The Eternal War Series Box Set

by Holly Vane

  The Eternal War

  Box Set

  Holly Vane

  H-Publishing

  Copyright

  this book is a work fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents that appear within are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

  Copyright © Holly Vane 2013

  Smashwords Edition.

  *Author’s note*

  this book contains strong fantasy violence and sexual content not suitable for under 17’s.

  Box Set Contents

  Heaven vs. Hell

  Love vs. Lust

  Life vs. Death

  Book One

  Heaven vs. Hell

  the Eternal War Series

  Prologue

  ∞

  Signs

  December 31st 1994, New York General Hospital, New York City, 11:56 pm

  The heart monitor machine beeped out a warning.

  “She's crashing!” A nurse shouted as chaos broke out. Heart Paddles were pulled forward and charged ready for use.

  “Stop!” The doctors booming voice ordered. “The baby is our main concern; there is nothing we can do for the mother. She's already gone.” The medical staff gazed sombrely at the woman lying motionless on the blood stained sheets.

  “Tricia the scalpel. Positions. The baby's almost out.” commanded the booming voice again.

  Outside in the impenetrable darkness broken only by the light of the moon. Convened a group of men. They watched as the baby was delivered. It was a small thing that made no sound or movement; a nurse wrapped it up in a blanket and rushed it to an incubator at the back of the room and began to unclog it's airways with what looked like a small filter.

  The tallest man in the group turned away gazing instead at the moon. One by one the others slowly joined him. “So The Thrones were right. The child has been born.” A broad man with a rounded face spoke; he was dressed all in black like he was attending a funeral.

  “There is no time.” The tall man said still looking up at the pale moon; sighing he turned to face his companions. His face was blank, his voice flat. Dead. “We have to make a decision now while we have the chance.” His statement was met by a chorus of voices; he couldn't make out one voice from another through the din. “Silence!” He commanded; hands curling into fists by his sides. “How long do you think it will be before they come for the child? We have to act now to ensure that they never get their hands on it.” He paused and looked around at anxious faces.

  “We hide the child some-place safe; until a meeting can be scheduled and a decision made as what to do with it.” The broad man spoke again; his solution was met with sounds of approval apart from the tall man who shook his head vigorously. “We have to end the child. Now!” He heard a shocked gasp and the crowd parted revealing a slender woman.

  “This child should be protected Michael. It's still an innocent.” Michael stared at her with obvious dislike. He barged through the group and came to a stop just inches away from her. The woman stood her ground.

  “This 'innocent'” Michael spat out the word like it was hard for him to even harbour it in his mouth. “Will end the world. How many innocents will die then? We sacrifice one for the greater many.” Heads bobbed in consensus.

  “You don't know that for sure. No-one can. Not even The Thrones!” The woman snapped turning to face her peers. “The child never asked for this, it may turn out to be good. If we damn at least one innocent soul to hell then we are no better than Lucifer.”

  A stunned silence hung over the rooftop; it had been a long time since that name had been spoken.

  Michael knew it was shock tactics and refused to beaten by them; before he could counter however a suddenly gust of wind surged; nearly knocking some of the group to the ground. Michael rooted himself to the concrete roof turning his back to shield himself from the worst of the gale.

  “A decision has already been made.” A deep voice said as the wind abated; it had a magical edge to it. Michael pivoted to see Castillo standing in front of him. His broad frame radiated power and his shockingly white wings were tucked behind his firm strong body Michael saw them sparkle with gold in the light. “What are you doing here? This is a matter for the council.” His voice was gruff but Castillo seemed to take no offence smiling instead. “Our Father has spoken on this matter himself. The child is to be protected at all times and at any cost.” Michael shook his head; looking away so that Castillo wouldn't have the satisfaction of seeing the anger blaze like a fire in his eyes. “And what if we fail and Lucifer claims her?” He flung at him. “Michael. It is not our place to question Father's decision. It's our place to see that his will is carried out to the letter. Do you understand?” Michael nodded reluctantly.

  “Leave us.” Castillo ordered to the rest of the council; they spanned their wings and were quickly out of sight.

  Castillo walked to Michael and laid a hand on his shoulder. “The child will be spirited away to a secret remote location; only a few will ever know of it. She will be educated in our beliefs raised to be good.”

  “Let me guess by Angels.”

  “Naturally.”

  “We shouldn't be throwing all our resources into this one child Castillo!”

  “The child will be appointed a Guardian to watch over it. He will do most of the work with some luck Lucifer will never get to her. And if he does we will simply move her.”

  Michael shrugged off his hand and faced him with a pleading look in his eyes. “This child is Lucifer's one salvation; he will tear the world apart to find it and if I know my brother he won't stop till he has her.”

  “Then you must place your faith in our Father Michael. He knows what he's doing.”

  Michael glanced back at the room. The child and its dead mother were gone. The room had been cleaned to an inch of its life, everywhere metal gleamed at him. He knew that humans would never have been so efficient or quick. This had been the work of heaven. Michael knew that he should listen to Castillo, but he knew Lucifer. Letting this child live would be the ruin of them all. He looked skywards at a strange star collimation that burned the Heavens like a flame. He knew what it meant and so did Lucifer.

  Hell's time had come.

  Chapter One

  ∞

  The 1st Cut is Always Deepest

  September 10th 2012, Cherry Falls, Washington.

  Holly Adams pushed open the porch door. Outside the rain pelleted off the tarmac. She pulled on her pale pink hat pressed play on her IPod then stepped out into the wet, crisp air. Holly loved the rain; loved the way it made everything sparkle.

  “Hey you!” A girl with shaggy blonde shoulder length hair; and sharp facial features shouted at her from across the street. Holly pulled out her earphones and wrapped them around her music player; putting both into her left coat pocket. “You know what I was just thinking?” The girl said as she joined Holly on the sidewalk. “We should have a back-to-school party Friday night. What do you think?”

  Holly shook her head in amusement. “Jo you have a party for everything.”

  “So? There's nothing wrong with partying.”

  “She’s having another one already? I swear Jo your parents must hate you!” Ricky said joining in their conversation as he walked behind them. Jo turned around while walking and stuck out her tongue. “Just for that Ricky Anderson you’re not invited.”

  “Oh no, whatever will I do!” He mocked.

  Jo and Ricky had been Holly's best friends since like forever. It always bothered Holly how none of them could remember how they had first met. “So Holly feel any different?” Jo asked nudging her
in the ribs. Holly tossed her a confused glance. “About being a senior, you know we-like rule the school now.” Jo said with an evil glint in her eye. Holly laughed. “You’re not going to be mean to the newbies. Are you?”

  “Of course. It's a senior's hard earned right.”

  “You’re nasty Jo.” Ricky chimed in; she slapped him on the arm. “Not as nasty as you Anderson.”

  Holly tuned out. They always acted this way. She had always thought that they would make a great couple.

  They turned the corner and Cherry Falls High School loomed up in front of them.

  It was a pretty red brick four storey building. The town's founders had planted big oak trees next to the entrance which provided great cover from the summer sun; and protected from the hail and wind in the winter. At the steepest central tower of the school which overlooked the entrance hung a large stone clock that after a couple hundred years still kept perfect time.

  As they crossed the street towards the building Holly heard squealing tyres and loud black metal music, as a Black Ford pick-up truck came flying along the road towards them. Holly called out and grabbed hold of her friends’ arms and dragged them to safety. The pick-up came to a stop at the school and out jumped a large youth. He had a skinhead and was as big as a body builder: Andy Black. The bad ass of Cherry Falls. A few years back Andy had tried to rob a bank in nearby Green-fields. He had bungled it and the cops had caught him trying to escape on a pink peddle bike. Not the brightest light bulb, but still dangerous. He had gone to a juvenile felicity for a while and had come back even meaner.

  “Hey dick features!” Jo shouted while Ricky grabbed her arm and tried to shush her. Jo pushed him away she was the only kid in town that wasn't afraid of him Andy turned in their direction; his face was covered in scars and tattoos. “We're trying to walk here!” Andy showed them his middle finger and carried on up to school like nothing had happened.

  “What a jerk.” Jo muttered.

  ***

  The first day of their final year started out as boring as any other. Andy Black nearly running them over was the highlight of the day. Classes were dull and uninteresting teachers droned on about finals and how if they wanted to graduate; they would have to work harder than ever. Holly had a headache the size of Grand Canyon by the time the diner bell went. If she wanted to hear that crap all she had to do was go home; her parents had lectured all summer about the college applications. All Holly wanted to do was crawl up somewhere quiet and peaceful for a few minutes. But all hope of that vanished when Jo caught sight of her and pulled her over to where she and Ricky were sitting; under the shade of an Elm tree eating lunch.

  The sun had finally chased away the grey rain clouds that had been hanging over Cherry Falls for days. Jo lay on her back and looked up at the sky. “Wow.” She breathed. “That was bleak.”

  “I wouldn't say that.” Ricky said. “I thought it was quite enlightening.”

  Jo glanced at him. “There's not a word for what's wrong with you, is there?” Ricky beamed at her. “You love me really.”

  “In your dreams sunshine.” She returned her eyes to the sky. Holly slumped against the trunk of the elm watching people pass by while eating her lunch. “I'd have to agree with Jo. That was the worst two hours of my life.”

  “You know what's wrong with you two?” Ricky asked; they both looked at him and said no in unison.

  “You have no vision for the future.” Holly groaned. “Here he goes again. I'm going to get my stuff for art out my locker.”

  “I'll join you.” Jo said getting up. When they looked back Ricky was still talking unaware that they had left Jo laughed. “What a freak.”

  On their way to the lockers Holly got a weird feeling in the pit of her stomach. She stopped dead. Jo had walked on a few steps before she noticed that Holly had stopped. She looked back. “What's up?” Holly shook her head gently, “nothing,” she mumbled. It started to spread through her stomach and travelled upwards. Icy fingers seemed to press against her chest as if trying to hold her back. Holly took a few deep breaths and shut her eyes when she opened them again the feeling had passed. She exhaled deeply. This wasn't the first time that it had happened. All her life Holly had been plagued by this... weird feeling. One time she had felt it minutes before she had fallen out of a tree in the backyard. Another time it had occurred was when their next door neighbour had backed out of his drive without looking and drove over her left foot. The feeling had always seemed to announce imminent danger. But she had never felt it this strong before.

  “Hey Holly!” Jo was in her face snapping her fingers. Holly stepped backwards. “I'm fine...really.” Jo gave her a puzzled look concern growing in her hazel eyes. Holly not wanting to discuss the matter any further crossed to her locker and opened it. She tensed when she heard Jo come to a stop beside her; hoping that Jo was going to let it go. Instead she heard Jo gasp, Holly glanced sideways at her and saw that something had grabbed her best friend’s attention and that always meant a cute boy was in the vicinity; looking over her shoulder she followed Jo's gaze and her eyes come to a stop on a boy.

  Straight away Holly felt something tug at her insides. The boy was walking down the corridor. He was thin and much taller than Holly or Jo; which wasn't hard as Jo was only 5 foot 2 and Holly 5 foot 4. He had dark hair which fell in an amazingly sexy way past his ears. Holly felt mesmerized as she looked into his round dark coloured eyes. He had pale skin that was infused with pink tones giving him a healthy glow. He was wearing a black hoody which looked baggy on him and dark ripped jeans. The guy looked good enough to eat. As he passed by he glanced their way and Holly thought she'd seen a brief smile play at the corners of his lush red lips.

  “Oh my god!” Jo cried out when he had gone. “Who is that guy? He's well hot. Smoking hot actually!” Holly tore her eyes away from the distant figure and shut her locker. “Come on we're going to be late.”

  “Who cares? Did you not see him?”

  “Yes I saw him, he was very nice. Now class!”

  “Nice? Or you blind he was stunning!”

  Holly rolled her eyes and walked away with Jo following still telling her how absolutely perfect the guy had been.

  Holly was well aware how drop dead gorgeous he had been and that smile… she didn't like what looking at that boy had done to her insides; Holly had had boyfriends before but the heat that had radiated off his amazing body as he had walked past played havoc with Holly's heart strings. She had never felt an instant connection like that and it scared her.

  ***

  “Dominic Prince!”

  Holly jumped at the sudden closeness of Jo’s voice. Jo perched on the wooden chair beside her grinning like a loon. The other students in the library looked at Jo through narrowed glares. She returned their hostility. “Oh sod off!” She barked at them they went back to their books.

  Holly had always loved libraries especially the one at school. It was so big it had an whole wing devoted to it. They stored a lot of religious and rare books in the restricted section that was always kept under lock and key. Holly didn't come here to read or study though. It was so tranquil here and she loved to draw the beautiful oaks that were just visible through the library's east facing window. She had just stretched out on two wooden chairs and had started to draw when Jo came bursting in. A little annoyed that she couldn't catch a break; even after school had let out for the day she glared at Jo and said in a hushed tone. “What?”

  Jo looked at her disbelief on her face.

  “The name of the Rock God from heaven that passed us in the corridor at lunch! Have you forgotten him all-ready?”

  Holly hadn't forgotten. She’d been thinking of him all afternoon but her reaction to him still unnerved her.

  “He's just moved here from New York or somewhere. I'm going to invite him to my party Friday night.”

  “Um...that's nice.” Holly responded without really listening trying to focus on drawing the oaks. She didn't know why but drawing always calm
ed her. Jo grabbed the pad that was rested on Holly's lap and threw it on the wooden floor.

  “Shhh!” A blonde haired boy the next table over hissed giving them a sharp glare.

  “Jo for god sake!” Holly cursed her quietly before retrieving her pad. “Your turning into a complete bore Holly Adams.” Jo pouted. Holly slumped down in her chair putting the pad in her bag. “I'm sorry, it's just all this talk of college and stuff is really getting to me.” Jo moved her chair closer. “Yeah, I've been getting that speech too like a thousand times. That's why it's important to let our hair down every now and again. While we can.” Holly smiled at her friend. She always knew how to put Holly at ease. “So this guy...You like him?” Holly asked trying to lighten the conversation. “Oh my god yes!” Jo replied quickly. “What's not to like? Did you see how fit he was? I bet he could lift me up with one arm.” Holly couldn't help but laugh at her friend's enthusiasm. Jo came even closer and whispered, “bet he's a right rampant bunny in the sack.” Holly nearly fell off her chair. “Jo!” She said a bit too loud. This earned her another glare from the blonde haired guy.

  “What?” Jo said defensively. “I've made up my mind that I don't want to be a virgin when I start college. And he's the one I want to lose it to.”

  Holly was shocked at the revelation. Holly’s parents were deeply religious and believed that a girl should keep herself for her wedding night; Holly hadn't really thought about it she had never came across a guy that had made her want to give herself to him completely. At least not yet. Jo's parents on the other hand only attended church for Christmas mass.

  “You don't even know him Jo. He could be a right jerk!”

  “Who cares? With a body like that he could be the meanest jock on earth and I would still have his babies.” Holly gave her friend a curious look, “your serious about this aren’t you?” Jo nodded, “will you help me?”