Above The Flames (The Flames Trilogy #1) (22 page)

She licked her lips. Amon’s eyes moved to her lips, seeing the movement for what it was. He leaned into her, his chest pressing her back into the bark as he brought his head down, touching his lips against her own. Softly. Then he pulled back, his eyes questioning.

Jasmine touched her lips. She took that hand and fisted his shirt, yanked him close, and smashed her lips against his. The kiss erupted in red hot heat. Fireworks exploded behind her eyes. His lips were gentle, caressing her own respectfully. She didn’t want that. She parted his lips with her tongue. Forced his mouth to take hers. The kiss deepened, and her knees almost buckled as her body shook with desire.

Amon’s arms snaked around her, pulled her close, and she put her palms on his neck, rubbing against his skin. She pushed him, until his back slammed against the opposite tree and jolted her.
What am I doing?

She shoved against his chest. His lips were swollen and his eyes shining.

“We can’t do this. I don’t know what I’m doing.” Jasmine walked past him. “But we can’t do this.”

She picked up the pace, running back to the house and through the back door. She flew past the kitchen and up the stairs. Straight into her room, where she closed the door and clicked the lock. Once safely locked inside, she backed up, dropped slowly onto the bed, and rocked back and forth, hugging herself. She touched her lips again, which still tingled from Amon’s kiss. Her stomach flip-flopped as she thought about it. But it had been wrong. On so many levels. And it could most definitely not be repeated. Even if she wanted it to be repeated, she couldn’t let it happen.

She sighed heavily. “What a damn day.”

Chapter 27

Power Combination

“Jasmine, wake up!” The voice was deep. Manly.

Jasmine lifted her eyelids, but quickly snapped them shut again. “Leave me alone!” She rolled over, burying her head under the blanket.

A strong hand shook her shoulder. “You need to get up. Now.”
Not gonna happen.
The blanket was ripped away, and strands of hair touched her cheeks.

She opened her eyes and sat up, glaring. “What. Do. You. Want?”

“It is time to train,” Amon said.

Jasmine rubbed her eyes and wiped the corners of her mouth. “Get out of my room. You don’t just come in to people’s rooms while they’re sleeping. Were you raised in a barn?” Jasmine paused. “Wait a minute. How did you get in here anyway? I locked the door.”

Amon smirked, holding up a shiny gold key. “I used this. And, to answer your question, I did spend quite a bit of time in the barn, and often slept there.”

Jasmine huffed. “Of course you did. Well, here’s a free lesson. Women in this world don’t like it when people come into their rooms. Especially when they’re sleeping. So…” She nodded toward him, and then angled her head toward the door. “Out! I’ll be down in a minute.”

Amon laughed. “I really do not see what the big deal is. You were only sleeping.”

Jasmine crossed her arms over her yellow shirt. “And what would you have done if I would have been sleeping naked?”

Amon opened his mouth, then closed it, pursing his lips. He ruffled his hair and raised an eyebrow. “But you aren’t naked.”

Jasmine laughed despite Amon’s intrusion. He really was clueless. “No, but I could have been. And you just yanked the blanket off of me. It could have been my only cover. You need to think about things like that.”

His eyes widened, glimmering with amusement, but he didn’t say anything.

“Okay. Out. Let me get dressed. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

Amon nodded, then walked to the door. He paused before he strolled out, looking back once. He gave her a big grin, then left.

Jasmine smacked her palm against her forehead.
Men. I swear. Are their minds always in the gutter?

She touched her lips, remembering their kiss yesterday. She hopped up and threw the memories to the back of her mind. She didn’t have time for this. She needed to get ready.

She threw on a pair of stretchy blue capris and a neon orange shirt. She gazed around her room, but couldn’t find her shoes. “Oh, I left them by the back door.” So she stepped into the hallway and started down the stairs.

“Jasmine, wait up,” Bub called.

She turned as he came down the first couple steps. “What’s up?”

Bub picked at his nail. “I was wondering if you’d go for a walk with me.”

Jasmine raised her eyebrows. “Now?”

“Yeah.” He smiled. “If you want to.”

She frowned. “Uh—I can’t right now. Sorry. Maybe later.”

Bub sighed. “Oh, good. I mean great. That sounds perfect.” He shuffled past her. “Absolutely perfect.”

She shook her head. What was going on around here lately?

Just before she reached the kitchen, raised voices reached her ears. She stopped, using the wall for cover.

“Amon, you have no idea what you are talking about—”

“Of course you would say that. I know what Gazardiel’s powers are, Evangeline. I know what could happen to these humans because of those powers. The angels were wrong for using them. You know they were.” Amon’s voice was deep and loud.

Evangeline’s voice softened. “Yes, I do know. But there’s nothing that can be done. They need to be trained to understand the power that flows through them.”

“And who’s training them?” he yelled. “Certainly not you. You’re disappearing left and right. Never here to help guide these people. To show them how to use their power. It’s up to us. The fallen angels. We were kicked out of Heaven, yet we are still doing your bidding. Tell me why.”

“Because your heart is in the right spot.”

“Maybe, but you need to step up and do your part,” Amon said.

Evangeline’s voice cracked. “You don’t understand. Things in Heaven are a mess. I’m trying to get things in order—”

“You have a bigger responsibility here. The angels couldn’t hold off the demons. They won the war, releasing them. Now they are working to free Lucifer. Evangeline, do you have any idea what will happen to this world if Lucifer is freed?”

“Yes, I—”

“Good, then take care of your responsibilities, and teach these humans what to do.”

Silence stretched. Jasmine ambled forward, sliding her back along the wall. Her foot ran into the leg of a small table in the hallway and a vase crashed against the floor, glass shattering in all directions.
Shit!

Footsteps pounded and Amon rounded the corner. His eyes narrowed. But he didn’t say anything.

I’m not sure why he’s so mad. He knew I was going to meet him here.
But she did know. She hadn’t joined him, instead chose to stay in the hallway. Eavesdropping. She couldn’t blame him. Not when she’d gotten mad at him for the same thing.

He turned and rushed out the back door. She followed, passing Evangeline, who stood at the kitchen counter. The angel didn’t turn as Jasmine passed her, and she didn’t want her to. Amon was right. She needed to teach the Angel Blessed what exactly their power could do.

She flew out the back door. “Amon, wait. What are you running away for?”

He stopped, his back straightening. Jasmine caught up to him, grabbed his shoulder, and pulled him around to face her. The glare he gave her caused her to step back.

“Why are you so mad?” she asked.

Amon frowned deeply. “Because instead of coming into the kitchen, you hid in the shadows, spying on me. If you would have come in, I would say nothing right now…I don’t understand why you would spy on me.”

“I wasn’t spying. I wanted to hear what you were saying, and I thought if I came in you’d stop talking.”

Amon pursed his lips. “And what do you call that?”

Jasmine kicked the sole of her bare foot along the grass. “I guess I would call it spying.”

Amon nodded.

“I’m sorry.” Jasmine half smiled. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I just wanted to hear about these powers.”

“And are you glad you overheard?”

“No. My power scares me. And now, it scares me even more.”

“So spying got you nowhere, huh?”

Jasmine grinned. “I guess.”

Amon grabbed her shoulders. “Listen, I will teach you the control you need. You will learn your power. I’m just sorry you have such a shitty angel.”

“Yeah, it doesn’t sound like you like her very much.”

Amon raised his gaze to the sky. “Evangeline and I go back a long way. I wouldn’t say I don’t like her. I just don’t trust her.”

Jasmine decided to be smart and keep her mouth shut.

Amon’s eyes widened. “Are you ready for some training?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

***

After an afternoon of training, Jasmine couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer. Her power use had drained her, so she crawled up the stairs and into the bedroom she’d claimed. She stood at the door.
The bed seems so far away.
She took heavy steps until she fell face-first onto the bed. The minute her head hit the fluffy pillow, her eyes closed.

Her body was shaking. Her eyes fluttered open.

“Jasmine. Jasmine.” More shaking.

She swatted, connected with skin, and heard a loud slap. When the sound registered with her brain, she opened her eyes fully.

Jasmine sat up. “What? What happened?”

“Shh. It’s okay. Well, sorta okay.” Cole frowned. “Okay, it’s not okay, and we need to get the others and get out of here.”

Jasmine rubbed her eyes. “Why?”

“I had a vision. A really bad one.”

“Okay, tell me.” She yawned. “Sorry. Still tired.”

“The demons are attacking the town where my parents live. I’ve got to try to help them.”

Jasmine’s eyes widened. “Wait. How do you know this?”

Cole angled his chin to the side. “Because I saw it in a vision. I saw the town sign. We have to hurry. Come on.”

He rose from the bed, his footsteps thumping on the floor. Something hit her in the face.

“Put those on, it’s a bit chilly tonight.”

She stood and stretched her arms over her head. “’Kay. I’ll be out in a sec.”

She quickly dressed, then stumbled out of the dark room. Gemma was waiting in the hall.

“You’re coming too?” Jasmine asked.

Gemma nodded. “Yes. Of course. I wouldn’t leave you two without your healer.” She smiled. “What kind of person would that make me?”

Jasmine laughed. “I have no idea. But we need to find Amon.”

“Agreed, but I looked already and it doesn’t seem like any of the fallen ones are here.” Cole shrugged. “Not sure where they went.”

Jasmine scrunched her forehead. “Who’s standing watch?”

“Beau,” Gemma said.

Jasmine cringed. She didn’t want to go talk to Beau, not yet. Things were still awkward between them. But what choice did she have? She found herself bouncing down the stairs and straight out the front door. Beau sat on the top step.

“Hey, uh, do you know where Amon is?” Her voice was weak, even to her own ears.

Beau peered over his shoulder. He glared. “Nope.” Then he turned back, facing forward again.

Jasmine slunk down next to him. “Listen, I know things are strange between us right now, but Cole had a vision. His parents are in trouble, and we need to go help them. So, I really need to find Amon.”

Beau’s features softened. “I don’t know where they went. They all took off down the street a while ago. Put me in charge out here before they left. I heard Caim talking about going to check something out, but not sure where. Sorry.”

Jasmine brushed her fingers through his hair. “Thanks, Beau. Can you do me a favor?”

“Why not? Pretty sure I always do…”

The door behind them opened, and Gemma and Cole walked out.

“They aren’t in the house,” Cole said.

“Or the backyard,” Gemma added.

Jasmine stood, hopped down the steps, and turned, facing Beau. “If Amon and the others come back, let them know we had to go check something out.”

Beau frowned. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. You guys shouldn’t go alone.”

“Maybe not, but we’re out of options and it’s kind of time sensitive.”

Beau nodded. “I’ll let them know.” He stood and fished in his jeans pocket. “Take these.” He threw his car keys. “You can move a lot faster with the Corvette. Just in case things go south.”

Jasmine smiled. “Thank you, Beau. It means a lot.”

He looked away. “Just come back in one piece, okay?”

Gemma paused on the middle step and placed her hand on Beau’s shoulder. “Don’t worry; I’ll heal her if she gets hurt.” She drew her hands up and they turned yellow. “It’s what I do.”

Jasmine shook her head. “Come on, guys! We have to hurry!” She shuffled to Beau’s car, closing the door behind her. Once Gemma and Cole were in, she took a deep breath. “Fasten your seatbelts.”

They sped off into the night.

***

Jasmine parked the Corvette in a McDonald’s parking lot. The sound of a car horn blaring struck her eardrums. She used her index fingers to plug them.

“Why is someone laying on the horn like that?” She raised her voice to be heard over the noise.

Cole shrugged, but angled his head, looking at the drive-thru. “It’s coming from over there.” He moved slowly.

Jasmine followed him. The smell of stale french fries littered the air. And grease. There were oil stains in the parking lot, and hamburger wrappers overflowed from the large garbage containers. A cool breeze struck her skin. Goosebumps broke out along her arms.

Cole stopped at the green Toyota, the horn so loud now Jasmine’s eardrums threatened to explode. He turned, frowning. “They’re here already.”

“How do you know?” Gemma rushed up behind them, panting.

A shiver ran up Jasmine’s spine. She moved around Cole, gazing into the open window of the car. The driver’s head had fallen onto the steering wheel, which was causing the noise. “Let’s move him.”

Cole reached in and pulled the man back against his seat. “Oh my God.”

Jasmine gasped. “Shit.”

Gemma moved between them, raising a glowing hand over the man’s face. Which was unrecognizable as such. Where his eyes should have been, hollow pits remained. Jasmine stepped forward, needing to hold onto something as her knees grew weak. Something crunched under her shoe. She looked down. “I found his nose.”