by Ciara Knight
“Then we must make her see she is the Chosen One.”
Alexander sighed. “We need to figure out what happened between us first. What we have to do to earn Heaven’s full blessing.”
“Patience, my child. In time, we’ll figure everything out.”
“Patience? We both know I’m not blessed with much of that,” Alexander huffed. Time was a luxury they didn’t have. If the war came and he fell to darkness at the hands of Satan, would Gabby fall with him?
He froze. That’s it. That was why they hadn’t bonded. “Perhaps we didn’t bond because she’s The Chosen One. It would be to big of a risk to bond her to a healing angel during wartime.”
Grace nodded, “It’s possible, but let’s keep that to ourselves for now. Until we know anything for sure, we don’t want to upset Gabby more than necessary.”
“I’ll go see her first thing in the morning and make sure she’s okay,” Sammy offered.
“Thanks. I’m worried. Things were crazy earlier, but I thought something was…off with Bruce,” Alexander said, recalling the faint scent of alcohol he’d smelled on Bruce’s breath while he healed Gabby. He didn’t want to accuse the man outright. Bruce had worked so hard to remain sober.
“You sensed it, too?” Boon shook his head. “Evil surrounds him.”
“Yeah, but I’m not sure it’s a demon in the traditional sense. I think he’s drinking again, and if Gabby finds out it’ll kill her.” There, he put the words out there and no one argued. If it was true, it was one more complication for Gabby to deal with. Not what she needed right now.
Boon snuggled Sammy back into his side and that familiar twinge of envy snapped at his gut.
“I’ve been scouting and there haven’t been any signs of demons,” Boon said. “We may have some time to work this all out. Maybe we should move Bruce and Gabby back to the house again.”
Alexander’s stomach flopped. The idea of her sleeping under the same roof all night, without touching her, drove him insane. His pulse quickened with the image of her parading around the house in her nightgown.
Grace sat down at the table. “I think we better come up with a new plan.”
“We need to start training again first thing in the morning,” Alexander said. “Boon should continue handling the training while I scout.”
They nodded, but they all knew that was just a temporary fix. They needed to find out more. According to Boon, the last war wiped out nearly all the angelic warriors, and in certain sections of the world, the human population. Of course, the humans blamed it on disease.
Alexander stabbed another piece of pie. “Boon, you were in the last war. What else can we do?”
A haunted shadow crossed Boon’s face. He visibly shook and Sammy pulled him close.
“Train. All we can do is prepare and pray we’re ready. We weren’t last time and…” Boon’s voice trailed off and Alexander knew it hurt too much to finish the thought, let alone the words.
“You told us that if you had known more at the start of the war it wouldn’t have been so devastating.”
“Yes.” Boon stared at nothing for a moment before continuing. “The war lasted so long.”
“Then this time we need to know more before going into this war.” Alexander leaned over the counter and took a bite. The cinnamon and hint of nutmeg coated his tongue with a little bit of Earthly bliss.
Boon’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Alexander Lohr, you’re not suggesting—”
“We go talk to Herak.”
Boon left Sammy’s side and moved with purpose toward Alexander. Grace maneuvered between them. “Now, boys.”
“You’re insane.”
“Am I? He has inside info on how the demons will fight. If we use him—”
“Use him?” Boon leaned around Grace to get into Alexander’s face. “You want to trust the most vile human ever to walk this earth? Who lead Hell in the last war that nearly destroyed humanity?”
Alexander huffed. “You trusted him when we flew to get the medicine that saved Sammy’s life.”
“That was different. We weren’t planning battle strategies. The man separated Sammy and me for over two thousand years? He nearly destroyed the entire planet, and you want to involve him in this war?”
Alexander stood firm, his shoulders back, his spine erect. “Yes.”
Chapter Four
“Dad, I’m home,” Gabby called out. The dim light above the stove cast a yellow glare across the kitchen’s linoleum floor. From the kitchen doorway, she saw a dark figure rustled on the couch in the living room a few feet away.
“Dad?”
Something was wrong. He knew to answer her immediately. They had a deal—call out then shoot. Never wait too long for an answer. Unfortunately, there was no gun in the kitchen. She made a mental note to correct that as soon as possible.
She slid a knife from the butcher block. Gripping it tight, she stepped into the living room. A faint sting covered her skin, but nothing happened. The great powers that usually burned or froze things in a matter of moments remained dormant. Yeah, so much for being the great commander of the angelic army. She couldn’t even command her powers at the threat of an intruder.
She flipped the light switch. The bulb flickered twice before it illuminated the room. A loud snort echoed. There lay her father on the couch, passed out. The all-too-familiar bottle of whiskey rested by his hand, hanging limp off the side of the brown and tan plaid sofa. The distinctive smell grew stronger with each step, until it finally overpowered the pine tree scented air freshener plugged in down the hall.
Her heart constricted. She collapsed on the floor by his side, the knife clanking against the top of the coffee table. She stroked his damp hair from his forehead. He’d been sober for almost a year this time.
Something must have happened. He wouldn’t have started drinking for no reason. No way would he give up now, not after everything he’d made it through.
He stirred. Talk about not being fair. If anyone needed or deserved a drink, she did. Not that she would ever touch the stuff, knowing what a mess it had made of her father.
Sighing, she stared at him. When had he gotten so old? She shook her head. Once he’d slept it off, she’d find out what had tossed him off the wagon then send him back to a rehab facility.
She grabbed the bottle and knife then spun on her heals and marched to the kitchen to wash out the remaining drops of caramel liquid. After all remnants were washed away, she tossed the bottle in the garbage and slid the knife back into its slot. With a long sigh, she started the alcoholic house search for his hidden stash, but found nothing. The normal signs of alcoholism weren’t there. Well, if you ignored that he was passed out cold with eighty-proof breath.
She stepped onto the back porch to get some fresh air. The flood light mounted under the eaves illuminated the backyard. Shoving the door open, she shuffled to the edge of the top step. Dust and dirt swirled into her face. She rubbed the grit from her eyes, searching the swaying trees for demons, as was her habit. After so many demon attacks she had every right to be paranoid. The green grass leading to the tree line still reminded her of the inferno she’d created last school year. It was amazing how fresh it looked now after being disintegrated into black and brown swirls.
Through the trees, she caught a glimpse of moonlight sparkling on the Gulf. She loved the ocean at night, even when a storm stirred up the waves and a strong breeze swept through the area.
Eyes closed, she inhaled and smiled. The scent of a nearby magnolia tree danced in the air. Warmth pulsed behind her eyelids. She blinked several times, figuring she must be tired.
Distant cries drew her attention and she focused on where she thought they were coming from. The colors of the forest muted to grayish-green. Mist swirled in lava-red and black, swooping up and around her body. Breath hitched in her throat as she waited for a demonic creature to show its face.
The ground rumbled under her feet. She lost her balance and caught the railing befo
re she made her way to the patch of grass below. A shimmer of red and orange erupted from the ground in front of her only a few feet away.
“Who’s there?” she demanded.
No answer.
Déjà vu hit with the memory of the last time she stood in this exact spot, when she had nearly burned her father to death.
No, not this time. One way or another she would control her powers.
The red and orange blurred together as an image took shape of a horrific battle scene. It played out before her like an old drive-in movie. People fell into a fiery abyss, slain angels littered the earth, and Hell reigned.
She gulped, the horror of what she was seeing strangely drawing her closer. The scent of burning feathers churned her stomach. The metallic taste of blood invaded her mouth. Screams echoed, cries pierced her skull. She pressed her palms over her ears to stifle the noise.
The angels were outnumbered twenty to one. Demonic creatures swatted them down with ease. But the angels fought back, stomping them like pesky bugs, only to have the creatures rise and fight again.
More and more of Hell’s minions rose to join the fray even as the angels’ numbers dwindled. The ground turned ruby red with the blood of the fallen, the skies black as though even the sun had given up.
The image flickered twice as the crevasse sealed, leaving the grass beneath her feet unmarked. The moon broke through the darkness and the smell of the pine and Magnolia blossoms returned.
She fell to her knees, clutching her head. “Is this what’s to come?” she cried into the night, but no answer came. “We’ll be out-numbered. Why would you send us to our death?” She rocked on her knees, begging to the surrounding night. “Mother, please. Tell me what to do. I know you wouldn’t abandon me here on Earth.”
Join your enemies, a whisper floated in the air.
She shot up and looked around. She sensed no aura nor did any demonic creature come crashing through the woods. Warmth bathed her skin in a golden glow. The smell of lilac perfume tickled her nose as a sense of weightlessness lightened her heavy heart. “Mother?”
Common enemies should become your allies. Forras, you need him.
“Gabby!” Alexander’s voice broke the trance. Her mother’s scent faded, overpowered by the smell of trees and grass. Someday she’d have her close again, for more than a few seconds.
She pushed to stand, her legs barely supporting her weighted soul.
Alexander clutched her shoulders. “Are you okay? What happened?” He looked her up and down, his eyebrows raised with concern. She knew he checked her for wounds.
“I’m fine.”
Boon and Sammy stood near the tree line, poised to attack.
“It’s okay. No demons around tonight.” She sighed at the irony of her father back inside fighting his own demon.
Boon and Sammy clasped hands and exchanged a loving look. Her stomach tightened with need. She wanted to experience that with Alexander.
Still alert, Boon searched the area as he approached. “I sense a demonic presence. Are you sure?”
“Yes. Well, there was a demonic presence. I think Hell sent me a warning that we don’t stand a chance. We’re doomed to lose the war.”
Boon’s eyebrows furrowed. “Don’t let them mess with you. Remember, you are their biggest threat.”
Threat? She shook off the self-doubt and focused on what needed to be done. “It wasn’t just the demonic propaganda. I also saw my mother. Well, not saw, but felt, heard, and smelled her. Okay, that sounds crazy, but you know what I mean. She came to help me.” Her heart fluttered at the realization her mother still watched over her.
They exchanged concerned glances. Alexander raised one eyebrow with that I-can’t-believe-she-fell-for-that look.
“It’s true.”
“Gabby.” Boon paused, and she knew he was searching for the right words, ones that wouldn’t tick her off. No one wanted to make an out-of-control, slightly imbalanced, weapon-of-destruction mad. “Demons manipulate and trick us. It’s part of how they fought the last war. They make people believe things. Twist their emotions, so people will react and do crazy things. Remember when the Prim—”
“But this is my mother were talking about. I know last time the Prim twisted my thoughts, but the principal isn’t here anymore. I know it was my mother, and she told me to befriend my enemies. They will even the numbers for the war.”
Boon’s eyes grew wide as did the others. “Gabby, we—”
“It wasn’t a trick. It was my mother. I know it.”
They all stood in silence, trying to keep their doubt from showing on their faces. Her body shook with frustration.
Alexander wrapped his arms around her and kissed her head. “You know I love you. I will fight by your side, die to protect you.” He pulled her tighter, and she lost herself in his embrace.
“I know,” she murmured, her head buried in his strong chest, the place she was supposed to spend the entire night.
“You have to trust us. Boon sensed the demonic presence, but none of us saw an aura or detected an angel.”
She pushed from his strong embrace. “How am I supposed to command others in this war if you don’t trust me?”
“It’s not that,” Boon interjected. “I know how quickly one can betray us. Herak was a friend once, and look how that turned out.”
“No. My mother came to help. I’m the commander of the army, and we will work together to figure out what she meant. It’s the only way we’ll have a chance to win this war.”
Smiling, Sammy nodded. “I agree. We need to work together.”
Alexander nodded. “I’ll try to figure out what your mother meant.”
Gabby stilled her emotions and readied herself for the fight. “Thanks, Alex. Your support means everything to me.”
He brushed his lips over her cheek and whispered, “Always.”
“Great, because you need to find Forras.”
Alexander drew away from her, eyes blazing, but she grasped his arms. “He’s dead. You killed him. He’s serves Satan now.”
“Listen to me.” Gabby held tight and locked gazes with him. “My mother told me he could even the odds in the war. He must’ve escaped when we freed the trapped souls. We need more warriors to fight and if he didn’t join Satan, perhaps his heart has changed.”
Alexander twisted his arms in her grasp to clutch her elbows tight. “I know without talking to him, he’ll openly side with Hell.”
He had a point. Why would Forras fight for them? She didn’t have an answer, but something inside told her he would.
Sammy snapped her fingers. “The girl he loved. We need to speak with Grace. He would’ve done anything for her. That’s what caused him to fall.”
Alexander loosened his grip and turned on Sammy. “You’ve just admitted it. He fell. He chose to give up earth and pledge his life to Satan when he attempted to murder us. He’s not of this world or Heaven anymore.”
Gabby squeezed his arm to regain his attention. “We have to try.”
Alexander rubbed the back of his neck. “Gabby, you realize he’s the one responsible for your mother’s death, the one who caused your father to start drinking? Not to mention, he almost took you from me once. I won’t let that happen again.”
“We’ll be smarter this time. I trust my mother. If we can find him, we’ll figure it out. He’d be the perfect asset in this war.”
“He’ll turn on you, corrupt everyone. Heck, if he is here that’s why your father is drinking again.” Alexander palmed his forehead then looked back at Gabby.
The words hung in the air for a long time before anyone moved. Her heart ached. They knew.
She forced the words from her lips. “How long have you known?”
Alexander’s face softened and his eyebrows rose with pity. “Gabby, sweetheart, I’m sorry.”
“How long?” Gabby gritted her teeth. How could he keep that from her?
“At the wedding. I smelled alcohol. I wasn’t sure, and I d
idn’t want to say anything until I was certain.” Alexander took her hand in his and stroked his thumb over her knuckles. “You knew?”
Gabby’s throat constricted with grief and she had to clear it before she could speak. “He’s passed out on the couch.”
Boon stepped toward her house and scanned the area. “I knew something demonic had been lurking around, but I don’t know what.”
Sammy stroked Gabby’s upper arm. “We’ll figure out what got to him. I don’t believe Bruce decided to start drinking again on his own. He wouldn’t do that to you, Gabby.”
“It’s an illness. He can’t help it.” Gabby spoke the words she’d rehearsed so many times since he returned from rehab, but they still sounded like an empty excuse. She couldn’t understand why he just didn’t stop. Surely, if he loved her enough, he would.
Sammy squeezed her shoulder and went to Boon’s side. “What are you thinking?”
“Don’t know.” Boon weaved his arm behind Sammy’s back and stood there for a moment. “We might not have to go far to find Forras.”
“You mean you believe he’s been messing with my dad?” Gabby blurted.
Alexander pulled her hands to his chest. “You still think it’s a good idea to have him join us?”
“No, but I don’t know that we have a choice.” Gabby struggled to make a decision, but that was her job. Dark clouds swirled in the sky and she knew time was running out. “I believe he was released when the gates were opened, so it makes sense he would return here. We have to figure out how to find him and convince him to fight for us. If he won’t, then we’ll send him back to darkness.”
“Agreed.” Boon sauntered past them with Sammy by his side. “Alexander, you should stay here tonight. And Sammy and I won’t be far away.”
Gabby thought about what her father would do as a hunter, to find Forras and capture him. She didn’t like where it led her, but she knew what she had to do. “Don’t stay too close. If Forras wants my dad, then that’s how we trap him.”