Above The Flames (The Flames Trilogy #1)

by Cassandra Fear

  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?”

  “Sor
ry.” 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.”

  He grabbed her elbow, and then extended her arm out. He put his cheek against her skin, rubbed it along the length of her arm. “So soft. Smooth.”

  She yanked her arm toward her, but his hold proved too strong to shake. “Please. I’m sorry. Just let me go.” She reached inside. Please come out. I need you now! I will never ask for anything again if you just help me now! Her power responded, but again, withdrew inside. A tear slid from her eye.

  Bael lifted her shirt, exposing her belly. His face was course against her skin, like he had some stubble, as he rubbed his cheek against her.

  He curled her arm around his face, putting her fingers in his hair. “This is how a woman should touch a man. Not with a rock to his face. That was rather naughty.” He pushed her down with a palm to her chest, then extended his index finger and moved it up and down in front of her. “But you will think better of it next time.”

  He backhanded her. She grimaced, but managed to not cry out. Until the third hit. The bones in his hand felt like bricks when they assaulted her face, and the pain, which started with a tingle and spread to a burn, throbbed by the end. She tasted blood and smelled sulfur. Jasmine didn’t think he would ever stop hitting her. Over and over he continued, until her cheek was numb and tears leaked from her eyes. Then he pulled back and strapped her free arm down.

  She tried to keep her swollen mouth shut, but anger surged through her and exploded out. “Does it make you feel like more of a man when you hit a helpless woman?”

  A glint shown from Bael’s eyes, but he said nothing. Then he ambled away, straight out the door. Humming the whole way.

  Chapter 34

  Defeated

  Shuffling feet woke Jasmine. Her eyes fluttered as she spotted a red-eyed demon at the foot of the table she was strapped too. “What’s going on?” Her voice was lazy, slurred. “Please, be careful. My fingers…” Her eyes shot open and her heart raced as the demon fidgeted with the leather strap at her ankle.

  “Don’t worry, I remember.” Moloch said.

  “Moloch, it’s only you. What are you doing?”

  “He’s unstrapping you.” A high-pitched voice spoke from beside her. “So I can move you.”

  Jasmine’s head whipped to her side to see Bael. “Where are you taking me?” Her stomach felt empty, like butterflies were swarming inside.

  Bael laughed. “I wanted it to be a surprise.”

  Jasmine raised her voice. “I can’t wait!” She rolled her eyes, the movement putting strain on her facial muscles and making her remember the beating she had taken. She cringed.

  Moloch moved to her side and started unfastening her good hand. Bael started working on her bad one. She tensed, preparing for pain. Instead, Bael pushed his arms under her and lifted her from the table. “How are the fingers, Jasmine? They look a little…swollen!” He cackled.

  “The swelling gives me an extra layer of padding. You know, like a pillow. So, all in all, I think they are pretty good.”

  Bael walked toward the door, yelling over his shoulder. “Stay here! Let me know if they arrive!”

  “If I see the fallen angels, you will be the first I tell,” Moloch said.

  Jasmine left her prison in Bael’s arm, her body bouncing as he stepped toward the woods. She tried to lean to the side, leaving as much space between them as she could, but he pulled her closer. Her skin crawled everywhere his hands touched her.

  A shiver ran down her spine as a dog howled, creating a domino effect as more dogs joined in. Although it didn’t sound like a normal dog. At least not one she’d ever heard. Maybe a wolf? But she’d never heard one of those. She mentally shrugged, and again reached inside to pull her power out. It sparked to life, but the life drained away as quickly as it had come. Come on! Work with me, here!

  Instead of pumping blood, her veins pumped fear. Her muscles tensed, the movement in her ankle jarred the pain to life. She gritted her teeth and focused on not moving any more injured extremities. Easier said than done, Jaz.

  Bael carried her into the woods. Large trees loomed above them and seemed to get bigger, leaving less space for Bael to squeeze through. A crescent moon shone through the treetops, like an ornament hanging on a tree. Stars twinkled overhead, like tiny diamonds in a midnight black sky. And here she was, being carried by an evil demon who
wanted nothing more than to turn her evil and use her power for his own bidding. Her life, as little as it was worth, was completely in Bael’s hands. She closed her eyes and called to her power. Again. This time, it didn’t answer.

  “Where are we going?” she whispered.

  Bael angled his head down. A glint of amusement sparkled from his dark eyes. “I told you. It’s a surprise.”

  Silence came after, so much that the crunching of leaves as Bael rushed sounded like it had been played from a loudspeaker. Eventually, Bael stopped. He plopped her down before a thin, tall tree. A rope had been tied around the base, and he wrapped it around her waist, stretched it up to her wrists, and tightened it.

  She swallowed around a lump in her throat. “I guess this is my new prison?” Behind her eyelids, a burning sensation spread like wildfire. She blinked, but didn’t open her eyes.

  “You catch on quickly.” Bael roared with laughter. “I think this tree will keep you company for a while. Hopefully your friends get here soon. If they don’t…”

  Jasmine slumped into the bark behind her. It scraped her back, even through the black shirt she wore.

  Bael crouched down, his arms stretched over his legs. “Oh, look. She has nothing to say.” He put one hand on his chest. “I can’t believe we’ve seen the day when Jasmine has no witty retort.” He used the other hand to slap her broken fingers.

  She cried out. There was no point in trying to bottle up the pain any longer. She would die out here. She knew that now. Nobody would save her in time. And even if they made it to her, Bael wanted to kill the fallen ones. A dizziness overtook her, and it looked like Bael was standing on top of a wave. Her stomach flip flopped, and the nausea overtook her. She barely had time to lean over before the contents of her stomach exploded out of her mouth.

  Bael smiled and narrowed his eyes. “I guess your hand isn’t fine. Is it?”

  Jasmine gritted her teeth. “Of course it isn’t, you moron. You—” she panted around the burning pain in her hand, “—you broke all of my fingers!”