He shook his head.
I had been on the road since early morning and had been careful to watch everyone I came across, looking for those white eyes.
“You think he’ll try to stop me from getting to him?” I said.
“Maybe.”
“I can’t imagine he’s too worried about me.”
“He was worried enough to send one of those things. Just as you see his darkness, he sees your light. He knows your power has grown. And you should feel good about that as you go up against this ancient evil.”
“Wait. What do you mean, ancient?”
“He’s been murdering innocents for centuries now.”
“Centuries?” I said. “How long have you known him?”
“A very long time.”
“And have you tried to stop him before?”
He looked away without answering. I shuddered as I stared out at a field of tall grass blowing in the breeze.
“You have, haven’t you?”
“None of that matters. What matters is this moment. This time.”
“If you say so,” I said, not sure he was right. “I’ll be right back.”
I went in the store and picked up some waters and a few cold coffee drinks to help keep me awake on the road.
As I waited in line, I glanced around at everyone, checking their eyes. I didn’t see any ghouls and then I thought about how none of these people knew what was coming. Here they were, buying hot dogs and sending texts and paying for gas, all the while not having a clue about the darkness that was heading their way.
I tried to get a glimpse of the guy behind the counter. He had kept his head down and his eyes on the register. But when he handed me my change, I could finally see his face. His eyes were dark.
“Have a good day,” he said.
“Yeah, you too.”
I walked back into the heat of the late afternoon and saw that Samael was sitting on the back of the bike now, waiting for me. The image of us riding off together on a motorcycle made me smile. But as I got closer to him I dropped my bag on the pavement, causing one of the cans to explode.
The flash was longer than all the others, and it had the power of a thousand lightning bolts.
The shadow spirit took slow, deliberate steps as he climbed, using his scythe for balance. A long black robe trailed behind him, igniting plants and shrubs as it brushed past them, leaving small fires in the snow along the way. His face was the color of mold, his lips black as ink, and the air was heavy with his terrible stench.
Samael was at the top, waiting.
They spoke for a long time.
Finally, Samael knelt in the snow and took the demon’s hand. He kissed it, closing his eyes tightly, as the evil thing’s dark lips curled upwards into a hideous smile.
An icy shiver passed through me as I realized who it was that Samael was kneeling before.
A spirit even darker than Nathaniel.
The darkest of them all.
The original fallen angel.
Lucifer.
I picked my things up off the ground and slowly walked over to Samael. I tried not to let him see the shaking of my hands as I jammed the supplies into my backpack. I put on my helmet, closed my eyes, and said a silent prayer.
God, help me.
I climbed on the bike.
Then I felt the fallen angel’s large arms as they wrapped tightly around my waist.
THE END
A Note from Jools Sinclair…
Dear Fans of the Forty-Four Series,
Wow! If you’re reading this note, we’ve been together for a long time and I want to personally thank you for being part of the Abby Craig tribe. Four years and twelve books and you’re still here. It’s been quite the journey, hasn’t it? Through serial killers and sad ghost stories and culinary school and David and fallen angels and even chile picking in New Mexico (that was bleak, no?). I’m beyond happy that you’ve come along for this crazy ride.
Anyway, I’m writing here for a couple of reasons. I have a favor or two to ask, and then an announcement. I best get to the favors first.
If you enjoyed this book and/or any of the others, it would be so awesome if you could leave a review(s) on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, etc. Bottom line is that reviews help sell books and give authors access to important sites such as BookBub. Believe it or not, your review will make an incredible difference. So if you’re willing, I’d really appreciate it. (Amazon even lets you use a pen name if you crave anonymity.)
Also, if you have any friends who you think would love to join the tribe, please let them know about Forty-Four. Abby Craig is always looking for new fans! Even though I’m still working through my own social media demons (I did finally get on Facebook), I know how important “word of mouth” is and would appreciate any and all help.
Okay, and now for the announcement…
Book Thirteen will be the last book in the series.
I thought it only fair to give you a heads up. There will be different books and a few related series coming out, but this particular story is coming to a close. Book Thirteen will be out sometime this summer and much of it has already been written.
Big hugs, many thanks, and much love,
Jools
The adventure continues…
Forty-Four Book Thirteen
coming this summer
Books by Jools Sinclair
Forty-Four
Forty-Four Book Two
Forty-Four Book Three
Forty-Four Book Four
Forty-Four Book Five
Forty-Four Book Six
Forty-Four Book Seven
Forty-Four Book Eight
Forty-Four Book Nine
Forty-Four Book Ten
Forty-Four Book Eleven
Forty-Four Box Set, Books 1-5
Forty-Four Box Set, Books 1-10
The Road Not Taken (An Abby & Jesse Short Story)
Whiskey Rain (A Rose City Novella)
Available on Amazon.com
To hear about new books first, join the New Book from Jools Sinclair Mailing List
About the Author
Like her main character, Jools Sinclair lives in Bend, Oregon. She is currently working on the next exciting installment in the Forty-Four series.
Learn more about Jools Sinclair and the Forty-Four series at… JoolsSinclair.com
Praise for Forty-Four
*****
A FANTASTIC novel! 44 was just about impossible to put down once I started. From the very beginning, there was an air of mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat… I highly recommend this fantastic novel!
The Caffeinated Diva
*****
Everything from the setting, to the time frame, to the characters, was beautifully developed. This book is truly a gem and I highly recommend it. It literally took my breath away.
Avery’s Book Review
*****
Sinclair sucked me in like a vacuum cleaner sucks up dirt. She brings mystery, love, and friendship to the book and weaves a lovely tale.
Just Another Book Addict
*****
IMPRESSIVE! 44 is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and will take readers by storm. With so much information in such a small book it will impress readers to the detail and depth in so few pages. The conclusion will take your breath away. Don’t miss you chance to check out this amazing story.
The Book Whisperer
*****
Fantastic, edge of your seat thriller. A MUST READ! It twists you about and as soon as you think you have it all figured out, throws you for the final loop with an ending that will break the hardest heart.
Wormhole
Forty-Four
Forty-Four Book Two
Forty-Four Book Three
Forty-Four Book Four
Forty-Four Book Five
Forty-Four Book Six
Forty-Four Book Seven
Forty-Four Book Eight
Forty-Four Book Nine
Forty-Four Book Eleven
Forty-Four Box Set Books 1-5
Forty-Four Box Set Books 1-10
Also from Jools Sinclair…
Who says you can never go home again? Go back to high school with Abby and Jesse, back to a simpler time, back to where it all began... before that fateful day on that icy mountain road that would change them both forever.
It's almost Thanksgiving and the biggest game of Abby Craig's life is just days away. But before she can focus on scoring goals, she has to help Jesse solve a mystery that's been haunting the school's basketball team for the last fifty years. Meanwhile, her boyfriend Conner is proving to be a whole different kind of distraction. Will Abby be able to juggle it all or will her junior year end up being a real turkey?
This heartwarming short story is a prequel to Forty-Four, which has been downloaded by more than half a smillion readers. The Road Not Taken is approximately 10,000 words long.
To hear about new books first, join the New Book from Jools Sinclair Mailing List
Forty-Four Book Twelve (44 series 12) Page 14