Surrounded By Flames (The Flames Trilogy Book 2)

  Jasmine nodded. She had no intention of crossing Bael. It wasn’t like she’d be there long if Ella followed through to save her.

  She’d behave until then. She wouldn’t risk making things worse for her friends. She couldn’t stand it if she lost one more person in her life. If only she could think about herself instead of everyone else all the time, her world would be much simpler. But she’d never been selfish and wouldn’t start being so now. She’d take this one for the team and do what she had to do to make sure they were freed. She’d play nice. Perhaps she’d find she was a good actress.

  Bael had surprised her. She couldn’t believe he was willing to free her friends and risk Lucifer’s wrath just to get her to treat him a little nicer. Why did he care? They were on opposite sides of the war.

  And why did he want her so much, even more than the Angel Blessed? It made no sense to Jasmine and probably never would.

  For a minute in time, she wasn’t alone. She’d had others like her, until she found out she wasn’t like anyone. No, she was and always would be a freak of nature. Half-demon, half-angel, and a whole mess. But which part of her would win in the end, the good or the evil?

  Jasmine sat down, stretching out on the hard, wooden floor. At least it wasn’t completely dark anymore. The door being open helped with that.

  Sleep would be good. It would shut her mind down. Shutting her eyes didn’t bring rest any closer. Too many thoughts flitted through her head. Too many things could go wrong. And she couldn’t think of much else.

  So much sadness had already been aimed at her. Much more of it and she’d explode from the inside out. Would her life be less complicated if she let Bael have his way with her? If she let Bael turn her evil? It would be so easy to surrender, to let someone make the choices for her instead of making her take the lead. She had demon blood running through her veins. Maybe it would be normal, natural even, to let it take her.

  What the hell am I thinking?

  She’d only been with Bael for a short time. Already the easy way began to creep into her thoughts. Where’d her courage go? How about her bravery? Bael had stolen it, taken it right out the door as he left. Before he’d walked in, it had been simple to think of ways to kill him, and now her mind had churned out thoughts of how easy her life would be if she’d just let evil take her under. She wouldn’t hurt anymore. She wouldn’t care about anyone anymore. She wouldn’t mourn the people she loved who had been taken from her too soon. She wouldn’t sit in a room like she did now, reliving every bad memory over and over.

  This whole thing was her fault. Every person who died. Her fault. But if she let Bael have her, really have her, maybe she could save everyone else. Maybe no one else would die.

  Wake up! Bael and his demons will still kill all the humans on Earth, with or without you. That is their goal. If you let yourself fall victim to his evil, the only difference will be you killing humans right beside them instead of fighting to stop them.

  Her thoughts rang with truth, but it didn’t stop Jasmine from thinking the other ones. The ones that scared her. She’d be ashamed if anyone else could hear what she was thinking right now.

  If she took the easy way out, she’d be a coward. That alone made her thoughts shift to the right side again. After she shut it all down, she pictured Amon. Closing her eyes, she relaxed, breathing deep and even. She almost fell asleep…

  Until Moloch barreled through the doorway, his thunky footsteps snapping her eyes open. She let out a long sigh and sat up, glaring at him.

  “What is it? I was so close to finally sleeping.” Jasmine didn’t know how long it’d been, but exhaustion made her muscles weak and her eyes burn.

  Moloch frowned as he rubbed his forehead. When his hand fell to his side, he stared at her for several seconds. “I don’t know when Bael will be back, but I had to come see you. You have to listen to me. I don’t think you realize how much danger you are in.”

  “Um, actually, I’m well aware of what could happen to me…Father. I know all about the whole evil running through my veins crap. I know that I can turn just like that.” Jasmine snapped her fingers. “But I also know, as tempting as it may be, as easy as it sounds, I won’t let myself do it.”

  “You won’t have a choice in the matter. You must guard your mind. Your power. You must keep your power alive inside of you. As long as it’s alive, your angel side is stronger than your demon one. I’m sorry I’ve given you such a horrible battle to fight.”

  Jasmine shrugged. “It’s no biggie. I mean, seriously. Everyone has a little evil inside them. And a little good. It’s what we choose to do with both that matters. I choose to fight to remain good. I know it’s a fight I will win.” If only Moloch could have heard her thoughts ten minutes ago…he might be worried.

  Moloch glanced behind him, his eyes scanning the doorway and down the hallway. “If you need help, I’m here. But we must be careful.” A thump sounded. “I must go. Bael could be back any minute. I can’t risk him finding me here.”

  As Moloch retreated into the hall, Jasmine raised her voice. “Wait.” When he peeked around the wall, Jasmine met his eyes. “I need to know something. You don’t have to answer, but…I just need to know. Why did you choose to work for someone like Bael?”

  Jasmine waited, hoping he’d answer but afraid he wouldn’t. She needed to hear what he said. His answer might give her a glimpse into the demon he really was. He’d always been so kind to her. Maybe it was because he knew she was his daughter, but he’d always been decent to everyone around her too. Because of that, she couldn’t understand why he worked for the cruelest demon she’d met so far.

  After a few minutes passed, Jasmine didn’t think he’d answer. Finally, he cleared his throat. “It was easy to climb the ladder. I did it so I could watch over you. There are perks that come with being high up on the chain, perks like a globe we can watch Earth with. But once we found out we’d won the war, I worked even harder to get to Bael’s side. I knew who you were. I knew, from years of watching you, that you would fight the evil invading your land. I had to make sure I would be there to help you when I could. Although, it isn’t easy standing back while he slaps you. It almost kills me inside to let him do that, but I have a part to play.”

  Jasmine nodded, understanding leading to acceptance. She could understand having a part to play. She had one too.

  Moloch glanced behind him before jogging inside, crouching in front of her. She flinched, but as his palm glided over her cheek, she found herself leaning into the comfort he offered.

  Moloch smiled. “Jasmine, you are a beautiful, powerful creature. That is why everyone wants to use you. Don’t let them. You should be the only one allowed to use you.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?”

  Moloch pulled his hand back as a loud slam echoed through the house. “I must go. It’s Bael,” he whispered.

  Jasmine nodded and let him go without an explanation. The way some of these demons talked, it surprised her she understood anything at all. But what had he meant? How could she use herself? Maybe it had something to do with her angel powers, but it could also have something to do with her demon ones. Or maybe, it had to do with both. They both made her who she was.

  But did she know who she really was? Where she came from? She knew some things, but not the details. And the information was always in the details.

  She’d find out one way or another by the end of this thing.

  Chapter 13

  Trouble Down Under

  Beau

  “Thrust!” Charmeine yelled, poking her sword toward Beau. He dodged it, but barely. “Nice moves.”

  Beau panted, trying to catch his breath. He ran a hand through his hair, yanking it at the back, and dropped his hands to his sides. I thought when I became an angel this stuff would be easier, but it’s not. It’s harder. I used to be athletic. What the hell happened?

  Instead of feeling strong, he felt out of shape. Even clumsy. Going up against an angel as fierc
e as Charmeine didn’t help. A warrior through and through, Beau was absolutely no match for her. What-so-ever.

  Which Charmeine made clear when she struck her Angel Blade against his, clanking until it fell out of his hand.

  “Damn it!” Beau crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Don’t take it too hard. I’ve been at this a long time.” Charmeine made a face. “If I made it too easy, every angel here would want to learn. And if that were to happen, I’d never be able to divvy up the jobs like I need to.”

  Beau flicked his head upward. “Good to know.” Then his mind focused on what she’d said. “You do a lot up here for the Big Guy, don’t you?”

  She nodded. “Yes. I make sure the new angel recruits are stationed where they need to be. I also make sure they’re trained. I make sure each and every angel in Heaven does the job required of them. And I train those of our warrior angels. You could say I’m a little busy.”

  “Sounds like it.”

  They fought again. He lost his sword again and Beau couldn’t help stomping through the clouds. The anger hit him like a Mack truck. He might be an angel, but not long ago he’d been a man. Being outfought by a woman hurt his ego. It might be silly, but it didn’t change anything. Growing up, he’d always been taught that a man should be stronger, but why? Angels weren’t defined by their status as man or woman. Why should humans be?

  Charmeine bounced from one foot to the other. “Break time’s over.”

  Beau sighed heavily. “Great.”

  “Your moves aren’t bad, Beau. Not really. Let me tell you something.” Charmeine licked her lips and smiled. “You have a lot of work to do to be ready for down below. Which is great for me. I love training new angels.”

  Beau stood straighter and met her gaze head on. He needed to stop acting like such a baby, suck it up, and learn what he needed to learn so he could help Jasmine win this war. “Let’s get to it, then.”

  Charmeine grinned and it spread until she reminded Beau of the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland, which made him smile right back at her. “I thought you’d never ask.” Her eyes lit up with excitement just before she moved forward, swinging her sword in front of her. She looked like a graceful dancer, but at the same time a fierce fighter. She was both. I guess I’m lucky she’s teaching me. It could be way worse.

  Beau pushed his Angel Blade up, parrying her blows one after the other. The strength she put behind them made his arm shake as he tried to hold her in place. His old self would have done everything he could in this moment to save face. But he wasn’t that person anymore. He had to leave his old life behind if he ever hoped to be good at his new one. Luckily, the angels had a steep learning curve. If they didn’t, he’d have been thrown out of this place a long time ago.

  Working as a team had never been his thing. He’d never learned how, a fact he blamed his parents for. They’d been self-absorbed and never had time for him. Instead, they traveled all the time, leaving him home with a nanny to take care of him. He’d never missed them when they left. It might have been because he never knew them. Not really. Having money supposedly made life so much better, but he could attest that it did the exact opposite.

  With all of these thoughts floating through his mind, Beau didn’t see what Charmeine threw at him. Not only did she swipe him with her sword, she brushed her foot across the cloud below him and took his feet out from under him. He crashed into the white cloud, puffs of it floating around him like dust particles.

  Charmeine laughed. “That’s right, sucker! Eat my dust.” She paused when she took in Beau’s frown and angry eyes. “Stop beating yourself up. Your strength is already better than when we first started. You’re learning to watch my movements and react.”

  “What does it matter when you beat me every time?” Beau hopped to his feet and sunk halfway through the cloud. “I’m never going to be able to do this.”

  Charmeine wagged a finger at him. “Not with that attitude you won’t. Suck it up, buttercup. You’ll do better tomorrow.” She bumped his shoulder. “Now get out of here. We’re done for today. Go to the Orb and see your girl.”

  Beau’s eyes widened. “Really?” He paused as a question hit him. “Wait a minute. You hit me with your blade.” Beau touched his side, but his shirt was still in one piece. “How come I’m not hurt?”

  “Because we are using Angel Blades, Beau. They don’t hurt other angels, only demons.” Charmeine rolled her eyes as if saying duh. “And yes, really. Call it your reward. Nobody can get knocked down by me over and over without getting angry, and I think you kept pretty good control over yourself. Now get out of here before I change my mind.”

  Beau took off, not questioning her again. He hadn’t been able to sneak a peek at Jasmine for days, not with his training routine and everything else that had been happening. Charmeine also kept a very close eye on him. He knew she didn’t approve of him spying, as she called it. That wasn’t why he went to the Orb, though. One look at Jasmine made everything easier for him. He couldn’t wait until the day he’d be able to see her face to face again. Sure, things would be different. For one, he’d died and turned into an angel. They’d broken up long before that happened, but they’d known each other for years and were friends before they were together. In his eyes, they’d always be friends. Until the day he died. I suppose I can’t use that phrase anymore since I kind of already did that.

  He reached the Orb and immediately touched it, closed his eyes, and thought of her. Conjuring her image was the easiest part, so easy he kicked himself because it shouldn’t be simple. Not anymore. He had to stop thinking of her so often. But she meant so much to him.

  When he opened his eyes, he breathed a sigh of relief as Jasmine came into view. She sat alone in a dark room, on the bare floor. The room had no furniture in it, making Beau do a double take. When he found her eyes coated in sadness, he knew something had happened, but he had no way of knowing what.

  “What is going on with you, Jasmine?” Beau breathed the words, not able to stop himself.

  He continued watching. Nothing changed. As Beau stood to leave the Orb, Jasmine looked up with wide, fear-filled eyes. Bael stepped into view. Beau froze, not able to tear his eyes away.

  Beau clenched his fists. Why is she with him?

  The Orb didn’t provide sound, only sight. He could view anything he wanted, but he couldn’t hear conversations. He could see Bael’s mouth moving, and he wished desperately to hear his words. And where were all the other Angel Blessed? The Fallen Ones? What had happened?

  The Orb shifted to another image, of Amon sitting against a wall in a dark room, but unlike with Jasmine, a source of light shone from the flame of a candle lit in the corner of the room. It highlighted Amon’s bruises, the cuts all over his face. His skin paled under his swollenness. Someone had beaten the shit out of him.

  And also unlike with Jasmine, Amon had chains wrapped around his wrists and his ankles. Beau gasped as he took sight of the thick collar around his neck. How the hell did they get you?

  Beau couldn’t see much else in the room except shadows of what looked like other people trapped alongside Amon. Did Bael do this too? Did he trick them all? I’ll kill him.

  Beau cleared his mind and ran from the Orb toward his training spot, hoping beyond hope that Charmeine hadn’t left yet. When she disappeared, she did so for hours, and Beau didn’t have time to wait. He had to tell her what he saw. They needed help.

  But luck wrapped around him and he found Charmeine still in the training area, laughing with three female angels, the same ones who never missed his training sessions. As her eyes searched his face, her smile turned to a frown, and she moved closer. “What is it?”

  Beau’s heart felt like it might pound right out of his chest. “You have to come to the Orb. They’re in trouble.”

  Charmeine’s eyebrows raised. “Jasmine? But you said they’re, which is plural. Tell me what you saw.”

  “Bael has Jasmine. Amon is captured too, but I don??
?t know if they are in the same place. I couldn’t see the others, but it looked like they were in the room with Amon.”

  Charmeine flew as fast as her wings would carry her, quickly passing Beau on her way to the Orb. Beau stayed right on her tail and strolled up beside her as the picture reformed in the Orb.

  It showed the same thing. Jasmine with Bael beside her. He struck her across the face, and Beau clenched his fists to keep from punching the Orb. Which would have done absolutely no good. In fact, it would have done the opposite, because then they wouldn’t be able to see any of them anymore.

  Progress. Before, he would have never been able to restrain his anger.

  Then Amon came on, and one by one, Charmeine brought the others up. They were captured, all right. Locked in a room just like Amon, or maybe even the same one. Jasmine hadn’t been chained, but that didn’t make her any safer. Probably less so, considering Bael was with her.

  “We have to help them.” Beau paced behind her on the clouds. “We have to do something.”

  Charmeine dropped her hand from the Orb and stood, meeting his gaze. “We will. For now, I want you to hang tight, Beau. We will help them, but I have to check with the Big Guy first. At least let him know what’s going on and the plan.”

  “What is the plan?” His voice cracked on the last word.

  Charmeine stared at him a minute. “Just stay here. I’ll let you know as soon as I know, okay?”

  Beau nodded, not trusting his voice. His lips quivered as if he were standing in the snow with no coat on. He couldn’t believe all the good guys had been captured. They were the angels’ only hope in the war. At least that was what they’d been saying up here. Without Jasmine and Amon and the rest of the Angel Blessed, the demons would win. The angels needed them and the others to fight below while they held on to what they had up here. Heaven had been weakened from the loss of the war. So many things up here had been destroyed. If the angels went below to fight, the demons would have no resistance if they wanted to take Heaven.