Hodge turned to the officer and said, “What did they look like?”
The officer shook his head. “It’s the damnedest thing, Captain. I’ve never seen anything like it. It looks to be some type of wolf prints but oddly shaped. Almost human-like, and they’re extremely large.”
“Shit,” Hodge said under his breath. “Make sure you get some impressions, and keep this from the damn press.”
When the officer nodded, Hodge looked to Manuel and Frank with a strained jaw. “Let’s get this over with, Detectives.”
As they moved toward the crime scene, Manuel regretfully told Captain Hodge and his partner about what he had heard on the radio station, not to mention what the reporter had stated.
“Damn reporters.” Hodge bit the words out. “Did you get the reporter’s name?”
Captain Hodge looked at Manuel, who shook his head. “No, but I know who the SOB is. He stopped me outside the precinct before all hell broke loose with Jimmy Fratianno. His name is Paul Reiss. He works for the Mercury News. The bastard tried to get information out of me about the cemetery attacks.”
“I want that damn video confiscated,” Hodge demanded, his throat working convulsively, his hands fisted at his sides.
“You want us to bring him in for questioning?” Detective Perkins asked.
Hodge kept his gaze stoically forward. “As soon as we’re done here, find out where Mr. Reiss resides. I want him picked up and brought in.”
With a nod, Frank said, “Captain, you know he’s not going to willingly turn over that video, right?”
“Yeah,” Hodge replied, exhaustion weighing his words. “One way or the other, I’m sure you two will figure something out.”
“Don’t worry, Cap,” Manuel spoke out. “Come hell or high water, we’re getting that video.”
Hodge huffed out a breath that hung between them for a second or two. “I’m counting on it, Detective.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
When a knock sounded at the door, Jena gulped in steadying breaths. Shortly after, a familiar voice called out, “Jena, are you there?”
Jena swallowed the ache in her throat. God, she wanted to break down and cry her eyes out. After she had welcomed the creature into the Covenant and weakened to the curse, the consequences of it were irreversible. It weighed her down with shame and guilt. She was to live the remainder of her life as a savage killer. According to the battle angels, she had to destroy the creature. It was the only way to control her bloodlust. Innocent lives depended on her. Although she tried to fight it, the thought of killing him was unbearable. It was a mystery, but for some strange reason, she was bound to him as if she was under a spell. The question in her head kept repeating itself like a broken record.
Do I have the strength to go through with it?
Tears brimmed at her eyelids, but she bit her lip to keep them at bay. She had to be strong and face what she had done. Confiding in Angie and confronting the Breedline Covenant was going to be the hardest thing she ever had to do.
Before Jena said a word, she looked over her shoulder at the three angels to gauge their reaction.
Cronus nodded in silence.
“What am I going to say to her?” Jena quietly asked. Her expression appeared as though she was begging for guidance.
“The truth,” Helios whispered into her subconscious.
Jena responded with a halfhearted nod.
“Hang on, Angie,” Jena finally said. She raised her voice as she started toward the door. “I’m coming.”
After only a brief hesitation, Jena reached for the door and opened it. She seemed surprised to see her best friend’s grinning face.
“Thank God you’re here.” Angie’s teeth flashed in a wider smile. “I’ve got exciting news I can’t wait to tell you.”
Jena looked nervous. “Uh, okay,” she muttered.
Angie noticed her troubled expression. “Hey girl, you okay?”
Jena’s eyes widened a little. Then her gaze skated sideways to the winged trio waiting inside the room.
“Y-yeah,” Jena stammered. “I’ve got something to tell you too.”
Angie’s mouth rounded in shock when she caught a glimpse of the three winged giants. They towered to the height of at least ten feet, and their arms were marked with odd symbols. Their enormous, black wings reminded her of the Archangels in the movie, Legion.
“What the hell?” Angie’s words lashed like a whip.
“I can explain,” Jena said as she stepped aside. “And don’t worry. I promise, Angie, they are the good guys. They came here to help me.”
Angie slowly peeked around Jena and nervously scanned the mysterious, yet handsome occupants of the room. “Who are you?” she boldly asked.
Cronus crossed the room to stand beside Jena and extended his hand. “My name is Cronus. We were sent by the Creator to help Jena.”
A moment passed in silence while Angie stared wide-eyed at the dark-haired angel. In her mind, yellow lights flashed, warning her to proceed with caution. Authority radiated from the angel who seemed to be in charge, making him appear powerful and more dominant than the others. Attached to his waist he had a gold sword, similar to what a Roman gladiator would use. His presence was almost spellbinding.
Angie swallowed hard and nervously reached for his large hand. “Are you supposed to be angels?”
“Yes, Ms. Hawkridge.” He lightly squeezed her hand. “We serve God, protecting heaven’s gate.”
She released his hand and muttered, “I can’t believe I’m actually in the presence of real angels.” Then she looked at him in question, cocking her head to the side. “Wait a minute. How did you know my name?”
“We’re angels. We know just about everyone on earth.”
Angie raised a brow. “Really?”
“Yes,” Cronus replied, turning toward his comrade in arms. “These are my brothers, Icarus and Helios.”
When Icarus nodded and stepped forward, Angie’s jaw dropped.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he murmured.
At the soft purr in his voice, her heart sped into a wild beat.
“Believe me.” She batted her brows. “It’s all my pleasure.”
Damn, Angie thought as she ogled the gorgeous angel with a head full of luscious, blond hair. The thick, long strands tumbled around his massive shoulders and accentuated his handsome face. She could never tire of looking at him. Not only was he the most attractive male she had ever seen besides Bull, but his eyes also mesmerized her. The odd silver color in them shimmered like crystals. As she gazed into them, a lump grew in her throat and sweat sheened her forehead. Never in her wildest dreams would she ever imagine an angel to look like him.
Angie’s eyes soon fixated on the other angel, who towered over Cronus and Icarus, as he came forward. When she looked up at him, his eyes sparkled like a pair of diamonds. His long, dark braids fell forward as he lowered his head in silence. He had an intimidating and remarkably muscular build that bulged beneath his dark skin tone. The tips of his magnificent wings were sharp as knives, and talons covered the tips of his hands and feet. When he lifted his chin, he spoke to Angie without moving his lips. It was as if he was speaking into her mind.
“I am called Helios.” His voice was a deep baritone. “Happy to make your acquaintance, Miss Angie.”
Angie gazed into Helios’s bright eyes with a bewildered look on her face. “Did you just speak into my mind?”
He nodded in silence.
“Helios has a special gift,” Cronus spoke out. “He is telepathic.”
As Angie opened her mouth to speak, she flinched when someone came up behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“I’m sorry, Angie,” Tim said from directly behind her. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
When Angie turned around, she was surprised to see Tim and the crowd of people waiting in the hallway. She also spotted a male with long, black hair standing next to Eve she did not recognize. The odd color of his
eyes looked like flames of a fire, and he had an arrogant and conceited way about him. Whoever he was, it was obvious he and Eve were in some kind of a relationship going by the way they held hands.
“I’m guessing you already know about our guests,” Angie finally replied to Tim, her eyes shifting back to the trio of winged giants. Then her eyes focused on her best friend. “They’re here to help Jena.”
Tim stepped forward with his eyes locked on the angel with the sword. “We never got the chance to thank you,” he said as he extended his hand. “We would have never been able to defeat the Fury without your help. We are forever in your debt.”
Cronus reached out and briefly shook hands with Tim. “You’re welcome, Mr. Ross. Our priority is protecting heaven’s gate and humanity.”
Tim narrowed his eyes. “How did you know my name?”
Cronus smiled a little. “We have our ways.”
Tim nodded, looking at Cronus in question. “Sebastian tells us the Fury is back on earth. Is it true they are no longer a threat?”
“They have taken an oath to protect all mankind,” Cronus firmly stated. “In return for their service, they have been promised absolution.”
Tessa stepped forward and stood next to Tim. “Can they be trusted?”
“They saved my life,” Sebastian spoke out. When everyone turned to look in his direction, he continued to say, “If it wasn’t for them, Lucifer would have killed me.”
Cronus supported Sebastian’s statement by saying, “He speaks the truth.”
“I don’t understand,” Tessa said, focusing her eyes on Cronus. “If Sebastian was in the heavens, how could Lucifer get to him?”
“Sebastian was in a place called the In-between,” Cronus explained. “It’s the outer surrounding of heaven. All battle angels reside there to protect heaven’s gate.”
Jace moved in behind Tessa and said, “What are you protecting it from?”
“Demons,” Cronus simply said.
Jace shrugged. “Demons?”
“We fight in battle with Satan’s soldiers,” Cronus told him. “He sends his chosen with the intention of destroying us.”
“Is that possible?” Kyle chimed in for the first time.
“Right now we outnumber them,” Icarus told him. “But if his soldiers continue to rise, we might have a problem.”
It was all Jena could do not to spill her guts and get everything out. She opened her mouth and said, “I’m going to become...” Her words trailed off helplessly. She reached out and touched her best friend’s hand. “Oh, Angie...”
Angie looked at her with concern. “Jena, what is it?”
Angie, I want to tell you the truth, but I’m afraid, she thought. I’m afraid to let you down.
“I’m going to become the creature.” Jena could hardly get the words out. She had to tell her. She had to tell the Covenant. If she didn’t tell them soon, she was going to explode. “I will hunt evil, kill them for their blood, and it will deplete Satan’s soldiers.”
The look on Angie’s face appeared confused. “What are you talking about?”
“Angie, I...” Jena tried to choose her words carefully. “I gave in to the curse.”
“Jena—”
“Please,” Jena cut her off. “Let me explain to everyone.” Her eyes roamed over the crowd that gathered in from the hallway. “I’m sorry. I wish I could take it all back.” Tears rose up in the back of her throat. “I don’t know why, and I know it sounds insane, but for some reason, I’m connected to the creature. It’s like I’m in some kind of trance whenever he comes in contact with me.”
The silence that followed was painful.
Cronus placed his hand on Jena’s shoulder. “You are spellbound,” he spoke softly. “You had no way of resisting him. It’s part of the curse. I don’t want you to blame yourself for his depravity and cunning trickery. Understand?”
In spite of feeling guilty, Jena managed a reluctant nod.
“So, if you’re battle angels,” Angie’s tone was weary, “why can’t you destroy the creature? Surely you can help Jena, can’t you?”
“The only thing that can destroy this particular creature is one of its own,” Cronus explained. “That means Jena must shift and bite the creature. If she is successful, her lust for human blood will not be for the innocent. She will only hunt evil beings. Jena will be eliminating dark souls before Satan can use them for soldiers.”
“So what you’re saying is,” Jace blurted out, “Jena has no choice. She is going to become that damn thing, except she will only hunt down evil people. Sort of like the grim reaper.”
For a second Cronus smiled at him, though it appeared to Jace that the look in the angel’s eyes seemed dismal.
“Mr. Chamberlain,” Cronus said, “the best way to answer your questions is yes. It’s a way of serving justice, one that will serve a higher purpose, and our only hope at destroying the creature, saving Jena, and protecting our home.”
“We need to gather the Covenant soon,” Tim interjected. “And I want to speak with the Fury.”
Cronus slightly bowed his head. “Gather your people. We will return tomorrow at dusk. We will bring our other two fellow soldiers, and the Fury.” Then he added, “Should we take Sebastian back with us?”
“No,” Tessa reluctantly said. “He can stay here.”
Cronus nodded, and everyone looked toward Tessa, shocked by her statement, but kept their opinions to themselves.
“Thank you, Tessa,” Sebastian said.
As Jace opened his mouth to protest, Tessa held up a hand to silence him before he got a word out. He let out an aggravated groan and flashed Sebastian a resentful glare.
Breaking the tension, Angie addressed Cronus with a question concerning her best friend. “What will happen if Jena doesn’t destroy this creature?”
“She will live for eternity...” He exhaled a deep breath. “...killing innocent people.”
On impulse, Angie reached out to Jena. “I’m here for you, Jena. I’ll always be there for you.”
As Jena took ahold of her hand, Angie tugged her into an embrace.
Jena buried her face into her best friend’s hair. “Oh God, I’m so sorry,” she whispered, trying not to cry. “Please forgive me, Angie.”
It seemed like an eternity that they held each other. When Angie finally pulled away, she said, “You have nothing to be sorry for. It’s not your fault, Jena. It was never your fault. Not any of it.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
A nightmare woke Debi from her state of unconsciousness. As she opened her eyes, she discovered that someone had bound together her hands and feet. Debi struggled to move, but it was hopeless, the ropes were too tight. Exhaling a deep breath, she quickly surveyed her surroundings. The only light in the cold, damp room was from several flickering, long-stem candles. They formed a circle around her, illuminating the eerie darkness. Debi then realized she was on top of some kind of platform.
Oh God, please, she begged silently. Please help me.
Suddenly, blurred images flashed before her. She remembered the man—whose face contorted and twisted into something unholy—that had approached her. Then she recalled the terror she felt when his features were no longer human. It was at that moment she knew who the hideous creature was—the one who had savagely killed the man she was engaged to marry. Before she could open her mouth to scream, someone from behind had drugged her. Although she had no recollection at all who it was, the horrible memory of Chad was still fresh in her mind.
Debi could feel tears brimming in her eyes until they spilled over and flooded from the corners. Her mind thought back to the shocking and unspeakable condition of her fiancé’s body: bloody, dismembered, and broken. She could still smell his already decaying flesh.
Her head was spinning. She tried to gather herself, tried to think, to calm her frantic breathing before she hyperventilated and passed out.
Trembling, she prayed for a miracle. “Please, God,” she said barely
above a whisper. “Please don’t let me die...” Her words trailed off when she heard voices not far away.
“It’s done,” a voice she did not recognize said. “Everything is ready for Jena,” he went on, his words curling off his tongue like dark silk.
“And the girl?”
Debi instantly recalled that particular voice. It was the same taunting and sinister voice she heard earlier, the one that lured her to Chad’s body. He too spoke in a similar accent, pronouncing the words as though he was from the South.
What do they want with me? Debi fearfully thought. And who is Jena?
“She’s prepared,” the other man replied, “just as you instructed.”
“Excellent. You’ve done well, as always.”
“Have you ever known me to fail, brother?”
He leveled him a speculative look. His voice was smooth as velvet. “Of all my family, you’ve proven most faithful, little brother. Not once have you faltered. You’ve always looked after my best interests.”
A frown settled across his brow as his eyes focused on the window directly behind his little brother. “In all the years,” he went on, “do you ever think back on our human lives?”
His brother’s laugh was humorless. “Why trudge up those memories? That was ages ago. I hardly recall those days.”
A moment, almost mournful, hung between them. It wasn’t long before the eldest of the two turned from the window and broke the silence. “Admit it, little brother. You remember more than you let on. Why do you always deny what you used to be? Is it that you’re ashamed of the human life you once had?”
“What’s in the past is no longer of importance to me,” he replied. “Some things are better left forgotten.”
“Well, unlike you, I can never forget some things.” He cocked a brow. “My first love, Isabella. She always reminded me of a rose blossom. Delicate, and captivatingly beautiful to the eyes, yet forbidden to the touch. Just like the prickly-stemmed rose, Isabella too, had her own share of painful thorns.”
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