Saturday Afternoon
1 day before Convention

Cullayne POV

"I think it is a wonderful idea Priestess after all this convention is for the church members of White House and the communities beyond." Bishop Bailey said nodding his head in agreement to my mother's suggestion.

Lamais who was standing in the centre of our small group was forever looking like a woman in her element smiled and continued. "We have four major denominations joining up with us to see this Convention come to fruition and as much as I am happy we are focussing on the upliftment of the church and its members through seminars and workshops I think it also our duty to go beyond and reach out to the people in the community.

"So it is only right we take it to the town square this evening and have a street meeting. We'll use it as a means to tear down the segregation and put a start to stopping the gangs that are deluding and dividing the people."

We were all seated in the living room a few hours after discovering that Seana was indeed dead. Our hearts were heavy with the knowledge that Odekie had died a few hours after undergoing surgery. These two occurrences were what lead us to what was now on hand.

"The church cannot crumble to the devices of the enemy we have yo let them know we are soldiers in God's army and we'll fight for the betterment of White House and its surrounding communities."

I held onto Kemar's hand and stroked it comfortingly as I sat beside him listening to my mother. I knew he was upset that Odekie had died but we still had the work of God to do. I was happy he was here and willing to venture on the battlefield despite his heartache and pain.

"We all have to carry on the duty of God's will to spread his gospel to his people. Especially in thid trying time. The church will not be a church without members and there a persons out there just waiting to have that connection with the Lord their Saviour."

Earlier this morning after Kemar had went to identify Seana body on behalf of the family at Inspector Gregory's request my parents had indicated that they needed to meet with its church members and via whatsapp call head of the churches who were participating in the convention.

Here we were now listening to the plans my mother had instore for the upcoming evening. I was a bit troubled knowing Bounty was not someone to push as he was keen on demonstrating his new found power and have no qualms in how and where he showed his dominance.

There is enough hostility building itself in people and driving them to seek retaliation in ways that were undermining their well-being and those of others. So today at six o'clock we will all march from our various churches to the square for those with whom it is possible.

The others may wait for us there. When we all meet up we'll have a praise and worship session and I'll then charitably reach out to the unsaved and encourage them to join with us as a team to get our community back  as well as come out and be a part of the family of God.

Each minister will briefly engage whoever congregates and then we'll end in a chain prayer to break the stronghold of gang leadership in our communities especially here in White House where it's very prominent."

My father stood beside my mother and affectionately hugged her to his side before he spoke.

"I know the majority of us here are very sad. The deaths of Seana who was a part of our family for a long time and Odekie who was always willing to help out here whenever it was possible has left a dark cloud over us. We will not let their deaths be in vain we'll use them as the pillar on which we stand and raise our banner for Our Lord Jesus Christ and tear down the workers of iniquity.

The devil has roamed on the grounds of White House and the surrounding community for far too long. It is time we nip in the bud this dilemma before it spreads to other communities."

"Amen!"

"Yes!"

"Hallelujah!"

I watch as cheers and praises go up and hands clap in delight for this venture my parents have decided upon.

"Also, we have reason to celebrate, our beloved Cullayne is back home and has made it known to us that she is ready to be ordained as Lay Priestess to our very own Priestess her mother Lamais Cyan," my father said beaming at me as I grinned at him.

Cheers rang out but my father quieted it with a raised hand before he continued.

"There is more she is also going to be the future, Mrs Kemar Gregory. It seemed our dear brother Kemar has decided to waste no time in holding on to his beloved by popping the question."

"For years we watched him dote on our little girl,"my mother added. "And it has bloomed into a deep-rooted love filled with genuine affection. Life intervened and circumstances prevailed for a while but today I am happy that in a few months, I will be officiating their wedding ceremony."

The cheers did ring out this time and once again we were engulfed in hugs and offered heartfelt gratitude from those who had not yet congratulated us and from others who had and still felt the need to do so.

I was over the moon and was totally elated. I had spoken to my parents about our engagement and even though I knew they would be happy for me and Kemar I was over the moon when my father through his connections had made it possible for us to receive a special license that would allow us to tie the knot sooner.

Even though it was a bittersweet time it was good to have a reason to have to celebrate and that my soon to be mother-in-law ensured we did.

She had baked and we were now partaking of her delicious treat with sparkling wine and fruit juice as we would soon be off to the town square for our street meeting.

I was never more contented to be home than I was now. There were trying times ahead and with Seana's and Odekie's death being ruled as a homicide we knew the battle was not yet over.

The thought that things had turned out this way caused me to momentarily be filled with remorse. Was it right for me to be this happy seeing Seana and Odekie were dead? I placed the plate I was holding with my unfinished cake on the table and made to rush from the house. I was very close to losing the bit of cake I had eaten.

I felt a strong hand grip my arm and I looked to see that it was Taylon much to my annoyance. The last thing I needed was his unwanted concern and misplaced attention.

"Are you ok?"

"Yes" I said curtly and brushed him off before walking away.

I found myself standing on the upper balcony of the church and staring out on the various buildings that were housed round and about where in a few hours time various seminars and sessions would be held.

I was fighting the sadness that overshadowed my moment of happiness and once again diminished my purpose.

I was afraid to admit to everyone that I was seeing clearly more than ever that awful scene of blood and anguish that I often experience when in Bounty's presence. I was scared that I was seeing death more devastatingly.

I had not slept last night because of it and was scared that it was a premonition of something to come. A premonition of my family's demise and by that, I meant my church family.

I knew Bounty played hard and dirty and was more than ready to hit where it hurt the most. He was a destroyer of happiness and comfort the only things he wanted more than anything.

"Lord Jesus build a fence around us and send your angel to encamp round about the town square as we take charge of reclaiming this community and the surrounding ones for you," I whispered before turning around to head back to the house.

I was heading to the path that would take me back to the house when I looked to see Kemar standing there holding a pink lily as if waiting on me.

I smiled as my peace returned and I rushed to him knowing that with him by my side and God in the vessel I can smile at the storm.

I could not help thinking also how appealing he looked and I hoped those two months rushed on by quickly as it was getting harder not to lust after him thus making me want him more and more.

"Hey baby," I said hugging him from behind.

I smiled at him as he turned and hugged me to him before tucking the lily behind my ear.

"Be of good courage Laynie because we serve a God of purpose," he said as I held me close again.

I hugged him tightly as comfort engulfed me and thanked God for his never-ending love towards me.