The Shadow Prophecies: Legacy

By Monya Grantham

Alexandra Joseph never knew that she was destined to save the world. Guided by a prophecy given to her family generations ago, Alex must decipher clues left by her ancestors to prevent the sinister group Shadow from bringing about their evil plans for a new world.

As she unlocks the mystery within prophetic letters her ancestors had written to her, Alex embarks on a mission to find the twelve people that God has chosen to help her. As she and her friend, Juan, try to anticipate and prevent Shadow’s next moves, they face devastating dangers as trained killers try to hunt them down. In order to stop the unthinkable, Alex must use her faith, training, and wits to save the world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Monya Grantham
• Release date: Aug 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311027757

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

ANYONE PASSING THROUGH Edenville, Texas wouldn’t think there was anything special about the town. Like most southern towns, the people were friendly, the stores were family-owned and operated, and life was still centered around the only church in the area, Greater Bethlehem Baptist Church. There was a main street of sorts, where most of the shopping and business took place. And although the townspeople had tried to fight the intrusion of what they felt was a disturbance to the peace and simplicity of their world, there was even a McDonalds and a K-Mart in the small town. Edenville was exactly as it seemed: a simple place in a complicated world.

Located fifty miles or so outside of San Antonio, it was a place where those tired of the hustle and busyness of city life came to live and raise their families. Its population continued to grow each year. It was still a farming community; many of the local people lived on small farms scattered across the outskirts of town. But this growing community had something special hidden in the hearts of those born and raised there, a wonderful secret that only those who had lived there their entire lives knew and spoke of: the Mansfield family.

At the head of this family was Adam Mansfield, a successful farmer, who owned one of the largest beef and dairy farms in the state along with most of the land in Edenville. He and his wife, Sarah, had two sons, Kyle and Marcus. Marcus was the oldest, and he took his big-brother duties very seriously. Upon meeting his new baby brother for the first time, he’d puffed out his four-year-old chest and declared to his parents, Mommy and Daddy, I will always take care of him ’cause I’m his big brother. I’m not gonna let anything bad ever happen to him. And he was true to his word. He was Kyle’s protector, teacher, and champion.

Kyle idolized Marcus. From the time Kyle could walk, his only dream was to become like his big brother. Marcus was a whiz at school, so Kyle excelled as well. Marcus worked hard on the farm, and Kyle worked alongside him. They were their father’s pride and their mother’s joy.

Kyle, have you asked Miranda to go to the Spring Fling dance with you yet? Sarah Mansfield asked her sixteen-year-old son, who was sitting at the kitchen table eating a piece of the apple pie she had made that afternoon.

No, Mom, he answered evasively, stuffing another forkful of pie into his mouth. I’ll get around to it.

Don’t wait too late. Some other young man might beat you to it, she warned him as she poured him a glass of milk from the fridge.

I’m trying to decide on the right time to ask her. She’s pretty busy on the planning committee. I don’t want to bother her, Kyle explained, giving his mother a grateful smile for the milk.

He’s scared to ask her, Marcus said as he walked into the kitchen and gave his mother a quick kiss on the cheek. Hi, Mom. Can I get a piece of that pie?

Sarah retrieved a dessert plate from the cabinet and she sliced her eldest son a big portion of the tasty treat. Marcus, stop teasing your brother, she said, admonishing him gently.

No, I’m not scared! Kyle said, offended, glaring at his older brother. His neck turned red with embarrassment.

Then what’s the problem? Marcus asked him casually, leaning on the kitchen counter and taking a bite of his pie. All you talked about at Christmas was this Miranda girl.

Nothing, Kyle retorted quickly, finishing up his snack and standing to leave. I’m going to ask her today, he declared.

Good, his mother told him, picking up his plate and glass and giving him an approving smile.

I’ll believe it when I see it, Marcus teased.

Everybody’s not in a hurry to be hog-tied like you, big brother, Kyle shot back as he started to walk out of the room. Don’t get on me because Portia’s pressuring you. Have you two set a date yet?

Marcus put his plate down and gave his brother a look that said he would pay for his wisecrack later. We’re not engaged.

Yet, Kyle said, still heading toward the doorway. Hey, it’s okay. As your future best man, I will make sure you have one last night of freedom before you put on that ball and chain.

As his younger brother walked out of the room, chuckling to himself, Marcus could feel his mother’s gaze on him. Portia has been hinting about what direction this relationship is going. I know she wants to get married. And apparently, she has fallen in love with me, he admitted to her.

Sarah smiled at her son and poured them both a cup of coffee. Sitting down at the table, she remembered the pretty young woman he had invited over for Christmas dinner. She had known then what the young woman felt about her son. But she also knew her son. Watching him watch her closely, she prepared her words.

Marcus could tell that his mother was choosing her words carefully. She wasn’t one to jump right in with her opinion. He could always count on her words to be just the right thing to say.

It’s time to tell her that you’re not ready to get married. If you wait any longer then you’re just being cruel and leading her on, she told him gently. And I know you don’t want that.

Marcus tried to dispute her words in his mind. He was dreading having that conversation with Portia and had been avoiding it for weeks.

Get it over with, his mother told him in her tender way, as if reading his mind. ‘If anyone thinks he is acting improperly to the virgin he’s engaged to, and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion, but has control over his own will and has made up his mind not to marry the virgin, this man also does the right thing. So then a man who marries the virgin does right, but the man who does not marry her does even better,’ she told him, quoting the First Corinthians scripture from memory.

And there it is, Marcus thought to himself, the reason why he came to his mother about matters like this. His father may have been the head of the family, but his mother was the heart and he loved her for it. Thanks, Mom, Marcus said, walking over to her and leaning down to give her a kiss on the cheek. He looked at his watch and frowned. Is Dad in his office?

Sarah knew that the moment was over but was sure Marcus would talk to Portia as soon as he could. Yes. He said you might stop by this weekend after your last class.

Yeah, I wanted to talk to him about this internship with Hobson Industries I’m applying for.

Okay. Stay for dinner. We’re having fried chicken.

Marcus smiled, thinking about his mother’s cooking. Okay, Mom. See you later. Love you, he called out as he walked out of the room.

Sarah smiled and got up to cook dinner for her family.

Over the years, the Mansfield farm grew more prosperous and became Mansfield Foods, a very successful chain of grocery stores. And as the family prospered, so did the town. At first, it seemed only a coincidence, but as time passed, many of the people in the small town of Edenville noticed something remarkable: whenever Mansfield Foods opened a new location or had a profitable year, some problem in town was solved. A family struggling to make ends meet would suddenly receive a check from a distant relative. The local school would receive a donation from some charitable organization to build a new gymnasium. The library would get a grant from some philanthropic society to replace the books lost in a fire the year before. A person fighting a serious disease would receive a referral to be treated by the best medical specialist in the state at no cost. Edenville seemed to be a town blessed by God.

Some people around town speculated that the Mansfield family was responsible for the good deeds, but no one said anything to them. Those who wondered about their motives just attributed it to some higher calling. In the Mansfield home, however, they agreed that the good deeds were not to be discussed publicly and they would never seek credit for what they did. It was their precious family duty to God, for father and sons to honor. The brothers even had an unspoken challenge between them to see who could do the most good without ever being found out. And as the years passed, their good deeds grew in size and impact. So, for their small town, the Mansfield family changed the world.

Did you guys see this? Kyle asked excitedly, waving the local newspaper, The Edenville Sun, around in his hand. His father and brother looked up from the documents they had been discussing and patiently awaited his next words. Well, I just read that the hospital over in Sancera had some sort of power surge last night and it overloaded the electrical systems. Had it not been for their backup generator, a lot of people could have really been in danger. The system’s too old and needs a complete overhaul, but the town can’t really afford it. So I was thinking maybe we could do something about it. Sancera is only a couple of hours away from Edenville; we could think of it as helping our neighbor.

His father looked over at his younger son and smiled. At twenty-two, with brown hair, a little long and unkempt, Kyle was starting to look a lot like Marcus when he was his age. His days were spent relaxing and trying to figure out his place in this world. He seemed more comfortable in khakis and loafers, rather than business suits and ties. Fresh out of college, it seemed like Mansfield Foods had little appeal to him. Adam could tell that Kyle’s passion was the charitable side of the family business, and that suited him just fine. As my son, he will do the responsible thing in the end. I’m sure of it, Adam thought. Marcus will make sure that he takes a role in the company eventually, when he is ready.

Twenty-two was also the age when all seemed to change for Marcus. It seemed that almost overnight Marcus became more focused on the Mansfield Farms business. He was full of new ideas to take the company to the next level, as he liked to say. He had an idea to change the local grocery store chain into something new, a super store of sorts that sold not only food, but goods as well. Adam had to admit to himself that his eldest son was a brilliant businessman. Now, looking up at him, standing next to his chair, Adam noticed that a tailored suit and tie seemed to fit twenty-six-year-old Marcus perfectly.

Well, what do you think? Can we replace the electrical system? Kyle asked, looking between his father and brother.

Marcus picked up the blueprints from his father’s desk and brought them over to his brother. We were thinking of doing something more than that, he said, handing them to Kyle.

Kyle looked down at the plans in his hands and then looked up sheepishly at his brother’s grinning face. You’re going to build a new hospital?

Marcus called me last night. It was on the news. He had these drawn up this morning. We were just wondering how long it would take for you to find out and get here, his father explained.

I thought I had finally come up with something before Marcus, Kyle groaned.

That’s never going to happen. I’m always one step ahead of you, little brother, Marcus teased.

CHAPTER 2

MARIANNE JOSEPH COULD not wait for her daughter to be born. Although it was still too early to know for sure, she knew she was having a girl, a little girl with dark brown hair and brown eyes. She knew this because God had told her.

Mom, something weird happened last night. That was how she’d told her mother about the daughter she would have. She was just fourteen and wasn’t sure if she should tell her because her mother always seemed to think she was overly dramatic. But it had felt like an important moment in her life, even life changing.

Marianne could still remember her mom looking at her like she was crazy that day as she recounted her dream. I was studying last night, lying on my bed, when I must have fallen asleep. I heard a noise, kind of like a voice calling my name, and I woke up suddenly. And there was an angel sitting on the window seat in my room, and when I sat up, he told me that one day I would have a baby. I was scared, so I didn’t say anything.

Marianne’s mother had the strangest expression on her face as her daughter was talking—scared, happy, shocked—Marianne didn’t know. She probably thought her daughter was crazy.

The angel told me that I was going to have a little girl, with brown hair and deep brown eyes. He said I was special and she would be also. Then the angel stood up, and I closed my eyes from the brightness. When I opened them again, he was gone.

After she had finished telling her mother about what had happened the night before, her mother just smiled indulgently and told her that she had a vivid imagination, that she shouldn’t eat whatever she’d eaten the night before so her dreams wouldn’t be so crazy. She told Marianne to stop being so dramatic and go finish her homework. Marianne was disappointed by what she’d said, but she knew that it was more than a dream. Something real had happened that day, so she held that moment deeply in her heart.

Growing up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Marianne knew that she had lived a pretty normal childhood. Both of her parents worked in the auto industry; her dad was an engineer and her mom worked as a secretary for a small auto parts supply company. They lived a quiet life in an average city. They didn’t have much family that she knew of, just her grandmother, who lived a few miles away. Her mom didn’t talk much about her mother, and Marianne had only seen her a couple of times, which didn’t make sense to Marianne since she was so old and they were the only family any of them had. But when she had asked her parents why they never visited her grandmother, they would answer only by saying that they had their reasons and she was too young to understand. Thinking about her baby now, Marianne made a decision to go see her grandmother and mend those fences so they all could celebrate her new baby girl.

She had a hard time focusing on driving the short distance from the doctor’s office, where she had just found out about her pregnancy, to the small bungalow home she shared with her husband, Mike. Too excited to wait for him to get off from his job as sales manager at the nearby GM dealership, Marianne left a message with his secretary for him to come home soon; she had a surprise for him waiting at the house. Knowing that Mike thought most of her surprises involved food or sex, his two favorite things, she knew he would hurry.

I have to call my mom and dad, she thought. I know they’ll be happy. Picking up the phone, she dialed her parents’ number and waited, envisioning her mother either out in the yard with the flowers she loved or sitting in the family room, reading some book aloud. Both retired now, her dad would probably be in his La-Z-Boy, listening to his wife read with his eyes closed. Marianne always suspected he fell asleep on many of those afternoons, but she never told her mom. She knew it was their time together.

The sound of her mother’s voice answering the phone brought her back to the moment. Hi, Mom, Marianne said, greeting her excitedly.

Hi, Mari. How are you? her mother replied.

I’m great. Matter of fact, I’m better than great. I’m going to have a baby! She couldn’t say it fast enough.

There was an awkward few seconds of silence.

You’re pregnant? That’s wonderful, baby. Honey, Mari’s going to have a baby, her mother told her father. Marianne heard him come to the phone, and then he and her mother exchanged quick, hushed words.

Hi, sweetie. Congratulations! I’m going to be one proud grandpa. Tell Mike congratulations for me. Marianne knew her father wasn’t the overly emotional type. Love you.

Love you too, Daddy, she answered.

Here’s your mother. He handed the phone back to her mother. There was another silent moment on the phone before either of them spoke again.

Marianne didn’t want anything to spoil her mood, so she decided to end the call as quickly as possible. Well, I have to get ready. Mike’s coming home soon, and I want to surprise him. Call you tomorrow.

Come by the house tomorrow afternoon, so we can talk, her mom offered.

Sure, Marianne automatically replied as she hung up the phone, shaking her head to ease the confusion she felt at her parents’ response. She began to get ready to give her husband the surprise of his life.

Marianne felt oddly nervous as she pulled into her parents’ driveway the next day. When she had told them about the baby, they’d seemed happy enough, but now, the doubts were creeping in. Maybe they think I won’t be a good mother. Maybe they don’t think Mike and I are ready. Shaking off her nerves, Marianne let herself into her childhood home. Opening the door, the smell of her mother’s homemade cookies had her mouth watering but did nothing to calm her palpitating heart.

Mom? Marianne called out, glancing around the family room. Everything was just how it had always been. Dad’s magazines were spread across the table. His shoes lay under his La-Z-Boy, left from last night when he’d fallen asleep there. Her mom’s sweater lay over the back of the couch, ready to be worn when she got cold while watching TV. All the family pictures lined the mantle and hung on the walls, some with the three of them and a few with her and Mike. And now, there will be some of my new baby girl. She smiled to herself, happy again.

Turning around to look for her mom in the kitchen, she saw an empty stand in the center of the mantle. That’s odd. That was where the box for the family Bible usually sat. It hadn’t been moved in years. She walked over to the area and wiped her hand across the dust on the legs of the stand, thinking how her mom really needed to clean the area. She was getting older. Marianne never thought of her that way, but she was, and her dad was too. I’ve got to visit them more often.

Marianne? I’m in the kitchen, her mom called out.

Walking into the kitchen, Marianne was surprised to see an older woman with her mother. She knew immediately that it was her grandmother sitting at the kitchen table with the family Bible on its center. It had been years since Marianne had seen her grandmother, and she was amazed to see how much she resembled the older woman. They had the same dark blonde hair, green eyes, and small nose. But while her grandmother was short and on the curvy side, Marianne took after her father with her five-foot-nine frame and lean, athletic build. They did all share one thing in common, Mari remembered, rubbing her hand across her neck.

Although they hadn’t seen each other for years, Marianne could tell that her grandmother was nervous. She anxiously smoothed her hair away from her face repeatedly, a habit Marianne had inherited.

Sit down, honey, her mother instructed. We have something to tell you. Have some cookies. I made your favorite, chocolate chip with walnuts. Her mother pushed a plate of cookies across the table. That made Marianne nervous again, because her mother only made them when she had bad news to share.

Grandma? It was easy saying that word after so many years apart. What are you doing here?

Her grandmother reached across the table and touched her hand. It’s so good to see you, Mari, baby. I’ve missed you so. You have grown into such a lovely woman. Tears filled her eyes as she spoke. This is wonderful.

I’ve missed you too, Grandma. What’s going on? Marianne responded to the gentle pull of her grandmother’s hand and took a seat at the table. She could feel the depth of the woman’s emotions for her through her touch.

Remember when you were fourteen and you told us that God had told you that you were going to have a baby girl? her mother asked her. "I know you think I didn’t believe you that day, but that wasn’t the case at all. I did believe you."

You did? I thought you thought I was crazy or making it up, Mari said, shocked. Why didn’t you say that then?

I’m sorry you had to feel that way, but we were trying to protect you, Mari. At the time, we didn’t think you were ready for what we are about to tell you. For your own sake, we had to let things happen naturally.

If you had known the truth back then, it would have changed the course of your life. And we didn’t want that for you, her grandmother explained.

What truth? Mari whispered.

After taking a deep breath, her grandmother continued. Many, many years ago, before I was born, my great-grandmother, Bethany, just like you, was visited by an angel.

At those words, Marianne’s eyes widened as she looked between the two women disbelievingly. But the looks on their faces were earnest and sincere. She could tell they were telling her the truth, at least as they believed it.

Her grandmother continued her story. This angel of the Lord told her that one day the world will come under attack by dangerous men who will bring evil to the world. These people will pervert God’s word to justify their actions. But he also told her that God has chosen someone in our family to help stop them. This woman will find twelve people around this world, created by God, to come against this evil group and stop them. She will find them and help them fulfill the Lord’s destiny for each of them. The angel told her that the woman would be the child of one of her descendants.

Mari listened, stunned by what she had just been told. Her hand unconsciously fell to her stomach.

Mari, that woman is your unborn daughter, her mother said with tears in her eyes.

What? Marianne asked, not ready to believe what she was hearing.

After that night, to confirm His promise to our family, God gave every woman in our family a dream when they came of age. Each dream, including my own, has been about someone or something in the Bible, her mom said, pushing the family Bible toward her daughter and opening to one of the books. She pointed to the writing along the outer edges of the pages. Each dream is a clue for your daughter to the identity or location of one of the chosen twelve. This is my dream and these are my notes. It was about Deborah, one of the judges of Israel. She looked intently at Mari. My dream was the eleventh one, Mari. Yours was the last.

But how did you know it was my daughter?

You were the first one of us in five generations to dream about the little girl.

Marianne stood up from the table and went to look out of the window over the kitchen sink. Mom has already started to plant her spring flowers, she thought to herself. I still remember how much I loved the feel of the soil in my hands when I was a little girl. What do I do now? she whispered, overwhelmed, turning to them for answers.

Prepare her for what’s to come. Train her spiritually, mentally, and physically. She is the Lord’s chosen vessel for this. Read the other dreams and the scriptures so you know how to get her ready, and you must keep her safe. We stay apart from each other intentionally. There have been times in the past when things seemed unsafe for this family. We believe distance between us keeps us safe, her grandmother advised her.

Is someone trying to kill us and my baby? Mari asked, scared now for her unborn child.

We’re not sure they even know about us. We only know that there are no coincidences in this world. The devil is always trying to harm God’s people, and he only seeks to kill, steal, and destroy. What greater target is there than this? And a few women in our family have had sudden deaths, her mom revealed. But don’t worry. If the Lord says your daughter will help stop these people, then she will. So that must mean she will be safe, she reassured her.

Her grandmother got up and went over to her by the window, giving her a tight hug. You have been given an incredible honor, Marianne. We are so proud of you. Stay strong and in prayer. This is your destiny as much as it is hers.

CHAPTER 3

ADAM MANSFIELD HAD finally reached a momentous decision. Standing on his front porch, the fifty-nine-year-old watched as his two sons walked up to the house. I hope they understand, Lord. I am so blessed to have them. Hello, boys. I’m glad you could take the time to come see me today. I have some very important news to share with you, he told them excitedly.

Marcus and Kyle stepped onto the porch and gave their dad quick hugs before the three men turned to walk into the house. They saw that their mom had already readied the family room with refreshments as they went inside and sat down.

I’ve decided to retire from the business, boys, Adam told them as soon as they were seated, taking them both by surprise. This can’t be a surprise to either of you. You have been taking over most of my responsibilities for some while now. The fact that Mansfield Farms is now the second largest beef distributor in the country is entirely due to your hard work, Kyle.

Kyle smiled at the compliment.

And Marcus, with Mansfield Foods, you’ve created the biggest superstore chain in the country, with its own line of store-brand goods and services. And you’re both still only in your thirties. You’ve turned this small family business into something I could never have dreamed of. Your ideas are inspired and successful. Mansfield Foods is your company now; I gladly turn it over to you both.