By seven in the evening, David was on the road with only a few sets of clothes in his backpack and the flash drive that stored his work. He reminded himself to charge Jenny for his expenses for the trip and for the lack of sleep he’d definitely go through to cater to his sister while finishing his report. It would be a four-hour drive to Vermont, at the least, and David readied a coffee just in case.
The street lamps zoomed past him once he got out of traffic, hypnotizing his tired eyes. His thoughts went back to the days he’d travelled across the country for his father’s work. They weren’t like those people featured in films and television that fought monsters. They were just researchers who kept generations of information about the supernatural, though the job was dangerous nonetheless. David always found it unstable, especially when your potential clients had no idea the importance of the products you sell.
After he drove onto Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, he felt an ache in his neck and stretched. David reached for the coffee in his compartment, but instead, he felt something other than the car’s upholstery.
“Perhaps this is the proper time to tell you I’m not into such activities,” a voice told him from the passenger’s seat. David’s head snapped to the right to find himself face to face with a man in a dark blue suit.
“What the hell!” he exclaimed, involuntarily turning the steering wheel to the side, causing the car to swerve dangerously. The vehicle made a sharp left turn and David screamed. He felt a grab at his shoulder just before the car crashed into a streetlamp.
Chapter Seven: Allies at Odds
David felt his body being pulled. His feet stretched out, and suddenly he was skidding across the pavement. He fought to regain his balance and catch his breath. Confusion filled him as he stared at the car he’d been driving only seconds ago, now crashed against a streetlamp. No fire or smoke was present, but he could see the nose of the car was heavily damaged. He looked around at the empty road, seeing nothing but the bushes and trees surrounding the highway.
“Why do you humans do such things when you’re surprised?” The same voice he’d heard earlier spoke from behind him. David wheeled around to see the man in the dark blue suit standing nonchalantly, hands deep in his pockets.
“What the hell are you? And what were you doing in my car!” David snapped.
“Well, I doubt that I need much introduction other than my name is Caelum and I am a demon. I believe you met my daughter a few years back, or so she tells me.” Caelum smiled.
“A demon?” David repeated, looking more exasperated than startled. He gripped his hair to calm himself, focusing on the pain in his scalp. “And the reason you were suddenly in my car …?”
“I thought it needed some remodeling.” Caelum shrugged. He let out a small laugh and added, “But I jest. I need your help, David Jason Tenney.”
David frowned and cocked his head at the mention of his real name. Since he’d left to live on his own, he’d assumed a pseudonym to cut ties with his family. Hearing his true name again brought back memories he wanted to bury. “I have nothing to do with you things anymore. Except that you now owe me a car!”
“Sadly, contrary to popular belief, most demons don’t make deals like that,” Caelum said. “But I may help you if you assist in what I need.”
“I don’t make deals with demons,” David told him. “Now, go away, and stay away from my family!”
“Like I have a choice. Besides you, your entire family seems to be under some kind of spell, their location hidden well. Therefore, I came to get you instead,” Caelum said.
“Whatever!” David walked to his car to see if it was at least drivable. He groaned. “Look at what you did.”
Caelum crinkled his nose. “It wasn’t me in the driver’s seat.” David glared at him, and the demon backed away, amused at the human’s bravery; most humans would never stand up to a demon. “Fine, I’ll make some ends meet to get you a new car. If you help me, that is.”
“How many times do I have to tell you, I don’t make deals with demons,” David said. “I don’t know what your pals from Hell told you, but my family isn’t some museum or Indiana Jones that collects whatever rare artifacts you may be looking for.”
“Yes, but you do have a large collection of information,” Caelum said. “And I need information. Just a few hours in your family’s archives, and I’ll be on my way.”
David studied him with his dark brown eyes. “What information does a demon like you want?”
“Best we not talk about it out here in the open,” Caelum told him. “The shadows have ears, you know?”
“I’m not going to let you anywhere near my family’s house then. I don’t know what you want, and seeing that you’re a demon, you’re probably up to no good.”
“Oh, how I hate such stereotypes.” Caelum sighed. He removed his hands from his pockets and stared at David, watching his eyes. “Well, I tried asking nicely since someone told me to. But seeing that it’s not really getting me anywhere, I guess I should be more persuasive.”
The human backed away slowly, suddenly reminded of what demons could do. David hadn’t felt fear in the face of the creatures his family studied since he was a boy, but now his body felt as if it was swimming in ice cold water. His limbs were rigid, disabling him from running. He just stood there, locked in the eyes of the demon.
Then a howl echoed all around them. David looked up to see the cloudy sky above them, unsure of the source of the sound. He looked back to the demon and saw the confused expression on his face. No doubt this wasn’t part of his plan.
Taking his opportunity, David wheeled around and ran. He wasn’t certain if he could outrun a demon, but he had to try. However, before he’d gone even a few feet, a large figure blocked his way. David halted, staring at the hulking menace. The stench of drool and fur awakened his senses and he realized what he was looking at: a werewolf.
“Fuck.”
David’s heart slammed hard against his ribs as he attempted to turn away from the monster and run back to the demon, but sharp claws grabbed his shirt, lifting him up. His scream tore through the sky, but an empty road offered no help.
Caelum watched as the human was hoisted up by the werewolf. The beast stood erect like a man, though its face was that of a wolf. He made to rescue the lad when something passed by him swiftly, halting his steps. Another figure moved past him from behind, crashing against the wrecked vehicle before he could spot it. Only David’s screams filled the air.
Caelum judged where the next figure would come from and jumped up from where he stood just as he caught a movement in the trees in front of him. He spun in midair as another werewolf sprinted in his direction, aiming to slam against him. The demon landed on the ground, but the other werewolf came charging behind him and swung its head against his body.
Caelum was thrown several feet, landing hard on the roof of the car. He grunted and felt extra weight landing next to him. He rolled off the vehicle before the werewolf could reach for his neck and set himself back on the ground.
He gritted his teeth, the unexpected events ruining his well-thought out plan. Why didn’t I bring back-up, again? He asked himself. His eyes scanned the area around him, studying the werewolf that was closing in on him from the darkness of the trees, while another one leapt off the roof of the car. David continued to kick and yell, struggling to free himself from the monster’s grasp, but it was pointless.
“Would you do me a favor and not eat that boy? I kinda need him.” David gaped at him, aghast.
“And why should we listen to you?” a male voice called over Caelum’s shoulder. Caelum turned around in time to evade the large fist speeding towards him. He sidestepped, seeing the face of his attacker. He was a brawny man, muscles bulging against his gray shirt, and a five o’clock shadow marking his chin. The man’s eyes pierced Caelum’s with anger, his nostrils flared.
A werewolf in his human form, Caelum wondered. “Have any of you learned any manners? You don’t just a
ttack people before introducing yourselves.” Caelum raised a brow at him, picking at the nerves of the werewolves.
“We don’t play games with you lowlifes from Hell!” the man yelled. A movement from behind alarmed Caelum. He leaped, narrowly avoiding the swipe of a claw. He pivoted his body to land on the ground on his side as the werewolf behind him took another swipe. Caelum rolled on the ground and back up to his feet.
“You do realize that eating a demon would upset your stomach,” Caelum pointed out.
“Oh, we don’t mean to eat your damned flesh,” the man said as the werewolf beside him walked forward. “We’re here for justice. Vengeance for you slaughtering our allies in that church! You and your angel bitch will pay for the lives you took!”
“Oh, you’ll be sorry you ever called her that,” Caelum muttered, fire burning in his eyes. He dashed forward. The werewolf leapt forward to meet him, but Caelum jumped high, his feet landing on the shadow the beast created under the streetlamp. The demon appeared again behind the man, wrapping his arm around his neck and pulling him to the side. The man spun around, then stopped his fall with a burly arm. He swiped his feet at Caelum’s legs, who jumped out of the way only to meet the claws of another werewolf.
Caelum skidded on the ground, feeling a slight disorientation as he pulled himself up. “Watch out!” David screamed from behind him and he turned to see the werewolf that held the human extending its claw towards him. Caelum crouched down and grabbed its arm as it went up. He pulled himself higher using the beast’s arm and landed a kick on its eye. The werewolf wailed and released David, who was thrown to the ground, landing flat on his back. Caelum rushed to aid the human but was stopped by the large palm of the same werewolf.
The force pushed him back, slamming him against the smashed car. A heavy thud on the roof of the car warned Caelum, but before he could remove himself, a large clawed hand pinned him against the car. Caelum pushed forward, forcing himself to be freed.
Exhaustion slammed into his body, causing his vision to blur. What’s going on? He asked himself. The weight on his chest pushed back in, denting the vehicle with his body. Caelum struggled to free his arms, but his strength was diminishing all too fast. I just replenished my energy yesterday! His eyes widened in disbelief at how fast he had used up the souls he’d absorbed from the wraith. He gritted his teeth, watching the man and the other beast walking towards him. In his peripheral vision, he saw David running away, the werewolf from earlier chasing him. It caught him easily and lifted him over its head. The human yelled for help.
"Four wolves against one demon and human," Caelum tried mockery to hide his lagging energy. "Don't you find that unfair?"
“This is for our murdered family, demon,” the man said.
The beast beside him snapped its jaw and bared its teeth. “Let this be a message to your kind, as well. We will win this war. Heaven and Hell will not take over our territory.”
“You’re still on about that?” Caelum said, breathlessly. “You don’t even have sufficient evidence that I’m a part of whatever scheme you think is up.”
“Not that it matters. You are still the demon that murdered our family. Finish him, and have the human as your prize,” the man ordered, and the three wolves howled in unison. The werewolf beside him leapt forward, landing in front of Caelum while standing on its hind legs. Caelum set his jaw tight, trying to think of a way to escape. But even his call on the shadows was weakening. He was trapped.
“Cease this senseless battle.” A familiar figure appeared over their heads. The wolves stopped and looked up, ears bent back. The man followed their gaze and gritted his teeth at what he saw. “Release them,” the voice ordered, and the werewolf that had pinned Caelum loosened its grip, allowing him to squeeze out.
Caelum stumbled to the side and looked around to see the werewolf gently setting David on the ground. Like the rest, David’s eyes were glued to the figure above. Caelum looked at the figure balanced on the lamppost.
The gray robes of the reaper he’d summoned cast shadows on the light of the lamp. As if weightless, the reaper stepped off and landed on the ground gracefully. The werewolves backed away from it, while the man glared at the reaper. “This is none of your business.”
“Business of my Lady is mine as well. And I am here to deliver her order to you: do not harm the human or the demon of Hell.”
“Why should we listen to you? That fallen angel failed us! How do we know that she is even really fighting for our side?” the man accused.
Something in the ambience of the night changed as the reaper spoke, its voice echoing all around. “Are you implying that my Lady is spreading lies?”
The man stuttered a senseless reply.
“I bear the word of the Mistress of Death, the Lady of Souls and Watcher of the Gates of Purgatory. She who is fighting to keep the balance of the worlds of God, and I will not let a cursed mortal such as yourself speak in such a way about her.”
The man who led the werewolves stood his ground, though his eyes bore fear. “So tell me this, why is your boss protecting him?” He pointed to Caelum. “She is an angel, isn’t she? What business does she have with a demon?”
“If it makes you feel any better, you’re not the only one who wants my head on a spike,” Caelum cut in. “Apparently I’m also on both Heaven and Hell’s Most Wanted List. It’s actually quite the ego boost.”
The man looked at Caelum with anger and confusion. But the reaper stepped in to explain. “This demon has rebelled against Hell and has interests that may benefit our cause.”
“You expect me to believe that?” the man screeched. “He killed our friends and our families, and he aided in the capture of Ramiel. Remember him?”
“The fallen one made foolish decisions, ones that our Lady tried to prevent. She has mourned for his loss, but assures us that the objective remains the same. If you kill this demon, we may lose what leverage we have acquired.”
“Well, I don’t believe you,” the man said. He turned to Caelum with fury in his eyes. “I know what he is. A murderer, and if you will not bring him to justice, then I will!” He strode across the few short feet between him and Caelum, who readied himself for the attack. But another voice halted them.
“You dare question me?” The deep, melodious voice of the Lady of Souls silenced them all. Everyone in the area turned to the night sky and saw dark shadows enveloping the stars. The dim street turned into nothing but darkness while an image of the woman hovered above. Her hair was darker than night, her eyes as red as her lips. She floated, posture perfect, head high, as she looked down on all of them. The reaper bowed its hooded head in her presence.
Caelum smirked. “I assume you are Azrael.”
He welcomed the newcomer, who slowly descended to meet him. David looked around in horror, clearly regretting that he hadn’t attempted to escape. The werewolves and the man who led them seemed to be frozen in place, unsure of what to do in the presence of the Angel of Death.
Azrael turned to the demon, her face unreadable. “And you are the peculiar demon everyone seems so interested in. It is nice to officially meet you.”
“The pleasure is mine. And I’m not just saying that because you saved me from being wolf chow,” Caelum said.
“What is the meaning of this?” the man demanded rather reluctantly. He balled his fists at his sides as he dared to step towards Azrael. The Angel of Death looked over to him, and he froze. “I— Why should we spare the life of this one demon, Azrael?”
“Do not address her—” the reaper began his warning, but Azrael held up her hand.
“It is fine,” Azrael said, before turning back to the man. “You are the brother of Blake Jackson, leader of the clan of wolves in the west.”
“Former leader,” he corrected her. His eyes glanced at Caelum. “After he and his pals murdered my brother, I have taken the role.”
Azrael smiled at him as a mother would to a child who was trying hard to please her. “Philip Jackson,
am I correct?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me, Philip. What is your priority right now?”
Philip looked at her, confused. “What?”
“Are you willing to shed the blood of your clan to avenge your brother’s death, or do you still intend to protect your kind against the forces of Heaven and Hell?” She stated her question in a patronizing tone. The supposed leader of the werewolves was taken aback by the question, stuttering out an answer that ended up unintelligible.
“Let it be a lesson for all,” Azrael announced. “Such unnecessary actions you take may cost you what you must protect. The demon in our presence has turned his back on his masters, and his assistance may be the only leverage we can acquire at the moment.”
“What does that mean?” Caelum asked. “You need me? And yet you refused to help me a few days ago.”
“I did not refuse you, Caelum,” Azrael claimed. “I truly do not know how you can meet your objective. Though I can offer whatever assistance I am able to.”
“And why was this offer not available before?”
“Because I needed to be sure where your loyalties are,” Azrael explained. “I needed to see if you would stray from the path once you’d figured out the truth.”
“The truth?” He repeated, surprise evident in his voice. Before Azrael could answer him, one voice who had been quiet during the exchange spoke.
“Hey! Hey! Hey!” David stepped in, his hair in disarray and his hands shaky. “Can- Can anyone tell me what’s going on here? Or at least tell me how to get out?”
“I am afraid I cannot release you just yet, David Jason Tenney,” Azrael said. “We require your help as well.”
“No, no, no, no…” David stuttered. “Look, lady. I’m just a human, not some monster or demon or whatever. I don’t have anything to do with what you guys are talking about. I’m just on my way to see my sister—”
The Damned and The Pure Series: Books 1-4 (The Damned and The Pure Series Box Set) Page 28