Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,8

interior. “Hop in.”

Chanice plopped down inside the sedan and began to cry. “Momma’s killin’ herself. I don’t understand why she’s still smokin’. It’s horrible! Can’t I come’n live with you, please? I don’t wanna live with my uncle when Momma dies. He’s mean.”

“Come on now,” Shalee encouraged. “Let’s take this one day at a time, okay? You know I’ll do whatever I can to help you. Let’s focus on some happier thoughts, shall we?”

Shalee wiped a tear from Chanice’s face, and as always, the young girl gave a brave smile. “Chanice, I’ll be there for you, no matter what. I love you. Do you understand that?”

“I know ya do,” Chanice confirmed, brushing away the tears. After a bit, the child’s gap-toothed grin found the conversation.

“Well, alrighty then! Since today’s my birthday, what do you say that us clever, little girls go celebrate, eat and shop. Shopping will make everything gooooooooood!” Shalee exclaimed in her best Jim Carrey impersonation. “High-five, little sis!”

“Yeah, I’m starvin’! Happy birthday, big sis!”

Shalee grabbed her iPod and chose a song that Chanice loved.

Lately when I look into your eyes

I realize you’re the only one I need in my life…

Swaying to the music, Shalee grabbed her hairbrush from the center console and used it as a microphone while she lip-synced. Chanice burst into laughter and started dancing in the car while Shalee sang, making up her own lyrics.

My little sis and me … oh, oh,

We don’t know how to describe

How happy we feel inside.

Chanice gave Shalee another high-five, took the brush and made up her own lyrics.

We’ve got butterflies

We’re going to fly higher in the sky

We can become anything we want

We’re like butterflies.

“You got it, lil’ sis! That rocks!”

Around 10 p.m., Shalee walked through the door of her home. She tossed her car keys on the buffet table, kicked off her Marc Jacob shoes and made a cup of warm milk to unwind before heading to bed.

If I could only get some sleep without it happening again, she thought. I just need one peaceful night before facing another hectic day of presentations, clients and umpteen phone calls. Thank goodness Mother’s taking care of Pebbles. I’m just too tired to deal with his big ol’ behind tonight.

She looked at the picture of the dog sitting on the coffee table. What a big boy you are … oh yes, you are, she thought in her best doggy voice as she stared at the image of the great dane before retiring for the evening.

After changing into her pajamas, Shalee sat on the edge of her bed, fluffed the pillows and then crawled beneath the covers. She had quilted her bedspread, and it was her most prized possession. It was even more prized than her closet full of expensive clothes. To Shalee, making something with her own hands added value, and the pattern she had chosen was adorable. The great dane puppies covering its surface were embossed. The way she had stitched around them made these lovable pups stand out. The padded feel of the blanket was comforting, and she enjoyed passing her hands across it.

Reaching up, she paused as she looked at the shade covering the lamp sitting on the nightstand. More great danes. Just like her blanket, they were frolicking about and covered its surface. When she twisted the switch, the light went out, and the puppies glowed in the dark.

Later that night, not long after Shalee had fallen asleep, her nightmares resumed. There would be no rest tonight. Instead, her eyes began moving wildly behind her lids.

The beings who were a part of her nightmares never revealed their faces. They always presented themselves as silhouettes. But tonight was different. Some of the beings’ features were discernible.

The first was a woman. Her hair was long, silky, dark and flowing. She had on a beautiful gown, and the lace covering her arms allowed her flawless skin to be seen. Angelic wings protruded from her back, and they were tucked against her body.

Behind her, a much larger being who remained undefined had his shadowy arms wrapped around her. A clearly seen dagger was pressed against her throat and its tip had been buried just beneath her skin. A dribble of bright-red blood was running down her neck.

With the tension of the nightmare increasing, Shalee tossed and turned. She unconsciously reached out and pulled her body pillow close for comfort, but it did not help.

The being who threatened the angel did not have a face. Just like her other dreams, his features