Questions flooded her mind. Would she ever save anyone? Protect anyone? She was supposed to be a hero in this. Supposed to be able to stop the demons…but she’d flunked that class. The demons remained one step ahead and she knew why. She didn’t think like an evil being out to take over the world, but she needed to start.
She screamed, a growl-type sound that released some of her frustration. She’d woken up happy and thankful to have finally slept some, but now, now she had rage howling through her and anger making her limbs shake and sadness threatening to plummet her straight to the depths of Hell, but she couldn’t let it. She had to keep going, to save who she could. They’d chosen her long ago as their hero. Jasmine still thought they’d picked wrong, but she’d do her best to live up to what they’d seen in her all those years ago. Or die trying to be the person they needed her to be.
“Jasmine, we must go.” Amon grabbed her arm, pulling her toward the SUV in the gentlest way.
“You won’t be going anywhere.” The voice was one she didn’t recognize. A deep baritone.
Jasmine turned in slow motion. Red eyes met her own. The demon stood tall, muscles bulging from every part of his body. His almost bald head had one strip of hair, sticking straight up and running down the middle in a black and orange mohawk. He had thick rings in his ears, one in his nose, and another in his eyebrow. And he didn’t stand alone. Three of his biggest friends hovered right behind him.
Amber joined her side. “Who are you?”
He smiled, his teeth yellow with two gold fangs. “Your worst nightmare.”
Chaos erupted when the demons rushed forward, each one matching up with a member of Jasmine’s group. She got stuck fighting the big guy with the many piercings. She focused on her power, not on the size of her foe, letting it slither through her veins and rise to the surface. She buzzed with energy and felt alive.
With wide eyes and a smile on her face, she stretched her neon blue hands in front of her. “Go ahead. Come at me.”
The demon halted with the crooked grin stuck on his face. “Shoot. I dare ya.”
There was no hesitation. A spark shot from her hand, aimed right at him, but he laughed as he ripped a piece of cloth from his chest, revealing a thick plastic-looking covering. Jasmine could tell the thick armor covered him from neck to ankle. “I’m prepared for your magic.”
Jasmine stumbled as her power smacked into the plastic, bouncing back toward her. But it’s plastic. My power should melt it.
She let her power settle inside her again as she racked her brain for answers. Her strength would in no way match muscles as big as the ones on the demon and her power wouldn’t melt his armor, so now what? How could she fight him now? And how did he come up with a way to block her power? Nothing made any sense to her, and she couldn’t figure anything out standing here watching the demon stalk closer and closer.
The demon sidled up beside her, leaning close to her ear. “Don’t feel bad. This armor, made by Lucifer himself, I might add, is a special material to block your flames, girl. There’s nothing you can do to stop what will come next. But I will enjoy every second while you try.” A determined look crossed his face right before he slammed his fist into her gut. The air left her in a solid whoosh that didn’t seem to end and she wrapped her arms around herself as she doubled over, trying to breathe but failing with each pull.
Okay. So what. You don’t have your power. You can still fight. Get your shit together already.
The next time his fist soared toward her, she moved away from him, spinning until she faced him, sticking her fists out in front of her. She bounced from foot to foot, like a boxer ready to spar. Her power sat in her hands, ready if she met bare demon skin. “Let’s dance, then.”
The demon raised his eyebrows, one corner of his lips tilted up. “What does dancing have to do with it?”
Jasmine glared. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
The demon’s size made him slow. She dodged him with little effort, her small size making it easier for her to jump out of the way. It also gave her time to evaluate him. He grimaced before every punch he threw toward her. Another thing that made it simple to stay out of his way. He couldn’t keep up with her fast movements and the frustration painted across his face made Jasmine giddy since only a moment ago she’d thought she wouldn’t stand a chance against his size.
Fighting sounds surrounded her, but she tried to push them out of her mind, only focusing on the demon in front of her. Distractions would get her killed. Well, maybe not, since the demons had some stupid obsession with her, but it would get her captured, and she would do whatever she could to never end up a prisoner of theirs again.
Her training came to mind and she danced with him. He went left and she circled right. He struck right and she spun left. All the while, her eyes searched his body for any opening in his armor, any part not covered by thick plastic. She almost shouted in triumph when she found his hands exposed, but at the same time she couldn’t believe she hadn’t noticed when she’d been pummeled in the stomach. Even still, he had a chink in his armor and Jasmine had a way to defeat him. It was a start.
An impossible one, it seemed. His hands slipped from her reach over and over. She didn’t give up. Kept trying. He’d come close and she’d snake her power-charged hands toward his, but then he’d almost latch on to her and she’d duck away. Another endless dance.
Amon’s pain-filled scream shattered her ears and she turned. A moment of distraction and she’d been crushed face-first to the ground under the heavy weight of the demon. She couldn’t breathe and she didn’t know if she wanted to. How could she have been so stupid?
His body shifted and her face scraped against the asphalt as she struggled to inch out from under him. “Get off me.” She spoke through clenched teeth as she squirmed, kicking her legs behind her and meeting only air. Her hands were buried under her stomach, going numb from lack of circulation, so she couldn’t fight. Instead, she wiggled like a worm trying to break through solid ground.
His hard armor dug into her back and pain filled her muscles. Leaning her head back only made her chin dig into the stone and she realized she couldn’t headbutt him. She couldn’t do anything but sit and watch the fight in front of her. Amon had fallen to the ground, but somehow still held his own against one of the big male demons. Azzy flew against his would-be captor, laughing while he stayed just out of reach. Then her eyes landed on Amber. Her hair glowed turquoise, matching her eyes. Her skin had taken on the same hue, only a little fainter. Water emerged from her body in a wave, the edges shaped into sharp points. The demon rushed her, not seeing the water, and it sliced across his abdomen, opening him from sternum to waist. The water spiraled into the open wound and blood spilled down the demon’s pale skin. He exploded like a grenade had gone off inside him, tiny demon bits spraying across the ground.
Jasmine gasped. She’d never seen Amber’s power, but she no longer thought her own power stronger. The angels must have been wrong.
The demon stiffened above her. “What the hell is your friend?” His voice held a hint of horror and Jasmine couldn’t stop the glee that spread through her.
“She’s one of us. An Angel Blessed.” Jasmine laughed. “And I don’t think your little armor will protect you from that, huh?”
The demon shoved the back of her head and Jasmine’s face slammed into the gravel. Pain erupted from her nose and when she sniffled, she tasted blood. The pain did nothing to stop the laughter. It couldn’t. They’d sent the strongest demon after her, thinking she held the most dangerous power. Meanwhile Amber’s power held even more danger. Irony. Sweet, sweet irony. How I love you.
The demon dragged her to her feet, wrapping his arms around her from behind, holding her in front of him. She could see why. The other demons were in little pieces now too. Demon debris sprinkled the pavement like confetti.
Amon stepped to the front of the group. “Let her go. You are outnumbered. All your friends are dead. Do you want to die today
too?”
The demon growled, his acrid breath wrapping around Jasmine’s nose and she cringed. “You can’t kill me with your little girlfriend in front of me. I know how this works.”
Something dripped onto Jasmine’s cheek. Was that sweat? Was the demon actually scared? Jasmine didn’t even know demons could sweat.
The demon’s strong hands shoved into Jasmine’s back and she toppled forward, her hands jolting against the pavement as she barely stopped her face from smashing against it. She heard the scuffle of his feet fading as he ran the opposite direction.
As she pushed against her sore wrists to stand, Amon scooped her up and helped her to her feet. Amber shoved past them, chasing the demon.
Amon’s voice boomed in Jasmine’s ear. “Amber, just let him go. He’s not worth the chase. There could be more of them back there, and there aren’t enough of us to fight them. Plus, Jasmine is hurt.”
As Jasmine straightened out, her shoulder ached, probably from catching herself as she fell to the ground. She rubbed her sore nose, pulling her hand back to reveal a red streak painted on her finger.
She must be a mess of blood and scratches, maybe even some bruises. Her whole body ached like she’d been at the gym for four hours.
Amber turned back, frowning. “Letting him go will just leave him free to come back later. Do you want to risk it?”
Azzy flapped his small black wings once then folded them away. “Amon’s right. We shouldn’t follow him. We might all want to make sure he dies today, but if we don’t practice restraint, he could lead us to a bigger group of his buddies and we could face our own deaths.”
Amber sighed loudly, then grunted. “Fine. Then I suggest we get out of here.”
Amon helped Jasmine to the SUV, sliding her into the backseat, where he climbed in beside her. Azzy took the passenger seat and Amber drove them out of the small town, where nothing remained but fire, blood, and ashes.
Chapter 5
People of Today and Horrors of Tomorrow
Amon
Amon stared out the window at the green sign that said ‘Now Entering Illinois’. He had no clue what that meant in terms of how much longer they had, but things had gotten a little bit more normal. Cars paraded through the streets, most rushing around and in a panic, but at least he could see some form of civilization. Maniac drivers or not.
The people were panicked. Amon couldn’t blame them. If he didn’t know the whole story, he’d be panicking too. And these people didn’t know the whole story, not even half of it. He’d like to think they’d started to understand who this enemy was, but he didn’t think anybody had yet. Maybe some, but he had a feeling most humans would rather think terrorists had invaded their country than find themselves face to face with a demon. Coming to terms with it wouldn’t help them, so why tell them the truth?
A regular, ordinary human up against a demon didn’t have much hope. They might look the same, but a demon’s power stemmed from fear, and humans had loads of it they tossed around like a dirty bag of laundry. If they would realize that if they only banded together, they’d have more numbers and might do some damage. It would be difficult, but not impossible. Sure, numbers didn’t equate to strength, but numbers plus the Angel Blessed would stop them. Maybe…
Amon released a heavy sigh, although he hadn’t meant to.
Amber glanced at him in the rearview mirror. “Something wrong, boss?”
Amon rolled his eyes. “Why does everybody insist on calling me that?”
Jasmine chuckled, raising her head from the window. “Why do you think? Because you act like you’re in charge. All. The. Time.” She met his eyes. Hers were shimmering with amusement.
He chose to keep his mouth shut, but couldn’t stop the corners of his lips slanting upward into a smile of sorts. So much for keeping his amusement hidden.
“So, are we going to talk about what happened back there?” Jasmine shifted in her seat, moving the seatbelt at her chest around as she did. “I would at least like to thank Amber. She kicked some ass back there.”
Amber peered over her shoulder before turning her eyes back to the road. “Yeah, well, don’t thank me. It’s not needed. Trust me on that.”
“Jasmine is right. You saved all our, um, asses back there.” Amon awkwardly cleared his throat. The word felt foreign on his tongue, but he thought he might grow to like it.
Azzy folded a leg beneath him, turning in his seat. “I think we all did our part back there. Well, except Jasmine.” He winked at her. “And Amon, I just wanted to let you know that you using the word ‘asses’ just sounds wrong, man. In fact, I wouldn’t object if I never heard you say it again.”
“Call it like you see it. I sucked back there.” Jasmine almost whispered the words, like she didn’t want anyone to hear her.
Amon shot a grin toward Azzy. “Jealous?” Then he dropped the smile and turned to Jasmine, halting Azzy’s response. “You did fine back there. A situation like that…it’s hard to know how you’ll react. You did the best you could given what you faced. They knew about you and they used it to their advantage. You couldn’t have foreseen that. And next time, Amber might face the same kind of situation because now they know about her power and what it can do.”
“I thought the demon’s armor to be a piece of plastic covering, but it wasn’t. I have no idea what it could have been made from, but it blocked my power. He said Lucifer made it.” Jasmine slumped forward, resting her arms against the driver’s seat. “You’re right. I couldn’t have seen that coming, but I still want to know how Lucifer came up with an armor that would block my power and what the hell it’s made of.”
Amon shrugged. “Never have I seen anything like it.” He paused, thinking. “Perhaps if it came from Lucifer, it stemmed from his powers. Maybe something in his power counteracted your own. If I could get my hands on a piece, a sample of it, I might be able to discern how it was made, but as it stands, I have no idea.” Amon hadn’t even known the demons to be capable of creating anything, let alone a power-blocking armor. He’d spent so much time in Hell and still knew so little about the evil beings. Maybe he should have spent more time observing instead of doing everything in his power to anger them…then he wouldn’t have been locked up. But he had no clue the angel-demon war would come to this. He’d never thought the angels capable of losing. Until they did.
With a heavy sigh, Jasmine fell back. “Well, until then, everyone needs to be extra careful and prepared for anything.”
“Because Lucifer is the ruler of Hell and has the most power, the armor is probably more powerful than even we know. So, I agree with Jasmine. We all need to be careful. Not just you Angel Blessed, but us Fallen Ones too,” Azzy said.
A lightbulb flickered inside Amon’s head, an idea popping into his mind. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t thought of it before. Doubt had hovered within, clouding his judgement. He knew how Lucifer had done it. How he’d created the armor. He didn’t say it out loud. Not yet. If Lucifer wanted a shield to block an angel’s powers, he had everything he needed right here, on Earth. The skin of a dead human…it made sense. Jasmine’s, as well as the other Angel Blessed, powers wouldn’t harm a human. If Lucifer had found a way to harden the skin…but how had he made it see-through?
Amon didn’t have all the answers, not yet. But he had a feeling he’d found the right road that would lead him to them. Now he only had to keep traveling it.
He’d never imagined Lucifer could be smart, but Amon had clearly underestimated him. He hadn’t been dubbed ruler of Hell for so long by being an idiot.
It grew quiet in the SUV after that. They kept moving, and the closer they got to their destination the more traffic Amon saw. Some of the vehicles began slowing, not rushing so much. Some might have been enjoying an afternoon drive from the looks on their smiling faces.
Had they seen the news lately? Had any of these people paid any attention to the happenings of the world? Maybe not. Maybe they only cared for themselves and what happen
ed around them. The more Amon learned about humans, the more perplexed he grew. Things had been so different when he’d lived. People banded together during tough times. Greed did exist, but not amongst those who worked for their meals. Deceit and betrayal were there, but not amongst his family. He’d always been taught to help when people needed it. To be kind. To fight for what he believed in. And these people, they were so self-absorbed they didn’t even care about what was happening right in front of their own faces.
Perhaps the problems of today had existed in his happy world, but he had been blind to them, or people had hidden their secrets better back then.
His judgement of these people made him as bad as he thought they were. Maybe some of these humans were kind, considerate even, but had no means to watch the news. Maybe they were poor and lived in the cars they drove today. Or perhaps they didn’t watch the news because of the bad, horrible things they displayed on the channels. There were a lot of uncertainties, all of which made Amon horrible for thinking so badly of people he knew nothing about.
He sighed and let his head touch the window again, staring into the vast array of farmland as it flew past them. So many things were different. The long, winding roads. So many houses some towns had them piled so close together one could hardly walk between them. Planted fields manned by machines as big as houses…and these were only a few of the things different from his time. None of those things made this generation of people worse than the ones in his own time.
With his thoughts looping in a continuous circle, he closed his eyes and tried to shut his mind down. He would rather not think about anything. The darkness behind his lids welcomed him and shut down the judgements, the opinions. After what felt like forever, complete, utter, dark silence encompassed him, and he couldn’t have been happier.
***