“Come on, mom, you know how over reactive everyone can be. We don’t know anything about the girl that they supposedly seen walking down the street. For all they know, she could have been visiting family around here and went out for a walk.”
“Well, you let me know if you need us, Emma. You know we will be there no matter what.” I smile.
“I will mom. Love you.”
“Love you too, honey.”
I hang up the phone and watch as the fire fighters roll up their hoses and mask off the area around the shed. Mr. Branch, the Fire Chief, tells me to stay clear away from the destruction site and to call them if I need anything. Yeah, like I was going to go rummaging around a pile of debris.
We all go back in the house as the fire trucks pull away from the house. Briston is still sound asleep on the couch. How he could sleep through all the ruckus is beyond me. The wailing sirens would have had me jumping to my feet. I’ve always said Briston could sleep through a hurricane. Speaking of not coming to check out the ruckus, I’m also surprised Tate didn’t come down to check on things.
I leave my friends, who have collapsed on the floor from exhaustion, and finally trudge my beaten body up the stairs. I peek in Tate’s room to see what he’s doing. I don’t trust Tate, at all. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’d skipped out with what loot he could find, once again. But Tate’s not gone. He’s sound asleep on his bed with his ear buds on. Explains why he didn’t hear the commotion outside.
I stand there a moment and watch my brother sleep. Kayson and Rainn’s explanation that there is more going on with Tate than I can see has me looking at my brother with a new perspective. What if he is going through some spiritual battle the hounds inflicted in him? It isn’t fair of me to be so quick to judge him. But it’s hard to get over the pain and hurt, no matter what the source of that pain was.
I shut the door quietly, and walk on down to my room. Closing the door, I collapse on my bed. It doesn’t take long for sleep to take me under.
~
I toss in my sleep, trying to escape the horrible nightmare I’m in. Screams filter through the stench-filled cave I’m in. Voices that plead for mercy are followed by more screams. I feel along the wet, slimy walls in the darkness looking for an escape. Tears flow down my face as screeching laughs filled with mockery whisper through my terror filled mind.
Come on, Emma, find something. My shaking hands continue to search over the walls, but no matter how much I circle through the darkness I can’t find my way out. Visions start running through my mind. My worst nightmares are brought to life.
The hounds tear at my friends, shredding their bodies to pieces. Their screams fill the air. I see their spirit bodies in flames as they scream out with pain. I reach out my hand to help them, but when I do, I see my own transparent hand in flames. I start thrashing around to put the flame out, but when the pain of that flame hits me, I crumble. Laughter filters around us as tears streak down our faces.
Then just like that, the vision is gone. My heart races as I continue to search along the walls to escape. My sobs are hard, causing me to cough and gasp for air. I shake with fear. Another laugh fills the small span of space I’m in.
Ah, your fear is delightful. To have so much fear for yourself and those you love is astounding. That fear will serve us well—
The echoing voice that fills my mind is cut off when a bright light filters into the dank cave. A soft, welcoming voice whispers, Come child, you are safe here, come.
I run to the bright light as a loud growl fills the room. When I do, I wake up in my bed, covered in sweat. An angel hovers next to my bed. “Do not fear child, we will protect you as long as you fight off the demons that are trying to grab hold of you.” The angel disappears through a light mist. The light in my room disperses, leaving me alone in my room.
Rainn bursts into my room a moment later. “Are you okay? I heard you screaming.” Rainn comes to sit with me on the bed.
I shake my head, running my hand over my face. “I had a nightmare. I was in a dark cave and visions of me and my friends on fire were all I could see and feel. I don’t know what would have happened if that bright light hadn’t come.”
Rainn looks at me, spooked. “They’re trying to pull you away from us to grasp hold of your fears. They want you to turn on us, Emma. You have to stay strong. If you let them in, you will face a bigger battle than the one you faced last night.”
I want to lash out at Rainn. I want to blame her and the others for bringing this battle into my life. This is their fault. If it wasn’t for them I would be in bed at my apartment with the same ordinary problems I face every day. Kayson should have stayed away from humans. This is all their fault.
I jump up from my bed, running my hands through my hair. My heart hammers as a hard flush of heat makes me dizzy. It’s already happening. I am already letting the dark forces invade my thoughts. I don’t blame Kayson for what happened. They did everything they could to get away from here before the hounds came.
Or did they? A mocking laugh echoes through my mind again. Sweat, which gets mixed in with my tears, runs down my face. This isn’t about the angels anymore. Now, it is a battle for my soul. The question is, who’s stronger? Me? Or the hounds?
In a panic, I rush down the stairs to check on my friends. They’re all sprawled out over the floor, deep in sleep. As I stare down at my friends, I make them a silent promise. I will protect you guys, no matter the cost.
Rainn comes down the stairs and approaches me with hesitation. “Emma, are you okay?”
I don’t answer her. I keep my eyes on my friends. This is a battle every human faces. The battle for the soul. My battle may be in the spotlight now, but I will do everything in my power to stay strong. This is a battle only I can win.
Epilogue
I pace in the upper realm of Under, that place I now call home. My muscles are tight with displeasure. Falling from Heaven was a disgrace. Then I found the drive I needed in my new-found position. Now to have my abilities questioned, brings back the disgrace I once felt.
I wait in silence, dreading the moment my angry master’s voice fills the air. How could I be so weak? I should have killed them, all of them. The strength of the hounds is outstanding, but a small ounce of fear had crept into my mind. It was a moment of weakness I shouldn’t have had. I should have fought to the death. But I didn’t. I backed away like a weakling.
Falon.
Here it is. The moment my status as Alpha would be questioned. I know my master can sense my fear. He can see the weakness that plagued me as I faced off with the fallen.
I am disappointed in you. You let yourself be fooled into thinking you are weak. Is this any way an Alpha should act?
“No, master. It won’t happen again if you allow me another chance.” I make the plea with complete confidence. If I am given another chance, I will prove my loyalty, my strength. I can only hope he sees my utter faith in his ultimate plan.
Chances are given every day that you are Alpha. After failing me once, why should you expect me to give you another chance?
I start to answer my master. I want him to know I am worthy of the position he has given me. Before I do, his voice fills the air again.
But something you will learn about me, Falon, is that I learn so that I may better use my status. I will give you another opportunity to lead the hounds to victory. Fail me again, and I will make sure no spot in Under will be pleasing to you.
“I understand, master.” I don’t want to be sent to Under as a screaming soul in torture. I am meant for something greater. I understand and agree with what he ultimately has planned for Under, and after. We are going to conquer that upper realm, take control of the weak, and restore the emphasis of power and hunger.
I want you to gather the other hounds. Show these fallen who they are dealing with. Show no more weakness Falon, or you will fall into a pitiless fate.
The room goes quiet again as my master’s presence pulls away. Evren is allow
ed into the room after he’s gone. Evren bows his head, keeping it low as he walks up to me.
“What shall I do?”
“Assemble the hounds. All of them. It’s time we rid the world of this weakness.” Evren bows deeper, before leaving the room.
Now is the time to prove my worth. I am going to show Kayson the meaning of the power he has turned away. I will destroy him and the others with him. This time, there will be no room for error. There will be no bargaining with him to join me. This time, there will only be death.
Don’t miss a single moment.
Continue the journey in Book 2, Raging Storm.
www.brandynacole.com
Acknowledgments
As always, I would like to thank my friends and family. Without their awesome support and encouragement, I know I wouldn’t be where I am today. To my husband Josh, who listens to all my crazy rants and helps out when I get enraptured in a story.
To my editor, J. Cameron McClain, for his awesome insights and all that he has taught me. I’m sure I owe him plenty of rounds.
To my book cover designer, Cheryl. You are amazing.
And most importantly to the readers. I appreciate all the reviews, messages, and support you show this indie author.
About the Author
Brandy Nacole resides in Arkansas where her imagination runs wild. Her obsession is reading but her passion is writing. She put her dream of becoming a writer on the back burner and went to college to become a psychologist. Three years after endless classes in a field she only felt half satisfied with, Brandy picked up her pen once again and wrote the outline to Uniquely Unwelcome. She finished out her degree in psychology but traded her dream of writing for the degree and put psychology on the back burner. Whenever she’s not reading or writing, Brandy is spending time with her family and friends, throwing around ideas, and laughing through the crazy moments.
Brandy is the author of The Shadow World Series and The Spiritual Discord Series.
Connect with Brandy Online:
Website: http://www.brandynacole.com
Blog: http://brandynacole.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorbrandynacole
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/brandynacole
Other Books by Brandy Nacole
The Shadow World series
www.brandynacole.com
Broken Faith: Spiritual Discord, 1 Page 25