Immortal Memory (Book One)

by Sylvia Frances

  Tristan chuckled from amusement. “I fell in love with a strong, caring, beautiful, and innocent woman when I saw you. Not because you reminded me of Lucinda. I knew we belonged together. Now then, Zach wanted to collect your soul too. Of course, there's no need to worry about him now. You have me to protect you. Zach's a liar. If he's the twin of a fallen angel, how can he be good?”

  A sick feeling nauseated Simra to realize how there could be truth in that, but she lifted her chin in defiance. “If that's true, why am I getting closer to God since I met him?”

  Tristan’s smile faded, and he took slow steps toward Simra. The demon clasped her hands in his. “That's what he wanted you to think he was doing. But he was a wolf in sheep's clothing."

  Sadness filled his dark blue eyes. "I don’t know how to take back the wrongs I’ve done to you and your family. I’d like to spend forever making it up to you. You won’t have to worry about how I disappear anymore. I’ve made several horrible decisions in trying to win you back since my death. I promise to make it right starting now.”

  Simra squared her shoulders. “It's a little late for apologies. I don’t wish to discuss it anymore.”

  Her worries about the people she loved ran rapid. Where was Quint while Tristan kept her all to himself? The drug dealer might be slaughtering Jeff and her family right now. Lucinda was the main one in danger since Simra was closest to her. She must find a way to get to her grandmother as fast as possible.

  Tristan framed her face with his cold hands. “You’re worried about Lucinda. No one will bother her. I promise. Would you like me to check on her for you?”

  “No! Stay away from her. You’re the last one I trust around Grandmother. You placed the horrible curse on her in the first place.” Simra jerked free from the demon, and her heart dropped at how he read her thoughts.

  Tristan drew back in surprise. “The spell became out of hand. I didn’t intend for it to get this bad. I only meant for it to wash away her memory of me and my awful deeds. I’ll just go check on her and report back on how she’s doing. I won’t harm her, nor will anyone else. I’ll return with answers on how she’s doing. Promise.”

  Trying with all her might not to believe him, Simra bit her lip in frustration. “Please don’t.”

  “I know you want me to, Simra. I can see into that pretty little head of yours. I’ll be back.” Tristan rested a cold hand on her cheek with a tender smile across his lips. He rushed from the upstairs bedroom and locked the door behind him.

  Tristan locked her inside the room. He must have lied to her about just checking on Lucinda. The hideous demon might be going to kill her grandmother! Tears burned Simra’s eyes, and she hurried to the bedroom window to study her surroundings. It would lead her onto a balcony if she shattered the glass.

  The window could be broken for a way of escape. Simra searched for any objects around the room. Her traveling gaze stopped on a wooden plank on the floor. She grabbed it and slammed it against the hard window.

  Simra gasped from surprise when the glass refused to break. It didn’t shatter after several attempts. Tristan must have placed a curse on the house to hold her inside.

  Simra leaned against the wall and groaned in astonishment and frustration. She stumbled backward when the wall moved. A trap door opened. It must have led out of the dusty old bedroom. The floorboards creaked beneath her feet.

  Simra climbed through the mildewed tiny corridor and held her breath. The rotten stench was so strong through the trap door that she tasted it, and it caused her to gag. The door to another room creaked open, and the exit led down the stairs. Tristan’s body must be hidden well, but she had no time to look for it.

  Simra rushed to the entrance of the house. The door wouldn't open. She almost got lost inside the huge place but made it to the back. The backdoor wouldn’t open either. None of the doors could be unlocked.

  The red writings and symbols on the walls caused her head to spin. There were so many that they almost sent her deep into a revolting dizziness. Nausea choked her, and she ached to get out of the stuffy house as soon as possible. Simra searched until she found a sunroom.

  Glass windows expanded across every wall. A long wooden table stood in the center with stakes bound at each corner. She held back a gasp of horror and disgust. Simra’s wild heart jumped at the thought of what Tristan did in this room.

  She caught of glimpse of a large opening in the shattered windows. Simra made a quick escape before Tristan returned. She bolted from the house and never stopped running. The ancient place was a white plantation house.

  She turned to look at the street signs and realized her location. Simra slid her trembling hand into her pocket to grab her cell. Mandy needed to pick her up.

  Simra started dialing her cousin's number and continued running. She gazed in the direction of the eerie home where Tristan would return soon to find her gone. Her lips parted open to scream before she dialed the last digit. Simra crashed into someone in front of her, and she stumbled backward.

  Her steady gaze traveled up the familiar faded blue jeans and white t-shirt. There were the calm blue eyes of the demon. Tristan reached his hand out for her. She drew away from him and bolted up. Simra attempted to make another run for it.

  He caught her wrist behind her before she got away. The demon pulled her so close that his lips were only a cold breath away. “Don’t make this any more difficult on yourself. It doesn’t matter how much you attempt to run or hide. I’ll find and catch you. Give it up. Now then, I have news to give you about your grandmother. Come.”

  Simra struggled to free herself from his tight grip and drew in a sharp breath when he picked her up. Tristan carried her over his shoulder like a delicate feather. She hammered her fists against his hard back, and her breathing became weak. She would not give up that easily!

  If Simra had found the sunroom in time, she would’ve escaped. Tristan didn’t travel at the speed of light back to the house. He set her on her feet and shut the front door behind them.

  “Why didn’t you carry me as fast as you did when you brought me here? You took your time.” Simra glanced from the entrance to him.

  Tristan’s lips tugged into quick smile, and he placed a cold hand to her cheek. “I enjoy holding you. I just want to be close to you.”

  She tried ignoring the unbearable thought of never seeing Zach again. Then again, Tristan and his brother were no good for her. But she fought back tears at the thought of losing Zach. Regardless of what Tristan said about him, she felt a difference in her heart for the angel than Tristan. Was it true love?

  Simra shifted her gaze away from him to distract herself. “Did you hurt Grandmother?”

  Tristan placed a hand on her shoulder to soothe her and lifted Simra’s chin with a finger. “Lucinda's resting at the nursing home. She appeared very calm in her sleep. I give you my word, and I didn’t do anything to her. I only checked on her for you.”

  He paused and framed Simra's face in his hands. “Just try to trust me. I know it’s difficult to believe me because I’m a fallen angel. But I’m making changes beginning now. I know what I did through the years and recently angered you. But I want to start over. Just give me a chance.”

  She'd given him one chance too many to make things right, and he knew it. What a creep! Simra faked a considerate smile. Her heart raced when an idea popped into her head. After gaining the demon’s trust, she might be left alone again at some point. Next time might be her final escape.

  Maybe he’d stop being so clingy. They needed to burn Tristan’s body when she returned with someone. The only problems were Quint and the demon.

  “I’m considering it, Tristan, but you need to treat me with perfection and nothing like you did in the past. Thank you for checking on Grandmother for me. You’re showing a little progress, but you must prove much more to me. It’ll take a lot of time to show me how you’ve changed.”

  He enveloped her in his embrace, and his cold breath breathed into her hair. “I
’ll do my best to please you. You’re my world, but you won’t escape if you try.”

  Simra shivered at his last words and drew away from him with a fake smile. “Thank you, Tristan.” Her gaze traveled up and down the staircase. “Why does this place seem to hold such powers? What do these symbols represent?”

  The demon sat in one of the chairs near the edge of the wall. He motioned for her to take a seat in the other one next to him. “This house was abandoned years ago but in much better condition. I discovered the place, and Lucinda and I decided to begin our lives together here. We came here, but Zach ruined it. The symbols protect us.” He spoke like Lucinda willingly came with him here. If liars' pants really caught on fire, his pants would cause a big flaming explosion!

  Disgust coursed through Simra's veins when she remembered the sunroom. What did Tristan do to her precious grandmother in there? “What happened? Did you and Zach occupy different human forms then?”

  “We’re thousands of years old. Although our bodies look young and appear human, our actual forms look very different. We were still in the Hanley generation during your grandmother's time. Our mortal forms looked the same as now.

  "I left when Lucinda made it clear that she didn't want to marry me. She decided that she wanted Zach. Then, Zach broke her heart. I placed a spell on her so she wouldn't remember me. But it got out of hand. Then, you came along years later, and I returned by another Hanley down the line. I fell even more in love with you. But Zach wanted you too.”

  Simra hid her anger. Two could play at this game of tricks. “Where'd you and Zach go after Grandmother rejected you?”

  “We returned to the other side and waited. I knew you'd come along soon.”

  Shifting in her seat, Simra grew uncomfortable in the hard chair. This led to such a bizarre conversation with her ex-fiancé. “Why'd you choose me and Grandmother?”

  Tristan framed her face in his hands. “You're the most beautiful and caring woman I've ever known. Most importantly, you don't desire things of the world. You're not worldly like other mortal women. I want to marry you, and I want us to have many children. Our family will be very powerful. We’ll be happy, and I promise to treat you right. If you marry me, I’ll give you everything your heart’s ever desired. You’re like an angel who fell from heaven by accident. Your innocence and beauty can’t be described.”

  His astounding description of her stole Simra’s breath away. At loss for words, she fought becoming lost in his eyes. She remembered how he lied to her so many times. Her breath caught in her throat when he pulled her close. His cold lips met hers in a lingering kiss.

  Their memories together unraveled through her mind when they were happy and carefree. Tears filled her eyes when she realized how much she loved him then. Simra also remembered how he destroyed her love for him. Regardless of what he tried to prove, their relationship would never be revived.

  Tristen jerked away from her, and his furious eyes glowed like flames. “Someone’s up to trouble. I’m tending to it. Stay here. I’ll come back.” He fled the house and slammed the door behind him.

  She broke down in hysterical sobs from the haunted memories. She held her head in her hands and gathered all the strength within her to pray. Surely God could hear her in this evil, dirty place. “Lord, please give me the strength to overcome this and fill my heart with the truth. Thank You for helping me throughout my life. Amen.”

  Simra brushed the warm tears away with her hand and sighed when warmth filled her soul. She squared her shoulders in determination to escape once more. Maybe Tristan wouldn’t catch her and bring her back to this place again.

  Shivers of dread slithered down her spine to think about what the demon may do to her if he caught her again. Someone must have really angered her ex-fiancé. Although her stomach twisted in revulsion to think of returning, Simra knew she must. Tristan’s corpse needed to be destroyed.

  Chapter 25

  "But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one." - II Thessalonians 3:3

  Simra ran as fast as possible from the dreary old home until she made it to the courthouse. She leaned against the brick wall to catch her breath. She already called Mandy to pick her up at the courthouse. Expecting Tristan to appear any moment, a cold fear enveloped her. Simra’s heart pounded when her cousin’s tires squealed into the parking lot.

  Mandy jumped out of the car and reached down to frame Simra's face. Mandy’s eyes were wide with panic, and her gaze raked over Simra. “Did he hurt you?”

  Simra drew away from her cousin and hurried into the vehicle as Mandy followed her. “I’m fine. He didn’t harm me, but I think he’s hurting someone else we know. You called Jeff recently?”

  Lucinda was in the backseat with her eyes wide and mumbled unclear words. Simra reached to squeeze her close. Warmth enveloped Simra's heart to know they were all right. Whoever distracted Tristan must have made him very angry. That person was in great danger. Simra prayed it wasn’t Jeff or anyone else she loved.

  “Yeah, I just spoke to him. You think Zach’s okay? Where should we go?”

  “Zach would’ve come for me much sooner if he was still here.” Tears misted Simra’s eyes to think of never seeing him again. “Take us to the lake house. We’ll be safe there until I can retrieve matches and gasoline.”

  “Oh my, Sim! What are you planning?”

  “I’m going back to that house, finding Tristan’s body, and destroying it. I’m talking to Pastor Mervin again too. I know those bones were there because I smelled something rotting.”

  Mandy almost swerved off the road and turned to her cousin with her mouth agape. “Sim, no! You can’t go back! Tristan might hurt or kill you, and we'll never see you again. Are you insane?”

  “I need to destroy him once and for all. It’s the only way everything will return to normal. Sometimes, we have to take risks to overcome the evil in our lives. With God’s help, it can be done.”

  Mandy raked her fingers through her short burgundy hair reaching her neck. She took several glances from the road to Simra. “You’ve got a point, but you shouldn’t go back to that house. Tristan's dangerous. He’ll kill you.”

  “I know the risks, Mandy, but he has to be stopped. God will protect us. It must be done, and I’ll need your help.” Simra had to obtain the ingredients tonight.

  “I’ll do anything you ask, Cousin. But I would much rather do everything for you than allow you to be in danger.” Mandy pulled into the driveway of the lake house and parked the car. “What should we do now?”

  Simra remained motionless for a moment and gazed up at the house. “I’m taking a warm shower to wash this awful stench off me. We have to find gasoline and matches somewhere.”

  “Great. You clean up, and I’ll get the ingredients. Grandma can stay here with you and Ms. Hanley.”

  Simra placed a hand on her cousin’s shoulder. “No, that isn’t wise. We should get them together.”

  “Sim, no, you're not coming with me regardless of what you say. Your only part is destroying the body, and I really don’t approve of you doing that. But I know no one else can, except you. Go take a shower, and pray for my protection.”

  Realizing she would get nowhere by arguing with her stubborn cousin, Simra sighed in frustration. “Oh alright, but please be careful. Be quick about it, and hurry back.”

  “Cousin, don’t worry. You’re the one he’s chasing. Trust in God.” Mandy seemed to force a smile.

  Simra opened the car door, got out, helped their grandmother from the vehicle, and turned to Mandy. “I’ll pray and have faith. Call me if you run into any trouble.” She shut the door and walked inside the house with Lucinda.

  Ms. Hanley rushed toward Simra and Lucinda with tears in her eyes. "Simra! Are you all right? We've been so worried. Did Tristan hurt you?"

  Simra squeezed Ms. Hanley with an affectionate hug and couldn't control her own tears. "He didn't hurt me. I'm just so tired and dirty. I was afraid I'd never se
e any of you again. I need a shower."

  Ms. Hanley rested a hand on Simra's cheek. "I'm so glad you're okay. Of course, dear. I'll cook you up something. I bet you're starved."

  Simra's mouth watered at the thought of a delicious home-cooked meal. "That sounds great! Zach has such a wonderful mom. Thank you so much."

  Ms. Hanley smiled as Simra took Lucinda in the den and turned on the television to occupy her. Her grandmother sat on the couch with her eyes wide. Simra gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder. She tried avoiding the unbearable pain in her heart to know what her grandmother endured.

  Wiping away a few tears, Simra straightened herself up. She grabbed some clean clothes from her suitcase and walked into the bathroom. She took a relaxing hot shower to overcome the troubling thoughts of what could have happened to Zach. Guilt would plague her forever to know that Tristan sent him back. Tears fell from her eyes at the thought of never seeing Zach again.

  Simra prayed in silence for God to watch over Mandy. She stepped out of the steamy shower. She dried off with a plush turquoise towel and changed into her clean dress. Simra inhaled a deep breath of cedar and evergreen.

  She missed the delightful comforts of being clean and at home. Home. Zach’s place seemed like home, and she felt they shared it together.

  Shaking her head of such thoughts, she tried to forget having a life with him. He wasn’t human. It would never happen. Besides, he was gone forever. She stepped into the kitchen to smell pork chops, rice with homemade gravy, purple hull peas, and sweet cornbread being cooked.

  Ms. Hanley was outdoing herself! Simra glanced at the ticking clock. 7 p.m. Night grew near. Going back into that house would be more than dangerous.

  Ms. Hanley turned around and smiled at her. "I hope you like it. It's my southern home cooking!"

  Simra's stomach growled for several bites. "I can't wait! You're too nice. Did Zach cook this too?"