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

by Rebecca Hamilton

  “Mmkay,” I said, reaching up. I plucked a fruit from the tree. Dew droplets fell from the branch, kissing my cheeks. I smiled, nodding to the plant in silent thanks for its offering. The skin of the fruit was firm like that of a plum. My mouth watered. My tongue ached for a taste. Why couldn’t I indulge? After all, this was my reward for my journey. I deserved it, didn’t I?

  I brought the fruit up to my mouth, but Michael stopped me. “Jordan, you can’t eat that. Come on, let’s go.”

  “Go where?”

  He stepped close to me, cradling my face in his hands without saying anything. Then, he let out a soft curse.

  “Jordan, do you remember why we came here?”

  I wrinkled my nose, thinking. The thoughts in my head swirled around in a fog, untouchable, abstract, unimportant. “For the fruit. I just wanted to taste it, that’s all.”

  “It’s not to be eaten. We have to bargain it for Juliana,” he said, and his voice sounded so pained that it confused me. That name. I knew it. But from where?

  “Does she live here? Where is she? I’d like to meet her,” I said, glancing at my surroundings expectantly.

  Michael shut his eyes for a second. “We have to go. Now.”

  “Sure, what should we see? Do they have an oasis here? I’ll bet it’s lovely.”

  “No. We have to leave the Garden.”

  I frowned, stepping back. “Why? It’s our home, Michael.”

  “This is not our home.”

  “Shouldn’t it be? Look at it.” I waved my free hand around. “Listen to the birds. Listen to the stream. It’s perfect. There’s nothing that can hurt us. We could stay here forever. We could be happy. Always.”

  Michael touched my shoulders, bringing me in close, and the sorrow in his eyes frightened me. “We can’t stay. We can’t.”

  I cupped his cheek. “Yes, we can. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted? It’ll just be the two of us. No demons, no pain, no suffering, no labor. Just you and me and the rest of our life together.”

  He pressed his forehead against mine, his voice a hoarse whisper. “Baby, don’t say that. Please, don’t say that to me. I would give anything to let you have this kind of peace, but it’s not real. You’re not yourself. We have to go.”

  “But we’re—”

  “We’re not home.” His grip tightened on my arms. “Jordan, I need you to focus. I need you to remember why we’re here.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t understand.”

  “We’re leaving. Come on.”

  He gripped my wrist, pulling me towards the jungle, but I dug my heels into the downy soft grass, not moving. “No.”

  “Jor—”

  “No. I’m not going. This is where I belong. This is where we belong.”

  A flock of birds flew past us from the left side of the clearing. Michael’s green eyes widened, darting back and forth as if trying to see through the forest. Something was coming.

  He dragged me towards the tree with the golden fruit and shoved me against the trunk, pressing his hand over my mouth. “Don’t move. Don’t say anything.”

  I heard more movement from the other side of the clearing, so I tilted my head until I could see. An olive-skinned man in white linen emerged from the rain forest. He was at least seven feet tall and his hair was dark grey. A brown leather quiver full of arrows was strapped to his back along with a huge bow. His blue eyes swept across the clearing like he was searching for something. He examined the grass where we’d stood only moments ago and walked over to the other tree, placing one hand against the bark. After a minute or so, he walked towards the tree we hid behind.

  Michael stooped down, keeping his hand over my lips, and picked up a flat stone near the roots of the tree. He took careful aim and hurled it into the woods with all his might just as the angel crept near to our side. There came a terrible animal cry in the distance and the angel’s head whipped around in that direction. He hurried out of the clearing to check the disturbance, leaving us alone once again.

  Michael sighed in relief, but he still wouldn’t move away. He met my eyes instead. “You may never forgive me for this, but I hope you’ll understand someday.”

  He reached up towards the tree, pulled a vine from it, and tore off the end. He took his hand off my mouth and tied the vine around my head so it served as a gag. I thrashed, trying to cry out for help, but he caught my hands and held me still. He tied my wrists and ankles and threw me over his shoulder, carrying me back into the jungle while I begged him to stop. He didn’t listen. Why wouldn’t he listen?

  When we reached the riverside, he put me down and held my face between his hands. “Take a deep breath for me. We’re almost out, okay? I promise, I won’t let go.”

  He wrapped one arm around my waist and jumped into the river, holding me against him as he swam. The frigid water washed away my tears, but I could still feel the screaming agony of loss in my chest as I watched Eden slip away. I had lost my home. I had lost my paradise. I had lost everything.

  When we reached the pool on the other side of the cave, Michael put me on his back and climbed the wall to reach the exit. It wasn’t until we were inside the tunnel that the unbelievable wave of anguish receded from my body. When Michael saw me calming, he untied my hands and feet.

  I threw myself into his arms. He hugged me with all his might, crushing me against his chest while I cried.

  “I’m so s-sorry,” I said through hiccupping sobs. “I said such horrible things to you in there.”

  “It’s okay,” he whispered, stroking my hair. “It wasn’t your fault. You didn’t mean it.”

  He pulled back, wiping my tears away. “Come on, before Uzziel sees us. Follow me.”

  He held my hand and led me through the dimly-lit tunnel to the outside world waiting for us. The seam opened up once more after he presented the feather and we climbed the face of the cliff. Michael got there first, hauling me over the edge and into his arms. He kissed my forehead.

  “We made it, baby. We made it.”

  Before I could reply, I heard the chilling sound of someone slow-clapping behind us. My body went cold as a deep, dry voice spoke.

  “Well, well. Congratulations, lovebirds.”

  We both turned around and found ourselves staring into the triumphant eyes of Belial.

  Chapter 34

  Jordan

  “NO,” I WHISPERED, my voice thick with disbelief. “Not possible. Can’t be you.”

  Belial sent me a questioning look. “Why not?”

  “We left you in Addis Ababa with eight angels guarding you. You can’t be here. You can’t be.”

  “Ah, yes. They were quite effective guards, you know—strong, smart, brave, and fiercely loyal. Your mistake was not in ordering them to keep an eye on me. Your mistake was underestimating what it means to be an archdemon. You could have hired eight hundred angels and I still would have found you.”

  “How?”

  “Because, my pet, I am the best at what I do. Always.”

  The shock hadn’t worn off yet, but I realized that Michael hadn’t said anything. In fact, he hadn’t even moved. He just stood there, his hands still resting on the back of my arms. Wet, tangled brown hair hung over his eyes so that I couldn’t see them. He had gone so still when Belial spoke that I’d forgotten he was even there. Fear rushed through me in a suffocating burst of adrenaline as I realized the true gravity of what had happened. An archdemon found the location of the Garden of Eden. God have mercy on us all.

  “Michael?” I said, gripping his forearms, hoping it would snap him out of whatever trance he had slipped into. He didn’t move. Then, I felt it.

  Michael’s energy exploded out of his body. It was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. I choked on it—gasping for air as a shroud of searing hot anger broke free from inside the archangel and expanded like some great phoenix spreading its wings. His shoulders rose and fell as his chest heaved deep breaths. His fingers clamped down on my arms because I was the close
st thing to him, because he was so furious that he couldn’t control his own body.

  “Michael, don’t—”

  “Demon,” he said in a voice so low that it sent vibrations through my bones. “I am going to rip out your soul and cast it into the Lake of Fire myself.”

  He let go of me and began walking towards Belial. I shoved my hands against his shoulders, pushing with all my might, but he was a wall of solid muscle intent on murdering the demon standing behind me. My boots slid across the dirt, leaving a trail, and panic gripped me when I realized Michael had disappeared completely. Only the Commander remained, and he would have his vengeance.

  “Look at me, dammit!” I yelled, hoping to get through to the rational part of his brain. “Don’t do this! Think about Juliana. We still need him.”

  Michael’s large hands closed over my arms and he threw me aside. I hit the ground hard, crying out. Michael grabbed Belial by the neck and threw him with a force so tremendous that the archdemon ploughed through four trees, snapping them in half like twigs. He hit the ground about twenty feet away, leaving a small impact crater.

  Michael lifted his right hand towards the sky, palm flat, and a dark grey cloud immediately formed. Thunder roared overhead and lightning flashed, forcing me to cover my eyes as a blinding light filled the area. The bolt connected with his raised arm and his silver sword materialized in his hand. He hadn’t been bluffing. He was about to kill Belial.

  Before I could move, his wings sprouted from his back and he launched himself into the air, heading towards the demon. I scrambled to my feet and sprinted through the path Belial’s body had made in the forest, praying I could beat Michael there. I spotted Belial sprawled at the base of a tree, covered in fallen leaves, branches, and dirt, bleeding from a cut on his scalp.

  Michael landed in front of him, raised his sword, and brought it down to smite him.

  “No!”

  I threw myself in front of the demon, spreading my arms to make myself a bigger target. My eyes squeezed shut as I expected the sword to slice into me like the Spear of Longinus had done a year ago. I waited for the agony of life leaving my body, of blood seeping out of my skin.

  Nothing happened.

  Panting, I opened my eyes to see Michael’s sword had stopped a mere inch from penetrating my breastbone. God bless him, he had the restraint not to skewer me.

  “Move,” Michael said in that same gravelly, damn near inhuman pitch.

  I stayed where I knelt in front of Belial. “No. Killing him won’t do anything. You know that. It’s too late. Put the sword down.”

  “I won’t tell you again, woman.”

  “If you kill him, we can’t contact Mulciber and we can’t save Juliana. If you kill him, it’ll just send his soul back to Hell and he will still know where the Garden is anyway. Put the sword down.”

  “You still defend him. Even after all of this, you’d throw your life away for this worthless carrion. You disgust me.”

  It hurt to hear him say that, but I pushed past his words because I knew what was going on. All of these interactions led me to one conclusion.

  “I don’t care what you think about me, Commander,” I said. “Now put the fucking sword down and give me back my husband, you son of a bitch.”

  His eyes were as hard as glass. No, this was not my lover. This was the other half of his soul, the one that could be as cold and ruthless as the demon lying behind me. They were divided right down the middle—two men sharing the same soul. Not a split personality, but definitely something similar. This was the first time I’d addressed him by name. I could tell he saw my demands would not change. He had a decision to make one way or the other.

  At last, he lowered the sword, but his gaze didn’t leave mine. “Very well. But know this, woman. I will suffer you no more. He may love you, but you have betrayed my trust for the last time. It will not happen again.”

  He closed his eyes and the sword and his wings vanished in a plume of silver vapor. Michael’s body swayed and then he opened his eyes, frowning when he saw me.

  “What just happened?”

  I stood, wincing as my injured arm stung. Blood dripped down my forearm, thick under the oppressive heat. “You went after Belial.”

  He ran a shaky hand through his wet hair. “All I could see was red. I…I don’t understand. This has never happened before.”

  He noticed my disheveled state and touched my elbow, examining the cut. “Did I do this to you?”

  “You weren’t yourself. I’m alright, I swear.”

  “I hurt you, Jordan. How are you alright with that?” he demanded.

  “Because we have bigger fish to fry. We’ll worry about it later. Besides, I’d rather not discuss it in present company.”

  With that, I turned, glaring at the demon. “You’re welcome, by the way. You could have at least tried to defend yourself, you prick.”

  Belial stood, dusting himself off and grinning at me. “Why? I knew you would come to my defense. Isn’t that your thing?”

  It took me a few seconds to process what he’d just told me. “So you took that blow just because you knew I’d stop him? Are you getting off on me protecting you?”

  “Getting off is such a crass term, my pet.”

  I punched him in the face. It felt extremely good. Unfortunately, it only made him chuckle and wipe his split lip in amusement.

  “What about that?” I sneered. “That feel good?”

  “Delicious,” he purred, licking the blood from his fingers. I balled my hands into fists, considering aiming for his crotch this time, but I decided it wasn’t worth it.

  “Really? How about I give it a shot?” Michael snarled, stepping forward, but I raised my hand to stop him.

  “Don’t bother. We’re running out of time as it is. Let’s just go so we can get Juliana back and end this nightmare.”

  “Ah, ah, ah,” Belial said, crooking a finger at me when I began walking away. “Let’s see the goods first, dear Jordan.”

  I scowled, reached into the large pocket of my capris, and withdrew the fruit. His reptilian eyes lit up with interest, but I stuffed it back in my pants after only a couple seconds.

  “There. Now let’s go.”

  “As you wish, my pet.”

  I glared at him as he passed me. “I should have let him kill you.”

  Belial met my gaze and a slow smile grew across his lips. “But you didn’t.”

  Damn him.

  * * *

  HE PICKED UP on the first ring.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Gabe.”

  A short silence. Then, he spoke and his voice was stiff. “Jordan. I take it you got the fruit.”

  “Yeah. Belial’s sending word to Mulciber. According to him, it’s some sort of grape vine trick that archdemons use. We’ll be in the air shortly.”

  “Very well. Meet you there.”

  “Wait,” I said, biting my bottom lip. I was taking a chance here. He could very well have hung up already and I wasn’t about to call him back. Even I had my limit.

  “Yes?”

  “Look, I know we’re not exactly simpatico with each other right now, but could you answer a question for me? Please?”

  A few seconds of quiet. I could practically hear him fighting with himself in his head. In the end, he sighed. “Sure. What is it?”

  I sat on the closed toilet, crossing my legs and folding one arm around my stomach. Michael was in the bedroom pacing. I didn’t want him to hear this conversation so I’d taken a shower to give myself an excuse to escape. “It’s going to be an unpleasant question. You’re welcome to choose not to answer.”

  “Go on.”

  I took a deep breath. “Is it possible for a demon to revert back to his previous angelic state?”

  “What would lead you to believe that could happen?” he asked, sounding both surprised and suspicious at the same time. Couldn’t blame him.

  I played with the end of my ponytail, relieved we weren’t having
this talk face-to-face because his expression was probably disapproving. “Promise you won’t tell Michael what I’m about to tell you.”

  “Jordan—”

  “Promise,” I said with a firmer tone.

  “Fine. I promise.”

  I forced the words out of my throat. “When we were still in Miami, I asked Belial if he was in love with me. He didn’t say yes, of course…but he didn’t say no either. And I know it’s ridiculous to think he could be in love with me because that’s impossible, but I’ve been noticing something about his behavior lately. He’s still a bastard, he’s still a killer, and he’s still soulless piece of shit, but there have been a couple of times where he seemed like he was more than that. Like maybe part of him isn’t completely evil.”

  “Can you give me an example?”

  “After Avriel died, I…wasn’t in good shape. He comforted me. And I’m not talking about a pat on the shoulder or a cheer-up speech. He hugged me. He told me I was going to have to accept that I am both good and evil if I want to reach my potential someday. Hell, he didn’t even try to make a pass at me. I’m not saying this wasn’t all just part of his master plan, but I wanted to know if something like that could be possible. Just for the sake of my own sanity, if nothing else.”

  “I have to be honest here,” Gabriel said. “I’ve never heard of something like this happening before. But at the same time, you may have a point. It may not be possible for him to revert back into an angel, but it is likely that spending time around you has caused him to fall into his old angelic habits.”

  “Really?”

  “Think about it. How does Belial choose to manipulate you? He lies. He tells you what you want to hear. So, in effect, he thinks he is playing a role to win you just like he did with Zora. However, perhaps he’s not actually pretending. Part of him may genuinely care for you and that is the part he has tapped into as he tries to seduce you. I doubt he realizes it himself. He considers it to be nothing more than a character to play so he can get what he wants.”