Sandy's Story (Ditch Lane Diaries Book 3) (6 page)

The big red barn had three separate double doors at the entrance, two at the back, and several side doors. Ruby opened the side door of the barn closest to the main house, and they walked inside.

Along every wall and up to the rafters, angels filled the barn. It took Sandy’s breath away. The warm glow of love inside the barn made her want to weep with joy. Unconditional love filled every nook and cranny of her soul. She had a complete sense of peace, and then she locked eyes with Baldric. He gave her a big smile.
Baldric, do you feel this kind of peace every day?
He nodded and winked.

Sandy noticed that her best friends seemed to be experiencing the same kind of awesome feeling. Sandy wondered what the angels thought of them. Lee stood next to an incredibly tall and beautiful female angel with long, dark red hair, and she was armed to the teeth with weapons.

The female warrior angel said, “Good evening, wards, please join us. As you see, this is a training session for us as well as it is for you. Sandy’s in possession of Luc’s Testament and Jerry’s prophecy states we’ll be joining forces in a battle. It’s time to prepare.” The female warrior angel motioned toward the Campbell Ridge guardians who fell into rank beside her. “To my right, we have Seneca, guardian of Ruby Jane, Baldric the Warrior, guardian of Sandra Daireann, Luwenia, guardian of Jerry Douglas, Raphael, guardian of Anna Faye, and I’m Erinelle, guardian of Georgiana Lee.”

The side door opened again, and all eyes turned to Reed as he strolled inside the barn. He nodded to his friends as he crossed the room to stand next to Ruby. Reed stood tall and proud as he held Ruby’s hand. “I apologize for my tardiness. I just received the phone call from Harry that I was to attend tonight’s session. Is this correct?” Lee smiled at Reed and tilted her head toward Erinelle.

Erinelle stepped up to Reed and at eye level, she said, “You want to fight, human?”

Without wavering and with steady eyes, Reed replied, “I’ll lay my life down for anyone in this room. I’m willing to do what’s necessary to protect my family.”

Erinelle turned and whistled. A boy who seemed to be around the age of ten approached the female angel. She said, “Are you willing to train the human?” The boy nodded and approached Reed.

With reverence, Reed said, “I mean no disrespect, but surely you don’t mean to send this kid into battle?” The boy grabbed Reed’s arm and flipped him to the ground, placing his foot on Reed’s throat. Laughter rumbled throughout the barn.

The boy chuckled and said, “Be careful who you call a kid. I’m three thousand years old, and I’ve seen more battles than most of the angels in this barn. Who do you think taught them?” The boy raised his foot and extended a hand to Reed.

Reed grabbed his throat and choked out, “My apologies, sir.”

After the laughter had died down, the boy said, “Meh, no apologies needed. My name is Simon. You listen and do what I say, and I’ll make you a warrior fit for the AAF.” A roar of whistles and clapping erupted throughout the crowd of angels. The Angel Armed Forces were under Michael’s command and protected all of the known universes, including earth.

Erinelle placed her hand on Simon’s left shoulder, and he fell in rank with the guardians of Campbell Ridge. She extended her arms outward and said, “Tonight’s training session is a crash course for fighting Luc’s demon angels. It’s a prelude to the coming battle. There are no rules, no wrong or right way to send a demon angel to the Eternal Darkness, which is the abyss where one is separated from The Creator forever.”

Erinelle commanded the room as she walked about the straw- and dirt-covered floor. She looked at the wards and the angels in the rafters. “Single combat battles are rare. Most demon angels will try to tag team to destroy the soul of possession. The light of love or The Creator’s light draws the demon angels into the open. The light triggers a memory of heaven. The demons still long to be in The Creator’s presence. The light of love gives our legion the opportunity to descend from heaven and send the demon angels straight to the Eternal Darkness.”

Erinelle approached Ruby and Reed and searched their eyes. “Demon angels are cast into divisions based on personal flaws, human weaknesses. Any act perpetrated on oneself or others that destroys the soul—you can safely assume Luc’s demon angels have compromised their spirit of light. The little voice within you telling you the difference between right and wrong began at creation when humans made the decision to choose for themselves. It’s been a constant struggle between good and evil ever since.”

Erinelle stepped in front of Sandy and placed her hands on her hips. “Demon angels are highly territorial by nature, and it isn’t uncommon for an internal battle between groups to occur. We use their territorial nature to divide and conquer.”

Last, Erinelle faced Jerry and Anna. “Keep in mind as we break up into groups you’ll be fighting a contest of wills and sometimes it’s your free will that may hinder you from victory. Commence to your guardians.” Erinelle waved her hand and walked over to Lee.

The barn had been set up into quadrants. Luwenia took Jerry to the back right of the barn to practice archery. Anna went with Raphael to the back left where he rolled several daggers out on a table and pointed to Harry’s old scarecrow nailed to the wall of the barn. He and Anna would be in charge of the triage but needed to train in case they needed to defend themselves. Ruby and Seneca went to the front right of the barn to practice throwing what looked like blue golf balls into peg holes along the wall.

Lee and Reed along with Erinelle and Simon set up sparring partners.

Sandy tilted her head to Baldric and said, “What are you going to teach me?”

A smile crept into the corners of his mouth as he pulled out his sword. “She’s a beauty, isn’t she? I selected one just for you.” He sheathed his sword and brought her to their training area. Baldric revealed an extraordinary, almost feminine sword and fitted her hand around the hilt. He whispered in her ear, and a shiver ran up her spine. “Feels good in your hand, doesn’t it? Now watch me.” Baldric took out his sword and made slow circle eights with his wrist. “Just try to get a feel for the blade. Slow and easy.”

Sandy mimicked Baldric’s movements, and she felt better about herself with the sword in her hand.

With a rich, velvety smooth voice, Baldric said, “Fully extend your arm before taking any movements.” He demonstrated the proper form. “Now look at my feet. The on-guard and the retreat on-guard.” Baldric moved fluidly back and forth along a forty-foot-long pathway. “I want you to practice these simple exercises here and in your condo.”

Sandy imitated his movements. “This feels a little like dancing.”

Baldric chuckled and said, “Yeah, it does. There’s a rhythm, a tempo, and timing when you enter a bout.”

Sandy stopped and pointed her blade to the ground. “I pray I don’t have to fight anytime soon.”

Baldric placed his hands on her shoulders and gazed into her eyes. “The Creator will bestow and enhance your new skill within days, not weeks. You’ll practice after work and in your dreams. The movements, exercises, and techniques will become second nature.”

Sandy lifted her chin and said, “I believe you. The angels in this room and my best friends fill and recharge my soul. I’ll work hard, I promise, but I have to be honest: Erinelle scares me a little.”

Baldric threw his head back and laughed. “She scares all of us. Erinelle is fearsome, loyal, and will fight unto her last breath for the wards of Campbell Ridge.”

Two hours later, Sandy labored to breathe as she held onto her knees. Sweat streamed down her face and back, and her legs and arms were weak as a kitten.

Erinelle whistled and roared, “Time. Desist practice and come to me.”

Everyone in the room, angels, and wards alike, gathered in a circle from the floor to the ceiling of the barn. Erinelle’s beautiful shimmering wings jutted upward to the heavens. Erinelle spread her arms wide and sang the sweetest song. “Come to me, my little sparrows. Come to me unto this day. Fill my heart and soul with your song. Fill my heart and soul with your joy. We sing together in our flight to serve He who created us—He who fills my heart and soul with His love.” She bowed her head, and everyone bowed their heads. The barn glowed with an incandescent light.

The love of light filled each being—mortal and immortal—in the room with a vibration of energy that shook Sandy to her core. Erinelle’s words seared her soul and revealed an understanding she wasn’t alone. The angels and the wards of Campbell Ridge stood together for the good of humanity.

After the session had ended, most of the visiting and some of the guardian angels vanished into the air. Sandy glanced over at Baldric as they strolled to the side door of the barn and went out into the chilly wind of winter. “If Luc knows we have the book, why hasn’t he come for it?”

Baldric draped his right arm around her shoulders. The heat of his massive body warmed her in the frigid air. He leaned next to her ear and said, “Open your eyes, Daireann. Open your mind. Allow the veil of the supernatural to reveal itself to you. Look around, and tell me what you see.”

At first glance, Sandy saw the weather vane on the roof of the barn. Then a mysterious cloud lifted and revealed warrior angels standing guard. She turned and found warrior angels stationed around the house, the barn, and along the property lines of Everglade Farms. Sandy angled her face toward Baldric and said, “Angels are everywhere?” She paused and looked around the property again, and she understood. “Angels
are
everywhere.”

Baldric exhaled a deep breath, kissed the top of her head, and hugged her tightly. “Exactly.”

Chapter 4

I Didn’t Mean To Turn You On

Word reached Luc while he was in the midst of creating conflict among rival tribes that would result in thousands of deaths in Asia. He became furious when Caiojezeal appeared before him with the news. Someone stole his Testament, and someone was going to pay.

Luc strolled through a picturesque village with children running through the streets and women covered from head to toe with only their eyes exposed to the world. In a few years, the village would be a war zone with tall walls of barbed wire, and every few feet a soldier would be toting a machine gun. “Damn it. How in the hell did my book get stolen? Oh, wait, of course. Cole checked out the book several weeks ago. I should’ve known the human was too inept to protect it. Who stole the book from him and where is it now?”

Caiojezeal walked into a nearby tea house. “Nick London of Henry’s Tailor Shop in Nashville lifted the book. I went there to search myself and ran into Baldric. He has the book.”

Luc kicked a chair away from the table and sat down to talk with Caiojezeal. The waiter took one look at Luc and returned swiftly with two teas and snacks. Luc placed his hand on the man’s forearm. The man began praying incessantly. Luc growled, “Leave us in peace.” The old man exited into the kitchen, walking backward while he continued to pray loudly.

Luc shook his head in disbelief. “Humans and their prayers. The funny part about prayer and religion is all the humans on the planet think their religion is right, and everyone else’s is wrong. Unless The Creator has changed philosophy, there’s only one faith and it’s all directed to Him.” Luc took a bite of his cake and drank his tea while he contemplated what to do about Baldric.

Luc’s Testament held incredible power, and he controlled his followers with its accounts. “Baldric has my book, huh? Well, it looks like I’ll be paying his ward a little visit, but not before I meet with Cole. Stay close to Baldric. I want to know his every move. I need his ward alone. We get his ward, and we get Baldric and my book. It’s a win-win for me.”

“You may count on me, sire.” Caiojezeal bowed his head toward Luc before taking a sip of his tea.

Luc reached over to place his hand on Caiojezeal’s left shoulder. “I have to stop by Egypt before returning to the States. Place a couple of your warriors with Cole and his guards. He has a short fuse, and I won’t allow another one of his mistakes to jeopardize my work.” Luc manipulated both time and space within earth’s realm. He often used astral travel, and today he ported to Egypt before returning to his estate in Middle Tennessee where his servant, Cole, resided.

Luc had designed Arrington Estate as a reflection of a home he once owned in the French countryside. Luc’s stately manor offered a kind of rustic charm with curved arches, stonework, and a steep hip roof. He loved the symmetry of the estate as well as the underground tunnels leading to his domain. The interior reflected more of a mountain lodge retreat. The living area housed a large stone fireplace surrounded by rich, dark wood paneling, thick Aubusson carpets, and luxurious leather couches.

Cole sat on the sofa drinking a cocktail while he had an argument with Hammer, his senior assassin. “You weren’t supposed to shoot him, idiot. Now how will we find the book? Carson and Walt worked with their police informant with the police. They didn’t find it.”

Luc materialized behind Cole. He placed his hands on Cole’s shoulders and the room became intensely quiet. Hatred and anger exuded from Luc as his fingers dug into Cole’s flesh while he spoke in a gentle manner. “Do you want to know who has my book?”

Luc released Cole and walked to the fireplace. He spanned his fingers out over the flames and engulfed the tips. After a minute, Luc blew the flames out and stepped back over to Cole. Luc wrapped his steaming fingers around Cole’s neck, burning Cole’s skin, while tears formed in the corners of Cole’s eyes. Cole opened his mouth to speak, but Luc shook his head back and forth.