The Damned and The Pure Series: Books 1-4 (The Damned and The Pure Series Box Set)
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Beckoning Darkness
Wavering Light
Defying Damnation
Avenging Salvation
Books 1-4 of The Damned and the Pure series
Author: J.D. Stonebridge
Copyright @ 2014 - 2016 by J.D. Stonebridge
This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events in this book are from the imagination of the author or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual places, organizations, events or real people, living or dead, are purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this e-book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the expressed written permission from the author and publishing company.
Dedicated to
Nikki, Kevin, and Gemma
You have my thanks and gratitude.
Beckoning Darkness Table of Contents
Prologue: Salvation
Chapter One: The World Demons Know
Chapter Two: Land of the Sinners
Chapter Three: A Game of Dreams
Chapter Four: Written by Fate
Chapter Five: Burning the Holy Oil
Chapter Six: Dealing with the Enemy
Chapter Seven: Revealing Chaos
Chapter Eight: Alone in War
Chapter Nine: The Face Shifter
Chapter Ten: Under the White Light
Chapter Eleven: A Forsaken Affair
Chapter Twelve: Behind Closed Doors
Chapter Thirteen: Unlikely Trinity
Chapter Fourteen: The Sinner’s Task
Chapter Fifteen: A Lively Gathering
Chapter Sixteen: What Truth There Is
Chapter Seventeen: The Angel’s Soliloquy
Chapter Eighteen: The Same Coin
Chapter Nineteen: Demons and Angels
Chapter Twenty: Wavering Heart
Epilogue: The First Angel
Wavering Light Table of Contents
Prologue: Confession
Chapter One: Forgotten
Chapter Two: Quiet Talks
Chapter Three: Seizing the Chance
Chapter Four: Death as Witness
Chapter Five: Heavenly Sin
Chapter Six: The Reluctant Informant
Chapter Seven: Allies at Odds
Chapter Eight: The Devil is the Victim
Chapter Nine: Something in the Shadows
Chapter Ten: For Blood
Chapter Eleven: Setting the Traps
Chapter Twelve: Daughter of the Damned
Chapter Thirteen: Into the Fire
Chapter Fourteen: Under Sorrow and Tears
Chapter Fifteen: Emptiness
Chapter Sixteen: The First Demon
Chapter Seventeen: Bound No More
Chapter Eighteen: The Caged Soul
Chapter Nineteen: The Angel’s Rise
Chapter Twenty: Rebirth
Epilogue: Heaven is Mine
Defying Damnation Table of Contents
Prologue: Hail the Queen
Chapter One: Humanity
Chapter Two: A Hellish Power
Chapter Three: The Fallen
Chapter Four: Warning in the Smoke
Chapter Five: The Angel of Power
Chapter Six: Two Sides of the Enemy
Chapter Seven: Flaw in the Soul
Chapter Eight: The Reluctant Hope
Chapter Nine: Deep in the Dirt
Chapter Ten: Stranger
Chapter Eleven: Riddles for Angels
Chapter Twelve: Walking with God
Chapter Thirteen: Frail Mortal Coil
Chapter Fourteen: Heavenly Fury
Chapter Fifteen: Storm Clouds
Chapter Sixteen: Grand Architecture
Chapter Seventeen: Sacrifice
Chapter Eighteen: Domino Effect
Chapter Nineteen: A Deal is a Deal
Chapter Twenty: Footprints in the Sand
Epilogue: Death’s Promise
Avenging Salvation Table of Contents
Prologue: Michael and Lucifer
Chapter One: Those Left Behind
Chapter Two: Vengeance Unserved
Chapter Three: Pitfalls
Chapter Four: Beast of Chaos
Chapter Five: The Guide and the Horsemen
Chapter Six: The Last
Chapter Seven: The One God Knows
Chapter Eight: A Reunion without One
Chapter Nine: Driven into the Dark
Chapter Ten: A Farewell to the World
Chapter Eleven: Conquest
Chapter Twelve: Conflict
Chapter Thirteen: Craving
Chapter Fourteen: Call
Chapter Fifteen: Unequal Trade
Chapter Sixteen: Gathering for a Finale
Chapter Seventeen: Symbol of a King
Chapter Eighteen: A Toast to Defeat
Chapter Nineteen: I am God
Chapter Twenty: The Damned and the Pure
Epilogue: Caelum and Ariel
Beckoning Darkness
The Damned and the Pure Book 1
Copyright @ 2014 by J.D. Stonebridge. All Rights Reserved
Author: J.D. Stonebridge
Prologue: Salvation
Sounds of melody and chatter filled her ears and warmth soothed her skin. Centuries in the dark and cold had left her aching for the world behind the ivory walls. Not being able to set foot beyond her cage and interact with others were better than the penalty she could have received. If not for him, she would have suffered under a greater punishment.
And now, she embraced the world like a lost lover. The order for her freedom was near unbelievable, but those with faith such as hers were rewarded. And this was her reward. She was at bliss. She was free.
An angel spoke her name, a younger one she had never met. He told her about Raphael’s request to meet her. She obeyed, though she would have preferred to see her savior upon her release, she had her orders. She stepped forward onto the altar of the Hall of Heaven where the altar of their Father stood at the center of the six towers of the archangels. Her eyes lingered at the beautiful light that spilled on God’s altar before being ushered to enter Raphael’s tower.
White marble and ivory shone bright and warm as her feet touched them. One need not be in their true form in an audience with the archangel so she assumed her lesser image, the one with two arms, two legs, pristine skin, and raven black hair that curtained her glowing blue eyes. She was displeased to have any resemblance to the beasts that ravaged the world their Father had built below, but then again, orders were given and such pettiness must be put away.
“Ariel,” the archangel spoke her name. It had been so long since another had spoken her name that she had nearly forgotten the sound of it. She bowed down before Raphael, her gaze lowered to her feet. "Welcome."
The warmth in his voice stroked Ariel curiously. She opened her eyes and slowly looked up to the archangel. He had a knowing gentle smile. "Thank you," she said, and indeed she was thankful.
"You must be wondering why you are free, now, after ages in captivity," Raphael said.
She was curious, but it would be blasphemy to question the decisions of Heaven. "I am in debt to Heaven for granting me my freedom."
A chuckle left the archangel’s lips, a sound she'd never imagined from him. "I will not delay the matter further. Ariel, you are free for the purpose of returning to the land below. You are to descend to Earth."
Doubt sparked inside her. Doubt was dangerous. She pursed her lips, hoping to extinguish the emotion. "I am at your command. What shall be my purpose?"
Raphael's gaze was deep and melancholic, boring into her as if he could see the questions she was burying. "The same as long ago, Ariel. There is a human we need to establish the faith of in preparation for something to come. But before we give you the name, you must visit the mortal land. Things are rather different since your last descent."
"May I ask another question?" Ariel pleaded, and Raphael nodded. She spilled the query before hesitation robbed her of it. "Is there a reason why you chose me for this particular human?"
Raphael's expression was condescending; he smiled as if a secret joke flitted through his mind. "We are at a disadvantage, young angel," he began, glancing at the great gates behind him. "A new age is upon us. Our Father may soon be coming home."
Ariel's eyes widened. Have I been imprisoned for so long?
"There are requirements that must be tended to before He arrives. Orders are being given, and we need all the angels we can spare," Raphael continued. He cocked his head to the side. "And Michael seems to still trust you, despite your sins."
Delight washed away the doubt that had filled Ariel's heart. The mention of the name of her savior and his faith in her were enough to relinquish all of her uncertainties. Ariel did not want to return to the land of the mortals; she'd rather stay in her cage in Heaven than be free on Earth. But if that was what he wanted, she would follow without question.
"I shall leave, then. For the mortal world."
Similar to how Ariel had given her loyalty to Michael, the angel Daniel had always been loyal to Raphael. He dared not question his judgment and his orders. But as the prisoner Ariel was released from her shackles and blessed with Raphael's audience, Daniel felt the need to know. He approached the altar of Raphael and bowed to the archangel after her departure.
"I know the curiosity in your thoughts, Daniel," Raphael announced, much to the angel's surprise. "But there will be a time to address your questions. The Advent is nearing. We have work to do."
Chapter One: The World Demons Know
"Pitiful, aren't they?" he asked. They sat on top of a billboard for a cola product. Their shadows cast odd figures against the woman in the large billboard who smiled so triumphantly at having a taste of the carbonated flavored drink. Caelum found it laughable that the mortals took comfort and joy in a product that slowly killed them. Ironic, he thought, delighted.
"If you find them pitiful, then why are you staying here?" Lili asked him. Her blonde hair swept over her blue eyes as the storm drew closer. She would have been beautiful if not for the perpetual look of disgust on her face.
"I find the humans pitiful. But the world they built?" He extended his arms out as if to embrace the entire land. Thunder rumbled over their heads, and he appreciated the added theatrical effect. Below them, the humans were alarmed by the thunder, and they scurried away like ants to avoid the expected rain. "A world of both chaos and pleasure is a world I belong to, don't you think?" He turned back to her, smiling.
Lili scoffed at him. "Oh, and this is not just to avoid Azazel?"
She had expected him to look offended, but when Caelum looked at her, his eyes had the light of excitement in them. "One of the reasons," he admitted with a tilt of his head. "But not for the purpose you are thinking. Azazel likes to whip us like dogs on a leash, but my interest is not to chew on the chains until I gain freedom. My interest lies in the joy of seeing the master's face as I escape."
"So, I assume you look forward to being lashed with a whip of thorns instead?" Lili asked, laughing at the thought. "Oh, how I would love to see that day."
"You would," Caelum agreed. "But let's not cheat the game of cat and mouse. The longer I stay away, the grander my punishment will be, correct?"
Lili raised an eyebrow. "I never thought of you as a masochist, Caelum. Perhaps we are meant to be," she teased, leaning her chin on his shoulder.
Caelum turned to her, their eyes so close their noses nearly touched. He lifted his hand to her chin and removed her from his shoulder gently. "You have a very sharp jaw, Lili. It pierces between the joints of my shoulder."
Lili frowned, disappointed. She rose from their seats, her feet perfectly balanced on the narrow metal structure. "If only you were as much of a gentleman as you looked." She swung her legs to turn her back to the city lights. "But do not fret, your secret is safe with me." Lili raised her hand and gave him a mocking salute. "See you in Hell."
And then, her feet bounced off the metal structure and Caelum watched her face, curtained by her hair as it was blown by the wind. She plummeted forty feet, and despite the lights of the billboard and the city, she was swallowed by darkness.
Caelum raised his head to the sky. Thick grey clouds blocked his view of the stars that should have shone brightly light-years away. Soon enough, tears began to fall from the sky and the land was covered in rain. He closed his eyes and relished in the cold that blanketed him.
"Ah, time to go." He extended his arms again like a bird about to fly and leaned forward. Gravity took control and pulled him off the billboard. Wind pushed at his suit, making it flap against his ribs and arms. He fell faster and faster, the concrete of the roof below him growing nearer and nearer. He smiled. He landed with no more than a whisper.
A taxi blared its car horn loudly. A woman muttered curses under her breath for leaving her umbrella at home. A teenage boy had his headphones on, his music still seeping out, alarming everyone he passed as Kanye West rapped obscenities. Caelum stood nonchalantly under the rain. People turned twice to look at him, wondering why he was letting his tailored suit get wet as if it was nothing. He laughed inwardly at their materialistic priorities.
He checked his watch and saw the time. 7:43 P.M. Seventeen minutes before showtime. He pocketed his hands and made his way to his destination. His gaze darted between the people that he passed by. He awarded those he found interesting with a visit in their heads. A sixteen-year-old girl with hair dyed in pink and purple hues had secret lectures with her old Biology teacher. A female teacher. Caelum thought to himself, intrigued. When the teacher decided to pull the plug on their affair, the girl had threatened to upload the sex tape she’d secretly recorded of them online unless the teacher followed her every demand. Even more intriguing. But she moved past, and his attention hopped, looking for another intriguing person.
A Euro-African man recently moved to Chicago to escape being linked to a hit-and-run that took the life of a boy in London. A woman who hurried with a bag of groceries was still convinced that blackmailing her son's ex-fiancé three years ago was justified, despite her actions causing the ex-fiancé to lose her job and apartment.
Such sinful beings humans were. They needed no demons to act so monstrously against their own kind, and yet they were quick to point fingers. Although, he reminded himself, there were humans who needed to be nudged in the right direction. A man passed by him whose face was obscured by a ball cap, concealing a gun in his jacket. He was so sure of what he'd do tonight, but he hesitated when his target neared.
Hesitations, hesitations. They do get in the way, Caelum thought. He neared this man and patted him on the shoulder. Words were not necessary, really. A simple contact had always been enough.
Like a switch was flipped, the man's head lifted, his eyes now determined. He entered the automated doors of the convenience store where the girl with multicolored hair, the Euro-African man, and the woman with a sour look stood in line in front of the cashier. Screams and shouts were heard as Caelum continued on his way.
The word ‘CHICAGO’ against the red and orange lights beckoned him closer. People were spilling in with umbrellas over their heads as the usher gathered their tickets. Over their heads was the sign that announced the show for the night: Cats. Caelum had no desire to join the crowd just yet. He turned to a dimly lit corner and landed with his back against the wall of t
he theatre. He melted through the wall, and he was inside in seconds.
With a quick adjustment to his collar, his clothes were dry and polished for the event. People scurried left and right, preparing for the show that would start in under ten minutes. No one even took notice of him as he calmly walked in between costumed talents and props staff.
Something about the theater called to him; the design of the costumes and the set, the music, the script, the raw acting. To him, the beauty of blending multiple arts into one magnificent show made theater the highest form of art. Besides trickeries, art was his favorite pursuit in the world.
He pocketed his hands and went on his way out of the backstage area. An array of painted faces and feline costumes hurried in the opposite direction; he blended in with a staff wearing a tailored dark blue suit. An actor, one he recognized as the Rum Tum Tugger, bumped into him and nodded an apology to him. In that split second of contact, Caelum read the history of the man. He smiled. A side game wouldn't hurt.
Turning on his heel, he followed the actor to his dressing room. The actor was in a hurry and left the door ajar. The sad paper taped to the door read, "Will Andrews, Rum Tum Tugger" Inside, Will Andrews stared at himself in the mirror, his face between his hands. Oh, Will. Will you do it again tonight? The demon smiled, preparing for the charade he will play before the curtains rose. With a flick of his wrist, he alerted the man whose name was posted on the door.
The knock on the door caused Will Andrews to jump from his seat. He looked over to the tall man in a dark blue suit. "Who are you?" he demanded.
"Sorry if I startled you, that was not my intention." The man smiled self-consciously. "I am Carl Matthews, talent agent from Starlight Studios."
"Who?" Will repeated. Then the words hit him, and he rose from his chair. "Oh, yes sir, nice to meet you." He extended his hand which Carl accepted. "Will you be watching the show tonight?"
"Yes, I will," Carl said. "So, the Rum Tum Tugger, eh? An audience favorite. Have you played the character before?"
"Uhm, no. Not really," Will admitted. "I'm an understudy. I used to play Macavity, though."