Elizabeth sat very still on her chair for several seconds. The implications of an evil person bringing someone back to life were too awful to contemplate. If someone evil like Stalin were alive again...
"I will do everything in my power to get that book back." The angel finally said, "Or make sure that it is destroyed."
"And we will do all we can to help you and your friends." Father Matthew replied. "We thought that evil book had been destroyed with him when his house was set on fire, but it still survived."
"The Order of Saint Michael goes back that far?" Elizabeth asked.
"Oh yes, much further back." Father Matthew replied, "In the year of our Lord 1042, his Holiness Pope Benedict the ninth, in order to combat the growing evil and heresies in the world, chartered the order of Saint Michael the Archangel..." He trailed off and smiled at Elizabeth, "Why do you think he chose that saint?" He asked kindly.
"Because Saint Michael led the Lord's army in driving out Lucifer and his angels." Elizabeth replied.
"Yes, so it was to be with our order." The priest said, "Our secret mission was to go throughout the world and drive out its evil by destroying anything that could be used against the church."
"Such as the Book of the Black Dragon." Elizabeth added.
"Yes, our charter gave us permission to destroy all that is unholy." Father Matthew paused, "By any means necessary. Unfortunately, there were those of our order who followed that directive with too much zeal. Today, we try to use non-violent means as much as possible."
The clock on the wall began to chime twelve. Father Matthew looked at the clock and back at Elizabeth.
"It is time for noon services." He said, "I would be honored if you joined us."
"Of course, Father." The angel replied.
After the services, Father Matthew persuaded Elizabeth to stay and partake of the communal lunch. So she joined the members in a simple meal of bread, cheese and coffee, listening to the stories of their order. Elizabeth also spoke of her adventures, though she did not reveal her true self, and about Micky, Mike, Peter, Davy and Darlene.
Afterwards, as Father Matthew walked Elizabeth to the front door, he spoke once again.
"It is good that the Lord has chosen such good friends for you to help you in your mission."
"Yes Father, once again, the Lord has blessed me." The angel smiled.
"Your friend Micky must be truly special to capture the heart of an angel." He said with a smile.
Elizabeth was astonished. She thought she had kept her feelings well hidden. She lowered her head so the priest wouldn't see her blush.
"Yes father, there is something special about Micky. His soul touches mine. He also has the ability to magnify my powers, but I don't know why or how."
"The Lord will reveal all in time. He has a reason for everything." Was the priest's answer.
At the door, Mother Angelica was waiting for them. In her hands she held a small box.
"Please accept this gift from us." She said reverently, "As a reminder of our order."
"You didn't have to do that, but thank you." Elizabeth replied. She opened the box and pulled out a statue of St. Michael, wearing battle armor and standing over Satan, his foot on Satan's neck.
"It is made of Olive wood from the Holy Land." Mother Angelica said.
"It's beautiful, thank you very much." The angel said.
"Would you also like your coin back?" Mother Angelica continued, holding out the coin.
Elizabeth took the coin and broke it in half once again, and handed the half-coin back to the nun.
"Thank you again, Reverend Mother." Elizabeth said, kissing the nun's forehead, then she turned and touched the cane Father Matthew held.
"Peace be with you, Father." She said.
"And with you, Elizabeth." Father Matthew replied.
The angel opened the door and left the monastery. When the door closed, both Father Matthew and Mother Angelica felt a warmth flow through their bodies. Father Matthew looked down at his leg and Mother Angelica took off her glasses.
"My leg doesn't hurt anymore." Father Matthew said.
"I can see clearly without my glasses." Mother Angelica replied.
They both rushed outside to thank the angel, but she and her car had disappeared.
++++
"Synthea! Synthea!" Keith called out, running through the house.
The witch appeared in front of him, wearing a black nightgown.
"What is it?" She asked, yawning.
"I've finally translated the Black Dragon's book." The wizard said proudly.
"Is the resurrection spell in there?" Synthea asked.
"Oh yes, it is!" Keith replied.
"Yes!" The witch exclaimed, giving Keith a hug. "Tell me what you need and I will get it for you."
"Easier said than done, my dear." Keith replied, "I think a few items will be hard to find."
"The Black Dragon's book was hard to find and I got it, so I can get anything." Synthea bragged.
Keith made a piece of paper appear in his hand. "What about an item touched by an angel?" Keith asked, an eyebrow raised.
"Come with me." The witch said, and led Keith down to the basement. Once there, she went over to a small black box sitting on a table in a corner. Snapping her fingers, the box opened to reveal a gold angel pin sitting on a black velvet pillow.
"Ooh, nice." Keith smiled, reaching for the pin.
"Don't touch it!" Synthea snapped, smacking Keith's hand away, "Unless you want your hand burned!"
"Where did you get it?" The wizard asked, rubbing his hand.
"It was near Jynger's body when she was found." Synthea replied, "So the police thought it belonged to her. I know Jynger wouldn't have owned something like that so it must belong to that angel." The witch snapped her fingers again and the box closed.
"Why did you keep it?" Keith insisted.
"I thought it might be useful someday if a spell called for a blessed object." Synthea replied. "So what else will you need?"
"Water from a tomb in Transylvania." Keith replied. "Dracula's tomb."
"The great, great, great grandson of Ruha, Queen of Darkness. I can get that." Synthea said.
"Two ancient roman coins with Caligula's visage." The wizard went on.
"One of the most evil and depraved Emperors Rome ever had. I have a friend in Rome who can get those for me." The witch replied with a smile.
"How about linen from a Egyptian priest's tomb?"
"Not a problem."
Keith looked at the last item on his list. "Then to complete the spell, you will need one last thing. I'm sure you`ll have no problem getting it."
"What is that?" Synthea asked.
"The blood of a descendent of a holy martyr." Keith replied, "Like say...a descendent of one of the twelve apostles."
The witch stared at the wizard for several seconds before answering.
"You've got to be kidding?" She exclaimed, "How can I possible find someone related to one of them from almost 2,000 years ago?"
Keith started to laugh. "Oh Synthea, my sweet. "There's one of them right under our noses!"
"Who?" Synthea demanded, grabbing Keith's shirt lapels.
"Mike Nesmith, one of those Monkee boys, is a direct descendent of Saint Thomas, one of the twelve apostles." Keith replied, pulling Synthea's hands away. "I know this because he bragged about it at one of Jynger's little get-togethers a few days before she died."
"Then I will get his blood." Synthea smiled evilly.
"Oh the blood must be fresh." Keith put in quickly, "So you'll have to keep him alive until the ceremony."
"Then that's what I'll do." The witch said, turning to go back upstairs, "And I know just how to get him."
Chapter 9
Chapter 11
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