by Michael Todd
She smiled and pulled a book from her bag. “Here’s another one. Enjoy. I’ll hang out here for a bit longer. I don’t feel like heading all the way home.”
He gave her a hug. “Be careful.”
Her thumbs-up matched her cheerful smile, and he headed for the door, his new book clutched to his chest. He was stoked to have so much reading material about fallen angels, with the book Max had given him and now another from Maps. There was no way he wouldn't figure something out from all of it. It would be a good night by the fire.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Later that night, when Max had passed out in his bed, Damian wandered into the living room and plopped down in the chair. He pushed the poker into the newly-made fire and leaned back as he drew in the warmth and comfort of it. His mind moved immediately to Abraham and everything he had gone through. Elizabeth had been a good merc, and from what he knew about her, she had been a really wonderful person as well. She really cared about people, which was why she had signed up to fight even though she wasn’t infected.
His thoughts about the rogue fighter had always been ambivalent. He had known the man for almost fifteen years and fought beside him, which meant he knew almost everything there was to know about him. Thinking back, he couldn’t say that he had been a trustworthy guy or even really that good a friend to him. However, in the present situation, he felt incredibly bad for him. In his mind, it would be no different than if Korbin had lost Stephanie or vice versa. They were connected in a way that Damian didn’t fully understand.
Ravi sighed. The last time I came to Earth, I felt my real first emotion.
He was surprised. Really? What happened?
The tone of her voice was different. There was a whisper of sadness in it. I made a friend. She was my first friend, and we did everything together. I knew the world was a dangerous place, so I did whatever I could to protect her. This was during the forties. We went out to a club to dance, she met some guy, and he dragged her off. In the end, he and his buddies killed her. The worst part about it was that they were demons. My own kind killed my best friend.
Damian’s heart went out to her. Ravi, I’m so sorry about that. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve felt emotions your whole life or only for a moment. Losing someone is difficult.
She sighed and brightened. Yeah, well, that’s the thing with you meatsacks. You break so easily. You’re like a bunch of porcelain dolls walking around the planet. One strong storm and you snap like a twig.
He chuckled. I’m surprised that you made a human connection like that.
Well, you have to remember something, old chap. A lot of us were once creatures of God too.
The priest tilted his head to the side, shocked by that statement. He had always assumed she was a regular demon like all the others he had come across—besides Pandora, of course. It made him think that she knew more about fallen angels than she was willing to admit. Before he could bring up the subject, though, his phone vibrated in his front pocket.
He pulled it out and smiled, seeing Katie’s name on the screen. “Well, well, if it isn’t the prodigal daughter. It’s good to see your name pop up on my phone.”
She laughed. “And it’s good to hear your voice. Timothy told me you called a couple of days ago. I’ve just been insanely busy.”
Damian grinned. “That seems to be the way with you. I don’t remember you ever not being busy in some way or another. What is it this time? Satan himself?”
Katie scoffed. “Yeah, right, I wish. Then I might be able to end this war. No, there was a possible Leviathan sighting. The beast goes around bustin’ up cities and then slinks back into the water. Then there is my condo, which we moved into. There are a few things that I still want to get done on it. We also had the whole ‘getting Korbin and Stephanie settled in with their memories’ and such, and Calvin’s and his girlfriend’s drama. There seems to be so much happening that I can barely keep it all straight. Luckily, they were here when the base was attacked, but Stephanie got pretty beat up.”
Damian nodded. “That’s right. You’re making the move soon.”
She groaned. “Yeah, we hope. It’s all up in the air right now. I’m trying to keep it together.”
“I do wish I was there. I heard the whisper about the attack on the base. I’m sorry you lost men out there.”
As he talked, the sky opened, and rain began to pour down outside. Thunder rolled through the clouds, echoing through the house. He liked it, and always had. Storms seemed to soothe his soul. On top of that, he had the opportunity to talk to Katie, which was always a plus for him. He leaned back in the chair and put his feet up on the ottoman, finally feeling his shoulders begin to relax.
Katie told him all about the fight at the base. “It was insane. I got there in the nick of time. Anyway, what have you been up to? Any good fights?”
Damian snorted. “Actually, yeah. I had an old friend show up out of nowhere a few days ago. His wife was taken by a cult, and we had to track her down to this school and fight our way in. There were dozens of demons all over the place. I was able to save quite a few of the infected.”
She sounded worried. “What about the woman?”
His heart sank a little. “Sadly, we were too late. In fact, even if we had gotten there right after they abducted her, we would have been too late. It was a huge fight. It’s probably the biggest I’ve been in without a whole team with me.”
“Good Lord, Damian, you should have called me. I would have come and helped you fight those bastards. Three is a lot better than only two.”
He smirked. “Yeah, but you have your own issues to deal with there in the city. Besides, it’s my job to do this. I know when to ask for back-up if I need it.”
Katie laughed. “Oh, yeah, you definitely know your job. You trained me, after all. Last night, I went to a nightclub in the city to bust up some demon rings. I got them all on the run, except one bolted out of the club and hightailed it right out of the reach of the police. I swear the cops here aren’t the brightest crayons in the box when it comes to stuff like that, but when they lost that demon, they were pissed. The other precinct will never let them live it down.”
The priest shook his head. “I think it’s too dangerous to put the cops on these things, but I guess someone’s got to do it. Are you working with them or training them?”
“Training them. They need to be able to handle the small-time infected, so I don’t get called out for a loud house party or something.”
Damian rolled his shoulders and felt the tension release. “How’s the team doing?”
“Oh, super well. They keep up with everything, and try to make life easier for me.” She laughed.
He was glad to hear that, at least. “Well, I miss you guys, that’s for sure.”
Katie paused for a moment. “Damn. Hey, I’ll give you a call soon, okay? I have a call coming in from the general, and he gets impatient.”
The priest nodded. “Got it. Stay safe out there.”
“You too!” she yelled back.
He hung up and smiled to himself as he placed his phone on the table. Ravi was ready to talk as soon as he hung up, which made him think she was diverting the questions on fallen angels she knew he wanted to ask. So, when will you take me out shopping? We talked about it before, and you said you would think about it. I mean, at least take me to a couple of places. I’m dying to see what the new fashions are, even if they’re only men’s fashions. I promise to keep your style, but perhaps update you a little bit.
Damian picked up his glass, took a swig of whiskey, and rolled his eyes. Why not? I guess I should get with the times.
She cheered. Oh, this is fucking awesome.
But, he interrupted, I’m not getting rid of the bowties.
He looked up as Max stumbled through his bedroom door, his hair sticking up everywhere. His eyes were almost completely closed, and he didn’t even look at his mentor. He wandered into the kitchen and opened the cabinet door. Damian leaned forw
ard to watch him and make sure he didn’t hurt himself.
He poured a glass of water and guzzled it down, and droplets rolled down his chin. When he was done, he put the glass on the counter and shuffled back into his room. He shut the door without a word, and the priest frowned. The kid was strange. Max did that at least three times a night, and he wondered every time if he was actually awake or if he was sleepwalking. He always tried to remember to ask him about it but figured it wasn’t a big deal. It wasn’t like he pissed in the fridge or took the SUV for a joyride with a flower pot on his head. He was merely staying hydrated.
Damian jumped as he heard him slam into some piece of furniture. The young man’s voice echoed from his room. “Sonofabitch!”
He jumped from his chair and hurried across the room to throw the door open. He looked at Max with concern and at the nightstand on the floor. However, instead of asking him if he was okay, he simply looked at him and smiled. “Language!”
Before his companion could respond, he slammed the door. Damian laughed as he resumed his seat. He loved giving the kid a hard time, especially when he didn’t expect it. It had started to become his favorite thing to do, and he felt better that things were back to normal in the house.
Damian grabbed the book Max had given him and opened it to the first page. This book is a comprehensive overview of the history of fallen angels. All accounts in this book came from clergy members, mercenaries, and those who work closest to the demons on Earth. Accounts can be traced back to prior historical teachings, and are certified to be true to the best of our knowledge.
He scanned to the end of the page, where there was a short handwritten note. Try certified by complete morons.
The priest laughed loudly and shook his head. “At least if there is commentary, it’s humorous.”
He flipped through the first page and read the text and the notes on the side. Some of them were only names and other snide comments about the angel being discussed. One of the comments made him stop and focus for a second. Gabriel, the angel at God’s hand. More like the angel that makes me fucking miserable every time I come to Earth. He needs a good dick kick.
Damian lifted an eyebrow when he realized that whoever made the notes was a demon. Not only that, they had a surprisingly similar sarcastic personality to none other than Pandora. It couldn’t have been her, though, right? The thought seemed crazy, and he laughed at himself and decided that he missed everyone more than he’d thought.
He turned the page and continued reading. The thunder rumbled loudly through the whole house and shook the pictures on the wall. He closed the book and leaned forward, a chill running down his spine. Right then, someone pounded hard on the door, and Damian wondered who needed to visit that late at night.
There was only one way to find out…
Author Notes - Michael Anderle
October 23, 2018
THANK YOU for not only reading this story but these Author Notes as well :).
(I’ve always been good with opening with thank you… If it’s not good, I need to edit the other Author Notes!)
RANDOM (sometimes) THOUGHTS?
I started writing (and releasing) stories in November of 2015. In just a bit over a week, it will be the third anniversary of my first book, Death Becomes Her.
( See on Amazon.com here: My Book )
Since I first published, I’ve been blessed beyond what’s normal in the publishing arena. From meeting fans around the world to supporting and releasing collaborations with super-talented authors (who often write better than I do) to starting one of the largest Indie Marketing-focused Facebook groups (20Booksto50k®) presently active.
I’m constantly astonished by how this company has grown, and I don’t totally understand it. I hope we continue to produce stories (maybe not all of them, but more than enough) that entertain you and make you pump your fist in the air or wake up your significant other laughing in bed late at night.
If you are reading this from a hospital bed or your own bed and aren’t feeling well, I hope we alleviated some of your pain for a while.
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AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS
One of the interesting (at least for me) aspects of my life is the ability to work from anywhere and at any time. In the future, I hope to re-read my own Author Notes and remember my life as diary entries.
So (for future Mike) I am sitting at the end of the bar in the pizza restaurant “FIVE 50” inside the Aria Hotel Las Vegas. You are sitting at the end of the bar in the back (from the front door.)
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Ad Aeternitatem,
Michael Anderle
Author Notes - Laurie Starkey
October 23, 2018
Hi there!
First, thanks for picking up a copy of our book 2. It’s been a wild ride with Damian. Hope you’re enjoying the new series. We are.
It’s getting cold up here in Maine, which I’m not at all used to. We were at lunch yesterday with our HEAVY coats on in the restaurant, and the waitress asked, “You guys cold?”
I wanted to say, “Here’s your sign.” But I’m a sweet girl, so I just smiled and nodded.
She laughed. “It’s only 40 degrees outside. It feels great.”
“We’re from Texas.” I lifted an eyebrow and shivered.
More laughter. Now she gets it. 40 is the dead of winter for us! It’s cold.
Hopefully, you’re snuggled up by a fire this coming weekend, catching up on a great adventure between the pages of a book. I know that’s where I’ll be.
As always, Mike and I appreciate you so much for taking this journey with us. It means the world to us.
Slave to Many Stories,
Laurie Starkey
Apostle
Damian’s Chronicles™ Book 3
Prologue… Ten Years Before
The gravel crunched under Damian’s boots as he walked carefully behind Calvin. He ducked, and a branch whipped over his head. The team moved toward their target, a run-down amusement park from the fifties, far off the beaten path.
Korbin put his hand up to slow the crew as they turned the corner. Large wrought-iron gates were rusted in their tracks. Johann’s long blond ponytail slipped off his shoulder as he nodded at Mary. She clutched her med bag and drew her gun.
Calvin joined them and crouched behind the bushes to the left of the gate to peer through the metal rails. “This place is fucking creepy.”
Damian chuckled and focused his binoculars. “Apparently, it was the place to be on a Friday night out here.”
“Looks like the place not to be now.” Calvin wrinkled his nose at the derelict buildings and trash scattered around. “And look where I am, spending Friday night with the fucking carnies.”
Johann grasped two bars and stared between them. “It’s derelict now, but why did they close it? In its heyday it would have been awesome.”
Mary smirked. “You thinking of investing in some property, Jo?”
Johann shrugged. “Yeah, but more like a hut on the beach than Nightmare Central.”
Korbin chuckled. “In 1963, the place was hopping. They installed new rides, new lights, and modernized it. Then, in November of that year on this very date, the morning maintenance crew found a body. A girl had been strung up on the Ferris wheel, and there were obvious signs of demonic ritual sacrifice. Manag
ement announced the closure of the location—something to do with the land rights, but that was clearly bullshit.”
“Nothing like a good ol’ demon sacrifice to ruin the damn party,” Damian said grumpily. “Seriously, they should have cleaned up and kept going. When we close shit down, we tell the demons that they won.”
Calvin inhaled deeply through his nose and glanced at the priest. “You gotta understand the fear a demonic sacrifice put into them. God-fearing folk don’t want to play where demons hang out.”
“That’s right.” Korbin nodded and drew his gun. “The rumors had already spread. The only way they could hide the whole truth was because the girl wasn’t from the town or even the state. The owners would have spent more money fighting the rumors than they lost shutting down. I think they were freaked, too. They abandoned everything, and didn’t even dismantle it. The family still owns the property, but they don’t come here.”
Mary stretched her neck to ease the tension. “Let’s get this show on the road. I don’t need any freaky carnies coming out of the woodwork. I’ll crawl through the bushes and see how many guards are at the front gate.”
Damian put his bible in his jacket pocket and climbed the fence. “I’ll check the park out from up there. Be right back.”
Korbin glanced at Calvin, who raised an eyebrow. “What? Hell, no. My black ass is staying right here on the ground. I’ll work when we get inside.”
The team leader laughed and nodded. “Sounds good.”
Mary and Damian finished their respective reconnaissance and returned. The priest hopped off the fence and brushed twigs from his jacket. “There is a building to the right and directly inside the gate with two gun-toting Damned pacing the roof.”