THREE

 

Finding Mystic Dream had been easy. It was located just where Josh had said, down the beach facing the ocean. To ensure I didn’t get lost, I’d parked at the beach and walked in the direction I’d seen him and little Randee head.

I spotted the house through the dunes, which formed a natural sea wall against storm surge during hurricane season. As I approached, the palm trees waved in welcome. The sprawling one-story white-brick house sat back from the water. It looked like it had been built about thirty years ago, but with its immaculate grounds and superb upkeep, it fit right in.

I meandered around to the front and rang the doorbell. My mouth fell open when of all people, Natasha answered. I knew her the moment I saw her—same weight, same size and same hair.

Our gazes locked and she froze. “You look familiar. Do I know you?”

“Why if it isn’t Gertie Green Hair!” I leaned forward to hug her.

She grinned. “I knew it! Josh was right, it really is you!” She grabbed me in a bear hug. “It has been too many years, old friend. I’m so happy to be here with you in a lifetime after centuries apart.”

“Me too,” I said. “Although, I have to admit even for me my entrance was unique.”

“You weren’t zapped, were you?” At my nod, she shook her head. “I don’t know what’s going on at headquarters. That’s what happened to Olivia, too.”

“So Ariel told me.”

Natasha gasped. “Ariel’s your guardian? She’s also Rae’s. She must be doing double duty again.”

“Who’s Rae?”

“Olivia’s former mother-in-law, and now just her mother.”

“So she’s really married with kids. I can’t believe it. Who’s the father? Is he an angel?” I whispered.

Natasha nodded. “Yeah, he’s an angel, but Rae’s husband isn’t, so everything’s on the QT when he’s around.”

“No problem. Is Josh okay, the guy who saved me? The guy with the little daughter?”

Natasha laughed using the door to hold her erect. “He isn’t an angel, but he knows about us. Long story. We’ll tell you at some point. And Randee isn’t his daughter. He’s her “uncle” as in close friend who loves her. Randee is Olivia’s and Gregory’s daughter, and David’s their son.” She opened the door wider. “For heavens sake, get in here.”

I stood frozen on the doorstep, trying to process everything I’d just been told. “Gregory’s married to Olivia? How? He’s her guardian.”

Natasha shook her head. “Not in this life and maybe never again. Clarice is guardian for them both.”

“But isn’t Clarice retired? For a long time now, if I remember correctly.”

“Was retired. Make that past tense,” Natasha said. “You should’ve seen her judo chop and karate kick two years ago against Keara and Kendra. We’ve got a lot to tell you. Ready to see everyone? Remember, Herb’s the human,” Natasha whispered.

“Natasha, what’s going on out there?”

I recognized Olivia’s voice as we walked down a hallway and into a back family room with a wall of glass overlooking the water. “Do you know who I am?”

“Miranda!” Olivia bolted from her chair and raced to me. “My friend. My dear, dear friend.” She hugged me. “If only I could’ve saved you,” she whispered in my ear.

“Let it pass,” I whispered back, returning her hug. Surprise filled me at how short and petite she was this lifetime. “You look great, Olivia. Really wonderful. It looks like motherhood and marriage agrees with you.”

“They do. And as for looking great, you should’ve seen me two years ago lumbering around as a pregnant whale.”

I homed in on the whispering taking place on the couch between an older man and a woman whom I assumed was Rae. Whatever she said must have satisfied him. Smiling, he rose and walked over to us. “It’s a pleasure to meet another of Olivia’s friends.”

“Thank you.”

Just then, I saw Josh and two other men walk in from the beach. One had little Randee by the hand, and the tall thin man with the faraway eyes held David’s. “I know you met Josh on the beach,” Olivia said. “The tall man with David is Seth. And Gregory’s holding Randee’s hand.” The little girl curtsied. Quite the feat for a two-year old. The little man bowed. I love great manners.

Gregory grinned, showing perfect white teeth. He looked great incarnate, and happier than I ever remembered seeing him. “Hi, Miranda. We were hoping you’d come.”

“Miranda, child.” Seth strode forward, giving David to his grandmother. “I haven’t seen you in a month of Sundays.” He kissed me and whispered in my ear, “Times twelve, times how many centuries?”

“You look the same as I saw you last,” I said, with a wink. I looked back at the others. “I can’t believe you’re married, Olivia. Especially to Gregory. No offense meant.”

Gregory chuckled. “None taken.”

“I know. Wonderful things do happen.” Olivia glanced up at him, their gazes met and they communicated as only two souls who know and love each other can. Then, she gestured to the man and woman on the sofa. “I’d like you to meet my mother-in-law, Rae Caroline, and her husband Herb.” She smiled. “They’re newlyweds.”

“Oh! Best wishes for many happy years.”

Rae squeezed his hand. “Thank you. I’m confident we will. I can see it.”

“We’re here through October.” Olivia looked back at the group. “Seth, Natasha and I are going to take Miranda out back and get caught up.” Gregory nodded his approval, but there was a momentary furrow in his brow, matching the unspoken warning glinting in his eyes.

I wondered how many lives she wanted to hear about since we’d last seen each other.

A few minutes later, we huddled around a small cocktail table on a rattan settee and matching chairs. “So,” Seth said, “how in the stars did you end up here?”

“She was zapped,” Natasha said.

“Natasha.” Seth gave her a stern look and sighed. “I’ve had to listen to you for over two years and I haven’t heard Miranda for centuries. Let her talk.”

“Some things never change, do they?” I asked, looking over at Olivia. She shook her head and smiled. “Well, seems Lucy zapped me right before I died in my sleep. I was eighty-two.”

Natasha grinned. “I’ll bet this is one heck of trade-up in bodies.”

“Yeah, in a way. But you know how attached you get to your previous life if there hasn’t been any down time. There’s also something very wise about older people.”

Seth nodded. “Do tell. I can remember once in ancient Egypt when Cleopatra—”

“Don’t interrupt; I’ve heard enough from you over the past two years.” Natasha crossed her legs and smiled sweetly. “Do continue.”

I laughed. “Well, I ended up on the beach with water spurting out of my mouth. You know that part.”

“Worse than me, I’ll grant you that,” Olivia said.

Natasha snickered. “At least she wasn’t pregnant with twins.”

“You were pregnant—or that is, your walk-out was when you were zapped?”

Olivia nodded. “Seven and a half months. It’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”

I cleared my throat. “No offense, but I’ll take your word for it. I have no intention to repeating having kids this go round. Had five the last life. By the way, Ariel told me Jared’s here.”

Seth’s eyes grew wide. “Jared? No kidding? He was an ace two years ago. Saved us all.”

It was my time to be surprised. “Jared was here two years ago?”

Olivia nodded. “As a drop-in. Into Josh’s body.”

“Josh? That guy must be a saint. How’d Jared go from demonic drop-in back to Evolve? Usually after a fall, you’re an Incog for a few lives.”

Olivia grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “I told him you were okay. That Keara had lied about your soul being destroyed. That was me who’d almost been lost and went into angel rehab trying to get over the trauma. It wasn’t until we faced and destroyed Keara I truly healed. And Keara had lied to Jared, too about y—”

“He renounced the dark side when he knew I was okay?”

“Not immediately.” Olivia said.

“I knew it! He let me down in Salem, just like he let you down too.”

Olivia shook her head in denial. “You don’t understand. He and Greg—”

I held up my hand. “I don’t want to hear any more about him.”

“So what’s your mission?” Seth asked.

Natasha slapped his shoulder. “Seth, stop being so rude! You’re always jumping the gun.” Her eyes narrowed. “I sure hope you don’t do that in bed. By the way, I’ve always wanted to know, is your nickname really the thirty-second wonder?”

His eyes narrowed as he looked at her. “Don’t get me started on who’s the fastest rider in the East.”

“It’s okay, you two,” I said. “Focus. It seems Kendra’s here.”

Olivia paled and grabbed the edge of her chair. “She’s here? Who’s she after this time?”

I patted her hand. “You and your twins. But don’t worry. She isn’t getting through me.”

Seth eyes narrowed to slits. “Me, either. Keara was a nightmare, but we vanquished both her and Heinrich. From what little I saw of Kendra we’ll have our work cut out for us and need to function as a smoothly oiled machine.”

“Easy for you to say. You weren’t the one on an operating table with her holding a scalpel going for a major vein and artery,” Olivia muttered.

I gasped. “Oh, my word! They were that close?”

Olivia nodded. “Thank the heavens for our guardians. Of course Gregory and Jared devised the master plan. I thought they’d been injured beyond repair this life. But I was wrong. The whole thing was too scary for words, and I have no wish to repeat it. Especially not now that the twins are here. With their impressionable minds, star dust above, who knows what effect it’d have on them. Both of them have genius IQs. We’re talking so high they can’t be measured. They’d catch onto whatever happens in a heartbeat.”

“I’m one hundred percent behind you too.” Natasha rubbed Olivia’s back. “Plus, don’t count out Rae. She’s become a bang-up precog.”

Olivia rested her elbows on the table and her chin in her hands. “I just wish she’d use it for more than predicting the weather.”

I laughed. “Something tells me she’ll have a chance to practice. Look, I have to teach a class, Metaphysics 101, at Neptune Beach College for the Gifted tomorrow morning at nine. Do you want to meet afterward to talk about a plan of action?”

“Seems like a good idea,” Olivia said. “By then you’ll probably have sniffed out some clues. You were always the best of all of us at that.”

“I remember Gregory as always being very good at putting us onto the clues.”

Olivia nodded. “But he was a guardian, then. His powers are somewhat diminished now that he’s incarnate. And he’s developed others.” She blushed.

Seth leaned back. “Well, it seems a given we’ll have to convene at least one angel circle, but let’s wait and see what happens overnight.”

“Okay everyone, give your sign and we’ll go our separate ways to see what we can find,” I said.

Seth made the Vulcan sign. Natasha followed with the peace sign. Olivia put both her hands up as she always did, never knowing what sign to give. I placed my forefinger and middle finger in the center of my forehead. Closing my eyes, I smiled; I hadn’t lost the touch. Merle saluted to me telepathically.

* * * *

 

The next morning, I arrived at the college and was amazed at its size. I expected to see one small building. Instead, it was a fairly large campus with numerous buildings, most of which were joined by covered walkways. In the center of the quad stood a fifteen foot tall bronze statue of Neptune, trident in hand, driving a seashell chariot pulled by a team of seahorses. Brightly colored smaller sculptures adorned the chariots side that looked like live coral glowing under water.

It always amazed me how civilized people were drawn to the characterizations of Roman and Greek Gods, never really knowing what the people behind the bigger-than-life representations had been like. I met the man called Neptune once in Atlantis. He was nothing but a blow-hard who had a dark soul. Soon after I met him, I heard tell Neptune, frightened by the advent of Atlantis sinking, chose to serve the Prince of Darkness. I think it’s interesting the Romans years later worshipped him as Neptune Equester, patron saint of horseracing. Now that I think about it, a statue of him probably was appropriate for Florida, seeing as there’s so much horse betting here.

After a small bit of confusion, I found my building and headed toward my classroom. As I walked down the hallway a man called out to me. “Excuse me Miss, do you need some help with those books?”

I turned to see who’d offered to help me and stood stock still staring at one of the most drop-dead gorgeous guys I’d ever seen. When an angel of as many millennia old as I am says that, take note. About my age, he had thick wavy black hair that shone like the coat of a prized and cherished stallion. His eyes were also a light green.

Why did all the men I’m attracted to have to have green eyes? He was an inch or so taller than me, and I could see the ripples on his chest through his knit shirt. It took all my strength not to glance further south. Under other circumstances, I’d have looked, but not in a college hall, and not as an instructor. However, just for the record, if a woman ever tells you she doesn’t want to take a peek at his goods upon meeting him, she’s a liar. “I-I…”

He smiled. “Let me carry them for you.” He didn’t wait for a response, just grabbed the five books and expandable folder from my arms.

“Thanks.” I felt myself blushing, and I’m not the blushing kind. “My room’s right up there.”

“Are you taking Metaphysics 101?” he asked.

“Actually,” I said, “I’m teaching it.”

“Really?” He grinned. “You look young enough to be taking this course.”

Yes, I knew it was bullshit. I’d seen myself in the mirror earlier. But like every female alive, it worked and made me feel good. “You’ve made my day.” I smiled up at him.

“Name’s Farley Brink. I’m a professional psychic and wanted to see the material the college is teaching jives with the reality I know.”

“Miranda McChesney, professional teacher.” I laughed. Former professional flake. “Nice to meet you.”

Entering the classroom, he set the pile of books on the table at the front of the class. “How about getting a cup of coffee after class?” he asked.

“I’m sorry, I can’t. I’m meeting some friends.” Damn and double damn.

“Then, lunch?”

The angels are blessing me. “Sure. Where do you want to meet?”

“Turtle Island Inn Restaurant?” At my nod, he grinned. “One o’clock, okay?”

“I’ll be there.”

A smile still on his face, he took a seat in the front row. “Take it away, teach.”

I surveyed the class, seeing Olivia had taken me up on my offer and was sitting in the back of the room. She waved. I nodded, and continued looking over my students and froze, my gaze locked on the magnificent man from the Barnes and Noble store. Oh, my heavens, Miranda, don’t drool on your notes. His moss green shirt made the green of his eyes look darker, and held a hint of emotion that was quickly hidden. For a split second, I’d have sworn he was angry.

Turning from him, I quickly introduced myself to the class and explained what texts were going to be used to augment my lectures, the number of tests, assigned papers and how much each would count toward the final grade.

After my lecture covering transmigration I asked for questions. There weren’t many, and none challenged what I’d said. Not unusual for first-time classes. I know, since I taught at Oxford back in the 1700s. Some things never change.

I then moved on to entity attachments and drop-ins. “A lot of authors will tell you an entity attachment is when a disembodied soul chooses to live in or control a body in a parasitic relationship. It can be a healthy reciprocal relationship or a deadly one like a drop-in. Think remoras living on sharks or that creature inside people in Alien.”

Everyone chuckled.

“The material says animals, even aliens, can inhabit a body with the soul still there, held captive against its will. My sources tell me this is a theory and neither is partner in such a relationship. Only demon souls drop-in on unsuspecting persons.”

“How about fallen angels?” Farley asked.

“Fallen angels are angels who’ve renounced the light and have chosen to serve the Prince of Darkness,” I said firmly. “For our purposes, they’re no different than demons. Except for one thing, they’re far more dangerous, for they know what it’s like to serve the light.”

“Can’t fallen angels renounce the darkness?” Farley asked.

I stopped dead in my tracks. Could this be Jared? Nah! He asked me out to lunch, but I did take his offer to help me and for the meal. Before I could pull myself together and form a coherent answer, I spotted a hand which had shot up. “Yes,” I said to Mr. Helpful as I’d named the man from the bookstore.

“Ty. Ty Chandler.”

“Yes, Ty?” Great name.

“I’d like to try and answer the question.”

Whew. “Go ahead.”

“Well, I think if you read the religious texts, you’ll see that’s possible. The creator doesn’t expect angels to be perfect. He, or she—and I choose to say her, grants angels the use of free will, so if they fail and leave heaven, it’s only fair they be offered a chance to come back. Assuming they can show they’ve repented.”

“Give me an example where a religious text says that,” Farley said.

Ty shrugged. “Job 4:17-19. I’ll be using the version from the Jewish Tanakh. While most people are unfamiliar with it, I think fits best. ‘Can mortals be acquitted by God? Can man be cleared by his Maker? If He cannot trust His own servants, and casts reproach on His angels, how much less those who dwell in houses of clay, whose origin is dust, who are crushed like the moth!’” He grinned. “Allowing a fallen angel to come home tells those on Earth they can error and still be allowed in heaven.”

“So, let’s all sin.” Farley laughed.

The class broke up in an uproar just as he’d intended. I didn’t. “Yes, you can err, but repenting is an integral part of the equation. Without remorse, can there be forgiveness?”

I looked at my watch. “However, that’s a different lecture for a different time. Read your assignment on the syllabus and I’ll see you this coming Thursday.”

The two men glared at each other in that silent language only men understand. This much I did know, their intense dislike of one another didn’t make sense. However, if today were any indication, it would make for lively classroom discussions.