“He was worried that once the angels knew about you that Lucifer would find out and he would be sure to send his demons to try and turn you to the dark side. Remember Jenna, no one knows what you’ll be capable of. Each side would want to ensure that if you’re as powerful as the last female that you’re fighting on their side if a war ever erupts between good and evil. So he left to ensure you had a normal life.”
Her mom took a shirt off the rack and showed it to her. When she scrunched her nose she put it back. “He was going to try to get the high council to let him stay and raise you. When he didn’t return, I knew the answer had been no. Your father and I discussed that if he didn’t come back I was to stay in hiding. The only thing he left behind was the journal so you would always have a piece of him with you.”
Jenna waited for the sales girl who was returning a shirt to the rack to leave before she asked another question. “I understand, but now that the Densen Institute knows about me doesn’t that mean the angels and demons will know too?”
“Unfortunately, they probably do. That’s why Alex is here to train you. I’m taking all the precautions I can to ensure the Angels and Demons can’t locate us.”
Jenna forced herself to smile; but she couldn’t help but wonder how her life had come to this. As much as she loved her mom, she harbored a little bit of anger toward her for allowing herself to get pregnant and ensuring her child a life on the run. This was not how she wanted to live, but it was her life now and she had no choice but to accept it.
After they left Lilies Town, they checked out three other stores in the same shopping plaza where she bought some more pants and shirts.
“Do you want to grab some pizza or sandwiches?” Erin asked as they put their bags in the back of the Jeep.
Jenna shrugged. “I guess sandwiches,” she replied. She was sick of pizza. Whenever her mom worked the late shift at the diner, Alex and she would order pizza just to avoid cooking and having to clean up the mess that came with it.
Melissa’s Deli was in the same plaza so they only had to walk three stores down to get to it. She followed her mom into the nearly empty deli and they slid into a booth in the back. They both grabbed menus and waited for the waitress who was taking another order.
“What can I get you?” the perky young waitress asked when she finally arrived.
“I’ll just have a turkey sandwich, a Coke and some chips,” Erin said.
“That sounds good. I’ll have the same,” Jenna said as she put the menu back.
“I’ll be back in a few with your drinks.” The waitress pivoted on her heals and headed toward the kitchen to submit their order.
“So, how’s the training going? Has Alex eased up on you any lately?” her mom asked.
Jenna’s gaze lowered, as did her voice. “No, it’s like I can’t do anything right. And when I finally do, he tells me I can do it better.” Jenna’s face split into a wide grin. “I wish you could have seen his face yesterday when that tree root had him struggling to free himself.”
Erin laughed. “I’m sure he wasn’t happy about it.”
“Not really and he got even more annoyed when I told him I wouldn’t let him go until he admitted I had beat him. But, I couldn’t resist.”
Jenna paused as the waitress came back with their drinks and sandwiches.
“Wow, that was fast,” Erin pointed out.
“It’s slow today, and it was an easy order,” the waitress replied as she set their drinks in front of them, smiled and walked away.
Jenna’s mom waited until the waitress was out of earshot, and then turned her attention back to Jenna. “I’m curious; I know you can control the elements, but what kind of abilities does Alex have?”
Jenna took a sip of her soda, and then set the glass back down. “Well, to be honest, I’ve only seen him move things without touching them. I think it’s called telekinesis.”
“I thought you said he threw an energy ball at you yesterday?”
Jenna nodded. “He did, I forgot. Those are the only things I’ve seen him do.” Jenna took a bite of her sandwich wondering why her mom was asking about Alex’s abilities. She never seemed to care before.
Erin cast her eyes downward. “You know, I forgot, I have to go the library before we head home. Do you mind?”
“No, I could use a new book.”
“Great, let’s finish up here and head to the library then home. I’m sure Alex is wondering where we are by now.”
When they finished their sandwiches, her mom paid the waitress and they headed for the Jeep. “So, what kind of book do you need?” Jenna asked as they climbed in.
“Just some old books about Angels and Demons. I want to make sure I’m doing all I can so they can’t detect us.”
In such a small town, all the community buildings were built within walking distance of one another. So they had a short ride to the library, which was a big brick building that mirrored the school and was located right next to it.
“You get what you need and I’ll go look for my books. When you’re finished you can meet me at the front desk.”
Jenna watched as her mom headed toward the section labeled religion, before she went upstairs to the young adult section. A young, pretty librarian smiled at her as she headed for the shelves labeled “Mysteries.” She scanned the shelves finally settling on one titled, The Stone of Avalon, which was about a girl who finds a sapphire necklace that transports her to another world and she must find her way back home before the next full moon. She made her way back down to the circulation desk to wait for her mom.
It wasn’t long before her mom joined her with two books of her own. As she set them on the desk, Jenna noticed one was labeled, The History of God and the Angels and the other, The History of Lucifer and his Demons. She didn’t say anything; she just assumed her mom was looking for a way to add extra protection for their home like she told her in the deli.
“I had fun today. Thanks Mom. I needed a day out to relax,” Jenna told her mom as they drove home.
Erin smiled. “Not a problem, sweetie. Everyone needs a break now and then. I see how hard Alex has been working you, and you never once complained. I have to give you credit for being so strong. I know this can’t be easy on you, and for that I’m sorry. But, you need to understand that the moment I found out I was pregnant all I could think of was holding you in my arms. I hoped I could keep you hidden from this world and I’m truly sorry that I failed you.”
“It’s okay, Mom. I don’t blame you for what has happened. I blame those that can’t accept me for who I am and think they have to try to control me. But, now that I know how to defend myself things will get easier.”
“I hope so,” her mom replied.
Jenna looked out the window the rest of the way. She was in no mood to continue the conversation. This was her week off and she didn’t want to discuss anything that had to do with her Nephilim side. This week she wanted, no needed, to be a normal teenager.
JONAS stopped in the middle of the forest and grabbed a branch off the ground. He used it to draw a big circle, then traced demonic symbols evenly spaced out in it. He stepped inside, pulled a small silver knife engraved with the same satanic writings out of his waistband and slit his wrist. He dripped blood onto each of the symbols on the ground then waited.
“Yes my son,” a deep masculine voice answered, but the words were only heard within Jonas’s head.
“Father, she did it. We still have to work on fire, but she’s mastered the ability to control the other three elements. And, we were right, she is very powerful.”
“Finally,” the voice replied. “We can now start to convert her. Are you ready?”
“I am. I will soon put the second part of our plan into action and she will begin to question her loyalty to them.”
“Son, I must warn you; they are close to locating her. You must turn her soon. We can’t take the chance they find her before we have her on our side. I don’t know how much longer I can hold the sp
ell cloaking her from them.”
“Don’t worry, Father, my plan will not fail. When I am done she will believe her God is one that doesn’t care.”
“I’ll be waiting for word that it is done.”
“Thank you, Father. I won’t let you down.” He then stepped out of the circle and erased any sign that it ever existed. Jonas placed his hand over his wound and within seconds it was healed. After all the evidence of the ritual was gone, he headed toward the road to put the second part of his plan into action.
****
Shenna entered Dango’s cold dark cave. She wondered what he could possibly want with her. Her soul hadn’t been down here for long; maybe a century or so. She had lost count a long time ago. It was hard to keep track once you entered the catacombs of Hell.
Time was different here; one day measured a week in human time. Shenna guessed it was part of the torture; that the days never seemed to end while your soul ached for freedom from this hideous place. But, it was a freedom that would never come while you were forced to listen to the never-ending cries of torture.
It was her own fault she had been sent here. She had viscously murdered a man by stabbing him in the neck with a broken beer bottle simply because he had hit on her in a bar after she had asked him to leave her alone. The son of a bitch deserved it. Of course, the jury didn’t see it that way and had sentenced her to death. Now, she was doomed to an eternity of torture in this fire pit.
There was no light, just an eerie blackness that was illuminated by fire pits that never faded. The smell of burning human flesh wafted through the air as the flesh of the newly appointed citizens of hell seared and charred as they fell through the layers of lava into hell. The screaming seeped into your subconscious until you felt you would go mad; and that’s when you realized, it was you who was screaming as you tried to dig your way out. But, what Shenna would never admit was that she liked it here. The screaming to her was a kind of music that had its own unique beat.
She rounded the corner of a wall embedded with human bones, and entered Dango’s cave. Dango was Lucifer’s right hand man and no one dared to disobey him. The moment she stepped into his domain the sounds ceased. She guessed being a leader had its advantages down here. She smiled as she cast a glance at the wall behind his chair that consisted of skulls from the humans who had sold their souls to him.
Dango glided in from another room, a black misty form of the tall, handsome man he once was. He stopped in front of her and solidified his body. “Good, Sheena, you’re here,” he said. “I have a pressing matter to discuss with you.”
“How may I help you, Sir?” Shenna walked further into the cave and stopped in front of Dango. Just being in this room made her feel weak and unworthy.
“My dear, Shenna. I’ve been watching you and I have a job that I need you to do. It would mean once again having to walk the earth, but it’s essential I pick someone who has the capability to do what they are told, no matter the circumstance. Can you do that for me?”
Shenna never hesitated; she knew it would be easier for her if she were loyal to Dango. Even if it meant going back to that place and walking among those wretched people once again. “Yes, what is it you need me to do?” she asked.
“A few months ago I sent another demon to locate one who could possibly harness the power to kill us all. He located her and was able to get close enough to observe what she could do. He just contacted me with the news that she is indeed a very powerful Nephilim. He has a plan that he will soon set in motion, but I need someone I can trust to watch over him and make sure nothing goes wrong.” Dango grasped her hand and all the plans he had laid out for her instantly entered her mind.
“I’m trusting you to help him. The angels are getting closer to finding her every day and I must be sure he is doing his job. It’s essential that when the time comes for her to choose, she chooses our side. You are to help him with whatever he needs. Do you understand what’s at stake here?”
“I do. Is there anything else, Sir?”
“No, you know what must be done, now go. Don’t let me down, Shenna.”
“I understand. You can count on me.” Shenna glided out of the cave toward the room where she would find her way to the top once again. The assignment was entrusted to her and she wasn’t going to fail Dango. She knew who it was she was going to help. He wasn’t just any demon, he was Jonas, Dango’s son and that meant she would have to be careful around him.
ERIN slammed the book shut, her heart pounding as she pushed away from the desk. How could I have been so stupid? she thought, her mind racing back to when she had made the horrible mistake. This was all her fault. She had been the one to befriend the demon and allow him in their lives.
“Damn it!” she exclaimed her hands shaking as she struggled to stay calm. They needed to get out of town and away from the demon without him suspecting what they were up to, but how? Erin was sure he was watching their every move. She would have to plan their escape very carefully.
Confused, she wandered restlessly around the room trying to figure out what this meant for them. The demon obviously didn’t want to harm Jenna; if he did, he would have done it already. His plan must be to try to turn her. She shook her head knowing she was giving the demon exactly what he wanted, full access to accomplish his goal.
Erin closed her eyes and took a deep breath to sooth her nerves. How was she going to tell Jenna? She would be so upset with her. After all the lectures she had given her about being careful; she had been the one that had messed up.
She walked over to the window, hoping to see Jenna coming in from the woods. As soon as Jenna got home, she would have to find a way to tell her they had to move again, and why. Each tick of the old grandfather clock grew on her already fragile nerves as she waited for her daughter to return.
Finally, she heard footsteps on the front porch. She flew off the couch and flung the door open expecting to see Jenna. It wasn’t her. Erin gasped as she came face to face with the one she now knew was a demon, a sinister smile formed on his face.
Erin tried to slam the door shut, but the demon stuck his foot in the door and pushed it open.
“I see you’ve discovered my true identity,” he mocked as he entered the house and shut the door behind him, clicking the deadbolt into place. His smile vanished. “We don’t want anyone interrupting us now, do we?”
Erin’s brain told her to run, but her feet wouldn’t move. Although she knew about demons she had never been in the same room as one. She closed her eyes for a brief moment praying this was all a dream, but when she opened them again he was still there.
“What do you want?” she asked as she took a step backwards.
A half smile appeared on the demon’s face. “Well, you see; I need to find a way to turn Jenna against God, to make sure she never again feels as though he cares for her. And, what better way to do that than to kill you! It’ll be great. She’ll begin to wonder how God and her father could allow you to be killed; with you out of the way, I only have him standing in my way. It won’t take long to take care of him and then I’ll easily convert her.”
“You’re forgetting one thing,” Erin pointed out. “She knows her father would never let anything happen to me. Your plan won’t work.” She backed up towards the kitchen. If she could get out the back door she could hide until she found Jenna.
“Really, is that what you think?” The demon threw his head back and laughed. “You’re forgetting one thing; Jenna has never met her father. So, when I put the thoughts into her head that he let this happen she’ll begin to wonder if it could be true. And, that is all it’ll take for her to start to doubt his love. I’ll make sure she stays in this town so I can keep her questioning God’s motives. I’ll be there every day to remind her that it was her God that forced you to go into hiding to save her life. That he allowed her to be kidnapped and almost experimented on. And, I’ll keep whispering in her ear that he let you die. Tell me Erin, how long do you think before she begins to q
uestion her faith? And, when she finally denies her God, we’ll be there to convert her and then we’ll have her on our side.”
A sickening fear formed in the pit of Erin’s stomach as she took another step backward. She knew the demon was right. Why would Jenna keep her faith in God? After all, she had been wondering for a while now herself how God or her husband could allow such horrible things to keep happening to them.
Erin quickly grabbed a vase off the desk and threw it at the demon, then spun on her heels and ran toward the back door. If she could find Jenna, she might survive to see another day. Just as she reached the door, a pain shot through the back of her head as the demon grabbed a handful of her hair, yanked her backwards and threw her across the room.
She cried out in pain as he kicked her in the ribs. She rolled into the fetal position to try to protect herself from any other blows he may deliver.
“You stupid bitch! Do you think you can escape?” the demon snapped. “The only way you’re leaving this house is in a body bag.” The demon walked over to the cabinet drawer and took out a long sharp knife. “Jenna will be devastated when she finds your body,” he said as he dug the tip of the knife into his finger, a single droplet of blood dripped to the floor.
Erin struggled against the pain that tore through her whenever she moved. Her head swirled as she forced herself to stand up. She couldn’t allow this demon to kill her. She had to warn Jenna who he really was.
The demon came back towards Erin, a wicked smile on his face. “She’ll never forgive herself for not being here,” he taunted. “She’ll be vulnerable and that’s exactly what I need.”
Erin positioned herself on the other side of the table as the demon came at her. “I won’t let you hurt my daughter!” she exclaimed as she played a game of cat and mouse with the demon around the table.
“Do you think you can stop me?” The demon grabbed the table and flung it across the room, sending it crashing through the window.
Revelations (The Revelations Series Book 1) Page 7