“No, we wouldn’t want to be seen,” I said. I allowed my body to stay pressed against his a little too long.
A smile slowly spread as his hands ran down my arms. I stepped back and cloaked myself. Being invisible to the human world made it easier to hide from certain problems, but it didn’t hide me from Alex. He stood there, eyeing me as if he could see into my soul. The blood rushed through my veins a little more quickly as I contemplated the massive responsibility of being Sarah’s replacement. How do you ever fill the hole left by someone’s true love? Is that even possible?
“We should get going,” I choked out.
Alex inhaled deeply and said, “Let’s check out the barn.” He stepped out from under the shade of the oak tree. We walked across the field towards the massive red barn on the other side of the pasture.
Now was my chance. Nick was nowhere to be found and Alex was alone with me. The argument they had about my powers and my future kept playing in my mind. I wanted answers, but Nick always stopped Alex before he could explain his position. “Alex,” I stopped walking and our eyes locked. “Nick thinks I’m an Avenger. He thinks that’s why I’m so powerful. What’s your explanation?”
Alex faced me and rested his hands lightly on my arms. “I won’t lie to you,” he said. “You already know your necklace was Sarah’s. You know that I loved her very much.” Moisture dampened his eyes as his gaze darted between my eyes and the butterfly necklace that rested on my chest. “Netra, a powerful sorcerous, cast a spell on Sarah’s body and the necklace. I always hoped that Sarah would come back to me. She hasn’t, but I do think her power lives on in this necklace. I think Sarah’s power is affecting you. Sarah’s power is coursing through you because of that necklace.”
What he said about Sarah’s power coursing through me would explain so much: the incredible heat that flowed through my body whenever I felt threatened, the intense dreams about Alex and Sarah, the building desire to be with Alex, the way his touch caused the butterflies in my stomach to flutter, the way my skills developed so quickly. “Is that possible?”
“Anything is possible.”
My stomach flipped and my knees felt weak. How could this be true? Was it possible that Sarah could somehow reach out from the grave to strengthen me and make me a better Asteri warrior? Should I start paying attention to the dreams? Would the dreams somehow save me in the end?
“Are you all right?” Alex cupped my face in his hand.
“Yes, I was just thinking through the ramifications of all of this. It’s kind of overwhelming.”
“We don’t have to deal with them all at once. Just handle a little at time.” The pad of his thumb brushed across my cheek.
I nodded in agreement and thought about Sarah as we spent the day searching farm after farm in the area. Even in death, Sarah was a part of Alex’s life, and now she had wiggled her way into my life. I had no idea how long her presence would haunt us. As the sun moved across the sky, I thought back to all the dreams I’d witnessed. Even though part of me wanted to respect Alex’s privacy, another part of me wanted to figure out everything I could from the dreams. I was dreaming about them for a reason, and I wanted to know why.
By evening, Nick found Trevor, and he texted us the location.
16. Fire Powder
Alex pulled up along the side of the road about a half mile from the farmhouse. We got out of the SUV and quietly closed our doors. Nick joined us. “I spotted Trevor through a window,” Nick said. “The little boy was tied to the bathtub in the first floor bathroom when I left.”
“At least he’s still alive,” Alex said. “Let’s get going.” We cloaked ourselves and took off towards the house.
The white farmhouse looked deceptively inviting as light shone through some of the windows. We sprinted up the front porch steps and knelt outside the front door. The television blared through the windows and walls. “Kate, do you want to go in?” Nick asked. “There’s no telling what you may see in there.”
“I can handle it,” I said. “I have to help Trevor.”
With a firm shake of his head, Nick said, “Understood. We’ll go through the front door. Alex, go around the back and guard the rear.”
“I don’t like that.” Alex’s brows pulled down as he scowled. “That leaves just the two of you in there with him.”
“That will be enough,” Nick replied. “I could handle Trevor by myself. Anyway, Kate has proven herself a capable fighter.”
“I can do this.” I nodded. “Look what I did to the Nephilim last night.”
“Fine, but be prepared for anything.”
“You worry too much.” I tossed Alex a smile and hoped he’d relax.
Alex huffed and said, “You don’t worry enough.” Then he disappeared along the wrap-around porch.
Nick tapped my shoulder and his fingers wrapped around the doorknob. I nodded as he eased the door open. We entered the great room. The sights and smells bombarded my senses. Animal carcasses littered the floor. Blood streaked the walls, and the strong stench of urine defined the mysterious stains on the floor. Nick touched his finger to his mouth to signal me to be quiet. I nodded and stepped over a dead deer.
Nick motioned for me to walk down one hallway while he went the other direction. My cautious steps led me to the dining room. I froze at the entrance, my heart confused by what I knew to be true. Trevor looked like a normal high school boy, but I knew a monster lurked inside his body. He sat at the large farmhouse table. His back was to me, but he grunted and growled as he ate. Blood caked his neck and arms. A large bowie knife sat on the table next to him as he devoured a plate of raw meat. Grease and blood dripped from his hands as he licked his brown fingers.
Another entrance to the dining room was on the opposite side of the room. The hallway Nick chose would most likely lead him to that opening. The seconds slowly ticked by as I waited for Nick.
“I can feel you, Little One,” Trevor said in a demonic voice. He looked over his shoulder at me. His grimy fingers slowly inched across the table and gripped his bowie knife. The Dolum’s presence filled Trevor’s core and revealed itself as his hypnotic, shimmery eyes scanned the room. “So we meet again.” Trevor pushed back his chair and stood up. He repeatedly squeezed the handle of the knife.
I remained cloaked and clenched my fists at my sides. I felt the power awakening within my core as my anger built. Was this my power, or was I somehow channeling Sarah’s power?
Trevor took another step closer. “Don’t bother hiding. I can see you.” He shoved his hand in his pocket and withdrew it again. In his hand he held a translucent pink sphere. He rolled it between his fingers and then squeezed it. A powder shot out of the bead, filled the air, and floated towards me.
I threw my hand out in front of me and froze the powder in the air. The tiny particles resembled stars suspended in a distant universe.
“Impressive,” Trevor said. “I really should thank you for the ride. I could never have crossed over to this dimension without you. You made all of this possible.” He held out his blood stained hands. “This dimension truly has so much to offer.”
Nick entered from the entrance at the other side of the room. I uncloaked myself and smiled at Nick.
“So you brought your backup?” Trevor said as his eyes followed my gaze. “Nice try.” He laughed at Nick. “You might make this more interesting.” He studied Nick more carefully. “I recognize you. You were there that day I crossed over. You should have caught me. She may be a newbie, easy to trick, but I’d love to hear what your excuse is.”
“Hungry?” Nick moved his eyes from the food on the table to Trevor and the plate of raw meat smashed against Trevor’s head.
“You’re fast,” Trevor growled.
“Does that scare you?” Nick grinned.
“No, I like to play.” Trevor leaped towards Nick as Nick raced toward him. They crashed into each other, and Trevor swiped at Nick’s stomach with his knife. Nick jumped back and glared at Trevor.
&n
bsp; “Why are you holding back, Asteri?” the demonic voice asked. “Don’t want Trevor to get hurt?”
“I don’t care about Trevor,” Nick said with a shrug. “He’s not my problem. Getting rid of you is my priority.”
“I don’t believe you,” hissed the demonic voice. “For some reason you don’t want this body hurt. That should work out nicely for me.” He dug the tip of the knife into his palm until a bead of blood appeared.
I couldn’t let the Dolum hurt Trevor. I looked around for something to use against him and noticed the plate. I teleported it across the room; it hit Trevor between his shoulder blades.
He turned and held the knife towards me. “You must be why he doesn’t want this Trevor boy hurt.” He looked over his shoulder at Nick. “It always comes down to a woman, doesn’t it? That’s your Achilles’ heel.” He let out a wicked chuckle that made my skin crawl.
“It’s all over for you,” I said. “Your time is done.”
Trevor laughed hysterically and waved his knife through the air. “What are you going to do about it? I have an innocent, two actually. This one,” he slowly dragged the knife point down his chest, “and that little, bitty one. You don’t want them hurt. Do you?” He pointed the knife at me. “I have the power here.”
“Are you trying to make me mad?” I asked. I could feel the power swelling within me.
Alex entered the room. His eyes darted between Trevor and me. I could see his concern. He was ready to step between us in a heartbeat. But that wouldn’t be necessary. I could take out the Dolum without hurting Trevor.
I waved my hand towards the ceiling, and Trevor’s body flew up. He stopped just centimeters before crashing into the ceiling. I slammed my hand downwards, and Trevor dropped towards the floor. He hovered only inches above the floor. A look of shock and surprise came over Trevor’s face. He had no control over his body. This had probably never happened to him before. I flung him towards the ceiling again. “I don’t want to hurt you.” I stared up him. “But you need to know that I can. You’re pissing me off, and that’s a bad idea.”
“You know, sweetheart,” the Dolum’s voice mocked. “All this up and down is bad for the brain. Poor Trevor could get a concussion.” His face took on an evil glare as he dared me to harm Trevor’s innocent host body.
“Kate,” Nick said, “let me have him.”
“No,” I said. “It’s my fault he’s here. He’s my responsibility. I know what to do.” I walked closer to the suspended particles that hung in the air, pursed my lips, blew, and then cloaked myself. Alex and Nick followed my example.
The demon’s shimmering eyes grew wide as the tiny particles drifted towards him. “No! No!” He screamed, still trapped near the ceiling.
I couldn’t help but smile as the particles slowly floated up and assaulted Trevor’s body. Trevor’s body writhed and twitched as a blood-curdling scream ripped through the room. The knife fell to the floor with a thud. The muscular body of the Dolum smashed to the floor because he no longer had the power to possess the host body. Nick and Alex seized the Dolum while I carefully lowered Trevor from the ceiling and laid him on the table. Trevor rested, as if in a deep sleep.
The Dolum tried to fight off Nick and Alex, but it was too late for him. The powder left him defenseless, like his victims were against him. He continued to beg for his life as they dragged him outside, but I knew it would do him no good. He would not escape to the other side. They’d make sure he would never hurt another soul again.
“You’re okay,” I whispered, still cloaked. I knelt over Trevor. “Nothing’s going to hurt you.” My fingertips brushed the tiny hairs on his arm as I attempted to soothe him with my peace. I had no idea what shape he’d be in when he came to.
Trevor slowly stretched and opened his eyes. He sat up and let his legs dangle off the edge of the table. He panted and his chest heaved with each breath.
“Take a look around,” I whispered in his ear.
Trevor slid off the table and wobbled. He gripped the edge of the table for support. It had been so long since he’d controlled his own body that he needed to get his bearings. He took a few steps and then clung to the wall as he headed towards the door.
“No,” I said. His heart raced against my hand as I pressed against his chest. “You can’t leave yet. You’re not alone. Go down the hallway.”
Trevor stopped and turned. He gnawed his lip. He breathed anxiously as he looked around, and then he finally swallowed hard.
I could tell that he wanted to leave, but he also felt drawn to check out the house. Was this the reality of the still small voice that people hear or that feeling they get in their gut? Are people really being influenced by unseen angels? Could I influence Trevor? Would Trevor obey me?
“Sammy needs you,” I said more firmly. “That little boy needs you. Don’t leave him here. He’s afraid.”
Trevor took a deep breath and headed out of the dining room. He entered the great room. Dead animals, feces, and blood lay everywhere. His stomach heaved at the sight, and he hid his nose in his arm. “Is anyone there?” Trevor called out. He clutched the walls for support as he ran down the hallway.
“Help me,” a weak voice replied.
Trevor burst through the bathroom door. I followed behind him, still cloaked. Sammy’s hands were zip-tied to the water faucet of the bathtub. “Help me,” Sammy cried. Tears streamed out of his brown eyes and streaked down his dirty face.
Trevor spun around and began opening drawers. I knelt beside Sammy and stroked his head. He gazed into my eyes. “Don’t worry,” I whispered. “You’re safe. The bad man is gone. He can’t hurt you anymore.”
“You’re beautiful,” Sammy said, his voice full of awe as he stared at me. I startled and knit my eyebrows together at his words.
Trevor turned to look at Sammy. “Who are you talking to?” He grabbed a pair of scissors out of a drawer and knelt beside the tub.
“Her.” Sammy pointed to the space beside Trevor — to me. I held my breath. I looked at Trevor. “The angel,” Sammy said smiling.
“Oh.” Trevor looked around the tiny bathroom. He slipped the blade under the zip-tie and cut the boy free. “We need to hurry. Be quiet. We don’t know when he’ll be back.”
“She says we’re safe,” Sammy said. He flexed his fingers and gripped his wrist where the zip-tie had rubbed his skin raw. “I think she scared him away.”
“She did?” Trevor chuckled nervously and tucked the scissors into his jeans. He grabbed Sammy and slung him close to his chest. “Hold on tight. Can you do that?”
“Yes.” Sammy wrapped his arms around Trevor’s neck.
“Good. Good. Hey,” Trevor stopped at the doorway, “I need you to keep your eyes closed. Uh… the angel wants you to close your eyes.”
“Then why didn’t she tell me to close my eyes?” Sammy asked.
“She did,” Trevor said. “I heard her.”
“No, she didn’t.” Sammy shook his head.
I touched Sammy’s cheek. “Close your eyes,” I said with a smile. “Rest your head on Trevor’s shoulder. He’ll take care of you.”
Sammy closed his eyes and nestled his head on Trevor’s shoulder. “Now she said it.” Sammy smiled and tightened his grip on Trevor.
Trevor walked down the hall. At the family room, Trevor shielded Sammy’s eyes from the gory scene that covered the floor. Trevor shoved open the front door and a light breeze blew Sammy’s brown hair as they crossed the front yard. Trevor placed Sammy on the ground. “Do you think you can walk?” Trevor asked. “We need to find help.”
“I can walk.” Sammy wrapped his thin arms around his chest.
Trevor ran his hands quickly over Sammy’s arms. “You’re a very brave boy. You’re parents are going to be so happy to see you. Let’s go find them?”
Sammy nodded. Trevor grabbed his hand and they ran towards the road.
Alex and Nick joined me as I watched them head for the road. “Sammy saw me. How could he see me?”
I asked.
“Young children are still innocent,” Alex said. “Sometimes they can see us, but don’t worry. He would never recognize you. He saw what he thinks was an angel, an image society has imprinted upon his mind. That’s the only way he could make sense of what he saw.”
“You were beautiful and glowing,” Nick added. “You shimmered as if you were from another realm. He probably even imagined wings.”
“A child is the only person who’s seen me for who I really am,” I said softly.
Alex’s fingers intertwined with mine. “That’s not true. I see you for who you truly are.”
Nick’s eyes darted between us. I stared at the way Alex’s fingers laced between mine. So many emotions pulsed through me: confusion, delight, and power. I wasn’t sure where I was headed in my relationship with Alex, but I didn’t have to decide that tonight. Tonight I was riding a different high, a high that had to do with saving innocents. It was moments like this that made fighting the monsters worth it.
Headlights shone over the hill as a car turned down the road. Trevor scooped up Sammy and ran towards the car, waving one hand in the air. “Stop!” he yelled. “Help us!”
The car slowed. I could just make out the silhouette of a man. He craned his head as he slowly passed. Then he stopped the car a little farther down the road. The driver side door opened and the man stepped out. “Trevor?” he said as he walked around the back of the car. “Trevor, is that you?” Confusion and awe marked every word that proceeded from the man’s mouth.
“Mr. Parker?” Trevor gripped Sammy closer to his body as he ran to the car. “Mr. Parker? I can’t believe it!”
“Get in the car,” Mr. Parker ordered. “We’ll call the police.” Trevor and Sammy got in the backseat. Mr. Parker passed Trevor his cell phone. “I never come home this way, but the other road was closed.”
“Just get us away from here,” Trevor said, his voice thick with tension as he dialed 911. “I don’t know when he’ll come back.”
Symbiosis (Scintillate Series Book 2) Page 21