Paranormal After Dark: 20 Paranormal Tales of Demons, Shifters, Werewolves, Vampires, Fae, Witches, Magics, Ghosts and More

by Rebecca Hamilton

  “I do believe you. I think I’ve known all along and I’ve been too afraid to admit it. Being a vampire explains everything. What I saw that night wasn’t normal. I saw her disintegrate right in front of me, Adley.”

  Everything was sinking in, making sense in a bizarre kind of way. Reality to her made no sense. It didn’t explain what happened that night, and what was still happening. But this did. “It still doesn't explain why he is after me?”

  “I don't know, Eve. There is still too much of this I don’t understand. Pieces of a puzzle I can’t put together.”

  “What pieces? I don’t understand?”

  “I should have told you this before. But I wasn’t sure, Eve. I mean, how can someone tell me things which haven’t even happened?”

  The walls were closing in around her. “Who’s telling you things, Adley?”

  “I’ve been getting these emails for a while now. They told me things which hadn’t even happened, things about you.”

  Her breath caught. “Me?”

  He stood, towering over her once again. “She told me I’d find you by the side of the road and...” He caressed her stomach. “You were carrying a special child. She told me I had to protect you. She told me you had to be kept safe at all costs. I didn’t understand, still don’t unders—”

  Eve grabbed his arm and now she was the one who squeezed tight. “Who, Adley? Who is emailing you?”

  He squeezed her hands. “Her name is Rashda.”

  Chapter 28

  Grimm

  NEWS CREWS AWAITED the passengers of Flight AC033. Thirty minutes and ten seconds after touching down at Sydney International Airport, the bombs detonated, resulting in the passengers being held for questioning for over three hours.

  The explosion rocked the airport. Luggage was strewn across the tarmac and there were reports of two bodies found still inside the plane. Men carrying cameras trailed behind take-charge women who jostled each other for the sound bite of headline news. Grimm could hear their questions being fired at anyone in the hopes they’d get something useable about the bombing. There had been nothing anyone could tell them and when the frustration mounted, they turned to something a little less exciting—a choking victim.

  “I'm so sorry.” Jinx’d been muttering the same damn thing since almost killing the human. The vampire blamed himself. He’d become quiet since almost killing the human and seemed to sink lower into a somber mood as they disembarked. Grimm winced as a microphone was shoved in his face. The snapping of a camera earned the photographer a warning growl.

  “This is Karen from the Channel 7 News Crew. I was wondering if you could tell me about the bombing?”

  “ No.” Grimm’s answer was apparently so direct, she was momentarily stunned, but she bounced right back. Man, these humans were tenacious little fuckers.

  “Okay, can you tell me anything about the choking incident?”

  A sharp elbow and a quick shake of her head cut off the rumble that threatened to erupt from Grimm’s chest before anyone seemed to notice. Kali stepped in front of him, pushing the reporter aside with nothing but her stare. The reporter jostled for a place next to Grimm. Kali stepped forward and pierced the reporter with an icy stare.

  “Oh.” The reporter swallowed and the color drained from her face. She stopped walking, but the camera man failed to notice and smacked into her. Grimm saw the camera getting a close up of the back of her head and couldn’t help but smirk. She swiveled, her bark as ferocious as any lycan’s. “Watch where I’m going, or the only thing you'll be filming is your freaking kid's birthday party!”

  She turned, giving Grimm one last look, and avoided Kali's gaze before she stalked away.

  Grimm laughed. “Remind me to never get on your bad side, Kali. I never want you to smile at me, okay?”

  “Just keep walking, lycan.” Her tone made the hair stand up on the back of Grimm’s neck.

  The feel of her body on his still lingered, indenting his mind like an old worn mattress. He glanced at Jinx, making sure his attention was elsewhere, before he turned back to Kali. He took a small step toward her, his actions slow and deliberate.

  “Don't,” she said quietly, taking one step away. She read his actions before he’d even made a move. His words turned to powder inside his mouth, his hand hung like a dead weight at his side. He turned away and found the human standing in the middle of the mass of media.

  The human’s eyes found Grimm’s through the crowd and the man nodded. Grimm returned the nod and he couldn't shake the feeling that everything was okay. That everything had a purpose and this purpose was on track. This sense stayed with him as they stepped off the escalators and walked over to a driver holding up a sign; the Family.

  There was only one thorn on this perfect bloom. The scent of the Call still lingered inside him, like the unrelenting full moon as it passed from the full phase. They’d killed the only being alive who knew of another lycan. Being pissed off wouldn’t change anything. She was out there and this knowledge alone settled his wolf. He would find her. Even if it was the last thing he’d do on this earth.

  Kali slid into the limousine first then Jinx and Grimm followed. They were driven straight from the international airport to private one where Fraser waited to carry them back home. He couldn’t wait to get back, and start his search for the female. This occupied his thoughts as the world dropped away. They left the river of concrete and blue cargo containers behind and headed for the clouds. Grimm didn’t fight the heavy pull of his eyelids. He was exhausted and smelled like dead vamp. But before he drifted asleep, he felt something press into his hand. He opened his eyes and looked down finding long, elegant fingers entwined in his. Kali's eyes were closed. Her lips drawn tight, but he knew she was awake. He could smell her exhaustion, her guarded need which mirrored his own. There’d be no sleep for them, either of them. The best they could hope for was unity.

  They touched down on a small airstrip not far from the mountain and drove the rest of the way. They needed showers and sleep—those of them who did sleep anyway. As soon as they were inside the mountain, Kali left them. Grimm watched her disappear. The others were waiting in one of the meeting rooms, their eyes glued to one of the screens. They glanced up as he entered and dropped his bag to the floor.

  Harmony stared at the empty doorway, waiting for Kali to enter. When it was obvious she wasn’t coming, Harmony looked to him. “What happened? What did you do?”

  “Nothing,” he growled.

  The others stood around the computer with Scribe at the controls, the airport scene playing out before them. “This is Alicia Summer with Channel 7 News and I'm here with the Sebastian Miller, who escaped death when he choked on a peanut aboard flight AC033. Sebastian, can you tell us what happened?”

  The image of the human filled the screen. He still wore the same crumpled clothes and expression as when they left the plane and all the nasty shit which went with it. “Well, the act itself was a bit silly. A friend gave me some peanuts and one became lodged in my throat. I’m embarrassed to say I panicked”.

  “So there are reports from the doctor on board, ah, a Doctor Moss. I’m told you actually died and came back. Was there anything you can tell me about that moment Sebastian?”

  “Well, Alicia, I’m probably going to come off sounding crazy, but I wanted to let everyone out there know I am just a normal person. I have a house, a mortgage, and work in a factory for the minimum wage.” He spoke directly to the camera—“just like you. But an amazing thing has happened to me. I’d like to say this was as a result of a peanut, but it’s been something I’ve become aware of for a while now.”

  The camera cut back to the reporter. Her body was bent forward, leaning into him. “And what’s that, Sebastian?”

  “That we humans are changing, and not for the better. We’re killing our lands, our rivers and each other. We’ve veered off our path, the one we should’ve been living all along. Now, I may not have all the answers—after all I’m just a n
obody—but I’ve experienced something I can only call divine and I’m here to tell you, there’s so much more to this world than what you and I know. God spoke to me and she told me to wake up. We all need to wake up.”

  The reporter froze and dropped the microphone. The thump of the mic echoed through the speakers and Grimm heard the reporter muffled voice as she spoke. She must’ve realized no one heard her and she knelt and grabbed hold of the microphone before she spoke again. “I’m sorry, did you say she… God is a she?”

  “Yes, I believe God is a she.”

  Grimm felt like the human was talking directly to him. Actually, he knew he was.

  “I’ve met some pretty interesting people of late who’ve shown me more compassion and love than I’ve experienced in a long time. They’ve put me back on track you know? They’ve given me something I’ll never forget.”

  The camera cut back to the reporter. For a moment, she seemed stunned. Her microphone dropped from view and she quickly lifted it when she realized the camera was now pointed at her. “Wow… okay. That’s an incredible story Seb—”

  The human wasn’t done yet. He stepped forward, taking her by the arm, and drew the camera’s attention. “I'm sorry Alicia, but this isn't a story. This is a message, one which was given to me, and now I’m giving it to you. We have to change, we have to evolve. Otherwise, we’ll all perish. I’m asking you out there to find me, to join me in this cause. I may not have all of the answers. But I’ve been given a glimpse of what we can become... and my vision was beautiful and inspiring... My Name is Sebastian Miller and my address is 51 Spring Valley Drive in Morningside. Come and find me. Together we’ll build a better way of life.”

  Scribe spoke first. His quiet-spoken words screamed the importance of what had transpired. “That was a YouTube clip from today and at the moment the video’s had over a million hits... and climbing. I'd say your mission was a success.”

  He didn’t need the star child’s words, but fuck, it felt good to finally let go. To let the past forty-eight hours become nothing more than a bad dream while he slept for a week. “Thank God that’s over. I need a shower and sleep.”

  “I'm sorry, Grimm. There isn't time. We were hoping you’d return in time, otherwise Harmony and Smoky were going to have to do this alone.”

  Grimm swiveled towards the others. “What do you mean? We almost got our asses blown up out there. We're fucking done!”

  “I'm sorry, but it's not for me to say.” He turned to the computer. “You have exactly one hour before you are to leave again.”

  Grimm didn't mean to sound desperate and angry. But this wasn't just his life on the line. Being tired and strung out could get you killed, regardless of who you were. “What’re we risking our lives for this time? I mean, it feels like we’re fighting a losing battle out there. No sooner do we get back but we have to take off again. When does this shit ever stop?”

  “You’re to go out and bring back—”

  “Who?” He was ready to give up. He was done. Grimm had his own life to live. There was another of his kind out there, waiting for him to find her. With the female lycan he could have his own family—a real family. He shook his head and stepped towards the door. He was done.

  “You have to, Grimm. This next mission is everything we’ve fought for all this time. The angel Azrael is here... the prophecy has come.”

  At first he didn’t understand, and he didn’t want to. But the name Azrael conjured stories from his past. Stories told by the elder wolves. Stories he thought he’d forgotten.

  Scribe recounted the prophecy. His version was somewhat different from the one told by Grimm’s father, but the meaning was the same. Death, destruction and ultimately creation for all or none. Only fate would decide.

  In Grimm’s mind, Scribe’s voice was replaced by his father’s growl as he sat amongst the other young wolves. Although they were immortal, time for them was precious. They knew with the arrival of the humans, their life was threatened, so it was moments like this, sitting around the fire, listening to stories from elder wolves that made the moment magical. In his mind Grimm saw the log crackle in the fire, shooting blazing embers up into the darkened sky. He glanced around at his friends. They were young, skinny, and hungry. Hungry for knowledge and hungry for power. Grimm, along with the others all thought they’d survive, that they’d be victorious and take back their forests from the humans. How wrong they’d been.

  This human world won’t last forever. Grimm’s father held his gaze, flames flickered in his golden eyes. There will come a time where the lycan clan will rule and humans will fade away. That time will come. Our eventual triumph has been foretold in the great prophecy.

  When will the humans leave our forest? He’d asked, hanging on to every word the elders spoke.

  His Father created a vision of the future in Grimm’s mind, one which saw them rise to the top of the immortal world, where they were meant to be. When Azrael walks the Earth, he’ll sweep across the great forest and carry us to our rightful place. There, our women will bear our young and live for eternity. We will run free across the lands, drink from the purest rivers, and eat the flesh of the boar every night. But most of all, we shall sleep safe and sound in the embrace of the moon. This is the prophecy and we will rejoice.

  “Grimm, are you listening?” Scribe’s voice cut through the memory like a rusted sword. When he was a young wolf he’d believed his father’s tale, they all had. As his kind perished, he realized the prophecy had been nothing more than a lie, a story to tell the pups around the campfire. Something to give them hope when all hope was lost.

  “I know what you’re thinking, Grimm. The prophecy isn’t meant for us to wield as a weapon, no matter how fragile our existence has become. I know you must feel angry and hurt. We all feel the same. To realize the prophecy is not our prophecy is devastating. But this is why we’ve been fighting all of this time. This is why we are here. Now more than ever, the Family has to stand together.”

  Scribe kept talking. But Grimm wasn’t listening anymore. This, for him, was a light bulb moment. He now understood how insignificant he really was. How insignificant his species was. He looked at the others, how insignificant they all were. He wanted to be selfish. He wanted to scream how this wasn’t fair. Why did they have to give up everything and get nothing in return? Movement behind him caught his attention and glanced back at Kali. She’d showered and changed and was now back here, ready to go out and lay her life on the line once again. Yeah, he wanted to be a selfish bastard. But where would that get him?

  So it had come down to this? Vampires against humans? Immortal against mortal? Grimm shook his head. Humans didn’t stand a fucking chance. Scribe’s words had somehow filtered into his thoughts and left a stain. The prophecy had been here all along. Carved in the walls of this mountain they’d called home for far too long. He’d always wondered, why this place? Why here, in the middle of nowhere, on this desolate and majestic continent of Australia? And now he knew. This was where the prophecy waited.

  How could they’ve known? The angel Azrael was coming and with him the destruction and the creation of a new world. Just not his world. The YouTube clip had finished playing. But the words of the human lingered, I now know there’s another way to exist and it isn't like this... He was more accurate than he knew. A change was coming. A change which had been foretold for thousands of years. There was only one being alive who knew how this would end, and it was now Grimm’s mission to bring him back to where he belonged—here.

  “The angel will be born soon by the human woman. And there’s a protector. The same one Rashda’s been emailing, the detective Adley Scott. There are others who know the angel’s coming. Vicious, powerful vampires that will stop at nothing to get what they want. What they want is the angel—”

  Grimm cut him off. His exhaustion evaporated into determination. “You don’t need to worry, Scribe. You give us the location and we’ll bring the angel back.”

  “Right. You�
�ll need crossbows and guns.” Smoky headed for the armory, returning minutes later with two heavy duffel bags loaded with weapons.

  The mood in the cave was somber, shell-shocked. “Right. Let’s get this done.” Grimm walked over and grabbed the two bags. He was almost out of the cave before he stopped. “Wait. What of the mother and the detective?”

  Kali answered for the rest of them. “We’ll bring back who we can. But the child is the mission here. We must protect him at all costs.”

  Chapter 29

  Edric

  EDRIC HASTING STOOD underneath the concrete bridge, concealed by the night and the drug dealers who haunted this area. They paid him no mind. His ravenous gaze and blood-splattered clothes spoke louder than the cheap phone and watch he carried. He needed somewhere dark and quiet. Somewhere he could hide and think.

  Water from a broken pipe washed away the tainted blood. The disappearing blood was cruel to watch. He was hungry and weak. Pure blood was what he needed, and the blonde bitch was what he desired. Both evaded him.

  Wet leaves stuck to his face. The smell of dirt and wild animals flooded his senses, taking him further away from what he once was—human. Was this what he’d been reduced to? Living under a bridge and washing poison from his body in a dirty mountain run-off? Edric leaned against the cold concrete, lowered his head, and touched the side of his face. The bullets from the detectives’ gun had blown away part of his face. It wasn’t just his looks he was worried about. He couldn't see out of his right eye. He would heal, but slowly, given his weakened state.

  He felt sure he was missing something about the detective, a niggling thought hidden amongst the constant pain of hunger. The arrival of police had prevented him from ending the detective's life. The pain, the deformity, had been worth the look on the detective’s face when he realized what Edric had become.