Evangeline’s voice softened. “Yes, I do know. But there’s nothing that can be done. They need to be trained to understand the power that flows through them.”
“And who’s training them?” he yelled. “Certainly not you. You’re disappearing left and right. Never here to help guide these people. To show them how to use their power. It’s up to us. The fallen angels. We were kicked out of Heaven, yet we are still doing your bidding. Tell me why.”
“Because your heart is in the right spot.”
“Maybe, but you need to step up and do your part,” Amon said.
Evangeline’s voice cracked. “You don’t understand. Things in Heaven are a mess. I’m trying to get things in order—”
“You have a bigger responsibility here. The angels couldn’t hold off the demons. They won the war, releasing them. Now they are working to free Lucifer. Evangeline, do you have any idea what will happen to this world if Lucifer is freed?”
“Yes, I—”
“Good, then take care of your responsibilities, and teach these humans what to do.”
Silence stretched. Jasmine ambled forward, sliding her back along the wall. Her foot ran into the leg of a small table in the hallway and a vase crashed against the floor, glass shattering in all directions. Shit!
Footsteps pounded and Amon rounded the corner. His eyes narrowed. But he didn’t say anything.
I’m not sure why he’s so mad. He knew I was going to meet him here. But she did know. She hadn’t joined him, instead chose to stay in the hallway. Eavesdropping. She couldn’t blame him. Not when she’d gotten mad at him for the same thing.
He turned and rushed out the back door. She followed, passing Evangeline, who stood at the kitchen counter. The angel didn’t turn as Jasmine passed her, and she didn’t want her to. Amon was right. She needed to teach the Angel Blessed what exactly their power could do.
She flew out the back door. “Amon, wait. What are you running away for?”
He stopped, his back straightening. Jasmine caught up to him, grabbed his shoulder, and pulled him around to face her. The glare he gave her caused her to step back.
“Why are you so mad?” she asked.
Amon frowned deeply. “Because instead of coming into the kitchen, you hid in the shadows, spying on me. If you would have come in, I would say nothing right now…I don’t understand why you would spy on me.”
“I wasn’t spying. I wanted to hear what you were saying, and I thought if I came in you’d stop talking.”
Amon pursed his lips. “And what do you call that?”
Jasmine kicked the sole of her bare foot along the grass. “I guess I would call it spying.”
Amon nodded.
“I’m sorry.” Jasmine half smiled. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I just wanted to hear about these powers.”
“And are you glad you overheard?”
“No. My power scares me. And now, it scares me even more.”
“So spying got you nowhere, huh?”
Jasmine grinned. “I guess.”
Amon grabbed her shoulders. “Listen, I will teach you the control you need. You will learn your power. I’m just sorry you have such a shitty angel.”
“Yeah, it doesn’t sound like you like her very much.”
Amon raised his gaze to the sky. “Evangeline and I go back a long way. I wouldn’t say I don’t like her. I just don’t trust her.”
Jasmine decided to be smart and keep her mouth shut.
Amon’s eyes widened. “Are you ready for some training?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
***
After an afternoon of training, Jasmine couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer. Her power use had drained her, so she crawled up the stairs and into the bedroom she’d claimed. She stood at the door. The bed seems so far away. She took heavy steps until she fell face-first onto the bed. The minute her head hit the fluffy pillow, her eyes closed.
Her body was shaking. Her eyes fluttered open.
“Jasmine. Jasmine.” More shaking.
She swatted, connected with skin, and heard a loud slap. When the sound registered with her brain, she opened her eyes fully.
Jasmine sat up. “What? What happened?”
“Shh. It’s okay. Well, sorta okay.” Cole frowned. “Okay, it’s not okay, and we need to get the others and get out of here.”
Jasmine rubbed her eyes. “Why?”
“I had a vision. A really bad one.”
“Okay, tell me.” She yawned. “Sorry. Still tired.”
“The demons are attacking the town where my parents live. I’ve got to try to help them.”
Jasmine’s eyes widened. “Wait. How do you know this?”
Cole angled his chin to the side. “Because I saw it in a vision. I saw the town sign. We have to hurry. Come on.”
He rose from the bed, his footsteps thumping on the floor. Something hit her in the face.
“Put those on, it’s a bit chilly tonight.”
She stood and stretched her arms over her head. “’Kay. I’ll be out in a sec.”
She quickly dressed, then stumbled out of the dark room. Gemma was waiting in the hall.
“You’re coming too?” Jasmine asked.
Gemma nodded. “Yes. Of course. I wouldn’t leave you two without your healer.” She smiled. “What kind of person would that make me?”
Jasmine laughed. “I have no idea. But we need to find Amon.”
“Agreed, but I looked already and it doesn’t seem like any of the fallen ones are here.” Cole shrugged. “Not sure where they went.”
Jasmine scrunched her forehead. “Who’s standing watch?”
“Beau,” Gemma said.
Jasmine cringed. She didn’t want to go talk to Beau, not yet. Things were still awkward between them. But what choice did she have? She found herself bouncing down the stairs and straight out the front door. Beau sat on the top step.
“Hey, uh, do you know where Amon is?” Her voice was weak, even to her own ears.
Beau peered over his shoulder. He glared. “Nope.” Then he turned back, facing forward again.
Jasmine slunk down next to him. “Listen, I know things are strange between us right now, but Cole had a vision. His parents are in trouble, and we need to go help them. So, I really need to find Amon.”
Beau’s features softened. “I don’t know where they went. They all took off down the street a while ago. Put me in charge out here before they left. I heard Caim talking about going to check something out, but not sure where. Sorry.”
Jasmine brushed her fingers through his hair. “Thanks, Beau. Can you do me a favor?”
“Why not? Pretty sure I always do…”
The door behind them opened, and Gemma and Cole walked out.
“They aren’t in the house,” Cole said.
“Or the backyard,” Gemma added.
Jasmine stood, hopped down the steps, and turned, facing Beau. “If Amon and the others come back, let them know we had to go check something out.”
Beau frowned. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. You guys shouldn’t go alone.”
“Maybe not, but we’re out of options and it’s kind of time sensitive.”
Beau nodded. “I’ll let them know.” He stood and fished in his jeans pocket. “Take these.” He threw his car keys. “You can move a lot faster with the Corvette. Just in case things go south.”
Jasmine smiled. “Thank you, Beau. It means a lot.”
He looked away. “Just come back in one piece, okay?”
Gemma paused on the middle step and placed her hand on Beau’s shoulder. “Don’t worry; I’ll heal her if she gets hurt.” She drew her hands up and they turned yellow. “It’s what I do.”
Jasmine shook her head. “Come on, guys! We have to hurry!” She shuffled to Beau’s car, closing the door behind her. Once Gemma and Cole were in, she took a deep breath. “Fasten your seatbelts.”
They sped off into the night.
&n
bsp; ***
Jasmine parked the Corvette in a McDonald’s parking lot. The sound of a car horn blaring struck her eardrums. She used her index fingers to plug them.
“Why is someone laying on the horn like that?” She raised her voice to be heard over the noise.
Cole shrugged, but angled his head, looking at the drive-thru. “It’s coming from over there.” He moved slowly.
Jasmine followed him. The smell of stale french fries littered the air. And grease. There were oil stains in the parking lot, and hamburger wrappers overflowed from the large garbage containers. A cool breeze struck her skin. Goosebumps broke out along her arms.
Cole stopped at the green Toyota, the horn so loud now Jasmine’s eardrums threatened to explode. He turned, frowning. “They’re here already.”
“How do you know?” Gemma rushed up behind them, panting.
A shiver ran up Jasmine’s spine. She moved around Cole, gazing into the open window of the car. The driver’s head had fallen onto the steering wheel, which was causing the noise. “Let’s move him.”
Cole reached in and pulled the man back against his seat. “Oh my God.”
Jasmine gasped. “Shit.”
Gemma moved between them, raising a glowing hand over the man’s face. Which was unrecognizable as such. Where his eyes should have been, hollow pits remained. Jasmine stepped forward, needing to hold onto something as her knees grew weak. Something crunched under her shoe. She looked down. “I found his nose.”
A lump formed in her burning throat and she gagged.
“I can’t heal him. He’s already gone.” Gemma backed up. “My power is pulling me in every direction. I’m not sure where to go next. There’s so much pain here. I can feel it.” She placed a hand on her chest. “It’s really bad. I don’t know if I can handle this. I’ve never felt my gift act like this before.”
“I think all of our powers are changing. It’s almost like a supply and demand kind of thing. Our bodies pump out more juice when there is a greater demand.” Jasmine’s body hummed with energy as it started to heat. The blue fire wanted out already. “Guys, I have a really bad feeling about this.”
Cole pursed his lips. “I do too, Jaz. But we have to keep going. I need to help my foster parents. I told you about my childhood. These parents were the only ones to ever make me feel like part of their family.”
Jasmine grabbed his shoulder as he started walking. “Cole, you need to prepare yourself…”
He turned, nostrils flaring. “For what? For my parents to be dead?” He turned back, started walking forward. “You think I don’t know what I might be walking into? Of course I know. They are probably dead. But if they aren’t…I have to try to save them.” The words were hard to hear; they came out barely a whisper.
Jasmine sped up, catching him and joining his side. “And we will try. That’s all we can do. But I’m right beside you.”
“And so am I,” Gemma said. “And I have this feeling we’re going to kick some demon ass!”
Cole half smiled. “Thanks, guys.” He wrapped am arm around each of them. “I’m really glad you’re beside me.”
Several minutes passed as they rushed down a sidewalk in a suburban area. Houses lined the streets, white picket fences surrounding most of them. It was a really nice neighborhood. Jasmine hoped one day to own a house like these.
Cole stopped in front of a beige, two-story home with green shutters. The house was completely dark, but Jasmine thought she saw a flicker of light from the back. She stepped slowly, watching the area and listening for any sounds. The only sounds were that of insects chirping in the wooded area behind the house.
Jasmine tried to follow him up the drive, but her feet wouldn’t cooperate. She lifted a heavy leg, then another, and pushed forward, her shoes thumping heavily against the driveway.
Gemma stayed back, waiting for Jasmine to catch up.
“Mom? Dad? You home?” Cole’s voice echoed through the night breeze as he disappeared into the house.
Jasmine shuffled through the door behind him, her heart racing and her fingers trembling. “Are they here?”
Gemma met her gaze, her eyes wide. “Do you smell that?”
“The house is on fire. Get out of here.”
Cole ran down a small hallway, thick smoke following him.
“What about your parents?” Jasmine barreled out the front door.
“They aren’t here. The house is empty. Maybe they took off?” His tone turned hesitant. “But why wouldn’t they have called?”
They were halfway down the driveway when Jasmine paused, cold chills slithering over her body. A loud scream shot through the air, and suddenly the sound of rushed footsteps pounded toward them. Her eyes darted as she turned in a circle, trying desperately to find the source of the noise.
“What do we have here?” a snaky voice asked.
A man walked down the middle of the street, swerving as if drunk. He had a gray pallor to his skin, and short orange hair. His red eyes concerned her most though. Her shoulders tensed. Gemma grabbed her hand and Cole grabbed Gemma’s. Together, they faced the demon.
“Turn around and go back the way you came, or you’ll be sorry.” Gemma squeezed Jasmine’s hand.
The demon laughed. “I’ll be sorry? I think you have that backward, pretty thing.”
Three more demons with red, glowing eyes stepped out of the darkness behind him. Jasmine gulped down the ball in her throat.
Jasmine lowered her voice to a whisper. “Stay together. Our power is our strength. They say we are Angel Blessed, right? So we should be stronger together. And keep holding hands.”
She’d been thinking about the nature of their powers. If they were all linked to Gazardiel’s powers, shouldn’t they be stronger if they all used their powers together?
Jasmine opened the box, letting her power slink through her veins. She smiled when her hands turned blue. “Bring your power forward, guys.”
“Mine’s already out,” Gemma said.
Cole nodded his agreement.
The demon was close now, his buddies right behind him.
“When I say push, I want you to send your powers into the hands touching each other.”
The demon’s crooked teeth showed when he smiled. He was close enough.
“Push!”
Jasmine’s hand lit up with a heat so strong she almost fell back. She steadied herself, feeling an energy moving through her body. She raised her free hand and their gifts colored her skin a green hue. “Not sure what’s happening here.” Her voice shook. “But I think our powers are combining, guys.”
Her lip trembled and her teeth clacked together over and over. Her whole body started to shake. She pushed the power from her hand, shooting it straight at the demon. A green stream slammed into the demon, shoving him back with so much force he lost his footing and fell to the ground. The power moved from him, combing over his three friends, lighting them up before they, too, dropped to the ground. Not one of them moved.
“Let’s move together. Stay connected.” She looked over at Cole and Gemma. Their eyes were gold. “Your eyes are glowing, guys.” Her tone was hesitant.
“So are yours. What the hell?” Cole asked.
“Not sure, but let’s not focus on it right now. We’ve got bigger fish to fry.” Gemma laughed.
“You’re doing the weird joke thing again, Gem,” Jasmine said.
“Sorry, I can’t help it when I’m nervous.”
It was awkward, but they held hands, side-stepping to the demon closest to them. Smoke rose from his body, disappearing into the darkness. His eyes were black now and his chest didn’t move. I don’t really know if demons breathe, but this guy isn’t.
“I’ll check him.” Cole dropped Gemma’s hand and crouched down, grabbing the demon’s wrist. “There’s no pulse.”
Jasmine frowned. “I’m not real sure they’d have one anyway.”
Gemma kicked the demon, hard. His body shifted, then fell back to the groun
d. “Okay, that demon’s dead.”
“They aren’t dead. Not until you cut their heads off.” Jasmine paused, almost gagging thinking about what they needed to do. “If we arc our power down, maybe we can do it from here.”
Gemma and Cole nodded. So, hands joined, they used their power to separate the demons’ heads from their bodies. It was slow going, but in the end, they did it. Jasmine grinned. “Okay, so not sure how we just did that, but it was fan-fricking-tastic. No wonder they think we are so powerful.”
“Yeah. It’s too bad we didn’t know about this a long time ago. Maybe we could have—”
Out of nowhere, Cole slammed into the ground as a body tackled him from the side, falling on top of him. Another demon. Where’d he come from? Jasmine threw the question away. She didn’t have time for it. She rushed forward, slightly to the left where the demon straddled Cole, his sharp claws gleaming against the pale moonlight.
“Stop!” Jasmine screamed.
But it wasn’t in time and wouldn’t have made a difference anyway. The claws sliced straight across Cole’s chest. His shirt ripped open and blood welled as he cried out.
She saw flames. “Gemma, push!”
Gemma’s power flowed into Jasmine, and she didn’t think. Just compelled it out. Let it take charge like it wanted to. She watched the movement her hand made. Watched the grin spread across her face. But she wasn’t doing any of it.
She knew this was dangerous. Giving her gift control could prove the dumbest decision she’d ever made. It didn’t matter though.
Cole lay on the ground, writhing. The green glow projected, smacking the demon in the face. He screamed and fell to the side, but quickly scampered away from Cole. After he got a little distance behind him, he stood and ran, disappearing behind some houses. Jasmine looked at Gemma and they both shrugged. They couldn’t chase him. Not with Cole bleeding on the ground. Even though she wanted nothing else than to catch him and kill him. Okay. Calm down. That has to be your power talking.
Gemma ran the few steps to Cole’s side. “Oh my God. He got you!”
Cole smirked. “Way to see the obvious, Gem.” He coughed. “I’m really cold.”
Jasmine frowned as she came closer. “The demon claw releases a poisonous toxin into the bloodstream.” She didn’t need to say the rest. They could read between the lines.