Above The Flames (The Flames Trilogy #1)

  “A bit of honesty never hurt anyone.” He frowned. “Although, I would be careful with name-calling. That can hurt, deeply.” He turned and moved to the tree behind him where a small black box sat on the ground. He flipped the top open, pulling out a small machete. “Now for the fun.”

  Bael’s eyes softened as he looked at the blade. Jasmine could picture him laying it on the ground, bowing before it, and worshiping it. “Wh-what are you gonna d-do with th-that?” she stammered.

  He swaggered over to her, holding the knife at his side. Jasmine gazed up at him, her muscles tense. He dropped down, and at the same time swung the blade across her arm. Her skin burned, as if on fire, and tingled numbly. She bit the inside of her lip as her teeth ground together. Blood welled, filling the cut until it spilled over. Jasmine dropped her jaw as the machete sliced across her thigh. Then again, two long cuts left behind. Plus the one on her arm. She breathed quickly but couldn’t get enough air. Dark spots formed behind her eyes.

  Jasmine gazed up toward the sky, but she flinched as something wet dripped into her eye from above. She stretched her hand as far up as it would go and barely was able to wipe her eye. Then, she peered above her again. Jasmine gasped as realization hit her. The drop wasn’t rain, it was blood. There were bodies hanging from a branch. From what she could see, it looked like they hadn’t been there long.

  There was a man, a short woman, and two small children. It’s Doc.

  “Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God!” Jasmine glared at Bael. “What did you do to them?”

  “Doc failed me. Therefore I killed her. It’s quite simple, really.”

  “Why did you kill her family?”

  “She knew the risk when she signed up to work with Ronwe. You see, he was the only one able to get through the small opening before the gates fell. That is why he came after you, way in the beginning.”

  Jasmine exhaled. “He’s the one who killed my father.”

  Bael nodded. “And he was supposed to have brought you back to Hell, but he failed. If Amon hadn’t killed him, I would have. I don’t tolerate failure. Which is exactly why Doc died. She let you escape, so I made sure she couldn’t. Very simple, really.”

  Jasmine pressed her lips together. She didn’t want to hear anymore.

  “Ah, you don’t want to hear anymore.” Bael laughed hysterically. “Too bad. Let’s see. After I was imprisoned by your fallen angel beau, Belze let me go. He’d already captured Doc, and of course I already had her family. She knew that, but still she tried to escape.” Bael shrugged. “I will never understand the human mind. Alas, I didn’t kill them right away. I brought them all here, hung them from the branches. I cut them with my claw and watched them suffer. It was rather entertaining.”

  Jasmine’s curled her lip and scrunched her face. “What the hell is wrong with you? Oh, I forgot. You’re psycho!”

  Bael shook his head. “Ah. If only that were true.” He raised his voice. “I am a demon, Jasmine. We kill. We take what we want, and damn the consequences. We don’t feel human emotions. It’s better if you wrap your pretty little head around that now.”

  Jasmine pursed her lips and shook her head violently. “No. I won’t get used to it. I won’t work for you. You’ll have to kill me before I ever turn evil.”

  “Then so be it.” His gaze stretched passed her as another dog howled. “If your friends don’t show up, you will die anyway.”

  Loud thumping sounded in the distance. Growls filled the air with a threat of violence. “What is that?” She pushed her back into the tree as if she could disappear inside it.

  Big black dogs barreled toward her, their sharp yellow teeth snapping as they snarled and growled. They sniffed the air and slowed their steps, walking toward her.

  “The smell of blood draws my hell hounds.” Bael stood up. “And I can only keep them back so long. So, Amon needs to get here. Now!”

  Her vision tunneled as darkness crept closer. Jasmine squeezed her eyes shut. She took deep breaths, but the world spun around her as the hell hounds sniffed her skin, leaving a trail of slime behind. “You aren’t doing a very good job at keeping them back.” She pulled her legs up and inched closer to the tree, forgetting the pain in her ankle. It meant nothing right now. The dogs howled, and she jumped, opening her eyes.

  “The clock’s ticking. Where is he?”

  “Right behind you!” A loud thump sounded and Jasmine opened her eyes. Amon tackled Bael to the ground. There were three hell hounds caging her in, their teeth nibbling at the blood on her arm and thighs. They had short black hair, their gray skin visible below it. Red patches surrounded their beady black eyes, which bore into her own. Her heart palpitated.

  The hell hounds all yelped loudly, the sound piercing Jasmine’s ears. Then they sauntered off, back the way they came. Lamia grabbed the rope and unwound the knots around her wrists then pulled it from her. “Come on. Hurry!”

  Jasmine tried to stand up, and fell back down when she tried to put pressure on her bad ankle. She was lifted by arms pulling under her armpits. She hobbled forward, but hissed in pain.

  “What’s wrong?” Lamia’s face came in front of Jasmine’s.

  Jasmine’s eyes watered. “What isn’t wrong? My ankle is broken, my fingers are broken. The bones in my face feel shattered. I don’t know if I can walk.”

  Lamia moved behind her and lifted her up. “I’ll just carry you to Gemma. She can heal you.”

  “Jaz, are you all right?” Beau asked, coming to their side.

  Jasmine sighed. “Yeah. I’ll be fine. Help Amon.”

  Bael was on top of Amon, on the ground. They were grappling with each other.

  Beau frowned. “I don’t think there’s much I can do.”

  “Just stay here, and help him if you can. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  Beau nodded and moved away. Lamia rushed forward.

  “Gemma is just ahead. We had her stay back with Azzy, just in case,” Lamia said.

  “That was a good move.”

  Lamia gazed down at Jasmine, and for the first time, Jasmine saw respect shining from the fallen angel’s eyes.

  “Thank you for coming for me,” Jasmine whispered.

  Lamia smiled. “I’m just glad we made it in time.”

  “Jasmine! You’re okay!” Gemma ran to her side and winced. “Well, maybe not okay, but you’re alive!”

  “Can you heal me? My ankle and my hand? My face?”

  Gemma nodded. “Of course.”

  Lamia set her down gently on the grass, and Gemma’s yellow hand trailed over Jasmine’s skin, warming her until she was healed. When Gemma pulled back, Jasmine hopped up, a surge of adrenaline causing her arms and legs to shake.

  “Thank you! Now we have to go help Amon.”

  Gemma frowned. “I don’t think I can do much.”

  Jasmine peered around the clearing. Cole sat on the ground, his hands at his temples. Azzy flew above them, circling the air.

  “Gem, don’t you remember what happened when we all joined our powers? Let’s go do that again.”

  Gemma smiled. “I’m game.” She turned and raised her voice. “Cole, let’s go join our powers and kill some demons.”

  Cole rose to his feet, grabbing one of Jasmine’s hands and one of Gemma’s. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Lamia followed them, but remained silent as they walked back into the woods.

  I hope my power decides to work. I’m scared to try again right now. I think it will be better once I join with Gemma and Cole.

  Moments later, they found Amon still locked in a bloody battle. His face was cut, blood smeared all across his cheeks and forehead. An eye was swollen shut, and he had a fat lip. His shirt hung in scraps, exposing most of his skin. Jasmine’s nostrils flared.

  Muscles quivering, Jasmine squeezed Gemma’s hand. “I’m ready.”

  She reached into herself, deep within to her box. She flipped the lid, coaxing her power out. It spilled over the sides, and then evaporat
ed into mist.

  “Uh—Jaz. Something’s wrong,” Gemma said.

  “Yeah, my power isn’t working out here,” Cole said.

  Sweat lined Jasmine’s brow. “What the hell is that?”

  Above them, wide pearl-colored wings beat and an angel lowered herself to the ground. “Evangeline! Thank God you’re here.” Jasmine raised her voice.

  Evangeline glared at Jasmine, clenching her fists at her sides. “You!”

  Hold on just a damn minute. What is going on?

  Evangeline ran to Bael, throwing Amon into the air. He slammed into a tree and slumped to the ground. Jasmine ran toward him, but Evangeline stepped in front of her. “Stay away from Bael!” The angel shoved Jasmine, and she flew back, crashing into Gemma. The girls tumbled to the ground, breathless.

  Evangeline scooped Bael up and took to the air, hovering at the tops of the trees. “I have waited so long to be with him. You will not take him from me now.”

  Jasmine’s mouth fell open and a sick feeling sunk into her gut.

  Evangeline yelled over the treetops. “Demons, away. Into hiding.”

  Jasmine sat up and watched the angel disappear, completely at a loss for words.

  Beau stomped into view, half carrying a woman and a short man.

  “Who are they?” Jasmine stood and moved over to him. “Are they demons?” Jasmine sucked in a breath and reached for Beau’s arm. “What is this? Are you hurt?”

  Beau smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “These guys are Angel Blessed. Meet Amber and Teeny. Bael had them locked up.”

  “What is on your arm?” Her heart slowed as she waited for the answer.

  Beau lowered his gaze to his arm. “Oh, this old thing? It’s just…well…a demon got me. With his claw.”

  Jasmine searched for air to draw into her lungs, but she couldn’t find any. A heavy weight settled on her chest, and her vision swam in front of her. She fell back and fainted.

  Chapter 35

  Repercussions

  Jasmine woke in a bed. She felt around her, then threw the blanket from her body and scrambled to her feet.

  “Beau! Where’s Beau?” she yelled, frantically moving in a circle to see where she was.

  Palms gripped her shoulders. “He’s in the other room,” Amon said. “I’ll take you to him.”

  She panted as she followed Amon into Beau’s bedroom. When she entered, she ran forward, dropping to her knees at the side of the bed. “Beau…”

  Beau smiled. “Jazzy. Hey.” His voice croaked weakly.

  Jasmine rubbed her palm up and down his arm. This can’t be happening.

  She turned to gaze behind her, but the room was empty. Amon must have left. She was alone with her best friend, and ex-boyfriend, whom was dying. His once tanned skin was as white as a ghost. Sweat lined his brow and his upper lip; he grimaced.

  “What can I do?” Jasmine whispered, pushing herself up to sit beside him on the mattress.

  Beau smiled, his blue eyes boring into her own. “You can lie with me. I don’t think I have much longer.”

  Jasmine balled her hands. “Did Gemma try to heal you?”

  Beau nodded. “Yes, she wasn’t able to, though. Same thing that happened to her before.” He coughed loudly, his chest rattling as he breathed.

  Jasmine’s eyes watered as Beau groaned, pushing into a sitting position. He flinched and let his head fall back into the headboard. “Man. This demon poison is something.”

  Jasmine laughed as tears spilled over. “Only you would joke around right now.”

  “If you can’t joke when you’re dying, you never really lived, right?” He winked, but winced. “My whole body feels like pins and needles. Even when you rubbed my arm, it felt like hot pokers were attacking my skin.” He shook his head, and then rubbed his brow.

  Jasmine’s lip trembled. “Beau, I’m so sorry about everything.” More tears spilled over. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I should have never broken up with you.”

  Beau stretched his arm out, but it took him a second before his hand touched her own. “I think we both made m-mistakes.” Another long cough. “And it’s okay. I understand why you made the choice you did. Of course, I acted like an ass at the ti-time.” He wheezed as his breaths sawed in and out.

  Jasmine forced a smile and peered into his eyes. “It doesn’t matter. None of that matters. We’re here now.”

  Silence stretched around them, only the sound of Beau’s heavy panting filling the space. Jasmine wasn’t sure what to say, so she kept her mouth closed. After a few minutes, Beau grinned. “Tell me about the first day we met.” He slid down and tugged at her shirt. “And lie down with me, please.”

  Jasmine squeezed her eyes shut, and more tears leaked down her face. “Do you really want to hear that one?” She rested her head on his shoulder and listened to his heartbeat, which was dangerously slow.

  Beau nodded, and then coughed fiercely from the lungs. “Y-yes. That one.”

  She remembered it like it was yesterday. A week in town, she’d finally landed a job at the coffee shop. She was adjusting to life with her grandparents, who were pretty awesome, but she was really missing her home and her family, especially her dad.

  “I was such a mess. It was my first day at the new job. I don’t think barista was in my nature.”

  Beau chuckled. “Yeah, me either.”

  She playfully slapped his arm, and pulled back just as fast as he winced. “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay, just keep going.”

  “It was so hot that day, the hum of the air conditioner going strong all day. It was my first day on the job when you walked through that open door looking like you just stepped off a surfboard.” She laughed. “I don’t know why I’m admitting this, but I thought you were pretty sexy. Don’t let that go to your head.”

  Beau’s smile warmed her heart. “You’re admitting it because you know I’m dying. And since I’m dying, it won’t go to my head.

  The color drained from Beau’s lips, painting them with a gray tint. Jasmine rubbed the back of her neck. Beau didn’t deserve this. He shouldn’t be dying. And even though that was the truth, she knew nothing could stop it from happening. This isn’t right. It should be me dying, not him!

  A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, and she rolled her head back to see who stood there.

  “Jaz. Can I have a word?” Amon asked.

  She looked at Beau and smiled with shaky lips. “I’ll be right back.”

  He nodded and opened his mouth, but then a coughing fit took over. She squeezed his wrist and ambled to the door.

  Amon led her into the hallway, closing the door behind her. “How’s he doing?”

  Jasmine looked at her feet. “Not good.”

  “The demon poison will move quickly once it enters his system.” His voice was monotone, as if reading from a textbook.

  Jasmine raised her head and glared. “You think I don’t know that? I saw my dad die the exact same why.” She put her hands on her hips and moved her head in front of his, gesturing behind her. “He doesn’t deserve to die like this. This isn’t right! There has to be something we can do.”

  Amon placed a hand on her shoulder. “You know there isn’t. This is how demon poison works. I’m sorry. He will die a hero, though.”

  Jasmine nodded, then dropped her jaw. “How did Bael find Amber and Teeny?”

  Amon shrugged. “Probably Evangeline. But it’s anyone’s guess, really.” Amon rubbed his chin. “You’d better get back in there. I will say a prayer.”

  Jasmine raised her voice. “Like that’s going to do any good. You’ve got an angel who has turned on the side of good. I get it, it was for love, but she was supposed to be on our side!”

  Amon grabbed both of her shoulders. “I know! Evangeline has done something like this before, but of course she’s never gone this far. We should have known.”

  Jasmine stepped back. “I have to get back in there. I don’t want to hear the
theory on Evangeline right now. My best friend is dying.” Even to her own ears, her voice was cold as ice. She opened the door, walked back inside, and inched it closed. What she wanted to do was slam it, but somehow she restrained herself. She didn’t want to startle Beau. That was motivation enough.

  When she joined his side, his eyes were shut. He looked so peaceful. A grin spread across his face.

  “I can feel your eyes on me. So, since you are back, why don’t you finish the story?”

  “I thought you were sleeping.” Jasmine looked at a picture of a little cottage that hung on his wall, remembering the day he’d bought it at that little thrift store. A ball formed in her throat. “Well, when you walked in, I stared at you the whole time you walked to the counter. And, if I remember right, your eyes were on me too.”

  His cheeks reddened. “They were.” His voice was weak.

  “I had been pouring a cup of coffee. But since I was looking at you, I wasn’t paying attention to it. I spilled coffee all over everything.”

  His laughter filled the air. “I remember that. Your cheeks were so red.”

  “Do you need some water?” Jasmine asked.

  Beau shook his head. “No.” He panted heavily. “I can’t seem to catch my breath.”

  Jasmine rubbed his chest to try to help ease some of the labored breathing. “When you’d made it to the counter you said, ‘Hey, gorgeous. Want to hit the town tonight?’ I said, ‘Nope.’ After that, we were inseparable, and if I remember, we did hit the town that night.”

  Beau moved his head up and down, but only a fraction. “We were inseparable, Jazzy. We had a good run. A good friendship. It really meant a lot to me.”

  Tears filled her eyes; she tried to suppress them, but they spilled down her face. “It still means a lot to me.”

  Beau opened his eyes. “I hope it always will.” A coughing fit started, and foamy white spit gushed out the side of his mouth. He turned his head, coughing still, and spit flew out, soaking into his pillow. Jasmine reached up and gripped her necklace as her chest ached. She turned away, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.