The Fallen (The Alexandra Denton Chronicles)

by Amanda K. Dudley-Penn

  I blinked, trying to keep my face blank. Still, I remembered Lucifers disgust for humans. I had viewed him as jealous. What if the theory Will just stated was the correct one?

  “It’s one theory,” Brady said, obviously pleased that one of us knew something that wasn’t common knowledge, “However, the most common theory is the one I gave Alex.”

  I stared at Brady, wondering about Lucifer as an angel. Obviously, he didn’t stick to the rules.

  “It’s not possible, is it?” I asked, frowning as I began to wonder about Lucifer and his feelings about God, “I mean…Lucifer was an angel. How could he be jealous of humans?”

  Brady laughed, “Just because you view angels as more beautiful, more intelligent or more anything, doesn’t mean that God views them the same way,” he said with a shrug, “In God’s mind we may be equal in value or even more valuable than the angels. Now, I doubt we’re more but still, I don’t pretend to know the mind of God. Also, Lucifer could have seen something that wasn’t there. God could have loved him with equal passion as he loves all of us but he could have been like a jealous older sibling.”

  I frowned, “You mean he could have acted irrationally?” I asked, nearly laughing. Lucifer was totally capable of overreaction.

  “Well, I don’t know any angels personally but yeah…if they are anything like humans, he could have been acting irrationally,” Brady said, frowning, “It was an awfully big mistake if he did.”

  I shook my head, suddenly sad for the angel Lucifer once had been, “Yes, it was,” I whispered as I shifted uncomfortably. The Lucifer I knew had only been filled with hate and evil. There was no way he would ever return to any simblance of good. So, it was best to push the pity away.

  “Are there any other reasons for his fall?” I asked, frowning.

  “Just the ones that I have already mentioned,” he said, raising his brow, “He was greedy, prideful and vain. Those qualities turned him from good to evil…just like it would to any of us.”

  I nodded. This view of Lucifer was easier to take. He had simply given into evil and it had nothing to do with humans. So, his attack on us was unwarranted. I had been thinking about this so intensely that I jumped when the bell rang.

  Brady laughed, “I’m glad to see that I’ve given you so much to think of.”

  “And I thank you for that,” I said, giving him a big smile as I shook his hand. I swallowed as I saw a flash of the future. In it, Brady’s eyes were a deep red. I released his hand, trying to keep the smile on my face.

  “Are you okay?” He asked, frowning, “You look pale all of the sudden.”

  I forced my smile bigger, “I’m fine and very grateful.”

  He tilted his head as he studied me and then, nodded, “Maybe I was only worried because of the last time I saw you. You have gotten a handle on those nose bleeds, haven‘t you?”

  “Yes,” I said, finally relaxing, “Thank you.”

  He nodded and then, backed away to shake Will’s and then, Daniel’s hands before saying his good-byes. He gathered his books and made his way to class. I watched his retreat.

  “Alex, is everything okay?” Daniel asked, frowning.

  “No,” I said, swallowing over the lump in my throat, “Brady is going to be possessed not attacked and we have to save him.”

  “Don’t worry, Alex,” Daniel whispered, softly, “We will.”

  For the first time since we’d broken up, I believed him.

  **********

  I sat quietly in the car with Ky as I shifted nervously. We were sitting in my driveway and though he had professed to trust me with Semarias, he was not happy to find me with Daniel and Will after my free period in the library. Actually, he was livid and he had not given me time to explain anything. Instead, he was giving me the silent treatment.

  “Are we going to talk at all?” I asked, frowning as I studied his steadily reddening face.

  “No,” he nearly growled. It was the most he’d spoken to me since leaving school.

  I narrowed my eyes as anger slammed through me, “Maybe you should ask what happened before you get angry,” I said as heat rose in my face, “Then, maybe…just maybe you wouldn’t make such an ass of yourself.”

  “Fine,” he said through gritted teeth, “What happened?”

  My back straightened and I crossed my arms over my chest as I turned to face him as fully as I could sitting in the passenger seat of his car, “Well, I think the first thing I need to tell you is that Mr. Connors is possessed,” I said as I watched his mouth fall open in shock but I could see the question still in his eyes, “Yes, that fact does have something to do with why Daniel and Will were with me.”

  He studied me for a few moments with a frown permanently etched on his face. Finally, he shook his head and his eyes met mine.

  “Are you meaning possessed as in there is a demon in him or possessed as in he’s given you too much homework and has gone insane?” He asked, clearly calming down.

  ‘Both actually but the one we should be concerned with is the demon possession,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest. I knew he was calming down but I was still mad.

  “So, how did Will and Daniel come to be with you?” He asked, pursing his lips in thought.

  “Mr. Connors called me out into the hallway,” I said, shifting, “I was having problems paying attention. I thought I was in trouble because he seemed so mad but when we were in the hallway, he showed himself. I reached into my pocket and pushed my speed dial and touched the first number I could get to. That was either Will’s number or Daniel’s. Either way, both of them came to my rescue. So, you should be thanking them instead of being an asshole to them.”

  “They stayed with you during your free period,” he said and I rolled my eyes at his jealous tone.

  “Yes, they did,” I said, sitting up straighter, “Or would you have preferred for me to wait alone for Brady…or better yet, be alone with Brady who will be possessed sooner or later?”

  He sighed as the rest of his anger dissipated, “No, I guess not.”

  “You guess?” I asked, becoming more and more angry, “You know, I’m trying to still be friends with Daniel. Since we are part of the Appointed, it would be easier that way. Besides, I’ve known him for most of my life and I still care about what happens with him. You are going to have to trust me.”

  “I do trust you,” he said with wide eyes, “I don’t trust him.”

  “I’m sorry about that,” I whispered with a shrug, “But he’s still going to be around…no matter what. It would probably be a good idea to be his friend.”

  He gave a short, hard laugh, “That’s not going to happen,” he said and then, he closed his eyes. When he opened them, he reached forward and caressed my cheek, “But I will try to be more tolerant for you.”

  I nodded but somehow, I realized with his jealousy over Daniel and finding out Semarias’ feelings for me that my life was about to get even harder. Sadly, I was beginning to miss my days at Running Rivers Mental Facility because somehow, they seemed easier than the present.

  Chapter Eight

  Intervention

  My mother was waiting for me when I entered the living room. I was surprised to see her there. Lately, she always seemed to be at work or with her boyfriend, Andrew. My eyes raked over her familiar face, realizing how much I missed her.

  Still, I noticed that something was wrong. Her brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail in the exact way that she wore it to work. Her make-up was done perfectly and she wore the clothes that she only dressed in to work at the bakery. A frown was etched on her face as her blue-green eyes met mine. I noticed as her lips trembled and she inhaled sharply. Her face was pale and her eyes were too wide.

  “Mom, what’s wrong?” I asked, alarmed as my heart slammed against my chest.

  “It’s Lynne,” she said, looking into my eyes. I trembled as she continued, “She’s been in a car accident,”

  “Is she okay?” I asked, feeling my heart drop. Pan
ic shook through me.

  “Mad,” she said, shaking her head, “But otherwise fine. The thing is it seems like someone made her wreck on purpose.”

  I started as I thought of Mr. Connors, “Why do you think that?” I asked.

  My mother shifted as she stood, “Because she said someone ran her off the road,” she explained as she rose, “Because of that, I’m here. I wanted to make sure you were okay and that you knew what was going on.”

  I laughed nervously, “Mom, Lynne can be annoying and I‘m sure there are plenty of girls jealous of her,” I said, knowing I was about to lie, “But I don’t think she’s so bad that someone would try to kill her.”

  My mother tilted her head and then, sighed, “You’re right,” she said, shrugging, “Lynne is probably overreacting…again.”

  I nodded, hugging my mother. When I backed away, I plastered a grin on my face, “Knowing her…probably,” I said, looking toward the door realizing I needed to go see her, “Is she at Barrington Hospital?”

  My mother shook her head, “No. She’s at home. She wants you to meet her there.”

  I grabbed Ky’s hand, “I think we’ll go now before this all gets out of hand.”

  “I think that’s a good idea,” my mom said as we turned.

  “Alex,” she called out to me.

  I turned seeing the worry on her face, “Be careful…Just in case. I’ve had a weird feeling lately.”

  I nodded as my heart squeezed, “I will, Momma.”

  She nodded, “I love you.”

  “I love you too,” I whispered before turning and walking out of the door.

  Ky raised his brows as we reached his car a few moments later, “What are we going to do?” He asked as his eyes widened, “You know that Lynne probably wasn’t lying.”

  “I know and I know it was Mr. Connors who probably did it. Sadly, that means we’re going to have to go after his demon,” I said taking a deep breath, “Worse, we’re doing it tonight.”

  He sighed as he opened my car door before meeting my eyes, “I was afraid you were going to say that.”

  “Sorry that I have made you realize your fear,” I said, frowning. We probably would all face our fears tonight. Still, I opened my cellphone and began to make the phone calls to the rest of the Appointed.

  **********

  Ky sat with me on the bleachers at our high school as we waited for the others to arrive. Lynne had chosen to meet us there and she was so ready to go up against the demon who had tried to kill her. She was angry…more angry than I’d ever known her to be.

  I looked back at the school where Mr. Connors was inside at a meeting with the other teachers. I guess he was going to keep up appearances. It was dark but thankfully we had found his car near the bleachers where it was secluded. Luck was on our side because we knew we had to catch him alone and it would be much easier now.

  Lynne, Bastian, Gloria and Drake arrived shortly after we had. Lynne narrowed her eyes at the school as she climbed the bleachers. I could see that she was still very angry.

  I stood and hugged her before backing away, “Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked, frowning as worry gnawed through me.

  “Yes, but Mr. Connors won’t be,” she said, huffing as she sat down, “My car is totaled. I had to work at that awful restraunt all Summer to get that car.”

  “It wasn’t Mr. Connors,” I reminded her, smiling, “It was Legion. Remember that okay. You can‘t hurt Mr. Connors.”

  “Well, we’re kicking Legion’s ass tonight then,” she said, narrowing her eyes further, “Because someone is going to pay for what they did to my car.”

  I nodded, “Legion will pay by returning to hell.”

  “Okay,” she said, pouting as she crossed her arms over her chest. As I stared at her, I realized that strange feeling that something was different about her had returned. I studied her but she seemed to be the same Lynne I had always known. I shook my head. I really didn’t know what was wrong with me lately.

  “Alex!” I heard my name called, breaking through my thoughts and turned to find my brothers and sister coming toward me. A few feet behind them walked Daniel, Will, Clyde and Jenna. I turned and found my dad, Leighton, Sarah, Catherine and Jace walking in from the opposite entrance. Raina was the last to arrive a few minutes later.

  She met my eyes, warily “We’re really doing this?” She asked as she glanced at Lynne, “She was just in a wreck.”

  “We can’t keep letting this happen,” I whispered, “We have to fight back. Besides, she wouldn‘t have it any other way.”

  “I just have a bad feeling,” she said breathing out slowly before facing me, “But you’re right, if we don’t hurry up and do something, I guess other people will get hurt too.”

  “Yes, they will,” I said, looking at Jenna. She shifted, nervously, “Are you ready to do this?” I asked and she nodded even though her eyes were wide and she looked like she was about to vomit.

  She stepped up to me and nodded her head, “Yes,” she whispered and I could see that she was shaking a bit, “This is what my gift is for, right?”

  “Yes,” I said, putting my hand on her shoulder in support, “The first part will be easy. We know Mr. Connors is possessed. If anyone else is with him we’ll need to know about them. Just make sure to tell us.”

  She nodded as I met Kelly’s eyes, “Are you ready?”

  She rose her chin, stubbornly, “Yes, I’m ready.”

  “Make sure to listen to Jenna,“ I said to her and she nodded. I glanced around at the others, “Everyone else ready?”

  Everyone nodded. I glanced at my watch. The meeting should be ending within the next couple of minutes, “Then, follow me,” I said as we made our way down to the field. We were half-way to the exit when Mr. Connors stepped from the shadows. His face was stern.

  “Well, it seems that we didn’t have to find you, Appointed,” he said as his eyes turned a bright and vivid red. He glanced at each of us, obviously hoping to unnerve us. When we didn’t move he grinned.

  We backed up so that we were standing in the middle of the field. Mr. Connor’s followed us, stepping closer and closer. I kept my gaze carefully on him. Only Raina’s voice whispering my name, caused me to break my stare, “Look,” she said and I glanced around, realizing that twelve teachers stood around us.

  “Raina,” I said, swallowing hard, “about that bad feeling, could this have been what it was about?”

  “Most definitely,” she said in a shaky terrified voice.

  My heart seized as I glanced at Jenna, who was suddenly very pale, “How many are possessed?” I asked, hoping I was wrong about the answer.

  “All of them,” she confirmed, causing my heart to plummet into my stomach. As I looked around us, I couldn’t help but to think that this intervention was going to be hell.

  Chapter Nine

  The Breaking Point

  I closed my eyes and quickly went through the scenarios in my head causing the visions to slam through me until I found the one that would get us out alive. I opened my eyes and whispered to Raina, “Push them all back but Mr. Connors.”

  She nodded and began to throw the teachers back by giving them a mental push. I looked at my dad, “Help her,” I whispered and he nodded as he began to blow air out from between his lips so strongly that the possessed weren’t able to get up and walk toward us.

  “Kelly, heal Mr. Connors,” I said, frowning as I looked toward Jenna.

  “Who do you think needs to be healed first?” I asked, studying her intently, “Who has the strongest demon?”

  She looked around and her eyes landed on my English teacher, Mrs. Barrows. She pointed towards her, “She does,” She said.

  “We have to get the strongest first or we won’t win,” I said as Kelly pulled one of the demons of Legion from Mr. Connors, “Keep telling Kelly who is the strongest.”

  She nodded and then, moved to stand beside Kelly as Kelly’s voice pierced the air. She was calling out demanding her g
ift to work.

  My eyes widened as I saw a beautiful fallen angel with long blonde hair and deep blue eyes standing before us. Rope after rope of muscle covered him. He met my eyes and gave me an evil grin.

  “You think this is the end?” He asked, laughing, “We’ll just keep coming back again and again. We are eternal. You are mere humans.”

  “Well, I see how very alike you are to your master,” I said, rolling my eyes.

  He laughed, “Our master will take over. Our master will win,” he said, narrowing his eyes, “And you will bow to him.”

  It was my turn to laugh, “That’s how he got you to follow him,” I said, “You’re stupid.”

  “We’ll see how stupid I am when he keeps sending me back,” he said, raising his brow.

  “Keep coming back,“ I said as my brothers stepped up beside me, “And you’ll keep getting your ass beat again and again.”

  A moment later, Jonathon created a spear of ice and slammed it through his stomach. Jeremy held his hand out as a ball of fire formed in it and then, threw it at the fallen angel. Screams of pain pierced the air as Mr. Connors moved backwards away from the blazing demon.

  “Daniel, take Mr. Connors somewhere safe,” I said, frowning.

  Daniel nodded and then, was gone reappearing beside Mr. Connors before disappearing with Mr. Connors again. A few moments later, he was back.

  “Mrs. Barrows is next,” I said, swallowing, “We repeat it.”

  “Then, it’s Coach Toledo,” Jenna whispered and then, looked around again.

  I noticed Coach Toledo’s eyes narrow and I frowned as a female demon was pulled from Mrs. Barrows. Daniel transported her to safety. As my dad and Raina released Coach Toledo, he charged Jenna with his teeth bared.

  My eyes widened as I stepped in front of her, feeling the slash of his nails slit four long trails across my stomach. I heard a sharp intake of breath as hot, blistering pain burned paths through my body. Tears ran down my face as I heard Kelly pull the demon from Coach Toledo’s body. A moment later, I felt Kelly’s hands on me as I fell onto the soft grass of the field.