Surrounded By Flames (The Flames Trilogy Book 2)

by Cassandra Fear

  “Okay. Slow. How are things out there?”

  “Good. We managed to kill some demons while out looking for my parents. We haven’t been able to find any of our families though. Looks like things aren’t looking good for them.”

  Jasmine paced in front of the dresser. “I’m sorry. I know how much you wanted to find them.”

  “It’s okay. I just hope, you know, if the demons got them, they…uh…didn’t suffer. Much.”

  The sadness in his voice hit Jasmine right in the feels. She knew, as well as Cole did, that if the demons did get their families, they would suffer. Hoping they didn’t suffer much, well, it bordered on lying to himself, but Jasmine didn’t have the heart to say anything to that effect. In fact, she couldn’t think of a single thing to say to him to cheer him up. She knew loss, more than most. Everyone dealt with that differently. If Cole needed to tell himself they hadn’t suffered, who was she to argue against it? It would make her nothing but a heartless, petty person who cared nothing for others, and she had never been that person.

  After several seconds of silence, Jasmine cleared her throat, having to break the silence with something. “I’d say we have one day left until we get to my mom’s house. I’m hoping we can save her, then head back to you guys. But keep taking out as many of the beasts as you can. Each one you kill is one less we have to deal with, right?” She chuckled.

  Cole laughed. “Don’t you worry about that. It’s the only thing keeping my mind occupied these days. You guys stay safe, okay?”

  “All right. You too.”

  “Bye, Jaz.”

  “Bye.”

  She tapped the screen to end the call. Then she faced the others, who’d all moved to the edge of the same bed, probably to hear her conversation. She grinned, not minding one bit. In fact, if she’d have known they wanted to hear, she would have put it on speaker. “Guess you heard that? But if you didn’t, they’re all okay. Patrolling and killing demons is keeping them moving, but they haven’t found any of their families. Not yet. But they’ll keep looking. Maybe they’re out there, hiding somewhere where nobody would be able to find them.”

  Azzy brushed his foot over the shaggy carpet. “At least they can hold on to a little hope, since they haven’t found anything. One thing I learned a long time ago, nothing is final until you see it with your own eyes.”

  “Yeah? Well, I don’t know about that. When there are demons involved, it seems like everything is pretty final.” Jasmine walked to the sink and turned the hot water on. She tore the wax wrapping from the bar of soap, lathered her hands, and rinsed them under the water, which hadn’t heated up one bit. In fact, it felt like ice running over her skin. She shut the water off before she got all the suds off and wiped them on a white towel.

  Then she stood in front of the mirror. She poked a finger into the dark, heavy circles resting below her eyes. Her body felt like it might collapse at any moment, but even with all her weakness, her mind had a case of the jitters, wide awake and jumpy. There would be no sleep for her. Not tonight. Even as much as she needed it.

  “I think I’m going to take a shower.” Jasmine rummaged through her duffle bag, which Amon had brought in for her, and grabbed a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. She unzipped the side pocket, removing her shampoo.

  “Okay. But I’m next.” Amber ran a hand through her hair. “I’ve got greasy hair, and it’s making my head itch.”

  “I always hate that.” Jasmine laughed. “Doesn’t it make you feel like you have lice or something?”

  Amber nodded. “Sure does.” Then she snickered.

  Jasmine glanced over at the guys before turning to walk into the small bathroom. Amon and Azzy stared hard at each other, both their eyebrows raised, like they were searching each other for the answers. Jasmine stifled a laugh before it had the chance to escape. Men from this time couldn’t wrap their heads around women, but try men from the days before cars and TV and anything technology based. They really had no clue. She shook her head, pulling the door shut behind her.

  She turned the hot knob as far as she could and ran her fingers under the nozzle while the water heated. But it never got very hot. Not letting it deter her, she pulled the switch at the top of the faucet and the water sprung from tiny holes in the shower head. She wasted no time, dunking inside while tossing her head back and letting the lukewarm water wash away all the dirt and grime. Even the chilled water felt good against her skin.

  For that matter, her mind had shut down, all the thoughts taking a mini vacation while she enjoyed the spray. It was the first time her head hadn’t gone into overdrive, overthinking and overanalyzing everything. And boy, did she need the break.

  Not one of them had any idea what kind of trap waited for them at Jasmine’s mom’s house. Would it be demon magic thrown at them? The poison claw sliced over their skin? Or would Bael just do what he always did and try to capture her, unsuccessfully of course. She didn’t have any of the answers, but she didn’t need to worry about it now. She’d find out soon enough.

  When she turned the water off, the handle squeaked. The smell of her apple shampoo made her stomach growl, but the scent disappeared as she bundled a towel around her wet hair and threw it on top of her head. When she’d finished drying, she tossed her clothes on and walked out. “It’s all yours,” she said to Amber, who waited right outside the door.

  Amber rushed past her. “Thanks.” A gust of chilly air skated over her, spreading goose bumps down her damp arms. One day she’d learn to dry all the way off after a shower, but so far, in all her eighteen years, she hadn’t learned yet.

  Jasmine took the towel off her head, placing it on the floor at the foot of the bed. Then she fished through her bag, pulling out a few dollar bills. “I saw a Coke machine outside. I’m going to go get a drink. Anyone want anything?”

  Amon and Azzy both shook their heads, which boggled Jasmine’s mind. She hadn’t seen them drink anything since they’d left. Not a sip of water, or a swig of pop. Nothing. It made no sense. At least Jasmine had her water bottle in the car, which she’d sipped on throughout their travels, but they didn’t bring anything.

  Were fallen angels actually alive? Did they have a heartbeat? She’d think not, since they lived in Hell, but maybe they did. She didn’t have any more answers for these questions than her last, so she shrugged it off. It wasn’t important. The answers could wait until they got their hands on some down time, if that ever happened. Jasmine didn’t have high hopes.

  She fed the dollar into the machine, pressed the button for Sprite. A couple of thuds later she pulled the bottle out and carried it back to the room. Amber combed her wet hair in front of the mirror. Azzy must have disappeared behind the closed bathroom door, since Amon still sat on the bed.

  “Oh, a Sprite sounds good.” Amber dug through her bag.

  Jasmine frowned. “Sorry. I should have waited until you got out. I could have gotten you one.”

  Amber smiled but didn’t look up. “No worries. It will only take a sec. Be right back.” She snatched a dollar bill and skipped out the door.

  Which left Jasmine alone with Amon.

  All but tiptoeing, she slumped onto the edge of the bed, staring hard at her feet. Butterflies flew through her stomach and shaky fingers tapped against her wobbly knees. What is wrong with me? Why am I so uncomfortable around him right now? I’ve never been this nervous in my life.

  Amon swung his legs over the side of his bed and faced her. “Are you okay?”

  She chuckled, but even that sounded nervous as her voice broke. “Sure…I mean, yeah. I guess. Why wouldn’t I be? I mean…I guess I’m as okay as I can be.” She sighed long and hard. “You know, considering my mom is the only living relative I have and she could be sitting in her house dead for all I know. But hey, we’re sitting in this motel about to have a nice nap while all that happens, so sure, I’m just fine.” She didn’t realize how much anger she’d been holding inside, but it all threatened to tumble from her, avalanche style. />
  Amon leaned in closer, touching her knee. “Rest will give us strength, strength we will need to face Bael and his minions. Without it, we might as well just roll over and let him kill us all.”

  Jasmine opened her Sprite, bubbles fizzing to the top of the can. “You don’t think I understand that? Of course I do. We have to rest. But how can I rest knowing he has her?”

  He stretched his arm, gliding a finger down her cheek. “You can because you must. You’re braver than I am, Jasmine. Have some faith in yourself.”

  She guffawed. “Yeah right. Braver than you. I don’t think so. I wouldn’t even use the word brave in the same sentence as my name. Trust me on that.”

  Amon rubbed his thumb in a circle over her hand, which rested in her lap. “You are brave, but also so much more than only that.”

  She met his eyes, her heart thumping, expanding with warmth at his words. She liked hearing him say nice things about her. She might never admit that out loud, but she did. Amon thought so much of her, even when she didn’t think much of herself. It made things a little easier for her. She could accept who she’d become. People might judge her, but Amon wouldn’t. For some reason, his opinion mattered more to her than anyone’s.

  His thumb still moved over her skin, lighting her on fire with each stroke. When her thoughts landed on it, his movement became the only thing she could focus on. The only thing she wanted to think about. She didn’t understand why he enticed such a strong heat every time he touched her. Another question to save for later, she supposed.

  Her heart sped up, almost like it might beat right out of her chest.

  Amon placed his hand under her chin, tipping it up. “Look at me.”

  She did. God help her, but she did. The one time she shouldn’t have listened.

  “Do you feel this heat?”

  She nodded, not trusting her voice.

  “Have you ever felt this before?”

  She shook her head. Only with you. She wanted to scream the words, but she held back, not trusting her voice.

  He’d moved even closer now, his nose falling against her own. If she stuck her tongue out…There’s absolutely no need to think about your tongue, or his for that matter. Bad Jasmine!

  The smell of outdoors, of the woods she loved so much, hit her, causing heat to pool in her belly. Hopefully it didn’t hurt the butterflies already flying in there.

  “I’ve never felt this before either. If I touch you,” Amon ran his fingers down the length of her arm, “my fingers tingle wherever they contact your skin.”

  Jasmine did the same, running her fingertips down his bare arm. Sharp tingles jolted her, making her feel more alive than she ever had. “It’s the same for me.” Her voice came out unintentionally breathy. She couldn’t control her reactions. What she needed was a distraction. Where the hell was Amber with her Sprite? It shouldn’t have taken that long to get a drink. What pop machine did she go to, the one three towns over? Sheesh.

  Amon leaned even closer. “I need to…”

  Jasmine needed to as well. She’d never wanted anything more than to smash her lips against his. “Yes.”

  She didn’t have to, because he did.

  When his lips crushed into hers, fireworks exploded around her. Every nerve ending in her body throbbed with pleasure. For a moment, she forgot everything. She forgot that only a wall separated them from Azzy and a door from Amber. She forgot how much trouble had wrapped around her mom. And she forgot the most important thing…kissing Amon was a horrible idea.

  How could she think something that felt so good, so right, could ever be a horrible idea?

  Before she knew it, her hands ducked into his long blond hair, grabbing fistfuls and pulling him closer with them. Then, completely out of character, she crawled into his lap.

  Jasmine didn’t have the strength to pull away. The kiss could have kept going until it led to more than a kiss, but it didn’t.

  “Woah, buddy. It’s getting hot in here!”

  Jasmine jumped out of Amon’s lap and sat on her own bed again. Her cheeks flamed, taking in Amber, who stood staring out the door toward the parking lot. Jasmine fanned her face with her hand. “Sorry.”

  “It’s okay, but is it safe to turn around? I didn’t look, but if you need a minute to button anything, or zip anything, I’ll be happy to give it to you.” Amber laughed. “I’m nice like that.”

  Jasmine couldn’t help it, she laughed. “We are all zipped and buttoned. Especially since we were fully clothed when you walked in.”

  Amber turned around, wiping the back of her hand across her forehead. “Phew. That was a close one.”

  Amon’s jaw dropped.

  Jasmine chuckled. “Calm down. It’s not like Amber’s never seen two people locking lips before. We were two consenting adults wrapped up in a moment of passion. It will be okay.”

  His cheeks turned the color of an overripe tomato.

  Jasmine shook her head and turned back to Amber. “What took you so long?” She took another drink of her pop. The people in Idaho might say soda, but in Ohio they said pop.

  “I was just looking around a bit. I saw a big pile of smoke a bit of a distance away from here. But it looks like the demons aren’t as far away as we might have thought.” Amber rubbed her forehead.

  Jasmine met Amon’s eyes, widening hers. “I never thought they were that far anyway.”

  Azzy burst out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his hips and his lean chest bare. “Did I miss anything?”

  A deeper shade of red covered Amon’s cheeks.

  Amber looked at Jasmine and they both laughed so hard water dripped from their eyes. After a few minutes, Azzy raised a questioning brow. “Well, guess I missed a lot.”

  Amon scowled. “You didn’t miss anything.”

  Jasmine gained control of herself, finally, and stretched her arms over her head, a yawn tensing her whole body. She would be able to sleep now. She knew it. “Okay, time to rest. Anyone object?”

  “Nope, I’m ready. I’ll just save this soda for tomorrow.”

  “Good night, then,” Jasmine said.

  “Good night.” Amber crawled in beside Jasmine, who pulled the covers up over them as she stretched out.

  Amon still said nothing, only sat stiff as a board on the edge of the bed.

  Azzy dropped the towel to the floor and Jasmine reeled back, shocked. With a grin, Azzy climbed into bed, his manhood out for everyone to see. “Hope you don’t mind, Amon, but I’m sleeping a la nude. I need some freedom. No more constrictions.”

  Amon threw a pillow at him, covering the bit between his legs. “Just cover it up. You stay under the blankets. I’m on top of them. Even though we don’t sleep, if you escape, we’ll have words with our fists, got it?”

  Amber snickered. The corner of Jasmine’s mouth perked.

  Azzy only nodded. “You got it, boss. Nothing will be busting out of jail tonight, I promise. Unless I have a good dream.”

  Amon reached over and turned the light off. Then he moaned as he lay back on the bed. Jasmine snickered as quiet as she could. When she settled, it didn’t take long for her eyes to close.

  ***

  The next morning, Jasmine woke up well rested and feeling great. For the first time in what felt like forever, she’d slept more than three hours. She’d forgotten how good that actually felt. The smell of burned toast lingered in the room, but she chalked it up to something the owner had made a few doors down.

  She stood, stretched her arms over her head, and walked to the sink, where she’d laid her toothbrush out the night before. After brushing her teeth, she turned around. Amon and Azzy were both awake, which she hadn’t realized at first. Amber, however, snored louder than a jackhammer tapping into concrete.

  “Morning.” She grinned at the two fallen angels. “Have a good night?”

  Azzy stood up, tugging a pair of pants on. “Yeah. I feel like I actually got some rest for once.”

  Amon chuckled. “I did as wel
l.”

  Jasmine fell quiet after that. She brushed out her long brown hair, then tucked her things back into her bag. The curtains stuck so tight together not an ounce of light shone in the room, so she walked over and yanked them open. “Oh my God.” The words flowed out on a shuddering exhale, barely audible.

  Amon rushed to her side. “What is it?” His words were lost as he stared out the window. “We have to move! Everybody up. Get your things. We don’t have long.”

  Jasmine heard his words but she was frozen, her feet glued to the floor. Her mouth slackened and her jaw locked. Flames surrounded them, buildings covered in them. Even trails of fire shot down the road, never seeming to end.

  Of their own volition, her feet moved. Her hand grabbed the doorknob and turned it, and she continued outside, spinning in a circle. More flames climbed toward the sky behind the dingy motel. When her eyes landed on the small office, her heart dropped. Fire engulfed it, shining orange and yellow. The smell of wood burning hit her, and the cackling of the flames eating the building made her snap out of her stupor.

  Rushing, she flew through the door to their room, grabbed her bag, and shoved it into the back of the SUV. The others had followed, but were taking too long, so she got back out and jogged to the office, her heart racing.

  Heat snaked across her face. The flames had only attacked the outside, hadn’t lit the inside. The man from before sat in the same spot, not moving. For a minute, Jasmine thought she could save him, all while wondering why he didn’t try to save himself. That’s when she saw it. Blood covered the front of him and his head dangled back, revealing a cut so deep it’d almost severed his head from his body.

  Covering her eyes, Jasmine turned, her stomach lurching so hard she bent over to stop the pain. Her heart dropped so fast it took her breath away. The man had given her a room, a place to stay. She’d given him hope, and for what? To die in this tiny room all by himself. He probably hadn’t seen it coming, so at least if it happened fast, he wouldn’t have suffered. But those thoughts didn’t stop Jasmine from adding him to the list. The same one she kept adding to…of all the people she failed to save.