The new doctor must have triggered this reaction from Lucinda. Something horrible was happening, and Simra needed answers. Lucinda never behaved this way until that new doctor arrived.
Her grandmother warned her about Tristan when they began dating, but Simra refused to listen. The same painful regret drove Simra more onto the edge of insanity each day. She never got the chance to make it up to Lucinda. Now was too late for Lucinda to realize.
Tears flowed down her cheeks. She relished the silence of her office. Simra placed her head in her hands and sobbed. Never did the guilt devour her like it did today. Her grandmother might die soon if Simra didn’t do something. Simra needed to do something fast!
God stuck the needle in Simra’s weak body and twisted with great strength. Why’d He take so much away from her throughout her life? What did she ever do to Him? Oh I must get myself together here and stay strong for Grandmother. She needs me.
Simra dried her tears and applied a fresh coat of makeup. A soft knock tapped at the door. Raking her lean fingers through her blonde tresses of hair, she stood up to answer. “Yeah, come in.”
Her hands clenched by her sides when Dr. Hanley came into the room. “I heard what happened to Lucinda.”
Not you again. “I told you to leave, Dr. Hanley.”
He closed the door behind him, stepped closer, and placed his hand on her shoulder. “Please call me Zach. I realize how difficult it is for you, but God's here to help you. There are other evil forces, like Azazel, who have caused you pain.”
She pulled away from him. Memories of Tristan and who he seemed to be in the beginning flooded her raging senses. The doctor’s ways of reading her thoughts mystified her. “I don't need your sympathy.”
He gave her a solemn stare. "Maybe you don't need my help, but God’s always here for you. It’s not your fault why this happened, and Lucinda isn't upset with you. I know what your grandmother told you. Believe me about her. The Alzheimer's is getting to her a bit fast, don't you think? Azazel placed a dark curse on her long ago. He's dangerous and evil. I know him well, and you should take precaution. He's coming after you. God wants to protect you because He loves you.”
Feeling her face burning hot with rage, Simra pointed to the door. “Leave!”
The buzzing of her cell phone caused her bones to twitch. Tristan’s number blinked across the screen, and her heart dropped. He hadn’t called her in a long time. He probably was at her house earlier. Now she would have the answer she sought with such desperation.
Fire reflected in Zach’s eyes when he turned to leave. “Always a nuisance.”
Simra picked up the phone with her hand trembling. “Yes?”
A strange man’s blunt voice on the other end caused her body to stiffen with dread. “Hello, Miss. Dis Quint. Your man, Tristan, killed himself dis morning. He owed me money. I found your number in his phone. You are to give tha’ money to me. If you tell tha’ cops ‘bout dis, you and your grandmamma will join him.”
Suddenly, Simra saw all the precious memories she had with Lucinda flash before her eyes. Her grandmother's life was in her hands. Simra's body quaked. Lucinda needed protection more than anything right now!
Chapter 2
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” -Jeremiah 29:11
Slamming the front door shut upon arriving home, Simra turned the deadbolt. She pressed her back against it and closed her eyes. The entire day caused her to feel sick. All the chaos never stopped.
She needed to find more information on Zach and if Tristan was really dead. Quint could be lying, and her ex could have asked him to call her for a scare. Then, what about the strange occurrences this morning? What about Dr. Hanley and Lucinda’s odd behavior? Tristan’s ghost seemed to lurk around all day.
Something about Tristan Azazel was evil or from another world. Shivering from the thought of being haunted by him, Simra reached for her cell phone. Her cousin didn’t come to work for the past few days. The cops couldn’t be of any assistance, or Quint might come after her. Mandy should know what to do.
Mandy answered Simra’s call with a hoarse voice. “Yeah?”
“Mandy, I’m caught in a horrible incident, and I’m not sure what to do.”
Simra described everything that happened from the time she awoke. “Don’t you find all of this a little odd?”
Silence settled between them before Mandy spoke. “Cousin, you should call the cops. I haven't been informed of that neurologist. No one told me, but I haven’t been at work for a while because of my pneumonia. You really believe Tristan’s ghost is after you? I know the man’s insane and possessive of you, but come on, Simra. A ghost? Well, I guess I shouldn’t put anything past Tristan Azazel.”
Simra’s head pounded with racing emotions. “I know this sounds crazy, but what else could it be? There’s no other explanation. I can’t call the cops. Quint will know. I believe he’s watching me. Remember the love letters Tristan sent me a month ago? I trashed them as soon as I got them.”
“Well, the letters just reappeared in my house recently. I never gave him a copy of my house key. So how else did he get inside the place? He swore I’d be his…always and forever.” She shuddered at recalling his last words.
“Sim, you know Jeff Theron, our best friend from college came into town today, right? Well, he's a brilliant private detective now. Jeff's been living in Dallas but is considering returning to Longview. We should contact him about this, you think? Tristan and Quint won’t know. Jeff could find out if your ex’s really dead, discover the body, and catch Quint. You’re so stressed right now that you might be imagining things. Stress can do it to people sometimes.”
Excitement flushed through Simra to know the three best friends would be reunited. It had been too long! “He's in town? Oh that's fantastic! We should all get together. Call him, and call me right back. If possible, I’d like to meet him about this tonight. I don’t want to end up dead like Mom, Dad, and Grandpa. You and Grandmother need me.”
“You won’t, Cousin. I’ll never understand how that strange and fatal car accident killed Uncle Steven and Aunt Adrienne. You were too young to lose your parents. And I still don’t understand how Grandpa died from a heart attack. He was so healthy. I promise to keep you safe. Hang in there.” Mandy gave Simra her word before they disconnected.
Tears misted Simra’s eyes when her greatest pain drowned her senses. What about Lucinda? Her grandmother’s precious life mattered more to Simra than her own. Stifling a deep sob, she removed the high heels from her throbbing feet. No, Simra refused allowing God to take anyone else from her!
The cell phone buzzed on the table. Her body froze like a block of ice. Simra picked it up and gasped. Tristan’s name blinked across the screen. She dared to answer as chill bumps bit into her arms.
“Quint?”
Static crackled and faded on her cell until the person disconnected the call. There was the light scent of smoke again. I’m really starting to lose my mind now. Either I’m delusional or this is a nightmare.
Tristan called her from the darkness of the bedroom. “Come, Princess.”
Her racing heart leaped to her throat, and she gasped in disbelief upon entering the room. He sat on the bed with a zealous smile. “Tristan, I thought you were dead! How’d you get in my house? Leave. Now.”
His wicked but charming smile stirred all the unbearable memories with him she tried to forget. “I’ve come to be with you, Baby. Always and forever. Our moments together are just beginning.”
His possessiveness caused her to shudder. She pressed her lips together. The notification of a text message buzzed from her phone, and she read it. A message from Mandy stated:
JEFF WANTS TO MEET US AT MY CHURCH AT 8PM TONIGHT. THEY’RE HAVING A VALENTINES DANCE. SEE YOU THERE.
Tristan bolted from the bed, and his fanatical smile turned into a monstrous frown. “Leave your high school and colle
ge sweetheart out of this. And stay away from my deceitful brother. They’ll only tear us apart.”
Jeff was never her boyfriend and she had tried to convince Tristan countless times in the past. Her insides jolted with rage and fright. He eavesdropped on their entire conversation!
Simra clenched her fists. “You have no brother! At least you never told me about him. What else are you hiding? We’ve been torn apart for a while now, Tristan, and you caused it. Go home, and don’t come back!” She would get answers tonight.
Tristan snatched her toward him when she turned to exit the room. His cold whispers against her ear sent shivers of dread down her body. “Dr. Hanley’s my brother. He wants to kill your grandmother. Zach’s dangerous. And I’m watching you, Princess. Every move.”
Turning to shove him away, she almost stumbled when she found no one there. Was she dreaming? Or had she gone completely mad? Searching the entire house for Tristan, she found nothing. More tremors slithered up and down her spine.
Perhaps he did commit suicide, and his ghost returned to possess her. Unless she dreamed everything, nothing else could explain these disturbing incidents. Maybe Mandy was right, and stress caused her to imagine things. Ghosts weren’t real. Simra needed to be on guard with Tristan and Zach. She must tell Mandy about what just happened!
Grabbing a dark red jacket to wear to the dance, Simra also grabbed the car keys with her trembling hands. She couldn’t stop her maroon Honda Accord’s tires from squealing out of the garage. She had to get out of that house. There were no longer any moments she felt alone. The feeling of someone watching her all day exhausted her.
Simra tensed after realizing it had been years since she walked into a church. Arriving on time, she parked her car beside Mandy’s vehicle. She walked inside the large fellowship hall. The soft romantic music loosened her shoulders somewhat.
The colorful flashing lights swirled in waves as couples danced beneath them. Love and adoration glistened in their eyes. Other men and women sat on couches against the wall and drank pink punch from their clear glasses.
Her heart stung to remember how happy Tristan made her in the beginning. He destroyed what they had. No other man would ever have her heart. She’d never love anyone like she cared about him.
Fighting back tears, she squared her shoulders with determination. Simra shifted her focus on the present. Aromas of roses and cinnamon candles tickled her nose with delight. She made her way through the crowd of people smiling at her.
“Earth Angel” began playing and caused her body to sway with the rhythm. This was always one of Lucinda’s favorites. It must’ve had something to do with her grandparents’ young love.
Someone’s familiar voice caused her heart to hammer like a wild thunderstorm. “Lucinda?”
Simra turned and her breath caught in her throat when Dr. Hanley gave her a surprised look. She studied his spiked hair and midnight blue dress shirt with black slacks. Simra didn’t even dress for the occasion. She probably appeared slack to him. Oh, her knees were wobbling! She refused to be affected by this man. He was evil like his brother.
“Why’d you say Grandmother’s name like that? And what are you doing here?”
Was he stalking her like his brother? The doctor also seemed to know about the call from Tristan’s phone earlier. She needed to either get a grip or wake up! The lights painted the doctor’s face in brilliant shades. Zach’s gaze shifted around them and looked at her again. He appeared lost there for a moment.
Taking her hand in his gentle and smooth grasp, he kissed its top. “Simra, I meant to say you have the same features as your grandmother. I was invited here tonight by a friend of the church. Let’s start over and talk about this. I realize we began on the wrong foot. Allow me to make it up to you. May I have the honor of sharing this dance with you?”
This might be a way to find out more information. A part of her was frightened of him. Nevertheless, a bigger part of Simra felt strangely safe with him. Besides, how could he harm her in such a large crowd?
“Are you following me, Zach? Why do you linger around me and my grandmother so, and how’s Tristan your brother? I’ll dance only for a few minutes. Then, I must find my cousin and friend.”
He pulled her into his arms to dance, and his enchanting familiar eyes stirred unwanted emotions in her. “I’m not like my brother. He has evil plans. I was sent to stop him, and I need your assistance to do this. I’m here to see your grandmother for a different reason other than what he told you.”
Her body flowed in perfect harmony with him, and time stood still. Her pulse quickened with every movement. “Then what do you want with us? Do you and Tristan have a different dad? Is that why you have separate last names?”
Zach’s touch melted Simra like warm honey. “We did have the same Father many, many years ago. Then, he chose someone else to obey and a different path. That’s when everything changed. I’m not going to kill your grandmother. God sent me to collect her soul when she dies from my brother’s curse. I’ll send her to Christ. You must understand. Azazel lies, and you shouldn’t believe his tricks.”
He squeezed her hand with affection. “It’s a long story to explain why he and I have different last names. Azazel is one of the fallen angels or a demon. I chose not to follow his dark master. Today’s been a bit strange, you think? This isn't a dream. Everything’s real. God sent me to stop Azazel from wreaking havoc. I need your help to destroy him. He’s gone too far this time.”
She withdrew from him with haste, and her cheeks burned with heat. “You must be insane! You’re not doing anything to my grandmother. I’ll make sure of it! You and your brother stay away from her or else. How do you read my every thought?” Her body melted with a soft fire when he stepped closer.
He lifted her chin with his finger. “Your grandmother’s dying because of Azazel. I’ve only come to deliver her soul to God after she dies, not kill her. How could I murder such an innocent and beautiful child of God? That’s something Azazel wants to do. That’s why he cursed her with this disease.”
Zach framed her face with sincere concern. “He wants to destroy all who love you and are protecting you. Azazel has evil plans for you. You have such a pure mind and can’t imagine his plans for you and Lucinda. Angels see many things, but God knows all.”
He dropped one hand and kept one resting on her cheek. “The Lord didn’t commit these horrible tragedies in your life. He brings nothing but peace, not evil. We must stop Azazel before it’s too late. I’m here to help you. Visit your cousin and friend now. You’re the spitting image of Lucinda when she was younger. This song and our dance reminds me of many memories we shared. Thank you for giving me the honor, earth angel.”
Simra’s skin became clammy and numb when he left her with a smile. ”Stay away from her!” She watched him disappear into the crowd.
Thousands of questions overwhelmed Simra about him, about his brother, and especially about Lucinda. Simra's curiosity did increase when Lucinda first met Tristan. She claimed she knew things about him and begged her granddaughter to end it. Her grandmother swore she'd never tell Simra how she knew about Tristan so well. Simra just needed to trust her.
Lucinda also acted as if she knew about Zach. However, her grandmother seemed too comfortable around him. No, what was she thinking? Impossible!
Whoever heard of angels and demons taking the form of humans? Somehow, these two freaks were reading her thoughts. But how? Lucinda must be protected. This ‘angel’ should not be trusted.
A man’s arms hugged her from behind, and Simra jerked around to slap Zach. Instead, her hand froze when she saw the bold stranger. She launched into the man's arms with excitement and for security all at once. “Jeff!”
Jeff chuckled with a glass of pink punch in his other hand. “Loosen up, Sim. You’re so tense. It’s great to see you! It’s been forever. Grab a drink and sit beside me and Mandy on the couch over there.”
Simra tried to find Zach in the crowd, but he vanish
ed. She placed a strand of hair behind her ear. “We miss you so much. I’ll pass on the drink, but let's catch up with each other.”
Mandy stood from the couch to hug her cousin. Her six-foot height towered over Simra. “You all right, cousin? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Simra tried to hide her uneasiness. “You can’t imagine the things I’ve seen today. Feeling any better tonight?”
Fidgeting, Simra took a seat beside her cousin and friend. Could Mandy and Jeff see Zach and Tristan? Lucinda did. If Zach was an angel, how did she feel his touch? His caress melted her like hot caramel, unlike the frigid contact with Tristan.
Mandy leaned back on the couch with her legs crossed. Her cropped burgundy hair gleamed in the crimson lights. “Sim, there’s a rational explanation for what's happening. Let’s talk about it so we can figure it out. I’m doing much better and am returning to work on Monday.
"I love how both of us own the business. When one of us is sick, the other takes care of things around there. I couldn’t do it without you. Next week will be much better. I'll be there to have your back. We'll see how Tristan likes that.” Mandy’s lips widened into a quick smile, and she winked at Simra.
Jeff sipped his punch and glanced from Simra’s cousin to her. “So it’s been forever since I’ve seen you, Sim. What’s the news?”
Simra's only hope was to introduce Zach to them. Only then would they not believe she'd lost her mind. “You and Mandy talk often?”
Jeff grunted, and Mandy bit her lip in hesitance before she answered Simra. “Well…yeah, we’ve been in contact recently.”
Simra couldn't control a smile from crossing her lips. It was obvious. Her cousin and Jeff were dating. That explained why he considered returning to Longview. They were perfect together.
Simra beamed and forgot her own troubles for a brief moment. “You enjoy working as a private detective, Jeff?”
His bashfulness faded away with a firm look. “The job’s very demanding and dangerous, but I love it. Dallas is full of illegal activity because of the city’s massive size.”
Immortal Memory (Book One) Page 2
