by Karen Kelley
Once inside the bar though, LeAnn pulled against her hand. Destiny could feel the trembles that flowed over LeAnn and felt some of the other woman’s fear.
“I swear it will be okay. You have a fantastic voice. Look, Charles and Beulah are already here.”
LeAnn groaned. “To see me crash and burn again.”
Charles and Beulah turned as if they knew they were being talked about. They got up and hurried over.
“This is a lot better place,” Charles told her. “You’ll do fine here.”
Beulah’s usually pursed lips softened to a smile. “You have a beautiful voice, dear. You’ll have the whole town talking before this night is over. It’s not going to be like the last time.”
“And if it is, my Beulah will kick their asses,” Charles said, then grinned.
“I told you that was an accident.”
“Yeah, your fist landed against her jaw.”
“Well, she had it coming.” Beulah straightened, smoothing the front of her green dress with the palms of her hands. “We’d best get back to our table so LeAnn can get ready.”
“Nice dress,” Destiny commented.
Beulah preened. Funny, Destiny didn’t think the woman had it in her to preen.
“I was getting tired of the dreary. It’s not like I’m always going to a funeral or anything.” She shrugged. “And maybe it’s past time I started living.”
“I can’t do this,” LeAnn muttered.
Great, here we go again!
“You must be LeAnn,” Duncan said as he joined them.
Destiny glanced over her shoulder. Thank goodness, reinforcement. “Duncan, hi. This is the friend I was telling you about.”
“You’re Duncan?” LeAnn asked.
“And you’re hot.” His gaze slowly roamed over LeAnn, then met her eyes once again. “Destiny told me you could sing, but she didn’t tell me just how beautiful a singer I would be getting. My bar dims in comparison.”
“Thank you.” She blushed to the roots of her hair, smiling shyly.
Destiny looked between the two of them. Who would’ve thought? This might work out even better than she hoped. But then she always knew the guy had potential.
“You don’t know how I sound. You might not like my voice,” LeAnn said.
“She sounds great,” Destiny jumped in. LeAnn was too damn modest for her own good.
“You’ve only heard a few notes!”
“But they were really good notes.”
“I’d love to introduce you if you’re ready.”
“She’s ready.” Destiny was still holding LeAnn’s hand and could feel her begin to shake.
“Right now? I need a few minutes, or maybe tomorrow night would be better.” LeAnn shook her head. “I don’t think I could stand to flop twice in one night.”
Destiny wasn’t about to let LeAnn’s nerves destroy everything she’d pulled together just for tonight and in such a short amount of time. Besides, Destiny knew that she wouldn’t get another opportunity to help her friend.
“Now, it has to be now,” Destiny urged.
“Please, do it for me,” Duncan said, taking her hand.
“I… I…” She couldn’t seem to look away from his mesmerizing eyes.
Destiny decided to strike while she could. “Go introduce her.”
“You got it,” Duncan said, but kissed LeAnn’s hand before he released it, and then walked toward the stage.
“I’m not ready,” LeAnn frantically whispered.
“Yes, you are.”
Duncan jumped to the stage in one smooth leap, rather than taking the two steps on the side, and then made a motion for the band to stop playing. As soon as the room was quiet, he grinned at Destiny and LeAnn. Destiny forgot just how cute the guy was, in a good ol’ boy, country way. He and LeAnn would make a perfect couple.
“I can’t do this,” LeAnn whispered.
“Yes, you can.” Destiny slipped behind her and maneuvered her toward the side of the stage as Duncan began his introduction.
“It’s my great pleasure to introduce a brand-new voice on the country music scene. Y’all give her a warm welcome because this little lady’s star will soon be on the rise.”
“Oh God,” LeAnn moaned.
Duncan moved to the steps and held out his hand. Destiny bit her bottom lip. A second passed, then two. LeAnn grudgingly took his hand.
Destiny let go. She knew then what it felt like for mothers to send their children out into the world for the very first time because that was exactly what she felt right now.
But rather than rush to the stage and shield LeAnn from the hardships life might toss her way, Destiny did what all mothers know to do: she stepped back into the shadows and prayed LeAnn had the courage to follow her dreams, to be the person she was meant to be.
LeAnn moved to the microphone as Duncan left the stage. Her trembling hands grabbed the microphone stand. It jerked to the side. She grabbed it tighter, and a shaky laugh erupted from her. “I guess I’m just a little nervous.”
The crowd was silent.
Her sigh came over the microphone. “Maybe a whole lot nervous.” She looked around until her gaze found Destiny.
Destiny smiled and nodded.
“I wrote a song about my brother. Actually, I’ve written a lot of songs, but this one is my favorite, and I’ve never gotten the chance to sing it for anyone. Well, not all of it at once.”
She turned slightly toward the band and began to hum the tune. There were two guitar players and a drummer. One of the guitar players began to strum. LeAnn smiled and nodded. The other guitar player joined in, then the drummer.
“Yeah, just like that. Nice and easy. That’s the way my brother was. Nothing seemed to bother him. He was my hero and I was the little sister who tagged after him.” She looked out over the crowd. “Any of you have brothers or sisters that you tagged after?”
Destiny looked around. Nearly everyone nodded their heads and smiled. The door opened and a sliver of light crept in. A man who looked totally lost glanced around, giving LeAnn a cursory look before he moved toward the bar. Duncan took his place behind the counter again, but was intently watching LeAnn.
Destiny smiled. Everything was going according to plan.
LeAnn began to sing, her voice as pure as an angel.
You were the one I cherished most,
Walking side by side.
You were the one that I admired
With hero worship in my eyes.
There was a short pause. The room was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
But no one told me heroes die.
But no one told me heroes die.
LeAnn closed her eyes and began to hum. She didn’t see the tears that formed in people’s eyes. Or the men who were suddenly reaching for their beers just to have something to do. Then she began to sing again.
You taught me to ride my bike,
You threw me in the pond.
That was when I learned to swim,
When we formed the bond.
But no one told me heroes die
No one told me heroes die
Although you’re not with me now
I never walk alone.
These are the memories we still share,
Since the angels called you home.
Heroes only die if you let them go,
Never let them go.
Destiny sniffed. LeAnn really had a fantastic voice. Either way, her plan couldn’t have worked out any better if she did say so herself. She focused on LeAnn as she finished.
LeAnn looked at the band and gave a little nod.
Never let them go.
Her words trailed off, her voice cracking on the last note. The band stopped playing except for one guitar that slowly faded.
The room was silent, then pandemonium erupted. Everyone jumped to their feet clapping their hands. A few of the women openly cried. LeAnn looked at Destiny and smiled as a tear slid down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away.
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“More, more, more!” the crowd shouted.
Charles and Beulah were on their feet clapping with the rest of the patrons.
LeAnn spoke briefly with the band, then began to sing a lively tune. The producer was still standing at the bar. He began a frantic search in his pockets before pulling out a cell phone.
Duncan nodded at Destiny, then grinned.
“I guess you feel pretty proud of yourself,” Vetis said behind her.
Destiny jumped as though someone had stuck a hot poker deep in her heart. So this was it then. Vetis would exact retribution for her actions. But then, nothing really mattered anymore. Eternity would be the same as life. Why should she have expected anything less?
She turned and faced the demon. “I do feel proud of myself.”
Anger, like a match being struck, flared in his eyes. “I’ll make you regret not giving me her soul.”
She shook her head, looking over her shoulder at LeAnn. A tender smile curved her lips. LeAnn was singing another ballad and everyone was on the edge of their seats, enthralled with her voice.
“How could I regret this? She has a chance at living a normal life.” Her gaze moved to Duncan, who was totally entranced with LeAnn’s performance. “She has a chance at having someone love her.”
“I loved you!” he ground out.
She met his fiery gaze. “That isn’t love.”
“I saved you!”
“Because you wanted my soul.”
Heat filled the space around her. She gasped as it singed her skin. The room grew dark. LeAnn’s voice faded.
A hot wind whipped around Destiny, tearing at her clothes. She shook with fear and tried to tell herself that she did the right thing, but it didn’t feel right when she was so scared.
Everything grew still, and she felt the ground beneath her feet once again. She kept her eyes tightly closed, unable to look at where Vetis had brought her.
“Any regrets now?” he taunted.
She drew in a deep breath, but the air burned her lungs. Please help me be strong, she silently prayed.
“No one will hear your prayers in Hell.” He grabbed her throat and squeezed. “Chance can’t save you now!”
Her eyes flew open. She was in a dark cave, flames licking up the sides of the walls. The horned monster she briefly thought she saw at the apartment stood in front of her. No skin covered the red, leathery muscle and ligament that stretched taut across his face. The creature’s eyes glowed piercing yellow.
She took a step back, screaming.
The creature threw back his head and laughed. “So now you fear me?” Vetis’s voice came out of the hideous monster. “This is my true form. That of a demon.” He turned in a circle and the Vetis she knew was back. “Or do you prefer the human body I stole? He no longer needed it. No, he’s still burning in Hell!” He shook his head. “A shame because I rather liked him. He made a great lover. Just as you did. But there will always be others.”
“Why are you doing this to me?”
“Not to you. To him. I want his soul and you were supposed to bring it to me! But he almost took yours! You failed!”
Destiny stared as Vetis began to pace the cave.
“It was never you. But I knew he would try to save you. The two of you were perfectly matched.”
“Why Chance?”
He tilted his head and stared at her, insanity shining from his eyes. “Everything played out as I planned,” he said as if he hadn’t heard her question. “You never once guessed how I orchestrated your life.”
“What do you mean?”
He tapped his head. “Think! Remember the man your mother left with?”
Destiny closed her eyes for a moment and let the years slip away. She’d moved to the window of the grocery store just as her mother climbed into the car. The man turned and looked directly at Destiny. It was as if a veil lifted and she looked right at Vetis. The man was different, but the eyes were the same.
Her eyes flew open. She took a step back. “It was you! You seduced my mother.”
Vetis smiled. “Your mother was a stupid slut. Sexy, though. It was a shame I had to kill her before she would give me her soul. She actually had second thoughts and wanted to return to her daughter. I couldn’t let that happen.”
Destiny flew at him. He only grabbed her arms before she could pummel his smiling face. “I hate you!” Through the tears, she saw his face distort and become the foster mother who beat her, then once again and she looked at Jack. She shook her head. “No, I killed you.”
“You would do anything for me, wouldn’t you? Anything I asked. I tossed you a few scraps of love and you were like putty in my hands.” He frowned. “I knew it wouldn’t last, though.”
“You let me shoot you.”
“It stung like a son of a bitch, too.”
“Why me?”
“I told you, so I could get to him.” He exhaled a deep breath. “But you failed to bring him to me. Stupid girl.”
He waved his arm and steel doors appeared behind him. The rusty hinges creaked open.
“Where’s your nephilim now? It would seem he has thrown you away, too.” His eyes narrowed. “In fact, no one ever really loved you, did they? Your mother certainly fell into my arms, and my bed quick enough.”
“Shut up!” He was wrong. Chance loved her. LeAnn loved her. And her mother would’ve come back for her.
“Come along. It’s time to face the tribunal.”
Fear kept her feet from moving forward. There was only one verdict they would give her and she knew it. They would find her guilty. She’d burn forever.
Oh, screw it!
She glared at Vetis, raising her chin. “Go to hell.” Even though she was pretty sure she was going to throw up, she walked toward the doors.
Screw him. Screw them all.
His mocking laughter followed behind her. “But didn’t you know? We’re already there.”
She didn’t care that he mocked her. She’d lost Chance, the only man she ever loved, and she’d lost the only friend she ever had, but at least they were safe. She’d done one good thing in her life: Destiny gave LeAnn an opportunity to succeed.
As they went into the chamber, fire licked at her feet. It felt as though she walked over hot coals, but she was determined not to cry out. She kept her head held high even though she shook on the inside. She refused to let them see her fear.
There was a long table that sat higher than she was tall, so that she had to tilt her head back to look at the five demons she faced. Vetis joined them.
They were just as ugly and scary as he was. Suddenly she didn’t feel quite so brave.
“One soul, that was all you had to take.” An ugly-ass demon stared down at her.
“But no, you felt pity for the mortal woman and you let the nephilim slip through your fingers,” another said.
“He would have been a rare prize to bring us,” one more said. “You let the half angel, half mortal seduce you,” he spat.
“You could have had it all,” Vetis told her.
She wanted to yell at him that what he offered wasn’t good enough. Not when it would have cost LeAnn her soul. And she was glad Chance escaped as well. Vetis lied.
But she kept quiet.
“Do we have a verdict?” one demon asked.
She cocked an eyebrow. “This is a trial?”
“Silence!” one screamed and his breath sent down waves of heat.
Destiny’s mouth snapped closed. The trial was a travesty of justice. Did she really think they might treat her fairly?
“Guilty.” The demon pointed a long bony finger down at her.
She flinched.
One after another, the demons pronounced their verdicts.
“You shall burn in the fires of Hell for all eternity,” one loudly proclaimed.
Destiny expected no less. She only hoped the knowledge that she prevented the same thing from happening to her friend would sustain her through the pain and agony.
> Chapter 25
Chance had spent his energy trying to break the bonds that held him. He knew it was no use trying to get loose, but the knowledge didn’t stop him from trying after the three nephilim had left him to vent his anguish on a silent room.
Ryder suddenly appeared. “It’s over.” He squared his shoulders as though he carried a heavy burden and he didn’t want to buckle under the weight. “She’s been found guilty by the tribunal.”
For a moment Chance couldn’t breathe. He felt as though all the air was sucked out of his lungs. Then his world began to crumble as the significance of Ryder’s words sank into his brain.
“The verdict?” Although Chance already knew Ryder’s answer, he had to ask. The demons never deviated from a guilty verdict. They loved to watch their victims squirm. Still, he had to hear Ryder say the words.
Ryder’s expression turned grim. “She will be cast into the fires of Hell.”
He clamped his lips together as anger burned through him. His information had to be wrong. Vetis had cared about Destiny. Chance saw it in his eyes.
“You know that for a fact?” Chance asked.
Vetis wouldn’t destroy her. Then why bring her in front of the tribunal? Vetis had to know what would happen. Maybe he knew how much Chance would be tortured by the news. For some reason the demon had always hated him. Over the centuries, they had too many confrontations, with neither one able to claim victory.
“I have it from a good source,” Ryder continued. “She went immediately before the judges.”
“No, it’s not true!” Chance struggled against the chains that bound him. “She took LeAnn. She made her quota. They wouldn’t completely destroy her. Vetis wouldn’t have gone that far.” Not even for some insane idea that he could exact revenge on Chance. He enjoyed the game they played too much to end it this way.
Ryder was silent for a moment before waving his arm. The silken chains that bound Chance disappeared. “You can’t save her. I’m sorry.”
If Ryder was lying, he wouldn’t have released him. He would have been afraid of what Chance might do to gain Destiny’s freedom.