Gemma pulled a hand up, the yellow glow making everything visible in the dark night, almost like a flashlight. She waved her hand over the wound. After a minute, she gazed up at Jasmine. “It’s working. It’s healing him.”
Jasmine’s heart raced. Her eyelids had become heavy, though, and she blinked rapidly, trying to keep them open. She dropped to her knees on Cole’s side, watching the wound stitching back together. How is this possible? The demon who killed Dad said nothing could stop the poison. Obviously they didn’t know about Gemma.
Cole sat up when Gemma pulled her hand back, clutching it to her chest. “Thank you. I can’t believe that worked, but thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now can we get out of here, or what?” Gemma asked.
“That’s the best idea I’ve heard all night.”
Chapter 28
A Demon-Size Punishment
Bael
Bael stood in the kitchen of his makeshift home, leaning his elbows against the counter. “Is everything in order for Jasmine’s accommodations?”
“Yes. Everything is ready for her arrival,” Moloch said.
Bael smiled. “Good. And what of the others?”
Moloch ran a finger through his mahogany hair. “They have been captured, and are separated as you requested. They won’t escape.”
“Terrific.” Bael laughed. “Then everything is coming together. After we get Jasmine, we will work on capturing the others. And converting them.”
“They will make superb additions to our side.”
Bael raised one brow. “Yes, I think they will indeed.”
A pounding on the back door made Bael angle his head to the side. Moloch shrugged, but walked off to answer the door.
Moloch sauntered back into the kitchen. A demon followed him, his charcoal eyes burning red and his red hair sticking out in all directions. His gaze was wild and his jaw shook.
“Verin, what is the matter?” Bael asked.
“Master Bael, we were attacked. Shax, Uvall, Demetrius, and Ipos were slain.” The demon’s hollow voice shook with fear.
“Who attacked you? Certainly not a human. Was it a fallen one?”
Verin shook his head frantically. “No. They were human. But they had powers. There were three of them, two girls and a guy.”
Bael’s hands clenched. “The Angel Blessed? They killed my demons? How? They haven’t been able to kill us before, only harm us.”
Verin stumbled forward, catching himself on the counter. Then he stood, facing Bael. “I don’t know, but they joined hands and it seemed like they were able to combine their powers or something.”
Interesting. The Angel Blessed had finally figured out that their powers played off of each other. Bael wondered if the angels were aware of this development. He clenched his teeth. He lost four of his best demons today.
Bael softened his voice. “Verin, if they killed the other demons with you, how are you still here to tell the tale?”
Verin glanced at the floor, then back up at Bael, but the demon looked at Bael’s chest, not his eyes. The demon’s pale cheeks turned a sweet pink. “I—uh. Well, I heard some commotion as I was searching a house. I ran toward the noise, but the four of them were already dead. There were two girls and a young man standing together, smiles lining their faces. I ran forward, tackling the man and quickly sliced him across the chest.” Verin finally met Bael’s eyes. “But the girls joined hands and hit me with some kind of power. You see what they did to my face?”
Bael nodded. His face was burned pretty badly, but he didn’t feel sorry for him.
“After I got hit, I took off as fast as I could. If I would have stayed there, my fate would have been sealed just as the others’ was.”
Bael nodded again. “You did the right thing.” He leaned his face into Verin’s. “I assume you killed the man?” Bael wasn’t sure Verin’s story was adding up, but he would accept it if he’d killed an Angel Blessed.
Verin shook his head. “I stopped running and glanced back when I had the cover of a house to hide behind. The blonde girl ran her hands over the wound, and the boy glowed yellow. Then he got up and he wasn’t bleeding anymore. She healed him, but I have no clue how. I thought our poison was incurable.”
Bael stroked the side of Verin’s head. “So did I. But it doesn’t matter. You failed.” He shoved the demon, who’s face cracked into the counter.
“Moloch, tie him up.”
Bael spat at Verin, “Your brethren died because they stayed and bravely fought. You ran like the coward you are. Because of your actions you will be punished.”
Verin’s lip trembled. “I’m sorry, Master. There was nothing I could have done.”
Bael roared in anger. “You have no idea if that is true because instead of trying, you didn’t. And we lost four of our best demons.”
“But if I would have died too, nobody would be alive to tell you what happened.”
Bael widened his eyes. Verin was right. But he’d still be punished. The others must stay in line, and if he didn’t set an example, they would question his leadership, maybe even try to usurp him. And he couldn’t let that happen. It would be better to keep them afraid. They would fall in line better that way.
“Moloch, take him to the front room. Make sure his ties are tight. He will be squirming a lot,” Bael ordered.
Moloch nodded, dragging a screaming Verin behind him.
Moments later, Bael dragged his feet across the wooden floor as he joined Verin in the front room. Moloch stood above the demon, who was tied with a thick rope to an intricate carving in the ceiling. The demon’s body stretched, his feet barely touching the floor.
“Thank you, Moloch. I’m glad to know I have one demon who is competent.”
Moloch nodded.
Bael pursed his lips. “I need you to go convince Bub to come see me. And quickly.”
Another nod, then Moloch disappeared behind Bael. Once the door clicked closed, Bael turned his focus to Verin.
He squirmed, trying to find his footing, but instead swung back and forth slowly. Bael moved behind him, pushed him as if he were a child on a playground, and the demon’s swaying increased.
“Please, Bael. You don’t have to do this.”
Bael snapped his claw out. “Oh, but I do. We don’t accept cowardly behavior, Verin. You know how we work. In order for the other demons to know how serious this rule is, you must be punished.”
The demon’s voice cracked. “B-by killing me?”
Bael laughed, the sound echoing around the large room. “No. I’m not going to kill you. But you’ll wish you’re dead by the end.”
He slashed his claw across the demon’s bare chest. Thick blood spilled over, sliding down the demon’s skin slowly. He struck again, across Verin’s stomach. This one was deeper, leaving innards exposed to the outside.
“Ooh. That could get infected, I think.” Bael cackled. “It’s a good thing infections matter naught to demons, huh?”
Verin cried out, over and over, with each and every slice. The demon’s muscles tensed when Bael brought his hand back and slung it forward. By the end, the demon’s inky blood covered everything, including Bael. Of course he didn’t mind.
Bael rubbed his hands together. “Now for the real fun.”
“Master, I can’t take any more of this torture.”
“Oh, good. Then you’ll love this.” Bael panted with excitement. “It’s not my usual torture.”
Bael was always very careful when it came to using his powers. He didn’t want everyone to know the things he could do. But this situation called for a little extra kick.
He entered the demon’s mind. So much pain. The demon moaned, and Bael pushed forward. When he found a good spot, he settled his gift, spreading it like butter around the demon’s brain. Bael fisted his hand and the power squeezed. The pressure on the demon’s brain built slowly, until the sound of the demon’s screams made Bael’s eardrums threaten to explode. He pulled back slightly, straighteni
ng his hand. Then he clenched his hand hard, and Verin howled.
“Have you had enough punishment?” Bael asked.
Verin raised his chin. “No, Master. I would like a bit more.”
Bael grinned. “I think you’ve learned what I needed you to learn. Your words have showed me that.” Bael untied the demon and he dropped to the ground, rolling into a ball on the floor. “I am aware you will need time to heal, so climb the stairs and choose a room where you can sleep. Once you are healed, join our fight again.”
Verin nodded and disappeared up the steps.
The front door opened and Bub meandered through, looking drunk.
“Have you been drinking, Bub?”
Bub hiccupped. “Nah.” He pinched two fingers together in the air. “Well, maybe just a little.”
Bael stormed up to the boy, grabbed him by the shirt, and lifted him from the ground, then growled. “I told you to get Jasmine alone. Why are you drinking instead of doing this?”
“She left a while ago. I’m thinking she should be back soon though. I mean, she left a long time ago, man.”
“Yes, well, why don’t you go wait for her? Sober yourself up and prepare for the time when you will make your move.”
“Sure, man. No problem. I’ll be ready. She’s a bitch anyway, man.”
Bael hissed. “I am not your man, Bub. If you do not cease calling me that, I will have to do something about it. Perhaps rip your tongue from your throat. How’s that sound?”
Bub gulped. “Man, way to ruin a good buzz, dude.”
Bael released his grip and Bub fell to the floor. “Get out! And I don’t want to see you again until Jasmine is dealt with. Understood?”
Bub nodded and hopped to his feet, sliding out the front door.
Moloch had entered through the back. “He’s such a waste of a human.”
Bael turned. “Yes, but he is necessary. For now.”
“I will retire, Master Bael, if that is okay with you.”
Bael nodded and flicked his wrist in the air. “Go. Rest. You will need it. And thank you, Moloch, for a job well done.”
Moloch nodded and went up the stairs, leaving Bael alone, staring out the window at the man running across the street. He frowned. I wish I didn’t have to depend on such morons.
“What do you mean, Bael? Trouble on Earth?” Lucifer asked in his mind.
Bael swallowed hard. “No, Lucifer. No trouble.”
“I didn’t think so, Bael. There is an opening in the wall now. Of course, it isn’t big enough to get through, and my chains are still strong, but the walls are now dripping blood. You are doing a good job up there. Keep going and I will join you soon.”
“I will. Don’t you worry.”
“What of the Angel Blessed? And the girl, Jasmine? You need to capture her as soon as possible.”
“Yes, she is very slippery and difficult to attain, but my plan is in motion and we will have her soon.”
“Good. Keep up the good work, Bael.”
Bael nodded, forgetting Lucifer couldn’t see him, but it didn’t matter anyway. The connection was severed, static filling his mind.
“And my plan revolves around a human idiot. Will wonders never cease?”
Bael punched the wall as a red car pulled into the driveway across the street. Three people got out. One with long dark hair waving behind her as she bounced up the steps and opened the front door.
“Soon, Jasmine.” Bael laughed hysterically before backing up and sinking into the chair in the large room. “Soon, you will be ours.”
Chapter 29
Double Standards
Jasmine
Jasmine grabbed hold of the driver’s side door and pulled herself out of the seat. She wished she had a cane right now. Her muscles felt like sponges, squishy and toneless. She fought an epic battle with her eyelids, one that she wasn’t sure she could keep winning, as they grew heavier and heavier.
What they’d done to the demons tonight had been amazing, and her stomach still had butterflies just thinking about it. But it had taken its toll on her. She’d never used that kind of power before, and now that she had, she wasn’t sure she wanted to again, no matter how much easier it had been to kill a demon.
Jasmine yawned as she drug her feet along the driveway. When she got to the steps, it took everything in her to lift her heavy legs and climb the stairs.
“Jasmine, are you okay?” Cole asked.
She nodded. “Yeah.” Her eyes watered. “Just tired.”
Gemma came next to Jasmine. “Me too.”
The porch light flicked on, then off, then on and off again. Finally, it turned on and stayed that way.
“What the…” Jasmine trailed off as the door opened.
“Well, that’s not a good look for him.” Cole laughed nervously. “Is it?”
Jasmine shook her head as she took in Amon, standing in the doorway. His arms were crossed over his chest and his nostrils flared. He glared and his eyes seemed to protrude from his face as he looked at Jasmine.
“Where. Have. You. Been?” Each word was clipped, the last one ending in a growl as his jaw clamped together.
Jasmine took a step back. “We went to try to help Cole’s parents.”
Cole stepped in front of Jasmine. “I’m sorry. It was my fault. But we couldn’t find you guys, and we couldn’t wait—”
Amon fixed Cole with a pointed stare. “I don’t believe I was talking to you.” His voice shook. “Gemma. Cole. Please go inside. There is a meeting. Now.”
Cole and Gemma walked inside, slinking past Amon. He didn’t move, just widened his stance after they’d passed.
“Do you have any idea—?”
Jasmine put her palm out. “Just save it, okay. There’s a meeting, remember?”
Amon breathed heavily. Then he turned without a word and stalked away. Jasmine sighed and then followed him into the family room.
Everyone was there. Lamia and Beau sat on the sofa, while Amon and Caim stood at the front of the room. She’d passed Azzy leaning against the archway entrance. She squeezed in between Gemma and Cole on the floor. The only person she didn’t see was Bub.
“I’ve called this meeting because tonight we’ve had some reckless behavior. The kind of recklessness that could have gotten someone killed.” Amon clenched his hands at his sides. “We need to set some rules.”
Jasmine remained quiet, but her pulse sped up.
Caim smiled and peered at Jasmine’s group on the floor. “Now, it isn’t that what you did tonight was wrong—”
Amon raised his voice. “It was wrong. And it shouldn’t have happened.”
Jasmine pressed her lips together and wrapped her arms around her stomach.
Caim raised his eyebrows toward Amon. “I think you might want to calm down a little bit.”
Amon laughed, long and hard. “Me? Calm down? Sorry, that’s not going to happen any time soon.”
Lamia stood and moved to the front of the room and narrowed her eyes at Jasmine. “And he shouldn’t calm down. Do you ever think of anyone but yourself?”
That did it. Jasmine hopped to her feet and put her hands on her hips. “I wasn’t thinking of myself at all. I was trying to help a friend.”
“You were trying to help yourself!” Lamia yelled. “Just like you always do.”
“Give me a break. You haven’t made any attempt to get to know the person I am. Who the hell are you to judge me?” Jasmine fired back.
“I’m an angel—”
Jasmine’s hands trembled. “No, you aren’t. You haven’t been for a long time. You’re fallen, which puts you in a whole different category.”
Lamia pursed her lips and scrunched her forehead. “How dare you.”
Azzy came forward, stopping in the middle of the room by the coffee table. “Ladies, I think we are getting off topic.”
“Yeah. Why don’t we all just take a deep breath,” Beau said.
Amon’s eyes softened as he looked at Lamia. “Lamia.
That is enough. Your personal attacks are unfounded. This isn’t personal. It’s about what could have happened tonight.”
Lamia opened her eyes wider. “Of course it’s personal! She’s stolen you right out from under me, and you can’t even see the hold she has on you. If anybody else would have gone out by themselves tonight, there would be no meeting. But because it was her, everyone has to suffer.”
Amon frowned. “You are wrong. I would have called a meeting for anyone. In fact, I did, because Gemma and Cole were involved in this as well.”
“If it was just them, you wouldn’t care like you do. It’s disgusting!” Lamia spat. “She’s a human, Amon. There’s no future there.”
Amon’s face turned dark. “That is enough of this! You are out of line!”
“But—”
“Listen to me, Lamia. I suggest you sit down before you hear something that might hurt your feelings. This isn’t the time for this conversation. When there is time, we will talk, but do not hold your breath for it will be quite some time before this conversation takes place.”
Lamia scowled, but smartly kept her mouth shut as she took the few steps to the couch and slumped into a seat.
“Now, Jasmine. What were you thinking going off by yourself?” Amon asked.
“I was thinking I didn’t have a choice.” Jasmine raised her voice. “You guys were gone. Nobody knew where you were, and Cole had a vision. So we had to take care of things ourselves. And why is it any different than you guys going off on your own? Where were you?” She angled her chin down and placed her hands on her hips.
Amon avoided eye contact. “That isn’t the same thing—”
Caim grinned. “It is the same thing, Amon.” He laughed. “The exact same thing.”
Amon cleared his throat. “I don’t think this is a joke, Caim.”
“Neither do I, boss. But if you want to make rules, we all have to follow them.” Caim gestured toward Jasmine’s group. “Not just them.”
Amon’s cheeks reddened. “You do have a point. But this will not happen again.”