Inception (The Reaping Chronicles, 1)
Page 1
Table of Contents
Dedication
Prologue
The Matter of the Book
Chapter One
Gabrielle ~ The Reaper
Chapter Two
Gabrielle ~ Battle Won
Chapter Three
Gabrielle ~ Incarnation
Chapter Four
Gabrielle ~ First Impressions
Chapter Five
Gabrielle ~ Fast Friends
Chapter Six
Gabrielle ~ A Human Date
Chapter Seven
Gabrielle ~ That Other Side
Chapter Eight
Javan ~ An Angel
Chapter Nine
Gabrielle ~ Second Impressions
Chapter Ten
Lucas ~ Misstep
Chapter Eleven
Gabrielle ~ Demons Among Us
Chapter Twelve
Lucas ~ Lover
Chapter Thirteen
Gabrielle ~ Love Lost
Chapter Fourteen
Gabrielle ~ An Edgy Angel
Chapter Fifteen
Gabrielle ~ New Bonds
Chapter Sixteen
Gabrielle ~ An adventure
Chapter Seventeen
Gabrielle ~ The Shifter’s Realm
Chapter Eighteen
Lucas ~ Strange Ways
Chapter Nineteen
Gabrielle ~ Hear Hear
Chapter Twenty
Gabrielle ~ Persistence Pays
Chapter Twenty-one
Lucas ~ Chances
Chapter Twenty-two
Gabrielle ~ Sisters and Demons
Chapter Twenty-three
Gabrielle ~ Changes
Chapter Twenty-four
Lucas ~ Dark Family
Chapter Twenty-five
Gabrielle ~ Human Emotions
Chapter Twenty-six
Gabrielle ~ Watchers
Chapter Twenty-seven
Gabrielle ~ Reality Check
Chapter Twenty-eight
Gabrielle ~ More Surprises
Chapter Twenty-nine
Gabrielle ~ Old Flame
Chapter Thirty
Gabrielle ~ The Nephilim
Chapter Thirty-one
Mara ~ Temper, Temper
Chapter Thirty-two
Javan ~ The Destroyer
Chapter Thirty-three
Gabrielle ~ Family Secrets
Chapter Thirty-four
Gabrielle ~ Moving Forward
Chapter Thirty-five
Lucas ~ New Secrets
Chapter Thirty-six
Javan ~ Unexpected Company
Chapter Thirty-seven
Gabrielle ~ Puzzle Pieces
Chapter Thirty-eight
Javan ~ A Seer
Chapter Thirty-nine
Gabrielle ~ Differences
Chapter Forty
Gabrielle ~ A Vision
Chapter Forty-one
Gabrielle ~ The Fantastical World
Chapter Forty-two
Lucas ~ Dark Thoughts
Chapter Forty-three
Gabrielle ~ Three Words
Chapter Forty-four
Gabrielle ~ Children Are the Best
Chapter Forty-five
Lucas ~ Infuriating
Chapter Forty-six
Gabrielle ~ About the Qalal
Chapter Forty-seven
Javan ~ The Devil’s Own Self
Chapter Forty-eight
Lucas ~ No Escape
Chapter Forty-nine
Javan ~ An Obstacle
Chapter Fifty
Lucas ~ New Truths
Chapter Fifty-one
Lucas ~ Anything That Helps
Chapter Fifty-two
Gabrielle ~ Apologies
Chapter Fifty-three
Lucas ~ The Reality of Nightmares
Chapter Fifty-four
Gabrielle ~ Damage Control
Chapter Fifty-five
Javan ~ People Haters
Chapter Fifty-six
Gabrielle ~ A Bruised Ego
Chapter Fifty-seven
Javan ~ An Unexpected Partner
Chapter Fifty-eight
Gabrielle ~ A Personal Hell
Chapter Fifty-nine
Javan ~ The Kicker
Chapter Sixty
Gabrielle ~ Simple Pleasures
Chapter Sixty-one
Lucas ~ Didn’t Hear Much
Chapter Sixty-two
Javan ~ Epiphanies
Chapter Sixty-three
Gabrielle ~ Safety in Numbers
Chapter Sixty-four
Gabrielle ~ Seeing is Believing
Chapter Sixty-five
Gabrielle ~ The Gentry
Chapter Sixty-six
Gabrielle ~ Something to Consider
Chapter Sixty-seven
Gabrielle ~ An Uprising
Chapter Sixty-eight
Gabrielle ~ Unseen Dangers
Chapter Sixty-nine
Javan ~ An Opportunity
Chapter Seventy
Gabrielle and Lucas ~ Doubts
Chapter Seventy-one
Javan ~ Romeo
Chapter Seventy-two
Gabrielle ~ Dark Vision
Chapter Seventy-three
Javan ~ The Human
Chapter Seventy-four
Lucas ~ Win-Win
Chapter Seventy-five
Gabrielle ~ The Coven
Chapter Seventy-six
Lucas ~ The Book of Barabbadon
Chapter Seventy-seven
Gabrielle ~ Into the Underworld
Chapter Seventy-eight
Gabrielle ~ The Battle Begins
Chapter Seventy-nine
Gabrielle ~ Awakenings
Chapter Eighty
Gabrielle ~ Bittersweet
Acknowledgements
Author Note
Abouth The Author
THE REAPING CHRONICLES
BOOK ONE
INCEPTION
by
Teal Haviland
Nashville, TN
www.emboldenpress.com
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info@emboldenpress.com
www.tealhaviland.com
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2013 by Teal Haviland
All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher is unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from this book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at permissions@emboldenpress.com. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of the Publisher. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights. Printed in the United States of America by Embolden Press, 2013. For information address Embolden Press at i
nfo@emboldenpress.com.
1st trade edition: May 2013
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The publisher is not responsible for websites (or their content) that are not owned by the publisher.
Library of Congress has catalogued the hardcover edition of this book as follows:
Haviland, Teal.
Inception/by Teal Haviland — 1st ed.
p. cm. — (The Reaping Chronicles ; 1)
Summary: One of the most powerful angels ever created. A war spanning thousands of years approaching its end. A past love who has fallen, a new one who is forbidden. And an ancient book that could cause creation’s ruin.
A story of love—past and present—fantastical beings, hidden realms, magic, fate, loss, and the fight of good versus evil.
ISBN: 978-0-9881716-0-2 (Hardback)
ISBN: 978-0-9881716-1-9 (Paperback)
LCCN: 2013937499
Dedication
To my amazing mother, Dixie, for always believing in me and encouraging me no matter what I was trying at the moment. You are truly a blessing from God. He not only gave me a wonderful person to look up to and aspire to be like, He gave me a best friend.
To my beautiful, awesomesauce daughter, Piper, if you only listen to one thing I tell you in your entire life, let it be this—do with your life what your heart begs you to do. It knows the way . . . trust it.
And for dreamers everywhere . . . never, never give up.
“Time. It can shadow what needs to be concealed—forgotten—or cast light on what needs to be revealed. And only as it passes, will we know what we’ve reaped from those things we’ve sown.”
~ Teal Haviland
Prologue
The Matter of the Book
Elijah stood in front of the fallen angel he only knew as Lek. He hadn’t seen him for two days, not since the demon had given him the Book.
That day, Elijah’s heart had skipped when he realized what was wrapped in the crimson cloth in Lek’s hands—the Book of Barabbadon. Adrenaline had surged through him, knowing that, at any moment, Lek could realize he was being deceived, disappear with the Book forever, and put an end to Elijah’s revenge.
Today was already a day past when Elijah had told Lek he would keep his part of the deal and help him return to Heaven. Elijah had considered the torture Lek would inflict when he understood the betrayal, though the physical pain would be nothing compared to the mental anguish Elijah had been trying to keep at bay for months—ever since Ramai had slaughtered his wife and children in front of him. He still woke several times a night from nightmares full of the blood and screams of those he loved, reliving the mental and emotional torture as the light of life faded slowly from their eyes …
Until there was nothing left except blank stares.
That was three months ago. Now, with the Book safely hidden and trusted family told of its location, Elijah looked forward to the moment his life would be brought to an end by this demon’s hands.
“I have had a difficult time finding you, Elijah. Why is that?”
Elijah could tell by the demon’s accusatory tone and tightly clenched fists that he already knew the answer.
A sense of calm came over Elijah, and he pushed aside regret. He knew if he had just said no to Ramai, this would have ended then, and he wouldn’t have to feel guilt for recreating the Book. He and his family would have died either way, but at least the Book would have never existed again. He wouldn’t have felt the loss of his loved ones for more than the few moments before his own life faded. Nevertheless, he foolishly thought Ramai would keep his word that he would spare his and his family’s lives. Now, Elijah couldn’t destroy what he created—he had no way of saving the human world from its power—but he had been able to hide it from Ramai in a place he thought would be safe for a long time.
Hopefully, those I told can keep the secret.
Lek moved slowly toward Elijah who focused on the bulk of the demon, particularly on his arms and his now unclenched hands that seemed to be abnormally muscled—abnormally strong. He wondered how Lek was going to kill him. Would it be with those hands?
Will he rip my limbs from me? First my legs and then my arms so I cannot run—with no defense—as he does whatever else he wants before I die? Is there some other, even more painful or mentally agonizing, way he can kill me?
Elijah was surprised that he remained calm. Even while he imagined such horrible ways he would enter into death, his pulse was steady and smooth, breath slow and deep. As Lek took the last two steps to bring them face to face, Elijah had to look almost straight up to meet his gaze.
Lek’s eyes stared into his. Although now that he was so close, they seemed less soulless, more consumed by hatred and darkness. The breath of the demon was as foul as Elijah remembered, even overtaking the stench of his body.
“You knew I would kill you if you did not hold up your end of the bargain, human. Yet, you did it anyway. Not smart.”
The smell and heat that accompanied Lek’s words made Elijah blink rapidly at first, but then he stared back just as hard. He was ready to see his wife and children again, ready to have the sorrow that had been all he had known for far too long leave him, ready for whatever this fallen angel was about to do.
Elijah smiled at Lek. “Sooner or later … we all reap what we sow.”
Chapter One
Gabrielle ~ The Reaper
Phalen fumbled with her clothing, stumbling in her flip-flops as she did. Gabrielle laughed from seeing someone who is normally so graceful and sure of herself being so awkward and clumsy.
‘Phalen, please stop acting so uncomfortable. You’re going to bring more attention on us than we need,’ Gabrielle thought to her friend as they made their way down the busy boardwalk separating the beach from a strip of shops and restaurants.
‘I am uncomfortable,’ Phalen retorted. ‘Why, exactly, do I have to wear these things on my feet? There’s hardly anything to hold them on.’
Gabrielle laughed again but continued to silently converse with Phalen. ‘Because this is what females wear on hot, sunny days at the beach. Now, seriously, stop fidgeting. We have to see how long I can go unnoticed.’
‘I still don’t know how I let you talk me into this,’ Phalen continued. ‘Why would you want to stay in one of these bodies, anyway? They are strange … all these extra emotions and thoughts. It’s no wonder they make so many mistakes—all the contradictory thinking battling back and forth in their heads. I can’t tell right now if I need to be concerned about how I look, or if someone doesn’t like my appearance, tell them to mind their own business. And that’s just the start of the things I have going on in my mind in the few minutes I’ve been in human form.’
‘That’s precisely why I need to live in one for a while. I want to know how their senses and thoughts drive them to do the things they do. Why is that so difficult for everyone to understand? And you came with me because the only way I was allowed to try this was under the condition that I have a skilled fighter with me. You are one of the most skilled I know.’
‘More like the most compliant angel you know. Why do they think you need me for assistance if there’s a confrontation? Everyone knows you can take care of yourself just fine. Compared to you, I’m an amateur.’
‘Don’t sell yourself short, Phalen. I’ve seen you in battle, and they have, too. As far as why it’s so important to have a comrade with me, you’ll have to ask them. I think it’s all Amaziah’s doing. He’s over-protective of me. I probably don’t make things easy for him, though.’
Phalen snickered.
‘Oh … Gabrielle … there isn’t an angel around who would say there’s anything easy about you. And, for the record, there’s no way I’m questioning them,’ Phalen raised a finger toward the sky, ‘about me being here.’
‘See,’
Gabrielle answered through snickers of her own. ‘A skilled fighter and honest. What more could a girl ask for?’
‘Ahh, but, you’re no girl. You’re one of the most—’
‘Shh! Don’t say it. We should stop communicating this way. Speak aloud from now on unless the situation calls for other means. The Fallen will find us far easier if we don’t.’ Gabrielle glanced at Phalen to see if she understood, but she looked puzzled. “If they are paying close enough attention, which they hopefully aren’t, communicating the way we were will be a beacon to them, and they will be curious. It makes our energy vibrate on a much higher level than a human’s. Amaziah didn’t allow for me to veil myself, and I don’t need them finding me faster simply because I am not being careful. He is already sure they will notice me quickly.”
Phalen shrugged and a playful expression flashed across her face. “Okay. But I am not responsible for what might be thrust out by this human tongue.” Phalen smiled. “Hey, I sound pretty good … for a human.”
Phalen’s perpetually good mood was refreshing and a nice counter to the struggle that Gabrielle had with her own constantly fluctuating emotions—trying to keep herself happy and not downright bitchy was proving more of an issue every day.
“You most certainly are responsible. You’ll have just as much control as you do in your Divine form.”
“If you say so.”
“I say so.” Gabrielle smiled, hooking her arm around Phalen’s as they made their way onto the beach. Both stopped and took off their flip-flops, quickly finding they didn’t like the way the sand felt as it slid between human skin and shoe, scratching at their feet with every uncomfortable step. Phalen shot Gabrielle a look that said she was happy to get them off her feet without needing to say a word.
When they resumed their walk, Gabrielle watched as, each time she put her foot down and let her weight rest on it more, the warm, thick sand fell around her foot, covering it slightly. The closer they got to the water’s edge, the more compact and damp the sand became, causing the fine grains to become cooler and squish through her toes instead of blanketing her feet like they were before. Once they reached where the waves grabbed at the shoreline with soaking hands, Gabrielle turned and glanced over her shoulder to see the footprints they had left.