Obsessions: A Monster Squad Novel 7

by Heath Stallcup

  “This is messed up. That should have set my world on fire.”

  He glanced around his office and finding no other source of torture, his eyes fell on to the letter opener at the edge of his desk. He pulled it from the wooden block and slowly slid it into the flesh of his hand. Very little blood escaped as he withdrew the nickel plated dull blade and he watched in shocked fascination as the flesh stitched together and healed before his eyes.

  “Aw, hell.” He dropped the letter opener and quickly stood up. “I think something’s broken.”

  *****

  Thorn stood in shocked silence as the creature stepped into view below, numerous humans suddenly surrounding it. “That does not look like Damien.”

  Foster swallowed hard and shook his head. “I do not believe that it is.” He turned frightened eyes to his brother. “I think I’d remember if he had fucking wings!”

  “Release him!” Thorn tugged at Foster’s shoulder, pulling him back from the skylight. The two fell to the roof and sat quietly, each listening to the excitement below as the humans tried to stop the demonic looking creature from answering Foster’s call. “We need to vacate this area now, mon ami.”

  “Try and stop me!”

  Foster turned and ran for the edge of the roof. He leapt for the parapet and pushed off as hard as he could, Thorn beside him as they practically flew through the chill air. Both vampires landed with a roll in the parking lot then came to their feet and made for the fence as quickly as they could.

  The enforcers saw the two running toward them and pulled the chain link up to allow them to slip under. Foster dove headfirst and slid under while Thorn slid feet first under the metal fabric. “Get the car! Now!”

  “What did you see, m’lord?” One of the enforcers asked as he helped pull Thorn to his feet.

  “The devil!” Foster tugged at Thorn’s coat. “Quickly!”

  The enforcers turned and stared toward the building, their eyes scanning the area looking for any sign of the ‘devil’ that Paul mentioned. They turned back when the black SUV slid to a stop behind the berm of earth they hid behind. The last enforcers stood watch while Thorn and Foster slid in followed by the other enforcers. He turned and pulled open the passenger door then glanced back toward the old factory. As the truck pulled away, he could almost swear he saw a very large man with black leathery bat wings standing beside the two guards at the far door.

  “I think it’s time to call the hunters in.” Foster slid down into his seat and tried to keep his hands from shaking.

  “Oui, mon ami. I believe you are correct.” Thorn stared out the window as the truck sped away. “As soon as we return, I shall—” His words were interrupted by a thunderous boom and the ceiling of the SUV caved inwards.

  A cacophony of curses and epithets were shouted as the SUV swerved on the road, its lights crisscrossing the road, the tires squealing on the dry pavement. “The devil is here!” Foster screamed, sliding into the floorboards of the vehicle.

  Thorn shifted in his seat and stared up at the roof. “Destroy it!”

  The enforcer in the passenger seat pulled his weapon and turned in his seat. He pressed the button for the sunroof then stuck his head and shoulders out through the hole. Weapons fire was heard then a scream as he was pulled through the small opening in the roof, the driver swerving, trying to shake the attacker.

  Thorn shoved his shoulder, “Get us out of here! Now!”

  The driver pressed the accelerator to the floor, doing his best to avoid obstacles in the nearly deserted part of town. He slammed on the brakes hoping to throw the attacker off the roof, but he clung to it like a magnet.

  Rufus pressed himself tighter to the door of the SUV, praying that they did not lose control and that their attacker would soon be satisfied with the carnage he had already inflicted. He should have known better. He heard the screech of metal being rent and torn, large fingers tearing through the material of the truck as if it were tinfoil. Suddenly the top folded back and Rufus saw the demon in all of its horror.

  The beast floated in the air, its wings extended and catching air like a sheet in the wind, the roof of the SUV caught between massive arms and clutched with taloned fingers. But what caught his attention the most were the glowing green eyes. As if lights shone from behind those glowing orbs, the light cast an eerie green hue to the scene below.

  Thorn watched as the demon cast the roof of the SUV to the side then folded its wings and dove for the car. He grabbed the driver by the shoulder and jerked his arm. “Turn, damn you!”

  The massive truck jerked to the right, its tires skidding, screeching into the night as the demon swooped in and missed. Rufus could almost feel the wind breaking off its body as it sailed by then arched back into the air for another assault. “Go! Go! Go!”

  The driver mashed the accelerator again and tried to cut down a smaller street in hopes of limiting the mobility of their airborne attacker. The demon sailed overhead then swooped once more. With nowhere to turn, the truck would be easy prey. Rufus squeezed the driver’s shoulder. “When I tell you, stand on the brakes!” The demon dove once more and Rufus yelled, “Now!”

  Everyone within the vehicle was pitched forward as the truck slid to a stop, its anti-lock brakes protesting and vibrating under the driver’s foot. The demon overshot and the driver accelerated once more hoping to hit the monster with the heavy truck. Just as the headlight closed on the beast, it disappeared.

  “Get us out of here! Now!” Foster continued to squirm, trying to get even lower in the floor of the vehicle. He grabbed at an enforcer and pulled him over on top of him.

  Thorn turned in his seat, his eyes skyward as he looked for the green eyed demon. He thought he caught a glimpse of it, but it was a traffic light ahead. He continued to watch, his head on a swivel, constantly searching for the monster.

  Gunshots rang out and Thorn turned to see an enforcer firing at the rear of the vehicle. The demon had clung to the rear of the SUV as it bounced out of the narrow street. It climbed over the ruined rear of the truck and grasped the enforcer by the head, flinging him out of the vehicle as if he were nothing more than a ragdoll.

  Thorn turned to Foster who was still cowering in the floor. “Control him! Compel him to stop!”

  Foster had tears of fear running down his cheeks and he whimpered as Thorn barked at him. “I-I can’t!”

  “Yes you can! You are his maker! This is Damien, you are his master! Control him!”

  The demon wrapped an oversized hand around Thorn’s middle then extended his wings, the wind instantly lifting the pair into the night.

  What was left of the SUV shot into the night, Foster cowering in the rear floor, crying and praying to whatever god would listen that he not be eaten.

  *****

  Laura watched as her dad sat up without grimacing. He smiled and inhaled deeply. “I smell something.”

  She gave him a curious shrug. “I don’t smell anything.”

  “It smells like meat cooking.” He smiled at her and waggled his eyebrows. “I’ll be damned if it doesn’t smell like meatloaf.”

  Crystal leaned forward and patted his hand. “Jim, sweetie, they’re not going to allow you to eat something like that.”

  He shrugged and glanced between the two women. “Why not? If my days are numbered, I might as well enjoy them right?” He gave Laura a slight wink that Crystal missed entirely. “Would you mind checking and if they have meatloaf, bring me some.”

  Crystal shook her head. “I’ll check if you really want me to, but, Honey, you won’t be able to hold it down.”

  “Indulge me, darling.”

  She leaned over and kissed his forehead. “Anything for you.” She excused herself and slipped out of the room.

  Laura gave her dad a skeptical smirk. “If you wanted to talk privately, I think you could have found something a little less—”

  “No,” he interrupted. “I honestly smell meatloaf and damned if it doesn’t have my mouth watering.” He s
at up taller in the bed and punched the button to raise the back higher. “Open the blinds again, Punk. I want to see some sunshine.”

  Laura stood and opened the blinds, allowing the sunlight into the room. “I didn’t realize you couldn’t hold down…” she trailed off, remember her mother’s last days.

  “Don’t, Punk.” He reached out for her and squeezed her hand. “It wasn’t anything you needed to know.”

  “Still, I wish you had told me.”

  He shrugged. “What’s to tell? Besides, I’m feeling much better already.” He gave a slight nod toward the port that she had used. “I haven’t been hungry like this in a long time.”

  She lowered her eyes and nodded. “It’s to be expected, I suppose. That’s another side-effect.”

  “If it means getting to eat again, I’m all for it. I really missed being able to eat.” Jim glanced to the door hoping that Crystal would come back in carrying a large tray full of meatloaf and mashed potatoes.

  “You might find that your taste buds change some.”

  He gave her a sideways look. “Like how?”

  “Like, junk food won’t taste good anymore.”

  “Ha! Junk food is called ‘junk’ for a reason, Punk.” He chuckled as he stared at the door. “I just wish she’d hurry up. I can smell that stuff, and I’m starving.”

  “That’s another. Your sense of smell will be sharpened.”

  “Again, not a bad thing.” He gave her a sideways smile.

  “Until you decide that her perfume smells like road kill or that she doesn’t shower often enough or…” Laura shrugged, “…any number of issues.”

  “I’m not bitching, Punk.” He turned and gave her his full attention. “You’ve given me another chance. A chance to live. I don’t care if I end up chasing the paperboy on his bicycle or marking the yard at night to keep other dogs away. I’m just happy for the opportunity.”

  Laura nodded but averted her gaze. “There may be others.” She stood up slowly and turned for the door. “I’m going to check on Crystal and see if there was a problem.”

  “Tell her extra gravy on the taters. It smells so good.”

  “I will, Daddy.” She turned and stepped out into the hallway. She lowered her eyes and exhaled hard, her heart suddenly heavy. She cast a furtive glance back toward his door and sighed. “What have I done?”

  *****

  Mick meandered forlornly. He debated with himself on how best to tell Jennifer that her crazy assed father was still on a killing spree. Every time that he thought he had a workable plan in his mind, he’d find her, start to approach her and then his brain would panic and he’d find a thousand reasons why the approach he had worked up simply wouldn’t work.

  He wanted to warn her. He needed to tell her. He prayed that he could find a solution on how to tell her. His mind kept running in circles and he fought with himself on how best to do what needed to be done. He even contemplated doing an end run on her and going straight to her mate. What would Mitchell do if he came to him with that information? He shuddered as he thought about it. How could he explain that he knew this information? If he told them that Mr. Simmons had contacted him and told him?

  “Hey, are you the pilot that brought the Simmons girl and Ms. Youngblood in?”

  Mick lifted his eyes and he noted a young military man standing before him. He nodded slowly. “Yeah, mate. That’s me.”

  “You had a call just a bit ago. I guess your dad was looking for you. Said you weren’t answering you cellphone.” The guy handed him a slip of paper. “He said that they were about to leave for vacation and he would be at this number.”

  Mick gave the man a confused look. His father was long gone and assumed dead; presumed to have been shot by a confused local while he was in werecat form. His father had been out hunting wild game and simply never returned. Had he been killed by a local and his body recovered, the local would panic when he found a naked man had been roaming the jungles and probably buried him in an unmarked grave.

  Mick took the slip of paper and noted the phone number. He swallowed hard when he recognized Walter Simmons’ phone number. He held the paper up and nodded to the young man. “Thanks, mate, wouldn’t want to miss them before they left.” The man turned to leave when Mick caught his attention again. “Say, is there a phone I could use? I, uh…well, my cell phone was broken during the trip up here.”

  “Yes, sir, if you’ll follow me.” The man took the lead and escorted Mick to a secluded office. He opened the door and pointed to a landline and desk. “The operator can get you the prefix you need.” He pulled the door shut behind him as he left, and Mick stood alone in the room a cold sweat dripping down his back.

  He sat and picked up the receiver, punching the numbers into the phone. He waited only a moment before Walter Simmons’ voice came across the line. “Mick?”

  “Y-yes, sir. I got your message. My cell phone is broken, and I had to use one of the landlines here.” Mick prayed that Simmons would understand what he was trying to say.

  The old man was no idiot and assumed the call would be bugged regardless. “I understand, son, I understand completely. Look, I just wanted to touch base with you before your mother and I left for vacation.”

  “Yeah, I got your note.” Mick adjusted the phone and chewed nervously at his thumbnail. “Will you be gone long?”

  “Not very long at all. We just had to wait for the right time. You know…we’re very worried about your sister. She hasn’t been heard from in a while, and we’re worried about her. I understand she’s okay, but it would be nice to know that she wasn’t in harm’s way.”

  “Yeah, well, she’s awfully pigheaded. I think she gets it from you, Dad.” Mick smiled at himself, knowing that Walter Simmons was probably steaming under his shirt collar at the comment.

  Walter chuckled into the phone, “You’re more right than you know, son. She definitely takes after me.” He cleared his throat and lowered his voice somewhat. “Look, I’m not sure what you’re doing up there in the States, and frankly, I don’t care. Your mom worries. So, maybe if you just took some pictures of the sights and sent them to her…you know, to calm her nerves, so that she knows that you’re okay. She may not be able to talk to her daughter, but if she could know that you were okay…it would put her at ease.”

  Mick thought hard about what he was saying. Pictures? “You want me to get pictures? And send them to you…er, to mom? To set her at ease?”

  “Yeah, sure. Just whatever. You know. So that she knows you aren’t in jail.” Walter laughed. “You’re not in jail, are you, son?”

  Mick exhaled hard and stared at the corner of the room. “No, I’m not in jail.”

  “Excellent. Then just snap a few photos, maybe pick her up a t-shirt or something. A souvenir.”

  “Yeah.” Mick was deflated. How could he get pictures of the place where Jennifer was without getting caught? He was certain that Walter wanted to know exactly where Jennifer was so that the attack teams could avoid hurting her. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Thataboy. Make your mother happy.” Walter slapped the table. “Well, son, we have to get ready for our trip. Your mother sends her love, and she really looks forward to hearing from you as soon as you have time.”

  “Yeah. As soon as I have time.” He laid the phone down in the cradle and stared at it. “It’s not like you’re asking me to risk my life here or anything, Dad.”

  *****

  Kalen stared at his arm and nodded. He turned and left the mouth of the cavern. Approaching Jack, he removed the wrist band and handed it to him. “Chief Jack, the Wyldwood would speak with you.”

  Jack raised a brow and gave Kalen a look he didn’t quite know how to interpret. “Oh, she’ll grace me with her audience now, will she?” Jack stood and reached for the wrist band. “How does this work?”

  “Simply place it on your arm. You will be able to see and hear each other. Nobody else will.” Kalen averted his eyes as Jack slipped the golden-hued
wrist band onto his arm. Immediately, the stone in the center seemed to glow and become translucent like the stone Loren had given him would do when they spoke through it.

  Her image appeared and she gave him a pleasant smile that softened the hurtful feelings Jack had been feeling toward the elf. “Chief Jack, so good to see you again.”

  Jack bowed his head slightly, “Loren, to what do I owe this honor?”

  “Our elders have reached a consensus on the threat. They feel confident what you will be facing.” She glanced to the side and spoke in hushed tones then turned back to Jack. “I fear that this information may be coming to you too late.”

  Jack stiffened. “How’s that?”

  “The threat has manifested. We are most certain of that. We aren’t certain how it intends to strike, but we are most certain that it is on your plane as we speak.”

  Jack peered through the cavern at his group of warriors, none of whom seemed able to hear the conversation going on. “Hit me with it.”

  Loren gave him a puzzled look and shook her head. “Hit you…with what, Chief Jack?”

  Jack fought back a laugh. “It’s a human expression. It means tell me everything. Even the bad news.”

  “Ah. Yes, well, we are most certain that the threat is Lilith.” She waited for a reaction, but Jack simply stared at her image. “She is most dangerous. Perhaps the single most dangerous creature to have walked the earth since creation.”

  “Really? I can think of some pretty dangerous creatures.”

  “She is far worse. I assure you.”

  “Okay, so who is she?”

  Loren explained to Jack the history of Lilith, her defiance of God, her rejection of the Adam, the allure of the Fallen Ones, and how it all played out in her downfall. Jack listened intently and tried to take it all in. “So, if she was defeated once, she can be taken out again.” He glanced to the Guardian. “You do know that we have a Nephilim in our group now. We sort of had to adopt him to get the weapons.”