Chapter twelve
She remembered vaguely, Ethaniel's voice talking to her grandfather telling him they found Hanna and that she was taken to the hospital.
When she finally stopped crying and pulled herself back together, she got up with Ben and Derek's help.
"What now?" asked Nick who was silently watching her until now.
"We go home. We should get the book and go see Nadia," she said looking at Ben and her father, her voice shuddering.
They left the apartment silently, and Ethaniel drove them back home. They were all silent during the ride. Everyone to his or her own thoughts. When they arrived home Abi rushed over to her office where she had left the book. She tried to pick it up but had to let it drop. It was burning hot, leaving red burn marks on her hands. "Damn it," she screamed.
Ben and Derek came running into the room. "Abi, what is it?" asked Derek.
"The book. It burnt me."
Derek went down reaching his hand but felt the heat as well. "I can't pick it up as well," he said.
"Here, let me try," said Ben reaching his hand carefully. Surprisingly the book had no effect on him, so he picked it off the floor and simply said, "Let's go see Nadia."
Looking at his daughters hands Derek asked, "Abi, are you ok?"
"Yes," she said. "Its not that bad. Lets go."
"Do you want us to come with you?" asked Ethaniel referring to himself and Nick.
"No," said Abi. "However, stay here and wait for our call. We might need you if this works."
Ben drove to Nadia's place as fast as he could. The three of then entered and Abi looked at the young woman in the front desk. "I need to see Nadia, right now. It's an emergency."
The young woman looked at Abi. She recognized her and called Nadia's office. "Nadia, Abigail Hirsh is here to see you. She says it's urgent."
Nadia stepped out of her office immediately. "Abi, I heard about your children. I'm so sorry dear. How can I help you?"
Abi followed the old witch into her office, if you can call it that. It was an old apartment that was changed to resemble an office. But it was no ordinary office. Chants and artifacts that are of magical origin were hanging on the walls, but it was nice and welcoming. Abi asked Ben to put the book on the table for the old woman to see.
"I can't touch it," she said. "Neither can my father. It seems this book, or rather who ever is controlling it, knows what we are trying to do. I think the book has something to do with the fact I could not sense the danger to my children, or that I can't feel them now, as I usually do."
"Let's see," said Nadia reaching for the book. It scorched the tip of her fingers. "I can not open it as well. Ben it seems you are the only one who can. Probably because you have no psychic powers. I will need your help on this," she told him.
"Of course," he said. "Anything I can do to help."
"Well, right now I just need to see what's in the book, so just turn over some pages for me."
Ben did as he was asked. "Stop," he heard the old witch say and stopped at the page he arrived.
"That is no ordinary magic book Abi. This is black magic." The old witch thought for a minute then smiled. She went over to one of the bookshelves in her office and took out a book. It was very old and ragged. She opened it saying. "Ok, let's form a circle. We need four pairs of hands for this." She went out and called her assistant in. Ben, Abi, Derek and the young woman joined hands around the table, while Nadia was chanting something in Arabic out of her book. "Concentrate on what it is you need Abi," she said.
It took a few minutes when suddenly the black magic book burst into flames and was disintegrated completely. "Nadia," screamed Abi, "The book is gone."
"That's what was supposed to happen."
"How does that help us? I still don't feel a thing," said Abi.
"Relax. Concentrate on your children Abi," said the witch.
Abi was trying really hard to calm down when suddenly she could feel her children's heart beats. "Oh god. I can feel them. They're alive," said Abi.
"Can you see where they are honey?" asked Ben.
"No, I can't."
"Join hands with your father. Dr. Rayne, concentrate on your grandchildren."
Abi reached out her hands to her father holding on tight. They both closed their eyes trying to see where the children are. The visions filled them both. She was now able to see where her children are. "Oh no, " they heard her say as she recognized the woman and man known as Mr. and Mrs. Levin. She also recognized another one of the men there, but not the 3rd one.
Abi picked up her cell phone and called Ethaniel.
"Ethaniel, I know where they are," she said. "I need you, and Nick. I also need Phillip."
"Phillip?" he asked.
"Yes Phillip too. And bring that pyramid we put in the vault. I need it too." She paused for a minute then silently asked "Are Erick and Doron there?"
"Erick is, Doron, I haven't seen him in a while," replied Ethaniel.
"Ok," she said. "Ask Erick if he wants to join us, and don't say anything about Doron to him or anyone else."
"Abi, are you saying… are you telling me Doron has a part in the children's disappearance?"
Abi did not answer that question, she just told him to come as quickly as possible and bring the men and the pyramid.
Kristin and Phillip – Legacy house
"Poor Abi," said Phillip to Kristin. They were both sitting in the kitchen having coffee, waiting to hear any news.
"Yes, she has gone through a lot the past few months. I don't think I could have handled it as well as she does. She falls down, but immediately jumps up again. I admire her courage," said Kristin.
"Oh, Kristin, you are being too hard on yourself. You are also a very courageous woman. You have had enough things to deal with lately. Remember?"
Kristin thought back over to the time she was looking for her brother, and then to the time of his death and how devastated she was. But yes, Phillip was right, she decided not to let it take her down and over the edge. She just pulled herself together as best she could and carried on. Or at least she is starting to.
"I suppose so," she told Phillip. "But she has gone through too much too fast, wouldn't you say?"
"God works in mysterious ways Kristin. And he will not put us through something we can not handle. He knows just how much a person can take, and puts him to the test. The stronger you are, the harder the test is."
Kristin was thinking of the things Phillip was saying. She was not sure she agrees with him but did not say anything.
The two of them heard Ethaniel call out to Phillip, and stepped out of the kitchen in a hurry.
Outside the Kitchen
"Ethaniel, what is it?" asked Phillip.
"Oh, there you are. Abi needs us," he said. "She said you need to come as well." He looked at Nick and said, "I'm gonna go find Erick and be right back. Nick you go over to that room in there," he said pointing out to a small door and handing him the key. "It's the arsenal. Arm yourself people, we are going to get the children."
Kristin looked at Ethaniel and asked, "May I come as well? I know how to handle guns and protect myself."
"Sure," said Ethaniel heading to the control room. "Erick," he said to the men in there. "Abi called. They know where the children are and she needs backup. Are you coming?" he asked, while he headed for the vault to get the pyramid.
"Of course," said Erick following Ethaniel out. He also got a gun from the arsenal and some other stuff they needed, and all followed into Ethaniel's van ready for a fight.
Ethaniel drove over to Nadia's to pick up Abi Ben and Derek.
Nadia's Place
Ethaniel pulled over at Nadia's and they all went in.
"Ok, we are ready," he told Abi.
"Good," she answered. "Listen and listen carefully. The children are being held at Doron's house."
"No way," said Erick. "I can not believe he is part of this."
"I'm afraid so Erick. I was amazed at the vision as well. I knew he was weak, I guess I didn't realize just how weak." She looked around at everyone then said; "Do you remember the visions I had a few days ago?"
"Yes," said Phillip and Ben.
"Well, in this vision, I see us all in a house. And the four of you are holding the pyramid. The one I asked you to brinEthaniel."
"It's right here," he said pointing to a bag he was carrying.
"Good, because I think this it the time we will need it. Now in my visions you are all holding the pyramid. One hand over the other, so each side has two hands laying on it. When I ask you to get the pyramid you hold it as I described. I'm not sure why, I just know it is essential," she said.
"Who are the four of us?" asked Derek.
"Oh sorry, its Ben, Ethaniel, Phillip and Nick."
"Ok," said all four.
"Guys, please be careful. Do not shoot unless it is absolutely necessary. I don't want the children to get hurt. And I also do not want anyone to take unnecessary risks. We are dealing with dangerous people. Two of them are magicians, powerful ones. And at least one is a demon. Although, I do not know for sure, if it is Doron or the other man."
She then looked up at Kristin "You didn't have to come you know," she said.
"It's would be my honor to fight along side of you and my future boss," said the blonde.
"Thank you," was all Abi said. "Are we ready?" she asked.
They all nodded their heads for yes, then got into the van and headed to Doron's house.
Being legacy members and Doron's friends, Abi Ethaniel and Erick knew the layout of the house. Ben having been there when they found the transmitters was also familiar with it, so they decided to split into teams of two, each of them will take one of the other four along.
They parked the car as far as possible, so not to be detected by the house's inhabitants. Each two took another part of the house to explore. Ben and Derek went to the back. Nick and Abi tried the front. The others went sideways.
Each team found a way into the house and they all met in the living room, not seeing a living soul. They split up again, four of then heading upstairs and the other four still looking around. Abi had a strong feeling that her children are close, but was unable to pinpoint the exact location. She and Nick went into the kitchen and saw a door on the floor. She has never seen this door before because it was always hidden by a rug.
She sent Ethaniel to call the others who went upstairs, and get them into the kitchen. Nick opened the door very carefully and they could all hear voices coming from farther down. Nick was the first to go down, followed by Abi and Ben, then the rest.
As they were headed down deeper and deeper, the voices they heard got stronger. They finally arrived at a room which, lucky for them had a round wall built inside. In the center of this round wall there were two altars. Abi saw all four people siting there her children locked in a small cage on the farthest side. She signed everyone to stay still and hidden. Then she got up from her hiding place and entered the circle to the amazement of everyone.
