Above The Flames (The Flames Trilogy #1) (26 page)

Bael pushed his face directly into hers, one lip curled up in a snarl. “You will show some respect. The same respect I have shown you.”

She spoke through barely parted lips. “Then why don’t you release me and lock yourself on this table? I could have some fun breaking some fingers too, you crazy psycho.”

He backhanded her and the back of her head slammed against the table. She bit the inside of her cheek as her teeth clacked together painfully. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth.

“Is that all you’ve got? You hit like a girl.” The words she spoke came out strong, but inside her stomach heaved and starbursts sparkled behind her eyes.

He slapped her, open palm. Then again. When he pulled back, he was panting and his eyes were glowing orange.

Jasmine blinked, then reopened her eyes and even through the blurry tears, and the swelling eyelids, she could still see the neon orange. “Y-your eyes.”

Bael blinked hard, and his dark eyes reappeared. “I must take my leave before I do kill you. You infuriate me.” He clenched his fists at his sides and stalked to the door.

“I will kill you before this is over. You have my word.” Her voice was raspy, even to her own ears.

Bael snickered. “With what? Your power?” He cackled louder. “How
is
that working lately?” He disappeared, slamming the door behind him.

Jasmine’s heart sped up.
What the hell does he mean by that? Did he do something to my power?
She screamed, long and hard, hoping someone would hear her. She had to hold on to that hope. If she lost it, she would be dead. And as much as she kept telling Bael to kill her, she really didn’t want to die yet.
Please, somebody find me.

Chapter 32

Realization

Amon

Amon rapped on Jasmine’s door. “Jasmine. Open up.”

No answer. She was angry, and he didn’t blame her. He’d acted macho and uncaring. The truth was he’d been so upset that she was missing he could have punched the wall straight through. With nerves as rattled as his, it had only been a matter of time before he snapped. He’d wished he would have waited to unravel.

He knocked louder. Again, no answer, so he turned the knob and opened the door slowly. “Jasmine, I wanted to say I’m sorry and—”

She wasn’t there. He’d been sure he would find her here, lying on her bed, trying to sort through her emotions. She often did that, even though she didn’t realize what she was doing.

He leaned against the doorframe. “Where else would she be?” he asked aloud, although he knew nobody could hear him.

An idea popped into his head, and he rushed from the room, down the stairs, and out the back door. He ran through the gate in the fence, and hustled into the woods, picking up speed as leaves rustled beneath him. He gazed around as he ran, searching for any movement. Any color variations. Anything. He listened intently for the sound of her sweet, feminine voice, but he heard nothing. Saw nothing.

The wind gusted, bringing a metallic smell to him. He stopped, his heart racing. He followed the scent trail, branches snapping beneath his heavy footfalls. He rounded a tree slowly, focusing all of his senses. A body laid facedown on the ground, wrapped around the base of the tree. He zoomed forward, his legs rubbery like Jell-O as goosebumps lined his arms.
It can’t be. Not her.

The body looked male in form, but from this angle he couldn’t see the head. Truth be told, he was actually shaking with fear to walk around the tree to see who it was. But he picked his feet up, even though they felt like they were surrounded in concrete, and stepped to the side. He released a harsh breath as he saw short hair.
It’s not her.

He crouched down and grabbed the dead male’s wrist. No pulse. Amon hadn’t been expecting one, but he’d hoped the man wasn’t dead. He grabbed the side of the body and pulled, and the dead weight rolled over, resting on his feet. He moved back and drew his brows together.
It’s Bub. But why would anyone kill him? Wait, what is that?

Amon hadn’t seen it until he’d moved his body, but underneath him was a syringe. He picked it up. There was no liquid inside, and no smell, but his stomach dropped to his knees. He forgot about Bub, and let the needle fall from his hands as he hightailed it back to the house.

Caim was waiting on the patio. “Amon.”

“Caim…have you had a vision?” he asked, his voice breathless.

Caim nodded. “Yes, but that’s not why I’m waiting for you. There’s a demon at the front door.”

Amon balled his hands at his sides. “What do you mean? Why didn’t you kill him?”

Caim frowned and stood. “You’ll see. Follow me.”

Amon walked behind his friend, thoughts flying through his mind faster than he could keep track. Where was Jasmine? What did Bub do? Did he betray her and hand her over to the demons? That was the biggest question; the one he wanted answered more than anything. Because if he did, he was lucky he was already dead. Amon would have done much worse to him. And that thought scared him the most. Jasmine was a human woman, and he was a fallen angel. An old-as-dirt fallen angel. What could their future hold?
Not the time to be thinking about relationships. Keep your mind in the game.

They went straight through the front door, and on the porch swing sat Verin. The demon’s red eyes bore into his own and he smirked. Amon stomped up to him, grabbed his red hair, and yanked him to his feet. “What are you doing here?” He enunciated each word, adding a punch of his own.

“Unhand me at once, or I won’t deliver my message from Bael.” Verin raised his eyebrows up and down. “It’s about your little girlfriend, Jasmine.”

Amon released his hold, and Verin fell back into the swing.

“Where is she?” Amon asked through gritted teeth. “If you’ve hurt her, I’ll—”

“This is absolutely funny. The big, bad fallen angel Amon has fallen in love.” Verin placed a hand over his heart. “Will wonders never cease? And here I thought you’d be a grumpy ass the rest of your life.” He laughed hysterically. “Oh, by the way, your eyes are glowing gold, just like they used to when you were an angel.”

Amon ignored the eye comment, shoving it inside to examine later. “My patience has its limits, Verin.” He made a sweeping gesture with his hand. “So get on with it.”

Caim placed a hand on Amon’s shoulder and pulled him closer. “Tell us your message, and you may leave unharmed.”

“Bael wants you to know he has your girl. He’s taking really good care of her.” Verin winked. “If you know what I mean.”

Amon squeezed the banister beside him. “Where. Is. She?”

Verin reached into a pocket of his black pants, pulled out a small piece of paper, and handed it to Amon. “Here’s the address. See you there.”

Verin stood again and passed by Amon, brushing up against his shoulder. Amon stiffened, but made no move to harm the demon. Not killing the evil creature was one of the hardest things Amon had encountered, but somehow he managed to contain himself.

Caim’s footsteps pounded the porch. “I will tell the others. We must move quickly. My vision…I wasn’t sure, but it had to do with the battle to come. I have no clarity, and my vision didn’t show me much, but I know something bad will happen.”

“Get the others and have them prepared to leave as soon as possible. We will discuss your vision on the way. We have to save her.” Amon turned. “There’s no other option.”

Caim’s eyes softened. “I know. And we will. I can guarantee that.”

Amon nodded and his friend disappeared into the house. He sat, then, letting his wobbly legs give out. His heart raced and his hands trembled.

About five minutes later, Cole and Gemma rushed out the door, followed by Beau and Lamia. Azzy flew above the house from the backyard, and Caim pulled the door closed behind him.

“We’re ready,” Cole said.

“Let’s go save us a Jazzy,” Gemma said, crossing her arms over her chest.

Beau glared at him like everything that had happened was Amon’s fault. He wouldn’t get into it now, but Beau was the one who’d brought Bub into this house. And yes, Amon was sure he’d probably thought he was saving someone, but instead, he’d put someone else in danger. Amon should be the one glaring at Beau, but instead he nodded.

“Let’s go kill some demons. We’ll need a plan, but we can discuss that on our way.” He walked forward to the top of the steps and handed Beau the slip of paper. “This is the address. Do you know it?”

Beau examined the paper. “Yeah, I know it. It’s about twenty minutes away.”

“Then let’s go.”

Amon led the way and everyone else followed. They all filed into the car and sped off into the dwindling hours of daylight. In hopes of saving a girl that Amon cherished. But he wouldn’t admit his feelings out loud. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

Chapter 33

Losing Hope

Jasmine

Jasmine grabbed Beau’s hand and pulled him along behind her. “Let’s go.”

Together they ran toward the field of wildflowers Jasmine loved so much. But as they made it to the middle of the field, the flowers grew, taller than both of them. The purple, white, and red petals hovered over them, bending at the top and snapping the vines they grew on.

“Come on, we have to get out of here.”

Her heart raced as she rushed out the way they entered, but the stems were so thick now, they couldn’t even weave through them.

“Looks like we’re stuck here,” Beau said, his voice a whisper.

Jasmine turned around, gazing at Beau. Her feet froze to the ground. His eyes were red. His skin was gray, and his red lips were now ghostly white.
Movement came back to her and she stepped back, dropping his hand.

“Oh my God. What did they do to you?”

Beau laughed heartily, opening his mouth to let the sound fly through the air. “Nothing they won’t do to you. Stick with the demons, Jaz. They will make you strong. Fearless. They will make you better.”

Jasmine dropped her jaw. “But I’m fine the way I am.”

Beau snorted. “You’re pathetic. A waste of perfectly good space. Join the demons, Jaz.” He pointed a sharp claw at her and moved closer. “Join us.”

Jasmine shot her eyes open and squirmed, tugging against her restraints to try to sit up. She cried out as pain assaulted her ankles and throbbed in her fingers. Then she bit her lip and breathed heavily through her nostrils. Sweat soaked her cotton shirt, and if she could ring it out, she’d have a puddle from it.

She jumped as she stared down at her feet. Bael’s chin rested against the table, directly between her feet. A smile plastered on his face, he snickered.

“Oh, goody! You’re awake. I’ve been waiting forever.” Bael stood and walked to the side of the table.

“How about you keep waiting. And, here’s a thought, hold your breath while you do.” Jasmine inhaled, then blew the air back out in a long exhale that sounded more like she was sawing through wood.

“Does the sarcasm never cease?” Bael laughed. “It’s no matter, really. I actually come bearing news.”

Jasmine grimaced. “Why don’t you share it with someone who cares?” She narrowed her eyes. “And…well…that just isn’t me. In case you might have forgotten.”

Bael tapped his index finger against his chin. “It’s a shame, then. It has to do with your darling Amon. But since you don’t care.” He skipped toward the door.

“Wait. Tell me,” she whispered, hoping he wouldn’t hear the desperation in her voice.

Bael spun around and raised a brow. “Ah. I guess it is Amon you care for, and not the pretty blond boy. Hmmm?”

Jasmine clenched her teeth. “I’ve had about enough of you. How about you die and go to Hell. Oh, wait. You can’t. You’ve already done that, haven’t you?”

Bael took a deep breath. “I’m going to give you a little suggestion.” He jutted his chin out. “Keep. Your. Mouth. Shut. It will only get you in trouble. I only have so much control, and once it snaps…” He took a deep breath. “Much better. Now, my news. My messenger has made it to Amon, and returned. He will be coming soon. We all know he has a hero complex.” Bael’s eyes lit up neon orange.

Jasmine gasped. “Y-your eyes.” Her voice trembled.

Bael reached up and rubbed his eyes. When he dropped his arms to his side, they were once again black. “They must have started glowing. It happens sometimes. Especially when I’m excited or extremely angry. Sometimes, even when I’m aroused.” He snickered.

Jasmine scrunched her nose.

“Don’t worry, little human. My tastes are much greater than you could handle. And besides, we will be working together. Business and pleasure should never mix.”

“I won’t join you.” Her voice came out strong and loud.

Sunlight filtered through the door as Bael opened it, and with a hand still on the knob, he turned back. “You have no choice. Do you honestly think the fallen angels will be able to save you? They won’t because they aren’t strong enough to defeat a full demon army.”

Jasmine could see how sore a topic this was for him, but she couldn’t stop the words that poured from her mouth. “They are stronger than any demon here. We will win, and then you will be dead.”

Bael clenched his fists, opened them, and then balled them up again. He punched the wall and his fist exploded through the wood. Small pieces clinked against the floor, and when he pulled his arm back, sunlight blazed into the room. He stormed to her side and put his face close to hers. “You will listen to me. We will defeat your little posse. And I will save Amon for last, so you can watch me gut him like a fish. I will pry your eyes open if I have to.” Drops of spit flew at her face, and she cringed.

Her heart hammered in her chest, but she kept her eyes locked on his. “We’ll see—”

Bael roared. He grabbed her arm and squeezed. “This. Is my control. Snapping.”

Goosebumps sped down her arms as the hair stood up. “Bael. Stop. You need me, remember.” She kept her voice as sweet as she could. She’d gone too far. She knew that, so she had to stop him before he killed her.

She looked up at a dark ceiling.
This is all Bub’s fault. If I ever see him again, I’ll kill him.

Bael released her arm. “You can’t kill Bub, because I already have.”

Jasmine’s fingers trembled, and she grunted as the throbbing picked back up. “This whole reading my mind thing is starting to freak me out.”

“Good. It’s about time.” He walked out the door. “I will send Moloch in to take you to use the facilities.”

Jasmine curled her lip.
He certainly knows how to make an exit.

***

Jasmine fell asleep again, but no bad dreams plagued her. When she woke, the door was still open and darkness surrounded her. The faint sound of a male voice floated to her ears, and she shook her head to wake herself. Then she buckled down and listened.

“I’m not sure how long it will be. Amon will be here soon, and once that group is taken care of, we can hide out for a while.” The voice sounded like Bael’s.

“Then everything is moving in the right direction.” A woman’s voice. “Soon, we will be alone. Just the way I would like it.”

That voice sounds familiar.

“Check on the other Angel Blessed. Please. Make sure they eat something.”

“What about Jasmine?” the woman asked.

“Moloch is dealing with her.”

She angled her neck up at the sound of footsteps, and saw a pair of red glowing eyes.

“Hello, Jasmine. I’m Moloch. I have brought you something to eat.” He came through the doorway and sat in the chair next to her, turning the light on. “It is rather dark tonight. There might be a storm.”

“The storm has already hit this town,” she mumbled.

“What?”

She shook her head. “Nothing. But I’m not really hungry. I think I will pass.”

The smell of peanut butter made her mouth water as the long-haired demon brought out a sandwich. “You don’t have a choice in this. You must eat.”

A heavy feeling assaulted her bladder and she squeezed her legs together. “I’d like to use a bathroom.”

Moloch smiled. “You can. I will take you as soon as you eat this sandwich.”

“I’ll eat it, but only if you let my hands go. I don’t want you to feed me.”

Moloch nodded, leaning forward to unstrap her right hand, then stretched over her and released the left. Jasmine sat up, careful not to move her broken fingers.

“Thank you.” She took the sandwich with her good hand and took a bite. The savory flavor coated her cheeks and the roof of her mouth. In only a couple bites, the sandwich disappeared. “I guess I was hungrier than I thought.”

He held out a bottle of water. “And now probably thirsty too. Drink this and I will take you to the woods.”

Jasmine raised her eyebrows. “Why to the woods? You planning on killing me out there?”

“No. That is where our bathroom is located.”

“Well isn’t that just fan-fricking-tastic.” Jasmine rolled her eyes.

Moloch widened his eyes. “Is that a problem?”

Jasmine shook her head.
Of course a man doesn’t understand the impracticality of peeing in the woods.

Moloch moved to the end of the table and loosened the restraint on her good ankle. Jasmine flinched even before he touched the other one. He looked up, a question in his eyes.

“It’s broken,” she said.

He softened his voice. “I will be careful.”

Jasmine grabbed the side of the table and held on, but there was no need. Moloch had told the truth. He released the leather without even touching her skin.

“Shall I carry you, then?” Moloch moved to the side of her, and scooped her up before she had time to answer.

The demon moved out the door, and Jasmine bounced as he walked. She reached up to put her hands around his neck, and then pulled back. She folded them in her lap instead. Then her head smacked the underside of the demon’s chin, and she heard the clack of his jaw smacking together.

“Ouch!” She rubbed the top of her head. “What the hell?”

“Sorry.” Moloch sounded embarrassed. “There was a hole.”

So they are kind of human. They fall in holes just like we do.

“It’s okay.”

Trees grew around them as they entered the woods. Moloch continued until they were completely surrounded, nothing else visible but brown and green. He set her down slowly, and Jasmine kept her weight on one foot while she rested her palm against the tree to balance herself.

“Here. You’ll have to squat down behind this tree.”

“Do you think you could give me a little privacy?”

Moloch nodded. “I will be right behind this tree. Just call out when you are finished.”

“Okay.” Jasmine squatted and pulled her pants down.
This is so embarrassing.
She peered around, making sure nobody was looking. Moloch wasn’t in view, so she grabbed a large rock after she took care of business.
It’s now or never. This demon is the only thing standing between me and freedom.
When she was covered back up, she stood and tucked an arm around her back to hide the rock. She called out and Moloch came back around.

As soon as he came close, she nailed him in the face. He frowned, a line of blood trickling down from his temple. As he reached up, she brought the rock forward again. This time, aiming for the other side. Another trail of blood flowed, but he stared at her with wide eyes. She pummeled him again and again, but no matter what, he remained stronger than the rock she held in her hand. She let it fall. It thumped against the ground and she slumped her shoulders.

Moloch grinned. “Are you quite finished?”

Jasmine raised her voice. “Why are you smiling? If you weren’t a demon, you would have been knocked out. That is what should have happened.”

Moloch laughed. “I am smiling because you are brave. But also because where would you have gone? How far do you think you would get with a broken ankle?” He rubbed his cheek, then held his blood-stained finger out in front of him. “You will be punished further now. There’s no way I can stop that.”

“How will he punish me?”

Moloch shrugged. “Not sure. He tells me things only when he thinks I need to know.”

He scooped her up again and followed the trail back to her prison. “Can’t you say you fell?”

Moloch laughed again, and she found his laugh rather comforting. It was nice to talk to someone, even if he happened to be a demon. He seemed nice enough. Although she knew he couldn’t be
that
nice. A member of Bael’s army had to have some spine.

After a moment, he said, “I would if I could. Unfortunately, Bael can read my mind. Lying to him will do no good.”

Jasmine nodded. When they reached the shed, Bael stood waiting outside the door. “What happened to your face?”

Moloch bowed slightly, which proved awkward with him still holding her. He stood back up and said, “She assaulted me in the woods.”

Bael stormed over to them and took Jasmine in his arms. She squirmed and kicked her good leg, but Bael’s grip was firm. “Let me go!”

Bael gazed down at her and pressed his lips together. “I don’t think I will.” He looked up. “Thank you, Moloch. That is all. I will need some time before you return.”

Moloch’s lips turned into a thin line and he glared at Bael for a moment. He then wiped his face free of any emotion, nodded and walked away in the opposite direction.

Jasmine’s heartbeat quickened rapidly. “What are you going to do?”

Bael grinned down at her and started to walk toward the shed. “You know, it’s been a long time since I’ve had a woman in my arms.” Jasmine cringed, and Bael laughed. He laid her on the table again, strapping down both ankles and one wrist. “I think you need to learn a lesson.”