Edward Cullen, FBI Special Agent & Psychic
Chapter 29
Summary: Edward Cullen is the unacknowledged grandson of Harry Houdini from whom he's inherited strong psychic abilities. Together with his closest friends: a Hoodoo man, two Witches from the Louisiana Swamps and an honest to God Guardian Angel, they work to solve crimes that ordinary law enforcement is unable to solve.
Warning: Subject matter is of an occult and supernatural nature. Some scenes may be difficult for some to read. Just remember that this is a work of fiction and a product of my imagination this is a work of fiction, and as such I've taken "liberties" with some things. However, there are Hoodoo men or Root Workers in real life who can do unbelievable things. There are also powerful psychics who prefer to call themselves witches as well as there are Guardian Angels, but I have never seen one myself. So with the above in mind, please just accept this as a work of fiction and enjoy the world I'm creating. Things don't really go "bump" in the night, do they?
Disclaimer: Ms. Meyer started it all. I've borrowed her characters, but this storyline is mine.
A/N: My undying thanks to my Beta JoanOfArt; buggins74 and AnakinsRealMom who pre-read for me, and Gabby for her back up on the psychic stuff. Wouldn't be able to do this without you!
A/N: Re chapter 28: Many of you have forgotten who Michael was/is. He is Edward's Guardian Angel. He was mentioned in the very first chapters. Not really surprising since it was 28 weeks ago.
Translations:
Loa - are the spirits of Voodu**
~o0o~
Chapter 29
Previously:
"Well this is another fine mess you've gotten yourself into isn't it Edward?" comes a distantly familiar voice. Edward looks around the salon as best as he can considering that he's tied to a chair.
"Michael? Is that you?" Edward asks in his mind.
No immediate answer is forthcoming.
~o0o~
The bottom part of Dr. Gerandy's three story house boat was an open plan. All the windows were covered with a reflective coating to prevent light from coming in, as well as heavy shades that were drawn. The only light was coming from the candles burning all around the room.
The air was heavy with incense and the booming of the Mother Drum.
Edward, Bella, Sam, Angela and Lauren had bags put over their heads and then were dragged down the stairs from the second level salon they'd been tied up in for the last hour and a half. They'd heard the drums and chanting going on for about half an hour prior to their being come for.
Sam had been chanting protection charms since they'd cut his mojo bag's string that held it around his neck. He knew exactly what was going to happen to it and that it wouldn't be pleasant. First the bag would be cut open and the contents spread out on a sheet of brown paper, then picked over to see exactly what was in it. The bag would be the first thing to be tossed into the fire, followed by its entire contents.
Sam felt each and every one of them go into the fire and it made me a little ill. Such were the dangers in placing faith in physical materials. They could be turned against you. He could hear his wife explaining this fact to him. Sam, you really need to learn to draw your protection from your higher self. Honestly, if anyone ever got hold of your mojo bag, it'd be awful. He'd always felt that Angela was really the strongest of the pair of them. She had so much inner strength. Angela worked very well without him, but she always wanted him with her.
Such was the depth of the love they shared, that Angela never wanted to be without him ever again. Those years between meeting Sam and his final return home had been enough separation for her. Most wives were glad to get rid of their husbands occasionally, but not Angela. She was content to be with her husband all the time. With him, she was complete, and he was completed by her.
Edward could hear all of what Sam was thinking and he understood his friend's fear. He even felt the twinge of pain Sam had experienced when his mojo bag had been burned.
Edward could hear Angela's worry over her husband and the loss of his mojo bag.
Edward wished, and not for the first time, that he could have shared a love with someone as deep as that of Sam and Angela's. Their devotion to each other had been a reminder of what Edward thought he'd had with Sara. He'd been blinded by his desire to have such a love. Lauren keep telling Edward after Sara died, that his time was coming. He just had to be patient.
Bella was just highly pissed off, and God help Dr. Gerandy if she got hold of a gun. She was ready to kill him and all his henchmen. At this moment, she'd bear whatever the Karma was for getting rid of the menace that was Dr. Gerandy.
Lauren, on the other hand, was in a trance like state. She was shifting through the futures of them all, and this had Edward non-pulsed. She was seeing them all at a much later time. It had to be a later time because Bella was with them. They were all riding in a powerboat that Sam towed behind his house boat.
That meant they were somehow going to make it out of there alive.
But how?
"Don't be obtuse, Edward. How do you think? I'm here with you. I'm always with you. It's my job to keep you safe, remember? Just be patient, you need the answers that you'll get from them. Just have faith that I'll save your butt once more, and I'll save everyone you care for this time."
Michael. Thank God!
~o0o~
The heat was oppressive and having their heads bagged wasn't helping matters any. If the bags were meant to cause fear within the five, it wasn't working. Well, Angela was fearful of what would happen to Sam, and he was fearful of what would happen to her.
The loudest of the drumming stopped with only a mild booming allowing the voice that began speaking to be heard.
First there was a deep laughter. One that was filled with malice and joy of having his enemies lined up on their knees in front of him and at his mercy. Mercy! That was a weakness. He was not weak. If you insulted him, or got in his way, he'd take you out. No mercy! Ever.
Edward could hear every thought that was passing through Dr. Gerandy's mind. Most of them were just horrific...Those women are beautiful. I think I'll take each one of them before I cut out their hearts. I should probably allow my followers to take a turn if they'd like...no that wouldn't do. The Loa wouldn't want them abused before they've reached them. Maybe I'll just keep the police woman for my use. She's not gifted in anyway beside her beauty. When she gets worn out, then I'll whore her out. Keep her drugged up. Yes, that's what I'll do. I'll make money off her body. That should teach her! The men will have their heads cut off and their souls enslaved to my service. That so called root worker is nothing compared to my greatness, and that mind reader...I'll just take his abilities for my own. Yesss, this is what I will do. They should have never interfered with me!
Truly the power that this doctor had drawn into himself was destructive and had driven him insane. His personality had not been developed enough to be able to hold the power. It happened more often than not with mystics and magic users. It took years of hard work to strengthen the personality to accept the inflow of so much without causing damage. As with any electrical charge, the wiring needed insulation. This was why Sam, Angela and Lauren were so unique. The power they contained strengthen instead of weakening.
Suddenly, the bags were ripped off their heads all at the same time. It took a moment to gather his bearing, but Edward looked up into the leering face of Babalú-Ayé.
Babalú-Ayé pointed at the kneeling Bella and indicated she was to be raised up, and moved to stand a little behind himself. Bella's voice filled the air with curses and profanities leveled at him.
Babalú-Ayé smiled, "You will bend to my will, beautiful Bella. You are to become my sex slave and will live only as long as you please me." He told her with authority.
Bella's laughter filled the room and even seemed to overpower the drumming and the chanting. "Yeah, well, I'll kill you myself you son-of-a-bitch. I'll cut your heart out!"
She continued to hurl curses and profanities at him. He then motioned to re-gag her.
She could still be heard, however, mumbling loudly what Edward knew to be more profanities.
Gotta give the girl credit. She's got balls! Edward thought with admiration for Bella, and not for the first time. She'd grown on him. She was a beauty, but more importantly, she was strong and a steadfast friend.
Then it was Edward's turn to be stood up. "Tie him to the altar!" Was the command.
Sam, Angela, Lauren and Bella all cried out.
Once Edward was secured to the altar, Babalú-Ayé stepped behind it so he was facing his flock. He motioned for Edward's shirt to be ripped from his body, exposing his bare chest. Once that was done, the light from the candles glinted on the now raised dagger, as it started to descend.
However, before it reached its intended destination, there was a blinding flash of light.
~o0o~
Author's Ending Note: Now can't you just hear the announcer telling you to stay tuned to the "Same Bat channel", "Same Bat time". I promise you this is the last cliff hanger you'll have to deal with, with this story. Remember I believe in the HEA with regard to the story line. So, don't despair.
**The Loa (also Lwa or L'wha) are the spirits ofHaitian Vodou. They are also referred to as Mystères and the Invisibles, in which are intermediaries between Bondye (Bon Dieu, or good god)—theCreator, who is distant from the world—and humanity. Unlike saints or angels however, they are not simply prayed to, they are served. They are each distinct beings with their own personal likes and dislikes, distinct sacred rhythms, songs, dances, rituals, and special modes of service. Contrary to popular belief, the loa are notdeities in and of themselves; they are intermediaries for a distant Bondye.
