Amber Dan-Dwayne Spencer (romantic books to read .txt) 📖

“I saw his memorial by the pond where the accident happened. People do that sort of thing to mark where a loved one died.”

“Another lie of the enemy. A trap meant to bring self-doubt and darkness into your vision. The one you call Dave lives. Fear not Son of Norman. You have a purpose in this war. You have been winning battles without knowing you are in the throes of the fight. My time here comes to an end. I must return to my place as cupbearer to my King. Soon, if the tide of fate doesn’t turn, I will present His Son with the cup of remorse for He will weep for all humankind.”

“You can’t leave us defenseless,” Flower said.

“Use all the gifts He has given. You have everything you need. As for the lady Rose, her rescue is your choice. Saving her will not win this war. Your battle with the angel Ishtar will wage on until either angel or mortal obtains the talisman.” He flexed his wings and the fragrance of Lavender and sage filled the room. “Behold—the demon’s Page, messenger of evil, approaches.” He folded his wings around like a feathery cocoon. When the tips touched, the crash of a mighty cymbal reverberated in the Roundhouse. A light flashed, and he disappeared.

After our eyes readjusted, and we could see again, the door of the Roundhouse opened. A blond girl, a child of no more than eight-years-old carrying a teddy bear, entered the room. She had dark circles under her eyes and when she smiled, jagged pointy teeth glinted from between her ruby lips.

“This is for you, Arland, child prophet of things yet to come.” The girl’s voice sounded deep and raspy, like a man who smoked too many cigarettes.

Suddenly, her eyes glared wide, and she jutted her head forward, hissing. We all froze as we watched the girl’s legs crunch backward. She fell forward. Belly to the ground, the child effortlessly crawled on hands and feet up and across the tabletops. Up the sides of the Roundhouse and onto the ceiling. Like a cockroach, she skittered. Turning our way again, she hissed and scurried down the sides of the tenting before she fled out the door.

Still in his underpants, Roger admitted, “The angel said to prepare ourselves, but I wasn’t ready for that,” I picked up the teddy bear. The ribbon around its neck secured a note. The message was curt and to the point, it read: The girl for the talisman.

Moments later, people wandered into the Roundhouse asking where the flashing light and the crashing sound came from. Flower told them not to worry about it. It wouldn’t be happening again.

Jimmy didn’t remember any of his traitorous behavior. As confused and disoriented as he was, I could hardly believe it when he stood. He looked around and said, “Weren’t we at the carnival? Loveless, how did we get here?”

Roger proclaimed, “He’s back. It’s the real Jimmy this time.”

Jimmy gave me one of his intimidating JD stares and asked, “What’s numbnuts talking about? Is this more spooky shit?”

I gave him an abbreviated version of the evening’s events and the message the angel delivered. I left out the fact I had met Reuwel for the first time last night.

Flower took Jimmy’s hands and asked how he felt. I could see Jimmy instantly respond to her touch. He sat straighter, lifted his chin higher, the dark bags under his eyes faded away, and his brow furrowed in anger. “We’ve got to save Rose,” He demanded.

Roger elbowed his way between Jimmy and Flower. “Rose is fine. Tomorrow morning Briggs and his cronies will come here looking for the talisman of Uriel. While he’s here, we’ll be one step ahead of him by getting to it first. The sheriff has no idea it’s all a scheme. The angel said they’ve kidnapped her, but in fact, I suspect he has arrested her on some trumped-up charge as a ruse. Rose will be safe because that demon with a badge will be busy here searching the commune. More importantly, I believe he won’t harm Rose because she’s his bargaining chip, his ace up his sleeve, his—”

“Reynolds, get on with it. What’s your point?” Jimmy interrupted.

“My point is, we need to get the talisman and use it to set her free,” Roger stated.

“As long as we rescue her.” Jimmy paused. “How do we use the talisman to break her out of jail?”

“We go to Blue Eye and find a book written by the angel Uriel telling us where to find this miracle-working talisman. Then we bring it back,” Roger announced.

I wasn’t completely convinced, but I figured it was best to keep my reservations to myself for the time being.

It only took us a few minutes to do all the things we had to do before loading up in the VW van and heading off to Blue Eye. Jimmy and Roger had worn their clothes for a couple of days already. It was time we all took a trip to Miss Tabitha’s clothing room. Jimmy got a new western shirt and Roger picked out a blue polo-style pullover. They headed on to the van as soon as they finished their selections.

Mrs. Tabitha did my picking. She brought me some clothes from her special reserve. I spread them out across the shelves—a shiny, blue satin-like button-up with bell sleeves and a purple leather fringed vest. For the first time, I thought, maybe there was hope. I might fit in at the commune after all.

Hurriedly, I slipped the fresh shirt over my Bruce Lee tee and covered that with the vest. I pulled the love beads Stoney gave me to the outside and tucked the strand under the collar. At the back of the storeroom, Tabitha had a full-length mirror. Standing back to look at myself, I grimaced. A twelve or