Wicked Revelations and Brimstone (Legacy of Sins Book 2)

by J. N. Colon

  My brows dipped. “Why?”

  “He wanted to turn them against God.” Jayson reached into his pocket and pulled out a Hershey Kiss, handing it to me.

  My lips tugged into a smile. “Thanks.” The caveman could actually be sweet sometimes.

  “Lucifer led a rebellion, and a war erupted in Heaven,” Jayson continued, his expression darkening as he spoke of the devil. “In the end, God prevailed. He cast Lucifer and the other angels out. Since Lucifer wanted to be the ruler of his own world, he gave him Hell. God trapped him and the other Fallen there.

  “Lucifer began the rule of Hell and made creatures of his own. Demons are his children. He developed a hierarchy of them to rival the angels in Heaven. The upper-level demons are like that of the first sphere. The dwellers—at the lowest—were once human sentenced to Hell for their sins. They pledged their allegiance to Lucifer. He allows them to travel to Earth and dwell in humans to corrupt them.”

  I finished chewing the piece of candy and leaned back in my seat, letting Jayson’s words sink in. Something was bothering me. I hated to bring him up, but I needed to know. “The Fallen are trapped in Hell?”

  Jayson glanced around, making sure no one was paying attention to our conversation. “Their bodies are. Their essence can leave and possess humans like dwellers. Lucifer has gained enough power to cross with his own form, but he rarely does. He prefers Hell.”

  “Astaroth is different though.” He had the same form in Hell as he did on Earth.

  He bristled in his desk. “Astaroth wasn’t on Lucifer’s side in the rebellion. He chose to fall later of his own accord. That’s why he’s not trapped in Hell.” Jayson averted his gaze across the room, studying a poster on the wall of angels battling demons. “A few angels have fallen over the centuries who aren’t bound to Hell.”

  His phone suddenly vibrated, drawing his attention. He pulled it out of his pocket, his brows dipping. Kale also checked his phone.

  “What’s going on?” I asked, sitting forward.

  Jayson shook his head and shoved his phone back into his pocket. “I’ll tell you later.”

  A cold tingle sped through my chest. He was worried.

  After class, Jayson pulled me aside. “Brenna got a vision.”

  My heart shuddered to a stop. Hell’s bells. What now? Was another freaky red lightning storm approaching? Or an earthquake?

  Sensing my unease, Jayson ran his hand up and down my arm. “A rare totem has been collected and blessed by demons. It’ll be carried to the gate soon. We have to stop it.”

  I nodded. “Of course.”

  Lines developed across his forehead, and he stepped closer, invading my space. “Please stay home tonight, Lena. No late-night walks or drives to the store for candy. No ghost hunting. Please.”

  My throat tightened at the desperation encircling his words. “I won’t.”

  “Promise me.” His low voice rumbled in the small space between us.

  “I promise.”

  Jayson’s hazel eyes lowered to my lips. He was so close his warm breath dusted my cheeks.

  Holy snickerdoodles. He was going to kiss me right here in the middle of the school hall between classes.

  “Are you ready, J.J.?” The smoky feminine voice shattered the moment.

  Jayson drew away, revealing Hannah looming behind him. “Just a minute.”

  A different kind of heat bled through my veins. He was going with her? He could choose four other Nephilim, but it had to be Hannah.

  Jayson quickly ran his fingers across my jaw, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. “I’ll see you later.”

  My chest constricted as he walked away with the angelic Ariel with legs for days. She glanced at him, shooting a coy smile.

  My eyes narrowed on the blonde Nephilim across from me as she nervously gnawed on her bottom lip. “Just explain the totems. Jayson won’t care.” Well, he’d get over it. I’d find out eventually.

  Emily shifted on my bed across from me. “I don’t know, Lena.”

  She showed up at my house earlier with a pineapple and ham pizza and molten chocolate cake from Jimmie’s, claiming she wanted to hang out. I wasn’t stupid. She was here to babysit me while Jayson was off fighting demons with Strawberry Longlegs.

  If I was going to be subjected to supervision, I was at least going to get something out of it. “I already know they can be body parts, Em.” I dropped my pencil and closed my notebook. Math was not happening right now. “But why are these specific parts so special?”

  Silence stretched, and the chorus to “Slow Ride” by Foghat played before she released a long sigh. “Fine.”

  Yes!

  I pushed the books aside and sat up tall—as tall as I could get, which was still pretty short. “Tell me.” I didn’t want to picture demons mutilating humans, but I hated being in the dark. If Jayson had his way, I’d be freaking blind.

  Emily tucked her flaxen locks behind her ear, her head tilting. “They could be a number of things. Hair from a virgin. Tears from an angel. Specific angelic scrolls.” She surveyed me intensely, hesitating. “They can also be things like eyes of a seer, tongue of a prophet, hands of a healer, heart of a warrior…”

  “They’re not just any humans. They’re special.” Special like I was. I wasn’t a totem, but I was the avis Astaroth needed.

  Emily grabbed a mini candy bar from the half-empty bag by my leg. “Demons have to do a dark blessing on most of the totems before they ferry it into Hell.”

  “Do they have to carry them in those leather pouches?” I asked, folding a candy wrapper into tiny squares.

  She shook her head. “It’s not a necessity. The objects are simply protected in those. A regular human wouldn’t see them.”

  “Makes sense.” You wouldn’t want Jim Bob from down the street finding a severed pair of eyeballs lying around if the demon happened to lose them.

  Emily tossed her wrapper in the bag. “Sometimes the totem is too big to fit.”

  I shifted, dreading the answer to my next question because I was pretty sure I already knew. “What kind of leather are the pouches made from?”

  Emily winced. “It’s human skin.”

  The piece of candy fell from my fingers. Nope. Not eating that now. “I figured.”

  Her phone buzzed again, and a smile broke over her face.

  I rolled my eyes. “Why don’t you go see Kale? I don’t need a babysitter. I’m not going anywhere.”

  Emily made a humming sound. “I don’t know. Jayson would totally give me an earful, and then some, if I left and something happened.”

  I flicked my hand toward the door. “My dad is right downstairs. And I’ll be going to bed soon. What could possibly happen?” Besides me tripping and breaking something, I was perfectly safe.

  Her phone buzzed, and she giggled at the screen. “It’s getting late anyway.” She stood and grabbed her books. “I’ll see you at school tomorrow.” When I started to rise, her palm lifted. “I can see myself out. I don’t need you stumbling down the stairs.”

  I couldn’t even be offended because it was ridiculously accurate.

  “Plus, I want to do some harmless flirting with James.” She laughed at my expression.

  The candy I’d inhaled threatened to come spewing back up. “That’s more disgusting than the totems.”

  After Emily closed the door, I got up to change the song. I gingerly pulled the Fool for the City album off and slipped it into the cardboard sleeve before tucking it into the correct spot on the shelf. My mind drifted as I search for something else to play, wondering what my angelic soul mate was doing. Acid churned in my gut, knowing he was with Hannah. She was strong and powerful like Jayson. She didn’t need to be saved every couple of days, nor did she have a spastic bone in her body. Why wouldn’t he find her attractive?

  I plucked Strange Days by The Doors. An image of the stunning female Nephilim materialized. Hannah and Jayson had a million things in common, and they’d grown up together. The two
of them were the perfect warrior pair. They probably even fought well together.

  A lump of emotion clogged my windpipe. I’d never fight demons alongside him. He’d always have to protect me.

  Hannah was his equal. And I was his burden.

  “Why the long face, little bird?”

  I squeaked and spun around, dropping the record. Before it could hit the ground, Astaroth moved with lightning reflexes and snatched it out of the air.

  Chapter 7

  “What the frack!” My hands pressed against my heaving chest, trying to keep my heart from bursting through my ribcage.

  The fallen angel chuckled. “Your made-up curse words are adorable.”

  “W-What are you doing here?” Holy shiitake. I glanced around, making sure no embarrassing unmentionables were laying out.

  “I mean you no harm. I only wanted to check up on you.” He brushed my side as he placed the record on the player and gently laid the needle on it. “People Are Strange” played through the speakers. “I thought Blondie would never leave.”

  “Have you been spying on me?” I screeched.

  The varying shades of black he wore made his blue eyes even more vibrant. “I was only enjoying the nice cool weather outside in your backyard while I waited for the Nephilim to vacate the premises.”

  I shook my head and ran my fingers through my hair. This was not my life. I was not having a conversation with a fallen angel, one who wanted to use me. “Why do you keep popping up? Why don’t you just take me?”

  My trap clamped shut. Just give the evil creature permission, Lena.

  “Things are never that simple, little bird. Believe me, if I could take you and put you in a gilded cage in my home, I would.”

  Cold snaked down my spine, and I took a step back, knocking into my shelf. Astaroth’s hand reached out, steadying me.

  “Don’t fear me, Lena,” he whispered. “No harm will come to you in my presence.”

  I swallowed hard. “Until your demons finish gathering the totems and you need me. Then you’ll sacrifice my soul or whatever.”

  He tsked and drew me away from the shelf, my body following his command without protest. He set me on the edge of my bed and bent, his face inches from mine. “Like I said, things are never simple. And just because I need you, little bird, doesn’t mean it’s to murder you. In fact, I’d prefer not to destroy you.”

  I licked my numb lips. I wanted to believe him. But he was evil. He’d say anything to get what he wanted. He was definitely the Machiavellian type. “What makes me an avis?”

  “You’re an avis for more than one reason.” He bopped me on the nose with the tip of his finger. “Next question.”

  The tendons in my jaw tightened. Was I a form of amusement for the Fallen? Did he think of me as a pet he could toy with? “Are the other Fallen like you?”

  His lips twitched. “What am I like?”

  “Like a cheesy comic book villain who hasn’t gotten a horrible spandex suit yet.” Craptastic. There went my smart mouth again.

  Astaroth’s laughter was smooth and rich, filling the small space between us. “I like you more and more every day.” He moved too fast and perched on the edge of the bed next to me. “No other Fallen is quite as debonair and charismatic as me.” He winked.

  If I were a little more naïve, I might fall for his charm. Astaroth was beautiful, mysterious, and enigmatic. He was a dark fantasy with wicked lure and eons of experience in a ton of things.

  But one of those things was deceit.

  He was clearly a higher-up in Hell. Was he Lucifer’s right-hand man? Were he and the devil besties?

  “Why weren’t you on Lucifer’s side when he rebelled in Heaven?” I blurted. Geez, Louise. My curiosity was going to get me in trouble one of these days. Maybe today.

  Shadows crossed the Fallen’s eyes, darkening them to a midnight blue. “Because I’m smarter than that. I knew he would never win against the Creator. And punishment is His favorite past time.”

  Ghostly fingertips ran over my back. Astaroth was calculating and patient. Maybe that made him even more dangerous than the ruler of Hell. He knew what he wanted and how to get it without dooming himself in the process.

  I averted my gaze from his entrancing stare. He wanted to drag me into their profound blue depths, drowning me in an ocean of mystery.

  A light chuckle vibrated from him knowing the effect he had on me.

  Get yourself together, Lena Raven.

  A shuddering breath spilled from my lips as I tried to shake his influence. “Are the other Fallen evil?” They had to be. They’d been trapped in Hell for millennia.

  Astaroth leaned back on his hands, way too relaxed in my room. On my bed. “It depends on what your definition of evil is. Do they like to have fun? Yes. Do they like to enjoy the pleasures of the world?” His smile promised wicked things. “They have tempers, and they like to express themselves how they see fit. None of that is evil per se.”

  My brow arched. How did they like to express themselves? Possessing humans and committing murder? “Who was the Fallen that stopped me from eating the nefa?”

  His smile disappeared, and hard lines cut into his face. Heat swelled from his body, reminding me of the fire in his home. “That particular Fallen is a liar. He turned his back on his kind more than once and pretends to be something else.” His teeth bared while crimson flashed in his eyes, bright against the dark blue. “He’s worse than any Fallen.”

  Sweat began to collect on my nape. I leaned back from his fury and the heat streaming off him. I wanted to leave my bed, but my body was stuck.

  Astaroth glanced at me, his breathing hard. “Don’t be afraid, little bird. I’m not angry at you. Only my brother.”

  “Yeah, well, you look like you’re going to explode in a ball of hellfire that will burn me alive. And you’ve got me under some kind of control because I can’t get up.”

  His lids closed, shutting off those swirling crimson and blue irises. Dark, sooty lashes fanned his upper cheeks, making dark half-moons across his pale skin. He opened his mouth, sucking in a deep breath and cooling the heat around him. “I’m sorry. Talk of this particular brother puts me in a bad mood.”

  No duh.

  I cleared my throat and tried to think of a diversion. “So… what are your big plans for the totems?”

  A dry chuckle slipped out. “You never give up, do you?”

  I shrugged. “I’m persistent.”

  His eyes opened, the angry scarlet gone. He leaned forward, that odd combination of fire and amber filling my nostrils. “I just want freedom.”

  My brows puckered. “Freedom?”

  His index finger lifted, and he gently bopped me on the nose again. “Times up, little bird. I’ll see you soon.”

  He was gone within the blink of an eye, my hair swirling around my face.

  A knock resonated on my door, and my dad’s head popped in. “Hey, kid. Who are you talking to?”

  “No one. I was singing.” I slumped back on my hands, the strange influence from Astaroth finally gone.

  He stepped inside and leaned against the doorjamb. “You should come down and eat dinner. I made lasagna.”

  “You made as in you tossed a store bought frozen one into the oven?”

  He shrugged, his thick shoulders straining against the black and white flannel shirt. “I didn’t just throw it into the oven. I had to push buttons too.”

  I tapped my chin. “I guess it does require enough steps to consider it cooking.”

  My dad’s light-brown gaze bounced around my room again. “I could have sworn I heard a guy’s voice in here. Are you sure you don’t have company—Jayson perhaps—hiding?”

  My pulse quickened. Shiitake mushrooms. What if he told Jayson he thought he heard him in my room? The Neanderthal did have half a brain. He’d ask me who was over. And I already had a hard time lying to him. “Nope. No one.” My voice came out in a high-pitched squeak.

  My dad’s lips quirked up in
a skeptical smile. “I’m just going to mosey on over here and check your closet if you don’t mind.”

  I waved my hand for him to proceed. “Go right ahead, Sherlock.”

  He opened it, peering inside. Nothing but clothes greeted him. He harrumphed and marched toward my bed, checking under it.

  “Dad! Jayson can’t even fit there.” I stood and walked to the other side of the bed, meeting him.

  “He is kind of a big guy.” He reached under and pulled something out before standing. My dad examined the small, downy onyx feather pinched between his thumb and forefinger. “That’s interesting.”

  I snatched it from him and tossed it in the trashcan. It slowly floated to the bottom. “That’s from an art project.” Crapola. I better check the rest of my room. If Jayson found a black feather in it, he’d know exactly who it was from.

  I rifled through the box of candy the lanky freshman was holding, searching for the kind with almonds. I was so thankful for the school band and other organizations that sold the World’s Finest Chocolate to raise money.

  “Got it.” I handed him my dollar. “Nice doing business with you. I hope you guys get to go on that trip. I’ll bring more money tomorrow.” I’d break my piggy bank for these chocolate bars of goodness.

  “Thanks, Lena.” He grinned, showing a mouth full of metal.

  I was lucky to be born with straight teeth. I couldn’t imagine having to eat with those things.

  I had a little more pep to my step as I walked down the empty hall at Mystic Hollow High. I was supposed to be in P.E., but Coach Morris wised up. Volleyball was on the agenda today, and he refused to let me near the court. He ordered me to the library. All the geeks looked on with envy as I sauntered out of the gym.

  I turned the corner and bumped into a bony frame, letting out a squeak. “What the frack!”

  “Ms. Raven, watch your language.” Ms. Keating, the stern older woman from the main office, scowled at me.

  “Frack’s not a bad word.” It was a substitute. She should be happy I hadn’t said the real thing. She’d really be offended then.