Olivia’s heart slammed against her chest as she scanned the room. But everyone had returned to the business of sipping coffee while gossiping in hushed tones. Everyone but Zach and Sergio. Frozen in their spots, faces bunched with confusion, they stared at the same smoky figure.
Olivia jumped when it turned and confronted her. A shapeless void, except for two white eye sockets aimed only at her. She lifted trembling fingertips to her lips, gasping, backing up until a table hit the back of her legs. She was trapped, it rushed her like a powerful wind. The stink of smoke invaded her and burned her eyes, choking her as it shifted around her. Feelings of suffocation, and intense inspection, consumed her as bile rose, terrified by the invasion.
Trapped by evil.
"You can see me?" Its deep, hollow voice brought goosebumps to her flesh. Tendrils of smoke wrapped around her like vines, pulling her deeper inside its smoky mass. She gagged, her senses overwhelmed.
"Humans can't do this. Only if I want to show myself can they see me."
Olivia's body shuddered, terror clawing at her to run. Her pulse quickened. A scream was trapped in her throat. Evil engulfed her, threatening to swallow her, and she had no way to stop it. The hot, thick haze couldn't thaw the frozen pit growing inside as it dominated her. She winced as the skin on her right collarbone flared in pain as if it had seared her with a branding iron.
Its hot, ragged breathing assaulted her ear. It sniffed her hair as tendrils slithered around her neck. "You don't carry the stench of an angel."
What is happening to me?
Her breaths turned shallow. Too blinded by the smoke to find Zach or Sergio, she clung to the hope that they saw her.
"Let me go!" She sobbed as she struggled, but the tendrils grew tighter, sealing her inside its sinister presence.
"Who are you? What powers do you possess that you can see me?" It boomed inside her head. The more it talked, the more agitated it grew. The smoke began to whirl around them. "Can it be true? Could you be one of the ancient ones sent to destroy us? Answer me!"
"Help me!" Her cry was hoarse from her raw throat, scorched by smoke. The world faded around the edges as her vision tunneled and her coughing increased.
"I'm taking you back to Berith. He'll unearth your secrets."
No... please.
"Get away from her!" Zach and Sergio shouted. But they sounded distant and muffled. Their frantic hands sought her through the blackness, working to tear her free. The presence shrieked against their intrusion. It shot out a force, knocking them back.
"What? You can see me too?" Outrage vibrated in its roar. "This is impossible!"
The smoke dissipated; the room shifted back into view. Olivia recoiled as it morphed into a solid shape. Something more menacing and sinister arose from the smoke. A bald demon with marble-white skin. Irises were blood red, floating in black eyes, emanating with hate. Small round horns jutted from each temple, pointing forward, threatening to jab whoever got too close. His barrel chest rose above strong legs in a wide stance. From his belt hung a sword slashed in red and a matching dagger on the opposite hip. Clothed in black leather, his horrid transformation was complete.
The boys jumped in front of Olivia. She clung to the backs of their shirts. Icy terror leached through her as large bat-like wings snapped out behind him. Another scream bubbled, but fear clamped her throat shut. Although people moved around the room, no one paid the trio any attention. It was as if the demon ensnared them in a bubble of invisibility, blocking outside sound while warping the room and its occupants.
"Step away from her or die. I don't care." His wicked sneer tightened on his vicious face. "Because she's coming with me."
The demon lunged, arms raised, but the shop's lights cut out, plunging them into darkness. Startled gasps erupted, but for Olivia, it was much worse. The demon melted into obscurity. She scoured the shop, desperate to find his gleaming red eyes before it snatched her away. But a howl pierced the air. Sounds of scuffling and grunts came from where the demon had stood. Steel clashed against steel. A battle mounted, rising above them, hurtling throughout the shop.
Who is attacking it?
Freed for the moment, the boys pushed Olivia to the ground. They found themselves hunched under the counter, backs to the wall. Olivia prayed for protection against the unseen battle raging above them.
"We have to get out of here!" Zach's ragged breathing was hot against her cheek.
"The front door… on my right." Sergio crawled away, but Olivia feared the demon’s reemergence. Panic seized her jerking limbs, hindering her efforts to escape.
"Move it!" Sergio urged ahead of her.
"I'm trying!" she yelled, willing her body into motion.
"Come on, Olivia," Zach pleaded and pushed her forward. An enraged cry split the air, galvanizing her body. She lurched forward, straining against her paralyzing terror.
An explosion of blinding lights ripped the trapped scream from her throat. She fell on her back, throwing her hands up to protect herself. Strong fingers wrapping around her arms released a surge of primal survival. She fought with her fists and feet, terrified he'd drag her away. She lashed out again, her fist glancing off of a scratchy chin.
"Olivia... Olivia. Hey… it's Joe." He shook her as he dodged her elbow. "Easy now."
Her eyes focused, chest heaving as she sought to catch her breath. Joe bent over her, his hazel eyes filled with concern. The boys stood on each side of her, wide-eyed as they scanned the room.
"Hey, what's wrong?" A half-smile tugged at his lips. "That afraid of the dark, are you?"
But Olivia only half-heard him as he helped her to stand. She hunted for the demon, afraid it still lurked in the corners, waiting to strike. But it had disappeared. Normalcy flowed around the room where a thing of her nightmares had just terrorized her. She spied a black oily puddle as the stench of sulfur burned her nostrils. Ashes floated to the floor. The inky pool's edges collapsed in on itself until it disappeared, leaving the tile clean of any black liquid.
"Are you okay, Liv?" Zach whispered against her hair. She nodded, but she knew she would never be the same. Her eyes darted between Zach and Sergio. They were both pale, a sweaty sheen covering their faces. The room buzzed with excited talk, a few patrons lined up for coffee refills. Joe patted her shoulders and then hustled behind the counter.
"What— what was that?" Sergio ran his fingers through his hair, scanning the room again. "It wanted to take Olivia."
"I don't know." Zach shook his head and brought a finger over his mouth. "But we're the only ones who saw it. I don't get it."
Even though her tremors had subsided, the demon’s intentions shocked her mind. It churned with the horrid possibilities of sickening outcomes. She stared at where the demon had besieged her with surreal questions, intent on making her his prisoner, while she feared her imminent death.
Where did it go?
Had the demon disappeared into a putrid puddle and a pile of ashes?
Who had fought it?
And why were they the only ones unlucky enough to see it?
As more questions bombarded her, fear spun a dreadful new reality. If she didn't get any answers soon, she'd never be safe again.
Chapter Three
Olivia
Snickers from the crowd cut through the fog in Olivia's head. Reality struck as she understood how ridiculous they must look cowering on the floor. She winced, noticing the customers staring at her with amused curiosity. Why hadn't any of those mocking eyes encountered the demon? Answers eluded her, leaving her chilled and scared. Determined not to give the busybodies any more fodder, she turned around only to meet Zach and Sergio’s worried gazes.
"Stop gawking at me, you're only making it worse." She glanced at the door, wishing she could slip through it and disappear.
"Way to knock us over, Olivia," Sergio spouted loud enough for everyone to hear. He slapped a grin on his pale face. Zach's laugh sounded like he had just sucked in a bug. Both boys looked as fraz
zled as she did as they searched the room. Some might assume the boys were embarrassed because of their nervous glances, but she wasn't the only one worried about the demon's return. What if he brought others back with him?
"I'll protect you from the dark," came a catcall from across the shop. The crowd's giggles rankled her nerves, but the talk changed to Ryan, replacing their interest in the quirky incident. Olivia detested the thought of being a part of the rumor mill. With any luck, the kids would forget this day before school started. But not her.
She took a deep breath while her trembling hand smoothed a wavy lock of hair that had been freed from her ponytail. Instead of standing there, she reached for the counter door. The skin on her upper chest still twinged when she pushed it open. Could she have knocked into something when the lights went out? But her recall was fuzzy. Her clammy hands ran over her apron, checking for rips or snags. Everything was in place, except for her shattered psyche.
"I'll figure out what happened with the lights. Sorry it upset my best employee." Joe nudged her arm. "Why don't you grab a cookie and take a break. Fresh air will do you good. I got this." His head nodded toward the back door. This softer side of Joe was getting weird. She felt a twinge of guilt that he thought the lights going out made her react like a scared rabbit.
"Thanks. I can't believe I hit the floor like that. Sugar would do me some good." She cracked a smile as her shaky legs headed for the bakery case. Deciding her favorite cookie was in order, she snagged a triple chocolate chunk. Joe had coffee orders lined up, giving her pause, but he waved her away. Zach and Sergio stood huddled together as she peered over the case.
"I'll go outside with you," said Sergio.
"Me too." Sergio looked at Zach, but he looked at her, ignoring Sergio's irritation.
Her eyebrows lifted at Sergio and Zach's possessive behavior. The last thing she needed from them was some idiotic notion that she would fall apart because of this. She was scared, but she wasn't a flake. She rolled her eyes and took two more cookies.
"Look, we need to talk about what happened," she whispered as they came closer. "I'm going out back. You two leave through the front and meet me there, okay?" Both nodded and turned their separate ways. She walked out from behind the counter, holding her head high as she passed through the crowd. When she shoved the back door open, she heard the front door bells jingle.
Olivia paused, relishing the fresh air washing over her. She drew her first real deep breath since the fight between Ryan and Sergio. Her head swirled with questions, but no answers. That didn't sit well with her. Olivia prided herself in solving her own problems. She always dug until she found an explanation. This incident was no different. A slight shiver snaked down her spine. They needed answers, and fast. Because her life, and the boys’ lives, depended on it.
Exposed. That was her, standing alone under the door's spotlight, like bait for the predator. Goosebumps rippled over her skin as she searched beyond the edges of the light into the parking lot. But smoke and shadows danced the same in the dark.
What if it's hiding by my car?
Her shoulders relaxed when she spied the boys turning the corner. She took a bite of her cookie. Chocolate and sugar exploded in her dry mouth. She hoped the sugar would give her a much-needed kick.
The boys emerged from the light's fringe. Zach assessed her from head to toe. "Good."
"What?" Olivia took another bite, glancing down making sure she hadn't missed something. She handed them each a cookie. Sergio ate half of his in one bite.
"Your color looks better, and you've stopped shaking." Zach nodded with satisfaction and took his own giant bite.
"Well, I'm glad my recovery meets your approval." It came out sharper than she'd intended, but her emotions were still riding a roller coaster. And for some inexplicable reason, this guy got under her skin. "Need to check my hand again, too?"
His face turned to stone. "Wow. Sorry I said anything. I'll just go−"
She threw up her arms in exasperation. Her feelings may be a hot mess, but she didn't want him to leave.
"Wait, I'm sorry. I'm fried, that's all. That... that demon wanted to take me away, and I'm sure it wasn't someplace fun. And no one else saw it, only us, and..." Her eyes pleaded with him. "What if it comes back?" The thought made her stomach churn. She tossed her half-eaten cookie in the dumpster.
Zach's body relaxed. "There was no way we'd let him take you."
"You can't say that. You both came to my rescue in there, but it may not be so easy next time." She swallowed the lump in throat. Tears welled, threatening to fall and shatter what little composure she had left. "It terrifies me to think what would have happened if you two hadn't−"
"It's over now," Zach said as he leaned closer. "No one is taking you anywhere."
She only nodded, not sharing his certainty.
"Where did it come from? One minute, that jerk sent me crashing to the ground, and then the next minute, the demon was staring at Olivia." Sergio shuttered. "I've never been so freaked out."
"I find it incredible that no one else saw it besides us. How could that be?" Zach started pacing, running his fingers through his hair. "And where did it go?"
Zach and Sergio tossed out the same questions she struggled to answer. Anxiety rattled her nerves.
"Wait. Stop for just a minute. We have the same questions but zero answers. Maybe if we write them down, we can figure out where to start…" She trailed off as the boys looked at her as if she'd lost her mind.
"We'll need more than pen and paper to figure this out," Sergio quipped as his brow scrunched. "We'll need weapons and a priest−"
"Massive weapons... Did you see that ax hanging from his hip?" Zach shook his head.
"Okay, you guys are not helping my stress level. We don't have any weapons, and we don't know how to kill it." Olivia crossed her arms. "We can think of other options." She looked over at Sergio, who was rubbing the top of his chest.
"What's wrong? Did you hurt your shoulder?"
"No, but that jerk landed on top of me. Why fight over a game?" He rotated his shoulders backward. Olivia startled when she glimpsed raised black dots against his caramel skin.
"Hey, what's that?" When she pointed below his collarbone, Sergio pulled the torn piece to the side.
"That's weird. It wasn't there before the fight." He touched the exposed marks. "Ow! It's tender. I guess I landed on something."
Zach and Olivia moved in for a closer look. Olivia's finger grazed over the raised black dots. There were seven. Three offset on top, three below in a diagonal line, and two equal distance from each other on the bottom. They were smaller than the size of her fist. She'd never seen them before on Sergio. They'd been friends since middle school and had spent many summers by the pool.
Zach studied the spots but shrugged. "It looks familiar, but I can't place it." Olivia nodded, but then remembered how her chest ached. She pulled back the collar of her t-shirt to take a quick peek. She gasped, releasing the shirt like it bit her. Zach also glanced inside his shirt. He looked back with wide eyes.
"What?" Sergio's eyes darted between their stunned faces. Zach and Olivia pulled their collars down. Where nothing had been before, the same seven dots marked their skin. Olivia's mind went blank.
This is impossible...
"I don't understand." Sergio rubbed his eyes with his fists. "This is too much, man. I've gotta go. Manny will be here soon." Sergio turned and ran, swallowed up by the darkness.
"Sergio... wait!" Zach lurched forward, but Olivia grabbed his arm.
"Let him go. He just needs some space. Besides, if Manny is waiting, we don't want to raise any suspicions with him." Her heart skipped when she saw her shadow. But the demon wasn't a shadow. It was a smoky, vile horror that wanted to steal her away.
Zach faced her, scrutinizing her again, not intimidated by her long-standing walls. An unwanted warmth spread across her chest. Even though she hated to admit it, his presence eased her tension.
"
I don't blame him. This has blown up our worlds." He stepped closer, bringing a wave of body heat with him. She shivered. Had she been cold, or was she responding to his closeness? The last thing she needed was to deal with these rising feelings for him. She hugged herself, needing a barrier between them.
"Are you chilly? I'm surprised you aren't in shock after what took place." He lifted his hand and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Her pulse kicked up a notch. She wished, for just a silly second, he would hold her and tell her that everything would return to normal.
So much for my walls up.
"You were brave in there. Fighting Joe like that when you thought it was the demon. His face was priceless." He grinned at her, but she grimaced.
"I guess I owe him an apology."
"I bet he's fine." Zach's face turned serious. "We'll figure this out together. I promise. I don't know where that... that demon came from or how these marks appeared. But we'll sort this out. Do you trust me?"
She pulled back, thrown off by his question. Trust was something only her mom and Sergio had earned. Could she trust someone else? This handsome stranger now entangled in her life by incredible circumstances? She turned away, but his hands wrapped around her arms, keeping her in place. His tall frame bent over and looked her in the eyes. "Olivia, you can trust me. It's how we can get through this together. And we are in it together."
She fought against the wave of panic shooting through her body. He didn't understand what he asked of her. But for the first time in a long time, she wanted to jump off the cliff and trust his words. That terrified her almost as much as the demon.
"But I don't even know you, so..." She threaded her fingers through her hair in frustration. "It's been a long day. I— I just need some thinking space." Her eyes pleaded with him as she stepped back.
"Okay. I understand." But disappointment tinted his words. "It's too much to ask right now." He looked at the ground, rubbing the back of his neck.
Mark of Orion Page 4
