Mystery's Choice (Vengeance Of The Fallen Book 1)

by Tanya Simon

  “Perhaps, but it is done now, my love. Think on it no more.”

  Cain pulled her into his arms and kissed her, his hands found their way under her cloak and claimed her full breasts. Raevanne moaned and her head rolled back. Cain released her breasts and stepped away, laughing.

  “We’ll finish what we began when Father’s gift is ours.”

  He shook his head as he dragged a still dazed Raevanne down the hall. He shoved her towards their chamber so she could dress.

  “I’ll meet you at the truck in 15 minutes.”

  “I’ll be there.” Raevanne sashayed down the hall, her earlier fear forgotten.

  David Williams sighed as he stepped out into the crisp night air, it had been a very long week and he was exhausted. He flipped open his cell phone and said, “Home.”

  “Williams’s residence.” His wife’s soft voice answered.

  “Sarah, it’s me. I’m on my way home.”

  “Hurry home, we have to talk.” She paused, “I told you it would ruin our lives when you brought someone else's child into our home.”

  “Sarah I don’t want to get into this right now.” David said as he climbed into his car.

  “The girl’s parents have found her and they want her back. Whoever called said something about her being in danger.” Sarah said dispassionately.

  “Did you warn Mystery?”

  “No. They are her parents, why would they hurt her?”

  “Bye Sarah.” David said as he pulled out into the light traffic.

  David hurriedly dialed Mystery’s number. It just rang and eventually the machine picked up. He switched lanes, heading north on Colorado Boulevard. He would just go to Boulder and talk to his baby in person. After all, what he had to tell her was not something for the phone. This was going to crush her.

  As he got on the highway, he thought about Sarah’s response to Mystery being in danger. She had never even tried to love Mystery. He had thought saving the girl and giving Sarah a child would provide him with the perfect family. He couldn’t have been more wrong; Sarah had resented someone else’s child being in her home and had never believed she was not a hidden mistress’. Mystery had always sensed her mother didn’t love her and had stopped trying to gain her approval. Now, they only talked when necessary and his marriage was dead. When he stopped and thought about his choice, which he had several times over the last 17 years, he knew he could have not lived with the guilt had he made any other choice?

  David had dabbled in the occult as a teenager and college student, he knew the signs and symbols. Seeing the symbol outside the bar had made him curious. So, he had snuck in and had been horrified to realize there were children inside. David had watched in horror as the children had said prayers to Satan right along with the adults. He had noticed the angelic child, who seemed to so enchant the children gathered around her and he had fallen in love. He waited for the adults to be preoccupied and he had grabbed the girl and ran, holding his hand over her mouth. When he stopped to see if he was being followed, he realized the girl had fainted as he ran.

  David had searched his memory for the words for a hiding spell and said them, smiling as he felt the energy build and the world outside the protective bubble blur. The little girl had woken up and simply stared at him, when she decided he was no threat, she had gone to sleep. Men had come looking but they could not see or hear him. When the street had cleared, he had disillusioned himself and the child and gone back to his hotel. He checked out that night and caught a flight back home. As soon as he got there, David had placed a protective spell around the house and the child, so the cult could not locate her. It wasn’t long before the child had become his world and vice versa. He would not let them harm her or take her from him.

  David’s gaze jerked up to his rearview mirror as headlights glared from behind him. He noticed a van tailgating him. He switched lanes to get away from the van, but the driver followed, getting closer to his bumper. He took one hand off the wheel to cover his ears as chanting began to fill the car. David swore as the van bumped him and his car swerved off onto the shoulder. He finally managed to stop the car. The chanting grew louder and louder until David’s ears began to bleed. Maniacal laughter filled the air. David looked at his rearview mirror and saw red glowing eyes staring back at him from the back seat.

  “You must pay, kidnapper.” Said a voice from the back seat, “The Shivana wishes it.”

  David continued to scream, he pulled frantically at the door handle. He began banging on the windows, screaming for help. Cars swerved as David’s car erupted in a giant fireball, silencing his screams.

  Raevanne stretched out her long limbs and draped herself around her husband... She turned his head and gave him a sizzling, breath-stealing kiss.

  “Payback’s a bitch isn’t it?” She tickled his ear with her tongue, and chuckled as he moaned. “This one must be perfect.”

  Cain chuckled “She will be my love,” he toyed with her long wavy red hair, “her faith will have to be overrun,” He shifted to stare out the window, his blue eyes going blank, “here she comes.”

  Raevanne watched as a crowd of teenagers poured out of the multiplex theatre. She turned to her husband and watched as his eyes began to glow with an unholy light. He slowly disappeared and Raevanne watched as he reappeared behind a small, bubbly blond teenage girl. He smiled at his wife, and followed the girl down the street. She stood in the parking lot talking to her friends, they were laughing and the girl flipped her hair over her shoulder, she shivered and looked behind her. She sensed Cain but she couldn’t see him. Raevanne laughed as the girl turned around to see who or what was behind her. Finding no one, she waved goodbye to her friends and she hurried to her car. Cain sat in the passenger’s seat, the girl kept glancing at it, but she couldn’t see him. She put the car in gear and drove away and Raevanne pulled the truck into traffic and followed behind them. Cain stayed behind the girl when she entered a spacious three-story house, went up the stairs, and into her bedroom. He sat on her bed, as she began undressing. She stopped and whirled around, feeling his presence, but not seeing him. Cain watched as she stepped into a frilly cotton gown and crossed to the light to turn it out. He smiled a demonic smile when she climbed into the bed beside him smelling of soap and innocence. Yes, she would please Father. When she finally slept, he scooped her up and took her out to the waiting truck.

  Raevanne’s eyes twinkled with pleasure; the girl was even more beautiful close up. Her golden hair framed her gentle features. Oh, yes, Master would be pleased with this one. She smiled; you could smell the godliness all over the sleeping girl. Breaking her would be a challenge, but one worth working toward. Raevanne felt someone watching them; she centered herself and found the source. The teenage boy across the street was watching them through a telescope. When he saw her looking up at him, he stepped back out of the window. Raevanne read his thoughts, he had seen Cain materialize outside with the girl, but his mind didn’t accept what it had seen. Deeming him no threat she sat back and watched the girl’s features as she slept. The girl never stirred as they drove into the night.

  Mystery rubbed rose-scented soap over her skin and let the warm water soothe her. When she was done, she blotted the water softly off her body and wrapped herself in a fluffy towel. Humming to herself she padded into her bedroom and pulled open her closet door. A secret smile lit her eyes as she pulled the emerald green peignoir out; it was Seth’s favorite and matched her eyes perfectly. She laid it on the bed and smoothed vanilla-scented lotion over her body, humming as she rolled thigh-high sheer hose up her legs and slipped into the lingerie. She brushed and blow-dried her long ebony hair until it shone in the light. Humming to herself she spritzed her body with his favorite perfume, slipped on matching stiletto heels and smiled at her reflection.

  Once downstairs, she checked the table and satisfied, she lowered the lights. A fire crackled invitingly in the brick fireplace, casting pleasant warmth throughout the room. Candles scented the air wi
th roses and vanilla; soft violin music drifted through the house. She arranged big, plump pillows in front of the fireplace and placed chilled wine beside them.

  When Mystery heard Seth’s key in the door, she ran over to the dining room door and leaned slinkily against the frame. He froze in the doorway when he saw her standing there.

  “Hiya, sailor.” Mystery said in her best sultry voice.

  “I’ve died and gone to heaven!” He slammed the door.

  She chuckled as he took off his coat, dropped his book bag and stepped into her arms.

  Several hours later, they sat at the table enjoying a four-star cold meal, snuggling with each other. Seth flipped his shoulder length blond hair out of his face and nibbled on Mystery’s ear. She sighed and moved closer to him. Soon he would have to leave and go back to the hospital, but for now he was hers.

  Seth swore when the telephone rang, he crossed the room and snarled into the phone, “Hello!” he turned beet red “Oh….um… hello Mrs. Williams” he looked up at Mystery, “I’ll…. Um… get Mystery.” He motioned toward Mystery, “not a word.” He mouthed as she took the phone.

  “Hi, Mom.” Mystery had laughter in her voice. “What?” The color drained from her face. Seth rushed to her. “No, it can’t be.” She dropped the phone.

  “Mrs. Williams?” Seth picked up the phone wondering what the witch had said to upset Mystery so. He watched Mystery lower herself to the sofa. “Thank you for calling.” Seth hung up the phone. Seth walked over to Mystery and kneeled in front of her.

  “My father can’t be dead, he can’t be dead.” She stood up, almost knocking Seth over. “This is just another one of her lies. She’s just being cruel. I’ll wait a couple of hours and call him. You’ll see he’ll be home, sitting in his chair watching reruns of his favorite show.” Mystery fell to the floor, threw her head back and bellowed. “No!!”

  “I’m right here baby.” Seth folded her in his arms, rocking back and forth while she cried.

  Mystery glared out the window. How dare the sun shine? Her father was dead and the sun was shining. Didn’t God know the world had come to an end? The sun had no place in what was left behind.

  Seth tried silently to comfort her for he knew there were no words adequate enough. She leaned into him and his arm came around her. Mystery inhaled the scent of him and tried not to start crying again.

  She looked across the limo at her mother, and felt a wave of pure resentment for the woman who had always hated her. Her earliest memories consisted of two mothers; one who looked adoringly at her, whenever Daddy was watching, and one who looked at her with utter contempt, whenever he was not. Mystery reflected on the fact neither of them would have to pretend anymore, and somehow couldn’t be glad. She would rather have her father back.

  David Williams had been a wonderful, loving father. He’d always had time to listen, to encourage, to support. He was sincere enough to criticize and secure enough not to trample her creativity. He had always been there whenever she had needed him. He had loved Seth and was looking forward to giving her away at their wedding. And now he was dead and the world was dimmer somehow.

  The limo pulled to the curb and Seth stepped out. He offered his hand to her mother and she pushed it away, as though she couldn’t bear to be needy. Mystery took the hand she was offered and stepped into Seth’s waiting arms.

  When the minister had said words and they had lowered her father into the ground, Mystery saw her mother approaching. She braced herself for the coming battle, and walked to meet her.

  “Mystery, we simply must talk.” Sarah said imperiously.

  “What do you want mother?” Mystery clinched her teeth so she wouldn’t scream at her.

  “Your father begged me not to tell you the truth while he lived, but now he is dead and I no longer want his secrets, so…”

  Mystery stared in awe at the cold, clear eyes. No hints of redness, no bags, no signs she had just buried her husband. And slowly, the awe became hatred.

  “Oh, get on with it! What can’t you wait to tell me?” She glared at the woman who she’d tried to love and couldn’t. “What secrets, Mother?”

  “You’re adopted.” Sarah waited for the blow to hit home.

  Seth tried to catch Sarah as she went flying backwards. Missing, he tried to stop Mystery from hitting her again. Mystery stood right over her, breathing hard. “You lying, cold-hearted, deceitful witch. I never understood what a warm, sensitive man like my father saw in a cold, dried up old fish like you. And I am thankful I don’t have to pretend to care about you for his sake.” She backed up so Sarah could get to her feet. Seth tried to help her up, but she pushed his hand away and stood. “Now take your lies and get out of here before I finish what I’ve wanted to do most of my life.”

  “Believe what you will, but I got a phone call warning me the cult he stole you from wants you back. He was on his way to tell you the truth when he had his accident. Why else would he have been going to Boulder on a weeknight?” She backed away, hands up, when Mystery lunged at her.

  “Sarah I think you had better go.” Seth said as he fought to keep a hold on Mystery.

  “Goodbye Mystery.” Sarah said as she turned and walked away.

  Mystery wrapped her arms around Seth she felt as though he was her only anchor in a sinking world. “What she said can’t be true, can it?”

  “I don’t know. We will hire a lawyer to look into it. In the meantime we will just be careful.” He hugged her back.

  “Why would he have lied to me? Why not tell me the truth? I wouldn’t have loved him any less.” She couldn’t hold back the tears any longer and she broke out crying. She began to shiver as she remembered the dream and the bald man’s warning time was running short. She opened her mouth to tell Seth, but all that came out was a loud sob.

  “Please God; don’t let it be true, please!” Mystery prayed silently.

  Seth put his chin on top of her head and held her tightly. Rain began to fall softly as tears rolled down her pale, pale cheeks.

  Mystery rubbed her sweaty palms on the skirt of her rose colored suit, anxiously looking over at Seth. He smiled at her and took her hand. The lawyer would come through the door any moment now and possibly destroy her world. They had hired a lawyer the next morning after her father’s funeral. He had begun looking into the medical records and various other documents from the time she was born. It had taken him only a couple of days to have enough information to want to speak with them again. She squeezed Seth’s hand as the door opened and a short, man with disheveled hair and thick glasses came in the room. He smiled absent-mindedly at them and took a seat behind his desk.

  “Thank you for coming in to see me on such short notice, Ms. Williams.” He shuffled some papers, looked up and studied her face for a moment.

  Mystery couldn’t stand it anymore she had to know what he found. “Did you find something? Am I adopted?”

  He focused friendly eyes on her, “I found exactly what we were looking for.” He shuffled the papers around again, “Sarah Williams has never had a baby.”

  “NO!” Mystery shook her head refusing to believe. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

  “I’m sorry. In looking through your father’s papers I found no evidence of your existence until you would have been three. At which time there was a change to his will and you were added to his life insurance policies.” He took a sip of water from the mug on his desk. “He did take a trip to California around the time of your third birthday for a business meeting. You were added to his will the day he returned to Denver. The day before a missing persons report was filed for a three-year-old girl named Melusine Natasson. The parents listed a California address. I checked it out and it is a vacant lot. It has been a vacant lot since approximately three days after the missing persons report was failed. The bar that was located there burned to the ground with the bodies of seven men inside it. The remains were burned beyond the ability to identify them. It is thought they were the owner of the establishme
nt and several employees, who went missing, themselves after the report.” He looked at Seth. “The trail goes cold after that. No further information on the parents, nothing further in your father’s legal papers.” He looked at Mystery. “If anything further is known, I would be willing to bet Sarah knows it. You will have to talk to her to find out where the story goes from there.”

  Seth stood and helped Mystery to her feet, she leaned against him and he could feel her shaking. He put his arms around her, pulling her close. “Thank you for your time and effort, Mr. Simon.” He shook hands and they headed for the door.

  Outside, Seth helped Mystery into the car and went around to his side to get in. He started up the car and looked over at Mystery; she was leaning back in the seat with her eyes closed, tears streaming down her face. “Do you want to go over to Sarah’s and get this over with today? We can get the rest of your stuff and you will never have to lay eyes on the bitch again.” He brushed her hair out of her face.