A hysterical laugh bubbled out of me. What would she think if she knew I was dating a hellhound?
“You think this is funny?” She was incredulous.
“No! Not at all,” I said, suddenly very, very tired. “I can’t believe you think I’m evil.” I picked up my chair and sank into it.
“I don’t think you’re evil, honey; just that for some unknown reason evil has chosen you. I want to help you fight that.”
“By sending me to summer camp.”
She sighed. “It’s a retreat. The people there are very educated; they can help you.”
“You don’t know me at all,” I sadly said.
“Someday you’ll thank me for this.”
“No. I won’t.” I looked straight into her eyes when I said the words with absolute conviction. The tiniest bit of fear shone in her eyes. She not only thought I was evil, but she was scared of me. I stood. “I’m leaving.”
“What about dinner? Your clothes?”
“I’ve lost my appetite.”
“Heven,” Mom called when I was at the door. For the first time I heard regret in her voice.
It was too late.
I left without looking back.
The Hate
She forgives him for deceiving her. She knows what he is, and she still wants him. She knows I watch her, stalk her. She pretends she isn’t scared. I hear her mockery clear as a bell.
My claws sink into the ground, ripping open the earth. This wasn’t what I was supposed to come home and find. I expected to find Sam shredded and bleeding from her rejection. His world was supposed to be falling apart.
But it wasn’t.
No matter. I have found what I have been searching for. Finally it is mine. It’s my ticket to power. With this I can finally do what Satan sent us here to do: tip the balance between the divine and the vile.
When word gets out that I have what those below have been searching for…it will be my chance. My chance to rule and be followed. Feared and hated.
Everything I ever wanted. Mine.
I don’t need Sam anymore. I don’t need the others. I had never really needed them at all. Because in the end it had been me who had found what I sought. Proof that it belongs to me.
I’m afraid my find doesn’t bode well for others. What do you do when you no longer need something? What do you do when it loses its value?
Get rid of it.
Throw it out like yesterday’s trash.
Finally I can do what I have longed to do.
Watch out, pup. I’m coming.
Game over.
The HOPE
The situation was not going well. The enemy proves to be persistent, and I wonder how much longer she will wait. She’s been very busy wreaking havoc and stealing. I felt sorry for her lost soul, and I took a moment to say a short prayer that her soul might someday find rest.
“It may be time,” I spoke aloud because I knew I was not alone.
“Time?”
I looked over my shoulder. “For me to pay them a visit.”
“We don’t know yet if he can be trusted.”
“All the more reason to go.”
“What’s happening?” He came forward to gaze down into the water. The images rippled away. “I need to see.”
“Things have changed. You are not to get involved.”
“Keep her safe,” he implored.
I intended to.
Chapter Twenty
Heven
I drove for a while without caring where I was going. I felt numb. Thinking I could fix things with my mother so easily had been naïve. I guess I didn’t realize just how far apart we actually were. I felt like I had to mourn our relationship because a part of me knew that it was over. How could I be close to anyone who honestly believed that I was marked by the devil and meant for evil?
When the headlights of Gran’s car automatically turned on, I was shocked to realize that it was almost dark. I glanced at the clock; Sam should be getting off work now. I missed him so much there was a sharp ache in my chest. I wanted desperately to hear his husky voice and see his liquid-gold eyes. I needed to tell him that I loved him. I felt deep regret that I’d waited this long. Knowing his love was there was carrying me through tonight. How did he get through his tough days?
For the first time since I’d started driving, I paid attention to where I was. I was farther from town than I wanted to be. There was no one else on the road with me so I did a U–turn right there and started heading toward Gran’s. I searched through my bag for my cell, but I couldn’t find it. The bag was too deep, and there was too much clutter, so I pulled the car to the side of the road to find it.
I dialed Sam’s number and anxiously waited to hear his voice. It went to voicemail. With a sigh I left a message, “Hey, it’s me. Went to visit my mom. It didn’t go well. I’ve been driving around; I’m on Seven Hills Road, heading back to Gran’s now. There’s something I need to tell you so will you meet me there when you get off? Bye.”
I frowned at the phone and dropped it on the seat next to me. I thought he would be off by now. A bolt of lightning shot through the sky and landed in the field to my left and was followed by a deafening boom of thunder. I shivered and reached over to turn the heat on. Anxious to get home and see Sam, I put the car in drive and pulled out onto the road, only to immediately slam on the brakes.
Standing in the center of the road was a large black animal. Its flaming red eyes stared at me through the night.
It was a hellhound.
It wasn’t Sam.
Which meant it must be China.
I watched in horror as the animal stood on hind legs and pulled its lips back to reveal razor- sharp teeth. A threatening growl, a promise of harm, carried through the rising wind to reach my ears. A dim thought from earlier speared through my mind: the hiding and fear would indeed end tonight.
Another flash of lightning streaked the sky as the hound sprang forward.
I hit the gas and with a squeal the car gunned forward. I hoped to run the beast down. Instead, China jumped high into the air, landing on the roof on the car. I screamed, and the wheel jerked beneath my hands. Stay calm.
Yeah, right.
I reached for my phone to dial Sam, but it was just out of reach. I turned the wheel sharply, and the phone slid into my hand. I punched in Sam’s number and was about to hit SEND when China ran, head-on into the side of the car. I felt the impact like she was made of steel. The door bowed and screamed in protest, and the car careened into the wrong lane. My cell went flying out of my hand to disappear beneath the seats.
I looked up in time to see a large truck driving straight at me. I screamed and swerved back into my lane. The loud, angry honking of the truck filled my ears. I wanted to pull over. I wanted to catch my breath. I couldn’t. From out of nowhere, China landed on the hood of the car. I was paralyzed by the pure hatred in her blazing red eyes. This was evil.
The speeding of the car didn’t seem to affect China’s balance. She stalked forward, her claws digging into the metal of the hood as if it were butter. On impulse I slammed on the brakes, and she went sailing through the air. I didn’t look to see where she landed, but I hit the gas and sped forward, praying she was hurt. I prayed her legs were broken, and she couldn’t catch me. I prayed to be back in my room, safe in Sam’s arms.
It was too late when I saw her. She was low in the grass and charged, throwing her surprisingly lithe and strong body under the car and flipping it into the air. As the car careened off the road and rolled again and again, I had only one thought: I never got to tell Sam I loved him.
Pain is a funny thing. You know that you hurt. You know that your body isn’t working the way it should, but you can’t really feel it, you know? The pain is sometimes so intense that you’re numb. Maybe it’s your body and mind’s way of protecting itself. Maybe it’s your body’s way of dying.
“Hev, I’m here,” a faraway voice reached me. “I’m going to get you out of there
.” I knew it was Sam. It was always Sam. My fierce protector. I tried to call out, to warn him about China, but no sound left my lips. I felt warmth and silk brush by me, and I longed to move closer to the sensation. But I was pinned, held prisoner, by what I didn’t know. Then, I was falling forward against the heat I so badly needed.
“I’m so sorry,” Sam whispered.
I reveled in the sound and smell of him. I was safe…there was something I needed to tell him. Something he needed to be warned about…“Sam.” We have to get away! She’s going to come back! Why wouldn’t the words come out?
“I’m here. You were in an accident. I’m going to get help.”
An accident? Panic stole through me. I concentrated hard for the feeling of metal along my wrist. “B-bracelet” I wanted it. I needed it to feel better.
“I’ll get you another.”
“N-no.” Pain filled me, and a cough burned my throat.
“Shhh. I’ll get it. Then we’re getting you to a hospital.”
I was so cold. Wasn’t it spring? Where was the sunshine – the warmth? I was so tired. Maybe I could just go to sleep. I tried to open my eyes, but they were just so heavy.
Then I heard his voice. He wanted me to look at him; his voice was filled with panic and pain. I wanted to take away his pain. It took me a few tries, but I finally opened my eyes. I wanted to see his beautiful whiskey-colored stare one last time.
“Heven, thank God.”
“Sam.” My mouth and throat felt weird.
“Hang on, baby. We’re going to the hospital right now.”
“Too late.”
“No,” he cried, but his voice was hoarse.
“I love you, Sam.” Peace filled me. I could let go with no regrets now.
“I love you,” he groaned.
A last moment of clarity jerked me. Fight! Stay with Sam! But it was no use. I was too weak, and I felt the last bit of my energy drain away.
I died the only way I would ever want to die: in the arms of my beloved.
Chapter Twenty-One
Sam
I glanced at the clock for the tenth time in the past ten minutes. My shift tonight felt endless. The gym was practically empty with only two people still here, finishing their workouts. All the cardio classes were over, and there were only a few people left in the pool. Usually, I liked this place. Usually, the sound of weights hitting together and the constant hum of the treadmills was a sound I didn’t mind. Not tonight. Tonight the sounds and people seemed to overwhelm me. My senses, already acute, hummed with every single sound in the place. It was maddening. My skin tingled and itched, and there was a fire in my veins.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right.
Heven promised to stay in the house tonight. She promised to be careful. I shouldn’t be worrying about her. But I did. It wasn’t something that I could ever shut off. There was a constant voice in the back of my mind whispering, reminding me to stay alert. I already messed up once when I dropped my guard with Heven when her mother caught us kissing. Heven paid the price for that. Her mother said things to her that cut deep, things that would probably haunt her forever. I didn’t want that for her. I wanted better for her, so I would be better, which meant that I couldn’t drop my guard. I refused to let her pay for my mistakes.
I wished I didn’t have to work. Sometimes I felt like I was trapped here, and that I was going to miss the moment that Heven needed me most. A nagging thought accosted me like it always does when I get like this.
You don’t have to work. You can get the money you need to live without a job.
I shook the thoughts away, just like I always do. Sure, I had the strength, speed and even the perfect disguise to steal. I could probably be in and out of a place with a bag full of cash in mere minutes. But it was wrong. I walked a thin line everyday between sin and faith. The things I’ve done aren’t all good. But they were things that I had to do. And they were things that I felt sorry for. But stealing wasn’t something that I could justify to myself. What was the point of being with Heven if I couldn’t be the man she deserved?
I was behind the front desk when the door off to my right opened, and someone came in. I turned, annoyed because it was so close to closing. I did not expect to see whom I did.
“Riley. What are you doing here?” I said, not being able to keep the shock out of my voice. It was my roommate. The one who held me down while China beat me then stayed behind from a day of searching to make sure I would live.
He looked around the place for a moment before speaking. When he looked back at me he smirked at the Planet Fitness shirt I was wearing.
“I don’t have the patience for you tonight,” I snapped, keeping my voice low. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Riley sauntered over, his dark eyes narrowing on my face. “Watch it pup, I might change my mind and walk out before I say what I came to say.”
“Just tell me.” Even though I kept my face as controlled as I could, my insides were going crazy. Something had to be very wrong for Riley to be in here. Riley didn’t even like me. I don’t think he liked anyone.
“China is going after your girl tonight.”
My hands flexed on top the counter, gripping the edges until my knuckles turned white. “How do you know?”
“She was ranting and raving earlier. She said she doesn’t have any reason to keep you around anymore. She said she was going to start with the girl then come for you.”
I launched across the counter and grabbed him up by the front of his shirt. “If you’re lying to me right now I will kill you.”
Riley’s eyes narrowed on my face, and I felt the muscles beneath his skin shift – I didn’t care. One on one, I would tear him to shreds. I was so sick to death of everyone underestimating me, treating me like a kid because I was the youngest.
He reached between us, shoved my hand away and then reached up to smooth his shirt. “Believe what you want. I came to tell you and I did. Whatever you do with the information is up to you.”
With that he walked out the door.
Steve, one of the personal trainers came around the corner. “Hey, man.”
The door was swinging shut as I turned. “I have to go.” I said, trying to sound normal.
“Is everything okay?” he asked, concerned. His eyes drifted to the door that Riley just went through.
“That was a friend of mine. My girlfriend has been in an accident.” My heart was pumping, and my hands were beginning to shake. I had to get out of here.
“Oh, shit, man. I’m sorry. Go, I’ll cover for you…”
I didn’t even wait to hear the rest of what he said. I shot out of the door and was in my truck and speeding away towards the farm before I even took a breath. I grabbed my cell and noticed a missed call. I pulled up the voice mail and listened to her soft voice fill my ears.
“Shit!” I yelled and slammed on the brakes. She wasn’t at the farm. She was out driving…alone!
I made a sharp turn in the middle of the road and pressed the gas, thankful that she told me what road she was on. I broke every law possible on my way to find her. I pushed the truck way past its comfort zone, and I swerved around and passed people who were in my way.
I glanced down at the clock and wiped the sweat off my forehead with the back of my hand. Seven minutes. It had been seven minutes since I left work. I prayed that in those seven minutes Heven was not being killed. I prayed that China couldn’t find her. Maybe it would work in Heven’s favor that she wasn’t in her usual place.
When I barreled onto the road that Heven said she was on, I pulled to the side of the road. If China was here, it would be faster to catch her on foot. I would be able to use my senses and hopefully catch her scent to know where she was
I got out of the truck and ran across the street. There were trees along this side of the road, and I went into them, hoping the darkness and the trees would be enough concealment for me. I started running and my body shifted, chang
ing into my other half. Tonight, I was grateful for this form. The speed and agility might come in handy.
I took in a deep breath and caught the scent that was distinctly China. I willed myself to move faster. I could hear the sounds of a speeding car, and I prayed that it was Heven. That she was getting herself to safety.
But then another sound filled my ears.
The hideous sound of grinding metal and crushing glass.
My steps faltered. NO! With a burst of speed I rounded a small turn in the road and looked through the trees. The sight ahead was my worst nightmare. I was too late.
Heven’s car was overturned and the sharp smell of gasoline filled the air. Glass littered the ground and the guard rail was ruined. China saw me racing their way, and she leaped at me, baring her teeth. I didn’t think – only reacted by leaping on her back and sinking my teeth into the soft, vulnerable flesh at the back of her neck.
Then I ripped it right out.
She made a blood-curdling howl and tried to buck me off, but I dug my claws in and held on. I managed to rip out two more chunks of her flesh before she managed to shake me off. I landed on my back and rolled, my jaws snapping out to grab her front leg. I chomped down hard and twisted, sick satisfaction flowing through me when I heard the bones snap and the tendons tear. China fell down, and I used that moment to rip at her ear. It came off, and I spit it right beside her where her head now lolled.
How do you feel now, seeing severed body parts that belong to you.
I was about to lunge again when the heavy smell of gasoline made it past my rage. Heven was inside that car, probably injured, and it could blow up at any moment.
I looked down at China, who was almost unconscious and then turned my back. I would finish her off once Heven was out of the car. When I knew she was safe.
I transformed back into my human form and ran up to the car, lying on my stomach to peer in the window. The car was lying upside down, but she was still inside, unmoving in the driver’s seat. From what I could see, the only reason she was still inside was because the seatbelt did its job and clasped her tightly against the seat. Blood covered the side of her face and her breathing was shallow. The scent of fear filled my nostrils. Anxiety filled my chest. I was scared. More scared than I had ever been before. But I had to keep it together. She needed me.
Masquerade Page 26
