I'll Be Damned (Anna Wolfe Series) (25 page)

"What the...?" Martello yells.

"Martello, shut the door!" I scream, but it’s too late.

The creature coils around in the blink of an eye and faces them. I leap over the creature with swift agility, placing myself between them and it. The creature bares its awful teeth, emitting a blaring, ringing noise. I clap my hands over my ears, watching the bat clatter to the floor as it assumes an attack position. Small muscular spasms spread throughout my body. There's an unfamiliar feeling inside me that is similar to adrenaline, but I don't recognize it. I feel powerful... indestructible. I thrust my hands in front of me just as it pounces. A bright, white light shoots from my palms, engulfing the three of us in a bubble. The creature contacts it before gasping a squeal as it plunges to the floor. Its abrasive skin changes into smooth, milky marble. I gawk, unable to process what's happening. I hear Martello and Kristy's astonished mumbles, but I can't make out their words. The creature lies motionless on the floor. Suddenly, little cracks spider over its body, the way an icy lake does before it shatters under too much weight. A loud cracking fills the air and the creature waterfalls into millions of tiny fragments all over my hardwood floor. The bubble protecting us vanishes into thin air and we stand in silence for what feels like hours. My arms tumble to my sides as I brace myself against the door. Words pass through my head in slow motion. I blink a few times to clear my blurry vision. My knees slide to the floor as darkness envelops me.

***

I open my eyes. Well, I think I do, but I still can't see anything... zilch. I close and open them repeatedly to try and focus. I can't comprehend the events that took place. Exhaling, I roll onto my side, drained of all energy, but feeling the urge to run. I try lifting myself on my elbow, but it collapses under my weight. Lying back down, I close my eyes. The ground is clammy and uninviting. I hear someone calling me. Gathering what little energy I have left, I boost myself onto my elbows, ignoring their painful protests. I continue to sit upright and stare into the blackness, hoping to see something. I have no clue where I am, and I don’t dare investigate. Is it a parallel universe? No, it can't be. I was just in my house. Flashes of details obscure my thoughts - the creature, the fear on Martello’s and Kristy's faces, and the bright, white light that came right out of my hands. Yeah, that's right... a bright, white light shot out of my hands! I can't believe it. How the hell did I do that?  What was that light? I sigh, and conclude I must be borderline insane with a touch of manic. I probably just blacked out from mental overkill. Without warning, my body thrusts itself forward. Panicked, I look around. No one is here, and no one is touching me. Another thrust. There’s nothing I can do to stop it, although it’s becoming more violent by the moment. I’m being tossed around like clothes in a washing machine.

"Anna?"

A man's velvet voice resounds in my mind. I know this voice; it's familiar.

"Anna, please wake up."

The voice comes closer. Struggling, I gravitate towards the soothing tone. I'm trying so hard to reach it.

"I know you can hear me. Follow my voice."

I open my eyes, worried only darkness will stare back at me. Instead, I’m welcomed by Valen's beautiful, water colored eyes, showing visible distress. His irises are comparable to any tropical, turquoise ocean. My heart flutters, swiftly forgetting the previous life-threatening events.

"Are you okay?" he asks, caressing my cheek. His hair hangs messy and disheveled, making him that much more gorgeous.

"Yes, I'm all right," I respond shakily. Physically, I think I'm okay, but mentally is another story. I try to sit up, but Valen pushes me back towards the floor.

"No, you need to rest. You're too weak," he responds politely, gently guiding my head to a pillow. I shift on my back, trying to get comfortable on the rigid hardwood floor. Gazing at the ceiling, I sense my body beginning to succumb to exhaustion.

"Girl, we was so worried about you," I hear Martello say as he saunters in from the kitchen.

"Oh my gosh! You’re awake!" Kristy exclaims, sliding next to me.

"I'm okay, guys. It's just a little witchcraft or something... you know, the usual," I reply, straining for comic relief and some normalcy.

"Thank God," Kristy sighs, leaning down and wrapping her arms around me. "We had no idea what to do, so we called Valen," she adds with a wink I hope he can’t see. Even in times like this, she still tries to play matchmaker. We remain silent, each trying to muster the courage and discuss what happened. The elephant in the room just started to waltz.

"So, you needs to explain what happened," Martello says, twirling his diva finger in circles. "The kitchen was a mess...You’d ‘a thought Top Chef was runnin’ a competition in there. Not to mention that nasty thang that was crawlin’ around this floor," he adds, disgusted. The image of the creature pops back into my mind.

The whistle of the kettle breaks the painful uneasiness in the air. Kristy jumps up to handle it. "I'm making some tea!" she screams from the kitchen.

"Girl, I needs somethin’ stronger than tea," Martello replies, following her.

Saved by the bell. Valen turns his attention to me. "Can you stand?" he asks.

"I can try." I'm weak, but pride demands that I give it a go. I sit up without any assistance from Valen or resistance from my body. Slowly, I put one foot on the ground and hoist my weight onto it. In one fluid motion, I'm standing on both feet as Valen supports me with his hands around my waist. Taking a step, my body reacts with tiny flecks of pain sprouting from every nerve ending in my skin, and I flinch.

"Take it slow, Anna. You used a lot of power tonight. Your body isn't used to this, so the first few times are going to be rough," he says gingerly.

"I'm fine, Valen... just a little sore," I reply, lying. My whole body feels like it was run over by an eighteen-wheeler. I try to wiggle out of his firm hold, but he responds by gripping me tighter. Finally, we make it to the stairs. As soon as my foot contacts the first step, a shooting pain emanates from my ankle right up to my head. I hunch over, gripping my head between my hands.

"Anna, what's wrong?" Valen asks, worried.

"My head... it's killing me," I say, gasping for air. The pain is so severe, it clouds my vision. My body goes limp and Valen slides his arms around the back of my legs, lifting me and climbing the stairs as my head finds a soft spot to rest against his firm chest. His scent of cologne mixed with the woods wafts past my nose and I drink it in, despite it making my headache worse and my vision spottier. The imposing blackness deviously seeps in from all angles.
Not again, damn it!

***

I jolt awake, startled by a nightmare I don't remember. I study my surroundings, slightly confused. I'm in my room… in my bed, but how did I get here? I glance at my alarm clock: 3:00 AM. I rub my eyes, trying to focus in the dark. The moonlight pours through my window, bathing everything in pure white. I follow its trail to my settee, and my gaze lands on Valen. He's fully clothed and sleeping as peacefully as an angel. Like natural instinct, I reach for my hair, patting it down and raking my fingers through it, hoping to tame any rogue strands. I glance around the room, embarrassed, like I was invading his privacy. I watch as the strokes of moonlight disappear under his chiseled features, accentuating them even more. His narrow nose sits above soft, full lips, specifically designed for kissing. His sharp, angled cheekbones outline his face and sweep above a broad jaw line that would make Brad Pitt jealous. He's the most beautiful man I've ever seen. I want to touch his face, to memorize every feature. He shifts his weight, and his eyes snap open. I turn away, hoping he didn't catch me looking like a goggling creep.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" he asks, his voice still sleepy.

"I... I'm okay," I stammer, trying hard to mask my nervous tone. He rubs his eyes, standing up to stretch. His arms reach for the ceiling as I enjoy the game of peek-a-boo his shirt is playing. It lightly grazes his belt, exposing his rock-hard lower abdominals that form a defined V before disappearing into his jeans. I want to find out where they connect. Desire bubbles in me like a dormant volcano, yearning to explode. What's wrong with me? Lately, I'm becoming more annoyed with myself. My thoughts betray me when it comes to him. I shake my head, scattering them like thumbtacks. He walks towards the empty part of my bed and sits down like he's done it a hundred times. His shoes clatter to the floor as he rests his back on the headboard, folding his hands on his stomach. He sure doesn't hesitate to make himself at home.

"I was worried about you, Anna," he says, staring straight ahead with a tight jaw. He turns onto his side, mirroring me. His fierce, blue eyes sparkle like jewels in the dim light as he sets his gaze on me. Tingles run across my skin like excited kids at recess. His serious expression soon gives way to concern. He loosens his right hand and lightly caresses my cheek with the back of it. My eyes close automatically, reacting to him all on their own. I have very little say in the matter. He drops his hand, placing it on top of mine. I open my eyes to find him staring at me. I gulp, focusing on his full lips, and wanting nothing more than to taste them. I hunger for him to kiss me. Instead, he starts speaking. Figures.

"The thought of anything happening to you scares me," he continues.

"Me too," I respond nervously. It was the only response I could verbalize. I hang my head, not wanting him to see my flushed cheeks.

"When you're better rested, I want you to share everything. We need to sort this out and start coming up with a plan," he replies.

"How about now? I doubt I'll be able to fall asleep anyway," I say, exhaling. It's true. Knowing he is watching me sleep is enough to keep me from it.

"Only if you're up to it," he replies, leaning deeper into his right arm, and exposing his engorged bicep. The image of me straddling him blinds me. I struggle to concentrate on what transpired tonight, knowing it is more appropriate than my licentious thoughts.

"I... I don't know what happened," I start. In a daze, I begin talking. My mind and mouth are able to agree, for once, and recite the events, small details included. When I finish, he lies quietly, digesting everything.

"There's no doubt that this koklir was sent by someone. That’s a fact. They're not highly intelligent, but powerful without a doubt," he answers. I watch as a piece of his coal-colored hair falls above his frosty-blue eyes. He is the sexiest man alive.

"A kok-what?" I repeat, trying to comprehend what my life has become.

"A koklir is a demon that preys on humans. It literally eats them. In instances where it has only bitten the victims, they turn."

"Turn? As in, turn into one of those disgusting things?"

"Yes, and if that wasn't bad enough, the victims remain aware of everything they do. When they kill someone, they know it's wrong, but there's nothing they can do about it. They're consumed by the need to feed," Valen answers softly.

"That’s horrible! I can't believe that thing was in my home," I exclaim in disdain, thinking how close we all were to becoming one. Tears pool in my eyes for compromising the safety of Kristy and Martello, but I blink them away. "How do you think it got in?"

"Through the door," he answers matter-of-factly.

I roll my eyes for assuming magic or portals might have had something to do with it. No... It just moseyed through my door. "Who sent it?"

"It was created by Lucifer. He's created many demons, all having different traits, so to speak. Each of them has a way of victimizing humans, from the bottom-feeding koklir to a high-ranking Jezebeth. There's always an element of mental or emotional torture in addition to the physical agony," he answers. I didn't ask what a Jezebeth was. I had enough of mystical creatures for one night.

"Your situation is very serious," he adds. "Anna, the
Book of Worlds
contains all the different creatures of the Netherworld. You have to study it.”

I groan. “I know.”

“I think I should stay with you for a while… at least, until things get under control,” he hesitates. “You've been lucky that nothing serious has come for you yet."