Some time later, a small coupe wended its way through the California countryside. The driver was Elizabeth, now wearing a modest blue dress, white shoes, purse and hat. Even though there were no signs leading to her destination, Elizabeth had no trouble finding the place she wanted.
Elizabeth turned her car onto a small lane that led further into the California hills. After about a mile she came upon a large three-story stone building set off a bit from the road. The angel pulled into the circular driveway and parked a short distance from the front door.
Getting out of the car, Elizabeth paused for a moment to take in the fresh air and quiet surroundings. The Order of Saint Michael the Archangel had indeed picked a beautiful area to place their monastery.
Elizabeth walked over to the front door, the birds singing and the crunching of gravel beneath her feet was the only sounds to be heard. She then pulled the rope on the brass bell beside the door.
About a minute later, an elderly nun wearing a long black habit and a wooden cross around her neck opened the door and peered at Elizabeth through thick glasses.
"Yes child, how may I help you?' She asked in a friendly voice.
"I would like to speak with Father Matthew, Reverend Mother." Elizabeth replied, then pulled a small object out of her pocket. It was a gold coin, cut in a jagged half, one half of a cross and sword stamped on its sides.
"Kyriae Eleison." The angel said softly, "Lord have mercy on us."
The nun pulled out a similar coin from her pocket. It was just like the one Elizabeth had in her hand.
"Christe Eleison. Christ have mercy on us."
"Miserere nostri, fili David" The two women said together, "Have mercy on us, O son of David."
The two put the coins together, and to the nun's great surprise, the two halves of the coin glowed and then joined together to form one coin! The nun looked at Elizabeth with a mixture of fear and respect as she let go of her half of the coin.
"Please come in." The nun said, opening the door wider.
"Thank you." Elizabeth replied as she stepped inside. She saw the fear on the other woman's face and sent love and reassurance to her.
"Whom may I say is calling?" The nun asked, relaxing slightly.
"Elizabeth Boniface, Reverend Mother." Elizabeth replied as she placed the newly-formed coin in her hand.
"Please come this way." The nun said, folding her hand around the coin.
The angel walked respectfully behind the nun as she led Elizabeth down a corridor. There were a few other members of the order walking around, but Elizabeth sensed that most of the people in the building were praying or studying. The nun opened a wooden door with a cross carved on it and let the angel inside. Once Elizabeth had entered, the nun quickly closed the door and went away. Elizabeth looked around the chapel. It had beautiful stained-glass windows depicting the life of Jesus on two sides and at the back of the chapel was a wooden altar. On top of the altar was an object inside a glass case. Curious, Elizabeth walked over to the case to see it better.
Inside the red velvet-lined case was a small stick of wood, pointed at one end, and about as long as Elizabeth's little finger.
"That is one of the thorns from the crown of thorns our Lord wore on the cross." A man's voice said behind her.
Elizabeth turned to see an older man with gray hair and wearing a priest's habit standing inside the chapel door. He leaned on a wooden cane.
"Yes, I sensed its holiness right away, father." Elizabeth replied, walking toward him.
"You can? It is one of many holy relics this order has been charged to keep safe from those who would use them for their own means." The priest replied.
Suddenly, he threw out his right hand and splashed Elizabeth with water! The angel blinked, then made the sign of the cross. The priest looked intently at her.
"I see the holy water does not affect you." He said. "You must truly be sent by the Lord."
"I am, and may his name be blessed always." Elizabeth said, wiping the water away.
"I am Father Matthew. I apologize for the sudden bath, but I had to be sure you were not a demon in disguise. We've had those come here, and that is why I must now use a cane. " The priest said, pointing to his leg, then extending his hand.
"My name is Elizabeth Boniface. It is quite alright, father." The angel replied, "I well know the tricks the evil one can use." Elizabeth took the priest's hand and kissed it. "Where did you get the water?"
Father Matthew showed her the small vial he had hidden in his hand. "This is water from the well at Meribah where Moses had struck the rock to bring forth water for the Israelites."
"I didn't know the true location of the well had been found."
"Oh yes, it is part of our mandate to keep the holy relics and sites safe." The priest answered. "But tell me, why has the Lord sent his messenger to me?"
"I've come to ask for information." The angel replied.
The priest seemed slightly taken aback by that. "Very well." Father Matthew said after a pause, "Please, come into my study."
He then led the way out of the chapel and they found the old nun hovering nearby.
"It is alright, Mother Angelica." Father Matthew said with a smile, "She is from the Lord."
Mother Angelica fell to her knees, hands clasped together. Elizabeth helped her up.
"Please do not pay me any homage." The angel said, "I am only a servant as you are."
Mother Angelica nodded, but still kissed Elizabeth's hand.
The angel smiled and let Father Matthew lead her down the hall a little. The priest limped slightly on his right leg. He opened up another wooden door and let Elizabeth inside. The study was rather small, just a desk and a few chairs. A small window looked out across a meadow. A cross and a picture of the Virgin Mary hung on the walls. There were bookshelves lining every wall, making the room seem even smaller. Elizabeth quietly sat down on an old leatherette chair.
"May I offer you something to eat or drink, my Lady?" Father Matthew asked as he closed the door.
"No thank you." The angel replied. "But please just call me Elizabeth. I don't deserve any honorifics."
The priest walked further into his study, but instead of sitting in his chair behind the desk, he took the chair opposite Elizabeth.
"I find it much easier to talk to people sitting here than behind that desk." He smiled. "Now...what information could I, a simple priest, have for you?"
"Yesterday afternoon, a dear friend of mine was attacked by demons." Elizabeth began, "They stole from him a book which my friend thought was a bible, but the demons said it was something else."
"What was it?" Father Matthew asked.
"They said it was a spell book of the Black Dragon." Elizabeth replied.
"Did they get the book?"
"Yes, they disappeared with it when I arrived to help my friend." Elizabeth said.
Father Matthew looked down at his hands as Elizabeth continued.
"Before that, a priest from your order died mysteriously at the docks. Knowing your orders' mandate, I feel the two incidents may be connected."
The priest sighed and looked up at the angel.
"Yes, unfortunately you are right, Elizabeth." He replied. "Father John Vincent was a member of this order and he had been tracking that unholy book for some time. When he was found dead on the docks, we feared the book had been taken, but it seems he was able to keep it out of their hands, if only for a little while."
"Can you tell me something about that book?" Elizabeth asked.
"The Black Dragon was originally a Buddhist monk who converted to Christianity in early 17th century China." Father Matthew replied. "But the trials and tribulations of the early Christian church in China weighed heavily on him and he eventually let Satan enter his heart. He used his identity to lure Christians into his confidence...then betrayed them to the authorities. Many people became martyrs because of him. Satan was so pleased with him, that he visited the false monk one night and told him several evil spells which could be used against mankind."
"What sort of spells?" The angel asked.
"To cause earthquakes, crop failures, leprosy and other diseases." Father Matthew replied, "But the worst one of all was the so-called `resurrection spell'."
"Does that mean what I think it means?" Elizabeth asked quietly.
"Yes, it means that the dead could be raised to life."
Chapter 8
Chapter 10
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