Demonic Angel (A Touch Of Magic)

by Maria Del Sette

  Oh did you know Angels can conjure up lightning? Yeah, me neither. Apparently we can though according to Raphael. He has been trying to teach me to do this for two days straight and I just cannot do it. I can tell Raphael is beginning to pissed off with me but he doesn't give up though.

  We are in the garden and he has just told me to concentrate on the small pond we have out here. He said think about a tropical storm. Think about the forks of lightning that come down to the floor. The ones that harm people. (He actually said that.) Then he said and I quote. “Think about that boy Jaxon you are in love with. All of the pain he has caused you. The tears you cry when you are alone. The ache in your chest that you feel knowing he chose Underworlders over you. The anger you feel knowing you let yourself get close to a demon.” Yes, he actually said this to me. I don't know where he got the idea from that I was in love with Jaxon because I can tell you I am not. Hmm...

  I half expected my brain to argue back with me then, but it didn't, for once.

  Then Raphael said. “Think about that face of his. What do you want to do to that face?” Kiss it. I think and fight a smile.

  “Manifest that anger Calissa. Think about all the lightning you have ever seen and manifest it to you.”

  And now, a few minutes later, I naturally I do what he says and I close my eyes and hold out my hands. Lightning. Jaxon. Lightning. Jaxon. Hurt. Pain. Tears. Lightning. I open my eyes. LIGHTNING! There is lightning coming out of my hands! Okay, it was only a spark, but it is a start.

  “Keep going!” God, for an angel, he sure is bossy. I frown and continue with my chant. Jaxon. Lightning. Hurt. Anger. Pain. Tears. Lightning. Jaxon. Lightning. My hand starts to sizzle and then a huge fork of lightning flies out of my hand and hits the gnome on the edge of the pond; causing it to shatter. My hands fly to my mouth and I look guiltily over at Raphael who is beaming at me. “Well done.”

  We practise for a few more hours but I seem to be unable to conjure up more lightning. Raphael doesn't hide is disappointment which makes me feel ashamed of myself. We move on to the thing I did to the Hellhound which I named the bone-crusher. Don't ask why. It just seems fitting since I managed to crumble that hounds bones inside out. I do this with ease and end up having even Raphael on his knees begging me to stop. I grinned widely at this. By the time seven o'clock hits, a couple of the women here have made us all dinner and like the past two nights, the kitchen table has been brought into the dining room so that everyone can sit together. Thirteen adults and three children. Only one person doesn't eat and that is the demon that came along with Dimi. I think his name is Rhys or something but he is so quiet, that I barely see or hear him when he enters or leaves a room. He kind of scares me. I think he is a vampire but I don't call him on it.

  After dinner, Tessa and I collapse onto my bed. Due to only having six rooms between the fourteen of us and four children on top of that now that Christina and her daughter are here, we all have to share a room with someone. Tessa is with me. Aeron in the travel cot in my room. Caroline on a fold up camping bed in my room too. In Ana's room, the two fairy children, Harris and his fairy niece Lara. How they all fit in Ana's queen sized bed, I have no idea. I think Lara has her own blow-up bed though. In dad's room is Mum. She refuses to share a room with anyone due to her succubus powers. No-one argues with her about that. In spare room number one is Lorraine, Christina and Christina's daughter Alexia. In spare room two is Betty and her two witch friends. And finally in room three are the other two demons Rhys and Dimi.

  I think Raphael sleeps in the 'panic room' on the bed that mum showed me a few days ago but I am unsure if he actually does considering he disappears before dinner and shows up again by the time I am awake in the morning.

  I have quite a big house and am astonished that every single room on the two upper floors have been filled. We have never had this many people in our house before. It makes me miss Ana and dad when I see the fairies in Ana's room.

  I Skyped Ana and dad twice in the past few days and they are happy and safe and Ana was telling me how hot it is in Mexico and that Auntie Kim keeps trying to dress her in frilly dresses. It made me laugh picturing it.

  I haven't risked turning my phone on since the day Jaxon betrayed me. I haven't wanted to chance seeing a message from him. Tonight though. I am curious. So when Tessa falls asleep and Caroline disappears on her nightmare duties. Which is so weird. I turn my phone on and turn it on silent.

  Within twenty seconds, I have four new messages. Not a lot if you think about it, but I am still surprised Jaxon still wants to text me.

  I open them up.

  Jaxon: I'm sorry but I had to do this

  Jaxon: It's for the best if we didn't pursue this thing we have between us anyway

  Jaxon: I miss you

  Jaxon: I know I shouldn't tell you this. It goes against everything but I heard that the demons will be sent to attack at sunrise on the 7th... xxxx

  I check the date and it is currently the 5th. We have a day at most. I wake Tessa up and without even needing to tell her anything, the two of us head out into the hallway and using one of her witchy powers, she makes every bedroom door swing open. Booyah! I get a few outbursts of 'What the hells?' 'Oh my God!' 'What now?' Before people start to emerge from their rooms.

  “MAYDAY PEOPLE!!” I yell. “I have just caught word that the attack will be the morning after tomorrow.”

  Murmurs fill the corridor and then my mothers face comes into view. “How do you know?” I show her the latest messages from Jaxon and she gives me a sad smile. Mum and I had a heart to heart while food shopping yesterday. I told her I really liked Jaxon and that I wished I could have liked a guy that wasn't a demon. She was sympathetic and told me she felt the same way with Raphael before she met dad. So, I suppose that is something else mum and I have in common.

  “Okay. Get some rest and tomorrow we train twice as hard and prepare for this properly. In case this is false notification and the attack comes sooner, Christina, I want you and the children to head up to the attic tonight. Is that okay?”

  “Yes ma'am.” Christina rushes into her previous bedroom and grabs Alexia and then the other children while she heads up to her new room.

  “Rhys. Can you help her with Aeron? It isn't wise to wake a sleeping incubus baby, believe me.” Rhys nods and enters my room before carrying the travel cot out as if it weighs nothing with a snoring Aeron still inside. He takes it up to the attic where Christina and the three other children wait. “Harris. I need you to take a couple of beds up there too. If they are to stay up there until further notice, then I need them comfortable.” Harris does as my mother commands and then when he returns, he faces Betty.

  “Betty. I think you should stay here with Christina. Four children, two of which are fairies, one a demon, might be hard to control for a lone witch that has never been trained with her powers.” He gives her a guilty smile. Betty looks over at me and gives me a sad look.

  “Calissa. Dear. Would you prefer it if I stayed?” I walk up to her and clasp her hand in mine.

  “You are Tessa's grandmother. I would love your expertise in this battle but I do believe that Harris is right. Christina is your granddaughter too and she might need you here. Besides, you are a strong witch. You could keep a barrier over the house to keep it from getting destroyed. That would help me.” I recommend to her and she smiles at me before enveloping me in a warm hug. Things like this make me miss my own grandmother who lives in Australia. Although, she isn't blood. She loved me like I was hers. My mother's mother was a succubus like mum and she was killed by a high powered demon, get this, over a hundred and fifty years ago. Mum must be well old. Ha!

  Betty makes her way up to the attic and joins Christina and the kids. I turn to the rest of the people in the hallway, my eyes flicking over every single one of them until they land on Tessa. She gives me a watery smile that I just told her 'nanna' to stay behind. I wink at her.

  “Right everyone. Training begins again tomorrow at
7am. Breakfast at 6!” Mum shouts and everyone scatters into their rooms. Raphael stands in the middle of the hallway and smiles at me and mum who are still standing here.

  “I have to go now. I have trained you as best as I can. I cannot be apart of this battle as it is not in my nature. I will be looking down on you dear daughter.” My breath hitches at his words. Of course I knew this day would come, he is an Archangel. Obviously he can't fight. I think Archangels are pacifists. Though I am uncertain. “My darling Serena.” He takes her hand and kisses it and then turns to me. “Beautiful daughter.” He leans forward and kisses my forehead. “We will meet again.” I can't form any words. I think that if I did, it would be like when I met him and come out like byenicetomeetyouohpowerfulonehahahahaha. I don't know why I'd laugh at the end. Maybe I lose my marbles along the way? Maybe I already have. Ha!

  I give Raphael a smile and then, because I don't trust myself to speak, I rush him and wrap my arms around him. He freezes as if he has no clue what to do and then he hugs me back. At some point, mum joins us and we are all hugging. Like the deranged supernatural beings that we are. Raphael pulls away and without saying anything else, he walks down the stairs and leaves the house. I think I see him fly past the window but am unsure.

  I turn to mum and she takes my cheek in her hand.

  “That boy is in love with you Calissa.” Huh? Where the frick did that come from?

  “Who? Raphael?” My eyes widen and I grimace but she just laughs.

  “He will come around. I promise you that.” I am going to take a guess and say she is talking about Jaxon. I blink at her.

  “I don't think so somehow mum.” I scoff.

  “Oh I do. Believe me.” She kisses my cheek and then disappears in her room. I head back to mine and see Tessa snoring away. I smile and climb into bed beside her.

  I have to wear body covering clothes when I sleep in the same bed as her. I don't want to harm her while I am sleeping. On the safe side, we even have a row of pillows in between us too.

  I lay in bed and stare at the messages from Jaxon on my phone for a while. He misses me. That means something right? I will I could talk to him.

  As if reading my mind. I get another message.

  Jaxon: Ask me to abandon my beliefs Titch and I will I stare at that single message for half an hour. He can't be serious. After everything this past month, he is telling me this. And now?

  Ugh! Typical bloke.

  Me: I can't do that Jaxon. I want you on my side but I don't want to see you killed because your father is a dick. Besides, bit late for that now, we are going to war

  Harsh but true.

  Jaxon: Thanks. I think. And I know, sorry

  Me: You hurt me

  Jaxon: I know :(

  Me: You left me

  Jaxon: I know

  Me: I can't trust you

  Jaxon: I know. I am sorry

  Jaxon: I do miss you

  Me: I know

  I swipe at the tears that are running down my face and shove my phone under my pillow. I wish things weren't like this. I wish we were both human people that meet, fall in love and live happily ever after. Why does my life have to be so complicated??

  I bury my face in my pillow, sick of wiping away my tears and for the third night in a row, I cry myself to sleep.

  SEVENTEEN

  The next day is completely manic. Everyone is busy training and the children, though they are allowed out of the attic, are restless. It took four adults to take the kids to the park. You know, just in case. Caroline came back this morning around 3am and slept until 11am. She was a bit confused as to why Aeron was now in the attic but once I explained the message from Jaxon she understood. Though she told me the exact same thing mum did about him being in love with me and just like mum, I brushed her off.

  When we were alone, I asked her what she does as a mara.

  “Those who have done wrong? Well I go to their homes and while they are sleeping, I feed off of them. The only way they know something is wrong is when they have a nightmare. They wake up feeling tired instead of refreshed and they have no recognition of what I have done.”

  “So it's like what me and mum can do?” She laughs.

  “Not exactly. A succubus can feed off of someone when they seduce and have sex with them in their sleep. You can drain a life while they are awake and feed that way too but in their sleep you just drain souls in order to be fed completely.”

  “So you can dream walk too?” I ask completely curious.

  “Yeah. I can't change a dream when I do that. I just observe. I've done it to you before you know. Not the nightmare thing. Just the dream observation.” Um... I don't know how to feel about that. Freaked out is probably on the top of my list.

  “Erm. Okay. When? And what was I dreaming about?” I question her curiously.

  “A couple of nights ago and that stepson of mine. When did you two kiss?” My cheeks flame and I am sure I have turned the colour of beetroot.

  “Which time?” I grimace as I ask her. Her face changes into shock and then pride.

  “Wow. I had no idea. He obviously discovered that his incubus side doesn't work on you then?” I nod.”What about his dream walker side?” This is news to me. I look at her, baffled and she grins. “Ah, you had no idea. Well yes. Jaxon is half dream walker. His mother died a while ago but she was a dream walker. Dream walkers aren't demons. They are human but they just have the ability to drift into peoples dreams while they sleep. I know he has tried it on you because he told me so. The night before you left for Paris actually. He said he failed at it and then came to check on you.” Oh! That explains why the back door was unlocked then. Oh Jaxon you creepy sexy weirdo.

  “Then when the other night, I thought I would try it and see if I could get in, I can. Sorry. I won't do it again. I promise.” She smiles at me.

  “Um. It's okay. I think.” She giggles. She really is beautiful when she smiles. She is beautiful anyway with her pale complexion and blonde almost white hair but when she smiles, her whole face lights up. Her blue eyes sparkle and she looks so relaxed.

  “Have you spoken to Jaxon lately?” I ask her.

  “No actually. I went by the house last night after my rounds and he wasn't there, yet again. Although, I know he has been back by the fresh smell of aftershave that he uses. I always purposely make something a mess too and because he has OCD or something, he has to tidy it up. Must be his age.” She laughs.

  “How old is he?” I thought he was in his early twenties.

  “This is the best bit. He is thirty eight. He will still age but every five years, he looks another year older. Hence why he looks twenty two. In five years time, he will look twenty three. Incubi stop visibly ageing when they are eighteen, as do succuba. Your mum? She looks like she is in her mid-thirties but I can assure you that your mother is actually a hundred and fifty three.” I blink at her. “Because she is a succubus. You will age exactly the same. Because of your succubus blood and angelic blood. I, however, will stop ageing when I hit forty and then after that, I will forever look forty. Life is kind of good for us demons sometimes.” She winks at me from across the living room where we are sat. I only came in here to get out of the sun for a bit as was starting to feel weak with all of the concentration I was doing on the manifestation ability and then instead I got engrossed in a conversation with Caroline. Not that I mind because I don't. I just took a longer break than intended is all.

  Two hours later, I have just (in my mind) mastered the manifestation power. I managed to bring Tessa's favourite pair of heels from her dad's house, two miles away, and then put them into my room. Tessa said they landed directly in my wardrobe. Then I tried something harder. My car. From Paris. It hurt my head a bit, but it worked. So when my car appeared beautifully in the middle of my back garden, mum was not impressed and I had to move it into the garage as soon as she came out into the garden with her arms crossed and a deep frown edged in to her face.

  I still got a round of a
pplause from those who witnessed it though. Yay me! However, it made me weak doing that one and I almost collapsed.

  I have practised the lightning bolts a few times to no avail. I just can't gather enough anger. Even though I am royally pissed at Jaxon for everything, I can't focus on that anger and push it into my powers.

  The bone crusher as I call it, works like a charm and luckily I can heal because otherwise Harris wouldn't be able to walk again. He he.

  I still haven't had a chance to practise the succubus teleportation thing. Mum said that if we make it out of the battle alive (comforting) then we will practise then.

  Now all I have to do is put my powers to use against the demons. Oh am I shitting myself. Yes I did just say that without correcting it to crap. I think this kind of calls for it right now.

  After dinner, which happens to be my favourite dinner, chilli con carne, all thirteen of us adults sit in the living room for a final game plan.

  The truth is, we haven't even got one. We have no idea where to start. We just know that the Underworlders are going to attack and come for me tomorrow morning. Jaxon being one of them. My chest aches at the thought of it being tomorrow that he may try to kill me.

  I say try lightly because he has no idea what he is dealing with.

  “So, Lara, you will be on guard tonight as you can make yourself blend in with trees. When you see any sign of the Underworlders or Jaxon Cray, you set the alarm off.” Mum hands the teenage fairy a small device with a button on it. “Press this once you spot something.” Lara takes the button and shoves it into her pocket. “Christina, the entire kitchen in the attic has been fully stocked. There is everything you need up there. We put a TV up there so that if the children want to watch television, they can. Betty, the house has the barrier over it?”