What am I going to do? Why didn’t I just lie?
Cody doesn’t let me gather myself. He pressed in and scores a hit on the side of my head. I throw my head back, and it grazes me.
I grab his shirt and push as hard as I can. Cody stumbles a few steps back.
“Stop it!” I order. “Leave me alone.”
Cody doesn’t answer. He charges again. This time I’m ready. He has a pattern. First the head. Then the stomach.
He swings again. I block with ease. And grin. Cody has a look of confusion on his face. I’d wager that no one has ever taken time to study his fighting habit and then stood up to him.
He shifts his weight backwards. I follow. I need to get out of this trap, and I want to show him how it feels to get beat up. I fake a punch to his stomach. He falls for it and tries to block.
He never sees my fist until it’s inches away from his face. With a jerk, he pulls backwards. My fist connects with his jaw, and he flies through the air. He crashes on the floor with a thud.
I wait. I won’t kick him when he’s down. I’m not like him. He groans and gets to his feet slowly.
“I’m...I...” He backs up to the door. He reaches for the door handle and dashes out the door.
I did it!
I laugh. He’ll be sore for a while, and he’ll have fun explaining why the back of his shirt is all wet. I wait a minute and then go back to Ryan’s truck to wait for them there.
* * *
Eli shoved his sword into his sheath. The boy had managed to stand up to the bully. The angel watched when the boy got into the truck and picked up his phone.
He should have been happy about Nic’s victory, but he wasn’t. Chasdiel didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to. Even Sari looked disappointed. Her green eyes no longer twinkled with joy.
Eli used his foot to spread out the puddle of water that was on the floor of the bathroom. Someone else was going to trip and fall on it.
Nic didn’t know it, but his punch only pushed Cody into the puddle. When Cody dodged Nic’s attack, his foot slipped. Nic’s fist grazed Cody’s cheek, but it would have done nothing more than that.
Nic had a victory, but not because of anything he had done. It was a lucky accident. And now the boy was going to be filled with confidence that he could fight his way out of any trouble without the help of the Creator.
Eli knew that the boy would try and fail. He had seen it many times before.
Chapter Fifty-Six
Fun
Liam lingered outside Grangeville until the sun started to set. It was finally his turn with the boy. He had watched Rob botch the job Henry gave him, and now he was sent to fix everything again.
“How many times have I fixed problems for Henry? How many stage coaches, wagon, and trains have I stolen from? And what do I get in return? Nothing.”
The woods around him fell quiet when he spoke, and there were no answer. Liam leaned against a tree and fumed about Henry’s words from earlier that day. It had started when Rob slinked back into the office after failing to change Nic yet again.
“You’ve had all the chances you need!” Henry roared at Rob, who was cowering like he always did. “What are you waiting for?”
“The time wasn’t right,” Rob stammered. “His aunt and uncle came back when...”
“You could deal with them,” Liam sneered. Rob was always too slow to kill, too reluctant to embrace the gift Henry had bestowed on him when he was dying.
If only we didn’t need Rob.
For a few valid reasons, Henry had kept Rob close. Liam hadn’t bothered much with the boy. The good thing about him was that Rob knew his place in the group. Liam considered this the most important quality of the lesser vampires.
It was a simple hierarchy. Henry, as always, was their leader. As his right-hand man, Liam had the freedom to do what he liked most of the time. He shared in most of the riches and power, but he lacked one thing.
Liam shifted to sprawl across the chair and studied Henry’s office. Rob stood close to the door, like he couldn’t wait to leave. Catherine perched on the edge of the sofa, too wound up to relax.
“Rob’s too nice to kill anyone just because,” Catherine scoffed, tossing her long red hair over her shoulders.
Catherine was an exact copy of her mom, Cynthia. Liam didn’t know what had caused him more grief–the day when Cynthia left him for Henry or the day she died.
He had remained loyal even when Henry took her away. He had remained supportive to Henry when everyone else left, but Liam never got the one thing that he wanted. He kept that desire to himself and waited for the greatest prize of all, Henry’s only daughter.
“He’s too weak,” Catherine continued with her criticism of Rob. “He always has been.”
Henry paced back to his desk. “You were supposed to make him fall in love with you! Make him give his soul for an eternity with you. Your mother would not have failed like you have.”
Catherine’s face fell with disappointment at her dad’s words. Liam almost laughed. He had stopped trying to please Henry a long time ago. She’d do better if she followed his example.
“I don’t want to be with him, Father,” she protested. “He’s a boy. And I don’t like how he looks. I want someone taller with blue eyes and...”
Liam realized she wasn’t describing him and shifted to throw his legs over the armrest.
So she wants a pretty boy? I’ll rip the throats out of any pretty boy she finds until she crawls to me.
“I don’t care!” Henry yelled over her words. “You wouldn’t care either if you had any sense. Do you realize who he may be?”
Catherine pushed her lips together in a stubborn line and glared back at her father. Liam snorted. Her temper was inherited from Henry, and like him, she could barely control it.
Too bad she didn’t inherit one of his good qualities. Guess she couldn’t. He doesn’t have any.
“Nic could be the greatest warrior in all of history. He won’t just be good at killing people. Even the holy angels will be victim to his sword. Do you know what the demon overlords would give to have him by their side?” Henry lectured while he picked up one of the papers Liam had printed about Nic and crumpled it in his hand.
He rarely released his temper on Catherine, but his voice rose as he continued. “The Great One will heap rewards on him. And you will be a queen with all you ever wanted at your fingertips. I will not have you miss this chance because he doesn’t have blue eyes!”
You never thought to offer me Catherine! Liam watched Henry with narrowed eyes, barely able to keep the sneer back. Don’t I deserve her and far more? And yet you treat me as a common servant when I’m as powerful, if not more, than you.
But instead Henry was throwing his daughter to this kid. Liam was going to have to take what he wanted. If Henry got in the way, he wasn’t going to stop, even if it meant sending Henry to the pits of Hell. He had enough of sacrificing for no reward.
Has he forgotten how Cynthia belonged to me in the first place?
This boy was not Liam’s equal. He was a tool to be used against the demons. Luckily, Rob took the soft approach at changing Nic and failed.
It was time for Liam to make his move and take what he wanted. When it was done, Henry would come running to him for help and protection.
“He doesn’t even have a sword,” Catherine pouted.
“I don’t know why it’s taking so long,” Liam drawled. He couldn’t sound too eager. “The boy is weak, and he’s especially vulnerable in one area.”
Henry whipped around to Liam. “The troublemaker speaks! Haven’t your grand plans caused us enough trouble already?”
Liam bit back the angry words that rose.
“Maybe they have.” Liam forced the words out. He needed Henry to believe that he was still a willing servant. “But all you have to do to the boy is take what he loves and threaten to destroy it. He’ll do anything to stop you.”
Henry studied Liam for a minute, his
dark eyes filled with rage.
“Do it,” he ordered. “Get it done before I take someone’s head.”
Liam sighed and sat still, pretending he didn’t want to do this task. He shifted to his best whiny voice. “Only if you let me have that human girl as mine.”
“What human girl?” Henry snapped, not interested in Liam’s request.
“That one who was with Nic here,” Liam said dismissively. “She saw us and this place, so she needs to die anyway. Let me do it.”
“No!” Rob gasped and leaped out of his corner. “You’ll leave her alone.”
Liam laughed. “Have feelings for her, do you? Well, maybe this lesson will teach you to follow your orders.”
“I don’t care about this girl!” Henry bellowed. “Why are we talking about her? She saw us. She must die. Those are our rules. Do whatever you want, Liam. Just change Nic.”
Rob broke in to protest but stopped when Henry stared him down.
“And you.” Henry pointed at Rob. “You get the others here. With the boy at our side, we’ll be ready for our war, and we’ll need all the soldiers we can get. Get every vampire who has sworn allegiance. It’s time they did something useful.”
Rob nodded, although his face was twisted in agony. Liam waited for him to protest or argue, but the words never came. Perhaps Rob knew it was pointless. Their vow held them too tight.
“Catherine, you too!” Henry ordered. “Help find the others and have them report here. You’re about to reap greatly from this endeavor. You can put a little work into it as well. Wipe that frown off your face and get used to the idea. You’ll thank me one day.”
Catherine glared at the floor. The room fell into silence. Only Liam was eager to depart on his task, but didn’t dare show it.
“What are you waiting for, idiots?” Henry roared. “Get out of here! And bring that boy to me!”
Liam fumed as he made his way to Nic’s house. Everyone fawned over the boy. It was disgusting. And, yes, he would bring the boy to Henry, but not as Henry expected.
He spent the day in the forest overlooking Grangeville and plotting. He was used to waiting for long stretches until the time was right to strike. Then he would hit so hard that nothing would be left behind. When the darkness fell, he started putting his plan into action.
He was going to take everything Nic loved, get him to swear an allegiance that would bind the boy as his slave, not Henry’s. Then Liam would be the one in control, and Catherine would be his.
He paused and calculated the distance. If he was quick about it, there would be enough time.
He left the path and turned to Grangeville. Skirting the edge of the small town, he made his way to the other side where a house sat far from its neighbors. He grinned as he stopped to study the house.
Just her in the house. Could it be any more perfect?
He broke the door down with one blow. Megan screamed as the wood flew across the living room and shattered the television on the other side of the room. Liam let her scream and struggle for a few minutes before making his move.
This was going to be fun.
* * *
Blaise glided silently above Liam. The vampire was up to something, and the demon trusted him less than he did Henry.
Once Liam entered Megan’s house, Blaise knew exactly what he was up to. He turned to the soldier following him.
“Come!” he commanded. “We are going to gather the others for battle.”
He sped back to Goddard’s headquarters. He had to get his troops out of the castle and return before Liam changed the boy. And he had to do it in a way that didn’t raise Goddard’s suspicions. He’d let the vampire do all the hard work. Then when the time was right, he’d swoop in and make Nic his slave forever.
The boy wouldn’t see it coming.
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Cop Out
Ryan and Aunt Kate don’t ask about my leaving from church. Maybe it’s my good mood. I just can’t stop thinking about punching Cody.
I did it! I beat down a bully. I don’t have to live in fear because I can take care of myself!
I realize Cody may come at me again, or Tyler may organize a group of them to gang up on me. I spend some of the afternoon running through some kung fu in my room. I need to check to see if Lewiston has anyone who could teach me more. Maybe Aunt Kate would let me drive there once a week or so.
Once it’s time for youth group, I grin as I drive my car down to the church, grateful for the chance to get away from the house.
It’s kind of an odd night with Megan not there. I should feel relieved, but I miss her. Claude says she has a headache and leads us in a prayer for her. I wondered if she is out with Tyler. I’m still wondering why it bothers me that she might be with the jerk.
Matthew suggests going to the Camas Cafe after youth group for a hamburger. I agree and send Aunt Kate a quick text saying that I will be late.
We head to a small cafe crammed in between a sportsman store and a saddle shop. The bell rings as Matthew pushes open the door. An older woman with tousled gray hair gives us a weary smile and a nod. We’re the only customers there.
Matthew leads the way to the back past a beat-up pool table and flops down at a booth that looks like it’s from the seventies. There are scratches on the table and the material covering the benches is torn and ragged.
The older lady comes over with a piece of paper and an irritated look on her face, ready to take our order.
“Sorry, Patty.” Matthew grins. “Were you closing?”
“Not for an hour,” Patty responds without a grin. “What can I get you?”
Her attitude doesn’t faze Matthew. Perhaps he’s used to it. Or maybe he’s being nice because this obviously isn’t a great place to work or make a ton of money.
“Coke, cheeseburger, and some Ranch on the side,” Matthew rattles off without looking at the menu.
“The usual, then?” Patty asks.
“It’s the best.” Matthew shrugs.
Patty writes it down and glances at me.
“Uh,” I stammer. I glance at the menu but can’t study it with them watching me. “The same. If it’s the best, then that’s what I want.”
Patty nods and shuffles off. I glance around at the old pictures of scenery on the wall and notice the local country station is playing. I’ve heard so much country since I’ve been here. All I need is to get it stuck in my head.
Patty comes back with two plastic glasses and a couple of straws. Some Coke spills as she plunks them down on the table. She doesn’t say a word as she takes off again.
“Service isn’t great,” Matthew says wryly, “and their food matches.”
I raise my eyebrows.
So why are we here?
“It’s the only place open,” he says, guessing my question.
That information floors me. I’ve driven through Grangeville at night and seen the dark windows. But I didn’t think what that meant. I could name off ten places close to our house in Chicago that stayed open all night, not including pizza places.
I will never get used to this place.
“Is it true you put pickles on hot dogs?” Matthew asks with a grin.
I grin as I remember the choice of food that used to surround me. “Yep. Man, I miss the food there.”
Matthew takes in the Camas Cafe. “A bit of a change?”
“Just a little,” I quip. “So small I barely noticed.”
Matthew gives a quick laugh and then sobers. “Have you thought much of what happened that night by the mammoth bones?”
Ah, so this is why you suggested coming here.
“A bit,” I admit.
You’re afraid, aren’t you? You probably have had nightmares of demons. The terror fills you. How much should I tell you? I don’t want to freak you out more.
“That was the coolest thing ever!” Matthew bursts out.
I almost drop my Coke.
Are you crazy?
“I mean, all my life
I’ve heard about angels and how they do cool stuff like that,” Matthew gushes. “I’ve read all the stories in the Bible but never thought I’d see one. And then to see him fight! Wow! That was incredible.”
“Yeah, it was,” I agree without any feeling before I take a drink.
Matthew picks up on my hesitation. “Oh, it was scary. I saw you looking at something on the roof, but it wasn’t until it started flying that I saw what it was. I thought I was tough, and nothing could scare me. But, man, when I saw it, I’ve never been so shook up.”
“I know what you mean,” I say.
“But, you know, while it was coming straight at me,” Matthew continues. “It looked only at you. It wanted you for something.”
Should I tell you what Blaise said to me? Are you someone who can handle the truth about what I see?
But the secret has been locked away inside of me for so long I don’t know how to begin. Besides, I can barely talk about Mom without getting shaky still, and that’s not what I want to happen here.
Matthew falls quiet whens Patty returns with two plates and plops them down in front of us. Besides the hamburger, there’s a gorgeous heap of greasy French fries and a large serving of Ranch. Patty shuffles off.
“The fries are amazing.” Matthew takes a handful.
I taste one. He’s right. “Well, it must be all those Idaho potatoes.”
“You know, I’ve never even seen a potato field!” Matthew laughs as he dives into his food. He talks around his bites and changes the subject back. “But then that angel showed up. That was awesome! To think someone like that watches over us and protects us. You are a Christian, right?”
The stories from Sunday School tell how Jesus died on the cross for our sins. And I know I’ve done stuff I shouldn’t have.
But am I a Christian?
There’s a set of rules that go around with being a Christian. I know this from my church days with Mom. Once you agree to be a Christian, you have to do stuff.
Devil's Pathway Page 26