Claiming Her. Marilyn "Mattie" Brahen

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СКАЧАТЬ two as she said, “There’s a spirit standing directly behind you. He’s tall . . . with black hair and eyes and a ruddy complexion.”

      I gaped and whirled around. Of course, I saw no one mortal, but I caught a fleeting glimpse of him, handsome and sensual, as he backed away from my sudden and unexpected turn. “He’s followed me from Queens. I’ve been calling him the dark presence. He’s pestered me since Thursday afternoon.”

      In my mind’s eye, I saw him raise his hand and bring it toward my face. I froze, nearly flinching, thinking he would strike me, forgetting that Mom had reinforced my aura. I caught a clear impression of his face; he grinned, a perfect double line of teeth like a Cheshire Cat. Then his hand stroked my cheek, gently and deliberately, the touch in itself a message, a reminder: I would never hurt you nor your child. “He’s obviously attracted to me, though I don’t know why. He believes he knew me before.”

      “And did he?”

      “I haven’t searched. It’s been too hectic.” I noticed that he stood slightly off from us, listening to Mother and me, no longer blocking me from visually appraising him. “He’s very possessive and demanding, and has an aversion for some reason towards Richard. He wouldn’t identify himself when I asked him to repeatedly.”

      “Well, where attraction exists, mortal spouses become rivals to them.” Mother moved a few steps toward where she sensed he stood, and looked toward him. It amazed me how closely she gauged his whereabouts to where I saw him. “Who are you?” she asked. “We mean you no harm, but you cannot interfere with Leigh Ann’s mortal life. If you need to communicate, to express some past life conflict and lay it to rest, we will be able to hear your spiritual voice through telepathy. But we need you to identify yourself, before we explore your presence and your relationship with Leigh Ann further. Do you understand?”

      He had been standing there quietly, listening to us, a small closed smile on his lips. Now the smile widened again into that Cheshire grin and opened up into spasms of laughter.

      We waited, wondering what in Mother’s words had proven such a source of amusement. His spasms subsided into chuckles, and he studied us with a glint in his eyes, sizing up both us and his answer.

      —My name is Bael,— he said with a cryptic glance at me. He pronounced the name as if it conjoined the words “bay” and “eel.”

      Mother tried a different tack. “Ba-hel. That’s Hebrew for Barry. Are you Jewish?”

      The slightest touch of irritation crossed his thin face. —With all due respect to your mortal mother, Leigh Ann, she should leave detective work to Mr. Holmes. I pose no mystery; I give my name simply and truly. Bael.—

      I said nothing, allowing Mother to continue her own probe. I saw her glance toward the clock, knowing my father might awaken and come downstairs, abruptly ending our search for answers, and Mother blocking the spirit from further interference with the proper mentally-spoken prayer or two.

      “Where are you from?” Mother asked.

      —A place where Leigh Ann and I were to be, and a place where I could not let her follow me.—

      “A riddle. He’s evading our questions. What year did you and Leigh Ann know each other?”

      No answer. That question seemed to upset him, bristling his cool, composed demeanor.

      “What year do you claim to have known Leigh Ann?” Mother repeated, emphasizing her distrust of his veracity.

      —No year known to mortalkind, and every year since, when angels were forced to live among mortals to save those pale imitations. And every year thereafter, she was kept well-hidden from me, but now I mean to win her back!—

      The violent force of his words was like a potent spell paralyzing us. We reeled; I felt Mother’s dizziness along with my own, nearly fainting. And then I felt his hand. It reached out and steadied me. In that instant, the powerful emanation broke, but I could feel his anger, coiled and contained.

      Mother seized the moment, holding onto the counter to brace herself, her own fiery maternal anger lashing out to him. “I command you in the name of God and all that’s Holy, to reveal your true self and true purpose here!”

      I saw him suck in breath, his teeth clamping, and then he was gone.

      Mother and I stood there, breathing heavily, regaining our composure. “The name of God disturbed him,” she said finally. “He could be demonic in origin. Not good.”

      I wanted to dispute her, shaken as I was. “He said he would never hurt me or Daniel.”

      “Be careful how you define hurt,” she said. “You know the expression about the road to Hell. I would be less concerned about his intentions and more concerned with how in God’s name you’re connected to him. I’ll reinforce protection around the entire household to try to keep him out. If he hasn’t the good sense to stay away, we’ll mentally recite the 23rd psalm.” She turned her head toward the arch leading to the dining and living rooms. “Hush now. I hear your father coming.”

      I nodded.

      “In the meantime, we have enough to handle with your financial and marital problems. Oh, hello, dear.”

      My father came into the kitchen and stopped, staring from my mother to me. “I know that look on your faces. All right.” He wearily pulled out a kitchen chair. “So tell me what’s wrong.”

      Mother sat opposite him. “Bill, Leigh Ann feels they’re on the brink of disaster in Queens. She hasn’t told Richard yet, but she wants to stay here, for us to put them up until they get resituated. I told her they could.”

      Father sat quietly, contemplating it. I could tell he didn’t like it. “There goes my peace and quiet.” He sighed. “Well, first, I think we ought to tell Richard this great plan of yours, Leigh Ann. It’ll be crowded, but if you think it’s that bad, and your mother wants you to stay, okay. But you’ll have to tell him and hope he takes it well.”

      Mother got up from her chair. “I’m going upstairs to use the bathroom and check on the baby. I’ll be back.”

      I slid into the chair. “I’m sorry, Dad. I didn’t mean to impose on you and Mom.”

      “We’re your parents,” he said. “We’re not going to turn you down. But men have their pride, and he may not take this well at all.” He lowered his gaze to avoid looking at me, and said, “I told you not to marry him. But you wouldn’t listen,” then shook his head at the stubbornness of children. “Why don’t you make yourself useful and get me a cup of instant coffee?” I got up and began searching for it. “Bottom right-hand drawer. And by the way, Leigh Ann—don’t tell your mother this—but if that bum of a husband of yours doesn’t get a job and earn his keep within a reasonable amount of time, I’m kicking him out. You and the baby can stay, but I’ll kick him the hell out!”

      When Richard came back that night, Dad led the conversation, telling him I didn’t want to return to Queens, and that he would drive his truck back to the apartment on Sunday, following Richard in the Volkswagen, to collect our belongings and bring them back to Philadelphia.

      Richard reacted oddly, chiding me with more than a hint of disgruntlement for not discussing this with him beforehand, but he also seemed relieved. He agreed that this would give us a chance to start anew, and he returned to Queens СКАЧАТЬ