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

by Tanya Simon

  “Felicity told me you would come, but I hadn’t let myself believe it. The last time you sounded so final and you have been at Cain’s side through all this chaos. I thought I had lost you.” He fought to clear his brain.

  “If she and Lily are willing to help you, we could stop the Roodmasi all together. We can end the evil. But it will have to be before Saturday, the day of the Ascension. The battle between the fallen angels and the armies of Hell and the angels of Heaven will begin at sunrise the next day. With the current mindset of humanity and the sheer unevenness of number, Satan will win. Cain, will perform the ceremony, which only he can do, and Satan will ascend to the throne, plunging mankind into eternal darkness. If we stop Cain from performing the ceremony and bring down the Roodmasi before Saturday, Satan will remain imprisoned in Acheron.” She ran her tongue along his jaw and softly bit his bottom lip.

  “And do you believe Grandpa would just let you go?” He was still trying to resist her.

  “No. You guys just save Jeremiah and stop the Roodmasi. I will deal with my father and Grandpa.” She dropped her cloak and wrapped her legs around him.

  “You’ll die.” He rubbed a nipple between his fingers.

  “Yes, I will. But not before I stop them. And what does it matter if I die now or later. Either way, I burn in Hell for all of eternity.” She moaned and let her head fall back.

  “Maybe. If you ask forgiveness, God will forgive even you, Mystery.” He replaced his fingers with his mouth.

  “No turning back.” She moaned again. “Jeremiah is all that matters to me. I am willing to bring down my people, betray my parents, and anger Satan to see him safe.” She pulled him up for a kiss. “Now make love to me, for the last time.” Sighing she took him into her and slowly began to move on him.

  Ryan groaned in surrender and matched her strokes. Soon, he forgot his reasons for wanting to resist, he forgot everything but her and he never wanted to remember again. They both wept as they fell into an abyss of pleasure.

  Ryan came out of the bedroom after hurriedly dressing. He ran into the kitchen where the others had gathered. “She came last night to ask me to help her bring down the Roodmasi, stop the Ascension and save Jeremiah. She says the Ascension starts at sunset Saturday and we must do whatever we are going to do before then. She’s back, she’s Mystery again, but she believes she is damned. I couldn’t talk her out of sacrificing herself by going up against her Father and Grandfather to save Jeremiah.” He looked at Lily. “I won’t let it happen. I will save them both.”

  “Then we save them both.” Mary Kate smiled at Ryan. “I need to go to my house one last time. Call my family, that sort of thing. We should go tomorrow.”

  “I agree. I buried some things we’ll need for the battle. I’m going for them today. I’ll be back by sunset.” Ryan gulped his juice.

  “If we’re going tomorrow. I need to charge my batteries as it were and gather my supplies.” Felicity calmly buttered toast.

  “Sam and I are reporting to work.” Lily sipped her coffee.

  “I’m going to leave work early and stop by Amy’s, Beth’s, and my parents’ graves one last time.” Sam leaned over and kissed Lily lightly.

  They all went out together, weapons drawn. Each got in their car and went to face their last full day of life.

  Mary Kate Ballard smiled down at the picture of her family at Buffalo Bill’s Grave. She’d been a tiny, rambunctious 11-year-old, her sister had been a graceful, sulky 13, and her brother was a steady, peaceful 18. Nothing ever ruffled Jimmy. He had the serenity, which came from dedicating your life to Christ completely. He had been a minister by 19. He had become a pastor at 25. The youth population at his church had grown every year. Young families had entrusted their Christian Education to him in droves. His church had been the biggest church in the Chicago area, until it had burnt to the ground with him, his family, and most of his congregation inside. They had been holding a prayer vigil for a world gone mad. Mary Kate ran her fingers over his face, whispered goodbye to him and her parents and put the photo down. She picked up the phone and dialed her sister.

  “West residence, this is Chance speaking.” Her nine-year-old nephew answered the phone.

  “Hey buddy!” She said cheerfully.

  “Hi, Aunt Mary Kate! There was no school today! I got to play video games all morning! Mom said we’re going to the cabin this afternoon!” He didn’t understand they weren’t coming back.

  “That’s tight, Chance! Can I talk to Chelsea?”

  “Sure, she is in her room packing. Let me call her. I love you Aunt Mary Kate.”

  “I love you, too.” Tears streamed down her cheeks as she heard him bellow for his sister.

  “Hi, Aunt Mary Kate.”

  “Hey, Chel.”

  “Can you believe any of this is happening?” Her 16-year-old niece understood it all.

  “Nope.”

  “Wall Street closed at noon, eastern time. The banks are all closed. Most of the stores and shops are closed. We’re the last people on our block to leave the city.”

  “Are you packed?”

  “Yeah. I’m gonna go help the pipsqueak pack. Aunt Mary Kate, I know what you and the others are doing, for all of us.” She sniffed. “I saw it in the smoke last night. I just want to say, thank you.”

  “I love you so much, Chelsea.” Mary Kate fought to keep her voice steady.

  “I love you, too. Blessed Be, Aunt Mary Kate. I’ll get Mom.”

  “Mary Kate?” Her sister Melissa’s voice was full of tears.

  “Hey.”

  “So, you’re going through with it?”

  “Yes. For Jimmy, for Chel and Chance, for you.” She sniffed and made herself stop crying. “I have to do this so the world can be a safe place for my niece and nephew to grow up and raise their families in. Try to understand, please.”

  “I do. I just want you to be here to see their families.”

  “I will. Just from Heaven, instead of here.” Mary Kate dried the last of her tears.

  “Mom and Dad would have been so proud of you. I love you, brat.” Melissa’s voice wavered.

  “Be safe. Hold on. We won’t fail. And all this evil will go back where it belongs, and the world will be better. I love you, brat.”

  “God’s Speed.”

  “Goodbye.” They both hung up.

  Mary Kate went and got all the extra ammo she had always kept just in case. She put it in her bag with the gifts Tuck had given her. She looked around the room one more time, memorizing her family’s faces and remembering all the good times they had when they came to visit. She headed out the door; she didn’t bother to lock up.

  Felicity sat in her ritual room and gathered all her power. She released the circle and put on her newly charged talismans. She gathered her duffel bag of supplies and carried them to the door. She looked around her apartment, memorizing each thing, the way the sun shone through the breakfast nook curtains, her plants basking in the sun of the living room, her pictures hanging on the walls. Luna had gone to live with a neighbor and the neighbor was coming for the plants in the morning. Felicity had one last task. She walked to the phone and called her parents.

  “Buenos Dias.” Her mother’s voice was full of warmth as always.

  “Buenos Dias, Mama.” Felicity fought her tears.

  “Mija! It is good to hear your voice.”

  “Yours, too. Are you and Daddy okay? Do you have plenty of food and water?”

  “Sì. I harvested the garden and we emptied the fruit trees and I canned and preserved everything. Your father stocked the freezer and the smokehouse with beef. He and the ranch hands take turns guarding the herd and the smokehouse. They also patrol to make sure no one is trying to make trouble. We are ready for whatever may come.” Rosalie Ramirez knew her child. “So, you called to say goodbye, mija?”

  “Sì Mama. I love you. I was always proud to be your daughter and I know how very much I am loved. It is why I can do this, and not be too afraid.�
�� Felicity wiped at her tears.

  “You are fearless, mija! It gave me many bad moments when you were small. You have always been the joy in my life. I love you, my precious angel.” She took a breath. “Do you want to speak with your father?”

  “Sì, Mama. Goodbye. Vaya Con Dios, Mama.”

  “Blessed Be. I will get your father.” Felicity let herself cry.

  “Felicity?”

  “Yes, Daddy. I’m here.” She wiped at her face, swallowing her tears. Her father would not understand them.

  “Your mother told me what you plan to do. I have always been proud of you. Now, my heart bursts with pride. You are my warrior. You will not fail, this I know.” Peter Ramirez choked back tears. “Vaya Con Dios, my daughter.”

  “Vaya Con Dios, Daddy.” She held the phone after he hung up as if she could hold him through it. Felicity went to the door, picked up her bag and walked to her car. She drove away and didn’t look back.

  Sam pulled to the side of the road in Fairmount Cemetery and got out of the car. He stared in disbelief and shock at the broken tombstones and desecrated graves. In a panic, he ran over the grassy ground and began breathing again, when he stopped at a white headstone with cherubs playing on it and saw it was intact. He squatted and ran his fingers over the engraved words.

  AMY ELIZABETH JEFFERIES

  JULY 12, 1990 – JUNE 28, 1998

  OUR ANGEL

  He dropped to his knees and looked up at the perfect blue of the sky.

  “I love you, baby. I miss you. I won’t be able to come and stay with you, like I promised. I’m sorry. Daddy had some tough choices to make and now I can’t come to Heaven. But, I will think about you everyday, baby.” Sam kissed his hand and placed it against the stone. He stood and walked back a row to a grave. It was pristine. He squatted down and ran his fingers over the words on the grey marble stone.

  MERIBETH LOUELLE JEFFERIES

  OCT. 16, 1969 – JUNE 29, 1999

  BELOVED DAUGHTER

  “Take care of our girl. I’m sorry we lost each other. I will always love you. You were my first love. I still miss your smile, Beth.” He kissed his hand and rubbed it over the words. He stood and walked a couple of rows over. His parent’s graves were intact. He sat down in front of them. He read the words etched on the matching granite headstones.

  SAMUEL THADDEUS JEFFERIES

  ANGELA EMMA JEFFERIES

  SEPT 4, 1946 – JUNE 28, 1998

  JAN 19, 1947 – JUNE 28, 1998

  BELOVED FATHER

  BELOVED MOTHER

  “Mom, Dad, I know you don’t understand my choices. You raised me Christian. I let Satan and the ugliness I saw everyday at work, rob me of my faith. I didn’t stop believing, but I did stop trusting. Dad, I fell in love with an amazing woman. The way you always looked at Mom, that’s how I feel about her. I couldn’t make any other choice. I couldn’t let her be tortured for eternity because she loved me. And now, I have to help stop the evil spreading through the world and save an innocent baby. I will still do what’s right, what you taught me, I just will not be coming up there with you. I am so sorry.

  Mom, Lily would have loved having you teach her to cook. She figured out how to drive, how to use the vacuum and the dishwasher. And after all of my underwear was pink, she conquered the washing machine. But she can still burn water and she wanted to learn to cook me a Yankee Pot Roast, like you used to.

  I know it’s probably hard to believe, but you both would have liked her. She lived as evil for eight thousand years, and not only did she learn to love, she learned how to be a force for good. So, I want you both to know I am okay with my choice. Know I will help save the baby. Please take care of Beth and Amy for me. I love you both. You were great parents.” He kissed each headstone, stood, walked back to his car and drove out onto Alameda Ave. into the late afternoon traffic.

  When Ryan finished his prayers, the sun was low in the sky. He glanced at his watch; he had about two and a half hours of sun left. He had chosen Garden of the Gods to make his sanctuary, because of the beauty of the spot. Surely, God came here to admire his creation. He took one last look at the breathtaking view and began to dig with the shovel he had brought along. He had brought his supplies up here and buried them when the Equalized thing had started. Finally, he hit the metal box and bent to brush it off. He gave it a tug and pulled it free.

  “Thank you, Father, for keeping it safe. I will fight with everything in me to stop the Ascension. I ask for your mercy and forgiveness for Sam, Lily, and Mystery. For Father they fight for you even though they believe themselves lost. Please, Father, I beseech you on their behalf, if they should perish, grant them entry into your kingdom.” Ryan stood and looked at the view. “And Father, should we fail, please, do not leave your children to the enemy’s mercy. I ask these prayers in the name of your most holy son, Jesus Christ. Amen.”

  Ryan hiked back down the mountain, got in his car and raced the setting sun.

  27

  Lily spent her last day as a human cop, patrolling Capitol Hill with her reason for living. They had viewed the horror of the world gone mad together. She had gone back to the station house to finish up their paperwork and Sam had gone to say goodbye. A few hours later, she straightened her desk, turned in her paperwork, and walked through the double doors for the last time. She turned to look at the building where she had been a homicide detective and was surprised to realize she would miss it. She would miss her fellow officers, the noise, and the bad coffee. She would miss living as a human. She smiled at herself, got in her car and squealed out of the parking lot. After all if they gave her a speeding ticket, she wouldn’t be around to pay it.

  As she drove home, she looked at the closed stores and burned buildings and tried something she had never even thought of trying in eight thousand years. She bowed her head and prayed to God in his Heaven.

  “I know I have no right to speak to you, let alone ask you for anything. But I will risk your wrath to ask anyway. Please, if we should fail, spare your children from a thousand years of Satan’s rule. Please, God, give them peace and end their suffering. One more thing, God please spare Sam. I know he made a pact, but he is a good man, who is willing to die for what is right. I beg you, God, on his behalf to bring him home to you and his family. Thank you.”

  Lily pulled into the driveway, wondering if she was the first one back. She got her purse and strolled to the door. She unlocked it and slowly opened it. She stepped in and stopped in her tracks, something wasn’t right. Smoke hung in the air. She dropped her purse and ran for the stairs, taking them two at a time.

  “Sam! Sam!” She threw open the bedroom door. She covered her mouth with her hand. The bedroom had been trashed. The mattress and pillows had been shredded. The walls had been sprayed with fecal matter. The curtains hung in tattered ribbons over broken windows. Nergal. Nergal had done this. Lily turned, her face ashen, Nergal never left anyone alive when he made a house call. She went to search the other rooms for the bodies.

  “Felicity!” She checked the closed bathroom door, turning the knob; she slowly pushed it open; the room was empty and clean. “Mary Kate!” She checked the guest room; it looked like her bedroom, except the walls were covered in blood. Tears began to slide down her cheeks as she went in. She found no body, no pieces, just blood. She stumbled back into the master bedroom and out onto the terrace and checked the yard below. Seeing nothing, she went back downstairs. The living room, dining room, and guest bath were all trashed. “Ryan!” The kitchen was fine, the dishes were clean, and the counters glistened. Not finding anyone, she went back to the living room and sat down on the floor and hugged herself. Where were the bodies? And what could she do alone? Lily jerked when someone touched her shoulder. She slowly turned, half expecting to see Nergal, and stared into Sam’s tired, worried face.

  “Sam!” She sprung up and flew into his arms. “I thought Nergal had killed you. He killed someone, there’s blood all over the guest room, but no bodies.”
>
  “Are you alright?” He kissed her hair. He tightened his hold; she was still trembling.

  “I thought you were all dead and I would have to stop Cain alone.” She pulled back and looked into his eyes. “It’s time.”

  Sam shuddered. “So we go tomorrow, like we planned. We should have until Saturday. If we go tomorrow, we should get there before guests arrive for the happy occasion.”

  “We should be there at dark, my love. The Ascension is on Saturday because of the full moon and Saturday is Satan’s day; it is when his power is at its fullest. He will use the power amp to help his son perform the ceremony. So if we stop Cain from living to see Saturday, we will stop the Ascension, if we fail, we die, because we cannot stop Satan once he ascends, and once he is on the Throne he will be omnipotent.” She gently cupped his face. “Remember Ryan, Mystery, and Jeremiah are the only ones coming out of the aerie. We will both burn in the fires of Acheron when this is done.” She kissed him breathless. “Let’s go clean up our bedroom, so, we have a place to be alone tonight.”