The Test of a Trial Family

By Rachel Vanderwood

Eliza spent most of her life fighting to survive against constant attacks from the demons that haunted her dreams and her reality since the day her family was savagely taken from her. Fearful that the same fate would be thrust upon anyone who dared to form a connective bond with her, she forced a life of solitude upon herself to save not only someone else from merciless torture but also herself from enduring another loss of a loved one. Settled to live the remainder of her mortal existence in hiding, Eliza becomes accustomed to living alone until she began reflecting on the day that a stranger walked into her life and offered her a choice. A choice to reconnect with the one being she knew she could trust to survive a demonic attack and who could allow her to feel the loving bonds she so desperately longed for. Set on seeking out the angel that appeared to her the day her family was taken from her, Eliza never could have imagined the destiny that awaited her when she arrived at her new island home. A destiny that allows her to see the blessing in the abilities she has been given and one that leads her to the family God already designed for her to be a part of.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9798886167900

Book preview

cover.jpg

The Test of a Trial Family

Rachel Vanderwood

ISBN 979-8-88616-789-4 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88616-791-7 (hardcover)

ISBN 979-8-88616-790-0 (digital)

Copyright © 2022 by Rachel Vanderwood

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

About the Author

Chapter 1

As Eliza stood upon the warm sands of the shoreline, looking out to the vastness of the Aegean Sea, she desperately looked for signs that her long, tiresome journey had brought her to the place she needed to be. Although confident in her own ability and intuition to lead her, Eliza briefly turned her attention away from her surroundings to retrieve the manila folder that Ben had given to her the day that he sought her out. After pulling the folder out of her backpack, she carefully read her instructions. As she meticulously read aloud every word, she looked for any indication that she may have gone off the intended course. But when she finished reading aloud the very last word to herself, she realized that she was in fact standing exactly where the directions led her to be. Hopeful that she may have missed a small detail in her initial search, Eliza looked up once again. But when she found that her efforts only led her back to observe the same towering rock formations that surrounded the land environment, the clear blue waters of the sea, and the sounds of migrant birds flying overhead, she began to submit to the idea that it would be best to surrender her efforts and return to the life she had known before she left England. Exhausted, frustrated, and disheartened that she may never reunite with the one angel that had given her compassion and hope in her darkest hour, Eliza looked down to the ground surrounding her feet, pushing back her emotions that had elicited the tears that had begun to well within her brilliantly gleaming emerald green eyes.

After taking a few moments to regain her strength to keep moving, this time in another direction, Eliza closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and turned herself around to begin her return journey home. As she began walking toward the winding path that had led her down to the shoreline, Eliza sarcastically said aloud to herself, Maybe you are going mad, Eliza.

Are you lost, Eliza? She suddenly heard a concerned voice say from behind her.

Startled and curious as to how someone could have been so close behind her yet not seen or heard until that very moment, Eliza quickly spun herself around to face the stranger directly. Although she immediately knew the nature of the benevolent being that stood just ten feet in front of her, she was not certain in that moment if he had been sent to assist her to complete her journey.

How do you know my name? she asked the angel who hid his identity behind the guise of an elderly fisherman dressed in a short-sleeved plaid shirt and worn overall jeans.

I heard you say it out loud to yourself, the angel replied.

Before responding, Eliza looked past the being to where the waters touched the shoreline, finding a curious detail that she had not seen until that moment.

Is that your boat? she curiously asked.

Turning his head ever so slightly in the direction of where she had indicated, the angel then smiled as he looked upon the vessel that he had been assigned to and replied, That she is. We have traveled many journeys together.

Is it safe? What I mean to say is, well, I don't see any land aside from where we are right now. Aren't you even the least bit concerned if you set out and it starts to storm? Eliza asked as she looked upon the simple design of the weathered wooden boat, noting it to only be large enough to safely carry four passengers.

She and I have weathered many storms together, not a failed journey yet. Perhaps you should like to take a chance and join me in a journey of your own, the angel intuitively suggested.

Although reluctant, Eliza sensed the intentions of the angel on her behalf to be genuine. Hopeful to be brought to where her journey was intended to have been led, she picked up her belongings, and after carefully placing the single tote bag and backpack that carried all that she claimed to own in her life inside of the angel's boat, Eliza climbed inside, sat herself down, and prepared for what was to come.

Are you comfortable? the angel asked as he watched over Eliza while setting their course out into the calm waters.

Yes, very much, thank you, Eliza respectfully replied as she curiously looked around to visualize the details of the open waters surrounding them, wondering how long the day's journey would last before she reached her destination.

Smiling before asking the question that he already knew the answer to, the angel looked at Eliza, who had turned her attention temporarily away from him and in the direction they had just recently left. You have a question on your mind. Would you like to know the answer? he asked.

Before submitting her reply, Eliza struggled to reason how they had traveled so far in such a short amount of time that the land she had once been standing upon had now disappeared from sight. Knowing the angel was referencing her concern, determined to find out the answer, she turned herself back in his direction only to find another question quickly arise.

How… Is this the place? Is this where I'm supposed to be? Eliza asked. Looking up to absorb the details of the island she and the angel were fast approaching, Eliza could not help but be overcome by the sheer beauty of the scene before her. With towering fruit-filled trees and lush multicolored plant life, the natural beauty of the island served as the perfect backdrop leading toward the elegant ten-story estate that Eliza would soon come to call her home.

When the angel pulled his boat to shore, Eliza climbed out and collected her belongings. Although excitedly hopeful to find the angel that had sent for her, a part of Eliza was hesitant to take the chance to venture into the unknown, having been plagued by devastation and disappointment until that moment in her life.

Sensing her hesitance, the angel called out to her as he began to row back out into the open water, Be well, Eliza. May you be blessed with learning what it is you were intended to find.

As the angel gradually faded from her sight, Eliza turned her attention back around to begin her new life. Finding herself to be drawing near to the imperial-style stairwell of the estate, Eliza paused, closed her eyes, and said a silent prayer for strength before taking the first steps up leading toward the main entrance. When she found herself to be walking up the few remaining steps of the stairwell, she suddenly realized that she was not alone. Standing in wait nearby was a young man, appearing in age to be about twenty-three, six feet one in height with light brown hair, slate blue eyes, and an overall friendly demeanor.

Hello, Alex said to her in a welcoming tone of voice as she approached him to be standing in front of the doors to the main entrance.

Hi, Eliza cautiously replied, not knowing the nature of his presence among her.

I'm Alexander…but to my friends, I'm Alex, he offered in sincerity.

Oh. Hello, I'm Eliza… Alexa…, Eliza began, pausing as she studied the details in the expression on his face to determine the expected response.

Sensing her anxiety, knowing that she perhaps was uncertain of his implied suggestion to her, Alex said with a reassuring smile, It's Alex, Eliza. Call me Alex.

Feeling slightly more at ease, Eliza looked up to Alex and smiled, comforted in knowing that she would not have to enter the doorway alone, hopeful that her new acquaintance would assist her in navigating her way throughout the estate. Having been justified in her assumptions, Eliza would soon come to learn that her presence was in fact expected and welcomed.

I was hoping you would have arrived a little earlier. At least to give me a chance to show you to your room, but unfortunately, we will have to go to class with the others first, Alex explained as he led her down an elongated hallway toward the auditorium-style classroom where their teacher was soon to begin class.

The others? How many others are there? Eliza anxiously asked.

Aside from you and me, forty-nine. Well, that's not including the Lorenz family, Alex replied.

The Lorenz family? Who are they? Eliza questioned.

They own the estate, the island, everything you see around you here, Alex clarified.

Oh. Right. So when do you suppose I'll be meeting them then? Eliza asked, finding that the more she learned, the more uncertain she became.

Well, you will be meeting Beth in just a few minutes, she is our academic instructor. She sent me to find you. She said that we were expecting another recruit. I've been sent to search the grounds every morning this past week for you, actually.

You have?

It can be intimidating when you first arrive on the island. Most of us left everything we knew to come here looking for a better life, looking for a change. Beth wanted to make sure that you felt welcomed. I'm not sure how many of the soldiers know about you or your anticipated arrival, but don't worry, they will soon enough, Alex replied with a confident smile as he opened the doors to their classroom and motioned for her to enter.

Standing at the top of the center aisle of stairs, looking down toward her fellow soldiers seated scattered throughout the twenty rows of seats in the room, Eliza paused when she realized that her presence among them had become the sole focus of their collective attention.

Realizing how overwhelmed she had become, Alex redirected her focus to follow him toward the fifth row down to the left from the top where he and his best friend and proclaimed brother sat each day beside each other. Stopping before he sat himself, attempting to settle her worry, Alex motioned for Eliza to enter first to sit beside Pax, who at that moment was just as curious to learn the identity of the nineteen-year-old stranger as his fellow soldiers.

Eliza, this is Pax. Pax, this is Eliza, Alex introduced as he sat himself down on the other side of her.

Although by most mortal standards Alex would be found to be attractive both physically and intellectually, Eliza found herself unable to understand the connection she felt to Pax as she turned to make her formal introduction. As equally physically attractive as Alex, what set Pax apart was the way in which his classically refined physical presence with his deep-brown hair and equally deep-brown eyes intertwined with the conflicting insecurities that she intuitively sensed within him.

In her hesitance to offer an introduction to him, as she struggled to rationalize the emotions that she had never felt before when in another's presence, Pax leaned in closer to her and smiled before taking it upon himself to initiate the greeting. Hi, Eliza, welcome to your new home. I hope Alex has been good to you so far.

Alex. Right. Yes, great, actually, she managed to utter as she suddenly found the means to reground herself.

I like your accent. Where are you from? he curiously inquired.

England. I'm from England, just outside of London.

London. I've been there several times, one of my family's business locations is there. At least it was before…well, before I came here, Pax replied.

Really? What sort of business? Eliza asked, curious to learn if she had knowledge of the place.

My grandfather is a jeweler. He started out when he was about my age. He invested his savings at the time in a property that had been vacant for several years. I think it was some sort of consignment shop before my grandfather took over. He always had refined taste. He loved jewelry, rare gemstones, and had a creative mind for the designs. It took him several years of research, hard work, and persistence, but it paid off for him. Throughout his life, his business has grown internationally. My family has stores in fifteen countries, the last that I knew of, anyway, Pax explained.

Where is your family originally from? Eliza asked.

Well, that depends on which side of my family you ask, Eliza. My father was born and raised in a small coastal town in Greece, and my mother's family is from Spain, Madrid mostly, although I have some extended family scattered throughout the country, Pax replied.

Pax is the most worldly traveled of all of us here and is our native linguist. He speaks seven languages fluently and he could probably pass with a handful of others, Alex interjected to give praise to his best friend, perceptively having noticed the connection Eliza had unintentionally formed with him.

Finding herself beginning to feel slightly more intimidated by her lack of experience as compared to her newest acquaintance, Eliza looked down and away from him before timidly replying, My family never traveled too far from home. They never really had the chance before…well, before things changed for us, anyway. This place is the farthest I've ever gone. I tend to keep to myself mostly.

Well, you are going to have to get used to not being alone anymore, Eliza, especially if you are going to remain here, Alex explained.

Alex is right. You are never alone. We are all one big family here, Jace interrupted as he leaned down from his seat behind the trio and offered a hand to greet Eliza.

Guys, who is your beautiful new friend? Jace questioned, intrigued by her presence.

Jace, this is Eliza, and she is doing just fine without being exposed to anything you think you have to offer. So just settle back, you can tell her all about how close of a family we are after class when she meets everyone else, Pax insisted.

Before submitting to Pax's well-intended request, Jace leaned in slightly closer toward Eliza and suggested, You look like you could use some direction. This place can be overwhelming at first. If Alex and Pax can't provide all that you may need, I would be more than happy to assist you in any way anytime.

As Eliza looked at the brazen, confident-appearing twenty-two-year-old with natural blond hair styled in a low fade and bright blue eyes, she replied, All right. Thank you, but I seem to be doing quite well in their care.

When Jace sat back and began to prepare for class, Eliza, remaining puzzled in her attempt to decipher the nature of Jace's intentions, asked Pax and Alex, I may be naïve to all of this, but I'm going to assume that I don't want to be a part of what he has to offer.

Finding amusement in her perceptive assumption, the two friends laughed and confirmed what she already had figured out on her own.

Suddenly, as she heard the classroom door open and then close behind her, Eliza became overwhelmed with emotion as her instincts pulled her to a connection that she hadn't felt since she was a child. With the sound of every footstep that drew nearer toward her down the stairs leading to the place where her teacher would soon begin her class, Eliza felt her heart begin to race with excitement to soon reunite with the angel she had traveled so far to see. When the physical proof of what her instincts were alerting her to passed by her and she now could visualize Trinity in her human disguise, Eliza swiftly stood up to address her as she watched the angel walk farther down the aisle toward the podium.

Startled by Eliza's sudden reaction to the sight of their teacher, both Alex and Pax quickly took a hold of her forearms and guided her back to a seated position in an attempt to save her from any unwanted attention or ridicule from their fellow soldiers.

I take it you know Beth? Alex asked.

Beth? Eliza questioned with a puzzled expression.

Our teacher, Beth, Alex clarified as he and Pax looked at each other, both as equally confused by Eliza's reaction to the sight of their mentor as Eliza was to their insinuation of her to be someone other than who she knew her to be.

Witnessing the concern in the facial expressions of both Alex and Pax, Eliza began to realize that their perceptions of the angel were not entirely in sync with hers. Already feeling as though she were perceived as different than the others despite their attempts to make her feel as welcomed as possible, Eliza redirected their focus by asking, So this class, what is it all about?

Do you believe in God? Pax asked.

Of course, I do. I've had dealings with some of his agents as well as those from the other side, haven't you? she questioned, assuming they had given the nature of the beings who initially invited them to trial themselves on the island.

Puzzled by her response, Pax looked up to Alex, who remained equally as confused, and then replied, Okay, well, this class is intended to explore our individual perceptions of spirituality, the afterlife, and whether or not we have a relationship with a higher power. We are all expected to participate and share our life experiences, but seeing that it's your first day, maybe she'll go easy on you and give you a pass.

As Eliza sat quietly, replaying in her mind all that she had been exposed to since her arrival to the island, she maintained her focus on Trinity, who had now begun calling on her peers to share their experiences and how they related to their own spiritual growth and development. Although Eliza was grateful that she had not been called upon and singled out having still felt as an outsider to a new world, a part of her hoped that the angel would turn her attention toward her to acknowledge her presence and reaffirm that she, too, remembered the day they met each other.

After class, as her peers began to exit the classroom and make their way toward the dining hall for lunch before physical training, Eliza settled within herself to find the courage to make her reintroduction to the angel.

We have some time before physical training, do you want Pax and I to show you to your room? Alex asked as he began to pick up her backpack and tote bag that he had placed in the seat behind him until after class.

Yes, thank you. But could you boys wait for me a sec? I want to talk to our teacher, just to catch up on what I need for class so I can be prepared next time, Eliza replied.

Sure, no hurry, Eliza, we'll wait for you over by the door, Alex agreed with a sincere smile as he and Pax made their way up the stairs toward the exit where they waited for her return.

As Eliza neared the angel, she began rehearsing in her mind what she wanted to say, hoping that Trinity had kept the same memories of Eliza as she had of her. Hopeful to find validation in their connection, Eliza nervously asked, Do you remember me?

With a compassionate and reassuring gaze upon the mortal, Trinity replied, Of course, I do, Eliza, I am the one that sent for you.

Sighing a breath of relief that her journey had led her to where she wished to be, Eliza instinctually reached out and embraced the angel, who in turn held her closely to her. When Trinity released her from her arms, she looked upon the girl, who had now developed into the young woman standing before her.

There is much that I need to explain to you and little time to do so. Seeing that you have only just arrived, I arranged for you to be excused from your physical training today so that you can settle in, and we can talk privately about what will be expected of you, Trinity explained of her intentions.

As Eliza reacquainted herself with the angel, Alex and Pax watched their interaction and patiently waited for Eliza to rejoin with them. Keeping their focus on Eliza and their mentor, the boys remained unaware that another of their mentors had entered the room until he made a point to make his presence known to them.

I see you've met Eliza, Jarrik said to them as he approached intent on requesting a favor.

When the attention of both soldiers was on him, Jarrik continued saying, I have something to ask of you both. Eliza is a special girl. She's different, gifted, and because of that, she has lived an isolated life. She has a lot of demands on her now not just having to learn to fit in, but she only has a few months to catch up in her training before Pastor John and his son Peter return and we reveal what you all have been waiting for. I know there may be others that won't be as receptive to her as I assume you both have been, so I want you to look out for her. I'm not asking that you make her studies easier for her or her physical training, she will have to prove herself worthy on her own. I just want to make sure that she feels welcomed and included.

You don't have to worry, Marcus, she'll fit in, we'll make sure of it, Alex replied, finding that Pax was as eagerly accepting as he was in the task.

Who is she, anyway? Pax curiously asked as he kept his focus on her.

That you will find out before you are sent back out into the world when you discover the truth behind why you are here and who you will be fighting for. But for now, just be satisfied in knowing that she does have an intended purpose among us, Jarrik assured as he looked up, taking note of Trinity and Eliza's fast approach.

Hello, Eliza, I'm happy to finally meet you. I've been told many good things about you, Jarrik said to her in a warm and welcoming tone of voice.

Instinctually perceiving the nature of what Jarrik truly was, Eliza submitted a sincere smile and nod in acknowledgment of his praise upon her.

Not having had time to explain his role among them, Trinity clarified to her, Eliza, this is Marcus, and his job is to prepare you and your peers for physical combat.

I look forward to learning from you then, Marcus. I'm sure I could use your guidance in a few areas. I don't intend to disappoint, Eliza confidently assured.

No doubt you will do well, Eliza, Jarrik assured.

Eliza, I've asked Marcus to join with you and I to discuss your expectations and what you will have to pass to remain with us. He has some time before his class this afternoon, so why don't you let us show you to your room and help you to get settled in, Trinity insistently suggested as she looked up to Jarrik to comply.

So you don't need us to go with her then, Marcus? Are Pax and I free to go to lunch? Alex asked.

It appears that way, Alex. Someday you both will learn that it's best to just listen and follow along with what your better half tells you to do, Jarrik said aside in jest to Alex and Pax as he walked by them and found his place beside Trinity and Eliza to exit the