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

by Tanya Simon

  “I told you if you failed you would beg me to release you to the lower levels of my kingdom, did I not?” He chuckled. “Of course, you have no tongue now, so I do not expect an answer.” He leaned in close to Seth, mocking his rolling eyeballs as they slid round and round the dry sockets in terror. “You can still scream though, you have lungs and a voice box. I do so enjoy the screams of those stupid enough to anger me.” He finished conversationally. “Now, make sure to scream nice and loud for me. I might stop an hour or two early for today.” He extended his hand and a cat-o-nine tails appeared in it. The tails each had barbed steel balls up and down their length. His blue eyes twinkled as he pulled back for the first lash. Satan sighed deep in his throat as the tails whistled through the air and closed his eyes in pleasure when the wet squishing of barbed steel being pulled out of naked flesh filled the room. Seth did not disappoint his Master in this; his screams were loud and long.

  Peter tried to figure out why he had sounded like a loony tune when confronted with the cops’ disbelief. He wasn’t sure what he wanted them to believe in or how it would save their lives. It was as if he had been momentarily possessed by an angry church lady. He couldn’t get the lady cop off his mind and other key body parts. Boy, she was hot!

  Restless, he got up from his computer and went to stare mindlessly out the window. He knew his mother was probably right about staying out of this whole mess, and with a crazy story like his they would most likely figure he was the one who had killed her and the others. He knew that was crazy, he couldn’t even stand the sight of blood, and he didn’t have a clue how you gutted someone, but the cops didn’t know him and they were getting desperate to provide the parents of all the teenage girls of this town with the maniac responsible for all the terror. When he thought about how Shauna had died it made him angry, no one should die like that, not even a stuck up cheerleader who wouldn’t give him the time of day. The cops wouldn’t believe him and that made him angry, too. You’d figure if you were working on an unsolvable case and you got even a tiny shred of a lead you would follow it, no matter how crazy it sounded. They could at least look for the truck or the redhead. They could ask the Clarksons if they remembered hearing a truck that night. They were screwing up by not checking out his story at all.

  He shook his head in disgust at himself, when the gorgeous lady cop from that afternoon floated through his mind; it was rough being a walking, talking hormone. He went to lie down on his bed maybe he could sleep finally. He stretched out his long limbs and tried to shut his mind off, but he couldn’t stop thinking about the cop. It was all he could think about. He shifted his shorts as his body responded to the images going through his head. They were so real it was like she was actually in the bed with him, stroking his body and nibbling on his ear. He jumped out of bed and turned on the light, he was alone and he was not dreaming. He tried to open the door to go to the bathroom, but it wouldn’t open.

  “We can do this the pleasurable way.” A disembodied voice said from the shadows.

  Peter whirled around, “Who’s there?”

  “We can do this the pleasurable way or the painful way.” He gasped as Lilith stepped out of the darkness to stand in the middle of his room. “Oh, believe me you’ll prefer the pleasurable way.”

  “What’s going on?” He stumbled away from the door and tried to make it to the window.

  “Come on” Lilith sighed, “Don’t make me hurt you, it’s not your fault you’re a horny teenage boy, who was spying on his cute neighbor, or that you saw what you shouldn’t have.” She walked to the bed and draped herself across it. “But see you did and now Cain has ordered your death.” She opened her cloak and the moonlight from his window made the naked flesh beneath glow like porcelain. “You should be thankful he didn’t send Nergal or Legion.” She patted the bed beside her. “You will die happy and it won’t hurt a bit, unless you make me chase you.”

  “I won’t tell anybody else.” He took step toward the bed, she was very hard to resist, lying naked and ready on his bed, not even his best fantasies came close to her. “Please, just let me live!”

  Lilith reached out and took his hand, forcing him to sit on the bed. “Cain won’t allow it, The Ascension is too close.” Her eyes shone in the moonlight and she licked her lips. “I am sorry.” She pressed him back on the bed and helped him pull off his shirt.

  Peter’s hands shook as he pulled her to him for a kiss. He moaned slightly when she unsnapped his jeans and began to push them down his legs.

  “Tell me what you like, sweetheart.” She kissed him lightly on the lips.

  Sam tried his best to ignore the ringing phone, but it wouldn’t stop ringing so he picked up the receiver and growled into it. “What do you want?” he reached for the alarm clock on his nightstand, “It’s four flippin o’clock in the morning!”

  “Sam it’s Lily.” She sniffed delicately, “Peter Hawkley’s parents found him dead in bed this morning. His mother thought she heard voices and went to check, when she opened the door he was just laying there dead.”

  “Are you there?” Sam was wide-awake now. “Sorry, I’m not a morning person”

  “Yeah.” He could hear the smile in her voice, “And, it’s okay. See you in a few?”

  “Yeah, I’m on my way.” Sam hung up and staggered his way into the bathroom thanking God he didn’t have a teenager, their life expectancy in this town wasn’t very good.

  When Sam got to the scene he noticed the Clarkson’s were standing outside looking piteously across the street; they knew what this experience was like. He pulled up to the curb and got out, after nodding in their direction, he headed inside the house.

  He wound his way upstairs and smiled at the uniformed officers leaving the bedroom. He was surprised to see the body was without apparel and it was just lying there staring sightlessly at the ceiling. He looked peaceful, there were no signs of struggle, and with the window open anyone could have come and gone without any fuss.

  He walked up to Lily, she had her head down and once again he was struck by how perfect her profile was.

  “Lily.” He touched her arm.

  “Sam. Morning.” She motioned to the man in the corner trying to console the woman in his arms. “Those are his parents. The M.E. says if he had to guess at the cause of death he would say asphyxiation. How? He doesn’t have a clue.”

  “Great, yet another unsolvable homicide.” He rubbed his eyes, “Did they hear a struggle or just voices or what?”

  “I’ll let you talk to them.”

  Sam walked over to the couple. “Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Hawkley, I’m Detective Sergeant Jefferies.” He showed them his badge. “Can you tell me what you heard last night, Mrs. Hawkley?”

  The woman raised red accusatory eyes to him. “I told him not to talk to you! He did and now he’s dead. I told him you cops couldn’t protect anyone!” She sniffed and rubbed at her red nose. “He was upset yesterday after you left, he didn’t come out of his room for dinner, and he was just staring out the window the last time I checked on him before going to bed. About two, I heard a woman’s voice coming from his room.” Tears welled up in her eyes and spilled down her face. “I got up to tell him to get some sleep, to turn off the television. When I got up I realized I had to go to the bathroom, so, I went there first. When I came out the voices were gone, so I went to make sure he was sleeping peacefully.” She sobbed, “When I opened the door, he was there in bed, I could tell he was dead right away, I don’t remember anything after... until my husband brought me to. I guess I passed out.” She glared at Sam. “Are you going to do more to find out who killed my son, than you did for the Clarksons?”

  “Ma’am, I” Sam stopped; he didn’t know what to say. They had nothing to go on, no witnesses, and no motive, which would not get them all locked up in an asylum. Nothing. So he dropped his head.

  “That’s what I thought!” She stood and stomped out of the room.

  Sam turned to Lily who just shook her head. God would this ever
stop?

  Cain ran a gentle finger down Raevanne’s sleeping body. He had forgiven her easily for her transgressions, as had his father, they understood her motives. She loved and had wanted to protect her child. Now Mystery had come home, and they no longer had to worry about having to destroy her, the Prophecy would come to pass, the Ascension would go off without a hitch.

  He roused his sleeping wife; tonight was Roodmas, tonight was the first Roodmas they had spent with their daughter in almost twenty years, nothing would spoil their celebration. Tonight there would be no thought of nosy policemen or meddlesome witches, there would only be celebration of the christ’s death on the cross.

  He chuckled as a pair of green eye’s twinkled at him. She smiled at him and leapt from their bed writhing in an ancient dance. Her lithe body moved with feline grace as she tapped out steps, which had been danced by hundreds of generations on this night. Cain smiled as he joined her in the dance. This was to be a glorious night.

  Raevanne kissed her husband and put her cloak on. She smiled brilliantly at him as she went to awaken their daughter and to check on the guests of honor for tonight’s celebration. Everywhere throughout the aerie, her fellow Roodmasi, danced the ancient steps and hosannas echoed off the rock walls as they saw their Shivana.

  With tears in her eyes she slowly opened the door to her daughter’s chamber. The candlelight from the hall, shone on her still sleeping form, highlighting her delicate features, accenting the highlights in her hair. Raevanne crossed the chamber quietly and stood for a moment watching her child sleep. She gently kissed her brow and whispered her name.

  Mystery’s eyes flew open and when they saw her mother she smiled. Raevanne threw back the covers and handed her daughter her cloak. Mystery slipped it on.

  “I will show you the dance we always perform on Roodmas. It is easy, and it will please your father to see you dance it.” She waited until Mystery sat on the bed and paid attention to her feet. Raevanne slowly demonstrated the steps of the dance.

  Mystery got to her feet and tried it. Raevanne glowed with pride when she did it effortlessly the first time.

  Mystery smiled mischievously at her mother. “I took dance for several years.”

  Raevanne laughed, and her eyes went solemn. “I must check on tonight’s guests of honor. Can you accompany me, or do you need to go help the others ready the altar?”

  “I will go with you, Mother. It will show Father I am trying to adjust to the Roodmasi ways.” She took her mother’s long slender hand. “I won’t lie to you and say this night will be easy for me, but I will enjoy the ceremony. And I promise not to humiliate you when it comes time for the feast. But I cannot promise to enjoy the feast. I barely eat animal meat, cannibalism will be hard for me.”

  “That is what you don’t yet realize, my darling. You are not a human, you are Roodmasi, and we are more than human. Tonight’s feast should be no different than eating steak or chicken cordon bleu.”

  “I will try to think of it that way. I will make my parents and the members of my coven proud.”

  “I have no doubt of that, my precious one.” She stood and reached for Mystery’s hand, smiling when Mystery took it. “Come, we must make sure they are ready.” Together they walked from the chamber. Each hoping Mystery would not fail.

  Raevanne smiled as she stepped into the first cell. The beautiful redhead sleeping on the cot was her favorite she had fought the longest. She had refused to see her god; the false god had deserted her. Satan was waiting lovingly for her to come to him. She had inevitably given in and the Master would be delighted with this gift.

  As Raevanne checked the remaining cells, with Mystery following quietly behind her, she found all of the girls sleeping peacefully. She went into the temple and was pleased to see the fetal fat candles being lit by her people. She stopped and explained to Mystery they only used real fetal fat candles on celebration nights, like tonight.

  “Where do they get the fetal fat from?” Mystery asked with horror showing plainly on her face.

  “We get it from the bodies of babies who die while still under six months of age, which is why it is only used for special occasions. It is not easy to come by.”

  “So, we get it from the gravesites?”

  “Yes. Usually the night the infant is buried. We have a special spell for storing it, until we use it for the candles.”

  “The smell is strong.”

  “You will get used to it and we will also be using incense tonight at the feast.” Raevanne smiled at the altar glowing from the new finish someone had applied. The ancient oak stump had run with blood since before her grandmother had led her first Roodmas prayer. The Roodmasi had Khatima to thank for it too. She would have to tell Raevanne the story of how her people came to America. But for tonight, she had to keep her awestruck child from feeling too overwhelmed.

  Raevanne’s heart leapt with joy as all of her people slowly filled the temple. She looked lovingly at the familiar faces of senators, mayors, presidential aides, foreign diplomats, and even a king. She wished all of her people could live in the safety of the aerie, but she knew their work outside was very important. She took Mystery to the side and pointed out different dignitaries and diplomats as they filed in. Raevanne pulled Mystery upstairs and gave her a gentle shove toward her chamber.

  “Finish getting ready, my darling. Tonight you should wear the purple robe to show you are royalty. Your father and I will be wearing purple as well.” She hurried toward her chamber. “I will meet you here and the three of us will descend together, as a family.”

  Once inside her chamber Mystery spritzed her body with her perfume, as the smell filled her nose, she thought of Ryan. “I am sorry, my love, but there is no way around my participating into tonight’s feast. I love you.” She put on the purple robe and applied her makeup to match. She brushed her hair until it shone. Checking herself in the mirror one last time, she rose and went to wait in the hall for her parents.

  “You are always beautiful, but tonight my daughter, you shine. It will be my great pleasure to introduce you to our people as my child.” Cain came to her and kissed her forehead. “Soon, your heart will not trouble you so much for your mortal boyfriend. It takes time to heal, but someday you will not hurt for him. I promise.”

  “Father, you won’t harm him. I’m here and he is no threat without me to help him.” Mystery begged.

  “I know I lied to you about Seth. But I promise as long as the preacher man does not try to stop The Ascension, he will live. I promise this to you as your father.” He kissed her again. “Now,” He turned and took his wife’s hand. “Let us show our people our beautiful child, my love.”

  Once downstairs, Raevanne smiled as Cain showed the waiting crowd their daughter. Cheers rang out and the walls shook with the songs of joy the people sung as Cain took his place at the head of the altar. Raevanne took her place at his side and Mystery took her place at the foot of the altar.

  All eyes were on Cain as he set forth the ceremonial fluids. Raevanne could feel the excitement and anticipation humming in the air. Cain reached a hand toward her and she gladly took it.

  “Bring forth the Master’s gifts!” She said as a triumphant cry went up.

  Ten naked, dazed girls were brought before the cult; all smiled contentedly. Raevanne silenced the oohs and aahs by raising her hands. Instant silence went over the crowd.

  “Since we have our daughter back with us, she will deliver the Roodmas prayer.” All their heads bowed.

  Mystery stepped forward, lowered her head and hoped she would remember all of the words and not embarrass her parents.

  “Oh, Great and Most High Lord Satan, we your people gather here today to celebrate your triumph over the false god. We gather to celebrate The Christ’s death upon the Rood. We, thank you for the many blessings you have bestowed upon your children. We thank you for the bounty we share on this Roodmas Day. And we anticipate your ascension with longing! Nema, Natas Sevil!” she lowered her hand
s as fierce cheering rocked the room.

  When they quieted, Raevanne spoke. “Only the leaders of each of the covens will be granted a chance to sample of each life organ.” She raised her hands as exaggerated sighs broke the silence. “It would take all of the virgins in Colorado, if not the nation to feed our number.” She smiled as laughter warmed the room. “Natas Sevil, we are blessed.” Everyone repeated her words. “However, there will be plenty of the other organs for everyone to partake of the feast.”

  Cain silenced the cheers this time as he called for the first girl to be brought to the altar. Hundreds and hundreds of naked bodies swayed as an incessant chant enlivened the fragrant air. Raevanne and Mystery dropped their robes and gave themselves over to the chant, it became a thing alive and they both shuddered as it grabbed their very souls. Raevanne stepped forward and handed Cain the Dagger of Dagon, its jeweled hilt glimmered in the light of a thousand candles. Cain set it on the altar next to the red-haired girl. She glared at Cain defiantly.