Above The Flames (The Flames Trilogy #1)

by Cassandra Fear

  “Why not? We kicked butt out there.” Gemma stood. “You should have seen Jasmine.”

  “Tell me,” Amon said.

  Jasmine crossed her arms. “Cole, Gemma, and I joined our powers and killed four demons.”

  Amon’s jaw dropped open.

  Azzy smiled. “That’s amazing. Are you serious?”

  Jasmine nodded. “Yeah, it was intense. I don’t know how we did it, but when we joined hands, it kind of just happened.”

  “We pumped our power into Jasmine’s, and it combined. The white and yellow color of my and Gemma’s powers mixed with Jasmine’s blue and it all turned green and zapped the demons even more. We were so stunned nobody saw the demon hiding at our side, until he scratched me.” Cole chuckled. “Crazy, huh?”

  Amon’s hands clenched at his sides, and then opened, only to squeeze together again. “What do you mean, ‘until he scratched you’? Are you saying you’ve been scratched by a demon’s claw? Cole, do you have any idea what that means?”

  Cole exchanged a knowing look with Jasmine. “Well, yeah. I thought I was a goner. Dead on arrival and all that. But Gemma healed me.”

  Jasmine pressed her lips together as a dazed look passed over Amon’s face. He brought his hands up to his chest. “Where were you scratched?”

  Cole pointed to his chest, where his shirt was ripped. “It’s kind of obvious, isn’t it?”

  Amon shuffled forward and lifted Cole’s shirt. The skin underneath was smooth, not even a scar shining back at them. “Unbelievable. It can’t be.”

  “It’s impossible, but somehow it still worked,” Jasmine whispered.

  “I see this. Okay, meeting adjourned for now. I need some answers before we continue,” Amon said, and everyone rushed from the room. “Jasmine, stay a moment, please.”

  Amon sat down on the sofa, and Jasmine joined him. She pushed herself into the corner, leaving as much space as possible. “What’s up?”

  Amon turned to her, leaning closer. “Jasmine, you must start thinking before you react.”

  Jasmine moaned. “Really? That’s all I do is think.”

  “No, you act rashly and rush into situations with no plans.”

  “Glad to know what you think of me. Thanks for clearing that up.” Jasmine rolled her eyes. “Because you never do that, do you?”

  Amon narrowed his eyes. “And it helps tremendously when you react with sarcasm. It doesn’t anger me at all.”

  Jasmine gasped. “You just reacted with sarcasm! Hello? Why is it okay for you to do the things you tell everyone else not to? Haven’t you ever heard the phrase ‘lead by example’? It’s time for you to take some of your own advice.”

  “I have been alive a lot longer than you and—”

  Jasmine put her hand up in a stopping gesture. “No. I don’t want to hear any more of this.” Her tone was loud, even to her own ears. “You need to think about what I said, and I need to think myself.”

  She got up and stormed out of the room. In the hallway leading to the kitchen, she passed Bub.

  “Hey,” Bub said.

  “How about that walk?” she asked.

  Bub’s features lit up. “Yeah, all right. Sounds pretty good. Just let me grab my jacket. It’s a little chilly out there.”

  Jasmine raised her eyebrows, but didn’t question him. She continued down the hallway and out the back door, where she sat in a patio chair waiting. How dare Amon. It’s okay for him to boss everyone around, but never have any rules for himself. Or, if he does, he just breaks them. Ugh!

  She wished she could scream. He’s just so frustrating.

  The door clicked shut, and Jasmine gazed over. Bub wore a bulky black jacket, and how he could she had no idea. It was actually warm for being so early in the morning.

  When she arrived back at the house, the sun was just starting to peek over the horizon. Now it was high, beaming down on her. Warming her skin.

  Jasmine opened the gate, held it for Bub, and released it as she joined his side. “So, how long were you listening this time?”

  Bub put his hands on his chest. “Me? I wasn’t listening.”

  She gave him a pointed stare. “Come on. I know you. You weren’t just hanging out in the boring, empty hallway for no reason.”

  They continued walking, entering the woods and ducking around branches. Jasmine watched her footing, careful not to step in any groundhog holes. With her luck, she might just break her ankle, and then what good would she be?

  Bub remained quiet for a few more moments. Finally, he said, “I don’t think Amon is right. I agree with what you said. He needs to practice what he preaches. That dude…he gives me a bad feeling.”

  Jasmine scrunched her nose. “What do you mean?”

  Bub stopped and grabbed her elbow, pulling her to face him. “I don’t know. I just get a bad vibe, ya know? Like he’s got a lot of secrets.”

  Jasmine laughed. “I’m sure he does, but he’s been alive forever. Well, not alive, but you know…sort of alive. He was human once. When he died, he became an angel, then fell to become a fallen angel living among demons in Hell. So, yeah, he does kind of know what he’s talking about.”

  Why are you defending him now? You were just mad at him. Stop being so wishy-washy, Jasmine.

  Bub stepped forward, and Jasmine fell in line behind him. Silence stretched around them, letting her take in the birds chirping as they flew from tree to tree. She looked up. The sun streaked through the treetops, highlighting dirt and dust flying through the air. Bluebirds frolicked here and there, almost as if they were playing a game of tag.

  She’d been so focused on what was going on above her, she hadn’t noticed what had happened on the ground. Bub leaned against a tree behind her, a smug look planted on his face.

  “What are you doing?” Her heart sped up. “Did you want to go back to the house?”

  Bub shook his head. “I want to ask you a question. Why do you go for these guys who will never love you like I do?”

  Jasmine frowned. “Wow. Have you turned into a girl or something? That sounds like something a woman would say.”

  Beau narrowed his eyes. “Funny. But, no. I’m still all male.” He cupped himself between the legs.

  Jasmine turned her head and cringed. “Come on, Bub. Can you just stop this crap? We can be friends. That’s it. That’s all there ever will be again.”

  The soles of his shoes crunched the leaves as he moved behind her. She froze, a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

  Bub’s hot breath touched her cheek as he leaned his head over her shoulder from behind. “It’s too bad. I think we could have had something special.”

  She spun around and stepped backward in one fluid motion. Bub had a bag in his hand.

  Jasmine motioned with her forehead. “What’s that?”

  “Oh, nothing.” Bub unzipped the bag, pulling out a syringe filled with clear fluid.

  “I hope that’s something for you. Have you been diagnosed with diabetes or something?” Jasmine’s heart now thundered loudly in her ears.

  Bub laughed. “No, but that was pretty funny. It’s for you. Bael hired me to nab you. I am sorry, though. I tried to tell him no, but he really makes it impossible.”

  Jasmine swallowed hard. “Bub, listen. You don’t have to do this.” She reached inside, pulling her power out of the box it rested in. It flowed through her naturally now, taking its rightful place inside her. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  Bub snickered. “You can’t hurt me. You’re a woman…”

  “I’m not even going to respond to that.” She raised her neon blue hand and let her power flow from within her. It touched Bub, but instead of hurting him, it surrounded him, almost as if the fire was sniffing him out. Then it retreated back inside of her.

  What the hell? You’re supposed to help me. What are you doing?

  The blue fire purred inside her, but offered nothing else.

  Bub leapt forward, and the needle slid into her soft skin. T
he liquid burned as it entered her bloodstream.

  “What is it, Bub?”

  He shrugged. “Not sure. Something to knock you out, I guess.”

  Her eyes grew heavy. She laughed, remembering how tired she’d been when she’d first come back this morning. If she would have just gone to bed, none of this would be happening now.

  Jasmine’s muscles felt weighted. She tried to run, but fell to her knees on the ground as she took her first step. When she tried to stand, she slumped forward face-first on her stomach. She shoved her fingers into the cold ground and began to crawl, but couldn’t make any forward progress. Her eyes shut, and even though she tried to force them open, they remained closed. Not again. Darkness took over.

  Chapter 30

  Loose Ends

  Bael

  Bael and Moloch stood in the woods, hidden behind a couple of large trees that had grown rather close together. As soon as Jasmine fell, they walked out together.

  Bub gazed down at Jasmine, the corners of his mouth tilted toward her. But at the shuffling noise of Bael’s feet against the leaves, he looked up and his eyes widened. “What are you guys doing here?”

  “Making sure you succeeded. And you did. Great job.” Bael’s voice was monotone.

  Bub swatted at the air. “Ah, man. It was nothing—”

  “Although, it took you long enough.” Bael stopped at Jasmine’s side, and Bub took a step back.

  “Hey, man, I did it as fast as I could.”

  “Yes, even though you tried to tell me no.” Bael grinned as Bub’s mouth opened. “Of course we heard it all. We have been watching for you to make your move. When you finally did, Moloch came and got me, and together we followed you.”

  “Do you want me to take her?” Moloch asked Bael.

  Bael nodded. “Yes, and make sure she’s strapped down. Especially her hands. She’s a fighter, and that power is nothing to take chances with.” Bael paused, smiling. “I can’t be around to contain it the whole time, after all.”

  Moloch leaned down and lifted Jasmine in his arms. “I will await further instruction at the place we found.”

  “Good.” Bael waited for Moloch to disappear from view, then turned his focus on Bub, who had his back against the tree behind him. “Now, to deal with you.”

  “I was thinking I would run into the tree a couple times, give myself some bruises and a black eye, and tell them we were attacked in the woods. Sound good, man?” Bub’s fingers shook as he ran them through his hair.

  Bael smiled. “A very sound plan.”

  Bael paused, and Bub grinned and opened his mouth, then shut it again.

  Still smiling, Bael rushed forward, grabbing Bub by the wrist. “But even though it was a good plan, it isn’t going to work.”

  “W-why not?” Bub tugged his arm back, trying to break Bael’s grip. “Let me go, man.”

  “Sorry. I cannot. You know too much, and you’re a moron.”

  Bael brought his other hand up, extended his claw, and in one fluid motion sliced it across Bub’s neck. The boy’s mouth hung open, and his hand came up to cover the wound, but blood spilled through his fingers, dripping down his neck and soaking into his black jacket.

  “Why, man?” His words were gurgled.

  “Because I’m a demon. And I like to kill. Especially humans.”

  Bub slumped down the tree, landing on the ground. He fell back at an angle and continued to bleed. Bael stepped closer, hovering over him. The blood smacked the brown leaves, and then continued sliding into the ground below.

  “Tell Jaz…I’m sorry…”

  Bael nodded, even though he had no intention of telling Jasmine anything. Bub was a nuisance. Now, he was dealt with. And Bael walked away, not feeling one ounce of guilt.

  Bael opened the connection to his master.

  “Lucifer. The girl’s kidnapping was a success. We’ve got her. And the human I used to help is taken care of.”

  “Great news. You continue to surprise me, Bael. I never thought you could manage this war. Not alone. Especially with Belze at your side. But you’ve done well.”

  “Thank you, Lucifer.”

  “How will you convert the girl?”

  “I think I will use my powers. Make her have a hard time discerning what is a dream and what is reality.”

  Lucifer laughed in his mind. “I think that will work nicely. The poor girl…she has no idea what is coming her way.”

  “I will keep you updated.”

  “Yes, you do that.”

  Bael severed the connection, and continued toward the house Moloch acquired for this task. It was in the middle of nowhere. There was a lot of land, and two different outbuildings. It was perfect for a kidnapping. And the torture that would come with it.

  Chapter 31

  Strength and Weakness

  Jasmine

  Jasmine sat on a bench outside Ma and Pa’s store. She didn’t know why she was there, nor how she had gotten there. Silence surrounded her, as well as broken glass. The sharp aroma of metal drifted through her senses.

  She stood as two cloaked figures walked down the sidewalk, the hoods draping over their heads so their faces were hidden from view.

  Jasmine’s heart raced and shivers ran down her spine. The closer they got, the more their shuffled walks became familiar. Wrinkled fingers reached up and pushed the cloak back.

  Jasmine gasped. “Ma?”

  “Jasmine, dear.” Ma’s cold hands firmly grabbed Jasmine’s shoulders. “Are you okay?”

  The other figure shoved the hood back. Pa beamed at her. “We’ve seen what you’ve been going through with these demons. We’re here to help.”

  Jasmine’s jaw dropped open. “You can’t be here. I watched you die.”

  Ma stepped back. “What has gotten into you, dear?” Her sweet voice trembled. “We haven’t died.”

  Jasmine shut her eyes and counted to ten. When she opened her eyes, Ma and Pa were still in front of her. “This can’t be happening.”

  “Oh, but it is.” Pa’s voice boomed. “We know you’re going through a rough time and thought you might need someone to talk to.”

  Ma chimed in, “Yes, dear. Please, tell us what we can do.” Her voice deepened.

  Tears leaked from Jasmine’s eyes, and she let them fall freely. She embraced Ma first, then Pa. “It’s been so hard not being able to talk to you.”

  “We’re right here, dear.” Ma stroked the back of Jasmine’s hair. “Always have been.”

  Pa’s hand was cold as ice as he rubbed her cheek. “Always will be, sugar.”

  Jasmine dropped her shoulders and leaned into Ma. Ma pulled her head forward, and Jasmine rested her head against the woman’s bony shoulder.

  “I thought you were gone.” Jasmine’s voice broke between sobs.

  “We are gone, dear.” Ma said.

  Jasmine raised her head. Ma’s skin turned gray and red eyes shone back at her. She jumped back, cracking the back of her knees against the bench and falling into it.

  “And we don't want to hear about your stupid problems anymore.” Pa’s teeth elongated, turned yellow, and his eyes brightened to a crimson glow.

  Ma giggled uncontrollably, and Pa followed, his voice booming in her ears.

  Jasmine flinched as her stomach hardened. Her lip trembled as she opened her mouth to scream, but her dry throat prevented the sound. She blinked rapidly, each time she opened her eyes again she caught their shapes changing, turning more demonic.

  Make it stop. Please, make it stop.

  She squeezed her eyes shut, and when she opened them again, Ma and Pa were gone. She gasped for air and tried to sit up, but leather restraints covered her ankles and wrists. Where am I? She yanked against her restraints, moving and kicking her legs and arms, but they didn’t budge an inch.

  She lay on a long table in a small room. It was dark, almost too dark to see a thing, but she could make out a door in front of her. Of course there wasn’t a chance she could get to it.

>   Laughter echoed from somewhere outside. The door creaked open. “Enjoy your dream?” Bael asked, sauntering into the room.

  A lump formed in her throat as her eyes watered. She opened her mouth to yell at him. Scream that he couldn’t hurt her. The problem was he already had. But he didn’t have to know that.

  “Yeah, I did enjoy my dream.” Jasmine jutted her chin. “It made me giddy with happiness.”

  Bael flicked a small lamp on, which sat on a wooden bench-like table. A yellow glow outlined the room. He leaned his face into the path of the light and smiled. “I know that’s not true. But I will give you credit for putting on a brave face.”

  Jasmine squirmed and writhed on the table, pulling at the restraints again. They didn’t loosen, only slipped down her sweaty wrists and ankles. She called to her power. It answered, but quickly fizzled out. Oh no! What’s going on? She flipped open her box, gave it free reign. Still nothing. It purred, but stayed hidden. Shit! You picked a horrible time for this.

  “Jasmine, it is time for you to join the dark side.” Bael ran his fingers along her arm.

  Jasmine flinched against his slimy touch. Then she mustered as much enthusiasm as she could. “Okay! Where do I sign up?”

  Bael’s eyebrows drew close and one corner of his mouth quirked up. “I find your sarcasm amusing, but you are also testing my patience.”

  “Wonderful.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m so glad you find me amusing.”

  Her frowned. “I can make your time with us pleasant. Or I can make it a living hell. The choice will be yours.”

  “I’m pretty sure all my choices have been taken away. The leather straps kind of gave me that impression.”

  Bael leaned his face close to hers. She glared at him, but it didn’t deter him from reaching up and running a finger along her jawline. “I’ve had you restrained, but that is not what I want. I would like to trust you enough to let you go, but…we are not there yet.”

  “No? Really? I would have never guessed.” She turned away, her heart thumping loudly in her ears.