Mom and Olivia returned arm-in-arm to the dusty metal bench where they had sat this morning.
Was that this morning?
Olivia's stomach growled when Dad returned with a tray of lunchmeats, cheeses, crackers, and fruit. He placed it on the picnic table next to Sofia's brownies. Matt handed out bottled water while the boys dove into the simple snack. Olivia ate her cheese and crackers while she watched her dad through lowered eyelashes. It was difficult to regard him under this strange new light after spending most of her life despising him. He glanced back at her, but she reached for more cheese instead of acknowledging him. She wasn't ready to unpack all these complicated feelings tonight. Unspoken questions and anxiety crackled around the table, matching her own. But the only thing she could face right now was her pillow. Tomorrow sounded so much better.
Olivia cleared her throat. "I'm going to bed."
She stood up from the picnic table. The boys mumbled in agreement, shoving the last of the brownies into their mouths. Her heart swelled when Zach and Sergio came over to her. After tomorrow's morning light, they'd carve out a new path only they could conquer together. Olivia grabbed Sergio's and Zach's hands and pulled them into a group hug. "I don't know what's in store for us, but I'm so thankful it's with you. We can do anything together. We have to promise right now we'll stay together and have no secrets. It's the only way we'll make it," she whispered. Her tears glistened as she looked at them. "I promise this to both of you."
"I promise, and I'll never let you guys down... even you, Boy Scout," Sergio said, slapping Zach's back. Zach smiled as he rolled his eyes at Sergio.
"I promise, too. I'll always have your backs and fight for both of you," Zach promised.
"Thank you." Olivia closed her eyes, cherishing this moment of trust and commitment, shoring up her weary mind and soul. She turned toward the camper without another word. Opening the door, she found the fold-out bed made for her. As she got ready for bed, the images from the collective memories in her mind shuffled like a deck of cards, not able to focus on a single image. Bone-tired, she crawled into bed. Her eyes closed before her head hit the pillow.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Camilla
Camilla's eyes darted around her bedroom, searching for what had woken her. The filtered streetlamp light drifted through the wooden blinds, revealing nothing lurking in the shadows. Then why was her heart beating like a jackhammer? She rolled over−
A terrified scream saturated the silent house.
Lucia.
A cold sweat broke out on her brow as she flung off her bedcovers. She yanked open her bedroom door. A familiar smell ambushed her when she lurched across the hallway. She'd never forget the oily, smoky odor or what encompassed it.
It's in Lucia's room.
Need a weapon...
Not enough time.
Panicked for her granddaughter, she threw open Lucia's door as another cry rang out. Camilla scanned the room but found only Lucia in her bed, fisting a wad of blankets up against her chin.
"Abuela!" Lucia's bulging eyes pleaded with Camilla, her mouth sagging open from her spent scream.
"Shh... I'm here now." Camilla rushed inside, heedless of the alarms going off in her head. Pain erupted across her back. Something slammed her to the floor with a crushing thud. She gagged on the stench of her nemesis. Its taloned hand, scraping her scalp, yanked Camilla's head back and stared at her with purple eyes. Rage radiated from the demonic, glowing eyes, but then recognition flashed.
"You," she hissed. The stank breath burned Camilla’s nostrils; the black skeletal face was inches from hers.
Lucia's cries became a wheezing shrill, igniting Camilla's struggles to fight back. She grabbed the wrist holding her head, while her other arm pounded against its body.
A silver glint caught the corner of Camilla's eye. The demon brought the curved dagger under her chin. She strained back, but the sharp blade only moved closer. The demon hissed as its forked tongue flicked at Camilla's ear, sending a revolting chill through her.
"Thought you were dead, demon hunter," the demon spat, hot spittle spraying Camilla's face. "Now, I'll get my payback." Its gleeful cackle turned Camilla's blood to ice. "Get the girl...."
Horror struck Camilla as the black choker around the demon's neck uncoiled, thick and shiny. The expanding black snake, with a purple swirl down its back, paid no attention to Camilla. Its large, triangular head turned with its glowing purple eyes stared at Lucia's bed. The snake's hot, scaly body slithered over Camilla's arm. Her sweat-drenched hand lashed out in vain as it taunted her with its purple rattle, shaking as it swished through the carpet.
"NO! Don't hurt her... Lucia!" Camilla gasped as a crazed frenzy burst inside her. She bucked against the clinging demon, thrashed her arms, but it only clamped down harder around Camilla. The knife's tip nicked her neck, and the blade pressed deeper, finding her old, jagged scar. She remembered the blood pulsing through her fingers and spilling around her, sure she would die from that wound. Her fate at this moment seemed no different. Only this time it would drench her granddaughter's carpet instead of the cold cement.
"Too bad she can't move away," the demon snickered in her ear. "You'll watch her die just like I watched you−"
The house boomed as the front door crashed against the entry wall. Thundering footsteps raced down the hallway, careening to a stop at Lucia's doorway.
"Lucia!" Manny yelled into the dark room. But the demon's hiss brought his eyes to the floor, where it straddled Camilla.
"Run, Manuel!" Camilla cried.
The demon leaped off her and lunged in front of Manny, blocking his way.
"Better yet, stay and play!" It licked its lips. Manny stood still as the black-clad demon crouched closer, waving the dagger at Manny.
Camilla scrambled off the floor, her eyes darted between Manny and the deadly snake slithering up Lucia's bedpost. A primal keening sound had taken over Lucia, her eyes glued to the hideous snake.
"No!" Camilla yelled. She lunged for the snake. Desperate to save Lucia, Camilla's hand grabbed its thick, scaly body. Waves of repulsion swamped her. Every fiber screamed for her to throw the creature across the room, but she held on tight. The snake raised its upper body, twisted, and faced Camilla. Its head arched back, mouth wide, needle-sharp fangs slick with deadly venom. She cried out as she slammed the snake down, striking it across the bedpost. Venom sprayed past her, but the stunned snake slowly arched up again.
Camilla heard the demon screech as it launched itself at Manny, its glinting blade raised high. She caught the sight of Manny's right hand thrusting out. A silver streak flashed before embedding into the chest of the demon. Ear-splitting howls echoed in the room as it clawed at its mortal wound. The body exploded into black oil and disappeared, leaving behind a fading trail of smoke and ash. The snake, curved fangs ready to strike, vanished in a puff of smoke inside Camilla’s clutched hand.
Camilla lurched over to Lucia's bed, ignoring Manny's torrent of angry Spanish as he hit the light switch. Camilla sat on the bed and brought Lucia into an embrace. She rocked her, crooning words of comfort for herself as much as for Lucia.
"It's all over... never hurt you again," she repeated, stroking Lucia's silky hair. Manny crumbled at Lucia's feet, rubbing her thin legs. He yanked the pink fleece blanket at the end of the bed over Lucia. He was silent, but anger and confusion pulsed off of him like his furious tirade.
"Manuel... I−" Camilla's breathless words stuck in her dry throat when Manny's confused, shaken eyes pinned her.
"I drove by to check the house.... Heard the screams.... My heart stopped. I ran inside to find that thing−" He tucked the blanket around Lucia's legs.
"Que... Abuela..." Lucia moaned.
But Camilla's eyes became vacant, lost in her own world. A time long past swamped her. Memories she'd stowed away now sprang free.
Angels, demons, Balthazar... Gabriel.
Her eyes slipped over Manny, landing on Lucia'
s pale face. Doll-like eyes lay unblinking, psyche crept back someplace safe deep in her mind. Fearing shock, Camilla adjusted the blanket around Lucia. Her shaking hand stilled over Lucia's exposed shoulder.
There, against Lucia's light-brown skin, glistened seven small black dots.
Orion.
No, no, no... It can't be.
Only Sergio.
"Abuela, talk to me." Manny's anxious voice cut through the panic that had sent her heart into a frenzied pace. Fear clarified her thoughts in an instant.
Manny and Lucia saw it.... He killed it.
Camilla's hand whipped out like a claw, twisting Manny's t-shirt. She pulled him closer, breathing heavily into his face.
"You must never speak of this. Never!" Her shrill voice startled both of her grandchildren. "Your parents must never find out what happened here tonight. Promise me." She felt like a madwoman, wild with fear, seeking the rope that could pull her back to sanity... to her family.
His defiant eyes glared back. "Not until you tell me what that was I just killed and why it was here."
Her shoulders slumped, the weight of her fears too much. "Promise me, Manuel... por favor." A tear escaped, her facade crumbling. He must do this for her. "And I'll tell you what you want to know."
Manny's rough thumb gently wiped her tear away. "Si, Abuela."
She exhaled a shaky breath. "That was a Fallen, but you know them as demons." Her trembling hand released Manny's shirt. "Trained by Astaroth, Prince of the Sloth Realm, one of the Seven Realms in Hell. His realm preys upon the mentally and physically disabled, among others. They consider them weak, easy to manipulate, more amusing to terrorize." Her chin quivered as she found the spot, beyond Manny, where evil had almost won. "That's why they chose Lucia... I thought I had protected her..."
Manny fell back on his heels, his face scrunched. His shoulders shrugged, lifting his brown hands toward her. "Wait. What? How do you even know about that?"
An ironic smile creased the lines on her face as she drew her shoulders back. "Because I was a demon-killer charged with guarding the Fallen's abyss, left open in Heaven, against their return. Just as generations before me, and just like your Papa and..." She swallowed. "…now Sergio. They're transferring powers tonight."
Manny jumped away from her. Confusion mixed with fear played over him as he paced the room like the tattooed tiger on his arm: powerful, stealthy and volatile. He pointed an accusing finger at her. "This is too much!" he exploded. "You're telling me−"
"You killed the demon, Manuel, when you plunged your knife that I gave you into its heart. It is forged from Heavenly steel, made by an angel to kill them. That and beheading are the only ways to kill them. The demon showed itself to terrify Lucia. That's why you saw it."
Manny froze and stared at the empty place in the doorway. He shoved his fists into his jean pockets, his lips set in a grim line. "Your story, Abuela... it's hard to wrap my mind around, but what I killed was evil." He raked his fingers through his thick hair, standing it on end. "Why Sergio? He's just a boy. I'm older−" His fist landed over the top of his heart. "Stronger−"
"It's not for us to understand why one sibling is chosen over another." Camilla's eyes glanced back at Lucia's seven ominous spots. "But we have to accept it, for there is no changing it," she whispered.
"So, there's nothing I can do? No way I can protect our familia? Just sit back while Sergio... my little brother... fights demons?" He waved his arm where evil had struck. "I don't accept that."
"This is difficult−"
"And why can't I tell the familia about tonight?" he mocked. "If they're all demon hunters—"
"I have to take care of something first. The familia can't find out, Manuel. Not yet. It's crucial you do this for me. For Lucia!" Her lips trembled.
Manny's jaw twitched. He put his hands on his hips, exhaling sharply.
"Si, I'll keep your secret." He nodded at her. "For now. But you and I aren't done talking about this. Not by a long shot."
Manny crossed the room. She stared at his approaching chest, too afraid to discover the emotions playing across her noble grandson's face.
What if he−
Manny's warm finger lifted her chin. Onyx eyes, normally guarded and sharp, peered down at her with pride and love.
"I always knew you were a guerrera, Abuela. But now?" He shook his head. "Usted una guerrera feroz." He grinned down at her.
"Te quiero, Manuel."
"Yo tambien te quiero." Manny leaned down and kissed her forehead. His hand fell as he stepped away. A sob of relief escaped her.
"I'm gonna go make some coffee. I need to process all this. You and Lucia go to sleep. I'm not going anywhere." He flipped the light switch off and slipped into the hallway, leaving a void in the room.
A kitchen chair scraped along the kitchen tile. A quick pound on the table signaled Manny had more than thoughts to work out.
Guerrera feroz. Fierce warrior.
No one had called her that since Gabriel.
Camilla looked down at her precious granddaughter. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was steady while her hand still clung to Camilla. Sickening fear threatened again as Camilla tried piecing together what had happened and what it meant for her and Lucia.
They still think I'm dead.
Maybe finding Lucia was just a coincidence.
Have to protect her.
My fault.
Camilla moved Lucia's head onto the pillow. Lucia moaned as Camilla crawled in next to her. Crushing guilt weighed down on Camilla.
You know what you have to do....
"Abuela..." Lucia muttered.
"Shhh. Si, I'm right here." Camilla stroked her hair.
"Is what you said to Manny about the demons, our familia and you... it's all real?" Lucia whispered.
Camilla’s wry smile touched Lucia's head, which was tucked under her chin. "Si. You heard everything?"
"Si," Lucia whispered. "I can fight too. I'm sure I can! You could show—"
"This is not one of your books." Camilla spoke more harshly than she'd intended. "We'll talk in the morning, ¿bueno? But just you and me. Promise?"
"I'd never share our secret." Lucia snuggled up against her. "Thank you for grabbing the snake. "Lucia shivered. "You are a brave warrior too." Lucia said giving Camilla a squeeze.
"Gracias." Camilla kissed her forehead and continued stroking her hair.
Camilla's fingers found the cross around her neck. She rubbed the smooth metal, seeking the fuel she needed for fortitude and strength. She'd do it right this time. For her familia, herself, and God.
But would Gabriel help her... after everything she'd done?
His gold-dipped white wings fluttered behind her closed eyelids. She sighed, knowing there would be no sleep for her tonight.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Lucifer
Lucifer swayed to the cries of wretched agony, the hollow moaning, and the piercing screams of pain and horror cascading around him. The damned and their tormented souls cried out, trapped with their sins for perpetuity. The soundtrack of living Hell. A perfect symphony playing for an audience of one. A cacophony created by him, because of him, and for him.
His masterpiece.
His vision.
His Hell.
Long, forceful legs ushered Lucifer, with his arms clasped behind his back, around the enormous dark stone tower. Massive, arched floor-to-ceiling windows allowed him an unobstructed view of his vast, infernal kingdom.
He stopped and chuckled, closing his eyes in pure bliss as the shrill pitch of a new soul rose above the others. He brought his arms up, like a conductor, commanding it to play for him.
"Yes," Lucifer cried.
Its desolate wail, so pure in the horrifying discovery of its damnation, sang to his evil core. His black blood pumped with the raging scream, shocked that there was no escaping the payment for its mortal sins. A whip cracked, silencing the damned at its fevered pitch.
"Welcome." Lu
cifer lowered his arms, chest heaving with malicious delight.
They deserved every torturous minute of their eternal life with him... in Hell.
And Lucifer was ecstatic to provide it for them.
He strode to the middle of the room, descending the spiral staircase into the darkness. His six massive wings brushed the sides of the stone staircase. Restlessness had plagued him as of late. Nagging at the back of his mind, warning him change was in the air. Lucifer couldn't decipher if it was good or bad. Maybe a visit to one of his Princes would clear his mind.
With renewed excitement, he reached the bottom of the staircase where it opened into the huge circular floor of the Main Hall. A giant open pit lay in the middle. Punishments were doled out to the delight of the crowd. Surrounding the Hall were seven massive arched entrances, each pulsating with its own vibrant color. Like a spoke on a wheel, each entrance led to a long tall bridge with spiked pillars stretching into the slate, nebulous sky. It spanned over the black lava river that swirled around its mighty columns, leading to one of the seven realms.
Which Prince would settle his unrest? He turned to the golden entrance, knowing precisely who to see.
Beelzebub.
Golden light danced on the stone floor of the Realm of Pride entrance. Lucifer smiled, crossing the threshold as the hot golden heat washed over him. Heat came from fire. Fire came from lava. And from the lava, something new arose... his vicious army of damned.
Long strides took him to the edge of the bridge cloaked in the gray mist. Only the colors from the different realms cast any light in this dimension. Now the wails of the damned were thumping through him like a beating drum. His head fell back, eyes closed, as the surrounding chaos brought harmony to his black soul. His eyes flew open in anticipation. He opened his massive ebony wings, lifting himself off the bridge above his wicked kingdom.
Mark of Orion Page 24
