Immortal Memory (Book One)

by Sylvia Frances

  Taking her hand, he led her toward it. “The only way to send me back is to light candles around my dead vessel, recite a prayer over it, and burn it.”

  "Stop him!” Zach cried out when Quint dropped the match into the casket.

  They stopped a short distance from the thug behind a lone tree. Simra covered her open mouth when Zach vanished into thin air. They didn't make it in time. A gruff laugh escaped from the drug dealer while he watched the burning corpse. They arrived much too late to save Zach. The angel would never come back now.

  Storming away with quiet steps, Simra hurried down the road toward the church. Pastor Mervin might be there, but the hour was late. Zach did say how Tristan could not cross sacred ground. Maybe the demon wouldn’t be able to walk into a church. Simra needed to call someone to take her back to the lake house.

  Tears streamed down her face from losing Zach by the hands of a madman and a callous demon. Simra made it into the church just in time. Rain began pouring down. The doors were unlocked to her surprise. She cried out in agony and hopelessness. “Pastor Mervin? Are you here? Anyone?”

  Although no one replied, a loving presence surrounded her. Lit candles circled around the back of the altar. A church member must have just been there and could be returning soon. They wouldn’t leave the candles burning all night without coming back.

  She scanned the church for anyone, and her eyes filled with more tears. A beautiful marble statue of Jesus stood in the front of the sanctuary. His arms were stretched wide open while he gazed at the heavens. The serene presence enveloping her had to be God.

  Simra shifted her stare from the doors of the church to the candles. “Is anyone here?”

  She took slow steps toward the statue and grazed her hand over the smooth surface. Why would someone from the church be here at night? Zach or Tristan couldn’t unlock the doors for certain. Did God unlock the doors for her?

  The Lord performed so many miracles, and she saw them with her own eyes. He chased Tristan away and gave her the greatest amount of love and protection. God showed Simra His will, the truth she needed to hear, and so much more.

  Complete security embraced her. She hoped Tristan couldn’t approach her in this sacred place. Quint was the one who might come inside the church to hurt her. However, her faith in God became very strong at the moment.

  The drug dealer would not kill Simra if the Lord had anything to do with it. She still needed to fulfill God’s purpose to destroy Tristan. Somehow.

  However, no one could collect her grandmother's soul or destroy the demon now. Since Zach returned to heaven, Tristan could take Simra as his bride. Her spirit would be lost forever if the demon couldn’t be destroyed. She needed God’s help now more than ever.

  Grabbing her cell phone in her pocket, Simra started calling Jeff to arrest Quint before the crook escaped. She explained everything when he answered. “I’m inside the church where I’m safe from Tristan. It's two miles up the road from St. Memory. Quint just burned Zach’s body in the cemetery. Zach’s gone. Come and arrest Quint before he gets away.”

  “Stay inside the church, Sim. I'm on my way.” The detective hung up before she could say anything more to him.

  She knelt before the statue and closed her eyes to pray while tears misted her eyes. A close bond began developing between her and the Lord. “God, I’m so confused and sad right now. Help me see everything clearly and guide me on what I should do. Give me Your truth and love in this dangerous place I’ve reached in my life.”

  Zach’s words repeated in her head. “Let go of your haunted past.”

  “God, help me to become willing to let go of my painful memories. I realize it’s what You want. Amen.” She didn’t quite understand what Zach meant by letting go of the past.

  Simra became lost with confusion and shifted her gaze at the statue for several moments. Maybe the angel meant her family's tragedy and Simra’s involvement with Tristan. Then again, she had already let most of it go. Well, except wondering why God allowed it to happen.

  Simra’s heart dropped to her knees when the phone vibrated in her hand. When she saw Mandy calling, she rushed to answer. Something could’ve happened to her grandmother, Ms. Hanley, or her cousin. “Mandy?”

  “Granddaughter, sometimes we must let go o’ things-people too precious to us so we be free,” Lucinda mumbled in a whisper on the other end of the line.

  “Grandmother, what are you-“

  The phone clicked when Lucinda hung up. Her grandmother couldn’t be talking about Tristan. The demon was no longer precious to Simra. However, Lucinda told her those exact words before Simra broke up with him.

  Could she be speaking of letting go of Zach? Then again, the angel kept pushing her to let go of the past too. Simra turned her gaze back to the statue of Jesus. This person was in Simra’s past, but she had many who were dear to her heart.

  A warm breeze swept across her bare shoulders and caused her to melt for a brief second. Gentle hands latched onto her and squeezed. Simra’s heart leaped to her throat. She jerked away in response and held back a scream. The phone slipped from her hand to the floor, and Simra dared to look behind her. The person was gone before she could see them.

  They disappeared in the blink of an eye. Simra’s wild heart raced out of control. But the warm presence was still there. Zach could not have returned. Tristan must have found a way inside the church.

  A warm breeze blew down the nape of Simra’s neck. The candles blew out by a warm wind across the large sanctuary. Soft voices whispered around her, which she didn’t understand. Her feet remained frozen to the floor.

  The smoke from the candles caused her nose to twitch. Weakness paralyzed her entire body. Simra didn’t have Zach to protect her this time. A familiar voice spoke behind her. Zach and Tristan’s deep, gentle voices sounded identical, but she knew it couldn’t be the angel.

  “There’s no reason to be afraid, Simra. You should listen to your grandmother.”

  Lucinda must have been speaking about letting go of Zach when she called. Simra did begin holding him precious to her heart. The angel helped Simra and saved her countless times. Simra owed her life to the angel for how he saved her and her loved ones. But she held her family dear to her heart too. Simra knew Tristan would give anything for her to forget about his brother and those she loved.

  An angry fire seethed through her body. “You’ve always been jealous of Zach. And you’d give anything for me to forget about him. I don’t love you anymore. Nothing will ever bring us back together, and you can’t make me love you again. Your brother's much better than you were or ever will be. I loved him more than I ever loved you. I’ll never understand how you and Zach were brothers. There’s no chance for us, Tristan, and you can't scare me.”

  His deep laughter sent chills breathing down her neck. “Oh Simra, you've no idea how it makes me feel to hear you say it! I knew how you felt all along. It’s not good to fight being in love, you know? You should release your feelings and not hold them inside.”

  His warm breath drew closer, and he pulled her against him. He consumed her lips with a soothing kiss. She became weak in his arms. His kiss melted her to the sugary sweetness of honey.

  Tristan never kissed her in such a sweet way like he did tonight. His hands were silky and smooth this time. The demon’s hands were usually rough and cracked. His gentle hands caused her stiff body to loosen with delight.

  She wobbled backwards in the dark sanctuary when whispers surrounded her again. “Stay away from me, Tristan.”

  Simra’s phone vibrated on the floor and revealed a tiny light. She snatched the cell to answer it after pointing the light around her to see if she could find Tristan. Simra saw no one there. The demon must be manipulating her like always.

  She answered the phone in a rush. “Yeah, hello?”

  Jeff spoke as soon as she picked up. “Sim, are you still in the church? We have a major problem. Tristan's keeping me locked me inside my car. I’m parked outside.
I didn’t see anyone at the cemetery. Stay in the church where it’s safe. I’m calling for backup.”

  Simra felt the blood drain from her face. Tristan might be trying to kill her friend again. He may succeed this time. Zach couldn’t protect him now. She needed to think fast on a plan to save herself and Jeff!

  Chapter 28

  "The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes, leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills." - Song of Solomon 2:8

  Trying to calm her nerves, Simra began pacing the floor. “Jeff, the drug dealer could come and kill you! Please stay hidden in your car.”

  Suddenly, all that mattered was Jeff’s safety. Keeping the detective safe became more important than her own security. If she had to go out there and face Tristan herself, so be it. Squaring her shoulders with determination, she got ready to risk her own life to save Jeff. Her family’s safety always came first.

  A gentle hand rested on Simra’s shoulder and caused her breath to catch. “Simra, please hide somewhere inside the church. I’ll take care of Quint and Azazel. God spared me by causing it to rain and put out the fire. He wants my brother destroyed. I'm not finished.”

  Simra couldn't control a gasp after realizing who spoke to her. God needed Zach here to accomplish His will. The demon must be destroyed by her and the angel. She had to have Zach here with her too for many more reasons.

  She loved him and would never let him go again! The phone slipped from her hands when she realized Zach kissed her. Bright rays of splendor filled her heart.

  Simra snatched her cell from the floor and tried to hide the shock in her voice. She repeated the words to assure herself of the angel’s presence. “Zach’s here. He’s here, and he’s coming to help you. Stay hidden in the car until he gets rid of Tristan.”

  “Alright, Sim. Don’t leave the church. I’ll come inside when I can.”

  “I won’t. Stay safe,” she hung up the phone and looked for the angel.

  Simra’s heart pounded faster when Zach’s smooth hands framed her face. She inhaled a quavering breath of his scent of cedar when his mouth consumed hers in a tender kiss. His lips tasted of fresh evergreen from towering mountains reaching heaven. Never did anyone captivate her heart like he did. Simra’s knees buckled beneath her when he pulled away and placed a gentle hand to her cheek.

  Zach caressed the side of her face. “I’ll return for you. Don’t ever worry about anything happening to me again. Be careful.” A warm breeze whooshed past her, and the doors of the church creaked open. He hurried through them at the entrance of the sanctuary.

  Simra pressed a button on her phone to show light and lead the way for her to hide in a room in the back of the building. She took steady, quick steps to a door. Simra needed to stay safe until Zach drove Tristan away. Jeff must also catch the drug dealer.

  A dim light from the window revealed several steel chairs in front of a small podium. Simra dared peeking outside, but her breath caught in her throat. Jeff’s bright headlights were near the front of the church. Zach unlocked his car, but Tristan sneaked up on the angel from behind. The demon placed a hand to his brother’s head to send him away.

  Jeff hurried from the car when two more cop cars spun into the driveway beside him. Jagged streaks of lightning flashed and booming thunder hovered over them. Tristan turned to see the police searching the area outside the church. While the demon was distracted, Zach jerked around to face his brother. The angel shoved him onto the ground.

  Simra scanned the area for Jeff and the other cops but didn't see them. Quint must have got away. The crook wouldn’t come to the church unless Tristan gave him a feeling that he should be there.

  A loud bang came from the sanctuary. Simra’s knees became numb, and her feet remained glued to the floor. She turned around and noticed the door staying closed behind her. Simra’s breathing grew rapid, and her stomach twisted in knots.

  She held her breath and gazed back at the window. The storm raged, and she saw no one outside the church. Maybe Zach or Jeff came inside the church to find her. The drug dealer might be gone.

  Simra took cautious steps toward the door and opened it to find the sanctuary still in complete darkness. She dared walking out into the open of the room. Simra called out their names in a hushed whisper. “Zach? Jeff? Is that you?” She jerked forward when a gun clicked behind her.

  The person placed the end of the weapon to her head. “You in a lot o’ trouble wit’ me now, woman, and you won’t get away from me dis time. No one holds me in prison.”

  Her heart dropped to her churning stomach when she realized her life was in the hands of Quint. Simra’s breath caught in her throat when the lights blinked through the sanctuary. She kicked him in the groin to escape. The drug dealer fell and groaned in pain.

  The gun slipped from his hand to the floor, and she kicked it far from his reach. Zach rushed out from behind a door in the back of the church and glowered down at Quint. Fire reflected in the angel’s dark blue eyes.

  Simra yearned going outside to tell Jeff that Quint was inside the sanctuary. She rushed toward the doors but came to an abrupt halt. The deafening thunder boomed close to the exit. Simra almost stumbled backwards from the earsplitting sound vibrating the thick walls of the church. The furious rain beat down against the roof.

  Tristan couldn’t come inside the building. It must have enraged him to know Quint was getting arrested again. The demon should also be infuriated at God for sparing Zach.

  The doors of the church swung open when the two cops rushed inside with their uniforms drenched from the angry rain. However, Simra could only focus on Tristan standing outside the building. The glowing fire in his eyes devoured her with fury. He seemed to be waiting for her and Zach to come out of the church. Never did Simra see such rage in Tristan’s eyes with his trembling hands clenched by his sides. The demon must be destroyed. Tonight.

  The dangerous storm appeared to have no effect on the persistent demon. The cops slammed the doors shut after they ran inside the place. Simra’s blood froze. Icy needles pricked her flesh from seeing Tristan's hideous glare. Facing the vile creature and destroying his body might be impossible. When he was furious, he seemed to become more powerful.

  “Sim? Sim? Can you hear me? What’s wrong?” Jeff gripped her shoulders and gave his friend a gentle shake. The other two officers handcuffed the drug dealer and carried him away.

  Jeff blocked her view from looking outside the doors. “Sim?”

  Simra placed a hand to her brow and turned to the detective. “Sorry. I saw Tristan. He’s so angry, and I’ve never seen him look so…so terrifying. Please guard Quint better this time, and be certain he doesn’t escape. I know Tristan helped him get away last time. Use all the restraints you’ll need.”

  Jeff gripped her shoulders and gazed at her with assurance in his eyes. “We’ll do everything we can to keep that scoundrel locked up. I’m more concerned about keeping you safe from Tristan. You still staying at the lake house?”

  “Yeah. Zach’s protecting me, and it’s up to the two of us to destroy the demon. I think you should come with us to the abandoned house tonight. Zach can’t come inside the place since it’s protected by demonic prayers and symbols. Somehow, we’ll have to bring the body out so Zach and I can end this. I’ll need your help getting the corpse out of the place.”

  “Where’d you say the house’s located?”

  Simra gave him the directions and told him what street before Zach interrupted her. “It’s not far from this church. Tell your friend to be prepared. I suspect there’ll be trouble ahead of us in that place.”

  She repeated to Jeff what Zach stated. “Be ready for trouble. I know you’ve arrested Quint, and there’s paperwork to be recorded on him. Can it wait, or can someone else take care of it? Tristan’s growing more furious by the minute. We need you. I have the ingredients to destroy the body, but they’re at the lake house.”

  Jeff took his phone and dialed someone’s number. He turned in the opposite d
irection. “Hold on a second, Sim. I’ll see if I can help you now. Someone else may be able to handle the documentation. It has to be completed as soon as possible.”

  The thunder booming around the church caused her muscles to tighten into knots. She turned to Zach, who placed his comforting arm around her waist. Tristan might do something horrible to them once they left the church. Her tight shoulders loosened with delight from the warmth of the angel's arms.

  A part of her wanted to draw away from Zach when she remembered how he hurt her grandmother. But she was too relieved he returned. And something was different about Zach since God spared him.

  “Simra, you must face Azazel. It’s up to you and me to destroy him. There’s not much time. Have more faith. I promise I’ll do everything in my power to protect you. The Lord will do the same.”

  Jeff interrupted them, and his eyes wavered. “I can’t come with you right now. They need me at the station, but I promise I’ll come to the house. I’ll meet you as soon as I’m done and will call you when everything’s finished. It shouldn’t take long. Don’t you think we should wait until tomorrow anyway? It might be safer during the day.”

  Simra turned toward Zach, then back to Jeff. “It has to be done tonight. Tristan’s up to no good. We’ve made him very angry, and his anger will grow worse the longer we wait. Call me when you’re done. The demon’s dangerous. It’s getting out of hand, and it can’t go on any longer.”

  Jeff reached for Simra and squeezed his friend with a tight hug. “Be careful going back to the lake house. You have a way back?”

  Simra returned his hug. She became more afraid for the detective’s safety than her own. “Yeah, Zach will take me. Stay safe. We're all in danger, and it’s even worse now. Tristan might succeed in killing you next time.” She shivered at the disturbing thought.

  Jeff placed a reassuring hand on Simra’s shoulder. “Have faith, Sim. Place all your trust in God. He’ll protect us just like He saved me when I had the wreck.”