Atonement (Heaven Sent Book 1)

by JL Rothstein

  Blackened clouds hung thick in the air as the Gutter Demons screamed in frightful terror at the assault. Her pale cloak billowed in the wind around her, seemingly immune to the splatter and fiery embers of the Gutter Demons’ flesh as it rained down upon her. Several of the demons ran away, attempting to flee her assault, but the cloaking mechanism The Horsemen now had in place kept them from fleeing the field.

  This is why they think she’s Death, Tom said to them telepathically.

  She’s certainly playing the part right now, Michael added.

  “Stop!” Schlosser yelled. “They are not the enemy here, demon.” Schlosser pointed at Gen. “She is!”

  Leucous finally turned and locked eyes with her.

  “We don’t have your brother, we never did.” Gen said to Leucous. “Schlosser took your brother’s powers and left him for dead.”

  “That’s not true!” Schlosser bellowed. “She’s a liar and a cheat. I’m here to kill her, if you stay out of my way, then I’ll help you find what you’re looking for.”

  “You’d be a fool to trust him,” Kelly yelled as she stepped toward Sonoran. “Besides, you already invaded my mind and my sister’s as well. You know we don’t have your brother.”

  Sonoran turned toward Kelly. “I saw you die, Guardian.” The Demon sauntered toward Kelly blowing up Gutter Demons in her wake. “Who sent you back?”

  “She’s correct,” Raven said from behind Sonoran. “I read the other one’s mind in that church. They know nothing about our brother. They didn’t know who we were, or who it was we were looking for.”

  “That Guardian killed me unprovoked!” Schlosser spit the accusation as Gen and Harry finally made their way to within feet of Leucous’ position.

  “I don’t care about your petty disputes,” Leucous said to Schlosser. “If you did happen upon our brother, and harmed him in any way, you will perish for it.” As Leucous stepped toward Gen, he paused and glanced back at Schlosser. “There will be no coming back from where we send you.”

  “There’s no need for that,” Gen said to Leucous.

  “You want mercy for the Demon that was about to kill you and all your family?” Leucous asked Gen.

  “No,” Gen answered. “I want justice.”

  “Justice, you want justice!” Schlosser screamed. “You are a fraud and a liar!”

  “I did kill Schlosser,” Gen said as she peered into Leucous’ eyes. “He was tormenting a charge of mine, a pregnant woman. She was harmless, defenseless, his attacks were for his own enjoyment, nothing more.”

  Leucous gazed down upon Gen before speaking. “I don’t care about your charge or your fight. We’re here for our brother and we’re not leaving without him. So, I ask you, what are you prepared to offer, Guardian?”

  “I’ll tell you where Vermillion is,” she said. “But we want something before you take Schlosser away with you.”

  “You want something other than his demise?” Leucous asked.

  “Yes.”

  What’s going on, Gen? Deb asked.

  Let them kill him, who cares? Kelly added.

  “And what does justice entail?” Leucous asked as he peered over at Harry for the first time.

  “He’s to be marked,” Gen said. “Then we’ll tell you where Vermillion is. That’s the deal.”

  Leucous chuckled. “You think I need you.” The demon stepped toward Gen, but Harry stepped between them.

  “Your war has not yet begun Horseman,” Harry told him. “Starting it prematurely would be a mistake, and you know it.”

  Leucous glanced between Sonoran and Raven, both of whom Gen saw acknowledge the truth of Harry’s words with a small nod of their heads.

  “Fine,” Leucous said. “Do what you must, but this is not the last we’ll see of you, Guardian. When called upon, we’ll purge the Earth of all that plagues it. The Angels of the Four Winds will stand against us, and thus it shall begin.”

  Gen felt a tremor under her feet, something inside was awakening, but she worked to tamp it down.

  Gen looked at Leucous. “I assume you can hold him down.”

  Leucous raised his arm in the air and Schlosser was violently forced to his knees. The Demon yelled and thrust against the invisible restraint, but he was unable to move.

  “Let’s go,” Gen said to Kelly and Deb.

  Gen walked toward Schlosser and Kelly and Deb joined her. They reached his position and encircled the flailing Roamer Demon.

  “Schlosser, you are guilty of terrible sins against humanity,” Gen declared above the maniacal grunts of her enemy. “You will be marked and forced to feel the weight of all that you have wrought upon this world, for all eternity.”

  Gen placed her hand on the right side of his neck, where a glowing light burned his skin. Schlosser yelled out in pain, but relief would not come. Deb raised her hand and placed it on the left side of his neck. The light continued to work its way around Schlosser burning him on both sides. His body began to violently shake. Kelly placed her hand on the back of Schlosser’s neck and a Heavenly glow burst into the air. Shards of luminescent rain fell upon them enveloping the demon and lifting him off the ground. In a sweeping, terrifying motion, the demon flailed in the air and was then thrust down upon the ground between them.

  Moaning and shaking his head, he struggled to sit up. As he lifted his face in the air, his neck revealed a ring of scar tissue outlined in black. Barely able to breathe, he sat in a heap on the ground.

  “You wanted to bring destruction upon the weak,” Gen said to him.

  “What is this?” Schlosser’s question was nearly drowned out by his continuous moaning.

  “We aren’t Angels,” Kelly said to him.

  “We’re Guardians, remember?” Deb followed.

  “What have you done to me?” Schlosser hissed at Gen.

  “You’re feeling your own demise, demon,” Gen told him. “Tell all the things you encounter in Hell, if they come for the humans, then we’ll be coming for them. Tell them we’re the physical manifestation of God’s wrath. We’re Heaven Sent.”

  Schlosser’s lungs labored to breath in relief, but none came.

  “It’s done,” Gen said to Leucous. “Your brother has been left in the caves beneath the waterfalls in Purgatory. Schlosser stole his powers, but was unable to kill him, so he left him there never to be found.”

  Leucous violently pulled his arm toward his chest and Schlosser’s ragged body was dragged painfully through the field until it lay at Leucous’ feet.

  Sonoran waved her hands over the field killing every demon that remained.

  “Vermillion owes your family a debt,” Leucous said. “It’s up to him how he repays it.”

  With that, the three Horsemen took Schlosser’s body and disappeared from the field. Gen turned to look at Gabriel and saw Lacey standing behind him. Gen wanted to ask when Lacey had arrived but was unable to form the words. As her head swam with questions, Gen’s vision blurred. What little energy she was blessed with during the battle had been expended during Schlosser’s marking. She could make out Gabriel running toward her, but not what he was saying. Suddenly, she sensed the ground racing up to meet her and knew she was about to pass out. Darkness enveloped her.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Deb sat on the breaker wall looking out over the ocean smashing toward the sandy shore. With the dust finally settled, she went searching for Marcus. At a minimum she owed him a thank you. If it weren’t for him, Kelly wouldn’t be here, alive and well. That wasn’t her only reason though, selfishly she wanted to understand her feelings for him and if those feelings were truly reciprocated.

  She had left the house looking for Marcus after she knew Gen was going to be okay. She had left her sister in Gabriel’s care.

  Where are you? Deb’s mind reeled in exhaustion.

  She had gone to all the usual places: the river, the old mill by the creek, and now here. Marcus was nowhere to be found.

  “I need you Marcus,” Deb whispered as
she folded her legs up in front of her. As she wrapped her arms around her legs, she let her head rest against her knees, shielding her face from the bay breeze that whipped up from the shoreline.

  The rushing sound of water breaking and crashing down upon the beach soothed her aching joints. Despite the relative calm that had settled back down upon their lives, Deb’s soul was restless. Something wasn’t right, she felt off. Confusing dreams had become commonplace and with it sleep was elusive.

  Why are my emotions all over the place? Deb questioned. Why am I dreaming of this beach, over and over again? I’ve never been here with Marcus, have I? If so, how could I have forgotten?

  Frustrated, she unraveled her cocooned body and hopped down off the wall and onto the cold sand. Kicking off her shoes she made her way toward the water’s edge.

  The moon cast a long narrow shadow across the choppy water. Like a spotlight she followed it walking over broken seashells and small pebbles along the way. Her feet became scuffed against the rocky terrain, without looking down she felt the line between the high tide mark and the sandy shore. The sand went from dry cool grains to hard wet surf. She struggled to make sense of what her mind was trying to tell her. It was as if something were blocking her from seeing what was right in front of her.

  The smell of the ocean enveloped her and when she felt the wet foam and slimy seaweed beneath her feet she stopped. The next wave brought a splash of cool water over her toes. She felt the sucking pull of the sand underneath her feet as it was dragged back out with the tide. Something inside clicked into place and she saw a memory flash before her. She was standing at this very shoreline, her left hand enclosed in someone else’s. She peered left, the image was blurry, but there was a male standing next to her wearing only shorts. He was tall with broad shoulders and a crew cut. His sandy colored hair rippled in the sun, but his face was obscured in a fuzzy light.

  “Who are you?” Deb said as the male turned to face her. Before there was any clarity the image broke apart and fell away.

  “Deb?” The familiar voice behind her sent chills up her spine.

  She turned and found Marcus standing a few yards up on the beach away from the water.

  “Marcus,” she said nearly breathless. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere. Where have you been?”

  “I’ve been trying to keep a low profile,” he said.

  “A low profile, why?” she asked. “Are you in some kind of trouble, was it for helping us?”

  “I’m fine Deb.” He smiled at her. “How are you? How’s your family?”

  “It’s still raw, but we’re healing. And you?”

  As Marcus walked closer, Deb felt the memory echo wash over her again, bringing comfort and familiarity.

  “Are you alright?” Marcus asked as he stepped closer.

  “For some reason, I am now,” she answered.

  He smiled again, but there was something about the encounter that seemed different, distant even.

  Before her mind could form any follow up questions, Marcus tucked a piece of loose hair behind her ear. Instinctively, she put her hands on his chest and he leaned in for a kiss.

  Deb felt his hungry mouth engulf hers. She let go of the pretense of not wanting him and allowed her body to react to his. She felt his hands on her arms pulling her closer. His desire for her was primal and raw. Deb responded to the kiss, but it felt forced, like something inside of her was trying to come to the surface and stop her.

  Deb heard a wave crash behind her, sending water spiraling toward them. This time the water washed up the sides of her leg wetting the tops of her rolled up pants. The cold snapped her free of her emotions and she pulled back from Marcus in a gasp.

  She stared at him, trying to reconcile everything she was feeling on the inside with the way she just reacted to him physically. She felt desire coursing through her, her heart raced with an almost overwhelming need to be with him, but something was missing.

  What’s wrong with me? Deb pleaded silently.

  “I’m sorry,” Marcus said sensing her apprehension.

  “It’s okay, I wanted to kiss you. I mean, I do want to kiss you,” she huffed and turned her head away. It was a romantic moment ruined by her muddled thoughts. After what seemed like several minutes she said, “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Of course, anything,” Marcus answered.

  She focused on his face. “Have we ever been here before?”

  He looked up and around the beach as if he were seeing it for the first time. Shaking his head, he answered, “No, I don’t think so. I mean not that I remember, why?”

  Deb felt her head shake in response. “No reason. How did you find me?”

  “Just lucky I guess.” He smiled. “I know you love the water, the riverbank, the ocean. I visited a bunch of places before I found you here.”

  Deb read his body language and knew he had just lied to her, but about which part she didn’t know. She seemed to see Marcus for the first time the way her sisters did. There was something underneath his facade, like a veneer covering something troubling.

  Fear cascaded through her body, not that he would hurt her, but that she could no longer trust her own feelings.

  “I should go,” she said to him.

  “Alright, I hope I didn’t upset you.”

  “No,” she answered through what must have been a thin smile. “I just need to get back.”

  She walked past him toward the sea wall retrieving her shoes along the way. She turned back before leaving. “Thank you, for all that you did for me and my family. Being grateful doesn’t seem like enough, but I don’t know what else to say. If it weren’t for you, Kelly would be …” Deb stopped short unable to actually say the words.

  “You’re welcome. I’ll always be here for you.”

  She watched him leave the beach before she could respond and felt her heart break a little.

  What did I just do? she thought. Why is it that when you’re gone, I miss you? When you’re near, I want you. But when you touch me, it feels all wrong.

  Heading home Deb arrived in her bedroom relieved to find the house quiet. She fell into bed tossing and turning, nightmares plagued her in fitful slumber. She saw the beach again, with the same man as before, his somewhat rugged face just out of focus. Each time he turned she saw a glimpse of something that seemed familiar but then her mind would lose it and she’d forget what it was. There was something she was certain of though. The person from her dream on the beach wasn’t Marcus.

  Deb’s dreams were not so much dreams as distant memories. The happy depictions flooded through her as her mind tried to keep up. She chased each thread to a dead end. Sometimes she felt as though she could nearly place them, but they remained out of reach.

  Rolling over, she kicked off the sheets. The chilly air from the open window roused her to give up on sleep and get out of bed. Her chest heaved as if she had just run a marathon. Her legs were shaky, and her face was damp from tears she hadn’t known were shed.

  Sitting up, Deb swung her legs over the side of the bed. Leaning over she reached for her robe and heard paper crinkle. Flipping the light switch on she moved the blankets and sheets looking for the source until she finally found it under her pillow. It was a note from Marcus attached to a small envelope.

  I don’t know what happened on the beach. The kiss felt so right, yet your face, you looked as though you’d seen a ghost. I need to take off for a while, work some things out, but I’ll be back. I’ll always be there if you need me Deb, please know that. Inside this envelope is my grandmother’s wedding band. It means a great deal to me. If you feel about me, the way I feel about you, then it will fit, and I will come for you.

  I don’t know that I have the right to ask, but I want you in my life forever and I hope you feel the same.

  I love you, Marcus.

  She felt the small hard object in the envelope and peered inside. The shimmer of a simple gold band gleamed up at her. She took the band out and stared at
it.

  Oh my, she thought. Do I dare try it on?

  “Woman!” Jared sarcastically yelled. “You are driving me crazy, fill that bag up already and let’s go!”

  Kelly giggled over at him. “I don’t know what to pack or how much.”

  “I already told you, clothing is optional, but not preferred.” Jared winked at her.

  “That can’t be true for the entire time!” Kelly folded her arms across her chest in mock anger. “Just tell me how many days and the average temperature.”

  “Fine. Three days.” He huffed. “You need a bathing suit, one pair of jeans, a top, a sweatshirt in case it gets chilly at night, and those sexy red high heels, that’s it.”

  “That can’t be it for three days!” she squealed as she raced around the room jamming clothes into the single overnight bag Jared had negotiated her down to.

  “Here’s your map,” he said when she finally finished packing.

  “Finally!” she exclaimed. “Ok, so where are we going?” She let the bag drop to the floor and opened the folded-up piece of paper he handed her. Inside was a badly drawn map of three locations. There were stickers haphazardly placed next to each site with numbers marked next to each.

  Kelly felt his eyes on her and looked up. “I don’t know what to say …” she smirked, “where am I wearing the bathing suit?”

  Jared laughed. “You didn’t look close enough.”

  Kelly looked down again. “You’re taking me on a three-day tour of Columbus, Ohio; Sydney, Australia; and Montreal, Quebec?”

  “Yes,” he said gleefully. “I thought the stickers would be a big enough hint.”

  When Kelly turned the page a little to better see the pictures she gasped. “Cheeseburgers, these are cheeseburgers!” Throwing herself into his arms she finally understood. “You’re taking me to the three best cheeseburger joints in the world!”