Chapter 22
Two nights later I was ready. I had spent five full days with Samael, and I was finally able to ascertain his pattern. I knew where he would be tonight.
It was damp, the air was wet, and the chill in my body felt like it would shake me to the bone. I concentrated on my mission, willing my teeth not to chatter. Looking into the sky through the breaks in the clouds, I could see Orion’s belt. I felt strength drawn from the stories of Orion’s exploits.
Orion was the greatest hunter of all time, blinded once and then given his sight before he was killed and cast into the heavens. I looked to Peanut, “Look boy, I can see Orion and Sirius. You think they can help us? If we were Greeks hundreds of years ago, I’d say they’re watching over us through the clouds to see our hunt.” I scratched his ears, reveling at the absurdity of my statement. “We’ll make our mark tonight and get our lives back. We just have to sit through this crappy weather until the Beast comes home.”
My mind wandered a bit, to the night I had found Max and Ski in Afghanistan waiting to be rescued. Orion had been shining high that night, too. The constellation did something to calm my nerves, to ease the damp chill.
Peanut watched me. He didn’t flinch, he didn’t bark or growl. My good sense told me I should have left him at the house, but as I tried to drive away and leave him, something in my gut said I needed him with me. I stared at Orion and Sirius. No kill they ever made could have been as crucial as the one I’d make tonight.
The Beast, Samael, always arrived around nine p.m. at whatever house he stayed in. I glanced at my watch. We had been huddled here in the drizzle for two hours, with only ten minutes to go. I could see every entrance into the house: the ornate front door off the main porch, the servant entrance on the side of the house, and a back door leading to a second floor entry. I wished to myself that I had bought a sniper rifle. The Beast would not know who dealt the fatal wound if I were a little further away, he would only know that he died. Instead, I stayed crouched in the darkness with my Glock, knowing that he’d not only see who’d killed him, he’d see the hatred in my eyes and feel my rage when he took his final breath.
I had never considered myself a predator, but everything this thing had put me through brought out my most primal side. I knew I could never again hold Max in my arms, see my family at the holidays, or even walk into a grocery store without looking over my shoulder if he were permitted to live. Tonight I would get my life back, get back in the driver’s seat, and try to unscrew everything this thing had managed to screw up.
I thought of Max that first morning with his unexpected arrival at the nursing home. Before he walked into my room, I knew he was alive but believed him to be on the other side of the world. What sheer and utter complete joy I felt at seeing him. No joy could ever be more than that moment. As I looked into myself, I felt the emptiness, knowing that when tonight was over that gaping hole in my chest would be closed and I would be with Max again. A tunnel appeared in my vision as if my subconscious wanted me to see Max in this moment. I willed the tunnel to go away. I needed my focus. I couldn’t afford to see what anyone else was doing.
My focus was rewarded only seconds after I willed the tunnel away. Headlights pulled into the driveway. A sleek Mercedes sedan pulled in, half way to the garage. When it did, the lights nearly blinded me as they were pointed directly at the bushes I had taken for cover. Peanut released a low rumbling growl deep within his diaphragm, but he didn’t twitch a muscle. I slowly put my hand over his eyes to shield them from the headlight’s beams to keep the reflection on his eyes from giving away our position. He must have understood because he didn’t move, or bark, or increase his rumbling growl.
The headlights finally cut off, and I was momentarily night blinded. I saw the driver’s side door open and someone step out. I was no further than forty feet, significantly closer than the targets I had opened fire on in Marvin’s shooting range. My breath was steady, the safety was off, and I began to squeeze the trigger when my night vision fully returned, but it wasn’t Samael that I was aimed in on. It was someone I’d not seen before. I looked at Peanut and whispered, “Who is it, boy?”
Peanut’s throaty growl continued, I hesitated. Making a mistake and killing someone that wasn’t our target would be murder. I aimed at the person’s head but began to doubt the legitimacy of the target. I came here to get my life back; I didn’t come here to be a murderer. I lowered the weapon and Peanut’s growl intensified, he believed this person to be worthy of a kill. I was cold and wet and wanted nothing more than this Beast to take his last breath, but killing the wrong target would only send him deep into hiding.
The person must have heard Peanut because in a strange, almost pre-pubescent voice I heard, “Is someone there? Hello?”
Peanut had to have sensed my hesitation because he charged out of the bushes straight for the man. In three strides he was over half the distance and the man with the boy’s voice changed in front of my eyes - to a bear. The horror of seeing a man turn into a beast before my eyes sent convulsions through my body. I raised the Glock and let off every shot in the clip. It sounded like a war zone. The Bear stood there beside the Mercedes on his hind legs, swatting at the attacking Peanut. When my clip was empty the bear was still standing, I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t hit him with any of the shots. Peanut continued aggressively attacking in a circle. I wasn’t sure if Peanut was giving me time to reload or to escape - I did neither, frozen in place and scared out of my wits, I watched.
The bear let out a huge roar and unsuccessfully swung his massive paws at Peanut. The attacking Peanut never actually got close enough to take a hit. This went on for at least twenty seconds when the Bear shifted into a bird of some kind and took flight. He was over the house’s roof and out of sight before I found my lungs. Adrenaline was pulsing through my veins and fear ripped through my body.
I had parked the van two blocks away, and Peanut and I sprinted for it. As we were running through backyards, security lights were going on all over the place, and I knew faces were watching through curtained windows. Gun shots in this part of town would have drawn attention, and it was only a matter of minutes before I would be trying to outrun the police. We made it to the van and got the hell out of there.
We were on the interstate before I let my thoughts return to what had just happened. I had failed. He was still alive and now he knew I was targeting him. My moment’s hesitation cost me the peace I so desperately craved, and the reunion with my friends and family felt further away than ever.
I looked at the cell phone, trying to decide if I could risk a call to Max. I needed him. Not only did my body long for him, but the gaping hole of emptiness was growing larger by the minute; I knew I had to talk to him. I pulled off the exit on the interstate and decided I would call him just long enough to hear his voice. I wouldn’t share with him what had happened, but I just needed his voice to calm me down. Listening to him for a couple minutes would sooth me, help me figure out what the hell I was supposed to do next.
As I reached to power the phone on, the phone came to life by itself – before I had even touched the power button. I was already rattled, so a cell with a mind of its own nearly sent me into orbit. As I watched the lighted keypad, I saw fifty-five unheard messages appear on the screen, then - it rang.
The number looked familiar, but my mind wasn’t moving quickly enough, and I couldn’t place it. I pressed the call button, “Yes?”
It was Samael’s voice, “Tracing Max’s calls paid off after-all. I am disappointed in your marksmanship skills. I appreciated that you gave me a fighting chance, but I am not thrilled that you hid in my bushes like a coward. Is this what your friends on the Council have taught you? There is no honor in what you have done. As your reward for such cowardice, I just wanted to share with you that your friends and family are now fair game. I did not include them in our little quarrel, until now. Congratulations, Lauren, now we’ll see who is better capable of hitting below the belt.
”
I screamed into the phone, but my caller disconnected and my phone powered itself back off. My mind raced from my parents to Max, to Seth, back to Max, and to everyone I knew he had interviewed the last several days. I pushed the power button on the cell knowing this was it, I had to warn everyone.
As I started to scroll through the contacts the phone made a loud pop and light smoke emanated from it. It was broken, really broken. There was no way I could drive to everyone’s houses to warn them. I pulled into a gas station looking for a pay phone - there wasn’t one. As I started to circle the lot to make my way to another gas station, I put the van in park and closed my eyes. I may not have a phone, but I knew someone who did. I telepathically called to Rewsna, “Please help me, the Beast knows I tried to kill it. That thing is going after everyone. You have to help me!”
Rewsna’s voice was back immediately, “I will send Council members to everyone, show me what just happened.” I did as I was told and replayed the incident outside the Beast’s house as well as the call I had just received.
“Lauren, go home – we will be at your house after we have taken care of your loved ones. Talk to no one, go now.”
Chapter 22
Instead of going straight back to my house as I had been instructed, I knew I needed communication with the rest of the world. I stopped and bought a pre-paid cell phone and sprinted back out to the van. I dialed Max’s number, he didn’t answer. I dialed again and got his voice mail a second time. I told him where I was staying and asked him to meet me there.
I called Rachael, but she didn’t answer either. Panic gripped me when I thought of the possibility that the Beast could already be seeking his revenge on me through everyone else. My hands were shaking so uncontrollably that I couldn’t hold the wheel. The cloudy sky let loose with a pouring rain and seeing even a few feet in front of the van was nearly impossible.
I called my house and my father answered. “Dad? It’s Lauren.”
“Lauren, where are you?”
“Exit 194, I’m okay but there is a psycho killer that’s coming after you and mom. You need to get out of the house right now!”
He was stunned, either by finally hearing from me or me telling him that Samael was coming to kill him. I wasn’t sure which. All he said was, “What?”
“Dad, just get mom and get out of the house, right now. In fact, come to where I am staying.” I gave my dad my address and directions on how to find the place.
“Lauren, what’s going on? You know we’ve been looking for you?”
“Dad, there isn’t time right now. Get out of the house, come to where I’m staying, and I promise I’ll explain everything. You and mom have to leave right now!”
“Okay, we’ll come, have you called the police?”
“Dad, just come to my place. I promise I’ll tell you what’s going on. You have to leave right now.” I knew if I stayed on the phone with him he would just keep asking more questions trying to make sense of what was going on. I disconnected with him and saw that Rachael was calling me back.
I went through essentially the identical conversation with her that I had just had with my father. She didn’t try to find out any details. She took down my address and said she’d see me soon. I called Seth, and he picked up on the second ring. I breathed a heavy sigh of relief. My initial worries that this thing was able to attack all my friends and family simultaneously subsided.
Seth said, “Lauren, your dad just called, what’s going on?”
“Seth, that private investigator my dad hired to find me is a serial killer. You need to get out of your house. He’s going after all of my friends and family. Get Amanda and come to my house right now.”
“The private investigator? Are you sure?”
“Yes, Seth, it’s really important. You need to come to where I am staying right now. It’s the only place he doesn’t know about.”
“Lauren, that Samael guy called right before your dad. He said he had news about you that he didn’t feel comfortable sharing with your father. He’s on his way here right now. He said he wanted to talk to me in person.”
I could feel my heart pumping ice through my veins. In a cross between a screech and a scream I yelled, “Seth, get Amanda and get out! Get out right now!”
Seth spoke very deliberately, “His car just pulled up out front; he’s here now.”
Tears rolled down my cheeks, the hair on my arms was standing on end, and I begged him, “No, Seth, don’t open the door, whatever you do don’t let him in the house. Hang up and call the police, tell them the house is being broken into. Do it now.”
I hung up and put the phone down, nearly shouting in my mind, “Rewsna, that thing is at Seth’s house, right now!”
Rewsna’s telepathic response came to me immediately, in a calm voice, “Lauren, we will help Seth. You get home.”
I couldn’t see through the blinding rain to drive, so I remained parked on the side of the road. I closed my eyes and saw the tunnel appear; I stepped into it and was at Seth’s place. I could see he and Amanda were panic stricken sitting in their living room holding each other. The door bell rang and neither moved. It rang again, while both remained frozen on their sofa.
I heard a loud click as the latch to the door unlocked itself. I could see the horror on Seth and Amanda’s faces as they held each other tighter. I watched the door handle turn and the door slowly open. Samael peered through the opening of the door and found both their faces immediately. He said in an almost jovial voice, “Well, it seems I nearly missed the party.”
Seth’s voice was strong when he answered, “I’ve called the police. We know who you are. They’re on their way right now.”
Samael’s smile grew, “Obviously, if you’ve called the police, you have no idea who I am. Lauren is always a little more resourceful than I give her credit for. You know she tried to kill me tonight? She hid in my bushes and attempted to ambush me. I told her I would exact my revenge through those she cared about the most. I let her know that your blood would be on her hands. The police are an inconvenience, of course, but a promise is a promise, am I right?”
Amanda’s silent sobs gained real volume at this, and Seth looked to her for just a moment before he picked up a baseball bat from the floor and stood up protecting her. Samael’s enormous smile somehow grew larger, “Now that’s what I’m talking about. If you’re going to try to kill someone, be open about it, stand with some pride. I’ll even give you the first swing. Make it a good one.”
Still sounding brave, Seth told him, “Just leave us alone. No one has to get hurt. Just go.”
Samael’s smile subsided as his voice changed, “Seth, this is going to end badly no matter what. I’m giving you one free swing, but if you wish to waste time, I’ll not be so amicable. Tick tock, Seth. I have a schedule to keep.”
Samael took a step toward Seth with his arms outstretched. Seth reacted and swung blindly, missing him by more than a foot. Samael shook his head and replied, “Well, that was unfortunate.” He looked at Amanda nearly inconsolable, still seated behind Seth, “Dear, this will all be over quickly, please stop that incessant crying.”
Seth swung again and connected, hard. The force of the bat against Samael’s skull knocked him to the floor. Seth and Amanda remained frozen, and I watched in horror as Samael lifted his head slightly off the floor. He laid face down for a few seconds. I could see Seth taking a step in Samael’s direction when Samael pushed his body off the floor. He was on his hands and knees staring directly at Seth one second then transformed into a wolf in front of them. The wolf’s teeth were bared and he was ready to lunge. At that second a single gunshot echoed from the doorway as a uniformed police officer stood wide eyed, staring at the feral animal.
The wolf turned around and charged the police officer when a second gunshot sounded. This time the wolf whimpered and abandoned his charge, moving instead to the open front door and nimbly making his way into the night.
Relief washed over me
: Seth and Amanda were safe. My heart was racing, but I knew they were going to be okay, so I stepped back through the tunnel to my reality and saw that Peanut was stretched across the bench seat with his head across my lap. I looked out the windshield to see that the rain had diminished enough to continue the drive again. I took a deep breath and let the joy of Seth and Amanda’s victory wash over me. I called to Rewsna again and showed her what had just happened.
“Lauren, I am pleased they are both safe, but you must get home now. It is not safe for you exposed as you are. The Council has not been able to locate your Max. Go home so that we can find him together.”
The brief relief I felt when I knew Seth and Amanda were okay was short lived. “Rewsna, I’ll look for him now.”
Her voice was clear and not as collected as before, “No, get back to your house. Max must be safe at the moment. The Beast is capable of many things, but he cannot be in two places at once. Go back to your house. We will all be meeting there.”
Chapter 23
The tiny house I had rented was busting at the seams from all the people suddenly occupying it. I had not met most of the Council members before tonight, but I assumed anyone at the house I didn’t know must be part of the Council. Mom, Dad, Seth, Amanda, Rachael, Melissa, and Wanda were all huddled in the living room. I noticed my brother and his family were absent, Rewsna had heard my apprehension when her answer resonated in my head, “Lauren, he has a protection detail en route to him. He and his family will be fine.”
Rewsna, Mike, and the others I had not met were in the kitchen. Remembering what had happened with Joe, Max, and Benny, I heard Mike tell Peanut to check everyone out. Peanut must have understood his mission was sensitive because I watched him systematically sniff every person in the small house. He looked like any normal dog greeting a house full of guests. When he was done, he came back to me and lay at my feet, not a hair out of place or even a rumble of concern.
Destiny's Revenge (Destiny Series - Book 2) Page 13