Immortal Memory (Book One)

by Sylvia Frances

  Recalling where the road took her, Simra told her the exact location of the lake house. A lone tear slid down Simra’s cheek. A deep concern for Mandy and their grandmother overwhelmed her. “That's another thing. I won't be able to work for a while. It's not safe with Tristan around. I'm safer staying at the lake house. Please help me watch Grandmother at all times. I love you too.”

  "Got it, Cousin, I will. We'll be there in a little while," Mandy replied.

  Simra hung up the phone and turned her misting eyes toward Zach. “You certain they’ll be all right? What about Jeff? Are you sure Tristan can't hear us? Your brother might try to hurt him if he knows my friend’s so involved in this. You know how jealous and possessive Tristan is of me.”

  Zach placed his hands on her shoulders after she stood from the chair to face him. “I promise your friend and family will be all right. I think it’s best that your grandmother and Mandy stays here. Have faith. Tristan can’t hear a word we’re saying. Remember, the house is protected well against him. You’ve nothing to worry about, Simra. But believe God will keep them safe and bring you through this. Call Jeff.”

  Simra fidgeted with the phone in her hands and grew surprised at Zach’s last statement. The angel showed no signs of jealousy toward Jeff or anyone else. In fact, Zach seemed to want them to help and support her. Maybe he and his brother were different in every way. The charming angel of death saved her many times, but his infuriating arrogance boiled her blood. Still, she couldn’t allow him to collect her grandmother’s soul, and he must be stopped.

  Dialing the number to Jeff’s phone, Simra allowed it to ring until he answered in a firm tone. “Yeah, this is Jeff?”

  Simra explained everything she stated to Mandy and told the detective about the drug dealer's car. “I’m hiding out with Zach until you arrest Quint and find Tristan’s body. It has to be around Quint's house.”

  “Thanks for telling me, Sim. It’s best you don’t go back to work until all this is over. Stay hidden with Zach. I’ll search for Quint and the body right now. Be careful, girl.”

  “Thanks, Jeff. You be cautious too. Keep me updated on what you find, please. Goodbye.”

  Simra studied Zach’s reaction to her phone conversation with Jeff. She waited for the angel to dig into her with ridiculous questions about her friend. “Well?”

  “I’m glad Jeff’s helping us, Simra. He’s a valuable friend to have.”

  Simra tried to control her lips from parting with surprise at Zach’s admiration of her friendship with the detective. The buzzing of her phone caused her to flinch. Tristan’s name blinked across the screen. She shifted her eyes to Zach, and her heart hammered against her chest. “Should I answer?”

  “Answer.” His gaze glowered into hers like dark shadows.

  She bit her lower lip and lifted the phone to her ear. “Hello?”

  The familiar ferocious voice of Quint on the phone sent shivers crawling up and down her spine. “Woman, I’ll find and locate where you’re hidin’. I want my money. Meet me at tha’ same spot where your accomplice rendered me unconscious with a million in cash at midnight. Your grandmamma will be killed if you call tha’ police or if your ‘friend’ shows up again.” The drug dealer hung up and left Simra’s blood running cold.

  Chapter 8

  "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." -Romans 8:28

  Simra paled. “I’m calling Jeff. He needs to know about the drug dealer wanting to meet me at midnight.” She began dialing the number to the detective’s phone.

  The phone flew from her hands, crashed onto the hard floor, and almost shattered to pieces. Simra’s lips parted in shock, and she scanned the room as though looking for someone. Zach picked up the phone and placed it on the table. His jaw tightened.

  She shifted wavering eyes from him to different sections of the house. “Is Tristan here?”

  He turned away from her and took a seat at the table. “No. Don’t call Jeff, and don’t meet Quint tonight.”

  Her eyes nipped at him like a blazing fire. “You seem to have a temper. A violent one. Just like your brother.”

  “No, Simra. Angels move objects quicker and with more force than humans. Once again, I’m nothing like my brother. Let go of such a false concept of me. Quint might be planning a trap from what I sense. Azazel will also be involved. It’s best neither you nor Jeff meet him in this spot tonight.”

  She unfolded her arms from across her chest and stormed into the den. “You might not be like him in that way, but you enjoy provoking me with….with…with-”

  “What? The truth? The truth’s good for you.” He couldn’t control the smile tugging at his lips.

  “Ugh!” she plopped down on the couch and rested her face in her hands.

  He needed her to warn his family about the demon, but she was in no shape. She appeared so weak and tired. He must check on his family. Something didn't feel right.

  The angel dared stepping closer to rest his hand on her knee. “Get some rest. I must tend to a few things for the day. We might have another long night ahead of us. There’s food in the freezer and canned goods in the cabinets. You need nourishment.”

  Simra raised her tired eyes toward him with apprehension and mistrust in them. “Where are you going?”

  The angel knelt down and framed Simra’s face with gentle hands. “I apologize for how Azazel vanished all those times to do awful things behind your back. I know he did things those innocent, beautiful eyes like yours can’t even imagine. I promise I’m not doing anything of the sort. I’m checking on my family and seeing what Quint and my brother are up to now. My brother's up to something.”

  He paused and added, “I’m discussing things with God for a while too. The Lord will watch over you while I’m away.”

  Simra leaned her face into his hand but drew away from him abruptly. Her gaze shifted in the opposite direction. “I’m exhausted. I must rest now.”

  Zach stood up, and his gaze never left her on the couch. “There’s a comfortable bed for you in the bedroom. It’s much cozier.”

  Simra stood to walk into the master bedroom where white lace curtains hung from the windows. He couldn't control a smile. Zach sensed how Simra longed to thank him for everything he did for her.

  However, her pride got in the way. He knew how she did not wish to hear the truth-especially from him. The obvious spark in her striking eyes gave away her feelings for him. The way she clung tighter to him revealed what was in her heart. God wanted her to face her pain and seek Him. Zach would continue helping her overcome the darkness whether she liked it or not.

  He opened the screen door to his house and stepped onto the porch. The morning sun warmed him. The gardenias, roses, and fresh dew in the yard reminded him of when Lucinda first arrived years ago. Her determination matched that of Simra's. Everything about them was the same.

  It's no wonder Azazel fought so hard to marry Simra since Lucinda's rejection. Zach missed having his parents over to fry fish during the summer. Fried fish made his mouth water when he had his mortal vessel. Then, he remembered Azazel murdering him on the fishing boat.

  Zach frowned at how evil Azazel became. The angel closed his eyes in meditation to forget the repulsive demon. Zach then became lost in the love and innocence of God.

  “Father, thank You for giving me another chance to end my brother’s madness. Guide me to help this woman who needs You in her heart. But please direct my full attention on my assigned duties instead of my attraction to Simra. I know it’s not what You wish of me or her, and I wish to always do Thy will.

  "Give me the strength to continue this mission, and please protect Simra while I’m away to do Your will. Strengthen my heart against not making the same mistake again. Thank You, my Lord. Amen.”

  Warm serenity flowed through Zach and embraced him. Glorious rays of the morning sun caressed his face in the sweet air. The angel had an important duty to save
lives by destroying an evil presence in the area. It must be done before much destruction came to pass. He looked up into the clear sky. God did not ease his building fascination of the beautiful, stubborn woman inside the house.

  The angel shook his head to avoid the expanding thoughts of her. He tried to forget how her exquisite eyelashes barely kissed her cheeks while she slept. Zach firmed his jaw and traveled through the wilderness. The woods led to the highway toward his family’s home in the far distance.

  He focused on his intense concern for his parents, Miles and Patricia Hanley. Maybe Azazel wouldn’t cause much trouble for them until later. Then again, having no contact with Simra might lead his demon brother to create more problems for Zach.

  A glass object shattered inside his parents' home after Zach made it to the large oak door. He opened the door, stepped inside the house, and eased it shut. Azazel’s raucous laughter echoed throughout their mom and dad’s home. Zach followed the voice of Miles assuring Patricia how everything would be fine.

  Azazel threw lamps, pictures, breakables, and chairs. His demon brother laughed at their fear-stricken pale faces. Their parents were huddled together in the corner of the room. Fury surged through the angel. Zach took no time racing toward his brother. Miles and Patricia’s terrified gazes scanned the room as if trying to spot the evil demon.

  Azazel turned around just in time. He laughed without a care in Zach’s face. “No one invited you, brother.”

  The angel pinned him against the wall and growled between clenched teeth. “No one wants you here.”

  Azazel raised his arm over Zach’s arms and placed a hand to the angel’s shoulder. The demon appeared on the other side of him. Zach swung around to the other side of his brother and grabbed a cross hanging on their parents’ wall. Azazel fell to his knees at the sight of the cross. His gaze pleaded with the angel.

  Zach pinned Azazel to the floor with the cross over the demon’s heart. The angel cried out in the Aramaic dialect. “Lord, thank You for giving me power and authority over demons. I cover myself, Miles, and Patricia Hanley in the blood of Jesus. I command you, Azazel, to leave this area in Jesus's name."

  Azazel’s glowing eyes widened in terror. He shoved Zach away and ran out the front door without looking back. Their mom and dad were still huddled in the corner of their trashed home. A deep ache burned inside the angel, and his parents separated from each other.

  Miles and Patricia looked around the house as though searching for an explanation. No human would ever believe what his parents witnessed. Zach tried to avoid believing Azazel’s true intentions of coming to their house.

  Patricia turned to her husband with her wide puzzled eyes. “Miles, I know those were spirits. You believe the second ghost, who held the cross and chased the other one away, was…Zach?”

  “I’m not sure what to believe anymore, Patricia. I never believed in spirits until now. Let’s not say anything to anyone about this, understood?”

  “Of course, Honey. Let’s get this place cleaned up. I hope that thing doesn’t come back for us. I wish Zach was still alive. Maybe he’d know what to do in this situation.”

  Zach reached out a gentle hand to his dad and mom as they hugged, but then, he realized they couldn’t see him. He was torn with his devotion to stay with his parents and to destroy the demon. Hurrying to put an end to his brother’s madness, the angel raced out of the house. The drug dealer’s whereabouts must be discovered before Azazel returned.

  Zach had to convince Simra to talk to his parents, and Azazel should be destroyed once and for all. The demon might come back soon to do something worse. His evil brother could murder their mom and dad if something wasn’t done fast enough. Azazel’s corpse needed to be found and burned. Now!

  Chapter 9

  "My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; You save me from violence. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies."- 2 Samuel 22:3-4

  Zach's emotions swarmed in a rampant rage, and he went to seek the drug dealer. He came to an abrupt halt upon finding the thug. Quint’s car screeched from where the angel left the thug unconscious. The drug dealer drove his beaten up car into the quarters. Azazel’s dented black Dodge Charger stood in the front yard of Quint’s home.

  Zach raced around the area to see if Azazel’s body was there. But his brother’s corpse could not be detected. Zach tightened his fists when he realized an angel of God might not be able to detect the rotten thing due to a spell. People had countless drugs inside the house and must have bought them from Quint. Handguns, drugs, and crack pipes were all over the place.

  Some of the people’s eyes were so red that they appeared to be filled with blood. Their bones almost protruded from their skin like they hadn’t ate in weeks. The drug addiction killed them slowly. Several stolen vehicles crowded around the yard beside Azazel’s. Simra, Jeff, their friends, and family should never come here. Zach would make certain to keep them away unless Jeff brought plenty back up from other cops.

  In the distance, the angel glimpsed at a lone man sitting in a nicer car than the rest. The vehicle stayed parked on the side of the street. Zach tensed after seeing the cop. Detective Jeff Theron.

  Snapping pictures with a camera, the detective studied the large number of gangsters coming outside the house. The gang piled into Azazel’s old car. The angel hurried toward Simra’s friend in attempt to make him leave this dangerous place. Zach noticed Quint’s friends hiding guns in their pockets. They would shoot the cop if they knew he came alone.

  Jeff cranked the disguised cop car, but it didn’t get far with a flat tire. This was no place for a flat. Much too dangerous with gangsters like Quint. The drug dealer almost murdered Simra and had been involved with Azazel. Not all dope dealers were killers, but the demon’s friends were dangerous.

  Zach froze when the gangsters stopped beside Jeff’s car. Quint rolled down his window and confronted the detective. “You tha' police?”

  The angel aired up the tire with a narrow trail of strong wind seeping into the hole. The dope dealers continued interrogating Jeff. There were other plans for Azazel’s car if the detective distracted them long enough. Jeff must be kept safe for Simra. Zach could never let her down and abuse the trust she started having in him.

  Jeff’s bold gaze remained set on them without any fear in his eyes. “If I was, don’t you think I would’ve brought back up? I’m interested in buying some hardcore drugs. A good amount of them. You know a guy named Quint? I heard from a fellow drug buddy of mine that he sells good drugs.”

  Quint turned his head back in the car, mumbled something to the others, and looked back at Jeff. “Who ya friend?”

  “Well, I haven’t seen him in a while, but his name’s Tristan. Tristan Azazel. He sold a few of his drugs to me once, and I’d like more now.”

  “What’s ya name? Ya know if ya lying, I’ll kill ya? I notice ya have a flat tire. You in a bad predicament, ya know?”

  “Jeff. I’m not lying. I don’t want any trouble. I realize I have a flat tire. I just came to buy drugs. I want no trouble, but I’d like to find Quint. Are you Quint?”

  “Yeah, dis Quint. Don’t ask me no questions, got it? I do all tha’ askin'.”

  Jeff stared into his side mirror at his aired up tire. The detective studied the flat tire on the back of Azazel’s car. He shot his gaze back at Quint before they noticed his look of surprise. “Yeah….sorry… Quint. I’d like to buy a million dollars' worth of drugs. I can have you the money at midnight at this spot. Can you do it?”

  Quint turned to mumble more words to the others, and his angry gaze shifted back to Jeff. “I’ll kill ya if ya bring cops or anybody else. We outnumba' cops out here. You betta' be tellin’ me tha’ truth. I’ll shoot ya firsthand. I’ll meet ya here at midnight. Ya betta' show up wit’ it, or I’ll kill ya.”

  Jeff nodded and looked back at their tire and his own as though m
aking certain he wasn’t hallucinating. “Deal. Later, guys.” He cranked up the car as they started up their own.

  Jeff picked up speed when they hollered and remained stuck in place because of their flat. Zach flattened both of their back tires. Shots were fired at Jeff's car, but they missed him after he spun out of the quarters. They were left with Zach in a mess.

  Fury ignited through the angel. Simra must have called Jeff to tell him about Quint anyway. Did she not realize she was placing them in danger? It was a trap for whoever came there!

  The angel stayed listening to the gang's silly ranting and raving awhile. They said nothing about the body of Azazel. In fact, they only mentioned stealing more items to buy drugs. Quint shot Azazel here.

  Then, the crook dumped the corpse in the woods where it was secluded. Zach saw the place in Quint's mind. He'd search for it there.

  Quint stayed behind from the rest of the dealers, who stormed back inside the house. The drug dealer scratched his chin and observed both flat tires of Azazel’s car. “Is dat Tristan ghost? Who Jeff?”

  Zach walked circles around the drug dealer, and his jaw tightened. Although the guy couldn’t hear him, the angel still threatened him. “Your fun and games in life will be over soon, you piece of trash.”

  Zach left the quarters in a rush to find the corpse. The angel ran through the wilderness but tripped over someone. He landed on his face in the pine straw and leaves. Azazel hovered over him with his yellow eyes gleaming. His demon brother raised him up and pinned him against a wide tree. Although he tried to escape from Azazel’s powerful grip, Zach got caught by too much surprise.

  The demon’s teeth clenched from rage. “Be careful, brother. Our parents are in a whole lot of danger now. I know a way to send you away forever, and I’ll do it.”