Simra closed her eyes in relief and held the note close to her heart. Then, she turned to the angel and tried grasping everything he said. Why did Zach tell her Lucinda already passed away in the dream? It must not have been real.
However, every part felt like it really happened. The snow, the evergreen trees, and Zach’s touch sent spirals of splendor through her body. It warmed her skin to remember the way it felt in his loving embrace.
Tristan might bother Mandy and Lucinda at work. Panic rose from the depths of Simra’s heart. She must restore her faith in God. Zach kept saying how she needed to let go of the past to be free. She didn’t grasp what he meant. Simra took his hand and followed him.
She never wanted to listen to him most of the time. However, she began accepting other things he told her. What he said in the dream sent her into a whirlwind of confusion.
“Where are we going, Zach?”
The angel gathered her into his arms after they stepped off the high porch of the house. “First, we’ll speak to Pastor Mervin. Then, we’re going to my mom and dad’s. You'll talk to them about taking necessary precautions. Something terrible will happen. I hope we aren’t too late.”
A warm security melted her insides like sweet honey when he held her so tight against him. Zach could be quite arrogant at times, but he also had such a tender side. How he saved her life multiple times would never be forgotten. She’d never forget how he saved her family and Jeff’s lives either. She owed the angel everything for what he did.
Simra almost didn't notice when they arrived at the church. “The pastor’s inside?”
He placed her on the long sidewalk leading to the entrance. Zach nodded and stepped closer to her. “Yes. Go inside and ask for Pastor Lynn Mervin. Tell him to write a sacred prayer for protection against my demon brother. You need to give it to my mom and dad. He knows us.”
“Will he believe me about Tristan? Why can’t I use the prayer for me and my loved ones?”
“Yes, Simra. He believes demons exist just as he knows angels and God are real. He knew me from years ago and recently. Tell him you can see and talk to me. Zach Hanley. You can say the prayer, but please work on your faith. You and your family must have faith. And you all are already taking necessary precautions. Seek God in everything you do. Trust that He's in control.”
Simra’s soul froze to ice at how this angel seemed to know so much about her and her family. She didn’t have faith because of past occurrences. It didn’t help that they were all in danger by Tristan. Their involvement might diminish their faith in God more.
Simra nodded and took hesitant steps up the long walkway leading to the church. Zach stayed outside to guard the place. The old door creaked open. She walked down the aisle between the wooden pews.
The flames flickered on long white candles on the other side of the pews. Their light cast dim shadows against the walls. She still smelled the faint aroma of smoke from the matches.
God’s warm presence embraced her. The haunting faint tune of “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” came from the back of the church. The song was played on a piano and cello, and a sob caught in her throat. She regretted not trusting Jesus through all this. But how could she?
So much had been snatched from her life when she trusted Him in the past. A short older man approached her with recognition. His neat black hair was slicked down, and his blue eyes searched hers.
Simra gazed at the floor and lifted her eyes back to him. “Pastor Lynn Mervin?”
“Yes? And you are?”
“Simra Reece, a friend of Dr. Zach Hanley’s.” She explained everything the angel told her to say. Simra asked the pastor to give her the prayer for protection.
The preacher clasped his hands. “Are you related to Melton and Lucinda Reece? You remind me so much of Lucinda."
"That's my grandparents."
Pastor Mervin smiled. "I knew your grandparents and Zach very well. I was there when everything happened years ago. He never stopped blaming himself after he returned years later. It isn't his fault that Azazel cursed Lucinda. It's a shame what people said in the news about Zach years ago. He's nothing like his brother. I’m very sorry for your encounter with Azazel. I’ll give you everything you need and perhaps more. Please stop by the church and consult me anytime. You're at Cathleen's lake house where Lucinda stayed I hope?”
Simra forgot for a moment that the lake house was her Aunt Cathleen's years ago. "Cathleen? Yeah, my family and I are staying there until Zach and I destroy the demon."
"Good. Zach's fighting so hard to keep everyone safe. Please do everything he says. He knows how his brother's mind works, and he'll protect you all. I'll go and write that prayer for you."
The preacher turned to go in the back of the building and left her there. Relief washed through Simra to hear everything the preacher said. He knew her grandparents, Zach, and Tristan from years ago. Pastor Mervin would be excellent to go to if she started having doubts about Zach again.
A pastor like him could be trusted. He seemed to be a true follower of Christ. The preacher returned in no time with a piece of paper.
The man handed it to her with a frown darkening his face. “Hold on to your trust in the Lord. Demons are the most dangerous creatures. They work for Satan. Don’t fall for their tricks. Remember that God’s much more powerful than every being in creation, including the devil.”
She had already fallen for Tristan’s lies and tricks countless times in the past. She learned her lesson and would never believe anything the demon said again. Zach and God were there to assist her, but the problem was trusting them. Would the Lord allow all that pain in her life again? Would she ever understand the reason He allowed it? Keeping everyone safe from Tristan was her main priority now.
Simra took the paper and shook his hand. “Thank you, Pastor Mervin. Your understanding and support are much appreciated.”
“Be careful, Simra.”
Simra smiled and walked out the door to greet Zach. “He’s a nice man, but I don’t know if I should tell your parents about their son being a demon.”
Zach gave her a sarcastic laugh. “They already know somewhat. They had a brief encounter with him and me recently. Come, we have to go. Something terrible is about to happen. I sense it. I hope we’re not too late.”
He swept her up into his arms. They arrived across the street from a large brick home. Cop cars and an ambulance were lined up in the driveway. Something terrible happened, and they must have been too late.
Simra felt the blood rushing from her face. “Oh no! What happened?”
Zach almost dropped her. He rushed inside to see about the disturbance. An older woman hurried out of the house alongside several paramedics. The men carried a covered body on the small bed. The lady broke down into continuous sobs.
Zach tried reaching out to the woman who must have been his mom. Then, he pulled back when he seemed to realize she couldn’t feel him. Instead, he raised a fist in the air and cried out in rage.
Guilt pounded at Simra for not doing what he asked in the beginning. She placed her own family’s needs first. Simra only worried about protecting her own loved ones. She had been so selfish. Someone in Zach’s family got murdered because of her.
No one other than Tristan could have killed this innocent person. From now on, Simra would do everything Zach told her. It was the only way she knew how to make it up to him. Trust and compassion began to fill her heart.
Tears flowed down her cheeks for the angel and his family. Simra flinched at the vibrating cell phone in her pocket. “Yeah?”
“Simra, this is Jeff. Listen, I don’t know how, but Quint escaped. His prison cell was still locked after it happened. You believe Tristan had something to do with this?”
Chapter 17
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them." -Matthew 18:20
Simra held back a sob. “I suppose he did. Jeff, I think Zach’s dad was murdered. I’m sure Tristan or the drug dealer
did it. I have to go. I’m at his parents' house right now. I’ll call you back.” She hung up in time to see Zach stomping toward her.
A heated scowl shadowed across the angel’s face before he rushed to leave. “I’m finding Azazel. Talk to and stay with Mom.”
Simra started to tell him how Quint escaped, but the words froze from escaping her lips. Simra shook her head, and more shameful tears fell from her eyes. The cop cars left, and she realized she must speak to Zach and Tristan’s mother. She brushed away her tears. Simra gathered up the courage and walked toward the wide front door of the brick home to knock.
The older woman peeked out the door but didn’t open it all of the way. Ms. Hanley’s blue eyes were swollen and red from crying. She squinted at Simra. “Can I help you?”
Simra nodded and forced a smile. “Hi, Ms. Hanley. I’m a friend of Zach’s. I know this sounds insane, but he's an angel. And I've been seeing him. He brought me here to protect you from your husband's murderer.”
Ms. Hanley’s lips parted in surprise, and she broke down into more sobs. The woman closed the door halfway. “How do I know you aren’t a friend of the murderer’s?”
“Please trust me, Ms. Hanley. The killer's after me too. A drug dealer named Quint killed Tristan. You might not have heard the news, but I was engaged to Tristan last year. He won’t leave me alone now. Zach’s been protecting me from him and Quint. Your son told me he witnessed how Tristan’s been tormenting you and your husband. However, I see we were much too late to stop the murder. Zach’s very angry and is chasing after Tristan now.”
The woman’s eyes widened with astonishment. Ms. Hanley opened the door wider and placed a hand to her heart. Her thin gray hair barely reached her neckline. “You’re Simra, Tristan’s fiancé? He’s dead? My sons are the ones bothering us? Come in. Tell me more. I know you endured such a difficult time with Tristan and how he must’ve treated you. I’ve heard so much about you from him before he disappeared. I believe you.”
Simra sighed from relief when Zach and Tristan’s mom opened the door for her to enter. “Yeah, I’m Simra Reece. Tristan’s my ex-fiancé. He’s not just a spirit; he’s a demon.”
She tried to hide the surprise from his mom knowing about her. Tristan went into great detail about his parents being dead when they first met. That could explain his future plans of murdering them. The thought caused her to shiver with dread, but she didn’t dare tell his mom.
She described everything to Ms. Hanley, including how it began with her grandmother. Simra told her about the protective barrier around the lake house. She explained about her and her family staying there.
“Ms. Hanley, Zach wanted me to give you this prayer for your protection. My grandmother and I are the only ones who can see him and Tristan. Your strong faith will protect you as you recite this each day. I suggest we pray together now. Who murdered your husband? Was it Tristan or Quint?”
Ms. Hanley broke down into lengthy sobs. “That explains so much about my sons. I've always questioned things about them. The killer claimed his name was Quint. He shot my husband. He said Tristan owed him money. He wanted the money from us. We didn't have it. Let's pray.”
Unable to refrain herself, Simra placed an arm around the woman to soothe her. “I promise Zach and I will keep you safe from your evil son and Quint. You'll be safer staying at the lake house with us. We’ll recite the prayer now. Then, you should start packing.”
More tears fell from the woman’s eyes. “Thank you, dear. I'll pack my things and stay with all of you.”
Simra smiled with relief and unfolded the piece of paper the preacher gave her. She and Ms. Hanley recited the prayer and bible verses together. They held hands until they finished. Tears fell from their eyes while they read.
A special bond grew between them that Simra couldn’t describe. Glory spread throughout Simra’s soul from sharing the Lord with another person. God did protect her and her family at the lake house. He also sent Zach to save them at Mandy’s. Simra's faith grew stronger.
God might protect Zach’s mom too. Simra closed her eyes to pray a silent ‘thank you’ to the Holy Spirit. She caught a glimpse of Zach walking past the window. The angel must have returned from finding his brother.
Simra placed her hand on Ms. Hanley’s. “I believe I see Zach outside. He might be waiting on me. I’ll be right back.”
Ms. Hanley squeezed Simra’s hand with tears streaming down her cheeks. “Please tell him to come inside.”
“I will.”
Simra walked out the door and stepped onto the lawn. She scanned the yard for him. Her stomach twisted in knots at the thought of her family being in danger right now. Tristan and Quint were both on the loose. Her family might be their next target.
She needed to make sure her loved ones were safe. Silence settled around the area. Simra turned to go back inside the house. Maybe it was only her troubled imagination.
Strong hands clasped her shoulders and turned her around to face glowing demon eyes. “Hi, baby. You’re coming with me now.”
Tristan covered her mouth to stop her from screaming. “My brother got distracted when he found your other detective boyfriend in trouble with Quint. Zach's too busy guarding your other lover. He confuses me. The guy’s supposedly in love with you, yet he protects that loser cop.”
Simra struggled to free herself from Tristan’s tight grip. He traveled across town with her in his arms. The demon’s strength overwhelmed her with a consuming surge of dizziness. Her heart raced out of control. This might be the end of her life.
Tristan could be taking her away to be with him forever. A deep, frigid regret filled her soul. She mistook him for Zach. The two brothers shared all physical qualities except their height.
Hopefully, Ms. Hanley would go straight to the lake house for safety. Maybe the woman would be all right. However, Jeff was in grave danger. His life might be snatched away by the hands of a money-hungry murderer. And Simra was helpless.
Chapter 18
"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." -Isaiah 43:18-19
Tristan placed Simra on her feet at a familiar pond. Several gar swam near the shore beside the winding path. She peered through the forest behind them and noticed no one around. Birds chirped along the edge of the woods. The sun splayed its warmth against her back.
The strong perfume of purple wisterias drew Simra back to their first kiss in this same spot. She would not be drawn into his game again. Although the place seemed like a hidden paradise, it filled her with dark memories. A sickness nauseated her and made her weak. She didn’t know how much longer she could stand being there with him.
The demon took a step closer to her, and his grin widened. “I knew you’d remember this place. I still come here to go back to that special moment every day. Simra, I love you. I’m trying to change. Zach isn’t good for you. Don’t fall for his tricks. I admit to having problems, but my brother’s filling your head with lies.”
Simra turned to leave from this horrid place. She needed to escape somehow. She turned to him before breaking into a mad run down the winding path. “I’m not foolish enough to fall for your lies ever again, Tristan. I trust Zach.”
Thunder boomed all around, and the skies darkened. Several flashes of lightning struck near Simra. Her feet froze in place. Tristan’s captivating blue eyes began to glow. He seemed to stir up the dangerous storm to stop her from leaving.
Tristan motioned for her to return to him. “Come back here, and don’t ever try anything like that again.”
Her knees wobbled, and she took unsteady steps toward him. Trying to hide her fright, she lifted her chin with defiance. “I’m not falling for your tricks. I don’t care what you tell me. Zach will come for me soon, and he always succeeds in defeating you.”
His eyes softened to the same shade of the ocean again. Tristan
reached for her hands and pulled her closer. His breath froze her lips. The demon drew her deep into haunted memories. “I want to show you something Zach did to your grandmother. This is no lie. He can’t be trusted.”
Tristan framed her face with his hands before she could jerk herself free. He consumed her lips with a long kiss. Flashes of her and Tristan's happy moments together replayed in her mind.
Simra got transported to the lake house. The only difference was that it didn't appear remodeled. Zach kissed a young woman, who looked like her. They kissed in the same bedroom where Simra slept. Zach pulled away, but the woman reached out for him again.
"No, I can't do this with you, Lucinda. It's not meant to be, and it's wrong. You're distracting me from what God sent me to do, and this must stop between us."
Tears filled Lucinda's eyes. "That's all I am to you? A distraction? I thought you loved me."
Zach stepped toward her, but Lucinda ran out of the house. The environment changed to the sandy shore of the lake. Simra recognized the young man holding Lucinda. He was her grandfather when he was young. He looked just like he did in the pictures.
Lucinda wiped tears from her cheeks. "He told me he loved me, tells me I'm a distraction, and vanishes. What kind of man does that to a woman?"
Melton lifted her chin with a finger and gazed into her eyes. "Lucinda-"
Simra’s breath caught in her throat when the vision faded. Tristan got wrenched away from her by the angel. Zach’s eyes lit with fire, and he pinned his brother against a tree trunk. Her ex-fiancé jerked himself loose. The demon slammed Zach against another tree. Simra’s feet remained glued to the ground.
She closed her eyes tight and whispered a prayer to the heavens. “God, please surround me with Your loving presence and cast out all evil. Let Thy will be done. Amen.”
A violent storm hovered. Heavy raindrops splashed across Simra’s face. Blazes of lightning zigzagged all around, and deafening thunder boomed louder. Her eyes scanned the path and forest for a route of escape.
Immortal Memory (Book One) Page 10