The Damned and The Pure Series: Books 1-4 (The Damned and The Pure Series Box Set)

by J. D. Stonebridge

  The silence that came after his question was heavy and deafening. David stood motionless, his fists balled up on his sides. Caelum and Ariel watched him, waiting for what he might do next while his mother looked at him with such worry. All of them jumped when David finally turned on his heel, but before marching away from Scott, he muttered, “I still don’t think your logic is justified. But I can see that arguing further will get me nowhere.” With that, he returned to his mother and slumped back on the couch next to her. His arms folded over his chest and his eyes were cast down. Ann took it as a sign that he did not want to be bothered.

  What happened to you, Dave? She was worried of him. Ann stared at her son as if seeing him for the first time. She had seen him angered before, but not quite like how he had been just now. David was patient and enduring, but things do get on his nerves. He spoke of those things, letting out the anger quietly, but that was it. He never truly shouted at anyone, much less a stranger who had saved his mother. She wanted to know what had happened to him in the days she wasn’t by his side, but Ann knew this was not the time nor place for such conversations.

  “Pardon me, miss” Ariel excused herself to Ann. “My name is Ariel and this is Caelum. May I confirm what you said before? The demons who attacked you, they mentioned the Queen of Hell?”

  “Yes.” Ann nodded. “I found it very peculiar. I know that Hell is led by the fallen archangel, Lucifer, and the archdemon, Azazel. Both are male, or at least as I’ve known.”

  “They are,” Caelum confirmed to her. “I think they were talking about someone else. Lilith.”

  “Lilith?” Both David and Ann repeated the name in shock. David continued, “What did Lilith want with my parents, then?”

  Caelum shrugged. “Got no clue and we really can’t ask her.”

  “Why not?” Ann asked.

  “She’s dead,” Caelum stated matter-of-factly.

  Ann gaped at him. “Lilith, the first woman, she’s dead? How?”

  “Long story, one that I would really rather forget,” Caelum said. “But considering that, perhaps things are safer for you. Well, not truly safer since we’re nearing the end of days.”

  Ariel turned to Scott. “And that is our purpose for being here,” she told him. “You may play a big role in what Heaven is trying to accomplish.”

  “I know I do,” Scott revealed.

  Ariel chose not to question his knowledge and simply continued. “We need you to be safe and away from Michael and Lucifer.”

  “What does she mean?” Ann turned to her son. “Heaven? Michael and Lucifer?”

  “I’ll explain later, Mom,” David said without looking at her.

  “You are the final key that they need to force the Rapture to happen. It will buy us time to defeat them if you come with us. We a place where you will be safe,” Ariel offered Scott who only smiled at the angel.

  “I know you mean well, Ariel, but I am where I am supposed to be at this very moment.”

  “Are you going to play the ‘Everything happens for a reason’ card again?” Caelum asked, his patience wearing thin.

  Scott beamed at him and confirmed, “Yes.”

  Caelum rolled his eyes and commented, “See, I’m not human. I’m not affected by these things that affect the fickle mortal mind.”

  “I beg to differ,” Scott said. “Of all demons, you are the most human. Mostly because you cheated your own damnation. Twice.”

  “Still,” Caelum argued. “It would be disrespectful of you not to come with us without giving us the peace of mind as to why you’re going to let those winged bastards start a global massacre.”

  Scott’s smile did not waver. His demeanor was as calm and confident as ever. He stood straight in front of the demon, clearly unthreatened by his words and presence. “Have faith, my friend. All of this is part of God’s grand design. No victory is won without difficulty. You just have to trust that everything will fall into place when you truly feel your defeat,” he assured them, though his words did not reach their hearts as well as he’d hoped.

  When it came to reaching out, angels had a very special way to communicate. Michael’s words reached Lucifer, however, despite being in separate worlds. The great Tree in Heaven served as the perfect tool for their next few tasks, and Michael sent the information Lucifer needed to start everything they had planned.

  “I see, Brother. Thank you.” Lucifer smiled. He opened his eyes, glistening in the darkness, and turned to his army who stood waiting for his command. He stood tall in front of them, exuding the authority.

  “Time for us to move, my beloved brothers and sisters,” Lucifer announced to them. “Tonight, we shall begin the creation of our new paradise!”

  Chapter Nine: Driven into the Dark

  Like a warning in the air, a wave of pure energy nearing their location alerted the angel and the demon. Ariel and Caelum exchanged looks, confirming that they sensed the same thing. Countless powerful beings were speeding in their direction, and there wasn’t a doubt that it spelled trouble for them. The urgency in their expressions wasn’t ignored by the lad who immediately understood their concern. David pushed down the panic that threatened him and stood. He asked as calmly as he could, “What is it?”

  “Just something,” Caelum said sarcastically.

  “Angels,” Ariel announced. She moved to face Scott and told him, “I understand that you rely on your faith for what will happen next, but I implore you to consider going with us before the others take you.”

  “Perhaps it is you that led them here, my dear,” Scott suggested with a smile.

  Ariel pursed her lips tight to calm herself. She turned to David and commanded him, “Take him and your mother to the library. We will distract Lucifer’s army while you prepare to leave.”

  “What?” David protested. “I won’t run away. You should know by now that I can fight.”

  “It is not about that,” Ariel argued.

  Caelum said, “Who else can take them away from here, then? If they run, they will be caught. And it’s highly impossible for them to run from here to that place.”

  David gritted his teeth, remembering the last time he was put away during a battle like a child sent to the babysitter. Before he could speak further, however, Caelum was already rushing to the door. “Ariel!” he called for the angel as he passed Scott who looked as lost as a child in the woods. Ariel followed the demon, summoning her weapon as she disappeared out the door.

  “Is it true what they said?” Ann asked her son. “Lucifer is here?”

  “There are many things that have happened in the recent days, Ann Marie,” Scott pointed out to the woman.

  “David?” Ann approached her son. “Are you alright?”

  David felt as though his legs were leaden. He could not move. He looked back to his mother who stared at him with such worry. He balled his fists tightly and cursed under his breath. “Do you have a table I can use around here?” he asked Scott who looked at him curiously.

  Outside, the first thing Caelum noticed was the odd brightness of the night sky. Instead of the dark indigo hue littered with wisps of white and sparkling stars, the sky was nearly covered with a silvery light that fluttered in and out and white wings that flapped against the darkness. Ariel stood beside him, brandishing the spear she’d summoned with her eyes glistening against the light of the sky. She gasped, and Caelum turned his attention back to the sky where a drop of golden light slowly descended from the sky. Caelum readied himself to summon his shadows the moment he needed them.

  Then the golden light exploded, bathing them in blinding light. Caelum turned away, and before he could look back, a force crashed against him, sending him flying through the air until he hit a large red boulder. The rock cracked upon impact, scattering bits of dust in the air as he got back up on his feet. Caelum tossed his hair back to see a large angel charging at him. Though he was far from Caelum, the giant pulled back his fist and punched the air. Caelum watched light shine from his fist and beam
out towards him. Caelum jumped out of the way, letting the light obliterate the boulder that had stopped his flight earlier. He rolled on the ground and whipped his hand to the side. The shadow whip cracked against the ground, and he swung it forward to meet the angel.

  A figure sped between Caelum and the giant angel, blocking his whip. But its speed was too fast and Caelum failed to see who it was. The whip rebounded back to him, and he wheeled his torso to lash the whip forward again, but the same quick figure blocked his attack. The giant angel neared Caelum and reeled back his fist to make a second punch. Instead of running, Caelum jumped forward with his head down. The light beamed again, barely grazing his hair as he moved towards the giant. He swung his hand and the whip caught the angel’s ankle. He pulled it back and tossed the angel aside. The large angel flew up violently, but he broke the momentum and took flight.

  The silvery sky behind the towering angel broke into a flurry of angels that scattered everywhere. They soared past the shack but paid no attention to it. The spell cast which hid the poor establishment from the eyes of the unwelcomed worked well. Inside it, David prepared his own spell that would carry his mother, Scott, and himself to safety.

  “When did you learn this, son?” Ann asked him. Her eyes were perplexed at the items her son gathered and the sigil that he drew on the wooden table. Scott hovered around them, watching the young man with a raised brow.

  “Just recently,” David said. “I had to learn quickly. I’m no witch or demon, so I have to rely on the power that the sigil can gather for me,” he explained to her. “I will take you back to where Jenny is, but I have to return and help Ariel and Caelum.”

  “What?” Ann protested. “You will not! It’s dangerous out there!”

  “This is a war, we don’t have time for—”

  “Listen to your mother, lad,” Scott advised him. “Where is this safe location you’re speaking of, anyway?”

  David shot him a glare. “It’s a sealed place in the prime meridian.”

  “Ah, I see.” Scott muttered to himself, “So that’s where it is…”

  His words caught David’s suspicion. Before the lad could speak, Scott flashed him a knowing smile. The last thing David saw was Scott’s hand extending towards him, then came the flash of white light that filled his vision.

  When all the light cleared from the sky, Caelum found himself cornered by angels, one of whom sped past him, blocking every attack he made. Caelum swung his whip to the right, aimed for a female angel, and the speeding figure blocked him. But Caelum suddenly whipped his other arm across, creating another whip that caught a small angel that struggled to free himself from his bindings. The hum of a sword caught the demon’s ears and he released his whips to jump aside. An angel slashed across where he’d stood, and Caelum spun in the air to land on his feet against the angel’s back. He kicked his feet, jumping back in the air, and released spikes which erupted from the ground, throwing off the angels and stabbing a few.

  Something crashed into him from behind, knocking the air out of his lungs. He sped a good distance away before he crashed into a red rock wall, hitting his face first. He fell on the ground with a grunt and rolled to face the army of angels that rushed towards him.

  You’re cornered, Power whispered in his mind. Caelum gritted his teeth and took in his surroundings. Angels were flying over his head, and he was already far from where he’d last seen Ariel. He stomped his feet on the ground, summoning more spikes that rose up to the sky. One spike caught an angel, but the rest were easily dodged by the others. He commanded the spike, and it softened to whip the angel against his allies, taking down two more.

  Sure, in another hour or so maybe you can finally knock them all down, Power taunted him.

  You’re not helping. Caelum wanted to silence him. An angel swooped down towards Caelum and brandished his sword. More angels followed him, and Caelum was faced with multiple blades singing for his blood.

  Then let me! Power demanded. Caelum felt his anger and thirst for blood, but he fought it down. Caelum summoned more spikes shooting up towards the angels, taking down only four while the rest dodged expertly.

  You’re not getting anywhere with your stupid tricks, now let me fight! Power screamed inside his head, and suddenly, Caelum felt his body wheel around. A black blade erupted from his hand and sliced the rock wall behind him. Then, a long whip came out from his other hand, squeezing itself between the gaps in the wall. He threw the large chunk of rock towards the angels. The angels scattered out of the way as the heavy rock flew between them. Caelum watched the rock fly away before landing on the ground with a loud crash.

  What did you do? Caelum demanded.

  Saved our lives! Power argued.

  And what if that rock had landed on the shack? Or on Ariel!

  Then, you just have to deal with that! Power snickered.

  Caelum jumped away as an angel appeared and sliced at him. His feet connected with a rock that he kicked to hit the angel’s face. He summoned a whip in each of his hands and began to lash at the angel. Another angel landed beside Caelum, and he directed his whips towards him. Another came, and he attacked. And another angel came after. Soon, Caelum was cornered by angels who brandished their swords, seeking the demon’s head.

  Got any more ideas? Power teased him.

  A silvery blue light came from above Caelum’s head. The light scattered and descended towards him. Caelum summoned a shadow to make a shield over his head only to find the light directed to the angels instead. The angels that surrounded him screamed as the light pierced through their bodies while others scattered. When the area was emptied by the lights, Caelum retreated his shadow and found a familiar face walking towards him.

  “Daniel,” Caelum greeted the angel. “It’s very rare for me to be delighted to see you.”

  Daniel frowned. He looked up to the sky where more angels gathered to attack them. “Where is Ariel?” he asked Caelum.

  Caelum searched, trying to remember the direction he’d come from. He had been thrown by the angels a few times, so he wasn’t certain where he was now. His eyes caught a number of angels swooping past them and to the east. Could she be there, fighting alone?

  Angels gathered around one fallen, and yet they could not touch her. Ariel had fought a number of times using the spear she had stolen, and she was slowly learning how to handle the weapon. She twirled the spear around, creating a whirlwind that threw off the angels. Then, she grabbed the handle with both hands and jabbed the spear to her side where an angel lunged at her. The blade buried inside the angel’s stomach, and a flash of light followed as Ariel removed her spear from him. She slashed the spear forward, driving away another that meant to attack her.

  Turning her torso, Ariel drove the spear down, stabbing the ground next to her feet. She felt part of her energy rushing for the spear, reaching down, and the earth beneath them hummed. When an angel lunged forward, blade ready to stab her, light flashed from the ground, throwing her attacker away. The others backed away from Ariel, startled at the power she had just used.

  “Oh? I see you have grown, little Ariel,” a voice cooed from above. The angels inched away from her as the figure gracefully descended from above. His bare feet touched the ground lightly and his face had a gentle smile.

  Ariel straightened up to face her new enemy, glaring at him with angered eyes. “Lucifer.”

  A ball of light gently swayed from above Lucifer, casting a soft glow on his face. Lucifer held out his hand where the ball of light landed. “May I test your skills in handling the weapon you stole from my brother?” Lucifer asked in a polite tone. He curled his fingers over the ball and light shot up from both ends. In the blink of an eye, the light turned into a bone white spear with a curved blade on one end and a heavy golden orb on the other.

  Ariel readied her stance, the spear extended behind her. She waited for Lucifer to make the first move, fear rising up to choke her. The sound of a tumbling rock caught her attention for a split moment, a
nd it was all Lucifer needed for a distraction. Before Ariel could move, Lucifer was already in front of her, swinging a spear that his golden orb fashioned and hitting her on the head with its blunt end. Ariel steadied herself and swung her spear upward against him. The archangel jumped out of the way and sliced the air with the curved blade of the spear. A silver light shaped like a crescent moon sped towards Ariel, and she leapt to the side.

  The angel rolled back to her feet and extended the handle of her spear in front of her to deflect Lucifer’s blade. The weight of Lucifer’s attack made Ariel’s knees buckle, but she forced them to keep her upright. “And here I was expecting to have fun,” Lucifer teased.

  His feet connected with Ariel’s chest, throwing her a good distance. She skidded on the dry land, scratching her skin and bruising her muscles. She rolled out of the way when she saw Lucifer leaping towards her. His blade stabbed into the ground where her head was previously. But before she could get up, Lucifer’s hand curled around her throat and lifted her from the ground.

  Ariel scratched at his arm, gritting her teeth. Lucifer watched her struggle with fascination. “I commend you for your bravery.”

  Ariel lifted the spear with her other hand but found it heavier than it ever had been. She forced her arm to lift the weapon, but it was as though the spear did not wish to comply with her commands any longer.

  “What is wrong?” Lucifer asked her. “Perhaps the power you forcefully took has yet to pledge its loyalty to you.” His spear raised above her head, the silver blade glimmering. Ariel closed her eyes, accepting defeat.

  A scream tore through the silence. Ariel felt something cold and dark come in front of her and suddenly, she was thrown away, released from Lucifer’s grasp. Gravity pulled her back, but instead of the ground, arms caught her fall. She looked up to see Caelum’s grin behind her. “Are you well, my dear?”