The Sacrifice (The Alexandra Denton Chronicles Book 4)

by Amanda K. Dudley-Penn

I took a step toward Semarias, confused by what he was saying, “What does that have to do with Lucifer entering the world? If they are good, we have nothing to worry about.”

  Semarias took a deep breath, “It has everything to do with it. He isn’t allowed to enter the world physically until his time but he can through spirit which only allows him to tempt people. He can’t hurt them physically. Angels can enter the world physically. If he possesses an angel, he can physically hurt or kill people and he would. No one would be safe. The whole world would be in peril.”

  “Has he possessed an angel?” I asked, terrified. My mind offered up scenarios I was sure would be less severe than what would actually happen if Lucifer was able to roam free on earth.

  “Not yet. He has to break their defenses first,” he said and a tremble shook him as a tear fell down his cheek, “He’s already started breaking the defense of one of the angels. His name is Ezra.”

  I stared into his face as my stomach flipped nervously. Something else was going on. It was something that affected Semarias. He was more upset than I’d ever seen him and there was only one reason that I could think of for that.

  “Did you know him?” I asked, bracing myself for the answer because I understood that he did know him. I just didn’t understand how. I narrowed my eyes angrily because suddenly, I realized that Lucifer had found a way to not only hurt us but Semarias too.

  He nodded before meeting my eyes. I swallowed as I saw tears resting within them, “Ezra is my brother,” he said in a hoarse voice.

  All of the breath left my body so quickly that it was like I had been punched. In one swift move, Lucifer had hurt every single one of us. Worse, he had also made sure that Semarias would be conflicted and would risk falling. After all, how was he going to protect me when his brother’s life was on the line. Worse I couldn’t blame him because as the old saying goes, blood is thicker than water.

  Chapter Four

  Bearer of Bad News

  I hated to say it but I had ignored a lot of things in the past year. One of those things was the jealousy between Daniel and Ky. It had been bad before the battle with the fallen but something had happened during it that made it much worse. Daniel had sacrificed himself to save me. He didn’t do it for any other reason than he loved me. Ky had been defensive since then and hated when I was alone with Daniel. It always caused arguments. Even though, I still had feelings for Daniel, I would never betray Ky. Still, his jealousy was becoming an issue. Worse, he was beginning to become jealous of Semarias. I guess that I couldn’t really blame him. Still, what was I supposed to do? He was my guardian angel. I couldn’t send him away. I would be unprotected. Besides, I didn’t want to. Regardless of my feelings, he was my friend.

  When it came to the feelings I had for Semarias, I understood why I had begun to experience the heart flutters and the flip of the stomach when I was with him. He was always there for me and I understood that had contributed to everything I was feeling for him.

  My feelings for Daniel were different. They had always been there. Since we were little, I loved Daniel. We dated and he hurt me when he broke up with me for another girl. Ky had stepped in and saved me from myself but that didn’t take the love I had for Daniel away. The truth is that it would always be there.

  The feelings I had for Ky had developed during the darkest part of my life. Considering how my life went, that period was devoid of life and light. He had brought those two things back into my world. I had a choice between him and Daniel and in the end, I had chosen him. I hadn’t cheated on him. I didn’t lie to him. I suppose it was worse because he knew that I still loved Daniel and he suspected my feelings for Semarias but he couldn’t doubt that I loved him, could he? I winced as I thought of it. I suppose he could.

  When Ky arrived the next morning, I didn’t lie to him about my visit with Semarias. I told him what Semarias had found out and how his brother, Ezra was connected to it. Instead of showing sympathy, jealousy lit in Ky’s eyes.

  “He couldn’t come to you while you were with me?” Ky said, narrowing his eyes angrily, “Why does he always have to be alone with you?”

  “He’s my guardian angel,” I said defensively, “He’s around me all of the time. He’s doing his job. He’s protecting me. One of the ways that he has protected me is by giving me information. Would you rather he didn’t? Do you want me in danger all because you don’t trust me?”

  Ky’s shoulders bowed forward, “I do trust you,” he said as his gaze softened with guilt, “It’s just hard. Why can’t you understand that?”

  “Why can’t you understand that I chose you,” I said with a sigh, “I am with you. I didn’t choose Semarias or Daniel even though I could have.”

  He nodded as he let out a defeated sigh, “You’re right,” he said but I could still see the distress in his eyes. I hated that I was hurting him all because I couldn’t control my feelings. Sometimes, I wondered if I would do less damage if I wasn’t with him. He must have seen the thought because he pulled me into his arms and kissed the top of my head, “I’m sorry,” he whispered, “It’s not your fault.”

  I shook my head, “It is my fault,” I said with a sigh, “I should be able to control my emotions. I know it’s hard on you because I can’t.”

  “It’s hard on you too,” he said, backing away and caressing my cheek. He released me with a sigh before he glanced at his watch and groaned, “I have to go. I’ve got to pick up Aubrey from cheerleading practice,” he said and gave me a weak grin, “I’ll be back later.”

  I blinked as he said his sister’s name and a tremble worked through me. Pain sliced through my head and I cried out unable to stop the sound from slipping past my lips before I was instantly plunged into darkness. Faces floated in front of me and immediately I realized that these were the next in line to receive our gifts. I frowned as I recognized each of them as their terror filled faces occupied my vision. Each were being attacked by the fallen. Just after I would witness the face of each member of the Appointed they were connected to. As the last face faded, I fell to my knees and the pain of the vision finally passed.

  “Alex,” Ky said, kneeling beside me with wide eyes, “You had a vision, didn’t you? What did you see?”

  “I saw them,” I whispered, brokenly, “I saw the descendants.”

  Ky tried to pull me to him but instead, I gazed up into Ky’s face terrified as I remembered who was connected to him. She had been in her cheerleading uniform when I saw her, “You have to get to Aubrey,” I said, trembling, “You have to get to her now.”

  “Why?” Ky asked as his face paled.

  “She’s your descendant,” I said, swallowing, “She’s was in her cheerleading uniform when she was attacked. She is in danger right now.”

  “Aubrey,” he said, trembling as he rose. He stared at me conflicted, “What about you, Alex? Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. My mother is here. I’ll go get her and then, I’m going to call a meeting,” I said, meeting his wide eyes, “I think everyone needs to know who they should be looking out for.”

  He nodded as he helped me to my feet, “Don’t go out on the deck by yourself,” he said swallowing hard, “It’s not safe. I don’t need to be worried about you too.”

  I nodded, “I won’t,” I said.

  He caressed my cheek again before he kissed me quickly and then, disappeared out of the door. I went in search of my mother already pulling out my cellphone so I could call the meeting. I sighed sadly. I hated that I was the one who always gave bad news.

  **********

  Ky called me twenty minutes after he left to tell me that he had Aubrey and that there had been no sign of the fallen. For now, she was safe but she wouldn’t always be. She had to know about the Appointed and that she was a descendant. Though I winced inwardly at the pain that would cause, she would have to know who she was and who her brother was to be able to protect herself. I also found comfort in the fact that she would discover that her mother, Micah had been a
hero before she died and passed her gift to Ky.

  I hung up the phone as I experienced a deep sense of melancholy. My brothers and sister had moved into the living room. Each were nervous but they didn’t ask me anything about the vision. I had guessed the reason was that I had told them that I had seen who their descendants were. I saw in their eyes that they didn’t want to find out who would take their places if they died but they realized they would have to so they could protect them.

  Daniel was the first of the other Appointed to arrive. Of course, it was easy to arrive first when his gift allowed him to think of where he wanted to be and he’d be there in less than a second. He had materialized in my living room. One second he wasn’t there and the next he was standing in front of me with worry clouding his dark brown eyes.

  “Are you okay?” He asked with a frown as he studied my face.

  It was such a simple question but our relationship was far from simple. It caused me to be unsure of the appropriate way to answer.

  “I’m okay,” I whispered. He let out a pent up breath and then, nodded once before he moved to one of the chairs surrounding a small coffee table in the center of the room and sat down.

  It took the rest of the Appointed longer than usual to arrive. I realized they were all procrastinating. Just like my siblings, they didn’t want to know who would take their place.

  Lynne and Bastian were the next to arrive followed by Gloria and Drake. My gaze settled on Lynne cradling Caleb close to her chest. My heart clenched. He was a little less than three months old and already he was surrounded by danger because Lynne and his father Bastian were part of the Appointed.

  My gaze moved to Gloria and Drake who were standing near their daughter and grandson. Gloria’s eyes met mine. She hadn’t touched me so she didn’t know what was in store. She gave me a shaky smile and grabbed Drake’s hand.

  My father arrived shortly after they did. He seemed tired but I suppose he always was. He had three gifts which had to be hard to control at all times. He could see the dead, he could blow strong winds and find anything that was lost. He once told me that he had to pay attention to each breath he took or someone would witness his gift. I couldn’t imagine having to do that. I gave him a small hug as he came in and stood next to me.

  Just behind him was Leighton, Sarah and Jenna. There were dark spots beneath Leighton’s eyes but I understood why. He had been going through everyone’s dreams making sure that Lucifer or the fallen didn’t attack us there. I raised my brows at him and he shook his head. Which meant that nothing evil had made its presence in people’s dreams.

  My gaze shifted to Sarah who could shapeshift into any animal and speak to them. It was always an amazing thing to see a pretty brown headed girl one moment and then, a tiger or a snake the next. Sarah smiled solemnly at me as she took a seat on the couch.

  My gaze move to Jenna who resembled a blonde headed, blue eyed angel. She had the most important gift of the group. She could see people’s auras which also meant that she could see who was possessed. It was less dangerous when someone was near you with that ability.

  Jace, Catherine and Raina arrived next. Jace was a telepath, while his girlfriend, Catherine could control people’s senses. While Jace’s gift might annoy people it did help us. It was Catherine’s gift that could be really dark if she wanted it to be. If she wanted someone to believe they were on fire. She could make them see it, smell it, taste it, hear it and feel it. Her gift could be truly terrifying.

  Raina was my brother, Jeremy’s girlfriend. She was able to move things with her mind and had more than once saved us with her gift. She her dark brows at me. Out of everyone, she seemed the least nervous about finding out who would be her descendant. She just took her seat and waited quietly for the last of the Appointed arrived.

  Will and Clyde finally arrived ten minutes later. Will was able to control time and he was horribly cocky about it. Still, he was a good friend and was always there when you needed him.

  Clyde had super strength. That wouldn’t surprise anyone who met him. He was well over six feet tall and looked like he could easily crush you. However, he was one of the gentlest people I knew.

  Bastian moved in front of me when everyone had settled down, “It’s not good news, is it, Alex?” Bastian asked scrutinizing my face.

  I bit my lip and frowned, “It depends on how you look at it,” I said, glancing around the room, “I know your descendants as I said on the phone. We can look at them two ways. These are the people who will take our places when we die but they are also people we need to protect. In a lot of cases, they are people we love.”

  “Mine is Caleb, right?” Lynne asked on a sob.

  I sighed as I nodded, heartbroken that I couldn’t tell her that it wasn’t true but I also couldn’t keep it from her, “I’m sorry, Lynne,” I said going to her and caressing Caleb’s little cheek, “It is.”

  “We won’t let anything happen to him,” Bastian assured her but I could see the fear on his face.

  “Bastian, he’s not your descendant,” I said, raising my chin, “He’s not like my dad.”

  “Who is mine then?” He asked frowning as his eyes widened at the possibility that he would be protecting two people he loved.

  “I remember how I was once told that the Appointed always found us,” I said, sadly, “I suppose the Descendants do too. Yours is Brady. I guess he’s a distant cousin.”

  Bastian nodded, “He is,” He said, surprising me with the knowledge, “We found out while doing our genealogy last year.”

  I nodded as I walked to my father, “You know it’s Matt, Ariel and Annaleigh.”

  “That’s been confirmed over and over,” he said, swiping his hand over his brow.

  “We need to come up with a plan about Matt,” I said and he nodded.

  “We will,” He said, swallowing hard, “I promise.”

  I glanced at the chair where Daniel sat, “Yours is your cousin, Cally.”

  Daniel cursed. Cally was only twelve and Daniel was very protective of her. To him, she was the little sister he never had. I winced at the pain in his eyes and moved to Raina.

  “Yours surprised me the most,” I said, tilting my head, “She’s a girl I met during my stay at Running Rivers. Her name is Everly. She’s my friend.”

  Raina frowned, “Can you get her to come here?” She asked concerned for her even though they hadn’t met.

  “I’ve already made the call,” I said, giving her a small smile.

  My gaze moved to my gentle giant of a friend, Clyde. This would be one of the hardest to tell, “I’m sorry, Clyde,” I said, swallowing hard, “It’s your baby sister. It’s Espy.”

  “No,” he whispered as his lip trembled. Will clapped him on the back in support but my eyes moved to him.

  “Your Descendant is your cousin, Terrin,” I said as I watched a muscle tick beneath Will’s eye.

  “You’re sure?” He asked, frowning.

  “I’m positive,” I said before moving to Leighton.

  Leighton’s eyes narrowed as he braced himself. I took a deep breath and released it slowly, “Your descendant is your cousin, Libby.”

  “She’s too little,” he said as his eyes widened in shock.

  “So, is Espy and Annaleigh and Ariel and Caleb and Terrin,” I said, glancing around the room, “There are a lot of children. Remember we were children when we became the Appointed.”

  He was still shaking his head when I stood in front of Sarah, “Your cousin, Nikki,” I said, softly and she nodded as a sob broke from her throat.

  I frowned as I gazed into Jenna’s face. She was trembling and I would only make it worse, “Your cousin Leslie is your Descendant.”

  Jenna nodded as a single tear rolled down her cheek. I moved to my brothers and sister, “Yours are brothers,” I said, glancing at all three of them, “They are our cousins Darren, Blake and Evan.”

  “Oh my God,” Kelly whispered and bowed her head. Jeremy and Jonathon glanced at each o
ther worried.

  I turned to Drake, “Yours is your cousin Marrick.”

  “Damn,” Drake whispered and then, gave me a look of apology, “Who is yours?”

  “Mine is my cousin, Nolan,” I said as my father’s head rose as his nephew’s name was said.

  I turned to Gloria. A frown marred my face. I blinked as I tried to remember if I had seen her face in the vision. My eyes widened as I realized that I hadn’t.

  “I don’t know who yours is,” I said, narrowing my eyes, “I wasn’t shown.”

  Suddenly laughter broke out around me though no one else moved. No one else could hear it. I recognized it only a second later. Lucifer.

  “Did you really think that would be easy,” he whispered inside his head, “You can’t know everyone.”

  My eyes widened as I glanced up at Gloria, “Your descendant was hidden from me,” I said but there was something unspoken hanging in the air.

  If we didn’t know who her descendant was, we couldn’t protect them.

  Chapter Five

  Facing Evil

  My eyes were too heavy to hold open as night fell around me. I was no longer used to going without sleep and the events of the day had caused exhaustion to swamp me. I couldn’t fight it like I used to. I could only give in. I sighed as I closed my eyes allowing the darkness of sleep to engulf me.

  A moment later, the consequences of falling into a slumber when evil could so easily join me, hit me as the laughter of the devil himself surrounded me. I resisted opening my eyes but his breath touched my ear.

  “Open your eyes, Alex,” he whispered blowing his breath across my face.

  I shuddered as I opened my eyes. His evil face was too close to mine as he grinned, backing away.

  “What do you want, Lucifer?” I asked, narrowing my eyes as he crossed his arms over his chest.

  “What do I want?” He asked as his grin widened, “How about a witness,” he said, raising his brow, “Yes, that’s exactly what I need. You should be honored that I want you here to enjoy this with me.”