Immortal Memory (Book One)

by Sylvia Frances

  He paused and added, “They’ll be destroyed if I sense they’re here again. We’ll return to the island after I’m certain they’ve left. Tell them to go now.”

  Chill bumps spread across Simra’s clammy flesh. She turned to her family and concealed the panic in her voice. “Tristan doesn’t want any of you coming back here. Promise you won’t return.”

  Jeff nodded, grabbed Lucinda by the waist, and carried her downstairs. “We won’t come back as long as Tristan doesn’t hurt you and leaves us alone.”

  “He has my word,” Tristan growled.

  Simra repeated the demon’s reply to Jeff. “I love you, Grandmother. I love all of you.”

  Lucinda cried in agony when they took her down the stairs. Mandy’s stare pierced into her cousin when they turned to leave. Simra switched her thoughts again when new fears wanted to arise. Tears misted Simra’s eyes, and a sob caught in her throat. She restrained her rampant emotions.

  Nothing could ever return to normal for her again. Guilt ripped apart her tormented soul. Her loved ones endured too much. The curse on Lucinda needed to be broken. She refused giving up on her! Simra would blame herself forever if the curse claimed her grandmother’s life.

  “Baby, you all right? I’m sorry about what I said.” Tristan soothed away her tears with his thumb.

  “It’s not just that. I’m scared.”

  Tristan framed her face in his hands and placed his brow against hers. “I promise everything will be all right if your family and Jeff keeps their word. They must keep their promise, and you should trust me.”

  Not really listening to him, Simra gave Tristan a slight nod. Keeping her loved ones safe mattered most. If she had to risk her own life to save them, then it must be done.

  Tristan gathered her into his arms without Simra’s resistance. “I’ll take you back to the island where we’ll be safe from my brother.”

  Simra tried not to focus on how her grandmother cried and reached out for her. However, the despair in Lucinda’s tormented eyes shot through her body like hot needles. Anguish bled Simra’s heart to numbness. She must find a way to break Lucinda’s curse before it became too late.

  Simra needed to see Lucinda one last time. Zach or Tristan were not allowed to claim her grandmother’s soul. She would make certain of Lucinda’s safety. Never did she fear more for her family’s lives than now! If Simra had to die to save all of them, so be it. Focus. Focus.

  Chapter 32

  "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him have no lack!" -Psalm 34:7-9

  A dark void filled Zach as he awaited Simra and Azazel’s return on the island. The angel and Simra removed the curse on the place. But Christ also shielded Azazel from sensing anyone near the abandoned house again. All this was done through sacred and holy prayers.

  Gazing at the blue ocean, Zach was brought back to the tortuous moments on a similar island with Lucinda. The salty breeze drew a bitterness within him to remember what Azazel did. Zach understood why Lucinda hated beaches ever since it happened. He could still hear Lucinda’s painful screams from the past, and they’d haunt him forever.

  Azazel couldn’t have Lucinda years ago. Zach knew the demon would make certain Simra didn't escape. Simra and her family must stick to the plan. Nothing could go wrong.

  However, something else tore at the angel’s heart. He and Simra's grandmother would return to be with Christ very soon. Zach’s heart belonged to Lucinda years ago, but his love became stronger for her granddaughter. He could be cast out of heaven upon returning for not controlling his feelings for Simra. Why didn't God rebuke Zach for his mistake like He did last time with Lucinda? It was almost like Zach did nothing wrong. But that couldn't be true.

  God chose Melton for Lucinda just like He’d choose another mortal for Simra. Zach and Azazel were not meant for humans. Then again, how could Zach continue in heaven without his beautiful Simra? She taught him the true meaning of being in love.

  He’d only feel like half an angel without Simra by his side. Although she refused to part ways with Lucinda, the two must be separated. God began calling Lucinda home, and Lucinda was ready to be with Him, Melton, and the rest of the family.

  Zach fought all selfish desires of wanting Simra by his side whenever Azazel got destroyed. How horrible of him! He was beginning to think like his evil brother. She belonged with a mortal in her future. Not them.

  Zach sought strength to be happy for her, but his heart ached. The angel’s jaw clenched when he sensed his brother returning with Simra. Zach hid behind the forest of palm trees and observed them.

  Azazel placed Simra at her feet. The demon’s gaze shifted in all directions of the island. “Something feels different. It’s not a good feeling.”

  Bitterness seared through Zach. Yes, Christ was here with them. The Lord would protect Simra from getting harmed by the angel’s pesky brother. Jesus meant business, and so did Zach. Diving into Simra’s mind, Zach identified her powerful shield keeping the demon unaware of their plan. Good.

  Simra replied without revealing concern. “Didn’t you say there's powerful evil on the island? Perhaps it’s only your master. He probably knows how things were becoming almost uncontrollable for you.”

  Azazel scratched his chin and became lost in thought. “You’re right. I can’t see how the spell could ever be broken. Tell me again how Zach rescued you from here.”

  Simra shook her head and took his hand in her own. “Oh Tristan. You’re still always so suspicious about everything. I got worried about you and my family. I didn’t want anything terrible happening to any of you. I searched for a boat on the island and paddled out to sea. Zach found me far away from the island. I asked him to take me close to your house in Longview because I was worried.”

  Azazel squeezed her hands with affection as uneasiness still shadowed his blue eyes. “This is different. I know you couldn’t have broken the curse on the island. Zach can’t come near it. You wouldn’t know how to break such a complex spell. However, I’ve noticed how Zach seems stronger since I tried sending him back. It makes me think God made him this way for the battle against me.”

  Simra crawled into his arms and glanced around the island as if searching for Zach. “Just hold me. Can’t we enjoy these moments together? It’s been so long since we’ve had happy times alone like these. So much time between us has been lost.”

  Azazel drew her lips closer to his and gave her a brief kiss. The demon scanned the island a couple more times as though reassuring himself no one was there. “Time has been lost between us, princess. I want no more of it to be wasted. Our future together starts now….always and forever. We’ll be married in a few hours.” Azazel’s lips lifted into a tender smile, and he placed a strand of hair behind her ear.

  “Tristan, I’m exhausted and haven’t had rest in a long time. Can you fix me a bite to eat? I’m hungry and need to sleep for a bit.”

  Resting was in the plan. Zach had agreed to wait a few hours to proceed. She needed her strength to destroy Azazel.

  The demon brushed a soft kiss across her brow and trudged through the sand toward the forest. “I’ll find something to eat, and then, you should get some rest. You’re very deprived of sleep.”

  Grabbing the phone from her pocket, Simra read something on it. Zach dove into her thoughts again. Jeff sent her a message. They were having trouble convincing Pastor Mervin to come to the house and remove the curse. The preacher seemed frightened to face Azazel in his demon form.

  Simra placed a hand to her brow. Azazel would return any moment with food. Keying a message back to Jeff, she told him what to say to Pastor Mervin. Simra explained that the preacher must do this for Zach. It would save lives and set the angel free.

  The text message must have been sent with a poor signal on the island. It was hard to believe she received any service
at all. Maybe Christ caused her phone to have a small signal. Zach knew the Lord needed the demon to be destroyed.

  Simra and the rest of her family must stick to the plan. Their faith in Him was the key to success. If they didn't have faith, Azazel might win.

  The phone buzzed in response after several moments. The detective told her in a brief message how her idea succeeded with Pastor Mervin. The preacher had revered Zach. The angel suspected the idea would succeed. Her shoulders swayed, and she plopped into the hammock by the dying campfire.

  “Who were you texting, Simra?” Azazel’s disgusted voice came out of nowhere. He returned much too quickly and quietly.

  Simra gasped in surprise and turned to see Azazel stomping toward her. “The signal’s poor. It’s nothing.”

  “Give me the phone. Let me see.” Azazel dropped the fish on the ground. The demon growled in a heated rage and tried taking the phone from her before she jerked it away from him.

  “No, I don’t want you looking through my cell. What’s in my phone is none of your business! I told you it’s nothing. You make me uncomfortable when you behave this way. Please leave me alone, and let me rest. Can you at least do that one thing for me right now?” Simra controlled the infuriated tone in her voice. She slid the phone into her pocket. She gazed down at the fish, which was too dirty to eat now.

  “Fine. But they're inconsiderate of us. You should tell them to leave us alone. The phone shouldn’t have been brought here in the first place. I have a special romantic day planned for us after our marriage ceremony when you wake up.” Azazel brushed a soft kiss across her brow when she reclined in the hammock.

  Zach needed to keep a closer guard on him now. The gentle swaying of the palm trees and the supple waves rolled across the white shore. Simra drifted into a deep sleep.

  Azazel paced around the campfire. The demon’s eyes glowed as he studied Simra in her slumber. The angel’s evil brother walked toward her and slid the phone from her pocket.

  Zach’s plan would have to take place much sooner than anticipated. He prayed to the heavens in hopes that Pastor Mervin and Simra's family were close to finishing their parts.

  There wasn’t any time left, and Simra would not have much strength because of sleep deprivation. The demon read through the messages between Jeff and Simra. Azazel's eyes glowed with jealousy, hatred, and anger. Zach shook his head at the demon’s madness.

  The angel clenched his fists when Azazel threw Simra's phone against a palm tree trunk. The shattering object caused Simra to bolt up from the hammock. She rubbed her eyes and gazed around to see about the disturbance. Her lips parted in surprise when Azazel glowered over her.

  The demon's eyes glowed with heat as he stormed toward the campfire. He picked up one of the burning logs from the dying embers of the fire with his bare hands. Azazel threw it at one of the palm trees across from her.

  A vibrant blue streak of lightning flashed near them and startled Zach, Simra, and Azazel. The dying flames of the fire roared up from the ground and caused her to leap from the hammock. She broke into a mad run toward the trails. The pathways led through the thick trees of the island.

  The plans may be interrupted now. From where did the lightning come? Christ? The powerful thunder boomed behind it and caused a tremble to course through Zach.

  Surely Azazel’s master didn’t return to the island after the angel and Christ sent him away. If Azazel's master returned, Simra and her family were in great danger. But the Lord's great power always made every creature and soul tremble. For now, Zach must tackle one action at a time.

  Saving Simra’s life and getting away from Azazel came first. Zach didn’t consider who caused the thunder and lightning for now. Simra’s safety mattered more than anything!

  Chapter 33

  "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." -I Peter 5:8

  Simra’s temples throbbed from running so fast, but she resisted looking behind her. Tristan might be at her heels by now, but she was too afraid to glance back. Her body ached from being so tired. Because of hunger, her body grew weak. Simra’s muscles constricted with fear. She felt something would ruin their plans.

  Tristan couldn’t have caused those powerful streaks of lightning. Instead, it seemed to startle him. She couldn’t understand why Zach didn’t appear sooner to stop him! Zach appeared at such odd and unexpected times.

  There was a loud thud behind her. Simra dared taking a sideways glance at Tristan. He was just a breath away from her.

  Her heart fluttered when the angel grabbed his brother. Zach shoved him against a palm tree and pinned him against it. Zach mumbled in another dialect. Those vibrant streaks of lightning caught up with them and struck over Tristan’s head.

  The booming thunder brought a cold fear into the demon and the angel's eyes. The powerful weather wasn’t caused by Tristan or Zach. Neither of them frightened each other in the past. These vivid streaks were created by something more dominant than both of them. It must be an act of the Lord!

  The demon would fight harder now that he became aware of their plans. Her faith must stay strong. The lightning died away, and Tristan took both of his brother’s arms. The demon pinned him against the tree. Tristan began mumbling something in rage against Zach.

  Simra squared her shoulders and stomped toward Tristan. She placed her hand on him and whispered a soft prayer with renewed faith to the heavens. “God, forgive me for ever doubting You. Please protect us, and let Your will be done in all things. Cast out this demon so that we may do Your will. Amen.”

  Tristan threw his hand back to shove her away but Zach grabbed his hand to keep him from harming her. The angel mumbled something in a foreign language over him. She realized at that moment how God could not do all the work for her. Simra must take action too. This was the only way He could assist her.

  Simra jerked back when vivid lightning and roaring thunder erupted out of nowhere again. It struck Tristan down as Zach finished grumbling in another dialect. The demon’s wild glowing eyes grew wider in fear. He turned and ran away from them into the thick forest of swaying palm trees.

  Zach gathered Simra into his strong arms and carried her toward the shore. The demon could not be sensed anywhere on the island. Only Zach and the warm presence of God embraced her. The angel carried her over the waves of water.

  Simra squeezed Zach and closed her eyes. “Where’d he go? How soon do you think he’ll come back for us?”

  Zach gave her a worried stare, and they continued their quick travel back to Texas. “Azazel won’t stay in pain for long. He’ll be very angry and vengeful if he returns before we can destroy the body. I’m only warning you. He went to heal, and Azazel’s in pain from our prayers and faith. Thank you for being so brave. God saved us.”

  Simra tried to avoid the dizziness enveloping her and closed her eyes tighter. She clung to the angel and inhaled his strong cedar aroma. They had to hurry and find the corpse. The demon must be destroyed before Tristan returned.

  Simra’s head spun at how fast they moved. She inhaled a quavering breath when they appeared at the house. Simra opened her eyes to see Jeff’s brown Impala parked in the driveway. The warm spring breeze caressed her cheek and caused her to sigh. It was much different than the salty breath of ocean air.

  She turned to look at Zach. “Has Pastor Mervin come?”

  Zach’s lips tugged into a slight smile, and he nodded with approval. “Yes, he came, but Mandy and Jeff stayed. They still want to help but have done everything they can. It’s up to us now.”

  Zach could see the house now and walk inside of it. Loud hammering came from upstairs, and Simra squeezed Zach tighter in desperation. Did Tristan return already? Was he trying to hurt Jeff and Mandy? The angel released Simra, took her hand, and they hurried up the stairs.

  Peeking around the doorway, Simra gasped in surprise. Jeff tore apart the walls with an ax without wearing his shirt. Mandy stood on
the other end of the room with another ax. They tore big holes in the wall. The corpse's rotten stench burned Simra’s throat.

  The body couldn’t be inside the walls. Mandy and the detective must have searched the entire place while she was gone. They revealed the same amount of determination to destroy him as she did. However, only Simra and Zach could do the job.

  Simra stopped her friend and cousin in the middle of their intense work. “I appreciate the hard work you’re doing for me, guys. But you shouldn’t still be at this horrible place.”

  Jeff turned around and dropped his ax onto the floor. Perspiration beaded across his torso. “Sim, you’re all right! Where’s Tristan?”

  Simra returned Mandy’s gentle hug after her cousin dropped the ax onto the floor. “Yeah, I’m all right. Tristan’s in pain for now. Zach wounded him, but I don’t have much time. Guys, I’m the only one who can destroy it. The ritual won’t succeed if you two do this.”

  Mandy rested a soft hand across her cousin’s cheek. “Maybe that’s so, but we’ll at least help you find the body. So far, we’ve searched the entire house. Grandma kept looking at a spot in the ceiling when she was here. We think she knows where it’s located. This place has an attic, but we can’t find an entrance.”

  Simra cast all thoughts of the body aside. “Whose idea was it to bring Grandmother to this horrible place?”

  Jeff and Mandy exchanged troubled glances, and the detective spoke up to her. “It was my idea. She spoke to us and begged us to bring her here. She knows where the corpse is hidden. We believed she could lead us to the body. This is why we brought her with us. I apologize.”

  Mandy interjected before Simra had the chance to speak. “It’s strange because she only remembers and senses things about you and Tristan. It puzzles me how she has such a connection to you two.”