the change in Alex’s eye color this time. But he beheld the golden Light of her father shining brightly at him, and he knew they were all surely on the Lord’s path. He stood and Alex rose at his side, as he turned in the direction of the back of the machine which was opening up for their departure. Gaius placed a hand on her lower back and they walked off the HH-47 with their brethren at their sides.

They all congregated together before they moved a kilometer to the west where the mine sat. Alex continued to look through her mind’s observation of the area and she once again pushed the real-time data out to the Nephilim’s minds on the currents of her power. When she received Gaius’ nod, they all asked gravity to release them and willed the wind to take them to those who were ready for deliverance.

And with that leap, Alex knew their rescue had truly begun.