📖First Chapter: Darkness in the Light (Stele Prophecy Pentalogy Book 4) by Randy C. Dockens #FirstChapter

Title: Darkness in the Light (Stele Prophecy Pentalogy Series Book 4)
Author: Randy C. Dockens
Publisher: Carpenter’s Son Publishing
Publication Date: January 14, 2020
Pages: 272
Genre: Christian Fiction

After Princess Me’ira breaks protocol and falls in love with someone not vetted by prescribed law, heartache seems unpreventable for either herself or someone she loves.

Me’ira discovers the man for whom she has romantic feelings is tied to a prophecy that may put her father, the Prince who leads the world in worship of the King, in grave danger. Her father forbids her to marry the man of her dreams. Me’ira tries to circumvent the demand by devising a plan of her own to both protect her father as well as preserve her happiness. Yet, she finds her plan becomes harder to implement than she envisioned. Will it accomplish what she wants for both herself and her father, or will it just enhance the fulfillment of the prophecy she is trying so desperately to prevent? And can heartache be avoided, or will it consume them all?

Darkness in the Light, the third prequel to Mercy of the Iron Scepter, is the fourth book of a new biblical end times prophecy series entitled Stele Prophecy Pentalogy by futuristic fiction author Randy C. Dockens. This is not your typical speculative fiction in a biblical end times novel as, above all, it is a love story. This unique speculative fiction story combines biblical end times events of prophetic worship under the leadership of one called the Prince with advances in science to produce a future home that is technologically advanced while at the same time yielding a romantic read unlike any other Christian romance story you may have read. This book links many story threads together for that special aha moment.

Darkness in the Light is available at Amazon.

 First Chapter:

Jubilee Calendar 10:4:2

Sometimes, actions are worth their consequences.

“Me’ira, where are you?” The girl sighed. “Please, My Lady, don’t get me in trouble again for losing you.”

Me’ira almost giggled but managed to put her hand over her mouth to keep from giving herself away. She ducked deeper into the lemonwood until she heard Lydia’s steps get farther away. Maybe she went to check the palace teleporter logs to be sure the teleporter wasn’t used. By now, Lydia knew most of her evasive tactics.

She pulled a leaf and inhaled the lemony fragrance. These plants from New Zealand were gifts from her cousin Hadassah. Well, technically, her first cousin once removed, but trying to keep that straight just made her head hurt, so she always said cousin when someone asked. Hadassah was the main priest’s wife, and she had given the original plant to her father and mother when they first married. Her father had them planted here along the Sea of Galilee to mark the border of their northern palace grounds. They proliferated over time into a dense grove. The smell brought back memories. When younger, she would hide here while playing hide-and-seek with Lydia. She adored sitting here, smelling the lemony scent and watching the sunlight reflect off the ripples from the sea. Poor Lydia. She still seemed unable to find her here. Me’ira felt a tinge of guilt for the scolding Lydia would receive from her mother. She frowned. Well, she would receive the worse scolding if found out. Still, she believed her mission too important not to follow through.

Once she felt confident Lydia wasn’t near, she ran down the hill toward the sea and then took the trail north to the seaside city of Tiberius. She found the designated café next to the shore and scanned the patrons.

There he was, sitting at the table closest to the water, gazing out over the sea watching sea terns squabble with each other as they flew by. She could see his strong jaw silhouetted against the blue-green sea. As he turned, the wind off the sea stirred the curl of hair that naturally drooped over his forehead. She couldn’t see his eyes from here, but those hazel eyes with specs of green made them mesmerizing. But the pièce de résistance were his dimples, which formed every time he smiled. Her heart swooned every time he looked at her.

She walked to his table. He was still looking out over the sea.

“Hi, Galen.”

He looked up. A smile immediately lit up his face displaying his knee-weakening dimples. He stood. “Me’ira. You came.” Stepping to her side of the table, he pulled out a chair for her to sit.

She smiled as she sat. “How could I not? You know I wanted to see you just as much as you said you wanted to see me.”

The waiter came by. Both ordered tea, and the waiter left complementary hummus and flatbread on the table.

They gazed at each other for several seconds. Galen reached over and took her hand. “Me’ira, I’ve missed you. Thanks for coming.”

Me’ira smiled. “Seeing you is always the highlight of any day.” She repositioned her hand and rubbed her thumb over his index finger. “But do we always have to meet so secretly? I would like my family to get to know you.”

Galen seemed mesmerized watching her hand stroking his. He did not respond.

She jiggled his hand and giggled. “Galen, did you hear me?”

He looked up with a sheepish smile. “Yes. I just wasn’t sure how to respond.”

She turned up her brow. “What do you mean?”

The waiter came with their tea. They released their hold on each other as he set teacups before them. He left the teapot as well, setting it on a trivet on the far side of the table.

Galen poured for both of them. “It’s not that I don’t want to meet your parents. It’s just . . . well, I don’t know what they will think of me.”

Me’ira cocked her head. “Well, I think they will see how wonderful you are, just as I do.”

Galen smiled. “But you’re a Ranz. You’re royalty. I’m . . . I’m nobody.”

Me’ira put her hand over Galen’s. “You’re a somebody to me.” She shook her head. “My father isn’t snobbish. He cares for all citizens. You’ll see—once you get to know him.”

Galen took a bite of bread with hummus. He gave a slight chuckle. “Maybe you’re right.”

“We will celebrate the first new moon of the year next month. Why don’t you come? I can introduce you to them then. After all, it’s Ephraim’s turn to help sponsor the event.”

“I’m from Naphtali.”

Me’ira’s head jerked back slightly. “Oh. I’ve always met you here, so I assumed you were from here.”

“I live in Naphtali, but we have a museum here that I run.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? I would love to see it sometime.”

Galen’s eyes lit up. “Really? I thought you would consider it boring.”

She leaned closer. “I could consider nothing you do boring.”

Galen’s cheeks reddened. “Well, maybe next time.”

“No more secrets. OK?”

Galen gave a smile, but it seemed awkward—not like him. “Sure.”

She took another sip of tea and pushed her cup away slightly.

“All finished?”

She nodded.

He stood and held out his hand. “Shall we go for a walk?”

She smiled, reached for his hand, and stood. After looping her arm through his, they walked along the shoreline with the sea in view but kept the beach at a distance.

Galen looked at the surf and back to Me’ira. “Care to walk along the beach?”

She realized her attire wasn’t the best for such a walk. Perhaps an ankle-length maroon taffeta dress hadn’t been the best choice for this rendezvous. It allowed for a stroll on solid surfaces, but not in the sand.

She smiled. “Maybe next time. I’ll have to plan for that.”

He nodded, patted her hand, and smiled back. “Understood.”

He led them to a tram as the city extended steeply up the hillside from the sea. Steps allowed those not faint in heart to climb the steep incline, but the tram allowed a more casual venture up to the awaited overlook. Plus, the tram’s glass top allowed one to sit and take a 360-degree view. As they traveled to the highest part of the city, they had a great view of the sea. They strolled to one of the overlooks, sat on a bench, and observed the city cascading down before them to the shore below. The pastel walls of the various buildings looked like a mosaic. Ripples within the sea reflected the sunlight, making the entire sea look like a huge blue-green gemstone. Boats with colorful sails were out on the sea creating a spectacular view.

They talked about anything and everything, but nothing substantial, at the same time. Me’ira just wanted to be in Galen’s company and enjoy being with him.

“So, will you and your family come next month for the new moon celebration?”

“I’ll try. My mother and father travel a lot, so I’m not sure if they will be available.”

“Oh, for the museum?”

He nodded. “They’re always scouting for artifacts of interest.”

“Sounds exciting.”

Galen gave a shrug. “I suppose. I’ve never traveled with them.” A smile came to his face. “I like to run their business. That’s why I chose to open the museum here. This area is beautiful, not too far from my parents’ place, and gives me some stability.”

Me’ira smiled. “I think traveling would be exciting.”

“Maybe. But I’m content.” He looked into her eyes. “What about you, the mysterious Me’ira Ranz?”

Me’ira giggled. “I’m probably anything but mysterious. I think I’m pretty simple.”

“I disagree. Ask any young man in the kingdom. Your vision is what fuels their dreams.”

Me’ira grimaced. “The thought of everyone thinking about me is kind of creepy.”

Galen pulled her closer. “I’m sorry. All I know is, you fuel mine.”

“Well . . . ” She gently cupped his face in her hands. “That’s not creepy, but actually sweet.”

He smiled and kissed her hand.

After a bit more small talk, Me’ira looked up and saw the sun low in the sky. “Oh, my, it’s getting late. I have to get back.”

“I’ll walk you back to the café. You can retrace your steps from there.”

As they descended in the tram, Me’ira wondered about them and how they could see each other more openly.

As they strolled toward the café, Me’ira touched Galen’s arm. “Galen, you will come to Jerusalem next month, won’t you? I want you to meet my family.”

Galen stopped. Me’ira turned. “What’s wrong, Galen?”

“Do you think that wise? What if they don’t accept me?”

Me’ira laughed. “How is that possible?” She put her hand to his cheek. “You’re so likeable.”

He smiled. “You’re sweet. But your father will not see me through the same eyes as you.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll prepare them.” Her eyes darted between his. “Just promise me you’ll come.”

They looked into each other’s eyes for several moments.

“OK. I’ll come. I promise.”

Standing on her toes, she kissed his cheek, turned, and ran back up the trail toward the palace.

She stepped onto the large patio that overlooked the Galilean Sea, hoping she would not be seen until later and that it would seem she had not been out that long. Yet, she knew, Lydia had probably already filled her mother in.

She barely got two steps into the room when she saw her mother sitting on the large, plush tan-and-ocher sofa against the wall. Her mother’s all-white dress contrasted well with the colors in the sofa. Her light olive skin, dark hair, and hazel eyes made her dress look even brighter. The occasional sequins in her dress and her diamond necklace and earrings enhanced her beauty. Me’ira, as well as countless others, always felt her mother stunning no matter what she wore. 

“Hi, Me’ira. Nice of you to join us.”

“Hi, Mother. I just went out for a walk.”

“I see. Please, have a seat.” Her voice contained that awful matter-of-fact tone, which was never a good sign.

It surprised her to see Lydia standing nearby, her head downcast. As she walked around Lydia to take the matching plush chair opposite her mother, she saw Lydia’s cheeks tear-stained. Mother had scolded before, but those sharp talks had never elicited tears. She swallowed hard. This was not going to be mother’s typical scolding.

“Explain yourself, Me’ira.”

“I just wanted to be alone.”

“Do you think your actions have no consequences?”

Me’ira glanced at Lydia. Did that statement have something to do with Lydia crying? Did she cause that?

“Where did you go . . . alone?”

“I went into Tiberius, had some tea, and looked around. It was a pleasant—” Me’ira saw her mother’s hard stare and stopped midsentence. “What’s . . . what’s so bad about that?”

“Unchaperoned?”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh, Mother. That’s an old-fashioned custom. Not relevant today.” She saw her mother’s lips purse. “Besides, what can even happen with the King always watching? What’s the concern? The crime rate is zero.”

Her mother rubbed her forehead. “Me’ira, you think that is what this is all about? It’s about you being selfish and not obeying. Your station in life is different from that of others. Your father is a model for how all are to worship the King. Like it or not, there are elements of protocol that must be maintained. Being chaperoned is one of them.”

Me’ira let out a long breath.

“And to show you the seriousness of this, I am firing Lydia.”

Me’ira shot up to the front of her seat. She looked from her mother to Lydia, who now had tears forming again. “Mother. You . . . you can’t.”

Her mother’s face became stern. “I told you there are consequences to your actions. If Lydia cannot keep up with you, then I will be forced to find someone who can.”

Me’ira’s eyes watered. She couldn’t remember a time when Lydia, only a few years older than she, was not with her. Lydia started out as someone to play with since all her other brothers and sisters were grown by the time she was born. Lydia had grown into a confidant, a friend.

“Mother, Lydia is like a sister to me. She’s family. You wouldn’t just let me go, would you?”

“Oh, Me’ira, of course not. But you have to learn.”

“OK, Mother, I get the point. If I had known of such a consequence, I would not have eluded her.”

Her mother sighed. “So, you would have forced her to aid and abet in your . . . outing?”

Me’ira nodded.

Me’ira’s mother fell back into the sofa and sighed. “I think you’re missing the whole point here.”

Her mother looked at Lydia. “Thanks, Lydia. I appreciate your help in this matter. Would you please go and check on dinner?”

Lydia curtsied. “Yes, ma’am.” She smiled. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Me’ira’s jaw dropped slightly. Lydia was acting? Me’ira felt relieved—and slightly miffed at the same time. Yet, she had to admit: she deserved it. She had put Lydia in a bad position.

As Lydia walked away, she gave Me’ira a hard stare and pointed her head toward Me’ira’s mother. Me’ira knew Lydia was telling her to listen to her mother. Lydia always acted in her best interest.

“Me’ira—”

Me’ira held up her hand. “Mother, before you go further, let me just come clean with everything.”

Her mother raised her eyebrows. “Well, this is a first.”

Me’ira smiled. Yes, it probably was, but she wanted to show her mother she could be responsible.

“I’ve met someone.”

Her mother’s eyes grew wide. “You saw a man . . . alone? In the city?”

Me’ira put her hands to her cheeks and shook her head. “Mother, please let me finish. First of all, nothing happened. No one gave us a second look.”

Her mother gave her a grimace.

“Remember the cruise we took on the sea a little over three months ago?”

Her mother nodded.

“Well, I met someone on the ship and we’ve been seeing each other off and on.”

Her mother opened her mouth to say something but then closed it and waited for Me’ira to continue.

“That’s who I met today. Three’s a crowd in those instances.”

Her mother sat up and straightened her dress. “Yes, I don’t disagree, but there are protocols to handle those situations.”

Me’ira sighed. “Yes, I’m sure there are.” She paused. “And . . . I’m willing to abide by them.”

Her mother’s countenance perked up.

“I’ve invited him to Jerusalem for the new moon celebration next month. He said he would come. I will introduce you to him then.”

“Well, Me’ira, I’m glad you’ve come to your senses. He will have to be vetted, you know.”

Me’ira rolled her eyes. “Surprise, surprise.”

“Now, Me’ira. You just said you were willing to abide by protocol.”

Me’ira sighed. “Yes, Mother.” Just how many protocols are there for such a simple thing?

“Being related to the Prince is not an easy task,” her mother said.

“Tell me about it.”

“Now, Me’ira. Watch your tongue and your tone. Your brothers’ and sisters’ spouses had to be vetted as well. Their marriages all worked out, didn’t they?”

Me’ira shrugged. “I guess.”

“Well, they did. There’s even protocol about who one can marry and how inheritance can be given. This is all by the King’s degree. We must obey.”

“Yes, Mother.” Her tone exuded that same matter-of-fact tone her mother often used on her.

Her mother raised an eyebrow but didn’t retort. “Even I had to be vetted before I could marry the Prince.”

“You, mother?”

“Yes, me. My father came out of the Refreshing, married my mother about a decade later, and had me a year after that. Having a glorified half-sister was always a pressure to live up to.”

Me’ira cocked her head in thought. “How is aunt Adelina glorified? I don’t think I’ve ever asked before. It’s just always seemed normal.”

“Well, Dad was married before the Refreshing. Adelina was taken at The Receiving before she was born. Her mother died without knowing the Messiah.”

Me’ira sat with mouth open. “Mom, that’s horrible. Such things like that really happened? It’s . . . it’s unfathomable.”

Her mother nodded. “Yes, we are blessed, Me’ira. We shouldn’t take our life today for granted. Grandfather’s stories are not just stories, Me’ira. Those things he tells really happened.”

Me’ira sat in silence for a moment trying to grasp what her mother told her. “So, when did you marry Father?”

“I didn’t marry your father until about thirty-five years after the start of the kingdom. Your father was much older than I, so a lot of things had to be questioned and worked out.”

“Well, you both look the same age to me.”

Her mother smiled. “That is a blessing of our King. From what I understand, we age more slowly than people did before the Refreshing.”

“So, how were you . . . vetted?”

“It was pretty much a formality. Investigations occurred regarding my father’s heritage as well as mine. Questions were asked of relatives to be sure all were of great character. However, in my case at least, my father, Lars Isakson, was already well known, being the brother of Edvin and uncle of Ya’akov Isakson, the first priest born into the kingdom. Probably having a glorified half-sister didn’t hurt either.” She shrugged. “But still, protocol had to be followed.”

“OK. Sounds simple enough. Galen comes from Naphtali, so I’m sure there are no issues.”

“I would expect not.” Her mother smiled. “Let me prepare your father, though.”

Me’ira nodded. She gave a sigh of relief on the inside. She was dreading that part and now thankful her mother agreed to take on that task.

About the Author:

Dr. Randy C. Dockens has a fascination with science and with the Bible, holds Ph.D. degrees in both areas, and is a man not only of faith and science, but also of creativity. He believes that faith and science go hand in hand without being enemies of each other.

After completing his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Auburn University he went on to graduate school at Auburn and completed his first doctorate degree in Pharmaceutics. He began his scientific career as a pharmacokinetic reviewer for the Food and Drug Administration and later joined a leading pharmaceutical company as a pharmacokineticist, which is a scientist who analyzes how the human body affects drugs after they have been administered (i.e, absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted).

Through the years, he has worked on potential medicines within several disease areas, including cardiovascular, fibrosis, and immunoscience to seek and develop new and novel medicines in these therapy areas.

He has also had his attention on the academic study of the Bible. He earned a second doctorate in Biblical Prophecy from Louisiana Baptist University after receiving a master’s degree in Jewish Studies from the Internet Bible Institute under the tutelage of Dr. Robert Congdon.

Randy has recently retired from his pharmaceutical career and is spending even more time on his writing efforts. He has written several books that span dystopian (The Coded Message Trilogy), end-time prophecy (Stele Prophecy Pentalogy), science fiction (Erabon Prophecy Trilogy), and uniquely told Bible stories (The Adversary Chronicles). All his books, while fun to read, are futuristic, filled with science to give them an authentic feel, have a science fiction feel to them, and allows one to learn some aspect of Biblical truth one may not have thought about before. This is all done in a fast-paced action format that is both entertaining and provides a fun read for his readers.

He has also written some nonfiction books as well. One is to show how all humans are connected from God’s viewpoint by looking at biblical prophecy (Why is a Gentile World Tied to a Jewish Timeline?: The Question Everyone Should Ask). This book shows how all scripture is connected and inclusive of everyone. In addition, he and his editor have written two books about writing. The first is on writing techniques themselves and is entitled Mastering the ABCs of Excellent Writing: Creating Vivid and Colorful Stories that Readers Want to Read. This book not only addresses the techniques of writing, but what makes writing unique to each author. It conveys not only how to better hone one’s craft of writing but also the brand an author wants to portray. This helps an author make their writing unique as well as captivating for his/her audience. The second is a companion book to this one entitled Mastering the ABCs of Excellent Self-Editing: Framing Your Colorful Masterpiece to Keep Readers Engaged in Your Story. This is best used in conjunction with the first one. Yet, self-editing, though intricately connected to writing, is a distinct event. The better the quality of a writer’s draft manuscript when it is delivered to one’s editor, the higher the final quality of the manuscript will be for readers, and that is extremely important.

Dr Dockens is still not done. He has other creative ideas he is bringing forward as he is currently working on two new futuristic series. So, stay turned!

Website ➜ https://www.randydockens.com/
X ➜ https://x.com/RandyCDockens
Facebook ➜ www.facebook.com/Randy.C.Dockens
Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/randydockens
Goodreads ➜ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16453941

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