Inception (The Reaping Chronicles, 1)

by Haviland, Teal

“I dealt with some pretty bad people yesterday, and it more than outweighed the good. I’m expecting a very bad mood. I don’t think you’ll want to be around to see that side of me.”

  “What? Are you going to turn all green and grow biceps the size of tree trunks? Because if that’s the case, then yeah, I’ll see you at school on Monday. Otherwise, I think I can handle it—unless you plan on freezing me again.” He raised his brows for a dramatic expression of contemplation, and Gabrielle shook her head to appease his question. “Besides, if I’m really going to be with you, I want to see and know everything about you. Plus … I just found out you’re only here for a few more months … I’m going be a part of every second of that time I can.” He kissed her hand. “Deal?”

  “If that’s what you want. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  “I stand warned. There’s a secondary motive anyway. I have a lot of questions I would love to get answers to.”

  “Okay,” she said. “I don’t think you have any idea just how bad my mood may be, though. I’ve got quite a bit to do tomorrow, so I’ll need to stick around my place. Why don’t you come over whenever you’re ready and bring school work if you have any. That way you can escape into your chemistry, or whatever, if I get too intense.”

  “Sounds good. Do you have to do school work?”

  Gabrielle laughed. “No—no. I take care of that in a snap, if you know what I mean.” She grinned.

  “How ‘bout working that magic for me so I have more time just to look at you?”

  “Not a chance, Lucas!”

  “Well, it was worth a try. Now go home so I can hurry up and see you again. I’ll walk you to your car.” He scanned the street. “Where is it?”

  Gabby motioned. “It’s just around the corner. I had to make it look like I was leaving before I could come back and confront Javan so you would go into your house.”

  “I’ll walk you to it.”

  He took her hand and started toward the sidewalk.

  Gabrielle laughed. “I wasn’t planning to walk to it, Lucas. I don’t have to act like I’m human anymore. You know my secret now.”

  He raised his brows in understanding.

  “Since you brought up Javan, can we talk more about him?”

  “Sure, but we have plenty of time to do that. I need to know about what happened with you and Mara, too.”

  “Mara? Why?”

  “Mara’s palling around with Javan.”

  “Oh!” He scowled. “That would explain things.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Like you said—plenty of time for that.”

  He kissed her gently, and she turned to leave.

  “Hey!” She spun back around. “I guess you already know not to say anything about all this to anyone, right?”

  “Yeah,” he laughed, “I think I’ll keep this information all to myself. By the way … did this angel stuff have anything to do with the language you spoke in the car that day when I recognized some of what you said I shouldn’t know?”

  Gabby nodded. “I was speaking Enochian, the language of angels. You recognized it, well, a little of it. It’s the language you would have spoken as soon as you were created if you were a full-blood. It’s not learned, it’s known. It’s on our tongues and in our minds from the moment we begin our lives. I guess it hitched a ride in your DNA.”

  “Oh. Makes sense, I guess.”

  They smiled at each other, and then both turned to continue to their homes. Lucas glanced back from the steps, wanting to see her one more time, but she was already gone. He smiled and shook his head.

  “Having an angel for a girlfriend is going to take some getting used to.”

  Chapter Thirty-six

  Javan ~ Unexpected Company

  Javan went back to bed after he drank his latest temper tantrum away. It had become a routine for him over the last decade. He was growing tired of how long it was taking him to gather the information he needed. The longer it took, the angrier and more intoxicated he became. His alcohol-laden slumber lasted far longer than normal. He opened his eyes to late afternoon light coming through his window, cursing the painful throbbing in his head.

  Mara still hadn’t come back since she slipped out of his loft. He knew she was trying to smooth things over with the seduction routine. She’d over-stepped when she confronted him after Gabrielle had her fun-filled Saturday with Lucas.

  That worthless human.

  He didn’t care. It suited his needs at the time, and not wanting Mara’s company wasn’t wavering. He was glad for the solitude. The only one he wished to be with had looked at him the night before with pain in her eyes that he’d never seen in her, and he knew he was responsible. Guilt began to slip into his mood, which he angrily pushed away. He had no time or patience for regret.

  She’ll come around. He told himself as his feet hit the cold hardwood floor.

  Stumbling into the shower, he turned on the water and stepped in without waiting for the hot water to make its way through the pipes of the old warehouse. His was one of ten lofts in the converted building, and based on the inadequate plumbing and wiring, they had spared as much money as they could. The space was large and would perfectly serve his purposes later, though—and later was all he focused on.

  After he had dried off, he stood in the full-length mirror admiring his human physique. He’d chosen well. The body he took was tall and muscular with just enough mass to intimidate. He had dark hair and eyes, olive skin, and an intensity to his features that gave him a dangerous air, which he found was particularly appealing to females. Anyone guessing his nationality would likely suspect Spanish or South American.

  He pulled his sweatpants back on and decided to search the internet for more clues about the location of the Book. This type of research was mind numbing, but until he found a high-ranking demon who would follow and assist him, he was stuck finding information through the followers he had recruited and by means of human knowledge.

  “Gaining information was so much easier before I became one of the Fallen,” he said through a sigh.

  He hated to use the word demon for himself even though that was what he’d become. He felt it was beneath whom he was destined to be.

  Before he was able to begin his research, he sensed someone was waiting for him outside the door to his loft. Even those who had joined the ranks of demons were still able to sense the presence of Divine blood or those from the Shadow World. It was one ability Yahuwah didn’t remove from his banished troops. Javan thought it was his way of reminding them of where they’d come from.

  As if any of us need reminding.

  Javan stood and cautiously made his way to the door, trying his best not to make noise. Being in a human body didn’t afford him the stealth he would have had as an angel. He continued through the large room, shadowed heavily from dusk settling outside his windows. When he reached the door, he quietly pressed his ear to its cold metal, listening for something that would give him a clue to who was waiting for him on the other side. At first, he heard nothing, but then, within his own mind was the voice of a female, speaking softly to him—requesting to enter.

  Javan opened the door to find a beauty. Black eyes, heavily spiked with red, looked back. She wasn’t tall; his six foot frame loomed over hers. Her skin was creamy white and contrasted her long auburn hair. By his estimation, she was flawless and one of the Damned. Immediately he desired her, an effect he knew she would have on any man. What would it be like to couple with a Qalal? He’d never considered it. It would be nearly impossible for a human to survive what may happen.

  But I’m not human.

  A smile played at the corners of his mouth as he felt his body responding to his thoughts. She smiled back.

  “Javan, I’m Cecily. I understand you need help finding a cert
ain … something.”

  Her voice was enchanting. A smile completely reshaped his normally stern expression as he addressed her.

  “Yes.” He continued to covet her body. “I do.”

  “If you invite me in, I think I can make your day … possibly your night.” Her expression became provocative. “Depending how long you’d like me to stay.”

  Javan stepped aside with a wide welcoming motion. In his most charming voice, he invited her into his loft. “In that case, please … make yourself at home.” Cecily sauntered in as Javan closed the door behind her, clicking the lock into place.

  “Trying to keep me in, or someone else … out?” Cecily slowly turned on her heel as she spoke, stopping once she was facing Javan.

  “I know better than to think a locked door would hold you captive. It’s safe to say you know the answer.”

  Javan held Cecily’s gaze. Neither spoke for several moments. In that time, Javan continued with only two trains of thought—what one of the Damned wanted with him, and what it would be like to have her in his bed. He gave most of his mental energy to the latter, and he felt one side of his mouth curve up in response.

  “What is it you think you can help me with, Cecily?”

  “There’s word traveling through the Shadow World that you’re seeking the location of a certain book.”

  “The rumors are correct.” Javan moved closer to Cecily. “And?”

  Cecily turned on her heel again to continue further into the loft, looking at him over her shoulder—luring him to accompany her deeper into his home.

  Javan followed.

  “And the book you seek is the same as the book Ramai intended to use against … well, I don’t really care to even utter the name, but you know who I speak of … personally. Don’t you?”

  Javan didn’t respond right away. He continued to follow her without taking his eyes off his captivating, dangerous guest. His desire increased with every step, almost to the point of being uncontrollable.

  “That’s the one … yes. And you think you know how I can find it?”

  Cecily turned back around to face Javan, who didn’t stop walking until he was as close as he could get to her without actually touching. Cecily slowly traced the muscles on his bare chest with her cold fingers, keeping her eyes on what she was doing instead of his face. He felt a chill run through his body—more a result of his desire than her frigid body temperature.

  “Oh, sweetie … I can take you to it myself. But it’s going to cost you.”

  The cost didn’t matter to him. The reason for everything he had done to this point, for everything he would still do, was to retrieve the Book and gain its power.

  “What’s your price?”

  “First things first, Javan. What do you say we get something out of the way, so it won’t be such a … distraction when we start talking business?” She propositioned him as she cut her eyes to various parts of his body. Cecily confidently turned her gaze to his eyes. He’d never seen eyes that could summon someone to them the way hers were.

  Calling to me—welcoming me to take her.

  Javan went after Cecily with a hunger to possess, greedily kissing her, searching her body with the hand that was free from the task of forcing her to him. He felt her respond. He moved his hands low to lift her up to him, then carried her to his room. Her legs wrapped around him, the strength in them evident as she squeezed. What was he doing? This was no mortal woman. She could crush this human body if she wanted to. He didn’t care, though. If he had to abandon it and find another to use, he would. All he wanted was her. He wanted to relish in the sensations of being with her. Hopefully, through the rest of the night.

  He fell on top of her on his bed and removed her clothes, and any thought of danger slipped away—into her.

  Javan stirred from a deep sleep. As he tried to move his normally nimble frame out of bed, he had to slow abruptly, wincing from the pain he felt almost everywhere. He cautiously made his way to the bathroom and flicked on the light, squinting until they adjusted to the brilliance he’d unleashed, then walked to the mirror. Once he was able to open his eyes, he gasped.

  He knew he was looking at the same body and face he had admired after his shower earlier, but the reflection now showed hideous bruises in shades of purple, blue, and black splattered around his torso. Trickles of blood seeped from small puncture marks, one on the inside of his upper thigh—that one made him wince from the sheer sight of what it was located next to. Except for light purple bruising around his mouth, his face was unscathed.

  He smiled and chuckled; pain shot from his mouth and ribs. His human body survived the escapade. It was more than worth the risk he’d taken. Cecily was divine.

  “What’s so funny?”

  He heard Cecily’s voice behind him, making him jump. He hadn’t heard her approach.

  He turned to see an unclothed and physically unmarked Cecily—still looking irresistibly alluring. Javan let his gaze fall wantonly over every inch of her body, enjoying looking at what he’d just conquered. He hadn’t been able to see her like this while she lay under, or on top of, him. Her curves and angles were perfectly balanced and symmetrical. Her skin snugly fit her frame, leaving nothing but a toned body beneath. Time no longer affected her beauty; she would never age or sicken, and she would always be this exquisite.

  Even with all she could physically and visually offer him, he knew she could never stop the pain he felt from losing Gabrielle—the one thing that caused him to regret his decision to challenge Yahuwah. The one thing, if he was given the chance to change what he’d done, he would stay for.

  Gabrielle would be worth the aggravation of bowing to Him.

  That chance would never be offered. Of that, he was sure. There was no way he could turn back time; there was only one who could. And there was no way Yahuwah would ever forgive him. Javan would just have to believe Gabrielle’s love for him would return her to his side.

  Some day.

  Javan’s attention was drawn away from thoughts of reconciling with Gabrielle when Cecily dramatically shifted her stance as if her body was getting tired in the position she was standing in. The idea was ridiculous because it was impossible—the Qalal didn’t tire in mind or body except in sunlight. She achieved the desired result, which was letting him know that the staring and silence between them had become boring.

  Javan finally spoke, smiling a mischievous smile as he did.

  “I just didn’t know if this body would survive our fun. I’m happy I don’t have to vacate it to find another one that isn’t broken.”

  Cecily glided toward him. “I was on my best behavior.” She used her fingers to trace the muscles and curves of his chest again. She continued speaking between lingering kisses that went from one side of his neck to the other. “I was—really—very—gentle.”

  “That was gentle? I’d hate to see what rough is like.”

  Cecily moved her lips down his chest. She stopped to look up at him. “On the contrary, if you were in a body that could handle it, a Qalal’s body, I assure you, you wouldn’t hate it.”

  As she continued on her previous path, Javan closed his eyes, smiling and sucking in a sharp breath through his teeth when she reached her destination.

  Chapter Thirty-seven

  Gabrielle ~ Puzzle Pieces

  Gabrielle decided she would go to sleep when she got home. No work, no hunting for news about the Book, no trying to figure out what would happen with her and Lucas or what Javan was doing—which she was certain involved the Book.

  Just sleep.

  The clock on her bedside table showed a quarter after three in the morning. She didn’t bother to change clothes, just slipped her sandals off and curled up under the covers. As soon as she fell asleep, the dreams came.

  Gabrielle sat upright with a j
olt, sweating and breathing heavily. The dreams were more detailed; information was no longer impaired when she was in her human body. She was shown the same five scenes, but this time, they were connected. The Book was mere steps from where Gabrielle and Javan fought; the swarms of angels weren’t fighting separately or at different times; they were all around them. Their numbers were so vast that the sounds of their swords clashing and screams of pain were almost deafening. Then she was looking up at Javan as she held Lucas in her arms. She’d descended to him after watching him fall to the ground, while Javan laughed wickedly. The entire time, Light and Dark angels continued their bloody combat. The Divine blood of angels and the almost black fluid that coursed through demon’s veins intermingled on the ground around where she and Lucas landed. The stench of Darkness was heavy in the air, making her want to vomit.

  I have to tell Amaziah.

  This time, she wasn’t shown the vision of just her and Lucas as he was lying on the ground—energies from unknown beings were fleeing in the distance. That one … she still hadn’t had again.

  At least, not yet.

  She didn’t waste time and called Amaziah. When he responded, she told him what was revealed in her dream. Then she told him about her encounter with Javan and Mara. She went on to fill him in on what she’d discovered about Lucas, Emma, and his family’s death. And reluctantly, informed him that Lucas now knew everything about her.

  Amaziah wouldn’t be happy about Lucas learning who, and what, she was, but he gave no indication of it. He let her know he understood. She couldn’t worry about him being angry, though. Especially with the mood she already felt.

  It was five fifteen.

  She was still tired but had too much on her mind to go back to sleep. Instead, she took a quick shower, brushed her teeth, and threw on a comfortable pair of lounge pants and an oversized sweatshirt. She glanced at herself in the mirror and went downstairs to make a pot of coffee and her standard breakfast of toast with peanut butter and honey. After eating, she went to the great room and curled up in her oversized chair and just sat and thought. She thought about her decision to live among humans, Javan being cast from Heaven and what he’d become, what Javan had planned, her visions and what they meant, what could be done to prevent them from coming to pass, the trouble she could be getting herself into because of the relationship with Lucas—and a lot about Lucas, in general—the war, her friends who were now injured because of her and had almost lost their lives, the Book, Amaziah’s strange compliance with her wishes, creepy crows hanging around in a particular number she didn’t care for, and demons becoming more powerful.