Angel’s Fury

by Tamara Whitlow

  “Bass, we need to find Jeriah. She may be able to help.”

  “We can find him on our own.”

  “How son? We have no idea where he is hiding.”

  Sabastian looked at his father. “I just don’t want her to think that we need her. Because I don’t.”

  Marcus looked over to Logan exasperated. Logan shook his head and walked over and placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder. Sabastian was shaking and Logan gave him a squeeze. Rebecca peeked her head in and held up what looked like a cloth.

  “I found this on the ground where Jeriah was standing. He must have dropped it when he ran away.”

  Melinda’s head lifted as she sniffed the air.

  “That scent is strong. I can try to follow it.”

  Marcus looked at his sons and Logan nodded. Sabastian shook Logan’s hand from his shoulder and stormed off.

  “He’ll be okay.” Marcus smiled softly at Melinda. “Come on, I’ll take you to where we were.”

  Melinda’s shoulders relaxed at having something to do. She had to find this guy. She didn’t want this rift between her and her son anymore.

  86

  While they waited for Marcus and Melinda to come back, Rebecca decided to check on her mom. Grandmother had been gone for a while and she just hoped that she was okay. She called the house phone, and the line rang and rang. She almost hung up and then she heard a click.

  “Mom? Is that you?”

  The line was quiet for a minute before a voice sounded on the other end.

  “Becca?”

  “Who is this?”

  “It’s Tracy.”

  “Tracy. I’m so glad that you all are there. Is Mom okay?”

  “Yes. She’s resting. The cleansing took longer than expected and she used a lot of energy.”

  “What about Analise? Is she okay?”

  “Yes. She’s also sleeping. We almost lost her. There was this darkness that held on to her. It was the scariest thing I’ve witnessed. Your mom was masterful. She did not give up even though we told her to let the darkness have Analise. While we held hands, we felt Analise’s heart stop, and we just knew that she was gone. The screams of pain from her were deafening. I have been using sage every day since.”

  “My goodness. I’m so glad that you are all okay. Can you please have Mom call me when she wakes up?”

  “I sure will. I’m not leaving until I know that they are both okay.”

  “Thank you so much, Tracy.”

  “My pleasure. She told me what you’re working on, and I’m proud of you and your daughter.”

  “Thank you. That means a lot.”

  After they disconnected, Rebecca filled Mary in on what was said, and they hugged. She could never see herself without her Mom. Even though her mom was older now, she had a lot of living left in her. Knowing that her mom was safe, she could focus all of her energy into defeating this army.

  87

  When Marcus and Melinda got downtown, she shed her clothes in the backseat and took on her wolf. She and Marcus walked down the street as she sniffed the area. When she got a faint whiff, she took off toward the smell. They ran down street after street until they got to a junkyard just outside of the downtown area. Marcus tried to look through the fence, but all he could see was broken down cars and parts. They heard voices and walked around to the back to listen. The voices didn’t sound familiar, but they listened anyway.

  “I don’t want to do this anymore. This is getting dangerous, and I certainly wasn’t prepared to be working with Lucifer. We have to get away from Jeriah.”

  “How? We can’t even get back to heaven!”

  “Then we stay here, on earth. I’m not dying for him.”

  “But where can we go?”

  “I don’t know but we have to figure it out fast. They are planning on attacking the festival and you know that will be a bloodbath.”

  “Yeah, I do. The Guardians will not take it easy on us either.”

  “Nope. This is messed up.”

  A door closed and Marcus looked down at Melinda who was still in wolf form.

  “We’ve got to get out of here. That festival is in three days.”

  Melinda whined and Marcus nodded. They made their way back to the car where Melinda transformed back into her human form and put her clothes back on. She peeked her head through the front seats as Marcus drove them back to the house.

  “This is crazy! An angel war, here on earth?”

  “I know. We’ve got to be ready… for anything.”

  88

  Every year, the state has a large festival down by the beach. There is everything from amusement rides to every food truck known to man. People drive and fly in from all over to attend. The beaches are overrun with people, and they even close some streets to traffic. The weather this weekend was going to be perfect for it also. Mid-eighties with no rain. Perfect.

  As Denise and Mary sit in the family room, Logan and his family walk in. They are also followed by Rebecca, who brought the girls some sweet tea. She sat down next to Mary on the couch. Denise thanked her for the drink and took a sip. She smiled and looked at Mary.

  “Remember when we used to go to the festival every year? This makes me miss my mom even more. She loved the festival. She would be so full but want to try stand after stand of food. I never wanted to stay with her. I just wanted to ride the rides. I should have just stayed and eaten with her. Those are days that I can never get back.”

  Mary smiled and placed her drink on the table. She walked over and knelt down by Denise’s chair.

  “You know that she loved you. Just being at that festival with her made her day.”

  “I know, but it just hurts that she isn’t here. I miss her so much.”

  Logan came over and placed a hand on her shoulder. Denise looked up and smiled at him.

  “I’ll be okay. I’m just in my feelings.”

  Rebecca stood and looked over at Denise.

  “Well, I for one know that your mom had a great time there. She couldn’t get you to eat the food, so I had to!”

  They all laughed, and Denise looked down into her drink.

  “You think we can win this war? I’d hate to see anyone die.”

  Marcus spoke from the doorway where he was standing with Sabastian.

  “We will win. As long as you can help with the angels, we can take those demons.”

  Denise looked up at him.

  “We have only two days to get a plan together and I don’t even know the extent of my powers.”

  Rebecca spoke softly.

  “Your dad said that your powers know what to do, you just have to trust yourself.”

  “Yeah, easier said than done.”

  89

  Denise went to bed that evening concerned. Her mind was all over the place, and she couldn’t sleep. Tears started to form in her eyes as she thought about how much she’s lost. Her mom was her everything and she was gone. She had to take time off from school, and she was just starting to like it. She has no permanent home, and her dad isn’t even in this realm. Most of all, she’s lost her innocence in a way. Now she is expected to save the world and she’s not even sure who she is anymore.

  She paced and paced until she finally broke down and growled her frustration. She pulled at her hair and let the tears fall. There was a light knock on the door, and she didn’t even look toward it.

  “Go away!”

  She thought they had left but the door cracked open, and Logan’s head peeked through the crack. She looked over and her face hardened.

  “I said go away.”

  “I heard you crying and wanted to check on you.”

  “I don’t need any help or anyone fawning over me.”

  He nodded and went to close the door. She growled again and her hands slapped her thighs.

  “Logan, wait.”

  He poked his head back in and looked at her.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to take it out on you. You’ve been nothing bu
t kind to me. I just feel lost.”

  He came in the room and closed the door behind him. He walked over to the couch in front of her bed and sat down.

  “Talk to me. I’m listening.”

  “There isn’t anything to talk about. I’m angry that my mom is gone, I have no home and my life isn’t my own right now. I just want… I just need… God! I don’t know.”

  She stopped pacing and her chest rose and fell with her sobs. Logan stood up and pulled her into a hug. She gripped his shirt and cried into his chest. He didn’t say anything as she cried.

  “I’m sorry. I got your shirt wet.”

  “It’s okay. It will dry.”

  She looked up at him with red eyes and he smiled a comforting smile down at her. He wiped her tears with his thumbs and tilted his head as he looked at her. Her eyebrows drew together in question at his expression and then his mouth descended down to hers. The kiss was just like that day in the gardens. She lost herself in his touch. His hands stayed on her face as he kissed her. He gently pulled away and she slowly opened her eyes. His breathing was labored as he waited for her next move. She grabbed the hem of her shirt and drew it over her head. His eyes lowered and looked at her bra-covered chest. Her breasts rose as her breathing increased. She turned and walked toward the bed while holding his hand. He followed until she stopped and turned toward him again. Her hand went to his chest and he covered her hand with his.

  “You are sure about this?”

  “Yes. I need this. This is something that I can control. I need control.”

  Her eyes closed as she said the last part. He quickly unbuttoned his shirt and her eyes opened as his chest came into view. Her fingers played with the contours of his chest muscles and he hissed. His hands went to her cheeks and he kissed her. Hands ripped at clothes until they were both panting, and she lay upon the bed. He knelt above her and took in her beautiful brown skin.

  “I think that I’ve dreamt of this moment before.”

  She smirked a smile. “I think I have too.”

  When they came together, they both moaned. He made love to her as if he’d known her body forever. Denise closed her eyes and reveled in the lovemaking. She felt so light, and he felt so good. Logan closed his eyes as he lay and held her tight. Their bodies moved as one and a light glowed around them. Her wings came out and encircled them. Their souls merged within each other, and the pleasure was that much more. They heard faint voices in their heads as they made love.

  Soul to soul.

  Fate to fate.

  Powers mix.

  Love prevails.

  They both lay afterwards breathing heavily. She absently played with the amulet that lay on his chest. Her wings had been put away, and they were on their sides holding each other. Logan held on to her as if she would disappear at any moment. He placed a hand on top of hers as her finger traced the outside of his amulet.

  “What is this? Do you know why she spoke over this?” Denise asked looking up at him.

  He shrugged and picked it up from her fingers to look at it. Denise closed her eyes and reveled in the sound of his voice as it reverberated through his chest.

  “I don’t know. I have no idea what it does, but I promised that I wouldn’t take it off.

  “Maybe she just wanted you to have something to remember her by. Have you asked your dad?”

  “Yeah, he was as clueless as I. I love wearing it though, it makes me feel closer to her somehow.”

  “That’s so sweet.”

  They lay quietly for a second before Denise spoke again. Denise’s eyes opened and she looked at him.

  “Did you hear that? When we were… you know.”

  “I did. What was it?”

  “No idea. I couldn’t really make it out.”

  90

  When Denise awoke the next morning, Logan was asleep next to her on his back. His hair had fallen over his face, and she smiled at how peaceful he looked. She gently moved the hair from his face and his nose scrunched as the hair passed by. She slowly got out of bed and went to the restroom. When she emerged, he was sitting up in the bed. The covers were dangerously low on his waist and he chuckled at how her eyes took him in.

  “You should have woken me up. I would have gotten up with you.”

  “You looked so peaceful. I didn’t want to mess that up.”

  “Have you showered yet?”

  Denise looked at the floor and shook her head.

  “Would you like to?”

  Her eyes connected to his and she smiled.

  “I’d like that very much.”

  He kept the sheet around his waist as he walked over and kissed her. He walked into the bathroom and she followed. They made love again in the shower before coming out to get dressed. Denise chose to wear her hair curly today. She knew that Mary would be excited because she hadn’t worn her natural hair out in so long. It was either braided or picked out in an afro. She had never straightened her hair before but knew that her hair was long. Her mom always told her to embrace her hair. She dressed in a pair of capris and a tank top. She put a headband around her hair and her curls fell over top of her forehead. Her spirals brought out the light brown in her eyes. She felt different today, and she chopped it up to what she and Logan did. She bounced downstairs and to the kitchen, where Mary and Rebecca were sitting at the kitchen island. Mary’s eyes lit up as Denise came into the room.

  “Oo-lala. Look at you. You look cute.”

  Denise smiled and took a piece of bacon from Mary’s plate.

  “Hey! Get your own.”

  Denise chuckled and went to the platter of food to make her a plate. Logan chose that moment to come into the kitchen and his hair was also wet. Mary’s eyes went back and forth to the both of them and she smiled wide. Denise purposefully avoided eye contact and Rebecca barked a laugh. Logan walked over and kissed Denise on the cheek. Mary eyed the exchange and Denise gave her a knowing smile. Logan looked over and Mary had to hide the fact that she was clapping her hands. Sabastian and Marcus came into the kitchen and Sabastian yawned.

  “Good morning.”

  Mary wiggled her eyebrows up and down.

  “Yep, it is.”

  Marcus gave Mary a curious glance, but she just kept her eyes on her plate.

  “Did I miss something?”

  Mary shrugged and winked at Denise. Marcus looked at Logan and Logan shrugged. He grabbed a glass of orange juice and shook his head at Logan as he walked out of the kitchen. Denise bumped her shoulder against Mary’s as she walked by with a smile. Mary mumbled under her breath.

  “You’d better tell me everything.”

  Denise barked out a laugh as she rounded the corner.

  91

  Logan and Denise spent one final night together before they had to go down to the beach to stake out where the attack might come from. They drove two different cars, and Sabastian rode with Rebecca and Mary because Melinda rode in the other car. They parked close to where they were setting up rides and vending. There were people that had camped out on the beach with tents and blankets everywhere. This was the one time that the city relaxed the rules and let people camp. By noon, people were everywhere. There were some playing in the empty field and others lined up on the beach. Opening day wasn’t until later that evening and they were nervous. They opened the trunk of Marcus’ truck and everyone sat in the back. Melinda wanted to be ready, so she had already transformed into her wolf. She lay in the grass, watching the people go by. Her head popped up and she started to whine. They all sat up and looked around for what it might be but couldn’t see anything. Sabastian huffed and crossed his arms across his chest.

  “She says that she has Jeriah’s scent.”

  All eyes snapped to Sabastian. Marcus placed a hand on his shoulder.

  “You can hear her?”

  Sabastian rolled his eyes. “Unfortunately.”

  Marcus knew that his son still had wolf abilities even though he couldn’t shift, but he didn’t know that he could
hear if they were in wolf form.

  “Can she tell which direction he is coming from?”

  Sabastian pointed to the right and they all looked. Sure enough, Jeriah was walking up a path through the park. He was alone and he didn’t fit in because he had on a pair of tan slacks and along sleeved button-down shirt. The weather was hot, and the long sleeves stood out.

  “How can we stop him with all of these people around?” Denise asked.

  Marcus shook his head and looked around.

  “I don’t know, we have to draw him away somehow.”

  Turns out, they didn’t have to do anything at all. Lights that looked as if they could be falling stars shined from the sky and disappeared behind some buildings. Jeriah’s head shifted that way and his lip curled. He cut across the grass and pushed a man over that was trying to catch a frisbee. The man screamed at him, but he kept walking. They all quickly followed him down an alley and to a large field behind the buildings. What they saw had all of their mouths dropping. There were rows of Guardians standing. There were people still walking through the grass but they had no clue how close they were to angels. The angels all stood with their hands on their swords and watched as Jeriah stalked forward.

  “All of this for me?” He sneered.

  As they followed behind Jeriah, Marcus whispered down to Denise.

  “Can these people not see what we are looking at?”

  Denise shrugged her shoulders and said, “Your guess is as good as mine.”

  “We have got to find some way to get these people out of this area.”

  Denise looked around and nodded. There were literally people everywhere now. There were children playing, and the screeches of laughter didn’t feel right considering what was about to happen. Mary sucked in a breath behind them, and they all turned toward her. She pointed off to the right and they saw a large gathering of people. At first it looked like a group of tourists, but as they turned around, you could see the red in their eyes. Demons. As if there was a repellent of some sort, the humans in the area started to walk away. Denise looked confusingly at Logan who just shrugged his shoulders. A clear film seemed to engulf the area, and they turned in a complete circle to see that the whole battlefield was encased in some sort of forcefield. Denise looked at Logan and Marcus.